What is QAM?QAM (http://www.diy-pvr-dvr-htpc.com/index.php/QAM)

Thanks for the reply. What is QAM? . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM

Thanks. Clearly I've got alot to learn between now and Jan 2009. Looks like 2008 will be the year of the TV

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). . .

There are two types of digital tuners. ATSC and QAM. ATSC is what lets you pick up digital stations and HD from an antenna over the air. QAM is the way you receive unencrypted digital station from cable. You have to make sure you TV has QAM support if you want HDTV from cable without a box. Just because it is digital, it may only have ATSC. You need to specifically look for QAM. In terms of what you will get without the box digitally, without a box. In HD you will generally just get the networks. Here in Troy, I get FOX, NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS and the CW over my QAM tuner. I also get digital stations in Standard def. Those are NBATV, Disney Toons, Variety TV, and a few weather channels. You will not get the other HD channels TWC offers without a box(ESPNHD, ESPN2HD, YES, SNY, HDNET and some more)

Edit: Didn't notice page 101 of this thread, I guess some of what I wrote was explained.

A new HD channel appeared this morning on TW - TBSHD on 1805.

TBS HD!

About freaking time. That was the only SD station I ever watched.

Hi guys. New to the forum. I see TBS HD was indeed added at 1805. However, my cable card has been picking it up on 1869, in place of ESPN HD, since Thursday morning. I've also been w/o ESPN2 HD since then. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Both ESPNHD and ESPN2HD still come in fine on the cablecards in my tivo S3, but it doesn't pick up TBSHD.

I assume that this means that TBSHD is SDV. Can anyone confirm this?

Both ESPNHD and ESPN2HD still come in fine on the cablecards in my tivo S3, but it doesn't pick up TBSHD.

I assume that this means that TBSHD is SDV. Can anyone confirm this?It is not SDV, I'm using a Pioneer PDP w/CableCARD and receive TBSHD. I also have an 8300HDC w/M-Card that gets channel 1805. Yesterday I noticed I was not getting channel 1805 on a 4250HDC w/M-Card and after Time Warner sent a signal from their head end to reboot the STB it receives TBSHD too.

TW CSR told me I could bring my cable card in to the office and they'd switch it out, no problem. Yeah, right. Staff at the Albany front desk said "no, we're not allowed to do that...yet" and said you still need an appointment to switch a card. After much complaining, he at least gave me a free HD DVR to use until they can resolve the problem, and he moved my service appt up from 10/20 to 10/6. Would've been nice if he included a HDMI cable instead of the components, but at least I only have to look at the mess of wiring for a week instead of three.

BTW, has anyone actually seen any HD programming on TBS yet? I've only seen stretched shows.

I see TBS HD was indeed added at 1805. However, my cable card has been picking it up on 1869, in place of ESPN HD, since Thursday morning. I've also been w/o ESPN2 HD since then.
Same exact issues with my Sony DVR w/cable card.
1. No channel displayed on 1805
2. TBS HD on channel 1869 (ESPN HD's location)
3. No ESPN2 on 1870 (ESPN2 HD's location)

It takes a visit by a service tech to fix this problem? Doesn't seem right.

I posted earlier but I cannot figure out why I cannot recieve 6, 13, and barely 10 anymore. I was getting the channels in fine. I cannot say exactly when things went sour because I have not watched the HDs much since it is not my main TV. Anyways, I have a roof antenna that is in my attic (not sure of the brand, but the antenna was actually manufactured special for our area). In January of this year, I was able to get all HDs off OTA. The channels we all coming periodically throughout the year. Now I cannot get 6 or 13, and I barely get 10. 17, 23, and 45 come in fine. I submitted my zip (12198) and put in the exact spot on the map I am at and it tells me I can get 13 with blue (which I cannot get), 23 with blue (which I can get), 45 with blue (which I can get), and 6, 10, and 17 with violet, of which I get 17 no problem, 10 barely and 6 not at all. This is all assuming a two story house.

Now looking at the compass direction, they are all at 275 degrees except for 23 which is 273. All are the same distance at 19.9 miles except for again 23 which is 20.1.

What could possibly be going wrong? It definitely is not the connections or the amplifier. The Antenna is in the attic and has never moved nor has anyone touched it because nobody goes up there. All wires are inside so no weather issues with any connections.

Pretty much all the channels are in the same direction and distance from my house, but I cannot get all of them. But again I did.

I have started moving the antenna a little, but no luck. Could it be the TV's tuner? But why would that all of a sudden fail? Could it be the antenna, but again how the hell could my current antenna break?

Thanks for any help.

The antenna was actually manufactured special for our area. 6, 10, and 17 with violet, of which I get 17 no problem, 10 barely and 6 not at all.

Now looking at the compass direction, they are all at 275 degrees except for 23 which is 273. All are the same distance at 19.9 miles except for again 23 which is 20.

The Antenna is in the attic and has never moved nor has anyone touched it because nobody goes up there.

Area specials were intended to receive the analog signals of 6, 10, and UHF from the Helderbergs plus channel 13 from Bald Mountain. They don't do so well on the HD channels that they were not designed to receive.

Violet antenna areas are hit or miss for attic reception.

I'd chalk up your experience to good luck last winter.

Good Luck? Does cold make much of a difference? What kind of antenna can I use?

Rob

Good Luck? Does cold make much of a difference? What kind of antenna can I use?

Rob

It's not worth the time to try to understand the difference between last winter and now. A violet antenna is described as a large directional antenna mounted on the roof with a preamp.

If you like Winegard, try this:
http://www.winegard.com/offair/pdf/HD7082P.pdf
For a preamp, the HDP-269.

If you like Channel Master; the 3018 with a 7778 preamp.

Some other brands of antennas are not designed to last in our ice and wind.

WOW!
Only 20 miles out and they recomend the biggest baddest antenna and a preamp?
You must live in an underground bunker, with 2 foot walls.
Maybe you just need some hieght on that antenna, like 50 foot.
I don't know why it would be rock solid last winter and now nothing.
I would check connections, grounds.
Very strange.

Same exact issues with my Sony DVR w/cable card.
1. No channel displayed on 1805
2. TBS HD on channel 1869 (ESPN HD's location)
3. No ESPN2 on 1870 (ESPN2 HD's location)

It takes a visit by a service tech to fix this problem? Doesn't seem right.Time Warner generally takes the approach that there is a signal problem @ the homeowner's location that impacts the CableCARD's decryption/authorization scheme, which requires a visit from a field service technician to resolve.

In reality they just don't want subscribers pestering their staff, who work at the head end, with a lot of phone calls.

But it seems to me that I can read off the Host IDs to someone on the phone as well as the next guy. :rolleyes:

I agree with you. I can't any reason there should be a change. I am a 2 story house on a hill as well. A guy up the street has one of those simple dish attachment antennas (outsdide on the roof) and he gets them all. I can't see anything wrong with the connections. But as I said, the connections are all untouched and not even outside.

Thanks


WOW!
Only 20 miles out and they recomend the biggest baddest antenna and a preamp?
You must live in an underground bunker, with 2 foot walls.
Maybe you just need some hieght on that antenna, like 50 foot.
I don't know why it would be rock solid last winter and now nothing.
I would check connections, grounds.
Very strange.

Both ESPNHD and ESPN2HD still come in fine on the cablecards in my tivo S3, but it doesn't pick up TBSHD.

I assume that this means that TBSHD is SDV. Can anyone confirm this?

Update:

I can now receive TBSHD on the S3 by tuning directly to 1805, but it still doesn't show up in the programming guide.

I still receive ESPNHD and ESPNHD2 fine on 1869 and 1870.

rgn2000:

Assuming nobody has put up a tall building between you and the towers, the things most likely to change are cable connections and the amplifier. With a strictly indoor antenna system, I'd suspect the amp first. Try removing it from the system. Also, since you're using an antenna system made for this area, I presume it's a combination of a medium-sized Yagi with VHF and UHF elements, plus a separate, smaller Yagi for ch. 13. That's what I used to use (Channel Master Capitaland Special, made when 17 was the only UHF station). Eventually I used a separate 4-bay bowtie for UHF and replaced the original cut-to-length twisted twin lead connecting the two with a ch. 13 Jointenna. But when I switched to digital, the Jointenna interfered with reception of ch. 12 (13 digital). I found the UHF bowtie also worked well enough for the two VHF digitals, 12 and 7 (23 digital) so now I'm using just that. But I'm closer than you are (about 8 miles).

Try disconnecting the separate ch. 13 antenna and any antenna coupler such as a Jointenna. No amp or splitters either. Just coax from the antenna to the receiver to see if that works. If the antenna has screw terminals rather than an F connector, there should be a balun (usually a short tube with twin lead on one end and an F connector on the other) to make the impedance match between the antenna and coax. Try replacing it. They're not expensive, and they do go bad.

Until 2009, you can aim the antenna pretty easily by taking a small analog TV up to the attic, connecting it directly to the antenna and adjusting for best reception on channels such as 10, 17, 23 and 45 (but not 13, which is in a different direction). I have a USB HDTV tuner for my laptop that I can use that way, and check digital reception as well.

rgn2000:

Assuming nobody has put up a tall building between you and the towers, the things most likely to change are cable connections and the amplifier. With a strictly indoor antenna system, I'd suspect the amp first. Try removing it from the system. Also, since you're using an antenna system made for this area, I presume it's a combination of a medium-sized Yagi with VHF and UHF elements, plus a separate, smaller Yagi for ch. 13. That's what I used to use (Channel Master Capitaland Special, made when 17 was the only UHF station). Eventually I used a separate 4-bay bowtie for UHF and replaced the original cut-to-length twisted twin lead connecting the two with a ch. 13 Jointenna. But when I switched to digital, the Jointenna interfered with reception of ch. 12 (13 digital). I found the UHF bowtie also worked well enough for the two VHF digitals, 12 and 7 (23 digital) so now I'm using just that. But I'm closer than you are (about 8 miles).

Try disconnecting the separate ch. 13 antenna and any antenna coupler such as a Jointenna. No amp or splitters either. Just coax from the antenna to the receiver to see if that works. If the antenna has screw terminals rather than an F connector, there should be a balun (usually a short tube with twin lead on one end and an F connector on the other) to make the impedance match between the antenna and coax. Try replacing it. They're not expensive, and they do go bad.

Until 2009, you can aim the antenna pretty easily by taking a small analog TV up to the attic, connecting it directly to the antenna and adjusting for best reception on channels such as 10, 17, 23 and 45 (but not 13, which is in a different direction). I have a USB HDTV tuner for my laptop that I can use that way, and check digital reception as well.


Thanks for the help. Right now the antenna is aimed pretty good because I do get the analog's and yes it is the antenna you are referring too. The Ch 13 is still there, but I was able to get all the channels with it there before.

Now I only have a basic amplifier hooked up. The kind that is about 25db gain and has a dial for low to high and a FM trap. I did not try to disconnect that, but I did turn the dial to minimal gain to see if it was working and the signal went down quite a bit. I am not sure about the balun thing. I will have to look for that. Problem is I have no idea how the guy installed this thing. The attic is just rafters and it is high up and I need some kind of step ladder or something and there is no where to put that without going through the floor. I am able to reach the VHF and UHF parts of the antenna with ease to rotate and not the ch 13 yagi.

Thanks

Time Warner generally takes the approach that there is a signal problem @ the homeowner's location that impacts the CableCARD's decryption/authorization scheme, which requires a visit from a field service technician to resolve.

In reality they just don't want subscribers pestering their staff, who work at the head end, with a lot of phone calls.

But it seems to me that I can read off the Host IDs to someone on the phone as well as the next guy. :rolleyes:

I agree. I've had the SAME setup for years now (not adding extra outlets, etc.) Yet, at least twice a year, a "chunk" of the digital channels starts pixelating. After a few days I call and they always say "Oh, we're not having a problem it must be your cable". Then ALWAYS, the very next day, the problem magically fixes itself (so I have to call and cancel the service appt.). On the off-hand that the guy actually DOES show up the next day, it's been:

"Oh, yeah, we're aware of that and it's been reported" (after I sit at home for 4 hours waiting for them to show).

TW has us by the ba... until FiOS TV becomes available in the Capital Region. Does anyone have an ETA when this will be?

TBS is rushing to get their HD channel up in time for the baseball playoffs starting tomorrow. I've heard DirectTV subscribers also had issues with the channel placement. It will probably be worked out soon.

TBS is rushing to get their HD channel up in time for the baseball playoffs starting tomorrow. I've heard DirectTV subscribers also had issues with the channel placement. It will probably be worked out soon.The Rockies-Padres game was in HD on TBS HD (TWC channel 1805) last night.

TBSHD has been available on DirecTV since last Wednesday.

However, until the NL wildcard playoff, most of the content was stretched like it is on TNTHD.

TW has us by the ba... until FiOS TV becomes available in the Capital Region. Does anyone have an ETA when this will be?

When pigs fly?

From what I've seen unless they get a statewide or national franchise, we can forget about getting it here.

And given the sad state of affairs in the NY Assembly, we'll never get a statewide franchise.

I have an amplified (50db uhf, 35db vhf) indoor antenna that picks up a lot of local channels well. However, my TV will not even detect WNYT: It will get 13 analog, but no 13-*. What could be wrong? I know what some of you will say - get an outdoor. But my house is very tall and it is seriously impractical to install anything on the roof. Oh- and no attic. :-( Help!

(edit: location - Saratoga Springs, close to the tracks)

dgcaste:

13 analog and digital broadcast from different locations. But the digital comes from the same location as most of the other Albany stations, both analog and digital. It's on channel 12. If you get 10 analog and 23 digital (which is on channel 7) then you should be able to get 13 digital.

You might have room for an outdoor antenna indoors even without an attic. A 4-bay bowtie could look through a window or even a wall if there's not too much metal in the way. Aluminum siding will kill the signal. It's a UHF antenna, and Saratoga Springs may be too far to use it for VHF, but it works fine for me at about 8 miles.

Thanks for replying!

I'm having little trouble with UHF channels. PBS, ABC, and CBS look great (as long as I tweak the direction a bit for each of them, for some reason, since they seem to come from the same place), it's the VHF I'm having a problem. What can I do about that? The antennas are about 34 miles away. Is there a special way to set up the rabbit ears? I tried putting the indoors antenna outside to see if the siding or screening was damaging the signal... nothing changed.

Dennys antenna has a easy return policy and is better than most. Rabbit ears I dont think so... .??

http://www.dennysantennaservice.com/1172249.html

maybe try one of the modular outdoor models that would mount on the best side of your house.

The last two programs I have recorded on CW HD have been broken up on the DVR. Instead of seeing the entire program listed once for an hour, I see the show broken up into a new entry every few minutes. I have rebooted the DVR, but still see the same thing for a show I recorded last night. I called TW and they said to return the box, but I have a lot on the DVR that I have not watched yet. Thanks.

Stay away from Dennys, those prices are outrageous when compared to Stark Electronics, I have used Stark in the past and my antennas have usually arrived in a couple days with no issues.

http://www.starkelectronic.com/allant.htm

The last two programs I have recorded on CW HD have been broken up on the DVR. Instead of seeing the entire program listed once for an hour, I see the show broken up into a new entry every few minutes. I have rebooted the DVR, but still see the same thing for a show I recorded last night. I called TW and they said to return the box, but I have a lot on the DVR that I have not watched yet. Thanks.

That's what the TW DVR does. It sucks. I went through three of them and finally gave up. Everyone I've talked to around here that has an 8300HD has had similar problems.

TivoHD here I come (Christmas present).

To any of the Albany area local broadcasters that visit this forum: any word when DirecTV might start carrying our HD locals?

Everyone I've talked to around here that has an 8300HD has had similar problems.

You have heard of this specific problem before?

Believe me, I know it sucks, but I've never heard of this problem before.

The last two programs I have recorded on CW HD have been broken up on the DVR. Instead of seeing the entire program listed once for an hour, I see the show broken up into a new entry every few minutes. I have rebooted the DVR, but still see the same thing for a show I recorded last night. I called TW and they said to return the box, but I have a lot on the DVR that I have not watched yet. Thanks.

The DVR is OK. Your most likely problem is called ingress. Ingress is caused by poor shielding and/or multiple splits of the cable signal. It occurs specifically on 1815 because CW HD and over the air channel 23 share the same frequency. When 23 leaks into the cable, it interferes with 1815.

Call the TW CSR again and insist that a technician come and fix the problem.

The DVR is OK. Your most likely problem is called ingress. Ingress is caused by poor shielding and/or multiple splits of the cable signal. It occurs specifically on 1815 because CW HD and over the air channel 23 share the same frequency. When 23 leaks into the cable, it interferes with 1815.

Call the TW CSR again and insist that a technician come and fix the problem.

Thanks Tower Guy.

Will the average TWC tech be familiar with this problem and know how to fix it? My experience with TWC techs is that they measure the signal and if it is OK they stop looking for problems.

You have heard of this specific problem before?

Believe me, I know it sucks, but I've never heard of this problem before.

At work there's quite a few people that have the crappy 8300 HD and they've been complaining of the same thing.

It also likes to randomly delete all scheduled recordings.

At work there's quite a few people that have the crappy 8300 HD and they've been complaining of the same thing.

Was it just on programs recorded on CW HD?

Thanks Tower Guy.

Will the average TWC tech be familiar with this problem and know how to fix it? My experience with TWC techs is that they measure the signal and if it is OK they stop looking for problems.

No, the average tech won't be able to fix it. Yet, there are some that are very capable. Ask the CSR for a tech that can fix an ingress problem.

Is there a reliable antenna equipment seller around the Albany area, and is there someone that also does installations? I lack the equipment and the experience, and wouldn't mind observing and learning some. Hey, or maybe one of you wants to make an extra dollar (figuratively speaking, I would obviously dish more out) if I get the equipment?

Has anyone heard/read anything about the new LG plasmas that come w/ a built-in HD DVR: 42PB4D, 50PB4D, and 60PB4D? LG says these are the only models in its current lineup w/ cable card slot.

BTW, I've been unimpressed with the HD DVR that TW provided me until they fix my CC issue (it's a 4250 HDC if that means anything to you guys). I'm sure some of it has to do w/ the component cables, but the picture and sound quality are not great. HD looks similar to the poor quality of NBC's HD golf telecasts. As for the sound, I notice a background buzzing at whatever volume level I use. However, I should only have this junk box and its Crayola remote for another half a day!

Is there a reliable antenna equipment seller around the Albany area, and is there someone that also does installations? I lack the equipment and the experience, and wouldn't mind observing and learning some. Hey, or maybe one of you wants to make an extra dollar (figuratively speaking, I would obviously dish more out) if I get the equipment?

I purchased an antenna from Radio Shack last summer. There probably are better places, but it works fine for me and was not too expensive.

I had it installed by American Satellite out of Troy. Their phone number is (518) 274-8011.

What antenna did you purchase? They seem to have different brands, which include Terk and all I hear is that they overcharge and exaggerate stats.

TW service tech shows up today to service my cable card issue... w/o a cable card.:mad: He said the description he rec'd was regarding an HD DVR issue, not a CC issue. He says they'll have a supervisor out on Monday, because the super's "interest has been piqued". Speaking of interesting, w/ the CC back in the TV, there is now no signal for HD signal for TBS, YES, ESPN, or ESPN 2 (1805, 1867, 1869, and 1870).

I have a Sony HDTV with an internal QAM tuner. I get the local channels in HD (6,8,10,13... among a few others). I also have TW cable w/ 8300-hd DVR and am recording 2 shows at the same time tonight (at 8:00 & 9:00). I'd like to watch the Yankee game in HD, but my DVR will be in full swing and I'll be forced to watch the game without the HD box.

Is TBS-HD (the channel the Yankee Game is on) in QAM? If so, do I need to reprogram the TV to search for new QAM channels? If not... I'm SOL.

Thank you

timick1:

All digital on cable is QAM, but very little is clear (i.e. unencrypted) QAM. I just did a cable rescan (OnAir GT, which tells what is and isn't encrypted). Nothing new, although the TWC ad channels have moved up to RF channel 120. So no, TBS-HD isn't in the clear, even though TBS analog has always been available even to Basic subscribers.

If your Sony TV accepts a CableCard you could rent one from TWC and get whatever digital channels you're subscribed to, but probably not before tonight's game. So you're probably SOL.

If what you're recording is on broadcast channels you could watch one of them and record the game instead, but I can understand that you might not want to watch that delayed.

If you had a separate HD DVR (there are several tuners that work with computers) and if a broadcast channel were involved, you could use one of the TWC DVR's tuners for the game. In fact, a PC-based HD tuner can usually record the full digital bitstream of a channel, which means it can record all of that channel's subchannels at once. In the Albany area ABC-HD, NBC-HD and Fox-HD are all on one channel, and CBS-HD and PBS-HD are on another. So tonight, with a PC-based, QAM-capable tuner (and about 35 GB free on a hard drive) you could record Chuck/Heroes and Prison Break/K-Ville, with Dancing With the Stars and part of The Bachelor coming along for the ride.

Thanks for the reply ebo.

I ended up watching the game in non-hd. The picture sucked... so did the game!

I was pretty happy about it ;)

Was it just on programs recorded on CW HD?

No, a few of us have had it delete all shows it had recorded. I've had it delete my scheduled recordings (ie, "season pass") 4 times and after that I decided to get rid of it.

RedSox on Fox not in high def? I've got bars on the sides. What gives? I thought the game was supposed to be high def.

It's in HD here.

After a while I realized it was coming and going. I turned the game on late and it was in
SD. Then after a while it popped into HD. Then a while later back to SD, then back to HD. Did anyone else get this or was it my TV? I didn't think the TV could do that. The SD was definitely far inferior PQ wise with dull looking grass.

I was recording the game OTA from 23-1.

The first minute or so was in SD, but the rest was in HD.

However, on my D* HR20-700, the sound kept switching from Dolby Digital to regular Stereo about 10 times per minute.

I just switched to my Tivo S3 and everything remained Dolby Digital from then on. I suspect that the OTA tuners in the S3 are better than the ones in the HR20-700.

Hi all, I live in the Berlin, N.Y. 12022 area and i get almost perfect reception in high def from OTA WTEN 10-1 and 10-2. I would like to get more high def channels if possible. My analog reception = Channel 6 comes in with very good reception, 10 comes in fair, 13 is ghosting bad, 17 is poor, 19 is strong with ghosting, 23 is fair and 45 is unwatchable. I have a Winegard HD7084 with a 20db mast mounted amp and rotator mounted about 25 feet from the ground. I tried to put the antenna higher and the reception actually got worse! Does anyone have any advise? Dave

Hi all, I live in the Berlin, N.Y. 12022 area and i get almost perfect reception in high def from OTA WTEN 10-1 and 10-2. I would like to get more high def channels if possible. My analog reception = Channel 6 comes in with very good reception, 10 comes in fair, 13 is ghosting bad, 17 is poor, 19 is strong with ghosting, 23 is fair and 45 is unwatchable. I have a Winegard HD7084 with a 20db mast mounted amp and rotator mounted about 25 feet from the ground. I tried to put the antenna higher and the reception actually got worse! Does anyone have any advise? Dave

Dave,
Let me be the first to welcome you to the forum. We are practically neighbors. There are a lot of people that read this that know a lot more about reception solutions and they helped me out quite a bit. Sounds like our reception is similar. I also get analog 6 perfect, 10 reasonable and 13 not at all. I have a radio shack directional pointed at Albany tower providing VHF and I purchased a seperate UHF (Antennas Direct XG91) pointing in a different direction getting me the UHF much better than pointing at Albany using a Channel Master 7777. I am actually getting a great bounce off of the mountain behind me (east of me) with UHF, but can only get VHF pointing directly at Albany (295 azimuth for me). I am getting digitals 6-1, 10-1, 10-2, 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 17-1, 17-3, 23-1, 23-2, fairly well. I also get 45-1 & 45-2 when the wind is blowing right. I am going to experiment some more with it. You can do a lot of research on this site in the HDTV reception hardware area that helps immensly. You will also get advice from some much more knowledgeable folks than me who know what they are talking about. Good luck.

My parents who live in Troy (just off of rt 66 near the Wyantskill line) are looking to buy their first HDTV. Will they get all the HD they need from TWC or will they need to put up an antenna? Also what equipment should they avoid from TWC? Thanks for the help.

TWC will give them everything they need. 30 or so HD channels including all the local broadcast stations.

I've had a few different HD receivers, including two from Scientific Atlanta including one DVR, and one from Pace. All of them worked great.

Thanks for the info and the warm welcome Dave, Nice to meet you and It's good to be here. I am going to try some different things to get more HD channels. I'm ok with spending the money if needed as long as the signals are there strong enough for reception with the proper equipment. Maybe I can get a technician to check the situation out or some more advise from the experts on here. Thanks, Dave

TWC will give them everything they need. 30 or so HD channels including all the local broadcast stations.
30 or so??? Not sure what fantasy land you're living in, but there are only 22 full-time HD channels in this market (being charitable to the likes of TBS, TNT, AE)

Just counted and I've got 26 HD stations. So it's not 30, but it's plenty.

@HDDEF
Try going to antennaweb.com and tvfool.com for an idea of what to expect.
With just your zip and Berlin NY it doesn't look good.
But you can get down to street level and how tall your antenna is.

Has anyone had trouble with the cablecards in a TiVo? I seem to be getting the locals but not TBS, A&E, et al. (And randomly my BBC America is gone.)

Has anyone had trouble with the cablecards in a TiVo? I seem to be getting the locals but not TBS, A&E, et al. (And randomly my BBC America is gone.)CableCARDs do not receive adequate support from CATV providers who want you to rent a STB instead because of the additional revenue it generates.

The only option you have is to contact ATW as often as necessary to have the channels you subscribe to authorized to be accessed by the CableCARD; despite how many unqualified technicians Time Warner may dispatch to your home during this process.

Has anyone gotten an Mcard type cable card from Albany TWC? This is the multi-steam cable card. For example, the TiVoHD has dual tuners and two cable card slots. You can either get two cable cards OR one Mcard. If anyone has gotten an Mcard from Albany TWC, is it the same price as a regular cable card ($1.75 / month)?

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CableCARD):
An "MCard", also known as "MS-CableCARD" or "multiple stream" card, can decode up to six channels simultaneously. MCards were specified in 2003 but have been frequently delayed. They became available prior to July 2007, when the integration ban took effect.

MCards are sometimes referred to as CableCARD 2.0 cards, although they do not themselves provide any of the CableCARD 2.0 features, such as interactivity. MCards are backward compatible with current CableCARD devices. To older CableCARD devices that do not support multiple streams, the card appears to be a single stream card. CE companies have long wanted MCards for their CableCARD 1.0 host devices in order to compete with Cable company devices that use multiple tuners. This is important for products such as Sony & TiVo CableCARD DVRs, televisions with Picture-in-picture and CableCARD-equipped Personal computers, which need to be able to record one show while the user is watching another. Without MCards, these products must rely on two SCards, and installation and support is more error-prone. Simple availability of MCards is insufficient if MCards are not supported on cable company servers by a specified date. No such date exists, and so CE companies are uncertain when they will be able to sell products that rely on MCards.

20 maple ave, berlin 12022.. thanks all

Anyone else seeing breakups on WRGB or am I going to have to climb out on the roof again? (over the air broadcast)

Anyone else seeing breakups on WRGB or am I going to have to climb out on the roof again? (over the air broadcast)I'm seeing it too, OTA only. It's OK on cable. This is a recurrence of an old problem; if you dig back in this thread you'll find references to it. Some tuners handle it OK, some don't. WRGB needs to reboot something; an encoder, IIRC.

The audio and video pop in and out on all of my tuners. If I set my MyHD card to timeshift, the video is smooth but the audio is gone entirely. Timeshifting my other tuners makes little or no difference (OnAir GT, LG LST-3410A).

I have it too on both TV tuner and DTV tuners wish they would fix it soon. My meters are showing strenth of 100% so I cant figure out what it could be.

WRGB-HD OTA seems to be OK now. I ran short recordings from bad and good periods through TSReader Lite and compared the specs. There were minor differences, of course, but nothing that stood out to my untrained eye.

Just bought a Panasonic Plasma that should be delivered this week. My Dad went to the TWC office this weekend and said we were upgrading to HDTV. They gave him a SA 3250HD box and component cables. We don't plan on getting DVR service, but I would prefer hooking the cable box up using HDMI cables. Does TWC offer a cable box with HDMI output other than the 8300/8000 DVR box? Does it cost more to lease those boxes without subscribing to DVR service than the SA 3250HD?

Thanks

I had the 3250. It had a working DVI port on the back. DVI and HDMI are physically compatible - all you need is a DVI -> HDMI adapter:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10419&cs_id=1041902&p_id=2029&seq=1&format=2

Or you can just use a cable that has HDMI on one end and DVI on the other:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10231&cs_id=1023104&p_id=2405&seq=1&format=2

Just bought a Panasonic Plasma that should be delivered this week. My Dad went to the TWC office this weekend and said we were upgrading to HDTV. They gave him a SA 3250HD box and component cables. We don't plan on getting DVR service, but I would prefer hooking the cable box up using HDMI cables. Does TWC offer a cable box with HDMI output other than the 8300/8000 DVR box? Does it cost more to lease those boxes without subscribing to DVR service than the SA 3250HD?

ThanksThe 4250HDC (http://www.sciatl.com/products/consumers/new_explorer4250HDC.htm) is ATWs most current non-DVR STB, which became available soon after the Integration Ban (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070111-8599.html).

WRGB-HD OTA seems to be OK now.Oops, I spoke too soon. The problem is back.

Confirmed, here too. Oddly, signal strength seems to STILL(edit) be 77% despite the now non-existent image. Standard def. uplinked through dish network is working fine. Glad I record the standard def., just in case. :)

Confirmed, here too. Oddly, signal strength seems to be 77% despite the now non-existent image.

Appears to be the same issue we've seen before, any info WRGB?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6373841#post6373841

Hey Look, its almost 2 years to the date, the things that make you go hmmm...

Hi,

I have an HD DVR from TW Albany and a 32 inch Samsung TV. When I use an HDMI cable to connect the two, the only channels I get is the HD tier 1800+. I spoke with TW over the phone and was informed that HDMI only carries digital signal hence only the 1800+ working, if I want to see any of the other 100+ channels I have to use composite, but it doesn't make sense. I have digital cable so why don't the rest of the channels work? When I use composite cables I can see everything.

Does this make sense to anyone?

I'm also not terribly impressed with the HD quality it seems to be a bit grainy and not as sharp as I'd like. I'm new to HD and cable so I'm not sure how to go about adjusting it or getting the most out of HD. Does anyone have any suggestions?

The TW tech is totally wrong.

I use my 8300 HD DVR hooked up via HDMI for all channels.

As for the grainy/low quality HD, I imagine that you have some setting wrong on your DVR.

Where do you live?

I live in Cohoes, actually almost in Latham, what settings can I check? I didn't actually poke around the settings, I thought the TW tech would optimize it.

I haven't gone through the settings on my box in quite a while, so I can't tell you much off the top of my head.

I live right in Troy. I could stop by during a lunch break or after work one evening to help you get things squared away if you wanted.

I haven't gone through the settings on my box in quite a while, so I can't tell you much off the top of my head.

I live right in Troy. I could stop by during a lunch break or after work one evening to help you get things squared away if you wanted.

As you can probably understand I'm hesitant to let a complete stranger (message board guy) into my house. :) I'll poke around on my own and see if I have any further questions. Perhaps in your leisure you could poke around your DVR and see if anything comes to mind otherwise I'll see what I can do on my own. I'm pretty savy with electronics, just new to DVR's and cable. Always used OTA signal for TV.

I appreciate the assistance.

LOL, of course. I don't blame you. I'm just trying to be neighborly :)

I'll take a look at the exact settings on the DVR to let you know what to check.

Your TV should have some way - often a "display" button or through the menu - to display the resolution it's receiving from the STB. Use this when viewing HD channels to see if the STB is sending out an actual HD signal.

By the way, even the HD channels show a lot of SD content. If you watch Seinfeld, for instance, on NBC HD, you're not watching HD content, so it won't look very good at all. Discovery HD, InHD, and HDNet Movies are good channels to check because they pretty much have HD content on 24/7.

What model TV do you have?

LOL, of course. I don't blame you. I'm just trying to be neighborly :)

I'll take a look at the exact settings on the DVR to let you know what to check.

Your TV should have some way - often a "display" button or through the menu - to display the resolution it's receiving from the STB. Use this when viewing HD channels to see if the STB is sending out an actual HD signal.

By the way, even the HD channels show a lot of SD content. If you watch Seinfeld, for instance, on NBC HD, you're not watching HD content, so it won't look very good at all. Discovery HD, InHD, and HDNet Movies are good channels to check because they pretty much have HD content on 24/7.

What model TV do you have?

It's all good, and I appreciate the neighborly assistance.

I have a "SAMSUNG Black/Silver 32" 16:9 8ms Wide HDTV with Integrated ATSC Tuner Model LNS3241D" link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16889102045)
I did some research buying it but since it was my first HDTV purchase I really didn't know what to look for. Hope I did OK with this TV.

My buddy from Mass was over last weekend and he has Comcast HD, we were just scrolling through channels and he was like...my HD looks so much better then yours and when I went to Discovery channel which usually shows the best he still said it looks much inferior to his Discovery Channel. Now I know there is a difference between carriers, TV's etc. and this was just his opinion but it made me think.........am I getting all I can out of my current setup?

Why would the TW tech on the phone tell me that you can't display regular non HD digital cable signal trough an HDMI cable? It didn't make sense then, and it doesn't make sense now. I really have to get into the STB and see whats up.

No, HD should look awesome. Discovery HD especially looks incredible. Something has to be wrong with your setup.

I don't know why the tech would say that. They were totally full of it.

First thing I'd do is turn on Discovery HD and hit the Display button on the TV remote to see what resolution the input is.

I'm seeing it too, OTA only. It's OK on cable.

The problem was back Tuesday night during The Unit and Cane. It was even worse Tuesday than Monday, since the SA8300HD had problems with The Unit as well as OTA problems on other receivers.

Wednesday morning I tried recording one of the HD soaps OTA with my S3. Everything seemed to be fine again.

Let's hope the problem is fixed.

I live in Cohoes, actually almost in Latham, what settings can I check? I didn't actually poke around the settings, I thought the TW tech would optimize it.

I don't guarantee that these would be your settings, but they should be close.

On my SA8300HD cable box:

1. Press Settings on your remote to bring up the Quick Settings screen.

2. Press Settings again to bring up General Settings.

3. Use the arrow keys to highlight Set:Picture Format.

4. Either press Select or the right arrow

5. Either Upconvert-1 or PassThru works fine with my Samsung HLR4667W HDTV.

Your Samsung TV may be different than mine, but here are the ones on mine:

1. Press Menu to bring up the TV settings menu

2. Use the arrow keys to highlight Picture and press enter to bring up the picture settings

3. Use the arrow keys to highlight Size and press select

4. Mine shows 16:9, Panorama, Zoom1, Zoom2 and 4:3 as the choices if you were on a SD channel, only 16:9 and 4:3 if you were on a HD channel

5. Try selecting 16:9

6. Press menu twice to exit from settings

If your remote is the same as mine, you should also be able to press the Info button to show what the Resolution is that you are receiving from your cable box.

You should check your picture during prime time on one of the major networks, since that is your best chance of finding a program that is in HD.

If you are still having problems, send me a PM and I will give you my phone number so we can discuss it further.

[QUOTE=AlbanyHDTV;11907665]Has anyone gotten an Mcard type cable card from Albany TWC? This is the multi-steam cable card. For example, the TiVoHD has dual tuners and two cable card slots. You can either get two cable cards OR one Mcard. If anyone has gotten an Mcard from Albany TWC, is it the same price as a regular cable card ($1.75 / month)?


When TW came out to fix my CC issue last week, they eventually tried an MCard after two other CCs wouldn't fix the problem (TBS HD on ESPN HD, among other issues). But that's for my TV, I don't have TiVo. Price is still $1.75 as far as I know.

WRGB-HD OTA is dropping in and out here again tonight. Anybody else? I noticed it about 9:35PM, or so -seems about an hour later than last night. Odd???

WRGB Engineering Dept, tell us you're on top of this? Please? ;)

I don't guarantee that these would be your settings, but they should be close.

On my SA8300HD cable box:

1. Press Settings on your remote to bring up the Quick Settings screen.

2. Press Settings again to bring up General Settings.

3. Use the arrow keys to highlight Set:Picture Format.

4. Either press Select or the right arrow

5. Either Upconvert-1 or PassThru works fine with my Samsung HLR4667W HDTV.

Your Samsung TV may be different than mine, but here are the ones on mine:

1. Press Menu to bring up the TV settings menu

2. Use the arrow keys to highlight Picture and press enter to bring up the picture settings

3. Use the arrow keys to highlight Size and press select

4. Mine shows 16:9, Panorama, Zoom1, Zoom2 and 4:3 as the choices if you were on a SD channel, only 16:9 and 4:3 if you were on a HD channel

5. Try selecting 16:9

6. Press menu twice to exit from settings

If your remote is the same as mine, you should also be able to press the Info button to show what the Resolution is that you are receiving from your cable box.

You should check your picture during prime time on one of the major networks, since that is your best chance of finding a program that is in HD.

If you are still having problems, send me a PM and I will give you my phone number so we can discuss it further.

Bruce,

I didn't see your message until this morning (at work), I'll have to wait 'till tonight when I get home to run through these. Thanks for your help, this forum is one the best and most informative forums I've ever come across. It's great to be able to come and work through something with people who know what they are talking about or at least willing to help. Thanks

It's all good, and I appreciate the neighborly assistance.

I have a "SAMSUNG Black/Silver 32" 16:9 8ms Wide HDTV with Integrated ATSC Tuner Model LNS3241D" link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16889102045)
I did some research buying it but since it was my first HDTV purchase I really didn't know what to look for. Hope I did OK with this TV.

My buddy from Mass was over last weekend and he has Comcast HD, we were just scrolling through channels and he was like...my HD looks so much better then yours and when I went to Discovery channel which usually shows the best he still said it looks much inferior to his Discovery Channel. Now I know there is a difference between carriers, TV's etc. and this was just his opinion but it made me think.........am I getting all I can out of my current setup?

Why would the TW tech on the phone tell me that you can't display regular non HD digital cable signal trough an HDMI cable? It didn't make sense then, and it doesn't make sense now. I really have to get into the STB and see whats up.Use the setup wizard to adjust the cable box and select 1080i & 480p standard picture formats only. Experiment with both component & HDMI outputs, I prefer using a component connection with any SA 4200/8300 series STB. When using the component connection from the STB, on the 2nd settings menu, be sure that the picture format is set to pass-through. With DVI/HDMI the picture setting should be set to auto DVI/HDMI. If your TV is equipped with a CableCARD slot you can achieve a better quality HD picture using a direct coax/ANT input connection but will take a performance hit with SD content viewed @ 480i versus 480p passed from the STB.

Try to minimize the number of times you split the incoming signal before it reaches your DTV.

Use the setup wizard to adjust the cable box and select 1080i & 480p standard picture formats only.
Considering his TV is 720p native, I would advise against that.

WRGB-HD OTA is dropping in and out here again tonight. Anybody else? I noticed it about 9:35PM, or so -seems about an hour later than last night. Odd???

WRGB Engineering Dept, tell us you're on top of this? Please? ;)Took the usual actions on Tuesday morning, and later Tuesday evening during Cane when problem occurred again. Because problem was apparent both days on both cable and OTA, watched Criminal Minds and CSI:NY live last evening and did not notice any problems at least on cable (although I didn't double-check OTA).

Saw OTA problem early this morning and went digging deeper into the equipment settings. Even though our normal system monitoring software showed everything in order, found multiplexer was not talking to encoders properly.

Will monitor prime-time live OTA this evening to make sure everything stays OK.

Took the usual actions on Tuesday morning, and later Tuesday evening during Cane when problem occurred again. Because problem was apparent both days on both cable and OTA, watched Criminal Minds and CSI:NY live last evening and did not notice any problems at least on cable (although I didn't double-check OTA).

Saw OTA problem early this morning and went digging deeper into the equipment settings. Even though our normal system monitoring software showed everything in order, found multiplexer was not talking to encoders properly.

Will monitor prime-time live OTA this evening to make sure everything stays OK.

Not sure what time you noticed this, but I could not watch the WRGB-DT OTA news this morning between 6AM & 7AM due to the blocking and pixelating. I had my normal signal strength and I checked analog OTA and it seemed fine. Figured there was some technical issue. No cable where I live so I rely on OTA for HD.

Not sure what time you noticed this, but I could not watch the WRGB-DT OTA news this morning between 6AM & 7AM due to the blocking and pixelating. I had my normal signal strength and I checked analog OTA and it seemed fine. Figured there was some technical issue. No cable where I live so I rely on OTA for HD.Around 7am

Switched Digital Video is now being used by Albany TWC and has been in place since September 2006.

Around 7am

Thanks. Is there a way to report this if I see it in the future or is it something that is routinely checked and fixed if needed? First time I've seen this issue.

bosiydid:
In earlier messages you said that what you're seeing as HD from your cable HD DVR is grainy and generally poor quality. You also said that you're used to getting your signals OTA and that your new TV has an ATSC tuner. If you connect your antenna to the TV and scan for channels you should get the local stations in digital (and HD, when that's what they're feeding). You can compare that with the same stations from your cable box. They should look very similar. If they don't, you have something wrong.

I have basic cable as a backup for my OTA reception (handy during WRGB's recent OTA problems). No cable box; I just get the unencrypted digitals. Local cable does compress the channels a bit more than the broadcasters do, but I can't tell the difference in A-B comparisons.

20 maple ave, berlin 12022.. thanks all

Any progress Dave?

i was probing around all morning with not much luck. i upgraded my pre-amp to a channelmaster 7777, got the rotator and rotater box out of the picture, and replaced my coaxial cable with a better grade. my picture quality got better across the range and i picked up 19-1 and 19-2 which i already get on 10-1 and 10-2. i ordered a winegard 9032 deep fringe uhf antenna and another 7777 pre-amp to experiment with. i get 10-1 and 10-2 with no dropouts at all, so i can't understand why i get no trace of 6-1, 13-1, 23-1 or 45-1 whatsoever if they are on the same tower. i may need professional help but i'm not quitting.. thanks, dave :)

HDEFDAVE:
Plugging Berlin's zip code (12022) into AntennaWeb, I see you're only about 33 miles from most of the Albany stations, but in Google Earth it looks like you're in a valley with mountains to the west (where the stations are) and higher ones to the east. 19 analog and digital are only 10 miles ESE from you, so it's not surprising that you get those. 13-1 and 23-1 are both VHF (12 and 7 respectively) so a strictly UHF antenna might have trouble with them.

How is your reception of analog channels 6, 10, 17, 23 and 45? They come from nearly the same place as the Albany digitals and span the range of frequencies you're after. They're also handy for fine-pointing your antenna. 10 and 45 are the closest in frequency to the digitals you're trying to get (7, 12, 39 and 43). 6 analog is also important, because WRGB plans to move their digital transmission to that channel after the analog shutdown. Never mind 13 analog; it's only 15 miles away in a different direction.

People surrounded by hills sometimes find they get better reception by taking a reflection off the hills behind them than by aiming directly toward the stations. Also, antenna placement and height can be critical and unpredictable. Higher is usually better, but not always.

i was probing around all morning with not much luck. i upgraded my pre-amp to a channelmaster 7777, got the rotator and rotater box out of the picture, and replaced my coaxial cable with a better grade. my picture quality got better across the range and i picked up 19-1 and 19-2 which i already get on 10-1 and 10-2. i ordered a winegard 9032 deep fringe uhf antenna and another 7777 pre-amp to experiment with. i get 10-1 and 10-2 with no dropouts at all, so i can't understand why i get no trace of 6-1, 13-1, 23-1 or 45-1 whatsoever if they are on the same tower. i may need professional help but i'm not quitting.. thanks, dave :)

Have you been probing the mountain to your east? I get my best signal strength bouncing from the mountain behind me. VHF doesn't seem to bounce as well. I had to add a separate directional UHF only antenna that picked them up much better (went from 3 out of 10 to 8-9 out of 10 on most channels except 45, which I now get, but not well enough to watch). I combined the VHF & UHF using the 7777. If you want to use a pro, try Valley Electronics in Stephentown. I think they do antennas and installs. They are at the corner of Rt. 22 & Rt. 43.

Yesterday I was watching the Giants game via QAM from TW on 23.1 and the drop outs became so bad (sometimes the screen would go black and the "no signal" message would display) that I switched over to my OTA tuner and the quality of the signal was perfect.

This was on a Sony RPTV with inputs for NTSC (QAM) and ATSC. I did an A-B comparison just after switching and the drop out was still present via cable. I don't know if it continued for the whole game because I didn't bother with the TW feed after about 10 minutes of the first quarter.

Was it my set or was it TW?

Wayne

i was probing around all morning with not much luck. i upgraded my pre-amp to a channelmaster 7777, got the rotator and rotater box out of the picture, and replaced my coaxial cable with a better grade. my picture quality got better across the range and i picked up 19-1 and 19-2 which i already get on 10-1 and 10-2. i ordered a winegard 9032 deep fringe uhf antenna and another 7777 pre-amp to experiment with. i get 10-1 and 10-2 with no dropouts at all, so i can't understand why i get no trace of 6-1, 13-1, 23-1 or 45-1 whatsoever if they are on the same tower. i may need professional help but i'm not quitting.. thanks, dave :)



Hi,

I am just up the road from you in Hoosick Falls. I am in a valley along the river in the lower elevation of the village. I have a new fringe antenna, with rotor, about 20 feet off the ground. I get the same channels with the TV tuner or the DTV HD-DVR tuner. Just to let you know, these are the channels I get. I get 10-1, but not great. 13-1 I get no matter what. 19-1 is very dependable, with rare breakup. 23-1 is very dependable with rare breakup. I can not get any signal strength for 6 or 17.

Just out of curiousity, do you have DirectTV?

WMHT has changed their OTA assignments. 17-1 is the PBS HD feed, 17-2 (New to OTA) is PBS Kids and 17-3 is WMHT SD.

thanks for the info everybody.. I'm going to take my portable TV on the roof this coming weekend and try raising my winegard HD7084 antenna much higher to see what happens. If I get reception I will guy it up or build a tower depending on how high I need to go. Also I'm going to experiment with a winegard 9032 deep fringe uhf antenna and an amplifier. So much for relaxation. I don't want or have a dish or cable.

WRGB EngDept.,

Sorry to take so long to reply.

Just wanted to say, "Thanks!", for your effort and express my satisfaction at your finding the underlying problem. Congrats. So far, so good, here.

Maybe the monitoring software needs to be traded in for a cheap HDTV connected to rabbit ears and placed in an engineering break-room? ;)

Yesterday I was watching the Giants game via QAM from TW on 23.1 and the drop outs became so bad (sometimes the screen would go black and the "no signal" message would display) that I switched over to my OTA tuner and the quality of the signal was perfect.

This was on a Sony RPTV with inputs for NTSC (QAM) and ATSC. I did an A-B comparison just after switching and the drop out was still present via cable. I don't know if it continued for the whole game because I didn't bother with the TW feed after about 10 minutes of the first quarter.

Was it my set or was it TW?

WayneI experienced no problems viewing the game with Time Warner's cable connected to my PRO-150FDs ANT A input using the TVs ATSC tuner w/CableCARD.

I having problems with 23-2 coming in with double images and no sound. 23-1 comes in excelent. Anyone else have this problem, Glenville NY

I moved my winegard HD7084 up about 25 feet higher this sunday and it made no change at all. still i could only get 10-1 and 10-2 digital from the albany tower. the analog channels looked about the same as well. i know the other digital channel signals must be there as well.. but where?? looks like i'm going to spend this weekend on my roof as well.. lol :confused:

I moved my winegard HD7084 up about 25 feet higher this sunday and it made no change at all.
Try www.tvfool.com .

I also looked at the topo map and noticed that the elevation to the mountains from "downtown" Berlin is about 7 degrees. While some suggest tilting up the antenna, it's actually better to lower the antenna such that it interacts with the ground in order to raise the lobe to the top of the mountain. The problem with that scheme is that the critical height is channel specific and depends on the slope of the land in front of the antenna. On UHF the right height is 2-3 feet, which is impractical with the 7084. On high VHF the right height will be about 5-15 feet. On low VHF 10-25' up is the range to try.

Ultimately you may end up with multiple antennas, one such as an XG-91 for UHF but tilted up, the 7084 or a high VHF only such as the Y10-7-13 for WXXA and WNYT, plus the existing 7084 for WRGB when they go back to 6. If you end up with three antennas you'll need a channel 6 Jointenna to add the two VHF together and then the 7777 preamp to add the VHF to the UHF.

If you post a more exact location the analysis could be more accurate.

Thanks for the info. my house is on maple ave in berlin. i noticed this past weekend that one of my neighbors has an old uhf antenna mounted on a mast at ground level with a pre-amp in his backyard. it looks like a 4228 channal master. so i think that you are onto something about lowering the antenna. also i didn't try to tilt the antennas at all. sounds like something good to try. i have a 9028 winegard deep fringe uhf antenna to play with this coming weekend. i would be happy if i could just get 6 and 23 digital. i'm going to keep experimenting.

i noticed this past weekend that one of my neighbors has an old uhf antenna mounted on a mast at ground level with a pre-amp in his backyard. it looks like a 4228 channel master.

That's the most likely set-up to work for you too.

Hey all, I'm new to the HDTV thing. I just picked up a Hyundai E465 (1080p, 46") from Newegg and I just recently had digital cable installed from Time Warner in Troy, and I'm not sure if I'm getting the best out of my system.

On a lot of my HD channels (ABC (WTEN), FOX(WXXA) especially) I am experiencing a lot of noise artifacts (the picture looks fuzzy when you look at the picture closely), and I was expecting the picture to be much clearer (crystal clear). From where I sit on the couch, you can see the noise as well. On the other channels I get a bit of a better picture, but the picture isn't as "crystal clear" as I had expected (the noise is still visible in some situations). I'm wondering if people always experience this noise? I am viewing this noise on HD channels, on HD programs (such as House).

My setup is as follows: I have cable hooked up to a splitter for internet, the other running into another splitter (for two TVs in the apartment), which also goes to my SA8300 HD. 2 splitters in total. The signal levels I am receiving on the STB are about -7 to -8, with a SNR constantly around 37. The SA8300 HD is hooked up to my tv with HDMI with the box set as passthrough, with modes 1080i and 480p enabled only.

Don't get me wrong, I definitely enjoy what I am seeing, but I want to make sure I am getting the best of my setup. Perhaps with a 46" the noise is common?

On a lot of my HD channels (ABC (WTEN), FOX(WXXA) especially) I am experiencing a lot of noise artifacts.



You are tuning to channel 1810 for WTEN and 1808 for WXXA, correct?

TimCA:
Since your TV has both ATSC (off air) and QAM (cable) digital tuners, you can connect it to an antenna if you're in range or directly to the cable to get the locals in HD. Compare that with the same stations from the cable box to see if the box or your setup of it is a problem.

Plug your zip code into www.antennaweb.org to see how far the transmitters are, in what direction(s) and what channels they're really on. On cable, the HD locals are mostly on channels 104 (CBS, PBS) and 105 (ABC, NBC and Fox). CW is on 74. Your TV may or may not translate those channels to the virtual numbers (1806, 1810, etc.) your cable box uses.

Digital noise looks nothing like analog noise (snow), so if you're seeing that it's probably in the original picture, or you're really watching an analog channel and don't realize it.

You are tuning to channel 1810 for WTEN and 1808 for WXXA, correct?

Yes.

TimCA:
Since your TV has both ATSC (off air) and QAM (cable) digital tuners, you can connect it to an antenna if you're in range or directly to the cable to get the locals in HD. Compare that with the same stations from the cable box to see if the box or your setup of it is a problem.

Plug your zip code into antennaweb.org to see how far the transmitters are, in what direction(s) and what channels they're really on. On cable, the HD locals are mostly on channels 104 (CBS, PBS) and 105 (ABC, NBC and Fox). CW is on 74. Your TV may or may not translate those channels to the virtual numbers (1806, 1810, etc.) your cable box uses.

Digital noise looks nothing like analog noise (snow), so if you're seeing that it's probably in the original picture, or you're really watching an analog channel and don't realize it.

I will have to try OTA sometime when I can afford to get an antenna. Thanks for the suggestion!

On a lot of my HD channels (ABC (WTEN), FOX(WXXA) especially) I am experiencing a lot of noise artifacts (the picture looks fuzzy when you look at the picture closely), and I was expecting the picture to be much clearer (crystal clear). From where I sit on the couch, you can see the noise as well. On the other channels I get a bit of a better picture, but the picture isn't as "crystal clear" as I had expected (the noise is still visible in some situations). I'm wondering if people always experience this noise? I am viewing this noise on HD channels, on HD programs (such as House).

My setup is as follows: I have cable hooked up to a splitter for internet, the other running into another splitter (for two TVs in the apartment), which also goes to my SA8300 HD. 2 splitters in total. The signal levels I am receiving on the STB are about -7 to -8, with a SNR constantly around 37. The SA8300 HD is hooked up to my tv with HDMI with the box set as passthrough, with modes 1080i and 480p enabled only.



Before you invest in an antenna, try to remove the splitter and connect the cable directly to your SA8300HD.

Every splitter cuts the strength of the signal.

If this improves your picture, TW Troy should be able to provide you with a signal amplifier for no extra charge. TW Albany certainly does.

Even if TW Troy doesn't want to provide you with the amplifier, I found a powered one at Radio Shack that works fine for me. If I remember correctly, it cost under $20.

Has anyone been having problems with MSGHD and YESHD recently? I have been seeing awful pixelation on them the last week. Its been working for the past year fine and I haven't changed anything. I also noticed some odd pixelation on channel 1 and WXXA-HD, but those were much more minor.

Surprised no one has talked about the NHL Network being launched on Albany TWC. It appeared Wednesday on channel 1875 (HD) and channel 677. You need the sports tier package to get it.

Anyway, I ordered the tier thursday night and Friday morning I noticed both the SD and HD channel have a screen up that says channel currently unavailable @ this time, come back later. Has anyone else got this? If so, lemme know how i can fix it. This is the only reason I got the tier.

Thanx guys

P.S: I already tried unplugging and repluggin my cable box

For the past week I have noticed alot of pixelation on channel 10-ABC. I would like to know if it's my problem or is everyone experiencing this.

For the past week I have noticed alot of pixelation on channel 10-ABC. I would like to know if it's my problem or is everyone experiencing this.

I've been watching the race for the past few hours and have not seen any problems with the OTA broadcast.

I'm getting 10-1, 10-2, 19,1 and 19-2 all rock solid but I can't seem to get any other digital channels at all. I spent most of the day Saturday probing around for a signal with a winegard 9032 antenna with a 7777 amplifier and raised my HD7084 winegard antenna up as high as 30 feet above the roof top with no results at all. I may need professional help but I'm going to keep trying for now.. :confused:

I live in the city and have never had luck with those VHF/UHF style antennas, my best reception comes from using a bay type UHF antenna, results may vary but something to consider.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8131416#post8131416

I've been watching the race for the past few hours and have not seen any problems with the OTA broadcast.

I'm in the city of Schenectady. Nothing has changed with my setup, but for about a week I've been losing the signal on channel 10 quite often. All the other channels are ok.

what changed at channel 12??? t12 and 7 used to be the best 2 channels there (hardly ever dropped out) and now i haven't seen 12 all weekend (last time i saw 12 was 2 weeks ago), i used to get 80-86 like all the other channels on 12 - everything else is still a good signal????
(i am about 1.5 miles up mill valley road in middleburgh)

This weekend I tried a CM4228 channelmaster antenna with a 7777 preamp. It picks up scattered analog signals and bounce off of a hill much better than all of the yagi antennas that I have tried. I tried the 4228 antenna at ground levels and up on the roof and I still can't seem to find any more digital stations. I know the signals must be there do to the fact that I get 10-1 and 10-2 "Rock Solid"! Anyone have any more ideas? Dave

. . . I still can't seem to find any more digital stations. I know the signals must be there do to the fact that I get 10-1 and 10-2 "Rock Solid"!Are you sure you're getting 10 digital (RF channel 26, about 33 miles from you) and not 19 digital (RF 36, 10 mi.)? They should have the same programming, and if they don't change the PSIP info it would appear as virtual channel 10.

Can someone who receives 19 digital verify whether it appears as 19 or 10?

I'm sure that it's from albany. 10-1 has a weaker signal than 19-1 and when I rotate my antenna a few degrees in either direction I loose the signal all together. Not so with 19-1. I get 19-1 at almost any antenna position but it comes in the strongest when I rotate the antenna towards N. Adams MA. I think I need one of those spectrum analizers or something like that to see if the signals are there at all, and to see if the're clean.. Dave

HDefDave have you contacted Valley Electronics in Stephentown? They have a lot of different antennas on their building. I would suspect that they have the the equipment you are talking about and I think they are only about 10 miles from you. Are you on the east or west side of Rt 22?

No I didn't try them yet but I'm thinking of giving them a call to see if they do it, or if they can refer me to someone else that does. Thanks

Looks like WRGB's intermittent pixelation and freezing problem is back, though not as severe yet as in the past. My LG DVR can go several minutes without showing it, but a MyHD card shows it every few seconds. As usual, OTA only; cable is clean.

Looks like WRGB's intermittent pixelation and freezing problem is back, though not as severe yet as in the past. My LG DVR can go several minutes without showing it, but a MyHD card shows it every few seconds. As usual, OTA only; cable is clean.Thanks, fixed.
My TV at home did not show any video problems, but there would be a slight stuter to the audio every few minutes.

Does anyone know another way other than a spectrum analyzer to see if the other digital station signals in my area are there or not? I don't know if I'm dealing with a no signal or multipath signal problem. I would like to get an antenna system in place before the winter sets in. :)

Does anyone know another way other than a spectrum analyzer to see if the other digital station signals in my area are there or not? I don't know if I'm dealing with a no signal or multipath signal problem. I would like to get an antenna system in place before the winter sets in. :)The best way I know is to look for analog broadcasts coming from the same place and on similar frequencies. For example, WCWN is on 43 digital and 45 analog, from essentially the same location. If 45 is very snowy or ghosting, then you're likely to have trouble with 43. It's also easier to adjust an antenna for best reception on an analog station.

Does anyone know another way other than a spectrum analyzer to see if the other digital station signals in my area are there or not? I don't know if I'm dealing with a no signal or multipath signal problem. I would like to get an antenna system in place before the winter sets in. :)

You need the highest gain antenna possible.

At your location you can assume that the signal is extremely weak due to the hills in Taborton. There are multiple ridges that will bend the signal, so there will be some multipath caused by dispersion, or reflections off multiple edges of the hilltops that are close together. The dispersion will be different in each and every situation, so others experiences may or may not be helpful to you.

In your case I'd try two 4228s stacked side by side and tilted up to just above the top of the ridge. Why slightly above? As you aim the antenna above the horizon the beamwidth on the antenna at the horizon gets narrower, hence the dispersion due to the multiple knife edges would go down.

I rotated my antenna to different positions and ran scans. I got a bunch of channels when I aimed my antenna towards the mountains to the Southeast of me. It looks like I'm getting bounce off of Berlin mountain "Aprox. 2500 Ft. high". I'm getting 6-1, 10-1, 10-2, 17-1, 17-2, 17-3, 19-1, 19-2, 39-5, 55-1, 55-2, 55-3 and 55-4. I'm still not getting 13, 23 and 45. 13 and 23 might be because of low transmitter power I think, but I'm not sure why I'm not getting 45. Does anyone know if WNYT 13 and WEWB 45 plan to turn up the power? By the way I changed the antenna position by a few degrees and the break-up's stopped. I wonder if I can get 45 with an antenna tilt? Thanks much to everyone in this thread. The help is appreciated.. Dave :)

I rotated my antenna to different positions and ran scans. I got a bunch of channels when I aimed my antenna towards the mountains to the Southeast of me. It looks like I'm getting bounce off of Berlin mountain "Aprox. 2500 Ft. high". I'm getting 6-1, 10-1, 10-2, 17-1, 17-2, 17-3, 19-1, 19-2, 39-5, 55-1, 55-2, 55-3 and 55-4. I'm still not getting 13, 23 and 45. 13 and 23 might be because of low transmitter power I think, but I'm not sure why I'm not getting 45. Does anyone know if WNYT 13 and WEWB 45 plan to turn up the power? By the way I changed the antenna position by a few degrees and the break-up's stopped. I wonder if I can get 45 with an antenna tilt? Thanks much to everyone in this thread. The help is appreciated.. Dave :)

Congratulations on the success Dave! I cannot get 45 in a usable fashion either. I don't understand it as I understand they are on the same tower as the other digital transmitters. Sounds like the channels you're getting are all UHF I believe. As far as 13 and 23 go, they are VHF channels (13 broadcasts on 12 and 23 broadcasts on 7 I believe) and they don't bounce well. That has been my experience anyway. I am using one antenna pointed (UHF) at the bounce and one antenna (VHF) pointed at the tower. I went to my sister's house in Grafton for Thanksgiving and drove up Rt. 22 through Berlin. I was shocked at how much of a block you guys have with the mountain to the west. I would wonder what if anything could be done about that obstacle. Once again, good job Dave.

I am situated in East Troy.
A couple of mos. back I hooked up a Samsung DTB-H260F Set top box to my 27" Panansonic.
Then I put a gable mount mast on my two story home. It was topped off with a omni directional from Winegard (MS 2000). I received 16 digital channels. The Amsterdam 55.1 series were the weakest. They would drop out at bad weather. I was impressed however that the picture, even at 480 p was amazing.
The signal meter on the tuner may read 2 of 10 and the pic is beautiful.
I received a better signal when I replaced the Omni directional with a directional Winegard 7018. Another channel arrived also - Utica station Channel 2.1.
The remote on the Samsung DTB-H260F is weak and the TV signal supplies the guide/Info that is less accurate than cables. WRGB's is rarely complete for instance.
I pointed the antenna rather haphazardly due to the cold and have yet to mount the 8800 Winegard UHF toward Amsterdam. The Utica Channel is NBC and I have to switch to analog to get 15 My TV. Would anyone recommend persuing other OTA chanels or should I leave well enough alone?
Thanks
David

Come on FIOS!

With my Channel Master Capitaland Special I am now able to get the digitals for 6, 13, 23, and 45. I am unable to get 10 or 17. How is that possible? They are all pretty much in the same direction. I cannot figure out for the life of me how to get 10 in.

I cannot get 45 in a usable fashion either
13 and 23 might be because of low transmitter power I think, but I'm not sure why I'm not getting 45
I watch little TV, all OTA and the digital setup even less.
Normally WCWN comes in at 7 or 8 bars out of 10.
For the past month or so WCWN 45-1 has been at 2 or 3 bars during the day and not there at all at night.
I would thing it's a connection, but all other stations are fine with the lowest being the VHF ones at 5 or 6 bars.
The past week 45 analog has been nothing but colored snow.
My digital tuner is the Samsung DTB-H260F.
Is WCWN having issues?
Anyone else having this problem?
Thanks

@ LurkerII
Another channel arrived also - Utica station Channel 2.1.
Wow that's amazing I get a barely watchable analog signal for 2 out of Utica and you are getting the digital feed.
WRGB's is rarely complete for instance
True

Do you have an issue with the 260 picking up 19-1 and 19-2 and even when deleted from the channel master list it still appears on the program guide?
This means the guide looks for info even though there's no signal, I hate waiting for it to retrieve "no information".
Only way I've found around it is to do a new channel scan when 19-1 and 2 are not coming in.
Then they are not in the guide, but as soon as the signal is back the tuner automatically puts it back into the master list and the guide.

Hello, just wanted to thank all on this forum who let me know high defintion was avaliable thru Time Warner cable without a cable box.

I bought a Panasonic THZ50-700U this week and am watching ABC,NBC,CBS,PBS, and FOX in HD all while still subscrbing to basic cable.

I was told by too many that I couldn't watch HD thru TW without subscrbing to digital cable, etc.

Thank again for your input, I'm going to try using an OTA antenna to compare results but I'm not expecting much as I live in Poestenkill, Renn. Co.

Later
JOB

Let us know differences in picture quality. How far away are you from the antennas?

Thank again for your input, I'm going to try using an OTA antenna to compare results but I'm not expecting much as I live in Poestenkill, Renn. Co.
JOB

I am 20 miles east of you and I get most of the digitals with rooftop antennas. I would think you would have no trouble from Poestenkill with a rooftop rig.

Anyone having a problem getting 10-1 (WTEN) via OTA? I can get 10-2, but starting yesterday 10-1 wasn't coming in.

OK here, on 2 receivers. If you still don't get 10-1 but do get 10-2, maybe your receiver has forgotten how. Try tuning 26-1, the real channel, or rescan 26.

OK here, on 2 receivers. If you still don't get 10-1 but do get 10-2, maybe your receiver has forgotten how. Try tuning 26-1, the real channel, or rescan 26.
I've rescanned 26 to no avail. I'll try again tomorrow. Thanks for the reply.

I don't know if it was my post, #3141, but WCWN has been great since Thursday night.
Thanks if someone did something to correct the problem.

I picked up a Magnavox 19MF337B HDTV and it is more sensitive than the LG model that I have. Now I get 23.1 and 23.2 solid and 45.1 weak. Maybe 45.1 will come in better this coming week end since others on the thread were having problems with it. Thanks to everyone on here that helped me.. Dave

Albany HD locals coming soon (hopefully) to DirecTV. I will keep the OTA for the PBS and 45-1. 13-1 has always been bad for me. Sunday night football will now be watchable. (This might happen after football season ends, however.)

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127160&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1084510&highlight=

I don't know if it was my post, #3141, but WCWN has been great since Thursday night.
Thanks if someone did something to correct the problem.Nothing was done.

Albany HD locals coming soon (hopefully) to DirecTV. I will keep the OTA for the PBS and 45-1. 13-1 has always been bad for me. Sunday night football will now be watchable. (This might happen after football season ends, however.)

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127160&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1084510&highlight=

This is great news. I would consider switching to D* from E* if it pans out.

I still can't tune in 10-1. 10-2 comes in with a 90% signal strength, but my Humax HD tuner can't find 10-1 (over the previous year I never had a problem with 10-1).

Is 10-1 still broadcast on frequency 26? If yes, any ideas on what's wrong with my HDTuner? I'm assuming if 10-2 comes in at 90% strength, then 10-1 should come in equally strong.

All other stations are coming in perfectly.

Thanks in advance.

Nothing was done.

Curious?
Last weekend it was in and out but still better.

45, WCWN, is back to at least somewhat watchable levels here(about 35-40%, where 6 & 23 are about 77% and 10/13/17 regularly come in between 82-88%). For some reason a week or more ago, it was dead here, no signal on the widescreen or the MyHD... I figured it was an antenna placement/pointing issue, but rotating did little, then it was back "by itself".

Perhaps "nothing was done", but perhaps something happened by itself? Or could it be due to weather conditions, the ionosphere, or solar flares and a reflection of venus in some swamp gas?(shameless Men in Black ripoff!) At any rate, it seems something is occasionally changing and greatly impacting the ability to pick up 45, at least here and a few other places by the sound of it... unless several of us happen to be having local reception issues during the same time period?

Funny, but I have been able to get 45-1 for the last three days at watchable levels. Never could before. On the other hand I have had no trouble with 13-1, but couldn't get them over that same time period. This morning 13-1 was back, but low signal and 45-1 was still watchable. Should I suspect atmospheric conditions? Can't wait for hi-def locals on satellite to provide some stability.

TW believe it or not, gave me the same excuse about 2 months ago when SpikeTV (digital station) and BravoTV were "blocking" (I call it pixelation, but they call it blocking) The CSR on the phone said that it was due to solar flares. I was like, um, right.

45, WCWN, For some reason a week or more ago, it was dead here, no signal on the widescreen or the MyHD... I figured it was an antenna placement/pointing issue, but rotating did little, then it was back "by itself".
Exactly the signal just wasn't there.

Perhaps "nothing was done", but perhaps something happened by itself? Or could it be due to weather conditions. At any rate, it seems something is occasionally changing and greatly impacting the ability to pick up 45, at least here and a few other places by the sound of it... unless several of us happen to be having local reception issues during the same time period?

I suspected weather, but at 60- 70% normally, you shouldn't see a complete loss of signal.
This is why I asked if there were issues with 45 here.
I have had no signal in the rain and with clear skys.
"At any rate, it seems something is occasionally changing and greatly impacting the ability to pick up 45, at least here and a few other places by the sound of it..."
I agree with this whole heartedly.
Anyone have contact info for WCWN?

Exactly the signal just wasn't there.



I suspected weather, but at 60- 70% normally, you shouldn't see a complete loss of signal.
This is why I asked if there were issues with 45 here.
I have had no signal in the rain and with clear skys.
"At any rate, it seems something is occasionally changing and greatly impacting the ability to pick up 45, at least here and a few other places by the sound of it..."
I agree with this whole heartedly.
Anyone have contact info for WCWN?WRGB owns and operates WCWN, so the post by WRGB EngDept on 12/5 was definitive.

Recent posts got me curious about my OTA reception. I usually only watch OTA if I want to DVR 2 things at the same tme. I see you indicate you're on the river. I'm at about 750 ft., so I have somewhat of a height advantage. I have a Radio Shack 15-2185 mounted in the attic. I get 75-85% on all the local stations. I get a good signal from WCDC (36) off the wrong end of the antenna (although 19 analog doesn't look so hot) and I had ben getting 28.1(9) from Vermont, but haven't had enough signal to watch lately. Also, 45 analog had more reflections than I ever remember seeing in the last week or two but looked pretty reflection-free last night. I had problems last night with WMHT 17.1(34) The signal would vary wildly from 75% down to 0-20% and was freezing and blocking occasionally.

I also have a Philips PHDTV3 indoor antenna I usually use on the road with my laptop, and I hooked it up to my TV last night in place of the attic antenna. I could get all the stations except for WNYT(12) (of course it was pointing through 2 walls.)

TW believe it or not, gave me the same excuse about 2 months ago when SpikeTV (digital station) and BravoTV were "blocking" (I call it pixelation, but they call it blocking) The CSR on the phone said that it was due to solar flares. I was like, um, right.About 2 months ago? Can we narrow that down a bit? Maybe in the range of October 5-10? About 5 PM? That's when the sun would have been directly behind AMC 11 (a satellite that carries both channels) as viewed from Albany. Not a solar flare but a "sun outage" (or outrage, if you prefer). The sun generates a lot of RF noise that blots out any signal from a satellite in the same line to the receiving dish. It happens for a few days twice a year, and the times that a particular satellite will be wiped out at a particular location are very predictable. Cable gets most of its channels from satellite.

WRGB owns and operates WCWN, so the post by WRGB EngDept on 12/5 was definitive.

Recent posts got me curious about my OTA reception. I usually only watch OTA if I want to DVR 2 things at the same tme. I see you indicate you're on the river. I'm at about 750 ft., so I have somewhat of a height advantage. I have a Radio Shack 15-2185 mounted in the attic. I get 75-85% on all the local stations. I get a good signal from WCDC (36) off the wrong end of the antenna (although 19 analog doesn't look so hot) and I had ben getting 28.1(9) from Vermont, but haven't had enough signal to watch lately. Also, 45 analog had more reflections than I ever remember seeing in the last week or two but looked pretty reflection-free last night. I had problems last night with WMHT 17.1(34) The signal would vary wildly from 75% down to 0-20% and was freezing and blocking occasionally.

I also have a Philips PHDTV3 indoor antenna I usually use on the road with my laptop, and I hooked it up to my TV last night in place of the attic antenna. I could get all the stations except for WNYT(12) (of course it was pointing through 2 walls.)

Did not now that WCWN and WRGB were one in the same.
That makes this even stranger because 6-1,3 are always rock solid.

I work on the river but I live on Sacandaga Rd. at the top of the hill just past Closson Rd.
So I too, am at about 750ft.
I have a radio shack UHF yagi style antenna on a pole on the chimney no idea what model and a VHF antenna in the attic.
I get WCDC intermitently, it was there last night at about 6:30.

Antenna web calls for a large directional with preamp for 45-1, but a small multi directional for 6-1.
How can this be when the transmitters are on the same tower feet apart.
How can you go from tin foil to the biggest baddest antenna with a preamp in a matter of feet?
Is it the power of the transmitter?
If so will WCWN be uping its power?

You said you get 28-1 it doesn't even show up on antenna web for me.
I get analog 2, 28, 51, and 55 in varying degrees of watchability.
When I raise my elevation to 900 ft on antenna web it shows 28-1 and 20-1 out of Utica as being receivable in Red, medium directional.
Yet 45-1 is still purple, large directional with preamp.
28-1 is 69 miles away, 45-1 is 18 miles away
hahahahah
I have to put 1950 ft in for elevation before 45-1 will come in with Red, medium directional anttena.

Right, so tomorrow I'm putting a 1200 ft tower in the back yard that should take care of it, no drop outs then. I wonder what you ground a tower with?
:)
hahahahaha

Anyone sign up for Verizon's FiOS Internet 20/5 Mbps & phone service yet? $69.99 per month for two years, not a bad deal.

Did not now that WCWN and WRGB were one in the same.
That makes this even stranger because 6-1,3 are always rock solid.

I work on the river but I live on Sacandaga Rd. at the top of the hill just past Closson Rd.
So I too, am at about 750ft.
I have a radio shack UHF yagi style antenna on a pole on the chimney no idea what model and a VHF antenna in the attic.
I get WCDC intermitently, it was there last night at about 6:30.

Antenna web calls for a large directional with preamp for 45-1, but a small multi directional for 6-1.
How can this be when the transmitters are on the same tower feet apart.
How can you go from tin foil to the biggest baddest antenna with a preamp in a matter of feet?
Is it the power of the transmitter?
If so will WCWN be uping its power?

You said you get 28-1 it doesn't even show up on antenna web for me.
I get analog 2, 28, 51, and 55 in varying degrees of watchability.
When I raise my elevation to 900 ft on antenna web it shows 28-1 and 20-1 out of Utica as being receivable in Red, medium directional.
Yet 45-1 is still purple, large directional with preamp.
28-1 is 69 miles away, 45-1 is 18 miles away
hahahahah
I have to put 1950 ft in for elevation before 45-1 will come in with Red, medium directional anttena.

Right, so tomorrow I'm putting a 1200 ft tower in the back yard that should take care of it, no drop outs then. I wonder what you ground a tower with?
:)
hahahahahaI'm right around the corner halfway down Church. Google Earth shows the intersection you refer to at about 637 ft and it actually goes down slightly as you go further up Sacandaga.

Try http://www.tvfool.com. Slightly more information than antenaweb including expected receive levels. The chart for me shows WCWN among the highest expected receive levels along with WRGB, WMHT and WTEN at -50dm or better. There are also coverage maps available that are add-ins to Google Earth. I attached a picture of the neighborhood showing WCWN. The colors red, yellow and green are supposed to be able to be received with indoor antennas.

Good to meet nieghbors.
I used to know the Osterlitz's and Sturgis's both live part way up church.
Used to date the Baldwin girl but they lived toward the top.
Google Earth shows me at 637 exactly.
TVFOOL shows WMHT and WCWN at -50dm, WTEN, WRGB slightly higher.
It says that WCWN should come in with an indoor antenna.
I just want it to come in.

Any idea what WNGX-LP is on 42-1?
TVFOOL says it's 5 miles away with line of sight to my location.
Hmm

Just received this from TW

New HD channels on the horizon
COMING SOON: More HD channels!

Time Warner Cable is working to add a series of new high-definition channels in the near future. Among the HD versions of channels to be added:

CNN
Food Network
Fox Business News
HGTV
History Channel
Lifetime Movie Network
National Geographic
Outdoor
Versus/Golf
Weather Channel
In addition, there are plans to add more HD versions of more than a half dozen of some of the premium channels that you enjoy, such as Cinemax, HBO, Starz and The Movie Channel.

We'll keep you informed via email, digital cable channel 1 and other means as these channels come on board.

This has been stated previously, but I'm repeating it to reduce (and more likely create) confusion...

Given the same locations and wattage... the lower the frequency the further the signal will travel. Thus, a channel broadcasting on UHF rf26 (like WTEN) will travel much further given the same wattage and transmission site than a channel broadcasting on UHF rf43 (like WCWN.) This is a basic rule for rf transmission.

To further confuse the issue... Each station has a unique power (wattage) assignment from the FCC. They are not all using the same wattage.

Some radio listeners recently noticed than when Paul Vandenburg's morning show went from WROW 590AM to WTMM 1300AM people in Saratoga had a very difficult time getting the new station. Would-be listeners calling to complain were told that the new station has the same wattage as the old one. But at opposite ends of the AM spectrum there is a clear signal advantage to the former station.

DirecTV has announced that Albany locals in HD will go up on January 3, 2008.

This has been stated previously, but I'm repeating it to reduce (and more likely create) confusion...

Given the same locations and wattage... the lower the frequency the further the signal will travel. Thus, a channel broadcasting on UHF rf26 (like WTEN) will travel much further given the same wattage and transmission site than a channel broadcasting on UHF rf43 (like WCWN.) This is a basic rule for rf transmission.

To further confuse the issue... Each station has a unique power (wattage) assignment from the FCC. They are not all using the same wattage.

Some radio listeners recently noticed than when Paul Vandenburg's morning show went from WROW 590AM to WTMM 1300AM people in Saratoga had a very difficult time getting the new station. Would-be listeners calling to complain were told that the new station has the same wattage as the old one. But at opposite ends of the AM spectrum there is a clear signal advantage to the former station.

Thanks for the heads up.
Probably why VHF is where the big 3 started.
It would make sense for stations on higher UHF channels to use more power.
Right?

Thanks for the heads up.
Probably why VHF is where the big 3 started.
It would make sense for stations on higher UHF channels to use more power.
Right?

They Do.

Yankee games to be seen on MyTV4
December 17, 2007 at 5:10 pm by Chris Churchill, Times Union
Television station WNYA, Channel 15 in the Albany area, announced today that it will broadcast 21 New York Yankees games in 2008.

The agreement with the YES Network, which is owned by the baseball team, promises a dramatic ratings boost to a Rotterdam-based station that went on the air in 2004.

“It’s pretty big,” said Duncan Brown, the station’s general manager. “As the newest station in the market, we are always looking for building blocks that take us to the next level, and the New York Yankees are a big one. They’re the crown jewel of local sports programming.”

Yankees games had previously been available on WXXA, Channel 23. Cable subscribers in the Capital Region also can watch the Yankees on the YES Network.

WNYA is an over-the-air network available without a cable subscription. The station calls itself MyTV4 because of its position on Time Warner’s cable line-up (Channel 4). WNYA is also available on Channel 51 in the Pittsfield, Mass., area.

Duncan said the schedule for which games WNYA will carry has not been set.

WNYA is owned by Venture Technologies Group, a Los Angeles-based media company that owns and operates television stations throughout the United States.

DirecTV has announced that Albany locals in HD will go up on January 3, 2008.

On the basis of this information, I called Dish to ask about their time frame for offering locals in HD. I was told, the issue being one of what the local network affiliates give (or don't give to them) and not one of Dish's foot dragging, and that those issues are the same that DirectTV faces, that if E* is getting the locals in HD in January 08, then D* should get them around the same time. Additionally, I was told that D* is putting one or two new satellites in the sky by early next year. Admittedly, I am still learning the intricacies of DBS; does this info seem honest and/or accurate?

Any idea if they'll be doing the games in high def like Fox did?

Like Fox did????? I don't remember Fox ever doing the Yankee games in HD Only unwatachable quailty of SD is what we got.

Like Fox did????? I don't remember Fox ever doing the Yankee games in HD Only unwatachable quailty of SD is what we got.
23.1 OTA looked gorgeous over the summer for the Yankee games. Were you watching OTA or do you have cable/dish?

Before everyone starts signing up as HD-Warriors, a couple of things are needed for WNYA to transmit an HD version of the Yankees games...

1. WNYA will need to complete their internal HD infrastructure. I have no idea where they are on this.
2. WNYA will need to receive the Yankees games in HD from YES... Wether that's satellite delivered or fiber delivered, it would need to be ironed out (and paid for by WNYA).
3. For Over-the-Air, WNYA has recently been granted the assignment of the soon-to-be-available rf13. First, however, WNYT will need to cease broadcasting on that signal. I sincerely think WNYT will keep their analog signal on 13 until the last day the FCC allows... currently Feb 2009, well after the 2008 season.
4. For Time Warner Cable, WNYA will need to have a new HD retransmission agreement in place with TWC.

So... for O-T-A, I think people are S-O-L. For cable, there's a chance, but it might be financially more than WNYA can handle at this time, but maybe not. Most of these costs will eventually have to be met at some point anyway.

I have TW but also have OTA as backup. Only the Saturday Game of the Week was broadcast in HD by 23-1

Only the Saturday Game of the Week was broadcast in HD by 23-1
The nationally broadcast saturday games on FOX were actually SD widescreen.

The YES produced games shown on WXXA (mostly Tuesday and Friday nights) were always shown in 4:3 SD. These games were nearly unwatchable picture quality. I had persuaded WXXA Chief Engineer Sarge Cathrall to investigate the possibility of passing along the HD version of the Yankee games shown on WXXA. He had made the proposal to station management, but due to the impending sale of WXXA, management did not want to invest the money at the time. WXXA is much further along than WNYA in terms of digital (& HD) transmission, so it would appear that the package of Yankee games on WNYA will be SD for the foreseeable future.

WNYA's VP of Operations and I have exchanged emails on the subject and will discuss the matter on the phone shortly. I'll post any new info I learn.

I have TW but also have OTA as backup. Only the Saturday Game of the Week was broadcast in HD by 23-1

It's my fault proclaiming FOX had great HD broadcasts because I only watched the Saturday games. No time on weekdays.

I need some antenna help please.

I have D* and I am trying to pick up HD locals. I live in Albany proper, TV Fool tells me that the signals I want are 13.2 miles away at 262 degrees. I purchased an RCA ANT1251, since it had the highest amplification rating I saw at 55db and I assumed that the tall buildings would cause interference.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000HKGK9I/themussou02394505-20

When directing the antenna to 276, I can pick up WRGB as 6-01 and 6-03, with a signal strength ranging from 66-72. The signal however will drop for a few seconds every minute or so.

I cannot, however, pick up any other signals whatsoever, though all appear to be in the same direction and at the same distance according to TV Fool.

Can anyone help me? Is this the right antenna but set up wrong? Or do I need another type? I cannot have an outdoor antenna in my apartment, so an alternative would need be an indoor model.

The nationally broadcast saturday games on FOX were actually SD widescreen.


Thats not necessarily true. This year, national fox did one game per week in HD, and one or two in widescreen SD for the nationally broadcasts games. In fact, I can not remember a single of the Yankee games on fox being SD Widescreen this year, though there may have been one or two. When the schedules are posted in the HDTV forum there is usually a link to the fox page, where one of the games has an (HD) next to it.

Johanne,

First, amplified indoor antennas are a waste of money. Antenna amplifiers are useful to overcome losses introduced after the amplifier, such as from a long cable run or splitters to feed several sets. They don't improve reception over a short cable run to a single TV, unless the TV's first amplifier stage is really poor (not likely). And they can make things worse if they are overloaded by the strong signals you're likely to get at 13 miles.

A simple whip antenna would probably give fair results at that distance. A better choice would be a Zenith or Philips Silver Sensor (ZHDTV1 or PHDTV1 respectively). Don't be fooled by the similar-looking Terk HDTVi; it's not the same, and many reports say it doesn't work nearly as well.

Another good choice, if you have the room, is a 4-bay bowtie such as the Channel Master 4221A. This is an outdoor antenna, but it doesn't take up much room horizontally, so many people mount it indoors looking through a window, wall or roof if there isn't too much metal in the way (aluminum siding makes a really good RF shield).

Both of these antennas are intended for UHF but do well enough on upper VHF at your distance to get the two current VHF digitals (7 and 12). How well they'll work when WRGB shifts its digital to 6 remains to be seen, but you can get an idea by seeing how well analog channel 6 looks now.

The major digital broadcasts do indeed come from the same location, and most of the major analog channels are close to it (13 is an exception). So you can find the best location and orientation for your antenna by adjusting for best reception on analog channels 45 and 10 (which pretty well covers the range) and checking 17 and 23 as well. If you can get them fairly well, maybe with light snow or ghosts, then you should get good digital reception.

Although I haven't seen the symptoms recently, your description of 6-1 dropping out every minute or so sounds like a recurring problem WRGB has had. I didn't see a problem during The Unit tonight, and the only problem with the few minutes I watched of NCIS was that it wasn't a new show as advertised.

The nationally broadcast saturday games on FOX were actually SD widescreen.

The YES produced games shown on WXXA (mostly Tuesday and Friday nights) were always shown in 4:3 SD...You're right about the package of games on WXXA.

Fox did produce one of their Saturday games each week in HD, including Yankees/Red Sox on 4/21/07 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10355790#post10355790) among others

Is 6-3 gone?

Ebo, thanks for the response, I will report back when I find a silver sensor locally. I hesitate to buy one over the internet only to find it does not meet my needs and then have to deal with the hassle of returning it.

Also, a question. It seems that the two silver sensor antennas you recommended are UHF only. Is that correct? And does that mean I will lose the ability to bring in Fox which it appears broadcasts on channel 7? Or is this an instance of mapping?

Ebo, thanks for the response, I will report back when I find a silver sensor locally. I hesitate to buy one over the internet only to find it does not meet my needs and then have to deal with the hassle of returning it.

Also, a question. It seems that the two silver sensor antennas you recommended are UHF only. Is that correct? And does that mean I will lose the ability to bring in Fox which it appears broadcasts on channel 7? Or is this an instance of mapping?Philips also offers a Silver Sensor PHDTV3 which adds rabbit ears for VHF reception.

Just received this from TW

New HD channels on the horizon
COMING SOON: More HD channels!

Time Warner Cable is working to add a series of new high-definition channels in the near future. Among the HD versions of channels to be added:

CNN
Food Network
Fox Business News
HGTV
History Channel
Lifetime Movie Network
National Geographic
Outdoor
Versus/Golf
Weather Channel
In addition, there are plans to add more HD versions of more than a half dozen of some of the premium channels that you enjoy, such as Cinemax, HBO, Starz and The Movie Channel.

We'll keep you informed via email, digital cable channel 1 and other means as these channels come on board.Live sometime after midnight:
Weather Channel HD 1823,
History Channel HD 1839,
HGTV HD 1841,
Food Network HD 1842,
CNNHD 1846,
Versus/Golf HD 1873,
Outdoor HD 1874, (Not authorized, maybe need sports tier?)
National Geographic HD 1876

Really waiting for the movie channels, I hope Cinemax and Starz come soon.

Wish we were getting Sci-Fi HD

Ebo, thanks for the response, I will report back when I find a silver sensor locally. I hesitate to buy one over the internet only to find it does not meet my needs and then have to deal with the hassle of returning it.Sears used to sell them, probably still do, but they wanted $40 which is way overpriced. Online places wanted $20-25 last I looked.

Also, a question. It seems that the two silver sensor antennas you recommended are UHF only. Is that correct? And does that mean I will lose the ability to bring in Fox which it appears broadcasts on channel 7? Or is this an instance of mapping?Intended for UHF only, but not too bad on upper VHF in a good signal area. I have no problem getting WXXA on 7 (yes, that's the real channel) and WNYT on 12 at about 10 miles. WRGB might be a problem when they move their digital transmission to 6. There's a big frequency gap between 6 and 7.

Wish we were getting Sci-Fi HD

I used to, but they cancelled all the shows I watch except for BSG but that's only going to run for like one more season and then that's gone too.

Good to see some new HD channels from TWC - now, if only my cablecard was picking up them up...but, hey, at least it's been TWO WHOLE WEEKS since I've had to call and complain.

The new HD channels are SDV, so you are S.O.L. with a cable card.

AlbanyHDTV, where did you find this info on the new HD channels being SDV? The supervisor who was out a couple weeks ago made no mention of it. Thanks.

Nevermind, I saw the info posted on http://albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=Lineup&action=display&thread=1192747081&page=2. I hate TW.

AlbanyHDTV, where did you find this info on the new HD channels being SDV?
I have a digital cable box from TWC, in addition to two HD TiVo's. The Hd TiVo's use cable cards.

When you go into the digital cable box's diagnostic menu, you can see if a specific channel is listed as "Switched" or "Broadcast".

Switched = SDV.

My Tivo S3 added the new SDV channels to it's Guide, even though it cannot receive any of them.

If you have a Tivo S3 or a Tivo HD, make sure you go into Channels and uncheck the new channels or you will get some blank recordings if you have Suggestions turned on.

Getting cable after a few years without and I have a few questions about the SA8300HD:

1: Can I connect this to my receiver for HDMI switching, if not how about a dedicated switcher? No free HDMI available and no component run through the wall either.

2: Is there any way to use an external HDD fore more space?

Heads up... Both NBC and CBS will simulcast the NFL Networks Giants-Pats game Saturday night. You can read more about it in a million other places.

Re: Pats-Giants Game

The game is scheduled to be produced in HD by the NFL network. The NFL Network announcers will call the game. Both WRGB and WNYT should get the game directly from their normal network satellite feed. It's assumed that it will be in HD. It will be interesting to see how CBS' 1080i multipass stat-mux will compare to NBC's fixed bit rate softened picture. (Do you ever notice that NBC's picture goes soft whenever there is action and then pops back to sharp when the action stops.

Getting cable after a few years without and I have a few questions about the SA8300HD:

1: Can I connect this to my receiver for HDMI switching, if not how about a dedicated switcher? No free HDMI available and no component run through the wall either.

2: Is there any way to use an external HDD fore more space?

Assuming you have HDMI to HDMI, I don't see any reason why #1 won't work through your receiver for HDMI switching.

For #2, I don't think TW has activated it yet, but I could be wrong. I know TECHNICALLY it's possible as people in other areas (like South Carolina) have it working with TW and the SA8300

I have 3 TV's that have ATSC tuners. I have an antenna in the attic and it is fed through all the cable lines. The furthest run is a panasonic and it gets all the HDTV channels in the area. Then I have one that is about half the distance and it is a small Polariod. I installed it about 2 weeks ago and I was able to get all the channels. A few days ago, I lost 17 and then yesterday I lost 10. Now the third TV is a Philips and I was able to get all the channels and then I lost some and now they are back, but right now 10 is a problem. Is there that much of a difference between OTA tuners on TV's??? How can one TV get all the channels and others not? Not to mention that the TV that gets all the channels is the furthest away!!!

Thanks

Is there any way to use an external HDD fore more space?For #2, I don't think TW has activated it yet, but I could be wrong. I know TECHNICALLY it's possible as people in other areas (like South Carolina) have it working with TW and the SA8300
Here is a link to a thread in the HD Recorders section of AVS:

8300HD and External SATA - It Works!! (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=516559)

1: Can I connect this to my receiver for HDMI switching, if not how about a dedicated switcher? No free HDMI available and no component run through the wall either.

2: Is there any way to use an external HDD fore more space?

As far as adding the external HD, it can be done, but last time I tried it, it was not very stable. This may have been do to the cable I was using. Most external HD problems seem to be due to a esata cable.

I tried this for a while last year and it worked for me.

Then I just got fed up with the SA8300HD's interface and bought a Tivo S3. I have a 1TB external drive in an MX-1 case working with the S3. This has been very stable for about the last six months.

If you want to go the Tivo route, be aware that the Tivo HD will only handle certain tivo approved drives, while the Tivo S3 will handle any esata2 drive.

The only thing I still use the SA8300HD for is when there are more than two shows I want to record at the same time.

On the basis of this information, I called Dish to ask about their time frame for offering locals in HD. I was told, the issue being one of what the local network affiliates give (or don't give to them) and not one of Dish's foot dragging, and that those issues are the same that DirectTV faces, that if E* is getting the locals in HD in January 08, then D* should get them around the same time. Additionally, I was told that D* is putting one or two new satellites in the sky by early next year. Admittedly, I am still learning the intricacies of DBS; does this info seem honest and/or accurate?

Anyone have any info with regard to the above, i.e., Dish broadcasting locals in HD in 1Q '08?

I have 3 TV's that have ATSC tuners. I have an antenna in the attic and it is fed through all the cable lines. The furthest run is a panasonic and it gets all the HDTV channels in the area. Then I have one that is about half the distance and it is a small Polariod. I installed it about 2 weeks ago and I was able to get all the channels. A few days ago, I lost 17 and then yesterday I lost 10. Now the third TV is a Philips and I was able to get all the channels and then I lost some and now they are back, but right now 10 is a problem. Is there that much of a difference between OTA tuners on TV's??? How can one TV get all the channels and others not? Not to mention that the TV that gets all the channels is the furthest away!!!

ThanksCertainly different tuners can have different sensitivities as well as different abilities to handle multipath (any ghosts on your analog channels?). But it could be as simple as the way the splitters are connected to give you the 3 feeds. If you have a 2-way splitter with 1 output going to the farthest set and the other output feeding a second 2-way splitter to drive the other 2 sets, then, ignoring cable losses, the signal to the farthest set would be down about 3.5 dB, but the other sets would be down about 7 dB. This might call for an amplifier near the antenna to compensate for cable and splitter losses.

Certainly different tuners can have different sensitivities as well as different abilities to handle multipath (any ghosts on your analog channels?). But it could be as simple as the way the splitters are connected to give you the 3 feeds. If you have a 2-way splitter with 1 output going to the farthest set and the other output feeding a second 2-way splitter to drive the other 2 sets, then, ignoring cable losses, the signal to the farthest set would be down about 3.5 dB, but the other sets would be down about 7 dB. This might call for an amplifier near the antenna to compensate for cable and splitter losses.


There are no extra splitters.

Anyone have any info with regard to the above, i.e., Dish broadcasting locals in HD in 1Q '08?

I'd be interested in this too - as I am now debating on whether or not to install an OTA to get the networks in HD.. if it was only going to be a month or 2 I would wait... anyone?

I'd be interested in [HD locals on Dish] too - as I am now debating on whether or not to install an OTA to get the networks in HD.. if it was only going to be a month or 2 I would wait... anyone?If you are somewhere that you could get the OTA channels easily (an indoor antenna, or an outdoor one inside, or even outdoors but without having to get up on the roof) then I would definitely recommend doing that regardless of their availability from Dish or elsewhere. OTA is the best quality you can get. Dish, DirecTV and cable all get the same-quality source that is broadcast, so what they give you can't be better and might be worse if they compress it even more.

I have both OTA and clear cable. Last time I checked, each channel had a lower bitrate on cable than OTA except WCWN. Admittedly, I could not tell the difference in A-B comparisons.

Thanks ebo!

Even though I do have to go up on the roof it's no big deal for me so I may just go for it anyway! :)

I definitely saw a difference in picture quality last night comparing CBS and NBC during the Pats-Giants game. It was most apparent when they took the shot of Bryant Gumbel in the booth. His suit jacket would appear to adversely sparkle as he moved on NBC, the same shot on CBS looked fine.

To be fair CBS had significant audio issues at the start of the game and a minor audio hiccup that continued throughout the game. After determining CBS had the superior image in the first half hour I stopped checking NBC.

I definitely saw a difference in picture quality last night comparing CBS and NBC during the Pats-Giants game. It was most apparent when they took the shot of Bryant Gumbel in the booth. His suit jacket would appear to adversely sparkle as he moved on NBC, the same shot on CBS looked fine.

To be fair CBS had significant audio issues at the start of the game and a minor audio hiccup that continued throughout the game. After determining CBS had the superior image in the first half hour I stopped checking NBC.
All of this has to be the local stations, since the satellite feed is the same for CBS and NBC. Makes one wonder if it is the quality of their equipment or their engineers.

All of this has to be the local stations, since the satellite feed is the same for CBS and NBC. Makes one wonder if it is the quality of their equipment or their engineers.

Not necessarily the case. Both WRGB and WNYT received the game from their standard network feeds... so both signals went though each networks unique headend.

I definitely saw a difference in picture quality last night comparing CBS and NBC during the Pats-Giants game. It was most apparent when they took the shot of Bryant Gumbel in the booth. His suit jacket would appear to adversely sparkle as he moved on NBC, the same shot on CBS looked fine.

To be fair CBS had significant audio issues at the start of the game and a minor audio hiccup that continued throughout the game. After determining CBS had the superior image in the first half hour I stopped checking NBC.

I went the other way.
After finding that CBS was in stereo not 5.1, I watched NBC and did not check back.
To be fair also, the NBC 5.1 had no rear surround most of the time.
It seems that CBS corrected there audio problems so I wish that I had checked back.

Anyone have any info on what happened to channel 10-2 WTEN? I've been getting it OTA for a long time, but the last few days I see nothing but a black screen...

It is still showing up on my guide as 'Local weather'...But no picture...

Thx

I went the other way.
After finding that CBS was in stereo not 5.1, I watched NBC and did not check back.
To be fair also, the NBC 5.1 had no rear surround most of the time.
It seems that CBS corrected there audio problems so I wish that I had checked back.The game was produced by the NFL Network in 2.0. Knowing it is produced in 2.0, I didn't listen to WNYT very carefully. Are you sure there was any sound in the center or surrounds or were the announcers just coming from L/R front speakers? I have read in other posts in the AVS forum that NBC did not upmix the audio, so if there was any sound in the other channels it is possible WNYT faked a 5.1 upmix.

I've noticed 10-2 missing also for a few days. I have a fairly new Olevia 232 flat screen LCD that was picking it up fine OTA. It nows says "no picture". Interestingly, my "old" Samsung set-top-box (SIR-451) stills picks it up, so it is still on the air! Some kind of software change up at the transmitter site?
For what it's worth, I can recieve 39-2 (WRGB RADAR,) fine on the Olevia, but not the Samsung. But for a while (around Thanksgiving?) the old Samsung would pick it up too. But not anymore. What's up with that? More software changes?

I'm still getting 10-2 on all of my receivers, including an LG DVR that can't see WRGB's radar channel (6-2? 6-3?). It was reported here a while back that WRGB marked their radar channel as "hidden" so they wouldn't have to put the FCC quota of children's programming on it (stupid FCC rule!!). Maybe WTEN, which did add that programming to their weather channel is experimenting with hiding the channel. Why broadcast a hidden channel? So that TWC can still get it and make it available to their customers.

BTW, can someone who is more familiar with TSReader Lite than I am tell me where in the mass of information it provides is the "hidden" flag?

Thanks for the observations EBO. I do remember a post some time ago describing the WRGB "hidden" radar issue. Yeah I don't understand why bother broadcasting it all. I'm curious what kind of RCVR barbie845 has, since it seems to have lost 10-2 about the same time mine did. I'm also curious as to what is different between my old Samsung and the newer Olevia TV, and if there is a "software" or whatever upgrade that is available for Samsung. Personally I think it has a hotter receiver than the Olevia.
WRGB radar comes in on my Olevia as 39.2 (just checked it), where my Samsung used to rx it on 6.3 (which just tries to resolve it, but gives up now.)
Thanks again for the input. I find this board a very useful resource and it's great to have others in the local (Alb) area to bounce ideas/observations/questions, etc.

The game was produced by the NFL Network in 2.0. Knowing it is produced in 2.0, I didn't listen to WNYT very carefully. Are you sure there was any sound in the center or surrounds or were the announcers just coming from L/R front speakers? I have read in other posts in the AVS forum that NBC did not upmix the audio, so if there was any sound in the other channels it is possible WNYT faked a 5.1 upmix.
Hmm.
Maybe I'm just not understanding what's going on.
When I checked CBS my A/V receiver said 7ch stereo and the sound was staticy and fluctuated.
The girl singing the national anthem was loud.
When I went to NBC my receiver changed to Dolby.
The girl singing could not be heard at all, the crowd sound was there, but her lips moved with no voice.
I never approached the center channel to check if it was playing.
The announcers voices were skewed to the left.
I did investigate the surrounds to the extent of removing the grill and touching the speaker as I heard no sound.
They definetly weren't playing.

When watching dvd or primetime TV if the receiver displays 7ch stereo it is stereo and when dolby is diaplayed it is 5.1.
Some commercials are in stereo and it is very noticable when it switches between stereo and 5.1.
This is all OTA.
Very curious.

As for WRGB radar station I noticed it coming in on 6-2 for a couple of weeks starting on 12/14.
It is gone now.
I still get 10-2.
I use a samsung DTB-H260F tuner.
Yes, this local forum is great.

Yeah, I use to get 6-2 and 6-3 OTA too...Both of them disappeared early last year...I have a Sony 50" LCD, which has an analog tuner so I get 23, 45 etc.on that....And I have a h20-100 D* receiver that is only a digital OTA tuner. SO I get the HD/digital channels on that...I really enjoyed the weather on 10-2...

Last night I scanned my local channels again with the H20 and it still sees 10-2 and 6-2 and 6-3 too...Says the signal is 90+, but no picture...

I don't understand what's going on...

It's interesting that our Samsung receivers can still see 10-2, but other MFR's cannot. Our non-Samsung receivers used to pick it up, until a week or so ago. Something must have changed up there at the TX site, cuz nothing changed on our TV's. I used to enjoy having the "WTEN Stormtracker" WX on the spot like that (live WX data). On my Olevia TV, it comes up as "no picture". I've tried a new channel search, still no picture. Bummer! At least I have it on the Samsung.
TNX for the clarification on the WRGB radar "sighting" in early Dec. Yup the Samsung detects something there (6-3 I think) but it can't resolve it and gives up.
While I'm griping :) I might comment on 23-2; the pictures is very "blocky". It's not pixelating, the picture is actually made up of little blocks, which is the best way I can describe it. I see this with both the Samsung and Olevia. Signal is great and is solid. I noticed this too a few days ago.
For what it's worth, I miss The Tube (45-2)! I never had cable as a teen so many of those videos were first run for me. That was a fun channel to tune into. The Tube went into bankruptcy from what I read on the channel several weeks ago.
I truly have been pleased with the Digital TV OTA experience so far, so I'm not really griping; rather I'm feeding back info (like everyone else) in hopes that it helps the engineers up there. We are the early adopters of this new technology, and many of us have been in "beta test" for a few years now. The broadcasters have sunk a lot of money into this endeavor; I'd think they would like to know where the signals are actually going :)

Hmm.
Maybe I'm just not understanding what's going on.
When I checked CBS my A/V receiver said 7ch stereo and the sound was staticy and fluctuated.
The girl singing the national anthem was loud.
When I went to NBC my receiver changed to Dolby.
The girl singing could not be heard at all, the crowd sound was there, but her lips moved with no voice.
I never approached the center channel to check if it was playing.
The announcers voices were skewed to the left.
I did investigate the surrounds to the extent of removing the grill and touching the speaker as I heard no sound.
They definetly weren't playing.

When watching dvd or primetime TV if the receiver displays 7ch stereo it is stereo and when dolby is diaplayed it is 5.1.
Some commercials are in stereo and it is very noticable when it switches between stereo and 5.1.
This is all OTA.
Very curious.The audio problem was fixed on WRGB shortly after the anthem.

What you were seeing on your receiver is exactly what was to have been expected. When a stereo program is being broadcast, your receiver displays 7ch stereo and can use ProLogic to create a center channel from elements (mostly dialog) common in both L and R, and creates pseudo surround information from phase differences between L and R.

The problem with the game on NBC was that the audio encoder was set to indicate that it was a 5.1 program when in reality only front L and R audio was present. Because the metadata in the program stream indicated that the audio was already discrete multichannel, most receivers are powerless to further process it and you are left with all sound (including dialog) coming out of only the front L and R speakers with the others silent.

You'll notice that most networks' HD programming (except CBS) indicates 5.1 for everything including HD and upconverted SD commercials that are only stereo where sound will only come out of front L and R. CBS HD programming by contrast will switch between 2.0 and 5.1 as appropriate allowing your receiver to create an upmix during stereo programming.

I've noticed 10-2 missing also for a few days. I have a fairly new Olevia 232 flat screen LCD that was picking it up fine OTA. It nows says "no picture". Interestingly, my "old" Samsung set-top-box (SIR-451) stills picks it up, so it is still on the air! Some kind of software change up at the transmitter site?
For what it's worth, I can recieve 39-2 (WRGB RADAR,) fine on the Olevia, but not the Samsung. But for a while (around Thanksgiving?) the old Samsung would pick it up too. But not anymore. What's up with that? More software changes?
If you go back on this thread a few weeks, you'll see I couldn't get 10-1 but had no problem receiving 10-2. On Dec. 28 I decided to rescan frequency 26 and to my surprise, 10-1 showed up. Now I don't get 10-2, but I really don't care about 10-2.

I get 10-2 audio only, no video. After several seconds my Samsung TV puts a speaker icon in the middle of the screen. Yesterday I was trying to watch a local forecast and 13-1,2 & 3 were out due to weather at my location so I listened to 10-2 for a while.

This is a little scary. Isn't OTA analog suppose to be gone sometimes next year? All these problems, hit and miss, and questions surrounding this mystery with 10-2, 6-1, 6-3 etc isn't making me feel all warm and fuzzy concerning digital TV OTA...

Using my Sony DVR as my OTA receiver, I have no problems receiving 10-2.

23-2 has choppy video...very poor picture quality.

While I'm griping :) I might comment on 23-2; the pictures is very "blocky". It's not pixelating, the picture is actually made up of little blocks, which is the best way I can describe it. I see this with both the Samsung and Olevia. Signal is great and is solid. I noticed this too a few days ago.I've seen that on their network stuff, not on local shows like their news, although everything looks bandwidth-starved and when I look a minute ago there was a big lipsync problem.

The network stuff looks like low-res streaming Internet video. Maybe that's how they get it.

It is a bit scary. If different TV's and STB's all receive signals inconsistently, the consumer public will not be too thrilled with HDTV OTA. The consumer public is not as tech savvy like the folks on this board, and they will not be as forgiving when channels start going away unexplainably. Complaints will probably be lodged at MFR's first, since the box closest to the customer always gets the blame. Then the broadcasters will get into the fray. Us early adopters got into it because we like it, think it's cool, etc. I've been up close and personal with DTV in the area for a few years, and I think it's a big improvement over the analog (more channels, better picture, neat features). So I'll stay with it. BUt I know from product engineering experience that it gets hard to sell a product that's not consistent. My observations (gripes) come as an engineer, I know what the guys are up against trying to get this thing on-air so our "in-the-field" data reports can be useful. There is a whole year to go before analog goes dark, so it will be interesting to watch it all develop.
23-2 got better last night, not "blocky" anymore, good picture. Yeah I've noticed the network stuff not as smooth. 10-2 is still not receivable on the Olevia TV, but is there for the Samsung STB. Interesting it is audio-only on your Samsung. I've tried changing settings on my end for the 10-2 (Olevia) issues, but to no avail. Which I shouldn't have to since it was picking it up fine more than a week ago.

As discussed earlier in this thread, the local HD channels popped up on DirecTV today. 6, 10, 13 and 23 are all active.

As discussed earlier in this thread, the local HD channels popped up on DirecTV today. 6, 10, 13 and 23 are all active.

Any picture quality impressions as yet?

Picture looks as good as OTA, but I am watching on an older 480p plasma. Only real HD at lunch was The Young and the Restless (I think that's what it was) and it looked fine.

I have DirecTV's HR20-100. I can see 10-2 OTA, but not 6-3. Is there a way to force it to show a hidden station?

Hi all -

Hoping one of you experts can help me out.

I have Dish Network and wanted OTA locals in HD so just put an antenna on the roof this afternoon.

I have just installed a CM 3671 w/ a CM 7777 preamp. I have it pointed at the transmitter in Albany NY and I'm receiving FOX and NBC beautifully - signals of 90+ However, I can't even find ABC, CBS, and PBS which all are listed as being transmitted from the same tower. It looks like I am only getting VHF, but I was lead to believe the 3671 was a VHF/UHF and that the default setting for the 7777 was for both?

So I'm not sure if there is a setting on the antenna (never saw one), in the preamp, or maybe a dish network tuner setting? I have the VIP 622dvr.

I'm a bit confused (and disappointed), hopefully someone has an easy answer for me!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/johnstonamerica/Radar-Digital.png

51 miles is tricky. What's the terrain like? At 48 miles I can't get all the UHF when pointed at the transmitter, but rather get them on a bounce from the mountain behind me. Not reliable signal though. I'm surprised you don't get any UHF channels pointed directly though. What does the analog look like?

Hey Davird!

I changed a setting in my Dish receiver and am now able to pick up Fox, NBC, ABC, & IND (54.1)

I still don't have any signal at all for CBS & PBS though! Which seems strange to me, to get the others but not those 2..

I'm on the top of a hill down here in south county and the signal strength I'm getting for the channels that work are pretty decent (80's & 90's)

Any clue why I can't get CBS?

Johnston, can you tell me what setting it was that you changed on your receiver?

Hi Johanne!

Sure!

I went to System Setup > Installation > Modulator Setup

Then I checked Air and set the channel number to 69

Then I went to System Setup > Local Channels and scanned automatically - it found the higher channels this way! :)

I've fine tuned the pointing of my antenna and now am getting CBS, NBC, & ABC. I am unable to point it to receive both FOX & CBS, so I have chosen to stick with the pointing that allows me to receive CBS and I'm going to live w/o FOX OTA for now..

Thanks to everyone who has helped - I really appreciate it! :)

I swear we must live in the worst demographic for OTA digital broadcasting.
WXXA had constant video dropouts during the Giants game and couldn't even manage a decent analog signal let alone a digital broadcast.
Then theres WRGB, same breakups, same pixilzation, 2 years later and the same problems. Whatever the issue is over there it got old 18 months ago.

The lesson here... be prepared to find another way to get your local channels other than antenna because the capitol district isn't ready for Feb 17 2009.

I saw the issues on TWC too. I don't think it was an OTA problem.

10-2 was there this weekend but no picture.

Retro TV is on the air. It is 10-3 on my HD Tivo and 10-5 using a Dvico Fusion USB. Tsreader shows a bit streaam of 2.07 Mbps. Programs are shows from the 60's and 70's.
Ron

As of tonight (Monday 1-7-08) 10.2 is receivable (both audio and video) on the Olevia TV. Good to see Stormtracker WX back. Also 10.3 came up, "Retro TV" or something like that. Hawaii Five-O is on now (9pm). So maybe the 10.2 dropout was due to gerfingerpoken at the xmtr site in readiness for another channel.
I purchased a CM 4228 in summer of '07 and I mounted it on my roof on a 5' pole, on a rotator. It looks like a BBQ grille on a pole, but I will say this has been my most successful antenna for HDTV OTA. I can rx all of the local Helderberg channels with one beam heading, something not possible with a Yagi type antenna. CM says it's a UHF antenna, but I've had very good results on VHF as well. I remember reading something on the 'net about connecting the two screens together to improve VHF performance, so I did that when I installed it. So far I've had very good results.
I feel the frustrations of many here with trying to rx all of the local HD's OTA. You would think having all the xmtrs broadcasting from the same tower would be a no brainer for reception, but it has challenged me too. I understand multipath and different power levels, etc, etc, from my radio hobby, but I'm still puzzled why I needed to have different beam headings, regardless of the xmtr pwr. Perhaps my yagi was "too tight" (narrower pattern) and the 4228 is more "sloppy". I do think the 4228 does have more gain, by my signal strength meter on the Samsung STB. It does work the best so I'm satisfied so far.

As of tonight (Monday 1-7-08) 10.2 is receivable (both audio and video) on the Olevia TV. Good to see Stormtracker WX back. Also 10.3 came up, "Retro TV" or something like that. Hawaii Five-O is on now (9pm). So maybe the 10.2 dropout was due to gerfingerpoken at the xmtr site in readiness for another channel.
I purchased a CM 4228 in summer of '07 and I mounted it on my roof on a 5' pole, on a rotator. It looks like a BBQ grille on a pole, but I will say this has been my most successful antenna for HDTV OTA. I can rx all of the local Helderberg channels with one beam heading, something not possible with a Yagi type antenna. CM says it's a UHF antenna, but I've had very good results on VHF as well. I remember reading something on the 'net about connecting the two screens together to improve VHF performance, so I did that when I installed it. So far I've had very good results.
I feel the frustrations of many here with trying to rx all of the local HD's OTA. You would think having all the xmtrs broadcasting from the same tower would be a no brainer for reception, but it has challenged me too. I understand multipath and different power levels, etc, etc, from my radio hobby, but I'm still puzzled why I needed to have different beam headings, regardless of the xmtr pwr. Perhaps my yagi was "too tight" (narrower pattern) and the 4228 is more "sloppy". I do think the 4228 does have more gain, by my signal strength meter on the Samsung STB. It does work the best so I'm satisfied so far.

Wow, sounds like a lot of work :) I guess one advantage to being in Rensselaer is I'm getting everything perfectly with an indoor antenna. I keep thinking I should get a better outdoor (or at least attic) setup but I have a little Terk HDTVi indoors and the only thing I can't get is 55... which I don't lose sleep over, that's for sure.

One of the best decisions Albany made was all the stations putting their signals on one DTV tower.

Can anyone recomend a local company for antenna mounting? I have a church steeple I would like to be able to avoid but I really do not want to move it myself, I'd like to get a pro to pick the best spot on the house and do it properly.

I got 10.2 back too....

:)

Just wanted to add, I now get 10-1, 10-2, 10-3. Whatever they did is working.

Hey Davird!

I changed a setting in my Dish receiver and am now able to pick up Fox, NBC, ABC, & IND (54.1)

I still don't have any signal at all for CBS & PBS though! Which seems strange to me, to get the others but not those 2..

I'm on the top of a hill down here in south county and the signal strength I'm getting for the channels that work are pretty decent (80's & 90's)

Any clue why I can't get CBS?

I am surprised you cannot get CBS at all as that is one of my most consistently reliable channels. None are consistently reliable. This morning i had to watch analog 6 for news because I couldn't get any of the digitals to stay on without breakups. I think that is the first time that has happened since I started getting OTA digital channels. PBS is usually pretty good, but not as reliable as 6-1 has been. I could speculate that it might have something to do with the transmitter tower and your particular view of it. I don't really know a lot about the transmitter, but assume that it can't cover 360 degrees fully at your distance from tower??? Others here know much more about how this works than I do. Hope that helps. FWIW WNYT & WNYT have not come in good here for three or four days.

I agree with the idea that you can't consistently rely on OTA from long distance. Albany has been added to DirecTV and word is it is coming to DISH in 08. People who have access to cable usually go that route. I would, but no cable here. My parents have TWC and it is fine. I watched the Giants game at their house Sunday and we noticed the WXXA problems there too on cable. Assumed it was the station.

Can anyone recomend a local company for antenna mounting? I have a church steeple I would like to be able to avoid but I really do not want to move it myself, I'd like to get a pro to pick the best spot on the house and do it properly.
American Satelite based in Troy, NY. I live in Colonie and they did a fine job of mounting and aiming my roof top antenna about 2 years ago.

Like I said earlier I'm getting 10.2 OTA again.(yeah!)..Also getting 10.3 Retro now too..But I get no guide for 10.3 through my DirecTV H20 receiver..It just says "regular scheduled programs" throughout the guide.

Is this normal for 10.3 because its new? It just started broadcasting? Or something else?

Just a quick note on TW adding 4 more HD channels tonight
Fox Business HD
Lifetime Movies HD
Starz East HD
Starz West HD
Let"s hope This continues