Originally posted by jaypb
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.

I was watching WHYY last night. The whole family watched the loop. Except for the Oklahoma cowboy stuff it was great,,,The San Francisco stuff was the best...

What's weird with the CM 4228, is I pick up all those stations, but lost the 52 stations...probably a direction issue. The pre-amp may help to...

Originally posted by NYYFAN
I was watching WHYY last night. The whole family watched the loop. Except for the Oklahoma cowboy stuff it was great,,,The San Francisco stuff was the best...

What's weird with the CM 4228, is I pick up all those stations, but lost the 52 stations...probably a direction issue. The pre-amp may help to...

Does your STB let you put in the actual DT station #...IOW's "43-1 or 43-2" and then "re-map" it to 52-1 or 2? Give that a shot.

Jaypb,

Need your help with a couple of questions.
Have a CM 4228 and CM 7775 - mounted in the attic.
Thinking of purchasing the CM rotor to go along with it (with the remote - of course I want another remote)
1) Do I have to run another line from the rotor to the channel switcher (please say NO. - Dont want to open the plastered hole in the kitchen again to fish another line through)
2) How does this baby get power.
3) How do you like it.

Thanks,
Gary

Originally posted by jaypb
Does your STB let you put in the actual DT station #...IOW's "43-1 or 43-2" and then "re-map" it to 52-1 or 2? Give that a shot.

I tried punching in 52 to see the channel, but it came back as poor signal. Is this what you mean...

Originally posted by gjohnsen2002
Jaypb,

Need your help with a couple of questions.
Have a CM 4228 and CM 7775 - mounted in the attic.
Thinking of purchasing the CM rotor to go along with it (with the remote - of course I want another remote)
1) Do I have to run another line from the rotor to the channel switcher (please say NO. - Dont want to open the plastered hole in the kitchen again to fish another line through)
2) How does this baby get power.
3) How do you like it.

Thanks,
Gary

Not to step on jaypb, but you need to run a line to the rotor for power, unlike the pre amp which gets it through the coax.

Let me know how you like the CM rotor...it's my next purchase

Mark

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Not to step on jaypb, but you need to run a line to the rotor for power, unlike the pre amp which gets it through the coax.

Let me know how you like the CM rotor...it's my next purchase

Mark

No need to apolgize for stepping :p

"You've got questions....we've got answers...." That used to be someone's motto I believe....:D


WRT to GJ's questions:


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by gjohnsen2002
Jaypb,

Need your help with a couple of questions.
Have a CM 4228 and CM 7775 - mounted in the attic.
Thinking of purchasing the CM rotor to go along with it (with the remote - of course I want another remote)
1) Do I have to run another line from the rotor to the channel switcher (please say NO. - Dont want to open the plastered hole in the kitchen again to fish another line through)
2) How does this baby get power.
3) How do you like it.

Thanks,
Gary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




1--Yes---another line is needed. Thin, 3 wire line to give the rotor "juice". Very thin...pencil thin....hell, you could fit it through a hole the size of q-tip IIRC.
2--The "remote control switching unit"....which you obviously put near your TV gets plugged into the wall...the 3 wire low voltage line that you run from the remote unit to the rotor....supplies the power.
3--I like it. It does what it's supposed to---spins round and round :p
But---from what I understand from reading various threads...and from my OWN experience...it doesn't keep it's accuracy WRT true compass headings. It....gets out of whack...for lack of a better term. I started with my Philly headings at ~255 or so. A few weeks later to tune back to the "Philly" area after turning to NYC for a few days....my remote control unit reads out ~225 or so to tune Philly. So, it "loses" it's headings. The unit I have is the 9521A I believe. The actual headings aren't really an issue for me....as my E86 has the "signal strength" screen that I use to tune in my stations....so I just stop the rotor when my "beeps"/on screen readings are highest/loudest.

BTW---the cool thing about the remote for the Cm9521a is that I can program the codes into my Hughes remote...under the auxiliary button. So, it's one less remote to "clutter" up the couch/armrest/coffee table.

Tell me I'm not the only one with about 9 remotes laying around.....:p

Hope this helps!

Originally posted by NYYFAN
I tried punching in 52 to see the channel, but it came back as poor signal. Is this what you mean...

Try punching in 43-1 or 43-2 and see what happens.

Conversely, try 64-1 or 64-2 since you are already able to view 6-1 I assume.

Originally posted by jaypb
Try punching in 43-1 or 43-2 and see what happens.

Conversely, try 64-1 or 64-2 since you are already able to view 6-1 I assume.

I just finished adding the pre-amp and those stations are now coming in...
I'm current getting:

3-1
6-1
6-2
10-1
12-1
17-1
32-1
35-1
52-1
52-2
52-3
52-4
65-1
65-2

All with good signal strengh...should I be getting more channels or is this pretty much the standard...

Thanks,
MArk

Originally posted by NYYFAN
I just finished adding the pre-amp and those stations are now coming in...
I'm current getting:

3-1
6-1
6-2
10-1
12-1
17-1
32-1
35-1
52-1
52-2
52-3
52-4
65-1
65-2

All with good signal strengh...should I be getting more channels or is this pretty much the standard...

Thanks,
MArk

Wow! You da man! Daytime, picking those channels up, I'd say you are set! If you want a more detailed listing of what should/could be available, try www.antennaweb.org. That lists a few more "independent" stations that are currently supposedly broadcasting from the Philly vicinity in Digital. Or try Dswallow's site that I sent out a few pages back....can't remember the EXACT site path...but it's www.2150.com/broadcast or something along those lines :confused:

Originally posted by jaypb
Wow! You da man! Daytime, picking those channels up, I'd say you are set! If you want a more detailed listing of what should/could be available, try www.antennaweb.org. That lists a few more "independent" stations that are currently supposedly broadcasting from the Philly vicinity in Digital. Or try Dswallow's site that I sent out a few pages back....can't remember the EXACT site path...but it's www.2150.com/broadcast or something along those lines :confused:

Thanks!! I still would like to get the rotor to get everything possible and NY when it's back up properly...I want as much NFL as I can...:)

I'm missing FOX right now I believe...

Thanks for the help and input jaypb...
I still have to run the coax the right way...:D

Later,
Mark

Mark,
The list looks pretty complete except Fox Philly, 29-1, isn't on the list. If you can get 10-1 and 12-1 you should be able to get 29-1 no problem. I also get 39-1/2/3/4 (Lehigh Valley PBS, Allentown) frequently, even though Allentown is about 90 degrees from Philly's heading.

If you can get 10-1 and 12-1 with a strong signal during the day, then you are *definately* in a primo location!

hi Steve,
I believe I had 29-1 earlier, I'll punch it in and see if I can get it. I may need to adjust the antenna.

While I have you, will this cable (see link) work with the CM rotors. I need to run the coax permanently and want to do the rotor wire at the same time, even though I'm waiting for my next VISA cycle to get the rotor...:D

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F003%5F006&product%5Fid=15%2D1150

As always thanks Guys...this Central NJ place is great...

Mark

Punched in 29-1 but it's giving me a poor signal...I had it last night before the pre-amp and the antenna movement today...

Well back to the attic...:)

Originally posted by NYYFAN
hi Steve,
I believe I had 29-1 earlier, I'll punch it in and see if I can get it. I may need to adjust the antenna.

While I have you, will this cable (see link) work with the CM rotors. I need to run the coax permanently and want to do the rotor wire at the same time, even though I'm waiting for my next VISA cycle to get the rotor...:D

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F003%5F006&product%5Fid=15%2D1150

As always thanks Guys...this Central NJ place is great...

Mark

To paraphrase Shrek, "That'll do". That's actually the wiring I purchased. It's a dark brown color IIRC....looks REAL quaint on the outside of the house :p

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Punched in 29-1 but it's giving me a poor signal...I had it last night before the pre-amp and the antenna movement today...

Well back to the attic...:)

Once you start, it's hard to stop....or go back :p

Now, you have to start dragging EVERYONE around you into the pool with you :eek:

It's not as easy as it seems....but I've converted one friend...and I'm on the verge of converting my father....who bought an 57" HD Ready Widescreen over TWO years ago...but hasn't bought the STB yet...but he will....I'm thinking as soon as NYC goes fully live.

Once NFL season starts I'm sure the various cro-magnum males that I have over on Sundays will ogle and drool at seeing NFL players who aren't all stretched and/or overly compressed :cool:

To paraphrase a line from "Field of Dreams"....if you air it in HD...he will spend...." :p

But, that's just my opinion.....

Originally posted by jaypb
To paraphrase Shrek, "That'll do". That's actually the wiring I purchased. It's a dark brown color IIRC....looks REAL quaint on the outside of the house :p

Excellent...

And Jaypb, I understand Webste's dictonary made a change:

Adjust,--- to jaypb :D Like I had to jaypb my antenna to get a stronger signal...

Originally posted by jaypb
No need to apolgize for stepping :p

"You've got questions....we've got answers...." That used to be someone's motto I believe....:D

Hope this helps!

jaypb & mark.

thanks much !!!

I may have to think that one through and run that with the wife before I punch another hole in the wall

Originally posted by gjohnsen2002
jaypb & mark.

thanks much !!!

I may have to think that one through and run that with the wife before I punch another hole in the wall

Anyway you can snake the low voltage wire with the coax?

before I punch another hole in the wall

...that's why they make spackle! :D :D :cool: :D :D

"3--I like it. It does what it's supposed to---spins round and round
But---from what I understand from reading various threads...and from my OWN experience...it doesn't keep it's accuracy WRT true compass headings. It....gets out of whack...for lack of a better term. I started with my Philly headings at ~255 or so. A few weeks later to tune back to the "Philly" area after turning to NYC for a few days....my remote control unit reads out ~225 or so to tune Philly. So, it "loses" it's headings. The unit I have is the 9521A I believe. The actual headings aren't really an issue for me....as my E86 has the "signal strength" screen that I use to tune in my stations....so I just stop the rotor when my "beeps"/on screen readings are highest/loudest."

jaypb, or any1 else, is there any way to scan using a sony hd 200, or rca dtc 100, for a spefic channel, as is done with the e86?
thanks
Stan

I have a Samsung TS-160 HDTV STB....it does *NOT* scan the same way as jaypb describes......when scanning, the only display is a progress bar....when it gets to 100% complete, a summary is displayed showing the number of channels found in the scan. The found channels are available in the add/delete channel list and, of course, in the program guide or by manually entering the channel number.

This morning I gained 29 Fox and lost PBS 52...

Such the life of an HD geek... :D

This may be a sill question, but how would you acquire channels [lets say philly or nj] if they are not programmed into your stb?, It seems to me that
unless the channels are programmed in to stb, i dont even see them. I have a rotor, but, its having issues right now [ after 4 moves clockwise, it will not move again unless i go counterclockwise. the display shows an in accurate readings , as it thinks that the ant moved, when in actuality, it did not, the only thing that allows me to know where i am, is to go the 1 of my pre sets and do a synch, thAT brings me to the preset station, now i have 4 moves clockwise again ]. Im thinking that the tb 105 rotor support bearing maybe causing the problem.Very fristrating,
aRE ANY PEOPLE USING THE ROTOR with the antenna on a 5 foot pole without a support tb105 bearing ?
thanks
Stan

Originally posted by NYYFAN
This morning I gained 29 Fox and lost PBS 52...

Such the life of an HD geek... :D
For the past few months I've barely been able to get ANYTHING reliably (WCBS-DT or WNYW-DT) - I used to get 50% strengths on my MyHD, now I'm lucky to get any signal at all. :(

Sorry for the late reply as I was away. Yes you can copy the HD files from DVD's to the hard drive and then play the files with your software.

Yes you can copy the HD files from DVD's to the hard drive and then play the files with your software.

Thanks Marty!

Originally posted by Entropy512
For the past few months I've barely been able to get ANYTHING reliably (WCBS-DT or WNYW-DT) - I used to get 50% strengths on my MyHD, now I'm lucky to get any signal at all. :(

Welcome back! Haven't seen you in this neck of the threads in what seems like ages (or months :p )

Sorry to hear about your reception woes. You are up in some hilly terrain right? Think it could be the tree leaves/canopies growing in? Affected my reception something fierce until I raised the mast a tad. Hell, I'm still having issues that I've been working around. But that's just me :D

Originally posted by NYYFAN
This morning I gained 29 Fox and lost PBS 52...

Such the life of an HD geek... :D

As long as you don't deny it you'll be ok :D

PBS 52 out of Trenton has been a horror show for me for the better part of a month or so! I can't get the demo loop to stay locked. I believe it's a PSIP problem/STB problem with my E86.

Damned technology....
:mad:

I finally got my rotator rewired and was playing around 2 nights ago and I'd had some issues getting things I never had a problem with before, including 52. So perhaps something else is up. It's been about 3 or 4 months since I tried anything OTA.

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Excellent...

And Jaypb, I understand Webste's dictonary made a change:

Adjust,--- to jaypb :D Like I had to jaypb my antenna to get a stronger signal...

Well, I can live with that correlation. You are much to kind. I'd have tied it into something different....along the lines of "to slap together haphazardly"....or "to rush into something before fully reading the *&*&^$@)$%^ directions"...something like that... ;)

Well I've been to two Rat Shacks in the last two days looking to purchase 100ft of rotator wire #15-1150. I called ahead yesterday to the closest store (8 miles away), they said they had 3 in stock. When I arrived they couldn't find them.

Today I went to the Shack at the Freehold Mall and they had 3 in stock according to their computer. Guess what, they couldn't find them either...

When I describe the item, the one kid said, oh for that old fashion way you watch TV... :D

Can anyone give me the actually gauge of the wire. Home Depot has wire, but I want to make sure I have the right type.

I'd order it online, but I want to get it pre wired with my coax before I get the rotor next month, having 100tf of coax running from the 1st floor to the attic doesn't look to good... ;)

Thanks,

Mark

Mark,
Lowe's home centers used to carry tv antenna, mounts, preamps, rotors, etc. If there's one near you, it might be worth checking out for the rotor wire.

NYYFAN, you can order from http://www.starkelectronic.com/index.htm , they charge 13 cents a foot.You';ll have it the next day
Stan

Thanks guys, I'll check those options out.

Mark

It's 20 gauge or smaller, I'd guess... there's not much substance to it. :)

The rotator manual says:

22awg, 3 conductor, up to 180 feet
22awg, 4 conductor, up to 200 feet (2 wires used on 1 terminal)

20awg, 3 conductor, up to 280 feet
20awg, 4 conductor, up to 310 feet (2 wires used on 1 terminal)

18awg, 3 conductor, up to 445 feet
18awg, 4 conductor, up to 510 feet (2 wires used on 1 terminal)

Is there any easy way to figure out where nj and philly dt channels are mapped to with a sony hd 200 or dtc 100? Both these reciever map the dt channels with different call number, for instance cbs dt ny 56, rca and sony map to 2.1. This is not a problem with local nyc dt channels, but , makes it kind of difficult to locate out of area dt channels once you rotate to
the proper locations
thanks
Stan

Originally posted by dswallow
It's 20 gauge or smaller, I'd guess... there's not much substance to it. :)

The rotator manual says:

22awg, 3 conductor, up to 180 feet
22awg, 4 conductor, up to 200 feet (2 wires used on 1 terminal)

20awg, 3 conductor, up to 280 feet
20awg, 4 conductor, up to 310 feet (2 wires used on 1 terminal)

18awg, 3 conductor, up to 445 feet
18awg, 4 conductor, up to 510 feet (2 wires used on 1 terminal)

Thanks Doug, looks like the 20awg will do the trick. Probably same as thermostat wire...

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Thanks Doug, looks like the 20awg will do the trick. Probably same as thermostat wire...
It is stranded wire; thermostat wire usually is solid. It's more an issue of flexibility not that either wouldn't be OK.

Originally posted by dswallow
I finally got my rotator rewired and was playing around 2 nights ago and I'd had some issues getting things I never had a problem with before, including 52. So perhaps something else is up. It's been about 3 or 4 months since I tried anything OTA.

Do you think it could be hardware, transmission or reception (trees/terrain) related?

What STB are you using for your OTA HD? Were you using the DISH 6000 module? I'm just curious because the only ones I've seen complain in this thread or me and Webboy---we're both using the Hughes E86.

Anyone else having a problem getting PBS 52 to tune in? Specificially, my issue is that the PSIP guide info shows "52-5" as the HD Loop channel...but I can't tune to it. I HAVE to tune in "43-2"...which then remaps to "52-2"...which DOESN'T match the on-screen info.

But wait...it gets better. The channel only stays locked for 30 seconds or so...then goes to snow...kind of like a VHF/UHF channel snow. But, if I ATTEMPT to go into my onscreen menu's....to check signal strength, guide info...what have you....I INSTANTLY lose the lock.

Kaput. BTW---my "signal strength" on 43 Digital is ALWAYS 100. So I'm assuming the issue is the PSIP info.

Anyone else in the same boat? :confused:

Originally posted by NYYFAN
Well I've been to two Rat Shacks in the last two days looking to purchase 100ft of rotator wire #15-1150. I called ahead yesterday to the closest store (8 miles away), they said they had 3 in stock. When I arrived they couldn't find them.

Today I went to the Shack at the Freehold Mall and they had 3 in stock according to their computer. Guess what, they couldn't find them either...

When I describe the item, the one kid said, oh for that old fashion way you watch TV... :D

Can anyone give me the actually gauge of the wire. Home Depot has wire, but I want to make sure I have the right type.

I'd order it online, but I want to get it pre wired with my coax before I get the rotor next month, having 100tf of coax running from the 1st floor to the attic doesn't look to good... ;)

Thanks,

Mark

I actually picked mine up in Radio Shack. 100 foot package I believe...probably the one you posted the link to a few days ago. I'm sure (as someone after me said) you can pick it up locally at a Home Depot or a Lowe's (Speaking of rants has ANYONE purchased a kitchen countertop recently? Holy SHYNOLA that crap is expensive! It's going to DEFINITELY cut into my HD spending if I've got to pay 4 G's for a new countertop for my new kitchen!!!! :mad:)

Try your local handy dandy hardware store. I *think* the Ace Hardware by me carried the stuff.

Originally posted by dapope
Is there any easy way to figure out where nj and philly dt channels are mapped to with a sony hd 200 or dtc 100? Both these reciever map the dt channels with different call number, for instance cbs dt ny 56, rca and sony map to 2.1. This is not a problem with local nyc dt channels, but , makes it kind of difficult to locate out of area dt channels once you rotate to
the proper locations
thanks
Stan

Not sure if this answers your question, but if you go to the link that doug has in his signature RIGHT above your original post it'll bring you to a link that you input your latitude/longitude. It then will tell you all the stations "out there" in a certain mile range...with their digital channel designation.

That *may* answer your question. I'm not sure how either of those 2 receivers handles remapping. But, if it's like my E86, for Philly, 32-1 will bring you to Digital 57 , 26-1 will bring you to Digital 3, etc...

Found this thread on component switchers (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=288083) . Think NYYFAN was curious about them.

Maybe this will help?:confused:

jaypb,
I had 52-1, 52-2, 52-3, 52-4 when I first setup my antenna and haven't had it for the last couple of days. My Receiver is the Panasonic.

Is your counter top Corian or granite?

Mark

Originally posted by jaypb
Do you think it could be hardware, transmission or reception (trees/terrain) related?

What STB are you using for your OTA HD? Were you using the DISH 6000 module? I'm just curious because the only ones I've seen complain in this thread or me and Webboy---we're both using the Hughes E86.
I have a Zenith HD-SAT520. While my antenna is in the attic, the attic is above a 3-story townhouse well above any trees around here. Nobody's built a highrise in the last 3 months either.

I may play again over the weekend, but I just attributed it to either the station or the weather or a combination. In the end, it really doesn't matter, I use ExpressVu to get HD networks. I only got the antenna because it let me play more with my toys. :)

Originally posted by jaypb
(Speaking of rants has ANYONE purchased a kitchen countertop recently? Holy SHYNOLA that crap is expensive! It's going to DEFINITELY cut into my HD spending if I've got to pay 4 G's for a new countertop for my new kitchen!!!! :mad:)

This was my project from November to January. It's what got me into the Plasma/HDTV project (figuring $30,000 on a kitchen and I spend more time in front of the TV than in the kitchen so I should spend some money on the TV)...

http://www.2150.com/doug/kitchen/images/20030213_DSCF0518_w500.jpg

http://www.2150.com/doug/kitchen/images/20030213_DSCF0515_w500.jpg

Absolute Black granite counters... almost 100 square feet of it. A little over $6,000. I *still* haven't gone back and done the backsplash or decided on handles for the cabinets. *sigh*

Originally posted by NYYFAN
jaypb,
I had 52-1, 52-2, 52-3, 52-4 when I first setup my antenna and haven't had it for the last couple of days. My Receiver is the Panasonic.

Is your counter top Corian or granite?

Mark

The PBS station seems to be having some issues across the board then??? It doesn't "disappear" for me if I tweak my antenna Philly's way......based on the fact for my location it's pretty much in the same "path" as Philly. If I turn towards NYC it DOES drop off. What's your bearings based on Doug's 2150 site?

AFA the counter top, we're probably going to go the Corian way. Granite is above and beyond Corian $$$ wise. The wife ain't biting on the Laminates/Formica's.

I ain't fighting either. It's not worth it.;)

Originally posted by dswallow
This was my project from November to January. It's what got me into the Plasma/HDTV project (figuring $30,000 on a kitchen and I spend more time in front of the TV than in the kitchen so I should spend some money on the TV)...

http://www.2150.com/doug/kitchen/images/20030213_DSCF0518_w500.jpg

http://www.2150.com/doug/kitchen/images/20030213_DSCF0515_w500.jpg

Absolute Black granite counters... almost 100 square feet of it. A little over $6,000. I *still* haven't gone back and done the backsplash or decided on handles for the cabinets. *sigh*

Nice! Was it a DIY job or did you just oversee it all as your own GC? Was the 6G's for the Granite countertop alone? I'm getting quotes for the Corian anywhere from 56 (Korean imitations at HD) to 66 or so a Sq/Ft. I was told Granite was at least 20% more expensive per sq. ft.

Originally posted by jaypb
Granite is above and beyond Corian $$$ wise. The wife ain't biting on the Laminates/Formica's.
If you get some of those annoying newsprint ad things in your mailbox every week, there's usually 2 granite companies in NJ advertising, which are usually much cheaper than Home Depot. Still even at Home Depot there's 4 granite colors cheaper than Corian, and Corian is touted as "low maintenance" but is a plastic, is meltable (though repairable -- and you will be doing that at some point with Corian), and the lighter colors do over time show some wear. It also has a more dull look than granite. :)

It's still wierd to me to just take a hot pot off the stove or out of the oven and move it to the countertop... but sure is nice not needing to worry about.

Originally posted by dswallow
If you get some of those annoying newsprint ad things in your mailbox every week, there's usually 2 granite companies in NJ advertising, which are usually much cheaper than Home Depot. Still even at Home Depot there's 4 granite colors cheaper than Corian, and Corian is touted as "low maintenance" but is a plastic, is meltable (though repairable -- and you will be doing that at some point with Corian), and the lighter colors do over time show some wear. It also has a more dull look than granite. :)

It's still wierd to me to just take a hot pot off the stove or out of the oven and move it to the countertop... but sure is nice not needing to worry about.

Thanks! I'll have to start re-thinking things then.

Originally posted by jaypb
Nice! Was it a DIY job or did you just oversee it all as your own GC? Was the 6G's for the Granite countertop alone? I'm getting quotes for the Corian anywhere from 56 (Korean imitations at HD) to 66 or so a Sq/Ft. I was told Granite was at least 20% more expensive per sq. ft.
100% DIY from demolition to completion, though a neighbor helped me carry 2 of the big cabinets up the stairs, and the granite was installed by the stoneyard people. :)

Home Depot has 4 granite colors for $49/sq ft. The Absolute Black was $69/sq ft. All prices were 100% installed. I got another quote that was about $65/sq ft but went with Home Depot for the 12 months no interest/no payments deal and it gives me a little more leverage with the stoneyard since they need to keep Home Depot happy, too.

BTW, I've not yet compiled everything into a web page about the project, but here was some stuff I'd put together in the middle of it: http://www.2150.com/doug/kitchen/cabinets.asp

And here's the thread where I was plotting out and then doing the floor:
http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=3710&perpage=15&pagenumber=3

(And my floor work -- at least the SLC pouring part -- is supposedly in that guys latest revised book on DIY tile, too :)

Originally posted by jaypb
Welcome back! Haven't seen you in this neck of the threads in what seems like ages (or months :p )

Sorry to hear about your reception woes. You are up in some hilly terrain right? Think it could be the tree leaves/canopies growing in? Affected my reception something fierce until I raised the mast a tad. Hell, I'm still having issues that I've been working around. But that's just me :D
Yeah, it's been a while. Have been rather busy with other things, and frustrated with the state of HD in general. I tried upgrading to an RS 150-2160, turned out to make things worse. The issues started before the leaves started coming out. Plus I've had 1-2 "lucky days" with decent reception.

The CM 4228 pancake isn't an option due to attic space concerns.

I'm looking into a custom homebrew antenna designed specifically for the upper portion of the UHF band (WNYW and WCBS are both close to the top of the band, so if I can sacrifice the lower half of the UHF band I can get far more antenna performance in the same amount of space.) Unfortunately, finding narrow aluminum tubing similar to the stuff used in the "Pounder" LPDA design in the ARRL Antenna Book is close to impossible. I'm hoping to place an order for antenna materials with McMaster in the next month or so.

Originally posted by Entropy512
finding narrow aluminum tubing similar to the stuff used in the "Pounder" LPDA design in the ARRL Antenna Book is close to impossible.
Couldn't you scavenge it from other antennas? Antennas are cheap. :)

Originally posted by jaypb
The PBS station seems to be having some issues across the board then??? It doesn't "disappear" for me if I tweak my antenna Philly's way......based on the fact for my location it's pretty much in the same "path" as Philly. If I turn towards NYC it DOES drop off. What's your bearings based on Doug's 2150 site?

AFA the counter top, we're probably going to go the Corian way. Granite is above and beyond Corian $$$ wise. The wife ain't biting on the Laminates/Formica's.

I ain't fighting either. It's not worth it.;)

Well the 52's are now back... must be weather or them...and not us.

Is this the numbers your asking for from Doug's site: (+40.149310,-074.381121)?

Corian is sweet. When I bought my house I was tapped out. so I got formica with a nice stained oak edge. Thinking of going granite or Corian in the next couple of years...

Originally posted by dswallow
BTW, I've not yet compiled everything into a web page about the project, but here was some stuff I'd put together in the middle of it: http://www.2150.com/doug/kitchen/cabinets.asp

And here's the thread where I was plotting out and then doing the floor:
http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?threadid=3710&perpage=15&pagenumber=3

(And my floor work -- at least the SLC pouring part -- is supposedly in that guys latest revised book on DIY tile, too :)

Nice kitchen Doug...I love the radiant heating too!!

Originally posted by dswallow
Couldn't you scavenge it from other antennas? Antennas are cheap. :)
A few are possibilities, but I'm looking for a very specific diameter. (Both due to design issues and mechanical issues.)

I can probably do it for a fraction of the price of salvaging an old antenna if I order from McMaster. I just wish this could've been a Home Depot project - Alas, they have no tubing of any sort thinner than 1/2" or so.

I've had the design of this antenna worked out for months, but no time/materials to build it. :(

So guys, I'm debating getting the rotor, I'm getting all the channels I listed previously including a strong WCAU. 52's can be finicky, but it's not a directional issue. So do I need a rotor and am I missing any channels that I should really be getting?

Does CBS show different football games on Philly vs NY?

Thanks
Mark

Mark,
Yes, Philly CBS and NY CBS have had different games on Sundays in the past.....although I can't confirm if this was the case last season (didn't watch much football last year due to 'family issues').

Unless you're really addicted to footbal (and in HD), or you just want to 'tinker', I'd say forget the rotor. You seem to be getting everything you could possibly want.

I don't know why, but last night around 9PM, it dawned upon me that the coax coming from my attic antenna was still in its 'temporary' configuration since March. It was as originally connected when I first started playing with OTA HD in March. The coax runs from the antenna to an attic corner where it is connected to the house's old cable wiring (RG59 -- about 15 years old) *and* the connection is thru a 5-way coax splitter. Thoughts of much signal loss (that could be recovered) raced thru my head.

So I re-routed my attic coax down thru the house (where I have all of my network wiring) and eliminated the 5-way splitter. The result was very significant. Here are the stations and their current signal strengths from 3PM today (old readings are in red):
3-1 100% 77%
6-1/2 93% 69%
10-1 69% 0%
12-1 36-45% picture was stable 0%
17-1 77% 63%
29-1 0-30% unwatchable 0-20%
32-1 93% 63%
35-1 100% 69%
39-1/2/3/4 30-36% picture was stable 0%
52-1/2/3/4 100% 100%
65-1/2 93% 63%

..and these readings are mid-day when they are typically lowest.

So the direct route has improved signal strength most Philly stations by 40% or more. And I cannot remember ever getting 10-1 and 12-1 during the day. The only down-side is that 29-1 does not seem to have benefitted at all. But I think its a fair trade-off, giving up 29-1 and getting solid 10-1 and 12-1 (afterall, I can switch to my coax antenna for Fox NYC).

I know that tropo is supposed to be very good today, but even with very good tropo on other days, 10-1 and 12-1 were only available in the evening.

Well Steve, that's a marked improvement!!! You can't argue with those results.

Today I finished formally wiring my coax, makes me wonder if there is anything else I can do to improve reception. I'm doing well except that 35-1 is not coming in.

How critical is it to have a short piece of coax between the pre-amp and the antenna. I have a 3-4 foot loop, I wonder if shortening will help?

Mark

I'm in sheepsheadbay,brooklyn, and last night i was able to get 6.1,6.2, 29.1 and the 52's at about 50%, however, i coulndt even sniff a signal from 3.1 or 10.1, I think thats kinda of odd, since most have np with 3.1, maybe its the foliage on the trees this time of year.Today, i cant lock into any of the philly stations, this stuff is sure frustrating :)
Stan

Getting *any* Philly stations in Brooklyn is definately due to tropo effect. Last week, I was able to receive signals from Salisbury, Maryland (WBOC - Channel 16-1). But that was only for 2-3 hours one evening. Nothing since then. And the fact that you didn't get some of the known stronger stations, means that it was tropo reflecting some frequencies better than others.

How critical is it to have a short piece of coax between the pre-amp and the antenna. I have a 3-4 foot loop, I wonder if shortening will help?

Mark,
I don't think it will help much, but if you have a good crimper, a few inches of RG6, and a couple of RG6 connectors, then give it a try. I have a 1 foot piece of coax between my preamp and antenna.

BTW....very strange happenings with 35-1.....after the coax change, its signal was 100%, but it was breaking-up terribly (but it was stable when I checked signal strength). Tonight, I've seen it jumping around from 0 - 100% (never had that before) and now its at 0%. Doesn't matter....I've never watched anything on that channel anyway (has anyone)? Its one of those 'independent' public broadcast channels and I've never seen it carry any of the national PBS (i.e. good quality) stuff.

Tonight, I've added a pre-amp to my 'coax antenna' (this is my CM7775, since I kept the CM3041 on the attic antenna), and I've also setup an A/B switch. So now I just flip the switch to pickup either NYC or Philly.

10-1 and 12-1 have been rock-solid steady all day and night. I'll gladly keep these 2 and give back 29-1 and 35-1.

Originally posted by SteveK2
BTW....very strange happenings with 35-1.....after the coax change, its signal was 100%, but it was breaking-up terribly (but it was stable when I checked signal strength). Tonight, I've seen it jumping around from 0 - 100% (never had that before) and now its at 0%. Doesn't matter....I've never watched anything on that channel anyway (has anyone)? Its one of those 'independent' public broadcast channels and I've never seen it carry any of the national PBS (i.e. good quality) stuff.

Tonight, I've added a pre-amp to my 'coax antenna' (this is my CM7775, since I kept the CM3041 on the attic antenna), and I've also setup an A/B switch. So now I just flip the switch to pickup either NYC or Philly.

10-1 and 12-1 have been rock-solid steady all day and night. I'll gladly keep these 2 and give back 29-1 and 35-1.

Well Steve, it sound like your covered.

I'm not going to go crazy over 35-1 either. Everything else is fine.

So basically your using two antenna with pre-amps instead of a rotor. Maybe I should put my $20 Silver Sensor to work...and aim it at NY for CBS...I was getting it last week...

Being new at this DT antenna stuff is interesting, I thought my antenna turning days were over 20 years ago...And the quality compared to the snow junk of the past is amazing also...

So basically your using two antenna with pre-amps instead of a rotor. Maybe I should put my $20 Silver Sensor to work...and aim it at NY for CBS...I was getting it last week...

Yep. If you can get NYC stations using the Silver Senor, just get an A/B switch and hook-up the silver sensor, too. I didn't even need to buy a switch.....used an old switch that came with a video game console from several years ago.

Good morning ladies!

Just wanted to pop on (haven't read a thing since Friday) and ask if anyone else is getting a blip out of WPVI-DT right now (10:35'ish AM Sunday)???

I've got zilch, nada, zip...no matter where I rotate. All other Philly stations at least pump and have some life.

It's a fine line between love and hate...Damn OTA. :mad:

:p

JayPb

Nothing here on WPVI-DT

Originally posted by wward
JayPb

Nothing here on WPVI-DT

Just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one....I have this "thing"...this internal "thing"....that makes me start searching for answers by taking crap apart....when things don't work.... :p

So I'll just walk away from the remote for a few hours and see if it comes back on by primetime tonight :rolleyes:

At 12:05, No WPVI-DT in Jackson...

Its on now (4:45PM)...don't know about earlier...wasn't home.

Hey jaypb:

Just wanted to congratulate you on your 2 accomplishments:
1) Exceeding the 1000 post mark on your thread.
2) Passing the Philadelphia thread which was the basis of you starting this one.

I think I am getting a little misty !! Talk among yourselves..

Gary

Originally posted by gjohnsen2002
Hey jaypb:

Just wanted to congratulate you on your 2 accomplishments:
1) Exceeding the 1000 post mark on your thread.
2) Passing the Philadelphia thread which was the basis of you starting this one.

I think I am getting a little misty !! Talk among yourselves..

Gary

Shed a tear, drink a beer :p

I really started the thread only because NYC seemed so darn limited....and I figured there HAD to be other people like me who were frustrated with trying to nail down the Philly signals. I'm geographically {terrain-wise to be specific} screwed AFA getting ALL the Philly digitals/HD channels...but since I've been able to pretty much lock in WPVI-DT since I raised the mast, I can't really complain (but I can still bit*h and moan ;) )

I have noticed that "nothing is what it was" from back in Feb/March. I'm aimed at least 10 degrees off from where I was to even get WPVI-DT to lock in. WPSG-DT....while having NO HD programming....doesn't lock in now where WPVI/WNJN/KYW will lock in. WPHL-DT and WTXF-DT the last week or so haven't been "there". I'm SURE it has to do with the darn foliage....and I'm SURE that as September rolls into October they'll come back. But, more importantly, I HOPE that NYC'S ESB combiner goes live SOMETIME this year. I REFUSE to give Comcast ANY money for OTA locals in HD. Hell, DirecTV's getting enough of my money as it is!

Hopefully the thread stays active as more and more people start playing this maddening game (at least for those of us stuck between two cities who like to make things tricky for their viewers ;) )



:D

Well, I shot an e-mail to Tim O'Sullivan over at WCAU to ask him about the status of the new tower. Guess what......................no response!! I sure wish someone from that station would chime in on these threads, along the lines of Jim Chase who used to work for KYW. He was extremely helpful in resolving issues that came up over the past year (like the out of sync video and audio on HD programming).

Any other news on WACB/WNBC going live? Last I heard it was Sep-03, but then I think I heard later in the year. :confused:

ABC 45 WABC-DT Sep 1 2003
IND 48 WRNN-DT Under Review
NBC 28 WNBC-DT Aug 31 2003
PAX 30 WPXN-DT FCC Extension
PBS 24 WNYE-DT Nov 1 2003
PBS 8 WNJB-DT Nov 1 2003
TEL 36 WNJU-DT FCC Extension
TFA 53 WFUT-DT Under Review
UNI 40 WXTV-DT Sep 15 2003
UPN 38 WWOR-DT Nov 1 2003

This is the latest from TITANTV.

Originally posted by Calabs
Well, I shot an e-mail to Tim O'Sullivan over at WCAU to ask him about the status of the new tower. Guess what......................no response!! I sure wish someone from that station would chime in on these threads, along the lines of Jim Chase who used to work for KYW. He was extremely helpful in resolving issues that came up over the past year (like the out of sync video and audio on HD programming).

Any other news on WACB/WNBC going live? Last I heard it was Sep-03, but then I think I heard later in the year. :confused:

8/31 for one of em and 9/1 for another is what I *believe* TitanTV (who's reliability rivals ONLY "Comical Ali" of the Iraqi Ministry of Information) listed as the "go live date" for both stations......I'm thinkin' it's "Dream On" time :p

Originally posted by RAVEN56706
ABC 45 WABC-DT Sep 1 2003
IND 48 WRNN-DT Under Review
NBC 28 WNBC-DT Aug 31 2003
PAX 30 WPXN-DT FCC Extension
PBS 24 WNYE-DT Nov 1 2003
PBS 8 WNJB-DT Nov 1 2003
TEL 36 WNJU-DT FCC Extension
TFA 53 WFUT-DT Under Review
UNI 40 WXTV-DT Sep 15 2003
UPN 38 WWOR-DT Nov 1 2003

This is the latest from TITANTV.

Thanks - Yes, TitanTV has been quoting this for some time, however, 31-Aug is fast approaching, so I'm not hopeful that it will go live by then. Perhaps it's just the track record most of these stations have had regarding meeting deadlines. I for one, will be most joyful if they DO meet the timing set in TTV. :)

well nothing is ever set in stone.......titan is probably just saying what they know.

Originally posted by RAVEN56706
well nothing is ever set in stone.......titan is probably just saying what they know.

No doubt. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

I know I'll be scanning for new digitals at 11:59pm on 8/31 and 9/1.:rolleyes:

Originally posted by SteveK2
I know I'll be scanning for new digitals at 11:59pm on 8/31 and 9/1.:rolleyes:

Now that's the spirit Steve...........nothing but optimism all around! Probably you and the REST of the contributors of this thread. ;) Let's hope we hear some encouraging new before the deadline!

Originally posted by SteveK2
I know I'll be scanning for new digitals at 11:59pm on 8/31 and 9/1.:rolleyes:
I think those are the least likely times to be looking.

When they are ready to broadcast, they're gonna start. They won't be holding back to flip a switch at 11:59pm.

Either it'll be broadcasting before then, or it won't be broadcasting till after. :)

A non-OTA Question for digital cablevision users. I recently had the SA4200HD box installed. How often does MSG and FSN broadcast in HD? There is a Mets home game tonight so I thought it might be in HD via digital cable.

Originally posted by dgc
A non-OTA Question for digital cablevision users. I recently had the SA4200HD box installed. How often does MSG and FSN broadcast in HD? There is a Mets home game tonight so I thought it might be in HD via digital cable.

Met home games on MSGHD should be in HD...I saw the Met-Yankee game on that channel in June and it was excellent...

Mark

I just checked...it's on now in HD...excellent picture too...Now if the YES network would get on the ball...

Originally posted by dswallow
I think those are the least likely times to be looking.

When they are ready to broadcast, they're gonna start. They won't be holding back to flip a switch at 11:59pm.

Either it'll be broadcasting before then, or it won't be broadcasting till after. :)

Sure, ruin Steve's dream....let him dream......:p

Me, I'll be clicking my heels together chanting, "There's no place like NBC and ABC for HD from the ESB, There's no place like NBC and ABC for HD from the ESB...."

:cool:

Sorry, guys.....but I don't think anyone noticed the 'rolleyes' at the end of my last post.....so my intended cynical humor went un-noticed.

Anything I see on Titantv I take with a grain of salt.....broadcasters' HD availability I take with a lump of salt. It may be the best information available, but track record shows that its not very accurate.....last time I checked (3-4 months ago), there were at least 2 stations listed as broadcasting in HD some time in the future, yet they were already on-line for quite some time.

I really don't re-scan very much at all anymore.....usually every other week or so, tops. There's plenty of OTA/Philly stuff available now and D* HDTV to keep me occupied.

Originally posted by SteveK2
Sorry, guys.....but I don't think anyone noticed the 'rolleyes' at the end of my last post.....so my intended cynical humor went un-noticed.
I did notice. I wasn't trying to ruin your dream or anything. :) It just didn't seem right to throw that comment out without a quote and your post was closest. :D

Anything posted on Titantv like some of the other informational sites comes from the FCC database so until the FCC updates the database that is all they have to go on. I seriously doubt there will be any major DTV developments by the end of this month

And that’s not just speaking speculatively, there may be some low power testing as is the case with WPIX-DT and WNET-DT but I hate to say it don’t look for anything more than that until at the least maybe years end.

Did everyone here forget about the combiner? Its still not built. I think George Thompsons information about this is the most accurate information. According to him it should be November for more HDTV from ESB.

Originally posted by SteveK2
Sorry, guys.....but I don't think anyone noticed the 'rolleyes' at the end of my last post.....so my intended cynical humor went un-noticed.

Anything I see on Titantv I take with a grain of salt.....broadcasters' HD availability I take with a lump of salt. It may be the best information available, but track record shows that its not very accurate.....last time I checked (3-4 months ago), there were at least 2 stations listed as broadcasting in HD some time in the future, yet they were already on-line for quite some time.

I really don't re-scan very much at all anymore.....usually every other week or so, tops. There's plenty of OTA/Philly stuff available now and D* HDTV to keep me occupied.

Me thinks all of our OWN levels of sarcasm has eluded us...I've *fairly certain* that "the regulars" here are aware that the ESB is a pipe dream for 8/31...9/1.....and as such my own replies were aimed in that way.

You REALLY think I'm going to take out my BEST Judy Garland Ruby Slippers REPLICAS and waste a few taps on a silly HD station or 2??:p

AFA TitanTV...yes, she has shown to be fairly out of date...incorrect..and behind. One of the DT stations that you talk about is 65-1...or 66-1...Espanol~ station. It's been "live" for a few months now. But according to Titan it's not *really* Broadcasting....although I haven't tried to MANUALLY enter it into my DT settings to see if Programming indeed shows up.

On a more thread related note, WTXF-DT was BOOMING for me last night---100%! But I didn't futz with the rotor to try and pick up 17-1 or 10-1. And, on your D* programming note I couldn't agree more....that $10.99 a month seems AWFULLY well spent lately :D

Originally posted by jaypb
Me thinks all of our OWN levels of sarcasm has eluded us...I've *fairly certain* that "the regulars" here are aware that the ESB is a pipe dream for 8/31...9/1.....and as such my own replies were aimed in that way.

AFA TitanTV...yes, she has shown to be fairly out of date...incorrect..and behind. One of the DT stations that you talk about is 65-1...or 66-1...Espanol~ station. It's been "live" for a few months now. But according to Titan it's not *really* Broadcasting....although I haven't tried to MANUALLY enter it into my DT settings to see if Programming indeed shows up.

On a more thread related note, WTXF-DT was BOOMING for me last night---100%! But I didn't futz with the rotor to try and pick up 17-1 or 10-1.

Yes, jaybp, we're all getting a little synical from all the bad experiences we've had, and the frustration associated with it. YOU of all people should know!;) WRT tropo-cabana affect, I was picking up WCAU for a short time last night. Got to watch The West Wing. The Comcrap feed for this show is ALWAYS grainy and distorted and dark and aweful. It was nice to be able to WATCH the show for once. Just a little tease last night. Today is status quo.....no show. :(

I'm pretty far south... zip 08009, Winslow TWP, Camden County... very near the intersection of rt30 and rt73.

I never really thought about trying to recieve NY stations, as I didn't see them when I did my research on antennaweb. Recently, I was on antennaweb again and put in my address. Previously, it defaulted to my zip as I'm in a new development and my address wasn't in the database. Anyway, NOW the address is mapped... but incorrectly (mapquest has the same error), it shows a non-existant street about 2 miles north of my actual location... BUT IT SHOWS A FEW NY STATIONS AT THE VERY FRINGE OF THAT AREA!!! When I put in just my zip, the NY stations don't show.

SOOOOO... I'm wondering if anyone knows if I might be able to actually get those NY stations?

BTW, right now I'm using a Silver Sensor, mounted about 12' above grade outdoors, and have the Philly stations locked in. I could mount a "real" outdoor antenna attached to the second story roof... ~ 25-30' up.

Originally posted by Calabs
Yes, jaybp, we're all getting a little synical from all the bad experiences we've had, and the frustration associated with it. YOU of all people should know!;) WRT tropo-cabana affect, I was picking up WCAU for a short time last night. Got to watch The West Wing. The Comcrap feed for this show is ALWAYS grainy and distorted and dark and aweful. It was nice to be able to WATCH the show for once. Just a little tease last night. Today is status quo.....no show. :(

It's pretty depressing on the whole that there is no NBC hi-def to watch...and to a lesser degree IMHO even WB out of NYC. I'd LOVE to see a Mets game in HD...for the sake of it being HD.

Now...when you say "The Comcrap feed for this show is ALWAYS grainy and distorted and dark and aweful"...shall I assume you have Comcast HD? I was leaning (as you *may* remember) towards that route back in May/June....but reality got the best of me....and I'm going to sit tight, hold onto my dollars and wait for NYC to go live. I'm probably going to dump my cable modem service and go DSL if I ever get around to it. I know DSL isn't as reliable as Cable broadband...but I'm paying IIRC $62.50 a month now for Comcast high Speed....and Verizon (albeit skittish depending on location) is offering $29.99/mth for DSL bundled with my other phone services....I'm leaning....really leaning...like a big ole' Tom Turkey float in the Thanksgiving Day Parade during a heavy wind leaning....
:D

Originally posted by jaypb
I know DSL isn't as reliable as Cable broadband...
How precisely do you "know" this? It's far from the truth.

DSL isn't always as fast as cable can be (though with all the speed restrictions placed on cable these days, more often than not DSL is faster, with the notable exception of Optimum Online), but certainly is more reliable. I had far more outages with Comcast Cable than I ever have had with DSL. And I have quite consistent, reliable speeds all the time, never with noticable slowdowns during "popular" periods I'd see at times with cable. I have a block of public IP's and no restrictions on what I do with my connection. Unlike cable.

Verizon DSL for more than 2 years. Downtime: 15 minutes, ONE TIME (and I think it was my fault)

Cable "might" be slightly faster, on off peak times.

Only problems I've ever had were early on...3 years ago... when the ISPs and line providers were taking turns going out of business. You won't have that problem with Verizon.

NOW... how far south do those NY stations reach? :)

Originally posted by dswallow
How precisely do you "know" this? It's far from the truth.

DSL isn't always as fast as cable can be (though with all the speed restrictions placed on cable these days, more often than not DSL is faster, with the notable exception of Optimum Online), but certainly is more reliable. I had far more outages with Comcast Cable than I ever have had with DSL. And I have quite consistent, reliable speeds all the time, never with noticable slowdowns during "popular" periods I'd see at times with cable. I have a block of public IP's and no restrictions on what I do with my connection. Unlike cable.

I guess I'm basing in on talking to neighbors. I'm in an "older" area. 30 year old homes have 30 year old phone wiring. I was told that was an issue...and as such the DSL lines have a habit of "being down"....but again, I'm not sure if it's an "area" thing or a "house by house" thing. I've had Comcast for almost 1 year now...and I *think* I've been down 2-3 times for more than 3 hours. A handful of times for less than an hour.

I've read the speed/reliability pros and cons about DSL vs cable...but for me I *think* it's come down to cost. But, that's a thought for a TOTALLY different forum :p

Calabs


I had a pretty decent tropo experience last night picked up WPVI-DT all of last night without drop outs I usually have a very weak signal most of the time. I also picked up 65-1 and 65-2 Spanish language channels.

Originally posted by jaypb
I guess I'm basing in on talking to neighbors. I'm in an "older" area. 30 year old homes have 30 year old phone wiring. I was told that was an issue...and as such the DSL lines have a habit of "being down"....but again, I'm not sure if it's an "area" thing or a "house by house" thing. I've had Comcast for almost 1 year now...and I *think* I've been down 2-3 times for more than 3 hours. A handful of times for less than an hour.

I've read the speed/reliability pros and cons about DSL vs cable...but for me I *think* it's come down to cost. But, that's a thought for a TOTALLY different forum :p
There's some simple things to do when/if you decide to get DSL that will help. Install a DSL splitter where the service comes into your home. Don't let the DSL signal run through your current house wiring phone loop. THe splitter will be connected to the phone company line, and from there the phone line side goes to your regular house loop, where it is now, and the the DSL signal goes to the DSL modem using a dedicated wire. This avoids having to use DSL filters through the house, and avoids noise issues with the typical loop run for providing phone lines to many rooms in a house... that can act like a big antenna.

Cost can be a big issue with cable companies that penalize you when you don't suscribe to cable TV services by charge more than basic cable in addition to the internet fee.

Originally posted by DaveInBerlinNJ
Verizon DSL for more than 2 years. Downtime: 15 minutes, ONE TIME (and I think it was my fault)

Cable "might" be slightly faster, on off peak times.

Only problems I've ever had were early on...3 years ago... when the ISPs and line providers were taking turns going out of business. You won't have that problem with Verizon.

NOW... how far south do those NY stations reach? :)

I'm not sure HOW far south they reach....maybe someone from your neck of the woods can chime in.

Honestly, I don't think you'll need to pick up what NYC has to offer digitally if you can "get it" from Philly. OTher than a Yankee game on WCBS (which isn't in HD) or a different Fox Baseball/Football game on the weekends, you're pretty much covered. IIRC it's only 2/5/9 that are broadcasting digitally with any power for "our area" of NJ. 11 and 13 are low power. 4/7 don't exist yet. Other than the PBS's that's about it.

:(

Originally posted by dswallow
There's some simple things to do when/if you decide to get DSL that will help. Install a DSL splitter where the service comes into your home. Don't let the DSL signal run through your current house wiring phone loop. THe splitter will be connected to the phone company line, and from there the phone line side goes to your regular house loop, where it is now, and the the DSL signal goes to the DSL modem using a dedicated wire. This avoids having to use DSL filters through the house, and avoids noise issues with the typical loop run for providing phone lines to many rooms in a house... that can act like a big antenna.

Cost can be a big issue with cable companies that penalize you when you don't suscribe to cable TV services by charge more than basic cable in addition to the internet fee.

Interesting thought AFA the splitter. I'll have to see if I have a convenient way/path/route to rewire from the box to where my PC's are.

AFA the cost---trust me I know. Comcast without cable service is what I have now $62.50 or so. With cable the internet access part drops down about 14$ or so.

Originally posted by wward
Calabs


I had a pretty decent tropo experience last night picked up WPVI-DT all of last night without drop outs I usually have a very weak signal most of the time. I also picked up 65-1 and 65-2 Spanish language channels.

wward,
I only wish we can get these affects more often (say Monday thru Sunday). FOX and WHYY were screaming at 75-80%.:eek:

BTW, I get the updates from WHYY regarding programming, and I e-mailed Dianne Chanault asking when they will be showing that Alaska documentary again (the one in glorious HD). For those interested, it will be airing again September 15th at 10:30 pm

Calabs



Did you loose power?

Originally posted by jaypb
It's pretty depressing on the whole that there is no NBC hi-def to watch...and to a lesser degree IMHO even WB out of NYC. I'd LOVE to see a Mets game in HD...for the sake of it being HD.

Now...when you say "The Comcrap feed for this show is ALWAYS grainy and distorted and dark and aweful"...shall I assume you have Comcast HD?

jaypb - No, I've got the plain-Jane analog cable. I've also been leaning toward getting Comcast Digital for NBC, but I think I can wait for another few months and get it for free. Perhaps I'll change my tune when hockey season kicks in and they start showing HD hockey. Can you say ESPN-HD on Comcast cable???????

Originally posted by wward
Calabs



Did you loose power?

If you are referring to today.....this afternoon at home, my wife told me we lost power for a while, but got it back now. I also heard that there were SEVERAL areas across the country and Canada that also lost power at the same time, including NYC. Here come the terrorists!!!!!! I also heard that they were targeting all the digital towers in the US. ;) ;) ;) ;)

Originally posted by Calabs
If you are referring to today.....this afternoon at home, my wife told me we lost power for a while, but got it back now. I also heard that there were SEVERAL areas across the country and Canada that also lost power at the same time, including NYC. Here come the terrorists!!!!!! I also heard that they were targeting all the digital towers in the US. ;) ;) ;) ;)

I work in Staten Island...and let me tell you what a pain in the arse it was just getting across back to NJ this evening! :mad:

I notice that D*'s locals for NYC are "down". Haven't gone downstairs to check the OTA situation....either way I'm happy I HAVE power here in Monroe....all my friends who dare not move to Jersey for fear of being in "hick towns"....are now sweating their arse's off in NY .....ahh, what a country....:p

Funny you say that seeing how im a S.I transplanted in hicksville (Jackson) NJ Thank god i have power.

I wonder just how many local stations are dead because of the power outage?

As far as OTA goes seem to be a good night as i am receiving fox philly (29-1) watchable for the first time ever! And it just so happens there broadcasting the football game! So I can finally say Fox's widescreen ain't that bad but its no HD. It is MUCH better than streached SD. IMO.

None of the New York digitals are on the air from what I can tell. As a matter of fact I was watching WCBS-DT when the power dipped here in NJ (it came back for me in less than a min.) WCBS-DT's signal strength went down quickly to about 28 and then about half an hour later was gone.

I switched over to the SD feed on DirecTv channel 380 up until about 7:30 then BAM the locals went and have been out ever since. Just checked and as of 11:40 est nothing.

I wonder if DirecTv just decided to not to show any of the New York programming because of the wall 2 wall coverage of the blackout? I know for a fact that the New York stations are running on backup power this is strange to say the least.

Originally posted by webboy10169
As far as OTA goes seem to be a good night as i am receiving fox philly (29-1) watchable for the first time ever! And it just so happens there broadcasting the football game! So I can finally say Fox's widescreen ain't that bad but its no HD. It is MUCH better than streached SD. IMO.

I wanted to ask about the Fox broadcast of the Raider-SF game on 29 tonight. It's wide-screen DT but not HD, but it's an excellent picture. What is the resolution? Will all Fox's games be like this till 2004 when they go HD?

Thanks

Mark

Originally posted by NYYFAN
I wanted to ask about the Fox broadcast of the Raider-SF game on 29 tonight. It's wide-screen DT but not HD, but it's an excellent picture. What is the resolution? Will all Fox's games be like this till 2004 when they go HD?

Thanks

Mark

Ahhh yes, the old FOX Widescreen!! No HD on Fox as of yet. They are broadcasting in 480p (DVD quality). There is a rumor that they are planning to go to 720P, but not sure of the timing. I wouldn't hold my breath. :eek:

Originally posted by Calabs
Ahhh yes, the old FOX Widescreen!! No HD on Fox as of yet. They are broadcasting in 480p (DVD quality). There is a rumor that they are planning to go to 720P, but not sure of the timing. I wouldn't hold my breath. :eek:

Thanks for the info...I read an article on one of the Home Theater forums, that FOX was going HD in very late 2003 early 2004... I guess they have to keep up with CBS, ABC, and ESPNHD...Isn't competition great! :D

But like you said, don't hold your breath...

Mark

Originally posted by webboy10169
I wonder just how many local stations are dead because of the power outage?

Interesting thought---last night....FOR THE FIRST TIME..I picked up WWAC-DT (44-1) out of AC.....I say it's interesting because if indeed 5-1 WAS off the air (it's really Digital Channel 44) I wonder if THAT Is what allowed me to pick up WWAC-DT last night ?!?! I've pretty much ALWAYS been able to pick up a 1/2 way decent signal with my CM4228 for 5-1(44) FOX from NYC when I am facing Philly. But last night, 5-1 was dead....44-1 was booming (79 on my E86) and I got to watch 2 guys hawking cars....from a dealership in I Believe Manahawkin (how ironic ;))



As far as OTA goes seem to be a good night as i am receiving fox philly (29-1) watchable for the first time ever! And it just so happens there broadcasting the football game! So I can finally say Fox's widescreen ain't that bad but its no HD. It is MUCH better than streached SD. IMO.

That game looked pretty impressive for a 16:9 Faux presentation. MUCH better on my Toshiba than 5-1 stretched out. It was actually my first chance to see ANY Faux stretched sporting event.

Not bad....it's not HD but it's not bad.... :p

Also hooked up my 17" PHillips Widescreen LCD TV in the (partially redone) kitchen last night....crudely I might add. I need to tweak EVERYTHING. The picture, the receiver, I still need to hook up the OTA antenna....but the picture (at least on the HD channels from D*) looked pretty sweet!

Found out that due to the limited power the New York stations could not broadcast any of their digital channels and couldn’t provide satellite uplinks to DBS providers and had limited fiber transmission service.

Jaypb

Ever since that station went live (WWAC) my reception of WNWY-DT dropped of significantly to the point that I have to really futz with the antenna to pick up a decent signal.

Strange thing is I can’t pick up WWAC-DT except on string tropo nights I didn’t try last night. I suspect if I had a directional outdoor antenna I would probably be able to pick up WNYW-DT without any problems

WOW OTA is booming here in Jackson NJ Im getting fox29 (29-1) still and now nbc (10-1) i never receive these channels. Is this a tropo effect???

Or because of power outages in metro area that distant signals are screaming threw ?

Originally posted by webboy10169
WOW OTA is booming here in Jackson NJ Im getting fox29 (29-1) still and now nbc (10-1) i never receive these channels. Is this a tropo effect???

Or because of power outages in metro area that distant signals are screaming threw ?

Webboy, are you still using the Silver Sensor? With the CM 4228 in my attic, I'm get those stations strong all the time now...

yeah im still using the SS Im out of money to make any more purchases :(

but the CM, amp, and rotor are being worked into the budget.

Originally posted by webboy10169
yeah im still using the SS Im out of money to make any more purchases :(

but the CM, amp, and rotor are being worked into the budget.

You will love the result...I'm still debating my need for the rotor. But it would be fun swinging it around and looking for new channels... :D

We should get together for a beer and BS about HD... :D

Originally posted by NYYFAN
You will love the result...I'm still debating my need for the rotor. But it would be fun swinging it around and looking for new channels... :D

We should get together for a beer and BS about HD... :D

Sounds good to me theres always beer in my fridge.

Ok so im bitting the bullet where did you get the antenna? I want to buy it now...
Did you get an amp/preamp also?

Ok so to upgrade i would need:

4228A Channel master Antenna
7775 UHF pre-amp or the 7777 which one is better???

If I go for the rotor should i get Channel Master Model 9521A??

and of course cabling

Don't forget about the mast, grounding block, and grounding wire!

Originally posted by webboy10169
Sounds good to me theres always beer in my fridge.

Ok so im bitting the bullet where did you get the antenna? I want to buy it now...
Did you get an amp/preamp also?

Ok so to upgrade i would need:

4228A Channel master Antenna
7775 UHF pre-amp or the 7777 which one is better???

If I go for the rotor should i get Channel Master Model 9521A??

and of course cabling

On Steve's recommendation I bought it from:

http://www.starkelectronic.com/

Super fast excellent service. I ordered it on a Friday and had it by Tuesday.

I got the CM 4228 and the 7775 pre-amp on everyone's recommendations. I'd be guessing as to which pre-amp is better. Cost with shipping for those two items came to $130

If or should I say when I get the rotor it will be the CM9521A, I want the remote and watch the signals come in from my sofa... :D

Since mine went in the attic I just bought a 5ft mast for RS like $7

If you order the rotor from Stark, make sure you get the rotor wire from them for .13 a foot, I couldn't find rotor wire anywhere in our area.

To mount the antenna I did it like this guy:

http://www.fota.net/antenna/

All the info I got was from the Central NJ guys here, like Steve and Jaypb...

I used 100 ft of RG6 wire...

Mark

Originally posted by webboy10169
Ok so im bitting the bullet where did you get the antenna? I want to buy it now...
Did you get an amp/preamp also?
www.warrenelectronics.com is cheaper, you can order online instead of calling, and you'll get similarly super-fast delivery (1 or 2 days).

The 7777 has VHF, too. That's what I got. If you have particularly strong VHF signals around you, then you might want to avoid this one. There's only so much power available in a broadband preamp, and if you've got a local VHF channel too strong, it could affect the preamps ability to amplify elsewhere in the spectrum without putting in a filter to reduce the power on the offending channels. Otherwise the UHF sides are identical.

The 4228A will pick up some of the high VHF band, too, so a preamp that can amplify that can be advantageous.

Radio Shack is the simplest source for mast, though you might consider any mounting hardware you need when you order online as sometimes it's difficult to find Radio Shack stores with what you want in stock. You can get the mast online too, but I'd think shipping might make it more costly.

I got my 10 foot mast from RS in E. Brunswick. ~$15.00. They also had the chimney mounting hardware there too. They had the side-house mounting hardware as well.

Happy mounting!!

Originally posted by dswallow
www.warrenelectronics.com is cheaper, you can order online instead of calling, and you'll get similarly super-fast delivery (1 or 2 days).

The 7777 has VHF, too. That's what I got. If you have particularly strong VHF signals around you, then you might want to avoid this one. There's only so much power available in a broadband preamp, and if you've got a local VHF channel too strong, it could affect the preamps ability to amplify elsewhere in the spectrum without putting in a filter to reduce the power on the offending channels. Otherwise the UHF sides are identical.

The 4228A will pick up some of the high VHF band, too, so a preamp that can amplify that can be advantageous.

Radio Shack is the simplest source for mast, though you might consider any mounting hardware you need when you order online as sometimes it's difficult to find Radio Shack stores with what you want in stock. You can get the mast online too, but I'd think shipping might make it more costly.

Yes warren is where i will order from been stairing at that site for months. Was hoping to get it locally and install today but not in this hick town.
So VHF can cause interference with HD when coupled with a preamp... Never thought of that. Now wondering if i should just go with the 7775 over the 7777/ Who need VHF right?? were talking HDOTA here. Anything that will be picked up VHF will be analog and im interested in digital.

Or should i be concerned with VHF? Is there anything worth watching out there in VHF land???

Originally posted by webboy10169
Or should i be concerned with VHF? Is there anything worth watching out there in VHF land???
WPIX broadcasts their digital signal on VHF 12 right now.

For what it's worth, over here in Long Branch there's no VHF station close enough. And I think we're talking maybe within 5-10 miles that you might need to be concerned... and only if it's high power. I use the 7777. However the worst you'd have to do with the 7777 is cap off the VHF input on the amplifier so it's shielded, and switch the amplifier to separate VHF/UHF inputs (there's 2 modes, a combined VHF/UHF input or separate).

Freaky fridays in sheepsheadbay, brooklyn, for the past 2 Friday's have been able to get the philly channels, 6.1,6.2,and 29.1 at low part of normal on the hd200, while during the week i got zippo.Well , last night the reading were from normal to good, and i even got 3.1 with good signal.This was before fox [5.1] and upn [5.2] came back on from the nyc blackout this am.Now im back to very week signals and no picture [philly stations], how frustrating this stuff can be :). But, i remain confident i'll be able to get the philly stations once the trees shed their foliage.
adios
Stan

Well, all the philly stations are back up again, im quite amazed ,i must be 90 miles out of philly, and have huge trees right in front of my cm4228 :)
Stan

So, are you able to receive Philly stations today?? I've had occasional reception from stations in Baltimore and Salisbury MD (140+ miles away) but I know that's due to extreme tropo conditions.

Today is not very favorable for tropo effect.

90 miles + no tropo effect = zippo picture.

winter's tropo effects are almost non-existent.

glad to see you are optimistic about reception once the leaves fall....but it is not realistic.:(

I lost my CBS, FOX & UPN OTA digitals on my Sony Sat HD200...won't tune them in at all...I am right off 18 in South River...anyone else missing their digital OTA channels?

Yes Steve, im watching the MNF game as we speak, i seem to be able to pull in the philly stations after 9;30pm , till about 10 am
Stan

stan,
that's a pretty long window for reception. did you get anything at all before MNF came on? no reception during most of the daylight hours, but good reception at night is typical for uhf long-range....especially during the summer....i remember getting uhf analog from philly when i was a kid in bayonne....but usually only worked at night during the summer.

There are some guys on this thread who'd love to know the details about your installation (sorry if you've already posted it). in particular....antenna height, pre-amps, etc. you may just be in a lucky spot (geographically) for summertime evening reception...but in the event that its more than just tropo (or a fluke), others would like to know what equipment is in the mix.

for me, i've been getting solid philly digitals (3-1, 6-1, 10-1, 12-1, 17-1, 32-1) 24 hours a day since i removed a signal splitter (that was temporary, but forgotten) from my coax line. I'm looking forward to a 'bad' tropo day so that I can see what to expect during the winter. my signals have remained strong all day today, in spite of a weak tropo forecast. perhaps tropo effect is stronger than the forecast expected.

Originally posted by gmyron
I lost my CBS, FOX & UPN OTA digitals on my Sony Sat HD200...won't tune them in at all...I am right off 18 in South River...anyone else missing their digital OTA channels?

I lost all of my NYC dt locals since the blackout.
anyone else?

Yes Steve im quite amazed at how my signal jumps at around 9;30 pm, most of day on my sony hd200 it sits in bad zone, buy, soon as i hit 9;30 it jumps to high normal to good, and stays there till the morning.
i have a cm4228 sitting on my roof[ 20 feet to roof] and its about 7 feet above the roof floor , also using a cm7777 pre amp and cm rotator. From where i am, i basically can hold all my nyc dt channels, even while pointed at philly, except cbs.The trees ive been talking about are about 25 feet in front of the antenna when its pointed at philly, and they must be 20 to 25 feet above my roof line with lots of foliage. hope this helps.
Stan

dapope, have you tried to receive the ABC station from New Haven, CT? I live on the south shore of Long Island and I'm considering adding a cm7777 pre amp and rotor to my antenna if it would allow me to get ABC from CT.

Stan...
thanks for posting the details on your setup...its very similar to what some of the others on this thread are using...but without the same great results.

kcn823, yes i have tried to stations out of New Haven, no luck tho. Also, i have never gotten anything on nbc 10.1 philly, although i do get a fuzzy analog 10. All philly channels are gone now 10;30am [signal bar is 1/2 way thru bad], i;ll hopefully get them back again tonight.

I lost all of my NYC dt locals since the blackout.

I had to go through the "initial" setup on my HD200 before I could get the digitals back up...it must have removed them during the blackout....

I was surfing the channel add on my STB last night, and picked up a channel 16-1 (channel 21). First time for me. Seemed to be a CBS affiliate, as it had Judging Amy on in HD. There was a commercial on that advertised some place in Maryland! Any chance of that being the case? Now that's FAR!

Very strange.

16-1 is WBOC (Salisbury Md) on the Delmarva Peninsula. It has a sister station on 21-2 that carries UPN programming.

I picked them up several times about 3 weeks ago. Definately a tropo-effect reception since it is 140 or so miles from my house.

Originally posted by SteveK2
16-1 is WBOC (Salisbury Md) on the Delmarva Peninsula. It has a sister station on 21-2 that carries UPN programming.

I picked them up several times about 3 weeks ago. Definately a tropo-effect reception since it is 140 or so miles from my house.

Thanks Steve - Actually I was getting 21-2 as well. It shows up once in a blue moon. Remind me again, why can't we get WCAU? ;) I guess it's still looking sketchy for them. Also, on the Philly thread (I think I've seen you there from time to time) someone said that PAX may be coming up around the same timeframe. Not sure when that time is, but apparently the reason why there has been a delay is the manufacturer. It's essentially out of the network's hands now. They mentioned something about "sweeping" the tower. Anyone know what the term refers to?

Originally posted by Calabs
They mentioned something about "sweeping" the tower. Anyone know what the term refers to?

Pigeon Poop of course silly :p

Hello girls and boys----just got back from a little R_N_R in the Poconos...which HAS to be the hellhole of OTA DT reception! :eek:

Slowly but surely I'm completing my kitchen remodeling...and over the weekend I hooked up my Philips 17" LCD Widescreen HDTV....with my E86...and a OTA CM4228 (a separate one....now my house looks like a friggin' NASA station)....and a CM 3041DB pre-amp and Magnavox Rotor...the "old style" with the crack hand dial.

I'm sad to say I've got the same issues....AFA NOT getting "the usual suspects" (WCAU/WWHY) and "issues" with the usual suspects (WPVI/WTXF/WPHL). I'm going to "attempt" to raise the antenna another mast level (5 feet) the way I did it on the OTHER side of the house and see if it brings in at least WPVI steadily (as it did on the other side of the house) time and weather willing :mad:

So, if anyone is looking for a sweet 17" 16:9'ish (think it's really 15:10) LCD HD TV....I'd highly recommend the Philips 17pf9945....J&R was the only one I saw carrying it...and for under a grand it's a great value with a great picture both OTA AND D* HD wise!

:cool:

Originally posted by jaypb
Pigeon Poop of course silly :p

Hello girls and boys----just got back from a little R_N_R in the Poconos...which HAS to be the hellhole of OTA DT reception! :eek:



Now that's a continuous operation! If that's the case, we may NEVER see WCAU! :D

Welcome back jaypb - Camped out in the sticks sort of makes you appreciate what you have (don't have) here in Central NJ, ay? I guess all we need is a little patience until the slow movers go live. In the world of OTA, patience is most certainly a virtue! :)

I live in Eatontown, which is Central Jersey about 45 miles from NYC and 60 miles from philly as the crow flies. I get from Philly CBS HD 24/7 with little or no pixelation and can get ABC only at nite with some pixelation. PBS is also 24/7 in the normal strength. Sony hd-200 with Elite Pioneer 530.

Am using Channel master fringe UHF/VHF/FM with a circuit board amp that slides into antenna. Gets its B+ from power supply thru coax. Has 16DB gain. Go to www.channelmaster.com and look at the Quantum 3 preamp. Model 0100DSB. Better than external amp that clamps on mast for me. Am using a rotor.

Got to be 10 feet about house 40 feet total.

From NYC can only get CBS and Fox OTA HD.

I'm confused. I was at Sears the other day and bought a Silver Sensor antenna. I figured I'd hook it up to my Samsung 520 (I also have Directv) and see what comes in.

I plugged it into the ANT hookup with standard coax cable, then did an EZ channel scan. Not a single HD channel is now visible in the channel guide. It did discover some SD channels that are pretty snowy, though.

Then I tried tuning directly to HD channels, like channel 8 and channel 12 - I picked up the remote, and keyed in 8 and 12. Nothing, blank screen with "Signal Not Available". I then tried a couple of channels with the - in them, like 43-1. Entering that directly didn't show anything either... now I'm cool with the fact that I may be in an area where an inside antenna doesn't work, but you'd think I'd at least see SOMETHING, right?

I live near Bridgwater NJ, and I tried the following (all of them):
WKYWDT (3-1)
WPSGDT (57-1)
WNJTDT (43-1/2/3/4)
WPVIDT (6-1)
WCAUDT (10-1)
WTXFDT (29-1)
WPHLDT (17-1)
PBS: 12.1
WPVI (6-1 on my E86)
FOX 37-44

I figured that for where I live, I was bound to get at least one of these decently. Was I wrong?

Am I supposed to make some configuration changes on the HD receiver to make this work? How do I tune in to these stations?

Thanks
-Glenn

Better than external amp that clamps on mast.

...really? Specs on the Q3 0100DSB aren't as good as the CM7775 & CM7777 which are the models usually recommended (on this thread). The latter 2 models have better noise and gain ratings. Unless I'm reading CM's website specs wrong.

now I'm cool with the fact that I may be in an area where an inside antenna doesn't work, but you'd think I'd at least see SOMETHING, right?

wrong...and right. as indicated above, the Silver Sensor is highly directional, so you need to point it at the broadcast tower/signal source. if you just hook it up and point it randomly you are more than likely to get exactly what you got -- zip.

check www.antennaweb.org for approximate directional headings to point your Silver Sensor.

but you are right....once you point it correctly you should be able to receive something (depending, of course your exact location in B'water). If you are at the foot of the first Watchung Mtn, don't expect to get anything out of NYC. But if you are 'in the clear' then you should be able to get 2-1 (WCBS) and 5-1 (Fox 5) by pointing at the Empire State Bldg.

Hope this helps.

OK - I'll try 2-1 and 5-1. But how do I do that? Just turn the thing on, and enter them like I would "normal" channels?

I turned the system on, entered 2-1 on the remote, and got a blank screen. This is better than what I got before (channel not available). Moving the antenna around didn't seem to do anything, though - the screen is still blank. I live about 5 miles west of Bridgewater, so who knows - maybe the signal is just not strong enough to get into the house.

Any other strong stations I could try?

Thanks
-Glenn

hmmm...5 miles west of B'water tells me that the Watchungs are in the way of receiving NYC digitals (without knowing your precise location/elevation).

you might want to try pointing south-west towards Philadelphia.....again, try antennaweb.org to get the bearing to the broadcast tower, then point the Silver Sensor along that bearing (use a compass if necessary to get your directional bearings right...or at least approximate).

Originally posted by glennwa
I'm confused. I was at Sears the other day and bought a Silver Sensor antenna. I figured I'd hook it up to my Samsung 520 (I also have Directv) and see what comes in.



Glenn,
Is the Samsung 520, HD ready? If not you will need a STB to get HD.

Mark

Mark,
I think the Samsung 520 is a flat-panel lcd monitor......didn't see mention of any HD STB on glenn's message.
??????????

The 520 is an HD STB. It does DirecTV, cable, and OTA.

Originally posted by SteveK2
Mark,
I think the Samsung 520 is a flat-panel lcd monitor......didn't see mention of any HD STB on glenn's message.
??????????

That's why I asked, he said he was plugging coax directly to the monitor and didn't mention a STB...????

Originally posted by glennwa
The 520 is an HD STB. It does DirecTV, cable, and OTA.

I stand corrected... what's your zip? I'd like to check it out on antenna web?

Mark

Looking at a map, you should get the Trenton PBS channels...aiming south west...

The 520 is an HD STB. It does DirecTV, cable, and OTA.

An STB for HDTV?? Haven't seen/heard of that one (yet)....is it a new model?? I have the Samsung TS-160 that is an HDTV STB for D*, OTA, cable. I've heard of Zenith 520, but not one from Samsung.....??

Originally posted by SteveK2
An STB for HDTV?? Haven't seen/heard of that one (yet)....is it a new model?? I have the Samsung TS-160 that is an HDTV STB for D*, OTA, cable. I've heard of Zenith 520, but not one from Samsung.....??

When I did a Samsung 520 search all I got was the monitor you mentioned...

Oops. Sorry about that, I meant a Zenith 520. :eek: :confused:

Originally posted by glennwa
Oops. Sorry about that, I meant a Zenith 520. :eek: :confused:

Cool...how far are you from Trenton? Looks like you should get the 52's from where your at...

That's a good idea. I'll try those.

Thanks

I can't find a list anywhere that shows channels in the 20's. I found http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/stations.asp, but that doesn't have anything from Trenton in that range. Can you tell me what they are, or a better place to find channel listings?

Thanks

Originally posted by glennwa
I can't find a list anywhere that shows channels in the 20's. I found http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/stations.asp, but that doesn't have anything from Trenton in that range. Can you tell me what they are, or a better place to find channel listings?

Thanks

Some of the Trenton PBS digital and HD channels are 52-1, 52-2, 52-3, and 52-4

If you read through this thread there is a ton of info on channels in the central NJ area...

I was browsing channels two nights ago and picked up a signal on 7-1 (45). The signal was too weak for my Zentith 520 to display any picture if there was even one to display. My attic mounted antenna is pointed at the Empire State, so my question is ABC back up or maybe doing some testing?

Anyone else getting a signal on 7-1 (45)?

Originally posted by JAKEJ
I was browsing channels two nights ago and picked up a signal on 7-1 (45). The signal was too weak for my Zentith 520 to display any picture if there was even one to display. My attic mounted antenna is pointed at the Empire State, so my question is ABC back up or maybe doing some testing?

Anyone else getting a signal on 7-1 (45)?

Hmmmmmm. Very interesting JakeJ. Not sure about the testing, but what else could it be but WABC? What signal strength were you getting?

Originally posted by Calabs
Hmmmmmm. Very interesting JakeJ. Not sure about the testing, but what else could it be but WABC? What signal strength were you getting?

Sorry I didn't reply to you guys earlier....odds are with the way Tropo has been this week (at least forecast wise on the Hepburn site) I'm inclined to think you were picking up a Connecticut DT station that broadcasts on 45. If you do a search on this thread from a few weeks ago, you'll see I commented that I was picking up a station on 45-1 out of Connecticut---think it was a PBS station---and I almost crapped my drawers thinking it was indeed The Big Mouse station out of NYC.

From TVWorld.com:

WEDN Digital 45 PBS-CPTV Norwich CT


No such thing though. Me thinks NYC HD is starting to look like a really impossible dream for 2003.
:(

Anyone know what digital channel WABC will be broadcasting from?

Originally posted by Calabs
What signal strength were you getting?

Don't recall the exact naming convention used, but the signal didn't get past the lower 1/3 of the meter. It was steady though. I would be surprised if it was CT, since I have been unable to get even a blip from there.

Originally posted by JAKEJ
Don't recall the exact naming convention used, but the signal didn't get past the lower 1/3 of the meter. It was steady though. I would be surprised if it was CT, since I have been unable to get even a blip from there.

JakeJ - Don't be surprised if you pick it up these days. I was getting a CBS station from Maryland the other night that's about 140 miles from E. Brunswick. So, stranger things have happened. I'd LIKE to believe it was ABC testing their equipment. Any way of finding out for sure. It's tough to tell when you don't get a signal strong enough to "see" any hints. :cool:

Perhaps George Thompson would know? He's been giving the folks on the NYC tread some heads up info regarding the progress of the combiner. Worth an inquiry!

While not as accurate as the IRS or other US Govm't agencies, Titan now says:

ABC 45 WABC-DT Dec 31 2003
NBC 28 WNBC-DT Dec 31 2003


Read em and weep..............:(

Originally posted by jaypb
While not as accurate as the IRS or other US Govm't agencies, Titan now says:

ABC 45 WABC-DT Dec 31 2003
NBC 28 WNBC-DT Dec 31 2003


Read em and weep..............:(

Dec 31st............hmmmm................any chance NBC or ABC are interested in broadcasting the Time Square Ball dropping in HD?? ;)

As things go, I'n not surprised. And so it goes.:(

Am I the only one seeing Grey sidebars on 4:3 programming on WCBS=DT right now....2:16 PM??? Is this new? Or show specific? It's some soap opera. All my other DT's have black bars on 4:3 programming.

Anyone?

I finally have success! Some time back I posted some pictures of the trees and the water tower that were blocking my signal. This morning I finally found the sweet spot on the roof and put up at 15 ft mast with a CM 4228 and Wneguard preamp.
I'm getting the elusive WCAU at 73 percent. PVI and Kyw are in the mid 80s. Of course the 15ft mast is side mounted at the LOWEST part of my first floor roof, but it's working. Now all I have to do is figure out a good way to put the guy wires on it. I can't go to the ground because my property line is only about 2 ft from my house. I figure I will have to put some kind of L brackets on the side of the house and run the wires to them on that side and run two back and screw them into the roof. Won't be the prettiest job but nobody sees that part of the house anyway :-)

The signal seems to stay pretty consistant, except when a plane goes by..... that could be a fact of life around here. I'm about 6 miles from McGuire and I think the crews use my driveway as the base leg on approach.

I want to thanks all who have given me ideas on getting this done.

Wayne

jaypb-

No, I'm seeing the same thing...grey bars on 2-1 on both the Panasonic and Zenith Receivers. Yet 3-1 playing the same program (golf at the moment) has dark bars....

P.S.

Drove me crazy for a while...

Originally posted by tonyo123
jaypb-

No, I'm seeing the same thing...grey bars on 2-1 on both the Panasonic and Zenith Receivers. Yet 3-1 playing the same program (golf at the moment) has dark bars....

P.S.

Drove me crazy for a while...

I'm with ya on the comparison aspect. IT is the case though (IIRC) that grey bars have less of a chance of burn in than black ones correct?

Also---I was finally able to pick up 8-1/2 out of New Brunswick today on my CM4228 in the kitchen hooked up to the 3041DSB (??) CM pre-amp (as it passes VHF signals where as my other cm4228 with the cm7775 pre-amp blocks VHF). Do they show a pbs hd loop?

Also--Webboy and anyone else with an E86---you guys still having problems with 52-2's HD loop/programming? I'm also noticing that 67-1 is coming through on BOTH my E86's now as a SPanish DT station (guide info wise) and the picture itself looks like analog 50? Strange.
:(

Slightly off topic, but anyone with Cablevision's HD service looks like they added a PBS HD loop on channel 713. Looks like it's PBS out of Newark. Looks good, just a tad off when comparing to OTA...

Mark

The gray bars are being used on local origination the black bars will be applied to network programming when the content is not network origination high definition programming.

Otherwise its 16:9 during network broadcasts where available

Anyone else notice anything KOOKY on KYW (3-1) CBS last night?? Green lines shooting across the picture? Saw it from 8:00 pm till about 9:30 pm....though it seemed to be less frequent later into the evening.

This occurred on BOTH of my HD TV's....on TWO separate OTA antennas....in TWO separate parts of the house....JUST on 3-1. No such problems viewing other OTA stations...6-1/17-1/29-1/43-2.

Damn strange....

And, this AM I noticed on my newer antenna set up, I was able to pick up 12-1 finally (Damn Sesame Street---though the guide said it was supposed to be the "HD Demonstration") AND I was NEARLY on the verge of picking up WCAU (27 signal strength---no picture).

It's really odd, but the 2 CM 4228's I have on opposite sides of the house are picking up Philly stations by pointing in DIFFERENT directions on the southwestern skyline....because of (my assumption) the DAMN treeline I have in front of me. :mad:

It will be interesting to see if come November, when the leaves are gone, if I pick up the same stations....at the same signal strength....by pointing in the same direction.

Happy, happy, joy, joy!

WPVI-DT's MNF last night was pretty awesome....watched most of it on my 17" LCD in the kitchen.

Technology rules.....eating AND watching HD at dinnertime....:p

I had the same lines on KYW!

Originally posted by jaypb
I'm with ya on the comparison aspect. IT is the case though (IIRC) that grey bars have less of a chance of burn in than black ones correct?

Also---I was finally able to pick up 8-1/2 out of New Brunswick today on my CM4228 in the kitchen hooked up to the 3041DSB (??) CM pre-amp (as it passes VHF signals where as my other cm4228 with the cm7775 pre-amp blocks VHF). Do they show a pbs hd loop?

Also--Webboy and anyone else with an E86---you guys still having problems with 52-2's HD loop/programming? I'm also noticing that 67-1 is coming through on BOTH my E86's now as a SPanish DT station (guide info wise) and the picture itself looks like analog 50? Strange.
:(

Im having strance issues with my E86 all around. 52's barely come in with all the wrong program guide info 50's show strong signal but black screen all the time.

And if i use my remote to change to any of the ny locals (2,4,5,7,9,11,13)
there not there. eg if i change to channel 2 guide shows it as NY2 but screen is blank if i channel up it changes to channel 2 WCBS. It really screws up my tivo. I also get channels that "say" digital but clearly are not. UPN for example. And 32-1 comes in strong but i have no guide data available.

Originally posted by webboy10169
Im having strance issues with my E86 all around. 52's barely come in with all the wrong program guide info 50's show strong signal but black screen all the time.

And if i use my remote to change to any of the ny locals (2,4,5,7,9,11,13)
there not there. eg if i change to channel 2 guide shows it as NY2 but screen is blank if i channel up it changes to channel 2 WCBS. It really screws up my tivo. I also get channels that "say" digital but clearly are not. UPN for example. And 32-1 comes in strong but i have no guide data available.

Welcome to _THE_ quirky world of the E86 :p

There have been quite a few threads over on the Hardware forum about our gallant girl, but it's something you've *probably* got to live with for now....until Hughes comes up with a fix! Are you at version 5104 (IIRC)? My upstairs E86 is stuck on 5099---the Mo Fo won't upgrade to 5104---although EVERY NIGHT it says it's going to upgrade at 4:00 AM---it never does!

The downstairs E86 has been on 5104 for months---and it (as have most) has developed a quirk where when you put in "2" for your local CBS---if you look CLOSELY at the screen, it probably says WCBS---which is the ANALOG 2! Same for 4, 5, 7, 9 and 11 IIRC. You hit channel up and it goes to the D* local channel...Check your "local" screen on the menu section and make sure that the "analogs" are unchecked.

Beyond that, AFA the "52's" go, in order for me to visually watch the HD Loop (52-2 or 52-5 according to the guide), I hit 42-3....and it "re-maps" to 52-2....but the guide doesn't match up....and if I go to the action/input button, I lose the picture.

Also---what happens if you input 67-1....mine goes to an onscreen guide info for a spanish digital channel....but views analog 50!

Oh joy!
:confused:

my box is at 5104 upgraded in may. I though i had all the analogs checked off ill have to look into that. If i type in 42- whatever i get channel not available im guessing youve done a rescan lately. Sounds like a pisp issue.

the same thing happens to me to 67-1 looks like its either channel 50 or its a multichannel/datacasting issue, it could be channel 52-1 not channel 50

are they both pbs out of camden?

Originally posted by webboy10169
my box is at 5104 upgraded in may. I though i had all the analogs checked off ill have to look into that. If i type in 42- whatever i get channel not available im guessing youve done a rescan lately. Sounds like a pisp issue.

the same thing happens to me to 67-1 looks like its either channel 50 or its a multichannel/datacasting issue, it could be channel 52-1 not channel 50

are they both pbs out of camden?

Not sure if the PBS 52's are out of Trenton or Camden....haven't checked my little 2150 guidebook on the coffetable lately :p

AFA the upgrade---I KNOW for a fact I did a rescan, reboot and reshuffle (;) ) and got the locals back to "where they should've been" all along....but my basement box has regressed back to giving me analog locals on remote usage....but the analogs don't show up in the "one line" guide on the bottom of the screen.

As I said....damn strange. I AM able to get 43-1,2,3,4 to display by keying them in....and they remap to the 52's.

Originally posted by jaypb
Not sure if the PBS 52's are out of Trenton or Camden....haven't checked my little 2150 guidebook on the coffetable lately :p

AFA the upgrade---I KNOW for a fact I did a rescan, reboot and reshuffle (;) ) and got the locals back to "where they should've been" all along....but my basement box has regressed back to giving me analog locals on remote usage....but the analogs don't show up in the "one line" guide on the bottom of the screen.

As I said....damn strange. I AM able to get 43-1,2,3,4 to display by keying them in....and they remap to the 52's.

2150 :eek: well the only thing left to do is swap'em. can ya order PPV off that box? does it give you on screen caller id?

Is it me or are the smilies loading slow tonight???

Just popped up my upstairs HD setup....and futzed around and was watching 38-1 WJZ-DT out of BALTIMORE!!! For about a good 5 minutes before I lost it (Signal strength was 37 on my E86). Not surprisingly I STILL couldn't get a lock on either TV on 10-1 :p

Couldn't pick up 38-1 downstairs though---funny how a degree here/there, an inch in height here/there makes this stuff work eh?

17-1/29-1 are coming in at close to 100 on my meter
6-1 on BOTH TV's is coming in at 93 ....but 6-1 on BOTH TV'S seems stretched---just like 6-2

Also getting signals....but no lock...on 36,39,49,58,,59.

Anyone else seeing strange things?
:confused:

Originally posted by webboy10169
2150 :eek: well the only thing left to do is swap'em. can ya order PPV off that box? does it give you on screen caller id?

Is it me or are the smilies loading slow tonight???

Honestly, if Mo Fo'n NBC/ABC out of NYC would just go "live" this whole Philly reception issue would be moot IMHO :D Even PBS 13 out of NYC and WB11 getting their signal strengths stronger would help things I guess. But, until a new combiner agreement/tower is found/created/started, we're all struggling to pick up distant (to some degree) signals at low power or strange broadcast patterns. Or something like that....unless you are like Steve and live on Mt. Kilimanjaro 8,000 feet above sea level...:rolleyes:

Haven't tried to order PPV yet on either box....but the caller ID DOES work on both.

Hey---if you input 55-1 does it take you to analog 57? Just curious....

To keep this *SOMEWHAT* OTA related, is ANYONE else out there having problems with the "52's" PBS station? (Digital 43??). By *problems* I mean the channels NOT corresponding to your on screen guide, or just NOT coming in.

Webboy and I have the Hughes E86. WWard, Steve2K and Calabs...you guys having any issues? How bout the folks with JUSt OTA tuners? NYYFan?

Anyone else noticing 6-1 being stretched this AM? I also noticed that 3-1's signal strength was LOW....while my other digitals at the same compass heading (43,32) were at 100 on my meter. Wonder if the Tropo is diminishing the signal for 26?

Not sure if anyone has had issues with 56-1 (2-1) reception over night, but I came across this website on another thread on our forum (props to member Trekkerj):

http://cbsnewyork.com/feedback/

Note the message at the top of the page.

Originally posted by jaypb
To keep this *SOMEWHAT* OTA related, is ANYONE else out there having problems with the "52's" PBS station? (Digital 43??). By *problems* I mean the channels NOT corresponding to your on screen guide, or just NOT coming in.

Webboy and I have the Hughes E86. WWard, Steve2K and Calabs...you guys having any issues? How bout the folks with JUSt OTA tuners? NYYFan?



Hi Jaypb,
I'm using the Panny OTA and just recently noticed that the 52's have been automatically remapped to the 43's except I believe 52-3... out of all the stations I get, those PBS' stations are the only stations that I get low power situations, because where my antenna's aiming. 12-1 is always fine. Recently Cablevision even added channel 713 which is a 24 hour PBS HD loop from PBS out of Newark. Picture is excellent, but slight a tad off when comparing to OTA...

Mark

So, I'll assume since it's been SO quite on this thread that EVERYONE has been sitting in front of their TV's just WAITING for NBC/ABC to go live from the ESB eh??:p

9/1 has come and gone....and still nothing. Came acrossThis website (http://www.abc45online.com/) today and hadn't seen it posted before so here it is. WABC themselves say it looks like early November before they are online. I can live with that....I guess. As long as I can keep a steady lock on WPVI-DT out of PHilly I'll survive on Monday nights ;) ...but last night I had dropouts---which I'm assuming is/was from the rain....and of course it's supposed to rain now through tomorrow--which WILL immensely tweak my berries if I have issues during MNF after 9pm.

Either way most of my HD viewing has been via DirecTV since their HD package went live. I'm sure it would be different if we lived in an area where OTA programming was abundant...but for a this shlep who lives in (what seems to geographically be) a canyon AND can't get the stations he wants out of "The Big City" 30 miles away....and has to rely on a "Big City" 45 miles plus away whilst battling large trees and low power signals and directional antennas......it's damn frustrating!

*Rant Off*:D

Interesting, that WABC website said "by the end of the summer" as recently as like a week ago.

They suck.

MC

So, I'll assume since it's been SO quite on this thread that EVERYONE has been sitting in front of their TV's just WAITING for NBC/ABC to go live from the ESB eh??

OMG....I finally crashed at about 4 a.m. this morning.....I'd been staring at the screen saying 'searching for signal' since before midnight on Saturday....my eyes were glazed-over for days:D

Originally posted by SteveK2
OMG....I finally crashed at about 4 a.m. this morning.....I'd been staring at the screen saying 'searching for signal' since before midnight on Saturday....my eyes were glazed-over for days:D

So, has your reception been well the last few weeks? I'm on the verge of raising the mast on my 2nd CM4228 to see if I can pull in a few more channels via Philly.....and get WPVI more in a more stable format. Last week WPVI-DT came in on my new HDTV set up (but according to the tropo index it was a BOOMING week for signals) and this week so far it's been touch and go....mostly no go actually. I posted on here last week that I ACTUALLY was watching (as I know you said you did a few weeks ago) a Baltimore HD Channel (think it was WJZ Digital 38) last week at around 6:30 am. was pretty wild....watching traffic reports from The "inner harbor":cool:

Then, like that, it was gone......speaking of gone, I'm hoping that when the leaves fall off the trees, my digital reception out of PHilly will be golden. And then I'm hoping that ABC/NBC/WPIX goes live again out of NYC by the end of the year. That would be special.
:D

Yep, getting access to more New York digitals would be great. Then I would definately drop my local channels from D*.

I looked at the tropo forecasts for last week and they looked pretty good. We spent the week in Wildwood, so I missed the good conditions. Even with the clouds and rain over the last few days, I am still receiving 10-1 and 12-1 24x7. There was some minor breakups on 10-1 yesterday evening, but nothing major. And I saw in another thread that 12-1 is having some technical problems with the transmitter than is causing lessened signal strength.

I was watching 12-1 yesterday afternoon during the rainstorm....I was still getting 36% signal strength and a great picture.

Strange, 29-1 has been off more than on.....I think its only on when the tropo is real strong. But as I'd said in an earlier post, I'd gladly give up 29-1 in exchange for both 10-1 and 12-1.

WPVI has been solid as a rock....hopefully the fall will get your PQ and stability back.

Originally posted by jaypb

........I guess. As long as I can keep a steady lock on WPVI-DT out of PHilly I'll survive on Monday nights ;) ...but last night I had dropouts---which I'm assuming is/was from the rain....and of course it's supposed to rain now through tomorrow--which WILL immensely tweak my berries if I have issues during MNF after 9pm................



Although WPVI was solid last night with no dropouts, I did notice that the signal strength was way down to ~45-50%. We had a big batch of FOG hovering over E.B. last night, so I gues that may have had something to do with it.

Are the Jets on ABC tonight?

Originally posted by Calabs
Although WPVI was solid last night with no dropouts, I did notice that the signal strength was way down to ~45-50%. We had a big batch of FOG hovering over E.B. last night, so I gues that may have had something to do with it.

Are the Jets on ABC tonight?

MNF (or the proper day of the week in this case TNF) is supposed to be an HD broadcast. 9 pm start----I just hope whatever thunderstorms/rain/crap is supposed to come through these parts comes through before the sun sets. In my case, I'm gleaning the WPVI-DT signal through those trees I've so lovingly referred to in the recent past. When said trees get wet, the branches, leaves sag, and either reflect the signal causing multipath or just plain jane decrease the strength of the signal reaching my antenna.

Last night when the rains came I had issues with WPVI.

Fingers ARE crossed....:D

Originally posted by SteveK2
Yep, getting access to more New York digitals would be great. Then I would definately drop my local channels from D*.

I looked at the tropo forecasts for last week and they looked pretty good. We spent the week in Wildwood, so I missed the good conditions. Even with the clouds and rain over the last few days, I am still receiving 10-1 and 12-1 24x7. There was some minor breakups on 10-1 yesterday evening, but nothing major. And I saw in another thread that 12-1 is having some technical problems with the transmitter than is causing lessened signal strength.

I was watching 12-1 yesterday afternoon during the rainstorm....I was still getting 36% signal strength and a great picture.

Strange, 29-1 has been off more than on.....I think its only on when the tropo is real strong. But as I'd said in an earlier post, I'd gladly give up 29-1 in exchange for both 10-1 and 12-1.

WPVI has been solid as a rock....hopefully the fall will get your PQ and stability back.

It's pretty wild that you have been able to keep WCAU steady since you changed out that measly splitter.

AFA 29-1 goes, it'll be interesting to see just HOW many Faux Widescreen 16:9 480 games 29-1 carries this fall....same goes for 5-1....since we *probably* won't see too many doubleheaders out of the NYC market since the Jets are playing when the Gints ain't....although I'm expecting a DH this weekend since the Jets play tonight.

No sooner had I posted my last message about 10-1 being rock solid....then I to do some channel surfing and 10-1 was breaking up and unwatchable....this was around 9:45 - 10:15 last night.

Things seemed to stabilize around 10:30 and this morning it back on rock-solid. So I still suspect I will be losing 10-1 (at least reliably) once the summertime tropo situation dissipates as we get into fall.

Even tho 10-1 was jumpy last night, 12-1 was rock steady (so I watched some of that instead).

The current weather situation is stirring things up, too.

The 29-1 situation doesn't bother me, since I have the 'coax antenna' hooked up (and amplified) and can switch to that on an A/B switch.

I think between MNF, CBS, ESPNHD, and Faux, there should be some pretty good football watching. Hopefully, MNF will be good for you either out of Philly or late in the season out of NYC.

But the real question is:

Are you ready for some HD regular season football? :)

This is a bad time of year.....tonight alone there's HD football on ABC...meanwhile the Yankees are on YES (not HD, unfortunately, but at least they won this game)...and now during half-time of the f'ball game, there's Tom Petty on Soundstage (PBS).

Man, its bad enuf trying to pick between sports....now HD is throwing in other tempting options.

BTW....I switched back-and-forth between the WHYY (12-1) and WNJN (52-1) feed for Soundstage.....PQ is pretty much identical.....but 12-1 gets the nod because they're passing the sound in glorious 5.1 !! 52-1 is just passing a prologic signal which sounds terribly flat in comparison to the 5.1 sound feed.

Well, gotta get back to the screen.

Later
:cool:

Its wonderful to have HD choices!

Yes it is!!

Originally posted by SteveK2
This is a bad time of year.....tonight alone there's HD football on ABC...meanwhile the Yankees are on YES (not HD, unfortunately, but at least they won this game)...and now during half-time of the f'ball game, there's Tom Petty on Soundstage (PBS).

Man, its bad enuf trying to pick between sports....now HD is throwing in other tempting options.

BTW....I switched back-and-forth between the WHYY (12-1) and WNJN (52-1) feed for Soundstage.....PQ is pretty much identical.....but 12-1 gets the nod because they're passing the sound in glorious 5.1 !! 52-1 is just passing a prologic signal which sounds terribly flat in comparison to the 5.1 sound feed.

Well, gotta get back to the screen.

Later
:cool:

Steve, I did the old split screen and watched the Football in HD and the Yankee's on YES at the same time...:D

Must admit I did something similar......used both d* receivers that I have hooked to my plasma.....the HD stb was set to Philly 6-1...and the UTV was set-up for picture-in-picture on both ABC and YES.....
..I watched YES primarily until I saw something interesting in the pip window on the football game....then I switched over to the HD stb to watch the football action....

....the utv buffered all of the baseball for me, so if any scoring occurred while watching f'ball, i just rewound and watched it again.

not quite split screen....but very effective:D

Originally posted by MartyJ
Its wonderful to have HD choices!

Ahhh yes. This is shades of things to come (in the distant future I fear) where all channels will be digital, HD will be commonplace, and we'll be looking forward to the next, best thing is technology.

For now, I'm savoring every minute of the novelty! ;)

Originally posted by Calabs
Ahhh yes. This is shades of things to come (in the distant future I fear) where all channels will be digital, HD will be commonplace, and we'll be looking forward to the next, best thing is technology.

For now, I'm savoring every minute of the novelty! ;)

Last night's game was great! There were technical issues (as I read from others who viewed the PVI feed on the programming forum) with ABC's presentation, but it beats SD hands down anyday.

I was able to keep my signal level viewable for 99% of the game...and by 11pm my signal was up around 90 on my E86. WPHL was coming in late last night as was WTXF-Dt.

Watched Tom Petty in HD on 52-2...he's disturbing in HD :p

Hey Webboy---are you STILL having issues with 52-2 via your E86? How bout the rest of you? I get pixelation....sound dropouts galore on BOTH my E86's....that are hooked up to TWO different antennas....on TWO different TV's. It's GOT to be a PSIP issue with the E86 and Trenton's broadcasting.

I have issues trying to manually tune 55-1 and 67-1 as well.

I did have 12-1 this AM on my newer E86 HD setup this AM. Damn Elmo though. I'm dying to see how the HD loop looks on 12-1....but it's never on when I can get the signal :mad:

I just hope that there are some cool HD showings on this weekend when I have company. I *think* the US Open will be on. NOTHING sells HD better IMHO than to show men sports in HD!:p Last weekend I wasn't able to REALLY show off "HD" because OTA didn't have much on at the time and the DirecTV HD channels had non sports on. Hell, even nature shows will sell HD to guys! But, Discovery HD had on a 42 hour showing of "Moses" followed by "Abraham". Amazing timing boys, amazing timing.....:p

I don't think ESPN-HD is showing an HD game tomorrow so that's no go. No SEC Game of the week on CBS-HD yet this year either.

:(

But, Sunday is when the big boys will be out to play....HD FOOTBALL! Faux Widescreen Football too!!!


:cool:

/start rant

No ABC HD for me last night, which I understand and can patiently wait for NYC to be back on-line. The saddest thing in my mind though is that I watched the game on WABC OTA Analog. It had far better PQ then ABC via D*.

I am repeating myself here but if I had known how poor the PQ had become on D*, I would have went with cable and an OTA only box instead of my ~$600 HD-SAT520. My own fault assuming the PQ would be the same as it was when I originally signed up 4 years ago.

Oh well, digital cable has finally come to my area. I will have to give them another chance once my "commitment" to D* is up.

/end rant

Jake

Originally posted by JAKEJ
I am repeating myself here but if I had known how poor the PQ had become on D*, I would have went with cable and an OTA only box instead of my ~$600 HD-SAT520. My own fault assuming the PQ would be the same as it was when I originally signed up 4 years ago.
Things should change in November/December, hopefully, when the second spotbeam satellite for DirecTV launches; that'll move a lot of locals off the CONUS transponders, enabling DTV to ease up on the compression of some channels.

dswallow,

That is good news and I am glad to see there is a reason that can be addressed. Has D* stated that is their plan, to ease up on the compression that is?

Jake

Originally posted by jaypb
Hey Webboy---are you STILL having issues with 52-2 via your E86? How bout the rest of you? I get pixelation....sound dropouts galore on BOTH my E86's....that are hooked up to TWO different antennas....on TWO different TV's. It's GOT to be a PSIP issue with the E86 and Trenton's broadcasting.

I have issues trying to manually tune 55-1 and 67-1 as well.

I did have 12-1 this AM on my newer E86 HD setup this AM. Damn Elmo though. I'm dying to see how the HD loop looks on 12-1....but it's never on when I can get the signal :mad:


52's are a pipe dream for me until i install the new antenna. 12-1 is the same its there is gone etc etc. I did fix my double channel 2 issue that was killing my tivo. Turns out the zipcode i used for locals in the E86 was saying i should be receiving all the local NY's. But we know thats not possible due to distance. even though i did not have them checked off. If you punched in the channel numbers the E86 would still change to those channels. Now im using a philly zip code instead of my zip.

What zips are you guys using? Originally i was using mine and a philly now its just a philly zip code. Maybe this is why 39-1 still has no program data?

Hi Guys,
Slightly off topic, but it's HD and NJ specific. During my channel surfing I found channel 702 which is now the CBSHD channel. That's two new HD channels in about two weeks. I believe it's the NY feed as well. Now if they would only get ESPNHD, DiscoveryHD and HDNET, I would be golden...

Mark

Anyone else *thinking* about taking down their antenna (S)?!?!?!

I'm contemplating taking both of my CM4228's down. Shouldn't be too much of a hassle.....only thinking about it because of the alternative to NOT taking it down if those "tropical force winds" decide to tee off on my masts/side wall mounts :mad:

Originally posted by jaypb
Anyone else *thinking* about taking down their antenna (S)?!?!?!

I'm contemplating taking both of my CM4228's down. Shouldn't be too much of a hassle.....only thinking about it because of the alternative to NOT taking it down if those "tropical force winds" decide to tee off on my masts/side wall mounts :mad:

And I thought I was the only one with those thoughts! ;) Yep, it's in the plan. Wouldn't want to have to replace it. I guess I'll wait until Wed. or so before taking the hike up the roof. I wonder what the tropo affect will be when the wind and rain comes?! Could be disastrous!

Originally posted by Calabs
And I thought I was the only one with those thoughts! ;) Yep, it's in the plan. Wouldn't want to have to replace it. I guess I'll wait until Wed. or so before taking the hike up the roof. I wonder what the tropo affect will be when the wind and rain comes?! Could be disastrous!

Anyone else experience some NICE tropo last night/This AM?

I swear I had WTXF and WPVI up near 100 on my E86! WPHL was steady at around 75. No go on WHYY and, as usual, WCAU was deader than George Washington. :mad:

I was going to scan the horizon last night to see if anything else was coming in, but was too tired/lazy :p

So---still thinking about taking the antenna down? I'm debating....going to wait and see where Isabel goes today...then I'll decide tonight.

Originally posted by jaypb


So---still thinking about taking the antenna down? I'm debating....going to wait and see where Isabel goes today...then I'll decide tonight.

Yeah me too. I've taken a 'wait and see' attitude at this point since it looks like we may be spared the higher winds originally projected. I may have to get up there on Thursday when the storm is just kickin' in! :eek: Your antenna should have more "drag" it looking like a mast from a ship with wire running through it.

Originally posted by Calabs
Yeah me too. I've taken a 'wait and see' attitude at this point since it looks like we may be spared the higher winds originally projected. I may have to get up there on Thursday when the storm is just kickin' in! :eek: Your antenna should have more "drag" it looking like a mast from a ship with wire running through it.

Visually, it's a fly swatter or a Wendy's Burger shape.

Any word on what kind o fwind strength we are looking at?

Originally posted by jaypb
Visually, it's a fly swatter or a Wendy's Burger shape.

Any word on what kind o fwind strength we are looking at?

Last I heard was gusts up to 50 mph.

Originally posted by Calabs
Last I heard was gusts up to 50 mph.

That's probably about 30 MPH more than I'm willing to go up against :(

jaypb, wasnt it like some1 just thru the switch this am, and, everything was gone :)

jaypb, wasnt it like some1 just thru the switch this am, and, everything was gone :)

There are talking 30 mph winds with gusts to 50 MPH for NJ.

Up to 60 gusts by the shore...

They are talking 30 mph winds with gusts to 50 MPH for NJ.

Up to 60 gusts by the shore...

Why does everyone have a "stutter" all of a sudden?! :D

Originally posted by Calabs
Why does everyone have a "stutter" all of a sudden?! :D

Yet another one of the UGLY effects of multipath.....:D

Took down both Cm4228's....just in case tomorrow/Friday winds up being 30/40/50 MPH+ winds. Wasn't too difficult. Makes me want to work on shoring up the mounts even more when I get around to putting the antenna's back up. I plan on raising the newer one even wire with another length of masting as well.

I hear WCAU-DT is down. Wonder if they are starting the switch to the new X-miter/Tower??? :confused:

Nah, that would be too much of a present. :p

Anyone else experience some NICE tropo last night/This AM?

Yep....really great tropo...most signals out of Philly were pegged at 100%....NBC 10-1 was at 0, though......they'd been down Monday and Tuesday....didn't check today....but they've got some kind of problem.

Originally posted by jaypb
Took down both Cm4228's....just in case tomorrow/Friday winds up being 30/40/50 MPH+ winds. Wasn't too difficult. Makes me want to work on shoring up the mounts even more when I get around to putting the antenna's back up. I plan on raising the newer one even wire with another length of masting as well.

I hear WCAU-DT is down. Wonder if they are starting the switch to the new X-miter/Tower??? :confused:

Nah, that would be too much of a present. :p

I was up on the roof last night in the dark and my wrap-around-the-neck flashlight cleaing my gutters in prep of the storm, so I figured while I was up there I may as well tear down the "arrow"! I feel better knowing it won't blow into my neighbor's picture window. :eek: With all the wind and rain they're predicting, reception won't be the best anyway.

Originally posted by jaypb

I hear WCAU-DT is down. Wonder if they are starting the switch to the new X-miter/Tower??? :confused:

Nah, that would be too much of a present. :p

Well, you may want to believe this time! Just got off the Philly thread where many have spoken to Tim O'Sullivan and the reason whey WCAU is down is because they are moving! The beginning of Oct. is the projected move date. God, I hope this one's for real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by Calabs
I was up on the roof last night in the dark and my wrap-around-the-neck flashlight cleaing my gutters in prep of the storm, so I figured while I was up there I may as well tear down the "arrow"! I feel better knowing it won't blow into my neighbor's picture window. :eek: With all the wind and rain they're predicting, reception won't be the best anyway.

I had the same curious gazes from my neighbors....the ones who gazed curiously at me as I climbed the roof over the last few months to hook this junk up must've been chuckling quietly to themselves... :p

I just didn't want to risk the equipment as well as risk ripping off the composite shingles that my mast mounts are attached to. I've had a hard enough time locating additional shingles for my kitchen project (That BTW is STILL not finished) :mad:

Thankfully I won't be around on Sunday to be annoyed at missing the HD/Faux Widescreen FB games b/c my antennas aren't back up in time :eek:

Originally posted by Calabs
Well, you may want to believe this time! Just got off the Philly thread where many have spoken to Tim O'Sullivan and the reason whey WCAU is down is because they are moving! The beginning of Oct. is the projected move date. God, I hope this one's for real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I too read this. It's all probably a sick joke :p

With OUR luck, Isabel will take down the damn new tower...or x-mitter... :eek:

BTW---just what IS WCAU'S "effective power" supposed to be on the new tower? Just for preliminary comparison's sake to compare it to WPVI-DT/KYW-DT ?!?!

Originally posted by jaypb

BTW---just what IS WCAU'S "effective power" supposed to be on the new tower? Just for preliminary comparison's sake to compare it to WPVI-DT/KYW-DT ?!?!

1 Megawatt

Originally posted by Calabs
1 Megawatt

Is PVI 1 Megawatt as well? Compared to KYW, which I always get a signal on , PVI is a crapshoot at best. Is it time for me to start installing that rotor?

P.S. jaypb - I would bother with removing your antenna. I figure it will take 30 minutes for thr 4228 to blow up here in Somerset County. Always looking for good used equipment :p

Originally posted by gjohnsen2002
Is PVI 1 Megawatt as well? Compared to KYW, which I always get a signal on , PVI is a crapshoot at best. Is it time for me to start installing that rotor?

P.S. jaypb - I would bother with removing your antenna. I figure it will take 30 minutes for thr 4228 to blow up here in Somerset County. Always looking for good used equipment :p

Far be it for me to stand in the way of you getting some wind-blown HD equipment, but the stuff is hunkered down and in a cozy spot in my messy garage!

Now, if only the wind would cooperate and take down those pines across the street (without harming anyone/anything) I'd be a wee bit happier tomorrow this time :p

scrub pines dont ya just hate'm.

Going to fly my kite now expecting to lose D* just in time for prime time. Maybe i'll watch finding nemo for the hundreth time. kids!

Now, if only the wind would cooperate and take down those pines across the street (without harming anyone/anything) I'd be a wee bit happier tomorrow this time

...or...you could 'accidently' spray them with weed killer;) ...
they'll die real slow....no one will ever know....:eek:

Originally posted by SteveK2
...or...you could 'accidently' spray them with weed killer;) ...
they'll die real slow....no one will ever know....:eek:

Man that wind is pretty nasty! I swear it sounds like I'm on the ocean front the way the wind is whipping up over here. I can DEFINITELY see some power lines in the area being knocked down if the winds keep up. I must've driven past a 1/2 dozen branches in the streets on the way home tonight.

When's the rain supposed to get here ?!?!:eek:

Originally posted by jaypb
Man that wind is pretty nasty! I swear it sounds like I'm on the ocean front the way the wind is whipping up over here. I can DEFINITELY see some power lines in the area being knocked down if the winds keep up. I must've driven past a 1/2 dozen branches in the streets on the way home tonight.



I lost power last night around 10:00pm. The whole street was out. It was only when I got out to to go work that I discovered that a downed tree across the road fell RIGHT on out transformer (a direct hit!). Turned around to go down the adjacent street and guess what!? ANOTHER tree down across the road! Fortunately nothing on my property was damaged (including the antenna nestled in my garage). Well worth the 2 minutes it took to take down. Without power, an antenna on the roof is essentially useless. :eek:

Originally posted by Calabs
I lost power last night around 10:00pm. The whole street was out. It was only when I got out to to go work that I discovered that a downed tree across the road fell RIGHT on out transformer (a direct hit!). Turned around to go down the adjacent street and guess what!? ANOTHER tree down across the road! Fortunately nothing on my property was damaged (including the antenna nestled in my garage). Well worth the 2 minutes it took to take down. Without power, an antenna on the roof is essentially useless. :eek:

I too stepped foot outside my door this AM to see that a 20 foot or so section of the Maple RIGHT in front of my house had fallen blocking part of the street/sidewalk. This is the tree that I had been S_L_O_W_L_Y paring down over the last few months. I'm happy that I DID take in the antennas...small investment in time for a large investment in cost....

Also---got into work today and had NO Power until about 10 minutes ago. What a waste of 4 hours.....at least I got to sit outside,drink my coffee and read the paper....something I don't think I've EVER done at work :p

Well happy me unaffected by the wind storm. All trees held up and so did D*. As far as the rain goes weather.com says 4pm in my area. But then yet I had very little rain yesterday. So im doubting the rain at all.
any way here's the latest advisory:


Severe Weather Alert from the National Weather Service

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT... SEVERE THUNDERSTORM POTENTIAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ 617 AM EDT FRI SEP 19 2003
... THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE LATER TODAY...

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS MAY DEVELOP LATER TODAY... MAINLY FROM PHILADELPHIA NORTH AS TROPICAL STORM ISABEL MOVES NORTH ACROSS WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE THUNDERSTORMS MAY APPROACH SEVERE LIMITS... ESPECIALLY OVER NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA AND NORTHERN NEW JERSEY. ANY AMOUNT OF SUNSHINE WILL ENHANCE THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM THREAT....

In case some of you don't follow the NYC OTA thread the ESB combiner is not going to happen in November. George Thompson reported that one of the networks (he didn't say which one) didn't come up with their share of the money. So at best we are now looking at March 2004.

I can only hope that the NBC Philly affiliate actually moves to the new tower!

:(

Originally posted by MartyJ
In case some of you don't follow the NYC OTA thread the ESB combiner is not going to happen in November. George Thompson reported that one of the networks (he didn't say which one) didn't come up with their share of the money. So at best we are now looking at March 2004.

I can only hope that the NBC Philly affiliate actually moves to the new tower!

:(

WOW~! That's pretty sad/irritating/annoying.

As you say, hopefully WCAU comes through in *somewhat* of a powerful way to those of us who have only been able to get it when the planets are properly in alignment.

So when is WCAU OTA coming back?

If only the FCC would just say "get your act together and put it up by XXXX" or lose the broadcast license completely. I wouldn't hold my breath for March either; they don't have a great track record of actually doing anything right so far.

Go ExpressVu. :)

NYYFAN

I just saw on another thread that WCAU-DT should be back on the air by the 25th.

NYYFAN

I just saw on another thread that WCAU-DT should be back on the air by the 25th.

Originally posted by wward
NYYFAN

I just saw on another thread that WCAU-DT should be back on the air by the 25th.

Thanks wward...

Mark

Came across This post regarding our only NBC option in NJ OTA HD wise (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=304920) for the next "who knows how the F long" (refer to George Thompson's post regarding the ESB combiner woes in the NYC OTA thread).....sounds good to me!

Hopefully WTXF will come in better as well.....

Talk amongst yourselves.....:p

Amazing! The wife just calls to tell me this.....and, of course, I spent last night putting up BOTH my CM4228's.

Damn you mother nature!
:mad:

fox is showing signs of live again at 29.1

NBC Philadelphia 10-1 is back online....showing 69% signal strength.

Fox Philly 29-1 is not locking....signal reading between 0-30% which is the same as before they got knocked off air by Isabel.

Originally posted by SteveK2
NBC Philadelphia 10-1 is back online....showing 69% signal strength.

Fox Philly 29-1 is not locking....signal reading between 0-30% which is the same as before they got knocked off air by Isabel.

10-1 30% lock black screen dead

29-1 dead

none for me over here in jackson nj

// webboy rushes off to purchase new antenna no more procrastinating...

Its really weird, i can pick up 3.1,6.1,17.1 and 29.1, but never ever get the slightest blip of a signal on 10.1 or 12.1.

I sure hope that 10-1 isn't on the new tower....because if it is, then tonight is a poor sign for the future with regards to receiving their signal.

I'm not sure exactly WHAT tonight's tropo forecast was (as of now the Hepburn site shows only Wednesday's forecast....and it's not TOO strong), but tonight I had 29-1 pegged at nearly 100%...and the "highest" I received 10-1 at was 18 or so on my E86. Same goes for 12-1.

WPVI and KYW were rock solid and WPHL was breaking up at around a 44.

I've noticed that Steve couldnt' get a lock on 29-1...but had 10-1 locking.

What gives?

I know that WTXF-DT was supposed to move to a new "location" this week....hence the reasoning for it being down until today. Did it move? Or was my high signal just due to a tropo type effect?

:confused:

Once the weather cleared , it was a pretty good tropo night, but, as usual, 9;01 am, they'r gone for me. except for abc, so far

I spoke to soon, 10 minutes later and just about losing abc :(. I feel like a vampire with these philly stations :)

well their back again :)

on and off now, i guess this is beginning of the end