This looks like advertising...thought that wasn't allowed on the forum. :eek:
I'm sorry if my post was confusing. I'll try to elaborate.

I'm inviting people who are interested in NCAA basketball to come over and enjoy the game. This is NOT a store - this is my personal dedicated home theater and I'm not selling anything. You are cordially invited as a guest to my home to watch the game. I happen to enjoy my 126" screen and I enjoy it even more with company. The wife loves movies, but not sports. Most of my neighbors love football, but not basketball.

I promise I won't try to sell you anything, except to root for the underdog. :p

I take it that the outdoor 2' medium yagi is a UHF only and the attic antenna is a VHF only or an all channel antenna.

Have you tried adding them with a UHF/VHF band joiner/splitter?
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=UVSJ
The outdoor UHF antenna would be used for WRGB, WCWN, WTEN, and WMHT. The attic antenna would be used for WXXA and WNYT.

You may also be in a location that can receive WYPX-DT on channel 50 and WVER-DT PBS, Rutland, VT on channel 9.
Yes yagi is UHF and I assumed the attic was just VHF.
In your first responce you said that antennaweb said to use both antennas, for gain.
So I messed around with the attic ant'.
I found, to my surprise, that with the attic ant' pointing in the right direction all stations gained two bars on the signal meter.
Very nice!
Even during the 24" snow fall we had on Friday my reception was rock solid.
:D
Thanks for the input, I would of never thought the VHF ant' could make that much difference on UHF reception.

WYPX-DT on channel 50 and WVER-DT PBS, Rutland, VT on channel 9, I don't get, maybe if I rotated the antenna.
;)

Yes yagi is UHF and I assumed the attic was just VHF.
In your first responce you said that antennaweb said to use both antennas, for gain.
So I messed around with the attic ant'.
I found, to my surprise, that with the attic ant' pointing in the right direction all stations gained two bars on the signal meter.
Very nice!
Even during the 24" snow fall we had on Friday my reception was rock solid.
:D
Thanks for the input, I would of never thought the VHF ant' could make that much difference on UHF reception.

WYPX-DT on channel 50 and WVER-DT PBS, Rutland, VT on channel 9, I don't get, maybe if I rotated the antenna.
;)

It's likely that the antenna in the attic is really a VHF/UHF combo, like this. If so, the antenna on the roof may not be needed.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103084&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032205&fbn=Type%2FTV+boom+antennas&f=PAD%2FProduct+Type%2FTV+boom+antennas&fbc=1&parentPage=family

I'm just waiting for the opportunity to switch to FiOS TV. Anyone know that ETA for the Capital District?

I spoke to a reasonably high level person at Verizon today. When I asked if we might have Fios TV in a year, he immediately said no. When I asked about two years, he gave a very reluctant maybe.

Of course, this could change at any moment, but I think all of the information points to a long wait for Fios TV in the Capital District. The best thing we can do is get as many people as possible to start using Fios Internet. That is a key metric that Verizon uses to gauge the likely hood of people switching to its Fios TV product.

I spoke to a reasonably high level person at Verizon today. When I asked if we might have Fios TV in a year, he immediately said no. When I asked about two years, he gave a very reluctant maybe.

Of course, this could change at any moment, but I think all of the information points to a long wait for Fios TV in the Capital District. The best thing we can do is get as many people as possible to start using Fios Internet. That is a key metric that Verizon uses to gauge the likely hood of people switching to its Fios TV product.Nice try... but I'll stick with my Verizon DSL service & Time Warner Cable (sic) until they bring in FiOS TV. :p

Verzon is pushing a bill in Albany concerning its right to put in TV service without the need for local approvals. It looks like it has put TV expansion on hold pending approval of this bill. Call it a form of pressure on our elected brothers and sisters in Albany.

Richard.

After paying a cable TV bill for the past 30 years I can wait a couple more for FiOS TV to become available on my street. Verizon has made a huge investment building a FiOS network across our region and no matter how stodgy our local town governments are... FiOS TV will become available for many of the select towns around the Capital (a.k.a. smAlbany) region. :)

Hello, newbie here. I've read most of the recent posts concerning qam turners and receiving HD singal thru TW with standard cable (no settop box).

From what I've read it appears some in this area (capital district) can watch local HD thru TW without subscribing to TW's digital cable service and using a TW settop box. It also seems some can't.

Has anyone actually got local HD thru TW without subcribing to their digital service ?

I live in Poestenkill (Rensselaer County).

Thank You
JOB

Has anyone actually got local HD thru TW without subcribing to their digital service ?
Yes.

Look back to post #2554 of this thread and read the comments posted immediately after. ProTuber listed the channels available at that time. The locals (available free via OTA - over the air antenna) are always unencrypted. The list of other (non-locals) unencrypted channels from TWC change from time to time

Unencrypted QAM channels as of 12/21/06:
WRNN-DT 74-12 9-1 91 704 x 480
WCWN-DT 74-20 18-15 1815 1920 x 1080
WTEN-DT 104-1 18-90 554 720 x 480
WNYT-DT 104-2 18-93 1893 704 x 480
WMHT-HD 104-3 18-11 1811 1920 x 1080
WRGB-HD 104-4 18-6 1806 1920 x 1080
WRGB-DT 104-6 18-96 1896 720 x 480
WXXA-HD 105-7 18-8 1808 1280 x 720
WNYT-HD 105-10 18-13 1813 1920 x 1080
WTEN-HD 105-17 18-10 1810 1280 x 720
NBAPC 81-1 81-1 1900 528 x 480 NBA League Pass Preview
NBATV 81-6 81-6 677 704 x 480
NYS 89-1 89-1 582 528 x 480 NYS Legislature Senate & Assembly
SNYHD 93-1 93-1 1866 1920 x 1080
? 118-1 118-1 ? 720 x 480 Premium on demand remote tutorial
? 118-2 118-2 ? 704 x 480 Color bars
? 118-3 118-3 ? 528 x 480 Answers on Demand tutorial
? 118-4 118-4 ? 352 x 480 AOL Music on Demand
CHAN1 118-6 118-6 1 528 x 480 Welcome to Time Warner Cable
? 118-7 118-7 ? 704 x 480 Color bars
PRVW8 118-8 118-8 800 352 X 480 iControl Previews
? 118-9 118-9 ? 352 x 480 Movies on Demand preview
? 118-10 118-10 ? 528 x 480 Cutting Edge on-Demand still

Thanks Albany, I'm going to see what the budget can afford for HD viewing. I really appreciate the information I got from this forum.

Those jerks at TW told me the only way I could watch HD was with their digital service package.

Look foward to keeping in touch.

Thanks again
JOB

I don't see WCWN-HD there? Did they remove it? (Maybe that's why I don't pick it up on my QAM scan).

Yes.

Look back to post #2554 of this thread and read the comments posted immediately after. ProTuber listed the channels available at that time. The locals (available free via OTA - over the air antenna) are always unencrypted. The list of other (non-locals) unencrypted channels from TWC change from time to time

Unencrypted QAM channels as of 12/21/06:
WRNN-DT 74-12 9-1 91 704 x 480
WCWN-DT 74-20 18-15 1815 1920 x 1080
WTEN-DT 104-1 18-90 554 720 x 480
WNYT-DT 104-2 18-93 1893 704 x 480
WMHT-HD 104-3 18-11 1811 1920 x 1080
WRGB-HD 104-4 18-6 1806 1920 x 1080
WRGB-DT 104-6 18-96 1896 720 x 480
WXXA-HD 105-7 18-8 1808 1280 x 720
WNYT-HD 105-10 18-13 1813 1920 x 1080
WTEN-HD 105-17 18-10 1810 1280 x 720
NBAPC 81-1 81-1 1900 528 x 480 NBA League Pass Preview
NBATV 81-6 81-6 677 704 x 480
NYS 89-1 89-1 582 528 x 480 NYS Legislature Senate & Assembly
SNYHD 93-1 93-1 1866 1920 x 1080
? 118-1 118-1 ? 720 x 480 Premium on demand remote tutorial
? 118-2 118-2 ? 704 x 480 Color bars
? 118-3 118-3 ? 528 x 480 Answers on Demand tutorial
? 118-4 118-4 ? 352 x 480 AOL Music on Demand
CHAN1 118-6 118-6 1 528 x 480 Welcome to Time Warner Cable
? 118-7 118-7 ? 704 x 480 Color bars
PRVW8 118-8 118-8 800 352 X 480 iControl Previews
? 118-9 118-9 ? 352 x 480 Movies on Demand preview
? 118-10 118-10 ? 528 x 480 Cutting Edge on-Demand still

I don't see WCWN-HD there? Did they remove it? (Maybe that's why I don't pick it up on my QAM scan).
WCWN-DT 74-20 18-15 1815 1920 x 1080

Don't be mislead by the channel name (because it's not listed as "-HD"), the resolution says it all, it is the HD channel.

In addition, since that time channel 23's subchannel (23.2, VTV) has been added to channel 104. Your tuner will report it as 4-23 presumably because it also appears on channel 423 if you have a digital cable box.

Thanks ProTuber!!

Hey Folks,

Has anyone else noticed weird things going on with WYNT-HD OTA as well as the subchannels? I'm using a MyHD card and a little earlier saw 13-2(the local CH. 13 weather) while tuned to 13-1? What's up with this? Now I have nothing on all three: WNYT-HD, -WX, or -SD, but am showing signal strengths in the 70s for all three and being told "Poor signal quality" by my HDTV? Are they just having problems, or could it be something on my end?

It's not just you. I'm seeing nothing OTA, although I also have a strong signal. They're OK on cable. Gotta go; time for Leno Headlines.

Hey Guys

Was hoping you guys would be kind enough to help me pick out an antenna and pre-amp.
AntennaWeb say I need a Medium Directional w/pre-amp, with my location being in the Perth / Broadalbin area.

Online or local store to purchase?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hey Guys

Was hoping you guys would be kind enough to help me pick out an antenna and pre-amp.
AntennaWeb say I need a Medium Directional w/pre-amp, with my location being in the Perth / Broadalbin area.

Online or local store to purchase?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
It depends on what you want. I ONLY wanted digital TV and went with a Winegard Squareshooter w/pre-amp and have been very happy.

However, if you're going to be mounting an antenna, you may want to pick up everything under the sun and then I'd recommend a YAGI style. I like Winegard and Channel Master.

It depends on what you want. I ONLY wanted digital TV and went with a Winegard Squareshooter w/pre-amp and have been very happy.

However, if you're going to be mounting an antenna, you may want to pick up everything under the sun and then I'd recommend a YAGI style. I like Winegard and Channel Master.


Thanks for the reply.
I am just looking for HD digital signals out of the Tower in Albany.

VHF/UHF with maximum distance at about 35-40 miles.

How far are you from the transmitters?

I was just looking at the SS-2000, not sure if it any good for my location.

Thanks

It depends on what you want. I ONLY wanted digital TV and went with a Winegard Squareshooter w/pre-amp and have been very happy.

However, if you're going to be mounting an antenna, you may want to pick up everything under the sun and then I'd recommend a YAGI style. I like Winegard and Channel Master.


ST it looks like (my) maximum distance for the channels you are getting is 27.9 miles. Read an earlier post of yours..looks like you can't be too far from me.
Where did you purchase the SS-2000 and what kind of reception is it giving you?

Thanks

ST it looks like (my) maximum distance for the channels you are getting is 27.9 miles. Read an earlier post of yours..looks like you can't be too far from me.
Where did you purchase the SS-2000 and what kind of reception is it giving you?

Thanks

I would not suggest a Square Shooter for Perth. The VHF performance of the Square shooter is poor to marginal. WXXA-DT and WNYT-DT are on VHF. WRGB-DT will be VHF in 2009. The Square Shooter will not work on channel 6. Yet, I like Winegard.

In your location, there is danger of preamp overload by WYPX and WYPX-DT. I would use a slightly larger antenna and skip the preamp. The Winegard HD7082P would be my choice. If you find that a preamp is still needed, the HDP-269 can handle strong local signals the best.

Goldcrest on Christler Ave. in Schenectady carries the Wade Delhi antennas. They are designed for heavier ice and wind conditions. I don't know the product line well enough to recommend a model.

ST it looks like (my) maximum distance for the channels you are getting is 27.9 miles. Read an earlier post of yours..looks like you can't be too far from me.
Where did you purchase the SS-2000 and what kind of reception is it giving you?

Thanks
I'm 22.5 miles from the DTV stations. I get PBS, CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX at 80% or better reception (usually below 30% I'll start getting dropouts). There is NOTHING blocking my reception - no trees, buildings or large obstacles of any kind.

I got mine from Summit Source - and also a friend of mine just got theirs from Summit Source. They were very helpful and had a good price.
http://www.summitsource.com/product_info.php?ref=1&products_id=4606

Good luck.

I would not suggest a Square Shooter for Perth. The VHF performance of the Square shooter is poor to marginal. WXXA-DT and WNYT-DT are on VHF. WRGB-DT will be VHF in 2009. The Square Shooter will not work on channel 6.
I'm a bit confused by your reply. I get WXXA, WNYT and WRGB at upwards of 90%, and never below 80%.

But I'm most confused by your statement that the Square Shooter will not work on channel 6. Do you mean when WRGB-DT goes to VHF it will not work at all, or do you mean its reception will be poor?

According to the Windgard site, the SquareShooter won't pick up VHF from channels 2-6 at much past 15 miles. So I think you're saying that after WRGB goes to VHF, we may not get channel 6 at all. This makes perfect sense and in two years I may very well be looking at another antenna.

Continuing on - according to antennaweb.org WRGB is currently sending out there non-digital signal on VHF 6. Since I currently pick up that signal, could I assume that I'll have no problems once WRGB puts there digital signal on VHF? Or is antennaweb wrong and everything is now on UHF?

I would not suggest a Square Shooter for Perth. The VHF performance of the Square shooter is poor to marginal. WXXA-DT and WNYT-DT are on VHF. WRGB-DT will be VHF in 2009. The Square Shooter will not work on channel 6. Yet, I like Winegard.

In your location, there is danger of preamp overload by WYPX and WYPX-DT. I would use a slightly larger antenna and skip the preamp. The Winegard HD7082P would be my choice. If you find that a preamp is still needed, the HDP-269 can handle strong local signals the best.

Goldcrest on Christler Ave. in Schenectady carries the Wade Delhi antennas. They are designed for heavier ice and wind conditions. I don't know the product line well enough to recommend a model.


Thank you for the help Tower Guy.

Checked into the 7082P and found out how big that boy is...I will have to check with the boss as to if or where I can mount it , if I get it. Other than Goldcrest, they are re-stocking, is there anywhere local that sells the Winegard.

Continuing on - according to antennaweb.org WRGB is currently sending out there non-digital signal on VHF 6. Since I currently pick up that signal, could I assume that I'll have no problems once WRGB puts there digital signal on VHF? Or is antennaweb wrong and everything is now on UHF?

In your case WRGB-DT should work in 2009.

Reception of low band VHF at 20+ miles with a Square Shooter is unusual. You've got a good location.

Thank you for the help Tower Guy.

Checked into the 7082P and found out how big that boy is...I will have to check with the boss as to if or where I can mount it , if I get it. Other than Goldcrest, they are re-stocking, is there anywhere local that sells the Winegard.

Not that I'm aware of.
Additional on-line sources are;
www.warrenelectronics.com
www.solidsignal.com

Not that I'm aware of.
Additional on-line sources are;
www.warrenelectronics.com
www.solidsignal.com


Thanks Tower Guy

Newegg has the WINEGARD HD7082 PLATINUM SERIES which I will get.
Hopefully it has everything I need in the box.

They also have the WINEGARD AP8275 Chromstar 2000 Pre amp, do you think this would work ok. They do not offer the one you mentioned.

so this morning a verizon truck was in front of my house running cables and when i left for work, i found a door hanger saying that they will be running lines for fios in my neighborhood and that it will be available soon. SWEET!

now my next question is if anyone else in the area has fiOS yet. particularly their TV service. i am lookign on their website and it looks decent. they offer a multi-room DVR. so if you have the multiroom DVR in the living room and then regular tuners in 2 bedrooms you can watch recorded shows from the main DVRs in the two bedrooms. you can even be watching a recorded show in the living room, pause it, and then resume it in the bedroom.

sounds pretty slick but i am wondering how the interface is compared to tivo. and how good it is about not missing scheduled shows and that sort of thing. does anyoen in the area have this?

bdee1:
You don't list your location or state it in your message. I can assume you are either in Bethlehem or Colonie, as they currently have access to Fios internet.

Verizon has stated they are also installing Fios in Guilderland, but I haven't seen or heard any info indicating it is available here.

Verizon's Fios TV service is not currently available anywhere in the Capial District. As posted on another local HD website, Verizon has not even approached the Town of Bethlehem for a franchise yet. If and when they do it would take several months. Perhaps Verizon is waiting for the state wide franchise bill to pass.

hey sorry - forgot to post my location - i am actually in Scotia near the glenville wal-mart

thats a real bummer about the tv portion of it though. as for internet it is similar in speed to roadrunner since TW just announced that their speeds are going up to 10M/1M

Under current law, Verizon has to negotiate individual TV agreements with each municipality. I believe Verizon actually did this for a portion of Long Island.

There is a bill in NYS that would enable utilities (such as cable TV providers) to negotiate statewide agreements. It is posted at a local HD forum that Verizon is against the current version of the statewide franchise bill because of the build-out and net neutrality requirements of the bill.

There is a Verizon Fios TV Master Topic thread in this forum located at:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=590208
This would have more details on the rollout of Verizon's TV service.

There is a bill in NYS that would enable utilities (such as cable TV providers) to negotiate statewide agreements. It is posted at a local HD forum that Verizon is against the current version of the statewide franchise bill because of the build-out and net neutrality requirements of the bill.Kudos to our NYS Legislatures. I applaud their efforts to mandate the terms of FiOS technology which in reality serves nothing more than to enable Time Warner to maintain it’s strangle hold over NYS CATV subscribers. :rolleyes:

BTW... think of the TAX revenue FiOS TV will add to the State's coffers. :)

Can anyone tell me if the OTA picture quality is comparable or better than TWC, DirecTv...In my case I have TWC .

Thanks

Hello, newbie here. I've read most of the recent posts concerning qam turners and receiving HD singal thru TW with standard cable (no settop box).

From what I've read it appears some in this area (capital district) can watch local HD thru TW without subscribing to TW's digital cable service and using a TW settop box. It also seems some can't.

Has anyone actually got local HD thru TW without subcribing to their digital service ?

I live in Poestenkill (Rensselaer County).

Thank You
JOB
Time Warner CEO Steve Britt recently testified at a House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet hearing on cable’s role in the national shutdown of analog TV signals on Feb. 17, 2009. Here are some of his comments:

“We have not addressed yet somebody who buys basic only and might want HD. My guess is that there aren’t very many of those people.”“In our case today, if you buy digital service, which does cost more than basic, and if you then want HD, we don’t charge any extra for it. Most of the other cable and satellite companies do charge extra, by the way.”

When he was asked if he believes cable operators intended to send local TV signals from their headends to homes both in analog and digital after an analog-TV cutoff, he replied:"Yes I do. We think we have flexibility to do what we need to do."

The entire post can be read at the More news about HD on Time Warner Cable (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10157387#post10157387) thread.

Thanks Tower Guy

Newegg has the WINEGARD HD7082 PLATINUM SERIES which I will get.
Hopefully it has everything I need in the box.

They also have the WINEGARD AP8275 Chromstar 2000 Pre amp, do you think this would work ok. They do not offer the one you mentioned.

I'd try it without the preamp first. If you have trouble, find another source for the HDP-269. The AP8275 is much more prone to overload. 30,000 uV vs 350,000 uV. http://www.winegard.com/offair/preamps.htm

I'd try it without the preamp first. If you have trouble, find another source for the HDP-269. The AP8275 is much more prone to overload. 30,000 uV vs 350,000 uV. http://www.winegard.com/offair/preamps.htm

Installation is almost complete without the pre-amp.
Picture quality is great at night with my tuner at 85-95% for 6.1, 10.1, 13.1, fox is ok, not perfect.
The Tube (great station) is pretty much NG with some good audio..

Towerguy as far as grounding the antenna, does #8 copper to a grounding rod sound good enough. I will be doing this on sat. I have grounded the RG-6.

I geuss I am looking for perfection, not sure if a pre-amp will give me that.
Can you tell me if the model pre-amp you mentioned will take care of the above situation.

Thanks for your help
joe

AlbanyHDTV, thanks for the info. I still dislike TW but until DirecTv gets their act togeher with local broadcast, it's TW or OTA.

I'm itching to pull the trigger on a new hdtv, not sure if I want to get a 20" Toshiba for the kitchen or use that money toward a 52" Sony Bravia. The Sony's price is a little steep, not sure how much it will go down by Christmas, but this a topic for another thread.

Later
JOB

Installation is almost complete without the pre-amp.
Picture quality is great at night with my tuner at 85-95% for 6.1, 10.1, 13.1, fox is ok, not perfect.
The Tube (great station) is pretty much NG with some good audio..

Towerguy as far as grounding the antenna, does #8 copper to a grounding rod sound good enough. I will be doing this on sat. I have grounded the RG-6.

I geuss I am looking for perfection, not sure if a pre-amp will give me that.
Can you tell me if the model pre-amp you mentioned will take care of the above situation.

Thanks for your help

joe

The National Electrical Code requires #10 or larger ground wire, so #8 is excellent. All grounds should be tied together, so, in addition to the 8' ground rod, look for a place to connect to a cold water pipe, your electrical panel, or your phone ground.

Based on your results, I assume that you are north of, and downhill, from Perth. If so, the preamp should get 45-1 (CW and The Tube). I don't know why FOX is weak. WNYT and WXXA have nearly identical systems. You might try adjusting the antenna height to get FOX. In some cases where terrain is in play, a lower antenna may work better on some channels.

The National Electrical Code requires #10 or larger ground wire, so #8 is excellent. All grounds should be tied together, so, in addition to the 8' ground rod, look for a place to connect to a cold water pipe, your electrical panel, or your phone ground.

Based on your results, I assume that you are north of, and downhill, from Perth. If so, the preamp should get 45-1 (CW and The Tube). I don't know why FOX is weak. WNYT and WXXA have nearly identical systems. You might try adjusting the antenna height to get FOX. In some cases where terrain is in play, a lower antenna may work better on some channels.

Thanks

Wrong side of the house for phone and electrical Gnd, hopefully a new GND rod will be good enough. Thanks for all the help..

AlbanyHDTV, thanks for the info. I still dislike TW but until DirecTv gets their act togeher with local broadcast, it's TW or OTA.

I'm itching to pull the trigger on a new hdtv, not sure if I want to get a 20" Toshiba for the kitchen or use that money toward a 52" Sony Bravia. The Sony's price is a little steep, not sure how much it will go down by Christmas, but this a topic for another thread.

Later
JOB

I just got the MITS LT-46131 LCD.Very happy with it. Problem free so far and doesn't have the other problems that (some) of the Sony and Sammy's are having. Check it out in this forum and you will see what I mean. Great set.

Has anybody been seeing pixelation, large blocks, The past couple of days, on OTA WCWN 45-1 and 2.
It only happens on this station.
Thanks

Has anybody been seeing pixelation, large blocks, The past couple of days, on OTA WCWN 45-1 and 2.
It only happens on this station.
Thanks
Several tuners showed problems at the bottom of the picture during fast motion/scene changes, but the MyHD MDP-130 showed it over most of the frame. This did not affect cable, just OTA. Tweaked some mux settings late yesterday afternoon. Should be better now. Keep us updated.

Several tuners showed problems at the bottom of the picture during fast motion/scene changes, but the MyHD MDP-130 showed it over most of the frame. This did not affect cable, just OTA. Tweaked some mux settings late yesterday afternoon. Should be better now. Keep us updated.
Thanks for the response.
Yes, it was just at the bottom of the screen.
I did not watch today, I will check when I get home.

Several tuners showed problems at the bottom of the picture during fast motion/scene changes, but the MyHD MDP-130 showed it over most of the frame. This did not affect cable, just OTA. Tweaked some mux settings late yesterday afternoon. Should be better now. Keep us updated.
No pixelation today, but 45-1 dropped several times.
Tuner was stilll getting signal on 45-1 just no sound or pic, 45-2 still came in fine at this same time.

Why doesn't ATW list all of their channels on the program guide?

(e.g. 1860 NBC Universal HD)

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzequg9f/whats_up_with_this.JPG

'Cause they're morons?

I recently brought my OTA HD tuner card(MDP-130) out of moth balls and re-installed it in an HTPC I've been building. However, I can't seem to get it to recognize the exact same channel list when doing a digital auto-scan. In fact, it hardly picks up any of the local stations, and those it does pick have a very low signal level - all < 40%, with most around 28%. What gives?

A year ago, it was working very reliably in another PC, picking up all local OTA digital channels with a strong signal. I'm using the same out-door mounted Terk antenna, and in-line amplifier as I was before. And I haven't moved! The only thing I've changed is I'm now using another PC(of course) and the DVI daughter card with 130 and optical audio out - which should have nothing to do with HD reception. Just a nicer digital signal going to my Westy LCD display.

My biggest disappointment with the current setup besides not being able to tune in most of the available HD channels, but in particular get WMHT-HD, which came in beautifully before. I've checked the antenna cable, connections, etc. Nothing seems to help. I guess my question is; have any of the local channels changed their broadcast signals/method, etc. Are they all still available OTA? All of these come in fine over my TWC 8300HD DVR box.

Any ideas??? I'm using version 1.65.2u of the 130 application software on a WinXP, SP2 box. I doubt very seriously the 130 is broken. This seems to be a reception problem.

redjr:
I too have an MDP-130 in an XP/SP2 box. I'm about 10 miles from the transmitters, using a 4-bay bowtie in the attic, and I'm getting good reception of all of the locals. I just checked, and I'm getting 87-93% on all but WCWN, which is 75%. So it's not the broadcasts.

How's your reception of analog stations in the same range, such as 17, 23 and 45? These should be reasonable for good digital reception, although light snow or ghosts are OK. If poor on the 130, try the same antenna connection through an analog TV or VCR. Also check the high VHF channels, 10 and 13, because two digitals are VHF: WNYT on 12 and WXXA on 7.

Your software is a couple of versions out of date. The latest official release is 1.66.1, available here:

ftp://ftp.mitinc.co.kr/pub/MyHD/

There have been big improvements since your version, although they shouldn't affect your ability to get local stations.

Are you sure you have the MyHD software set to scan for OTA, not cable, channels? And that you're looking at your antenna, not a cable drop, since you mentioned you have cable. Speaking of which, if you hook the other input of the MDP-130 to your cable and scan that for cable channels, you should get all of the local HD broadcasts and several of the SD ones, plus a few that TW doesn't mind you watching for free. Most of the locals are on cable channels 104 and 105, with WCWN on 74.

One other thing: you said the card worked well in an older computer, but not well in a newer one. Although I haven't heard of reception issues related to the hardware of newer computers, there are certainly other issues. MyHD cards neither need nor want the latest and greatest computer. There are known problems with hyperthreading, dual core, PCI-E, etc. They ignore MCE, and you have to work at getting them to run under Vista. The Digital Connection site has a list of known incompatibilities. Unfortunately their Latest Software and What's New sections are woefully out of date.

Read through the MyHD MDP-130 Meta FAQ here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=647837&page=1&pp=30

and at least the most recent pages of the MyHD MDP-130 thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=493691&page=313&pp=30

Several regulars there are very knowledgeable about the card, but they get testy if someone asks a question that was answered anywhere in the currently 313 pages of the thread.

redjr:
I too have an MDP-130 in an XP/SP2 box. I'm about 10 miles from the transmitters, using a 4-bay bowtie in the attic, and I'm getting good reception of all of the locals. I just checked, and I'm getting 87-93% on all but WCWN, which is 75%. So it's not the broadcasts.

How's your reception of analog stations in the same range, such as 17, 23 and 45? These should be reasonable for good digital reception, although light snow or ghosts are OK. If poor on the 130, try the same antenna connection through an analog TV or VCR. Also check the high VHF channels, 10 and 13, because two digitals are VHF: WNYT on 12 and WXXA on 7.

Your software is a couple of versions out of date. The latest official release is 1.66.1, available here:

ftp://ftp.mitinc.co.kr/pub/MyHD/

There have been big improvements since your version, although they shouldn't affect your ability to get local stations.

Are you sure you have the MyHD software set to scan for OTA, not cable, channels? And that you're looking at your antenna, not a cable drop, since you mentioned you have cable. Speaking of which, if you hook the other input of the MDP-130 to your cable and scan that for cable channels, you should get all of the local HD broadcasts and several of the SD ones, plus a few that TW doesn't mind you watching for free. Most of the locals are on cable channels 104 and 105, with WCWN on 74.

One other thing: you said the card worked well in an older computer, but not well in a newer one. Although I haven't heard of reception issues related to the hardware of newer computers, there are certainly other issues. MyHD cards neither need nor want the latest and greatest computer. There are known problems with hyperthreading, dual core, PCI-E, etc. They ignore MCE, and you have to work at getting them to run under Vista. The Digital Connection site has a list of known incompatibilities. Unfortunately their Latest Software and What's New sections are woefully out of date.

Read through the MyHD MDP-130 Meta FAQ here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=647837&page=1&pp=30

and at least the most recent pages of the MyHD MDP-130 thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=493691&page=313&pp=30

Several regulars there are very knowledgeable about the card, but they get testy if someone asks a question that was answered anywhere in the currently 313 pages of the thread.
ebo,

Thanks for the reply. Eureka! A little more trouble-shooting this afternoon proved fruitful. I discovered a faulty drop of cable I had installed last year behind my media wall, but never really used until now. Cheap radio shack cable! :( Anyway, after replacing it with a spare length of TWC cable and connecting everything, all is well.

I did another auto-scan of just the digital channels and everything is coming in with reasonably good signal strength - between 58 and 87%. Oddly enough, with WMHT HD, 17-3 I'm only getting about 40% signal strength. :confused: Analog channels come in with much snow, but I'm really not interested in those. I can only attribute the difference to the bad cable. Unless the clouds and atmospheric conditions are causing some of the low signal strength too. Always possible.

I've got a TWC technician coming tomorrow morning on another 8300HD related issue. I'm going to try and get him to install a distribution amp. If he does, I'll hook up a drop from that to the 'cable-in' on the 130 and try the QAM channels. I'll also see if he'll give me a couple good spare cable lengths. They're pretty good about that most of the time.

At least I know it's not my PC causing the reception problems. I'll go back and do a little reading on the thread re. the latest 130 software. Seems I read last year that there were issues, but I don't remember the specifics. I hear ya about some of the members on that group and asking a repeat question. I learned the hard way last year. :D Thanks again.

WMHT HD, 17-3
I posted about this station a while back.
It is strange that it will be at 90-100% one day and 20-40% the next.
I did some messing with the antenna direction and have not had any drop issues lately.
Knock wood.
:)

I posted about this station a while back.
It is strange that it will be at 90-100% one day and 20-40% the next.
I did some messing with the antenna direction and have not had any drop issues lately.
Knock wood.
:)

Thanks.

Anyone in here know when Verizon FIOS will be in our area? I've been seeing commercials advertising FIOS on TV (Time Warner Cable :rolleyes: )

WXXA will use digital channel to broadcast some Yankee games
The Business Review (Albany) - 3:17 PM EDT Friday, April 13, 2007

WXXA/Channel 23 is using its new digital channel to fill in its schedule of Yankees games.

The Albany, N.Y. Fox Broadcasting station has, in the past, been prevented from showing some games in its 21-game Yankees broadcast package because it was limited in how much Fox programming it could preempt.

Now if there is a conflict, the baseball game will air on VTV, the digital channel WXXA put on the air March 1. VTV is on Channel 23.2 on digital sets, and on digital cable channel 423. The first game to air on VTV will be April 17th, when the Yankees play the Cleveland Indians starting at 7:00pm.

Anyone in the Albany area using an HDHomerun having trouble with CW?

I switched from my OTA card to the HDHR and I am unable to detect the channel.

Anyone in the Albany area using an HDHomerun?

I switched from my OTA card to the HDHR and I am unable to detect the channel.

Yes I have the HDHomerun and it tunes 23-2 fine. The firmware I'm using is from January. I see that that updated it in March. What firmware are you using?

OOPS forgot to add the channel I am having issues with. WXXA is fine its CW thats not showing up.

My remap file looks like this:



;
; Format:
; - Fake virtual channel number ("Digital TV Channel" field in MCE).
; - Fake ATSC physical channel number ("Assigned Frequency" field in MCE).
; - Channel command to be sent to the HDHomeRun.
; - Program number to be sent to the HDHomeRun.
;
; Created by HDHomeRun QAM Mapper
; - Version: 0.1.2.3
; - MCE Mode: True
; - OW Prefs: True
;

; Channel: 104
; Frequency: 675000000
; Modulation: qam256
; Program: 3
; Description: 18.11 WMHT-HD

2-1 2 qam256:675000000 3

; Channel: 104
; Frequency: 675000000
; Modulation: qam256
; Program: 4
; Description: 18.6 WRGB-HD

2-2 3 qam256:675000000 4

; Channel: 105
; Frequency: 681000000
; Modulation: qam256
; Program: 7
; Description: 18.8 WXXA-HD

3-1 4 qam256:681000000 7

; Channel: 105
; Frequency: 681000000
; Modulation: qam256
; Program: 10
; Description: 18.13 WNYT-HD

3-2 5 qam256:681000000 10

; Channel: 105
; Frequency: 681000000
; Modulation: qam256
; Program: 17
; Description: 18.10 WTEN-HD

3-3 6 qam256:681000000 17

FrankJ.Cone
On my cable, WCWN is on 74-20. At the moment 74 is much lower than normal for me. My LG DVR can't lock to it at all (it usually can). My MyHD card locks to it marginally, with pixelation every few seconds. The other locals on 104 and 105 are coming in normally on both receivers.

I returned my SA8300 DVR to Time Warner last week. What a piece of junk that "old" STB is. Will Time Warner ever upgrade their equipment again?

Yes, the FCC is forcing Cable venders to ship new boxes without embeded securtiy features after July 1. Some of the new cable card equipped boxes are already at the TW office ready for distribution now or real soon. Give them a call.

Richard.

FrankJ.Cone
On my cable, WCWN is on 74-20. At the moment 74 is much lower than normal for me. My LG DVR can't lock to it at all (it usually can). My MyHD card locks to it marginally, with pixelation every few seconds. The other locals on 104 and 105 are coming in normally on both receivers.

And I use the HDHomerun for OTA, not cable. You probably know about the Silicon Dust forum for digital cable (http://www.silicondust.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=23&sid=dfd38740e035894254434f68fe3af124), but I'll mention it anyway.

Probably just a weak signal like EBO says though.

Yes, the FCC is forcing Cable venders to ship new boxes without embeded securtiy features after July 1. Some of the new cable card equipped boxes are already at the TW office ready for distribution now or real soon. Give them a call.

Richard.
How will the soon-to-be-implemented Switched Digital Video (SDV) by TWC affect these and other devices equipped with cable cards?

And I use the HDHomerun for OTA, not cable. You probably know about the Silicon Dust forum for digital cable (http://www.silicondust.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=23&sid=dfd38740e035894254434f68fe3af124), but I'll mention it anyway.

Probably just a weak signal like EBO says though.

Probably. I am going to head into the unfinished portion of the basement this week and get some of the spliiters out. There is cable run to almost every room in my house, if I recall there are at lkeast 4 3 way splitters down there. I really only need a splitter to go to the HDHR and cable modem.

There is cable run to almost every room in my house, if I recall there are at lkeast 4 3 way splitters down there. I really only need a splitter to go to the HDHR and cable modem.That'll do it. Lots of splitters will knock your signal way down. A single 2-way or 3-way splitter should be OK. If you did need to feed all of those rooms you'd need a bidirectional cable distribution amp, preferably with several outputs itself, and then add splitters for the feeds you need.

I returned my SA8300 DVR to Time Warner last week. What a piece of junk that "old" STB is. Will Time Warner ever upgrade their equipment again?

To be quite honest it's not the box itself that's the problem, it's their crappy software. From what I hear the Pioneer PACE software is WAY better than the crappy SARA software.

Plus, our TW is so far behind on the SARA options (other places that have SARA have "first run" options for "season passes" and we don't).

How will the soon-to-be-implemented Switched Digital Video (SDV) by TWC affect these and other devices equipped with cable cards?

It won't. The problem isn't so much the CC 1.0 "one-way" it's also the box/software itself. From what I've been reading on the Tivo forums, the cable companies will not be affected because their own box (even with a CC) CAN handle SDV.

It won't. The problem isn't so much the CC 1.0 "one-way" it's also the box/software itself. From what I've been reading on the Tivo forums, the cable companies will not be affected because their own box (even with a CC) CAN handle SDV.
I heard elsewhere that existing cable card devices will not work once switched digital video is implemented.

This is my impression also; SDV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switched_video) channels are not accessible with a one-way CableCARD. This is the main reason I haven't purchased a TiVo S3.

This is my impression also; SDV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switched_video) channels are not accessible with a one-way CableCARD. This is the main reason I haven't purchased a TiVo S3.

The cable card ITSELF cannot send the communication channel back to the head end. (although technically I'm incorrect on that as well, because the Cable Labs document clearly states it's AVAILABLE a part of the 1.0 spec and there was even a device that could do it, but was never available for commercial purchase).

But the cable companies already use addressable 2-way STB boxes, (via their specialized software and hardware), so they're able to still offer SDV AND PPV and VOD.

Remember, 1-way CC cannot do PPV or VOD either, yet those features are still active on a CC 1.0 STB box from your cable company. Just not on your CC 1.0 TV or any other "non" Cable Co owned device.

So the CC is just a conditional access device in this case, the STB can "see" what you're trying to get (ie, an SDV or PPV or VOD) and send the communication back.

The cable card ITSELF cannot send the communication channel back to the head end. (although technically I'm incorrect on that as well, because the Cable Labs document clearly states it's AVAILABLE a part of the 1.0 spec and there was even a device that could do it, but was never available for commercial purchase).

But the cable companies already use addressable 2-way STB boxes, (via their specialized software and hardware), so they're able to still offer SDV AND PPV and VOD.

Remember, 1-way CC cannot do PPV or VOD either, yet those features are still active on a CC 1.0 STB box from your cable company. Just not on your CC 1.0 TV or any other "non" Cable Co owned device.

So the CC is just a conditional access device in this case, the STB can "see" what you're trying to get (ie, an SDV or PPV or VOD) and send the communication back.You're assertions are technically & factually correct, but my assumption is the Cable MSOs will not support the capability to receive SDV channels by devices using one way CableCARDs. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

The bottom line is... subscribers who own a TiVo S3 (I don't) or TVs with a one way CableCARD (I do) are going to be "screwed."

So the CC is just a conditional access device in this case, the STB can "see" what you're trying to get (ie, an SDV or PPV or VOD) and send the communication back.My Sony DVR has a cable card from TWC. When TWC goes to switched digital video, will my Sony DVR continue to be able to receive the content from TWC it receives today?

You're assertions are technically & factually correct, but my assumption is the Cable MSOs will not support the capability to receive SDV channels by devices using one way CableCARDs. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

The bottom line is... subscribers who own a TiVo S3 (I don't) or TVs with a one way CableCARD (I do) are going to be "screwed."

Yeah, that sounds about right. Which sucks. Apparently the FCC Cable Card Mandate only specifies it as a Conditional Access Device. Doesn't mention anything about 2-way being required.

Slippery Cable Co's and the FCC, if you ask me.

I was hoping this would address the SDV and other items (I'd like to get a Series 3) but apparently no go.

I'm not sure if our local TW Albany has any SDV channels. I think in Rochester you can't get A&D HD and Universal HD if you have cable card.

Augh, I want FIOS TV (not satellite that Verizon is bundling in their package)..

My Sony DVR has a cable card from TWC. When TWC goes to switched digital video, will my Sony DVR continue to be able to receive the content from TWC it receives today?Your DVR’s tuner w/CableCARD will be unable to receive any SDV channel but will continue to receive non-SDV channels.

Yeah, that sounds about right. Which sucks. Apparently the FCC Cable Card Mandate only specifies it as a Conditional Access Device. Doesn't mention anything about 2-way being required.

Slippery Cable Co's and the FCC, if you ask me.

I was hoping this would address the SDV and other items (I'd like to get a Series 3) but apparently no go.

I'm not sure if our local TW Albany has any SDV channels. I think in Rochester you can't get A&D HD and Universal HD if you have cable card.

Augh, I want FIOS TV (not satellite that Verizon is bundling in their package)..The MPAA, Cable Labs, (Bill Gates), Cox/Time Warner, Panasonic & Pioneer... to name a few, like to change digital specifications on a daily basis and when they do we are expected to conduct a forklift upgrade (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/F/forklift_upgrade.html) of our home entertainment systems.

Of course, this does not apply to Time Warner's SA8300 DVR.

FrankJ.Cone
On my cable, WCWN is on 74-20. At the moment 74 is much lower than normal for me. My LG DVR can't lock to it at all (it usually can). My MyHD card locks to it marginally, with pixelation every few seconds. The other locals on 104 and 105 are coming in normally on both receivers.

WCWN-DT on Time Warner shares a frequency with WXXA analog on over the air channel 23. When your cable signal is low or there is a poor connection, the off air signal interferes with WCWN-DT on cable. The problem is more prevalent close to the Helderbergs. Time Warner can fix it.

WCWN-DT on Time Warner shares a frequency with WXXA analog on over the air channel 23. When your cable signal is low or there is a poor connection, the off air signal interferes with WCWN-DT on cable. The problem is more prevalent close to the Helderbergs. Time Warner can fix it.

Thanks for the info. I cleaned up the splitters in the house but it did not help. I will give them a call tomorrow.

Hello,

New member here and I'm looking for some help. My cable provider is TW Albany hence I'm posting this question here. I'm not sure if this is a technical problem or myhd problem.

I have the 130 model of the card, and regular cable (not digital). On Saturday all of a sudden several of my OTA HD channels stoped working. All of the analog stations are fine as well as CBS HD and WMHT, also the weather channel (local) I think it's like 18-90 work fine but ABC HD (18-10), NBC HD(18-13) and FOX HD(18-8) don't work. I've rescanned numerous times and it still doesn't pick up. Does anyone have any suggestions at all? Again CBS HD is the only local OTA station that works so I know my QAM tuner is probably OK, but I'm at a loss as to what the heck is going on and don't really know where to start. Up until Saturday it worked great and I had no problems with it. I have a two way spliter that splits the cable coming out of the wall to go to the tuner card and cable internet router, perhaps I'll try to swap the spliter, I had a 4 way spliter and tried it but that didn't seem to work maybe a new 2 way will though.

bosiydid:
The channels you're getting are all on RF channel 104. The ones you're not getting are on 105. Try adding that channel on the Channel Setting page ("Favorite Channel Mode" unchecked, "Enable Virtual Channel Mode" and "Enable QAM Scanning" both checked, select the antenna input your cable is on, set Channel to 105, Mode DIGITAL, press ADD). Do the same for channel 74, which has WCWN-HD.

If you still don't get anything on those two channels, maybe you need your signal boosted. I use a 4-output bidirectional cable amp. Probably overkill now that I no longer have RoadRunner. I watch most shows OTA and just have Basic cable as a backup.

As Tower Guy noted recently, the frequencies of cable channel 74 and OTA channel 23 overlap and can interfere if the OTA signal gets into the cable. I had that problem a while back when I used a cheap RF switch with poor isolation to feed the two into a single-input tuner. The crosstalk gave me poor reception of channel 74 not only on that tuner but on all of my digital tuners, even though the others have dual inputs.

Speaking of OTA, you should check your antenna reception; that might be a better way to get the locals. Many people who had given up on analog reception years ago are finding they get excellent digital reception off-air.

I noticed my TW cable bill went up $2 from the month before. Was there another increase in the rates?!?

Anyone else having trouble with TVGOS? I have a Sony DVR and OTA only reception and as of day or so ago I have no listings and time is off.

Did it get moved to a new channel?

snowmoon:
I have an LG DVR, which uses TVGOS version 7. I've read that the Sony DVR uses v.8, so it's possible that our guides don't come from the same station. Also, I get mine from cable, which has been known to mess with that data in the past. That said, I recently had complete loss of data for maybe a couple of weeks, but it appears to be OK again, for now.

My DVR has selected nearly all of the local stations at one time or another, but only a few provided usable data. A couple of years ago it was WTEN, but that stopped. Recently I've gotten good data from WRGB and WMHT, but I can't reassign WRGB as digital and still receive data from the analog channel (a design stupidity of the LG). Fortunately I can do that with WMHT using a bit of subterfuge, and that's where I'm getting data from at the moment.

On the LG you can enter some magic codes to show extensive TVGOS data including the host channel. I'm pretty sure the Sony has something similar; check the thread for that model.

ebo:

I was getting guide data from 17 too, but it's since gone away... I'll check with the model specific information but at this point still no go and it's getting frustrating! The special menu shows no channel. I might be able to force it back to 17 and see what happens. Maybe I need to reposition my antenna since 17 analog doesn't have the best signal.

I noticed a few days ago my Sony DVR was out of guide data. Could it be that the channel transmitting the guide data changed and we need to set the Sony DVR to receive the data from the new channel?

This was posted at the other local forum:
CBS to Carry Gemstar-TV Guide IPG Data

TV Guide On Screen to Be Available to 95% of U.S. Households

April 19, 2007

By Todd Spangler, Multichannel News

CBS’ local stations will distribute Gemstar-TV Guide International’s on-screen interactive-program-guide data using a portion of their digital spectrum as part of a multiyear distribution and advertising deal that Gemstar said will make its IPG available to more than 95% of U.S. households.

The deal gives Gemstar-TV Guide a digital distribution channel to reach TV viewers with an on-screen guide. Currently, the company contracts with National Datacast, a for-profit subsidiary of PBS, which uses the vertical-blanking interval in the analog spectrum to distribute data.

Gemstar-TV Guide put the deal in place with an eye on the Federal Communications Commission’s February 2009 deadline for discontinuing analog broadcasts, said Tom Carson, the company’s president of North American IPG.

The agreement, announced Wednesday, allows for the distribution of data for the TV Guide On Screen IPG over both CBS owned-and-operated stations and participating affiliates. The companies said distribution will begin as soon as the necessary equipment is installed in the next several months. Financial terms were not disclosed.

CBS and its affiliates have access to an unspecified portion of the ad inventory on the TV Guide IPG to promote their programming, both nationally and locally, but the stations will not be permitted to sell to outside advertisers.

Why CBS? “We were looking for a partner that might have been interested in our advertising and also had a good, solid distribution network and a good, solid relationship with their affiliates,” Carson said.

Gemstar-TV Guide’s deal with CBS is not technically exclusive, but, Carson said, “This is clearly the single way we want to do our [digital] distribution.”

Only viewers who have digital-TV sets or digital-video recorders that embed the TV Guide On Screen technology will be able to access the IPG. Manufacturers that have signed deals with Gemstar-TV Guide to embed the IPG in their consumer-electronics products include Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Panasonic and Sony Electronics.

Maybe we can get WrgbEngDept to comment?

AlbanyHDTV:

Saw that post on the other site and added analog WRGB to my lineup the other day. Still no go at this point, although it can take a few days. If someone from PBS or WRGB could confirm WHO is transmitting the data that would be excellent as it's frustrating to have the unit suddenly just stop working.

(RANT) Sony, what kind of *CRACK* were you smoking when you designed a unit that can support dialup or ethernet ( it's linux and it has a USB port ) but you decide that ALL data must be received from the TV VBI. No you can't even set the TIME on the unit manually. (END RANT) If It wasn't for the fact this was a tweeters special I would be really pissed.

There is part of me that just wants to unload the unit and replace it with a MacMini + elgato solution :-)

I noticed a few days ago my Sony DVR was out of guide data. Could it be that the channel transmitting the guide data changed and we need to set the Sony DVR to receive the data from the new channel?

This was posted at the other local forum:


Maybe we can get WrgbEngDept to comment?Some details were released at NAB. The target is to reach 95% of households by end of Q1 2008. TV Guide will supply the equipment. Don't know when we will receive ours.

Some details were released at NAB. The target is to reach 95% of households by end of Q1 2008. TV Guide will supply the equipment. Don't know when we will receive ours.
TVGuideIPG.jpg

So right now WRGB is NOT transmitting the data, but you expect to get hardware sometime in the next 6-12 months?

Did the contract with PBS expire/they stop transmitting?

I will be seriously miffed at TVGOS/Gemstar if they are serious about leaving existing customers in the lurch for that long with no service!

So right now WRGB is NOT transmitting the data, but you expect to get hardware sometime in the next 6-12 months?
We are not yet sending out data on our digital signal. We are still transmitting Gemstar guide data on our analog signal.

We are not yet sending out data on our digital signal. We are still transmitting Gemstar guide data on our analog signal.

Thanks!

That will help me nail down the problems that I am having. With an OTA WRGB analog channel 6 I should be receiving TVGOS updates. Let us know when you get the digital equipment installed since many SONY DVR users are itching to know if the units will support ATSC downloads of guide data.

I will report back after a few days to see if adding 6 analog to my lineup corrects the issue.

I've read that TVGOS is fed on line 15 of the VBI. In a quick check of the locals on cable just now, I saw active data on line 15 only on channel 11 (WMHT on cable). In fact, lines 13-16 had data, though not all showed activity. There was similar data on line 16 on ch. 6 (WRGB).

Off air, I found NO line 15 data on any channel, including 17. 6 showed active data on line 16. 13 (WNYT) has color bars on line 15, both OTA and cable. Results might be different overnight, but I'd expect to see at least idle data pulses at all times if the station were set up to insert data when available.

It's possible that TVGOS v.8 is fed on a different line than v.7, or that I'm wrong about the line(s) they use.

My experience with TVGOS, both on the LG DVR and an ATI video/TV tuner card (which got its data over the Internet) is that the system is flaky and unreliable, and even when it works as designed it fails to cover all of the channels available. Example: my cable version for the LG doesn't list WMHT-HD (PBS-HD), which has a different schedule than the local station. But it does list WGBY-DT, which isn't available locally at all but which carries PBS-HD at night. So I tell the LG I get WGBY-DT on 17-3, and at least the guide is right some of the time.

OTA users will lose their guides in 2009 when the analog stations go dark. Cable users might continue to get guides, depending on what deal Gemstar makes with cable. But everyone is moving toward digital, including Gemstar, and I'm sure there will never be upgrades for the LG DVR and probably not for the Sony either. Somebody could make a digital tuner that decodes the TVGOS data and reencodes it on an analog output, but what are the chances of that?

I entered the Sony DVR's service menu and went to the page where the "host channel" for TVGOS is supposed to be listed. There was no channel listed.

I then went to the "Force Host Channel" location (as described below). I attempted to change the host channel to analog channel 6 (because WRGB Eng Dept said in an earlier post they are transmitting the TV Guide data on their analog channel). Since you have to wait overnight to see if the guide populates, I'll report back tomorrow with the results.

From spiffspace.com (http://www.spiffspace.com/sonydvr.html):2.2.2 Is there a service menu(s) for TVGOS?>
Yes. There are actually 3 known service-menus/codes that can be accessed:
The TVGOS diagnostic/info menu: This can be accessed by pressing <GUIDE>, then moving the cursor up to the SETUP menu item on the top bar. Press <DOWN>, then 753159852. This gives you a series of screens that show info like Host Channel, VBI info, and numerous other pages of system info. One of the most useful screens is accessed by immediately pressing <RIGHT> after entering this "753..." menu. This page shows you the Host Channel (among other things).

The "Force Host Channel" code: This code has recently been discovered by someone in the AVS forums, and appears to be able to "force" the unit to look for a host on a channel of your choosing. This can be useful in situations when there are multiple host stations in a particular area, and you want to set the system to use the strongest station. WARNING: This should only be used during initial setup, or when the guide info has been completely reset. The host channel must be BLANK, as reported in the "753..." menu above. Unexpected results can occur if the system already has a host channel and this code is used. USE THIS CODE AT YOUR OWN RISK. ONLY A FEW PEOPLE HAVE TRIED THIS SO FAR, SO PLEASE DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER IF IT MESSES THINGS UP. The procedure to use this code follows:

1. Tune to the station (either OTA or cable) that you want to use as the host.

2. Press <GUIDE> - move the cursor over the SETUP item on the top menu bar, then press <DOWN>, followed by 963214785. If the code is received properly, the "Info" message just below "Change System Settings" should say "Searching Current VBI Channel".

3. Don't touch anything. The screen should disappear after 5 minutes. Once it disappears, turn off the unit and leave it alone overnight to magically download the guide.

4. On the following day, check the host channel with the "753..." menu described above. If it shows the host channel you tuned to in Step 1, you have successfully changed it! If not, try resetting the guide info and start over.

I have time and *PART* of the guide ( some channels, but not all ). The host channel is listed as 17 again.

Weirdness.

I have time and *PART* of the guide ( some channels, but not all ). The host channel is listed as 17 again.

Weirdness.And I now see data on OTA channel 17, line 15 (and others). Maybe their guide inserter was offline for a while.

Is anyone getting data from ch. 6? As I noted earlier, I'm seeing data on line 16 but not on 15. Also, could WRGB EngDept tell us what version(s) of guide data they are feeding? There are at least two: v.7 (used by the LG DVR) and v.8 (used by the Sony DVR).

Last Friday, on a hunch, I called WMHT Chief Operator Derk van Rijsewijk and explained the guide data situation. He returned my call this afternoon and said that the guide data was mistakenly taken off line during WMHT's recent auction fundraiser. The guide data was only taken off their OTA feed, the cable TV feed to TWC still contained the data. Everything should be "back to normal" now.

Last Friday, on a hunch, I called WRGB Chief Operator Derk van Rijsewijk. . .Typo, of course you meant WMHT.

Typo, of course you meant WMHT. Yes, I've corrected it in my post. I must have had WRGB on my mind after reading ebo's post.

Last Friday, on a hunch, I called WMHT Chief Operator Derk van Rijsewijk and explained the guide data situation. He returned my call this afternoon and said that the guide data was mistakenly taken off line during WMHT's recent auction fundraiser. The guide data was only taken off their OTA feed, the cable TV feed to TWC still contained the data. Everything should be "back to normal" now.


Thanks for putting in the call... It's nice to have friends. I'm back to normal again with 17 listed as the host channel.

I'm back to normal again with 17 listed as the host channel.I did try WRGB channel 6 (analog) as my host channel and it did not work. I am back to analog channel 17 and all the guide data has loaded properly.

We are not yet sending out data on our digital signal. We are still transmitting Gemstar guide data on our analog signal.
There used to be program info on WRGB digital until last week.
Why was it taken off?
It's kind of a pain in the butt because everytime I scroll through the guide I get to channel 6 and it stops while it trys to retrieve the data.

We are not yet sending out data on our digital signal. We are still transmitting Gemstar guide data on our analog signal.
By quoting our previous reply, it is obvious you are confusing two very different things. The reply about Gemstar program guide data only refers to the CBS announcement that Gemstar-TV Guide's TV Guide On Screen system will be available over CBS-owned stations and participating affiliates. It will be the successor to the analog system (that is expected to go away in 2009) and will contain program guide information for all stations. It is not available yet.
There used to be program info on WRGB digital until last week.
Why was it taken off?
It's kind of a pain in the butt because everytime I scroll through the guide I get to channel 6 and it stops while it trys to retrieve the data.
The program information you are referring to is the ATSC-mandated PSIP info that only contains guide data about the current channel (and sub-channels). It was not taken off, but our insertion equipment hung up and had to be re-booted. The program guide data you used to have should now be back. If it happens again, let us know if you catch it before we do.

Ah, Sorry for the confusion.
Yes, the guide was back up tonight when I watched.
Thanks.

I noticed my TW cable bill went up $2 from the month before. Was there another increase in the rates?!?

Yes. It's cable. Learn to love it (sarcasm there).

I swear, they jack the rates up in October AND April every year.

FIOS can't get here soon enough!

The program information you are referring to is the ATSC-mandated PSIP info that only contains guide data about the current channel (and sub-channels). It was not taken off, but our insertion equipment hung up and had to be re-booted. The program guide data you used to have should now be back. If it happens again, let us know if you catch it before we do.

Thanks for getting that back up. I've had an over the air ATSC tuner since summer 2004 and have watched Albany DT come to life in the last 3 years. Its been nice having WRGB's radar since DT's infancy. Speaking of which, though, the Live Doppler Radar channel 6-3 recently shows as off the air despite being detected. Its been this way for about a week now.

I'm using an updated USD ATSC over the air tuner. I nuked my channel list and had the unit redetect just in case the mapping had changed, but still to no avail.

Yes. It's cable. Learn to love it (sarcasm there).

I swear, they jack the rates up in October AND April every year.My cable bill has never been lower... ~$61/month. Of course I had to switch to Verizon DSL and drop all of Time Warner's not-so-premium movie channels & return their $hit#y-a$$ DVR to achieve that. :p

The Live Doppler Radar channel 6-3 still is showing off the air despite being detected, but now 6-2, WNYA, "My Network TV", has disappeared from my channel line-up. I rescanned, and MYTV is gone.

I too no longer receive 6-2 OTA. 6-3 has been offline from the OTA stream for some time now.

6-3 was on when I checked at 7PM. However, no 6-2.

The Live Doppler Radar channel 6-3 still is showing off the air despite being detected
Doppler radar sub-channel (6-3) is hidden ota; it is available on 1896 on Time Warner.
... but now 6-2, WNYA, "My Network TV", has disappeared from my channel line-up. I rescanned, and MYTV is gone.
WNYA is no longer being broadcast from our studios.

Doppler radar sub-channel (6-3) is hidden ota;
I just checked 6-3 during the thunderstorms that came through and it wasn't "hidden".

I just checked 6-3 during the thunderstorms that came through and it wasn't "hidden".
Lucky you, but

Dump of the TVCT:
Terrestrial Virtual Channel Table Section
Table id 8 bit 0xC8
Section syntax indicator 1 bit 1
private indicator 1 bit 1
reserved(zero) 2 bit 0x3
Section length 12 bit 94
Transport stream id (TSID) 16 bit 0x088F (2191)
reserved 2 bit 0x3
Version number 5 bit 4
Current/next indicator 1 bit 1 sub_table is currently applicable
Section number 8 bit 0
Last section number 8 bit 0
Protocol version 8 bit 0x00
Num channels in section 8 bit 2
Channels Loop
Short name 7*16 bit 0x0057 0x0052 0x0047 0x0042 0x002D 0x0048 0x0044 (W R G B - H D )
reserved 4 bit 0xF
Major channel number 10 bit 6
Minor channel number 10 bit 1
Modulation mode 8 bit 0x04 ATSC (8-VSB)
Carrier frequency 32 bit 0x00000000 0 Hz
Channel TSID 16 bit 0x088F (2191)
Program number 16 bit 3 0x0003
ETM location 2 bit 0x1 ETM located in the PTC carrying this PSIP
Access controlled 1 bit 0
Hidden 1 bit 0
reserved 6 bit 0x3F
Service type 6 bit 0x02 ATSC_digital_television
Source id 16 bit 0x0002 2
reserved 6 bit 0x3F
descriptors length 10 bit 17
Service Location Descriptor
Descriptor tag 8 bit 0xA1 (161)
Descriptor length 8 bit 15
reserved 3 bit 0x7
PCR PID 13 bit 0x0031
Number elements 8 bit 2
Stream type 8 bit 0x02 ISO/IEC 11172-2 Video
reserved 3 bit 0x7
elementary PID 13 bit 0x0031
ISO 639 language code 3 char ··· (hex) 00 00 00
Stream type 8 bit 0x81 ATSC A/53 audio (AC-3)
reserved 3 bit 0x7
elementary PID 13 bit 0x0034
ISO 639 language code 3 char eng

Short name 7*16 bit 0x0057 0x0052 0x0047 0x0042 0x002D 0x0053 0x0044 (W R G B - S D )
reserved 4 bit 0xF
Major channel number 10 bit 6
Minor channel number 10 bit 3
Modulation mode 8 bit 0x04 ATSC (8-VSB)
Carrier frequency 32 bit 0x00000000 0 Hz
Channel TSID 16 bit 0x088F (2191)
Program number 16 bit 0 0x0000
ETM location 2 bit 0x0 No ETM
Access controlled 1 bit 0
Hidden 1 bit 1
reserved 6 bit 0x37 shall be set to '0x3F'
Service type 6 bit 0x02 ATSC_digital_television
Source id 16 bit 0x0004 4
reserved 6 bit 0x3F
descriptors length 10 bit 0
Descriptors none

reserved 6 bit 0x3F
Additional descriptors length 10 bit 0
Descriptors none
CRC 32 32 bit 0x7F9C4652 CRC ok

Notice 1) the hidden bit is set and 2) descriptors length is zero for 6-3 (no video, audio, pcr pid, etc is defined.)

Description of hidden bit from A/65 of the ATSC Standard available at atsc.org:
Program and System Information Protocol for Terrestrial Broadcast and Cable (Revision B)

hidden — A 1-bit Boolean flag that indicates, when set, that the virtual channel is not accessed by
the user by direct entry of the virtual channel number. Hidden virtual channels are skipped
when the user is channel surfing, and appear as if undefined, if accessed by direct channel
entry.

Obviously, regardless of what they are supposed to do, some tuners will still display hidden channels, although it is by no means universal.

Quote:
Originally Posted by djbrian
... but now 6-2, WNYA, "My Network TV", has disappeared from my channel line-up. I rescanned, and MYTV is gone.

WNYA is no longer being broadcast from our studios.

Does anyone know if, when, WNYA will be broadcast on digital again?
It comes in pretty bad over analog here.

Doppler radar sub-channel (6-3) is hidden ota; it is available on 1896 on Time Warner.That explains why some of my receivers can get it and some can't, and why one of my MyHD cards got it until I rescanned the channel. But why hide it? Are oncoming storms now considered proprietary information? Or are you just testing the possibilities for a different future use of the channel?

WNYA is no longer being broadcast from our studios.
Why is WNYA no longer broadcast from WRGB?

hidden — A 1-bit Boolean flag that indicates, when set, that the virtual channel is not accessed by
the user by direct entry of the virtual channel number. Hidden virtual channels are skipped
when the user is channel surfing, and appear as if undefined, if accessed by direct channel
entry.[/COLOR][/FONT]

Obviously, regardless of what they are supposed to do, some tuners will still display hidden channels, although it is by no means universal.

I concur, why would WRGB decide to hide this channel for OTA viewers. The channel is still present on cable. Is there some arrangement between WRGB and TW cable that plays favorites for this channel? If that is the case, why bother putting it up OTA anyway?

I concur, why would WRGB decide to hide this channel for OTA viewers. ..Effective this year, the FCC's Children's Programming requirements were extended to digital multicast streams. We are looking into how to fulfill those obligations.
Info on Children's Television: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/policy/kidstv.html

...why bother putting it up OTA anyway?TWC receives the same stream that is fed to the transmitter.

I know the switch to digital has opened up many opportunities and challenges for all the stations. I thoroughly have been impressed with the quality of the OTA digital signals, whether SD or HD, and am sure WRGB will utilize the resources to make the most of them.

Thanks, WRGB EngDept for the quick reply, I appreciate your response. If you find out any new info on upcoming changes, don't hesitate to let us know. :-)

I don't see how the Eng Dept responses answer either of the questions.

Richard.

I don't see how the Eng Dept responses answer either of the questions.

Richard.For those that need it spelled out for them, basically the FCC requires stations to provide at least 3 hours of educational/instructional programming per week. (It must be regularly scheduled and air between the hours of 7 am and 10 pm) For each additional free over the air digital program stream, stations must provide additional kids programming roughly in proportion to the amount of hours the additional channel is broadcasting (so for a 24/7 subchannel, 3 additional hours of kids programming would be needed)
The additional programming does not have to air on the subchannel (for example, if a station didn't want to interrupt a specialty radar channel, they could program the extra 3 hours on the main channel). I would assume that additional programming is either not currenly available, or time is not available on the main channel, or both.

I think the other question just wondered that if there was a special deal with Time Warner for that channel, then why bother putting it out OTA? The answer means the same data stream from the multiplexer goes to both TWC and the transmitter, so in order to deliver it to cable, it rides along over the air, even though it is marked hidden.

This e/i programming requirement is what happens when people see little difference between the phrases, "Wouldn't it be nice if . . ." and "Let's make a law!" and don't consider the likely results. In this case, the result will be to discourage publicly-available multiple subchannels in favor of private, subscription or data channels, none of which increase the children's programming requirement. Of course a station might accept the increase if the subchannel brings in enough money to make it worthwhile, but continuous radar and weather loops won't do that.

My three computer-based tuners can still tune WRGB's radar, but only because they already knew how. When I rescanned the channel with one of them it lost that ability, but I restored it by reloading a previous saved scan. I once considered it a waste of bandwidth, but I've been surprised how often I check it before doing anything that rain might affect, such as taking a walk.

We frequently get a 'no signal' message on our Sony RPTV when trying to get channel 6 at TW 18.6 and OTA. This is an annoyance with the TV but it is a real problem with my tuner card because it causes BTV to hang and all I can do is C-A-D to end the program.

This AM when I did a scan with BTV, channel 6 came in fine and now a new scan fails to detect any channel 6 broadcasts.

Reading some of the latest posts it seems that this might be a WRGB problem, but could it be our antenna and/or tuner card?

Wayne

wayne1935:
When I checked during prime time Tuesday WRGB was good. Recorded 8-11 and scanned through it quickly; it seems to be all there. Checked about 1:20 this afternoon and got nothing although the tuner locked onto a strong signal. Later, about 2:55, it was back. I recorded a few seconds of each in full stream mode and checked them in TSReader Lite. It saw the audio and video PIDs for both subchannels but didn't know what they were for. No PMT PIDs.

0x0031 (71.55% - 13.23 Mbps) 0x0031 Unknown usage
0x0034 (2.03% ~ 0.38 Mbps) 0x0034 Unknown usage
0x0051 (21.22% - 3.97 Mbps) 0x0051 Unknown usage
0x0054 (1.02% ~ 0.19 Mbps) 0x0054 Unknown usage
0x1fff (4.18% ~ 0.77 Mbps) 0x1fff MPEG-2 NULL Packet

The later capture showed much more information. I checked cable while OTA was bad and it seemed to be OK. WRGB may be tweaking their digital setup, or perhaps some of their equipment got confused. Just so it doesn't happen during a program I want to watch.

I haven't watched too much WNYT OTA recently, but noticed tonight and last Saturday night that I lost the signal after 8pm. Does anyone know if WNYT is either not sending their broadcast after a certain time? Just today I had no difficulty with 13-1, 13-2 & 13-3 from 7pm until 8pm. Then I watched Nature on WMHT, and at 9 pm I couldn't pick up any of the WNYT stations.

While all other stations were fine, the same issue occurred with Fox 23.1.

CriticalListener:
Both stations look fine to me at 10:55 PM, using a broken down outside antenna (it's now a folded monopole) that isn't even pointing the right direction. I can't get either on the 11" whip that came with the tuner, but that's not surprising considering that they're both VHF. I get the UHF ones with the whip, although not reliably. I'm recording Studio 60 at home; I'll check it when I get back.

When you lose digital reception, you might check your analog reception on 6 and 10, which come from essentially the same place. Maybe a poor connection is killing your VHF reception, but only as it cools off. Checking 13 analog won't tell you much, because that comes from a different location.

I've been doing some more checking and my problem with no signal with channel 6 is likely an antenna problem. I'm using an outdoor Radio Shack combo antenna which is not up to the reception task since I'm about 30 miles from the tower. According to AntennaWeb.org I should be using a 'purple' rated antenna and I believe my Radio Shack antenna is the lowest rated antenna. This antenna may have picked up UHF signals better before the leaves came out. There is a hugh Oak tree in my neighbors yard that is in a direct line from my antenna to the towers.

I receive VHF signals fine, including VPT from Rutland, off the back of my antenna and Rutland is 55 miles away. I think I saw somewhere that all the local stations originate from the same area and maybe the same tower.

I'm not sure if it is worth the effort to change the antenna at this time because I thought I read somewhere that broadcast frequencies may change with the analog cut off.

Wayne

I've been doing some more checking and my problem with no signal with channel 6 is likely an antenna problem.

I'm not sure if it is worth the effort to change the antenna at this time because I thought I read somewhere that broadcast frequencies may change with the analog cut off.

Wayne

You might want to try a preamp. The Winegard HDP-269 will overcome the losses of the RG-6. That should compensate for the tree.

There's a new web site that provides more information than Antennaweb; it's www.tvfool.com. If you use coordinates for your house such as those available at www.topozone.com, it will be extremely accurate. To get that much accuracy from topozone into tvfool, select the DD.DDD coordinate format and the NAD83/WSG84 map datum.

Thanx for the links Tower Guy.

As far as I can tell there is no good reason I'm having so much trouble with WRGB-HD. According to the tvfool site all the variables are pretty much the same and I have a fairly short cable down. I don't think the cable is even 20' but there is a Monster 3 way splitter that I'm only using 2 taps on and the 3rd tap is terminated with a cap that came with the splitter.

Just awhile ago WRGB-HD was comimg in and out but mostly out with a lot of pixelation when the SONY HDTV was able to lock the signal.

I'd post my tvfool chart, but I don't know if that is allowed. BTW, I did look at the HDP-269 and I may look into it if all else fails - like removing the splitter.

Wayne

there is a Monster 3 way splitter that I'm only using 2 taps on and the 3rd tap is terminated with a cap that came with the splitter.

I did look at the HDP-269 and I may look into it if all else fails - like removing the splitter.

Wayne

Did you check to see if WRGB works without the splitter? If so, the preamp is a good idea because of the splitter. A three-way splitter usually has two ports with 7 db loss and one port with 3.5 db loss. If the 3.5 db port is moved over to your HD set, it might be OK without a preamp.

Did you check to see if WRGB works without the splitter? If so, the preamp is a good idea because of the splitter. A three-way splitter usually has two ports with 7 db loss and one port with 3.5 db loss. If the 3.5 db port is moved over to your HD set, it might be OK without a preamp.


The next cool day we have I'm going to check the splitter. It is in an attic crawl space and much to hot in there these days. In fact, I may swap the 3 way with a 2 way. I didn't notice anything on the 3 way indicating tap loss but I didn't pay a lot of attention either. I think 2 way splitters have 3.5 db loss/tap.

Wayne

I haven't watched too much WNYT OTA recently, but noticed tonight and last Saturday night that I lost the signal after 8pm. Does anyone know if WNYT is either not sending their broadcast after a certain time? Just today I had no difficulty with 13-1, 13-2 & 13-3 from 7pm until 8pm. Then I watched Nature on WMHT, and at 9 pm I couldn't pick up any of the WNYT stations.

While all other stations were fine, the same issue occurred with Fox 23.1.
As Ebo said what these two stations have in common is that they are VHF, the rest UHF.
This would be a good place to start looking for the problem.

As Ebo said what these two stations have in common is that they are VHF, the rest UHF.
This would be a good place to start looking for the problem.
Thanks. I'm still looking into the matter. Reception of all stations was perfect at 3pm yesterday afternoon. At 9pm, only 13-1/13-2/13-3 failed, even 23-1/23-2 came in perfectly (70% signal strength).

What is so shocking is WNYT is coming in at 90-100% signal strength during the day.

I'll probably switch out OTA receivers to narrow the issue to the antenna.

F.Y.I.

NASCAR Race from Dover on VTV, NOT FOX23 This Week

Last Update: May 29, 2007 8:09 AM

Posted By: Rich Becker
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This Sunday's NASCAR Nextel Cup race from Dover can been seen on VTV, FOX23's digital channel. FOX23 will be carrying the telethon for the Childrens Hospital at Albany Medical Center, causing the race to move.

If you have a non-cable digital television, please check channel 23.2. If you are on Time Warner cable, the race will be on digital channel 423 or, thank to the folks at TWC, basic cable channel 3(TW3).

We appreciate the understanding of the thousands of NASCAR fans in the area. We will also have extensive highlights of the race on FOX23 Fast Track at 10:30 Sunday night.

We hope while you are enjoying the race, you'll pop over to the telethon as well and perhaps make a pledge.

Does WNYT's radar and picture in picture of primary programming qualify 13.3 to be carrying "E/I" when it airs on the original 13.1? Another way to say it, when an E/I show airs on 13.1 it also airs on 13.3 -- a one hour show then counts as 2 hours towards their programming requirement?

Does WNYT's radar and picture in picture of primary programming qualify 13.3 to be carrying "E/I" when it airs on the original 13.1? Another way to say it, when an E/I show airs on 13.1 it also airs on 13.3 -- a one hour show then counts as 2 hours towards their programming requirement?I can't imagine that it would. No kid is going to watch a show in a tiny box with a radar display over most of the screen. Also, I think there are requirements for the size and placement of the E/I logo that a PIP display wouldn't satisfy.

I do wish they'd move the box to the upper right, though. Most weather travels west to east, so the present location partially hides oncoming storms.

I ask this here for lack of a better place.
For me a big part of Digital HDTV is the sound.
Why is it that when shows are rebroadcast, the Dolby 5.1 soundtrack is not also broadcast?
Will this change in Feb '09?
I like to watch say, CSI: Miami late night reruns but no Dolby.
??????????

Did you check to see if WRGB works without the splitter? If so, the preamp is a good idea because of the splitter. A three-way splitter usually has two ports with 7 db loss and one port with 3.5 db loss. If the 3.5 db port is moved over to your HD set, it might be OK without a preamp.

This is a follow-up to an earlier posting/thread.

I did replace the Monster 3 way splitter with a simpler 2 way splitter and things are pretty good now but I have several questions:

1. The Monster splitter has one port labeled "power pass" but there is no info on the Monster site about what this means. I also have another 2 way splitter with one of the output ports labelled 'tap'. Does anyone know what these terms mean and how these ports are used?

2. Tower Guy - you suggested a Winegard pre-amplifier but I don't think cable loss is an issue since my cable run from the antenna to the splitter is very short and the cable from the splitter to the main TV is also short - not more than 10' total. I think my problem is mostly how much I was splitting the signal. I want to split the signal at least 3 ways and preferably 4 ways. The original reason for the 3 way splitter was to get a good WMHT-FM signal. I used to have a dedicated FM antenna but since I wanted HDTV I needed another antenna and, hence, the Radio Shack combo antenna. Am I better off with the pre-amp followed by a splitter or with a distribution amp?

3. Somewhere in this Albany HDTV forum I thought I saw that some or all the VHF channels will be moving to UHF after analog shut off but I can't find it. Maybe I'm not using the correct search terms; so could someone point me in the correct direction?

Wayne

The Monster splitter has one port labeled "power pass" but there is no info on the Monster site about what this means.Power pass passes DC from a receiver or separate power supply up the coax to an antenna preamp (or LNB in a satellite dish). Normally you only want that on one leg of the splitter so the DC doesn't feed into other devices. Are you sure the splitter is intended for broadcast television? Most of the power pass splitters I've seen were for satellite.

I also have another 2 way splitter with one of the output ports labelled 'tap'. Does anyone know what these terms mean and how these ports are used?A tap is usually a lower level output. I have a 2-way splitter labeled IN, OUT and TAP, where TAP is 10dB down. Presumably there is very little loss from IN to OUT.

Somewhere in this Albany HDTV forum I thought I saw that some or all the VHF channels will be moving to UHF after analog shut off but I can't find it. Maybe I'm not using the correct search terms; so could someone point me in the correct direction?Currently only two local digitals are on VHF: WXXA (7) and WNYT (12). I understand that WRGB plans to move theirs to 6 when their analog shuts down. I once read that WNYA wanted to use channel 4; I don't know where that stands. They used to be in SD digital on a subchannel with WRGB but that's stopped. I don't think they're on in digital at all right now. I think the other channels are planning to stay where they are.

This is a follow-up to an earlier posting/thread.
Tower Guy - you suggested a Winegard pre-amplifier but I don't think cable loss is an issue since my cable run from the antenna to the splitter is very short and the cable from the splitter to the main TV is also short - not more than 10' total. I think my problem is mostly how much I was splitting the signal.

3. Somewhere in this Albany HDTV forum I thought I saw that some or all the VHF channels will be moving to UHF after analog shut off but I can't find it. Maybe I'm not using the correct search terms; so could someone point me in the correct direction?

Wayne

The suggestion of the HDP-269 in front of your current splitters was intended to be the fastest, simpliest possible. The HDP-269 is less likely to overload than a distribution amplifier and can be located right at the antenna.

In 2009 WRGB will be 6, WXXA will be 7, WNYT will be 12, WNYA will be 13, WTEN will be 26, WMHT will be 34, WCWN will be 43, and WYPX will be 50.

ebo,

"Power pass passes DC from a receiver or separate power supply up the coax to an antenna preamp (or LNB in a satellite dish). Normally you only want that on one leg of the splitter so the DC doesn't feed into other devices. Are you sure the splitter is intended for broadcast television? Most of the power pass splitters I've seen were for satellite."

You're correct in that my Monster splitter is a 2 GHz splitter and is suitable for satellite systems. I didn't realize this when I purchased it; at the time I was under the impression that I needed the greater bandwidth for RR internet service.

I was using the splitter just to split our cable service to a TV, a PCI tuner card and a cable modem. I probably just should have called TW and let them do the splitting.

Wayne

The suggestion of the HDP-269 in front of your current splitters was intended to be the fastest, simpliest possible. The HDP-269 is less likely to overload than a distribution amplifier and can be located right at the antenna.

In 2009 WRGB will be 6, WXXA will be 7, WNYT will be 12, WNYA will be 13, WTEN will be 26, WMHT will be 34, WCWN will be 43, and WYPX will be 50.

Tower Guy,

Thanx for the future channel line-up. Are these all approved or are they just in the review process?

I'm leaning towards a pre-amp and right now the Winegard looks interesting, but I have another question relating to distributing the antenna signal.

I should have been more specific in my earlier post about what I'm trying to accomplish. Here's my situation: I have 4 devices I want to connect, a TV and FM tuner immediately adjacent to where the antenna comes into the house and a PCI Tuner and FM tuner on another level. After TW split our cable service to the TV, analog side of the PCI tuner and the cable modem, I moved the 3 way Monster splitter to the OTA input and used one port for the upstairs HDTV, one port to the upstairs FM tuner and the third port to downstairs which was further split to the PCI tuner card and another FM tuner. All this splitting is what is causing the instability in the OTA HD signal at my receivers - I think.

All I need to do is make up the splitting loses and I don't understang this stuff; so am I better off using the Monster 3 way and an additional 2 way downstairs or going with some other option?

Wayne

Hello, I live in zip 12077 and want an indoor ota antenna for 6, 10, 13, 23, 45. I am thinking about Terk HDTVa. Any thoughts or recommendations appreciated. Thanks.

Hello, I live in zip 12077 and want an indoor ota antenna for 6, 10, 13, 23, 45. I am thinking about Terk HDTVa. Any thoughts or recommendations appreciated. Thanks.
Go to www.antennaweb.org and click on "select an antenna." Enter your information and it will recommend a type of antenna.

Go toantennaweb and click on "select an antenna." Enter your information and it will recommend a type of antenna.
Thanks for the reply. Antennaweb does not specify if an indoor OTA would work. The stations I am interested in are "yellow". Any other suggestions? Thanks.

Thanks for the reply. Antennaweb does not specify if an indoor OTA would work. The stations I am interested in are "yellow". Any other suggestions? Thanks.

An outdoor antenna setup would be a significant improvement over the indoor types, I've messed around with a couple different indoor amplified antennas with little or no luck. I currently use a Zenith Silver Sensor (UHF/Non- Amplified) in the bedroom that works good with UHF but the VHF channels don't even show up. And the SS is the best type indoor antenna I have come across so far.

And keep in mind, outdoor antennas work just fine in the attic in case a roof mount is not possible.

WMHT was not mapping to 17-1, 17-3 tonight and no psip info.
It was coming in on 34-3, 34-4.
Anyone else see this?

WMHT was not mapping to 17-1, 17-3 tonight and no psip info.
It was coming in on 34-3, 34-4.
Anyone else see this?
17-1 & 17-3 coming in fine for me.

No signal on 34-3 and 34-4.

17-1 & 17-3 coming in fine for me.

No signal on 34-3 and 34-4.
Thanks

Nothing for me on 17-1 or 17-3.

I still get 17-1 and 17-3 on a receiver that remembers how from a previous scan, but when I rescan the physical channel (34) it doesn't remap to 17. Recorded a few seconds & looked at it in TSRL. Nothing to identify it as 17. No EPG either, but that's been missing more often than not anyway.

I called WMHT Chief Operator Derk van Rijsewijk and he told me that the PSIP generator was not inserting the data, even though the diagnostic screen told him it was. He rebooted the computer at 12:10PM today, and the PSIP generator is now working properly.

If you try a re-scan now, it should map 17-1 and 17-3.

Yes, WMHT's PSIP looiks OK now. Even the EPG is back, although program descriptions are still missing. I've found EPG to be pretty useless from any station anyway. TWC appears to strip the EPG from all the locals except WXXA and WCWN, and they truncate those.

All I need to do is make up the splitting loses and I don't understang this stuff; so am I better off using the Monster 3 way and an additional 2 way downstairs or going with some other option?

Wayne

Once you have a preamp that doesn't overload, the exact method of splitting will make little difference.

Even the EPG is back, although program descriptions are still missing. I've found EPG to be pretty useless from any station anyway.

My Wal-Mart US Digital Box works great with the guide info, and retains a lot of it, making it easy to scan through quickly. WMHT has never sent program description information, and it's kind of annoying because the PBS HD programming is usually what I end up watching out of all of them.

Just an update. I tried an indoor/outdoor antenna from RS (used indoors) and it worked fair on all channels except 13, 23. Just got a Terk HDTVa and it works great. 70-90 signal strength on all stations, no drop outs. Thanks for the help.

Hey all, I just ordered a Olevia 232v w/ built in tuner and am very excited about getting HD OTA for free. I have spent a considerable amount of time on this thread and still can't decide what type of Antenna to get. I live in an apartment complex in East Greenbush. Using the AntennaWeb site it says I should get a small multidirectional antenna. Also, I would like one that does uhf/vhf so I can get all free OTA HD channels. Any suggestions on one ro two that should work for me and where I can find them? Thanks alot in advance!!!

Hey all, I just ordered a Olevia 232v w/ built in tuner and am very excited about getting HD OTA for free. I have spent a considerable amount of time on this thread and still can't decide what type of Antenna to get. I live in an apartment complex in East Greenbush. Using the AntennaWeb site it says I should get a small multidirectional antenna. Also, I would like one that does uhf/vhf so I can get all free OTA HD channels. Any suggestions on one ro two that should work for me and where I can find them? Thanks alot in advance!!!

Congrats on the new HDTV.

I'm not real familiar with East Greenbush so googling a bit I came up with a zip of 12061. Which antenna web suggests a medium directional with a distance of around 17 miles. All the digital stations were in the same direction 288, 290 degrees. However this is different than what you say with your exact address. So I would double check again with antenna web and only pay attention to the stations with the "*" in the DTV column.

For the results I got I would suggest the Silver Sensor (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=ZHDTV1). I have used this at my house which is 35 miles away. The only problem was Fox on frequency 7 but I would think since you are so much closer, it would work. It's a UHF antenna but I would expect it to do OK on frequencies 7-13.

Since you are in an apartment, I would guess you'd prefer an indoor antenna like the Silver Sensor.

I would suggest the Silver Sensor (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=ZHDTV1). The only problem was Fox on frequency 7 but I would think since you are so much closer, it would work. It's a UHF antenna but I would expect it to do OK on frequencies 7-13.

Since you are in an apartment, I would guess you'd prefer an indoor antenna like the Silver Sensor.

There are antennas with Silver Sensor technology for UHF but also include rabbit ears for VHF. Here's one example: http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?pfid=264771&club_id=264771&sz=6&sf=EC0028&rdr=1&cm_mmc=ShoppingEngine*FroogleGBase*ec0028*264771

Indoor reception has too many variables for anyone to give you foolproof advice. A basement apartment on the wrong side of the hill in East Greenbush will be harder to get DTV reception than a third floor apartment further away.

WRGB stopped broadcasting WNYA on one of there subchannels because they were not meeting there quota of I/E programing.
My question is, if everyone must have 3 hours a week doesn't WNYA already have 3 hours scheduled?
So that would make 6 hours of I/E programing between the 2 channels.
Why can't they bring WNYA back on digital.
I ask because WNYA analog comes in very poorly in my location.
I get it better on channel 51 then I do on 15.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I am going to be on the second floor of an apartment and on a hill compared to the surrounding buildings, does that change anything at all?

djb61-I used antennaweb and it said that I only needed a small multidirectional antenna, maybe it is because I am on the second floor and that was nto inculded when you checked it out for me? Do you use the silver sensor yourself?


Towerguy-Thanks for the link. Can you reconmend any other antennas given this additional info? I just want to be able to get both uhf and vhf HDTV channels OTA. It looks like some around here are uhf and some are vhf which is why I guess a combo antenna is key and the towers are all generally in the same place it seems. So I am safe with a "directional" as opposed to an "omni" right?

Thanks again everyone!

mjw3180-
The Terk HDTVa has an interesting design that intrigues me, but I have no idea how good it is. I normally have not been a fan a terk products, but as I said, this one intrigues me. Might be worth looking for some reviews of it.

Indoor reception has too many variables for anyone to give you foolproof advice. A basement apartment on the wrong side of the hill in East Greenbush will be harder to get DTV reception than a third floor apartment further away.

This is definitely true and finding the right antenna for your situation may be a trial and error situation. What works for me may not be right for you.

I'm not sure why you get something different on antenna web. Maybe hills or something. The Silver Sensor is directional so if you need a multi directional then it probably won't do well. Attached is a screen grab of the antenna web results I got for 12061. I think when you use a generic zip like that, antenna web just uses a coordinate in the center of that area which isn't realistic. Only with a full address or 9-digit zip do you get somewhat accurate info.

I used the Silver Sensor just a few days ago. We bought a new vizio for the bedroom and the antenna was a stop-gap for a few days until I could run network to the room and install a mythtv box. Like I said I received decent signal except for Fox and am 35 miles away. Also received Utica that was 29 miles away. I was on the second floor. Not bad for an indoor antenna.

You are welcome to borrow it if you want to see if it would work for you. It's an "extra" antenna that I have for such situations like I just had. PM me if you are interested.

WRGB stopped broadcasting WNYA on one of there subchannels because they were not meeting there quota of I/E programing.This is totally inaccurate. The E/I issue was with the Doppler radar subchannel.
As far as WNYA is concerned, Venture Technologies (WNYA’s owner) and Freedom Communications (WRGB’s owner) ended their JSA (Joint Sales Agreement) earlier this year and WNYA has since moved from WRGB’s building to WMHT’s former site in Rotterdam.
As for digital service from WNYA, they have been tentatively assigned to Channel 13, but obviously that will not be available until after WNYT (which is staying on 12) shuts off its analog transmitter.

Thanks for the response.
It seems I confused the issue.
So that's not good, I'm stuck with crappy reception for another 2 years.
:(

Has any Albany Time Warner digital cable subscriber had an opportunity to rent a Explorer 8300C/8300HDC DVR with M-Card Interface (http://www.sciatl.com/customers/Source/7008360.pdf)?

My Wal-Mart US Digital Box works great with the guide info, and retains a lot of it, making it easy to scan through quickly. WMHT has never sent program description information, and it's kind of annoying because the PBS HD programming is usually what I end up watching out of all of them.

Not sure when this happened, but within the last 2 weeks WMHT has begun to broadcast programming name and description. Thanks to Derk van Rijsewijk :)

WRGB still does not unencode the radar channel. My old WinTV PCI tuner card, which I have not redone a scan on for 2 years, still picks up the radar. I still do not agree that the radar is "up" yet hidden -- comes up in scans and programming info. Either remove it / hide it 100%, or put it back on.

There are sooooo many pages to look through so I'm just going to ask, what is causing these faint wavy lines moving from my top left corner to the bottom right corner (diagonally) on my TV. It appears at random times for random durations.
TV is hooked up to the HD8000 STB by component and both the TV and STB are plugged into a Monster line conditioner. I DO NOt have the coax cable plugged into the line conditioner, will this help if I did?

Thanks in advance.

You need to eliminate components to pinpoint the source of the problem. Try hooking the tv directly to the stb and see if this fixes the problem. Also might help to see if this same problems occurs with just a DVD player hooked up to the tv.

You need to eliminate components to pinpoint the source of the problem. Try hooking the tv directly to the stb and see if this fixes the problem. Also might help to see if this same problems occurs with just a DVD player hooked up to the tv.

Thank you Break Stuff,
I have a PS3 to TV via HDMI (playing games or viewing the downloadable blu-ray trailers I have not had any problems whatsoever). Are you suggesting replacing the component cables (from stb to TV) with an HDMI or DVI cable? Or do you mean simply to eliminate sources by process of elimination to determine why these wavy lines are occurring? Thanks again :D

EDIT: I just realized you're in Albany..I'm in Green Island, howdy neighbor :cool:

Does anyone know the proper term used when the local stations take a feed and crop it to 4:3 format?

The reason I ask is when I watch any new program that is cropped (Simpsons comes to mind, but also the commercials during the All-Star game) I can see the top 2% of the 16:9 image. For example, during the All-Star game on Tuesday that was in glorious hi-def, when they broke for commercial, the nationally televised commercials looked great. When the crop bars came in for the local feeds, the commercials that are originally in 16:9 mode (like some of the GM commercials), I can see the very top portion - so above the black bars (about 1" high) I can still see the blue sky.

It is very distracting. I don't have the problem on CBS, they seem to be able to crop it perfectly, and NBC is the worst - not only can I see the top above the screen, I get a sliver to the left of the left bar. If the original footage was shot in 4:3, then I don't see anything but black - it only happens on 16:9 footage.

Thanks in advance.

Update: Well I got my TV today (Olevia 232v) and went out and bought a single direction dual vhf/uhf philips antenna (Model MANT310) and can i just say WOW for the HD channels I am receiving. I am receiving ABC 10.1 and FOX 23.1 with amazing HD quality. The problem howver is that I seem to not be able to get the NBC 13.1 and CBS 6.1 channels to be found on auto search. I need to get my tvs forum and find a way to add them manually. Any one have any suggestions/insight on why I am only receiving thosetwo? Are they the strongest signals? Are they easier to pick up for any other number of reasons?

I am receiving ABC 10.1 and FOX 23.1 with amazing HD quality. The problem howver is that I seem to not be able to get the NBC 13.1 and CBS 6.1 channels to be found on auto search. I need to get my tvs forum and find a way to add them manually. Any one have any suggestions/insight on why I am only receiving thosetwo? Are they the strongest signals? Are they easier to pick up for any other number of reasons?10.1 is on channel 26 and 23.1 is on 7, so you're getting both UHF and VHF. I just did a very unscientific check of the locals using an old, broken down antenna that isn't even pointing the right direction (it has another purpose) and got these levels using an OnAir GT tuner (real channel numbers in parentheses):

6.1 (39) 28 dB
10.1 (26) 31
13.1 (12) 30
17.1 (34) 23
23.1 ( 7) 28
45.1 (43) 28

So 10 was high and 17 was low, but the others were about the same.

If you can, try tuning to the real channel number for each of them. Also try tuning their analog equivalents (except 13, which is from a different location) and see if you can tweak your antenna for better reception. You should be able to get all of them without serious snow or ghosts, although some is OK.

Go to www.antennaweb.org and plug in your Zip+4 to see where the stations are in relation to you. If they're not all listed, go back to the page where you entered your Zip, click Options and enter an antenna height of 500' or more.

Edit: I just looked up the MANT310 you're using. Amplified rabbit ears and loop. So all bets are off. You could try reducing the amplification, in case it's overloading.

Edit: I just looked up the MANT310 you're using. Amplified rabbit ears and loop. So all bets are off. You could try reducing the amplification, in case it's overloading.



Ebo-why are all bets off now? Do you reconmend me using another antenna? and what do you mean by real channel numbers? Do you mean I can add those manually and it may work? (My TV has a design flasw where you can nto add subchannels (i.e. 13.2, 13.3, 14.1, etc.). Thanks for the help!

Ebo-why are all bets off now?The typical problem with rabbit ears is that they're generally used in the same room with the TV, and people walking past can affect the reception. Also they're not very directional, picking up signals equally from the front and back. And an amplifier in such an antenna is pretty much useless, unless you're splitting the output to several TVs and need the amp to compensate for the signal loss that causes. An amp can't make up for a poor signal to begin with. And it can be overdriven by a strong signal, in which case it would be worse than no amp at all. Do you reconmend me using another antenna?I can't say. It depends on how far you are from the transmitters, whether buildings or hills block or reflect the signals to you, whether you could put an antenna in an attic or on the roof, etc. and what do you mean by real channel numbers?You can't have digital and analog transmissions on the same channel. But stations are known by their channel numbers, so WTEN wants to be known as channel 10, even though its digital transmission is really on channel 26. If you tune the TV to 26 it sees a digital signal and finds information there that it wants to be called channel 10 (its virtual channel number).Do you mean I can add those manually and it may work? (My TV has a design flasw where you can nto add subchannels (i.e. 13.2, 13.3, 14.1, etc.). Thanks for the help!Maybe. That's the way some tuners work.

You need to do some reading about how digital TV works. Maybe someone here can post a link to a good beginners' FAQ. Also, go to www.antennaweb.org and follow directions to find out the distance and direction to the transmitters, and a suggestion of the kind of antenna you need.

So I decided to not use the antenna i have and just plugged in the coaxial cable wire (road runner basic cable) directly into the tv (Olevia 232v) and let it do a search of all cable channels available. I could NOT BELIEVE the results. It detected a ton of subchannels on channel 18 an dthey were all the HD channels. This is what it found:

18.1 CBS HD
18.8 FOX HD
18.10 ABC HD
18.11 WMHT HD
18.13 NBC HD
18.15 CW -only channel that skips in out and bad picture.

How is this possible? I spend days fussing with my philips uhf/vhf amp. antenna and could only muster a couple of stations, yet when I plug in the coaxial basic cable I get them all in amazing clarity. Anyone have any idea? Thanks!

So I decided to not use the antenna i have and just plugged in the coaxial cable wire (road runner basic cable) directly into the tv (Olevia 232v) and let it do a search of all cable channels available. I could NOT BELIEVE the results. It detected a ton of subchannels on channel 18 an dthey were all the HD channels.

How is this possible?
It's called "in the clear" QAM.
From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner): A QAM tuner is a device present in some digital televisions and similar devices which enables direct reception of digital cable channels without the use of a set-top box. QAM stands for "quadrature amplitude modulation," the format by which digital cable channels are encoded and transmitted via cable.

You should read posts #2554 to #2559 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9230009&&#post9230009) and #2758 to #2760 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10107442&&#post10107442) of this thread. It has info relevant to your questions.

18.15 CW -only channel that skips in out and bad picture.


This is caused by leakage of UHF channel 23 into the cable, called ingress. 18.15 on cable and WXXA analog share frequencies. With ingress it's likely that you will also see double images on channel 6 and 10 analog. You should check your connections and eliminate all RF jumpers that do not use double shielded cable.

If you would like to try over the air with a proper antenna, try this for $ 10.01.
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=PV3000
I put one up in the Center Square area of Albany. It works perfectly.

Thanks Albany HDTV-you have been a great help!


TowerGuy-Thanks for the reconmendation on the antenna but I am a bit confused by it. If I am getting all the major network HD channels with my QAM tuner in the clear, why then would I even bother with an antenna? Just to get the CW channel and a few more I assume? Obviously I do not need it to get the major network channels in HD (which is all I really care about). So I do not really need an antenna at all right?

One more question-is TW goign to contiue to send the network stations in the clear for the froseeabel future? Are they required to do so? I hope they don't stop because its great to get all the major networks in HD for free (well with only basic cable).

If I am getting all the major network HD channels with my QAM tuner in the clear, why then would I even bother with an antenna?There was a time just a few years ago that some of the local TV stations did not have an agreement with TWC to transmit the digital version of their signal. Therefore, to get a few of the digital locals (WRGB was the last holdout), you had to have an OTA antenna & tuner. Now that TWC has an agreement with all of the locals, it is not an issue. There are still many cities in the nation where the cable TV operator does not have agreements in place to transmit all the local digital signals.

There is also the argument that TWC compresses the digital signal while OTA provides an uncompressed signal. Some claim the uncompressed OTA signal provides a better picture.

There is a station called "The Tube" on channel 45-2 OTA that is ONLY available OTA. It is not carried by TWC. "The Tube" is a music video station that shows videos from the 80's, 90's and today, sort of like MTV in the 80's.

One more question-is TW goign to contiue to send the network stations in the clear for the froseeabel future? Are they required to do so? I hope they don't stop because its great to get all the major networks in HD for free (well with only basic cable).The FCC requires the cable TV operators to provide the local signals "in the clear". There is some discussion if the local "must carry" rule applies to the digital sub channels, but those issues have apparently been resolved through negotiations between TWC and the local stations. For example, both WRGB and WTEN digital sub channels are carried on Albany TWC in the upper 1800's.

No Cable retransmission agreement is forever. Sometimes during re-negotiation, viewers are used as pawns. Often times, cable service goes out for one reason or another. It's good to have a backup system.

No Cable retransmission agreement is forever. Sometimes during re-negotiation, viewers are used as pawns. Often times, cable service goes out for one reason or another. It's good to have a backup system.

Just imagine having to install a rooftop antenna in the middle of January because the transmission agreements just happened to fall through a week before the Superbowl. :eek:

Just went over to TVFOOL.COM.
They say that WNYA-DT is broadcasting on real channel 4, with 0.78Kw.
It also says that the direction is 185 degrees.
Antenna web doesn't even list a digital station for WNYA and all local DT stations come from 199 degrees on that site.
What do you make of that?
I'm not home or I would see if there really is anything on channel 4.
Has anyone else been able to receive this signal or know why there would be a discrepancy in anntena direction?

WNYA's license is for operation on a transmitter in Pittsfield, MA. It has always been that way (however for channel 51.) It was an agreement with WRGB that let them simulcast on digital 6-2 from the community tower in the Helderbergs as all the other local digitals. That agreement has now expired.

Rf 4 was originally assigned to WXXA-DT, but WXXA was able to successfully request a move to rf 7, siting too much interference on rf 4. Despite the concerns of interference, the now vacant rf 4 is a much better option than rf 51 for WNYA, so I imagine WNYA pursued changing their assignment to rf 4.

WNYA is not a member of the "Capital Region Broadcasters." The CRB is the organization formed by WRGB, WTEN, WNYT, WXXA, WMHT and WCWN to create a shared facility (now known as "The Community Tower" for digital transmitters.) Since WNYA is not a member, they cannot operate independently on the community tower.

Off Topic: Incidentally, the concept of a community tower is fairly unique to this market. In most markets, the stations all chose to go it alone, spending way more to build out for digital transmission and requiring viewers to adjust their antennas every time they change channel!

On Topic: As far as I know, WNYA is not currently broadcasting rf 4 at all. They are broadcasting an analog signal on 51 from Pittsfield and a low-power analog transmission on 15 from Albany.

Addendum to above...

While WNYA did pursue rf4 at one time (to which their application is still in the FCC database causing confusion) they subsequently applied for rf13 and was then assigned rf13 by the FCC.

I have got a question that someone in here may or may not be able to answer. I own a Olevia 232v tv and had been getting the local HD channels via QAM tuner in the clear through basic/standard cable while living over in Guilderland (Just had the coaxial cable plugged into the back of the tv).

Recently, I moved over to East Greenbush and have been having some problems with it. Specifically, now the HD channels I was getting in the clear via the QAM tuner no longer come in, I will see a picture for a second then it will blur/pause over and over again. Thinking it was the coaxial cable, I tried another and this time got the HD channels to come in but the regular channels were heavily snowed. What the heck is going on? Is it that I need a new coaxial cable? Maybe a higher grade one (does that even exist?) Or is it possible that Time Warner woudl allow in the Clear in Guilderland and not in East Greenbush. What can I do? Thanks in advance!

I have got a question that someone in here may or may not be able to answer. I own a Olevia 232v tv and had been getting the local HD channels via QAM tuner in the clear through basic/standard cable while living over in Guilderland (Just had the coaxial cable plugged into the back of the tv).

Recently, I moved over to East Greenbush and have been having some problems with it. Specifically, now the HD channels I was getting in the clear via the QAM tuner no longer come in, I will see a picture for a second then it will blur/pause over and over again. Thinking it was the coaxial cable, I tried another and this time got the HD channels to come in but the regular channels were heavily snowed. What the heck is going on? Is it that I need a new coaxial cable? Maybe a higher grade one (does that even exist?) Or is it possible that Time Warner woudl allow in the Clear in Guilderland and not in East Greenbush. What can I do? Thanks in advance!Call TWC and schedule a service call...insist on it. The customer phone reps do not know what QAM is or that the locals are "in the clear", however the field service techs do. Sounds to me like you have a weak signal. The field service tech can measure the signal strength and install a booster (for free) if necessary. Here's a link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9265928&highlight=booster+TWC#post9265928) to a post of mine from last December that shows the booster/splitter Albany TWC installed at my house when I had a weak signal. The service calls are included as part of the monthly TWC fee, whether you use them or not.

I'd agree. Sounds like a weak signal or poor wiring (They had to put a filter on mine for some reason after they split the cable when I used to have RR).

I don't think it's been reported, but WRGB-DT is now able to stays in HD thru Weather Alert Crawls. Previously (and currently for all other local stations), local weather alert crawls require the station to switch to SD.

I don't think it's been reported, but WRGB-DT is now able to stays in HD thru Weather Alert Crawls. Previously (and currently for all other local stations), local weather alert crawls require the station to switch to SD.You beat me to it. I was pleased to see that during Jericho. On the down side, they did cut into the show with a weather report. Fortunately, I had already seen it on its first airing (yes, Jericho is worth watching twice. And this was the one with the great Chicken Soliloquy).

At 10:00 I switched over to WNYT-DT for Law and Order, but they were showing it in reduced SD to make room for their weather warning, so I turned it off. Take note, advertisers (as if they read this).

On a slightly different topic, what's with WNYT's SD upconverts? Comparing the live studio segments of local news, WTEN looks so good that if they filled the 16:9 screen (as PBS-HD does with their SD shows) and called it HD, I'd probably believe them. WRGB is clearly SD, but respectable. WNYT looks like VHS: mushy and out of focus.

Rumor has it DirecTV has completed their Albany receive facility for HD Local into Local. It's very likely that Albany will be on the new D-10 satellite, which is scheduled to be on line in September.

WRGB's ownership (Freedom Communications) has an HD retransmission deal with DirecTV. I don't know if the other local affiliates have deals in place or not.

Rf 4 was originally assigned to WXXA-DT, but WXXA was able to successfully request a move to rf 7, siting too much interference on rf 4.
Do you know when this change was implemented?

Both my Tivo S3 and DirecTV HR10-250 were able to receive 23-1 OTA until about a month ago.

Since then the S3 can no longer receive it, while the HR10-250 still receives it with no problems.

Since I believe the two boxes get their guide data from different sources, I wonder if one has upgraded their data to reflect the new channel used while the other has not.

Do you know when this change was implemented?

Both my Tivo S3 and DirecTV HR10-250 were able to receive 23-1 OTA until about a month ago.

Since then the S3 can no longer receive it, while the HR10-250 still receives it with no problems.

Since I believe the two boxes get their guide data from different sources, I wonder if one has upgraded their data to reflect the new channel used while the other has not.

This change was made quite some time ago, WXXA never broadcasted on rf 4 at all. They waited for the change-request's approval and then purchased their transmitting equipment.

Have you tried doing a new auto-scan? Or direct-tuning via the remote to 7-1?

I recently purchased my first HDTV, a Samsung 23" for the kitchen. I connected it to my rooftop antenna (20ish year old Radio Shack 160 inch hooked up to a high gain amp)and was only able to get 10-1 HD and 10-2 SD, both pretty good. 10-1 drops out every 1 to 2 minutes for a few seconds though. It is 4:3 side letterboxed. Prior to this HDTV we are able to get channel 6 in snowy and reasonable FM reception and that's it. There is no cable here in Hancock, MA. I have DISH, but do not have the high def yet. I was excited to see 10-1 & 10-2 today as it was the best OTA I have seen since living here for 11 years. My questions are: Do I need a new antenna to get more HD OTA? Is it possible to get more OTA from my location (other side of Jiminy Peak windmill)? Should I give up and hope that D* or E* start carrying Hi Def local into local? If I do need a new antenna is seems there are a dizzying array of them out there. Does an antenna have to be labeled HDTV to work? Thanks.

Your 10-1 and 10-2 reception might actually be coming from Mt. Greylock as WTEN has a second transmitter (WCDC) there. If you got Channel 6 (analog) snowy with your old set, then you probably will not get anything from Albany under your current antenna setup.

Start with antennaweb.org and see what you can learn, offer up your exact longitude and latitude coordinates and TowerGuy may be able to offer you additional insight.

In your area, with the right antenna, enough elevation and a rotor to aim your antenna, you could have an interesting selection of stuff from transmitters in surrounding N. Adams, Hartford CT, Springfield, Pittsfield and Albany NY.

Thankyou MasterFX1 for the reply. This morning I am watching Good Morning America in what looks like full widescreen High def. Looks great, but the signal is dropping more than it did last night and for longer stretches. I went to antenna web. They didn't give me my long & lat. Don't know how to figure that. Antenna web lists 5 stations for me: WRNN 62 Kingston 245 degrees 53.3 miles, WNYA 51 Pittsfield 214 degrees 4.7 miles, WRGB 6 Albany 292 degrees 36.5 miles, WTEN 10 Albany 292 degrees 36.6 miles & WXXA 23 Albany 289 degrees 37.2 miles. It does not distinguish which are digital and which are analog. NBC is not on the list. No mention of 10-1 & 10-2. Is there a way to determine long & lat? I sit at about 1200 ft elevation. Jiminy Peak is about 2000 feet and sits to my west. Brodie Mt is right behind me at an elevation of 2600 ft. (From my back yard up) Brodie sits pretty much right between me an Mt Greylock which tops out at 3500 Ft. I know these are all considerations, but I am willing to get "the right antenna" and a rotor. My wife would even approve if it meant her getting her favorite shows in high def. One more thing, where can I get a list of all the digital stations in the area and their channel assignments? Thanks again.

Antennaweb is notoriously out of date and inaccurate, but it holds many clues for you, like the direction (in degrees) to known transmitter sites. Obviously, the shadow created by Jiminy from signals coming from Albany may be your biggest disappointment.

I would start by trying to figure out what type of antenna you have to begin with (Directional, omnidirectional, bi-directional... not the make and model). Visually look at yours and then compare it to illustrations and photos at starkelectronics.com. if you are using a directional antenna, you should aim it directly at MT Greylock to see if 10-1 comes in better. Your TV might also tell you what frequency 10-1 is on. If it's 19... it's Mt Greylock, if it's 26... it's Albany. Also, try bypassing the high-gain amp, Mt Greylock might be so close that the amp is overloading the signal.

From the info you posted, TowerGuy may be able to figure your location. I'd wait a few days to see if he has any further insight.

if you are using a directional antenna, you should aim it directly at MT Greylock to see if 10-1 comes in better. Your TV might also tell you what frequency 10-1 is on. If it's 19... it's Mt Greylock, if it's 26... it's Albany.Isn't 19 still WCDC analog? 19.1 should be on RF channel 36.

Davird_Jr:
AntennaWeb lets you reposition its map to center on your location. Usually entering your Zip+4 on the address page gets you pretty close. If you click on Options at the bottom of that page it repaints the page with added fields for latitude, longitude and antenna height. If you select a ridiculous height like 5000' the listing will give you stations that might be missed otherwise. The listings page has radio buttons to select all stations, digital only or analog only.

Google Earth will tell you your latitude, longitude and elevation if you put the cursor on your location.

If a mountain is between you and the stations, you could try getting a bounce off other nearby mountains. Have a look at this site for the experience of person trying to receive Albany in the Green Mountain area:

http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages_b/ReceptionOnTheFringe.html

Finally, check out http://www.tvfool.com/ for more technical info similar to what AntennaWeb supplies.

You are correct ebo, my bad.

Thanks for the thoughtful posts. I will be checking out the info as soon as I can, probably in a few days. As far as the antenna I have it is a radio shack, 20ish year old, maybe older with a 300 ohm. I'm not sure, but I think it is directional. It was pointed for the best analog possible, which is probably worse than most people in the country get. I am thinking it is time for a new antenna.

An antenna that was good 20 years ago (even with 300ohm cable) is still a good antenna. Antenna technology has not changed significantly in many decades. If it's directional, experiment with re-aiming it. It was probably aimed to pickup one particular channel 20 years ago.

BTW, directional antennas should look like an arrow, they should look like they are opening up towards the direction you intend to receive from, not pointing to.

Again, with Jiminy directly your west, don't hold much hope for Albany-based stations, try for the other ones mentioned previously.

An antenna that was good 20 years ago (even with 300ohm cable) is still a good antenna. Antenna technology has not changed significantly in many decades. If it's directional, experiment with re-aiming it. It was probably aimed to pickup one particular channel 20 years ago.

BTW, directional antennas should look like an arrow, they should look like they are opening up towards the direction you intend to receive from, not pointing to.

Again, with Jiminy directly your west, don't hold much hope for Albany-based stations, try for the other ones mentioned previously.

Thanks so much for caring about my situation and for your insightful replies. While installing a new RG 6 to the antenna and playing with position I observed that it has a lot of rust where the elements attach to the main bar. I believe it is a directional antenna. Good News!!:D I went up on the roof while my son watched the bars of signal strength. By moving the antenna about 2 or 3 inches to the southwest I was able to get the signal up to 5 bars. The picture is now on solid and looks great. I was feeling lucky so I reran the setup on the channels and low & behold I am now getting 6-1 CBS in High Def!!!!:D:D:D Thanks so much for the tips everyone!!

Has anyone else noticed a peculiar video phenomenon on WMHT-HD (1811) on Time Warner HD cable? Every couple of seconds, the video sort of 'flashes' almost as if it's trying to sync up with something. It's hard to describe but you'd know if if you saw it.

Has anyone else noticed a peculiar video phenomenon on WMHT-HD (1811) on Time Warner HD cable? Every couple of seconds, the video sort of 'flashes' almost as if it's trying to sync up with something. It's hard to describe but you'd know if if you saw it.

I see it too. It is more pronounced on my Sharp Aquos with a QAM tuner than the Zenith with the S-A HD DVR.

Has WNYA announced any plans to begin broadcasting digitally or are they going to stay on WRGB's subchannel?

WNYA is no longer on WRGB's stream. Their arrangement expired. They will eventually be on digital on rf13 (sometime after WNYT analog signs off for good).

Last night while watching the Yanks and Sox on YES hi-def and Tuesday night on my9 on fox, the picture is horrible. Pixelating and sound drops that make it un-watchable. This was happening on every channel. I called TWC and waited 15 minutes for Ken to pick up and reset my box. Some how I get disconnected and no change with the cable. Now I'm pissed. Roger has a no hitter going into the 5th and I can't see whats going on. I call back and wait another 15 minutes for a tech. This time a women, she wants to reset the box, I tell her I already did that. She sets me up for a service call. Has anyone else had this problem or anyone have an idea what's going on?
Paying way to much money to sit back and let it go.

Last night while watching the Yanks and Sox on YES hi-def and Tuesday night on my9 on fox, the picture is horrible. Pixelating and sound drops that make it un-watchable. This was happening on every channel. I called TWC and waited 15 minutes for Ken to pick up and reset my box. Some how I get disconnected and no change with the cable. Now I'm pissed. Roger has a no hitter going into the 5th and I can't see whats going on. I call back and wait another 15 minutes for a tech. This time a women, she wants to reset the box, I tell her I already did that. She sets me up for a service call. Has anyone else had this problem or anyone have an idea what's going on?
Paying way to much money to sit back and let it go.
Tuesday's Yankee-Red Sox game on Fox was NOT HD. WXXA (Albany's FOX affiliate) has an agreement to show the 30+/- games not shown on YES. These same 30 games are shown on MY9 in NYC in HD. In April 2007, I asked WXXA's Chief Engineer if they had plans to pass thru the HD signal for the Yankee games. Here was his reply:
From: CATHRALL, SARGE
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 5:50 PM
Subject: RE: Yankees on WXXA in 2007

Bad news...we are unable this year to carry Yankees in HD due to extensive modification costs and the fact that the television property is for sale. No capital available.
Sarge

I, too had pixellation and breakups on Tuesday night's game on WXXA. I was watching it via TWC channel 1808. The 4:3 SD picture was horrible to begin with, and the video breakups made the viewing experience even worse. This was most likely a retransmission problem between YES(MY9) and WXXA.

Wednesday's game on YES HD (Roger's no-hitter thru 5) had a perfect picture for me. Big Poppy ruined Roger's no-hitter and Farnsworth gave up a 2-run dinger to Youkilis in the 8th, but the PQ was great, as usual.

If you are having pixellation on HD channels, it is most likely poor signal strength. Schedule the service call from TWC. The tech will hook up a device to you cable line to measure the signal strength and install a booster if necessary...all at no additional cost to you. Poor signal strength could be caused by splitting the cable line too many times before it reaches your HDTV.

Thanks for the info. I will have the tech there Tuesady.

BTW, directional antennas should look like an arrow, they should look like they are opening up towards the direction you intend to receive from, not pointing to.

I believe my antenna is directional. It looks like a fish skeleton from the underside view with a tail on one end. I've been trying to research antennas and reception tips and it seems that the small end of the antenna is supposed to be the front. The wider end of mine is pointed toward Albany. I tried turning mine around and lost all channels. I turned it back around and everything is fine. With a little fine tuning 10-1 is sitting between 5 & 6 bars of signal (don't know how high it goes) and 6-1 is sitting between 3 & 4 bars of signal. Both channels seem to be rock solid now.

I did some research on TV Fool which showed the following results for the stations I'm interested in getting:


Call ltrs real/virt azimuth Xmit pwr Rx Db Dist to Xmtr
WXXA-DT 7/23.1 295.1 KW 10.0 -84.8 47.3 miles
WTEN-DT 26/10.1 295.1 KW 523.24 -85.5 47.3
WRGB-DT 39/6.1 295.1 KW 600.00 -87.1 47.3
WNYT-DT 12/13.1 295.1 KW 9.10 -87.4 47.3
WMHT-DT 34/17.1 295.1 KW 295.1 -89.0 47.3
WCWN 43/45.1 295.1 KW 296.14 -91.0 47.3

So it seems that this chart indicates that Fox & NBC are putting out very low power. They are also VHF. Is this true or is it an estimate of the power at my location. ABC & CBS seem to be putting out the most power and those are the only channels I'm currently able to get. Also I'm getting the best reception with my antenna pointed at 240 azimuth which is not where this chart indicates I should be pointing. Does this chart seem accurate?

I'm wondering if a new high gain Uhf antenna might help me get PBS & CW and then when the other channels increase their power I could try to get them in then. I have read that some of the Channel Master UHF antennas actually have decent VHF reception also. If you don't think I can get any more channels here then I won't spend the money to upgrade. Thanks again for all the help.

Given the same power, the lower the rf... the further the signal will travel. Thus, higher rf's require more power to travel the same distance. As far as I know, all of the major locals in Albany are at full-power.

Yes, the "Tail" should be pointed at your target. Using a compass, you should see what you can get with an autoscan aimed at Hartford, CT.

The wider end of mine is pointed toward Albany. I tried turning mine around and lost all channels. I turned it back around and everything is fine. With a little fine tuning 10-1 is sitting between 5 & 6 bars of signal (don't know how high it goes) and 6-1 is sitting between 3 & 4 bars of signal. Both channels seem to be rock solid now.


This is very interesting information.

You are blocked from WCDC by Brodie Mt. and must be getting WTEN-DT and WRGB-DT as a bounce off of Sheeps Heaven Mountain:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=42.56919&lon=-73.29011&size=l&u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG'

The VHF stations might be stronger on the direct path than the bounce, yet the reception of WRGB analog with the antenna aimed at the mountain belies that assumption. Did you happen to look at 6 analog when the antenna was aimed at Albany? The strong bounce may be causing multipath on the direct shot.

So, what to do next? Your current antenna should be large, like this:
http://www.winegard.com/offair/pdf/HD8200P.pdf
If it's smaller than that, an upgrade would get more stations.

The Holy Grail for DTV reception is separate antennas for VHF and UHF with a dual input preamp. The Primo UHF only antenna is a 91XG, it is reputed to work particularly well with eliminating reflections. My experience is with the 4228, but it's not the best antenna for you. The highest rated preamp is the 7777 by Channel Master. If it's large enough, your existing antenna might do OK for VHF. If not, make sure that you get a VHF that does both low band and high band. In your case, a large front to back ratio is more important than gain.

It is possible that you would end up with the UHF antenna aimed at the mountain for a bounce shot and the VHF antenna aimed directly. A rotor would be handy to figure out the best solution, but once the signals are acquired it shouldn't be needed.

This is very interesting information.

You are blocked from WCDC by Brodie Mt. and must be getting WTEN-DT and WRGB-DT as a bounce off of Sheeps Heaven Mountain:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=42.56919&lon=-73.29011&size=l&u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG'

The VHF stations might be stronger on the direct path than the bounce, yet the reception of WRGB analog with the antenna aimed at the mountain belies that assumption. Did you happen to look at 6 analog when the antenna was aimed at Albany? The strong bounce may be causing multipath on the direct shot.

So, what to do next? Your current antenna should be large, like this:
http://www.winegard.com/offair/pdf/HD8200P.pdf
If it's smaller than that, an upgrade would get more stations.

The Holy Grail for DTV reception is separate antennas for VHF and UHF with a dual input preamp. The Primo UHF only antenna is a 91XG, it is reputed to work particularly well with eliminating reflections. My experience is with the 4228, but it's not the best antenna for you. The highest rated preamp is the 7777 by Channel Master. If it's large enough, your existing antenna might do OK for VHF. If not, make sure that you get a VHF that does both low band and high band. In your case, a large front to back ratio is more important than gain.

It is possible that you would end up with the UHF antenna aimed at the mountain for a bounce shot and the VHF antenna aimed directly. A rotor would be handy to figure out the best solution, but once the signals are acquired it shouldn't be needed.


TowerGuy,

I re-aimed the antenna to point directly at the Albany tower (295 azimuth -admittedly directly into the treetops 200 ft away from the mast) I now get Analog 6 nearly perfect, analog 10 pretty good although a little snow in the picture, 10-1 & 10-2 digital with 4 - 5 bars of strength, 13-1, 13-2 & 13-3 with 2 bars of strength and 23-1 & 23-2 with 2 bars of strength. No amount of tweaking seemed to be able to raise either 13 or 23 above 2 bars. However I lost 6-1 in this orientation. I do however get analog 2 snowy, but with some color and clear sound. I am also getting analog 45 snowy, but no color, clear sound, but fasdes in and out a bit. I am no longer getting analog 17 or 23 at all (or enough for the TV to add it).

I was planning on upgrading my antenna. The Winegard 8200 looks good, but the only dealers are in Hartford and Worcester (Stark). If upgrading to the new antenna doesn't pull in the other UHF channels I want, I could either get a rotator or go with a seperate UHF antenna pointed at Sheeps Heaven or wherever I get the best UHF (probing might be in order). I will also upgrade to the Channel Master 7777 and will need a distrubution amp to send the signal to 5 TVs (3 digital).

Thanks so much for your help. Does my plan sound reasonable?

I will also upgrade to the Channel Master 7777 and will need a distrubution amp to send the signal to 5 TVs (3 digital).

Thanks so much for your help. Does my plan sound reasonable?

You antenna plan is sound. Were you able to get digital 13 and 23 with the antenna aimed at 295?

The 7777 has enough gain. You won't need a DA, even with 5 splits.

Tower Guy,
Yes I am able to get digital 13 & digital 23 (albeit with only 2 bars of signal strength)with the antenna aimed directly at 295, along with digital 10. I am still not able to get WMHT-DT or WCWN-DT at the new direction. The one drawback is that with the antenna pointed at 295 I lost digital 6. However Analog 6 now comes in nearly perfect, alas not high def though. I will be putting the antenna plan into motion this week. Again, I cannot thank you and the others that helped me get this thing pointed in the right direction enough. I went from believing that I would get zero digitals to now getting 3, plus the one I was getting, which means with the right setup, I will definitely get digital 6 back and who knows mayby PBS & CW. (Are Mets games in High Def on CW?)

Are Mets games in High Def on CW?
The local CW affiliate (WCWN-DT) does not show the HD version of the Mets games. As far as I know (& have seen) only the home Mets games are shown in HD on SportsNet NY via Time Warner Cable.

This is similar to the 21 Yankees games shown on WXXA. WXXA does not show the HD version of the broadcast, even though it is available. These same 21 games are shown on the MY9 channel in NYC in HD. The other 141 games are ALL shown in HD via the YES Network on Time Warner Cable.

Okay, Stark Electronics in Worcester, MA no longer carries the Winegard 8200 because it is not UPS shippable. I checked and it is available elsewhere for around $200 Plus around $170 shipping - OUCH! I decided to order the AD 91XG at $100 to improve my UHF performance and the Channel Master 7777 for $60 (as I am already getting all of the VHF channels) and see how I do. If I have to replace my original combo antenna in the future I will probably go with one of the Channel Masters that Stark carries that may be close to the Winegard in performance. I hope to have the items by this weekend so I can get everything up & running for Sunday football.

The 7777 has enough gain. You won't need a DA, even with 5 splits.

What do you recommend for making the splits?

What do you recommend for making the splits?

Any off-the-shelf splitters in any convenient arrangement. Two three-ways are the easiest, with the second three-way connected to the -3.5 db tap of the first. The longest cable runs should be plugged into the first splitter. The shortest cable runs go to the second.

Does anybody know when any of the local stations will start producing a local HD newscast or when Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy! will be passed through in HD? I'm quite disappointed with the state of HD here coming from the Vermont area where we had 2 newscasts and 1 was in widescreen.

Thanks for the info. I will have the tech there Tuesady. How did it go on Tuesday?

I own a philips LCD and I have been getting all the locals with my antenna in my attic for sometime. I really don't watch the TV much, but all of a sudden I turned it on tonight for the football game and I have no 13.1 or 13.2 as well as 6.1 and 6.2. I have not moved the antenna nor changed settings. I tried a searching for channels and it is not finding them. Did something happen recently to these channels where I have to realign my antenna?

Thanks

I wasn't watching either station around the time you reported this, but I've seen no disruptions recently. If you're still not getting those stations you should check your antenna and lead-in. I've noticed occasional problems in the past with WRGB, WNYT and WMHT (not at the same time) that I attribute to screwed up PSIP information: I wouldn't be able to tune using the virtual channel number, but could with the real channel. If the PSIP had been corrected by the time I did that, then my receiver would pick up the info and I could tune by virtual channel again.

I wasn't watching either station around the time you reported this, but I've seen no disruptions recently. If you're still not getting those stations you should check your antenna and lead-in. I've noticed occasional problems in the past with WRGB, WNYT and WMHT (not at the same time) that I attribute to screwed up PSIP information: I wouldn't be able to tune using the virtual channel number, but could with the real channel. If the PSIP had been corrected by the time I did that, then my receiver would pick up the info and I could tune by virtual channel again.


When you say check the antenna do you mean check the direction? What do you mean on the lead-in? Just check the coax wire? I am not sure on what I can with the PSIP info.

I do have an update, I am only getting about 50% signal on the real channel numbers 12 and 39, but the picture will not hold. I never had a problem before. Also, now on antennaweb it is acting like getting 6.1 is impossible for me. A year ago on antenna web all the digitals were available to me, but somehow things have changed unless I put down in the options 1000 feet. Did WNYT and WRGB change something?

Thanks for the help

Did WNYT and WRGB change something?


No.

When you say check the antenna do you mean check the direction? What do you mean on the lead-in? Just check the coax wire?Yes, check the direction but also the connections to it, whether there's any obvious damage, etc. By lead-in I do mean coax. Guess I used an archaic term (probably from the days of twin-lead). Look for damage along the line or bad connections at the ends. Unscrew them and make sure the center pin is still there (I've known it to break off from corrosion) and that it's sticking out far enough. Just disconnecting and reconnecting could improve things if the problem is corrosion. If you're using an RF amp, try bypassing it; it could have gone bad. You shouldn't need one in the Albany area except maybe for distribution to several TVs.

I do have an update, I am only getting about 50% signal on the real channel numbers 12 and 39, but the picture will not hold. I never had a problem before. . . .Did WNYT and WRGB change something?Not that I know of. I checked the locals with the signal-to-noise meter that's part of the OnAir GT software, and they were all within 3 dB of each other, hovering around 31 dB. That's with a 4-bay bowtie in the attic that isn't even designed for VHF.

What about the other digital channels? Do they read significantly higher? They're all coming from the same location in the Helderbergs. How far away does AntennaWeb say you are?

Not that I know of. I checked the locals with the signal-to-noise meter that's part of the OnAir GT software, and they were all within 3 dB of each other, hovering around 31 dB. That's with a 4-bay bowtie in the attic that isn't even designed for VHF.

What about the other digital channels? Do they read significantly higher? They're all coming from the same location in the Helderbergs. How far away does AntennaWeb say you are?

Antennaweb says 19 miles. I am in zip 12198. When I get a chance tomorrow, I will check the antenna and connections, but it is in the attic and all wires are inside as well. So I doubt there would be any corrosion.

Also, tonight around 6pm, I did another scan and CBS was coming in around 75% and holding a picture. This is without tweaking the antenna or anything. This is all quite interesting.

Everything comes in around 75%. I never seem to know for sure cause on my TV, the bar is either 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%. So I could be getting 85% for all I know.

Again thanks for the help

[QUOTE=Davird_Jr;11517015]Okay, Stark Electronics in Worcester, MA no longer carries the Winegard 8200 because it is not UPS shippable. I checked and it is available elsewhere for around $200 Plus around $170 shipping - OUCH! I decided to order the AD 91XG at $100 to improve my UHF performance and the Channel Master 7777 for $60 (as I am already getting all of the VHF channels) and see how I do. If I have to replace my original combo antenna in the future I will probably go with one of the Channel Masters that Stark carries that may be close to the Winegard in performance. I hope to have the items by this weekend so I can get everything up & running for Sunday football.


Okay I got the 91XG & the Channel Master 7777 installed, putting the 91 on the mast about 4 ft below my old antenna & pointing at Albany tower running seperate UHF & VHF inputs to the 7777. I was able to pick up 17-1 & 17-3 and 6-1 in that configuration, but 6-1 was only getting 2 - 3 bars of strength & wouldn't stay on solid. 10-1, 10-2 still had 5 bars & was solid. So I did some probing and couldn't get a better signal for 6-1 or 17-1 pointed at Albany. So I tried pointing the 91XG at Sheep's Heaven (43 azimuth as opposed to 295 azimuth) and WOW! I was able to get 6-1, 10-1 & 17-1 all with at least 7 bars of strength. by tilting the antenna up 30 degrees I was able to improve the reception to the point that on 6-1 I am getting 9 bars of strength!! The only thing I don't understand is that I am now getting 45 analog pretty good, but can't get the digital 45 channel. Oh well I believe I am getting every other digital channel. Also I am getting 15 analog almost perfect. I don't know what it is, but it says "MyTV 4" in the bottom right corner. I am also getting 17 analog watchable, 23 analog pretty good and 30 analog NBC almost watchable (not sure of its origination). In addition my TV's tuner has locked onto analog 50 (snowy), 51 (fades in & out), 54 (fades in & out), 58 (snowy), 62 (snowy), 64 (snowy) & 66 (snowy). I am pretty pleased with the results. Thanks to all who helped!

I am located approximately three quarters of a mile SSE of the water tower (Visible from RTE 7 E. in Troy) and 50 foot below a ridgeline directly to my East.

UTM 18 609202E 4731017N (NAD27) is apparently where I am in the topography of things. I would like a recommendation from you in regards to my receiving OTA programming (VHF UHF and HDTV). I need a digital converter,which one?

Q 2. how high can I safely operate a large antenna above a chimney?

Q 3. Are there signals I might get from the east.

Q 4. Should I expect to need a rotator.

Q 5 Please recommend a value packed antenna.

Rabbit ears currently pick up 6,10,13 CW, and ION poorly on my analog set I hope to convert.

Thank You in adavance any recommendations are apprecited.

Take care
David

I am located approximately three quarters of a mile SSE of the water tower (Visible from RTE 7 E. in Troy) and 50 foot below a ridgeline directly to my East.

Q 2. how high can I safely operate a large antenna above a chimney?
Q 3. Are there signals I might get from the east.
Q 4. Should I expect to need a rotator.
Q 5 Please recommend a value packed antenna.



You are line of sight to the Albany transmitters. They are all in the same place. The height above the chimney mount won't matter. Make sure that you get an antenna with VHF ability. The Channel Master 3016 antenna is good enough for you: http://www.starkelectronic.com/allant.htm

If you want WYPX, you could add a rotor or a second UHF only antenna and a Jointenna tuned to channel 50.

Thank You Tower. :)

The only thing I don't understand is that I am now getting 45 analog pretty good, but can't get the digital 45 channel.

Also I am getting 15 analog almost perfect. I don't know what it is, but it says "MyTV 4" in the bottom right corner. I am also getting 17 analog watchable, 23 analog pretty good and 30 analog NBC almost watchable (not sure of its origination). In addition my TV's tuner has locked onto analog 50 (snowy), 51 (fades in & out), 54 (fades in & out), 58 (snowy), 62 (snowy), 64 (snowy) & 66 (snowy). I am pretty pleased with the results. Thanks to all who helped!

WCWN is odd; digital 43 uses the same antenna as analog 45. I'd guess that the multipath is worse on 43. Try slightly less tilt on your antenna.
Channel 15 is WNYA-CA, an LPTV station located in the Helderbergs.
Channel 30 is WVIT, NBC from Hartford. I get that one too.
Channel 50 analog is odd. That's WYPX's digital assignment.
Channel 51 is WNYA on Berry Mountain in Pittsfield
Channel 54 is WTBY is TBN in Poughkipsee (if they are still on the air)
Channel 58 is 3ABN, an LPTV in the Helderbergs
Channel 62 & 64 are I don't know. (WRNN & W64BH are off the air)
Channel 66 is WUTF in Marlboro, MA

WCWN is odd; digital 43 uses the same antenna as analog 45. I'd guess that the multipath is worse on 43. Try slightly less tilt on your antenna.
Channel 15 is WNYA-CA, an LPTV station located in the Helderbergs.
Channel 30 is WVIT, NBC from Hartford. I get that one too.
Channel 50 analog is odd. That's WYPX's digital assignment.
Channel 51 is WNYA on Berry Mountain in Pittsfield
Channel 54 is WTBY is TBN in Poughkipsee (if they are still on the air)
Channel 58 is 3ABN, an LPTV in the Helderbergs
Channel 62 & 64 are I don't know. (WRNN & W64BH are off the air)
Channel 66 is WUTF in Marlboro, MA

WOW!! Tower Guy you know your TV stations. I will do a little more playing at the end of this week to see if we can get WCWN. I won't be broken hearted if I can't get it, but I'll give it one more shot. Thanks again.

As far as football last night, did anyone notice that Football Night was 4:3 for the first half hour then went to 16:9 at 8:00? Seemed odd to me, but the game looked great. Too bad the team didn't, Giants defense is worse than last year I think and it was bad then. But I'm watching them in high def!!

I will do a little more playing at the end of this week to see if we can get WCWN. I won't be broken hearted if I can't get it, but I'll give it one more shot.WCWN's digital subchannel 45-2 is The Tube. It is a video music channel with a great mix of songs. It is my favorite OTA station.

Thanks for the tip. One other question if I might. I get 17-1 & 17-3, but not 17-2. Is this normal or did my receiver just not find it?

Thanks for the tip. One other question if I might. I get 17-1 & 17-3, but not 17-2. Is this normal or did my receiver just not find it?

Totally normal. I believe WMHT is reserving a spot for the possibility of an all-kids programming sub-channel.

Hi guys, new here - found by doing google search :P

Starting last night my YES HD channel (1867) stopped displaying anything. All my other HD channels are fine - and I had no problems with this channel up until last night. When I go to the channel - nothing displays.

Is anyone else having this problem or should I call TW to get this resolved? Wanted to know if it was the a problem with the channel itself and if others were having it considering all my others are fine.

Thanks!

I got an email last night from TW saying that a fire at a signal provider facility in Connecticut has caused TW to lose HD feeds of A&E and YES.

YES is still available as a digital channel on 620.

They did not give an ETA on a fix.

I got an email last night from TW saying that a fire at a signal provider facility in Connecticut has caused TW to lose HD feeds of A&E and YES.

YES is still available as a digital channel on 620.

They did not give an ETA on a fix.

OK thank you for clearing that up - I will turn into the digital until fixed.

Make sure that you get an antenna with VHF ability. The Channel Master 3016 antenna is good enough for you: http://www.starkelectronic.com/allant.htm.
This Channel Master looks promising, but does anyone know how you would go about getting one installed?

I had DirecTV last year put up its $50 HD locals antenna, which is adequate, but NBC is inconsistent and I'm wondering if there might be others I should get but can't. However, I have no desire to climb up 50 feet to get it installed. Does anyone around Albany offer a dish/installation combination for a reasonable price?

Hi guys, new here - found by doing google search :P

Last night my YES HD channel (1867) was not displaying anything. All my other HD channels are fine. When I go to the channel - nothing displays.

Is anyone else having this problem or should I call TW to get this resolved? Wanted to know if it was the a problem with the channel itself and if others were having it considering all my others are fine.

Thanks!

YESHD is not being displayed at the present time on either my Tivo S3 or SA8300HD, however YESHD is showing a SD transmission on my DirecTV HR20, which is a change from yesterday.

Yesterday, DirecTV was still showing commercials for it's NBA season package.

YESHD is not being displayed at the present time on either my Tivo S3 or SA8300HD, however YESHD is showing a SD transmission on my DirecTV HR20, which is a change from yesterday.

The problem is at the YES-HD uplink center in Stamford, CT.

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-sports3sep12,0,5132862,print.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines

The problem is at the YES-HD uplink center in Stamford, CT.

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-sports3sep12,0,5132862,print.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines

I received this email a couple of days ago:
Dear HDTV viewer,

This is a quick email to let you know about a couple of HDTV signals from Time Warner Cable that are not available at this time.

Due to a fire at a signal provider facility in Connecticut, A&E HD and YES HD are unavailable. The digital signal of A&E is available on channel 442; YES is on channel 620. Technicians are working to restore the HD services. We hope to have everything back to normal soon, and we thank you for your patience.

Sincerely,

Time Warner Cable, Albany Division

Anyone have D*TV's new slimline 5-LNB dish? I have had the triple LNB dish mounted over my garage on our 2 story brick house with perfect reception for the past 9 years.

The service tech came out the other day to install the new 5-LNB dish and he took one look at the dish and stated that he wanted to install the new one on the roof (because of it's size). I was under the impression that the new dish is actually smaller vertically and only a few inches wider than the old dish. Can anyone comment on their install?

There is no way I'm letting them cut into my roof. I'd rather sacrifice the new tier of HD channels than to risk problems down the road with a leaky roof. I'm kind of used to my HD TiVo anyway.......

By the way, the tech did not have the new dish with him on the truck (nice head) so I could not get a first hand look at it. They had to reschedule. Shocker.

You may find more information checking in satelliteguys.us. There are some installers there. You also might try dbstalk.com.

The new dishes are heavier and D* is reluctant to install them on a chimney.

What trees are in your area?

My new dish was installed on a fence in my back yard.

I am not sure I will be able to receive the the locals in HD, when and if D* ever decides to provide them, but I am receiving good signals from the new satellite which is supposed to provide the new HD national channels.

Even though the new channels have not been turned on activated yet, D* has started checking them and signals are available to test occasionally. I just checked mine are the signals levels are in the 72 or better for transponders 1-14, 17 and 22 at this time.

D*TV reports that new HD channels will become available starting tomorrow Sept 19th.

Is anyone using a CableCARD from Albany Time Warner Digital Cable and the TV Guide On Screen™ System? With this setup I receive program information for many channels but not others (e.g.):

Receiving TV Guide programming information:

1808 XXAHD - FOX
1810 TENHD - ABC
1811 MHTHD - PBS
1813 NYTHD - NBC
1837 DSCHD - Disc
1855 MOJOHD - MOJO
1857 HDNHD - HDN
1858 HDNM - HD Net Movies
1869 ESPNHD - ESPN
1880 HBOHD - HBO
1885 SHOHD - Showtime

Not receiving TV Guide programming information:

1806 RGBHD - CBS
1815 WEWBHD - WEWB
1827 TNTHD - TNT
1838 AEHD - A&E
1840 MHD - MTV
1847 MSGHD - MSG
1860 UNIHD - Universal HD
1866 SNYHD - SNY
1867 YESHD - YES
1870 ESP2H - ESP2

Time Warner indicates my signal levels are off, however the TV's ATSC tuner receives every channel I subscribe to and the picture rendered by the display looks very good.

Where along the path (e.g. TV Guide software, carrier or ATW) is the TVGOS(?) data being dropped?

Is anyone using a CableCARD from Albany Time Warner Digital Cable and the TV Guide On Screen™ System? With this setup I receive program information for many channels but not others (e.g.):

Receiving TV Guide programming information:

1808 XXAHD - FOX
1810 TENHD - ABC
1811 MHTHD - PBS
1813 NYTHD - NBC
1837 DSCHD - Disc
1855 MOJOHD - MOJO
1857 HDNHD - HDN
1858 HDNM - HD Net Movies
1869 ESPNHD - ESPN
1880 HBOHD - HBO
1885 SHOHD - Showtime

Not receiving TV Guide programming information:

1806 RGBHD - CBS
1815 WEWBHD - WEWB
1827 TNTHD - TNT
1838 AEHD - A&E
1840 MHD - MTV
1847 MSGHD - MSG
1860 UNIHD - Universal HD
1866 SNYHD - SNY
1867 YESHD - YES
1870 ESP2H - ESP2

Time Warner indicates my signal levels are off, however the TV's ATSC tuner receives every channel I subscribe to and the picture rendered by the display looks very good.

Where along the path (e.g. TV Guide software, carrier or ATW) is the TVGOS(?) data being dropped?

I found time tonight to sit down and look through the guide on my SONY DVR w/cable card. I'm (not) receiving the exact same channels in my guide as you. I'd be interested in knowing what TWC's answer/resolution is concerning why we don't receive the guide data. OTA, the guide data is received over the PBS station, although I know CBS recently signed a deal to carry it over their channels, too.

CBS to Carry Gemstar-TV Guide IPG Data

TV Guide On Screen to Be Available to 95% of U.S. Households

April 19, 2007

By Todd Spangler, Multichannel News

CBS’ local stations will distribute Gemstar-TV Guide International’s on-screen interactive-program-guide data using a portion of their digital spectrum as part of a multiyear distribution and advertising deal that Gemstar said will make its IPG available to more than 95% of U.S. households.

The deal gives Gemstar-TV Guide a digital distribution channel to reach TV viewers with an on-screen guide. Currently, the company contracts with National Datacast, a for-profit subsidiary of PBS, which uses the vertical-blanking interval in the analog spectrum to distribute data.

Gemstar-TV Guide put the deal in place with an eye on the Federal Communications Commission’s February 2009 deadline for discontinuing analog broadcasts, said Tom Carson, the company’s president of North American IPG.

The agreement, announced Wednesday, allows for the distribution of data for the TV Guide On Screen IPG over both CBS owned-and-operated stations and participating affiliates. The companies said distribution will begin as soon as the necessary equipment is installed in the next several months. Financial terms were not disclosed.

CBS and its affiliates have access to an unspecified portion of the ad inventory on the TV Guide IPG to promote their programming, both nationally and locally, but the stations will not be permitted to sell to outside advertisers.

Why CBS? “We were looking for a partner that might have been interested in our advertising and also had a good, solid distribution network and a good, solid relationship with their affiliates,” Carson said.

Gemstar-TV Guide’s deal with CBS is not technically exclusive, but, Carson said, “This is clearly the single way we want to do our [digital] distribution.”

Only viewers who have digital-TV sets or digital-video recorders that embed the TV Guide On Screen technology will be able to access the IPG. Manufacturers that have signed deals with Gemstar-TV Guide to embed the IPG in their consumer-electronics products include Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Panasonic and Sony Electronics.

I found the following at tvguideonscreen.com (http://www.tvguideonscreen.com/support/2004/faq/listings.asp#9):

Why are some of my broadcast or cable channels not listed on the "CHANNEL EDITOR" screen?
Answer: Presently, TV Guide On Screen does not list all channels in any given broadcast area. As a result, channels are selected primarily on a "majority rules" basis. Channels with the highest potential viewership are given top priority. Availability of program listings is another consideration.

Thanks for the reply, but why do I receive program guide information for channels: 6 & 38 but not 1806 or 1838?

Is there really a difference between time warner digital cable, and their regular cable?

If I get a TV with a built in tuner can I recieve HD without having to use a set top box?

I'm not interested in movies on demand, or "premium" channels.

Thanks

Quality-wise, IMO, the digital tiers are better (less grainy). If you get a TV with an ATSC tuner, I believe you can watch "in the clear" QAM HD channels which I believe would be: 1806, 1808, 1810, 1811, 1813, and 1815.

Thanks for the reply. What is QAM? Sorry I'm new to this whole video thing.
But it looks like I'm going to have to go digital before too much longer (like it or not). . .

If you rent a CableCARD from Time Warner for $1.75 per month you can receive any analog/digital/HD channel you subscribe to except those programs that are PPV, on-demand and SDV.

Next year there should be two-way capable TVs with M-Card slots that support interactive digital cable services.