I'm not sure what the signal strength numbers mean since I'm pretty sure each mfr makes it up their own way.

Anyways, for FOX I am getting between 75-80%
for ABC I am getting 70-90%
for CBS I am getting 90-100%
I can't get PBS only 20%

I pretty much never watch CBS and PBS though.

One thing to note is that FOX is rather unstable. at times the signal will drop to zero for about 10-15min. Does anyone else have this problem?
for example, on wednesday night, I was watching the AI results show and the signal dropped to zero right before the results announcement. Same thing happened last week.

Also sometimes, the first 10min of a HD show is shown in SD. Seems like the "HD/SD Switch" is alittle delayed sometimes but I have seen this with other networks too.

Location has a lot, if not everything, to do with individual signal strengths.

My signals are still about the same as I reported above. They have been quite stable lately, including Fox. I can't report about the SD early into a show because I watch most of the time on DirecTV. But even with the major networks on DirecTV, there have been a few "late switches".

What I have noticed is with 40-2 (UPN), the sound was too loud. I reported it to the chief engineer and he cranked it down. It is now very close to what is on 40-1 (Fox). Now I see too much red in the UPN broadcast. If it remains too high much longer, I'll email him about that.

You may want to be able to get CBS this fall, because the new CW is going to be on a subchannel of WBNG. I don't know what 40-2 will become this fall.

yes, location will vary it, but who knows how the "signal strength" is measured. I'm guessing they arent using a standard. I'm betting that if I hooked up another box, here I'd be getting different values.

yes I've noticed the late switches with many networks so I guess its just something that will get better with time.

I do not know why the FOX signal is dropping down to zero sometimes. I only get NBC in HD on DirecTV so I can't compare to that.

Ohh, so I have you to thank for the 40-2 fix :)
If they get rid of 40-2 I hope they use the extra bandwidth and put it into 40-1

Well, since Fox uses 720p, the extra bandwidth may not help a lot. I expect WBNG to go to hell, if they ever get out first, when they multicast. But, I also expect 40-2 to still be around, with some other programming.

I think it will still help, it's fairly low now. I remember it being better back when I was in chicago.

When I spoke with the engineer on the phone, I remember he mentioned that he wanted to add a weather channel (showing the radar or something) and a music channel.

I would rather they just use it all up for 40-1. If I want to see the radar I can easily go online and if I want to hear music I can just turn on a radio.

Dittos on the weather and music options.

I can't really tell if our PBS HD offering is suffering because 46-2 is carrying the local PBS content. Maybe it's my many years watching SD, that anything widescreen HD looks good.

Has anyone here heard whether Fox 40 will put the new MyNetwork TV (Fox produced) on 40-2 once UPN goes away?

According to the following webpage, the answer is 'Yes', but since its a Wkipedia entry, might need to take it with a grain of salt:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_My_Network_TV_affiliates

Thanks for that info. We'll see what happens this fall.

Now I need to get my OTA for CBS straightened out to get The CW.

All we are lacking in our area is an OTA NBC affiliate.

So the first 10 minutes of 24's season finale on Ch702 were being broadcast in SD then it drops out completely. Wish there were someone to call and complain to, but no answer to their general phone number.

Bah!

(edit) Well, at about 8:20 the signal came back, but still SD...

Well, we here in Greater BInghamton are still in the HD infancy stage. Luckily for me DirecTV ch 88 (Fox) is in HD. I'm currently Tivoing it, but I just checked the OTA signal and it's SD even though the Fox40 logo is outside the SD frame.

Makes me think I should switch to DirectTV from TimeWarner... You get CBS in HD too don't you.

Yes I do get all four major nets from DirecTV, both SD (e/w) and HD (e only). However, the rules have changed, so getting them now could be problem. It depends on your location.
DirecTV has a webpage where you can check your elligibility.

From the DirectTV webpage you mentioned (http://directvdnseligibility.decisionmark.com/app/AddressForm.aspx)
It says that WBNG is considered a 'Grade A' signal, and unless I could get a waiver from WBNG, it would be a no go for CBS (all other channels are available though)

I few years ago I was able to get WBNG to grant me a waiver. It was when CBS had the Superbowl and they weren't going HD. I found out that DirecTV was going to start HD for the networks, so I pestered them enough that they relented and granted a waiver. I don't know if it would work now because the rules have changed, but it's worth a try.

fyi, they will not grant a waiver if you have a grade A signal. Most likely they will if it is B or below. so NBC usualyl grants it i think.
ABC, FOX will not because they are already broadcasting in HD
CBS prob will not since they SAY they will go to HD "soon"
I got the waiver for NBC so I get that in HD. lucky since its on the middle sat. I have tree's blocking the left and right one. Also DirecTV screwed up and gave me ALL the SD channels (east and west). Finally, a good screw up.

forgetting or being late on the "SD to HD" switch is quite common. It happened when I was over in chicago.

Anyways, I was watching the AI finale on fox last night (8pm to 10pm).
It was going pretty good until 9pm. They suddenly started showing the beginning of the finale again. they fixed it about 10min later so they basically skipped the only part I wanted to really see.

Then throughout the night, my signal would suddenly drop to zero or become extremly unstable. (I am using a MyHD tuner card in my computer) I found that if I rebooted, it would solve the problem but it would come back in about 20min. I'm not sure if this is some strange issue with my setup or its FOX and was just a coincidence. I think I've mentioned this problem before

Its interesting because I've never had this problem with ABC, but I watch FOX more in general.

Review this reply we got from WBNG about their HD.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7560177&&#post7560177

It seems they might not do anything until the sale to Granite is finalized.
See a few posts down from the one I linked to.

I've been giving some thought to the whole HD problem. Specifically the DirecTV delivery of local HD. I know that our DMA is going to make it a long way off, so the OTA route is my only current option. (Well, there's TWC, but we know about that don't we?)

The FCC rules for DNS carriage has prevented DirecTV from delivering other than the main four nets to us. Those that do have locals from DirecTV but don't have a WB affiliate can get a regional version. The rest of us without locals don't have that option.

Now this fall The CW becomes active. There is also My Network coming. For our area these two won't be HD, because they are going to be on subchannels of existing channels. The CW will be on a subchannel of WBNG, and I believe My Network will be on our Fox affiliate (currently carrying UPN). We also do not have a local broadcast channel for NBC. Regardless if they provide locals for us.

So I believe that the FCC should allow DirecTV to provide anyone that can't get a reasonable HD signal for any of the broadcast stations a regional or national version of that station. So that would be CW, MyNetwork, and NBC for us.

So is this a reasonable idea?

Concerning the subchannels around here. Anyone notice how awful they look? 40-2 (UPN) is almost unwatchable, especially when 40-1 (Fox) is HD. 46-2 is better, but not great.

It is interesting. The problem is that I dont think DirecTV carries WB so I figure it wont have CW or any other HD network other than NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC

Yes 40-2 has always looked awful. well, basically the only stations that have good content are the ones that show national HD primetime coverage (ABC and FOX). the rest of the time, its just crap.

I'm reasonable sure that everyone can get NBC since the closest is elmira.
Since ABC and FOX are broadcasting an OTA HD signal now, I figure no one will get a waiver for that.
I didnt get a waiver for CBS but I could try complaining some more.

I am alittle worried about trying harder because DirecTV made a mistake and gave me all the SD channels (NYC and LA). I wouldnt want them to realize this and lose those.

Luckily for me, I got my SD waivers in place before the HD delivery began from DirecTV. Then when the 4 nets became available in HD, they just got turned on. Both east and west for awhile, now just the east coast for me.

I'm hoping that things can change, especially with the merger of WB and UPN into The CW.

I can't get Elmira NBC because of my location. Well, maybe with a huge antenna on a mast.
There is a local low power NBC in our area, I believe its ch 20. But, that won;t help with HD unless they get a full power license. And, unless ch 10 (now UPN) goes full power,no HD from there either. And, WB is cable only, soon to be CW on a subchannel of ch12 (no HD there either). Thus my suggestion for allowing DirecTV to carry HD versions for us.

I'm not going to jump on any DirecTV local HD until I see all of my choices. Because once I do, the DNS will go away forever.

My OTA is pretty good for all but CBS. I need to work on the antenna before this fall.

...and in Oneonta, our TWC gets 702 (FOX) but we don't get 700 (NBC) or 703 (ABC). COME ON, WBNG-HD!
I live in Oneonta and recently puchased a plasma with the hope of watching the World Cup in June on ABC. Once connected, I found that channel 703 (ABC) is missing? I searched this forum and found your posts. How can Time Warner advertise ABC (when i called them they confirmed they had ABC) but not have the channel? I also have a terrible HD picture? I watched the hockey and NBA games in HD last night and the picture was really poor. Do you have the same problems? I appreciate your feedback.

I haven't had TWC here in Binghamton for quite a few years, and now you know one reason I don't.

I live in Oneonta and recently puchased a plasma with the hope of watching the World Cup in June on ABC. Once connected, I found that channel 703 (ABC) is missing? I searched this forum and found your posts. How can Time Warner advertise ABC (when i called them they confirmed they had ABC) but not have the channel? I also have a terrible HD picture? I watched the hockey and NBA games in HD last night and the picture was really poor. Do you have the same problems? I appreciate your feedback.

I've had an HD set in Oneonta (now 2 of them) for nearly 2 years, and in that time TWC has offered almost nothing to improve HD service!

More than a year ago I wrote to a customer service person about the fact that it appears we should be getting NBC and ABC when you go to their website, but we don't. The response was cordial and implied they would change the site so as not to mislead customers, but obviously they haven't :mad: . The reason we don't get NBC and ABC in HD is that the originating channels in Binghamton are NOT the ones that Oneonta gets in its regular cable lineup. We get NBC Utica (which doesn't yet have HD) and ABC Syracuse (which does offer HD but apparently doesn't have a carriage agreement with TWC). Then, of course, there's CBS, where TWC is ready to "flip the switch" but the station is dragging its feet (indefinitely!) about offering HD. So, we have the worst of all worlds.

As for cable reception of HD...I get really good reception of PBS (704) and really poor reception of FOX (702), but i think the latter is the fault of the originating station in Binghamton. All the other (cable-only) HD channels come in fine for me.

Glad to learn that we have one more Oneonta-area HD customer to complain about the limited service! If you send anything to them, please copy me, and I'll do the same.

If your TWC is getting CBS from Binghamton (WBNG), the delay to HD is because they are in the process of being sold. Hopefully, the new owners will get the ball rolling.

Keep an eye on this Granite Broadcasting web page.
http://www.granitetv.com/gbc/gbcstations.htm

Info needed about our ABC affiliate WIVT.

Right now I'm trying to wath the news and the video and audio is breaking up. I did a signal check and my readings are fairly high. Boucning between 81 and peaking to 85. They channel has been very steady up until now. So I suspect it may be more of a channel problem than my antenna. Can anyone else verify any problem right now (5:00pm).

Watching WITV over TWC, things look ok for the news (its not HD since its the local news, but you know that) - you might be seeing some problems OTA due to the line of thunderstorms that is approaching (currently north and west of Owego, where I live)

Very true, I thought of that just after I posted. Strange that the signal strength stayed some what stable yet there were breakups. Just a function of digital broadcasting I guess. You can have strong signal but if multipath gets into the act, then you get breakups. I also noticed that ch 40 is doing it as well. I'll keep an eye on it over the next few days. I don't really watch OTA unless I want to see the local news.

I just receive the following from the Chief Engineer at WBNG in response to my question about The CW and the Granite Broadcasting buying them.
The Granite take over should happen within the next 30 days is my best guess.

At this point our deal with the CW is just like the WB (cable channel 11 only) but this could change with granites take over.

Granite does want us to be HD but there are no definite as of yet. We will see

We are presently at our increased FCC allocated ERP of 20.4 KW. I installed the new transmitter in March and was on the air with it around April 4th 2006
The remark about The CW being cable only doesn't agree with a link above about it being on a subchannel. We can only sit back and wait.

So the first 10 minutes of 24's season finale on Ch702 were being broadcast in SD then it drops out completely. Wish there were someone to call and complain to, but no answer to their general phone number.

Bah!

(edit) Well, at about 8:20 the signal came back, but still SD...

For what its worth, the OTA feed was the same. I sent an email expressing my disappointment, they showed how much they care by not sending a reply.

Thank goodness for **********s, a bit over-compressed but still better than SD ;)

For what its worth, the OTA feed was the same. I sent an email expressing my disappointment, they showed how much they care by not sending a reply.

Thank goodness for **********s, a bit over-compressed but still better than SD ;)

I did find an email address for the 'chief engineer' and sent a note. like you I received no reply either.

I've had an HD set in Oneonta (now 2 of them) for nearly 2 years, and in that time TWC has offered almost nothing to improve HD service!

More than a year ago I wrote to a customer service person about the fact that it appears we should be getting NBC and ABC when you go to their website, but we don't. The response was cordial and implied they would change the site so as not to mislead customers, but obviously they haven't :mad: . The reason we don't get NBC and ABC in HD is that the originating channels in Binghamton are NOT the ones that Oneonta gets in its regular cable lineup. We get NBC Utica (which doesn't yet have HD) and ABC Syracuse (which does offer HD but apparently doesn't have a carriage agreement with TWC). Then, of course, there's CBS, where TWC is ready to "flip the switch" but the station is dragging its feet (indefinitely!) about offering HD. So, we have the worst of all worlds.

As for cable reception of HD...I get really good reception of PBS (704) and really poor reception of FOX (702), but i think the latter is the fault of the originating station in Binghamton. All the other (cable-only) HD channels come in fine for me.

Glad to learn that we have one more Oneonta-area HD customer to complain about the limited service! If you send anything to them, please copy me, and I'll do the same.
Strange, but I get Fox HD and the picture is decent. I went down to the TWC office on Wednesday but I got the same type of customer service agent that just works there and doesn't want to deal with any aggravation (and I am sensitive to the fact that these people only work there in order to feed there family; why should they be subjected to my abuse). She basically told me all she could do was send out a technician (and that she was not sure why Oneonta advertised ABC; but that not all stations come through in certain areas. It is amazing; none of these people at TWC know anything about the channels on offer). My second technician came out on Thursday and he was also very nice but he was inexperienced with HD. After 20 minutes he asked me if my Panasonic was a plasma or LCD! He eventually agreed with the blurry HD feed on sports (luckily a live MLB game was on ESPN HD) and said he would call me back once he checked on something? Still waiting.

You say that your regular HD channels come through clearly. Do the NBA and NHL playoffs look good? Mine are terrible.

It is amazing; none of these people at TWC know anything about the channels on offer.

I am always amazed by it. Why is it? If I was employed as a CR for 8 hours/day, just out of boredom I would try to learn a little more about the business I work for. I really find it incredible that there are people who worked there for years and still have no clue about the product/service being offered.

I am always amazed by it. Why is it? If I was employed as a CR for 8 hours/day, just out of boredom I would try to learn a little more about the business I work for. I really find it incredible that there are people who worked there for years and still have no clue about the product/service being offered.

Well, keep in mind that just because you call time warner, you might not be getting the local office, but a call center located somewhere else. These days the call center might not even be time warner itself, but some generic call center supporting multiple companies with people simply reading scripts or a knowledge base off a computer screen.

Here in Binghamton, I've known a few of their customers that have gone to their office and the CSRs still they don't know what they have.

Here in Binghamton, I've known a few of their customers that have gone to their office and the CSRs still they don't know what they have.
That is what happened to me in Oneonta last week. The two CS reps tried to check the channels on the tv's behind their desks on the wall, and they weren't even sure where the digital channels started and what channel numbers the HD channels were allocated. Do they only hire radio listeners to work there?

That's what I mean: speaking directly with them in the local office, or exchanging e-mails with specific people within TWC.

Once, I even had a TWC technician in my house exchanging the cable box. When I complained to him about HD signal quality on NBC and asked him if this was normal, he said he did not know much about HD, because "he does not have a HD TV, so he does not watch HD"(?!!). As far as signal quality in the office, he did not know either. Of course, there wasn't any follow-up from TWC to answer my questions/complaints.

You say that your regular HD channels come through clearly. Do the NBA and NHL playoffs look good? Mine are terrible.

My reception on TNT-HD and ESPN-HD for the NBA playoffs was excellent. It sounds to me as if you have a "local" problem there.

That is what happened to me in Oneonta last week. The two CS reps tried to check the channels on the tv's behind their desks on the wall, and they weren't even sure where the digital channels started and what channel numbers the HD channels were allocated. Do they only hire radio listeners to work there?

I've had similar frustrating experiences at the local office...but then again, when it comes to certain kinds of issues or problems, I've often done better with the local office than with the phone reps.

My reception on TNT-HD and ESPN-HD for the NBA playoffs was excellent. It sounds to me as if you have a "local" problem there.



I've had similar frustrating experiences at the local office...but then again, when it comes to certain kinds of issues or problems, I've often done better with the local office than with the phone reps.
Would you recommend that I try one of the satellite providers? I have been told that the cable transmitting the signal from my basement to the tv is too long and needs a booster?

I would first start with your local cable company. If they need to boost your signal in order to get a good picture, then they should do just that. Afterall, that's what you are paying them for.

I would first start with your local cable company. If they need to boost your signal in order to get a good picture, then they should do just that. Afterall, that's what you are paying them for.
After 3 visits from the TWC technicians failed to correct my blurry picture I was all set to call panasonic. I had ordered the HDMI cables from monoprice but was under the impression that there would be no difference in the picture (that is what is commonly posted in these forums). When they arrived I connected them and oh boy! Finally hi-def. The picture is incredible; I just cannot belive the difference. Watching the World Cup now is like watching a different sport. I even watched a college baseball game the other night just because of the colors.

I have read on the TiVo Community forum for the HDTiVo that HDMI cables aren't all created equal and that HDMI connections from the box aren't either. I'm surprised (not really) that the TWC techs didn't know that.

I just noticed tonight that ch 40-2 now has the channel bug for My Network. I thought this wasn't being launched until September. It doesn't really matter, except that the channel bug is very large and bright. UGLY comes to mind. It doesn't look like the actual programming has changed yet from when it was UPN labelled. Maybe they are only experimenting.

The brightness of the logo has been reduced. It's still large and ugly, however.

Why bother with these local stations and cable when all you need is a HD FTA satellite receiver. I just saw one on Ebay or you can buy new ones.
There is more to watch than any of the pay services give you.
And you will find the networks.

I have been thinking about FTA. As it gets closer to fall, I'll revisit it again.

I wrote a letter to our local CBS in Binghamton (WBNG) and never heard back. I called last week and never heard back. I sent off another letter to them today.

I'm glad to see at least one other person has had success getting a waver I just wish I would. I hate paying TW to get the local channels.

I live in Sunrise Terrace and can't get a signal at all and have a waver for all the other stations. My TW signal is junk. I actually went a year without any cable except the locals because the signal is so bad. I have had different tech's tell me they can't fix it without re-wiring the entier neighborhood :confused: which they refuse to do. It's no wonder I hate TW.

I'm happy with my Dish TV I just want CBS out of NY.

My analog signal here in Chenango Bridge is awful, yet I can get a decent digital signal. I have DirecTV with the HR10-250 DVR which has the ATSC digital tuner. My guess is the you should be able to get our locals OTA digitally in Sunrise Terrace. The problem is that we don't have broadcast versions of NBC, UPN (now My Network), or WB (CW). Well, UPN does use a subchannel of Fox 40). I also have Dish Network for the Superstation Pack. I wonder what will happen to those once the merger of WB and UPN takes place and My Network takes over some of those stations?

You may also want to look into FTA (Free To Air) reception.

I'd be happy if my signal were awful! I'm lucky to get ghosts. The hill blocks the signals. If they grant me CBS I'm all set and I'll probably upgrade my dish to the HD in which case I should get CBS HD as well as the others and I plan on buying an ND LCD for our bedroom by the end of the year (money permitting). I pay for ABC, NBC & Fox right now because they granted wavers to anyone were I live!!!

I could care less about the local news ect.

I'll let you know what they say.

Saw this and thought some of you would find it interesting:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060726/nyw148.html?.v=58

Don't know what this means for the potential of HDTV but gotta up the chances.

Thanks for that info. Now we wait and see what good comes from it. It has to be better than what we have now. I find WBNGDT SD PQ to be not good.

I was denied my waver yesterday. I'll have to go get an antenna and try it out. If the signal is poor I may have a case but then I have to disconect my TW Cable for the locals and wait 90 days. I'll only do that if I know I could get the waver.

I just love how they screw the consumer with the stupid laws.

I was denied my waver yesterday.

Who denied you the waiver, CBS? If so, maybe thats good news and means that have HD planned in the near future?

I was denied my waver yesterday. I'll have to go get an antenna and try it out. If the signal is poor I may have a case but then I have to disconect my TW Cable for the locals and wait 90 days. I'll only do that if I know I could get the waver.

I just love how they screw the consumer with the stupid laws.One thing to remember is that their digital signal may be received better than analog. Multipath not withstanding. Analog WBNG is of course using ch 12, but their digital is ch 7. For me I got a very consistant digital signal whereas the analog is awful. However, the PQ isn't good, but that's the station not the reception in this case. You do have an ATSC digital tuner to try for our digital locals, right?

BTW, where are you in the Binghamton area?

I agree that the laws are stupid as they are there to protect the revenue for the stations and not to benefit the viewer. In my opinion, if I'm able to pay for a station I should be able to get it from whatever source there is.

I'm in Sunrise Terrace. I plan on getting an antenna today, I just don't know what ot get. The other issue is if I get a digital signal can I record shows with my dish tv dvr? That's my main issue is wanting to record stuff. I want to drop TW for my local's so I can get rid of my repaly tv. I hate having the extra equipment.

-Edit, I have the Dish DVR-625 right now.

Our local digital stations transmit on frequencies 4 (Fox), 7 (CBS), 8 (ABC), and 42 (PBS), so you'll need a VHF/UHF antenna if you want PBS. If you don't have a Digital Tuner (ATSC) then you won't be able to tell how well you get the stations. Is you Dish DVR capable of OTA digital? If not, then you won't be able to record them. What model is it? I see you answered that while I was typiong my reply. ;)

You may want to visit this forum http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=92 for Dish Network info.

Also, go to http://antennaweb.org to see info on reception.

I'm really only interested in WBNG (CBS). I don't watch PBS and get the others via waver oout of NYC.

I'm fairly sure that I can hook up an external antenna to my DVR.

Is that Dish receiver an HD one? I'm a DirecTV customer and am not up on the various Dish receivers. I do have a dish 301 for the superstation only.

Anyway, you need to check that receiver to verify it can receive analog and or digital OTA. In Sunrise Terrace you might be able to get by with an indoor antenna mounted in your attic. It looks like you are about 6+ miles from the towers, all in basically the same direction (about 210 degrees). I don't know what might be in your way (hills?).

Using info from your web site registration it seems you are even closer to the towers (5 miles). But, it looks like Ely Hill is in your way. :(

P.S. I like your flood photos.

my current reciever is not HD. It does look like the HD one will record *some* ota broadcasts but there is no telling if it iwll work or not until I get it setup.

I'll try and call dish when I get home from work to see if it's possible with my current one or If I have to upgrade to HD.

Otherwise i'm SOL and will have to continue the way we do now.

I do intend on replying to WBNG's letter to me. I still blame TW for this because they have told me they will not re-wire our neighborhood to try and fix everyone's signal! So TW is doing the local stations a disservice by not repairing the lines. The only reason I went Dish to beginwith is TW can't provide me a decent analog or digital signal.

I'll let you know what Dish says.

Is that Dish receiver an HD one? I'm a DirecTV customer and am not up on the various Dish receivers. I do have a dish 301 for the superstation only.

Anyway, you need to check that receiver to verify it can receive analog and or digital OTA. In Sunrise Terrace you might be able to get by with an indoor antenna mounted in your attic. It looks like you are about 6+ miles from the towers, all in basically the same direction (about 210 degrees). I don't know what might be in your way (hills?).

Using info from your web site registration it seems you are even closer to the towers (5 miles). But, it looks like Ely Hill is in your way. :(

P.S. I like your flood photos.

That is my main problem.....the stupid hill! I'm lucky to get 4 FM radio stations in my house so I went with XM and whole house audio!

Glad you like the pics.

Don't dispair. I have Crocker Hill in between me and the towers. Only 9+ miles away and had to put up a big honkin' antenna on the roof. I'm using the DirecTV HD DVR (HR10-250) for both DirecTV HD and the OTA HD (such as it is). It looks like you might be up a hill, which might help. I have a smaller Channel Master 3016 antenna if you might want to give it a try. It didn't quite work for me, thus the larger Winegard.

BTW, the waivers you do have are for the SD versions, right? I have waivers for all nets east and west in SD and the east coast HD ones. The reason I got the antenna was so that I hopefully can get WB (soon to be CW) and UPN (now MyNetwork) since they aren't available with DirecTV. Thus the need for Dish Superstations, which I'd like to drop to save a few bucks.

MYNetwork is a subchannel piggybacked on Fox 40 and I'm hoping that WBNG will do the same for The CW. Currently, The WB is cable only and The CW may be the same. I'm hoping that with Granite Broadcasting buying WBNG that might change.

yes my wavers are for the SD. If I upgrade to the HD box, I'm sure I'll get the waver for those in HD as well.

I would love to try that antenna.

PM me and we can set up a time.

BTW, I found myself going to Binghamton and took a detour to your place. Dang, that hill is close. I noticed your Dish and assuming it points to the 119 sat (az=244) then you have an azimuth to the left for the OTA Towers (210). That 30 degrees might make it possible.

Houses 2 streets down can get most local channels. The hill is a real killer. Before I had the dish installed they came out and said they could do it as long as it went on the side of the house by the garage. I don't know where it really is pointing!

PM on it's way.

Kevin,
I'm curious as to how you made out with the antenna?

Kevin,
I'm curious as to how you made out with the antenna?

I put it in the ground near my greenhouse and the pictures was awful. better than years ago but still to fuzzy. I'm going to put it up on the house tomorrow and I'll have to get a digital box for it. radio shack does not have any.

I'll let you know when I get the digital box.

Try it somewhere in your front lawn away from the house and trees. If I remember, your greenhouse is pretty close to a whole bunch of trees. But, the house roof is better. Try it there with analog channels before getting an ATSC tuner.

BTW, the Dish Network 811 receiver can tune ATSC signals (but it isn't a DVR).

I put the antenna up on my house and the reception was not any better. I plan on calling Joe Macnamara at WBNG tomorrow to see what I shoul do next.

The problem with the new TV's is you can't really adjust reception like the old ones!

If you can get your hands on an ATSC tuner it would be interesting to see how digital reception might work.

I caled but Joe has left the station. They transfered me to enginering and had to leave a message again.

I'm farily certain the dish box I have decode digital. If I get a chance tonight I'll try and hook it up.

I haven't heard from Mike (chief engineer yet either). Maybe he has also left, maybe due to the new management?

Keep me informed as to how things work out, either on the forum here or by phone.

I sent him an email and got a reply. Here's what I said to him

Mike, my name is Kevin Allen and I left you a voice mail last week
regarding a waver to get CBS over my dish tv. I requested a waver by
mail and was denied. The instructions were to put up an antenna on my
house. I did that and I still cannot get WBNG to come in at all. I live
in Sunrise Terrace and the hill blocks the signal as it does with all
the other stations in our area. I would like to know the next step in
the process so I can get CBS through Dish TV.

His response
This might be a bit harder to work out.
With TW cable where you are they may turn you down regardless.
The FCC is getting real hard on both direct TV and dish network.
Trying to get any of the Binghamton zip codes to go through is hard.
Send me in writing your request and address and I will see what I can do.

I was under the impression that is was up to the station to issue wavers. Does the FCC approve them? My understanding is if you can't get an OTA signal they had to give you a waver. I don't remember anything about a cable tv issue.

I also found this site with good info on it. If they hassle me I will send it to them and request a signal strength test.

I haven't been keeping up on the waiver details lately. I got mine a few years ago and it seems that's good, if they are clamping down on granting waivers. However, I think that it is the station that grants the waiver, the FCC only wrote the rules. Which I think are too vague or can be interpreted any way you want.

I take it that the antenna didn't give you good results?

I haven't heard from Mike concerning my HD and CW questions.

The antenna just didn't cut it.

I'll keep ya posted on the waiver.

Try emailing Mike at calkins@wbngtv.com

When do you want me to stop by and pick up the antenna?

That is the email address I used. Probably got lost in the mail. :)

Our local digital stations transmit on frequencies 4 (Fox), 7 (CBS), 8 (ABC), and 42 (PBS), so you'll need a VHF/UHF antenna if you want PBS.

Correction, as follows ;)

Our local digital stations transmit on frequencies 4 (ABC), 7 (CBS), 8 (FOX), and 42 (PBS)

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=NY&call=&arn=&city=binghamton&chan=&cha2=69&serv=&type=0&facid=&list=2&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&size=9

I stand corrected. I probably had them right earlier in this thread. :)

When do you want me to stop by and pick up the antenna?

That is the email address I used. Probably got lost in the mail. :)

Let's wait until they give a definate answer. I don't know if they will need me to try something else or verify it.

Good idea. Maybe you can get the chief engineer to do an onsite survey.
Have some of your homemade beer handy. :)

Here's the response from the chief engineer to my inquiry about WBNG's HD.

It is a bit early to tell but Granite has told me the goal is to get it done before the super bowl. We will see.

I think I'm about due to email him to make sure he got my letter. I don't want to harass him but a response would be nice.

the picture on 12.1 is terrible, horrible, disgustingly *** (poopy sorry).


AGREED!! :rolleyes:

I couldn't agree more. :(

Hopefully Granite will put some money in it and make things better.
But don't hold your breath.

I'll give them a couple more weeks and then send another email.

I'm doing the happy dance! I just got a letter of waiver from the new MGR at WBNG CBS saying they do not object to my satellite feed. :cool: :D

I'll call Dish tomorrow to arrange for it out of NY. If my wife wants me to keep the locals I will but I can't see any reason to.

Fantastic! See, it helps to be persistent. :)

I called Dish and they have to submit a waver request anyways...... but it should go through os eventually it will all work out!

Maybe you could FAX the letter to Dish.

I called but they won't let me fax it over :( meanwhile my TW cable signal has all but crapped out now. Don't feel like calling for service and listening to their excuses again.

I'll just have to hope it goes quickly. Once I get CBS I'm dumping the locals. Once we get Verizon FIOS I'm dumping TW Road Runner!

I'm not a Verizon customer and wasn't aware that FIOS was coming to The Greater Binghamton Area. How soon?

it could take up to 5 years :(

they haven't started to lay out fiber yet but I'm still holding out hope.

I'll be able to get twice the bandwidth for my servers at half the cost I'm paying now!

That's a bummer. Oh well, all good things come to those who wait.:)

My DSL provider (Frontier) has been doing some upgrades. Although not as good as cable, my upload speed has increased by 50% (240kbps to 360kbps). The download also got a little boost. I was getting 2.2Mbps average, now its about 2.4.

BTW, you still using that antenna?

I sent you a PM about the antenna or I thought I did.....

Let me know when you want to pick it up. I just have to pull the brackets off my house and that won't take long.

We watched survivor last night and the picture was awful. All fo the locals are really bad. I'm going to get a new splitter from TW to see if that helps. When I was checking the connections of the cables at the splitter I unhooked one cable and I could hear a poping noise from the other TV that was still hooked up....so I think it may be bad.

If that doesn't work I'll just live with it until I get CBS out of NY then drop TW.

WBNG update.

I got the following from the chief engineer after asking about WBNG HD and The CW.

At this point the CW will be cable only just like it has been.
The Plan is to get CBS HDTV on the air by the super bowl and at the same
time take the CW to air also.

Obviously, they still need some equipment in order to broadcast HD and subchannels.

I guess I keep Dish superstations for awhile. At least the CW one.

Here's an interesting brief I found that was brought before the FCC on 12/30/2004.
http://www.binghamtonpmc.org/bhuston/localism.html
Don't bother emailing the author as it is no longer valid.

Good News - I hope they follow through!

I sent the following question to WIVT/WBGH. WBGH is our LP NBC affiliate.
Can you give me any info if WBGH will ever go full power and thus deliver high definition?
Here's what I received as an answer.
Not by broadcast. Due to FCC regulations, only one of our stations can be broadcast at full power.

So the FCC regulations state that if a company owns two TV stations in an area that both can't be full power. That's a crock.

Look's like TWC has a lock on us. Except TWC dosn't yet supply an HD feed for NBC.

Look's like TWC has a lock on us. Except TWC dosn't yet supply an HD feed for NBC.

Must depend on where you are, I've got an HD feed for NBC here in Owego. Which TW do you go through?

We're Binghamton TWC. But, I don't use cable, strictly DirecTV and OTA.

We're Binghamton TWC. But, I don't use cable, strictly DirecTV and OTA.

Ok, well with STNY-TWC (Binghamton/Owego/etc) the HD lineup is currently NBC, ABC and FOX in HD. No HD for CBS, CW/UPN/WB.

If you consider the HD Tier with TWC it adds in PBS, ESPN, Discovery, HDNet, HDNet Movies, InHD, InHD2, TNT-HD. Can add HBO and Showtime additionally of course.

Dish TV Denied my waver :confused:

I'll call them this morning and raise hell. Stupid Dish. Time to talk to a manager.

My TWC is all but useles now, I can't wait to get rid of it.

-Edit, I called Dish this morning and got the run around again. I asked to speak with a manager and when they asked why I took 10 minutes to explain the entire situation and for the 10th time I told them that I had a latter form the local CBS granting me access over satellite.......

She put me on hold for 5 minutes and came back and said it was ok to fax it over and they would process the request within 24 hours. I'll just assume that they will have to call the local CBS for verification.

Hopefully I'll have CBS within a few days. I did request notification from them once it has been processed and solved.

I hope this takes care of the problem for me.

Good news. I logged into Dish's web site a few minutes ago and it let me add CBS out of NY to my package! It should show up in my subscription by the time I get home from work tonight :D

Good news. I logged into Dish's web site a few minutes ago and it let me add CBS out of NY to my package! It should show up in my subscription by the time I get home from work tonight :DThat's good news Kevin. I hope it's there tonight.

Ok, well with STNY-TWC (Binghamton/Owego/etc) the HD lineup is currently NBC, ABC and FOX in HD. No HD for CBS, CW/UPN/WB.

If you consider the HD Tier with TWC it adds in PBS, ESPN, Discovery, HDNet, HDNet Movies, InHD, InHD2, TNT-HD. Can add HBO and Showtime additionally of course.With DirecTV the only HD I can't get that TWC has are the INHD channels. Also, DirecTV has ESPN2 HD. And, if not blacked out, I can get some Mets and Yankees games in HD. The only one that I think I'd like is The CW in HD. But, it isn't available on TWC, OTA, or DirecTV.

I was told that TWC Binghamton is not going to have the NFL.

Ive just discoverd this forum and have read through it. I guess its true, location is everything.
On top of a hill here north of Binghamton I get all the networks OTA in HD. I am just using a UHF only directional antenna with a rotar. I am able to view 16-1.2 22 28 44-1.2.3.4 56-1.2.3 64-1.2.3.4 from Srcranton.
3-1.2.3.4 9 24-1.2.3.4 43 68 from Syracuse and 2 from Utica. And of course all the Binghamton channels. Just as everyone on here, I hope WBNG will upgrade soon.

One strange thing, I have a UHF antenna only, but I still get 22 and 28 out of Scranton. They broadcast on 11 and 13. I have to spin it east or west to pull them in, I think it might be because of chan 12's signal being so close

What kind of signal strengths are you getting on the digital stations. And, where are you getting NBC HD? Scranton or Syracuse?

Many UHF only antenna can get the upper VHF band. How are the Binghamton VHF 4, 7, and 8 coming in?

The NBC's I receive are from Scranton, Syracuse and Utica, however Syracuse and Utica seem to be there for days, and gone for days. (weather?)

As far as sig strenth I average about 70 on a 1-100 scale.

No problems with the Bing VHF signals, the seem to be close enough to receive no matter what direction I am pointed.

Let us know what happens when the trees lose their leaves. :)

And yes, I'm jealous. :)

Hello, im new here.. was referred by a friend to ask this here so i hope you guys can help (which im sure you can)

appologize if this has been asked before -

I Live in Elmira and I currently have HD service from Time Warner... However their lineup sucks.. i get NBC ESPN TNT and a few other random channels that i dont ever watch. However, during the super bowl they gave us ABCHD out of binghamton (about 40 minutes away) and i know they get some other channels we dont. I was wondering if it woudl be possible to catch those channels out of the air on an antenna or something. I know its a long shot, but i figured ide ask.

Im really getting tired of TWC's lack of channel lineup in my area and all i want is some more HD channels. I have looked into DirecTV but they dont offer local channels here, although my friend who has it said he got some sort of waiver and was able to get them? The problem with cancelling my service with time warner is we have the all-in-one package and cancelling cable would boost our bill a lot.

Any suggestions on what i can do to get more channels? I basically want ABC and FOX in HD.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

You need to go to www.antennaweb.org to see what stations are nearby. This will give you the frequencies used and direction/distance to the towers, as well as the type of antenna needed. Getting OTA is really hit and miss.

Like a previous poster, if you live on a hill you might be able to pull in some stations.

And, look up user "bidger" here. He's from Elmira.

If anybody wants a free free to air satellite dish 1 0r 1.2m Channel master let me know. I am in Oxford pickup only.

Polar or fixed mount.

John

http://www.lyngsat.com/hd/index.html

List of HDTV on satellite lots of it is free.

lots of sports feeds are not listed.

Towanda Pennsylvania
Hello. Just returned from my wife's hometown. Many of the family live across the Susquehanna and up the mountain from Towanda in Wyalusing township. As the crow flies it's about 36 miles to Elmira, 39 miles to Scranton (and virtually right on the NW to SW axis between them) and 32 miles to Binghampton. They are on the top of the world. About 1000' above the Susquehanna river. He has a Yagi and gets some Elmira, some Binghampton, some Scranton. Anyone else on this forum up in the "Endless Mountains" around Troy, Towanda or Sayre PA? He has not yet made the switch to an HD TV.

Just a small correction. There's no "p" in Binghamton.:)

Helpful ...to know that you are monitoring this thread. :)

I get an email when there is a reply. :D

Great! I see that you have it on a rotor. How many directions do you receive signals?

My Winegard is still working quite well. Ch 8 signal has dropped a bit. I may have do a little tweaking now that the leaves are falling.

Still waiting for ch 12 to go HD.

I may try the preamp if my signals start getting flakey. So far, they aren't too bad.

I just purchased a new 55" SXRD and live in Owego. Below are my antennaweb results.

Ant Type Call Sign CH Ntwk City St Cmpss Mi. Fr
blue - vhf WSTM 3 NBC SYRACUSE NY 22° 55.9 3
blue - uhf WIVT 34 ABC BINGHAMTON NY 119° 19.6 34
blue - vhf WIVT-DT 34.1 ABC BINGHAMTON NY 119° 19.6 4
blue - vhf WBNG 12 CBS BINGHAMTON NY 120° 19.3 12
violet - vhf WTVH 5 CBS SYRACUSE NY 22° 56.7 5

Could some one please recommend and antenna for me?

I am also kind of suprised by the channels that came up because right now using an indoor antenna I get CBS (12), ABC(34), Fox(40), and PBS(46) in poor quality analog (no HD). Why didn't all these show up here? And I though at least fox had HD in this area also and maybe PBS and CBS has some CBS digital that isn't HD.

I am pretty excited to get this up and working and see what quality picture I can get.

Thanks,
Brad

As you found out, Antennaweb doesn't always show everything. Fox 40 should have been there (it may be a power restriction). Also, getting the analog versions is quite a bit different than getting the digital versions. Typically, if your analog is poor then the digital may be a problem. Basically, ghosting is to analog as multipath is to digital. Too much multipath and the digital tuner can't lock on. With analog you get bad reception. Suggesting an antenna is subject to many other factors, not just direction and distance, such as surrounding buildings, hills etc. The stations don't broadcast on the same frequency for digital as there analog channle #. For example, in Binghamton CBS ch12 uses ch 7 for digital, ABC ch 34 uses 4, Fox ch 40 uses 8 and PBS ch 46 uses 42. I don't know what the Syracuse stations are using.

You have an additional problem in that you have two different directions for reception, Binghamton and Syracuse. A unidirectional antenna won't work.
I know that Lowe's sells outdoor antennas. Look for one that has the color code you got from antennaweb. However, you may need a larger one. In my case a first got the channel Master CM3016, but this didn't work well at all and I'm only 9.+ miles from the towers. I finally got the Winegard 7084 humongous one. This works fairly well, but with the change in seasons I've now lost ch 40 (time to tweak the aim).

Thanks. I don't think I am going to worry about trying to get the Syracuse channels right now. I am on a hill but there are many hills between here and Binghamton. and there aren't many trees directly around me and no buildings. So I think I will go out and find a Med. Range Directional and just give it a try. Is there any thing wrong with one of the MR antenna's they have a Radio Shack. It looks like Lowes in Vestal doesn't have any in stock. RS has a 60" for about $50. I figure if it doesn't work well I'll take her back and try another. The problem is that it is so expensive to ship these things when buying them online. I would like to try and buy one locally.

Thanks for you help. I know CBS has a digital channel that is not HD but is the PQ better than the analog. I am particularly interested in this being a Bill's fan and almost all there games are on it.

I'll post my results when I get some.

I originally got the 90" antenna from Radio Shack before I really knew what I was doing. I took it back and then got the Channel Master from Lowe's (Chenango Plaza store). Still no go, but I didn't try it on the roof (with OTA, it's best to have it as high as you can). Then a member in Clay NY (Rick0725) offered to help. He got the Winegard and I mounted it on the roof. I has to move it along the roof to get all of our stations. Try the RS and try to aim it with as few obstacles in the way as possible.

For me the ch12 digital PQ is not bad. But, then the analog is almost unwatchable. BTW, the chief engineer at ch12 has told me that they plan to have HD by Superbowl time.

Good luck.

Thanks. I did go get the 80" antenna from RS. I am going to give it a try and if it doesn't work it looks like I will go with the winegard. Anyone know someplace to buy it fairly locally so I don't have to pay shipping if I go that route?

No Winegard dealer in Binghamton. Maybe Rick can help you out?

It looks like I'm losing my distant networks on Dish TV. Judge ruled the can't proved them anymore.

Does the ruling apply to direct tv as well or just dish? If it's only Dish then I'm jumping to Direct TV, just have to sort out the packages.

Also with the owner of WBNG TV thinking about bankruptcy I bet The HD will be delayed more now.

I have not received anything from DirecTV about losing my distant nets. I think you should ask for a transcript of the ruling. It seems to me that you should only lose your distant nets if Dish can offer you them via the satellite.

I also don't know if you can get distant nets from DirecTV anymore without having been grandfathered in. Check here to see your eligibility.
http://directvdnseligibility.decisionmark.com/app/AddressForm.aspx

I have not received anything from DirecTV about losing my distant nets. I think you should ask for a transcript of the ruling. It seems to me that you should only lose your distant nets if Dish can offer you them via the satellite.

I also don't know if you can get distant nets from DirecTV anymore without having been grandfathered in. Check here to see your eligibility.
http://directvdnseligibility.decisionmark.com/app/AddressForm.aspx

It looks like Dish TV only thing. Direct TV does show me as eligible so that will be my move if Dish has to drop my networks. I just can't go back to TW.

It is so wrong that a Judge has the power to shut down TV for so many people.
I also do not see how it is right for Cable or Sat. to pay stations for helping them get to more people.

It is so wrong that a Judge has the power to shut down TV for so many people.
I also do not see how it is right for Cable or Sat. to pay stations for helping them get to more people.

It seems that way. They broke the (stupid) law and let people that did not qualify for the distant networks get them anyway. I qualif but they say I can't get them anymore but as of last night I still had them out of NYC.

I did sign up for the company that dish said could provide them to me.... allamericandirect.com but I have yet to hear anything from them so I can't send over my waver :rolleyes:

I'll probably jump ship to Direct TV but it expensive to get the few sports channels my wife and son want. The down side to Direct TV's site is they don't tell you jack about the equipment you will be getting.

Lot's of info on DirecTV equipment here:
http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=82
And the DirecTV DVR with TiVo talk is here.
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=7
However, DirecTV doesn't supply the TiVo combo unit any longer. But, if you have never used a TiVo then their home brand will be just fine.

Here's the link to their equipment.
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/secondaryIndex.jsp?assetId=900022

Thanks for the info. DirecTV will be out on the 20th to hook me up assuming they can get the signal around the tree's ect.

I called them and they gave me the same deals as listed on the wib site. the gentleman I talked with also said to wait a month and I shoul dbe able to upgrade my 2nd receiver to a DVR at no cost. I'll probably wait until the new HD DVR is out in supply and upgrade then.

Good luck. Do you have many trees, etc 18 degrees to the left of where your Dish points?
DirecTV's main sat is at 101W latitude, which is also higher in the sky for us.

I have a fair number of tree's. When I called D I asked if they could send someone out to tell me if I could get a signal and they said they would just set up an install and I would find out then. Kind of dumb if you ask me.

Time will tell.

Yeah, DirecTV has been somewhat lacking in relation to installs. Maybe you could find out who in our area they contract with and call them directly to do a site survey. Free of course.:)

They called and said they wanted to do it today so the DTV guy is on his way over, should be here within the hour to do the install.

Well, that has to be a first or rare anyway. DirecTV rescheduling an install early.
Good luck there Kevin. Let us know how it works out.

The installer is from Long Island and said they were sent up here for a week to help with the installs because they have so many new ones. They had extra time to do it to boot.

Everything is up and running including my distant locals. Now I have to re-program my logitech remote again......

Okay Kevin, I need some details. What dish did they install? Probably the triple LNB version.
What receivers did you get? Did you get all four major networks?

I got a round dish..... They used the double cable that Dish had installed. we got 2 boxes, the R15's and one is a DVR. I have NBC, ABC, FOX & CBS (which I have the waver for as the others are grandfathered).

I plan on going HD next year sometime which will require and upgrade but I was told it was free.........

I hope you got it in writing about "free" upgrade. So one receiver is not a DVR? Your statement "we got 2 boxes, the R15's and one is a DVR" confused me, as the R15 is a DVR. So you have two DVRs? They must have also installed a multiswitch.

Many TiVo owners on the TiVo Community don't like the R15 as the GUI and operation is so different from what a TiVo has. But in your case having never had a TiVo, it shouldn't be a problem.

Have fun and welcome to DirecTV. I hope it work out for you.

One is an R15 (the DVR) the other is not a DVR. I have no problem with the GUI as it is similar to the Dish, but does seem a little less functional. I'm sure if I read the book it will help.

They told me on the phone it was a free upgrade........if it's not I'll just wait a little longer.

I probably mentioned the DBSTalk forums before, but as a reminder the DirecTV forum is here.
http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=82
Lots of talk in the R15 section.
Now stop playing and get some sleep. :D

Got my bill from Time Warner today and they had the following note attached:

Time Warner Sports will be added to Channel 23
Court TV will move from Ch. 23 to Ch. 68
Fuse will move from Ch 68 to Digital Ch. 168
(and the big news)
InHD2 - Ch 716 will be replaced with Universal HD

Still not enough for me to go back to TWC.

Kevin- How's it going with DirecTV?

So far DirecTV is great. They did forget to add the sports pack channels so I need to call them.

Signal is great
Picture is great
Hardware nees to be networkable!

How does the PQ compare to Dish?

That site I linked above should give you insight into the networking of the R!5.
However, I don't think they've enabled it yet.

Just got an early christmas present, a Samsung 23" LCD HD-Ready tv, so I picked up an HD converter box from TWC, a SA-3100HD.

The SA-3100HD sure is a disappointment. No HDMI output, Component only outputs at 1080i, so everything (even 480i signals) gets scaled up.

Gave TWC a call to find out if they offered a different box that I could select the output on (ie. 720p) and was told 'not in the binghamton/syracuse area'; my only options appears to be to live with the limitation or go with the HD DVR instead.

Things like this are what makes me start to consider DirectTV/Dish.

So the output of the HD cable box is only 1080i and then your TV has to downconvert to 720p?
That's a real stupid design for a cable box. Probably done to keep the manufacturing cost of the box to a minimum. The general public doesn't know or care about this type of thing. In fact many don't know what the big deal is about HD. :)

Yeah, the 3100HD only outputs at 1080i.

However, my wife was headed into binghamton today to do some shopping, so I packed up the 3100HD and asked her to stop by the vestal offices of TWC. They told her they do indeed have the 3250HD boxes and swapped the box out for us. (So much for the TWC CSR who told me they only used the 3100HD in the STNY region.)

She hasn't gotten home yet, but from what I've read online the 3250HD will output 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i.

I guess in defense of the 3100HD, the box design is over 6 years old and has been discontinued by SA. It was probably a lot cheaper 6 years ago to only output 1080i.

EDIT: Have the SA3250HD installed now and there is a tremendous difference in picture quality, over the SA3100HD. Found that there is a thread on here regarding the SA3250HD, so lots to read up on.

The latest Box is a SA 8300HD

To everyone in the WBNG viewing area. I am new to this forum and I would just like to let everyone know I was just granted a waiver from WBNG to receive the CBS HD signal via Direct TV. Channel 80, WCBS. I live about a mile from the station and receive a 100% signal strength on my OTA antenna. My e-mail to Direct TV said that my CBS affiliate would not pass on the HD signal locally. I was told they would have it in HD by the Super Bowl. In the mean time, anyone who wants the CBS HD signal may want to try this. I love sports and I have boycotted WBNG for the horrible picture. Hope this helps.

To everyone in the WBNG viewing area. I am new to this forum and I would just like to let everyone know I was just granted a waiver from WBNG to receive the CBS HD signal via Direct TV. Channel 80, WCBS. I live about a mile from the station and receive a 100% signal strength on my OTA antenna. My e-mail to Direct TV said that my CBS affiliate would not pass on the HD signal locally. I was told they would have it in HD by the Super Bowl. In the mean time, anyone who wants the CBS HD signal may want to try this. I love sports and I have boycotted WBNG for the horrible picture. Hope this helps.

Thats' great news! With the parent of WBNG now in bankruptcy who know's how long it will take for them to broadcast HD signals.

One can hope they finally get their act together and provide HD in time for the Super Bowl. Not that it really matters for those of us that have waivers for WCBS-HD on DirecTV. :)

But, I have my doubts, since WBNG's new owners have filed chapter 11 protection.

Dish will be uplinking Binghamton soon. That is almost 100% for sure.
Fox is holding things back is what i have been told.

I wonder if DirecTV will be doing it soon? I won't hold my breath. Also, just how many stations will be sent? Will The CW, NBC be included? Both being low power.

The latest Box is a SA 8300HD

The 8300HD is the DVR HD box, the 3250HD is just an HD decoder.

InHD2 - Ch 716 will be replaced with Universal HD

Well, here it is the 1'st of the month and I was a little saddened that this wasn't true, instead it's been replaced by a Music channel.

I'm from the Scranton area and receive WSKG (PBS) in HD and also WICZ (FOX) in HD. Ialso receive WBNG (CBS) but not HD Yet. I did receive an email 0n 12-7 from thier Chief Engineer - Mike Calkins and he passed on a memo to me from the new company that bought thier station that stated that thier intention is to be broadcasting in HD in time for the Super Bowl. I guess all we can do is wait and see.

I also received an email that they plan to have HD up by Super Bowl time. It also alluded that they would use a sub-channel for The CW.

I also received an email that they plan to have HD up by Super Bowl time. It also alluded that they would use a sub-channel for The CW.

That'll be nice, if it happens! :)

Only time will tell. It also means that we may never see The CW in HD. Not that is really matters. :)

Well, here it is the 1'st of the month and I was a little saddened that this wasn't true, instead it's been replaced by a Music channel.

Yeah I noticed that as well and was disappointed. From other things I have heard, it seems that contacts are up and being renegotiated with TWC, wonder if this is a result of that. I did email time warner asking about it, will post back if I ever get a response.

I'm hoping they are in the testing stage right now. It ussually takes a couple months just to get all the kinks out. I live near Scranton and all of our locals are brodcasting OTA in HD. The only problem is that my location only let's me get the CW HD feed. The rest I get from the Binghamton area. The CW has been HD for about 2 months now and they still aren't sending out any true HD feeds from the network. I was told on another forum that they are waiting on more equipment to receive the true HD feeds with dolby 5.1 so they can then pass them along to the public. If WBNG isn't sending out any kind of test HD feed by now I really doubt it is going to happen in the next few weeks. I hope I'm wrong.

Kevin- How's it going with DirecTV?


Honest? I think Dish was way better. The picture was more crisp, but the DTV is still very good, i just get more ghosting. It's more noticeable on certain channels too.

I hate my R15 DVR. It freezes and jumps when you try and go forward or backwards in a show. I had it crash once when I tried to go back to the beginning of a show that had started 10 minutes previously. That makes me miss my Dish hardware because it was nearly flawless.

My wife said I could buy an LCD TV for our bedroom, so I will do that by summer and then go with the HD package and DVR's. She misses being able to record shows in 2 places.

It still beats TWC! It will be a cold day in hell before I ever go back to them. I'm still holding out for Verizon FIOS. No word on how long before we will be able to get it though.

Got a reply from TWC about the Universal HD channel. They are having some difficulties and say its still planned and should be implemented by early Feb.

Last night while watching WBNG I caught the last few seconds of a commercial that I believe was stating that WBNG would have HD by the SuperBowl. Was a very quick commercial (wasn't watching on the TV with the DVR so couldn't rewind it) and I didn't see it run again that night. Looked at WBNG's website, since I figured if they were advertising HD that they might have an update there, but didn't see anything.

Anyone else catch it?

Last night while watching WBNG I caught the last few seconds of a commercial that I believe was stating that WBNG would have HD by the SuperBowl. Was a very quick commercial (wasn't watching on the TV with the DVR so couldn't rewind it) and I didn't see it run again that night. Looked at WBNG's website, since I figured if they were advertising HD that they might have an update there, but didn't see anything.

Anyone else catch it?

Wow, that would be huge. I was just looking at the schedule for the Colts if they keep making it (I'm originally from Indiana), and it's CBS all the way :mad: .

I think I'll send WBNG an email and see if I get a response. It's been over a year since I bugged them last.

Last night while watching WBNG I caught the last few seconds of a commercial that I believe was stating that WBNG would have HD by the SuperBowl. Was a very quick commercial (wasn't watching on the TV with the DVR so couldn't rewind it) and I didn't see it run again that night. Looked at WBNG's website, since I figured if they were advertising HD that they might have an update there, but didn't see anything.

Anyone else catch it?

Yep, I saw it too. I also went to the web site and saw nothing there. I've got a SATA drive hooked up to my DVR, and I've got it set to record all day today.

I'll keep you posted.

Yep, I saw it too. I also went to the web site and saw nothing there. I've got a SATA drive hooked up to my DVR, and I've got it set to record all day today.

I'll keep you posted.

Haha - good to know I wasn't hallucinating ;)

I post here about once a year (every January it seems) to lament the lack of HD from TWC in Oneonta. A year ago my post was "rewarded" :rolleyes: by the arrival of FOX in HD, so consider this a superstitious post to finally get us TWC sufferers CBS in HD via WBNG!

BTW, I did see the "Super Bowl in HD promise" TV ad this weekend, but felt I needed this post as the final boost :D

I haven't seen that ad on WBNG because they aren't in HD. I use DirecTV DNS ch 80 for my CBS HD fix. Maybe, I'll watch the local news tonight.

I haven't seen that ad on WBNG because they aren't in HD. I use DirecTV DNS ch 80 for my CBS HD fix. Maybe, I'll watch the local news tonight.

I wouldn't waste your time with the local news. The only times I (and my son) have seen the HD promise was during commercial breaks during CBS NFL playoff games.

With our luck, they'll try it out for the Super Bowl, it won't work, and then they'll shut it down.

Is WBNG talking about over the air or maybe just Cable HD?

I live behind a hill and had to build my own private Cable system and have just started adding HD.

I broadbanded a Heterodyne Processor to pass the full 6 Mhz bandwith and have tuned it to WSKG 46-1 and it looks great but the sound cuts out at times.

I would like to know how others are receiving it. I have a good signal on the analog transmitter but signal strength on the Samsung HD tuner i am using never gets over weak signal on the signal bar.

The tuner is one of the first ones so i do not trust that it is very good.

John Oxford

How are your signals for the other three digital stations here in Binghamton? I'm in Chenango Bridge with Crocker Hill between me and the towers about 9.5 miles as the crow flies. I have a Winegard 7084 antenna on the roof which worked well before the leaves fell. I'm guessing the multipath increased. I lost reception to WICZ digital ch 8 and now with the slight snow cover I've lost WBNG (digital 7) and WSKG (digital 42). I still get WIVT (digital 4). It's too cold now to make any adjustments. This is a problem because I wanted to see when WBNG actually went HD.

Has anyone experimented with tuning Clear QAM signals from Time Warner? My latest TV (Sony KDF-E50A10) has a QAM tuner, and I'm able to pick up several (but not all) local network feeds. (I get ABC, CBS, and NBC, but don't get FOX and PBS) :confused:

FWIW, I have "basic" cable only ;)

I have the Locals only from TW for $5 a month and
get the following channels.

Channel = 750 WBNG Digital
Channel = 79.13 WIVT HD
Channel = 79.14 WBGH HD
Channel = 85.13 WSKG HD
Channel = 85.14 WICZ HD

Also I have seen the HD commercial for WBNG, it doesn't
say WBNG will be HD, only the Superbowl in HD.
Be interesting to see what they're up to.

I have the Locals only from TW for $5 a month and
get the following channels.

Channel = 750 WBNG Digital
Channel = 79.13 WIVT HD
Channel = 79.14 WBGH HD
Channel = 85.13 WSKG HD
Channel = 85.14 WICZ HD

Also I have seen the HD commercial for WBNG, it doesn't
say WBNG will be HD, only the Superbowl in HD.
Be interesting to see what they're up to.

Thanks, you da man!

Somehow I had hidden the two channels I wasn't getting, and couldn't find them in the millions of other hidden channels that I don't get :rolleyes:

Any TWC subscribers in Binghamton not receiving Discovery HD (705)? I haven't had it in the past couple weeks, and I'm starting to wonder what's up.

Watching DiscoveryHD on 705 right now (10:40pm) here in Owego. You might want to give them a call.

Hmm, yeah I just realized TNTHD isn't coming in either. Thanks for the reply.

Well, I just did a channel search again (I've got a cable card and HD tuner in my TV), and Discovery HD and TNT HD popped back up. Also, MTV HD popped in where INHD2 was. No signal on 750 DWBNG though.

I wonder if TWC ever plans to add Starz, Universal, and Cinemax HD on this system... I realize that the situation regarding CW11, CBS and NY Rangers broadcasts are out of their hands, but they should at least add the High-Def version of those two premium movie channels.

They're compressing the HD signal to hell and back anyway (at least compared to what I'm used to seeing Cablevision broadcast in rural CT)

Universal HD was supposed to be added on January 1 to replace INHD2. I think someone on here said that TWC is having some issues and it will arrive sometime in February now. Maybe they just added MTVHD for the interim?

Yeah, I agree, the TWC compression is horrendous.

Universal HD was supposed to be added on January 1 to replace INHD2. I think someone on here said that TWC is having some issues and it will arrive sometime in February now. Maybe they just added MTVHD for the interim?

Yeah, I agree, the TWC compression is horrendous.

On a side note, do people tend to get better results here using the Component output on the 8300HD boxes over HDMI?

I'm just wondering if the pixelation that I've been seeing on my Samsung 32'' LCD will be less noticable.

Back home people tend to have issues with the DVI enabled Scientific Atlanta boxes, so it's just a curiosity.

I had the 8300HD over component for only a little while. The pixelation was pretty bad, but I can't comment on how it was compared to HDMI, since I switched directly to the cable card -- which was a noticable improvement.

On a side note, do people tend to get better results here using the Component output on the 8300HD boxes over HDMI?

I've tried both component and HDMI with my 8300 - I don't see any difference between the picture. I think the pixelization is due to the transmission from TWC or fluctuating signal levels where I life (I'm out in the hills north of Owego.)

How are your signals for the other three digital stations here in Binghamton? I'm in Chenango Bridge with Crocker Hill between me and the towers about 9.5 miles as the crow flies. I have a Winegard 7084 antenna on the roof which worked well before the leaves fell. I'm guessing the multipath increased. I lost reception to WICZ digital ch 8 and now with the slight snow cover I've lost WBNG (digital 7) and WSKG (digital 42). I still get WIVT (digital 4). It's too cold now to make any adjustments. This is a problem because I wanted to see when WBNG actually went HD.


The only one i am bringing down from my hill in HD is 46. I will be adding the others in the spring along with the Syracuse Channels.

I am in the TV repair Buisness and have not seen many HD sets for repair so far.
Most are still in Warr although i have repaired some for the Mfgs that were under Warr.
I am wondering how the off air reception is going to be, so far everyone is on Sat or Cable. It looks like there is going to be a problem for many people that bo fine with analog.

My Daughter lives right off river road are you anywhere near river road?
John Oxford

I'm on a side street one mile up on River Rd from the intersection with Kattelville Rd.

My OTA is spotty right now after being quite good before the fall.

The only one i am bringing down from my hill in HD is 46. I will be adding the others in the spring along with the Syracuse Channels.

I am in the TV repair Buisness and have not seen many HD sets for repair so far.
Most are still in Warr although i have repaired some for the Mfgs that were under Warr.
I am wondering how the off air reception is going to be, so far everyone is on Sat or Cable. It looks like there is going to be a problem for many people that bo fine with analog.

My Daughter lives right off river road are you anywhere near river road?
John Oxford

it is unfortunate that the binghamton area has digital on vhf. otherwise you could install a much simpler setup.

I have been experimenting with various antennas in that area. reception can be a challenge there because of the local geography. because of the terrain, you should avoid a uhf bowtie (multipath issues from the surrounding geography) and you would need vhf.

the antennas direct 91xg is a great choice in that area for distant uhf reception along with a vhf antenna of good quality and gain sized for your needs... for the binghamton locals and scranton if you are interested. if you prefer one antenna, the quality of the winegard hd series combo antennas is prefered. But a large combo will not do the job on uhf for the distant uhf channels. Separate vhf and uhf antennas would be best. nothing at lowe's or radio shack will get you where you need to be.

Syacuse reception is going to be a challenge from that area. The geography just is not in your favor. Height usually does not help because there are hills just south of syracuse which block the first pass. Receiving syracuse analog satisfactorily will not be a positive indication for successful digital reception.

Digital signal does not travel as well as analog and will deteriate quickly as it bumps into the hills on its way down to binghamton. You may receive a few syracuse stations depending on your location since the syracuse towers are on different hills. but I would not rely upon success.

if you already own a combo vhf / uhf antenna , you can combine the 91 xg for uhf and use your combo for vhf. I use a channel master cm 0549 vhf/uhf combiner to accomplish that. this setup gives you the flexibility to only amplify uhf since ch 12 is the dominant channel and can cause reception issues throught the tv band using amplification of any kind.

at my parents in endicott, I installed a winegard hd7082p antenna and had best results amplifying uhf (winegard hdp-269) and by- passing vhf unamplified (used two cm0549's to separate vhf/uhf off the combo and then recombine at the distribution point in the garage). even channel 20 and 26 came in great at their home. they have good line of sight to the towers and that was a big plus.

jd ...we need to think of something to improve your situation. maybe a winegard hd-269 preamp in place of the distribution amp in the basement . that hill really hurts! I never saw such severe ghosting and multipath as was the case at your home.

is there a way to angle the antenna a few degrees up to the crest of that hill? you may gather some added signal to get you just over the signal threshold of your tuner. Multipath is a challenge because most of the signal is derived from scattering and reflections and not from direct signal. Improving one channel can make another worse...as you already experienced.

maybe undo the tripod and angle the system back just so in order to get a workable angle and see if you can "squeek" some more signal bouncing over the hill. this will require patience and time.

Out of curiosity, when did the local ABC/NBC 11pm news change to an 8 minute format?

I was wondering if it had anything with the local 24 hr news channel that TWC has been advertising lately.

...
jd ...we need to think of something to improve your situation. maybe a winegard hd-269 preamp in place of the distribution amp in the basement . that hill really hurts! I never saw such severe ghosting and multipath as was the case at your home.

is there a way to angle the antenna a few degrees up to the crest of that hill? you may gather some added signal to get you just over the signal threshold of your tuner. Multipath is a challenge because most of the signal is derived from scattering and reflections and not from direct signal. Improving one channel can make another worse...as you already experienced.

maybe undo the tripod and angle the system back just so in order to get a workable angle and see if you can "squeek" some more signal bouncing over the hill. this will require patience and time.I'm currently running unamplified. Before the leaves fell, I was getting good signal on all stations. But, now I suspect that the multipath is stronger. The snow cover has seemed to affect things a bit as well. Interestingly, my Hughes HTL-HD is doing a better job than the HR10-250 TiVo. Come spring time or some warmer days I may try the amp you have mentioned. Can you recommend a online dealer?

Right now ABC is my only constant station. I don't watch local news at 11 so I can't answer the previous question. I also have no idea what TWC is advertising.

Thanks,
I don't know when I'll get around to buy/install the hdp 269 because of the weather.

Actually I don't have a distribution amp. I will try the 269 in the basement for now to see what happens. Then at the grounding block and in the spring at the antenna. I don't need to split the antenna as it will only go to one location. I'll feed my HTL-HD and then feed the HR10 from the HTL's passthrough (only active when off). Of course, I'll try any and all combinations to see what works best.

I did try a splitter at first instead of passthrough. Saw a slight decrease with the splitter. I'll keep the cm0549 in mind. As I said I'll try all combinations and you have just thrown in another component. :) Currently, ch 4 (34) is the strongest.

I'm on a side street one mile up on River Rd from the intersection with Kattelville Rd.

My OTA is spotty right now after being quite good before the fall.
My Daughter lives right off River Road on Teeburn Ave. She is on Cable so i do not know how a antenna would work for her. She is on a small hill but i doubt it is high enough.

When it comes to Multipath a rotator can help as it can and does change from day to day.
The good thing now is the analog is still on and you can see the Multipath when turning the antenna. When it goes all Digital you just do not know what you have because you cannot see it.

There was a time i sold antennas and now people do not even ask for them.
What i found is the Channel Master 8 Bay 4228A beat every other UHF antenna.
I never had a customer say it did not work better than what they had and i must have sold 200 of them. If anybody needs a UHF only amp i have them and have sold them on C band Satellite Radio So many were reorders and even froim Cable Companies.
What i am wondering is if HD over the air is going to work in this part of the country.
How many people is it going to work for is what i am wondering about.
Not enough people have HD or if they do they do not know if they are getting HD if they even understand what it is. In other words they have a HD set and as long as they have a picturt they think it is HD.

John John's Electronics Oxford

I know where Teeburn Ave is (my brother is in the neighborhood) and the hill it is on actually will be blocking the towers along with Crocker Hill. I suspect that an antenna for digital there would be more of a problem than I have. So TWC has a lock on HD for most people. DirecTV will eventually offer our locals and then I may be able to eliminate the antenna. But, I'll probably leave it up for backup reception.

Curious if anyone has received feedback from WBNG about their HD plans.

I've seen the commercials a few more times, and from their wording ("The Super Bowl on TWC Channel 701"), it sounds like only the Super Bowl will be available in HD, and that full HD conversion may not be part of this.

Also, sounds like only TWC will have it. :( They will probably pass the network feed to TWC.

The email I sent was read but not yet replied.

Here's an interesting update. I just received a phone call from someone in Vestal NY and he reported that he is now seeing an HD signal from WBNG. I can't lock on to verify.

It may finally be here. CBS-HD. I just turned on my Tv with direct tv and an OTA antenna. It looks like WBNG is broadcasting in HD. I'll wait to see tonight when the HD shows are on.

As of today WBNG has the new HD equipment up and running! Right now it is up-converted. As far as TWC, they get thier analog signal on a direct feed from WBNG. The hd signal is received ota. It will be off TWC's chan 750 and moved to 701 soon.
Im looking forward to see how it looks at primetime tonight.
I receive it OTA here in Greene

Currently displayed on TWC channel 750:

DWBNG OFF AIR:

WBNG Digital channel 750
is currently unavailable!

Please tune to cable
channel: Bing-2,
Elmira/Cor-12, Oneonta-3,
Sayre-3 to view WBNG
programming.

As of today WBNG has the new HD equipment up and running! Right now it is up-converted. As far as TWC, they get thier analog signal on a direct feed from WBNG. The hd signal is received ota. It will be off TWC's chan 750 and moved to 701 soon.
Im looking forward to see how it looks at primetime tonight.
I receive it OTA here in Greene

This is great news, now I only wish I was having the superbowl party at my house :\

Picture looks GREAT!!! but there seems to be audio problem. I am only getting the rear channel from the 5.1 and not the front.

Picture looks GREAT!!! but there seems to be audio problem. I am only getting the rear channel from the 5.1 and not the front.

So thats what I was hearing, I was watching using only my TV speakers :rolleyes:

(Agreed however, the picture was great!)

I may have to pick up some RG-59 crimp connectors on the way home from work tomorrow. Last time TWC came in, they must have cut the connector off the cable going to the antenna in my attic :P

I may have to pick up some RG-59 crimp connectors on the way home from work tomorrow. Last time TWC came in, they must have cut the connector off the cable going to the antenna in my attic :P

If you have TW, then you can get HD locals even with basic service (but you need a QAM tuner in your TV/box/etc). (I just recently discovered this, after erecting a monster antenna on my roof a year and a half ago :rolleyes: )

If you have TW, then you can get HD locals even with basic service (but you need a QAM tuner in your TV/box/etc). (I just recently discovered this, after erecting a monster antenna on my roof a year and a half ago :rolleyes: )

My main TV does have an ATSC tuner, but when I did a scan last night over the cable, it didn't pick up WBNG yet (I figure it won't until it shows up on channel 701). Since some of you are picking it up over the air, thought I'd give it a shot as well :)

Yup,

Looks like WBNG finally is getting they're act together. It'll probably be a day or two until they really get this right. Upconverting sure makes the picture look better than it did with straight SD. It was pretty funny watching CSI with only the back channels of the 5.1 Dolby Surround. :)

Letterman looked and sounded great till nearly the end of the program.

Fox was a little strange the first few days when they cut over so I imagine it takes the station's engineer a couple of days to get it setup exactly right.

I wonder how many people might just drop-in at my house on Super Bowl Sunday?

At my location, I'm having trouble with multipath so I can't get a good signal. But, if they aren't transmitting all of the time it would be a bit difficult to lock on. :) I got an antenna preamp, but due to the weather (snow, wind, cold) I can't install it where it belongs. Tried it in the basement where the line runs with no luck. It really needs to be on the mast. Luckily I have CBS HD from DirecTV.

My main TV does have an ATSC tuner, but when I did a scan last night over the cable, it didn't pick up WBNG yet (I figure it won't until it shows up on channel 701). Since some of you are picking it up over the air, thought I'd give it a shot as well :)Your TV needs a QAM tuner, ATSC is only for OTA.

Your TV needs a QAM tuner, ATSC is only for OTA.

I think my TV (Samsung 61" DLP, HLR6167) has both. I am able to pick up ABC, Fox, NBC and PBS HD and the CBS-DT via the cable line (the unencrypted HD/digital channels.)

When I tried my antenna (last spring) I was able to pick up PBS, CBS and I think ABC (don't think NBC or FOX were active when I first got my TV.)

Here is a question for you guys: Where can I find an inexpensive antenna rotator control box, locally? Looks like the previous owner of my house took the rotator box with them. The antenna has the motor, but I've got no control over it. I think the last time I looked locally for one they all came with the motor and I was looking at ~$75.

I suspect you'll need to know the model of rotor so you get the correct controller. Then you will probably have to search online. Also, how do know that the rotor is okay?

WBNG-DT (CBS) is broadcasting in HD! It is currently broadcasting 1080i with stereo (not 5.1) audio. Looks like we will get to see the SuperBowl in HD!

Yes, I did get the HDP-269. I did see an increase in signal with WSKG (digital 42), although it fluctuates causing breakups. So you are saying that analog 12 can cause problems with digital 7 and 8. Digital 4 is strong, however.

My next test will be to put the HDP-269 outside at the grounding block. I'm not about to go up on the roof in this weather. :)

I may have to move the antenna as well. I wonder if my neighbors would mind a 50' tower in my backyard? :D

Update:

I moved the HDP-269 to the grounding block (about 25' closer to the antenna). The results are somewhat promising.
The following results just point out the differences in receiver tuner sensitivity and selectivity.



Frequency HTL-HD HR10-250
4 71 71
7 0-22 0-22
8 46 0-19
42 70 0-25


Previously I only got a lock on the HTL-HD on ch 4 and 42.
Now I get 8 as well. The HR10 tuner really sucks.
So maybe this will continue to improve once I can put the amp up on the mast.

Last night during a break in CBS Evening news I thought I heard a Time-Warner spot about the Super Bowl being in HD on 701. Today I phoned Time-Warner and asked if I heard right. The lady said I must have been hallucinating, projecting a wish, as it were. I'm so confused.

Thanks Rick for the info. We'll see what I can do next, if we have a break in the weather.

I just tuned to CBS (12) and was shocked to see that its in HD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the signal strength says 100% too

Not everyone is as fortunate. :(

I just tuned to CBS (12) and was shocked to see that its in HD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the signal strength says 100% too

OK, so somebody explain to me why, after WBNG has been sending HD OTA for 2-3 days now, TWC has not yet passed along the signal to us starving HD cable customers? Is there a technical reason involving the need to test something? Or is TWC just being slow/stubborn/???

I picked up the RG-59 connectors today and connected my antenna back up to my TV. No amps at the moment, only the antenna in the attic (still haven't climbed up to the attic to check what the rotator motor is, maybe tomorrow.)

In any case, WBNG comes through crystal clear in HD on 12-1. I also pick up ABC, NBC, FOX and PBS over the air in HD. For PBS looks like I get 46, 46-1 (HD) and 46-2 (DT?), 40 also appears to have a subchannel for WBPN.

What I found interesting, is I'm picking up a CBS channel on '5' (Not a great signal) anyone know where thats coming from? Also I'm picking up ABC-18 - think thats from Elmira. Picked up a few other channels, but they didn't come through well at all. I'll have to take a look tomorrow and write down what I'm seeing (of course tomorrow I might not see them, during the day at least)

Last night during a break in CBS Evening news I thought I heard a Time-Warner spot about the Super Bowl being in HD on 701. Today I phoned Time-Warner and asked if I heard right. The lady said I must have been hallucinating, projecting a wish, as it were. I'm so confused.

OK, so somebody explain to me why, after WBNG has been sending HD OTA for 2-3 days now, TWC has not yet passed along the signal to us starving HD cable customers? Is there a technical reason involving the need to test something? Or is TWC just being slow/stubborn/???


It appears that WBNG and TWC are in negotiations over the HD rebroadcast, and I'm guessing that since the Super Bowl is happening next week, TWC is probably trying to squeeze all they can out of WBNG - probably not the best of ideas seeing as WBNG's new owner is having financial issues.

I haven't called TWC-Binghamton to see what the status is, but my friend who lives in Horseheads called his TWC branch on friday and was told that TWC -Elmira/Horseheads "doesn't have a contract in place to rebroadcast WBNG in HD" - I'm assuming I'd get the same response if I called TWC-Binghamton.

Not everyone is as fortunate. :(

well, not everyone is fortunate enough to get DNS for all four networks in HD
I'd much rather have that, I think

Update:
I've done nothing since the last post, but I am now locking on with just a few little breakups. PQ is great, however, there is no audio from the commentators (watching the golf tournament). It's kinda like watching at the course. :)

My signal strength is 50 on the HR10 and 73 on the HTL-HD.

Starting to lose lock. :(

Lock lost.

I was wondering if I had too much signal causing problems. It is certainly an adventure. I'll check out Unicorn (one of my favorite places to visit).

Received this email today:

There is a HD feed over the air on digital channel 7
I put it up Friday 1-26-07 but still have many bugs to get out of it
I do not know if you can get it where you are located but if you can get analog 12 you should be able to get digital 7 with no problem.



Michael Calkins
Chief Engineer
WBNG / WBXI
(607) 729-8812

Mike Calkins [calkins@wbngtv.com]

Unfortunately Mike doesn't really understand what the terrain around here does to a digital signal. He should. I do get a ghosty analog 12, which means the multipath is killing me. I know I have more to do, but he implies that it is as easy as putting up an antenna.

Yesterday, I was able to watch the golf tournament, but the center channel was missing. I hope they get that fixed for you guys that can receive WBNGDT for the Super Bowl.

Today a woman at Time Warner told me they expect the announcement "any day now."

What I found interesting, is I'm picking up a CBS channel on '5' (Not a great signal) anyone know where thats coming from? Also I'm picking up ABC-18 - think thats from Elmira. I'm guessing that the CBS 5 is WTVH out of Syracuse. 18 from Elmira is WETM, and it's an NBC affiliate.

Currently displayed on TWC channel 750:

DWBNG OFF AIR:

WBNG Digital channel 750
is currently unavailable!

Please tune to cable
channel: Bing-2,
Elmira/Cor-12, Oneonta-3,
Sayre-3 to view WBNG
programming.I'm getting this and was amused to see that the channel name has changed from DWBNG to gonTV. :p

I'm getting this and was amused to see that the channel name has changed from DWBNG to gonTV. :p

I noticed that too, glad to see someone down there has a sense of humor :)

WETM also broadcasts WETM2, aka WTTX, on 18.2. The logo on WETM2's 10pm news is "18.2 - Local, Digital, Now". I bet that 99% of the viewing area has no idea what that is all about.

OK, so somebody explain to me why, after WBNG has been sending HD OTA for 2-3 days now, TWC has not yet passed along the signal to us starving HD cable customers? Is there a technical reason involving the need to test something? Or is TWC just being slow/stubborn/???

From TW today:
"We continue to discuss the possibility of carrying this Sunday's Superbowl on WBNG in HD. We need the station's permission to carry the HD broadcast and the station's GM is working with his Corporate people on a decision. "

I'm running a QAM scan now to see if TWC is hiding WBNG somewhere.

Not likely... :(

I'm sadly not as lucky as certain coworkers who live almost within sight of WBNG's tower. :)

Edit: I guess I am lucky. While cable boxes may not be updated yet, I just found NCIS at the following QAM location:

Cable channel 116, program 5

:)

Time for me to update my MythTV config

Edit 2: MythTV updated, recording NCIS. Enjoying the 5.1 audio :)

That makes the second station in the area to have 5.1 (Fox being the first). NBC, ABC, and PBS still only broadcast stereo.

Curious if anyone watched NCIS tonight (OTA) on WBNG. To me, the audio was off by a bit, (delayed about 1/2 second or so, hard to judge), as curious if anyone else noticed it.

WBNG Now Broadcasting In High Def Over The Air
WBNG-TV is taking an historic leap forward with high definition television. We are now broadcasting in HD over the air, on digital channel 7. That means you will see some CBS programming in the most amazing picture quality technology has to offer. And, you'll be able to watch the Superbowl in HD this Sunday

For anybody with more than one TV splitters can cause trouble and many are just junk and can suck out channels. I have seen boxes of them that were wired wrong parts not soldered ect. That also goes for matching transformers. All splitters should be what is called back matched.
The best way is to have a hi gain amp and use taps at the last tap you use a 75 ohm resistor. Each tap is rated with how many db isolation it has. The way it works is you have more signal than needed and sample some of it. That way you do not have standing waves or suck outs. The cable looks at the 75 ohm resistor at the end and nothing gets refelected back.
With analog you can see ghosts but with digital it can drive you nuts because you cannot see a ghost so doing it right can save allot of grief.

There is an electronics specialty store in johnson city that sells great splitters...120 db isolation ...Unicorn if I recall. Reasonable prices . down the street near the IBM country club.

At xmas replaced all the splitters at the parent's and at my home with those.

The parents have a great hd setup at their home in endicott. Reception is excellent even on ch20 and 26. installed a winegard hd7082p antenna with a winegard hdp269 preamp (only amplifying uhf and passing vhf). Replaced most of the old wiring from the early 80' s with rg6 also.

Here is an article posted about the TW/WBNG feud:

http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070131/BUSINESS/701310332/1002/BUSINESS

Unfortunatly Mr. Platsky has done a typically shoddy job in getting the facts straight about the technology. (Stating that a "special hdtv antenna" is required! :mad: )

I'm running a QAM scan now to see if TWC is hiding WBNG somewhere.
<snip>

Time for me to update my MythTV config

<snip>


What QAM tuner card are you using? I have always been tempted by linux, but have not had the time (or the gumption) to take the plunge. (Does MCE do QAM well?)

Here is an article posted about the TW/WBNG feud:

http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070131/BUSINESS/701310332/1002/BUSINESS

Unfortunatly Mr. Platsky has done a typically shoddy job in getting the facts straight about the technology. (Stating that a "special hdtv antenna" is required! :mad: )Yeah, that implies that all you need is the "special HDTV antenna". When what is special is having the ATSC tuner and an antenna.

Here is an article posted about the TW/WBNG feud:

http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070131/BUSINESS/701310332/1002/BUSINESS

Unfortunatly Mr. Platsky has done a typically shoddy job in getting the facts straight about the technology. (Stating that a "special hdtv antenna" is required! :mad: )

That article was a joke. I almost posted the link to this thread on there... and the one comment about a guy who thinks 42'' HD plasmas are still over $2k, he's probably 75 and thinks it's garbage.

A special antenna for HD? Please.

I monitor this thread with great interest, as I grew up in Vestal/Apalachin, but stayted down in Philadelphia after graduating. Needless to say, the HD situation over cable down here isn't a problem

Took WBNG long enough to get an HD signal up, it's 2007 for crying out loud, and Binghamton isn't THAT small of a market.

What QAM tuner card are you using? I have always been tempted by linux, but have not had the time (or the gumption) to take the plunge. (Does MCE do QAM well?)
I'm using the Silicon Dust HDHomeRun (http://www.silicondust.com/)

The Good:
External Ethernet device
Dual tuners for the price of most single-tuner PCI cards
Developers of the hardware/firmware are VERY active on their support forums

The Bad:
Still a few firmware bugs. The HDHR has only been out since November or December I believe. I've had mine less than a month
MCE support was just released and is its infancy
Still a few quirks with MythTV support for the device, but very few. Looking back at recent history, the only failed recording I've had was CSI last Thursday, and the fact that WBNG changed channels and program numbers would explain that. :)
Getting the HDHR set up for QAM cable with MythTV is NOT in any way user-friendly at the moment. It should probably be mature once Myth 0.21 is released, HDHR support is only available if you run a Subversion snapshot of Myth. (i.e. their "heavy development" codebase)

Overall, despite the quirks, I'm extremely happy with the HDHR, especially now that it is being fed WBNG in high def. :)

I only watched a short clip of NCIS last night, as I found the channel halfway through and didn't want to risk FUBARing my Myth box before House. :)

I should have told Myth to re-record some of tonight's reruns...

Time Warner Inc., the world's largest media company, said fourth-quarter profit rose 34 percent.

Can't they afford to throw us a bone?

Continued bad news.
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070202/NEWS01/702020336/1001
The headline says "High-def Super Bowl plan unplugged - Lack of cable deal creates need for special antenna", but the first sentence has "Viewers who want to see the Super Bowl in a new-fashioned way will have to use old-fashioned antennas." So, it seems that Jeff read the comments. :) However, he still didn't mention the need for an ATSC tuner.

While it would be interesting to hear what the true story is regarding the negotiations. I place the blame fully on WBNG.

They are the last local affiliate to go HD (not including the CW network WBNG owns) and it sure seems like they waited until a few days before the Super Bowl to pressure TW into a 'good' deal.

The advertisers need to realize that they are losing the HD audience to the other network affiliates.

As for TW, I sure hope that they start seriously pursing more HD content this year. With DirectTV's plan to reach 150 HD channels by the end of 2007, I might have to make the jump.

Out of curiousity for those with DirectTV and the DirectTV DVRs, can you record HD content off of OTA signals? (Or would I need a Tivo?)

I have Dish Network and Record HD OTA.
I have the 622 so I can't speak for the other receivers.
I went with Dish because they had the most HD channels (about 40) and am glad I did. Some of the channels stink, but overall I get better PQ than cable and overall more bang for the dollar.

Continued bad news.
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070202/NEWS01/702020336/1001
The headline says "High-def Super Bowl plan unplugged..."

I just sent this e-mail to both parties. At least it made me feel better for the moment. I encourage you all to fill up their mailboxes!

A SHAMEFUL PERFORMANCE BY BOTH WBNG/GRANITE and TWC-STNY

I write in absolute outrage over the failure of Time Warner-Southern Tier and WBNG-Granite Broadcasting to have an HD carriage agreement in place on the day WBNG's HD signal went live.

If both of your organizations cared half as much about your HD-deprived and cable-dependent customers as you do about the "bottom line", you would not have used the imminent Super Bowl as a bargaining chip, and would have hammered out an agreement months ago. Your failure to do so says volumes about your priorities.

I have vented to TWC with my e-mails in this vein recently, but this time I have a special "commendation" for Les Vann of Granite Broadcasting, who had the audacity to say (as quoted in the 2/2 Press and Sun-Bulletin): "These agreements are complex and they are difficult to put together in a short time." In a short time, eh? That says all I need to hear about how Granite decided to proceed in the negotiations!

I'm impressed at the abilities of your two organizations to transform a heretofore well-mannered, underatanding, and even empathetic customer into one who is prepared to annoy each of you on a regular basis until you do the right thing.

Yours,

Ron Heyduk
Oneonta, NY

...
Out of curiousity for those with DirectTV and the DirectTV DVRs, can you record HD content off of OTA signals? (Or would I need a Tivo?)I have the HR10-250 DirecTV DVR with TiVo software. DirecTV also has their own DVR, the HR20, which will be needed when our area gets DirecTV HD locals. To record HD OTA all you need is an HD tuner and a recorder capable of recording HD. See the HDTV Recorders section here for more info.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/index.php?

I just sent this e-mail to both parties. At least it made me feel better for the moment. I encourage you all to fill up their mailboxes!

A SHAMEFUL PERFORMANCE BY BOTH WBNG/GRANITE and TWC-STNY

I write in absolute outrage over the failure of Time Warner-Southern Tier and WBNG-Granite Broadcasting to have an HD carriage agreement in place on the day WBNG's HD signal went live.

If both of your organizations cared half as much about your HD-deprived and cable-dependent customers as you do about the "bottom line", you would not have used the imminent Super Bowl as a bargaining chip, and would have hammered out an agreement months ago. Your failure to do so says volumes about your priorities.

I have vented to TWC with my e-mails in this vein recently, but this time I have a special "commendation" for Les Vann of Granite Broadcasting, who had the audacity to say (as quoted in the 2/2 Press and Sun-Bulletin): "These agreements are complex and they are difficult to put together in a short time." In a short time, eh? That says all I need to hear about how Granite decided to proceed in the negotiations!

I'm impressed at the abilities of your two organizations to transform a heretofore well-mannered, underatanding, and even empathetic customer into one who is prepared to annoy each of you on a regular basis until you do the right thing.

Yours,

Ron Heyduk
Oneonta, NY

I got a form e-mail reply from TWC, but Les Vann at least gave me the courtesy of a personal reply:

"Thank you for writing about your concerns about WBNG and Time Warner Cable not having an agreement for the SuperBowl to air in HD on cable. I too share your frustration. Granite Broadcasting purchased WBNG in August. We immediately began the process of completing the expensive technical work required to transmit HD pictures over the air. We immediately notified Time Warner the build out was underway and our goal was to have the work finished by SuperBowl Sunday. That work was finished last Friday. During the time that ensued representatives from both companies worked to get an agreement but we simply were unable to do so. We have had an HD carriage deal in place with Time Warner in Syracuse for several years but have so far been unable to accomplish that in Binghamton. The issues are far more complex than indicated in the newspaper. There are technical, legal, and timing issues that we have been unable to resolve."

In noting that an agreement with TW Syracuse was hammered out, Vann is obviously suggesting it's TWC-STNY's fault. He may be right. But many of us lose anyway.

I call BS on the technical aspects - TWC was rebroadcasting WBNG in HD (unofficially) for a while, they just weren't giving cable box users a proper channel remap.

That said, they have since moved from 116.5 - either they are no longer rebroadcasting BNG in HD at all or have moved channels again.

Edit: 116.5 has been shown as (no data) by my HDHomeRun all evening, and there are no new QAM channels in my last scan that aren't (no data) or (encrypted).

No HD at all for now. :( I may have to make a custom Yagi just for VHF channel 7. :)

This and the fact that Universal HD isn't up yet makes me want to switch to Dish Network, but the weather patterns indemic to this area sort of scare me off of it.