I've got Dish here in Frankenmuth. The HD lineup includes ESPN, HDNet and HDNET movies, Discovery, and TNT. For me, the most glaring HD omission is ESPN2. They look great.

Regular cable channels on Dish look a bit grainy to me. I've never had cable with an HDTV, so it is hard to compare. I don't know if Comcast would look the same on my TV.

Except WSMH of course, I get all the Tri-Cities HD channels over the air with very strong signals and they look awesome. I also get channel 6 out of Lansing strongly. That's with a big, on the roof, rotor driven antenna. WSMH's analog signal is weaker than Dish's, so I keep the local package just for WSMH.

My plan was to drop the local Dish package when WSMH got their HD up and running. I was then going to add the Voom package. Does anyone have Voom? Is it worth it?

I have D* and the Flint-Saginaw local HD channels probably won't be live until late 2006 (on the Spaceways) or 2007 when more Directv Sats get launched.

When I had DISH, I only had seasonal access to 119 due to leaves on trees in my neighbor's yard. For some reason, he did not want to cut them down. Anyway, I found the SD channels very soft, including the locals (over the years I had access to Detroit or Flint), and I would mostly watch Charter here in Midland. So for me it was an easy decision to switch when Charter started carrying more HD (they have the same stations Quackeman listed plus locals, PBS and Universal. Of course not WSMH.

I had the original ten VOOM stations that DISH brought over, and found them pretty boring. But the subject matter is obviously a matter of taste. The quality was good most of the time.

The best picture quality I have is OTA with a DVI connection to my 60 inch Samsung DLP. I can see a slight difference over Charter. The best station I receive is WLNS out of Lansing, and I think that is because they don't waste any bandwith with those silly subchannels.

Well Martyr, I'm afraid you spoke too soon. If you do a re-scan you will find a 6-2.....nothing there yet....but not a good sign.

Martyr & Others,

WLNS-DT has added a subchannel. It's been there the past few days, but so far I haven't seen anything on it. They may put WHTV (the current Lansing/Jackson UPN station) on it in SD, but that's just a guess on my part. WLNS is going to be taking over programing on that station, and WHTV's current digital station is just running low power from downtown Jackson.

I am hearing that it will be until at least July that WSMH gets a digital signal on the air. There is signifcant tower and transmitter work to be done.

Well Martyr, I'm afraid you spoke too soon. If you do a re-scan you will find a 6-2.....nothing there yet....but not a good sign.


OH NO!!!

Next there will be 6-3 and more weather.

Anything new on WSMH?

I was told by WSMH that they should have a digital signal up by the end of July.

I'm sure this is news to no one, but ESPN2 was recently added as an HD channel (203).

I'm trying to be paitient while waiting for FOX in HD. If they don't hurry up, I'm going to contruct the tower myself (from aluminum cans lying around my house).

If anyone wants to help me, I'll give them free beer.

I have a bunch of empty aluminum cans in the garage to donate to the tower project. The tower would be pretty with the sun glistening off those golden Coors cans. Just hope I can get the broadcast when it goes digital as even the analog is sometimes snowy here in Clare

I wouldn't hold my breath about getting the digital signal. They are only authorized to broadcast at 19.3 Kw due to Canadian Interference issues. Now channel 16 should propagate better with lower power than 66, but coverage, at this time, is unpredictable.
Stay tuned......we should know next month.

Obviously I am not an engineer, but I wonder why interference with Canadian signals is even a consideration for the digital signal of WSMH? Is it because of the digital broadcast frequency (channel 16 instead of 66)? Since the switch to digital was mandated by the Feds, didn't they know there is another digital channel 16 across Lake Huron? What a coincidence! I have a hard time picking up digital signals more than 45 miles away. How far IS it to Canada from Chesaning?

If it is not because of the frequency, then why can WJRT send their digital signal at full power without affecting Canada? Aren't the two towers virtually next to one another?

I also wonder if there has been any progress of an agreement with Charter and Comcast for the digital signal? If WSMH still wants more money for their digital signal, why don't the cable companies dump the analog signal? Then they can give us the HD, and down rez a channel for the people who don't care about it.

I know these are dumb questions, but I'm not a lawyer either.

We are almost at the halfway point in July. Any word on WSMH and their digital tower? Lions football starts before too long.

Re: WSMH

Someone on the Michigan Radio and TV Buzzboard said August, but I don't know how reliable that person is.

EDIT: Now that I have made five posts I can link you directly to that claim: http://www.mibuzzboard.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=12402

We're building a new analog and digital facility that has faced numerous delays. We're now on the new digital transmitter using it in an analog mode while the old analog transmitter is moved to the new site. As you might suspect, it is taking longer than planned. When we get the analog transmiter running...hopefully this week....then we go to work converting the the transmitter is use now to digital...hopfully in August. This is a very compiicated process...so bear with us!
BTW, the FCC assigned a number of channels near Canada that required coordination and lower power operation. We've had the same problem in Buffalo, Syracuse and Rochester. We're hoping get another channel for higher power when analog goes away.
Jim
Regional Engineering Manager

Saw an ad on FOX Sports Detroit over the weekend that said they will be broadcasting in HD soon. The ad was specifically for Tiger games and was "brought to you" by DIRECT TV. I wonder if our cable companies will pick it up in time for the Red Wings and Pistons.

I read in Friday's Flint Journal, a couple pages into Section A that the following changes were going to be made to the Flint Area Comcast lineup:

209 MHD will be added
207 INHD2 will be removed
148 Fuse will be added

Saw an ad on FOX Sports Detroit over the weekend that said they will be broadcasting in HD soon. The ad was specifically for Tiger games and was "brought to you" by DIRECT TV. I wonder if our cable companies will pick it up in time for the Red Wings and Pistons.


I called Direct TV, it's available on HD currently, but you need their new Mpeg4 5 LNB dish, and a new receiver.... $100 upgrade and install. I know this doesn't answer your question about Comcast, but for those Direct users. Not sure of the other benefits of the upgrade currently (new channels, etc) but seems like it'll be the way to go for future enhancements they'll be offering.

From what I understand, it's only available in the Detroit DMA in HD. Even though FSD is our local RSN, and the spot-beam will probably cover us, they won't offer FSD in HD to our area until Flint-Saginaw stations are available in HD from D* (2007).

Not to sound like a broken record, but could anyone provide an update on WSMH? Is there a day in particular that the station is targeting to send out its digital signal? Just do me a favor. If anyone has any potential information and the words "September" or "early fall" are part of it, just don't say anything!!! I will freaking go nuts!

I don't mind being a broken record. I really, truly found the addition of CBS HD and ESPN2 HD to be pretty wonderful and magical. But where the heck is FOX HD?

At one time my wish list went like this:

Fox HD
Fox Sports Detroit HD
CBS HD
ESPN 2 HD

I told someone at work "If I get those four channels I will stop complaining and whining" AND I MEANT IT. I really am grateful that two of those channels were taken off the list (even though they happen to be the BOTTOM two) but I'm still getting impatient.

So to review: I would rather have JACK BAUER torture me or have VX1 nerve gas released in my face than suffer the enduring wait (Fox and Comcast have subjected me to).

It has been slow going at WSMH on their digital transistion. I'm sure that they don't want to delay into September (NFL). AVS Poster WRacer occasionally updates the progress. Hopefully he will update all of us soon.

Pm'd WRacer on Friday, here's his response.

"Going back up there on the 14th and planning to have the digital on the air by the end of that week....keep your fingers crossed!!!
JIm"

Has anyone heard any updates on FSN Detroit HD on Charter? Is it still only on Direct TV at this time?

We all will be looking for a digital signal on 16 coming out of Chesaning by Friday!!
Stay tuned.

BTW when they get up and running, they will be running "The Tube" on a sub channel.

Any news about if they're doing 720p HD right away? This would be just in time for prison break.

FWIW according to this website

http://www.sbgi.net/business/markets/all.shtml#flint

They are not "HD Ready".

FWIW according to this website

http://www.sbgi.net/business/markets/all.shtml#flint

They are not "HD Ready".


Yet according to that link, the digital channel number is in red meaning that it is not in use. So of course it would read that it's not "HD Ready". True?

Yes, that would make sense.
I would hope that they would start HD immediately. It seems to be easier (cheaper) for the local stations with the FOX "Splicer" system of transmitting HD to their affiliates.

Yes, that would make sense.
I would hope that they would start HD immediately. It seems to be easier (cheaper) for the local stations with the FOX "Splicer" system of transmitting HD to their affiliates.


I hope so too. I really hope they don't do what WNEM did and broadcast digital for years with no HD. What is the point?

Anyone picking up WSMH digital? I am not as of yet.

Anyone picking up WSMH digital? I am not as of yet.

Nothing yet for me.

I ran my digital channel finder on my television yesterday to see if there are any new encrypted channels on cable (namely, digital WSMH) and found something incredibly interesting. My tv picked up 109.1,.2,.3,...all the way to .10. Sometimes the channels come in and sometimes they do not. There are movies playing on these channels. It seems to be Stars or something like that. I do not pay for any HBO typed channels what so ever. What is going on??

Just a warning: If there are kids present while you are checking, some of the channels had adult content at certain times.

TCT/TBN WAQP-DT 49 (digital 48) is on the air. I can't believe they beat WSMH!

I noticed that too, seems to be the video on demand service. I guess charter needs to learn how to encrypt their channels. Too bad they didn't make the same mistake with the HD movie channels though...


I ran my digital channel finder on my television yesterday to see if there are any new encrypted channels on cable (namely, digital WSMH) and found something incredibly interesting. My tv picked up 109.1,.2,.3,...all the way to .10. Sometimes the channels come in and sometimes they do not. There are movies playing on these channels. It seems to be Stars or something like that. I do not pay for any HBO typed channels what so ever. What is going on??

Just a warning: If there are kids present while you are checking, some of the channels had adult content at certain times.

Unfortunately we did not get all the studio terminal equipment operating last week. The transmitter is now set up and ready to go, but more work is needed at the studio. We'll be working to get it on by next week at least in upconvert mode. Setting up to switch in and out of Fox HD is more complicated.
Jim

Thanks for the update.

Go WRacer, Go!

From what I understand, it's only available in the Detroit DMA in HD. Even though FSD is our local RSN, and the spot-beam will probably cover us, they won't offer FSD in HD to our area until Flint-Saginaw stations are available in HD from D* (2007).
FSN Detroit HD games that are on DirecTV channel 95, like last Saturday, yesterday, tonight and tomorrow, will be available to all D* HD subs that get FSN. It's not known how many further HD Tigers games will on channel 95, but keep an eye on the schedule.

Enjoy!

...haven't checked here in awhile...

was good to see that wsmh is closer to going online.

i thought i'd run a new "scan" for ota channels and was quite surprised to see fox wsym (ch.47-1,2) and abc (ch.53-1,2) pop into my list...

i believe these are out of lansing and if i can continue to receive 47-1 reliably, then i'll finally get fox-hd!

this will round out my ota receptions (abc, cbs, nbc & fox...& pbs).

5 miles north of midland!

As I mentioned a while back 47-1 is solid for me, but I seem to be the exception. You'll have to check it from time to time and see how stable it is up your way. 53-1 is from Lansing too and again it's stable for me but they seem to have a great many problems with their DD 5.1 so I generally ignore them.

I getting kind of anxious. Do anybody know whats going on with WSMH? I am saying my daily prayers :)

As I mentioned a while back 47-1 is solid for me, but I seem to be the exception. You'll have to check it from time to time and see how stable it is up your way. 53-1 is from Lansing too and again it's stable for me but they seem to have a great many problems with their DD 5.1 so I generally ignore them.

actually, since i scanned & received it....i've only been able to get it once or twice more....so, it's not very dependable for me...

i'm still waiting & hoping on wsmh (16-1) to come online too!!

For those wondering if D* has plans on offering Flint/Saginaw HD channels, they do. They are working with the Local Receive Site to set up the equipment. Right now the hold up is that the building that the equipment is in needs to be air conditioned. This site is at Delta College, and approvals from the College administration is necessary for the expenditure. As soon as this happens, D* will move quickly.

I'm not sure where you get your information from......but it's accurate! (well at least mostly). The equipment is currently housed in an air conditioned environment. (transmitter building). D* needs to add several racks of equipment for the local HD channels and there is not enough space to do so. So the equipment is going to be moved to the old transmitter building, which is not air conditioned. (but is in the process of being so). You're right, once this happens D* will install quickly.

Bern

For those wondering if D* has plans on offering Flint/Saginaw HD channels, they do. They are working with the Local Receive Site to set up the equipment. Right now the hold up is that the building that the equipment is in needs to be air conditioned. This site is at Delta College, and approvals from the College administration is necessary for the expenditure. As soon as this happens, D* will move quickly.

For those wondering if D* has plans on offering Flint/Saginaw HD channels, they do. They are working with the Local Receive Site to set up the equipment. Right now the hold up is that the building that the equipment is in needs to be air conditioned. This site is at Delta College, and approvals from the College administration is necessary for the expenditure. As soon as this happens, D* will move quickly.


thanks for the info!

will this be for all local channels? (nbc, abc, cbs, fox)

i've applied for waivers to receive the east coast feeds (new york locals nbc, abc, cbs, fox) but was only granted abc-east (ch.86)...the other 3 were denied.

i can receive (nbc, abc, cbs) ota pretty dependably, but fox is the thorn in my side...

guys, please keep us up-to-date on the progress at delta college....

much appreciated!

I don't know this exactly, but I can make some educated guesses. I know that D* has an agreement with Disney/ABC (Owner of WJRT) and with Sinclair (Owner of WSMH) on HD Retrans. I don't know about Merideth (WNEM) Or Barrington (WEYI). I have heard that local stations are not giving waivers as a matter of policy. The reason that you got one for ABC is that WJRT is an O & O station (in other words, owned by the ABC network) and D* has a blaket waiver agreement with the networks regarding their own stations. It should only be days away that WSMH DT lights up.............

I don't know this exactly, but I can make some educated guesses. I know that D* has an agreement with Disney/ABC (Owner of WJRT) and with Sinclair (Owner of WSMH) on HD Retrans. I don't know about Merideth (WNEM) Or Barrington (WEYI). I have heard that local stations are not giving waivers as a matter of policy. The reason that you got one for ABC is that WJRT is an O & O station (in other words, owned by the ABC network) and D* has a blaket waiver agreement with the networks regarding their own stations. It should only be days away that WSMH DT lights up.............


We've been hearing that for a long time. The August prediction has come and gone. Surprise, surprise. And by days, do you mean 3? 10? 45? 365? This is becoming an unfunny joke!

On a lighter note, what are HD retrans?

Permission to provide Local-into-Local HD signals.

Thanks.

Permission to provide Local-into-Local HD signals.

I've got a question for you folks who have Charter. I'm using a computer ATSC receiver (the pcHDTV-5500 for what it's worth), and as a previous poster mentioned i am able to receive all the PPV[109 & 110] channels which are encoded (but not encrypted) using QAM-256. I can only receive two OTA channel (WEYI-HD[103.3] and its subchannel WEYI-WB[103.4], and WNEM[103.5]). My understanding was that cable companies are not allowed to encrypt OTA channels, however that doesn't seem to have stopped Charter. So my question is: can everybody else out there can only receive WEYI & WNEM (without the box, of course)? My guess is that Charter's HD decoder doesn't provide coax output, so subscribing to HD service it probably not an option.

I can receive the following:

WJRT = 104.1 (HD), 104.2, 104.3
PBS = 105.3
WSMH = ....oh I almost forgot, they are the only affiliate on this planet that doesn't have a digital signal.

Also, I happened to find HD Net (101.21) but without sound.

QUOTE=lucidity]I've got a question for you folks who have Charter. I'm using a computer ATSC receiver (the pcHDTV-5500 for what it's worth), and as a previous poster mentioned i am able to receive all the PPV[109 & 110] channels which are encoded (but not encrypted) using QAM-256. I can only receive two OTA channel (WEYI-HD[103.3] and its subchannel WEYI-WB[103.4], and WNEM[103.5]). My understanding was that cable companies are not allowed to encrypt OTA channels, however that doesn't seem to have stopped Charter. So my question is: can everybody else out there can only receive WEYI & WNEM (without the box, of course)? My guess is that Charter's HD decoder doesn't provide coax output, so subscribing to HD service it probably not an option.[/QUOTE]

How pathetic, WNEM is showing the jerry lewis telethon instead of US Open tennis.

I can receive the following:

WJRT = 104.1 (HD), 104.2, 104.3
PBS = 105.3
WSMH = ....oh I almost forgot, they are the only affiliate on this planet that doesn't have a digital signal.

Also, I happened to find HD Net (101.21) but without sound.



That's interesting, maybe different areas get different stations. I get 104, but the signal strength is nill (all others are near 100%, so i doubt it's wiring issues). I don't get 105 at all. 101.21 exists, but seems to be encrypted for me. My biggest problem (besides the lack of FOX, of course), is that i can't seem to get WEYI (or any other NBC) by antenna. On another note, it's REALLY sad that TCT has gone digital, but WSMH hasn't. I'd almost believe their excuses if they didn't keeps making up more of them and pushing back the date two weeks every two weeks. I sent an email to charter asking them about their OTA HD, and 4 weeks later they sent me a message back saying that they were unable to answer my question. Appearantly nobody in their technical support department has any technical knowledge. VERY frustrating. . . I guess i need a bigger antenna so i can get WSYM. Where are they broadcast from anyway?

WSYM (ch 38) is located near Eaton Rapids, south south west of Lansing. Lansing's ABC (WLAJ ch 51) and NBC (WILX ch 57) stations are in the same general area (between Lansing and Jackson.

Can anybody recommend an indoor antenna that's halfway decent (or as decent as an indoor antenna can be)? I've been looking at the Terk HD-TVI (which looks cool, at least), but i'd like to hear what others have found to work.

-thanks

Can anybody recommend an indoor antenna that's halfway decent (or as decent as an indoor antenna can be)? I've been looking at the Terk HD-TVI (which looks cool, at least), but i'd like to hear what others have found to work.

-thanks
You could try the silver sensor or one of the double bow tie units. But you really should try an outdoor antenna. From Linden you should be able to receive all Flint, Lansing and Detroit stations with a quality outdoor antenna. I live near Linden (near corner of Ray and Linden roads) and I receive all of the above stations with a CM4228 mounted on my roof.

Can anybody recommend an indoor antenna that's halfway decent (or as decent as an indoor antenna can be)? I've been looking at the Terk HD-TVI (which looks cool, at least), but i'd like to hear what others have found to work.

-thanks
I'm from Fenton, and I have a silver sensor (a Zenith ZHDTV1, to be specific). I can pull in an extraordinary number of channels, and I have it in the basement of my two story house! As far as Flint stations, I get WFUM, WJRT, and WNEM constantly with no interruption. WEYI comes in clear most of the time, but I get a low signal sometimes. For Detroit channels, I get WJBK nearly all the time with little problems. WWJ, WXYZ, WDIV, WMYD, and WTVS all come in probably only 70% of the time. I can also get WLNS from Lansing most of the time. Being in Linden, your chances of getting all these channels are probably the same or greater than mine, but it could all come down to your receiver. I get all these channels using my Sanyo HDTV with the built-in tuner, but I couldn't get anything with my FusionHDTV PC card, unless I was on the top floor of my house (and I still got less than I do now). Also, I used a different cable than the one that came with the antenna, and I got better results.

Any updates on WSMH-HD? There will be a lot of pissed off Lions fans if they don't get on the air by Sunday.

Any updates on WSMH-HD? There will be a lot of pissed off Lions fans if they don't get on the air by Sunday.

I didn't think THAT had anything to do with WSMH or HD TV. :p

I'm planning on watching the game in HD.

Five years ago, when he was in 8th grade and WSMH was just beginning their litany of excuses, I talked my son into getting the grades necessary to get into UofM. Last week I moved him into a dorm in Ann Arbor with a window that faces northeast, bought a small LCD HD tv, a silver sensor, and set it up in the window. Bingo, FOX in HD.

Let's see, $18,000 for tuition, room and board, $800 for books, $700 for the tv..... Four years of college, three years of medical school, internship, residency, and WSMH will still probably not be broadcasting in HD.

If they can't broadcast OTA, why can't they at least pass the digital signal through Charter and Comcast?

Got a PM from WRacer on Tuesday, he said that some equipment necessary for getting the signal up at 'SMH had just come in, and he was heading up there on Wednesday(yesterday). I know it's not much info, sorry.

Got a PM from WRacer on Tuesday, he said that some equipment necessary for getting the signal up at 'SMH had just come in, and he was heading up there on Wednesday(yesterday). I know it's not much info, sorry.
I for one appreciate all the info you and WRacer have provided, and I can only hope it's "a matter of days" as you say above.

Any info on what kind of power they'll be starting out with?

I am assuming that it will be their FCC allocation of 19.3 Kw.

Ewww.

I'm in Mt. Pleasant - I think it's safe to say I still won't be receiving Fox in HD until they can bump that up substantially. :(

Huzzah. I got WSMH digital this morning. 94 signal in Frankenmuth. We'll see how it holds up.

No joke Quakeman.....I've been waiting to see that post for a LONG time. :)

Yep, it's up and running but there is some weirdness. I punched in 16-1 got it, then proceeded to punch in 16-2 to see if there were sub channels. I got the same signal on 16-0 through 16-9 on my HD TiVo. Must be some weird setting in the PSIP generator.

Well, here's to hoping they can get through the testing phase ASAP and can ramp up power so those of us on the edge of the DMA can receive some Fox HD.

We finally got it on the air at 9 AM today. I can't tell you how many problems we had with new equipment that didn't work!!! We were doing some testing on Thursday with out PSIP that may require some receivers to relearn the correct info. When I left the PSIP was correct on 66-1. We will add 66-2 (Tube Network) later, but not reduce HD bandwidth. E-Mail me with comments or problems noted.

HD FOOTBALL SUNDAY!!!!
Jim

It's a miracle!

http://www.mw32.com/images/screencaps/wsmh-hd.png
http://www.mw32.com/images/screencaps/wsmh-hd2.png

My brother is reporting strong reception of WSMH in NWest Midland using antenna on a 70' tower and HD-Tivo.

Finally! WSMH has arrived. Just so you know, my channel is 16.3. I was trying 16.1 and that didn't work so I did a channel scan and it picked up 16.3. I am using an indoor antenna and it seems to work okay. Not great. GO LIONS!

i'm just north of midland...

i did channel scan & picked up 66-1, but no 16-1,16-2 channels...

is 66-1 the correct digital channel that will carry hd?

i don't think there was any hd content on fox last night..

The signal is too low where I am, it's unwatchable. It's a shame though, because I get great signal for WAQP (WSMH and WAQP share the same transmitter facilities). I guess I'll have to stick to Detroit's WJBK.

Finally! WSMH has arrived. Just so you know, my channel is 16.3. I was trying 16.1 and that didn't work so I did a channel scan and it picked up 16.3. I am using an indoor antenna and it seems to work okay. Not great. GO LIONS!

Not sure why you're getting 16.3....I have it set on 16.1. I'll check everything again when I'm back there.
Jim

Getting it here in Mt. Pleasant tonight (what power are you at WRacer?). It's only 1 bar on the signal meter, but I'm tuning it fairly consistent.

Observation - audio is hotter than both WNEM and WJRT.

TV automatically mapped to 66-1 so not sure what 16 subchannel I've got.

WSMH ROCK SOLID in Morrice (between Lansing and FLint). Strong signal of 87% on a dish 622, with the antenna aimed at Lansing! That compared to channel 5 (72%) 12 (92%) 19 (72%) 25 (67%) 49 (84%) - again with the antenna aimed southwest at Lansing.

I would say that speaks well to Fox66 new transmission strength.

Great signal, at a 92% on my HDTivo from Southwestern Shiawasee county. Receiver mapped to 66.1. No guide data.

100% in Chesaning. Now that's a shocker. :D

WRacer, thank you for all of your hard work to get WSMH finally into the 21st century.

I've got WSMH coming in at 80% in Reese with the HDTV Wonder. That's good enough for me. Can't wait to see the Simpsons premire tonight and finally be able to watch it without snow. It's gonna be great!

Not sure why you're getting 16.3....I have it set on 16.1. I'll check everything again when I'm back there.
Jim


Maybe it's just my television/tuner, but it is definitely 16.3. Now, the big question is will the Lions be in HD format? Fox hasn't shown any HD this weekend so I can't tell if that will happen. I SURE HOPE SO!!

In terms of reception, I live in Bay City and after some manipulation of my indoor, I am getting awesome reception. Way to go SMH.

I have an outside antenna connected to my DirecTv satellite receiver. The Fox66 signal is on 66-1 for me. It is also on 66-1 on my TV using the built-in HD receiver. My signal meter shows 94 here in Essexville. Thanks Jim and Fox66 for all of your efforts, just in time for the Lions opening game. HD is great for watching football. Go Lions.

Ahhhhh - switched to onsite at Ford Field - bout 12:55 and it's SD!!! Aren't all FOX games in HD? Pregame looked pretty damn good in HD and now..... :confused:

The HD looks great! Nice job WRacer! Now, can you help the Lions generate some offense in the 2nd half??

Just wanted to report back that the HD looks dang good here in Mt. P - as TriCity says....

Any news if comcast is going to be broadcasting fox 66 HD?

Hello, I'm new to your forum and it looks like a friendly and knowledgable one.
Here's my dilemma.

I'm in Alger (about 12 miles south of West Branch and 63 miles from the WSMH and WJRT tower. I receive both OTA anywhere in between 60's to 70-ish. The funny thing is I seem to loose them both completely (no signal strength period) around noonish and for most of the day. WJRT I get back later in the day, early evening hours most of the time, and WSMH I'm not sure yet (as of tonight, I still don't have it back). Any idears why I might be loosing them completely during the day?

Thanx in advance!

At last FOX HD. Thank you WSMH. I'm 5 miles north of Clare and the signal strength is between 95 and 98 and the Doby audio sounds great!

I sent an email to WNEM asking about Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in HD, and here's the response I got:
Wheel of Fortune & Jeopardy are being broadcast in HD.
You should be receiving the signal now.
Hmm... I guess I'll find out in a couple hours!

edit: No HD. Looks like the programming department at WNEM is just as HD-confused as the general public.

No FOX Primetime in HD on WSMH?? Watching Prison Break right now - still in SD/stereo. :(

Edit: Someone flipped a switch somewhere about 8:17-ish....HD and 5.1 now. :D

Any news if comcast is going to be broadcasting fox 66 HD?
Comcast has added fox hd to their lineup on channel 234.

Now I can watch the Lions su*k in HD yeah !!!!

I don't know what stations are doing "Wheel" in HD, but it's not too many. Most stations do not have the equipment necessary to run syndicated programs in HD. There is a whole thread on this board about it.

Thank you WSMH! I take back everything I said and thought. FOX in HD!

Now lets start working on FOX Sports so we can see the Red Wings in HD

Any chance that either will be on Charter soon?

Great job WRacer. Finally got the monkey off your back.

Now how about FSN Detroit???? I'm tired of seeing a black screen on INHD when the tigers are playing.

We will add 66-2 (Tube Network) later, but not reduce HD bandwidth.
Jim
Here's to hoping they stick with this statement. I've seen NFL Football, Prison Break and Justice this week and they all looked very good, IMO. :)

Anyone in the Flint area that can get the DirecTV FSN Detroit HD signal? I'm trying to figure out how far out of the DMA the spotbeam will go. I'm in the Morrice area, and if I can get it I may switch over from Dish.

I'm sure it's available, the spot beam isn't that tight. You just need the 5 LNB dish to get it. Hey, refresh my memory - where is Morrice?

Morrice is by Perry. between flint and lansing. I hope the signal reaches, I just ordered an HR20 and H20 as a new customer. I read they also nos have MY 20 for HD Pistons via the AT9 dish.

Are you in the Detroit DMA? If not odds are you wont get MyTv 20. You may have to move. Don't know what effect that will have on your installer though. They may loose their compensation from D.

WNEM has been showing the dolphins-bills game instead of the bengals-browns which I'm happy about (who cares about the browns?). Now some moron keeps switching between the bengals game and dolphins game on WNEM.

Are you in the Detroit DMA? If not odds are you wont get MyTv 20. You may have to move. Don't know what effect that will have on your installer though. They may loose their compensation from D.

I am 'close' to the Detroit dma, close enough that I should be in the beam, and am switching carriers 100% for programming in that beam.

I plan to move after a few months, I ordered directly through Directv, why would me moving affect the installers compensation? It is a directv employee or contracter, should be paid either way.

I will not require a new install or anything up the road.

The way I understood the situation, it may be very different now, (but if I was 'moving' I'd check into it), historically dealers have been paid a spif for each new sub they sign up. If the sub changed providers or moved to another area during the specified contract period where a different dealer had the franchise the original dealer was issued a charge back and lost the profit from the original install.

As I said you should check in to it, I wouldn't want to see a decent installer get screwed because someone 'moved', that's why I do my own installs.

Masterdeals,
I almost positive that the spot beam would cover our area. Livingston county is in the Detroit DMA and that is only 10-15 miles to the south. If you do get set up with an AT-9, let me know how it goes. BTW I can get Ch. 20 with no problem OTA. I'm probably 5-10 miles west of you.

1 segment into the highly advertised season premeire of CSI Miami and WNEM hasn't mangaged to flip to HD yet....pitiful. :mad:

Edit: Still no HD at 10:40....

Edit2: And there you have it...the entire episode of the new season in good 'ole SD. I'll be sure to post the response to my email if I receive one. :mad:

There was no HD from 8 until 10 either. Now I'm watching Letterman and it is still SD. What's the deal?

edit: They finally flipped the switch at about midnight.

The primtime watch is really failing this new season...no HD in the first 2 hours so far this Tuesday night. What's going on WNEM??? :mad:

Hope Smith looks good in SD....

Anybody having any problems with ABC (12-1)? I was flipping through the channels and Boston Legal which is currently on is almost unwatchable due to picture freezing and breaking up. Not sure whether I need to check connections, antenna positioning or if the station is having problems.

bahopkins - I didn't flip by 12-1 last night, so I don't have any feedback to contribute.

I sent an email to WNEM this morning...I'll let everyone know what I hear back, if it happens.

Now have 66-2 on with "The Tube"....did not lower HD bandwidth. Also, program guide is now populated. Any comments?
Jim

Masterdeals,
I almost positive that the spot beam would cover our area. Livingston county is in the Detroit DMA and that is only 10-15 miles to the south. If you do get set up with an AT-9, let me know how it goes. BTW I can get Ch. 20 with no problem OTA. I'm probably 5-10 miles west of you.

I have some tall trees to the south of me that I think are blocking the detroit stations. I have managed to see them once or twice, but usually when I try I can only get Lansing and Flint. I bought a higher mast and DB8 antenna, and will try that sometime soon.

If I can get the AT9 for FSN Detroit and happen to get the detroit HD LiL it may make the antenna change pointless.

What kind of antenna do you use? Clear line to the south east?

The way I understood the situation, it may be very different now, (but if I was 'moving' I'd check into it), historically dealers have been paid a spif for each new sub they sign up. If the sub changed providers or moved to another area during the specified contract period where a different dealer had the franchise the original dealer was issued a charge back and lost the profit from the original install.

As I said you should check in to it, I wouldn't want to see a decent installer get screwed because someone 'moved', that's why I do my own installs.

I've always done my own installs too. Only problem is as a new customer D* will not give me the lease on the HD DVRs and the other equipment without the installation. I spoke to them tonight and confirmed it is a directv employeed installer, not a dealer or contractor. That should eliminate any concerns.

Now have 66-2 on with "The Tube"....did not lower HD bandwidth. Also, program guide is now populated. Any comments?
Jim

Well, I can confirm it is there and looks ok. The news was on, so no way to check the HD feed quality.

Any more info you can share about 'the tube'? Is is just music videos or other programming?

Have you ever looked into Retro TV network for any of you affilates as a subchannel? None of the DMAs around here have it, but it is comparable to TV Land a few years ago, some good programming that is not much around anywhere else. Just a thought?

I am using an Antennas Direct XG91 on the Roof with a Winegard Amp. I have a pretty clear shot to the southeast. I can always get 7-1 and 20-1 OTA. Occasonally I get 4-1 and 2-1, depending on the weather.

Well, I can confirm it is there and looks ok. The news was on, so no way to check the HD feed quality.

Any more info you can share about 'the tube'? Is is just music videos or other programming?

Have you ever looked into Retro TV network for any of you affilates as a subchannel? None of the DMAs around here have it, but it is comparable to TV Land a few years ago, some good programming that is not much around anywhere else. Just a thought?
No way. One subchannel is enough. Let's not degrade the HD programming.

The Tube is like MTV in the early days...all old music videos. The Tube is on because we have a corporate wide deal with them...it's on most of our stations around the country. At this time we have no plans to add any additional sub channels.
Jim




Well, I can confirm it is there and looks ok. The news was on, so no way to check the HD feed quality.

Any more info you can share about 'the tube'? Is is just music videos or other programming?

Have you ever looked into Retro TV network for any of you affilates as a subchannel? None of the DMAs around here have it, but it is comparable to TV Land a few years ago, some good programming that is not much around anywhere else. Just a thought?

WNEM followup: There is none as far as a reply, but I did notice HD was back up last night - at least for CSI:NY. Hope it stays that way. :)

WRacer - Got The Tube on 66-2 - will be glad to provide some feedback when some more HD programming is up. But I see your post was made at 9:45-ish last night and I can confirm that the end of Justice looked great as usual, so it looks like all is well. Also, thanks for the program guide info...very helpful.

The Tube comes in on 16.4 for me. Fox HD still looks great. I also am digging The Tube. All music videos. None of that reality show crap found on MTV and VH1. Any word on when there will be an unencrypted WSMH channel through Charter?

The Tube should be on 66-2...may have to rescan.
Don't plan on any seeing WSMH -DT on Charter anytime soon. They are unwilling to sign a deal with us corporate wide.


The Tube comes in on 16.4 for me. Fox HD still looks great. I also am digging The Tube. All music videos. None of that reality show crap found on MTV and VH1. Any word on when there will be an unencrypted WSMH channel through Charter?

Just tried to get Fox WSMH-DT on my OTA. I receive ABC 12 perfectly OK (signal strength 90+%) on DirecTV HD DVR. Frequency 16 shows some signal (less than 15%). Antenna web shows both stations coming from exactly the same direction and appr. the same distance (30..31 miles - I'm located in Midland). Is there another difference I should be aware of which could cause the different signal strengths?

Is everyone else seeing "Loss of Input Signal" on 5-1 today? Hope we can get that remedied before football at 4:00.

Just tried to get Fox WSMH-DT on my OTA. I receive ABC 12 perfectly OK (signal strength 90+%) on DirecTV HD DVR. Frequency 16 shows some signal (less than 15%). Antenna web shows both stations coming from exactly the same direction and appr. the same distance (30..31 miles - I'm located in Midland). Is there another difference I should be aware of which could cause the different signal strengths?

I live in Midland also. I have a CM-4228 antenna with a pre-amp about 30 feet in the air. When I aim it at WJRT's tower, WSMH is strong (90%) and solid after dark, but a different story during the day. I get a strong signal (again about 90%), but then it will drop down pixilate and freeze the picture or just lose it entirely for a second or two. When I aim the antenna a little more toward the south (from south east), it seems to help a little. I think the signal is just bouncing around the trees, or maybe it is just the wind blowing branches in the way. The trees are pretty tall and thick around here.

This is getting old...no HD on 5-1 again tonight. It's hard to believe how much they need to be reminded to "flip the switch". I sent an email...hopefully it gets read before CSI:Miami.

This is getting old...no HD on 5-1 again tonight. It's hard to believe how much they need to be reminded to "flip the switch". I sent an email...hopefully it gets read before CSI:Miami.


I wonder what is going on at WNEM also. This is the second week in a row that their Monday night programs were not in HD. If anyone is interested, WLNS (6-1) was coming in clear and in HD tonight in Midland.

I wonder what is going on at WNEM also. This is the second week in a row that their Monday night programs were not in HD. If anyone is interested, WLNS (6-1) was coming in clear and in HD tonight in Midland.
Unfortunately, WNEM is my only option here in Mt. Pleasant. Hope we don't get a repeat of last week where it was Wednesday until we got the HD feed back. It'd be nice to see The Unit and Smith in HD tonight. :(

Just tried to get Fox WSMH-DT on my OTA. I receive ABC 12 perfectly OK (signal strength 90+%) on DirecTV HD DVR. Frequency 16 shows some signal (less than 15%). Antenna web shows both stations coming from exactly the same direction and appr. the same distance (30..31 miles - I'm located in Midland). Is there another difference I should be aware of which could cause the different signal strengths?

I'm in Grand Blanc and I have the same problem. I can receive WJRT, WNEM and WEYI with strength of 75-95% but I can't get a signal above 10-15% for WSMH. Has anyone figured out the secret to solve this yet?

Todd

From what I understand, although they are located in the same area, WSMH transmits at a much lower power than WJRT to avoid Canadian interference. I couldn't get WSMH for a few days until I tilted my indoor antenna upwards at about a 45 degree angle; now I can get it most of the time.

I'm in Grand Blanc and I have the same problem. I can receive WJRT, WNEM and WEYI with strength of 75-95% but I can't get a signal above 10-15% for WSMH. Has anyone figured out the secret to solve this yet?

Todd

Try optimising your antenna...we are at maximum allowed power, but it is somewhat lower than we would prefer. The Flint area ia flat and we have response from viewers further away than you are. However, even with higher power, you could be in a poor location. We are hoping to get a different frequency that will allow higher power when channels are reallocated closer to 2009. We have planned for that with our new facility.
Jim

From what I understand, although they are located in the same area, WSMH transmits at a much lower power than WJRT to avoid Canadian interference. I couldn't get WSMH for a few days until I tilted my indoor antenna upwards at about a 45 degree angle; now I can get it most of the time.


Thanks, I'll give that a try.

Todd

Hey I'm not complaining anymore.....just living my happy life of bliss with FOX HD. However, since I had a few minutes I thought I'd ask if anyone has heard anything regarding the CW or Fox Sports Detroit possibly being in HD. I know they are in HD somewhere or somehow (like Detroit or if you have the Dish Network), but just not on Comcast or the Flint area.

If anyone is wondering, I'm not really wanting the CW in HD for the Gilmore Girls (haha) more so if they have Piston games this winter....

Any info would be really appreciated. Thanks!

Does anybody have any word about what Charter's plans are with regard to WSMH?

Does anybody have any word about what Charter's plans are with regard to WSMH?

Don't hold your breath! Charter is one of the only major outlets to not sign a retransmission agreement for the HD signal. It's avalable on satellite and of course with an antenna.

Why does that not suprise me. . . . bunch of savages in this town. I guess that means i have to spring for the extra-big antenna, eh? Thanks for the info though.

WRacer,
Where is WSMH-DT Available on Satellite?

Recently connected a Samsung 451 QAM capable digital receiver to my Comcast Cable out of Pt Austin. After scanning for stations I am now receiving the following. CBS ch 5 Bay City on ch 59; ABC Ch 12 Flint on ch 60.1 with 2 sub chn on 60.3 and 60.4;NBC ch 25 Saginaw on ch 60.2; TNT HD on ch 65.1 and Finally ESPN2 HD on ch 65.2. All of the above digital channels are listed by Comcast at 231 and above.
Picture quality is great on the 50" Sony lcd projection set. Tiger ball game last night was beautiful on the ESPN ch.
No Fox out of Flint yet but hope they soon become available.

WRacer,
Where is WSMH-DT Available on Satellite?

We have an agreement with the satellite companies...not sure if and when it will be on.

Still no luck picking up WSMH, even though I can get all the other Flint/Saginaw stations. Luckily, I can turn my antenna around to face south and get Fox 2 from Detroit. :D

WSMH was not broadcasting in HD during the Lions game and part of the Cowboys/Eagles game. Anyone know what was happening? I guess the big question is, will the Tigers be on in HD tonight?

Maybe WRacer was on to something. Directv has announced that the Flint/Saginaw HD stations are in the next group to be available from D*. An AT-9 Dish and an MPEG4 capable receiver will be necessary to receive these.

WSMH was not broadcasting in HD during the Lions game and part of the Cowboys/Eagles game. Anyone know what was happening? I guess the big question is, will the Tigers be on in HD tonight?

Fox lost their HD feed system wide for about an hour so we had to switch to our upconverted feed.

Fox lost their HD feed system wide for about an hour so we had to switch to our upconverted feed.

Thanks for the info

What is this "flip the switch" crap? The Lions game on WNEM isn't in HD right now. Why do they have to "flip the switch"? Why not leave the damn switch on, geez.

not hd :(

not hd :(

Yeah, lol, just discovered that CBS isn't broadcasting this game in HD. Well, still wondering about the flip the switch business since they forget to flip it often.

Why aren't we in HD today??? Fox has it listed as HD. Help me out here Racer!!!!

The Lions were in HD from Fox 2 in Detroit

WSMH had the World Series game in HD tonight.

Just wanted to say that it was awesome to watch the Tigers in HD last night (even if it wasn't awesome to watch the outcome). Glad to see that Fox is available in digital HD now, and "The Tube" is just an added bonus.

For anyone else wondering about geographical signals, I'm in Lennon (near Durand, or more generally, between Flint and Lansing), and I get CBS ch5, CBS ch6 (sometimes), ABC ch12 (very strong), PBS 19, NBC ch25 (I think), the CW ch25.2, TCT ch48, and Fox 66.1/Tube 66.2.

I have a couple of questions about Charter Cable in Midland.

1. Has anyone been able to get them to install their HD DVR? They were advertising it a while back, and now they have stopped. When I call, I get several different answers from "we will put you on our waiting list" to we don't offer that service in Midland.

2. Do they broadcast HD signals that can be picked up with a QAM tuner? Since I have been getting what seems to be a run around about their DVR, I was checking into the TIVO Series 3. It has a QAM tuner and I wonder what HD stations it might pick up if I just hook it up to the basic cable.

If anyone has the answer(s), please pass them along.

If Charter in Midland is similar to Charter in Fenton, you will be able to pick up several local HD stations (some with subchannels, some without, and NOT FOX) and whatever people are currently watching on the "In-Demand" service (which for some reason is in the clear). All cable HD content (ESPN-HD, Discovery-HD, etc.) is scrambled.

If Charter in Midland is similar to Charter in Fenton, you will be able to pick up several local HD stations (some with subchannels, some without, and NOT FOX) and whatever people are currently watching on the "In-Demand" service (which for some reason is in the clear). All cable HD content (ESPN-HD, Discovery-HD, etc.) is scrambled.

Thanks for getting back to me.
I noticed that I have a QAM capable tuner on a small LCD HD set, and hooked it up. It has an automatic channel scan. What was interesting is that I scanned for stations on Monday and again on Tuesday. I received a lot more "hits" on Tuesday, including Showtime, and several that were showing movies that I have not had time to ID yet. As I was looking through them, there was "Flicka", some Wesley Snipes movie, and at least two different episodes of Starwars.

I also got WJRT, WEYI and WNEM and the Bad Axe PBS station in HD. You are right about FOX, but I was able to get that when I hooked up my antenna. Now I have to decide if I want to use the antenna to get the locals plus FOX or the cable and pick up Showtime etc and miss out on FOX

I received a total of 66 hits tonight, but most of them were the digital music stations.

Thanks for getting back to me.
I noticed that I have a QAM capable tuner on a small LCD HD set, and hooked it up. It has an automatic channel scan. What was interesting is that I scanned for stations on Monday and again on Tuesday. I received a lot more "hits" on Tuesday, including Showtime, and several that were showing movies that I have not had time to ID yet. As I was looking through them, there was "Flicka", some Wesley Snipes movie, and at least two different episodes of Starwars.

I also got WJRT, WEYI and WNEM and the Bad Axe PBS station in HD. You are right about FOX, but I was able to get that when I hooked up my antenna. Now I have to decide if I want to use the antenna to get the locals plus FOX or the cable and pick up Showtime etc and miss out on FOX

I received a total of 66 hits tonight, but most of them were the digital music stations.

Yup

Midland is mostly digital music stations, NBC, ABC, & PBS. You might have gotten Showtime on a free showtime weekend or something?

I had a QAM tuner hooked up, but I ditched charter due to my anger with having no service for almost a whole month and moved to Dish. I still have Charter for cable modem though, no other choices :(


BTW:
With the Dish HD-DVR I can pick up ABC/NBC using my amped Radio Shack antenna (top floor of my bi-level house). I get about 72-82 signal strength. They have a tendency to cut out sometimes in the daytime :( but work very well at night with almost no dropouts. I'm 32-36 miles away from the towers, waaaay out on M-20 near 9-mile.

I could barely pull in a stable signal with my LG LST-3510A and my Radio Shack clearance special OTA tuner...antenna had to be in a very specific spot for each channel and balanced on the windowsill. The Dish DVR has a much better OTA antenna.

Just thought I'd point it out for other Midland-area dwellers. If you're a long way out and had no luck with OTA before, I'd recommend trying a newer HD tuner like the Dish Vip622 DVR.

What was interesting is that I scanned for stations on Monday and again on Tuesday. I received a lot more "hits" on Tuesday, including Showtime, and several that were showing movies that I have not had time to ID yet. As I was looking through them, there was "Flicka", some Wesley Snipes movie, and at least two different episodes of Starwars.
These channels that you picked up were the OnDemand content that people were watching at the time. If more people are using OnDemand at the time you scan, the more channels you pick up. Obviously this isn't right because somebody could be watching a pay movie and you could pick it up with your QAM tuner for free (shhh... don't tell Charter about this ;)).

These channels that you picked up were the OnDemand content that people were watching at the time. If more people are using OnDemand at the time you scan, the more channels you pick up. Obviously this isn't right because somebody could be watching a pay movie and you could pick it up with your QAM tuner for free (shhh... don't tell Charter about this ;)).


There is some content on those channels that are not family friendly. I told Charter and they have no freakin clue what to do. So, enjoy your On Demand. I don't think it's going anywhere. To be honest, I don't think that Charter totally understands the QAM dynamics.

Has anyone on Comcast been able to receive FSN HD yet? They supposedly are on Comcast now as they have stated such on the Red Wings game the other day.

BTW:
With the Dish HD-DVR I can pick up ABC/NBC using my amped Radio Shack antenna (top floor of my bi-level house). I get about 72-82 signal strength. They have a tendency to cut out sometimes in the daytime :( but work very well at night with almost no dropouts. I'm 32-36 miles away from the towers, waaaay out on M-20 near 9-mile.

I could barely pull in a stable signal with my LG LST-3510A and my Radio Shack clearance special OTA tuner...antenna had to be in a very specific spot for each channel and balanced on the windowsill. The Dish DVR has a much better OTA antenna.

Just thought I'd point it out for other Midland-area dwellers. If you're a long way out and had no luck with OTA before, I'd recommend trying a newer HD tuner like the Dish Vip622 DVR.

Have you tried WWTV from Cadilac lately? They apparently boosted their signal last week. My brother in Northeast Midland is now receiving them with a solid mid 90 signal using Directv DTC-200 receiver. He does have a 70' tower though.

I have it here in Flint comcast on channel 201 (FSN HD)

So FSN Detroit is available in HD now? The last time I checked they were one of the only FSN networks to not offer an HD channel. Well, that's great news. FSN HD is probably my most wanted channel. However, being a Charter subscriber I don't expect to get the channel anytime soon. I'm sick of tired of Charter being wayyyyy behind Comcast in terms of offering new channels and services.

So FSN Detroit is available in HD now? The last time I checked they were one of the only FSN networks to not offer an HD channel. Well, that's great news. FSN HD is probably my most wanted channel. However, being a Charter subscriber I don't expect to get the channel anytime soon. I'm sick of tired of Charter being wayyyyy behind Comcast in terms of offering new channels and services.

FSD has been showing HD content since July on Direct TV and BrightHouse only in the Detroit area. Comcast came online in Detroit just this past week and it appears that Flint has it now too. There are rumors of equipment shortages for headends to get some of the newer Comcast HD content our to the masses in Michigan.

In Lansing, I anxiously await the Wings, Pistons, Tigers, etc in HD. We just got our local ABC on the STB finally, hopefully, that means more good things to come in the near future.

jb

Have you tried WWTV from Cadilac lately? They apparently boosted their signal last week. My brother in Northeast Midland is now receiving them with a solid mid 90 signal using Directv DTC-200 receiver. He does have a 70' tower though.

I turned my antenna (CM4228) west and picked it up Sunday evening. It kept falling out. I only was able to get a signal of 50 with my Samsung receiver (SIR-T451) and CM pre-amp, so it was not watchable for me. It does give me another option besides WLNS when WNEM "forgets" to turn on the HD switch. I live two blocks south of the Midland Holiday Inn, and my antenna is at 30ft

I will be heading up to Pt Austin tomorrow. Is there anyone familiar with Comcast out of Pt Austin to know whether they have added WSMH Digital and FSN HD yet? I will do another scan with the Samsung QAM receiver to see if any new channels have been added. But who knows where Comcast might place them in the lineup.

Anyone know if they have raised their power output recently,or are they still at 4Kw on a short stick?I picked them up last nite and was just curious.Also had nice hits on WSMH and WAQP dt's but not enough to overpower the locals here.

Thanks

As far as I know, WHTV is still at low power from Downtown Jackson.
Great day for DXing! I'm able to get all the Cleveland DTs from here.

As far as I know, WHTV is still at low power from Downtown Jackson.
Great day for DXing! I'm able to get all the Cleveland DTs from here.

Thanks for the info.They must be using a camera pointed at an analog monitor for their DT source.The picture looked the same as 18,cci lines and all.

Was hoping,but Cleveland and points further northeast never materialized.

Right now, I am able to get CBS (5.1), NBC (25.1), ABC (104.1), and some other weird channels I don't care about through Charter coming directly through the cable, not an antenna. Should I be getting FOX too? I really wish I did. I also get CW in digital, but not HD, it's still 4:3. I'd be nice if it was actually HD. I'm in Saginaw BTW.

Right now, I am able to get CBS (5.1), NBC (25.1), ABC (104.1), and some other weird channels I don't care about through Charter coming directly through the cable, not an antenna. Should I be getting FOX too? I really wish I did. I also get CW in digital, but not HD, it's still 4:3. I'd be nice if it was actually HD. I'm in Saginaw BTW.

You will not be able to pick up the the QAM signal for Fox through Charter. Charter does not offer WSMH digital in any way shape or form. Not even to HD cable subscribers. Sounds like there is a contract dispute of some sort. However, if you live in Saginaw you should be able to pick up the WSMH digital signal OTA with a decent indoor antenna. I live north of you and can pick it up just fine.

I am receiving Showtime HD on channel 101-1. Perfect quality and sound. Thanks Charter! You are both kind and ignorant! I mean, is it considered stealing when you call them up to tell them and some lady says, "Sir, according to our records, you are NOT receiving those channels."

Okay, whatever.

I am receiving Showtime HD on channel 101-1. Perfect quality and sound. Thanks Charter! You are both kind and ignorant! I mean, is it considered stealing when you call them up to tell them and some lady says, "Sir, according to our records, you are NOT receiving those channels."

Okay, whatever.
I have been getting Showtime on channel 778 ever since the free preview weekend at the beginning of October. I guess they forget to encrypt it back (or don't even know how for that matter, since I'm sure several people have called them about this). Oh well, I hardly ever find anything attractive on Showtime anyways.

edit: As of 12/29, it is no longer in the clear.

Freaking Dolphins-Colts game is being shown in SD. Flip the switch you morons. I still don't get why the switch isn't always flipped.

I don't have an antenna handy, and I doubt I'll get one because I'll probably be moving soon. Good to know at least that I'm not missing out through Charter. On the note of Showtime, I've also been getting it since October-ish. I've been gone for Christmas for a while... I hope I still get it when I come back. How do you find out about the free previews? I just happened to reprogram my channels to see if WSMH was finally being broadcast and was happy to see Showtime comming in. Even if it is only for a weekend, I'd like to know when to look out for other channels.

Damn WEYI, showing the Penguins-Flyers game in SD, but showing a different game in HD....

Edit: Now it's on the HD channel but they haven't flipped the switch so it is broadcasting in SD on the HD channel...

Whats the latest on WSMH Fox Digital? Is any cable system carrying the digital signal yet?

Only Comcast carries WSMH-DT. There is a large thread in the HDTV Programming forum addressing the topic. You can read it here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=500356). Basically, Sinclair Broadcast Group wants to charge each cable company a fee per each subscriber for the cable company to carry their channels.

Thanks Pagoona. In Madison Heights I receive Fox Digital OTA. It was also available over Comcast basic cable using my QAM receiver that I brought home from my Pt Austin (PA) location. In PA on the Comcast cable however I receive all the networks except Fox (WSMH) plus TNT HD and ESPN2 HD. I was really wondering if the PA Comcast cable was carrying WSMH digital yet.

Does anyone know of a problem with channel 12? I can't get a digital signal at all for the past few days. My other OTA stations are coming in like always, even Fox 66!

Todd

I can get ABC 12 OTA with no problem.

I have a Sony XBR CRT and have no problem picking up the local QAM channels from Charter in the Bay City area. My friend who also lives in the area just bought a Sharp Aquos 37 LCD (sweet TV by the way) and can get 104.1, 105.3 all of the time. However, sometimes he cannot pick up NBC 25.1 and CBS 5.1. It will say something like "Error 020202." Sometimes those channel do come in however. Why the inconsistancy?

Does anyone know why I can pick up those channels with no problem all of the time? While my buddy cannot? Is it a tuner issue?

To be honest, I really do not fully understand how the QAM signal totally works. Any input would be appreciated.

WNEM DD 5.1

Hey, is anyone else getting a indication they are transmitting DD 5.1? My receiver is lighting up for DD but I"m only getting 2 channel stereo. I called last week thinking they had their equipment messed up, spoke with Eric who wasn't sure. I called back and talked to him again today and he indicated they DO NOT do DD 5.1, and don't have the equipment for it!

Anyone else getting them OTA and getting a DD 5.1 indication? The were having some major transmitter problems when I called so I wasn't able to speak to anyone else who might know more.

WNEM DD 5.1

Hey, is anyone else getting a indication they are transmitting DD 5.1?

Hi Matt
Just tried my receiver and it indicates DD 5.1 with WNEM OTA and through Comcast.

I just realized that the superbowl is on WNEM. :( As I mentioned before I can pull in ABC/NBC OK at nighttime with my antenna. Antennaweb shows WNEM is 30.6 miles, whereas WEYI NBC is 44.4 miles and WJRT is 32.0 miles.

Is WNEM lower powered or something? Or maybe I just need to do some careful antenna pointing?

I'll try the suggestion for WWTV out of Cadillac but antennaweb says it's 58.5 miles. Unlikely.

I wonder if the folks at WNEM really don't know what their equipment can do or what.

I've always had the DD light come on from WNEM as soon as they went HD. I just assumed that they were DD capable. I'm over 50 miles away from 'NEM, and I have no problem at all with their signal.

I checked and I was wrong. I'm getting ABC and CBS, no NBC. WNEM is about signal strength 65-70. Too flaky. I'll do some tuning on it for superbowl reception and I can probably stabilize it.

Very interesting. If you read my last post, I talked about a friend who could not pick up the QAM cable signal for 5.1 or 25.1. Now, I can no longer get these channels with a QAM signal. Anyone else experiencing this? Fortunately, I have a decent indoor antenna.

Very interesting. If you read my last post, I talked about a friend who could not pick up the QAM cable signal for 5.1 or 25.1. Now, I can no longer get these channels with a QAM signal. Anyone else experiencing this? Fortunately, I have a decent indoor antenna.


I just had the same issue with QAM channels 5.1 and 25.1. Charter cable in Sanford. I did a rescan on my tv (Olevia 537H), and got them back. I also seem to have suddenly picked up like 50+ digital music channels that weren't there the last time I scanned, which was a few weeks ago. I'm not at home right now, but the music channels are up around channel 90 something, and each sub-music channel was a 9*-1, up to 9*-50 something

Greetings all,,

I just installed an OTA antenna in my attic. (I'm in Goodrich).

For some reason I can't get FOX 66 (WSMH)'s signal.

I get 90+ signal strength for 12.1 (WJRT) and 49.1 (WAQP), and according to antennaweb.org these transmitters are all pretty much in the same location as WSMH. (35 miles out, 316 and 317 degrees from my location).

Does WSMH transmit at a much lower power? (Can't believe they'd be less than WAQP).

I was hoping to watch 24 in HD tonight..........

Thanks!

Steve C. (just call me noob)

I am experiencing the same thing. WSMH must have some kind of a transmitting issue tonight. 49-1 comes from the same tower I believe so it should not be an issue of you not able to pick up the WSMH signal. Weird.

Greetings all,,

I just installed an OTA antenna in my attic. (I'm in Goodrich).

For some reason I can't get FOX 66 (WSMH)'s signal.

I get 90+ signal strength for 12.1 (WJRT) and 49.1 (WAQP), and according to antennaweb.org these transmitters are all pretty much in the same location as WSMH. (35 miles out, 316 and 317 degrees from my location).

Does WSMH transmit at a much lower power? (Can't believe they'd be less than WAQP).

I was hoping to watch 24 in HD tonight..........

Thanks!

Steve C. (just call me noob)

I just had the same issue with QAM channels 5.1 and 25.1. Charter cable in Sanford. I did a rescan on my tv (Olevia 537H), and got them back. I also seem to have suddenly picked up like 50+ digital music channels that weren't there the last time I scanned, which was a few weeks ago. I'm not at home right now, but the music channels are up around channel 90 something, and each sub-music channel was a 9*-1, up to 9*-50 something

Your post gave me hope since I came to this thread to see if anyone else's 5.1 and 25.1 were no longer showing up with Charter cable. However, even after I did a rescan, these channels still do not show up.

To clarify, I only have basic cable coming into my TV since I have DirecTV and use an indoor antenna for OTA HD broadcasts. I can get all local channels using the antenna without moving it, except for 25.1. I was surprised one day when I rescanned basic cable and 5.1 and 25.1 showed up in HD. This was very useful since I no longer had to change my antenna position for 25.1, I just switched over to cable.

The problem arose a week or so back when those channels no longer show up when I try and tune them in. In fact, I receive a "Not Authorized" message on 5.1, and a "Signal Cannot Be Decoded" message on 25.1.

Can anyone explain this or confirm that Charter has changed the way these are broadcast to prevent "free" HD channels?

I have a MyHD 130 to record QAM HD to my PC. About a week ago I started having empty recordings. When I looked it appeared that Charter had moved the channels around again. Most of the network stuff is now above 100 for me. I did a rescan and remap of the channels and everything is fine now. Near as I can tell all the same channels are still there, even the ones that aren't suppose to be there.

FYI: I'm in Midland with the normal extended analog charter cable

Your post gave me hope since I came to this thread to see if anyone else's 5.1 and 25.1 were no longer showing up with Charter cable. However, even after I did a rescan, these channels still do not show up.

To clarify, I only have basic cable coming into my TV since I have DirecTV and use an indoor antenna for OTA HD broadcasts. I can get all local channels using the antenna without moving it, except for 25.1. I was surprised one day when I rescanned basic cable and 5.1 and 25.1 showed up in HD. This was very useful since I no longer had to change my antenna position for 25.1, I just switched over to cable.

The problem arose a week or so back when those channels no longer show up when I try and tune them in. In fact, I receive a "Not Authorized" message on 5.1, and a "Signal Cannot Be Decoded" message on 25.1.

Can anyone explain this or confirm that Charter has changed the way these are broadcast to prevent "free" HD channels?

So, are you saying you have CHARTER basic cable coming into your tv thrugh the COAX connection (perhaps because you have their high-speed internet?), PLUS DirecTv (on a component or HDMI connection?) And you are running an antenna? Where are you located (town)? What model and brand of tv are you using? You said it used to work and suddenly doesn't, what's changed since then? Did you install a cable splitter, and move around cables for any reason? Lot's of variables that can cause this, so if you can answer those questions, perhaps we can help.

So, are you saying you have CHARTER basic cable coming into your tv thrugh the COAX connection (perhaps because you have their high-speed internet?), PLUS DirecTv (on a component or HDMI connection?) And you are running an antenna? Where are you located (town)? What model and brand of tv are you using? You said it used to work and suddenly doesn't, what's changed since then? Did you install a cable splitter, and move around cables for any reason? Lot's of variables that can cause this, so if you can answer those questions, perhaps we can help.

Yes, I have Charter basic cable (no box) coming directly into my Sony KDS-50A2000 television. This is the lowest level of cable that they offer for around $12, it is not the expanded basic. And yes, I keep this basic service since I use their high-speed cable internet service. I also have DirecTV hooked up through component connection and use this setup to do most of my television viewing since it has the built in Tivo.

In order to receive the over the air high definition signal, I purchased the Zenith ZHDTV1 HDTV-UHF Digital Indoor Antenna and attached it directly to the "VHF/UHF" coax input. According to the television's documentation, it is equipped with a "ATSC/NTSC hybrid with Clear QAM (8 VSB)" tuner. I am located in Saginaw and can receive most all of the local OTA hd channels without moving the antenna, expect for 25.1, 25.2, etc. I must carefully line up the antenna for those channels and then it messes up most of the other HD signals.

I originally discovered that I could receive high definition channels 5.1 and 25.1 through the basic cable set up when I did the initial digital channel scan. This eliminated the need to move the antenna for 25.1. I would just switch over from OTA to cable when I wanted to view 25.1. A few weeks after their initial setup I did lose access to these HD channels. However, a week or so later I re-scanned the cable channels and picked them up again. That was back in October, and I cannot remember having an issue with them since then.

Recently around February 5th, I can no longer pull those two channels in with the Charter basic cable. I still receive all of the other basic cable channels I am supposed to have, but 5.1 and 25.1 (as well as all other HD channels) no longer show up correctly. There was no change to my setup. One day they were there, the next day they were not. Now when I change to those channels the initial "now tuning" message appears for about 5 to 10 seconds and then displays either "Not Authorized" (on 5.1) or "Signal Cannot Be Decoded" (on 25.1).

Your help in attempting to troubleshoot this issue is greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you need further information.

I am experiencing the same thing. WSMH must have some kind of a transmitting issue tonight. 49-1 comes from the same tower I believe so it should not be an issue of you not able to pick up the WSMH signal. Weird.

WSMH-TV and -DT are now on their own tower. It's huge.

Yes, I have Charter basic cable (no box) coming directly into my Sony KDS-50A2000 television. This is the lowest level of cable that they offer for around $12, it is not the expanded basic. And yes, I keep this basic service since I use their high-speed cable internet service. I also have DirecTV hooked up through component connection and use this setup to do most of my television viewing since it has the built in Tivo.

In order to receive the over the air high definition signal, I purchased the Zenith ZHDTV1 HDTV-UHF Digital Indoor Antenna and attached it directly to the "VHF/UHF" coax input. According to the television's documentation, it is equipped with a "ATSC/NTSC hybrid with Clear QAM (8 VSB)" tuner. I am located in Saginaw and can receive most all of the local OTA hd channels without moving the antenna, expect for 25.1, 25.2, etc. I must carefully line up the antenna for those channels and then it messes up most of the other HD signals.

I originally discovered that I could receive high definition channels 5.1 and 25.1 through the basic cable set up when I did the initial digital channel scan. This eliminated the need to move the antenna for 25.1. I would just switch over from OTA to cable when I wanted to view 25.1. A few weeks after their initial setup I did lose access to these HD channels. However, a week or so later I re-scanned the cable channels and picked them up again. That was back in October, and I cannot remember having an issue with them since then.

Recently around February 5th, I can no longer pull those two channels in with the Charter basic cable. I still receive all of the other basic cable channels I am supposed to have, but 5.1 and 25.1 (as well as all other HD channels) no longer show up correctly. There was no change to my setup. One day they were there, the next day they were not. Now when I change to those channels the initial "now tuning" message appears for about 5 to 10 seconds and then displays either "Not Authorized" (on 5.1) or "Signal Cannot Be Decoded" (on 25.1).

Your help in attempting to troubleshoot this issue is greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you need further information.

Well, there's a couple things I can suggest:

1: Call Charter, explain that you have a QAM tuner and did get those channels, and ask them if those channels in your system suddenly have been encrypted, or if they are only now available on a higher tier <<<(Most likely they changed this, so since you only have Basic cable, you can't get it for free anymore)

2: Find out from somebody nearby with Charter cable, if they can still receive those channels via QAM.

Any chance your signal level went down (are the channels a little snowy?) and lower signal is causing this? Perhaps a Rado Shack cable amplifier could help in this case. Or, make sure the splitter you are using to take the cable to your tv is a high quality 2.5 GHZ model. You can buy these from Best Buy, as I got mine there, and it made a difference, because the cheap spliters are garbage, and cause too much signal loss, especially at higher frequencies.

Oh yeah, try this for the heck of it: DISCONNNECT your cable from the tv, and do a scan if it'll let you, so it wipes the channel mapping out. Reconnect the cable, then rescan and see what happens.

WSMH-TV and -DT are now on their own tower. It's huge.

Are they in the same general location as the previous tower? i.e near the WJRT and WAQP DT towers?

As of last night I was still not getting anything from WSHM-DT.

Thanks,

Steve C.

Oh yeah, try this for the heck of it: DISCONNNECT your cable from the tv, and do a scan if it'll let you, so it wipes the channel mapping out. Reconnect the cable, then rescan and see what happens.
I followed this suggestion and it took care of the issue completely. I even picked up a few other channels I was not expecting.

Thanks for all of your help Primestar31.

Are they in the same general location as the previous tower? i.e near the WJRT and WAQP DT towers?

As of last night I was still not getting anything from WSHM-DT.

Thanks,

Steve C.

Yep, the new WSMH tower is very, very close to where the WAQP and WJRT towers are. Odd that you're having troubles getting a signal.

I live in Midland and lost 5.1 and 25.1 from Charter for about a week also. It took three scans over two days to get them back.

I used to get Showtime a couple of months back, but they caught on and took it off. Thanks TriCityHD.

And, I would like to send a message to whoever is doing the PPV and VOD that I pick up, "please stop fast forwarding through ALL the good parts".

My CBS and NBS QAM channels are now 107.3-107.6. That includes all of the sub channels. I wish I had the slightest clue as to how and why this works!!! But at least it now works. Thanks for the tip on the rescan.

Sorry.

I live in Midland and lost 5.1 and 25.1 from Charter for about a week also. It took three scans over two days to get them back.

I used to get Showtime a couple of months back, but they caught on and took it off. Thanks TriCityHD.

And, I would like to send a message to whoever is doing the PPV and VOD that I pick up, "please stop fast forwarding through ALL the good parts".

What is really spooky is if Charter pulled Showtime because of a message on this site, that means they are reading us. If that is the case, HOW ABOUT MORE HD PROGRAMMING. I could use FOX sports, ESPN2, VS, National Geographic, STARZ, the MOVIE CHANNEL, CBS, and OH YEAH, WSMH!!

I could have swore I still got several Showtime channels two week ago. It's hard to tell, but I saw three channels with consecutive numbers which all looked to be showing movies. I know I have Noggin as it has a channel logo on it. So something is getting through. Of course it could have been a free weekend or something.

In all honesty, I don't think that is the case. I will take full responsibility if I ruined Showtime for everyone else, but I have a feeling it was a promotional kind of thing. It's the VOD that gets me. How in the world does that work? How are we picking it up? Is it a matter of a neighbor watching it?

What is really spooky is if Charter pulled Showtime because of a message on this site, that means they are reading us. If that is the case, HOW ABOUT MORE HD PROGRAMMING. I could use FOX sports, ESPN2, VS, National Geographic, STARZ, the MOVIE CHANNEL, CBS, and OH YEAH, WSMH!!

Is the video program on WSMH's sub station a thing of the past?

It has been reported elsewhere on this forum that Sinclair has dropped "The Tube" from all of their stations.

Thanks for the info.

It has been reported elsewhere on this forum that Sinclair has dropped "The Tube" from all of their stations.

Does anyone know why audio fades out for a second or two on WJRT Digital? I have never noticed it on their analog signal, but it happens on two different televisions. It also does not seem to depend upon how I receive the signal either, OTA, QAM, Charter's MOXI (live and recorded) box, etc. It's not earth shattering, just annoying.

Can somebody help me with this list of staytions and channels?

Does anyone know why audio fades out for a second or two on WJRT Digital? I have never noticed it on their analog signal, but it happens on two different televisions. It also does not seem to depend upon how I receive the signal either, OTA, QAM, Charter's MOXI (live and recorded) box, etc. It's not earth shattering, just annoying.

I noticed that happening Sunday night. It happened every time WJRT put up the weather and school closing notices. The signal switched from HD with DTS sound to SD with plain analog stereo sound any time they put the local overlays on the screen.

Jeff

I noticed that happening Sunday night. It happened every time WJRT put up the weather and school closing notices. The signal switched from HD with DTS sound to SD with plain analog stereo sound any time they put the local overlays on the screen.

Jeff

I notice that happening also, but what I was referring to was a complete drop out of sound with no change in picture. It happens once or twice an hour for 1 to 2 seconds. At first I thought it might be my receiver, but I have noticed it on a second television that has its own audio. And as I said before, it occurs when I am using cable or OTA.

I notice that happening also, but what I was referring to was a complete drop out of sound with no change in picture. It happens once or twice an hour for 1 to 2 seconds. At first I thought it might be my receiver, but I have noticed it on a second television that has its own audio. And as I said before, it occurs when I am using cable or OTA.

I noticed this exact thing the other night during Lost. :mad: I was watching the HD feed on 12-1 OTA straight from my TV's tuner. I also Tivo from D* channel 12 just in case I have OTA signal problems. When I later went back to the spot where it cut out, it was fine on the D* version. Seems like a digital feed problem.

I noticed this exact thing the other night during Lost. :mad: I was watching the HD feed on 12-1 OTA straight from my TV's tuner. I also Tivo from D* channel 12 just in case I have OTA signal problems. When I later went back to the spot where it cut out, it was fine on the D* version. Seems like a digital feed problem.

We noticed this too. My analog feed is pretty week (strength 71-74 on the DISH OTA tuner) so my wife made me change it to the SD feed over DISH. The SD audio feed from DISH was dropping out like this once in a while too.

Went back to Pt Austin (PA) first time since early january. Comcast out of PA is running an announcement that they were in negotiations with Sinclair (WSMH) and that the fox SD may be pulled from the channel line up. It was however still available.
I'm really waiting for them to pick up FOX digital. Maybe Comcast should go after FOX Detroit and get them on - then Sinclair can negotiate that. The battle goes on.

I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with DNS elegibility for HD, i live in zilwaukee. I called directv to have them submit a waiver request i know its not likely but i thought i would try anyways, WJRT has a area waiver on file so i got the NY ABC HD channel added right away. Any thoughts?

I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with DNS elegibility for HD, i live in zilwaukee. I called directv to have them submit a waiver request i know its not likely but i thought i would try anyways, WJRT has a area waiver on file so i got the NY ABC HD channel added right away. Any thoughts?

Why don't you just use an antenna? You live right in the middle of the broadcast towers.

Why don't you just use an antenna? You live right in the middle of the broadcast towers.

easier said then done, wife won't let me put up an outdoor one, and if i point the indoor one way i can get 66 but not 25, and vice versa and when i can get 25 its usually in the 30's low 40's for strength, and if im lucky i can get 19's channels sometimes

easier said then done, wife won't let me put up an outdoor one, and if i point the indoor one way i can get 66 but not 25, and vice versa and when i can get 25 its usually in the 30's low 40's for strength, and if im lucky i can get 19's channels sometimes

WIVES! Mine won't let me paint the living room walls black to cut down on the light reflections from my front projector screen.

I live in Midland, and several years ago went to the trouble to put up an antenna, pre-amp, rotor all on a tripod (total about $250) on top of the second story. Now I find that I can just aim the antenna at WJRT and I can get all the networks pretty solid. The only problem is WSMH can break up during daylight hours. I have a second antenna ($20.00 at Radio Shack) aimed in the same direction, no rotor, no pre-amp, and it gets ALL the networks just fine, even WSMH. Who knows what will work.

Anyway, good luck. I never had any success getting a waiver by either DISH or DirecTV despite several tries.

WIVES! Mine won't let me paint the living room walls black to cut down on the light reflections from my front projector screen.

I live in Midland, and several years ago went to the trouble to put up an antenna, pre-amp, rotor all on a tripod (total about $250) on top of the second story. Now I find that I can just aim the antenna at WJRT and I can get all the networks pretty solid. The only problem is WSMH can break up during daylight hours. I have a second antenna ($20.00 at Radio Shack) aimed in the same direction, no rotor, no pre-amp, and it gets ALL the networks just fine, even WSMH. Who knows what will work.

Anyway, good luck. I never had any success getting a waiver by either DISH or DirecTV despite several tries.

ok thanks for the help

We noticed this too. My analog feed is pretty week (strength 71-74 on the DISH OTA tuner) so my wife made me change it to the SD feed over DISH. The SD audio feed from DISH was dropping out like this once in a while too.

I also noticed this the other day. No matter how I adjust my outside antenna I can't keep a stable lock. Signal strength on my E* receiver says 98-100. It just started last week as I have had no trouble in the past keeping a good stable signal with WJRT DT. I e-mailed channel 12 and received a response from Skip Orvis asking my location and antenna setup so they could investigate. They said their test equipment showed no problems.

Is anyone else in the somewhat-unique-situation I am in. Part of the Flint DMA but outside the Detroit sports blackout zone? What I'm wondering is - if I go to an HD setup through D*, can I get the Fox Sports Detroit HD feed?

If you are within the Detroit DMA, D* Fox Sports Detroit HD is available on channel 96. Also, all of the Detroit HD stations including channel 20 are in HD. To get these HD channels (in Detroit area now or the local channels for Flint/Saginaw in the future) , you will need the H20 HD receiver or the HR20 (HD-DVR) receiver (both MPEG-4). You also need the new updated satellite dish (5 LNB ka/ku MPEG-4). I do not live in the Flint area nor am I in the Detroit DMA (Bay City). I am a Directv customer and I know from experience that if you call them, give them your address with zip code, they will let you know about available HD programing. Directv is suppose to add the Flint/Saginaw/Bay City area HD channels this year. I haven't heard about their plans to add Fox Sport Detroit HD for the same area though. I am not sure if I answered your question. I get my local HD stations using an ota antennae (including FOX 66).

Good luck.

If you are within the Detroit DMA, D* Fox Sports Detroit HD is available on channel 96. Also, all of the Detroit HD stations including channel 20 are in HD. To get these HD channels (in Detroit area now or the local channels for Flint/Saginaw in the future) , you will need the H20 HD receiver or the HR20 (HD-DVR) receiver (both MPEG-4). You also need the new updated satellite dish (5 LNB ka/ku MPEG-4). I do not live in the Flint area nor am I in the Detroit DMA (Bay City). I am a Directv customer and I know from experience that if you call them, give them your address with zip code, they will let you know about available HD programing. Directv is suppose to add the Flint/Saginaw/Bay City area HD channels this year. I haven't heard about their plans to add Fox Sport Detroit HD for the same area though. I am not sure if I answered your question. I get my local HD stations using an ota antennae (including FOX 66).

Good luck.
Yes, you did. I've got to live in the Detroit DMA to get Fox Sports in HD. Doesn't make much sense to me, but I just wanted to confirm.

I also get all network HD over the air and am very satisfied with the quality.

Charter cable and Sinclair broadcasting have signed a multi state agreement to provide SD & HD signals from Sinclair owned stations to be carried by Charter. This includes WSMH. The deal is good thru March 31, 2010.

Charter cable and Sinclair broadcasting have signed a multi state agreement to provide SD & HD signals from Sinclair owned stations to be carried by Charter. This includes WSMH. The deal is good thru March 31, 2010.
This is great news! I get WSMH-DT OTA but only on one TV, now I can finally watch it in the basement where my 5.1 system is! If anyone is interested, here's a link:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=112298&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=984301&highlight=

I just hope it'll be up and running before American Idol ends. ... WRacer???

WSMH-DT is now on Charter, channel 786. This is a great day!

Any QAM signal from Charter as of yet? I will do a scan later today.

Yes, it's in the clear on 115-4.

Sweet! My indoor antenna is finally going back into storage.

What happened to 115-4 for Fox? I haven't gotten that channel in 3-4 days. I did a few re-scans and that didn't work. Is anyone else experiencing this?

What happened to 115-4 for Fox? I haven't gotten that channel in 3-4 days. I did a few re-scans and that didn't work. Is anyone else experiencing this?

I saw that too. I've yet to find it again.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TriCityHD
What happened to 115-4 for Fox? I haven't gotten that channel in 3-4 days. I did a few re-scans and that didn't work. Is anyone else experiencing this?

Only speculation but since Charter is now paying WSMH to use their signal , they may have moved the signal to a "need their box" position

Quote:
Only speculation but since Charter is now paying WSMH to use their signal , they may have moved the signal to a "need their box" position

I had heard that cable companies had to carry local HD channels in the clear, but looking at this post, that may not be the case...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9319636&&#post9319636

Is it just me, or does the audio for non-HD programs on WSMH-DT sound really distorted? I tried watching The Simpsons the other day but I had to switch over to analog, it was too distracting. It only seems to be a problem for primetime shows though...

I'm on Charter in Fenton, and it appears that WJRT which was on 104.1 has moved to 115.1. I should be getting WSMH on 104.4, correct? It appears that the video feed on this station is scrambled. Is anybody else having this problem at the moment?

Looking at the channel guide for Midland Charter, WSMH-DT is listed as "Hi-Def Lifeline" which one would think would make it unscrambed just like the rest of the "Hi-Def Lifeline" channels. I've still not found it though.

780 WEYI-DT - NBC Hi-Def Lifeline
781 WNEM-DT - CBS Hi-Def Lifeline
782 WJRT-DT - ABC Hi-Def Lifeline
784 WDCQ-DT - PBS Hi-Def Lifeline
786 WSMH-DT - FOX Hi-Def Lifeline

430 WJRT-DT2 - ABC News Digital Lifeline
431 WJRT-DT3 - ABC Weather Digital Lifeline
432 WDCQ-DT2 - PBS Children Digital Lifeline
433 WDCQ-DT3 - PBS Delta Learning Digital Lifeline
434 WDCQ-DT4 - PBS Enrichment Digital Lifeline

I can find all of the above except for WSMH-DT.

Any QAM signal from Charter as of yet? I will do a scan later today.


I'm picking up stations with my QAM tuner in Saginaw on Charter... abc12, nbc, fox, and a couple others. They look great! I would post the channel numbers but I'm in class right now and not at my house.

Anyone else here lose ABC-12 (ota) 12.1 and 12.2? It looks like they moved all of the 12.1 content to 12.3 (formerly the 24-hour weather), and 12.2 and the former 12.3 are gone...

Anyone else here lose ABC-12 (ota) 12.1 and 12.2? It looks like they moved all of the 12.1 content to 12.3 (formerly the 24-hour weather), and 12.2 and the former 12.3 are gone...


All is fine here. Still get all three. My problem is I can't keep a lock even with 90-100 signal strength. I end up watching 53 our of Lansing (stable at 80-90 with no dropouts).

I don't have any problems with WJRT right now. My QAM tuner picks it up here in Midland on 115.1, 115.2 and 115.3. What I have never been able to get is FOX (WSMH) in HD on the QAM despite numerous scans.

It seems that every couple of months Charter changes the frequencies of their digital channels just to throw us off. It takes my QAM tuner about 15 minutes to scan all the frequencies, then it takes me another 15 minutes to get rid of all the music channels that I will never listen to.

I know AVS forum is for television, but I was wondering if anyone out there uses Charter for their cable TV, internet and phone service. How do you like it?

I don't know if you noticed but WLAJ 53 has a very soft picture. They are compressing it and giving too much bandwidth to their sub-channel. I was watching them too since I get most of my OTA from Lansing, annoyed with WJRT and tired of WEYI's lack of audio sync, but I noticed a dramatic change when I switched to WXYZ, much better quality.

I don't know if you noticed but WLAJ 53 has a very soft picture. They are compressing it and giving too much bandwidth to their sub-channel. I was watching them too since I get most of my OTA from Lansing, annoyed with WJRT and tired of WEYI's lack of audio sync, but I noticed a dramatic change when I switched to WXYZ, much better quality.

Agreed! Due to the excellent signals from all of the Lansing locals that is where I schedule my network programs to record (Dish VIP 622). However, if I am actually watching a "live" program I will switch the antenna to the south and watch the program on the Detroit locals (pretty good signal with few drop-outs). I think the Detroit locals have a slightly better picture than the Lansing or Flint locals. I also watch a couple of shows on the CW. The only OTA option for HD is channel 50 out of Detroit. I can usually get through "Smallville" with very little pixelization.

cimmingsje, what area are you located? South of Flint? I've talked to some people up my way in Flushing, and they seem to have more problems than I do getting a good signal from Detroit. Up Clio way it's very difficult to get a decent signal. I have a cousin out toward Gains that is looking at putting up an antenna, I'm thinking he should be in good shape to get everything.

I am in "downtown" Swartz Creek (lol). I just upgraded my antenna to the Winegard HD 7084 with rotor from an 80's Channel Master with twin-lead. I believe the mast is 30' high and have a fairly clear view of the south and west (north is blocked by trees). I would think Gaines would be an even better situation than Swartz Creek.

Matt L, I'm not sure if you ever visited the DBSTalk site but they have an OTA forum there as well. I started a thread for the Flint DMA. I posted some of the issues I've had with WEYI and WJRT. I also included an e-mail I had sent to channel 25 regarding the "lip-synch" issue.

Here's the link to the site I mentioned in my previous post:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=86027

For those of you located in Midland MI (Martyr, TriCityHD, ?) can you please post what HD channels you are getting from Charter (free HD channels that is) in your TV and on what channel numbers? I will do the same tonight, that way we can compare and see if somebody is missing some channels.

I know I get ABC on 115.1, CBS, NBC on 107.?? and QVC (or something like that). I will post exact channel numbers later tonight.

Thanks.

You are pretty much right on. 105.1 is PBS HD and 91.1,.2,.3, is PBS digital. I am pretty certain that QVC is not offered in digital. 107.3 is WB (or whatever it is called now) 107.4 is NBC, 107.5 is CBS and 107.6 is my5.

Did a re-scan recently with a QAM tuner on the Comcast basic cable out of Pt Austin. I am receiving clear NBC (5 Bay City on 59.1) ABC (12 Flint on 60.1,.2,.3) NBC (25 Saginaw on 60.4) TNT HD on 65.1, ESPN2 HD on 65.2, And (?) Music HD on 66.1.
For some reason PBS is still not provided on clear QAM and there is still no FOX, WSMH from Flint.

Charter in Fenton:

89.1 PPV preview
91.1 - 91.3 WDCQ digital sub channels
92.1 - 92.47 Music Choice
105.1 WDIV-DT2 (Weather Plus)
105.2 WFUM-DT
107.1 WEYI-DT
107.2 WEYI-DT2 (CW)
107.3 WNEM-DT2 (My Network TV)
107.4 WNEM-DT
115.1 - WJRT-DT3 (24-hour news)
115.2 - WJRT-DT2 (weather)
115.3 - WJRT-DT

Channels in bold are HD. Channels in italics are not remapped to a specific channel on my cable box (if they are wasting the bandwidth to have them, why not make them available to everyone?)

Still no WSMH-DT. I saw it the day they added it, but they have since been encrypting it. Also, it appears as though they finally realized their foolishness (unfortunately) and began encrypting On Demand content on channels 109.1 and beyond.

With the exception of WSMH, it has been well over a year since they've added any new HD channels. I believe it was March 2006 that we got WNEM, TNT, Discovery, Cinemax, and Universal. I'm dying for some new HD content, preferably Starz, MHD, and HD On Demand from HBO, Starz, PPV, etc...