Crossed the 1000 Post line! Wow.

Here's Skeeter's reply to my email:

"I would be glad to "throw the switch" however the FCC has not approved WTEN's application as of today when I talked to our FCC engineers. I understand your frustration well as I have been dealing with this problem with Canada for 3 years. I thought is was difficult dealing with government bureaucracy, when it is in a different country it is impossible.
The equipment has been operational for four months, just waiting for the word to go on the air.
Your are not the first person to vent your frustrations, lately it seems a near daily occurrence from frustrated viewers, who are being deprived of the enjoyment of watching HDTV by the Canadian FCC.
Believe me we will be on the air within minutes following the FCC's decision"

-Looks like the blame is focused on our neighbors to the north. They are on-line here http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/welcome.htm but I can't seem to find anything regarding this situation.

Got a new channel lineup from TWC today saying TNT HD is coming in may. (I wonder if they will have braves games in HD). No word on whether it costs extra or not.
It also lists WNYt HD as coming soon. Hey lufterrs: are you boycotting WNYT as well?
Things might be getting better :>

P
also, there was a pole a while back about paying for HD Net. So far, I haven't felt like bothering.

I wonder if WNYT is really at the table with TWC... or with the Olympics approaching, is TWC now positioning to pull the same PR scam it did for the Superbowl? TWC also had a 1806 Coming Soon.

They were very succesful at directing hate towards WRGB... Could this be the beginning of the same exact move(s) towards WNYT?

Images of the mailing TWC sent out describing the proposed channel lineup changes can be seen at AlbanyHDTV.com (http://www.albanyhdtv.com).

Interesting theory, MasterFX. I guess only time will tell.

There was no information related to the new HD channels posted on the Time Warner Cable HDTV website (http://www.twalbany.com/digitalentertainment/hdtv.php) as of the time of this posting.

Originally posted by Paul B. Musser

It also lists WNYt HD as coming soon. Hey lufterrs: are you boycotting WNYT as well?
Things might be getting better

WNYT didn't hold me hostage for the Super Bowl, the NFL Playoffs, the whole NFL Season, etc.

It's not my fault WRGB is an affiliate of CBS.


Oh yeah...who's WRGB again?? :D

while I hope that WNYT is coming SOON (emphasis on "soon"), I highly doubt that WNYT or WRGB will be on TWCable anywhere remotely close to "soon".

The emails I received from WNYT were far less hopeful than anything I got from WRGB (although WRGB basically "forgot" to tell me that the REASON they weren't on TWCable is because they want money).

I know this isn't exactly on the topic of HDTV in the Albany area, but this pamphlet that talks about the channel changes says that "Beginning in May..." TV Land is moving to channel 63. I currently have my HTPC set up to record a show on there daily, and I was wondering if the change was happening May 1st, or around May 1st. Im trying to create a DVD set of every MacGyver episode, and I really don't want to miss an episode because if the channel changes at a different time than BeyondTV's guide changes, I could see recordings that are missed or on the wrong channel.

I'm getting alot of breakups and dropouts while watching the Masters golf tournament on CBS..anyone else?... I don't see any complaints in the Masters thread...

I am too. Solid green screen sometimes.

I noticed pixelation and some "fuzzieness" during the final four on CBS (especially during replays) - anyone else notice this? Are they diluting the signal by multicasting?

I didnt have this issue in Atlanta and I had the same equipment. I also have solid 100% reception on my signal meter.

Originally posted by justman
I noticed pixelation and some "fuzzieness" during the final four on CBS (especially during replays) - anyone else notice this? Are they diluting the signal by multicasting?

I didnt have this issue in Atlanta and I had the same equipment. I also have solid 100% reception on my signal meter.

Yeah their diluting it with their multicasting!! I've complained since day one when I use to watch WRGB in HD. Now I've been boycotting them for the above reason and others (see my posts around the time of the Super Bowl).

MasterFX1.....What do you say about this?...here's the proof that WRGB is doing a Half-A@#ed HD!!

WRGB who are they again?? :D

I am getting pixelation during "Without a Trace"

Originally posted by lufters
Yeah their diluting it with their multicasting!! I've complained since day one when I use to watch WRGB in HD. Now I've been boycotting them for the above reason and others (see my posts around the time of the Super Bowl).

MasterFX1.....What do you say about this?...here's the proof that WRGB is doing a Half-A@#ed HD!!

WRGB who are they again?? :D

Sorry, no proof yet. They're complaints about the quality of the broadcast on other forums from people it other states.

But WRGB is having trouble today, that should make you a little happy:p

Originally posted by Tconnors
Sorry, no proof yet. They're complaints about the quality of the broadcast on other forums from people it other states.

But WRGB is having trouble today, that should make you a little happy:p


Yeah.....WRGB is having trouble today....everyday....it's called MULTICASTING!!!!!

It could be just me but I somehow get the feeling that lufters is a little disappointed with WRGB..
Maybe someone affliated with WRGB can get him an authentic WRGB t-shirt autographed by Liz Bishop to heal the wounds..c'mon luft, WRGB and CBS want you back!:p

Originally posted by BreakStuff
It could be just me but I somehow get the feeling that lufters is a little disappointed with WRGB..
Maybe someone affliated with WRGB can get him an authentic WRGB t-shirt autographed by Liz Bishop to heal the wounds..c'mon luft, WRGB and CBS want you back!:p


WRGB and CBS can have me back when I finally see a moving HD Picture on TWC CH. 1806 by the start of the NFL Season in Aug/Sept. :cool:

.....and I could always use another T-shirt.....to Wax my SUV with! :D

WRGB has identified what they believe to be a reception problem with the HD feed over the last few days which may explain the previous posts by BreakStuff and myself et al. For the Masters, CBS moved the normal HD feed location to another satellite. It is calibration for this new sat location that was not quite right and causing the unusually high amount of break-up. WRGB has found ways to correct the problem on-air and hopefullly this weekend's HD broadcast will suffer less difficulty.

With or without pixelization or hiccups thats still some of the best looking golf I have ever seen and I am quite happy with the coverage.

I don't think we should be so critical about picture quality and expect a perfect picture with any high definition broadcast.I can understand the disappointment when the broadcast is completley lost at times and a signal cannot be aquired. But if you may see a "digital block" or two during a HD broadcast then big whoop..
We don't expect perfection from a standard television broadcast, so why is a high definition broadcast different? maybe we just expect too much..

I am still experiencing an unusually high amout of break-up and pixelization today (Saturday) watching the Masters in HD. My signal strength meter is remaining constant at 90% during the break-ups and solid green screens. 6-2 is not doing this. I think there may still be a sat-reception issue at WRGB.

Its almost unwatchable - I may have to switch to the analog channel

Originally posted by justman
Its almost unwatchable - I may have to switch to the analog channel

The signal cleared up at about 5:15.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tower Guy
The signal cleared up at about 5:15. [/QUOTE

And then went bad again. Evening shows were OK.

It was about that time we had a static image of of Tiger Woods shooting from the bunker at hole 13..
My television was frozen for a couple minutes indicating a loss of satellite signal...the local signal was still there...perhaps they (WRGB) were trying to make a signal switch during the broadcast?

New member here. Happy Easter. I have a Scientific American 3450HD cable box from Time Warner, but apparently the DVI output isn't active?!!

Is this true of all these boxes and if it is can I get a different one?

The Masters is currently not being shown in HD on WRGB-DT (1:50PM Sunday). I tried to call WRGB, but couldn't get a live person to transfer me into master control.

Maybe they decided to abandon the HD broadcast because of the difficulties they were having yetserday.

Originally posted by wah3
New member here. Happy Easter. I have a Scientific American 3450HD cable box from Time Warner, but apparently the DVI output isn't active?!!

Is this true of all these boxes and if it is can I get a different one? I used to have a 3250HD box before my 8000HD DVR, and the DVI port was active on the 3250HD box. Don't know about the 3450 box.

Originally posted by AlbanyHDTV
The Masters is currently not being shown in HD on WRGB-DT (1:50PM Sunday). The Masters is now in HD on WRGB-DT 6-1.

I'm not seeing any of the break-up today that I had previously seen yesterday. It looks great.

Is this what it's going to take to get WRGB and eventually WNYT on TWC? Make it an optional service that we, the customer can choose to purchase? At this point, I don't mind 2-4 bucks a month for the networks in HDTV. I understand that I can get them for 'free' (after buying all the hardware) but my current situation doesn't allow that. (being in an apartment, and having a non-geek girlfriend).

Could this happen? Is this the only way? I know that 2-4 bucks a month doesn't compare to the 10k spent on the home theater so far.

If how TWC operates in other markets like Syracuse is a model... then yes.

well I for one would find this solution better then no solution. At least the decision would be with the customer then.

Although one can only hope that IF TWC carries WRGB/WNYT and there's a monthly fee, that those who CHOOSE to pay for it will get a better signal than the garbage that WNYT and WRGB are currently putting OTA.

Let's see, WNYT repeatedly asleep at the wheel (how many times do people have to call to get someone to flip the switch), WRGB and their constant pixelating and multicast issues, etc.

Good thing it's "free" ($250 for HDTV receiver and another $50 for good outdoor antenna) for now. LOL

Blue graphical sidebars on 6-1 today.

13-2 is now showing an SD simulcast of 13. Horrible waste of bandwidth... anyone capable a viewing 13-2 is also capable of watching the upconverted 1080i version on 13-1. Lets hope this a test and not permanent.

Originally posted by MasterFX1
13-2 is now showing an SD simulcast of 13. Horrible waste of bandwidth... anyone capable a viewing 13-2 is also capable of watching the upconverted 1080i version on 13-1. Lets hope this a test and not permanent.

In other parts of the country this technique has been used to feed a clean signal to cable systems who cannot receive the analog signal. Unfortunately it isn't practical to downconvert the HD feed to SD as the typical result is a small picture in the middle of the screen surrounded by black.

Just lost the signal and can't pick it up. Is anyone else having this problem

I been having problems with my WNYT for a couple days now, antenna problems on my end..

I added an old beat up VHF antenna to exsisting UHF antenna tonite and have been watching WNYT very closely for the past few hours...signal has been solid on my end with no problems...

why all the multicasting? lets get one solid digital broadcast per channel. The only people who get the multichannles are those who have digital boxes (and therefore likely watching HD).

The game is on 1808 in HD (ED really) but it looks good so far!

GO YANKS!!:D

The game is on 1808 in HD (ED really) but it looks good so far!
Sounds good... a fellow co-worker of mine (huge Sox fan) was questioning if he would be able to view t'nites game in HD via TW. I bet he's one happy camper right about now..

And for what its worth, I found out t'nite that the Albany local channels (SD) will available thru directv sometime in the month of June..

Originally posted by BreakStuff

And for what its worth, I found out t'nite that the Albany local channels (SD) will available thru directv sometime in the month of June..

Yep, the new satellite sailed from Long Beach yesterday. It is scheduled to lift off on May 2.

It took Dish network three months after launch to get up and running in Albany. They still have a shortage of Superdishes.

DirecTV has already been installing their three feed horn dishes at subscribers' homes in anticipation of the satellite launch.

http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch.htm

Am I to understand that if you already have DirecTV, but not the eliptical 3LNB dish, then you'll need a new dish to receive the Albany-Schenedady-Troy DMA locals (in Standard Definition)?

That is what happened to existing DISH subscribers that did not have a SuperDish.

If these Sat companies charge about $5 for the locals, would it be in their interest to give away the upgraded dishes to existing subscribers? How are D* and E* currently handling this issue?

Unrelated Satellite news: VOOM said, at NAB, that they intend to support WM9 as a HD-compression format, doubling their HD capacity to 60 channels.

DirecTV is offering the new dish for "free" to current subscribers of DTV. Of course, knowing DTV like I do, "june" will mean like end of next year (they advertised SHOWTIME HD for 2 years before they finally carried it).

:mad:

Its now the month of May and WTEN/ABC still have yet to be broadcasting the OTA HD signal that was scheduled for the month of DECEMBER!

BTW.. this sounds familiar 'cause its the same post I wrote 2 months ago, "March" has be re-edited with "May"

"slower than a head of cabbage I tell ya"..

I looked into this further.. and it is the Canadians that are holding it up. For some ridiculous reason, this market is considered part of the border-zone for broadcasting, therefore the Canadian version of the FCC has to OK the license too. That's not say that WTEN is doing everything they can. I don't think they are calling them everyday to "Shake the fruit from the tree." Perhaps they should.

therefore the Canadian version of the FCC has to OK the license too

WGRB & WNYT were able get through this - why is it taking so long for WTEN? Has the process chaged since WGRB & WNYT were approved?

I'm not familiar with how WNYT dealt with this, but I think WRGB was simply overlooked.

It's probably in the mail. My wife is Canadian and you would not believe what Canadians have to put up with concerning their mail. If you want to mail a birthday card to someone you better mail it at least a month ahead of time to insure delivery by their birthday. When we moved and I went over and picked up a change of address package my wife could not believe that there was no charge for forwarding our mail. We received a Christmas Card from Canada in February and it had been mailed in November. So much for high postal rates, ridiculous taxes and the whole socialist form of government.

my wife is also from Canada and yes there is just a weee bit more red tape up there then here.
(Northern Ontario if you must ask)

I'm just hoping its on before Monday Night Football in September. 4 more months of this would be absurd.

The issue with Canada and Mexico relates to location and frequency. All three nations have a statutory obligation to avoid reception problems.

Richard.

Oh sure blame us: The Canadians! Our FCC, is called the CRTC (Communications Radio and Television Comission).

Hi everyone. I have just joined in as a new member on this board and the Albany HDTV board as well. I am an engineer in the tv/radio business and have been for 30 years. I know alot of people in the business here and in NYC.

I have been informed that a WNYT staff meeting was recently held by GM Steve Baboulis. Their DTV channel was discussed, along with what the FCC had to say about DTV at the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) conference in Las Vegas the week before.

He said there is still no agreement between WNYT and TWC. He was then told by the TWC customers in the room that TWC is telling subs the contrary, because of the "HDTV Coming Soon" flyers that they had received with their monthly bills.

Baboulis said that it looks like TWC setting up WNYT to be the bad guy when the Olympics come around, much like they did with WRGB and the super bowl.

He said that the main issue preventing an agreement is about the alteration (stripping down) of their DTV signal. TWC does not want WNYT to compete with CapitalNews9 or anything else that they do, and anybody that reads the broadcasting trades knows that NBC and ABC have been talking to affiliates about carrying a 24 hour, network supported local news and weather service made for a DTV second channel like 13-2 for example.

And now for the FCC at NAB. Baboulis said that the FCC is beginning to admit that the 2006 analog OTA shut off time is unrealistic, and is considering on pushing it up to 2008-2010 (still unrealistic).

It also looks like the "DTV may carry" rule and its carriage problems are slowing down the overall DTV transition. They are now considering a "must carry everything unaltered" ruling sometime soon.

Since this is now the case, I wouldn't expect WNYT or WRGB to give in to TWC anytime soon.

I have no problem with the "must carry", and no problem with "must carry unaltered". I believe if a station is providing an OTA signal a "must provide" rule should be adopted. In this case I side with WNYT against TWC but I side with TWC against WRGB (which has been boycotted in this household anyway)

Wordz

Mitsubishi 55411
SA8000HD
JVC DVD
Yamaha reciever
Athena speaker system

DVD movie list at http://movies.timglo.com

"Must Provide!" ...are you kidding me... So if an artist plays 1 free concert, should all their following concerts be mandated to be free. If I buy 1 ticket to a movie at a theater, should I be allowed to watch it over and over and record it with my own videocamera for no additional charges? If cable was free to the customers, maybe you would have a valid point. But last time I checked, cable is both getting money directly from viewers and advertisers.

If you are unhappy with a station, it's your right to not watch. Perhaps enough boycotts would lead to lower ratings making economically better to give the signal away. But mandating a content provider to give away their services for absolutely nothing in return is not going to happen.

But mandating a content provider to give away their services for absolutely nothing in return is not going to happen.

Interesting...I thought putting a signal OTA was giving it away. I must have missed something somewhere. Something else I missed was a correlation with your analogies and the WRGB-TWC situation.

The local stations had no problem going to the FCC and lobbying for a "must carry" rule when their advertising revenues started to fall due to the huge number of people abandoning their roof-top antennae for cable boxes. Now if a station did not provide their HD signal OTA and provided it exclusively to the cable company then a fee would not be questioned but expected.

WNYT however has a valid argument. They are not asking TWC for any fees. What they are saying is "take all of our content, or take none of it". I understand that position and I believe it to be fair.

I am an impartial consumer with no agenda. I don't work for any of the stations or content providers. I am simply looking at all the facts and trying to decide what is fair and what isn't. Someone who works for one of the parties involved cannot be impartial or unbiased. A valid argument is not going to change that person's mind. My mind is open and could be changed, but not with the facts put forth so far.

I'd like to hear from some other impartial consumers on this issue. Is a "must provide unaltered" rule for stations providing their signal OTA (for free) unfair?

MasterFX1, I always enjoy your comments. But you miss the point on this issue. OTA is a public trust where the license holder is give the right to make money off the public's resource by charging for ads. All the license holder cares about in this regard is viewership. Cable provides added viewership allowing the license holder to charge more to its advertisers. Get it? The party line you have been expressing, the right to charge cable for the right to carry the OTA program, is contrary to the public interest and the commercial use of the public's resource. The owner of our channel 6 is just wrong on this issue. It's shooting itself in the foot and does not seem to feel the pain; yet.

Richard.

Originally posted by MasterFX1
[B
If you are unhappy with a station, it's your right to not watch. Perhaps enough boycotts would lead to lower ratings making economically better to give the signal away. But mandating a content provider to give away their services for absolutely nothing in return is not going to happen. [/B]

I'm still boycotting WRGB!!!.....and I can tell you one thing....if WRGB doesn't get their act together by the time the new NFL Season starts in August...I'm purchasing the domain name www.boycottWRGB.com and creating a web site!!.....then going to advertise it heavily in our area!! :D

WRGB who??? :D

Originally posted by Feirstein
OTA is a public trust where the license holder is give the right to make money off the public's resource by charging for ads. Cable provides added viewership allowing the license holder to charge more to its advertisers. Interesting. I've never really thought of it that way.

I'm just an HD junkie who wants the most HD possible. I feel HD will change the way the public chooses what TV show to watch. For example, last saturday night I fell asleep watching the Yankee game (in SD - that's another issue). When I woke up, I scanned the HD channels before I went up to bed. I ended up watching an hour long documentary on giraffes that was on PBS (1811 on TWC), only because it was in HD.

With my OTA STB & TWC, I can get all the locals in HD. The part that bothers me is that I can't record WRGB's and WNYT's HD programs with my 8000HD DVR. Hopefully, soon. Realistically, probably not for a while.

BTW, the word is that TNT HD has been delayed for a week or more. We will all find out by tuning to 1827 tomorrow morning to see if TNT HD is broadcasting.

And one also has to wonder why WRGB continues to hold out (I think they're only like one of 3 stations left that refuse to let TWC carry their HDTV content under the national agreement signed by CBS).

Anyone notice any outage of WTEN HD tonight? When i tuned to it all I got was a black screen. For at least 5 minutes. Then I gave up and went to "regular" WTEN and it was fine.

And I also agree with the points made about OTA. The stations are "giving" OTA away for "free" so I fail to see why TWC shouldn't ask for the same thing.

If WRGB really wants to "offset" their millions in investment, one has to ask WHY were they quoted in the newspaper stating that the amount they were asking from TWC was very minimal? Their logic does not hold. If the amount is so minimal (let's say $500 whereas their 'cost' to erect the HDTV antenna was say, 1.5 million), they they REALLY don't want to recoup their cost at all (0.01%?).

I do however, agree with WNYT's reasoning about witholding content. At least in principle.

Well, TNTHD is up on 1827 but only color bars and nothing in the program guide.

I noticed this too this morning. I believe the NBA Western Conference Finals will be the first HD program.

Just to clear up some things, I no longer work for WRGB or any station, my opinion on the matter has not changed.

I feel strongly that both WNYT's arguments and WRGB's have validity.

The FCC does not give away public signals for free, there are all sorts of requirement in terms of fees and obligations.

Almost ALL network affiliates (CBS,NBC,ABC,FOX,etc.) choose to waive their right of "Must Carry" in favor of a "Retransmission Agreement." The station usually negotiates with the cable company for a mutual advertising trade agreement, where one entity will buy ad time on the other and vice versa. So the "Must Carry" rule is to help small independent stations (like PAX or WXXA before it had a FOX affiliation) that cable companies don't want to bother putting on their lineup... not to help the bigger network affiliates like WRGB or WNYT.

Regarding WRGB's stance, I think that part of the attraction of cable is to avoid antennas and tuning and all that, so cable is using the local signals to help sell their services (and consequently make money). I think it's WRGB's right to ask for compensation on a service they are re-selling.

The original model of stations making money from ad sales alone was tampered with when cable began to insert local breaks and compete directly for ad dollars locally.

Originally posted by Wordz
Interesting...I thought putting a signal OTA was giving it away. I must have missed something somewhere. Something else I missed was a correlation with your analogies and the WRGB-TWC situation.

The local stations had no problem going to the FCC and lobbying for a "must carry" rule when their advertising revenues started to fall due to the huge number of people abandoning their roof-top antennae for cable boxes. Now if a station did not provide their HD signal OTA and provided it exclusively to the cable company then a fee would not be questioned but expected.



The FCC passed the "Must Carry rule" in order to allow broadcasters to charge cable systems for their signal. It didn't work out that way because the cable giants stonewalled the broadcasters. A broadcaster who resisted the cable industry was threatened with removal from the cable system. That would have been an immediate financial disaster for the broadcaster, so agreements were made quickly. The broadcasters could not legally conspire to withhold signals as a group, so the power ended up with cable. The cable monoply did not deserve to win that negotiation, but they did so by their passive aggressive behavior.

The stonewalling worked in the 1990's, so cable is trying the same tact again. The difference now is that the broadcaster is not threatened with immediate financial disaster if a cable system does not carry their HD signal.

It is common for Dish network and DirecTV to pay local stations for carraige of their SD signals on DBS satellites. The monthly charge for local stations on satellite is cheaper than broadcast basic on cable. There's no reason for cable to deserve the same signals for free.

Well, all in one string, we have laid out the basic public policy dispute. Mix in politics and the power of money and the only thing lacking in the mix is sex. Too bad the FCC gets so easily diverted by free speech/bad language issues while it lets this mess fester.

Richard.

Originally posted by Feirstein
Well, all in one string, we have laid out the basic public policy dispute. Mix in politics and the power of money and the only thing lacking in the mix is sex. Too bad the FCC gets so easily diverted by free speech/bad language issues while it lets this mess fester.

Very well said.

No HD for NYPD Blue tonight?:confused:

Just went to HD after the 10:30 commercial.

WNYT - It's 5:30 and they are yet to throw the HD switch for the Preakness. Ridiculous.

I made the call @ 5:50 & they threw the switch.

Good job RDJR..

I didn't even think it was being broadcast in hdtv until they hit the button.

pretty impressive race eh?!

can someone please tell me what the dimensions are on the SA 8000HD. I just scheduled an appointment with TW for later this week and I want to make sure that it will fit in the opening the 3250 is currently in.

I called to ask the to "flip the switch". The girl who answered the phone said she had a email that they are having issues and are hoping to have it corrected by mid week.
At least they seem to understand whats going on. When I call WNYT, the person I talk to never seems to know anything.

Originally posted by cliftonmets
Can someone please tell me what the dimensions are on the SA 8000HD.17" wide, 13 1/2" deep, 3 1/2" tall

Originally posted by Tconnors
I called to ask the to "flip the switch". The girl who answered the phone said she had a email that they are having issues and are hoping to have it corrected by mid week.

Kinda silly isn't it?... The HDTV in the Albany area is far from perfect, we see everything from dropped digital broadcasts,pixelization,breakups, etc.

Why is it that digital broadcasting is such a problem? you don't read about the various dish companies having problems with the same broadcast's.

could it be that the dish companies have been transmitting digital signals for years but the local broadcasters are basically just starting? with every new technology there is a learning curve and it takes them time to get it right and stable

WRGB's HD encoder began smoking and electrical-arcing. Consequently it had to be shut down. They hope to have a new one up and running Tuesday.

Sounds like sabotage.. when's the last time we heard from lufters? :p

...and where's the TNT-HD signal? Still only color bars.

Originally posted by MasterFX1
WRGB's HD encoder began smoking and electrical-arcing. Consequently it had to be shut down. They hope to have a new one up and running Tuesday.

Where did WRGB get the encoder at? They must have got it used off E-Bay. :D

I guess what goes around comes around.....that's what they get for doing Half-A@#ed HD. I hope it costs them big time! :D


WRGB who??? :p

Originally posted by jpeter1093
...and where's the TNT-HD signal? Still only color bars.

I had heard the 19th was now the launch.

No response from WB45..

I emailed Public Relations Director Lisa Henderson at WB45 about any information concerning their digital broadcasting scheduled for this month. 2 weeks later and still no response..

Originally posted by MasterFX1
I had heard the 19th was now the launch.

And now I'm hearing the 21st.

I agree (about it costing WRGB big time). They have the gall to want to charge for their HDTV signal and then they continually have QA problems with it. As I stated before, I guess it's a good thing it's not carried on TWC so that I can get the crappy signal for "free" via OTA. HA!

WEWB DT is on the air on channel 43. The signal strength is low-normal on my Zenith set. It usually shows up as 43-2, but sometimes as 56-1

TNT HD Feed is Live - Albany, NY

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=3827681#post3827681

anyone able to get WB45 DT in Saratoga? Mine is flickering between 0 and 7 bars.

Is anyone else receiving WB45-DT? I want to make sure they are actually broadcasting before I climb onto the roof and screw with the antenna..

Originally posted by BreakStuff
Is anyone else receiving WB45-DT? I want to make sure they are actually broadcasting before I climb onto the roof and screw with the antenna.. Yes, on 43-1.

is WB45 DT on low power?

Re: WB45

I am getting a signal that is, at most, halfway through the "Bad" section on my Bad-Normal-Good signal meter. Unfortunately that is not enough to tune-in the picture. Anyone seeing it: Have you seen any of their HD? How does it look?

I normally use a standard 75 ohm coax splitter from the rooftop antenna to feed both my STB and my HTPC simultaneously..

However, If I bypass the splitter I am able to recieve the WEWB signal via my Zenith STB..signal strength is consistently below normal with occcasional dropouts. I'm sure it will improve over time and I'll take what I can get. Welcome aboard WB45!

I am getting a steady pic on WB with no dropouts, even though my signal quality meter is only at 36% (vs 100% for CBS & PBS & 77% for NBC).

Just waiting for ABC

Its official.. WB-HDTV!

WB is broadcasting "Angel" in HD.. The episode is actually the season finale so I don't know what to expect after t'nite.
Looks great so far and my signal meter value for WEWB remains the same at just below(40%) normal reception. (WRGB,WNYT, WMHT all come in at 75-100%).

What are the chances WB45-DT getting on TWC? Aren't they affiliated with WRGB?

Originally posted by lufters
What are the chances WB45-DT getting on TWC? Aren't they affiliated with WRGB? Then they should be on TWC tommorrow!:D

Originally posted by AlbanyHDTV
Then they should be on TWC tommorrow!:D

So I guess Hell will be frozen when we finally see it. :p

WB45 is not affiliated with WRGB in any way... WEWB (WB45) is owned by Tribune Media. The station is technically run out of Boston, with a local sales and marketing department in Albany. WRGB is owned by Freedom Communication.

Again, many at WTEN have privately said they jumped the gun, giving away their signal two years ago for nothing. (They were hot to be the first to provide an HD signal, and did not expect HD to take off like it did these last two years.) WXXA felt they had to do something because their OTA efforts are so horribly delayed, they didn't want to look aloof to HD. WMHT is non-profit. If you read back a few hundred posts, you'll find it was long predicted that 6, 13 & 45 would fight the fight, and 10, 17 & 23 will watch. The Olympics should prove an interesting battleground.

I watched Ace Ventura last night in HD on WB-45. PQ was good. No dropouts or pixellation.

Again, many at WTEN have privately said they jumped the gun, giving away their signal two years ago for nothing.

Makes you wonder what type of legal binding contract is involved here and what the future holds for TWC and WTEN..

WTEN and TWC.. here today, gone tommorow?

Originally posted by BreakStuff
Makes you wonder what type of legal binding contract is involved here and what the future holds for TWC and WTEN..

WTEN and TWC.. here today, gone tommorow?

I believe it is a five year deal.

Is 43-1/43 WEWB-DT (WB), at full power yet? It barely registers on my receiver while WRGB and WNYT show at 100% I can't get a signal lock or any picture at all.

Originally posted by jeffbrad
Is 43-1/43 WEWB-DT (WB), at full power yet? It barely registers on my receiver while WRGB and WNYT show at 100% I can't get a signal lock or any picture at all.

According to the FCC web site WEWB is currently running 1.3 KW ERP. Full power for them is 767 KW. An outdoor antenna with a preamp might work.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=&call=wewb&arn=&city=&chan=&cha2=69&serv=&type=0&facid=&list=2&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=

Hey Local crew :)

I have a Pioneer Elite DV 45-A that I am no longer using. I have moved to a full htpc setup. I am selling it over at arstechnica.com's classifieds for 275, but if someone local wants it, I can let it go for 250 since I won't have to pay for packaging/shipping.

And to make this on topic, has anyone had time to sit down and watch law and order on tnt-hd? Is it really in hd? I saw the other night 5 hours or something of l&O. It's a good show, and I hope to catch some episode at least on the dvr....

Today, after much fussing I got a moving picture for a second on 45-1. Best I could get.

I would love to know if they are broadcasting the Mets game in HD tonight (on now)

P

Originally posted by Paul B. Musser
I would love to know if they are broadcasting the Mets game in HD tonight (on now)

P

No. I've checked before and other games were also not in HD. Still, looks better that TW though.

I would love to know if they are broadcasting the Mets game in HD tonight (on now)

Negative, the game is in SD but is un-watchable on my tube because of constant drop-outs and pixelization. My antenna is pointing directly towards a large group of trees and my signal seems to be affected by the recent blooming of leaves. All should be good when full power is switched on.

Today 45-1 is coming in for me at around a 40% signal. Did they up the juice?

My meter shows no change, WB45 just below normal or no signal at all.

My setup is rather stubborn, best reception is WNYT via an old beat up VHF antenna I found in the attic connected with extra speaker wire and mounted inside (attic) for a 90-100% signal level. This junkyard setup does pretty well and remains stable most of the time.

UHF signals are a nightmare for me and sometimes affected by weather,trees,etc. My Channel Master is a respectable UHF antenna but It seems an amplifier might be needed in my case. I have tried a couple different amps with no change (one was different freq, I think the other was DOA) I'll have to purchase a UHF/VFH signal amplifier that covers the spectrum that is needed in this area and go from there. The Rat Shack has one for $50, or maybe a Silver Sensor will work for me...who knows.

My OTA reception signal strengths seem a little different then what you all are reporting. WRGB, WNYT, and WMHT register at about 60%-70% on the strength meter. WEWB registers at 25% on the signal strength meter.

I have no problems viewing any of these channels, including WEWB. I have a Channelmaster outdoor VHF/UHF antenna mounted in my attic (with no amp) and live about 8 miles from the digital broadcast tower.

WEWB had an HD program on last night when I checked the strength meter and the PQ was good.

Could someone please call WNYT and tell them to flip the switch? I would do it myself but I havent had a phone since the early nineties. :/

Oh well, theres always next year..

Originally posted by BreakStuff
Could someone please call WNYT and tell them to flip the switch? I would do it myself but I havent had a phone since the early nineties. :/

I called. It didn't do any good. The person who answered the phone claimed that they were in HD already. I told him it was not in Hi-Def. He was going to double check, but nothing happened.

I called also at about 5:40. Guy who answered the phone said "we don't broadcast in HD." After correcting him he transferred me to Master Control. The guy there, who was a little more on the ball said, "our HD is down right now, we can't broadcast in HD at this time." He then quickly asked me, "who is this?" I simply responded, "a viewer that would like to watch the Belmont in HD." He sounded concerned that I was somebody else. I then thanked him and hung up.

Its killing me that I cant see this hockey game in HD. TEN better be live before MNF starts

TWC is probably glad they aren't paying to get WNYT signal (and I'm sure the rest of us are glad that we aren't "paying" directly for their signal either). How incompetent can they be to repeatedly be fogetting to flip the switch?

Guess that "free" OTA ($300 receiver plus antenna) is really paying off.

LOL.

I wonder if a letter to the editor of the TU might help apply a little pressure on WNYT in regards to "flipping the switch"?

P

The problem at WNYT has been with the NBC owned equipment. They are on their third NBC HD receiver since going on line last fall. The last one failed again early last week, right before the Belmont Stakes.

There is only one HD receiver supplied to each affilliate right now, so they have to wait for another one to be shipped in from NBC each time a failure occurs.

Since they are only passing network in SD/HD right now (from that receiver), the only thing left available for them to transmit to channel 12 at this time is the upconverted NTSC video out of master control.

Some footnotes: The "switch" arrangement is master control is temporary until further expansions are made in the future. Things will get better in time. They still have yet to spend more money to continue the upgrade of their facilities.

The "switch" has to be flipped off in order to broadcast weather alerts and school closings, which they are mandated to do. Sometimes the operators forget to put it back, especially if they are in local programming where the switch doesn't make any difference right now. Sometimes the shift changes.

I know these guys and nothing is done intentionally to stop the HD feed from getting on the air. Alot goes on in there. Some of these guys are green too and just don't know any better yet.

Also, the WNYT/TWC carriage issue is not about money, but the stripping off of the second (12-2) channel and other data available OTA that TWC does not want to carry. See my earlier post.

I'm with you Justman. It was a killer last night not to be able to see Game 7 in HD. Not to mention Game 2 of the NBA Finals on ABC tonight.

I just heard a radio advertisement from TWC (on WQBK, 103.9 FM) that touted the advantages of their service over satellite, including HD.

Specifically, it was stated in the advertisement that HD locals are free will cable. Satellite subscribers must purchase an antenna to receive HD locals.

I'll try to get a transcript of the ad.

I don't see how they can state HD locals are "free". They only have 1 of the 3 local HD signals, but the other two are available with an antenna and HD receiver.

Originally posted by TechnieChrist

snip

Also, the WNYT/TWC carriage issue is not about money, but the stripping off of the second (12-2) channel and other data available OTA that TWC does not want to carry. See my earlier post.

If that's true (regarding WRGB) then why were they quoted in the Gazette (I believe) about wanting to be PAID to transmit the signal to TW? They kept bringing up the fact that the HD equipment cost them millions of dollars and they wanted to recoup the cost. Sure sounds like a money issue to me.

WNYT (depending on which person at WNYT sent what email to whom) seems to be either regarding the content distribution or about money.

Originally posted by AlbanyHDTV
I just heard a radio advertisement from TWC (on WQBK, 103.9 FM) that touted the advantages of their service over satellite, including HD.

Specifically, it was stated in the advertisement that HD locals are free will cable. Satellite subscribers must purchase an antenna to receive HD locals.

I'll try to get a transcript of the ad.

I don't see how they can state HD locals are "free". They only have 1 of the 3 local HD signals, but the other two are available with an antenna and HD receiver.

TW has two main "half truths" in their ad regarding satellite:

1) They claim that satellite costs extra for more TV's. Well so does TWC if you want digital cable. Given that satellite is 100% digital (unlike TWC) an ACCURATE comparison would have BOTH satellite and TWC charging extra per month for more than one TV. I also believe that satellite would be "cheaper" in that regard (I think $4.95/month per extra receiver. vs TWC $7.60 or whatever per month per extra box).

2) HD content being "free". HDNET is an extra charge. HOWEVER, if one were to comopare HD content on TWC vs. DISH or DTV I'd say that the price advantage is in TWC court. $3.95/month for HDNET. $10/month for DTV and DISH. The only extra channel you get is HD ESPN I believe. DTV doesn't carry HD TNT either. BOTH DISH and DTV and TWC all require that you sub to HBO/SHOW if you want the HD HBO and HD SHOW (actually it's SHOW and HBO that require this). "local" HDTV is "free" for all parties involved. Provided that you use an OTA. DISH required (at one time) the 8VSB module to get OTA which also required that the DISH receiver actually be able to receive the satellite signal off the 61.5 satellite. So in the event of rain fade, no OTA for you. this may have changed however.

So HD content is "free" in the sense that WRGB claims it's "free". You need an OTA and a receiver. In TWC case they do not provide you with a built-in HDTV receiver, nor the OTA. Satellite CAN provide you with this, but believe me, you will pay extra for an HD unit from DISH or DTV. a DISH 6000 unit (even with new contract) is about $350 or so. They don't just give you the entire thing for free.

VOOM on the other hand is looking more appealing every day to me anyway. If TWC had WRBG and WNYT I'd probably be happier than a hog in mud.

Originally posted by TechnieChrist
The problem at WNYT has been with the NBC owned equipment. They are on their third NBC HD receiver since going on line last fall. The last one failed again early last week, right before the Belmont Stakes.

Maybe they should call up WMHT and see what they're using and how to use it effectively.. j/k

Plain and simple,

All you people wanted to be early adopters (including myself) so you have to deal with the consequence's, reception, failed broadcast's,yadda,yadda.

For example, many of us here cannot receive the WB signal yet so we patiently wait until they increase the output of their signal. We don't like it, but we deal with it. TWC customers are another story and have to deal with repercussions of "non-broadcasts" as well.

WNYT and WRGB? have both had hardware failures in the past, but have done their best to resolve the issue. Some faster than others, but it will get better.

I don't even want to discuss WTEN, they havent even broadcasted OTA yet, so I'm sure many bugs will have to worked out for that team as well. But I would like to believe that WTEN could work a little quicker. So Fred, if your out there listening, help us out here!

Originally posted by BreakStuff
All you people wanted to be early adopters (including myself) so you have to deal with the consequence's, reception, failed broadcast's,yadda,yadda.




Early adopters smopters......No excuses!!

Some of them need to get their Heads out of their A#%es. Get it fixed already!!!!!

Chop Chop!! :p

To correct an earlier post...

TWC is carrying 2 of the 5 local HD channels.

On TWC: WTEN, WMHT
Not On: WRGB, WNYT, WEWB

TWC already has a deal with WXXA, so when FOX network goes HD this fall TWC will have 3 out of 6.

any update on TEN going live OTA? - hope its ASAP as MNF HD is a must (HD NFL is one of the main reasons I joined th HD world)

Originally posted by justman
HD NFL is one of the main reasons I joined th HD world)

Mine has been the "Bonnie Hunt" show on ABC and now, the season is over and probably won't be re-newed for the following season.
I spent countless hours getting my home theater complete and cannot even enjoy the woman that drove me to my HDTV destiny, shame on you Fred!

ok, maybe I was a little sarcastic, but I really do enjoy her show and it would be nice to see ABC programming in HD..

WTEN might be the last local region broadcast channel to achieve HDTV status since WXXA is speculating transmission sometime this summer, WTEN was scheduled for Dec '2003 and still hasn't been completed 7 months later.

BreakStuff:
Fred? I think you mean Skeeter, WTEN's Chief Engineer. Fred is WRGB's Chief Engineer.

Originally posted by MasterFX1
BreakStuff:
Fred? I think you mean Skeeter, WTEN's Chief Engineer. Fred is WRGB's Chief Engineer.

oh $#!*$ , my bad,

Sorry Fred and shame on you Skeeter!

From the WXXA site,

WXXA Digital

Status of WXXA-DT

1- The FCC has issued a Public Notice authorizing a change to the TV Frequency Table of Assignments that deletes channel 4 and adds digital television channel 7 for Albany, NY.

2- WXXA-TV will submit a Construction Permit Application to build and operate WXXA-DT on channel 7 with a radiated power of ten kilowatts.

3- The approximate air date for WXXA-DT is August ’04.

4- The Fox network has announced that their format of choice for transmission has been changed to 720P which is an accepted HDTV format. WXXA-DT will be able to pass this HDTV signal on to our viewers.

Believe it or not, the wife was looking forward to seeing "Cider House Rules" in HD on WRGB, but instead they rolled over network with "Make Good Theatre" on both 6 and 6-1. Oh well, missed opportunity to show both movies.

So why would an affiliate decide to change the "feed" intended for normal programming? Upstate NY isn't exactly the "bible belt"..

The local affiliate gets more local breaks, thus giving them more commercial inventory in Prime Time (The highest valued time slot). The Network allows the affiliate to do this, and it may maximize earnings for the station today, but I believe it hurts long-term viewership.

I'm in a new location, again... House has no antenna or dish yet, great altitude, so I'll probably go VOOM/OTA. I just hope the OTA gods allow WTEN and WXXA to begin transmitting digitally OTA by the NFL season.

MasterFX1 - hopefully you can get a LOS for VOOM. I tried to go VOOM a couple of weeks ago and a tree got in my way. The location of the bird is alot lower in the sky then D*. The installer did give it the old college try to no avail. I'm w/ you on the WTEN and Monday Night Football deal. I'm still holding out hope that D* will have all of the networks in HD by that time. I'm in the NYC dma so I can get the networks offered in the O&O markets.

ABC is owned by Disney. D* is now owned by FOX. Getting these two to agree on anything could take a long time. That's not to say I don't hope you get your wish, however, unlikely.

I hear you on the politics involved w/ Disney and Rupert Murdoch. However, it is in both parties' best interest for D* to carry their HD signal. For Disney an increase in viewership, for D* a probable increase in subs. in O & 0 markets for those that don't want to fool with an aerial. With their added bandwith D* may have all 4 nets. in HD by years end to compete w/ cable in O & O markets. Fox will be on real soon. NBC and ABC to follow - I hope. Fingers crossed.

does anyone know if the analog outputs for the 8000HD are functional?

Originally posted by RDJR
MasterFX1 - hopefully you can get a LOS for VOOM. I tried to go VOOM a couple of weeks ago and a tree got in my way. The location of the bird is alot lower in the sky then D*. The installer did give it the old college try to no avail. I'm w/ you on the WTEN and Monday Night Football deal. I'm still holding out hope that D* will have all of the networks in HD by that time. I'm in the NYC dma so I can get the networks offered in the O&O markets.

The VOOM satellite is located at 39.2 elevation, 162.2 azmith from Albany, a bit higher from Saugerties. That's actually higher in the sky than Dish or DirecTV. You might have a tree at 162.2 azmith, but you could be 80' away from a 60' and still see over it.

Tower Guy - interesting. Thanks for the info. I did think that the installer gave me a line originally but then he pulled the ladder out and had me get up on it and pointed to the tree and how it was in my los. It appeared to be. I think he wanted to get me for $100 to install a pole because I couldn't mount the dish on my house. I said see you later. VOOM should offer a self-install option and it wouldn't be an issue. I would find a spot that I could get a signal from.

Originally posted by cliftonmets
does anyone know if the analog outputs for the 8000HD are functional?

If you mean s-video or coax video than no. The analog auto I've never tried. There was supposed to be an update for the video but it hasn't happen yet on my box.

On the 8000HD you can switch to the analog outputs but you turn the HD output off. With the unit off, press the guide and info buttons at the same time. Hd-1 should show in the display area, keep pressing till Sd-1 shows on the display. At this point turn on the unit, now the analog output should work. I got this info from TW phone csr. I just got this unit 2 wks ago and was trying to use both outputs at the same time but you can't acording to them. Hope this helps! To switch back just do the same with the unit off.

I just took the plunge and ordered VOOM. Install set for 7/19. Let y'all know how it goes.

Fox 23 has pushed back it digital OTA start up date.

This is from WXXA website:

WXXA Digital

Status of WXXA-DT

1- The FCC has issued a Public Notice authorizing a change to the TV Frequency Table of Assignments that deletes channel 4 and adds digital television channel 7 for Albany, NY.

2- WXXA-TV has submitted a Construction Permit Application to build and operate WXXA-DT on channel 7 with a radiated power of ten kilowatts.

3- The approximate air date for WXXA-DT is January '05.

4- The Fox network has announced that their format of choice for transmission has been changed to 720P which is an accepted HDTV format. WXXA-DT will be able to pass this HDTV signal on to our viewers.

We currently are fedidng our programming to Time Warner Cable up converted to a 720P format. This appears on thier digital channel 1823.


didn't they say it would be up bi next month?

On June 20th, it was posted on the WXXA website that they expect to begin OTA broadcast in August 2004. I copied the text and posted it at AlbanyHDTV.com (http://albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=Lineup&action=display&num=1087778545).

What I find even more remarkable then the change in digital OTA transmission date is the poor spelling on the WXXA website (http://www.fox23news.com/digital/) and the fact they think their channel is on TWC at 1823. It is actually on TWC channel 1808.

In the last paragraph:
"fedidng" = "feeding"???
"thier" = "their"???

The change in the digital OTA date is bad news for those AlbanyHDTV users who wanted to see the FOX NFL coverage in HD. More on that topic is available here (http://albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=Programs&action=display&num=1082248426).

Re: WXXA-DT Launch in 1/05... LAME! LAME! LAME! Not offering NFL games in HD, while WRGB is will only lower WXXA's ratings during football games when coverage goes head-to-head. I'll happily watch two crappy teams in HD instead of two awesome ones in SD.

If WXXA chose to make this a priority, they could certainly be up before that, but they did not do their homework on the best ways to expedite this process. It is not a question a finances, but more a game of FCC application procedures.

In addition to simply applying for the permit, wxxa should offer the commision data and reports concerning their proposed signal (as other area affiliates have). They could also proactively contact the FCC to make sure things remain "On the top of the pile," or if there's relevant data they are looking for but don't have. I believe that once again, station managment blindly tells themselves that OTA viewers are not a significant percentage of people and simply doesn't devote the time and effort.

January '05??? C'mon, That date will get pushed back again, when they realize they forgot to coordinate with the Canadians.

BTW, I'm predicting it now... they'll miss the boat for the Feb 6. Superbowl, and also the Daytona 500 on Feb. 20. You would think they would be motivated to get their act together given thet these are the two largest viewed sporting events of the year and FOX network has them both.

I will be recording it on my HD-DVR from TWC for anyone who would like to view these events in HD.

Bring the beer and wings, I'll provide the programs.

Wordz

Originally posted by MasterFX1
I just took the plunge and ordered VOOM. Install set for 7/19. Let y'all know how it goes. So what's the PQ like? Give us some installation details, etc. Thanks.

Well- My installer mistakenly used a multi switch diplexor which does not pass voltage through to the antenna, so he's got to come back and fix that. Until then the rooftop OTA antenna gives me nothing. However, my indoor antenna gets all the channels anyway, it just looks silly. Other than that, the install went fine.

The box and interface is definately a little "Buggy." In fact, the first box wouldn't work at all, so the installer grabbed another one out of his van. When you change channels, often the screen pixelizes to form the image, but after a second it looks fine. The interface is not as friendly as my zenith Sat520, but still better than my first panasonic TU-HDS20.

PQ looks good. The OTA looks like it always did. The Sat channels also look good, but it's not max bandwidth, I do see pixelation, break-ups and posterization. But really not enough to be upset about, and certainly no more so than DirecTV, DISH or TWC... about the same actually. Due to the poor interface and buggy channel changing, surfing is a little awkward (after 1 day), but once your settled on a channel, it's very good.

To sum it up: The interface is a step backwards, the PQ is the same, the programming is a grand slam.

Edit: Correct diplexer installed, I get all four local OTA's.

Breaking News... I'm receiving credible, but unconfirmed rumors that WNYT will reach a temporary digital retransmission agreement with Time Warner Cable for NBC's special Olympic HD coverage.

Will 13-1 be showing a different broadcast (HD on tape delay) then 13-2, which I assume will be showing the Olympics live ???

Originally posted by RDJR
Will 13-1 be showing a different broadcast (HD on tape delay) then 13-2, which I assume will be showing the Olympics live ???

That's my guess. I don't know if TWC would have (or really need) a 1813-2.

Originally posted by MasterFX1
Breaking News... I'm receiving credible, but unconfirmed rumors that WNYT will reach a temporary digital retransmission agreement with Time Warner Cable for NBC's special Olympic HD coverage.


Temporary??....Give me a Break!!!

May be no need for OTA for those of us w/ D* Just read a rumor that D* will be carrying NBC's HD Olympic broadcasts. Probably in much the same "temporary" way that TWC will be.

More sports news for August... ESPN-HD will air the Travers from Saratoga Spings live in 720p on Saturday, August 28, 2004 at 5:00pm EST.

ESPN-HD is currently only available via Satellite (DirecTV, DISH or VOOM).

Originally posted by lufters
Temporary??....Give me a Break!!!


Shouldn't you be borrowing a OTA receiver from Best Buy soon? :D

6-3 is now showing the DNC coverage in SD.

Edit: It is now showing Insant Doppler 6 Radar Imagery.

Originally posted by Tconnors
Shouldn't you be borrowing a OTA receiver from Best Buy soon? :D

Nope! :p

Originally posted by MasterFX1
6-3 is now showing the DNC coverage in SD.

Edit: It is now showing Insant Doppler 6 Radar Imagery.


That's great news!! Now the HD Picture Quality will be even worse!!

First WRGB was doing half as#ed HD...now their doing quarter as#ed HD!! :p

Well ESPN apparently pulled the plug on the HD coverage. Sorry to tease you like that. I guess they felt it better to put the HD truck at the college football game later that evening

Originally posted by lufters
That's great news!! Now the HD Picture Quality will be even worse!!

First WRGB was doing half as#ed HD...now their doing quarter as#ed HD!! :p


Isn't that technically 1/3rd assed? :D

Can somebody remind me which network Fow or CBS is promising a game load of HD football this fall?
And TW is promising (for now) to carry Fox HD when it actually switches to 720p from 480p, correct? And the local WXXA will provide that to TW-Albany as soon as FOX gives it to them, whether or not they are transmitting OTA?

Thanks,

Paul

Has anyone tried the Jensen Indoor Antenna TV920 from best buy? Im havign problems recieving WNYT 12 with my rat shack antenna. If anyone knows of any good indoors antennas, that would be helpful too

Originally posted by MasterFX1
Breaking News... I'm receiving credible, but unconfirmed rumors that WNYT will reach a temporary digital retransmission agreement with Time Warner Cable for NBC's special Olympic HD coverage.

Any Update?

Originally posted by cliftonmets
Im havign problems recieving WNYT 12 with my rat shack antenna.This post (http://albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=Lineup&action=display&num=1091219837) at AlbanyHDTV.com explains why you may be having difficulty receiving WNYT-DT 12.


Originally posted by rls2199
Any Update?This thread (http://albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=Lineup&action=display&num=1084127698) at AlbanyHDTV.com gives some details about the WNYT - TWC negotiations.


Originally posted by Paul B. Musser
And TW is promising (for now) to carry Fox HD when it actually switches to 720p from 480p, correct? And the local WXXA will provide that to TW-Albany as soon as FOX gives it to them, whether or not they are transmitting OTA?This thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=409554) elsewhere in the AVS Forum lists the Fox affiliates that are HD ready for Fall 2004 (in other words...football season). The Albany affiliate (WXXA) is NOT listed as being ready. WXXA is listed as the 10th largest demographic area that does NOT HAVE THEIR HD SPLICER INSTALLED and the 8th largest demographic area that is NOT CURRENTLY BROADCASTING IN 720P.

This thread (http://albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=Lineup&action=display&num=1087778545) on AlbanyHDTV.com has some discussion on the status of WXXA-DT.

Will they be ready to go by football season or will I have to waste money on TWC if I want to see Monday Night Football in HD.

Hello to jnic002 from a fellow Voorheesvillian!

Originally posted by jnic002
Will they be ready to go by football season or will I have to waste money on TWC if I want to see Monday Night Football in HD.

According to Skeeter, WTEN's chief engineer, it's in the hands of the Canadian government's version of the FCC. WTEN could probably be doing a lot more to proactively achieve the authority to begin transmitting, but they are not. Thus, they're waiting for a license to show up in the mail... someday.

Rumors are stirring that MNF may move to ESPN within the next couple of years... if that happened today (and it's not), neither TWC or OTA would give you the game... only Satellite. It turns out that Disney (the parent to ABC and ESPN) is unsatisfied with the level of HD service being offered by their affiliates with regard to the high exposure of MNF, thus moving it to ESPN-HD may actually increase the game's HD viewership.

WRGB has made some big, behind-the-scenes changes in the last few days to their digital signal. Previously the bandwidth data rates for 6-1, 6-2 and 6-3 were fixed. Now they are using a process called Statistical Muxing or Stat-Muxing. This is a form of variable bit-rate encoding.

Overall picture quality for all of WRGB-DT's signals has improved quite a bit. This new process, which is still being tweaked on a day-to-day basis, gives WRGB many more options for maximizing the amount of content and Picture Quality. If 6-2 is airing a marquee event they can pump up its data-rate. Or if 6-1 has an NFL game, 6-2 could be "Squeezed" tighter.

It has become rather obvious that most affiliates are choosing not to give full bandwidth to a single channel. (Only WEWB, out of the 4 HD OTA's in this market is currently using full-bandwidth) However, WRGB is clearly leading our market in R & D of better quality HD. The actual data-rate of a signal is not the only factor in PQ, the quality of the encoder's compression schemes is just as important, and as far as I can tell, WRGB is the only station continually working to improve itself on that front.

yeah well, WRGB NEEDS to continually work to improve their signal as its quite frankly sucked for the 3 months since I went out and forked over the $400 for an OTA receiver and antenna.

Constant pixelation (despite an 80% signal strength), dropped audio, etc. (and it's not just me as several other users would post that they had problems the same time I did).

Shame on WRGB for taking so long to fix this (quite frankly the other channels, OTA and TWC have had MUCH better quality, albeit other locals do not have the amount of HD content that CBS has).

Is WEWB outputing a signal that I should now be able to get? Before it was not strong enough to find.

Paul

I seem to be getting more pixelation than usual on 6-1 tonight (CSI opening scene) - anyone else?

Originally posted by jpeter1093
Hello to jnic002 from a fellow Voorheesvillian!

Thats funny jpeter,

I been meaning to tell you this for quite some time but there is yet another AVS member that resides in Voorhesville. His name is paul.n3w and can usually be found in the "Projectors under $3500" thread. I told him to come here when he's ready for hdtv. :)

ER is in SD tonight, is this a NBC problem or a NYT problem?


10:17 pm: Its now in HD

Originally posted by MasterFX1
If 6-2 is airing a marquee event they can pump up its data-rate. Or if 6-1 has an NFL game, 6-2 could be "Squeezed" tighter.

Who's "they"??

These aren't the same people who fall asleep at the wheel every 2 seconds and forget to flip the "Switch" after commercials during a HD broadcast?

So I'm sure we will be seeing a "pumped up data rate" for HD NFL games on a consistent basis.

Pleeeeasssssssssse!! :p

Originally posted by lufters
These aren't the same people who fall asleep at the wheel every 2 seconds and forget to flip the "Switch" after commercials during a HD broadcast?

Negative... that was WNYT.

Originally posted by Paul B. Musser
Is WEWB outputing a signal that I should now be able to get? Before it was not strong enough to find.

Paul

WEWB is still at reduced power.

Do you get HD over the air? If you do, what kind of antenna do you use and what stations do you pull in. I can barely get any signal strength from WEWB but my OTA is split to four different TV's.

Originally posted by jnic002
I can barely get any signal strength from WEWB but my OTA is split to four different TV's.

I have the same problem, I cannot receive WEWB when I split the signal 2 ways. If I direct connect the coax then I am able to recieve WB at around 50% signal strength.

jnic002

I don't get my HDTV OTA, mine is via TWC.

HD Monday Night Football starts tomorrow - any update WTEN OTA? I would think they would be pushing hard to get on the air by MNF regular season opener.

Please someone post some good news.

I'm with you justman. Unfortunately it appears that those at WTEN don't really care about MNF as a deadline. Its going to kill me tonight to know the HOF game is HD "where available". I'll probably get ABC-DT through D* before WTEN flips the switch.

Originally posted by RDJR
I'm with you justman. Unfortunately it appears that those at WTEN don't really care about MNF as a deadline. Its going to kill me tonight to know the HOF game is HD "where available". I'll probably get ABC-DT through D* before WTEN flips the switch.

Unfortunately, WTEN would most likely deny your request for a waiver, and D* would not legally be allowed to give you the signal. I know this blows. Please write the GM and let her know you're not a happy camper. The good news is that MNF is rumored to be moving to ESPN-HD in a year or two... and atleast D*/E*/V* could give that to you.

Do you have the e-mail of the appropriate contact at TEN?

AlbanyHDTV.com has a contacts section that lists all the affiliate contacts and their e-mail addresses.

Originally posted by MasterFX1
Unfortunately, WTEN would most likely deny your request for a waiver, and D* would not legally be allowed to give you the signal.

Remember the good ole' days when you could pay D* for the local affliates and still watch the west coast feeds?

You could actually get up to 4 extra NFL games on any given Sunday for an extra $4.99 per receiver....sweeet!

A couple years later the locals sent me a letter stating I wasn't eligible to receive the D* signal since I was located in the city of Albany, The satellite people had no choice to but to shut down my NYC and L.A. feeds. I tried my darnest to give them a runaround, but I eventually lost my cause.. :(

Actually MasterFX1 I'm in the NYC market for D* purposes so a waiver is not necessary. Already receive CBS-DT from D* and will be receiving NBC-DT and Fox-DT shortly as I'm in an O&O area. I'm 50 miles from Albany and 100 from NYC but considered a New Yorker by D*. Kind of the best of both worlds in a way although D* won't give me the Albany locals.

RDJR, assuming you get the Albany locals OTA just fine, I'm rather jealous. I noticed once that when I stayed in a cabin near Hunter Mountain, the cable system had both NYC and Albany affiliates in the lineup.

It's great to have football season back :)

Did anyone notice the commercials being obnoxiously loud last night? I ask becuase I am usually a time shifting commercial skipping user, and can't figure out if this is a function of me not watching commercials (except during football season) or the way the commercials were added. It seemed like they encoded the vocals to come over all the front speakers instead of just the center channel. I thought there were rules against raising the levels for commercials back in the "crazy eddy" days, but, this seems like a way to skirt that issue.

I dunno, but in the 3rd and 4th quarters when the rest of the house was asleep, I was forced to mute the commercials.

Also, anyone looking to get rid of an HDTV tuner / HDTV pci card I'm ready to give up hope on TWC and WRGB.

see ya.
Joe (in Guilderland)

Originally posted by esposj
It's great to have football season back :)

Also, anyone looking to get rid of an HDTV tuner / HDTV pci card I'm ready to give up hope on TWC and WRGB.

see ya.
Joe (in Guilderland)

There's a new product out for you to consider. It's a HD tuner with a USB interface. No need to open the case on your PC. You can even record HD programs to your hard drive. It costs $269.

http://www.usbhdtv.com

That looks neat. I use a shuttle box for my htpc, and only have one pci slot. I wonder if usb2 is enough bandwidth for this. I remember the usb tuners (std def) weren't that great. Although, I think I may stick with a non htpc solution.

Hi Folks,

I need an OTA antenna installed in my small attic. I'm not really very handy so would any of you have any recopmmendations on where I might call to have one installed?

Thanks in advance

Originally posted by MasterFX1
Breaking News... I'm receiving credible, but unconfirmed rumors that WNYT will reach a temporary digital retransmission agreement with Time Warner Cable for NBC's special Olympic HD coverage.
Is it safe to say that with opening ceremonies 3 days away, this is not going to happen? Has anyone heard anything definite, either one way or the other?

JeffKB- Actually, things look very good... can't be specific though... sorry.

MasterFX1 - thanks for the info, I'm keeping my fingers crossed ;)

Originally posted by RDJR
Unfortunately it appears that those at WTEN don't really care about MNF as a deadline. Its going to kill me tonight to know the HOF game is HD "where available". I'll probably get ABC-DT through D* before WTEN flips the switch. WTEN Chief Engineer Skeeter Lansing posted a reply to comments on WTEN's delayed OTA startup date here (http://albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&num=1083295892) on AlbanyHDTV.com.

Originally posted by esposj
Also, anyone looking to get rid of an HDTV tuner / HDTV pci card I'm ready to give up hope on TWC and WRGB.

see ya.
Joe (in Guilderland)

....and I'm ready to start my www.boycottWRGB.com web site!! :D

lufters, while I am not sure who is right or wrong between wrgb and twc, I know that I love football and my gf loves the cbs monday lineup. I have spent too much cash to not get as much out of it as possible.

Call me pragmatic.

Confirmed from three independent sources...

A "Snafoo" has arisen concerning the much anticipated and rumored WNYT-DT/TWC announcement. Unfortunately, it now looks as if it may not be ready in time for the start of the Olympics, but it is coming soon. That's all I can say for now.

NBC's HD coverage of the Olympics will be available (from start to finish) on D*/E*/V* as well as WNYT-DT's HD OTA channel.

Edit: WNYT and TWC were able to overcome the "snafoo" in question, and will not miss any of the Olympic HD broadcast.

Master - no need to be real jealous. I get WNYT-DT and PBS-DT from Albany real well, 6-1 and 6-2 I do not. I know with a bigger antenna I would get them all real well, but I'm reluctant to go on my roof again w/ CBS-DT and Fox-DT (soon) available from D*. If WTEN-DT came on-line before ABC-DT on D* then I would have to reconsider the bigger aerial. Incidentally, TWC in Saugerties does carry the NYC and Albany locals but currently their HD offerings have alot to be desired and of course TWC does not have NFL ST.

Originally posted by BreakStuff
Thats funny jpeter,

I been meaning to tell you this for quite some time but there is yet another AVS member that resides in Voorhesville. His name is paul.n3w and can usually be found in the "Projectors under $3500" thread. I told him to come here when he's ready for hdtv. :)

------------------
I have read these posts with great interest, but I just wanted to comment on the "Voorheesvillian" comment.

I haven't heard that before, although I've only been around for a few years.

Anyway, here's hoping for Olympics in HD.

Newbie here...

Is anyone receiving a signal for 17-3? I have no problem receiving 17-1.

Originally posted by Bert12189
Newbie here...

Is anyone receiving a signal for 17-3? I have no problem receiving 17-1.

It poped right in for me. It's 8:50 PM

Originally posted by Luther
------------------
I have read these posts with great interest, but I just wanted to comment on the "Voorheesvillian" comment.

Wow!, theres another one!

Must be something in the water out there, like a twilight zone episode.. freaky! :/

Originally posted by Bert12189
Newbie here...

Is anyone receiving a signal for 17-3? I have no problem receiving 17-1.

Are you using VOOM? There is a current problem with 17-3 and the VOOM system. If you are, I'll explain it further.

Ladies and Gentlemen... The announcement many have been waiting for...


WNYT NewsChannel 13 and Time Warner Cable Announce Digital Retransmission Agreement

High Definition Olympics Coverage to Air on Cable System


Albany, NY, August 12,2004-WNYT-TV and Time Warner Cable of Albany announced today an agreement that will allow the cable company to transmit WNYT’s digital signal to all of its customers. The agreement comes on the eve of the Summer Olympic Games in Athens, and will allow properly equipped Time Warner customers to receive a special High-Definition feed of NBC’s Olympic coverage.

“We are pleased to add WNYT HD to our High Definition lineup,” said Stephen Pagano, President of Time Warner Cable’s Albany division. “We continue to expand our HD product, and beginning Friday, August 13th, we will be providing customers with a unique opportunity to experience this summer’s Olympic Games with high definition clarity.”

WNYT’s Vice President and General Manager, Steve Baboulis, added, “Our television station has been broadcasting a digital, high definition signal since mid-October, and Capital Region viewers have been able to receive the signal through the air since then. This agreement with Time Warner greatly expands the number of people in our viewing area who will now experience the state-of-the-art picture and sound that a high definition broadcast provides. We are pleased with this Time Warner agreement, and we hope this can serve as a model for agreements with other cable firms serving the Capital Region.”

WNYT HD can be seen on Channel 1813 by Time Warner customers with a high definition television set and HD tuner. Time Warner customers still can view WNYT’s standard analog broadcast on Time Warner Channel 13. A digital version of WNYT’s standard analog signal, WNYT-2, can be seen on Time Warner Channel 1993.

Baboulis added that NBC and WNYT are providing more HD programming than ever before. “As viewer demand increases, NBC has listened. In the coming television season, much of our prime time lineup will be broadcast in High-Definition. This should spur viewer demand even more, and move us to the day when virtually everything we air is in High-Definition. I expect this to happen before the end of the decade.”

WNYT-TV is now in its fiftieth year of serving the Capital Region of New York State. It is the market’s top-rated, award-winning source for news and information. WNYT-TV is the Capital Region’s NBC affiliate, and the exclusive home of viewer favorites such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil and Entertainment Tonight. WNYT-TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Time Warner Cable’s Albany Division operates one of the most sophisticated cable systems in the nation and is home to New York’s first two-way digital network. The system provides high-speed online access for residential customers, schools and businesses; digital cable with 240 cable channels, including on-demand services, interactive programming guides, Digital Phone service, exclusive 24-hour local news and popular, award-winning, locally produced programming. The division serves more than 320,000 customers in and around Albany, Troy, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Glens Falls, Schenectady, Amsterdam and Gloversville/Johnstown, NY, and Pittsfield and Athol, MA. Time Warner Cable owns and manages the most technologically advanced, best-clustered cable television operations in 27 states with more than 90 percent of its 10.9 million customers in systems of 100,000 subscribers or more. It is a division of Time Warner Inc.

cool! I don't see the word 'temporary' anywhere in that posting. I will be recording the opening ceromonies to the olympics, while I sit in the rain watching the giants preseason game.

Wow, I was under the impression that the agreement would only be to transmit the Olympics. The press release makes it sound like WNYT HD is permanently being added to the TWC HD lineup. Better news yet. All I know is that if the deal had fallen thru, and it was because TWC didn't want to ante up the dollars, I probably would have had a hard time controlling myself when I wrote out my $170 cable bill this month. :mad:

MasterFX1 - thanks for all the info on this. You obviously know the right people. ;)

Your perceptions are correct: This is a long-term agreement.

Also worth noting is that 13-2 will be carried as well on TWC channel 1993... This was a huge bone of contention for WNYT, they wanted to ensure that whatever they do with their digital bandwidth, that TWC would carry the FULL data stream. You may ask yourself, "Why do we need a 480i version of 13 analog?" Well, currently it's being used as a very cost-effective way to deliver the analog signal OTA to more distant cable systems (not TWC). It has been known that NBC is encouraging its affiliates to sub-channel a 24-hour news channel (like news9), this appears to leave a slot on the TWC system that could eventually be used for that.

Originally posted by MasterFX1
WNYT HD can be seen on Channel 1813 by Time Warner customers with a high definition television set and HD tuner.This is not entirely true...yet.

As of 3:30PM, Thursday, 8/12/04, neither channel 1813 nor 1993 are available on TWC. I even re-booted my 8000HD DVR, thinking it could possibly download the new information to the STB, but it didn't change anything.

I spoke to TWC customer service rep "Ashley" at 3:50PM. I asked her when WNYT-DT would be able to be tuned in on channel 1813. She had no idea what I was talking about, so I directed her to the press release on the TWC website (http://www.twalbany.com/pressreleases/release.php?PR=74&GRP=6) . She said, "Hold on". When she came back on the line, she said, "I talked to my supervisor and we think it will be on later tonight." I said, "It sounds like you're guessing. Can you find out more definitively for me?" She again said, "Hold on." When she came back on the line, she said, "I just checked my e-mails, and there was one concerning this. It said that the channel will appear early tomorrow morning after the box is re-booted late tonight." I thanked her for the info & hung up.

Also, there is a thread at AlbanyHDTV.com concerning the WNYT-TWC announcement. Here's a link (http://albanyhdtv.proboards18.com/index.cgi?board=Lineup&action=display&num=1092321843&start=0) to that thread.

It says Friday right in the press release.

Originally posted by esposj
It says Friday right in the press release. The reference to Friday night is in relation to the Olympics, not the start of WNYT-DT on TWC 1813.

"We continue to expand our HD product, and beginning Friday, August 13th, we will be providing customers with a unique opportunity to experience this summer's Olympic Games with high definition clarity." ,said Stephen Pagano, President of Time Warner Cable's Albany division.

MasterFX1,

Yes, I have VOOM... Am I correct that it has to do with the recent software upgrade?

Thanks

Originally posted by Bert12189
MasterFX1,

Yes, I have VOOM... Am I correct that it has to do with the recent software upgrade?

Thanks

Actually, No. It has do with updated OTA channel mapping. Firmware 6.1 or even last nights push of 6.2 has nothing to do with it. Originally VOOM mis-mapped 17-3 onto 17-2. They attempted to correct this problem a week ago during a normal channel mapping update. You'll notice that in the same update they added program info for 13-2 and the forthcoming 10-1. Ever since that update 17-3 has not worked. It couldn't hurt to call VOOM and tell them. You can also tell them you've talked to other VOOMers in your market and they're having the same trouble. Apparently there's not enough "Squeeky Wheels" to elevate this issue for immediate action.

Also, go to this forum:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/forumdisplay.php?f=24
and communicate with Sean Mota the problem. He has a lot of pull with VOOM engineers. I've told him, but the more he hears about it, the more help he can get us.

Nice to know I'm not the only area VOOMer on this thread.

Originally posted by MasterFX1
WNYT’s Vice President and General Manager, Steve Baboulis, added, “Our television station has been broadcasting a digital, high definition signal since mid-October, and Capital Region viewers have been able to receive the signal through the air since then. This agreement with Time Warner greatly expands the number of people in our viewing area who will now experience the state-of-the-art picture and sound that a high definition broadcast provides. We are pleased with this Time Warner agreement, and we hope this can serve as a model for agreements with other cable firms serving the Capital Region.”




This is good news but........WNYT DOESN'T HAVE THE NFL!!!! :mad:

WRGB must be feeling real stupid right about now!! People wonder why I always singled them out!!

www.boycottwrgb.com coming soon!! :D

Lufters,
I am glad you post here, because even the voice of the crazy must be heard, but do me a favor and don't quote an entire huge post like that, just the headline wouldv'e been OK. It just litters the pages and makes them harder to scan. Sorry... Pet peave.
MFX

Originally posted by MasterFX1
Lufters,
I am glad you post here, because even the voice of the crazy must be heard, but do me a favor and don't quote an entire huge post like that, just the headline wouldv'e been OK. It just litters the pages and makes them harder to scan. Sorry... Pet peave.
MFX

Better?? :p


The voice of the crazy??? More like a Voice of someone who doesn't like to be held hostage during the Super Bowl, who hasn't forgotten and likes to speak up about it!!

...and a Voice that could care less on what any local station thinks about what I say. I'm not in the industry....so I can Rant and Rave all I like. I'm a Customer and the Customer is always right!! :p

www.boycottwrgb.com coming soon!!! :D

Better, Thank You.

And shine on you crazy diamond.

MasterFX1,

Thanks for the information about VOOM. I will call tomorrow morning.

My other peeve has been watching ESPNHD tonight. It continuously breaks up. The standard version of ESPN and every other channel on VOOM is fine. If you get a chance can you check to see if you are experiencing the same thing? I checked the signal strength for ESPNHD and it seems lower than others.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MasterFX1
Better, Thank You.

And shine on you crazy diamond. [/QUOTE


:cool:

WNYT is up on TWC. Channel 1813 & the DTV upconvert is on 1993

I believe NBC is broadcasting a seperate HD channel for the olympics, 1 hour later than NBC-480i. Is that what we will see on 1813? If so, will our DVRs record properly? It appears that the programing guide is for regular WNYT.

Paul

Also, on channel 1990, there is ABC News Now. It is labeled as wten2

Originally posted by cliftonmets
Also, on channel 1990, there is ABC News Now. It is labeled as wten2

Now I see no reason why WRGB can't be up in running on TWC very soon.

Do you MasterFX1?

Well, I'm no longer in the loop as I used to be at WRGB... When I left, the issue was money, there's really no legal way to find out if TWC is compensating WNYT for their signal. So I don't know how this affects WRGB's dealings (or WEWB's for that matter). With WNYT2 and WTEN2 both on TWC's lineup, it's obvious TWC has caved on their previous no sub-channel carriage stance.

Well I have got to think that if 1990 is ABC News Now, that there will be a 10-2 when OTA finally comes. I dn't know of any plans for WEWB or WXXA to multi-cast, leaving them as the last "Full Bandwidth" Channels.

Lufters... How come you're not upset that both WNYT and WTEN are now multicasting and not using the full 19.3 mb/s on their HD channel? I ask because you were so upset that WRGB was multicasting. WNYT & WTEN are both using inferior encoding schemes compared to WRGB, which would give them both less overall PQ than 6-1. If only WEWB had some programming I cared about... their PQ is phenomenal.

I'm confused - why is ther ice skating on HD 13-1 and the opening cerimonies on SD 13-2? If I tune to 13-1 at 9, will we be watching the same first hour again?

Someone please explain what is going on... which 1813 ahead or behind? Will it always be like this?

HD Coverage will be delayed approximately 24 hours, and typically consist of an unique (not from the analog network) 8 hour segment, aired three times each day. The primary exception is the Opening Ceremonies, which will air the same day. See the schedule topic below for details.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=432732

Nice Olypics in HD !!! The delay is a pain and (I never thought I'd say this) I could use more commercials. I have the one commercial memorized :-)

"What ya doing..."
"Watching the game..."
"In high def??"
etc...

Originally posted by MasterFX1
Well I have got to think that if 1990 is ABC News Now, that there will be a 10-2 when OTA finally comes. I dn't know of any plans for WEWB or WXXA to multi-cast, leaving them as the last "Full Bandwidth" Channels.

Lufters... How come you're not upset that both WNYT and WTEN are now multicasting and not using the full 19.3 mb/s on their HD channel? I ask because you were so upset that WRGB was multicasting. WNYT & WTEN are both using inferior encoding schemes compared to WRGB, which would give them both less overall PQ than 6-1. If only WEWB had some programming I cared about... their PQ is phenomenal.

Well I'm watching the opening ceremony right now and the Picture is very soft. Not very good HD. HDNET PQ blows this away!

Originally posted by lufters
Well I'm watching the opening ceremony right now and the Picture is very soft. Not very good HD. HDNET PQ blows this away!

Now that I'm really looking at it....there's major Pixiliation going on....and that's with not much movement on the screen. I hate to see it when an event is on.

I almost wouldn't call it HD....but it's better than nothing I guess. :p

Originally posted by lufters
HDNET PQ blows this away!

HDnet also costs extra on TWC, because Mark Cuban has set minimum bandwidth stipulations in his contracts, TWC is charging a premium due to the higher than normal data rate for a cable channel.

I agree. HD WNYT so far (Olympics) looks very poor. Pixelation going on and everything.

although if I stand back like 12 feet it looks okay (haha)

Anyone know if OTA WNYT looks the same? Or is this a retransmission issue?

OTA 13-1 is a little soft/fuzzy

A friend of mine with TWC called to tell me that he had 10-2 on 1890 and 13-2 on 1893. I guess they moved them. Anyone else?

Yes, they moved them.

P

Additionally, they've added a 1700 series of channels (the NBCs, Bravo, USA, Telemundo) so that all the Olympic coverage is in one place. See channel 1 for a blurb about it.

Anyone watch The Grid on TNT HD? I've noticed that the first two episodes have a small delay for the sound that makes the sound/picture sync out of whack.

It's noticeable if you watch the characters lips move and hear the sound.

Not sure if this is due to the HD PVR or TNT HD or what.

I've not noticed it on other stations or shows.

NFL pre-season game in HDTV on WRGB!

Tonights pre-season game between the Eagles and Ravens is currently being broacast in HD! Sweet! :)

Originally posted by BreakStuff
NFL pre-season game in HDTV on WRGB!

Tonights pre-season game between the Eagles and Ravens is currently being broacast in HD! Sweet! :)


WWW.BOYCOTTWRGB.COM.......coming soon!! :D

I know this has been mentioned before, I still don't understand why WRGB is showing a re-broadcast of "Mr Mom" in the prime time slot and the originally scheduled movie "Pay it Foward" will be seen starting at 2am.

Granted, I understand the benefits of local business getting commercial spots during primetime and I think "Mr Mom" is a hilarious movie, but again its a movie that has been broadcast a hundred times in syndication and probably has lost most of its humor and audience many years ago.

I think showing "Pay it Foward" on CBS might bring some credible competion against the Olympics being shown on NBC and that "Mr Mom" might not be the best choice here.
Maybe I'm wrong but isn't Sunday primetime one of the most watched slots of the week?

Originally posted by BreakStuff
I know this has been mentioned before, I still don't understand why WRGB is showing a re-broadcast of "Mr Mom" in the prime time slot and the originally scheduled movie "Pay it Foward" will be seen starting at 2am.

Granted, I understand the benefits of local business getting commercial spots during primetime and I think "Mr Mom" is a hilarious movie, but again its a movie that has been broadcast a hundred times in syndication and probably has lost most of its humor and audience many years ago.

I think showing "Pay it Foward" on CBS might bring some credible competion against the Olympics being shown on NBC and that "Mr Mom" might not be the best choice here.
Maybe I'm wrong but isn't Sunday primetime one of the most watched slots of the week?

I know why.....WRGB is clueless!!:p

Pay It Forward in HD on WRGB fell victim to what is known as "Make-Good Theater." The local affiliate rolls-over the network feed with their own locally originating content (Mr. Mom), getting more local breaks, thus giving them more commercial inventory in Prime Time (The highest valued time slot). The Network allows the affiliate to do this, and it may maximize earnings for the station today, but I believe it hurts long-term viewership.

The station does have the ability to show the "Make-Good" movie on analog 6 while showing the Network movie on 6-1. Why they didn't? Probably a "Not worth the effort" call by management. Not providing it only weakens their leverage as a premium source for HD.

I was wondering...Does WNYT know how bad their "HD" picture quality is?
WXXA Fox 23 ch.1808 Enhanced Definition (480p) has a better picture.


It is so far from true High Definition it's not funny.

Are they that clueless? I guess they'd rather multicast than give better HD (sound familiar?)......or maybe they don't realize how bad it is and maybe if some people complained, they'd try do something about it? :p

So....should we e-mail them?

I was wondering if anyone out there is currently using an ota antenna for dish. If so, what kind(s) and how well do they work? I am going to be moving about 10 miles west of saratoga and plan on getting dish because adelphia is my only cable option, and dish has free hd receiver plus installation deal going on. The only problem is that I am sort of in the dark about the whole ota thing because I have been getting hd from tw. I checked the antennaweb site and for me to receive local hd I will need an antenna type that includes red, green and light green. Unfortunately this is all like a foreign language to me. If anyone has any suggestions, recommendations or could lend me some friendly advice it would be most appreciated. Thank you

Originally posted by snasty
I was wondering if anyone out there is currently using an ota antenna for dish. I checked the antennaweb site and for me to receive local hd I will need an antenna type that includes red, green and light green. Unfortunately this is all like a foreign language to me. If anyone has any suggestions, recommendations or could lend me some friendly advice it would be most appreciated. Thank you

The Channel Master OTA antenna installation guide is on line at:

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

Originally posted by lufters
I was wondering...Does WNYT know how bad their "HD" picture quality is?
WXXA Fox 23 ch.1808 Enhanced Definition (480p) has a better picture.


It is so far from true High Definition it's not funny.

Are they that clueless? I guess they'd rather multicast than give better HD (sound familiar?)......or maybe they don't realize how bad it is and maybe if some people complained, they'd try do something about it? :p

So....should we e-mail them?

Hey Lufters - WNYT is the only HD channel I am able to receive at this time so I have nothing to compare it to. I get it OTA. I thought it was due to maybe a weak signal but on some high motion scenes I get some pixelation. Like when the divers were flipping, their image was kind of blurred instead of being clear. It that the way it looks for you?

snasty,
See http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4253074#post4253074.