Binghamton / Elmira, NY - HDTV [Text View] - Page 5

jdspencer

10-05-07, 03:13 PM

...
btw, if you have an OTA hooked into a DirecTV HD DVR can you record two OTA signals at once?Yes, there are two ATSC tuners. The OTA input is split internally.

Got D* installed today with the HD DVR. Was flipping through some HD stations, Starz Kids HD had Cars on and it looked absolutely amazing. Went to Discover Theater HD and American Chopper was on, on my TWC HD channel it looked great, on D* the picture is a little soft and fuzzy. What's up with that?Are you sure you were watching the HD version of Discovery HD (Ch 278)? If you look in the guide there are two listed for 278, one is DSCHD and the other is DSC. Also, TWC and DirecTV are probably using difference compression values.

BTW, I just had my HR20 installed yesterday, still trying to get used to the differences between it and the HR10.

juventuz

10-05-07, 03:52 PM

It was Discovery Theater HD, or as they're calling it now HD Theater.

I can't wait to get back home to check out all the other goodies.

jdspencer

10-05-07, 04:06 PM

I've lost track of the renaming, so what ch # is that?
Okay, I was lazy. That's ch 76. Yeah, it does look a little soft.
Currently showing the Jeff Corwin Experience dated 2003.

BTW, I can't do the comparison as I don't have TWC. :)

Rick0725

10-06-07, 09:11 AM

Instant hd gratification through time warner cable is not going to be an an option right now.

-expect a wait stretching well into 2008.

-system bandwidth and equipment upgrades.

jdspencer

10-06-07, 10:06 AM

What Rick said. :)

I probably won't watch too many of the new HD channels that DirecTV added. But, there are more to come. Right now SciFi HD is on top of my list. Stargate: Atlantis looked great last night. The problem I have is that some shows I wouldn't watch in SD I may try in HD. Also, the MLB playoffs are in HD.

See post 991 above for the latest additions. Did I mention that I gave up on TWC about 7 years ago?

awdorrin

10-08-07, 09:45 AM

I'm building a new house and when I moved I was considering installing DirectTV rather than going with Time Warner. I think in the new location I'll be able to pick up all of the local channels over the air.

However, with DirectTV, don't you still need a phone line attached to each box? At the moment my wife and I are 'cell phone only' and did not plan on starting phone service at the new house either.

I suppose there is not a way to connect the receivers to an internet connection rather than a phone line? (Was checking DirectTv's website, but didn't see anything that suggests you could.)

Thanks.

jdspencer

10-08-07, 09:55 AM

DirecTV says you need a phone line but it's really just for ordering PPVs, which can be done online. DirecTV's new DVR doesn't need a line unlike the DirecTV TiVos.

This forum has a lot of DirecTV information.
http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=82

ak3883

10-08-07, 01:12 PM

Got D* installed today with the HD DVR. Was flipping through some HD stations, Starz Kids HD had Cars on and it looked absolutely amazing. Went to Discover Theater HD and American Chopper was on, on my TWC HD channel it looked great, on D* the picture is a little soft and fuzzy. What's up with that?

Welcome to the world of D* and "HD-lite" Do a search on hd-lite, you will find a ton of info. Basically D* compresses their HD channels, that is how they fit so many channels. On larger sets it is noticible and the picture quality suffers greatly.

The wonderful D* commercials don't mention that. Not saying TW(or any cable provider) is the best choice, but cable co's will have fewer HD channels at a better picture quality, and sat companies will have more HD channels at a lesser picture quality.

If D* had all these HD channels in full resolution, then there would be a lot more D* customers among people who are educated about TV/HDTV. It works for them because j6p(joe six pack) just sees that they have more HD channels, and goes with D*.

Indiana627

10-08-07, 03:42 PM

Welcome to the world of D* and "HD-lite" Do a search on hd-lite, you will find a ton of info. Basically D* compresses their HD channels, that is how they fit so many channels. On larger sets it is noticible and the picture quality suffers greatly.

The wonderful D* commercials don't mention that. Not saying TW(or any cable provider) is the best choice, but cable co's will have fewer HD channels at a better picture quality, and sat companies will have more HD channels at a lesser picture quality.

If D* had all these HD channels in full resolution, then there would be a lot more D* customers among people who are educated about TV/HDTV. It works for them because j6p(joe six pack) just sees that they have more HD channels, and goes with D*.
That's not the case anymore. It's true D* older HD channels were/are overcompressed (the ones in the 70s like HD Theatre on 76), but their new HD channels (like Starz Kids HD) coming from their new satellite - which as plenty of bandwidth - are broadcasting at full resolution. And look amazing! The MLB playoffs on TBS HD have been breathtaking. Better than anything cable could do IMHO.

windymountaintop

10-08-07, 08:11 PM

Has anyone had channel 12.1 audio problems?
I have recorded Numbers the last two weeks and about half way through the show voice audio goes away. I still have background audio, music and some other special effect noises. I'm recording it on my Directv HR20 which I have amplified rabit ears hooked to it. I recorded many other shows on channel 40.1, 46.1, 46.2 and never had a problem. It also happened when I recorded the last Criminial Minds, channel 12.1 again, the one where Gideon leaves the show, very annoying.

juventuz

10-09-07, 09:10 AM

I'm not having problems now, but at the end of last season I was having problems watching NCIS and the Amazing Race on channel 12.1. Often times the music would be so loud and the actors voices very low, it was extremely annoying. So far this season NCIS seems to be ok.

brives81

10-09-07, 09:19 AM

I'm pretty new to all of this as well. I live in Horseheads and I have a Panasonic plasma (with ATSC/QAM) and a 19" magnavox LCD (with ATSC/QAM). For the last 6-7 months I've been able to pick up these channels on both TVs:

79.13 (WIVT) - Bing
79.14 (WBGH) - Bing
85.13 (WSKG HD) - Bing
85.14 (WICZ) - Bing
85.15 (WSKG D) - Bing
109.3 (WETM) - Elmira

This has worked great for the past 6-7 months as I said and I'm only using the QAM tuner (I believe) to pick these up on cable. About two weeks ago I noticed that both tv's were no longer picking up any binghamton stations anymore. The only one I get now is WETM from elmira. Can anyone tell my why I would have lost the signal that was working so nicely for so long. I miss it...lol.

jdspencer

10-09-07, 09:31 AM

TWC (?) probably removed them. Call and ask. Do you still have the analog versions? Or they moved them, rescan.

jackets

10-10-07, 11:52 AM

SneezyKevinA

10-10-07, 12:33 PM

I need to chime in here again. I'm fed up with TWC. Last night the channels were pixelating (is that a word?). The audio was dropping out and a few times the picture went black. Some of my friends experienced this as well. We were watching Fox at the time.

I think my wife would shoot me if I switched again!

juventuz

10-10-07, 12:37 PM

With all of D*'s recent additions and my disdain of TWC I've been thoroughly enjoying my switch over. D* added a few new HD channels today...

1. Food Network HD (Channel 231-1)
2. MGM HD (Channel 255)
3. National Geographic HD(Channel 276)
4. CNBC+ HD (Channel 355)

I wish I could completely kick TWC to the curb, but there's no current alternative to RoadRunner.

brives81

10-10-07, 07:09 PM

I'm in Elmira ... WSKG HD and WSKG D at least are still published and receivable via the cable box so I'd be surprised if all of these channels are "gone". I bet the Binghamton stations just got moved. Let's rescan and see what's there.

We had a cable outage for about 5 hours on my street and went out and spoke with one of the techs about my issue. He told me that WETM just doubled their signal strength not too long ago. He guesses that maybe because of that, WETM may be bumping out all the signals I used to get. He has only heard of one other person ask about this in the Elmira/HHDS area. He himself was never able to get the channels I used to get either. BTW I rescan for new channels almost twice a week and haven't been able to get any of the binghamton channels back again. This is independant of the cable box....these other channels were never broadcast by TWC on the box. They were just something I was picking up OTA on my TV.

I guess I'll still search for answers.....:confused:

I just wish WENY(ABC) and WYDC(FOX) would start broadcasting digital and HD OTA

clericbane

10-10-07, 11:48 PM

I just wish WENY(ABC) and WYDC(FOX) would start broadcasting digital and HD OTA

WYDC (FOX) Does broadcast in HD, but TWC has not bothered to make a connection to their transmitter. Got this from a friend who works at WYDC. They broadcast OTA line of sight only from their tower, range about 25 miles, not sure if I can get it with my antenna, gonna play around tomorrow. Should be on channel 50.

jackets

10-11-07, 09:47 AM

This is independant of the cable box....these other channels were never broadcast by TWC on the box. They were just something I was picking up OTA on my TV.Understood ... what I'm saying is that I can either hook the cable up directly to the TV and tune via QAM, or hook the cable up to the cable box and watch it that way. Up until a month or two ago (last time I tried it), I was able to get all the Binghamton stations you listed via QAM in the clear (no CableCard involved). Of them, only WSKG-HD and WSKG-D were listed on the cable box. Even now, WSKG-HD and WSKG-D are listed on the cable box, so they're on the cable somewhere.

I'm confused. I'm wondering whether the Binghamton stations have been scrambled, so they don't show up in the clear any more? Or maybe Switched Digital Video is coming into play, where they only send out channels that have been requested by a cable box ... and nobody has requested the WSKG stations recently? Nobody with a cable box would have been able to request the other Binghamton stations since they don't show up on the cable box.

jackets

10-11-07, 04:11 PM

We had a cable outage for about 5 hours on my street and went out and spoke with one of the techs about my issue. He told me that WETM just doubled their signal strength not too long ago. He guesses that maybe because of that, WETM may be bumping out all the signals I used to get. By the way, I'm not buying his theory that one digital channel is able to "bump out" a bunch of other digital channels. :) Even if it could, it's amazing how it was able to selectively bump out the Binghamton stations and leave everything else alone.

mdavis10

10-12-07, 08:52 AM

raffiafinati

10-12-07, 12:32 PM

WYDC (FOX) Does broadcast in HD, but TWC has not bothered to make a connection to their transmitter. Got this from a friend who works at WYDC. They broadcast OTA line of sight only from their tower, range about 25 miles, not sure if I can get it with my antenna, gonna play around tomorrow. Should be on channel 50.

I find this hard to believe. WYDC can hardly broadcast an analog signal much less HD. I doubt very much that they have the needed funds for this type of venture. I would like very much to hear any verification in regards to this.

yankfanHD

10-12-07, 12:47 PM

jdspencer

10-12-07, 02:45 PM

The speculation is that the rest of the HD locals will be up after the next DirecTV satellite is launched and put into service.

DirecTV may provide you with the national HD stations if you pay for the HD access package. This is because we don't yet have our HD locals.

For OTA go to this site http://www.antennaweb.org for info on what antenna you'll need. Our local stations broadcast on frequencies 4, 7, 8, and 42, so you'll need a VHF UHF antenna. Do you know if your location in Vestal has a clean line of site to Ingraham Hill? In fact in Vestal you might even be able to get a couple of stations from Elmira.

juventuz

10-12-07, 02:53 PM

Hi all -

I live in Vestal, NY and I just canceled Time Warner in favor of DirectTV's great HD content. The problem is that I do not have any local channels. I am currently in the DirectTV waiver process and it doesn't look like any of them are going to be granted.

Does anyone have any idea when DirectTv plans on adding the local channels to the Binghamton market ?

Any suggestions on any good over the air antennas for HD signal?

Thanks ---

If you're in Vestal you should be getting automatic waivers for NBC, CW and PBS. You can get NBC in HD from NYC. Check this site out http://directvdnseligibility.decisionmark.com/app/AddressForm.aspx.

As for the other locals, give them a call. I called WICZ and the engineer there approved my waiver the day he got it, I received FOX earlier this week and just had DirecTV installed last friday. All I need is CBS and ABC to grant approval but I've heard they're difficult to get approval from.

hiperco

10-12-07, 09:41 PM

Rick0725

10-12-07, 11:06 PM

Hi all -

I live in Vestal, NY and I just canceled Time Warner in favor of DirectTV's great HD content. The problem is that I do not have any local channels. I am currently in the DirectTV waiver process and it doesn't look like any of them are going to be granted.

Does anyone have any idea when DirectTv plans on adding the local channels to the Binghamton market ?

Any suggestions on any good over the air antennas for HD signal?

Thanks ---

both of my sisters live in vestal and parents in endicott.

can you see the towers from your home or are the hills blocking view.

The winegard hd7082p with hdp 269 preamp (if you have spitting involved) is a good choice for antenna in the area and installed one at my parents home last year. reception is perfect and even receives ch 20 well. but hills are not an issue at their home.

jdspencer

10-13-07, 08:20 AM

As Rick0725 knows, I have the Winegard hp7084p antenna with that same preamp and it works well. This antenna is the next size larger than the 82p.

I have a Channel Master 3016 that might work if you have a fairly good line of sight to the towers.

yankfanHD

10-17-07, 11:12 AM

Thanks for all the help

I bought a Terk indoor antenna and I am able to receive all the HD content OTA except NBC, which a waiver was granted for.

Next Question:

Are Yankee game broad casted in the Vestal/Binghamton area on DirecTV ?

I checked the DirecTV website and I am a little scared that the YES network and the Yankees didn't show up as an RSN option for my Zip Code.

Any help or ideas are appreciated -- Thanks !

jdspencer

10-17-07, 11:25 AM

I get the YES network along with the three mentioned. I don't know why YES isn't listed.

Check sub note 3 at the bottom of this PDF channel list.
http://www.directv.com/see/pdf/chnllineup.pdf

3 YES Network available as a local regional sports network package in CT, NY, and in parts of NJ and PA as determined by ZIP code. Portions of YES Network programming available in the SPORTS PACK premium package in the remainder of DIRECTV service areas.

yankfanHD

10-17-07, 11:28 AM

Do you have the PREMIER package? because all the Sports RSN's are included in that package, but the games get blacked out unless it is in your RSN.

LukeMT2000

10-17-07, 01:01 PM

Hi all -

I live in Vestal, NY and I just canceled Time Warner in favor of DirectTV's great HD content. The problem is that I do not have any local channels. I am currently in the DirectTV waiver process and it doesn't look like any of them are going to be granted.

Does anyone have any idea when DirectTv plans on adding the local channels to the Binghamton market ?

Any suggestions on any good over the air antennas for HD signal?

Thanks ---

I just kept calling directv untill I finally got some guy that didnt know english to turn on all my network channels...I get ABC NBC CBS and FOX all in HD and WB from NY....

This method has also worked for other people I know(Live in the Elmira Area) ...Not sure how long it will take for someone to review my account and turn them off but untill that happens Im not going to worry about it...I pay $1.50 a month per channel but its well worth it

Might want to give it a try!!!

And why would you want the YES network anyway...All they show is stupid Yankees Games!!!

yankfanHD

10-17-07, 01:43 PM

Thanks for the tip with DirecTV. :)

Unfortunately I love all those stupid Yankee games and hopefully don't have to pay $160 for the MLB Extra Innings package to watch all of them.

LukeMT2000

10-17-07, 01:52 PM

Thanks for the tip with DirecTV. :)

Unfortunately I love all those stupid Yankee games and hopefully don't have to pay $160 for the MLB Extra Innings package to watch all of them.

I do get YES and now YESHD as part of my package...It is RSN so you will have no problem getting it....Wont cost you anything extra

juventuz

10-18-07, 08:55 PM

I just received a replacement HD DVR today from DirecTV, my first one (which I got just two weeks ago) was faulty, and I got everything installed and up and running ok. Now my problem is with the sounds on channels 70-88. All the HD programs are having no sound, or when there is sound it's making a popping or crackling noise. When they show a SD commerical the sound is fine, but once it goes to HD I can't hear a thing it's all messed up.

I'm currently receiving NBCEast HD and FOXEast HD as well as a few OTA HD locals and they're all having the same problem. WBNG OTA was having no issues with the sound, but Survivor wasn't being shown in HD. My other OTA stations showing HD were also showing the same problem, WICZ and WIVT. Any ideas on what it could be? It's effecting local HD and some of the lower tier HD channels.

yankfanHD

10-19-07, 08:32 AM

Indiana627

10-19-07, 08:34 AM

juventuz

10-19-07, 09:35 AM

I went through everything last night, was even on the phone with Tech Support for an hour. Found a thread on dvbtalk.com about it as well and everything that had the same problem as me had to send their DVR in for a new one. It's officially two weeks now that I've been a DirecTV customer and I'm going on my third DVR, couple this with other issues I've had and I'm not pleased with what's been going on. My wife wants me to return it all and go back to TWC. I'm not pissed enough to do that, but I have looked at Dish.

bidger

10-19-07, 09:54 AM

I called WENY a couple weeks ago, and they told me that they planned on broadcasting in HD by the first quarter of next year. But they also claimed that they would have HD ready two years ago for the Super Bowl I believe and here we are still waiting. Don't hold your breath.

I called them just before the SB in 06 and did a couple of follow-up calls and got the same responses, so I take anything and everything WENY says with a grain of salt. Those in the know locally question whether they'll ever be able to go digital, let alone HD. Luckily since they lost MNF, I have no use for them anyway.

As was mentioned, SNY-HD and YES-HD were both added as full-time RSNs by DIRECTV for those in that market, both Elmira and Bingotown as well as the towns between are part of said market, for those with MPEG 4-capable equipment.

pszypko

10-19-07, 01:21 PM

TWC HD Lineup question posed today:
When will the channel lineup for HD stations match that of Albany or Syracuse?
Response from TWC Customer Service:

"Thank you for writing Time Warner Cable. Due to a confluence of contractual and technical issues, we are currently limited in our ability to offer additional HD content. We are looking forward to resolving those concerns in the coming months, which will allow us to offer additional HD content to our customers. Please know that our division of Time Warner Cable continues to dedicate itself to expanding our HD channel offerings. We will continue to negotiate in good faith with the owners the local affiliates, to upgrade our systems in order to expand our channel offerings, and work with the content providers to secure additional broadcast rights.

We hope to have new systems in place by the end of the first quarter of 2008 that will significantly improve our ability to offer HD content. Until the planned upgrades are completed, we will not (to the best of my understanding) be adding any additional HD channels.

If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact our office again. We can be reached by phone at 1-800-955-0750 from 7AM until 11PM daily, or by E-mail at "contact@twcstny.com". If you prefer, please respond with your telephone number along with the best time to call and we will be happy to contact you.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write us and thank you for being our customer."

If patience is a virtue, I'm going to heaven ...

bull77ock

10-22-07, 07:08 AM

brives81

10-22-07, 08:43 AM

Where are you located?

I talked to TWC and they told me I can get my locals in HD if I have an HDTV tuner in my TV. I added a 32 inch Panny LCD for my wife and decided to try it out. I disconnect the normal cable box, plugged directly into the HDTV and did a channel search. It came back with FOX, ABC, NBC and WSKG in HD.
Supposedly this will only cost me $6 per month since they have to offer a bare bones basic package.

My plan is to get Direct TV for both my TVs and leave the cable hooked up for the locals. The only thing I need now is CBS in HD.

If an OTA will not work at my location for CBS, am I eliglble for a waiver?

Thanks

jdspencer

10-22-07, 08:51 AM

Go here to check eligibility for DNS.
http://directvdnseligibility.decisionmark.com/app/addressform.aspx

bull77ock

10-22-07, 09:29 AM

I went to the site and all the HD channels are grade A oe B....does this mean I have a good shot of getting OTA with an antenae? What are my options? One integrated with the dish? Large one on my roof? Can you have one indoors in the attic?

Thanks for your help

awdorrin

10-22-07, 11:19 AM

I'm building a house in Endicott and for sake of curiosity I went to Verizon's website today and put in an address close to where my house is being built to check on availability of FIOS.

To my surprise the availability came back saying that FIOS was available at that address, but that online ordering was not available at this time.

I didn't think Verizon was offering FIOS in our area yet - has anyone heard anything new regarding FIOS availaibility?

hawaii23

10-23-07, 12:38 AM

I talked to TWC and they told me I can get my locals in HD if I have an HDTV tuner in my TV. I added a 32 inch Panny LCD for my wife and decided to try it out. I disconnect the normal cable box, plugged directly into the HDTV and did a channel search. It came back with FOX, ABC, NBC and WSKG in HD.
Supposedly this will only cost me $6 per month since they have to offer a bare bones basic package.

My plan is to get Direct TV for both my TVs and leave the cable hooked up for the locals. The only thing I need now is CBS in HD.

If an OTA will not work at my location for CBS, am I eliglble for a waiver?

Thanks

I also have Directv and have had to get locals along with the internet from TWC for the last 3 years and the price you quote sounds right. However, I do not have an HDTV yet. Glad to hear the programming in HD is also at that price...though I guess by law it has to be....

juventuz

10-23-07, 10:00 AM

I talked to TWC and they told me I can get my locals in HD if I have an HDTV tuner in my TV. I added a 32 inch Panny LCD for my wife and decided to try it out. I disconnect the normal cable box, plugged directly into the HDTV and did a channel search. It came back with FOX, ABC, NBC and WSKG in HD.
Supposedly this will only cost me $6 per month since they have to offer a bare bones basic package.

My plan is to get Direct TV for both my TVs and leave the cable hooked up for the locals. The only thing I need now is CBS in HD.

If an OTA will not work at my location for CBS, am I eliglble for a waiver?

Thanks

Unfortunately you won't be able to dvr the local HD channels through TWC.

bull77ock

10-24-07, 06:55 AM

First, to answer brive81, I live in the town of maine, toward greenwood park. Up on a hill and I can see the airport from my house.

I talked to the Satelitte guy yesterday and we are going to try and put an OTA antenna on the post my original 10 foot dish was on. Keeps it off the house and makes the wife happy. If I can get the OTA HD good enough I plan to dump TWC all togther. My Sat guy says I can buy NBC HD from DTV since we don't have an NBC affiliate in the Binghamton market.

I hear you on the recording of the cable channels. My Sat guy said they took the tuner for OTA off the new receiver and I can't record the locals. I hope eventually they broadcast my locals through DTV.

Thanks Bob

Indiana627

10-24-07, 08:35 AM

I hear you on the recording of the cable channels. My Sat guy said they took the tuner for OTA off the new receiver and I can't record the locals. I hope eventually they broadcast my locals through DTV.

Thanks Bob
I think you a referring to D* new HD DVR, the HR21. This model does not include the OTA input, but they are still offering the HR20 which does include the OTA input so you can record OTA channels. When ordering, just make sure you specify that you need the HR20. The lack of the OTA input is the only major difference between the HR20 and HR21.

jdspencer

10-24-07, 09:17 AM

Not quite true about recording the HD channels using a DirecTV HD DVR. The HR20 model still has the ATSC tuner, it's the HR21 model that doesn't. Just make sure you request the HR20 model if you plan to use OTA.

bull77ock

10-24-07, 10:22 AM

I emailed DTV and they told me to record the OTA signal, the antenna has to be direct to the DVR. Not sure if this works for the HR21 or just the older HR20.

bull77ock

10-24-07, 10:43 AM

DTV emailed me and said the OTA is only on the HR20 and they are available. I called my dealer and he said he called all over and nobody had one....He also said he talked to the corporate guys and they understand the hosed the rural guys. Not sure what they are going to do but he told me to hold tight for a few days....

juventuz

10-24-07, 11:27 AM

My installer installed an HR20 just a couple weeks ago without a problem. I've had problems with it since then, but D* sent me another HR20 (which of course had problems as well). I'm now going on my 3rd HR20.

Which local installer are you dealing with?

bull77ock

10-24-07, 12:23 PM

I am working with Jim Brainard of Reach for the Stars....I have worked with before and had great luck.

bull77ock

10-24-07, 12:37 PM

I called DTV as they asked. I get a girl on there that had no idea and was laughing and put me on hold. She came back on and still had no idea. All I wanted to know was how does my dealer get an HR20. Needless to say, I sent a nasty gram to the email team and told them to please have a supervisor call me.

jdspencer

10-24-07, 01:12 PM

My installer on 10/4 was Hallstead Communuications and they brought an hR20-100 model.

My understanding is that DirecTV is replacing the Hr20-700 with the HR21-700 which lacks the OTA tuner. For customers in our area, we need the HR20 with OTA tuners.

juventuz

10-24-07, 01:16 PM

I am working with Jim Brainard of Reach for the Stars....I have worked with before and had great luck.

That's who I worked with as well. Super nice guy.

I called him on Monday, October 1st and he said he had to order the HR20. Come Friday the 5th and everything was installed. He got the HR20 directly from D*.

Indiana627

10-24-07, 03:34 PM

My understanding is that DirecTV is replacing the Hr20-700 with the HR21-700 which lacks the OTA tuner. For customers in our area, we need the HR20 with OTA tuners.
My understanding is the HR20-700 is not being replaced by the HR21-700. The HR21 is just an additional receiver in D* arsenal.

bull77ock

10-25-07, 09:43 AM

If I buy the receiver direct from DTV does the dealer lose out?

Rick0725

10-25-07, 11:25 AM

the dealer that installs your equipment is compensated by directv for the programming you select (commission) , all equipment, the dish, multiswitch, receiver, and installation. the payout terms are very specific.

this includes reach for the stars, hallstead, and everyone else. there is a directv equipment distributor in syracuse by the way.

bull77ock

10-25-07, 01:38 PM

The Reach for the Stars guy found me an HR20 and getting it shipped in. Will let you know how I make out.

Thanks to everyone for the help....

Indiana627

10-25-07, 03:57 PM

Good luck bull77ock. And welcome to Directv!

steveendicott

10-27-07, 11:07 AM

Have any Binghamton region Time-Warner HD DVR users tried connecting an eSata drive to the box to increase DVR space? The STB supports it but it also depends on whether the feature has been enabled in the box.

toxteth

10-27-07, 01:02 PM

Did anyone else lose WETM (NBC) 79-14 over QAM? Showing Channel Not available on my tv today.

brives81

10-27-07, 05:02 PM

Did anyone else lose WETM (NBC) 79-14 over QAM? Showing Channel Not available on my tv today.

Where are you located? Because I'm in Horseheads and I used to get WBGH (NBC) on 79-14 over QAM about a month ago and I'm no longer able to get any Binghamton channels in the horseheads area. I used to get these channels:

79-13 WIVT (abc)
79-14 WBGH (nbc)
85-13 WICZ (fox)

and now I don't get them anymore. The only explination I've been able to come up with is TWC is a closed circuit system meaning that the actual wires between the Elmira/Horseheads area and the Binghamton area don't really connect. And there used to be a hole in the system where some Binghamton channels would show up over QAM in the elmira area and now they have corrected the "issue". Has anyone else seen anything like this before or know how to get the channels back?

toxteth

10-27-07, 08:37 PM

actually 79-14 magically reappeared this afternoon. i'm in oneonta. but that stinks if TWC is correcting this issue.

jackets

10-29-07, 11:05 AM

I was hoping they would leave the issue "uncorrected" for the Super Bowl.

toxteth

10-31-07, 09:50 AM

Any NBA fans out there? I see that TWC is finally offering sign-ups for NBA league pass. But their website specifically says NOT AVAILABLE IN HD. Can't say that comes as a shock to me.

There is a free preview of this until 11/6 BTW.

jdspencer

10-31-07, 01:13 PM

Without actually calling TWC Binghamton, does anyone know if they offer their DVR with the TiVo interface?

No, I don't plan to signup, but would like to know.

bidger

10-31-07, 01:25 PM

Jim, I'm shocked. As a TCF regular, you should know that Comcast and Cox are the only 2 cable companies licensing TiVo software. Or do you only visit the Happy Hour and DIRECTV forums there? ;)

Woody550

11-02-07, 01:47 PM

jdspencer

11-02-07, 02:46 PM

Jim, I'm shocked. As a TCF regular, you should know that Comcast and Cox are the only 2 cable companies licensing TiVo software. Or do you only visit the Happy Hour and DIRECTV forums there? ;)Yeah, I kinda knew that, but wanted others to know that TWC is still in the 90's. :cool:

Actually, I peruse all of the forums there.

jackets

11-06-07, 01:53 PM

Has anyone else heard that WYDC in Corning has concluded a deal with TWC to provide HD by the end of Nov in the Corning/Elmira area?

I was copied on an email from someone who spoke with TWC management.That would be great (in time for the Super Bowl) but as always I'll believe it when I see it.

jackets

11-06-07, 01:57 PM

[QUOTE=steveendicott;11218503]Received letter in the mail the other day:

HD Channel Changes

Dear ....:

Our records indicate that you are currently a customer of the Time Warner Cable HD Tier. We are constantly striving to improve our service offering - especially for our High Definition customers. We are writing today to inform you of some changes to your HD Tier lineup, effective August 31, 2007.

...

We realize that ESPNHD was a popular channel on the HD Tier and would like to offer you the opportunity to receive the Sports Tier, including College Sports TV and NBA TV, free of charge for one year.

...I had TWC on the phone today and just remembered this ... I asked if I could have the Sports Tier and they said that the offer expired at the end of August.

bidger

11-06-07, 02:20 PM

^ Jackets, you should have told them their slogan is "Cable can" and now they're telling you "Cable can't". ;)

jackets

11-09-07, 09:37 AM

I should have said that the postcard didn't mention an expiration date, or even how I should go about accepting their offer.

At first, the rep said that he didn't know about any such postcard, but then he checked with his supervisor and found out that it expired in August.

ak3883

11-13-07, 01:56 PM

I'm visiting family for 10 days over my Christmas holiday and want to get an HD box so I can watch all the college hoops/bowl games on ESPNHD/ESPN2HD.

How much more is it to get the lowest package w/ TWC to get ESPN/ESPN2HD? Their website sucks(just as bad as Comcast's), I think i've figured out they are both in the standard digital cable tier(recently moved from the HD "premium tier"), and all you would need is that standard digital cable tier and an HD box.

point being if it isn't bad I'll pay for it for that 10 days and return the box when I leave. Parents just have plain standard cable right now, on an HD monitor with component/DVI inputs.

I have a couple questions:
-How much more does that digital cable tier cost?
-Does it include the 1st box?
-Does it cost any more for the box to be an HD one?
-Will they let me go get an HD box myself from the office and install it and just call them to activate it? Really don't want to bother with an install, I know what I'm doing. I can check signal level with my USB external TV QAMtuner box and see if it is strong enough to drive a digital box(should be), and might have to replace a splitter since i know it's very old, but that is an easy fix. Point being I don't want to pay $40 for TWC to do this, especially when I'll be returning the box and downgrading after a month(maybe if it isn't much more I can convince them to keep the HD:))

Thanks!

and no they won't get Directv, haha.

EDIT: After some run-around, apparently STNY doesn't support digital cable promos offered online via 3rd party websites, but i was told that it costs the same or about $1 less a month if I go get an HD box from the office, install it myself and I'll get plain digital cable with it as well. That can't be true, but I'll stop by the office when I come home next week and see if I get that to work and post the results.

shovelhead13746

11-13-07, 05:00 PM

ak3883

11-13-07, 06:32 PM

The hd settop box will just cost the monthly rental fee. The charges are the same for standard or hd boxes. Component video and audio cables will be included. This will also give you real video on demand in standard and hd, interactive guide, music choice, and access to PPV.

Did more research and did find that she was refering the the package with RR and digital cable. Costs about the same with that or standard cable and RR seperatly. Now all that I don't know is if the 1st(and only) cable box rental is included with digital cable or not.

I will say that I like how TW gives you a discount for RR and cable, or at least gives you digital cable for the price of RR/standard cable seperatly.

rmagill

11-14-07, 11:25 AM

When TWC bundles your services they give you Roadrunner Light. It is about half the speed as regular RR. I just changed my 44.95 a month standard RR to Light (24.99) It is a bit slower but I don't mind. Any less that I can pay that horrible company the better!!

ak3883

11-14-07, 04:42 PM

I will ask about RR lite, I'm not interested in saving money on RR since my parents get reimbursed for RR to use it for work. Now if they didn't then it would be worth it.

But if regular digital cable is what about $ 62ish and RR lite is $25, that's only $87, where the package with internet and digital cable is $97, doesn't make sense, unless it includes a box(which the website says only the triple packages with phone as well include the box). I need a price card.

How much does a box(non-DVR) cost per month? I'm guessing about $8?

awdorrin

11-15-07, 05:58 PM

Indiana627

11-16-07, 08:29 AM

I'm curious about this 'RoadRunner Light' you mentioned, I see no reference to it on their website.

Our of curiosity, whats the upload/download rates you get with it?

For reference, Time Warner has a speed test you can use to check download and upload speeds.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/SouthernTierNewYork/Products/Internet/premium.html
I would assume it's the same in Binghamton, but on the WNY TW site, it lists 4 versions of RR:

Road Runner Lite - 768kbps x 128kbps
Road Runner Basic - 1.5Mbps x 256kbps
Road Runner Standard - 10Mbps x 1Mbps
Road Runner Turbo - 15Mbps x 2Mbps

http://www.timewarnercable.com/wny/Products/Internet/RoadRunner/speed.html

Prices are listed at:

Road Runner Lite - $19.95/mo
Road Runner Basic - $29.95/mo
Road Runner Standard w/ Leased Modem - $44.95/mo
Road Runner Standard w/ customer owned modem - $41.95/mo
Road Runner Turbo - $54.95/mo

http://www.timewarnercable.com/wny/products/pricing.html

hiperco

11-16-07, 08:48 AM

I don't think TW Binghamton offers a tiered internet package:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/SouthernTierNewYork/Products/Internet/pricing_requirements.html

awdorrin

11-16-07, 09:25 AM

texasbrit

11-16-07, 03:36 PM

I'm collecting information from various locations that have a digital station on channel 2 VHF. A number of posters have reported that they can't receive any signal on their DirecTV HR20-100 (not the -700, that's OK) on OTA stations transmitting their digital signal on channel 2 (channel 3 seems to be OK). It's not just an antenna issue. If you have an HR20-100 with OTA post back and tell me if you receive WETM OK?

ender868

11-17-07, 12:10 AM

Last I knew Time Warner in the STNY area only has the 5Mbps down, and 384 kbps up.

juventuz

11-18-07, 02:57 AM

I recently switched to DirecTV but have kept TWC's RR and have noticed an increase in speed. Just today I was downloading something at 542kb and I was amazed since it had never happened before.

Bill G

11-19-07, 07:10 AM

JWKessler

11-19-07, 12:15 PM

For those of you out in the boonies - Windsor, Harpursville, Afton area - who are served by Adams cable, check their website! Last night I noticed The Food Network HD, MHD and NFL HD had just joined their HD lineup. The website lists the Discovery HD lineup along with Versus/Golf Channel HD coming December 1st. That makes a total of 25 HD channels (excluding premiums) in their package.

Now if they could just fix WIVT's (Binghamton ABC network HD) breaking up problem I would be a happy camper.

http://www.adamscable.com/digital/channel_lineup.php?selected=High%20Definition&zip=13730&system=450

bidger

11-20-07, 09:13 AM

The last e-mail I got from STNY-TWC is no new HD until mid year 2008.

:rolleyes: Pathetic. Glad I booted them nearly 8 years ago.

jackets

11-20-07, 10:56 AM

[QUOTE=Bill G;12256243Even though WETM is on TWC the signal is terrible. I don't think they are at full power either.[/QUOTE]Do you see lots of brief freezes on WETM with accompanying "grrrk"s in the audio? I get that on WETM but not the other HD channels.

brives81

11-20-07, 11:10 AM

Do you see lots of brief freezes on WETM with accompanying "grrrk"s in the audio? I get that on WETM but not the other HD channels.

Even the WETM OTA signal isn't that great. It is only slightly better than the signal from TWC. They broadcast in 1080i where as the binghamton stations broadcast in 720p. I hope they improve their signal....Sunday night football is terrible to watch.

Bill G

11-20-07, 11:29 AM

Do you see lots of brief freezes on WETM with accompanying "grrrk"s in the audio? I get that on WETM but not the other HD channels.

Yes I see and hear the same. I am hoping that will improve when Wetm goes full power.

I think something good might be going on at WYDC in Corning. No OTA DT signal from them this morning. I get the local feed of WSKG OTA perfect. digital 30-1.

Bill G

bidger

11-20-07, 12:18 PM

Sunday night football is terrible to watch.

Confirm, but I've heard folk from other locations say the same thing.

brives81

11-20-07, 04:54 PM

[QUOTE=Woody550;12098232]Has anyone else heard that WYDC in Corning has concluded a deal with TWC to provide HD by the end of Nov in the Corning/Elmira area?

Would be OK if TWC added Fox HD. Wydc Big Fox is on the air (48-1) with their HD signal. I watched the football games yesterday. I don't think they are at full power though. The signal does not stay locked and I am only 5 miles from the tower.

Even though WETM is on TWC the signal is terrible. I don't think they are at full power either.

The last e-mail I got from STNY-TWC is no new HD until mid year 2008.

BillG

Ok...so I emailed WYDC about WYDC/TWC deal and I got a same day reply from the president. Here are the emails:

My Email:

I was wondering how close, if you've even started at all, you were to signing a deal with Time Warner Cable to start broadcasting your digital/HD signal over the cable? I know your channel is carrying the Super Bowl this year and everyone in the Elmira/Horseheads area have no way to watch FOX in HD. I know you have an Over-the-air signal, but to my knowledge it has a pretty short radius (~5 mi.). I know WBNG and TWC took alot of heat last year for not being able to sign a contract with TWC in time for the Super Bowl. Can you give me a little hint as to when we might be able to see your HD channel in the TWC lineup.

WYDC President Bill Christian's Reply:

thanks for writing us about HD and Time Warner.
You are correct that we are broadcasting over the air.

Our situation is a bit different than WBNG. We have an agreement in place with Time Warner. Our only remaining hurdle is a technical hookup, which involves placing a pole and a trench at our HD tower site and running some fiber optic cable and splicing it in.

I am optimistic that we should be on Time Warner's HD tier before the Superbowl.
Thanks again.
Bill Christian
President

So, we'll have to wait and see if it goes like he says.

Bill G

11-20-07, 05:57 PM

I am optimistic that we should be on Time Warner's HD tier before the Superbowl.
Thanks again.
Bill Christian
President

So, we'll have to wait and see if it goes like he says.[/QUOTE]

I think that is possible. As of right now I beleive their HD channel (48-1) is not broadcasting so I think they are working on the hook ups. I canot get their signal right now and I am 4.5 miles from the tower. The signal meter registers 0.

Bill G

Woody550

11-21-07, 08:10 AM

Thanks for the followup! Glad to hear that something is happening at WYDC. This past Sunday Night Football game on WETM had exceptional breakup [watching over TWC] but I was watching on my new small cheapie Element LCD bought for a small room [not my nicer setup] so I wasn't sure if it was the broadcast or the electronics in the TV. Given how PBS breaks up as well, I'm inclined to believe it is a bit of both.
Maybe someone has an opinion here: I've been too cheap to rent a second HD set top box for the Element and am just running the coax into the back of it and therefore only getting NBC and PBS in HD [this is Elmira]. Fine for the amount of time I watch TV on that set. But I'm going to try the SA HD DVR box temporarily on the cheapie set and see if the artifacts decrease. Anyone tried anything like this already?
BTW, TWC is on double secret probation with me. DirectTV is taking over in Q1 unless we see a decent increase in HD channels by TWC at that time. I'm like a rat from a sinking ship – have you seen the cable co's Q3 subscriber losses?

toxteth

11-21-07, 08:39 AM

have you seen the cable co's Q3 subscriber losses?

I'm curious to know what this number is.

Woody550

11-21-07, 10:17 AM

I have a Google news alert for TWC and scan the hits regularly - but then delete them. Sorry. So, only going on memory of some of the articles, I _think_ it was over 100,000 between TWC [88k? Mostly Dallas and LA?], Comcast, and another cableco. Again I think this was Q2 or Q3 losses only but it might be YTD.

ak3883

11-21-07, 04:59 PM

So I went to the office today and got an HD box, and they old me the box rental was included in the digital cable. So, it costed us NOTHING more to get digital cable and HD. Not too shabby! Lets see if they screw up the bill...

Box is a brand new 4350HDC w/ M-card, not even a month old. Glad I was able to use HDMI. Upon startup the proper channels weren't authorizing, I had all the premiums, sports tier, but no HD other than locals. Too bad I mainly got it for ESPN/ESPN2HD! Called support, they sent a hit to the box, and all was well.

Very impressed with Time Warner over Comcast right now, Comcast would cost about $16 more a month for this same setup. Although you get many more channels, but at least for the crap HD channel offerings here, it's less expensive. Down in Philly with Comcast, plain cable(no HD/digital channels though, just a digital box) costs the same, as does high speed internet. To add non-local HD channels you need to add the 2nd tier of digital cable($12) and HD box($5).

Rick0725

11-22-07, 06:45 AM

Interesting... Currently we have Earthlink High Speed through Time Warner (although I'm thinking of going back to standard Road Runner for the package discounts)

My current speeds per the speed test page I mentioned above are:
Download: 4916 kbps
Upload: 369 kbps

Of course that fits nowhere within the tiered package you posted - haha :)

Only thing thats kept me from dropping earthlink is that I'd be losing my email addresses :(

I had roadrunner since 1998 and switched last December. I am lucky to have FIOS internet availably with
20000 kbps down
5000 kbps up.
$34.95/mo.

The speed test verifies the figures (but for northeast US only) other areas of the country are lower.

Just received a flier for

20000 down and 20000 up

jdspencer

11-25-07, 07:31 PM

My brother just got a QAM enabled LG LCD TV. I didn't think of QAM when I was at his house, but then remembered the QAM discussion here. Anyway, does anyone have a current list of QAM for Binghamton TWC?

Post #850WSKG-DT showing on my computer's HD QAM tuner, at 85-13, along with WSKG-DT2 at 85-15.
...

These are all the open channels I've found:

79-13 - WIVT-DT(ABC)
79-14 - WETM-DT(NBC)-Elmira
85-13 - WSKG-DT(PBS)
85-14 - WICZ-DT(FOX)
85-15 - WSKG-DT2(PBS)
87-112 - The Science Channel
90's - Some Music Choice
116-21 - Nicktoons Network
...

awdorrin

11-26-07, 11:20 AM

I had roadrunner since 1998 and switched last December. I am lucky to have FIOS internet availably with
20000 kbps down
5000 kbps up.
$34.95/mo.

Ok, I'm jealous ;-)

Hopefully Verizon will bring FIOS to Binghamton/Endicott sometime 'soon'

juventuz

11-26-07, 12:32 PM

I've been thinking of switching to Binghamton Wireless for my internet service. They claim they can give me 5000 kbps up and down for $29.99. Has anybody used them before and if so what's your impression.

If I can get the same up/down speed as TWC for cheaper I'd be stupid not to switch.

ak3883

11-26-07, 02:13 PM

My brother just got a QAM enabled LG LCD TV. I didn't think of QAM when I was at his house, but then remembered the QAM discussion here. Anyway, does anyone have a current list of QAM for Binghamton TWC?

Post #850

All that is left open on QAM in the Binghamton area are 5 channels: WIVT-DT(ABC),WICZ-DT(FOX),WBGH-DT(NBC),WSKG-DT(PBS), and WSKG-DT2(PBS,SD). I believe the numbers are still the same, 79 and 85 range.

I think Time Warner might have gotten the NBC affliliate on cable, back this summer they were feeding WETM out of Elmira, since they could pass through network feeds in HD, and WBGH in Binghamton could not. WBGH isn't even a real full power TV station, it's just a Class A broadcast of NBC, they are owned by WIVT, right?

In short, ABC,FOX,NBC,PBS are all availible in HD on unecrypted QAM and can be picked up with any HDTV w/ a QAM tuner, no box needed.

jdspencer

11-26-07, 02:27 PM

Thanks for this info. I'll pass it on to my brother. It's too bad that CBS isn't available.

awdorrin

11-27-07, 03:30 PM

Bill G

11-27-07, 05:30 PM

So its been nearly a year and WBNG and Time Warner have still been unable to reach a deal regarding HD rebroadcast.

Has anyone heard anything new on this? Seems that since WBNG covers such a wide area that this would have happened by now. I really wish the local media or government would take an interest in this and encourage WBNG and TWC to come to terms...

This is a situation that is near and dear to my heart since they refused to agree to a carriage agreement a year ago and we had to watch the super bowl in blurrey vision. They coundn't put aside their petty differences to broadcast the game. The last I knew are still blaming each other for the situation. Time Warner Cable HD offerings in the souther tier of NY is pitiful znd I don't think they plan on doing any thing about that until the second half on 2008.

Bill G

awdorrin

11-28-07, 02:26 PM

Last I heard TWC has been upgrading equipment to support switched-digital-video which will allow for more channels to be provided, including more HD offerings. Unfortunately I've never heard when that work was scheduled to be completed.

I wish we could know the real details beyond whats been published in the papers. While both sides have said the lack of resolution is not over money, what else could it be?

Rick0725

11-28-07, 03:30 PM

Bill G

11-28-07, 04:17 PM

.
I wish we could know the real details beyond whats been published in the papers. While both sides have said the lack of resolution is not over money, what else could it be?

This is an e-mail I got for TWC STNY back in October.

"Greetings:
Thank you for writing Time Warner Cable. Due to a confluence of contractual and technical issues, we are currently limited in our ability to offer additional HD content. We are looking forward to resolving those concerns in the coming months, which will allow us to offer additional HD content to our customers. Please know that our division of Time Warner Cable continues to dedicate itself to expanding our HD channel offerings. We will continue to negotiate in good faith with the owners the local affiliates, to upgrade our systems in order to expand our channel offerings, and work with the content providers to secure additional broadcast rights.
We hope to have new systems in place by the end of the first quarter of 2008 that will significantly improve our ability to offer HD content. Until the planned upgrades are completed, we will not (to the best of my understanding) be adding any additional HD channels.
If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact our office again. We can be reached by phone at 1-800-955-0750 from 7AM until 11PM daily, or by E-mail at "contact@twcstny.com". If you prefer, please respond with your telephone number along with the best time to call and we will be happy to contact you.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to write us and thank you for being our customer.

Sincerely,

James A. Lord

Customer Service"

Bill G

bidger

11-29-07, 05:52 AM

"Please know that our division of Time Warner Cable continues to dedicate itself to expanding our HD channel offerings."

Well, James, what I know is what I see and what I see is both DIRECTV and DISH Network offering abundant HD lineups and TWC, in the words of Borat, "not so much".

I'm just glad I didn't switch over when your rep came calling in the Spring of 2006.

ak3883

11-29-07, 01:06 PM

This is an e-mail I got for TWC STNY back in October.

"Greetings:
Thank you for writing Time Warner Cable. Due to a confluence of contractual and technical issues, we are currently limited in our ability to offer additional HD content. We are looking forward to resolving those concerns in the coming months, which will allow us to offer additional HD content to our customers. Please know that our division of Time Warner Cable continues to dedicate itself to expanding our HD channel offerings. We will continue to negotiate in good faith with the owners the local affiliates, to upgrade our systems in order to expand our channel offerings, and work with the content providers to secure additional broadcast rights.
We hope to have new systems in place by the end of the first quarter of 2008 that will significantly improve our ability to offer HD content. Until the planned upgrades are completed, we will not (to the best of my understanding) be adding any additional HD channels.
If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact our office again. We can be reached by phone at 1-800-955-0750 from 7AM until 11PM daily, or by E-mail at "contact@twcstny.com". If you prefer, please respond with your telephone number along with the best time to call and we will be happy to contact you.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to write us and thank you for being our customer.

Sincerely,

James A. Lord

Customer Service"

Bill G

I definetly read this as they are testing/deploying SDV. Makes sense, the STNY system is 750mhz right? There is a test pattern on ch 116 which according to the charts is right before 750mhz. For 750 systems, SDV makes much more sense than moving channels off analog which makes sense for 870 and 1ghz systems.

awdorrin

11-29-07, 03:04 PM

In regards to WBNG-HD - I doubt adding it to the TWC lineup is part of the 'technical issues' - but part of the 'contractual issues'.

jdspencer

11-29-07, 03:11 PM

IMO, WBNG thinks they are better than anyone else. Afterall, they were the first TV station in the area, then identified as WNBF.

ak3883

11-30-07, 10:21 AM

Article on the TW/NFL Network (http://159.54.229.16/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071130/NEWS01/711300338)dispute in the P&SB today.

I love the comments that fire up with an article like this, everyone just says "Time Warner sucks"(which I agree with in most ways) But it's something you just gotta deal with and suck it up, or go to D*(that would certainly be easier if they offered locals in SD)

jdspencer

11-30-07, 10:31 AM

Time Warner's ways was exactly why I switched excluisively to DirecTV years ago. I had the local tier for awhile to get the locals, but once they started to broadcast digitally, I was able to get them OTA. Goodbye TWC.

The question I have about DirecTV and our locals (either SD or HD) is what locals will we get? We don't have a full power NBC affiliate. The CW is cable only. MyNetwork is also low power, but on a subchannel.

KieliM

11-30-07, 10:35 AM

...or go to D*(that would certainly be easier if they offered locals in SD)

That is what I hope will not happen for quite a while. I switched to D* to get HD networks (I qualified for DNS). I really do not care for locals. If SD locals are made available, I would lose HD DNS.

jdspencer

12-01-07, 02:39 PM

Bill G

12-01-07, 04:12 PM

Update on TWC QAM delivery in Binghamton.

I just got back from my briother's house to review his new LG 32" LCD HDTV.

The following QAM channels are available.
79-13 - WIVT-DT(ABC) - 720p - PQ was good
79-14 - WETM-DT(NBC Elmira) - 1090i - PQ was good but no HD at the time
85-13 - WSKG-DT(PBS) - 1080i - PQ looked good
85-14 - WICZ-DT(FOX) -720p - No HD at the time and was too dark (my OTA was similar)
85-15 - WSKG-DT2(PBS Create) - 480i - looked good

These channels were available on the Corning Cable but dissappeared a few weeks ago, darn it!

No clue when ABC and CBS will be added to TWC in Corning but Fox will be available soon (prior to super bowl)

Bill G

parkerNY

12-03-07, 07:06 AM

So it's now December 2007 and I just wanted to check.. still no SD locals for Binghamton, let alone HD locals, via satellite, right?

jdspencer

12-03-07, 08:10 AM

ak3883

12-03-07, 01:07 PM

Am I reading this article (http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/2007/11/eds_view_-_hdtv_2.php)right?

"In short, the FCC (unanimously) ruled that after the digital transition date (February 17, 2009), cable systems must carry broadcasters' HDTV digital streams"

That would mean that if WBNG-DT isn't on TW by then, it will be in Feb 2009. God I'd like to hope it would be by then.

jdspencer

12-03-07, 01:15 PM

One would hope that TWC /WBNG will come to an agreement much earlier.

ak3883

12-03-07, 05:00 PM

What's unclear in that law is if it means digital as in the digital simucast of the SD/analog feed, or the HD feed. As we know, HD = digital but digital does not neccesarily equal HD.

jackets

12-05-07, 09:12 AM

brives81

12-05-07, 10:32 AM

What if the broadcaster doesn't want to give it to the cable system? Does this force the broadcaster to give it to them?

They would be stupid not to take advantage of it. The more viewers they have, the more money they make and the more advertising they sell.

jackets

12-05-07, 11:04 AM

They would be stupid not to take advantage of it. The more viewers they have, the more money they make and the more advertising they sell.Then WBNG is being stupid now. :p

brives81

12-05-07, 11:29 AM

Then WBNG is being stupid now. :p

Except for the fact that TWC is carrying WBNG's analog signal, so in the Southern Tier(in terms of cable) they are not losing any viewers. We have no other Cable option to watch CBS(WBNG) in digital or HD. If someone wants to watch Sunday NFL on CBS, then we have to watch the analog version of it. When the law takes effect, WBNG would be foolish not to broadcast thier digital/HD signal on TWC.

bidger

12-06-07, 10:16 AM

Hopefully Verizon will bring FIOS to Binghamton/Endicott sometime 'soon'

After speaking with a Verizon rep, in person, not over the phone, I don't hold any great hope of this coming to my area soon, if ever.

toxteth

12-08-07, 06:31 PM

I found that we got the HD Holiday Yule Log last night. It looked awesome, but I can't seem to find it in the guide anywhere today. Anyone able to find this? I believe it was under "HD on Demand". Just when I thought TWC was giving us something cool, they take it away.

edit...it was under "HD showcase on demand" Guess I should have checked everywhere before complaining about TWC...it was just so easy.

byrneij

12-20-07, 07:11 PM

Finally made the move. I just couldn't wait for TWC to add HD channels and the Setanta channel. Installation is on Saturday and my only concern is that i will be disappointed with the HD picture. Suggestions welcome.

jdspencer

12-20-07, 07:22 PM

I doubt you will be disappointed. However, not all HD channels on DirecTV have full HD content. Many are SD upconverts to HD. Still better than regular SD. I assume that you will be getting the Slimline 5LNB dish with at least one DirecTV HD receiver. Are you getting the DVR? If so and you want to try for OTA, then you need the HR20 as the HR21 doesn't have the OTA tuners. If you just got the HDTV then make sure you turn the brightness and contrast settings down. These can exacerbate picture quality.

Indiana627

12-21-07, 08:31 AM

Beginning 12/21 with the Flyers game, Sabres home games broadcast on MSG will be available in HD on channel 627-1 on Directv. This channel showed up in the guide yesterday. I know Binghamton gets at least some of the Sabres game on MSG (my in-laws live there and have TWC). I'll be in town for Christmas so maybe I'll see some of you around! (And I'll be back home in time for Wed 12/26 home against in the Sens in HD! Go Sabres!)

byrneij

12-21-07, 11:30 AM

I have the HD DVR coming along with the HD package. I believe you have to accept the DVR that arrives on the truck and you cannot demand a HR 20? I am eligible for the DNS and have ordered the four major networks out of NY.

Indiana627

12-21-07, 01:05 PM

Byrneij: One piece of important advice, make sure they get your dish aligned good. On the 101 sat you should have most readings in the 90s; same for the 103b sat which is where all the new HD channels come from. AND make sure they install the 2 support bars AND that they tighten them down. Properly aligned this new 5 LNB Slimline dish is great. We got 12" of snow this past Sunday and I didn't have any issues (in the 5+ winters I've had D*, I can count on one hand the number of times I had to clean off my dish - and I live in Buffalo!). Enjoy!

byrneij

12-22-07, 07:29 AM

My order says: 5-LNB Multi-Satellite Dish Kaku-Compatible. Is that slimline?

byrneij

12-23-07, 05:02 PM

wwwTOPDJcom

12-23-07, 07:42 PM

Except for the fact that TWC is carrying WBNG's analog signal, so in the Southern Tier(in terms of cable) they are not losing any viewers. We have no other Cable option to watch CBS(WBNG) in digital or HD. If someone wants to watch Sunday NFL on CBS, then we have to watch the analog version of it. When the law takes effect, WBNG would be foolish not to broadcast thier digital/HD signal on TWC.

they need to get there $hit together, I watch less CBS because of this
you would think CBS would care? I only have one of my HD tv's in the house that has the antenna hooked up so if I really need to get get a CBS HD fix I can :)

Bill G

12-24-07, 07:16 AM

The installers showed up but apparently the technician could not determine if we could receive the signal. Within 72 hours, his supervisor will come out and do a "line and sight" to let us know the options. Anyone have any experience with this?

I beleive you need a clean shot at the South - South West sky elavation between maybe 30 and 50 degrees. This is a guess but I think it is close. I had Directv installed on Wednesday. No issues and no signal loss even in the heavy rain yesterday.

Good Luck

Bill G

Indiana627

12-27-07, 08:44 AM

My order says: 5-LNB Multi-Satellite Dish Kaku-Compatible. Is that slimline?
Yes. (Small chance it could be the older 5 LNB dish called the side car but I highly doubt that. Either one is capable of getting all the new HD channels.)

Rick0725

12-27-07, 08:33 PM

they need to get there $hit together, I watch less CBS because of this
you would think CBS would care? I only have one of my HD tv's in the house that has the antenna hooked up so if I really need to get get a CBS HD fix I can :)

I was home for the holiday and the sd local programming on ch 12.1 looks

TERRIBLE!!!!

Ch 12 definately needs to get something together...it looked worse than $hit to be honest. return the crap they bought from Radio shack and monoprice and buy some decent electronics...whatever.

jdspencer

12-27-07, 08:52 PM

Multipath problems for me now, so I depend on WCBSDT NY for any CBS shows. So I can't remark on WBNG's PQ.

juventuz

12-28-07, 09:30 AM

I was home for the holiday and the sd local programming on ch 12.1 looks

TERRIBLE!!!!

Ch 12 definately needs to get something together...it looked worse than $hit to be honest. return the crap they bought from Radio shack and monoprice and buy some decent electronics...whatever.

Agreed, if the show's not in HD it's not worth watching. It's a shame that WBNG doesn't care about its viewers.

NetworkTV

12-30-07, 10:15 AM

Unfortunately, true! Don't expect Binghamton on DirecTV until after satellite D11 is launched and put into service.

Check this thread.
http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-hd-discussions/110969-d11-launch.html
D11 shouldn't have any affect on when they appear - that's for national content. The spotbeam birds are already in space, and have been for over a year. It's the roll-out process that everyone is waiting on. A dozen or so markets every 6-12 months means it will be a while before Binghamton gets on the system.

jdspencer

12-30-07, 02:28 PM

That link I posted implies otherwise. No real matter for me, I'll just stay with DNS and OTA.

jdspencer

01-03-08, 12:52 PM

ak3883

01-03-08, 12:59 PM

My encounter with a local CC sales guy.
I found myself in the CC here and wondered into the TV section. The sales droid asked to help me, so I asked about the smallest 1080p LCD TV. He shows me a Samsung. Then he made the statement that nothing is broadcast in 1080, so 720p is good enough. I'll give him the benefit of doubt since we had just talked about 1080p, so he's right about that. I said that DirecTV broadcasts 1080i channels. I rattled off a couple channels but he insisted that they were really 720p. I told him he was wrong. He was sure he was right so I said goodbye and turned to leave. As I neared the door I heard him say that 720p is better. Okay, I'll give you that 720p can be better in certain circumstances. Typically with fast motion and with the smaller sized screens.

Later, I wish I had my wits about me, because I would have mentioned our local stations that broadcast in 1080i, (WNBG and WSKG).

Bottom line is that CC droids aren't well trained.

I guess he was getting 1080P and 1080i mixed up. You could have had some real fun with him and made them get a little antenna and plug it into one of the sets on the floor, and tune to digital 7 or 42, and he would have seen the TV show the resolution as 1920x1080i. You can probably pick those up OTA in Vestal on the hill there, since it is so close to the towers. I believe Olums has one just for that purpose, local digital OTA(they might know a little more, but act a lot more vulture-ish when you walk over than CC).

jdspencer

01-03-08, 01:07 PM

If I had a little more time I may have done just that. This guy just set me off wrong and I just left as he plugged his bluetooth in his ear.

jackets

01-03-08, 03:06 PM

The nice checkout girl at Best Buy asked me if I wanted the extended protection plan on an iPod Shuffle, "in case the hard drive crashes" or something. Um, the Shuffle doesn't have a hard drive. I didn't say anything.

bidger

01-03-08, 08:15 PM

Actually, you could hit the Display or Info button on any of the 1080 sets and the in store loop will show that it's a 1080i feed sent via ATSC signal through coax feed. I know this because I'm a CC sales drone. ;)

jdspencer

01-03-08, 08:27 PM

bidger, please find your way to the CC in Vestal and teach them a few things. :)

hiperco

01-04-08, 12:26 PM

You can probably pick those up OTA in Vestal on the hill there, since it is so close to the towers. I believe Olums has one just for that purpose, local digital OTA(they might know a little more, but act a lot more vulture-ish when you walk over than CC).

I'll never forgive Olums for being quoted in the Press saying that over the air HDTV reception REQUIRES a "HIGH DEFINITION ANTENNA" :mad:

jdspencer

01-04-08, 12:49 PM

Yeah, that was over the top. Just shows that whoever said that didn't necessarily work in the TV department. Must have been a manager. :)

jackets

01-08-08, 11:41 AM

So, the Super Bowl is less than a month away ... has anyone heard anything on whether WYDC has dug that trench yet?

jdspencer

01-08-08, 12:50 PM

Maybe with the current warm weather they'll get that line run. I assume to TWC?

brives81

01-08-08, 01:12 PM

So, the Super Bowl is less than a month away ... has anyone heard anything on whether WYDC has dug that trench yet?

I just emailed the president of WYDC yesterday with that very same question. Still waiting to hear back. I will give an update if I hear anything.

Bill G

01-08-08, 05:19 PM

So, the Super Bowl is less than a month away ... has anyone heard anything on whether WYDC has dug that trench yet?

I e-mailed them 3 weeks ago hoping they would have their HD feed ready for the college games as well as the playoffs and got no response. I also stopped at their office on Market St in Corning and they would not give any estimated date when their HD feed would be ready. They did have a low power HD feed but that has been gone for over 6 weeks. The last I heard was from TWC that WYDC would "TRY" to have it ready by the Super Bowl. They do have a carriage agreement in place so there will be no hold up along those lines like with the WBNG fiasco.
Bill G

toxteth

01-17-08, 08:44 AM

any progress with the SDV rollout w/ TWC? last email I have from them stated 1st quarter 08.

shovelhead13746

01-17-08, 04:20 PM

any progress with the SDV rollout w/ TWC? last email I have from them stated 1st quarter 08.

FYI

01/15/2008

"""Last night -- after several months of some limited testing -- we finally launched SDV commercially for our customers who are served from the Davis Road and Burdick Street hubs in Syracuse -- representing nearly 53,000 digital terminals. As of mid-day today (Tuesday), things seem to be working great. We don't see any issues at this time.

The following 31 channels -- mostly sports packages, plus a couple of shopping channels (the "Auction" network at 185 and Gems TV at 187) are now being provided to customers served off these hubs on a switched basis, which means that we don't send the programming over our network until a customer turns to that channel. Even though the programming is switched, it is instantaneous and transparent to the customer... nothing should appear any different.

Tonight (Tuesday) -- we'll be launching these same channels in SDV format for customers served off the Rome, Ithaca and Watertown hubs. On Wednesday night, we'll do the same thing for the Liverpool, Potsdam, Oswego and Mapleview hubs... and, through next week and until we're complete perhaps the following week, we will have switched these 31 channels in ALL of the legacy Syracuse division hubsites. (We'll be launching SDV in front of legacy Binghamton customers later in the year.

This is critical, especially as the demand from customers for more HD content continues to grow. By switching more and more of our channels, we open up bandwidth which allows us to target and increase the channels that we're able to provide individual customers."""

bidger

01-18-08, 07:17 AM

We'll be launching SDV in front of legacy Binghamton customers later in the year.

So, Q2 08?

ak3883

01-18-08, 01:03 PM

shovelhead13746

01-18-08, 04:46 PM

Where did you read that? Great news that they are finally turning the SDV on, but sucks that Southern Tier won't see it till later on. Knowing TW, they probably haven't even started on getting more HD channels, and won't till after SDV is on, so that means maybe end of year that Binghamton sees more HD channels. :rolleyes:

lets just say its inside information ;) here is a bit more:
" The complexity of this process is unparalleled by anything we’ve done here before. We are currently working in the Headends and Hubs of the Binghamton areas for the launch of SDV there. We now have Binghamton ready and are planning to go live with customers there in February and March. This will complete the initial deployment of SDV for Central New York. And with this completion we will be aggressively adding additional content. We will now have the ability to launch a significant amount of HD content as we go forward. It demonstrates our focus on innovation to assure our future success. We'll make our customers happy and be able to effectively combat our competition which has -- at least for now -- been able to claim HD superiority.
Again, we're confident that the engineering and technology behind this is state-of-the-art -- we let a few other divisions go first, to iron out any kinks in the process -- so we don't expect to see any problems."

ak3883

01-20-08, 01:19 PM

lets just say its inside information ;) here is a bit more:
" The complexity of this process is unparalleled by anything we’ve done here before. We are currently working in the Headends and Hubs of the Binghamton areas for the launch of SDV there. We now have Binghamton ready and are planning to go live with customers there in February and March. This will complete the initial deployment of SDV for Central New York. And with this completion we will be aggressively adding additional content. We will now have the ability to launch a significant amount of HD content as we go forward. It demonstrates our focus on innovation to assure our future success. We'll make our customers happy and be able to effectively combat our competition which has -- at least for now -- been able to claim HD superiority.
Again, we're confident that the engineering and technology behind this is state-of-the-art -- we let a few other divisions go first, to iron out any kinks in the process -- so we don't expect to see any problems."

Great news, thanks a lot for the info. Perhaps if/when I move back to the area when I want to settle, TWC will have more HD channels and WBNG-DT on cable. Although i'll be sure there is a spot for a dish to go up:)

SneezyKevinA

01-20-08, 09:27 PM

lets just say its inside information ;) here is a bit more:
" The complexity of this process is unparalleled by anything we’ve done here before. We are currently working in the Headends and Hubs of the Binghamton areas for the launch of SDV there. We now have Binghamton ready and are planning to go live with customers there in February and March. This will complete the initial deployment of SDV for Central New York. And with this completion we will be aggressively adding additional content. We will now have the ability to launch a significant amount of HD content as we go forward. It demonstrates our focus on innovation to assure our future success. We'll make our customers happy and be able to effectively combat our competition which has -- at least for now -- been able to claim HD superiority.
Again, we're confident that the engineering and technology behind this is state-of-the-art -- we let a few other divisions go first, to iron out any kinks in the process -- so we don't expect to see any problems."

Greaaaaaaaaaaaaat. Will it help with my HD cut out? Will it helo with my crappy TWC picture?

I'm going to DTV. I can't take the TWC crap any longer. I have 2 drops from the pole to my house and my house has been rewired.

I consider myself lucky that I can't get anything OTA so I qualify for distant networks.

I want my HD

01-25-08, 02:52 PM

HI,
We have been working diligently to try and make that happen.
We are currently broadcasting over the air in HD, but I am not sure that you would get it where you live.

I think that we will be at least testing it through the TW system next week!

Bill Christian
WYDC/WJKP/WBGT
607.937.5000

To: bchristian@wbgttv.com
Sent: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:33:08 -0500
Subject: Superbowl HD

I was wondering if there was any possibility of you having an HD
signal on Time Warner by superbowl time? Also if not do you broadcast
an over the air HD Signal that reaches the elmira area.

Thank you

Could be good News!!

jackets

01-25-08, 04:10 PM

Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Bill G

01-25-08, 04:28 PM

Must be a very low power signal. I live 4 mile from the tower and I can't get the signal. I will try again tomorrow to go out and re-aim the antenna.

Bill G

Bill G

01-26-08, 07:48 PM

I have my antenna aimed at the WYDC tower and there is no HD signal coming from it. The same tower also has the local PBS feed and that signal is 98. I have a long range 8 bay UHF antenna that pulls in chanell 12 Binghamton which is 75 miles away so if there was a signal from WYDC I am sure I would get it. Of course it could be so low power it only goes 1 mile.

What ever, I am sure if they can it will be on TWC by next Sunday. They are working really hard to make that happen.

Bill G

jdspencer

01-26-08, 08:01 PM

What digital frequency is WYDC using?

SneezyKevinA

01-26-08, 09:39 PM

Bill G

01-27-08, 06:34 AM

What digital frequency is WYDC using?

Frequence is 50 and channel is 48-1.

Bill G

juventuz

01-28-08, 09:29 AM

TWC can not give me a reliable signal on any channel. I have had enough of the excuses. I'm going to DirecTV.

As a former TWC Binghamton subscriber, trust me... you won't regret it.

Although.. has anyone else noticed that OTA signals from WICZ and WBNG have been a bit static lately? I haven't touched my antenna at all and now I'm getting a lot of pixelation when trying to watch the two channels. Thankfully I have FOX from NYC as well so I don't have to worry about it, but I can't get CBS from NYC and it's been giving me the most problems.

brives81

01-28-08, 05:00 PM

Excellent news....ran a scan for channels today at 4:45pm and picked up WYDC-DT with my QAM tuner on channel 109.1. Can't yet find a channel for it on TW's box, but the other way works for me. Looks like we might just get the Super Bowl in HD after all.

Bill G

01-28-08, 07:08 PM

brives81

01-28-08, 07:42 PM

What is a QAM tuner? The signal is not on digital channel 48-1.

Bill G

Some TV's are equipped with a QAM tuner as well as NTSC/ATSC. I have a Panny 42" plasma and a Magnavox 19" LCD and both have NTSC/ATSC/QAM. ATSC is used to pick up OTA with an antenna. Some cable companies send unencrypted digital channels (especially local channels) and these can be read by a QAM tuner. Other digital channels are encrypted by the cable companies (TW) and you need a settop box to decrypt them. Notice: I don't get ESPNHD, TNTHD, or any others like that with the QAM tuner because these are encrypted by TW. I have the SA8300HD for all that. I live in Horseheads and I can get WETM-DT on channel 109-3 and now WYDC-DT on 109-1. I can also get WSKG and CREATE on 85-13 and 85-15. About six months ago before TW fixed things I was also able to get FOX40 and WBGH and WIVT out of Binghamton on my QAM tuner. That has since changed and I'm now excited that WYDC will hopefully be broadcasting HD in time for the SB.

The advantage in my opinion to watching those channels on my QAM tuner instead of through the box is that I feel the quality is better. The signal is being processed by my TV's processor and not through the box.

For a better definition of QAM, read this...

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

brives81

01-28-08, 07:46 PM

What is a QAM tuner? The signal is not on digital channel 48-1.

Bill G

Forgot to add one thing. If you haven't ever been able to get WYDC's signal OTA with ATSC on 48-1, then you probably never will. You are probably out of their range and unless they increase the power in their signal, then you are stuck waiting until TW puts it in their lineup (which sounds like it will happen soon).

hiperco

01-28-08, 11:20 PM

Although.. has anyone else noticed that OTA signals from WICZ and WBNG have been a bit static lately? I haven't touched my antenna at all and now I'm getting a lot of pixelation when trying to watch the two channels. Thankfully I have FOX from NYC as well so I don't have to worry about it, but I can't get CBS from NYC and it's been giving me the most problems.

WBNG got flakey on me over the last week or 2. Seems better at the moment however. Unscientifically, I could possibly correlate it to cold temperatures...

Bill G

01-29-08, 06:33 AM

brives81

01-29-08, 08:41 AM

[QUOTE=brives81;12961186]Forgot to add one thing. If you haven't ever been able to get WYDC's signal OTA with ATSC on 48-1, then you probably never will. QUOTE]

I live 4.3 miles from the tower and I was getting their signal until November when they started their upgrade project. The signal is not on 48-1. What is a QAM tuner? Is it a cable tuner?

Bill G

Yes QAM is a cable tuner. Some TV's have it, some don't. I have made sure that all TVs that I have bought include a QAM tuner because I don't want to put an antenna up on my house, and I seem to get the same channels with QAM that I would with ATSC and an antenna. When I do a scan, I keep the input on Cable (not antenna) and it comes up with some unencrypted digital channels. Like I said, I get WETM-DT on 109-3 (not 18-1) and now I get WYDC-DT on 109-1 (not 48-1). I'm not sure why you can't get their OTA signal anymore.

Read this for more info...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner

Bill G

01-29-08, 09:04 AM

[QUOTE=Bill G;12964875]

Yes QAM is a cable tuner. Some TV's have it, some don't. Like I said, I get WETM-DT on 109-3 (not 18-1) and now I get WYDC-DT on 109-1 (not 48-1). I'm not sure why you can't get their OTA signal anymore.

Yup, Yup. On TWC in the Corning area I get WETM-DT on 109-1 and WYDC-DT on 109-2.

Bill G

brives81

01-29-08, 09:17 AM

[QUOTE=brives81;12965403]

Yup, Yup. On TWC in the Corning area I get WETM-DT on 109-1 and WYDC-DT on 109-2.

Bill G

I'm glad you got that cleared up. I did notice last night during primetime that WYDC was only broadcasting in 480i on this new channel and none of their shows were in HD. I hope they are just testing and will switch to HD later this week. I guess we'll just have to wait and see

Bill G

01-29-08, 06:36 PM

[QUOTE=Bill G;12965556]

I'm glad you got that cleared up.

Thanks for your help.

WYDC-DT is now on TWC channel 702.

Bill G

brives81

01-29-08, 09:21 PM

[QUOTE=brives81;12965652]

Thanks for your help.

WYDC-DT is now on TWC channel 702.

Bill G

Yes WYDC is now on TWC channel 702, but I'll be more impressed when they start carrying HD content. Tonight's 'House' was upconverted standard def. my TV QAM tuner shows WYDC-DT still coming across as 480i....and as we all know, that's NOT HD.

jackets

01-30-08, 01:03 PM

I tried watching a bit of American Idol on WYDC-DT last night but I was only getting the left channel of audio. Were the rest of you getting that too?

brives81

01-30-08, 01:20 PM

I tried watching a bit of American Idol on WYDC-DT last night but I was only getting the left channel of audio. Were the rest of you getting that too?

I wasn't home last night in time for American Idol, but I will check it out tonight. I hope they work everything out by the end of the week.

ak3883

01-30-08, 02:08 PM

I found this article (http://www.tvpredictions.com/localsuper013008.htm), great news for you guys in Elmira/Corning

Basically says that WYDC just launched their digital signal which is HD capable. So they definatly PLAN on having the HD up for Sunday, hopefully they can do it w/o major hiccups.

Bill G

01-30-08, 08:03 PM

Very Interesting. American Idol WYDC-DT TWC channel (QAM) 109-2 is 720P and Channel 702 on TWC HD tier is 1080i and it looks streched.

Bill

brives81

01-30-08, 08:04 PM

Well it looks like they finally got it right. WYDC broadcasting in 720p on TWC channel 702. Picture looks awesome, so it looks like we are all set for Sunday. It's about time.

bidger

01-31-08, 09:49 AM

Glad for you Cable Guys. I left TWC 10 years ago over the NFL. Wasn't entirely their fault, but twice during the 97 Season Bills' games were given precedence by WETM when the Giants were hosting AFC teams. I knew I could get every NFL game with DIRECTV, so that's what I did.

I qualify for distants for CBS and FOX out of NYC, so I'm guaranteed my Giants' games. Truth be told, I don't want locals because they just don't do as good a job as the metros. If you're impressed by WETM-HD, then you haven't seen how good an HD broadcast can be.

Anyway, enjoy the game in HD and GO GIANTS!!! ;)

wwwTOPDJcom

02-03-08, 01:47 PM

well it looks like we get the superbowl in HD on 702 TWC looks like Wicz and Fox came thru. I think 12 carried it last year and we needed to watch it via antenna

KML-224

02-03-08, 02:37 PM

How is reception of WETM-DT (NBC) in Binghamton? NBC will be carrying Super Bowl XLIII next year.

wwwTOPDJcom

02-03-08, 07:43 PM

WBNG looks like youtube thats how bad the picture is, I tried both the antenna and TWC, when they broadcast non HD material it always looks like
its BLURRY

brives81

02-04-08, 08:46 AM

How is reception of WETM-DT (NBC) in Binghamton? NBC will be carrying Super Bowl XLIII next year.

You won't have to worry about WETM in Binghamton....they only broadcast in the Elmira area. WBGH (NBC) is out of Binghamton and they have a nice HD channel. WETM only goes as far east as Waverly, NY I believe. At this time WETM is not at full power, so their picture is terrible at the moment for sporting events. It comes across at 1080i and it's very broken up. I'm sure by next Superbowl, they will be all set

juventuz

02-04-08, 09:14 AM

I don't believe WBGH broadcasts OTA though. I was granted an automatic waiver for NBC through DirecTV.

jackets

02-04-08, 09:30 AM

The Super Bowl looked real good in HD on WYDC last night. The only wrinkle was during local commercials, which were severely stretched and the sound came blasting out of the left channel only.

jdspencer

02-04-08, 09:55 AM

WBGH does broadcast OTA, it's a low power station.
So I doubt it has HD. I believe TWC here is really passing NBC HD from somewhere.

Fox40 here did a good job with the Super Bowl.

brives81

02-04-08, 10:53 AM

The Super Bowl looked real good in HD on WYDC last night. The only wrinkle was during local commercials, which were severely stretched and the sound came blasting out of the left channel only.

I don't think that was a wrinkle. I think it was intentional that the commercials are upconverted standard def. I've been watching WYDC all week and that's how all of the SD content has been coming across. Here is an email that I got from one of the employees at WYDC.

"Bill Christian said that we are upconverting syndicated and local content currently, and passing the true HD for most of FOX Network programming, including sports. I do know that as far as syndicated programming goes, it is a matter of each company providing an HD feed of their content so that we can record and feed it out in HD. I’m sure that will happen on an individual basis."

ak3883

02-04-08, 12:58 PM

TWC used to pass WETM-DT for NBC HD,(you used to be able to watch Elmira 11PM news), however over the holidays I saw WBGH logos on ch 700(used to see WETM call signs), so they must have gotten NBC network HD going through WBGH's digital signal on TWC.

Last I knew, WBGH was being broadcast as a subchannel of WIVT, on digital 4. They don't have HD OTA. As you can see here (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=CA1059303.html), their analog OTA barely reaches to Rt 26 in Vestal and only goes a couple miles.

As of now, OTA only customers who can't get WETM-DT are screwed for the 2009 Super Bowl on NBC.

bidger

02-04-08, 12:58 PM

GO GIANTS!!! ;)

:D Yeah babeee!

Indiana627

02-04-08, 01:21 PM

I don't think that was a wrinkle. I think it was intentional that the commercials are upconverted standard def. I've been watching WYDC all week and that's how all of the SD content has been coming across.
Pretty much all (I'd say about 85-90%) of the national commercials in the super bowl were HD, so WYDC must have done something not right for them to not be shown in HD.

bidger

02-04-08, 01:54 PM

At this time WETM is not at full power, so their picture is terrible at the moment for sporting events. It comes across at 1080i and it's very broken up. I'm sure by next Superbowl, they will be all set

I would hope they would do something prior to the start of the 2008 NFL Season. Their NFL HD broadcasts are the worst.

brives81

02-04-08, 01:59 PM

Pretty much all (I'd say about 85-90%) of the national commercials in the super bowl were HD, so WYDC must have done something not right for them to not be shown in HD.

You missed the point. I watched the whole superbowl on WYDC and ALL national commercials were shown in HD. It was only the local ones for the williams auto group and things like that, that were shown in upconverted stretched standard def. Basically what the email from WYDC was saying is that if they are given an HD feed of a particular commercial or show, then they will broadcast it. Otherwise, they will upconvert the standard def signal. And that only makes sense. They can't create something out of nothing.

brives81

02-04-08, 02:02 PM

I would hope they would do something prior to the start of the 2008 NFL Season. Their NFL HD broadcasts are the worst.

I would have to agree with you on that. I hope they do something about it soon as well. They should switch to full power 720p like everyone else and that would do it.

Indiana627

02-04-08, 02:35 PM

You missed the point. I watched the whole superbowl on WYDC and ALL national commercials were shown in HD. It was only the local ones for the williams auto group and things like that, that were shown in upconverted stretched standard def. Basically what the email from WYDC was saying is that if they are given an HD feed of a particular commercial or show, then they will broadcast it. Otherwise, they will upconvert the standard def signal. And that only makes sense. They can't create something out of nothing.
Sorry, I missed the word "local" in the quote you were replying to. My mistake.

Woody550

02-04-08, 03:17 PM

Watched the SB at friends in Woodland Park, near Corning on WYDC. Several occurances of frozen screen for several seconds at a time. Did you see this Bill G or others?

On another topic, TWC has me [and most others!] ticked off as I've noted before, and I'm thinking about switching to satellite. However their supposed bitrate is higher than satellite. Any updates on when SDV will come to Binghamton TWC? [I assume Elmira will get it from the Bingo hub at the same time?]. If it is 1) definitely happening this year and 2) a fair # of HD channels are ponied up, I may just suck it up and deal with TWC in order to get a better display vs satellite. See this blog for the skinny. The table is very interesting.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=962

Woody

Indiana627

02-04-08, 03:49 PM

You realize the data in that blog is over 1.5 years old right? I have D* HD and can tell you that all their new MPEG4 HD channels launched since Sept 2007 look just as good as OTA (which I also have). Yes, D* older MPEG2 HD channels are over compressed and are noticeably worse looking than MPEG4, but they are beginning the process of getting rid of MPEG2 and converting those 10 channels to MPEG4. I don't have E* so I can't comment.

bidger

02-07-08, 10:07 AM

For those Elmira/Corning TWC subs who have their cable boxes connected to an A/V receiver with an optical cable, is WYDC doing DD5.1 for FOX-HD broadcasts?

toxteth

02-07-08, 11:23 AM

did you guys see this article?

http://www.tvpredictions.com/twhd020708.htm

it's a shame Binghamton is so far behind with this.

bidger

02-07-08, 11:49 AM

Cable has some advantages over satellite, but that's one of the advantages satellite has over cable; as a satellite sub, I can get all the national HD they can offer, as long as I'm willing to sub and have the equipment, it's just the RSNs offered and whether they serve locals in my area that makes the difference. With Cable, you can see differing channel lineups in areas served by the same provider.

kaw

02-14-08, 03:44 PM

I'm thinking of finally switching to DirecTV, but I'm hearing a lot about waivers and I guess I don't understand the process. I don't care if the channel is local or not, however, I do want HD network channels. If you get DirecTV do you get any network channels (NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS) from other markets, or do you have to try and obtain waivers no matter what?

jdspencer

02-14-08, 04:24 PM

Go here and enter your address to see if you are eligible for the Distant Network Service.
http://directvdnseligibility.decisionmark.com/app/addressform.aspx

It doesn't really take into consideration terrain for reception. If it shows "eligible", then there is a blanket waiver in place. You can still request a waiver for any network you're not eligible for.

You might be able to get OTA HD.

I do have all networks in HD. CBS was a hassle.

bidger

02-15-08, 09:46 AM

I've found that just because it says you're eligible on that web page, Jim, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll be granted those networks by a DIRECTV rep.

jdspencer

02-15-08, 10:20 AM

I guess you need to keep calling until you get a CSR that will understand what that eligibility p ge means. Otherwise, why even have it?

If the CSR still denies access, then request a waiver. Send emails with screen shots showing your eligibility.

You have to pester them into submission. :)

raffiafinati

02-15-08, 02:56 PM

brives81

02-15-08, 06:05 PM

Is anyone still receiving WYDC-DT (QAM 109.2) and WETM-DT (QAM 109-1) in the Elmira Corning Area?. These are now blacked out to me but they were fine a couple of weeks ago. The signal is fine through the cable box but I prefer to watch using the Qam tuner whenever possible.

I live in Horsheads....and noticed the same thing. I re-scanned and found them again on 79.1 and 79.3. That is the whole idea behind QAM....the channels are set up by the cable company (TWC) and they have the right to move or change channels without notice. A good summary/definition is found here..

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

If it ever happens again....just re-scan.

awdorrin

02-21-08, 02:12 PM

Anyone have an update/news on Time Warner's pending switch to SDV for the southern tier region?

bidger

02-22-08, 02:52 AM

For those Elmira/Corning TWC subs who have their cable boxes connected to an A/V receiver with an optical cable, is WYDC doing DD5.1 for FOX-HD broadcasts?

So, no one has their cable box/DVR hooked up for DD5.1 in this area?

raffiafinati

02-22-08, 11:23 AM

So, no one has their cable box/DVR hooked up for DD5.1 in this area?

Yes. WYDC is doing an excellent dolby digital 5.1 broadcast.

bakntime

02-24-08, 01:04 AM

Anyone have an update/news on Time Warner's pending switch to SDV for the southern tier region?Ditto to that... I'm really curious as to if/when this is ever going to happen. I'm basically waiting on that word to decide if I switch to satellite. The HD lineup here is absolutely dreadful.

bidger

02-24-08, 07:02 AM

Yes. WYDC is doing an excellent dolby digital 5.1 broadcast.

Gracias.

I want my HD

02-25-08, 02:39 PM

Ditto to that... I'm really curious as to if/when this is ever going to happen. I'm basically waiting on that word to decide if I switch to satellite. The HD lineup here is absolutely dreadful.

me too!!

Guillon

02-26-08, 12:34 PM

Anyone have an update/news on Time Warner's pending switch to SDV for the southern tier region?

I just sent an email to the person at Time Warner who responded when I questioned them about additional HD channels last fall. Here is his response:

Greetings:

Thank you for writing back. Please know that our division of Time Warner Cable continues to dedicate itself to expanding our HD channel offerings. We are hard at work adding new equipment and systems during early 2008. These upgrades will significantly improve our ability to offer HD content by moving to a system called Switched Digital Video. Parts of our division are already using this technology, and we expect additional areas to become operational within the coming weeks. As for what channels or how many channels we will be adding after those updates are complete, we have no information on that at this time. However, we do plan on making substantial increases to the number of HD channels we offer in the near future.

If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact our office again. We can be reached by phone at 1-800-955-0750 from 7AM until 11PM daily, or by E-mail at "contact@twcstny.com". If you prefer, please respond with your telephone number along with the best time to call and we will be happy to contact you.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write us and thank you for being our customer.

brives81

02-26-08, 01:30 PM

I just sent an email to the person at Time Warner who responded when I questioned them about additional HD channels last fall. Here is his response:

Greetings:

Thank you for writing back. Please know that our division of Time Warner Cable continues to dedicate itself to expanding our HD channel offerings. We are hard at work adding new equipment and systems during early 2008. These upgrades will significantly improve our ability to offer HD content by moving to a system called Switched Digital Video. Parts of our division are already using this technology, and we expect additional areas to become operational within the coming weeks. As for what channels or how many channels we will be adding after those updates are complete, we have no information on that at this time. However, we do plan on making substantial increases to the number of HD channels we offer in the near future.

If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact our office again. We can be reached by phone at 1-800-955-0750 from 7AM until 11PM daily, or by E-mail at "contact@twcstny.com". If you prefer, please respond with your telephone number along with the best time to call and we will be happy to contact you.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write us and thank you for being our customer.

So...it really doesn't say anything that all of us didn't already know. We all knew other locations went live with SDV and it never really gives any hard dates for anything. Not a very useful response I would say from TWC.

awdorrin

02-27-08, 12:35 PM

So...it really doesn't say anything that all of us didn't already know. We all knew other locations went live with SDV and it never really gives any hard dates for anything. Not a very useful response I would say from TWC.

Someone posted a few weeks ago about the SDV roll-out and indicated it would be happening sometime in the Feb/March time-frame for the STNY region of TWC.

Just went back and checked - it was longer ago than I thought. Post was by shovelhead13746 in mid-January. Maybe he/she has some more 'inside information' they could spill? :-)

BTW, I got the same form letter today in response to an email I sent to TWC-STNY.

toxteth

02-29-08, 05:54 PM

just recieved the rate increase letter from TWC today. i think with hd/dvr/premium channels, i'm going to see a $20 increase in my bill, with no additional services.

BYE BYE TWC.

supergrass

02-29-08, 11:40 PM

Binghamton paper has a story on the rate increases that also mentions Time Warner and WBNG are close to a deal for WBNG's HD feed and hope to have something to announce within 30 days.

shovelhead13746

03-01-08, 09:55 AM

Someone posted a few weeks ago about the SDV roll-out and indicated it would be happening sometime in the Feb/March time-frame for the STNY region of TWC.

Just went back and checked - it was longer ago than I thought. Post was by shovelhead13746 in mid-January. Maybe he/she has some more 'inside information' they could spill? :-)

BTW, I got the same form letter today in response to an email I sent to TWC-STNY.

SDV is in partial opperation now in the Binghamton area. It is so seamless that you wont notice any difference selecting channels. There should be 2 more national HD channels added within the next 30 to 45 days or sooner. Then expect to see them roll out in groups of 6 at a time shortly after :)

bidger

03-01-08, 01:32 PM

just recieved the rate increase letter from TWC today. i think with hd/dvr/premium channels, i'm going to see a $20 increase in my bill, with no additional services.

BYE BYE TWC.

I'm by no means a TWC fan, been without it for over 8 years now, but all I can say is good luck finding a provider that doesn't raise rates on an annual basis. I can understand your point about no added services, but if/when they do add the services, don't be unrealistic and expect they'll come without a premium attached. Contrary to what some think, HD won't be the standard a year from now, Digital will be.

If supergrass is correct about WBNG and TWC coming to an agreement for CBS-HD that will be a major hurdle cleared and WENY will be left with egg all over their face. Speaking of eggs, maybe that's what we ought to start hurling at their offices until they start doing HD broadcasts. :p

ak3883

03-02-08, 12:58 AM

Already see that the mention of WBNG-DT being added soon is here. If you are curious, the article is here (http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080229/NEWS01/802290364/1001/ARCHIVE) and says:

"Time Warner Cable also is close to finalizing a deal with WBNG-TV to offer WBNG and CBS in high def, Whalen said. He said he hopes to report "good news" about the deal in the next 30 days."

Dave Whalen is vice president of public and governmental relations of Time Warner Cable's central New York division

It would be nice if they got it for the start of March Madness!

jackets

03-04-08, 01:11 PM

If supergrass is correct about WBNG and TWC coming to an agreement for CBS-HD that will be a major hurdle cleared and WENY will be left with egg all over their face. Speaking of eggs, maybe that's what we ought to start hurling at their offices until they start doing HD broadcasts. :pA couple of weeks ago, WENY did a piece on their newscast about "what does the upcoming digital conversion in 2009 mean to you?". Of course they talked about digital TVs and converter boxes, etc, but I was thinking that it meant that WENY would finally be forced to convert to digital. They will probably wait until the very last minute.

bidger

03-04-08, 08:31 PM

Well, I really haven't kept track of WENY since I don't want to watch an analog broadcast and there are no shows or Sports they offer which I have to see. Watched Desperate Housewives once just to see what all the hub bub was, didn't do a thing for me. Never did see Lost. Wouldn't mind checking out Ugly Betty, if I could see it in HD.

That's what WENY has to realize, SD is going to become the last choice for consumers as more and more go HD. Lead the pack and people will usually follow, sit on your hands and be trampled.

bakntime

03-05-08, 05:52 AM

SDV is in partial opperation now in the Binghamton area. It is so seamless that you wont notice any difference selecting channels. There should be 2 more national HD channels added within the next 30 to 45 days or sooner. Then expect to see them roll out in groups of 6 at a time shortly after :)Is there any way to know if SDV is in operation on my system? I'm in one of the farthest outlying areas of the STNY umbrella, and wondering if it's going to be rolled out in Binghamton first, then slowly expand to the whole STNY system. It's interesting that I noticed over the past few days that it seems to occasionaly take ever so slightly longer to lock in to a digital/HD channel, and wondered to myself if SDV was being worked on or implemented and this was an indication of it.

Nitemage

03-05-08, 02:15 PM

awdorrin

03-05-08, 04:16 PM

Does this require new equipment on the client end?

Will I need to get a different DVR to receive the additional channels?

I think other than a firmware update of the cable boxes (and the fact you might have your box reboot) that you shouldn't see anything different on your end, other than new channels (at some point.)

Can read some about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switched_video

jackets

03-06-08, 02:22 PM

Does this require new equipment on the client end?

Will I need to get a different DVR to receive the additional channels?If you are using the Time Warner DVR you are fine. If you are using a TiVo Series 3 or a TiVo HD (which requires CableCards to receive digital channels), you will not be able to receive any channels that are being sent by Switched Digital Video. This is because the CableCard is one-directional and has no way to send out the request for the channel. Supposedly a dongle or hardware solution is coming from TiVo in Q2 to address this, but in the meantime it's a real problem for TiVo S3/HD users wherever SDV is rolled out.

fuzzyinc

03-11-08, 07:53 PM

SDV is ready, should see it in the morning(3/12). More HD content is coming soon...

brives81

03-11-08, 08:03 PM

SDV is ready, should see it in the morning(3/12). More HD content is coming soon...

And how do you know this?....

jdspencer

03-11-08, 08:15 PM

Now for the HD OTA question. Has anyone heard if and when the Binghamton area will get HD OTA for NBC and The CW?

fuzzyinc

03-11-08, 09:02 PM

And how do you know this?....

just do

fuzzyinc

03-11-08, 09:04 PM

Now for the HD OTA question. Has anyone heard if and when the Binghamton area will get HD OTA for NBC and The CW?

What i heard last was "not until the digital switch for NBC", haven't heard anything for CW

bidger

03-11-08, 10:59 PM

Since Jim asked about ATSC, I found an interesting thread (http://forum.byopvr.com/dvr/index.php/topic,9091.0/topicseen.html) @ BYOPVR.com re. OTA mapping. I found 2 sections of interest in the hyperlink the threadstarter provided in the second post. One of them is a DTR (http://www.rabbitears.info/dtr.php), or Digital Transition Report, and since we're talking DMAs 156 and 173 respectively, you're best off hitting the End button on the keyboard after page loads and using Page Up to get to the sections for Bingo- and E-towns. ;)

The section that p*$$ed me off was the section for Sub-channels (http://www.rabbitears.info/subchannels.php) which, if correct, says WENY will be broadcasting in 480i when they go digital. If so, you're dead to me WENY. :thumbdown: Bad news for those of you in Binghamton, it says the same thing about your NBC affiliate.

bidger

03-11-08, 11:24 PM

And how do you know this?....

When I checked the Channel Lineup for Elmira, NY through TWC here (http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx?CLUID=349&Zip=&Image1.x=58&Image1.y=9&Image1=submit), I notice a new color code, red for "Not Available on Cable Cards", which I never saw before. If you're looking for clues that SDV is on its way, that's certainly one.

davehancock

03-11-08, 11:31 PM

When I checked the Channel Lineup for Elmira, NY through TWC here (http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx?CLUID=349&Zip=&Image1.x=58&Image1.y=9&Image1=submit), I notice a new color code, red for "Not Available on Cable Cards", which I never saw before. If you're looking for clues that SDV is on its way, that's certainly one.Rochester, NY had that note on the TW list TWO YEARS before SDV became a reality. Not saying that SDV is just around the corner, just that the "Not Available on Cable Cards" is not a sure sign of anything.

bidger

03-12-08, 07:26 AM

Rochester, NY had that note on the TW list TWO YEARS before SDV became a reality. Not saying that SDV is just around the corner, just that the "Not Available on Cable Cards" is not a sure sign of anything.

You very well could be right, Dave, and it could be I never noticed the Cable Card disclaimer before.

jackets

03-12-08, 09:19 AM

jdspencer

03-12-08, 12:11 PM

Interesting information here, thanks.

Now for a slightly different but related question. It seems that WBNG and TWC are close to coming to agreement to carry HD. I wonder what TWC is going to PAY WBNG? In my opinion, it should really be the other way around. If WBNG and their advertisers want to have more eyes watching then they should be paying TWC for that availability. It'll never happen, but an interesting concept.

This thread just reinforces my use of DirecTV and OTA.