The cable companies aren't keeping analog services. Some carriers have already converted to completely digital and they provide basically a small cable box 'adapter' for those who only have basic cable. The end result is basically the same, but it's not as simple as just plugging the cable in.

Some cable companies are converting to digital-only, others aren't. Six months or a year ago, Time Warner Maine put out literature saying that they were not planning on going digital-only for the "fore-seeable future". I know that some other companies, and some other Time Warner divisions, have already made the change.

This article, a year & a half old, discusses the topic: http://saveaccess.org/node/2171

I don't remember where I saw the statement from Time Warner saying they were going to continue to provide analog service -- in a local news article, or on their website. They could always change their minds.

Joe

The cable companies have said a lot of things. I view it more like the writing on the wall. Using spectrum for analog is inefficient when they can force boxes on you and use the spectrum for other things.

At the very least I think analog service is going to be reduced (literally) to locals. When I had limited basic last time around I had CNN and CourtTV (and maybe a few others) as well as shopping channels.

I have limited basic right now. I get the TV Guide channel (Whoopee!), Ion (half time), GAC, two CSPAN channels, three or four shopping channels,a bunch of public access channels, and the "locals" (including two French stations out of Canada). This also gets me the available locals (no MyPortland/MyNetworkTV) in HD in clear QAM. No "real" cable network stations. I get one of the local sports networks with cut off -- black & white with lots of snow. They just put a low-pass filter into the line, and it cuts off everything above channel 2x, where 'x' is 1, 2, or 3.

I asked Skippy over on the Portland thread if he has any insight into this topic.

Joe

Hey,

My name is Chris and I am new to the Blue Hill area. I moved here from Rhode Island and I have to say I feel like I stepped back into the past two years with the TWC offerings. The internet is half the speed for the same price and the HD offerings are very limited. Where is CBS HD? I didn't read through this thread (sorry) but I am not familiar with the call letters up here and I still busy moving in. Also, where did the HD net/movie channel go? I used to frequent the RI page here on AVS forum so I'll be sure to keep checking back.

Thanks,

Chris

CBS Bangor is WABI-DT. Analog was channel 5.

Does anyone happen to know if WFVX is going to flash cut to digital on the 12th? From what I see FCC still hasn't granted their application from last April but I'm really not sure how this process works.

Antennaweb.org for my address shows WFVX at 22.1, presumably this is where they are to be post-transition? Anyone care to comment? I guess we'll know pretty soon either way, won't we?

Yep as far as I know they intend to convert to digital on their 22 UHF channel. Unfortunately I just don't know when. Conceivably they have all of their office hardware in since they're doing HD into the cable plant.

Steve just emailed me and said that WABI's deal with TWC is done and will be official soon.

Steve just emailed me and said that WABI's deal with TWC is done and will be official soon.

This might be obvious but was this deal to bring WABI HD to Bangor/Blue hill area?

Does TW have any info out there on other upcoming HD channels?

Thanks,

Chris

For a long time, I have thought that WABI would agree to have their digital signal carried by TWC when they were forced to terminate their analog signal. It seems that is the way it worked, unless WABI was entirely missing from TWC after June 12th. I didn't notice because I haven't watched WABI since TWC has not been able to carry their digital (hd) signal.

I'm guessing that TWC has been carrying their digital signal since the 12th and converting it to analog. Of course, they could have a private wire of an analog signal, but the general cable strategy has been to convert digital signals to analog for use by cable users without converters.

WABI is now in HD on TWC at channel 705

-Chris

Does anyone know if this is being rolled out in phases? As of last evening, still no WABI-HD at 705. Thanks.

FYI .... fixed the problem ... had to have TWC Technical Support send a signal to the box (weird) after attempting, unsuccesfully, to reset it manually. Now it's all good .... bring on the Patriots!!!

Kudos to WABI and TW for finally coming to an agreement on terms.

However, there's no excuse for leaving customers in the lurch for so long, and both parties have blame to share.

Kudos to WABI and TW for finally coming to an agreement on terms.

However, there's no excuse for leaving customers in the lurch for so long, and both parties have blame to share.

In the end, no station wants to be left off cable carriage. It was no accident that WABI digital appeared on TWC on or about June 12th. We do have to remember, however, that both parties were working for fiscal advantage. That is the American way.

In the end, no station wants to be left off cable carriage. It was no accident that WABI digital appeared on TWC on or about June 12th. We do have to remember, however, that both parties were working for fiscal advantage. That is the American way.

Very true. TW can't afford to cave to individual stations' demands, lest it set a precedent for future negotiations, and WABI will seek maximum fiscal advantage given its current financial situation. Also, there's that bit about the lawsuit. :)

Just glad to finally have the programming in HD.

Does anyone have any advanced knowledge of future HD channels coming to TWC? Or even decent estimates based on other markets?

We can only hope for more excellent programming such as LifetimeHD and RFD HD.

from the take it for whats its worth comment, TWC corporate sales rep told me that the Bangor market will have SDV by end of summer.

from the take it for whats its worth comment, TWC corporate sales rep told me that the Bangor market will have SDV by end of summer.

If that's true, it'd be great!

Maybe they can reduce the horribly heavy compression they're using on some channels. I had to stop watching a movie once because the artifacts were unbearable.

from the take it for whats its worth comment, TWC corporate sales rep told me that the Bangor market will have SDV by end of summer.

you do realise that SDV wont work with the current version of i-guide. so they must be using SA or samsung boxes that have navigator on them if their going to launch SDV by the end of summer.

you do realise that SDV wont work with the current version of i-guide. so they must be using SA or samsung boxes that have navigator on them if their going to launch SDV by the end of summer.

They might do a box switch out like they did in southern Maine in the beginning of this year.

Since the digital transition I no longer get 2-2 on my two D* HR21-100. Signal strength is in the 90s. I get all other subs the CW 5-2 and Fox 7-2. I've done many rescans. I do get it on my computer card tuner. Anyone with the same issue?

Do you get 2-1 and 2-3? NBC may have discontinued their Weather Plus service. I understood that would happen at some point after NBCUniversal acquired the Weather Channel. I haven't bothered to check with my antenna since I started getting my locals thru D*; it may be that the service is not there anymore, but they are keeping 2-2 as a placeholder for some other offering in the future.

I only get 2-1 on the D*tv receivers. On my computer tuner card I get 2-2. So 2-2 is being broadcasting.

WLBZ has activated DTV on RF 2 and will shut down RF 25 later this week (possibly by tomorrow or earlier).

http://www.wlbz2.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=108801&catid=3

Channel 2 at only 3kW... vs. 25 at 575kW. Despite what the contour maps say, LOS areas are likely to see a degradation, especially if any indoor antennas are being used.

TWC just added a bunch of new HD channels this morning.

They added the same channels that Augusta got last week. No idea if they are SDV or not, channels come up very quickly.

Also looks like the Augusta area got another batch of HD channels last night.

with the additions last night we're around 66 hd channels, that includes premium.

How are you guys with all of those HD channels, now? I enjoyed going through all of the new ones, but there are only a few that I will spend any time with. Still, it's nice to have more choices.

Is it safe to say that Bangor TWC has all of the broadcast networks and most of the others? ........... Still waiting for something else?

If they added Comedy Central HD, I'd be pretty much completely satisfied...

In August 08, I switched from TWC to Directv, mainly because of the WABI - TWC drama and the fact that TWC was lacking greatly in the HD area. Now that TWC has added a significant number of HD channels, including some that I don't get with DTV and TWC and WABI are sweet on each other again I am considering switching back to TWC. Can any of you advise to as the the picture quality of the new HD offerings on TWC? Do the still use the motorola hd dvr set top box? I have determine a switch back to TWC could save me a small amount of $$$ per month, deminishes weather related outages and opens up many more hd premium channels.

Thoughts?

In August 08, I switched from TWC to Directv, mainly because of the WABI - TWC drama and the fact that TWC was lacking greatly in the HD area. Now that TWC has added a significant number of HD channels, including some that I don't get with DTV and TWC and WABI are sweet on each other again I am considering switching back to TWC. Can any of you advise to as the the picture quality of the new HD offerings on TWC? Do the still use the motorola hd dvr set top box? I have determine a switch back to TWC could save me a small amount of $$$ per month, deminishes weather related outages and opens up many more hd premium channels.

Thoughts?

I'm on the Augusta system, but the picture quality is excellent. Lots of premium channels. .......... According to the sage of Bailey Island, I thought weather related outages on Directv were a myth. (I know the sage reads this thread.)

I'm on the Augusta system, but the picture quality is excellent. Lots of premium channels. .......... According to the sage of Bailey Island, I thought weather related outages on Directv were a myth. (I know the sage reads this thread.)

I think sage is something we use at Thanksgiving, isn't it? :p

If the man says he has weather-related outages on D*, who am I to say otherwise.

It is rare where I live but it may relate to signal strength, how well the dish is aimed, location, etc. I think Loudo38 who winters in FL. and otherwise lives in the L-A area and posts on the Portland thread has infrequent outages, too, at both locations

My main beef is that cable advts. would have us believe outages happen whenever it rains while ignoring that cable cos acquire their programs via satellite links.

Dana

My main beef is that cable advts. would have us believe outages happen whenever it rains while ignoring that cable cos acquire their programs via satellite links.

Dana

But the Cable satellite pickup and DirecTV/Dish Network home satellite reception comparison is apples and oranges.

First, Cable does receive signals via satellite, majority of which are on C-Band (3.9 GHz to 4.2 GHz). DirecTV and Dish Network use both KU and sub KU frequencies (11.5GHz to 12.8GHz). The higher the frequency the more susceptible to rain fade. Ask any engineer who works at a NBC station about the advantages of CBand over KU. (NBC has been using KU for years as it's primary uplink to affiliates and has a fixed CBand transponder for "rain fade" backups).

Second, the typical cable head-end satellite receive dish is anywhere from 2.7 meters to 6.0 meters. A standard directTV dish is around 60cm. Just like with a rooftop antenna, in the satellite world, a bigger dish means more gain. More gain = more signal. More signal for rain to have to fade before dropout.

Now DirecTV takes certain steps to alleviate rain fade, by using circular polarity and using higher powered transponders on the actual birds. But the bottom line is, all directv signals are susceptible to rain fade. No matter how good the dish is , how well peaked it is, etc. Due to the simple fact of being KU with a small receive antenna. So with that respect the cable company is HALF right in saying it always fades in the rain. If by rain, you mean downpour.

But the Cable satellite pickup and DirecTV/Dish Network home satellite reception comparison is apples and oranges.

First, Cable does receive signals via satellite, majority of which are on C-Band (3.9 GHz to 4.2 GHz). DirecTV and Dish Network use both KU and sub KU frequencies (11.5GHz to 12.8GHz). The higher the frequency the more susceptible to rain fade. Ask any engineer who works at a NBC station about the advantages of CBand over KU. (NBC has been using KU for years as it's primary uplink to affiliates and has a fixed CBand transponder for "rain fade" backups).

Second, the typical cable head-end satellite receive dish is anywhere from 2.7 meters to 6.0 meters. A standard directTV dish is around 60cm. Just like with a rooftop antenna, in the satellite world, a bigger dish means more gain. More gain = more signal. More signal for rain to have to fade before dropout.

Now DirecTV takes certain steps to alleviate rain fade, by using circular polarity and using higher powered transponders on the actual birds. But the bottom line is, all directv signals are susceptible to rain fade. No matter how good the dish is , how well peaked it is, etc. Due to the simple fact of being KU with a small receive antenna. So with that respect the cable company is HALF right in saying it always fades in the rain. If by rain, you mean downpour.

Thanks, Mike. Yes, my experience is just that. A downpour will interrupt satellite reception. But, we don't have many of them and the ones that do occur don't last long.

Here's something that the cable industry never mentions. Utility power at my location is susceptible to interruption due to weather. We are 15+ miles from the substation. Power is delivered via poles down a peninsular and then via more poles stuck in the mud parallel to a bridge to our island out in Casco Bay. Trees blow down in storms and knock down the wires. During the Patriots Day storm of 2007 we had violent winds and power was out all over the state. Cable has only a short-term battery backup on the poles before it goes out. During that storm, we were without utility power for five days.

I have a whole house backup generator. But, there is no reception from cable during power outages of any duration. With DirecTV I have perfect reception during utility outages.

So, maybe so-called rain fade does affect satellite in occasional downpours. But, in power outages of any duration, local cable fails while satellite doesn't.

Dana