I need some help..

Just moved to the area and I am trying to get some info on the local HD here...I know WWAY is available through Time Warner in HD...I went to WECT and they had an article saying they went HD in May of last year...If i were to get a over the air tuner and antenna will I be able to receive WECT HD. Also it says FOX went HD..Will I be able to receive that...And is there any word when WILM might gov HD...I am in desperate need of some HD local coverage...Thanks for all your help..

Anything new happening in wilmington,


Just picked up an HDtivo box for directv for $100 after rebates and discounts through retention dept. I am looking forward to some more HD..,..even if it is hd-lite

I'm having a hard time picking up much. Any tips?

I live on the ICW near Carolina Beach inlet. I pick up ABC and PBS great; 93% signal. I pick up PAX at 70%. I can't even find the signal for FOX, CBS or NBC. The FOX people tell me they share the same tower as PBS out in Delco NC.
I use a TERK TV-38 in my attic (can't mount outside due to HOA).

Charter Cable flat out sucks with no HD offerings and no timeline on a roll out.

Local station have told me to blow when it comes to HD waivers for DirecTV.

Unless your in a condo and dont own the roof, The HOA does not overrule the FCC.

Read up on the rules. There are links all over these forums to tell you your rights as a homeowner. Put your antenna up and laugh at them.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

Local stations will not give waivers. Been there done that, there are several choice thoughts on these matters.

ILM locals hang out at ilmhd_dot_comm for some more specific info.

You should be able to get ABC< NBC, PBS, probally will have hard time with fox.

Fox is at low power.

CBS is non-existant unless you subscribe to TWC HD tier. Its fiber feed only.

Yes charter is attrocious. I too am in a charter area.

We arent too far away. Im in Lords Creek on carolina beach road heading toward snows cutt, just before catholic church on right.

Dont be afraid of your homeowners. Show them the light and get that antenna on board. You are loosing up to half your signal in the attic.

Thank you,

Thanks for that info. :)

Handy Mann,
nc88keyz has some good advice for you. Federal law supercedes local HOA or zoning. Presently the FOX station is at very low power downtown but they will be moving to the WWAY tower and increasing power. FOX does not broadcast from the PBS tower at Delco but WECT, the NBC station does. CBS is a low power station and does not have a DT channel yet. You should be able to receive NBC if you get the UNC-TV PBS station. Glad to hear our UNC-TV PBS WUNJ-DT signal is great out there at Carolina Beach. Our Engineering Supervisor for WUNJ-TV/DT lives at Carolina Beach also. We will be increasing power from our present 287 kilowatts ERP to 700 kilowatts by June or July. Good luck with your antenna and efforts to receive free DTV over the air..
Regards,

Wayne Estabrooks
Chief Engineer - UNC-TV

Wayne,

More specific ILM info at ilmhd_Dott_comm


Please stop by.


I talked with matt brandis today re: CBS signal in HD. Its an interesting story.

Matt looked at the plots and thinks I can get ch 10 outta greenville.


Im located right before the snows cut going into carolina beach. 3 minutes or so.


Lords Creek to be more specific.

Anyways make sure to register at ilmhd.


thanks again for your continued support.

I put up a smaller antenna on my roof today. I used a Channel Master 4221 UHF on a 10' mast with a Radio Shack amplifier. I have a 2 story home. I'm not over the tree line, but have good results now. I registered on the ILM site as AndyH. :)


3-1, 3-2, 3-3 = 93% signal
6-1, 6-2 = 93%
30-1 = 86%
35-1 - 35-4 = 77-93%
39-1 - 39-5 = 100%

Good deal handy,

Im 1080i over that way :)

Handy , you could be getting WRAL cbs out of raleigh if you are scanning right now. FUN STUFF !

Another night with Ducting. Boooo!


Must be the witches making tracks through the clouds. ;)


WRAL 5.1
WB 22.1
WRAZ 50.1
NBC 17.1
ABC 11.1

All from wilmington, nc





Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep what the title says

I stopped by our local Time Warner Cable Store and looked at the HDTV that they have on display and talked to some people there. I was pretty well "underwhelmed" with the current HDTV readiness of Time Warner. At the Cable Store I brought up the Channel Guide on one of their HD TV's with an HD cable box. It looked terrible - blurry text that looked much worse than it does on our current standard TV. I called over one of the reps. there and asked why. I was told that the software in their cable boxes (even the HD ones) doesn't know how to display that guide in HD, so it comes out blurry on an HD set. Only
their high end DVR, which doubles as a cable box, has had the necessary software upgrade to allow the Guide to be displayed in HD. They also have no idea at the moment when networks (ex. The WB) that are broadcasting in HD will have a Time Warner HD channel, so that we can actually view the network in HD.
They suggest a sort of "klugey" way around this blurry Channel Guide problem, but it appears that they are several months from having their HD
act together.

Do others have this same impression of Time Warner here?

I have had no problems with the TWC on screen guide. I have the SA8300HD box. The picture is great. I am using a Panasonic 50" plasma. I hardly every watch anything in real time. Sports is about it. I only wish that the ESPN HD was not a pay channel

I have had no problems with the TWC on screen guide. I have the SA8300HD box. The picture is great. I am using a Panasonic 50" plasma. I hardly every watch anything in real time. Sports is about it. I only wish that the ESPN HD was not a pay channel
I take it the SA8300HD is a DVR type of cable box/recorder?

Do you know anyone who has tried Time Warner's HD cable box, without the recorder part. fpr HDTV?

Thanks

Threads merged.

Hi Passisgreen,

About where in the Wilmington area do you live? I live in the Monkey Junction area. You might have seen the post I made to this forum a few days ago about visiting the TWC store in Wesfield Independence Mall.

It sounds like you have been dealing with TWC HD for several months now. Have you found that you can use their Guide in HD with their HD cable box? I was told that it only worked correctly in their DVR/cable box. Something about it having a software upgrade.

I also wondered what brand a PT-47WXD64 HDTV is? I am looking seriously at the new Dell 37" LCD HDTV. Any words of wisdom about HD with TWC so far? Is there much to watch in HD?

Thanks

Ron

Welcome to the forums ron..

BTW, i am on the charter side of monkey junction or a little past.


be sure to visit w3_ilmhd_dot_com as well for more locals.


thanks

Hi nc88keyz,

So, does everyone South of Monkey Junction get Charter cable instead of Time Warner? If so, how is HD on Charter? Like I said in an earlier post, it seems the TWC is only beginning to get its act together for HD.

Since you are in the area, you will know what I am talking about - I took the plung yesterday at the big day-after-Thanksgiving sale that Best Buy had and bought a 46" Toshiba DLP HDTV. Now I just have to figure out how to fit in onto our TV table.

Ron

Rumor is that Charter in wilmington will be exiting.

To answer your question on HD - Well there is no question on that subject.

Bottom line, Charter has been saying for 2 yrs that they will bring HD to wilmington. In fact I have emails from last year in August stating January 05. Sorry to rain on your hd parade.

My Advice: Skip Dish althought dish has some decent HD right now and go with Directv. You can get a HD DVR around 399 now at best buy or even lower on the internet. Ive been with Directv for over 9 years or so. My last upgrade cost $100 for HD Tivo DVR, and SD Tivo after rebate. Directvs HD is minimal right now, but MPG4 is rolling out sooner than later. National HD stations will be coming soon.

They have the right idea and XM radio is free now as well in total choice and plus and up.

TWC is nice if available, but I['m not moving to get TWC, I prefer bellsouth DSL anyways.

STAY AWAY FROM CHARTER AT ALL COSTS. I dont have enought time to write about my horror with them, everything from internet to customer service etc.

Hope this helps.


BTW: Charter is scattered beyond monkey junction. Some of its TWC and Some is charter.

Good Morning Wilmington! Hope everyone had a Great Thanksgiving.

I live off Sidbury Road, north of Wilmington. We just bought a HD set and I installed a OTA antenna (DB4 on a 30' mast).

I currently have the antenna pointed West (~270 degrees). We have lots of pine trees in our line of sight but we still get great reception. According to AntennaWeb we are 25 miles from most of the antenna's.

WWAY (3.1-3) 93%
WECT (6.1-2) 80%
WPXU (35.1-4) 73% (This is the independent out of Jacksonville)
WUNJ (39.1-5) 94%

We can't pick up FOX yet (WSFX) but hopefully that will change soon as we watch a lot of FOX shows.

We have Charter cable up here as well and I went the OTA route due to their lack of HD programing.

NC88KEYZ,

Where did you hear the rumor about Charter leaving? I currently work from home and depend on broadband internet. If one provider leaves are there rules/laws in place so that people have continuous service?


Bryant

Bryant,

Charter would not leave cold turkey....It would switch hands to say TWC or COX, Comcast. Someone that can run a real cable company in South Wilmington area. I work with the public and talk to a lot of techs from TWC and employees alike. Charter has a very small stake in this area and its due for some changes. I probally still wouldnt change over though, as I am very happy with satellite services provided by Directv and things will only get better.

Everyone should be aware that Time Warner is currently saying that "they expect to have some HD DVR/Cable Boxes by Christmas". If you are in the same shape as I am and bought an HDTV the day after Thanksgiving (BIG SALE!), then you may have quite a while to wait for an HD DVR. The "by Christmas" thing was told to me by someone at the Cable Store in Westfield Independence Mall yesterday (Dec. 2). On Nov. 29 a TWC representative at their main office to me (incorrectly, I think) that such DVR's would be available by Dec. 5. It appears that the left hand does not know what the right is doing at TWC.

You should also know that the HD version of the TWC cable TV Guide is only available on the HD DVR. Due to some software issue, that Guide looks terrible when viewed with their HD Cable Box. :mad:

If Wayne Estabrooks is still reading, I get your PBS 39 digitals out of Delco very strong, but I cannot get WECT. (I am in Jacksonville) So your signal is much better, even at this lower power. WECT aims its signal too much to the west of Wilmington. They should have left it non-directional, like yours is. LOL

I cannot get WUNM dt at all without a fight by the way....... But since Delco works so well, I really don't need it. :D

Hi nc88keyz,

So, does everyone South of Monkey Junction get Charter cable instead of Time Warner? If so, how is HD on Charter? Like I said in an earlier post, it seems the TWC is only beginning to get its act together for HD.

Since you are in the area, you will know what I am talking about - I took the plung yesterday at the big day-after-Thanksgiving sale that Best Buy had and bought a 46" Toshiba DLP HDTV. Now I just have to figure out how to fit in onto our TV table.

Ron

No I am south of monkey junction off river road and Have Time Warner, However my father is on the other side of Monkey Junction and gets charter.

If Wayne Estabrooks is still reading, I get your PBS 39 digitals out of Delco very strong, but I cannot get WECT. (I am in Jacksonville) So your signal is much better, even at this lower power. WECT aims its signal too much to the west of Wilmington. They should have left it non-directional, like yours is. LOL

I cannot get WUNM dt at all without a fight by the way....... But since Delco works so well, I really don't need it. :D

jspENC,

Yes I still tune in to AVS Forum ocassionally. I don't know why you can't get WECT as they are at 565 Kw but their signal is directional away from Wilmington. Their signal is about .2 to .4 relative field in the direction of Wilmington but should be higher or near maximum toward Jacksonville.
WUNJ-DT operates an omnidirectional anrtenna (Same power in all directions) except when we are on our emergency antenna. We are at 287 kilowatts in all directions and will be at 700 kw omnidirectional from WUNJ hopefully by June 30 2006. WUNM, our Jacksonville station is only at 65 kilowatts on physical channel 18 and will be until after the shutdown of analog and we will move to channel 19. It is adjacent channel to our high power NTSC analog and that may cause problems with some receivers. Thanks for your comments. I am glad you are able to receive Delco so well. After the transition when analog is shut down we plan to broadcast digital on physical channel 19 and hope to raise the power from the Jacksonville station at that time.

Hey Wayne, I am just now reading this, but wanted to say that I am not the only one who gets PBS on 39. Over at the Circuit City here in town they also use 39. For some reason it is very easy to pick up. :D
I do get WECT in the evenings and early morning, but it is very weak, and goes out once in a while. Afternoons it never comes in.

Click on this link, it has the polar plot and coverage map. This is different than the FCC map and polar plot.
http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=120713

I guess this is why I dont get ECT

Does anybody know if WECT-DT has plans in the future to raise their broadcasting power? I'm over in Laurinburg and can get a hint of the signal, but not enough to do anything with.

I've currently got a DB8 antenna with a preamp mounted on the roof of my house (approximately 30 ft in the air) and all I see is 10-20% signal

Does anybody know if WECT-DT has plans in the future to raise their broadcasting power? I'm over in Laurinburg and can get a hint of the signal, but not enough to do anything with.

I've currently got a DB8 antenna with a preamp mounted on the roof of my house (approximately 30 ft in the air) and all I see is 10-20% signal

Not that I am aware of, but anything is possible, since they own the big 3 in Wilmington now... The problem is not your antennas, because I do not get the signal
very often either, and I am only 54 miles away.

Does anybody know if WECT-DT has plans in the future to raise their broadcasting power? I'm over in Laurinburg and can get a hint of the signal, but not enough to do anything with.

I've currently got a DB8 antenna with a preamp mounted on the roof of my house (approximately 30 ft in the air) and all I see is 10-20% signal

bhambandit,

I don't think WECT has any plan in the near future to increase power. They do not have any FCC applications on file. WECT is at 575 kW ERP on physical channel 44 directional away from Wilmington.
I am curious to know if you are able to receive UNC-TV's WUNJ-DT from the same tower? WUNJ-DT is at 287 kilowatts omnidirectional on physical channel 29. WUNJ has a construction permit to go to 700 kW at WUNJ-DT Wilmington and hopes to be at that power level before the end of June 06.

Wayne:

I'm not even getting a blip on WUNJ. And actually tonight I'm not getting anything on WECT either. I'm going to try to raise my antenna some more this weekend and see what happens. I think I'm going to have to accept that I'm in a dead zone for any NBC stations. All of the contour maps on the FCC site are showing me between 10 and 20 miles out of the broadcast zones for any stations I want to pick up.

To my friends and DT viewers,
I wanted to let OTA viewers know that UNC-TV has not been broadcasting OTA HD since 10:20 PM on Friday March 3, due to some serious technical problems. We had a failure of our large UPS and tripped a 1600 amp 3 phase 480V breaker at our headquarters network operations center and we were off the air statewide digital and analog for awhile Friday night. We hope to return our 8pm to 11pm OTA HD schedule as soon as we can get equipment up and running. We had numerous equipment and computer failures, servers, automation etc. related to the power outage. We regret this inconvenience to our viewers.

I cannot get the WWAY digitals. For me they have been out for the last 2 days. Can anyone receive them?

I was about to say the same thing, I was wondering or HOPING that they had turned them off to put up the WSFX transmitter. Maybe just optimistic.

I cannot get the WWAY digitals. For me they have been out for the last 2 days. Can anyone receive them?
My guess is the storm earlier this week knocked them off air.

I was about to say the same thing, I was wondering or HOPING that they had turned them off to put up the WSFX transmitter. Maybe just optimistic.

I don't think they will have to turn off WWAY dt to turn up WSFX dt. The WSFX antenna is quite a bit lower down on the tower, and much weaker. I'm hoping they mounted the antenna for WSFX on the north side of the tower so I will have a better chance for a signal up here in Onslow county! :D

By the way, keep trying 30 because sooner or later they will have to start burning in
the tubes, and maybe we will get a glimmer of a signal when this happens... LOL

Since this humidity has come up, I am getting WECT dt a lot more often by the way :p

By the way, keep trying 30 because sooner or later they will have to start burning in
the tubes, and maybe we will get a glimmer of a signal when this happens.
I try 30 atleast once everyday. :)

WWAY still down. They either had some major malfunction, or everyone is off for the holiday!

Sometime between 7:30am and 1:30pm WWAY-DT came back on air today.

Wayne! Daryl! Long time!

Howdy... I haven't been following the local HD forums much ever since I folded and got TimeWarner basic "lifeline" cable--just so I could get Fox in HD for "24". The other HD on Fox has been a plus also... Along with that I get all the other locals in HD through my MDP-130 QAM computer card (and I still have the -120 card in my other computer for OTA). Too bad WILM is only in stereo...

Fox OTA would be nice eventually too...

Take care guys...

Marc

Daryl, Marc, & Wilmington OTA DT viewers;

Please be advised that UNC-TV's Wilmington Station, WUNJ-DT went to full power of 700 kilowatts last evening at 6:05 PM

This should help those with marginal signal out in the fringes like Myrtle Beach.

I would appreciate any feedback from our viewers.

For TWC cable viewers, we are hoping to have a 24 hr HD and multicast SD feeds up on cable for all of our digital services in Wilmington in the not too distant future.

Wayne,

Thx for the info. After a week with my antenna disconnected from the OTA Digital input (testing my tv's built-in TVGOS with OTA analog input to see if it even works cause it won't get crap over Cable analog input). Turns out with OTA analog ch.31 WUNU out of Lumberton is my host channel for TVGOS. I thing TWC is stripping the TVGOS VBI data from WUNU on TWC ch.12 which sux. I just hooked it back up to the OTA Digital input late this morning. I normaly receive both Raleigh stations and WWAY-DT but at the moment I'm getting neither but I should by this evening so should get WUNJ-DT then. I've gotten WUNJ-DT 39.1-5 ocasionally before.

Marcs,

Someone at Wilmmington forum HERE (http://www.ilmhd.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=1201) said they spoke with WSFX's engineer and he said:that they are building the transmitter (what ever that means) and FOX should be on the air in about 30 days. The signal will be arriving to all of us from the WWAY tower in Winnabow. :)

Wow, activity in the ILMHD forum! I haven't been there in ages, too many spammers registering, I'll have to pay them a visit later today...

You know, speaking of WWAY being off-air a while back, I was thinking one advantage of cable is being able to still get the HD signal since it shouldn't rely on whether the xmitter is working or not--but I didn't have WWAY on cable either. And I assumed TimeWarner would be getting the network HD feed directly rather than relying on their own OTA reception of WWAY--but either that's not correct, or WWAY had a very serious equipment problem.

Ok, who's going to hold their breath first waiting for Fox HD to be live??? :)

Wayne, I'll check out my reception OTA for WUNJ, although it's never really been a problem for me with the little Radio Shack amped antenna.

Good news too about expanded HD times! Do you know how much bandwidth cable gives to the HD channel? More, less, or same as OTA? There's still quite a bit of variance in picture quality that must be related to the program/content itself, assuming the bandwidth remains relatively the same over time.

e.g. Austin City Limits almost always has artifacts, whereas Soundstage is almost always pristine, same for Rudy Maxa, that show is spectacular. The one on the Greek Islands was just amazing picture quality. Some of the shows on N.C. are fairly decent, with moderate artifacts...

You know, speaking of WWAY being off-air a while back, I was thinking one advantage of cable is being able to still get the HD signal since it shouldn't rely on whether the xmitter is working or not--but I didn't have WWAY on cable either. And I assumed TimeWarner would be getting the network HD feed directly rather than relying on their own OTA reception of WWAY--but either that's not correct, or WWAY had a very serious equipment problem.
That varies with stations. TWC gets some feeds directly over fiber, some they get using antennas.

As for WUNJ-DT. I'm getting no signal at all while WWAY-DT is locking in at a steady 57%. I guess I'm correct that WUNJ-DT is physical ch.29.1-5 (39.1-5 virtual)? Is the transmitter directional like WECT-DT's which I have trouble getting most of the time. (I'm far away also).

EDIT: I just got a weak bleep of 14% signal from physical ch.29 but onnly for a couple seconds. And WECT-DT physical ch.44 hit 18% for a second or two.

Looks like the Wilmington forum (http://www.ilmhd.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=1201) has been hacked by some ignorant a$$wipe.

Wayne, I just realized that WUNJ was up in strength. I now get it with an SNR rate of 25. The strongest possible with the box I use. I also get WWAY, WITn, WNCT, WCTI, and WPXU at that strength. WUNM comes in around a 20.

WECT is in and out. Mostly out. I am lucky to get an SNR of 15.

Daryl, maybe you should turn your antenna some, or raise it a bit. You should get WUNJ stronger than WECT. I use a Channel Master 4221 bow tie model tied into a cheap RS
VU90xr I think it is.

I cannot log into the ILM site. The hacker has fould it all up........

I can get into the ILMHD site, no problem--or at least I can read it. Don't know if I want to log in though, because if it was hijacked, it might have become some sort of a phishing site now...?

Daryl, maybe you should turn your antenna some, or raise it a bit. You should get WUNJ stronger than WECT. I use a Channel Master 4221 bow tie model tied into a cheap RS
VU90xr I think it is.
I'm sure I could but it's not necessary. I get WUNU-DT 31.1 thru 31.5 out of Lumberton. Plus I have my antenna set to get both Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville the best I can which also pulls in Florence/Myrtle Beach solidly. So I never turn my antenna accept after a couple months to resync the rotors direction. I can get WWAY-DT 3.1 almost 24/7 and I can get both WECT-DT & WUNJ-DT about 40-50% of the time. Sometimes the weather knocks out everything except WPDE-DT 16.1 & WWMB-DT 20.1 for a day or two.

I cannot log into the ILM site. The hacker has fould it all up........
At first it was a black page. Now you can see the forum but the only way I can login is by clicking the link to login to check messages and then go to the forum index from there.

Ok, finally attached my Radio Shack 15-1880 amplified antenna to my MyHD MDP-130 computer card... at full power.

With a single fixed orientation I receive:

WWAY @ 81% rock solid (digital 46)
WECT @ 40% on their bass-ackwards antenna radiation patter (digital 44)
WUNJ @ 81% with some variability (digital 29)

(I understand the % reading to be an error rate, with 100% being error free?)

This is with the antenna pointing through at least 3 interior walls...

Tried WSFX, but no joy...

WWAY PSIP continues to be FUBAR... WECT and WUNJ program guides are perfect...

Wayne, are kids really watching the Kids channel at 9pm? It's sucking precious bandwidth from HD!!!!!!!!! :D

Since WWAY came back the other day my tuner switches from 3-1 back to 46-1 then back to 3-1 to a point that the channel is pretty much unwatchable. I was wondering if anyone else is having this problem. The picture stays for maybe a minute then goes blank and switches then switches back.

Maybe they are actively working on the PSIP stream? At various times in the past, I've also mapped to both 3-x and 46-x, but always had a good picture. But I did find that if WWAY changed the mapping when I wasn't actually watching, that it could screw up further reception, and I'd have to delete and re-add the channels...

I am not receiving any program guide info on WAY. Also my signal stays on 3, but I am picking
up 3-1, 3-2, and a 3-3 with a blank screen. What happened to the standard def feed anyway?

Another thing today I noticed was the color looked dark, and very red.

So, I'm looking at my cable feed for WWAY, and the blank white screen says:

"WWAY-ABC network is currently experiencing technical difficulties with their HD and digital signals. This is not a cable TV problem."

There's something to be said for Cable picking up local HD networks, because when the signal goes out, there's someone there to get the complaints (when viewers call). You'd be lucky to reach a live human at the station after 5 pm...

Then the cable co. can at least let the station know the signal is out, and perhaps apply a bit of pressure...

Still no Over the Air signal for WWAY. This is crap.

Well... that's kinda ok, because there's only crap on tv now...... :D

I've got about a half season of both Alias and Prison Break to catch up on, so with re-runs most all summer, doesn't really matter so much...

LOL yes it is mostly crap on networks. But tonight there is a new show with Regis on WECT. :D

Mostly I miss the Mega Super Doppler 3 scans!

im liking windfall though, too bad 4400 isnt in HD

Windfall and Saved on TNTHD isnt too bad.

Well, at 4:09pm today I checked and I'm getting a signal and video on 30.1 which says WSFX Fox26 on the bottom of the screen. But it's weak from my distance. Going in and out. Should strengthen by evening. But my tv says it's not HD.

I've lost WSFX-DT's signal completely now.

I just tried and couldn't get anything either...

So far I have had nothing. But I will keep an eye out. They must be testing.

This is a test, it is only a test.

Please do not get excited if you see an HD image, remember this is only a test and may not represent what you will see in the future.

Further, we reserve the right to overcompress, multicast, and in general muck around with the signal so your brand spanking new 1080P television will be able to show it in all its glory.

Thank you for your attention. Remember, this is only a test..........

:) :) :)

No more signal from WSFX since yesterday afternoon. I assure you it was on. Looked like some court show was on. Right now my reception is terrible, even WWAY-DT has no signal.

I just had it Daryl! It was a STRONG signal here, not quite as strong as WWAY. No audio or video, but my receiver shows
30-3 and 30-4 right now.

I'm home right now, and can pull in WSFX at about 70%, that's inside the house going through about 4 walls (with the Rat Shack amped antenna).

Their power is definitely up now... but not an HD signal...

I am getting video... but only 30-1.

Yep! I can barely get them but I do solidly. 30-1 only and it is not in HD mode. My receiver is
at 15 to 16 db, which is weak, but is enough for a solid signal! :D

The signal came on with video at 12:55

Sounds like WSFX is doing some tweaking. My reception over here west of I-95 is still terrible. Still no signals from any station out of Wilmingtion. I normaly get WWAY-DT almost all day long around 35-40% and up to 60-70% in evenings and early morn.

BTW, according to TheTubeTv (http://www.thetubetv.com/) WSFX-DT will be carrying TheTube music channel on 26.2 (30.2) also.

My CM 4221 highest off the ground UHF antenna (about 30') is aimed directly at WWAY and WSFX.
Now if I turned it just slightly away I know I would lose WSFX so I won't try it! LOL The other combo antenna is aimed toward the NW almost toward the Raleigh cluster, but not so far that way that I cannot get WNCT/WITN and WCTI Greenville-NewBern.
I have been watching this ad on WSFX and I see slight pixelation about every minute or so.
That tells me I am just barely getting a signal. So I lucked out with this! ;)

Right now while WWAY is locked in @ ~55-60% WSFX is fluctuating coming in and out pixilating @ 0-25%.

I've had a pretty steady lock on WSFX at ~45% since around 5:00pm.

Has WSFX cut the power a little? I am having problems with them now in the afternoon
and evening. When it first came on it was strong...

Hey Guys just wondering if anyone else is having a issue with WWAY 3-1 and 3-2. I past couple of days I've not been able to watch these 2 channels cause is turns my tv on and off and possibly locks it up. I have to hurry up and switch channels before it happens again. Picture looks wonderful but then it shuts me down. I seem to keep a good steady signal around 72 to 75 strenght on a 100 pt scale. So definitly don't think its signal. Also I've read in other older posts else where about it could be a bad signal from or rogue signal from the broadcast tower. If anyone has any input please let me know.

Hey Guys just wondering if anyone else is having a issue with WWAY 3-1 and 3-2. I past couple of days I've not been able to watch these 2 channels cause is turns my tv on and off and possibly locks it up. I have to hurry up and switch channels before it happens again. Picture looks wonderful but then it shuts me down. I seem to keep a good steady signal around 72 to 75 strenght on a 100 pt scale. So definitly don't think its signal. Also I've read in other older posts else where about it could be a bad signal from or rogue signal from the broadcast tower. If anyone has any input please let me know.

How are you receiving them?

Built-in tuner in your tv? Separate tuner? OTA?

I've seen a bad PSIP stream lockup a tuner, in my case, my old Dish 6000 HD receiver with the OTA module installed (1st gen digital tuner) would lock up and crash with a bad PSIP stream. But more recent tuners should be able to ignore bad PSIP.

I've been using my TimeWarner feed into a computer card tuner for my HD, haven't been using OTA except last season for recording on my other PC... no problems with the cable feed--but then, there's no PSIP to contend with. I've had no problems with my MyHD 120 card with OTA, bad PSIP or not.

Sounds like WSFX is doing some tweaking. My reception over here west of I-95 is still terrible. Still no signals from any station out of Wilmingtion. I normaly get WWAY-DT almost all day long around 35-40% and up to 60-70% in evenings and early morn.

BTW, according to TheTubeTv (http://www.thetubetv.com/) WSFX-DT will be carrying TheTube music channel on 26.2 (30.2) also.

I saw an ad on TW cable for TheTube music channel--they gave the exact channel for subscribers, don't remember what it was. I suspect they already have it broadcasting thru cable, since I believe they've got a direct programming feed...

Yea I'm using my internal tuner from my tv, its a new samsung hp-s5053 plasma. My dish network hd 411 receiver gets ota WWAY without any issues. So I was hoping that its a signal issue with my internal tuner and not the tuner or the tv itself. Yesterday was my 30 days so can't just return it now to BB lol. Also didn't know if it was anything that WWAY could fix in the signal. Need anymore info I'll be around.

I saw an ad on TW cable for TheTube music channel--they gave the exact channel for subscribers, don't remember what it was. I suspect they already have it broadcasting thru cable, since I believe they've got a direct programming feed...
Thats cool to hear. But on my TWC system (Lumberton) we don't get WSFX26 as our Fox network so we don't have TheTube.

Hey Guys just wondering if anyone else is having a issue with WWAY 3-1 and 3-2. I past couple of days I've not been able to watch these 2 channels cause is turns my tv on and off and possibly locks it up. I have to hurry up and switch channels before it happens again. Picture looks wonderful but then it shuts me down. I seem to keep a good steady signal around 72 to 75 strenght on a 100 pt scale. So definitly don't think its signal. Also I've read in other older posts else where about it could be a bad signal from or rogue signal from the broadcast tower. If anyone has any input please let me know.
I don't turn to WWAY regularly so haven't noticed but this may or may not be causing your tv to get confused. Since Saturday July 15th, for some odd reason WSFX-DT 26.1 (30.1) which I had been getting on 30.1 started being remapped to 3.1 and there's a blank 3.2 (completely seperate from WWAY's 3.1 & 3.2. Anybody else seeing this?

Haven't notice that Daryl but what does happen is that when I turn to 3-2 it switches to 3-1 then I get no sound then it shuts my set. Maybe its just a transition thing and my internal tuner is having a conflict with there signal. I hope that is all it is. I've been looking for some contact info for WWAY to maybe call an engineer there and let him know what is happening and see if it can be fixed in any way. So if anyone has contact info please let me know.

Since WWAY changed hands I have not had PSIP. Also I get a blank 3-3 channel.

Hows everyones signal from WSFX? It is blank on my set.

I just did try to tune in WSFX 30, not only does the signal seem to be weak, but it's fluctuating all over the place. I can lock in on only 30-1...no picture...

I've got program guide info for WWAY...

Hey MarcS
WSFX is doing the very same for me. Signal up and down like there is a problem with the
equipment. Almost like a short circuit somewhere.

I just did try to tune in WSFX 30, not only does the signal seem to be weak, but it's fluctuating all over the place.
Was fluctuating bad for me also with no video from yesterday through to this morning. Just checked now and the video is back with a steady signal. But on my tv their still remapped to 3.1 and a 3.2 with 3.2 being blank, very odd. I still have WWAY-DT 3.1 and 3.2 seperately.

Tuned in tonight, signal strength good, video good.

Using my card's automap/tuning, I only get 30-1...

Signal is back up, but still no HD vision or TUBE TV.

So now I can't get WWAY in HD, maps to 3-x, and 3-2 weather is ok, but no HD...

WSFX is ok...

I get great sound still on WWAY 3-1 but like MarcS no picture....... WCTI from New Bern is fine,
so it is a station problem.

26.1 and 26.2 are now up. 26.1 is labeled "Fox" and 26.2 labeled "Tube" . Both are in Stereo! Fox is in HD mode now! :D

Im in 2nd ! :)

Thanks for the info

Im stoked!

Just lost it..... I guess they are still seting the bandwidth or something.

Does anyone know if WSFX has DD5.1 equipment? It would be a drag if it was only stereo or DD2.0, since the feed from TW cable is in DD5.1 for prime time shows...

Once they get stable I'll have to try to compare the OTA with cable image quality...

Now if we just had a real CBS station... :rolleyes:

Now if we just had a real CBS station... :rolleyes:


and I was trying to remain positive. :D


Ill take fox in HD anyway possible right now. Its a major improvement from the signal that was up at first obviously.



A side note,

Those of you with MYHD cards might wanna refrain from testing out foxes signal. Its locked up my HTPC twice today during there freezes. MYHD cards dont like atsc signal hickups too much.

Last one a taskmgr cleansing didnt even fix. Had to hard reset the machine. Ouch!

Go easy fox

Yep I'm getting fox 26-1 and 26-2 now with The tube on 26-2. This is awesome been waiting a long time for Fox HD, now just waiting a little longer for Football season. Only wished the Panthers were shown in HD, heard that they don't show their games in HD. But still going to be a huge inprovement got all major networks now in HD.

I think the low power Wilmington channel 10 is probably keeping a lot of you from getting
WNCT digital channel 10. But if you are far enough north of it or west you should be able to
get CBS HD. Ogden on Northward definetly.

Or how about WBTW channel 56? Can anyone get them?

Just read todays post in here and checked, I'm getting 26.1 and 26.2 now also. :)

I made a mess on the floor after this post. bb later. :)

Congrats WSFX


Job well done.

Heres a Beer on me. :D

Yes they did a great job with the pattern radiation. It seems like everyone is finding this signal
to be much better than WECT. :)
I am exactly 60 miles away from WSFX and get them all day. WECT I am 55 miles from and can
only get them when tropho is just right.
The DD 5.1 sounds awesome!

I made a mess on the floor after this post. bb later. :)

Congrats WSFX


Job well done.

Heres a Beer on me. :D

Because of the way the FOX Splicer works, a station doesn't need a DD5.1 encoder during network programming. FOX provides it in the ATSC Compliant feed. Non network programming is up to the local station for DD5.1. If a station doesn't have DD5.1 encoder, the 5.1 light on a receiver will light up, but only audio in the left and right channels will be heard.

Did you guys know that WSFX changed it's tower height again and the polar plot? They
are now at 587 meters and only putting out 80 KW. However I still get a better signal than I thought I would.

http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DT1135084.gif

Because of the way the FOX Splicer works, a station doesn't need a DD5.1 encoder during network programming. FOX provides it in the ATSC Compliant feed. Non network programming is up to the local station for DD5.1. If a station doesn't have DD5.1 encoder, the 5.1 light on a receiver will light up, but only audio in the left and right channels will be heard.

So this technique is unique to Fox then? Because... CBS HD with TW cable is only DD2.0, even though it's the WRAL feed, but it could be coming via WILM, which doesn't have any DD5.1 equipment (AFAIK).

So this technique is unique to Fox then? Because... CBS HD with TW cable is only DD2.0, even though it's the WRAL feed, but it could be coming via WILM, which doesn't have any DD5.1 equipment (AFAIK).

Yes. FOX is the only network to use this form of distribution.

jspENC,

I'm just 10 miles west of Lumberton just outside that blue plot circle (not sure of the distance) and I get WSFX slightly stronger and locked in more regularly than WWAY and far, far more than WECT.

Because of the way the FOX Splicer works, a station doesn't need a DD5.1 encoder during network programming. FOX provides it in the ATSC Compliant feed. Non network programming is up to the local station for DD5.1. If a station doesn't have DD5.1 encoder, the 5.1 light on a receiver will light up, but only audio in the left and right channels will be heard.
Well, they clearly have a DD5.1 encoder because lastnight "House" was more than L/R audio with 5.1 lights on.

That's great Daryl! My signal is not near as strong as WWAY, but still I am surprised that the signal holds up all day.
I wonder what made the engineers decide to change the field plot? Anyway I think they did
right! :D
Maybe they will do that with WECT in time. I read on the other forum I can't log into that the
same engineer works on both signals.

Thanks WSFX for the great coverage! I will be watching, and I don't have to watch a snowy WFXI or WSFX ever again. lol
I didn't almost crap my pants, but was still excited enough!

I dropped by the WECT studio/office today before lunch to drop off some photos for their "6 Pics" contest, and since they are also managing WSFX, thought I might try to talk with their engineers.

Turns out they were all busy on their shift riding the bicycle/generators to help power WSFX so all you folks out west of here can post all your happy messages about reception...

:D :D :D

Well, the first paragraph is true anyway...

Turns out they were all busy on their shift riding the bicycle/generators to help power WSFX so all you folks out west of here can post all your happy messages about reception...

:D :D :D

Well, the first paragraph is true anyway...
LOL, that was a good one. :D

Well, they clearly have a DD5.1 encoder because lastnight "House" was more than L/R audio with 5.1 lights on.

Actually it doesn't. House is sent down the splicer and so the station doesn't need a 5.1 encoder for network (that is one of the beauties of the splicer) and I would imagine WSFX doesn't have one anyway. If your center channel speaker is dead during non network programming, they don't have an encoder but you will hear audio through it doring network programming when the splicer is on line.

Actually it doesn't. House is sent down the splicer and so the station doesn't need a 5.1 encoder for network (that is one of the beauties of the splicer) and I would imagine WSFX doesn't have one anyway. If your center channel speaker is dead during non network programming, they don't have an encoder but you will hear audio through it doring network programming when the splicer is on line.
Ah, I missunderstood what you were saying before. The way it read one part contradicted the other. Their non-network stuff is strictly stereo.
Originally Posted by foxeng
Because of the way the FOX Splicer works, a station doesn't need a DD5.1 encoder during network programming. FOX provides it in the ATSC Compliant feed. Non network programming is up to the local station for DD5.1.
That was clear.
Originally Posted by foxeng
If a station doesn't have DD5.1 encoder, the 5.1 light on a receiver will light up, but only audio in the left and right channels will be heard.
That part made it appear the network feed needed an encoder since you didn't refer to a non-network feed. :)

You ever wonder how some shows get such good ratings, and others not so good?

Nielsen of course!

Amazingly, after all these years of wondering how people could watch some of the crap that's on tv, this morning I mailed back my Nielsen log book!

Yes, I was actually "chosen" to be a Nielsen household for a week. Too bad it was in the middle of summer...

They are serious about getting participation, not only did I get a postcard before the diary arrived, but I received a couple more cards reminding me to fill it out, and received at least 2 phone calls reminding me and providing a call back number in case I had questions. They also put 5 nice crisp $1 bills in the envelope to make sure you feel guilty if you don't complete the survey...

Anybody else getting pixelization when there is somewhat fast movement on WSFX? I finally "think" I found the right place to keep my antenna to stop glitches, but last night when I looked for awhile, there is breakup in any area of the screen when there is fast movement. Not everytime but lots of the time.

Its not the entire picture, just that area. which is kind of odd looking ! I get a solid signal lock in many different locations with my antenna. Anyway, since it only in a certain area of the screen, I assume its something they are doing.

Yes... guess I should have posted the following here as well as at ilmhd.com...

+++++++++++++++++++ From July 29 ++++++++++++++++++++

With about 80% signal on my MDP-130 tuner card, I still get picture breakups, portions of the image look to have a bit of macroblocking. Compared to WECT at ~45% signal strength, I have perfect picture stability with no artifacts.

Wonder if it could be their simulcast of Tube sucking away some bandwidth? Or it's some other signal anomaly not related to strength...

PSIP program guide comes through ok.

I was able to switch between my cable feed of WSFX and the OTA signal, although it took a few seconds, both through my tuner card, so it was the same physical input to the tv.

Besides being much more stable, the cable feed subjectively was more pleasing to my eye... but I'll have to experiment some more...

Having a problem picking up fox altogether today normally one of my best channels to pick up since they are on the air now on 26-1 but having issues. Is it only me or is anyone else having the same issue of not picking up a signal?

Larry.
How do you get WSFX in Charlotte? That is incredible!

I have been having some pixelation, and at times I lose the signal, but I figured it is
because I am on the very fringe. I am actually about 3-5 miles outside of that blue
line of the image I posted on the last page. Right on the river in Jack...

Larry.
How do you get WSFX in Charlotte? That is incredible!

I have been having some pixelation, and at times I lose the signal, but I figured it is
because I am on the very fringe. I am actually about 3-5 miles outside of that blue
line of the image I posted on the last page. Right on the river in Jack...

Well, I normally try to put the area when I post about OTA, but I didn't this time. But anyway I'm in North Myrtle Beach a lot, so thats where I'm picking it up from. As you know Fox in MB isn't full power yet and way too weak to pick up.

Regarding WSFX, no matter where I put my antenna or how good of a lock the receiver shows, it still glitches. Some places that I stop its worse of course, but I cannot stop it completely.

Even with a solid 94 on the meter, still glitches. I do notice that while looking at the signal meter for some reason it will drop to zero for a second at times, but usually I can stop that by moving the antenna. But I don't sit there and watch the meter but so long.

Thats the only station that I get with a signal that strong, that breakups like that. Its also way too sensitive about where the antenna is pointing.

So is anyone getting it without glitches? I cannot post in that Wilmington local forum, it doesn't seem to work anymore.

I assume they are still working the bugs out, but thats just a guess.

I've been watching the Tube this AM and my signal to noise rate is 18db. This is one
of the weakest I get, but as long as that number is 15 or higher I get a signal. My meter shows 67%, but it has never worked right.
So far anyway, this morn. the signal has not pixelated.

Tried to watch NBC HD 6-1 this evening (~7:30PM) from OTA and getting message from TV that the channel is encrypted. :eek: I have never seen this before so I hope they are just testing / upgrading. Any ideas? NBC usually comes in very nice here off Sidburry in Northern New Hanover.

Well, now that we have 3 out of 4 of the big 4 networks in HD in wilmington...lets get this forum active again. I am trying to get my second HD tivo running in the living room. I do have them all phoneless now and networkable. Its great for scheduling shows and whatnot over the web.

My idea is the following.

2 networks per tivo between 8 and 11. This eliminates the tuner conflicts and I can also squeeze TNTHD and SHOWTIME, HBO in there too. I have a MYHD tuner as well to watch something else live if nessecary. Its more for testing channels now though.

Any news of an HD CB(UPN/WB) option coming to eastern carolina?

I am going to spend this week seeing if I can cascade the sat lines from the first multiswitch a second to get eight outputs in the living room for two hd tivos and one standard-def tivo. I have three usb adapters as well but its gonna require some creative wiring without sacrificing OTA signals. RIght now i have 4 lines in the living room from the first multiswitch. I talk to an sat installer almost once every two weeks and he gave me some tips on the correct way to do it. He didnt forsee an issue....only stated you must like to watch some tv. :)

Hello all,

I am a newbie to the HD world having stepped up to a Sony KDS50A2000 recently. Having DISH-HD installed this Friday but we've been enjoying OTA locals recently and having read most of the posts here since inception, I am pretty sure we have some very well informed technos lurking within.
I am very curious what people are using for their OTA reception. I am only using a TERK TV55 antenna at the moment and I receive the Wilmington digitals quite well.....'course that's probably because I am only about 5 miles from the tower in Delco. I live just west of Riegelwood. So I am trying to find the best roof antenna setup for pulling in the fringe stations like CBS in Florence as well as not being overpowered from the Delco tower. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You should be able to get CBS-HD from Dish for an extra $1.50/mo--it will be either the East Coast or West Coast feed, your choice (at least it was when I signed up years ago).

Since we have no viable signal for CBS in New Hanover county (I'm sure it's the same for Brunswick), no waiver is required, and it's not the same issue as getting locals-in-local, no matter what the ads by DirecTV say...

Otherwise... I would think you'd need a directional antenna, possibly with an amp, depending on the strength of the Florence station, and its radiation pattern, to prevent overload from the local towers...

But try the Dish solution--it's easier...

Nooky,
Welcome to the HD and digital TV world and congratulations on your new Sony.
One of my friends is looking at that model Sony. I am amazed you are doing so well with the Terk antenna. My experience with Terk antennas is not so good.
For an antenna , something with good gain, and no preamp as it would be overloaded by the local stations near you. Unfortunately the direction to the Florence / Myrtle Beach stations is different than the direction to the Wilmington stations. So maybe a good antenna like an 8 bay bowtie Channel Master 4228 might be a good choice. It might still pick up the Wilmington stations ok even though pointed at The South Carolina stations. Keep us posted with your results. Try using the web site www.antennaweb.org for the antenna pointing direction to the stations.

Thanks to you both for the input....Marc, I was thinking along the same lines as you, I haven't yet talked to Dish and I was wondering if I could just get the CBS feed. Will chat with them Friday when I initialize my new receiver.
Wayne, thanks for the kind words. The CM 4228 was recommended by a "guru" on another webpage. It is mostly UHF but seems to work pretty good with channel 13 as well.
The MS2000 was also recommended as it is omnidirectional with a built in amp. My only concern would be the over-amplification aspect.
I was surprised the Terk is doing as good as it as too. It doesn't handle the analog signals quite as well.
Really enjoying this Sony, it has an awesome picture, especially when I am getting your HD signal on 1080i!

What's going on with WWAY HD tonight? They kept trying to get the HD to work but it either kept freezing or there was no sound. I am watching 12 since they are HD, but normally 3 has
the best audio quality.

I am using for my antenna to get Wilmington a CM 4221 with a 7777 amp. I have very good luck with FOX, ABC and UNC. NBC works when it wants to... Lately it has been working better
than usual though.
The only way to get the CW for me is WNCT 9.2 -- and it will only be SD. Wilmington has an
analog channel 50 something I think that will carry it.

Even though most were watching football, this is to let you know about audio problems this weekend on UNC-HD. On Saturday we experienced a loss of audio with hiss and static during the 8 PM show due to equipment failure. On Sunday night during the Nature show, the 5.1 feed from PBS has the channel 1&2 audio interchanged with the channel 3&4 audio so surround appeared only on stereo TV with no dialog. We regret these technical problems.

Anyone know whats up with the CW in eastern nc,

I was under the impression it would just be seamless merge to CW logo.

Apparently directv says we no longer can offer you this channel in your area.

Wasnt much of a warning. Is this just a contract negotiation thing,


"The WB UPN Networks have merged to form the CW Netowkr. We Apologize but we can no longer offer this channel.



THanks directv for the warning. There was no mention that I recall that it was dissapearing off the dial.....special right at the premier of the fall season

Any plans for a multicast of CW???? OTA



WOW!

If your can pick up WWMB 21 out of Florence/Myrtle Beach they switched to CW Monday. They were testing a HD signal all weekend but something must have went wrong because Monday their remapping change 20.1SD CW21 and 20.2HD (HD Demo loop) to 20.4SD CW21 and 20.5SD CWPlus. Hopefully they'll get it straight by this coming Monday.

Anyone know whats up with the CW in eastern nc,

I was under the impression it would just be seamless merge to CW logo.

Apparently directv says we no longer can offer you this channel in your area.

Wasnt much of a warning. Is this just a contract negotiation thing,


"The WB UPN Networks have merged to form the CW Netowkr. We Apologize but we can no longer offer this channel.



THanks directv for the warning. There was no mention that I recall that it was dissapearing off the dial.....special right at the premier of the fall season

Any plans for a multicast of CW???? OTA



WOW!


Thats weird, on Directv up here in Jacksonville The CW is still listed on channel 15.
I don't subscribe to the locals since I have HD antennas, but the feed is supposedly still coming from Baltimore on D*. D* is in negotiations with WNCT dt I think to carry the local signal which is on 9.2 standard def.

I just bought a Viewsonic n3251w and was wondering what HD antenna would be best for me, I am in brunswick county, so I know I need a big one.

I am assuming these things could be picked up from lowes or the likes, I know best buy sells out door antenna's would that be worth it.

Really all you need is a UHF antenna. All the Wilmington channels are UHF. WWAY 46, WSFX 30
WUNJ 29 and WECT 44. I would get a CM 4221 or 4228. If you want to try for the Florence/Myrtle Beach channels or Charleston you should install a rotator. Way up 5O some miles from Wilmington I get the Charleston channels usually a couple of nights a week.

Lowes only sells combo VHF/UHF antennas, you won't need one that big unless you want analog channels also.

sweet thanks.

ok I have the same kind of question only I am in the monkey junction area?

what kind of antenna should I get I am right near the corner where carolina beach rd and college rd meet I have a 2 story house 3 including the roof so I could probably mount something on the side of it or ontop of it if I need too

I only need to pick up the local channels ABC CBS NBC FOX

the goal is to hook it up to my tivo and have it record unattended so I don't think a rotator would be right for me

any suggestion would be greatly appreciated thanks

ok I have the same kind of question only I am in the monkey junction area?

what kind of antenna should I get I am right near the corner where carolina beach rd and college rd meet I have a 2 story house 3 including the roof so I could probably mount something on the side of it or ontop of it if I need too

I only need to pick up the local channels ABC CBS NBC FOX

the goal is to hook it up to my tivo and have it record unattended so I don't think a rotator would be right for me

any suggestion would be greatly appreciated thanks

Dude! (sh!t, I hate that, but it's also kinda funny, coming from someone "my age") We're almost neighbors!

Anyway, I'm just up the road from you. I'd recommend the Radio Shack 15-1880, except they don't make it anymore. With very little to no re-orientation, up in my FROG (I didn't know that was "finished room over garage" until I started looking at houses here), I can pick up all the stations. I don' t think you really need much, but the Radio Shack does have a built-in amplifier.

I'm sure people will tell you to stay away from Terk--overpriced and doesn't work so well apparently.

I don't think you'll need a roof top antenna...

Oh, I see you also want to get CBS--that's impossible, and they don't broadcast OTA HD, if you could call them even broadcasting anything OTA... They have so little power, that you don't even have to ask for a waiver to get them via satellite.

Your only solution for CBS is to get TimeWarner lifeline cable, which has all the network HD channels included, and get a computer ATSC tuner card to record it. (Well, I've had CBS HD with Dish for about 4 years now... and I think DirecTv carries it)

You might be able to get a TimeWarner HD Tivo box without subscribing to an HD package--don't know--and record all the network channels in HD.

If you already have a Tivo, what is the programming source?

I just bought a Viewsonic n3251w and was wondering what HD antenna would be best for me, I am in brunswick county, so I know I need a big one.

I am assuming these things could be picked up from lowes or the likes, I know best buy sells out door antenna's would that be worth it.

I've got a 4-bay Channel Master, I think that's the 4221? Not using it... I'm in Wilmington.

Wanna buy it cheap? I'll help out a fellow AVSer..

PM me if interested...

Also, all the transmitter towers are located in Brunswick county, so you're probably not so far away...

Local CBS affiliate will not give waivers because it is carried in SD on directv. DISH , however is very different in that they do not broadcast locals over sat for our DMA. This allows them to grant waivers without a fight because they dont have a leg to stand on without offering local market networks over sat. If something has changed please correct me.

Thats not to say that outside of wilmington that CBS isnt an option. Kure Beach, Oak Island area all qualify. Go figure.

I am on the charter cable side of the road so time warner isn't an option.
is there a way I can pick up CBS from greensboro or somewhere else other then local

the tivo is going to be a tivo 3
right now I have a tivo 2 which is just plugged into our charter cable box and it works great but isn't HD

Local CBS affiliate will not give waivers because it is carried in SD on directv. DISH , however is very different in that they do not broadcast locals over sat for our DMA. This allows them to grant waivers without a fight because they dont have a leg to stand on without offering local market networks over sat. If something has changed please correct me.

Thats not to say that outside of wilmington that CBS isnt an option. Kure Beach, Oak Island area all qualify. Go figure.

As far as I understand, because WILM is not even classified as a broadcast station, they don't have the authority to grant or deny a waiver. I asked them for a waiver initially (which they said they don't grant), but after some research found out that I didn't need a waiver.

According to the FCC, they are classified as:

Licensee: WILM, INC.
Service Designation: TX Translator station

Channel: 10 192 - 198 MHz Application
File No.: BSTA-20000306AAI Facility ID number: 30081
CDBS Application ID No.: 493001

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=30081

They are a translator, transmitting at .075 kW--basically, there's almost no way you can pick them up OTA, and I think this is why you don't even have to ask for a waiver... what's the alternative? They can't force you to subscribe to TW cable, so as a viewer I have a choice for CBS...

Some of the engineers on this forum may explain it better than I understand it...

I'll add, that you can get "local" CBS-HD via TW cable, via WILM, via WRAL... still DD2.1, whereas Dish is CBS from either East or West Coast, in DD5.1 :)

I am on the charter cable side of the road so time warner isn't an option.
is there a way I can pick up CBS from greensboro or somewhere else other then local

the tivo is going to be a tivo 3
right now I have a tivo 2 which is just plugged into our charter cable box and it works great but isn't HD

:( Sorry to hear that, Charter doesn't have a good reputation...

Talk to Daryl (on this forum) about distant reception...

ya I guess I would need to pick up a distant reseption for CBS but the others should be easy to get right?

is there one particular type of antenna thats good at picking up both the local and long distance stations ota?

Talk to Daryl (on this forum) about distant reception...
Dang if I didn't get a good laugh when I read that line. :) Cause I don't know jack or sh!t and jack left town. :D

TorontoNewb,

All I know about Monkey Junction (that name makes me feel like we can head em off at the pass) is it's somewhere around Wilmington. But maybe, just maybe you can pickup WBTW-DT 13.1 (56.1) CBS out of the Florence/Myrtle Beach area with a rooftop antenna. I use a Channel Master Crossfire 3671 Deep Fringe UHF/VHF antenna with a Channel Master Titan CM-7777 amp.

would I use two antennas or just one
like one for the local stuff and then the other one with an amp to pick up CBS?

would I use two antennas or just one
like one for the local stuff and then the other one with an amp to pick up CBS?
To me it's easiest to use one antenna and a rotor. I'm not familiar with how to connect and use two antenna (since all my received stations are distant) except with the use of a RF switcher (which I've used before two switch between my rooftop antenna and a set of rabit ears).

Toronto, I live off Myrtle Grove Rd. on the waterway. I use a channel master 4 bay UHF. It's on the roof of my 2 story house.


PBS 100%
NBC 93%
ABC 93%
FOX 77% - needs a little more for a stable picture. Can't watch it like it is now.
CBS I get from Directv



ok I have the same kind of question only I am in the monkey junction area?

what kind of antenna should I get I am right near the corner where carolina beach rd and college rd meet I have a 2 story house 3 including the roof so I could probably mount something on the side of it or ontop of it if I need too

I only need to pick up the local channels ABC CBS NBC FOX

the goal is to hook it up to my tivo and have it record unattended so I don't think a rotator would be right for me

any suggestion would be greatly appreciated thanks

I use two antenna. I have a sorry rat shack model I use for Greenville, New Bern channels, and a CM 4 bay bow (4221) I use for MyNetwork TV, WWAY, WSFX, WUNJ and WECT. I am 61 miles from the WWAY tower, and 55 miles from the UNC tower according to antennaweb.
I use a CM 7777 amplifier and join each antenna into this seperatly. Space the antenna 5 ft apart on a mast to reduce interference. At times I have problems with the Radio Shack antenna ( usually with WITN 32) when the wind blows, so I think it needs to be replaced with a better brand. The only two CBS channels to go for would be WNCT 10 VHF or WBTW 56.

WNCT DT coverage zone
http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DT1005845.gif

WBTW DT coverage zone
http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DT418638.gif

C'mon Daryl... don't you post all the time about picking up distant stations? :)

C'mon Daryl... don't you post all the time about picking up distant stations? :)
Occasionally. But all I did was put up an antenna. Since I'm kinda centered between Florence/Myrtle Beach, Raleigh/Durham/Fayetteville and Wilmington areas coupled with the type/size antenna and amp I use most of the time I can pickup each areas stations. Occasionally farther area stations like from Greensboro, Greenville and Columbia if the tropo is having a party in the evening or early morn. But none of that is really my doing. Mostly good location and weather. :) I did by some wacko crazy fluke get two station in the early morn for three different days out of Jacksonville FL. a couple years ago. :confused:

I keep my antenna aimed at about 100 degrees E,SE all the time. Only time I turn it is to sync the rotor back up after a very windy day. At this very moment I'm picking up:

WWAY ABC
WECT NBC
WSFX FOX/THETUBE
PBS NC 39
-------
WRAL CBS
WRAZ FOX
WNCN NBC
WTVD ABC
WLFL CW
WRDC MYNETWORKTV/THETUBE
PAX/i 62
WUNV UNIVISION
-------
WBTW CBS/MYNETWORKTV
WPDE ABC
PBS ETV SC 23
PBS NC 31
WWMB CW has had no signal since friday. They upgraded to HD last week

But it's not always like this.

That's still a lot Daryl!

Looking at the first map I live right on the tip of the river you see just to the NW of Camp Lejeune and I get the following channels all the time......

WWAY-ABC
WITN-NBC
WNCT-CBS & The CW
WCTI- ABC & ENC-TV (Independent)
WUNM- PBS
WSFX- FOX & TUBE
WPXU- MyNetworkTV, i, Worship
WUNJ- UNC

On occasion without adjusting my antennas I get these Charleston channels.....
WCBD-NBC
WCSC- CBS
SC channel - PBS
WTAT-1-FOX

If I turn my antenna I can get at night all the Raleigh channels but FOX 50 and WLFL.

I just bought a CM 3018 and can pick up: w/ no pre amp
wway
unctv
wtev
wcbd
wciv
wect
etv
SC channel
wtat

ok so should I get a CM 3018

I don't want to use a rotor because I want to use this with my tivo

but I do want to pick up all the local channels and cbs too

Local CBS affiliate will not give waivers because it is carried in SD on directv. DISH , however is very different in that they do not broadcast locals over sat for our DMA. This allows them to grant waivers without a fight because they dont have a leg to stand on without offering local market networks over sat. If something has changed please correct me.

Thats not to say that outside of wilmington that CBS isnt an option. Kure Beach, Oak Island area all qualify. Go figure.


Talked to DISH tonight and they tell me that one has to APPLY for a waiver from the network and that it may take up to 45 days to grant "approval"..... :(

stress to them that CBS is LP VHF. That might give you some leverage.


Ive been playing with my rotor this evening.

Im pulling in a lot of stations from florence in the evening hours.

Im trying to get some WB love here

WWMB appears to be off the air still.

Im trying to get some WB love here

WWMB appears to be off the air still.
WB doesn't exist anymore. WB and UPN were murdered and cremated this month (Sept 17th) and TheCW network arose from the ashes (Sept 18th). :) WWMB is TheCW now.

I hope WWMB gets on the air soon. Smallville and Supernatural's season premiere is Thursday night. :eek:

Just got an e-mail from Billy Huggins. WWMB-DT's high voltage line for the transmitter shorted out and had to be completely rewired. He said they should be back on-air tonight.

daryll


i was picking em all up after 9pm or so last night

I never realized that HDtivo blocked out stations even if you manually tune them till last night based upon your primary and secondary dma settings.

only way i knew was to make one secondary florence and the other hdtivo raleigh-duram

at least my MYHD card doesnt do such nasty tricks :)

Interestingly enough,

I got CBS,NBC, and some others from florence,

From Raleigh I got WRAL,FOXRZ,CW,MYRDC,UNCTV, and a bunch of others i cant remember.


Tried it this morning and was still getting some but not as good as the tropho last night :)

Sorry about my references to WB, I knew that just failed to type CW :)

WWMB-DT's high boltage line for the transmitter shorted out and had to be completely rewired.

I hate it when the high boltage line shorts out!! :)

I hate it when the high boltage line shorts out!! :)
LOL, yep dem dar boltage lines can be buggers.

BTW, for anyone unaware of what a boltage line is, it's short for bolted voltage lines. ;) j/k :D

Anybody know if and when WECT will begin broadcasting Wheel of fortune and Jeopardy! in
HD??
The other NBC (WITN) does not carry it in HD at this point either.
I swear that WECT has started putting out more power, because now every time I turn
them on I can get a signal.

if I get direct tv will I be able to get most of the local channels in HD through direct tv I was just ordering it and saw an option to have an atenna added on but I thought that the local hd channels would come through direct tv directly

if I get direct tv will I be able to get most of the local channels in HD through direct tv I was just ordering it and saw an option to have an atenna added on but I thought that the local hd channels would come through direct tv directly

Not yet, but maybe sometime next year. I would add an antenna, but not the one directv uses. Get a Channel master 4221. WECT dt 44 is the hardest one to get, and you may need the gain that this antannna has to pick it up. WWAY, WSFX, and the PBS are simple to pick up. Depending where you are located, you may get some New Bern and Greenville stations also. WITN-32 , WCTI-48 and MyNetworkTV 34dt.

so I can't get local hd channels through direct tv?

I called direct tv and they told me that I can get hd abc nbc fox and cbs but they may not be local are they lieing?

I don't think that DTV is offering HD locals here yet.

As fo me, I had placed an order for a Dish HD install and they missed (didn't call) the appointment two weeks straight. Their customer dis-service department ran me around so much I decided to give them the old heave-ho. I decided to stay with DTV as they made me a nice incentive offer...a free upgrade to their new HR20 HD-DVR and free movies for the next 3 months...and that solves my dilemma of not receiving CBS locally....they (unlike Dish) have Wilmington locals.

D* has locals, but not HD right? I cannot believe how lucky I am to be able to get two markets
of local channels and all digitally. Wilmington is a bad location. If you move over one county in either direction you would get several more channels from other markets.

Good to see you guys over here.
I see ilmhd is kinda gone.
I'm south of Monkey Junction (something about that makes it fun to say) just across from Ashley/Veterans Park. Using a 7+ yr old VHF/UHF roof top RS antenna thats weathered many storms but in need of replacing. I currently get WECT, WWAY, WPBS and WFSX well. Since I boycott cable presently I get all my TV OTA, I'd love to pull in a CBS station a little better, doesn't even need to be digital, to watch football on Sunday's.

MarcS, still want to get rid of that 4221? I could definitely use it. :)
I'll subscribe to this thread and keep in touch.

Incus

incus,

Just so you know. If your antenna is old but not bent up, some of the time just a good sanding with sandpaper to remove galvanized buildup can help it's reception ability. Trust me, thats from experience. I have used an antenna non stop all my life (I'm 45 now), and counting my fathers antennas only on my second UHF/VHF Directional antenna since I was born. Try giving her a cleaning before spending money on a new one. ;)

My radio shack antenna is 6 years old. It's been through some bad winds, and is not in the best shape. It came down in one windstorm and bent up one side really bad. I straightend it out and put it back up, and I can't tell any difference. On analog I don't see any sparkling or ghosts, so I just haven't bothered to replace it. The same model I have now costs $54 I paid $25 !
My reception of WSFX and WECT digitals has been more no than yes over the last several days. Has anyone else been having problems picking these up? I figure it must have been that Low pressure system causing the signals to be abnormal.
I've got some work to do anyway, because I can't keep my local NBC 7 to stop dropping out.
It will go from perfect to nothing and bounce back and forth.

My reception of Wilmington and Raleigh stations have been terrible the past week or two. Even my Atomic clock has had trouble keeping a lock on the radio signal the past week for syncing the time. Never had this kinda reception trouble before.

All my normal channels are back now, including WECT-which is the hard signal to get--came in when I tried them about 5:30. For a while I was worried rain water had gotten into my fittings that connect to the matching transformer.

is there anyone in the monkey junction area that has a pretty decent OTA setup going that maybe I could come by and check out
I was talking in another forum and someone suggested I just try to find someone local and talk to them and see about getting HD CBS channels

I have not received anything other than analog from a CBS station OTA, and snowy at that. (but if you're from Toronto it may bring back good memories ;) ).

I live across from Ashley High School, east of Carolina Beach rd. Feel free to come by, my house is the only one with the antenna on the roof :). We'll crack open a 2-4er and watch the Mets win. The Mets in the playoffs, Fox with 5.1 HDTV(most of the game) for all the championships and World Series, ialmost Heaven!

Incus

Ive been getting CBS from Florence, MB quite frequently as of late. Almost good enough to start some PVR activity. I usually pick it up around 40%

CW is coming in tonight around 25-28%

There is no sound though, just video. Doesnt look like they are passing HD yet either or the show was sampling is not in HD. Didnt bother to check just yet.

Maybe it was the sound thing throwing me off.


Lords Creek Subdivision. I think Im the only one with the antenna up as well btw. Don't feel bad. The FCC says you have this right :)

I have not received anything other than analog from a CBS station OTA, and snowy at that. (but if you're from Toronto it may bring back good memories ;) ).

I live across from Ashley High School, east of Carolina Beach rd. Feel free to come by, my house is the only one with the antenna on the roof :). We'll crack open a 2-4er and watch the Mets win. The Mets in the playoffs, Fox with 5.1 HDTV(most of the game) for all the championships and World Series, ialmost Heaven!

Incus


For what its worth,

I have a VHF 10 cut , courtesy of Chuck Decourt on my roof pointing NE and have seen CBS with that antenna about 2 times for about 13 minutes. I might be able to get it with a little more height but its scarrry up there. I think Im about 26-27ft from the ground as of now, 10 cut was placed under the uhf CM4221 and they are combined with the CM 7777 pre-amp/signal combiner. I do have a remote rotor that makes things work a little better....but unless I am searching for new airwaves, there isnt much need to move it around. I lock in on everything that is obtainable. Still....I wonder what 5 more ft and the 8 bowtie antenna will give me.

I am very curious about the DB-8. Anyone have any experience with it or a telescopic pole that can be raised to reach those heights.

My Antenna (http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/cm4221.html)


nc88keyz

I just realized many things and will post. If you have opinions or facts feel free to add to mine. First of all and most important.

1. I am founder of Wilmington, NC OTA thread on AVSForums. Dont forget it :)

2. Kudos to Time Warner Cable of Eastern Carolinas for delivery HDTV as promissed, regularly adding to their offering as permitted.

3. Charter still doesnt seem to get it. While most other cable companies upgrade the smaller footprints first, they choose to ignore Wilmington. To be expected from a sub-standard cable player. While they may be big player. They are useless to the Wilmington market.

4. DirecTV and Echostar still taunt us with MPG4 and the most HD. I think someone up there does love us....MPG4 is a waste to so many that already get glorious HD OTA. Nothing can be done about it, However it would be nice to for them to get some more HD up there and fast.

5. Capitol has rumored fiber feeds to wilmington for some time for CBS. I am convinced they think that a LP VHF repeater is what makes us happy. How can WRAL even be affiliated with the crap they serve up in the wilmington market. Has anyone ever actually looked at the directv feed for CBS here. Thats some feed. Im sure Directv is partly responsable for compressing the crap out of the signal, but what is the game plan for CBS. It would be nice if someone from capitol would take this issue seriously at this point.

Please Please Please keep sharing your thoughts in the Wilmington Market and Thank you to all the engineers and employees of the affiliates that do key us in for the current events. To those who don't...learn from your peers and find out what you can and can't do. Im not asking you to jeopardize your job. Only that you share what you can. Diana from TWC is a great example of someone who shares and cares at the same time. Wayne is amazing as well. Others are welcomed at any point to play the game.

nc88

On a side note is was kinda sad to see ILMHD go away, but I understand why it was taken down with the lack of activity there.

I couldn't log into the ILMHD site. Who was in charge of that site? It was full of spam last time
I was on it.
In order to get either CBS signal, it would probably be best to just use one line of cable, (and RG-11 if you can find some) from the CBS antenna to your amp and then TV. I wouldn't try to combine a separate antenna all into one line on the outside. You don't want to loose any signal strenght from splitters or combiners. Then use a completely separate antenna and cable for your WSFX, WWAY and WECT signal.
If you go with the UHF CBS channel then use a very directional antenna such as the antennas direct 91XG I think is the name. It's going to take some experimenting to determine whether the Greenville CBS or the Florence CBS comes in the best. If you go with
the Greenville one, you will need a HUGE VHF antenna.
If you live farther south than northern Wilmington I would go with the Florence CBS

ilmhd got hacked and the owner lost interest in maintaining the site. Can you blame them. The traffic was nil



I am in south wilmington and would agree florence CBS is a much better choice for discovery.

I did notice a drop when combining the vhf 10cut and uhf. however its not significant enough to warrant the dangerous travel to the top, as I basically had to crab crawl to the edge of the roof line. Its a steep incline and Im not the most acrobatic.

So it stays up there for the time being. If I were to pick up a DB8 I suppose I could convince myself to take it down.

I know how you feel. I'm not very stable over the gutter line myself! If I had a two story house I would for sure hire someone to do the climb for me. LOL :D

I am just so happy that WSFX comes in all the time here with no pixelation ever. I thought for sure at 80 KW I would need an expensive antenna. I'm 61 miles from the
WWAY/WSFX tower and couldn't have better reception. Just plain lucky I guess.

ok awesome thats what I needed to know because your about 2 miles south of me

ok could I do to improve on your signal? mount it higher get a stronger amp?
if I could get cbs then I would order a tivo 3 in the blink of an eye

Helo all,

Tried to post here last night. Must have been so tired hit the wrong key and lost it all.

Anyway, seems like some of us live very close to others.

I am actually a few miles south of lord's creek and about 9/10ths miles north snow's cut bridge.

My house is on one of the biggest hills around. I am a AV freak and I am semi retired but have about 20+ years of engineering expirience.

I have put up more antennas and created more home theater systems than I can remember.

So... several things:

1st I have lots of connections in local TV stations and probally can get access to several enginerrs in the field if need be or if I need specific info.

2nd I want to feed my home theater with OTA HDTV (since as others said, Charter just can't/won't ever do). I have Dish in my home in Raleigh, and we have much better access to HDTV there anyway, OTA or by Sat and cable.

3rd I would love to get several of us together of a drink or coffee or whatever, and compare notes on what and how is the best way to address OTA and/or any access to HDTV in the area.

To the guys over in "the creek" (where many of my friends live): A) they CANNOT,,
as others said, stop or otherwise curtail your ability to get Satellite TV. I got great pro-bono attorney's who would help with this (I have won this battle many times).

Anyway, sorry to be so long. Anyone just post and I will be glad to provide email or other contact info.

I want to compare notes and get whatever OTA HDTV I can receive as soon possibe. I am also willing to pay for decent local access to HDTV if it provides full bandwidth picture (little or no crappy compression) with local OR network channels. I am not really interested in other channels.

Thanks in advance

Scott

I was wondering what was going on with ILMhd. I have checked in there many times with no luck.

I'm still paying too much for cable with TW....

Paul

Wow, a real uptick in traffic on this thread lately...

Although many years have passed since I started with Dish, and some new regs have passed, I don't recall having to do anything to get CBS HD (choice of east or west coast feed), I qualified because of my zip code. Nothing has changed with WILM, so I can't figure out why anyone should have trouble with Dish...

WILM is feeding TW cable an HD signal, which I assume must come from WRAL, but it's still going through the rack at WILM, which does 2 things:

1) Puts a BIG logo in the bottom left hand corner of picture--it's built into the hardware and can't be modified (at least that's what I was told). Although it looks a bit more transparent of late.

2) Only DD2.1 audio.

(side bar--watching The Unit now, they're in Wilmington, NC during a hurricane, at some fictional medical center... lol, least they could do is actually film here...wow, they mentioned the cape fear river in background audio...)

I started out with the OTA module add-in for the Dish 6000 receiver, a first generation OTA tuner--it sucked. Had trouble reliably picking up a signal (this was about 2+ years ago). The module was partially fried, along with my receiver, from a power surge--good luck for me? Junked the Dish card, and bought a new receiver...

Went to the MyHD mdp-120 computer card, 2-3rd gen tuner, plus I could use my computer as a DVR. Worked pretty good--as long as the stations could halfway get their PSIP stream right.

Added the mdp-130 QAM capable card in a second computer, ponied up for TW lifeline cable, which has all the local channels in HD in the clear. Could be the best $8/month spent... did it initially ONLY to get Fox in HD before they went OTA, so I could watch 24 in HD... :D

I don't use an antenna anymore for HD, unless I need to record 2 programs at once, then the mdp-120 computer is put into service with an antenna...

For an antenna, I am now using the Radio Shack 15-1880, discontinued, small, picks up everything local...

Paul, if I recall, are the one that wanted to watch the calibration on my RPTV some years ago?

Anyway, sounds like we're building some momentum, so maybe a local AV'er "club" is the next step.

I'm game... but we should probably take this offline via PM's...

OOH OOH OOH


...................the Av Club.


:)

Good thing Im married now....dont have to worry about the dates or lack of_

I like the idea of a AV'er club. Just make sure there's some good draft's being served when we meet. :D

Marc,
Antenna up and working great. No drop outs any more. I just need a combiner or to run another cable for my VHF antenna.

LG LDA-511 is the dvd player I picked up from Best Buy that allows HD-upconvert over component cables with the remote code.

Glad to have met a fellow board member.
Watching the Mets lose, even in HDTV, kinda sucked. :(

Incus

OOH OOH OOH


...................the Av Club.


:)

Good thing Im married now....dont have to worry about the dates or lack of_

This won't be the AV club of your highschool dreams! :D LOL

Won't the wife be more willing to accept the story that you are going to meet some guys and talk about home theaters compared to "we're playing poker"? Of course at some point they would both involve alcohol and cigars!

Incus, glad the antenna is working for you...

Speaking of good drafts--we could have a meeting at the Front Street Brewery and try their new line of beers...

sestrich -- what we really need are the numbers for the master control rooms at each of the stations...

Like right now! WWAY-DT (and of course HD) is off the air...

If they don't pull it together, one of the biggest shows on ABC will not be seen in HD...

Tied up until Monday. Going to NYC. Probally could get those control room numbers :-)

As far as alcohol and cigars, you must not only be a neighbor, but know me as well.

Am I the only one that isn't getting ABC in HD in Wilmington? Either OTA or via TW cable?

No digital signal for me.
Back to the Mets game.

Scott

No signal for me, either (as of 10/18/06 at 9:44pm).

I can't get WWAY up here either. It's weird that FOX 26 is on since they share the same antenna with WWAY.
Is the power out in Brunswich county? The former engineer told me they didn't have a back-up generator for the digital signal in the event of a power failure.

we could take turns driving down to the station and bangin on the door.

I nominate Marc for the first run :D

I can't get WWAY up here either. It's weird that FOX 26 is on since they share the same antenna with WWAY.
Is the power out in Brunswich county? The former engineer told me they didn't have a back-up generator for the digital signal in the event of a power failure.

Not only that, the last time I spoke with an engineer, they said they don't even have a way of knowing if the power goes off...

we could take turns driving down to the station and bangin on the door.

I nominate Marc for the first run :D

I'm not pissed off enough anymore to bother them, I just give up...

But after I go shopping at Walmart a little bit later, I might get riled up again... :D

we could take turns driving down to the station and bangin on the door.

I nominate Marc for the first run

LOL!

Not only that, the last time I spoke with an engineer, they said they don't even have a way of knowing if the power goes off...

Looks like they won't be back on-line tonight then... Wednesday night I watch ghost hunters anyway! :D It's not HD though...:(

Can anyone confirm whether or not the stations own an HD display for monitoring thier fiber feeds and OTA signals. ????

I had the opportunity to visit the new Time Warner Building and they are nicely tricked out with 42" HD monitors in their break rooms. It was a nice touch.


Has it really come to this....ie the stations need funding for a source display. ???


LMAO

Heres a hint to the stations. Hook some larger accounts and get some professional HD equipment to start putting together some rich 30 sec spots.

The monitor funding with come with ease.

I just thought of something that would rock.


We could all take our laptops (assuming we have em) to a wifi spot in town such as BW3 and try to guess who is who. We all donate 5-10 bucks to a paypal account and get a gift cert to best buy or something. The one who guesses the most correct user names by physical description wins.

Should make for an interesting first AV meet.


Hey....I knew I forgot something on the way home tonight. My MEDS :)

On an off topic

"BELLSOUTH" and Wilmington, NC

If anyone was having trouble getting their address validated for 6mbit ADSL from bellsouth. We have been upgraded in this area. Please not they may have to send you a new model if you have the westel 2100 as its not compliant with ADSL/2, however I still havent recieved my modem but my speed was provisioned 24 hours ago and am now reaching 800kbps in various scenarios :) and and and I get a purdy new modem for FREE!

For anyone that is wondering....I skinned down my phone bill too by making my land line dormant for up to 9 months out of the year. We use cell phones for our communications, Bellsouth charges $10 for vacation plan vs. 25 for basic plan. Im extremley happy with my setup now for DirecTV and DSL . I still get $5 off for directv as well. Im not anti cable by any means. Just in a Charter served area of wilmington. Charter needs to wake up and offer extended services such as HDTV and VOIP.

Can anyone confirm whether or not the stations own an HD display for monitoring thier fiber feeds and OTA signals. ????

I was going to add to my prior post, that the reason WWAY (at least my understanding a year or two ago) doesn't know if they've lost power to their digital xmitter, is that they DON'T monitor the transmission...

That's based on a conversation I had at the time with either one of the engineers, or one of the few times I was able to reach master control... "Oh, the signal is out?" "We don't have a way to monitor it..."

Sigh... I sure hope every single TW HD subscriber calls to complain about Lost not being on... I called... I figure it's a much better way to pressure WWAY, through all the TW viewers...

nc88keyz -- I've got a lot of left over darvocet from my knee operation -- I'm just saying -- in case you feel the need... ;)

BTW, what's BW3?

WWAY still down... spoke with someone at the station, all the engineers are out of the office, I assume at the xmitter site, trying to fix the problem.

When I mentioned that so far they've lost HD programming for one of the biggest hits for ABC, if not for all networks (Lost), and have major programming on tonight, they said "we know...".

Of all the stations, it seems WWAY's equipment has been the least reliable over the years...

Hello All,

I'm in Castle Hayne near GE plant and currently have TWC with all the HD channels the have. (need more =)) That package sets me back around $140.00 a month with the HD DVR. I would love to know if any one has experience with Dish Network they offer more HD channels for around $100.00. I would like to keep TWC basic cable for the local HD channels running their DVR for the local and Dishs DVR for movies and such. I'm just not sure if the reception is fine with inclimate weather on the Dishs? No complaints with TWC so far just looking for more. I would love to know about OTA HD and what I might need for that. I have a TV that has PC input so I could go that way with a HD tuner card and PC DVR, I just need some guidance if anyone is so inclined =).

Thanks,

Ross

PS. I would really just like the most HD content with HD DVR capabilties for the my money.

No signs of WWAY-DT as of about 3:10 pm. They must have some real termites at the transmitter!

No signs of WWAY-DT as of about 3:10 pm. They must have some real termites at the transmitter!
Not termites. Their little gremlins. :eek:

Not termites. Their little gremlins. :eek:

:p

WWAY still down... spoke with someone at the station, all the engineers are out of the office, I assume at the xmitter site, trying to fix the problem.

When I mentioned that so far they've lost HD programming for one of the biggest hits for ABC, if not for all networks (Lost), and have major programming on tonight, they said "we know...".

Of all the stations, it seems WWAY's equipment has been the least reliable over the years...

Their chief engineer used to return my E_mails and I even got a reply from their general manager several months ago. Now they both ignore my calls and E_Mails.

Is it just me or does WWAY seem to be down more than all the other HD channels combined? Not only down more but for long periods, weekends and days at a time?

WWAY is owned by Morris Multimedia which owns all of 5 TV staions in smaller markets.



Maybe some messages to Chrles Morris (founder) of H. Dean Hinson (TV) at Morris might get some kind of reply?

Thissite won't let me post URL's yet but Morris Multimedia and their contact page is easy to find.

I have given up on anybody local answering.

It seems like we and ABC have spent a lot of money on HD. Too bad WWAY doesn't seem to match our and ABC's enthusiasm.

I also am sending an E-Mail Star News. I would love to see an article on WWAY and how they can't seem to get HDTV right! I have been in this area for 2 years now and they have always been the worst in my view!

I have to dis-agree on WWAY being the worst. They have had their share of problems, but at least I can pick them up when they are on the air. WECT on the other hand I cannot get 70% of the time, and have never seen anyone from that station come on here or the ILM site to give updates on digital plans or to answer questions. WWAY was the first station on the air in Wilmington. They had their ducks in a row more than the others did in the long run, at least in my opinion.
The change over from the previous owner may be the problems we've seen in the short term.

Congratulations WWAY, 2 nights in a row with no prime time HD... Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Six Degrees......

While some might complain about the signal strength of WECT, it's because of the way the antenna is mounted on the tower, and its radiation pattern, not because the equipment itself. I've confirmed this in conversation with a station engineer, as a matter of fact, the studio location on Shipyard has trouble picking up their own OTA digital signal. There's a big suckout in the radiation pattern in New Hanover County...

But, they aren't down as much as WWAY. When WWAY first went on the air, they were down a lot. From the beginning, WECT has been more stable.

I have to dis-agree on WWAY being the worst. They have had their share of problems, but at least I can pick them up when they are on the air. WECT on the other hand I cannot get 70% of the time, and have never seen anyone from that station come on here or the ILM site to give updates on digital plans or to answer questions. WWAY was the first station on the air in Wilmington. They had their ducks in a row more than the others did in the long run, at least in my opinion.
The change over from the previous owner may be the problems we've seen in the short term.


I guess my view is that of a cable subscriber. All the other networks seem to be, if not solid, only down for very short time periods. WWAY is off for days at a time and much more frequently. TWC even added a crawl on WWAY's DT channels a couple of months ago stating WWAY was down but it was a WWAY problem not TWC. Highly unusal. Also I am disappointed that they have stopped communicating. Does anybody from WWAY communicate anywhere?

A few years back, when the stations were first coming up with DT and HD, several of us on this board and the now defunct ILMHD Forum were in frequent contact with the station engineers. Initially it was a pretty good exchange (in my opinion), as we were all learning about the technology--there weren't many of us in town capable of receiving OTA HD, so we were a valuable feedback component.

I think that relationship deteriorated as the performance of the stations DT/HD didn't improve over time, and we became somewhat more critical (again, in my opinion).

There have been ownership changes, one of the engineers moved to Asheville, some engineers switched stations...

I've been in touch with TW cable, hoping they can exert pressure on behalf of all their HD subscribers...

I've kinda given up--it is what it is... as consumers, we don't seem to have much weight...

Let me add, that Wayne Estabrooks, chief engineer at UNC TV, has always been outstanding to "work" with... I can't remember the specifics, but a few years ago or so, I believe I had left him a voicemail, or maybe an email. He was on a boondogle-I MEAN business trip--in Vegas... He called me from Vegas...

Up in the Greenville viewing area we have Ken12 to ask questions about the New Bern ABC station, WCTI 12. He has always been helpful and informative to everyone on their digital signal. I think they may reach Wilmington if you turn your antennas to the northeast. They are on channel 48. The signal is directional towards Wilmington.
WWAY is better in that they carry Dolby Digital sound. WCTI does not as of yet, but they plan to in the future.

Wayne Estabrooks has kept us up on UNC-TV. Thats for sure. I never have problems with either of the two signals I get.

TW cable must've had enough complaints that they've finally put up a disclaimer that WWAY is having the problems, not them...

WWAY, still down...

:(

TW cable must've had enough complaints that they've finally put up a disclaimer that WWAY is having the problems, not them...

WWAY, still down...

:(


WWAY is beyond comprehension. Second time TWC has felt compelled to put the disclaimer up. And how many days was it down for 24 hours? And even when it was up how many times did the send SD when it should of been HD?

In my view it's may be one of the worst staions, for HD, in the country.

TW cable must've had enough complaints that they've finally put up a disclaimer that WWAY is having the problems, not them...

WWAY, still down...

:(


Maybe the people that own WWAY won't ignore us the way the local people are.

Send some comments to the folks at Morris Multimedia (owmers of WWAY)

Charles Morris is the fouder and H. Dean Hinson is in charge of Television.

Use this page:

Look at the next post>

[QUOTE=Rich in ILM]Maybe the people that own WWAY won't ignore us the way the local people are.

Send some comments to the folks at Morris Multimedia (owmers of WWAY)

Charles Morris is the fouder and H. Dean Hinson is in charge of Television.

Use this page:

Or the post after.

I need to make 5 posts beofe I can include a URL!

[QUOTE=Rich in ILM]Maybe the people that own WWAY won't ignore us the way the local people are.

Send some comments to the folks at Morris Multimedia (owmers of WWAY)

Charles Morris is the fouder and H. Dean Hinson is in charge of Television.

Use this page:

Or the post after.

I need to make 5 posts beofe I can include a URL!



Maybe this time!
http://www.morrismultimedia.com/?cat=6

[QUOTE=Rich in ILM]



Maybe this time!
http://www.morrismultimedia.com/?cat=6


Mr. Morris,

All of us HDTV owners in Wilmington are very hopeful that your company will help WWAY figure out what has gone so terribly wrong with their HDTV feed. Of all 4 networks here WWAY seems to have about 99% of the down time. We've been down for three days again!
Those of us that have HDTV have spent a fair amount of money to receive it and ABC certainly has spent a bunch to originate it. But WWAY seems to be a very week link in between!

Any fixes in the near future?

Thanks for your time.

[QUOTE=Rich in ILM]


Mr. Morris,

All of us HDTV owners in Wilmington are very hopeful that your company will help WWAY figure out what has gone so terribly wrong with their HDTV feed. Of all 4 networks here WWAY seems to have about 99% of the down time. We've been down for three days again!
Those of us that have HDTV have spent a fair amount of money to receive it and ABC certainly has spent a bunch to originate it. But WWAY seems to be a very week link in between!

Any fixes in the near future?

Thanks for your time.


acombs@wwaytv3.com

Andy Combs General Manager WWAY
Mr. Combs,

It seems that if you guys really are the news channel you might want to communicate the status of the HDTV channels.
Things like why it is down, again, for several days.
Why it is down more than all the other HDTV feeds combined.
When it will be back up.
What steps are being taken to make ABC HDTV more reliable.

Maybe it's just me, but a station that takes pride in reporting other business' problems might want to put a little of the spotlight on themselves.

What do you think?

Go get 'em Rich!

Still down as of 1PM... If the station has guts, they'll tell you they don't really care because they don't make any money (or at least any extra money) off their digital and HD broadcast--compared to analog...

Basically what I've heard in the past as an excuse for making digital/HD a second class citizen within the station...

Too bad it isn't an O&O station, then corporate ABC might care, after all, they are spending all that money on producing HD content, and we're going on the 4th night without it.

A letter to corporate ABC might be interesting--letting them know that some of their most popular programs were unavailable in HD in our market... then again, no one cares about our market because it's so small...

So bend over, we're screwed all around! :eek:

Actually, the FCC might be interested in their extended downtime...

Actually, the FCC might be interested in their extended downtime...

The FCC allows a station 10 days in a row to be off the air without notification.

You can relax guys. WWAY-DT is back on-the-air and with the game in HD (snow and all). They probably had equipment failure and had to wait on delivery of parts. Can't always get parts within a day or two. I bet the transmitter fell off and broke. They would have to find huge, huge crane, wait for it to be set up, repair the mounting hardware on the tower (2000 ft hight!), order and wait on new transmitter (which was probably on backorder), get an electrical crew, mount it, wire it up, test it. Thats gotta take atleast two to three days. Given all that, being back on air in four days is pretty impressve. ;) :D

WPDE? We're talking about WWAY...

Thanks for the info foxeng...

WPDE? We're talking about WWAY...

Thanks for the info foxeng...
Sorry, I ment WWAY. Editted my post to correct that.

Hi guys,

I found the board a few days ago and just wanted to chime in and thank you for posting info here. I just got an HD card for my 'puter and was having trouble getting the local network affiliates. Thanks to you, I didn't spend a lot of fruitless hours trying to get WWAY.

I worked at WWAY several years ago (Billy was there then... I think some of you know him) and the engineering staff has their hands full. I'm sure that the change in ownership along with the relatively new chief engineer hasn't helped matters much. They are all good guys, but at times their hands are either full or tied by the resources available to them.

Yep, Billy use to post here and the ilmhd forum until he left WWAY.

I worked at WWAY several years ago (Billy was there then... I think some of you know him) and the engineering staff has their hands full. I'm sure that the change in ownership along with the relatively new chief engineer hasn't helped matters much. They are all good guys, but at times their hands are either full or tied by the resources available to them.

I was thinking those reasons were mainly the problem, and that's why I went easy
on the station. Maybe they can keep the signal up for good this time.

Billy is a great guy and a talented engineer. He's a pretty good bass player too.

Shooting emails to the GM is the best way to communicate, IMHO. He's ultimately responsible for the performance of the station, but then again, he can only do as much as the owners will allow.

I worked at WRAL in Raleigh too... now there's a place where the owner is eager to keep on the cutting edge and willing to spend the cash to do it.

Too bad WRAL won't spend a little bit of money on their affiliate here in WILM... considering they were the first station in the country to go digital and HD...(if I recall correctly)

I think Billy is now in Asheville...

There's a great amount of truth in the idea that the station management does not fully support its engineers, either directly, or indirectly...

What it comes down to--and this is based on my personal communications over the years with various people at all the local stations--is that compared to analog, DT and HD does not make MORE money for the stations. Therefore, they don't care beyond what the FCC requires...

Note that I say station management, not the engineers...

The other strange thing I found (again, based on personal communications), is that stations--especially for the SAME network--would not collaborate on issues of bringing up DT/HD. In the early days, WWAY definitely had their issues (hardware/PSIP e.g.) compared to other locals, but they either could not, or would not try to solve their problems by talking with other ABC affiliates.

I find that kinda strange, IF the station was interested in serving their customer.

Hard to not draw the conclusion that the transition to DT/HD was not a priority for some stations, even in the face of FCC deadlines.

You are absolutely right. Most stations didn't meet the original HD deadlines and they were pushed back. HD was something that most stations knew would cost a lot of money, so they put it off as long as possible. Until analog goes dead (whatever that deadline actually resolves to) , it won't generate a profit for them... or at least not a big one.

WRAL was an exception. You're right. They were the first in the nation with a HD license and the first HD signal on the air. They were also the first to do their news in HD. Mr. Goodman has poured a lot of money into his station with the philosophy that it should be the best local station anywhere. It was a great place to work. Everything really does trickle down from the top.

I wish they would do more with WILM too. I don't have any inside information or anything like that, but I imagine that they'll do something in this market in the future. And when they decide to go full throttle with it, it'll be done right.

Stations that share the same network affiliation have different owners and the ownership will trump the network affiliation every time. Especially if they are competing in multiple markets.

If Capitol would make a move with a CBS it would put the pressure on WWAY and WECT to start giving viewers more as well. They might want to do something sooner rather than later before another company decides to come in and open up a full power. It's too bad that nielsen
ratings group only has a five county area defined as the Wilmington market. If one or two more counties were added that might make all the difference.

anyone know who I could call locally to get an antenna set up correctly at my house
I am not really sure the best way to get the cable into my house and rather then mess with it I think I would rather just pay someone

Beer Pizza and Wings, You never know what some of us will do for the right price. :rolleyes:

Incus!

do you think that if I got the
Channel Master model 4228
that I would be able to pick up the cbs from Myrtle Beach / Florance my zip is 28412
I am getting ready to pull the trigger and just want to make sure I am getting the right thing

If your going to try to get them the CM 4228 or the antennas direct 91XG would be the ones
to go with I think.

What is wrong with WSFX-DT?? I turned them on just now and the station disappeared and when I enter 30 on my set it just jumps to channel 2! No picture.

which one is better the 4228 or the 91XG? or are they really close

From what I've heard, the 91XG. The gain on it is almost 17 db-- but the cost of the antenna
is almost double the 4228

You will need to get as high as you can and be right on with the aim which ever choice you make.

check out these graphs>>>>> http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html

WSFX working ok tonight at 7PM...

What is wrong with WSFX-DT?? I turned them on just now and the station disappeared and when I enter 30 on my set it just jumps to channel 2! No picture.
Okay here aswell. Showing up on 26.1 as normal.

when I tried WSFX yesterday evening again it was back up and went to 26.1 again, but yesterday at lunch it went to 2.1 with no picture. Hmmm

I'm having dropouts on WWAY OTA. Anyone one else?

I'm having dropouts on WWAY OTA. Anyone one else?

No problems through TW cable... however I did notice a few nights ago at 11pm that they started showing their HD demo loop instead of the local news... I was really confused when they started a promo for the movie Monsters Inc., I thought maybe it was a sequel....... then finally started seeing the other stuff and recognized it was their demo loop... (for us bleeding edge OTA HD'ers, remember when that was the most exciting thing to happen? WWAY playing the HD demo loop? LOL)

Interestingly, the 5.1 sound test had no rear surround--when it got to left and right rear, it played through the front speakers... I wonder if they're having a problem with their DD5.1 equipment?

No drops here for WWAY. My problems are WNCT and WITN lately. Last night I was able to watch WTVD and Jeopardy! in HD finally, as well as Wheel of Fortune.

Are there any rumors of new HD programming coming to the Wilmington area? I subscribe to TW's HD package.

We don't get a lot of HD channels as of right now like ESPNU, WB HD (Or whatever they call themselves now), Skinemax, NFL Network etc etc

Are there any rumors of new HD programming coming to the Wilmington area? I subscribe to TW's HD package.

We don't get a lot of HD channels as of right now like ESPNU, WB HD (Or whatever they call themselves now), Skinemax, NFL Network etc etc


Why TWC won't carry ESPN2 HD is beyond me. It should be a no brainer.

[QUOTE=ashwiggins]Are there any rumors of new HD programming coming to the Wilmington area? I subscribe to TW's HD package.


TW should have recently added UNC-HD full time to the lineup.

Oh man, UNC-HD had a show on NOVA the other night (should air again) about formation of galaxies (don't remember title) that just looked great, was interesting too.

ok I just got my 91XG set up on a 40' mast and with 50' of quad shielded cable and it works great
except I don't get CBS from MB / FL
I can get ABC from MB / FL on channel 16-1 but no CBS what channel is it suppose to be 13-1?
I think it's really odd that I would get in ABC from florence so clear and not get anything from CBS

right now I have the antenna pointing west and WWAY WECT Fox and PBS all come in above 90%

TorontoNewb, are you getting any CBS analog signals?

Incus

what channel would I need to check? I don't get anything on 13

Toronto- I believe it is Channel 56. Enter that in and see what happens... The ABC is a lower
frequency... I think 15?

what channel would I need to check? I don't get anything on 13


The only digital I see at all for CBS is Raleigh 5.1 and Columbia 19.1.

Am I missing something?
It appears CBS has got a few stations that haven't had to deploy a digital signal.

http://www.antennaweb.org

I just looked up the channels, and your getting an ABC that is only 421KW! It is on channel 16
Channel 18 is FOX at 1000KW
Channel 20 is The CW at 375KW (doubtful) maybe at night...
Channel 56 is CBS and they are at 1000KW, so if you can get ABC- I would think CBS should be a stronger signal.

CBS from MB / FL is on uhf 56 remapped to 13-1 CBS and 13-2 MyNetworkTV.
Channel 18 is FOX 43-1 but their not on their big tower yet, their at low power on a small tower at the station.

I am not getting channel 16 in I am getting 16-1

and still no luck with 13-1 or 13-2