Originally posted by SteveK2
...I think you are just unlucky in that your antenna/rotor is not in a 'sweet spot' for WPVI. The reason I say this is that with my original attic antenna placement, WPVI was very shaky, hit-or-miss....just like what you describe. But when I moved the antenna to just inside the southwest wall of my attic, WPVI and 17-1 stabilized. Both get a strong signal/lock @69%....rarely do I see any change in the strength to anything other than 63%.....except on strong tropo days when the SS will increase somewhat.

UHF signal propogation is very finicky once you get out of direct line of sight....and I think that is the real issue. It may be that your specific location presented no problem while leaves were missing from trees, but since leaves arrived, the problems have become noticeable.

I wish I could offer you some solution.

Steve....you are right. I'm just in a bad spot to receive WPVI's DT signal now that the leaves have come in. As I said a few weeks ago, I set up another antenna on the other side of the house---same result. I haven't tried setting up an antenna in the middle of my roof, because I've been reluctant to put any holes in the roof deck itself....to find out that the it's the SSDL (Same $*** Different Location). ;)

Hence the reason why I'm contemplating going higher in the current antenna location....because I've tried lower and that didn't help....and it's my assumption that the trees are causing the issues I'm having. I could try a different STB that *may* handle multipath better---but I'm not in the market to spend another $XXXX dollars on HD gear. I'll have to continue tweaking and see what I can come up with. Maybe bringing in a boatload of Asian Long Horn Beetles to Central NJ would help? :p

Originally posted by MartyJ
I had a good lock on WPVI all night. A few pixil moments but never lost signal. Again the game was good, the picture was soft and some focus problems. The SD on subchannel 2 was hoorendous, worse then my Cablevision picture. Maybe they turned the bytes up on the HD. Just no reason to have an SD broadcast on a HD channle.

Marty--did you read this WPVI related (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?threadid=266813) thread yet?

Originally posted by jaypb
Was curious if anyone else suffered dearly last night from the wind/trees/multipath like I did? :eek:

Calabs----did you have issues last night? I know you mentioned a few weeks ago that you were having dropouts...wasn't sure if they "disappeared":confused:


Yeah, I had issues with PVI last night. I was getting dropouts every 20-30 seconds. Pretty annoying actually! Didn't miss any of the goals, though. I may go up on the roof and tinker an bit if this keeps up. Particulary in light of Saturday's game!

Originally posted by Calabs
Yeah, I had issues with PVI last night. I was getting dropouts every 20-30 seconds. Pretty annoying actually! Didn't miss any of the goals, though. I may go up on the roof and tinker an bit if this keeps up. Particulary in light of Saturday's game!

Every 20-30 seconds and you were STILL able to stick with that broadcast? Man, props to you! :p

I can't believe how quickly things have gone to the crapper for me on WPVI. Hopefully I can find a fix for the next 3 months....and if the ESB combiner goes to the crapper instead of going online on 8/31-9/1 as per antennaweb.org, I'm going to have to buy a bigger chainsaw! :D

Originally posted by jaypb
Every 20-30 seconds and you were STILL able to stick with that broadcast? Man, props to you! :p


It really wasn't THAT bad, although quite annoying. More pixellation than anything. Never went to NO SIGNAL. I switch to analog, and after seeing the picture, I was more than willing to put up with some pixellation! Saturday's game was flawless (from a signal standpoint), as was yesterday's Nets game.

Hopefully, when the Devils WIN the Stanley Cup tonight, the view will be just as enjoyable.

Originally posted by Calabs

Hopefully, when the Devils WIN the Stanley Cup tonight, the view will be just as enjoyable.

I need to hear more upbeat opinions like yourself to help me make it thru the day today!!!:(

Originally posted by gjohnsen2002
I need to hear more upbeat opinions like yourself to help me make it thru the day today!!!:(

To keep things in the context of this thread, "when the picture quality is really good tonight", the Devils will win because no team has lost when playing at home during the finals. Not a jinx, just the facts! ;)

Has anyone been havong problem picking up Fox WNYN-DT the past couple of days? The signal strength appears to dropped quite a bit I can not evern get a picture.

Originally posted by wward
Has anyone been havong problem picking up Fox WNYN-DT the past couple of days? The signal strength appears to dropped quite a bit I can not evern get a picture.

....since I'm "DA JINX" when it comes to pixelating pictures and whatnot :mad: , but last night I decided to rotate the ole' 4228 towards NYC *just* to see how the trees IN THAT DIRECTION may affect me...and lo and behold FOX 5-DT out of NYC only pegged at a 51 or so on my E86....with swings from 51 down to 37 and back up...and down again...similar to what WPVI-DT has been giving me lately. So, I'm not sure if you are seeing the same thing I am....or if FOX 5 just cut back on the power, as I know last time I turned towards NYC I had Fox at 100%, just like WCBS-DT STILL is....:confused:

*I'll step back into the shadows now so as not to ruin anyone's reception on WPVI-DT tonight*

:p

JaYPB

Yeah its the same problem only thing different is my max signal strength is aorund 30 and them it drops out to -- and back again.

I noticed this once before (not as bad as this time) when we had multiple days of rain maybe that may be the problem dont know??

wward,

I am in East Brunswick and can not get anything from Fox these days. I still get CBS at full strength, so I was wondering if Fox had cut back on the power. First I thought it was the trees blooming, but I have had no problems with CBS. Anyone know if and when ABC comes back up whether or not it will be at CBS' strength? I may have to jump back to cable somewhat soon! Ugh

Originally posted by Steve Wright
wward,

I am in East Brunswick and can not get anything from Fox these days.

where abouts in E.B.?

Originally posted by Steve Wright
wward,

I am in East Brunswick and can not get anything from Fox these days. I still get CBS at full strength, so I was wondering if Fox had cut back on the power. First I thought it was the trees blooming, but I have had no problems with CBS. Anyone know if and when ABC comes back up whether or not it will be at CBS' strength? I may have to jump back to cable somewhat soon! Ugh

Blame it on Mother Nature :D

You didn't mention whether or not you were gleaning your signals from the City of Brotherly Love or the Big Apple.

My *issues* since about early May have been IMHO (which ain't worth the air I just took up mouthing it) tree/leave related. It's hard to figure out WTF is going on from NYC only because there are TWO signals to glean...whereas Philly allows you to contemplate your attenuations/propagations (sheesh---I feel like that Damon Wayans character from IN LIVING COLOR) across 4-7 channels.

So, as Calabs asked----where are you in East Brunswick? :confused:

I was watching NASCAR on Fox5 (NYC) late afternoon yesterday....and my thoughts were just the *opposite* to the posts above....like, did Fox *increase* their transmitting power? My signal strength was @69% rock-solid....with NO pre-amp and NO real antenna....just my 25' coax antenna that's hanging on the wall in my family room.:eek:

Are you sure you guys in East Brunswick haven't turned on the 'cone of silence' or somethin'??
:D

Originally posted by SteveK2
I was watching NASCAR on Fox5 (NYC) late afternoon yesterday....and my thoughts were just the *opposite* to the posts above....like, did Fox *increase* their transmitting power? My signal strength was @69% rock-solid....with NO pre-amp and NO real antenna....just my 25' coax antenna that's hanging on the wall in my family room.:eek:

Are you sure you guys in East Brunswick haven't turned on the 'cone of silence' or somethin'??
:D

It's a G.D. Conspiracy I tell ya.

I blame it on Comcast....lol!!! They've been calling my house once a week trying to get me to re-up with them....I won't let them win though....:p

I live in South River, just over the border from EB, and I get FOX and CBS 90% or better, rain or shine. I about 1/4 off RT 18, not far from the Wendy's on Old Bridge Turnpike. Maybe you guys have to adjust the position of the antenna?

I am using a Sliver Sensor antenna and a RS amplifier on top of the TV, no outdoor or attic unit at all.

Originally posted by gmyron
I live in South River, just over the border from EB, and I get FOX and CBS 90% or better, rain or shine. I about 1/4 off RT 18, not far from the Wendy's on Old Bridge Turnpike. Maybe you guys have to adjust the position of the antenna?

I am using a Sliver Sensor antenna and a RS amplifier on top of the TV, no outdoor or attic unit at all.

Gmyron---are you getting Philly or NYC where you are? I actually have a CM4228 rooftop antenna....and a rotor, so I know my issues aren't related to aiming per se. I'm dealing with tree canopies now that the glorious humongo trees in my neighborhood are in bloom...coupled with the fact that I live in a one story house. I'm on the verge of ordering a 200 foot tower and I'm going to erect it in the backyard. I'm hoping to pick up Pittsburgh locals with it.

:cool:

NYC channels, have not tried for Philly yet...

My house is pretty tall (maybe 40 feet), but we are in a pretty open space, no trees as tall as my house within 50 feet or so of the house, maybe that helps me?

I have been toying with the idea of getting another silver sensor and a combiner, just to see what else I can get, without disrupting CBS & FOX. I talked to an antenna installed in the area and they said I'd need a rooftop antenna for Philly (said the same thing for NYC though).

Originally posted by gmyron
NYC channels, have not tried for Philly yet...



I think we're comparing "Apples" with oranges (no pun intended). We were talking about Philly. I think almost everyone in the area can get FOX from NYC pretty decently. It's the Philly FOX that keeps jumping around. The other day I was able to get FOX at ~70% rock steady. But then overnight, it was back down to the normal 30-35% for me.

Originally posted by wward
Has anyone been havong problem picking up Fox WNYN-DT the past couple of days? The signal strength appears to dropped quite a bit I can not evern get a picture.


I think we're comparing "Apples" with oranges (no pun intended). We were talking about Philly.

calabs....nope....I think the lastest question from wward was with regards to NYC's Fox affiliate.....

Originally posted by Calabs
I think we're comparing "Apples" with oranges (no pun intended). We were talking about Philly. I think almost everyone in the area can get FOX from NYC pretty decently. It's the Philly FOX that keeps jumping around. The other day I was able to get FOX at ~70% rock steady. But then overnight, it was back down to the normal 30-35% for me.

Hmmmm....now I'm confused. I was assuming the original poster (Steve Wright----I was wondering whatever happened to him....;) ) was talking about NYC because he mentioned CBS in the same breath (well...sentence)....and those two seem to go hand in hand since they are the only game in town network wise. I too have had mucho flucuation on WTXF out of Philly lately....and my reception has been anything but stable on EVERYTHING but the NJN HD channel and WPSG-DT and KYW-DT.

See what happens when I assume......Cue Felix Unger......:p

BTW----has anyone else been able to lock down a signal on WYBE-DT out of the Philly area?? I think it's 34-1 or 35-1 depending on your STB. THAT channel was the first one that starting exhibiting the roller coaster ride of multipath on my Signal Meter....then WPVI-DT followed it down the aisle of Dropout Heaven.....:mad:

I keep waiting for an announcement on this board from one of the guys in the know aobut the ESB combiner agreement....but alas, nothing has been announced yet. And 9/1 is creeping every closer....

OK - Now I'M CONFUSED.

I was referring to the conversations that gmyron and jaypb were having. With gmyron in South River, he was indicating he was getting FOX really well, and suggesting pointing our antenna in another direction. When jaypb asked Philly or NYC, gmyron said he only tried NYC. That's when I added my comments. No big deal.;) I go away now.

jaypb

I can only receive WYBE's analog signal nothing digital.

Originally posted by Calabs
OK - Now I'M CONFUSED.

I was referring to the conversations that gmyron and jaypb were having. With gmyron in South River, he was indicating he was getting FOX really well, and suggesting pointing our antenna in another direction. When jaypb asked Philly or NYC, gmyron said he only tried NYC. That's when I added my comments. No big deal.;) I go away now.

See what happens when non-farmers start talking about Apples and Oranges??? :D The S hits the fan!!! :p

Go get yer self all jazzed up for Game 7 tonight. Send some good vibes my way so I can watch the friggin thing will ya??
:D

Originally posted by wward
jaypb

I can only receive WYBE's analog signal nothing digital.

I can view WYBE-DT for about 3-4 seconds at a time...and then the signal bounces out....and then it comes back. I'd call it severe multipath. Big time. Not that there's anything worth WATCHING on the channel, but if they ever put the HD loop on it would be worth crying about :p

Calabs,

I am off Cranbury Road.

I was talking about Fox/WNYW. It seems to have all but vanished for me. Ugh, can't Comcast just get CBS and HDNet already so I can switch back to cable and can all this antenna stuff!

Seems like we'll all have to have a few HD parties! Beer, babes and HD! Ha Ha

I get WYBE D34 all the time. One of the strongest stations I receive. Only problem is they only broadcast 480i.

Originally posted by MartyJ
I get WYBE D34 all the time. One of the strongest stations I receive. Only problem is they only broadcast 480i.

ditto here...its always there...worse than only broadcasting 480i.....its 480i junk! My apologies to anyone who really likes their programming :D

Well I was hoping that Fox Philly boosted their power but as evident from all the posts it's the atmosphere game. I am in Long Valley 60 miles N of Philly and have been checking less frequently to see if new HD channles are coming in. Saturday and sunday I was getting Fox Philly @ 52% tonight it was a weak 40%, although better than nothing. No UPN, no ABC and no NBC. My receiver is seeing 22% for WB but obviously no picture. It will be interesting to see if the high pressure system coming in tomorrow will kill Fox. CBS is always a strong 65-70%, so I have hope that once all the stations are up to full power I will receive them all. BTW NYC is very strong out here 80-90% across the board as wells as PBS from Trenton.

Channle master 4228, CM amp 7775, RCA 38310.

Originally posted by Signalseeker
Well I was hoping that Fox Philly boosted their power but as evident from all the posts it's the atmosphere game. I am in Long Valley 60 miles N of Philly and have been checking less frequently to see if new HD channles are coming in. Saturday and sunday I was getting Fox Philly @ 52% tonight it was a weak 40%, although better than nothing. No UPN, no ABC and no NBC. My receiver is seeing 22% for WB but obviously no picture. It will be interesting to see if the high pressure system coming in tomorrow will kill Fox. CBS is always a strong 65-70%, so I have hope that once all the stations are up to full power I will receive them all. BTW NYC is very strong out here 80-90% across the board as wells as PBS from Trenton.

Channle master 4228, CM amp 7775, RCA 38310.

Hey SS---do you know if you are seeing the effects of multipath with regards to NOT getting a digital lock....or do you think your issue is just the low power of the stations themselves....and your distance from the transmitters? I have the 4228 too and I'm about 45-50 miles from the transmitters....but I think I'm NOT getting certain channels as a result of either my antenna or my receiver having *issues* dealing with multipath....and I know I've read that the 4228 is supposed to be *pretty* good at rejecting/dealing with multipath. But, I too have a CM7775 pre-amp....which is going to amplify WHATEVER is out there...including the multipath effects I assume.

Just curious....

Originally posted by Steve Wright
Calabs,

I am off Cranbury Road.

I was talking about Fox/WNYW. It seems to have all but vanished for me. Ugh, can't Comcast just get CBS and HDNet already so I can switch back to cable and can all this antenna stuff!

Seems like we'll all have to have a few HD parties! Beer, babes and HD! Ha Ha

We're pretty close to each other. I'm off of Rues Lane, closer to Cranbury Rd. I can get all the Philly stations with the exception of WCAU. FOX is hit or miss, but mostly hit lately. My ABC problems seemed to have disappeared; good solid lock in signal at 65%.

Originally posted by Calabs
We're pretty close to each other. I'm off of Rues Lane, closer to Cranbury Rd. I can get all the Philly stations with the exception of WCAU. FOX is hit or miss, but mostly hit lately. My ABC problems seemed to have disappeared; good solid lock in signal at 65%.

I'm with ya on the Fox Philly thing....last night I locked on with NO dropouts from 7:30pm on....with a strength of nearly 80 or so....yet WPVI was dropout city....fittingly during Game 7....and it locked on at around 10:15 pm...oh joy!

I was also able to lock onto WYBE-DT for a few minutes at a time last night...with the SS hitting 100....and then dropping to 0 for a second or two and then going back to 100. Damn odd. WPVI would sway from around 18 to 44/58 every 10 seconds or so before it finally got a lock.

I'm sure WPVI will be locked tonight with Jim Belushi's show coming on.....oh joy! :p

I searched couldnt find any thing on the green lines that shoot across the screen most noticable during commercials on ABC (6-1). Anyone care to explain these shooting stars?

Originally posted by webboy10169
I searched couldnt find any thing on the green lines that shoot across the screen most noticable during commercials on ABC (6-1). Anyone care to explain these shooting stars?

I think it was discussed on the Philly threads IIRC. You see them when the picture switches from SD back to HD and vice-versa right? I remember it being most noticeable on Sunday nights during the Disney presentations.

You aren't alone.....

Could those lines be receiver dependent as I have never seen them on my screen. MyHD card in the HTPC.

Originally posted by MartyJ
Could those lines be receiver dependent as I have never seen them on my screen. MyHD card in the HTPC.

I always see them on my 34XBR.

Originally posted by jaypb
I think it was discussed on the Philly threads IIRC. You see them when the picture switches from SD back to HD and vice-versa right? I remember it being most noticeable on Sunday nights during the Disney presentations.

You aren't alone.....

Your right i did read that there ill have to re read it and see what the conclusion was/is. I was under the assumption that it was packets not being received eg: bad data = bad pixels Since the green streaks show up on the same pixel line...

Originally posted by webboy10169
Your right i did read that there ill have to re read it and see what the conclusion was/is. I was under the assumption that it was packets not being received eg: bad data = bad pixels Since the green streaks show up on the same pixel line...

Are you seeing it during an HD transmission itself? Or just during switching sequences from HD to SD and vice versa? That's where I noticed it.

Of course, I'd give my my brother-in-law's right arm to watch WPVI_DT Dropout free again.:mad:

Originally posted by jaypb
Are you seeing it during an HD transmission itself? Or just during switching sequences from HD to SD and vice versa? That's where I noticed it.

Of course, I'd give my my brother-in-law's right arm to watch WPVI_DT Dropout free again.:mad:

I believe it was noticable during the broadcast of Atlantis on 6-1(WPVI-DT?)
but i cant remember maybe it was noticable because of the background colors where during hockey the background is always changing...

But your right switching HD to SD was very noticable but im not complaining after all there just commercials. But i would like to be able to answer peoples questions when they ask about them...

20 g's worth of equipment and there like "What's those green lines?"...

Originally posted by webboy10169
I believe it was noticable during the broadcast of Atlantis on 6-1(WPVI-DT?)
but i cant remember maybe it was noticable because of the background colors where during hockey the background is always changing...

But your right switching HD to SD was very noticable but im not complaining after all there just commercials. But i would like to be able to answer peoples questions when they ask about them...

20 g's worth of equipment and there like "What's those green lines?"...

Yup---I too remember it during Atlantis. That's probably around the time people started mentioning it as well....at least to my recollection. But, that's also right around the time I "joined up" around here :cool:

In my case, I"ll 2nd the motion about having to "answer" to people's questions....but in my case I'm asked about why I can't watch HD because of the way the wind is blowing...or the rain....or the friggin trees growing their leaves in....or the fact that a station doesn't have it's transmitter turned on to full power...yada, yada, yada!

Originally posted by jaypb
Yup---I too remember it during Atlantis. That's probably around the time people started mentioning it as well....at least to my recollection. But, that's also right around the time I "joined up" around here :cool:

In my case, I"ll 2nd the motion about having to "answer" to people's questions....but in my case I'm asked about why I can't watch HD because of the way the wind is blowing...or the rain....or the friggin trees growing their leaves in....or the fact that a station doesn't have it's transmitter turned on to full power...yada, yada, yada!

Yes, yes, yes... im tired of that too i now just user the term "emerging technology" and this is the price for being in it at search an early stage...

Im making it better for the people who wait for the price drop kinda like beta testing the system...

But ive seen reports as early as 3 years ago on this green line issue thats a long time and im sure those people have already been threw many upgrades. So it cant be a hardware issue as some others have suggested...

so then is this green line issue just accepted as the chroma bug?? Christ thats been around long before dvd's...

Any one at ABC following this thread or maybe this deserves to have its own thread. Does any one other than I find this to be an issue?

I've seen the green lines, as jaypb mentions, at the commercial breaks. But have seen nothing during regular ABC HDTV broadcasts....have been at this OTA HDTV thing only since early March, so I'm ignorant about the issue's history.

Since I only see the lines for brief periods and only on ABC, I ignore them. No big deal.

Hoping to spend less time with OTA starting this weekend......Directv triple lnb coming my way on Friday.....got too good of a deal to not upgrade my dish for hdtv.....

....btw...jaypb, check your pm.

I was able to lock onto a {mostly} stable signal from about 8:45 on to the end of the game last night. Still facing a little more north than I should have to to even GET a lock!

I TOTALLY forgot to mention that last night on 52-2 there was a special on in HD called "Over Alaska" or something to that effect. I had NEVER seen it included in the HD loop nor have I seen it on HDNET....the visuals were (obviously) stunning! I'm sure it'll be on again----maybe there's a program listing on PBS's site.....it was on from 10-11pm last night.

Originally posted by jaypb
I TOTALLY forgot to mention that last night on 52-2 there was a special on in HD called "Over Alaska" or something to that effect. I had NEVER seen it included in the HD loop nor have I seen it on HDNET....the visuals were (obviously) stunning! I'm sure it'll be on again----maybe there's a program listing on PBS's site.....it was on from 10-11pm last night.

Yes, this program was one several times before. Really nice footage. Does HD justice! Glad to hear you got to watch the game last night. It would be nice if the Nets won the series. This way NJ can be the first to claim that the same state won the Stanley Cup and NBA finals in a single year.

Originally posted by Calabs
Yes, this program was one several times before. Really nice footage. Does HD justice! Glad to hear you got to watch the game last night. It would be nice if the Nets won the series. This way NJ can be the first to claim that the same state won the Stanley Cup and NBA finals in a single year.

On an HD specific note, I thought the PQ was pretty good. Colors were sharp and vibrant and the sound was pretty good.

I also liked the way that when they did a crowd shot with closeups, it was *usually* of a visually appealing female, which does a 50" Widescreen HDTV justice!

IMHO, HD at live events shall rule!!! :p

I

Was watching "Above Alaska" last night on PBS (WNJN, 52-2) and the audio was cutting out continuously....anyone else notice this??

Fortunately, tropo effect was real good last night and I was able to pickup WHYY (12-1) no problem.

SteveK2

I noticed the same thing there were long stretches when I had no audio at all.

Also noticed that tropo was decent last night I was able to pickup WPSG-DT 57-1 I see they are STILL having PSIP problems my tuner still maps to 32-1. WPVI-DT made its usual appetence for a few minutes before it starting playing the drop out game
.

Great tropo night tonight WPVI-DT came in great I was able to catch the last (and best IMHO) 10 mins of the finals I did notice a little to much edge enhancement although this could be due to the up conversion of my display from 720p to 1080I

WTXF-DT another no show all to often came in great but for some strange reason WCBS-DT appears to be off the air (12:30 am).

Receiving 11 digitals last night.....

3-1, 6-1/2, 10-1, 12-1, 17-1, 29-1, 32-1, 35-1, 39-1/2/3/4, 52-1/2, 66-1/2

Originally posted by wward
SteveK2

I noticed the same thing there were long stretches when I had no audio at all.

Also noticed that tropo was decent last night I was able to pickup WPSG-DT 57-1 I see they are STILL having PSIP problems my tuner still maps to 32-1. WPVI-DT made its usual appetence for a few minutes before it starting playing the drop out game
.

I actually noticed an issue with my Kenwood A/V Receiver and the sound for 52-2 a week or so ago---my audio light flashes when I'm in Dolby Digital mode...and if I switch to the VCR input (which utilizes the composite connections)---I get a chirping like the sound of pixelation every 2-3 seconds---but my SS is at 100%.

Go figure

And that PSIP problem with 57-1/32-1 is quite annoying.

I also, for some reason, CAN NOT receive the subchannel of 6-1. Is 6-2 active at ALL TIMES? I tried early yesterday AND during the game last night. Even re-scanned and just get "channel unavailable".
:mad:

Originally posted by wward
Great tropo night tonight WPVI-DT came in great I was able to catch the last (and best IMHO) 10 mins of the finals I did notice a little to much edge enhancement although this could be due to the up conversion of my display from 720p to 1080I

WTXF-DT another no show all to often came in great but for some strange reason WCBS-DT appears to be off the air (12:30 am).

Sadly, I haven't seen a great improvement in WPVI recently....quite the contrary it's been the same borderline crap I've been dealing with since Early May. I have yet to get the masting higher---but I did take down a few more limbs on that tree yesterday.

AFA WTXF-DT I did have an almost total lock on it from 8pm on last night. Maybe that was the only Tropo benefit I saw yesterday. I also noticed during the CBS movie last night (Follow the Stars???) that I had quite a few dropouts---but my SS was at 100%. Not sure what that was all about. this was out of Philly---I didn't have the antenna rotated towards NYC.

Originally posted by SteveK2
Receiving 11 digitals last night.....

3-1, 6-1/2, 10-1, 12-1, 17-1, 29-1, 32-1, 35-1, 39-1/2/3/4, 52-1/2, 66-1/2

Yeah, sure rub it in....You Tropo people sicken me....;)

BTW---Check your PM.

Just thought I'd mention that I noticed on my calender that Dance in America is supposed to be replayed on Wednesday at 8:30pm on the PBS 52-2 channel.

Originally posted by SteveK2
Receiving 11 digitals last night.....

3-1, 6-1/2, 10-1, 12-1, 17-1, 29-1, 32-1, 35-1, 39-1/2/3/4, 52-1/2, 66-1/2

East Brunswick checking in: FOX was up at 70%. Got to watch some shows in FOX's glorious "Widescreen". I think the commercials had better resolution! All other channels were above normal, with the exception of NBC, which was a no-show. BTW - Sent another letter to NBC, and STILL got no response. I think we need to bombard them with e-mails until they give us an honest answer. Power in numbers!!!!!

When I checked the tropo forecast for today last night, it showed a nice green (good) shading for our area.

Wonder if it'll hold up? :rolleyes:

Anyone having problems with WNYW-DT 5-1? also looks like WCBS-DT may be having PSIP problems.

No problems noticed this afternoon with my CM4228 swung towards NYC. Still having my daily fights with receiving 6-1. Has anyone noticed a "Softening" of the picture on 43-2 (HD loop) ?

Yesterday (Saturday) I was futzing around with the rotor and turned towards the Scranton/REading/Wilkes Barre direction....and received 5-6 analogs in pretty clearly---but no luck with any of the digitals from that direction (not surprising).

Getting 39-1/2/3/4 Lehigh Valley PBS (Bethlehem??) this evening....pretty good signal (36%)... and I'm not even pointed that way (pointed at Philly).

Originally posted by SteveK2
Getting 39-1/2/3/4 Lehigh Valley PBS (Bethlehem??) this evening....pretty good signal (36%)... and I'm not even pointed that way (pointed at Philly).

I have yet to get a blip out of 39 on my E86. I've seen the analog---over the weekend actually...but not the digitial.

I'm thinking your are in a better spot geographically than I am and your STB/antenna/location combo is golden compared to the digital purgatory that is my homebase :eek:

BTW---check your PM. I finally responded :o ...took me long enough!

Well it looks like a pretty good reception night (most likely tropo) I am picking up all of the usualy suspects from Philly including WPVI-DT with a nice solid 52 with no drop outs. The exceptions being WPHL-DT, WHYY-DT and of course WCAU-DT. I am picking up two new ones WUVP-DT 65-1 and WFPA-CA 65-2 both are spanish stations the later is out of Philly it;s analog is channel 28.

I'm not sure what the CA designation is that's the first I have seen of that before. Will scan around and see what else I can get and report back later.

Originally posted by wward
Well it looks like a pretty good reception night (most likely tropo) I am picking up all of the usualy suspects from Philly including WPVI-DT with a nice solid 52 with no drop outs. The exceptions being WPHL-DT, WHYY-DT and of course WCAU-DT. I am picking up two new ones WUVP-DT 65-1 and WFPA-CA 65-2 both are spanish stations the later is out of Philly it;s analog is channel 28.

I'm not sure what the CA designation is that's the first I have seen of that before. Will scan around and see what else I can get and report back later.

Just got home and noticed WTXF-DT and WPVI-DT are solid....like you, I have nothing on 12-1 and 10-1. Haven't checked actual SS yet. Also having the normal multipath on 34-1.

Strange thing I noticed on my E-86....45-1 has popped up in the guide. WABC out of NYC? Haven't swung the 4228 around to NYC to SEE if any blip is occuring....but there is no other 45-1 "in the area" other than Western PA and Connecticut....so I found it "odd" that it would be in my guide. Anyone else with an E-86 noticing this?

:confused:

45-1 thats interesting ??? I am going to see what I can find out about that BTW what is 34-1?

Jaypb

No luck on 45-1 but I moved the antennas aeound a little bit and re-scanned and picked up 66-1 and 66-2 it drops in and out. they are more spanish stations from where I dont know.

This is great I am vaca this week so I will be up for a while scanning the airwaves.

Did something happened to the FOX WXTF antenna tower. I have been able to get a solid signal for about 3 days now? (Not that I am complaining)

Nothing new with WTXF-DT tropo has been pretty decent in our area the past three nights tomorrow and Friday should be good too. Jaypb looks loke WPVI-DT took a dunp signal is below 30 around 28 will reposition and see if it comes back.

Well I think I may have figured out my problem with WNYW-DT. I posted a couple of times asking if anyone was having problems picking it up, well through experimenting around tonight (thanks to tropo) it seems I may have figured out the problem.

WWAC-DT 44-1 Atlantic City has gone on the air and has apparently been testing at full power lately. Well guess who is also broadcasting on 44-1 WNYW-DT. Looks like WWAC-DT (with my antennas setup as usual) may have been blasting WNWY-DT put of the preverbal air.

So I improvised a little and pointed two of the antennas in the direction of WNYW-DT and the others towards AC and bam!! WWAC-DT came in like it had eyes. I experimented a little more and figured out that during certain times of the day I may have to re-orient my antennas to pick up WNYW-DT.

Looks like I am going to have to find the optimal position for both stations.

I am going to experiment a little more tomorrow and see what happens.

Originally posted by wward
45-1 thats interesting ??? I am going to see what I can find out about that BTW what is 34-1?

Yeah---very weird, but I'm not sure if it's something that my E-86 just picked up in it's "daily" download of the APG (programming guide). I KNOW I didn't enter it in. I didn't get a chance to turn the antenna towards NYC last night either.

Originally posted by wward
Jaypb

No luck on 45-1 but I moved the antennas aeound a little bit and re-scanned and picked up 66-1 and 66-2 it drops in and out. they are more spanish stations from where I dont know.

This is great I am vaca this week so I will be up for a while scanning the airwaves.

That 66-1/2 was also showing up on 65-1/2 and 66-1/2 on my E-86 until a few weeks ago...and I believe TitanTV still doesn't list them....so they must still be "testing" before they "go live" officially.

I also picked up an analog channel 45 and saw a "FOX" logo through the snow---wasn't able to sit and watch it though---the only Channel 45 I see on that 2150.com site is from Baltimore....but I can't confirm that because I didn't see/hear a call sign.

Originally posted by wward
Nothing new with WTXF-DT tropo has been pretty decent in our area the past three nights tomorrow and Friday should be good too. Jaypb looks loke WPVI-DT took a dunp signal is below 30 around 28 will reposition and see if it comes back.

WTXF-DT has been SUPREMELY odd lately---I mean to the point where I come home from work and it's up at 100 for a few hours....and then right after midnight I notice it go to 50 steady...and then in the AM it's at 28 or so. I'm off the belief that in my case, all the damn trees (big ass trees) in the area are wreaking havoc with my STB's ability to stay constant with the signal. I've noticed it mostly on WPVI-DT and even WYBE-DT---last night when NYPD Blue started my signal meter for 64 was going from the mid 60's down to the mid 20's and back up again. And since mid April WYBE-DT (34 I think---a PBS station out of the PHilly area) has fluctuated from the 0's up to 100 pretty much all the time.

Damn odd!!!:confused:

Originally posted by wward
Well I think I may have figured out my problem with WNYW-DT. I posted a couple of times asking if anyone was having problems picking it up, well through experimenting around tonight (thanks to tropo) it seems I may have figured out the problem.

WWAC-DT 44-1 Atlantic City has gone on the air and has apparently been testing at full power lately. Well guess who is also broadcasting on 44-1 WNYW-DT. Looks like WWAC-DT (with my antennas setup as usual) may have been blasting WNWY-DT put of the preverbal air.

So I improvised a little and pointed two of the antennas in the direction of WNYW-DT and the others towards AC and bam!! WWAC-DT came in like it had eyes. I experimented a little more and figured out that during certain times of the day I may have to re-orient my antennas to pick up WNYW-DT.

Looks like I am going to have to find the optimal position for both stations.

I am going to experiment a little more tomorrow and see what happens.

So, what kind of programming does WWAC carry? Small, independent station? Religious?

Anyone out there using (or KNOW of someone using) Comcast for OTA HD only?

I'm intrigued after reading a thread on this same forum about how you can subscribe to JUST basic service with Comcast and rent an HD Capable STB (Motorola 5100) to receive NBC/ABC in HD. For me, it *may* make sense because I already have their internet service....and if I get just basic service, it drops my INTERNET bill by the same amount as the basic...so it's like they are "throwing in " the basic service for the 13.95 that my internet bill drops. Supposedly you can rent an HD STB (5.95-7 bucks) to glean the HD signal.

Anyone? This multipath hell from Philly is killing me....coupled with the fact that the ESB combiner out of NYC seems to be going NOWHERE.

I'm going to make a call when I get home.

WWAC-DT is an ind. station. I did a little research this morning on this station it appears that they have applied to the FFC a while ago to dismantle their analog transmitter once their digital signal goes live.

The only station that I am aware of that has made such a request. also another strange thing happend that staton also mapped to 53-1. Channel 53 is supposed to bethere NTSC channel.

Originally posted by wward
WWAC-DT is an ind. station. I did a little research this morning on this station it appears that they have applied to the FFC a while ago to dismantle their analog transmitter once their digital signal goes live.

The only station that I am aware of that has made such a request. also another strange thing happend that staton also mapped to 53-1. Channel 53 is supposed to bethere NTSC channel.

You must be on vacation now eh?? :D

_____________________________
You must be on vacation now eh??
----------------------------------------------


FOR SURE!!! and lovin it.

Originally posted by wward
_____________________________
You must be on vacation now eh??
----------------------------------------------


FOR SURE!!! and lovin it.

So shouldn't you be WORKING around the house or something, instead of "talking to us". Although if I had a choice, I'd know what I'd rather be doing...............and it's not workin' ;)

BTW - Anyone picking up 30-1? I believe it was WLIW. It was showing the HD loop yesterday morning (yes I was on vacation!@).

Originally posted by Calabs
So shouldn't you be WORKING around the house or something, instead of "talking to us". Although if I had a choice, I'd know what I'd rather be doing...............and it's not workin' ;)

BTW - Anyone picking up 30-1? I believe it was WLIW. It was showing the HD loop yesterday morning (yes I was on vacation!@).

I *think* WLIW is 22-1 or 21-1...I haven't actually SEEN a picture, but my E-86 picked up a blip or 10 a few days ago when I was swung around that way.

Not sure what 30-1 could be....I have a 12 page listing of channels "potentially" available to us from that 2150.com website. I'll have to check when I get home. I *believe* 30 was supposed to be a PAX station from Philly....maybe they were testing?
:confused:

Anyone else noticing anything screwy with their PSIP/on screen guide info and the subchannels for 52 out of Trenton? My onscreen guide for the E86 is showing from -1 to -5 on the subchannels but the guide isn't matching what's actually on (i.e 52-2 is now a PBS kids type subchannel...but I've yet to see Clifford or Dragon Tales as the guide is telling me should be on) and 52-5 is now PBS HD....but there's no HD loop on there.

That and the fact that WPVI-DT was good for a day with the Tropo, but is now back to dropout hell makes things pretty status quo! :p

I"m getting an onscreen listing for 53-2 (which I assume is WWAC out of AC) but I'm not getting more than a blip when I rotate in that direction.

WTXF_DT has been more consistent of late. I hope to get to Lowe's today to pick up a 10 foot length of masting and then I'm going to *try* and raise the antenna by a full 10 feet.

HOpefully it works wonders! :D

Calabs

Yeah I probably should be doing something more productive but you know boys and their toys.

I have not been able to pick up 30-1 .

jaypb


Just checked I am receiving the usual sub channels 1-4 and the onscreen guide says DTV program like usually does for me.

Originally posted by wward
jaypb


Just checked I am receiving the usual sub channels 1-4 and the onscreen guide says DTV program like usually does for me.

Maybe it's an E-86 Guide issue then? 53-2 shows kids PBS shows for me all weekend so far. 53-5 is the "DT" channel for me....but the HD Loop only visually shows up when I type in 43-2....then it remaps to 53-2...but still shows info on my screen for PBS Kids type shows.

Damn remapping hell...

On a reception note: I got around to adding another 5 feet of masting to me CM4228/CM9521a setup...raised it about another 3 feet higher...before I had to stop and referee a fight betwixt my 2 kids.

Came inside and checked 6-1...at 7:15pm I had a solid 58 on my meter! Sure hope this is a GOOD sign! And not a temporary boost based on tropo. When I checked 1 hour before I raised everything, I was getting a SS of 24 on 6-1. Also noticed a boost in 29-1. I've GOT to base it on the damn trees in the area.

Hope it holds.;)

Noticed the same thing for NJN/Trenton....but in my guide, I'm getting duplicates: 52-1/2/3/4/5 each showing up twice with different information for the station id.

Also yesterday afternoon channel 8-1/2 was broadcasting (not today, though). So I suspect NJN is making some changes to its transmitting equipment as part of bringing NJN/New Brunswick online.

Hope the raised mast is what's bringing you better signals.

Originally posted by SteveK2
Noticed the same thing for NJN/Trenton....but in my guide, I'm getting duplicates: 52-1/2/3/4/5 each showing up twice with different information for the station id.

Also yesterday afternoon channel 8-1/2 was broadcasting (not today, though). So I suspect NJN is making some changes to its transmitting equipment as part of bringing NJN/New Brunswick online.

Hope the raised mast is what's bringing you better signals.

Well, wasn't able to actually 100% lock into 6-1 until after 10:30 pm....I assume when I sat down and watched 6-1/29-1 RIGHT after I raised the mast at around 7:15PM I was lucky. When I came back downstairs at 8:15 I had fluctuations at a higher range than I've had all late spring/summer on 6-1...ranging up to 75 on my meter...but they were bouncing from 24 up to 75 and back down and then back up. MADDENING I TELL YA!!! Again, my assumption is it's the trees, as my line of sight (for lack of a better term) involves shooting into several trees...and the ONLY way to "get over them" would be to have a mast an additional 20-30 feet higher.

I did get 17-1 locked after 11pm....something that I rarely get. But, it doesn't matter if there's no HD on. That's my REAL reason for being so annoyed that I lost 6-1...they have HD on pretty much EVERY NIGHT!
:mad:

I tried a reboot of my E86 to see if it cleaned up the 52-1:5 mess---it didn't. HAS to be on their end.
:confused:

SteveK2 / jaypb

I think it may be a receiver PSIP thing I am not having any problems with WNJU-DT. Jay hang in there WPVI-DT has such a crappy (and I am being PC with my description) signal you like myself may have to wait until they move to the new tower for reliable steady reception
.

Originally posted by wward
Calabs

Yeah I probably should be doing something more productive but you know boys and their toys.

I have not been able to pick up 30-1 .

wward,
Yeah, I know how THAT can go! Actually I misspoke about 30-1. It was 20-1 and 20-2. The logo on the screen says WLIW. I ususally get this station at night on one of the 52- stations, but this one seems to be on all the time now. Signal is not all that good, but since I'm aimed at PA, I'm not surprised!

Originally posted by wward
SteveK2 / jaypb

I think it may be a receiver PSIP thing I am not having any problems with WNJU-DT. Jay hang in there WPVI-DT has such a crappy (and I am being PC with my description) signal you like myself may have to wait until they move to the new tower for reliable steady reception
.

wward - Do you know something I don't? I thought that WPVI was not going to be moving anywhere, and that they couldn't boost their power or move from their location due to some interference issues with another channel. Where did you here it was moving?

Originally posted by Calabs
wward - Do you know something I don't? I thought that WPVI was not going to be moving anywhere, and that they couldn't boost their power or move from their location due to some interference issues with another channel. Where did you here it was moving?

Maybe there was a little "WCAU-DT" on the brain going around last night??? :rolleyes:

I don't remember hearing anything about WPVI-DT (ABC Philly) going to a new tower. But, if by chance they were going to move AND up the power, I'd hope it would be the like the booming strength that KYW-DT and WPSG-DT seem to have in my (*&#(* $*#(^^! neighborhood!!!:p

I will say this whole PSIP issue with 53-1:5 is starting to annoy me. I've got to tune into 43-2 to get the PBS HD visual loop....but the onscreen guide says it should be a PBS Kids subchannel---which I've yet to see on the Trenton PBS station. Then, after tuning to the HD loop through 43-2 I get remapped to 43-2 (not 53-5 as the onscreen guide says the HD loop should be showing) and a few times last night, 43-2 went to total static (like my receiver lost the "lock" and was looking at an analog channel) and I had to retune it.

Damn odd.

Well, at least tomorrow is 7/1.,.....and ESPN HD and DISCOVERY HD will be arriving.

Pray for no compression!! :mad:

Originally posted by jaypb
Well, at least tomorrow is 7/1.,.....and ESPN HD and DISCOVERY HD will be arriving.

Pray for no compression!! :mad:
How many times must I say this: There is no god. :)

Originally posted by dswallow
How many times must I say this: There is no god. :)

From my experience, who shall one request divine intervention from when you get hit with "Montezuma's Revenge" when you are driving on I=25 in New Mexico after eating a bad Chimichanga and there's no rest stops in sight for miles and miles and miles and....... :p

Well,
Just fired off my THIRD e-mail to WCAU on Friday, and still have not heard anything from them. I get a automatic response saying something like "Thank you for making WCAU your place for news and weather...yada.....yada,......yada.... Then they ask me if I want to become a WCAU NewsPartner. I give up. I'm taking my ball and I'm going home! I'm waiting till September and turning my antenna to NYC. :(

Originally posted by Calabs
Well,
Just fired off my THIRD e-mail to WCAU on Friday, and still have not heard anything from them. I get a automatic response saying something like "Thank you for making WCAU your place for news and weather...yada.....yada,......yada.... Then they ask me if I want to become a WCAU NewsPartner. I give up. I'm taking my ball and I'm going home! I'm waiting till September and turning my antenna to NYC. :(

Hey Calabs----check your PM.

This is one of the reasons I've debated getting Comcast's basic package and renting an HD STB until the ESB antenna is fully up and running.

Damn complications.....:mad:

Originally posted by jaypb
From my experience, who shall one request divine intervention from when you get hit with "Montezuma's Revenge" when you are driving on I=25 in New Mexico after eating a bad Chimichanga and there's no rest stops in sight for miles and miles and miles and....... :p Usually an oil company.

But it all really depends on what the closest business is that offers public rest rooms.

Would you all love to have my crystal ball :) :) But seriously I was informed by a very reliable source in the business that WCAU will be moving to the new tower by years end.

Jaypb loved that "Montezuma's Revenge" thing very very funny!!:)

Originally posted by wward
Would you all love to have my crystal ball :) :) But seriously I was informed by a very reliable source in the business that WCAU will be moving to the new tower by years end.

Jaypb loved that "Montezuma's Revenge" thing very very funny!!:)

Wow....no wonder they haven't responded to any of mine (or anyone else's e=mails) ;)

Another 6 months. Man, that ESB agreement better hit the ground running REAL soon.

I'm still debating whether to call Comcast and inquire about their "basic" package with rental of an HD STB for locals (ABC/NBC) to cover those 2 channels. It's not the expensive that I'm worried about. It's getting on the phone with another CSR who's clueless...:D

Was tonight a good nigth for Tropo? Or did my raising the antenna help me ?

I was able to watch 6-1 dropout free ALL NIGHT from 8pm on and I actually had a solid lock on 17-1 so I could watch "Everwood" or whatever that was called...something I didn't see/have since around the end of February. No 10-1/12-1...but that's more the norm than anything else.

Anyone?

Originally posted by jaypb
Was tonight a good nigth for Tropo? Or did my raising the antenna help me ?

Anyone?

Yest jaybp - The Tropo Gods were with us last night, as I was getting FOX and WHYY at ~70% steady. I'd LIKE to tell you it was raising your antenna that helped. ;) I guess you'll have to wait and see when the tropo-geego is low to confirm, however.

Hey, I hear Stark Electronics is have a huge sale on 200 ft towers!!!;)

Originally posted by Calabs
Yest jaybp - The Tropo Gods were with us last night, as I was getting FOX and WHYY at ~70% steady. I'd LIKE to tell you it was raising your antenna that helped. ;) I guess you'll have to wait and see when the tropo-geego is low to confirm, however.

Hey, I hear Stark Electronics is have a huge sale on 200 ft towers!!!;)

Damn tropo....:p

According to that Hepburn (not Katherine....RIP) index only showed marginal gain for our area tropo wise last night.

Ahhh....I just can't win with this OTA stuff!

Have you subbed to the D* HD package yet? I did it this AM before i left glorious Monroe via the website. Took 2 minutes.

Didn't have any time to park my rumpus in front of the TV though to view anything.

Have to wait till tonight....:mad:

Originally posted by jaypb
Damn tropo....:p

Have you subbed to the D* HD package yet? I did it this AM before i left glorious Monroe via the website. Took 2 minutes.


No, I actually don't subscribe to D*. Still on the fence, trying to convince the wife. Waiting to see what Comcast will be offering in the way of HD as well. With all the compitition among D*, E*, and Comcast, I'm hoping cost will come down on digital cable.

BTW - Thanks for the PM. I'll be firing off some e-mails soon. Tried to send a reply yesterday, but the server wouldn't let me. :(

Originally posted by Calabs
No, I actually don't subscribe to D*. Still on the fence, trying to convince the wife. Waiting to see what Comcast will be offering in the way of HD as well. With all the compitition among D*, E*, and Comcast, I'm hoping cost will come down on digital cable.

BTW - Thanks for the PM. I'll be firing off some e-mails soon. Tried to send a reply yesterday, but the server wouldn't let me. :(

Have you confirmed what Comcast offers in "our" area via HD? I was on their website and it said that Monroe is in their "HD" area---and they offer NBC/ABC via HD. AND their site said that you CAN sub to the basic package and rent an HD converter box AND get the HD feeds of the locals. I'm leaning towards going that route until NYC is back up and running OTA...but I haven't called the office to confirm that they ACTUALLY will do this for me. There was a thread in the locals area regarding lots of conflicting CSR info about this type thing nationwide. I have the Broadband service and apparently the "basic" package would drop my broadband bill by 13.95 or so...what they say is the charge for basic. Add to that a converter fee (which I'm not sure what they total is yet) and I'd be covered for ABC/NBC until NYC goes back online.

I'm sure there are taxes/fees as well that they don't quite you in the sales material. My curiousity lies in just how good the picture is on Comcast's HD transmission.

I know it'll cost me a few more bucks a month....but my wife doesn't want the aggravation of me ranting and raving when I pop on 6-1 and get frickin' pixelation and dropouts! :p

Originally posted by jaypb
Have you confirmed what Comcast offers in "our" area via HD? I was on their website and it said that Monroe is in their "HD" area---and they offer NBC/ABC via HD. AND their site said that you CAN sub to the basic package and rent an HD converter box AND get the HD feeds of the locals.


I was under the impression that you needed to subsribe to digital cable in order to get the HD channels. When I looked at the basic cable package compared to the digital cable, the HD channels were not included in the basic, but were in the digital cable. HBO-HD and Showtime-HD are also available (at the premium channel prices). They will be getting ESPN-HD soon, and talk of Discovery-HD as well.

Originally posted by Calabs
I was under the impression that you needed to subsribe to digital cable in order to get the HD channels. When I looked at the basic cable package compared to the digital cable, the HD channels were not included in the basic, but were in the digital cable. HBO-HD and Showtime-HD are also available (at the premium channel prices). They will be getting ESPN-HD soon, and talk of Discovery-HD as well.

Honestly, I think that's what they WANT people to believe. And, from reading the thread over on the local forum about Comcast and their HD only offerings that's what their CSR's want to tell you as well.

Try this link (http://www.comcast.com/Support/Corp279/LocalHomepage/Page1.asp) . Notice this :

Disclaimer: HDTV broadcast feeds are included in limited basic service. A subscription to HBO or Showtime is required to receive the HDTV channel from that service. To receive HDTV feeds provided by Comcast, an HDTV television (not provided by the company), HDTV equipment and/or digital converter and installation is required. HDTV programming is limited to the programs delivered to Comcast in HDTV format by the underlying program provider. Programming is subject to change. Prices do not include applicable taxes and franchise fees. HDTV not available in all areas. Please call your local Comcast office, for pricing, equipment and installation details and restrictions. ©2002 Comcast Cable Communications Inc. All rights reserved. Comcast and the Comcast logo are registered trademarks of Comcast Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

As I said earlier, I haven't called yet. I'm going to give my "antenna raising" a few days and see how she shakes out.

All I know is I'm hooked on OTA HD viewing now. And I actually spend a lot of time watching HD only stuff. Cost isn't an option right now. Content is. Which is why I have no problem paying 10.99/mth for the HD package and I have HBO-HD/SHO-HD as well.

Just got this reply, bummer!

Mr. Korey:

PBS will not be airing this evenings' Soundstage in Dolby 5.1. However, PBS
feels that this program should be produced in 5.1 and will be making
further inquiries to the programs producer to see if subsequent Soundstage
programs can be made available in 5.1.

We appreciate your questions and again thank you for your interest in NJN's
DTV signal.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with your DTV questions.

Regards,
Rick Williams
NJN Engineering

Originally posted by Dave Korey
Just got this reply, bummer!

Mr. Korey:

PBS will not be airing this evenings' Soundstage in Dolby 5.1. However, PBS
feels that this program should be produced in 5.1 and will be making
further inquiries to the programs producer to see if subsequent Soundstage
programs can be made available in 5.1.

We appreciate your questions and again thank you for your interest in NJN's
DTV signal.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with your DTV questions.

Regards,
Rick Williams
NJN Engineering

Hmmm....didn't even know TP was on tonight.

Anyone else STILL having PSIP problems with PBS out of Trenton? I STILL have to type in "43-2" and have my E-86 remap me to 52-2 to view the HD LOOP FEED/channel...but if I go to 52-5 (which my e86 lists as the "HD channel") I get no picture.

Go figure....:confused:

And I don't want to even tell you guys that 6-1 has been solid as a rock since I raised my antenna :cool:

*as he crosses his fingers/toes/arms/legs/twigs and berries*

:p

And I don't want to even tell you guys that 6-1 has been solid as a rock since I raised my antenna

That's great news! Now, just figure some way to stunt the growth of those trees in your line of sight.:eek:

Originally posted by SteveK2
That's great news! Now, just figure some way to stunt the growth of those trees in your line of sight.:eek:

Trust me....I'm secretly trying to WILL them to shrink. I'm inclined to just "go higher" untiL NYC goes live.

The more I think about it, I don't want to give Comcast any money to get their HD locals if I can SOMEHOW with a little elbow grease get most of the stuff for free.

Makes it more....lively...if you will. My wife doesn't feel that way, as she's resigned herself to the fact that I'm going to go all out to get a signal.

Just wish I had more damn time to tweak and play.
:p

Anyone else watch it tonight in Glorious HD via WPVI? Pretty amazing presentation.....commercial interruptions withstanding. Makes it MUCH easier to get the wife/kids to understand why daddy climbs a ladder and hangs off a roof when I can sit with my 6 year old and watch TV in vivid and vibrant colors :p

And, IMHO, it's a GREAT night for HD viewing when I'm confused as to whether I should watch Dinosaur, the D-backs-Dodgers, Without a Trace or Wild Nights on Discovery HD.....in HD all in one night!!!;)

Add to that the Sopranos on HBO and Bandits on SHOHD and it's amazing how far this HD thing has come.

Now, if only we'd hear some GOOD news about the ESB and OTA NYC channels....HD life would be much better :cool:

Jaypb.....
caught part of 'dinosaurs'.....just long enough to compare the HD OTA picture to the D* SD local signal (that my wife was watching).

but at 8:00, I switched over the ESPN-HD for the ballgame. Its the first game my older son has seen in HD (he was away for the last week). Definately got the 'wow' from him:) just like the one from me when I saw the Mets vs Reds on Friday.

I just wish ESPN-HD had more HD content.

Glad to hear your WPVI signal is still holding on! Good tropo tonight....was receiving WCAU since 5:00 (when I first tried). And the other 'fringe' stations are strong, too: 12-1, 29-1, 39-1/2/3/4.

Anyone get some higher than usual reception on Saturday Night? I actually got WCAU somewhat pixelated, but viewable nonetheless. Wouldn't it be on a night there was no Leno! FOX was really nice at 70%, but again, nothing viewable in the way of HD (no surprise there!).

I figured out that by just pointing my antenna in the direction where I get the best reception turned out to be just about right where AntennaWeb said I should. The little termites just took down a MONSTER oak last week, which is about 30 degrees off my sweet spot, but I'm half tempted to just point and see what happens. There's nothing better than walking on top of an asphalt roof in 95 degree temperatures, ey? ;)

Originally posted by SteveK2
Jaypb.....
caught part of 'dinosaurs'.....just long enough to compare the HD OTA picture to the D* SD local signal (that my wife was watching).

but at 8:00, I switched over the ESPN-HD for the ballgame. Its the first game my older son has seen in HD (he was away for the last week). Definately got the 'wow' from him:) just like the one from me when I saw the Mets vs Reds on Friday.

I just wish ESPN-HD had more HD content.

Blad to hear your WPVI signal is still holding on! Good tropo tonight....was receiving WCAU since 5:00 (when I first tried). And the other 'fringe' stations are strong, too: 12-1, 29-1, 39-1/2/3/4.

So, what did you think of the HD feed? Not to get TOO off topic, but I wasn't "WOW!"'d the way I was when I first saw HDNet's college baseball coverage back in February.

But, that's just me...:p

Hoping for happy OTA HD'ing the rest of the summer....

Originally posted by Calabs
Anyone get some higher than usual reception on Saturday Night? I actually got WCAU somewhat pixelated, but viewable nonetheless. Wouldn't it be on a night there was no Leno! FOX was really nice at 70%, but again, nothing viewable in the way of HD (no surprise there!).

I figured out that by just pointing my antenna in the direction where I get the best reception turned out to be just about right where AntennaWeb said I should. The little termites just took down a MONSTER oak last week, which is about 30 degrees off my sweet spot, but I'm half tempted to just point and see what happens. There's nothing better than walking on top of an asphalt roof in 95 degree temperatures, ey? ;)

Didn't really notice on Saturday night, as I've been spending A LOT of time watching the new HD channels on D*, but I will say that since I raised the antenna, I'm getting WPHL (17-1) A _LOT_ more often than I ever did back in the winter. I'm betting that if I go up even HIGHER with the antenna *most* of my woes will be solved....and I gather I'd get WCAU even more frequently, as now with the antenna higher I've been just a tad below viewable strength. Oddly enough, when I moved the antenna higher I realigned my rotor and now I'm facing directly into/over the 2 high pine trees across the street to receive both WPVI and WPHL. It's more southerly than I was facing before raising the antenna/during the winter. (now I'm facing more along the lines of 230'ish vs 255-260'ish on Antennaweb.org)

Damn odd I tell ya.....:confused:

Originally posted by Calabs
The little termites just took down a MONSTER oak last week, which is about 30 degrees off my sweet spot, but I'm half tempted to just point and see what happens. There's nothing better than walking on top of an
asphalt roof in 95 degree temperatures, ey? ;)

Oh, yeah....on the termites....you know you're in Jersey when you see Termites being active....LOL! The guy across the street, with the 2 pine trees, he's a "man of the cloth".(The religious kind not the Tarzan kind) I asked my wife if it's wrong to secretly hope the wind blows those suckers down....away from dwellings of course . In the OTA HD handbook I didn't see any rulings regarding said behaviors.;)

(Termites LOVE those scrub black pines.....they found the ones in my yard...how is it they haven't found the one's across the street? :p )

Damn.....

Anyone else out in NJ using an E-86 STILL getting mangled PSIP guide/channel data for 52-1/2/3/4/5???? the only way I can get the PBS Demo Loop to show up is to manually enter 43-2, have it remap to 52-2 and then I can watch the loop for 5 minutes or so....and then it goes all staticy on me like an analog channel. Damn strange.

This happens on BOTH of the E86's I have, so either it's an E86 issue or it's an NJN/PSIP issue.

Anyone?

Anyone know why I can't get ABC/NBC/WB out of NYC either??? :p :D ;)

Originally posted by jaypb

Anyone know why I can't get ABC/NBC/WB out of NYC either???

It must be your STB or antenna. I was picking up NBC crystal clear last night out of NYC, about 85% rock solid. Leno was fabulous in HD!! That was of course after watching NYPD Blue..............And then I woke up!

Originally posted by Calabs
It must be your STB or antenna. I was picking up NBC crystal clear last night out of NYC, about 85% rock solid. Leno was fabulous in HD!! That was of course after watching NYPD Blue..............And then I woke up!

Must be this DAMN multipath too. You know how those pines and oaks can be. Maybe I'll try again this weekend.

In a related vain, did you ever get a reply to your WCAU diatribe? I know i didn't, and I sent mine about 2 weeks ago!

:mad:

Originally posted by jaypb

In a related vain, did you ever get a reply to your WCAU diatribe? I know i didn't, and I sent mine about 2 weeks ago!


No response via e-mail after several attempts. I've given up. I just don't watch NBC if there are two shows I want to watch at the same time and one on either CBS or ABC is in HD. The end of August is quickly approaching, so NYC is looking better and better! :cool:

Not sure if anyone was "watching TV" this am or yesterday AM, but I just happened to flip the TV on before I left for work and had literally NO signal strength on WPVI-DT and 1/2 the normal SS that I have on KYW-DT (which booms through no matter what the situation).

I know the last 2 mornings had "heavy" air and clouds and fog and generally crappy conditions....so I was just curious if it was my setup....or if everyone else was having issues. As I said, KYW is usually at a solid 100 on my meter regardless of the weather---but that hasn't been the case the last 2 mornings---and when I get home at night everything seems to be back to normal. I didn't have this issue on Sunday AM.....so I guess I'll have to wait for a clear morning to figure out WTF is going on :confused:

jaypb....

Both WPVI-DT and KYW-DT were at their usual daytime signal strength (69% and 77%, respectively) for me this morning. I checked around 8:45 a.m. while it was still cloudy/foggy outside.

Originally posted by SteveK2
jaypb....

Both WPVI-DT and KYW-DT were at their usual daytime signal strength (69% and 77%, respectively) for me this morning. I checked around 8:45 a.m. while it was still cloudy/foggy outside.

Thanks for the assesment. Damn OTA signals.... :p

....have you ever checked a topographic map to see you exact elevation above sea level? Could explain why you seem to be in a relatively bad spot for OTA out of Philly......just a thought.

Originally posted by SteveK2
....have you ever checked a topographic map to see you exact elevation above sea level? Could explain why you seem to be in a relatively bad spot for OTA out of Philly......just a thought.

Yup. Wish I knew how to read the damn thing :p

www.topozone.com shows Spotswood's (Monroe isn't "listed") elevation I *believe* at 31 feet above sea level....not sure if that's higher/lower than everyone else in the "area", but we're all aware of my foiliage issues that i've detailed in the past...and my E86's inability to consistently handle multipath issues. The higher I go with the antenna the better off I'll most likely be. Just wish that NYC was "live" already so as to make this less of a damn chore!

Also wish that some of my neighbor's were into the HD thing....would make troubleshooting MUCH easier :mad:

Tried to sit down tonight and watch some ABC out of Philly. Dropout nightmare....and I've got to rotate the antenna more northerly now to get KYW out of Philly as well.

But, since tonight was a bad night for Philly, I decided to rotate around to NYC...and lo and behold, and please correct me if I'm wrong....I'm watching (as of 10:30 pM) a PBS HD loop on channel 45 digital (remapping to 53-1)....which....when I look it up on my 2150.com channel listing, shows me I'm watching WEDN out of Connecticut....a whopping 140 miles away ! :confused: :eek: :D :cool: :cool:

Now, I ask you....is that possible???? It says CPTV in the bottom right hand corner of the screen....and right now it's showing the Battleship NJ HD loop that we usually see on 52-2.

Also, I found WLIW FINALLY out of Long Island. 22 Digital...21-1 remapping. First time I've gotten a watchable picture.

ANd also a station called WFTY I believe out of Smithtown, LI....which maps to 67-1....83.41 miles away.

Again, is THIS the TRUE Tropo effect? This is the first time I"ve ACTUALLY gleaned DIGITAL (not analog) signals from THAT far away!

Hey Jaypb

Welcome to X-Tream tropo night I have had almost all of my New York digitals wiped out by VERY distant analogs. I no longer can pick up WCBS-DT 56-1 I am now getting WLVI 56 out of Boston and channel 30 and 43 out of conn.

So there went PBS out of Trenton well sort of if punch in 53-1 I get it and like you I am picking up WLIW-DT 21-1 greet demo loop.

It sounds like a *weird* tropo night with the 'skip' occurring differently than normal. I checked 29-1 (Fox Philly) at about 8:00PM for the AllStar game, but was getting only a nominal signal (20%) with some breakups.

So I switched over to my coax antenna and watched the game on Fox5 New York which *did* have a strong SS of 69% with just the coax antenna.

Good game, btw.

Finally, OTHERS are getting WLIW on 21-1! I was beginning to think I was in the "Tropo Zone" here in E.B. ;) All my Philly stations were whacked last night. NO signal for WHYY, which I typically get reasonably well at night. No FOX, no WCAU (no surprises there). And WPVI was jumping all over the place, albeit within the viewable range w/o dropouts. Perhaps we were on the fringe of the tropo affect? Where Philly direction Tropo hell, and NYC direction was heaven? :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Calabs
Finally, OTHERS are getting WLIW on 21-1! I was beginning to think I was in the "Tropo Zone" here in E.B. ;) All my Philly stations were whacked last night. NO signal for WHYY, which I typically get reasonably well at night. No FOX, no WCAU (no surprises there). And WPVI was jumping all over the place, albeit within the viewable range w/o dropouts. Perhaps we were on the fringe of the tropo affect? Where Philly direction Tropo hell, and NYC direction was heaven? :rolleyes:

Steve/Calabs,

Thankfully I wasn't the only one having *issues* with Philly stations last night....somewhat along the lines of what I commented on earlier yesterday AM after noticing KYW and WPVI's signal s being beaten down in the strength. As of this AM I'm facing a good 20-30 degrees more northerly in order to pick up a 100 signal on KYW and a dropout free signal on WPVI. I was originally inclined to think it was the weather and then the trees, but after talking to you guys I see it's an "area" thing probably related to Tropo effects. I remember when I looked at the HEpburn index it showed yesterday and today as "green" area days for us in Central NJ...so I wouldn't be surprised to see the same effect tonight. I was SHOCKED when I pulled in "45-1" at 100....I thought it was WBC testing (yeah right) and when I tune it in, I saw "CPTV" in the bottom Right Hand corner. So I went to my trusty 12 page printed out channel listings (analog and digital) from that www.2150.com website that Dswallow posted a few months ago and figured out that it was a Connecticut Public TV station that was listed at 140 miles away....although I wonder if it was really a Connecticut PBS station somewhere closer that broadcasts off the same frequency on a repeater or something to that effect....because 140 miles seems like a haul...and I'm sure I could've perused the skyline for some other stations, but my eyes wouldn't stay open last night :p

Originally posted by wward
Hey Jaypb

Welcome to X-Tream tropo night I have had almost all of my New York digitals wiped out by VERY distant analogs. I no longer can pick up WCBS-DT 56-1 I am now getting WLVI 56 out of Boston and channel 30 and 43 out of conn.

So there went PBS out of Trenton well sort of if punch in 53-1 I get it and like you I am picking up WLIW-DT 21-1 greet demo loop.

Wward,

Are you still utilizing the dual Silver Sensor set up to get your OTA HD? That's pretty wild if those little puppies are pulling in ANalog UHF out of Boston.

Just noticedthis post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=280722) on the board and figured I'd pass it on for this thread. I'm not sure technically if my CM4228 (UHF only) will pick up Channel 8 (even though it's 15 miles away) and I haven't noticed anything on channel 22.

Anyone?

Jaypb

Yeah I am still using the Silver Sensors I was amazed as well. i saw the NJN post on a couple of resurected threads I will give a look and see what's up with channel 8 and report back shortly.

Looks like tonight may be another good tropo night.

Checked channel 8 yesterday afternoon I got a lock but no picture it also showed up as an ananlog channel??? nothing on channel 22.

Originally posted by wward

Looks like tonight may be another good tropo night.

Boy, that was an understatement! :D I got everything last night, INCLUDING WCAU! WHYY and FOX was up at a whopping 75%. I could get used to this!

Originally posted by Calabs
Boy, that was an understatement! :D I got everything last night, INCLUDING WCAU! WHYY and FOX was up at a whopping 75%. I could get used to this!

The only bene I noted was picking up WPHL out of Philly after 10 pm last night. WCAU never reached a level high enough to view. I didn't have the antenna rotated towards NYC/NorthEast last night so I'm not sure if there were any additional perks in that direction last night.

Philly Fox has been pretty reliable as of late other than the 2 or 3 days earlier this week when everything was shot to $*(% by the air for signals out of Philly.

My wife would like this HD thing A LOT more if she could watch the L&O's on NBC in HD. Trust me....Which is why I'm clamoring for some positive news on NBC out of NYC ! :mad:

Originally posted by wward
Checked channel 8 yesterday afternoon I got a lock but no picture it also showed up as an ananlog channel??? nothing on channel 22.

For us, I'm not sure if our UHF only antennas will even pick up anything below 13 reliably....no matter how close we are. I remember before I hooked up my pre-amp my CM4228 picked up 10 out of Philly....but since I've got the UHF only pre-amp hooked up, I doubt I'll pick up Channel 8.

AFA Channel 22, I too didn't get anything last night...not even a blip on my signal meter.

Damn I'm tired, it took me 3 days and 44 pages of this thread to make it here... :D

It's nice to see central NJ info. I'm doing research on equipment and antenna and all the other stuff needed for an OTA setup. I currently use Cablevision IO service with a SA4200HD for HBO, MSG, and Fox Sports. Their digital stuff comes in very nice. I'm hoping cable will soon offer ESPNHD and DiscoveryHD.

I'd love to get CBS, FOX, ABC for HD NFL football. this fall OTA. So I've been reading through all your posts and info. Seems like a great group to learn from...

Well back to reading and learning. Thanks gentlemen for all your info...

Mark

Jaypb

When aimed the in the right direction I have very little problem picking up channels below 13 with the Solver Sensors. Mind you I am receiveing the analog channles nothing in digital and sometimes there is a little snow with the signal.

The highest channel I could reliably receive was 10 WCAU on occasion in the evening I can pickup WABC out of New York.

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Damn I'm tired, it took me 3 days and 44 pages of this thread to make it here... :D

It's nice to see central NJ info. I'm doing research on equipment and antenna and all the other stuff needed for an OTA setup. I currently use Cablevision IO service with a SA4200HD for HBO, MSG, and Fox Sports. Their digital stuff comes in very nice. I'm hoping cable will soon offer ESPNHD and DiscoveryHD.

I'd love to get CBS, FOX, ABC for HD NFL football. this fall OTA. So I've been reading through all your posts and info. Seems like a great group to learn from...

Well back to reading and learning. Thanks gentlemen for all your info...

Mark

Welcome aboard! This new technology needs as many players as it can get ;)

I believe member "Webboy" is in Jackson. Maybe try PM'ing him to see how his OTA viewing is going lately. Haven't seen him pop up here in awhile. He may just be lurking. You're probably close enough to Philly that with a decent antenna you'll be able to get what you are looking for OTA. And, if you are going to go the OTA route, I've seen a few posts elsewhere that Walmart carries the Samsung (???) or Zenith (???) OTA tuner...think it's model #151 for around $299 or so. Seems like a decent price especially if you aren't concerned with going the Directv/Dish route.

You can check out the hardware forum of the HDTV section for specific receiver reviews.

Originally posted by wward
Jaypb

When aimed the in the right direction I have very little problem picking up channels below 13 with the Solver Sensors. Mind you I am receiveing the analog channles nothing in digital and sometimes there is a little snow with the signal.

The highest channel I could reliably receive was 10 WCAU on occasion in the evening I can pickup WABC out of New York.

Does that distribution amp you are using (RS 1509???) allow VHF signals to "pass through"?? I'm pretty sure that my CM7775 pre-amp being UHF only nullifies the VHF band signal coming through....or some sort of scientific mumbo jumbo like that.
:p

Originally posted by jaypb
Welcome aboard! This new technology needs as many players as it can get ;)

I believe member "Webboy" is in Jackson. Maybe try PM'ing him to see how his OTA viewing is going lately. Haven't seen him pop up here in awhile. He may just be lurking. You're probably close enough to Philly that with a decent antenna you'll be able to get what you are looking for OTA. And, if you are going to go the OTA route, I've seen a few posts elsewhere that Walmart carries the Samsung (???) or Zenith (???) OTA tuner...think it's model #151 for around $299 or so. Seems like a decent price especially if you aren't concerned with going the Directv/Dish route.

You can check out the hardware forum of the HDTV section for specific receiver reviews.

Thanks Jaypb, for the warm welcome. I'll check out those receiver prices. And BTW I've really enjoyed your antenna exploits... :) Your an antenna installer legend!! :p

Yes it's VHF/UHF/FM

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Thanks Jaypb, for the warm welcome. I'll check out those receiver prices. And BTW I've really enjoyed your antenna exploits... :) Your an antenna installer legend!! :p

lol! Legend....I'm just happy I haven't:

a- Fallen off a ladder
b- Fallen off the roof
c- Fallen out of a tree
d- Gotten so fed up that I give up

This OTA stuff can be quite maddening at times.

Might I assume that Cablevision doesn't offer any locals in HD? I *believe* Comcast in my area offers NBC/ABC/PBS....but I know from reading postings from other locales that cablevision seems to be a wee bit behind on the HD locals.

Originally posted by jaypb
lol! Legend....I'm just happy I haven't:

a- Fallen off a ladder
b- Fallen off the roof
c- Fallen out of a tree
d- Gotten so fed up that I give up

This OTA stuff can be quite maddening at times.

Might I assume that Cablevision doesn't offer any locals in HD? I *believe* Comcast in my area offers NBC/ABC/PBS....but I know from reading postings from other locales that cablevision seems to be a wee bit behind on the HD locals.

Your correct, Cablevision doesn't offer locals...they just recently started with the HD channels...that's why I'm checking out the OTA stuff. After seeing a Met-Yankee game in HD a couple of weeks ago on MSG, I knew I wanted my NFL on HD too...heck I want HD for everything...

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Your correct, Cablevision doesn't offer locals...they just recently started with the HD channels...that's why I'm checking out the OTA stuff. After seeing a Met-Yankee game in HD a couple of weeks ago on MSG, I knew I wanted my NFL on HD too...heck I want HD for everything...

Since February, the *majority* of my TV viewing on my widescreen has been HD (other than MLB'S EI Package). I'm watching things like nature and sitcoms I NEVER would've watched before.

He asks himself: "I wonder how long that trend will last...." :p

...obviously tropo effect.....but strange that I can't get 10-1 or 12-1, but I'm getting 16-1 (WBOC from Salisbury, MD - 149 miles away on Delmarva peninsula) and 21-2 (from where, I don't know yet). Its logo is UPN 21, so I know its not WLIW (Long Island, NY).

Anybody else seeing these (or other unusual digitals tonight)?

Did a google search on "UPN21" and the results show a UPN21 station in Dallas, Texas. Could tropo effect be *that* flakey tonight??

Believe there is an UPN21 on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Originally posted by SteveK2
...obviously tropo effect.....but strange that I can't get 10-1 or 12-1, but I'm getting 16-1 (WBOC from Salisbury, MD - 149 miles away on Delmarva peninsula) and 21-2 (from where, I don't know yet). Its logo is UPN 21, so I know its not WLIW (Long Island, NY).

Anybody else seeing these (or other unusual digitals tonight)?

140 or so miles sounds about right---that's the distance I was pulling in that Connecticut PBS station a few nights ago. Wish I had checked here last night, as I would've scanned the horizon to see what was "out there" last night :D

Originally posted by SteveK2
Did a google search on "UPN21" and the results show a UPN21 station in Dallas, Texas. Could tropo effect be *that* flakey tonight??

Can you get Mars with that set up too? Ah, you hoyte toyte high elevation people kill me....:p

Believe there is an UPN21 on the Delmarva Peninsula.

That sounds more likely. You wouldn't happen to know station name or website, would you?

I eventually lost both 21-2 and 16-1 around 11:00PM. When I checked Dallas' UPN21's programming schedule, it did not show the program that I saw (The Outer Limits was on 21-2 between 10-11PM last night).

Can you get Mars with that set up too? Ah, you hoyte toyte high elevation people kill me....

I'd attribute it to the luck of the Irish....but I'm not Irish (not even close).:rolleyes:

Believe me, I do feel guilty with a steady, dependable signal on 6-1....especially when I hear some of the gyrations you've gone thru in the past few months.

Originally posted by rcodey
Believe there is an UPN21 on the Delmarva Peninsula.

That is correct. WBOC-DT consists of CBS on 16.1, and UPN on 16.2 which remaps to 21-2 apparently. Check DCRTV.net and you'll see a recent story about it down the page.

- Trip

As I continue my HDTV OTA research for central NJ, I ask:

What's the consensus for STB that you guys recommend. I know this is a hardware type question, but I want input from the posters here who are in Central NJ. The Samsung 151 that Jaypb recommended is interesting at 298.00 from Walmart, but I'm still not sure if I should get something that has DVI or that I could use for D* in case I were to go down that road in the future.

BTW I checked many of your profiles to check out what you were using, but most don't list their equipment...

Thanks for any info...

Coming soon the "Antenna" questions for Central NJ...

Mark

Mark, we seem to be approaching a time when it's likely some new equipment will be arriving (near the end of 2003), so you might consider that finding a cheap receiver to do what you need now is possibly a better approach than spending extra to have features you don't plan to or can't use right away (like DirecTV or DVI).

Where improvements are likely is in the digital reception methods, specifically the ability to reintegrate multipath into a single stronger usable signal.

I have a Zenith SAT-HD520 (which is basically the same as the Sony HD-200) and am pleased with it. I haven't done much local channel watching recently, since I also have Bell ExpressVu and get the HD networks that way (more reliable at the moment with the current WTC antenna situation).

I have a HTPC with a MyHD card in it. Works great and I can timeshift HD content. So for less then $300 I got everything I needed. Cost of PC is additional. The new MyHD can be purchased with a DVI daughter board.

Originally posted by dswallow
Mark, we seem to be approaching a time when it's likely some new equipment will be arriving (near the end of 2003), so you might consider that finding a cheap receiver to do what you need now is possibly a better approach than spending extra to have features you don't plan to or can't use right away (like DirecTV or DVI).

Thanks for the reply Dswallow,

That's excellent advice. It takes the pressure off, and lets me play with OTA right away. I imagine after the new equipment comes out I should be able to recoup some of my money on the Sam 151 as well...also it gives me time to work on a final decision regard cable vs D*...

BTW I use your site for locating broadcast stations. It's an excellent resource. Looks like I'm about 43 miles to NY and 45 to philly, with trenton only about 18...

And finally, I work in Long Branch often with my part time job, so do you have your antenna on one of those high rise condo's on Ocean Ave and do you take out Windmill dogs for your HD viewing...:D

I'm in the 3-story townhouses immediately south of Seven Presidents Park adjacent to the beach club and where they're starting redevelopment and building more townhouses. My antenna is in the attic. And the only thing at the Windmill I like is the Chili. I think their hamburgers and hot dogs are some of the worst (greasiest, tasteless) I've ever gotten at a restaurant. Thus it's simply not worth the 2 block walk, ever. I've eaten there four times in 9 years, and I think I had a houseguest who brought food back from there for me once. :)

I guess its time to update that broadcast database again, too. I wish I could make that automated, but they keep changing the data available so it's always involving a tweak or two compared to the last time I update it.

Originally posted by NYYFAN
As I continue my HDTV OTA research for central NJ, I ask:

What's the consensus for STB that you guys recommend. I know this is a hardware type question, but I want input from the posters here who are in Central NJ. The Samsung 151 that Jaypb recommended is interesting at 298.00 from Walmart, but I'm still not sure if I should get something that has DVI or that I could use for D* in case I were to go down that road in the future.

BTW I checked many of your profiles to check out what you were using, but most don't list their equipment...

Thanks for any info...

Coming soon the "Antenna" questions for Central NJ...

Mark

I'm using a Hughes E86---which I *believe* first came out in 1999. Hughes hasn't made an HD receiver since then...but I'm hopefully they'll come out with a newer one soon....maybe even an HD Tivo model...but that's just me speculating. The OTA tuner in this model is pretty much on the lower end of the scale AFA OTA tuners. I *believe* the new Zenith has one of THE most sensitive tuners IIRC. The E86 also doesn't have DVI out. The Toshiba 50" HDTV I purchased has a DVI input....but at this point it's not imperative to me to have that capability. I'm inclined to look long and hard at the "soon to be out....any day now...any...day" Toshiba DST3100 HD STB. There was a Toshiba PR about it over on the hardware forum the other day. I *believe* it has DVI out...so depending on the reviews for its OTA tuner I'm inclined to try that one out first.

AFA purchasing on OTA only tuner at this juncture...if you can get most if not all of your locals OTA out of Philly you are golden. WIth NYC STILL not back up 100%, you've got some time to figure out what to do. I find myself watching things in HD on locals just for the hey of it (i.e that Jim Belushi sitcom on ABC tonight). I'm dying for NBC. I'm going to have to compete with my wife to watch my own damn TV when NBC from Philly puts more hamsters in it's transmitter....or WNBC-DT out of NYC goes live.

Can't wait to "feel the joy" when ANY of the above happen.....
:p

Originally posted by dswallow
Mark, we seem to be approaching a time when it's likely some new equipment will be arriving (near the end of 2003), so you might consider that finding a cheap receiver to do what you need now is possibly a better approach than spending extra to have features you don't plan to or can't use right away (like DirecTV or DVI).

Where improvements are likely is in the digital reception methods, specifically the ability to reintegrate multipath into a single stronger usable signal.

I have a Zenith SAT-HD520 (which is basically the same as the Sony HD-200) and am pleased with it. I haven't done much local channel watching recently, since I also have Bell ExpressVu and get the HD networks that way (more reliable at the moment with the current WTC antenna situation).

Concur with the commentary about finding the cheap receiver for "today" and worrying about tomorrow's features tomorrow....especially if you can get an Open Box special at a Best Buy for example. I'm still elated that I picked up my first E86 at BB for $249 and my 2nd for $125 (during that controversial 1/2 off all STB's at BB back in APril).

That Zenith---is that the one I was commenting about before as having a _VERY_ advanced and sensitive OTA tuner? I read article the other day, which of course I can't find now, about a company that has developed a new chip that, when compared side by side with current STB OTA chips, handles multipath eons better. Actually, I *believe* the testing was done in Philly, Baltimore and maybe Boston (???).

I'll have to try and find the website that posted the study. It was actually a PDF file that was pretty big....but a VERY interesting read into the possibilities out there for better OTA tuning.

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Thanks for the reply Dswallow,

That's excellent advice. It takes the pressure off, and lets me play with OTA right away. I imagine after the new equipment comes out I should be able to recoup some of my money on the Sam 151 as well...also it gives me time to work on a final decision regard cable vs D*...

BTW I use your site for locating broadcast stations. It's an excellent resource. Looks like I'm about 43 miles to NY and 45 to philly, with trenton only about 18...

And finally, I work in Long Branch often with my part time job, so do you have your antenna on one of those high rise condo's on Ocean Ave and do you take out Windmill dogs for your HD viewing...:D

AFA recouping investment costs....I have 5 words for you: EBAY! Usually, HD related STB stuff is a pretty brisk business over there.

Dswallows OTA site is a great resource. On nights where I'm bored I rotate my antenna around to see not only which DIGITAL stations my be tropoing/ducting, but also plain jane ANALOG stations as well.

Originally posted by jaypb
That Zenith---is that the one I was commenting about before as having a _VERY_ advanced and sensitive OTA tuner?
The Zenith SAT-HD520 and the Sony HD200 seem to have the reputation around here as having the most sensitive DTV tuners right now. I'm not sure about stand-alone DTV boxes... I'd think there'd be something in the same class without the DirecTV portion built in.

Here's an article from 2001:
http://www.twice.com/index.asp?layout=story_stocks&articleid=CA107553

The Linx chipset is one of those coming out now offering substantial improvements in handling multipath:
http://www.linxelectronics.com/
http://www.linxelectronics.com/pdf/04-08%20NAB%20-%20MSTV%20Testing%20PR%20-%20Final.pdf

Guys,

I recently bought 2 plasma TV's and as a promo, panasonic was
offering free HD STB for OTA only. Anyone interested let me know,
I have 1 TUDST52, brand new (am awaiting the other one in a week or so).

Aceman

Originally posted by dswallow
The Zenith SAT-HD520 and the Sony HD200 seem to have the reputation around here as having the most sensitive DTV tuners right now. I'm not sure about stand-alone DTV boxes... I'd think there'd be something in the same class without the DirecTV portion built in.

Here's an article from 2001:
http://www.twice.com/index.asp?layout=story_stocks&articleid=CA107553

The Linx chipset is one of those coming out now offering substantial improvements in handling multipath:
http://www.linxelectronics.com/
http://www.linxelectronics.com/pdf/04-08%20NAB%20-%20MSTV%20Testing%20PR%20-%20Final.pdf

That's it....The Linx Chip! Found that pdf highly encouraging when I read it a week or so ago.

Originally posted by jaypb
AFA purchasing on OTA only tuner at this juncture...if you can get most if not all of your locals OTA out of Philly you are golden. WIth NYC STILL not back up 100%, you've got some time to figure out what to do. I find myself watching things in HD on locals just for the hey of it (i.e that Jim Belushi sitcom on ABC tonight). I'm dying for NBC. I'm going to have to compete with my wife to watch my own damn TV when NBC from Philly puts more hamsters in it's transmitter....or WNBC-DT out of NYC goes live.

Can't wait to "feel the joy" when ANY of the above happen.....
:p

I think this is the way to go. I'll be very happy getting most locals in HD, especially CBS and ABC for football this fall, without breaking the bank and at the same time learning about OTA and everything that's involved in that endeavorer...

Mark

I'm thinking about installing the CM 4228 in my attic. Will it fit though a 20 X 28 inch hatch that is 34 inches on the diagonal? Also what do most people mount their antenna on or to, in an attic installation?

Thanks
Mark

Originally posted by NYYFAN
I'm thinking about installing the CM 4228 in my attic. Will it fit though a 20 X 28 inch hatch that is 34 inches on the diagonal? Also what do most people mount their antenna on or to, in an attic installation?

Thanks
Mark

CheckThis site (http://www.fota.net/antenna/) out.

Not sure what the diagonal measurement is, as I have the CM4228 (it's up on the roof) but if you go to CM's website or even Warren Electronics or Spectravox, they probably have the spec's there.

The CM4221 is 7" deep, 36 inches high, and 21 inches wide.
The CM4228 is 7" deep, 36 inches high, and 39 inches wide.

You can disassemble it to some extent, enough to be able to bend it to fit through the opening you have. I don't think it's a problem.

Originally posted by jaypb
CheckThis site (http://www.fota.net/antenna/) out.

Not sure what the diagonal measurement is, as I have the CM4228 (it's up on the roof) but if you go to CM's website or even Warren Electronics or Spectravox, they probably have the spec's there.

The size specs say it's 6.5 X 39 inches, but it sure looks larger in all the pictures I've seen. If it's only 6.5 inches it should be an easy fit.

I really like that link! It's a nice setup. I'm still debating roof with a gable vs the attic. My roof is high and has a nasty pitch. I've skydived in the past, but my roof scares me more... :D

Thanks Jaypb

Originally posted by dswallow
The CM4221 is 7" deep, 36 inches high, and 21 inches wide.
The CM4228 is 7" deep, 36 inches high, and 39 inches wide.

You can disassemble it to some extent, enough to be able to bend it to fit through the opening you have. I don't think it's a problem.

Thanks Doug... I would of hated to order it and not have it fit.

BTW, I understand you have an attic antenna installed, do you hit Philly from Long Branch?

Originally posted by NYYFAN
BTW, I understand you have an attic antenna installed, do you hit Philly from Long Branch?
Yeah, last time I played around with it, I could regularly get most of the Philadelphia stations. There were effects from time to time that pushed them a little under the threshold. I don't think I ever got NBC though.

I disconnected my rotator wire so I could rerun it properly through the wall, and haven't reconnected it yet because I have to make a custom little connector for the Leviton wall outlet where it's going to come back in, and I've just been lazy, so it's been a few months since I played with over-the-air stuff. I'm trying to sort out all those little projects I left for later now, so hopefully over the next week or two things get back to normal. Remodeling's fun till you get to the nitty fritty details. :)

Originally posted by NYYFAN
I'm thinking about installing the CM 4228 in my attic. Will it fit though a 20 X 28 inch hatch that is 34 inches on the diagonal? Also what do most people mount their antenna on or to, in an attic installation?

Thanks
Mark

I just had a 4228 installed in my small attic and the installer mounted the rotor upside down from the ceiling. It is working great.
baimo

Originally posted by dswallow
Yeah, last time I played around with it, I could regularly get most of the Philadelphia stations. There were effects from time to time that pushed them a little under the threshold. I don't think I ever got NBC though.

I disconnected my rotator wire so I could rerun it properly through the wall, and haven't reconnected it yet because I have to make a custom little connector for the Leviton wall outlet where it's going to come back in, and I've just been lazy, so it's been a few months since I played with over-the-air stuff. I'm trying to sort out all those little projects I left for later now, so hopefully over the next week or two things get back to normal.
Remodeling's fun till you get to the nitty fritty details. :)

I'm in the process of a kitchen remodel....and have been taking GREAT PAINS to make sure doing everything right HD wise for the new kitchen (told the wife that's all I wanted to be involved with AFA the new kitchen :p)

Anyone using (or recently shopped for) an LCD HDTV? I'm hopping back and forth between a Samsung and a Philips 17" LCD HD monitor. I posted a question over at the LCD forum, but no one has responded yet.

I'm THISCLOSE to getting my cabinets up....and then it'll be time to hook up the hardware.

I got a mount at Radio Shack and just attached that to the plywood attic floor. Mounted the antenna and just put some rope guys on it. I combined the CM 4228 with my Silver Sensor. This is not the best way to do things as it can attenuate the signals. This way I did not need a rotor ( I had the Silver Sensor) the CM is pointed at Philadelphia (CBS and ABC) and the SS is pointed toward Trenton(PBS). When I need Fox I just go and turn the SS toward NYC. I have gotten NBC on a very rare occassion from Philly. Just waiting for the ABC and NBC to go back on from NYC then I will just turn the CM towards NYC.

Originally posted by MartyJ
Just waiting for the ABC and NBC to go back on from NYC then I will just turn the CM towards NYC.

Isn't it AMAZING that we're STILL making statements like this? In (IIRC) THE largest TV market in the US? Things don't look too promising for the TItanTV listed dates of 8/31-9/1 for those stations going live. Haven't read much news on here about it since George Thompson (very informative poster BTW with regards to ESB related news) commented last week that things were still dragging along WRT the combiner.

Well, it's a whole lot of money to spend just to get power up the Empire State Building for TEMPORARY use till they build the tower they really want to be on. Shared expense or not, I wouldn't want to be wasting the money if it were my station. So I can certainly understand why it might be dragging out.

Originally posted by dswallow
Well, it's a whole lot of money to spend just to get power up the Empire State Building for TEMPORARY use till they build the tower they really want to be on. Shared expense or not, I wouldn't want to be wasting the money if it were my station. So I can certainly understand why it might be dragging out.

I can understand and even appreciate the monetary aspect, but it's the whole....silence with regards to the whole thing that gets me. From reading the posts over on the other threads that have been discussing it, it's almost like there's so much "legalise" going on, that it's near impossible for them to get something up and running.

Couple that with the fact that I just saw that the WB will have buku programming in HD next season and I'm itchin' for more OTA HD! I'm leery of going back to Comcast for my locals (cost wise) and ExpressVu ain't on the agenda/horizon in my house as I've got enough gadgets and wizardry going on up on the roof :p

Anybody know how much a typical big metro area spends on electric bills to run a transmitter? I'm just curious how the $6 million price tag just to get electricity up there looks compared to the operating expenses.

Originally posted by dswallow
Anybody know how much a typical big metro area spends on electric bills to run a transmitter? I'm just curious how the $6 million price tag just to get electricity up there looks compared to the operating expenses.

Not sure what they spend, and although 6 million is a lot of money, when compared to companies like GE (NBC), FOX, ABC (Disney), were talking petty change. When I think about those huge billion dollar football contracts the networks pay to the NFL, I 'm surprised the networks don't want the HD customers, since they tend to be males who have disposable incomes...hence it pays off in increased advertising dollars down the line...

Mark

Originally posted by NYYFAN
... since they tend to be males who have disposable incomes...hence it pays off in increased advertising dollars down the line...
...who've already disposed of much of their income... :)

Originally posted by dswallow
...who've already disposed of much of their income... :)

True, but there's always room for another toy... ;)

George Thompson says in another thread November should be the date of ESB combiner and station on the air.

Originally posted by MartyJ
George Thompson says in another thread November should be the date of ESB combiner and station on the air.

Ouch. MNF kicks off on 9/4/03. My ABC reception out of Philly has been eons better since I raised my antenna. But I still have issues *some* days/nights before sundown. I was hoping to avoid that being an issue for the first game of the season.

That's the main reason I was hoping for the ESB to go live on 9/1.

So much for that. :mad:

Is anyone surprised by the delay? At this point, it's almost a given that stations will not hold to the "live" date, for a variety of reasons. Heck, when was WCAU supposed to switch to the new tower? They don't HAVE to move their antenna within a certain deadline (by FCC rules), because technically, they offer a digital station already (to folks within a 1/2 mile radius). :p

I agree with dswallow in that money spent on a temporary location must be tough to swallow (no pun intended!). Patience is a virtue that seems to be running on fumes lately in the HD world WRT OTA. ;)

Originally posted by Calabs
Is anyone surprised by the delay? At this point, it's almost a given that stations will not hold to the "live" date, for a variety of reasons. Heck, when was WCAU supposed to switch to the new tower? They don't HAVE to move their antenna within a certain deadline (by FCC rules), because technically, they offer a digital station already (to folks within a 1/2 mile radius). :p

You know I NEVER got a reply to my 2nd e-mail to the head of the technical operations department over at WCAU. Did you ever hear back WRT your e-mail?

I agree with dswallow in that money spent on a temporary location must be tough to swallow (no pun intended!). Patience is a virtue that seems to be running on fumes lately in the HD world WRT OTA. ;)


It's not just OTA that requires patience....seems it's ALL HD! Last night---ESPN-HD lost it's feed from Fenway in the middle of the game. Didn't even get the damn thing back on....2 weeks ago in Chicago they also lost the HD feed. Pretty darn annoying knowing you are paying $10.99 a month for this {and a few other problematic HD channels}...and there still seem to be technical glitches up the ying-yang :mad:

On an OTA related note, did everyone make it through yesterday's wind storms OK....and lightning last night? I had just ventured up onto the roof yesterday afternoon to put in another wall mount for my masting a 2 guy wires....seemed with last nights gusts I did it at just the right time.

I figured I *may* be able to pick up WCAU-DT if I raise the antenna another 40 feet and chop out the pines across the street. Seems worth it to me...... ;)

Originally posted by jaypb
I figured I *may* be able to pick up WCAU-DT if I raise the antenna another 40 feet and chop out the pines across the street. Seems worth it to me...... ;)
If you have a neighbor working for a defense contractor, maybe you can arrange to borrow a laser and cut out a line-of-sight path to the station from your home. :)

On an OTA related note, did everyone make it through yesterday's wind storms OK....and lightning last night? I had just ventured up onto the roof yesterday afternoon to put in another wall mount for my masting a 2 guy wires....seemed with last nights gusts I did it at just the right time.


Yesterday, while outside at my pool, my wife asked me "Why are you staring at the roof?" I said "I'm just not sure an antenna will handle the crazy wind we get around here." She looked at me like I was nuts... :D

I'm now leaning to the attic installation...especially after yesterdays wind...

Originally posted by dswallow
If you have a neighbor working for a defense contractor, maybe you can arrange to borrow a laser and cut out a line-of-sight path to the station from your home. :)

To paraphrase Dr Evil, I'd LOVE to utilize a frickin' laser beam to improve my proverbial LOS to the Philly towers :p

I did hope that I'd awaken this AM to see the pines in pieces on the ground. Alas, it wasn't meant to be.

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Yesterday, while outside at my pool, my wife asked me "Why are you staring at the roof?" I said "I'm just not sure an antenna will handle the crazy wind we get around here." She looked at me like I was nuts... :D

I'm now leaning to the attic installation...especially after yesterdays wind...

"Why are you staring at the roof?".....man, how true is that statement!!!! I find myself staring at roof mounted OTA antennas pretty much everywhere I go now. Still waiting to converse with someone in the neighborhood who's doing the OTA thing. No takers yet.

AFA leaning towards an attic installation, just take the plunge and give the outside mounting a shot----even if it's temporary. Odds are your outdoor reception will be monumentally better than indoors/attic mount....especially with the skittish signals {from low power, low HAAT, odd antenna directionality of signals} that are known as the "Philly OTA market" for us NJ'ites. (WCAU and WTXF most notably). Once you "get it where you want it", it's just a matter of sufficiently securing it....and grounding it...something I STILL haven't done yet. :eek:


:rolleyes:

Originally posted by jaypb
[BAFA leaning towards an attic installation, just take the plunge and give the outside mounting a shot----even if it's temporary. Odds are your outdoor reception will be monumentally better than indoors/attic mount....especially with the skittish signals {from low power, low HAAT, odd antenna directionality of signals} that are known as the "Philly OTA market" for us NJ'ites. (WCAU and WTXF most notably). Once you "get it where you want it", it's just a matter of sufficiently securing it....and grounding it...something I STILL haven't done yet. :eek:

:rolleyes: [/B]

The height and pitch of my roof scares the feces out of me...:D

Same reason I went with the attic mount. You need to be part mountain goat to walk up the pitch of my roof. For me the benefits of NBC are small. Since football will be available except for the Sunday night ESPN game. Football is the big thing for me but I will miss 1/2 the games anyway as tailgating in the stadium parkinglot is more fun then watching a game in HD. By the time I get home from the stadium after an early game the 2nd game is usually in the 3rd quarter.

Originally posted by NYYFAN
The height and pitch of my roof scares the feces out of me...:D

Quite understandable. I have a ranch style (one level) home....which makes tooling around easier....but leads to skittish reception based on the fact that I can't get over the trees in front of me as much as I'd like. I utilized a wall mounting "set up" for my CM 4228....if you can get a ladder that'll reach a peak on either the side or back of your house, it's not too difficult to install....which means you wouldn't *HAVE* to technically go on the roof.....unless you felt comfy hanging over the side of it like I did whilst laying on the ridge area :p

Check this page out for Wall mounts (http://www.starkelectronic.com/cmhard.htm)

Originally posted by jaypb
I utilized a wall mounting "set up" for my CM 4228....if you can get a ladder that'll reach a peak on either the side or back of your house, it's not too difficult to install....which means you wouldn't *HAVE* to technically go on the roof.....unless you felt comfy hanging over the side of it like I did whilst laying on the ridge area :p

Check this page out for Wall mounts (http://www.starkelectronic.com/cmhard.htm)

I'd have to say my peak is about 30' up. My extension ladder wont get me that high. I am going to go with the CM4228. The mounting link has given me something to think about...thanks jaypb...

Originally posted by MartyJ
Same reason I went with the attic mount. You need to be part mountain goat to walk up the pitch of my roof. For me the benefits of NBC are small. Since football will be available except for the Sunday night ESPN game. Football is the big thing for me but I will miss 1/2 the games anyway as tailgating in the stadium parkinglot is more fun then watching a game in HD. By the time I get home from the stadium after an early game the 2nd game is usually in the 3rd quarter.

The NFL is the main reason I'm becoming an OTA nut :D My team is generally on CBS. But watching ABC on Monday nights would be sweet...

Originally posted by jaypb
You know I NEVER got a reply to my 2nd e-mail to the head of the technical operations department over at WCAU. Did you ever hear back WRT your e-mail?


Nope - not one reply in 3 tries. How rude! I realize the folks at WCAU are busy with more important things, but why bother to have a website that gives you the capability to send e-mails, expecting to get a response other than "you can help WCAU become a better new station. Join the WCAU team!" What's with that?

Anyway - anyone get extremely high signal strength last night? Speaking about WCAU, I picked it up at 60% (usually 10-15 with no signal). All other sporatic stations were also very high. FOX had Nutty Professor II in "Fox Widescreen". Pick it up at ~75%. Everything with WCAU back to normal this morning. FOX and WHYY still going strong however.

Originally posted by Calabs
Nope - not one reply in 3 tries. How rude! I realize the folks at WCAU are busy with more important things, but why bother to have a website that gives you the capability to send e-mails, expecting to get a response other than "you can help WCAU become a better new station. Join the WCAU team!" What's with that?

Anyway - anyone get extremely high signal strength last night? Speaking about WCAU, I picked it up at 60% (usually 10-15 with no signal). All other sporatic stations were also very high. FOX had Nutty Professor II in "Fox Widescreen". Pick it up at ~75%. Everything with WCAU back to normal this morning. FOX and WHYY still going strong however.

I didn't stay up late enough to see if WCAU was coming in last night. I too had WTXF as well as WPHL (a common occurance since I raised the antenna). No WHYY though. And, of course, I sarcastically commented to the wife that last night, WPHL was booming....with nothing on in HD of course :rolleyes:

Isn't that the way it ALWAYS works?! :p

Hi,
I purchased a new Panasonic HD receiver today and also bought a Silver Sensor to play with till I get my CM 4228. Hooked it up and actually get some channels!!

My question is about component hookups. I currently have my Cablebox and DVD player connected via the YPB hookups. In order to add the new HD receiver via component I had to disconnect my DVD player. I could of sworn I had more YPB's to connect on the TV. What's the best way to work around this problem? Do they make a component switch? Or should I go Svideo for the HD box and if I do will I still get quality HD via that route?

Hope my question makes sense...

Thanks,
Mark

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Hi,
I purchased a new Panasonic HD receiver today and also bought a Silver Sensor to play with till I get my CM 4228. Hooked it up and actually get some channels!!

My question is about component hookups. I currently have my Cablebox and DVD player connected via the YPB hookups. In order to add the new HD receiver via component I had to disconnect my DVD player. I could of sworn I had more YPB's to connect on the TV. What's the best way to work around this problem? Do they make a component switch? Or should I go Svideo for the HD box and if I do will I still get quality HD via that route?

Hope my question makes sense...

Thanks,
Mark

Mark,

I *believe* that the only way to take advantage of an HD signal from an HD capable receiver is to run Component or DVI cables to the TV. S-Video is only for SD video I believe.

AFA a component switcher, yes, I believe they make them...but I believe I've read where people are using regular Composite switchers (the kind you'd find at Target or Radio Shack) for the video portion of the YPB, but in order to get audio you need to run it to an A/V receiver.

So---what stations are you getting? Out of Philly I assume? The only thing going for me tonight (without futzing with the rotor) is WPVI-DT and KYW-DT and the NJN-DT channel out of Philly. Whenever it rains I get presented with issues like this....:mad:

Originally posted by jaypb
Mark,

I *believe* that the only way to take advantage of an HD signal from an HD capable receiver is to run Component or DVI cables to the TV. S-Video is only for SD video I believe.

AFA a component switcher, yes, I believe they make them...but I believe I've read where people are using regular Composite switchers (the kind you'd find at Target or Radio Shack) for the video portion of the YPB, but in order to get audio you need to run it to an A/V receiver.

So---what stations are you getting? Out of Philly I assume? The only thing going for me tonight (without futzing with the rotor) is WPVI-DT and KYW-DT and the NJN-DT channel out of Philly. Whenever it rains I get presented with issues like this....:mad:

I have a DVI connection on my vid 1 (Not in use), but it shares a component YPB (which is in use). But I don't have anything with DVI out anyway. Can I have two sources in the same video 1? The composite switch might work because my audio is through my A/V receiver. Any thoughts on that Jay?

And finally, I getting CBS out of NY (CSI) with some breakups, but not bad. It looks like HD but the HD light on the receiver isn't lighting up. I'm also getting some PBS NJN etc and some spanish stuff. I'm also getting some ABC channels but they look like SD to me. I have to move the antenna and do the rescan a few more times... to see what else I can get.

Thanks for all the help...Mark

Mark,
...jaypb is right....HDTV doesn't fly with S-Video or 'lower' quality connections. Componet, RBG, or DVI is needed for HDTV.

It may be worth trying the DVD player using an S-Video connection and see if you notice any difference between the component connection (while the player is in progressive mode) and the S-Video connection (while the player is in interlace mode). If there is no real tangible difference, then one of your inputs has a permanent home.:)

Then its a matter of which source will get the most use (cable/w some HDTV channels or OTA receiver once a long-range antenna is installed) and use the most-used HDTV source for component input.

BTW...you may want to check on Radio Shack....they had a closeout on an RCA AV receiver (actually a re-badged Pioneer VSX-710) that did component switching (2 inputs/1 output) and it was either $135 or $105. If I can find the model number, I will PM you. I almost picked up one of these receivers, but changed my mind cuz it only did Dolby Pro Logic (not Pro Logic II).

SteveK

The svideo for my DVD player maybe my best option. I just got the Kenwood A/V, I'll have to look at it closer as well. I don't think it can do what I need it to do.

I have to slide that Yagi by my wife as it is...and dear did I mention the rotor? :D

Thanks Steve...

PS: So what do you guys do for nailing down OTA channels...spin the attenna's a couple of degrees and rescan? No wonder jay spends so much time on the roof...:)

Mark,

Yep, lots of trial and error to position the antenna (unless you install a rotor right from the start). For me, the rotor wasn't really needed....since Philly offered Fox and CBS (the only NY digitals).

If you are going to point towards Philly, it helps to use FRS radios and a helper. You at the antenna making minor adjustments while the helper is watching the signal strength on the tv.

For an attic antenna, it is best to install it as close to the outside wall as possible (maximizes signal). And it is often helpful to point the antenna slightly up...instead of directly horizontal.

Mark,

Check this thread out (http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2884&highlight=component+switcher) regarding the component switchers.

The way I have my Toshiba 50HDX82 set up, I've got the component inputs on the back hooked up to my HD outputs on the E86 and my DVD player. The audio for both of those goes to the coaxial/optical digital audio inputs on my Kenwood HTB receiver.

Conversely, I have the S-video input for the E86 going to my Kenwood HTB along with another S-video input for a second E86 I've been running in my basement until I have a chance to hook it up in my new kitchen. I then have the RCA outputs from the E86 going into my VCR and then the VCR outputs go into the RCA inputs on the back of the Kenwood HTB. Then, I have an S-video output going from the Kenwood to the Toshiba TV that allows me to watch S-Video on the Input 1 of my TV.

Confused yet.....I know I am after I come home from vacation....or I forget to go downstairs very often and tool around! :p

AFA moving the rotor and re-scanning, luckily my E86 has some sort of a "detect" feature (for lack of abetter term) where I can just tune in the digital channel assignment (i.e. 26-1 for KYW) and it'll remap to 3-1 without me having to re-scan. Pretty nifty. Does your Panny not work the same way?

Definitely give Philly a shot AFA your OTA HD viewing. With you being in Jackson, I've GOT to believe you are closer to Philly than the ESB in NYC. The Silver Sensor should be able to pick up at least KYW and WPSG (57-1).

Give antennaweb.org a shot and see what "compass headings" it gives you for the Philly stations and then "scan" accordingly.

Originally posted by SteveK2
Mark,

Yep, lots of trial and error to position the antenna (unless you install a rotor right from the start). For me, the rotor wasn't really needed....since Philly offered Fox and CBS (the only NY digitals).

If you are going to point towards Philly, it helps to use FRS radios and a helper. You at the antenna making minor adjustments while the helper is watching the signal strength on the tv.

For an attic antenna, it is best to install it as close to the outside wall as possible (maximizes signal). And it is often helpful to point the antenna slightly up...instead of directly horizontal.

Listen to Steve----he's maximized his viewing pleasures with his attic set up....Of course it helps that he's 400 feet above sea level (:p ) and he's got a pretty sensitive newer generation STB (;) )

***Us guys in low lying areas just CAN'T get over this fact****:D

Also helps if you don't have a lot of mesh/metal up in your roof to deflect the signals coming towards your antenna.

Originally posted by SteveK2
Mark,

Yep, lots of trial and error to position the antenna (unless you install a rotor right from the start). For me, the rotor wasn't really needed....since Philly offered Fox and CBS (the only NY digitals).

If you are going to point towards Philly, it helps to use FRS radios and a helper. You at the antenna making minor adjustments while the helper is watching the signal strength on the tv.

For an attic antenna, it is best to install it as close to the outside wall as possible (maximizes signal). And it is often helpful to point the antenna slightly up...instead of directly horizontal.

I ran some coax to my 2nd floor and picked up some extra channels and some stronger signals. Thanks for the tip on the attic...

Mark

Originally posted by jaypb
Mark,

Check this thread out (http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2884&highlight=component+switcher) regarding the component switchers.

Confused yet.....I know I am after I come home from vacation....or I forget to go downstairs very often and tool around! :p

AFA moving the rotor and re-scanning, luckily my E86 has some sort of a "detect" feature (for lack of abetter term) where I can just tune in the digital channel assignment (i.e. 26-1 for KYW) and it'll remap to 3-1 without me having to re-scan. Pretty nifty. Does your Panny not work the same way?

Yes, I'm confused... :D, I'm going to try svideo from my DVD to TV and see how it looks, if that doesn't work, I might try that RS switch, I bet it will work!!

I believe your right, I have to play with the Panny some more so I don't have to rescan each time...

Have to order the Yagi, just hope I can squeeze it through my attic hatch... :D

Originally posted by jaypb
Listen to Steve----he's maximized his viewing pleasures with his attic set up....Of course it helps that he's 400 feet above sea level (:p ) and he's got a pretty sensitive newer generation STB (;) )

***Us guys in low lying areas just CAN'T get over this fact****:D

Also helps if you don't have a lot of mesh/metal up in your roof to deflect the signals coming towards your antenna.

Steve come off his mountain to Jackson every now and then, right Steve... :) , I'm about 170ft above sea level and I think the Yagi will do well.

I believe my attic is pretty clean regarding metal/mesh etc...

Well I'm off to Yagi ordering...

Mark

Actually the CM 4228 and CM 7775 pre amp.. should be here early next week...

170' elevation, a CM4228 and a CM775.....you ought to be golden for picking up Philly stations....let us know how you make out or if you run into problems!

Originally posted by SteveK2
170' elevation, a CM4228 and a CM775.....you ought to be golden for picking up Philly stations....let us know how you make out or if you run into problems!

Will do!! thanks Steve...

BTW, does the pre-amp get power from the attic or downstairs via the coax?

The preamp gets power fed through the coax anywhere along the run you prefer, as long as you haven't yet split it before the point you feed the power into it... there are splitters that pass DC, so if you absolutely have to feed the power after a split, you can configure it to work... just a little more forethought is required.

Originally posted by dswallow
The preamp gets power fed through the coax anywhere along the run you prefer, as long as you haven't yet split it before the point you feed the power into it... there are splitters that pass DC, so if you absolutely have to feed the power after a split, you can configure it to work... just a little more forethought is required.

Thanks Doug...glad I dont have to wire anything in the attic...

Well guys, watched some NJN PBS HD tonight...Some great pictures on the loop...Cuban Cars, South Carolina, New Jersey etc...looked really sweet.

But did anyone see the short Ashley Judd clip and what the hell was that all about... :D

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Well guys, watched some NJN PBS HD tonight...Some great pictures on the loop...Cuban Cars, South Carolina, New Jersey etc...looked really sweet.

But did anyone see the short Ashley Judd clip and what the hell was that all about... :D

Where about in jackson are you as im in jackson too. Ive got the silver sensor in the attic after trying it on the first and second floor. Im getting all the pbs's(nj and pa), cbs, abc, upn, wb all from philly.

Originally posted by webboy10169
Where about in jackson are you as im in jackson too. Ive got the silver sensor in the attic after trying it on the first and second floor. Im getting all the pbs's(nj and pa), cbs, abc, upn, wb all from philly.

Hi,
I'm in the north west side of Jackson about 5 mins from the Outlet Mall and 10 mins to Great Adventure.

I'm using the Silver Sensor downstairs and getting a few channels. I moved it to the 2nd floor and picked up even more. Didn't make it to the attic yet. I ordered the CM 4228 with a pre amp for the attic. Should be here around Tuesday...

Mark

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Hi,
I'm in the north west side of Jackson about 5 mins from the Outlet Mall and 10 mins to Great Adventure.

I'm using the Silver Sensor downstairs and getting a few channels. I moved it to the 2nd floor and picked up even more. Didn't make it to the attic yet. I ordered the CM 4228 with a pre amp for the attic. Should be here around Tuesday...

Mark
Cool im on the other side of Jackson close to Jackson mills road. I also plan on going the same route maybe with a rotor too as the higher you go with the silver sensor the worse the pick up seems to be at least it was for me.

Originally posted by webboy10169
Cool im on the other side of Jackson close to Jackson mills road. I also plan on going the same route maybe with a rotor too as the higher you go with the silver sensor the worse the pick up seems to be at least it was for me.

Your probably about 5 mins by car from me...

I'm going to check out how well the CM 4228 does without the rotor. But expect to get the rotor also. I'm trying not to bombard my wife with too many toys at once... :D

Mark

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Your probably about 5 mins by car from me...

I'm going to check out how well the CM 4228 does without the rotor. But expect to get the rotor also. I'm trying not to bombard my wife with too many toys at once... :D

Mark

Let me know how it works over the SS. As for the wife good approch a little at a time and when she's hooked she'll be asking for more.

Originally posted by webboy10169
Let me know how it works over the SS. As for the wife good approch a little at a time and when she's hooked she'll be asking for more.

Will do...I'm going attic exploring today in fact...

I'm afraid I may be turning into jay...:D Which is a good thing!!!

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by webboy10169
Cool im on the other side of Jackson close to Jackson mills road. I also plan on going the same route maybe with a rotor too as the higher you go with the silver sensor the worse the pick up seems to be at least it was for me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I noticed the same problem I have both of mine on the floor facing an outside wall and the reception is perfect.

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Will do...I'm going attic exploring today in fact...

I'm afraid I may be turning into jay...:D Which is a good thing!!!

Go ahead up there and work on it till the cows come home....or is that the chickens come home....or, better yet, send the WIFE out ALL day and do it till SHE comes home :p

My *issue* is a 6 year old and a 2 year old....and a wife who can only take so much of me venturing up the ladder....or checking signal strength every chance I get.....women....;)

AFA the wife approach, Webboy's got it right....the interest is piqued as more programming "goes there way"....so to speak. My wife is an NBC fiend AFA programming----L&O in particular. Ergo, once NBC goes live out of NYC, I'm sure she'll temper her view of my "hobby".

Since the HD package on DirecTV went live, "Trading Spaces" in HD on DiscoveryHD has been a hit in my house. She loved it BEFORE DiscHD came on the air....and she loves HD now because of it.

If only EVERYTHING was that easy.....:D

Yankee Fan,

I am about 10 minutes up the road from you on the Manlapan/Millstone border. I have both a silver sensor and a CM 4228 in the attic. No rotor. I can aim the SS towards NYC and get both CBS and FOX. The CM points towards Philly and I get the rest except for NBC ( I have gotten a signal lock when the conditions are perfect). Currently have the SS pointing towards Trenton for PBS. I am not into trying to get every station out there. So that is what works for me. I do think if I went external with the antenna on the roof NBC from Philly might be a reality but not willing to do it.

Hopefully in December I will just be turning the CM towards NYC for everything.

Just a reminder that tonights Monday Night Football Game is in HD:D

Originally posted by jaypb
Go ahead up there and work on it till the cows come home....or is that the chickens come home....or, better yet, send the WIFE out ALL day and do it till SHE comes home :p



Well I went into the attic...a lovely 120+ degree's...and no where to walk but the studs. The trusses wont make it easy either...

Originally posted by MartyJ
Just a reminder that tonights Monday Night Football Game is in HD:D

This I have to see...

Lay some plywood down so its easier and safer to walk.

Great, first HD football game and WPVI-DT is my only hope if seeing it. Just wonderful I guess it SD for me.

Originally posted by wward
Great, first HD football game and WPVI-DT is my only hope if seeing it. Just wonderful I guess it SD for me.

I'm hoping that there is NO rain tonight---or I'm going to have dropout heaven on PVI-DT during the game.:mad:

Now is the "killer application" time for HD to shine. Football season has ALMOST REALLY started. At least the HD coverage has. Baseball on ESPN-HD has become a once a week thing. HDNet had Auto racing coverage the other day.

I really wish WPIX-DT was viewable in our neck of the woods. As much as I'm not a Mets fan I'd watch the game....just for the sake....of watching....a game...in HD. Much like last night's Giants-Reds game.

:)

Don't forget that this is Pre-Season. So after the first few change of possession the game will deteriorate quickly.

Bad Football is Bad Football whether it is HD or not. I bet I'll have turned it off after the 1st Quarter.

JayPb
I hear ya I am starved for HD. I caught a couple of good movies on hdnet movies over the weekend. Looks like the rain is coming down pretty good here in NY.

Just got an IM from the old lady she said it si just starting in southern NJ.

Originally posted by MartyJ
Don't forget that this is Pre-Season. So after the first few change of possession the game will deteriorate quickly.

Bad Football is Bad Football whether it is HD or not. I bet I'll have turned it off after the 1st Quarter.

Ah, but you haven't scaled your roof like a Grade A monkey to glean that WPVI-DT signal as I have :p

I'm watchin as much as time (and children....and a wife....and the damn weather....) will allow :D

On another note JayPb or anyone else have you been able to pick up 8-1? I havent had much luck.

Well I moved the Silver Sensor upstairs and ABC HD is booming in. I'm all set for football...now if only my team was playing...

I'm even getting a weak WCAU...NBC...

NYYFAN

I am over in Freehold township I can only oick up WPVI-DT on some decnet tropo nights. Just wondering if you have an amp on that Silver Sensor? I use the silver sensor as well I have tried it in many configurations but not in the attic.

Originally posted by wward
NYYFAN

I am over in Freehold township I can only oick up WPVI-DT on some decnet tropo nights. Just wondering if you have an amp on that Silver Sensor? I use the silver sensor as well I have tried it in many configurations but not in the attic.

No amp...just the Silver Sensor on the second floor...

It's a steady 71%

Originally posted by MartyJ
Lay some plywood down so its easier and safer to walk.

Thanks, I will in short strips because of my 24 X 28 inch hatch...

Maybe I will give mine a try in the attic cant hurt beside I would really love to see that game in HD.

Originally posted by NYYFAN
No amp...just the Silver Sensor on the second floor...

It's a steady 71%

Are you getting strong signals on 3-1 (philly cbs)

and yes the attic walk is fun isnt it I couldnt get plywood up there and almost fell threw. Im sure the wife would not be happy if i had fallen.

Originally posted by webboy10169
Are you getting strong signals on 3-1 (philly cbs)

and yes the attic walk is fun isnt it I couldnt get plywood up there and almost fell threw. Im sure the wife would not be happy if i had fallen.

I can get both 2-1 and 3-1 with some antenna adjustments. 3-1 come in very good...

I'm not sure what's worse the crazy roof or hot attic...

Originally posted by wward
On another note JayPb or anyone else have you been able to pick up 8-1? I havent had much luck.

No sir. Nothing on 22-1 or 23-1?? PBS out of Camden maybe?? Somewhere in that vicinity. Nothing out of 53-1 either....the independent DT down towards Atlantic City.

Oh well....

Originally posted by webboy10169
Are you getting strong signals on 3-1 (philly cbs)

and yes the attic walk is fun isnt it I couldnt get plywood up there and almost fell threw. Im sure the wife would not be happy if i had fallen.

Hey Webboy---you have the E86 right? Are you having any issues tuning in the HD loop out of Trenton (52-2 or 52-5)??? My onscreen guide via the E86 says the HD loop should be on 52-5....but the ONLY way for me to watch it is by manually tuning in :43-2...then it remaps to 52-2....and I can watch it....but usually for only 2 minutes or so then it "loses" the lock and goes to snow. But 52-1 will stay locked with no problem.

Signal strength is ALWAYS 100. I haven't done a "re-scan" yet to see if the guide updated....and my E86 didn't take it.

I'm just curious if it's a PSIP issue with the E86....or if it's just my E86.:confused:

OMG....MNF looks fabulous in HD....looks much, much better than any of the basketball or hockey playoffs a few months ago!

Originally posted by SteveK2
OMG....MNF looks fabulous in HD....looks much, much better than any of the basketball or hockey playoffs a few months ago!

Hi Steve,
Did you have a problem the first 15 mins. I was watching it with a decent picture, but not what I thought was HD. I checking formats etc and then bam! 16:9 with a beautiful picture...
I switched between my cable analog and the OTA HD and it was amazing. Monday Night Football will be great this year.

Mark

Originally posted by SteveK2
OMG....MNF looks fabulous in HD....looks much, much better than any of the basketball or hockey playoffs a few months ago!

Che pasa muchacho! I was flipping back and forth between various HD offerings and was muchly impressed. I didn't get to see much (if any) of the NBA/NHL Finals thanks to May and June's leaves :mad:

But tonight looked AWFULLY good! Shall I assume the weather wreaked havoc on the game? I flipped back during CSI and saw Michaels and Madden vamping.

Can't WAIT to get my 2nd HD set hooked up so the wife can watch HER shows in HD....and leave ME alone in the cave to watch....stuff....:D

Mark,
Sorry, I didn't tune in until some time after 9:00....but from other postings, it appears that there was some sort of interference issue on the HD feed, so it was not 'turned on' until 15-20 minutes into the broadcast. I wouldn't worry....you were receiving exactly what was being transmitted.

Jaypb,
Yep, the game was called because of the torrential downpours. Interesting....while a closeup of a player was being shown, my son and I noticed a few drops of rain falling....we both commented how you could see the rain falling....it wasn't until almost 10 minutes later that Michaels and Madden mentioned that a 'light rain had started falling'. Indeed, it was still only a light rain... we got a kick knowing that the pq was so detailed that a few drops were noticeable before the commentators even pointed it out! The PQ just seems so much better than during hockey/bb playoffs. There just seemed to be many more closeups during last night's game that were just amazing for the detail, color accuracy, etc. Definately had lots of WOW factor!

My wife and kids are already clamoring for a way to record in HD!! We have 2 Ultimatetv receivers (one that's hooked to the plasma that we use for HD) and we miss not being able to record, pause, replay, etc.

Stevek2,

Recording can be done with an HTPC and a MyHD card. Works pretty well. Panasonic has also released an HDTV recorder for about 1K.

Originally posted by jaypb
Hey Webboy---you have the E86 right? Are you having any issues tuning in the HD loop out of Trenton (52-2 or 52-5)??? My onscreen guide via the E86 says the HD loop should be on 52-5....but the ONLY way for me to watch it is by manually tuning in :43-2...then it remaps to 52-2....and I can watch it....but usually for only 2 minutes or so then it "loses" the lock and goes to snow. But 52-1 will stay locked with no problem.

Signal strength is ALWAYS 100. I haven't done a "re-scan" yet to see if the guide updated....and my E86 didn't take it.

I'm just curious if it's a PSIP issue with the E86....or if it's just my E86.:confused:

Yes ive got the E86 Ive had this problem my box keeps picking up 43-1 but nothings there. 52-1/5 have been a problem for me since the SS went in the attic need to do a little adjusting but as you know its too dam hot to be up there constantly asking the wife "Is that good? How bout now??"

The PBS demo loop is no longer impressive with Discovery HD available.

Marty,
Thanks....I'm aware of the MyHD and the FusionHDTV cards for HTPCs.....I've thought about those, but the only drawback is that neither support satellite signals (just OTA). Another negative is that there isn't a good way to offload recorded HDTV content for long-term storage (i.e., DVD).

Sitting tight for now.....the HD Tivos are an option....as well as the Digital VHS recorders (which offers long-term storage capability).

As for archiving the HD recordings, HD takes about 9GB/hr. So with a little editing of commercials you can get a 1hour program on two DVD's. Its not necessarily convenient but it is much cheaper then a D-VHS setup.

I would love to add an HD-Tivo to my other two but what I really want is the ability to get cable HD via the Tivo also!

Is it reasonable to assume that once the HD files are burned onto DVD, they can be opened via the software that comes with the MyHD card?

Well Steve the place you recommended to get the CM 4228 and CM 7775 pre amp sure delivered fast!!

So I went to RS and picked up a 5 ft mast and started my antenna project. The antenna wouldn't fit through the attic hatch, but I was able to remove both screens and then reinstall them in the attic. I drilled a hole in a 2x3 to except the antenna mast and screwed it across two beams. This is temporary till I get the rotor. I didn't wire in the pre-amp do to losing light and getting tired. The wife does get an assist with helping!!! I ran some coax temporary, 100ft snaking through the house to the attic...:D and did a rescan. Lots of stations booming CBS, ABC, NBC, UPN, WB, to name a few..., I wonder what the preamp will add...that will be tomorrows project...

Mark

PS: Leno looks nice...

Hey, getting NBC on the first try...that's great! Let us know if NBC stays locked over several days. I had a good singal from WCAU earlier this evening (around 9:45), but lost it and then didn't check again. For me, seeing Leno in HDTV is the only reason I stay up late. But once an HDTV Tivo is available, then that reason goes away.

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Well Steve the place you recommended to get the CM 4228 and CM 7775 pre amp sure delivered fast!!

So I went to RS and picked up a 5 ft mast and started my antenna project. The antenna wouldn't fit through the attic hatch, but I was able to remove both screens and then reinstall them in the attic. I drilled a hole in a 2x3 to except the antenna mast and screwed it across two beams. This is temporary till I get the rotor. I didn't wire in the pre-amp do to losing light and getting tired. The wife does get an assist with helping!!! I ran some coax temporary, 100ft snaking through the house to the attic...:D and did a rescan. Lots of stations booming CBS, ABC, NBC, UPN, WB, to name a few..., I wonder what the preamp will add...that will be tomorrows project...

Mark

PS: Leno looks nice...

Excellent! Seems you are in a PRIME spot location wise to pick up Philly. Give 55-1/12-1 a shot....not sure how your Panny STB will remap it. It's WHYY IIRC out of Delaware/Philly....a PBS station with a PBS demo loop.

Found this over on the METRO NYC OTA thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=2514297#post2514297)

Just reinforces the *issues* I've been having since I went the OTA HD route....for some of the "newer" members on this thread, maybe this will help you understand why some folks can get a DT station....but others can't....

:(

P.s----I can't wait to see how active the local NYC area threads (think there are 3-4 including ours) light up once a definitive answer hits the pavement WRT NBC/ABC going live.:)

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Well Steve the place you recommended to get the CM 4228 and CM 7775 pre amp sure delivered fast!!

So I went to RS and picked up a 5 ft mast and started my antenna project. The antenna wouldn't fit through the attic hatch, but I was able to remove both screens and then reinstall them in the attic. I drilled a hole in a 2x3 to except the antenna mast and screwed it across two beams. This is temporary till I get the rotor. I didn't wire in the pre-amp do to losing light and getting tired. The wife does get an assist with helping!!! I ran some coax temporary, 100ft snaking through the house to the attic...:D and did a rescan. Lots of stations booming CBS, ABC, NBC, UPN, WB, to name a few..., I wonder what the preamp will add...that will be tomorrows project...

Mark

PS: Leno looks nice...

hmmm im curious about nbc since i almost always never get it. Did you have it with the Silver Sensor?? or is this a product of the mast and CM only... And like stevek2 asked keep us posted if it stays locked. NBC for the rest of us comes and goes with the weather.

But CBS will have one NFL game in HD each week (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=287275)

Which is GREAT for those us in Central NJ who can pick up BOTH CBS out of Philly and NY....because I'm guessing that the odds of getting a WCBS-DT HD game will be nullified by the fact that the JETS are going to be on WCBS and a "doubleheader" out of NYC is less likely than in Philly....right?

So if the "National" HD game isn't a Jets game....you've got a better shot of having KYW_DT carry it....if the Eagles aren't on Fox at the same time....right?

Anyone? Thoughts?

Between, MNF, ESPN-HD and now CBS....NFL HD football should be amazing! Even if you DON'T have DirecTV !
:D