I use the CM 7777 on both of my ants, all the DTV stations are UHF both Sav and Charlston
The amp goes up at the ant and a power supply for amp is inside near TV any splitters would be between power sup and TV.
The CM 7777 has input for both UHF and VHF or both.
I got my amp online and the 4228 from Sav.
For more info email oljim@islc.net

Thanks LGBeckner,
Its nice having info straight from the source. Now if we can get the guy from ABC and Fox to join us it would be great. At the very least to let us know why OTA HD keeps getting pushed back and to top it off keep getting denied a waiver!

Just thought I'd let you know... starting about 8:25p tonight, there were issues with MyTV (3.2). I am working with the RTN Master Control to get them resolved.

Thanks for your patience...

Lowell

I just watched my recorded CSI NY and its back HD and no audio dropouts.

I got an email from them, they replaced something yesterday that fixed the problem.

Oljim......Thanks for the input. I understand that I can buy these locally at Lowes. I would also like to know which amplifier I should use? I assume there's a preferred one from CM. I did a search and found the CM7777. In a related question, the CM7777 has separate UHF and VHF inputs. In reading about the 4228, I found that it also provides some decent VHF reception. I'm not sure if If I can use a splitter before the amp, or if an amplifier is available that covers both bands.


The best place to get these locally is over at Dow Electronics over on Old Louisville Rd. in Savannah. They are the only place in town that I can find that carries decent antennas at decent prices. They are also a CM dealer and can get most any Channel Master stuff you want, although the common stuff like the CM7777 they keep in stock as well as the bowtie antenna. I think they even keep the rotor in stock too.

I was suprised to find that all that high quality stuff combined cost less there than a cheezy supposed 'HD' square Terk antenna at BestBuy ( $150 there ).

I tested one of the TERK square ant last year, it was not as good as the R/S U75 15-2160 for $25. What a ripoff, TERK is a over price name for JUNK

The best place to get these locally is over at Dow Electronics over on Old Louisville Rd. in Savannah. They are the only place in town that I can find that carries decent antennas at decent prices. They are also a CM dealer and can get most any Channel Master stuff you want, although the common stuff like the CM7777 they keep in stock as well as the bowtie antenna. I think they even keep the rotor in stock too.

I was suprised to find that all that high quality stuff combined cost less there than a cheezy supposed 'HD' square Terk antenna at BestBuy ( $150 there ).Completely agree. You can find everything you need right there.

Well, its almost November. October was the month given for digital OTA on WTGS and WJCL. Albeit, not a date given by them but relayed by us-the most important ones. :rolleyes:

Hello, I'm looking for some advice about receiving HDTV broadcasts on Hilton Head Island. I read posts on your thread up to about July 05 and then skipped ahead so I might have missed something. I actually started a thread about the locals here in Knoxville several years ago. I live in an old stucco house with a tile roof. I use directv here combined with an attic mounted deep fringe yagi type UHF antenna for locals since we live in an area where analog TV broadcasts are virtually impossible to receive by antenna due to severe multipath. I had my antenna already up and working before they started the digital broadcasts. I was able to get all the major networks perfectly long before the local cable system offered HDTV.

We are part owners of a house in Atlantic Pointe in Sea Pines, Hilton Head Island near but not on the ocean. The house was built in 1989 and the builder did a poor job of cable wiring with RG-6 daisy chained from room to room so we have a lot of signal loss by the time the cable gets to the HDTV. My partners had me get and install a large screen 1080P LCD HDTV. As you might imagine we are having trouble getting good HDTV cable signals. Adelphia (which I think was probably one of the worst cable systems in the US) has a lineup of 11 HDTV channels including only one network WTOC (CBS) in HDTV. Because of signal strength problems we can only receive INHD 1, INHD 2, and ESPN HD. We cannot get a signal on any of the others. I am working on a plan to redo part of the cable wiring to get us a better signal to the HDTV, but this will take a while since we only get to the Island 2 or 3 times a year, and our other partners are not do it yourself people like I am. I am hoping that since Time Warner has taken over Adelphia in Hilton Head that they will complete negotiations soon and have all the HD locals from the area. Anyone know when that might happen?

Anyway finally to my question. I am open to suggestions, and might even consider putting an antenna underneath the house since all the houses are up on blocks near the ocean. Outside antennas are out of the question where we live even if the FCC says you can legally do it despite local restrictions. I don't think any of our partners would go for a rotator for such an antenna because it would be too much effort or too complicated for them. Satellite is out because I don't think they would want a dish no matter how unobtrusive. I was wondering what any of you think I might be able to receive with a single antenna mounted under the house now. We are almost a straight shot over the water to Savannah, and as the crow flies it must not be very far. I just don't know what is available now OTA in HDTV where we are and if all the transmitters are located in the same area like they are here in Knoxville. Does anyone have any suggestions and recommended antenna type?
Thanks, Larry Raulston

Larry:

Here is some input. I am not very technical but I'll tell you what I learned from my limited experience.

I live in Moss Creek just outside of Hilton Head. I bought a 65" HDTV almost 5 years ago. Hargray Cable was poor so I went to Direct a year and a half ago. Hargray's local channels were terrible and they had no HDTV. Direct provided dedicated coax cables and I bypassed what cabling was in the house. The only OTA digital channels I can get are CBS and NBC out of Savannah and the PBS channel out of Beaufort. NBC and CBS do provide OTA SD and HD signals which are very watchable most of the time and are much better than the Hargray alternative was The PBS is spotty due to the direction of the transmitter and the type of antenna I have. I receive them via a directional, high gain, amplified, attic mounted UHF antenna pointed towards Savannah. It is connected to my Direct HDTV receiver. This integrates my SDTV and HDTV watching very well. Direct does not provide Local Savannah HDTV signals via satellite. ABC and FOX do not broadcast HD out of Savannah yet. Don't hold your breath waiting for them to start and don't hope on getting a waiver to get a distant channel. You know what Direct offers in it's HD package. Not terrible but could be better.

There are some good guys on this thread and they can probably help you out with the technical stuff. They get a lot more than I do and like to put their antennas high and outside. My arrangement is a compromise at best. You can also check www.antennaweb.org for directions to point the antenna and channel availability but some of the data on there may not always be 100% correct. Good luck!

Ed Bloomer

Larry
Why not have the cable co. run new cable to your TV. You pay for service DEMAND it

Is anyone else not getting dialogue on Friday Night Lights, WSAV channel 3.1??

I just called in, see how long it takes

It is on now

Yep, it is. BTW, this show better not get canceled, the wife and I love it :)

Wow, I was away in Iraq, and I'm back now in the Savannah area, and much to my chagrin, I see that ABC 22-1 (WJCL-DT) and FOX 28-1 (WTGS-DT) are still only in 704x480i. I really was hoping that both of them would have been 720p/DD5.1 by now :( .

22-1 (audio is AC3 2.0 192KBps) has only voices (center channel normally) in the left audio channel. Strange this would occur on a 2.0 feed.

I can see that there have been posts on here about their "launch" dates, and it seems that they're well past that (at least from what I can surmise). Is anyone in contact with the engineer(s) over there? I use that as a singular since I think it's the same guy that works both channels. I remember having spoken to them about a year or so ago, and they didn't seem to be all that comitted to putting full-power transmitters up with HD capability. Ironically, they have the equipment for the FOX feed, they just won't install it.

CBS 11-1 (WTOC-DT) is still 1920x1080i with a manual switch still for HD content from the national feed (very annoying). Their audio is still half the bitrate from their original broadcasts (DD2.0 384KBps) ... it's now only 192KBps. I see that 11-3 (The Tube / 480i) is now 'finally' broadcasted in 2-channel stereo (it was mono before I left despite an AC3 2.0 192KBps audio feed).

NBC 3-1 (WSAV-HD) looks like it has improved somewhat from the echo'ing audio they used to experience all the time. At least, I haven't experienced it since I've been back (about a week).

3-2 (WSAV-SD) is now broadcasting in 704x480i some new channel called MyTV. A lot higher bandwdith is going out on this than on WTOC's subchannels (3-2 has a much higher bitrate, so it looks pretty good).

Now, if Savannah would get ABC/FOX (and dare I mention CW) in HD, I'll be a happy camper.

Anyway, if anyone knows of anything in the works for ABC/FOX to go 720p, please let us know; I'm sure everyone is interested.

The stars are alligned tonight or something.

I'm getting D34-1 (ABC) in 1280x720p (I'm assuming out of Charleston) and 40-1 (FOX) in 1280x720p. Maybe these just went high powered?

Last night in Hinesville I was getting ABC-HD out of Augusta, I guess all must have been right in the atmosphere.

Last night in Hinesville I was getting ABC-HD out of Augusta, I guess all must have been right in the atmosphere.They've got it going on. Great sound and picture! Hear that SAVANNAH????

Sure, no pent up anger and frustration in that voice :)

So, was it tropospheric tunneling last night or has Augusta's Fox and ABC gone full power yet? (I already get the ABC out of Augusta ).

Or charleston's for that matter

I can still get fox (augusta), but its not full power. I've got my antenna turned halfway between Savannah and Augusta and ABC (augusta) is at 95, so I'd say that they are full power. btw, I meant Sav fox and ABC on my previous post. What is really going to piss us all off is when they do get it up and running, they will only have it digital and not HD. Thats the last word we got from here anyway. They havent emailed me back in about two or three years.

Last night from 8-9 pm a PBS station was over powering 11-1 WTOC, did a scan and it was from FL 15-1/15-2/15-3/15-4/and 15-5
I have given up on ABC and FOX from Sav. I am luck that I get FOX and ABC from Charleston

Nascar fans for 2007 looks bad for us on HD, race 1-14 is on FOX next 6 on TNT next 7 on ESPN and Last 10 on ABC. None on NBC next yr

Nascar fans for 2007 looks bad for us on HD, race 1-14 is on FOX next 6 on TNT next 7 on ESPN and Last 10 on ABC. None on NBC next yr


That's not so bad, except the Fox ones. The TNTHD I get on DishNetwork, and ESPNHD too. ABCHD I get from Augusta ( 6-1 ).

But, as I mentioned before, how does the one network that is lacking HD broadcasting almost everywhere get the contracts for the BCS, Nascar, MLB, NFL, and even the UGA games?

There seems to be no logic behind this. They are all filmed in HD, why would those who awarded this contract want their investment in providing HD signal to go to waste?

And what really makes it so bad is when you call the engineer over at ABC/FOX. He has the nerve to have an attitude as to why he wont approve a wavier for us. He told me last year that as long as we are getting the digital feed on the satellite that he is under no obligation to give us a waiver. When I told him that those are the worst looking local channels on D*. He told me it must be them because in so many words the signal he is feeding is a good one. They really need to get a clue. They think by not giving a waiver it forces us to watch their crappy local channel. I haven't watched a primetime ABC/FOX show since I invested in HD. If I cant watch HD, I sure as heck am not going to help them and their advertisers make any money. Somebody over there needs to get on this board and see there are folks out here that want a better product. okay im done venting.

Here here!

On the flip side of that, I welcome the advertisers and sponsors of WSAV and WTOC as they have done their job in this matter. And if I see anything on ABCHD out of Augusta advertised that I like, I'm inclined to drive there and give THEIR advertisers my business over anything advertised on WTGS or WJCL.

And to WTGS and WJCL: Do not expect these backlash-like feelings to go away even after you finally get your HD feed up and going ( 2025? ). Most of us who have followed this insanity you call running a TV station are fed up with the attitudes when asking for waivers and you hiding behind your own FCC waiver.

Speaking of that, someone should look into WHY they were able to get a waiver from the FCC.

Anybody in the Hinesville area picking up any Fox or ABC tonight out of somewhere distant like Augusta or Charleston or was the other night a fluke? Thanks

By the way, if anybody does get a waiver, let me know how.... I am dying to see 24 in HD when they broadcast the new season in 7 weeks.....

The likelihood of a distant locals ( especially HD ) waiver is slim these days as Dish Network has to shut off ALL of it's distant locals it is reported.

I'm not sure if this includes ones with waivers or not though.

The other night must have been just one of those things. I still have Augusta locked but its not bringing in a signal. That was as of last night. I was hoping it would hang on until the weekend, so i could watch this seasons hyped up game of the year in HD.

I just sent Fox Sav. an email. Lets see if they respond....

What do you think will come first, a good answer from Fox or old age retirement

Anyone else having audio and picture issues with My Name is Earl on WSAV? This seems to becoming a little more common.

Anyone else having audio and picture issues with My Name is Earl on WSAV? This seems to becoming a little more common.
yes, and its not national feed. must be something local. I can see them trying to fix it (just did over the last commercial break) so they must be aware of it? Looks like The Office is going to be ported over FS feed too :(

And what really makes it so bad is when you call the engineer over at ABC/FOX. He has the nerve to have an attitude as to why he wont approve a wavier for us. He told me last year that as long as we are getting the digital feed on the satellite that he is under no obligation to give us a waiver. When I told him that those are the worst looking local channels on D*. He told me it must be them because in so many words the signal he is feeding is a good one. They really need to get a clue. They think by not giving a waiver it forces us to watch their crappy local channel. I haven't watched a primetime ABC/FOX show since I invested in HD. If I cant watch HD, I sure as heck am not going to help them and their advertisers make any money. Somebody over there needs to get on this board and see there are folks out here that want a better product. okay im done venting.
This is PRECISELY what I was going to write. Very well stated indeed. I actually WILL support advertisers on WSAV and WTOC. I never watch ABC or FOX anymore cause their digital broadcasts are absolute garbage. I can get ABC off the WJCL-DT channel, but its such junk. I can NEVER get WTGS. What a horrible way to run a station(s).

I think everyone should mass email this to these stations...and better yet, their parent networks. More than likely, the parent networks won't care, but who knows if we combine this with the outrage of others in other markets that are being screwed.

Hrm, I wonder if FRAUD or Intentionally misleading customers is in order here too? The FCC guaranteed the top100 markets to be Digital and some of these stations have PROMISED HD feeds with no results. These promises and guarantees helped mislead many people into spending outrageous amounts of money on televisions which cannot recieve much HD programming. Maybe a grievance filed with the FTC might turn some heads. Although, I'm just thinking out loud. But I spent the bug bucks to get HD in my house, why are these stations whining about the cost and refusing to do it?

Well guys I am blue in the face from calling, I started calling last year before the Superbowl. I was told by the engineer that they would be up in the summertime. Feel free to call Ed Youmans the engineer at FOX/ABC 912 921 2222. Maybe you guys will have better luck than I've had. I resorted to calling because no one ever returned my emails. Happy hunting.

nearly ALL other local HDTV reception streams (in this forum) would never type such a thing, but I feel compelled to say, "thank you" to the guy working at WTOC today that did a great job with the Dallas/Indianapolis game today.


Can you teach the other members of your staff on how to switch between local and national content?

And ... if there is a WTOC dude that lingers in here ... are you going to get an AC3 5.1 decoder before the super bowl this year (and perhaps an auto-switch)?????????


WSAV ... what can I say? Despite the fact that audio is screwed up 25% of the time, and the HD feed goes all wirey ... you're the best in Savannah.

Although, I will concede to the fact that most markets don't have to praise the job their affiliates are doing (they just bitch when things aren't going well) ... since we're so accustomed to, well, having nothing, I just want to say that you all are doing well. Thanks

We did have some issues the other night and hopefully they are all corrected now.

Lowell

Anyone else having audio and picture issues with My Name is Earl on WSAV? This seems to becoming a little more common.

I hate to even bring up the prospect of when WJCL/WTGS actually, finally broadcasts HD that their engineers will be so slack it will STILL not be worth watching. We all know now that HD feeds sometimes go haywire with the picture, or revert back to DD 2.0 . i have zero confidence that the engineers at the afformentioned stations will actually keep the HD channels fully functional once launched. :mad:

Well, closing in on December. No email, or anything else. :rolleyes: Thats alright Savannah (Fox and ABC), Augusta is coming in crystal clear!

Thanks WSAV and WTOC. Oh, little light on the power last night WTOC. CSI didnt record because of the signal.

Sorry about the signal interruptions... we are experiencing microwave fades between the studio and the transmitter.

Lowell

Right now (2:30 PM) the program on wtoc is not high def. I sure hope the game at 3:30 is , and if so I hope the guy who "flips the switch" is awake. I called the station to see what was up, but got no answer from the engineering department. sure seems like they have not been switching to high def alot lately (The Unit never switched last night). Anyone know what the deal is? Sorry-- I just checked the cbs website and realized that the game is not in HD (which still is a major disappointment).

First let me apologize in advance for asking a question that I am sure has been answered before. I am just too lazy to go through all these pages (and want to get back to my day old Panny 50" 60u).

I live in Metter and will be getting an antenna for local HD Monday. What stations will I be able to get here and which antenna should I buy and where?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for being a newbie.

MX48

Right now (2:30 PM) the program on wtoc is not high def. I sure hope the game at 3:30 is , and if so I hope the guy who "flips the switch" is awake. I called the station to see what was up, but got no answer from the engineering department. sure seems like they have not been switching to high def alot lately (The Unit never switched last night). Anyone know what the deal is? Sorry-- I just checked the cbs website and realized that the game is not in HD (which still is a major disappointment).I assume you were watching the Georgia/GT game. I checked CBS Augusta and they were not in HD either, so I figured it wasnt.

First let me apologize in advance for asking a question that I am sure has been answered before. I am just too lazy to go through all these pages (and want to get back to my day old Panny 50" 60u).

I live in Metter and will be getting an antenna for local HD Monday. What stations will I be able to get here and which antenna should I buy and where?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for being a newbie.

MX48You will get WTOC and WSAV. Thats probably it. It would be nice if you could make it to Dow Electronics in Savannah and pick up a CM 4228. All other antennas, imo, are way overated. Believe me, I've had two that were supposed to be great, but weren't even close to the CM. Anyway, to answer you question, you'll be fine with anything other than a small "fancy" antenna, i.e. wingard, squareshooter, something like that. Also, if you have not done this, go to www.antennaweb.org and plug in your address to see how far you are from the tower. That will help in making a decision.

Thanks for the info Bryan92. I work in Savannah so I should be able to get one Monday.

What about these stories of people getting Augusta stations. Any possibility?

Thanks again
MX48

Thanks for the info Bryan92. I work in Savannah so I should be able to get one Monday.

What about these stories of people getting Augusta stations. Any possibility?

Thanks again
MX48Slim to none, unless you live way east of Metter. Like on the Bulloch county line.

Thanks for the info Bryan92. I work in Savannah so I should be able to get one Monday.

What about these stories of people getting Augusta stations. Any possibility?

Thanks again
MX48

Here are the HDTV signal coverage contours for the 3 major Augusta stations. You have a chance of getting WJBF (ABC on UHF 42 or DTV 6.1) and maybe the CBS affiliate (WRDW on UHF 31).

WJBF Coverage Estimate
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1133696.html

WRDW Coverage Estimate
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1009619.html

WAGT Coverage Estimate
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT660109.html

I hate to even bring up the prospect of when WJCL/WTOC actually, finally broadcasts HD that their engineers will be so slack it will STILL not be worth watching. We all know now that HD feeds sometimes go haywire with the picture, or revert back to DD 2.0 . i have zero confidence that the engineers at the afformentioned stations will actually keep the HD channels fully functional once launched. :mad:


I suspect you mean to point out WJCL and WTGS ( Channel 22 and 28 OTA, ABC and FOX, respecitvely )

Here are the HDTV signal coverage contours for the 3 major Augusta stations. You have a chance of getting WJBF (ABC on UHF 42 or DTV 6.1) and maybe the CBS affiliate (WRDW on UHF 31).

WJBF Coverage Estimate
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1133696.html

WRDW Coverage Estimate
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1009619.html

WAGT Coverage Estimate
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT660109.html


What are the call letters for the FOX affiliate out of Augusta? And any word on if/when they are going full power?

I already get the other 3, but the BCS bowls and NFL are on FOX this year. Kind of sad, that stuff was on WTOC last year ( the UGA games too ) and I got to watch them in HDTV. I hate that we had to take a step back this year.

WFXG is Fox Augusta.

WFXG is Fox Augusta.

Fox from Augusta does not look good. They are not full power yet. According to the FCC, they radiate 37 kW ERP (2.37 kW input to the antenna) and this is their 41 dBu coverage estimate--

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1022590.html

The last update on the FCC site was July of 2006.

I suspect you mean to point out WJCL and WTGS ( Channel 22 and 28 OTA, ABC and FOX, respecitvely )


I just fixed that. Yes, you are totally correct.

Thanks for the info Bryan92. I work in Savannah so I should be able to get one Monday.

What about these stories of people getting Augusta stations. Any possibility?

Thanks again
MX48


If you are living in Metter, I would look at a preamp to go along with that antenna. if you make the trip to savannah, you'll find that the antenna alone is not that pricey. if you want to go all out (like oljim), make that antenna rotate as well, give the antenna its own dedicated mast and you'll probably get augusta decently well, given a good rf environment. the channelmaster 4228 that we all seem to love is directional so you'll have to move it around based on what stations you want to pick up. it would be great for you to know what signal strength you get without the preamp before investing though.

DOW electronics keeps the CM-7777 preamp in stock. It's the best I could find, even on ebay. Not sure why the higher models are so hard to come by

DOW electronics keeps the CM-7777 preamp in stock. It's the best I could find, even on ebay. Not sure why the higher models are so hard to come by

It is my understanding that Channel Master has been bought out and will not making antennas and accessories. This came from a friend who works for Wholesale Industrial Supply in Charleston and they sell the CM products. Once supplies run out there will not be anymore unless something changes. :(

That would be a shame really. Since almost all commercial applications use Channel Master dishes, antennas, amplifiers, etc.

Oh well, if true, I guess someone should buy stock in Blonder Tongue.

OK gang... before anyone starts yelling, I thought I would pass the latest information I have received about this...

Lowell

"On December 1, 2006, EchoStar, in response to a court injunction, will be cutting off its DISH Network customers from access to distant network signals. This action comes after a ten-year legal battle between network affiliates and EchoStar concerning its illegal importation of distant network signals that trample upon the distribution rights of local broadcasters. The court ordered this unusual action because it found that EchoStar had violated the Copyright Act’s provisions “in every way imaginable.” As a consequence, EchoStar has lost its legal ability to deliver distant network signals and must come into compliance by December 1.
Here are some background facts that may be helpful to you in answering questions:
• After EchoStar lost the case, the ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC affiliates reached a settlement with EchoStar that would have enabled it to continue to serve any legal distant signal customers and pay broadcasters $100 million, but the court rejected that settlement, ruling that the injunction had to go into effect. EchoStar’s efforts at seeking Congressional intervention also failed.
• Because of the egregious violation of the Copyright Act, EchoStar must turn off all distant network programming. This cut-off is not limited to ineligible subscribers (subscribers that are actually served by their local over-the-air network stations). EchoStar has lost the right to provide distant network signals to all of its subscribers.
• The nationwide, permanent injunction does not change EchoStar’s local-into-local carriage rights under the Copyright Act’s statutory license.
• Viewers have many options available for receiving network programming. These include:
• Free, over-the air television. An indoor or outdoor antenna may enhance reception of over-the-air broadcast television signals.
• Cable television. Viewers can subscribe to a local cable system. More information is available at www.ncta.com.
• Satellite television. Viewers can subscribe to a competing DBS provider such as DirecTV, and if they are eligible they may receive distant network signals. More information, including details on a special $150 cash bonus, is available at www.directv.com/switchfromdish. Alternatively, many subscribers choosing to remain with EchoStar can purchase EchoStar’s local-into-local package.
• Broadband Internet providers that offer television service. More information is available at such sites as www.verizon.com, www.att.sbc.com, and www.rcn.com.
• In a last-minute maneuver, EchoStar has entered into a scheme with a third party – National Programming Service LLC (“NPS”) – whereby NPS would lease EchoStar transponders and use EchoStar’s frequencies to deliver distant signals to subscribers with EchoStar satellite dishes. The affiliates have asked the court to prevent this blatant attempt to violate the terms of the permanent injunction."

I subscribe to directv. No effect to me.

Lowell
I have always had the upmost respect for the job you and Gary have done to provide good service for us with HDTV.
BUt I think this is all a bunch of crap about where we get our network program from, we want a good picture and sound from each network, some of us have many $ tied up in ant. DD-5 sound systems. and sat systems
I for one lost my Fox from NY with this rulling, Why should I watch a crapy picture, mono sound, no HD station like FOX 28 when I can get a GOOD station from another source
Why should a TV station have this control over us, the Ford dealer 2 miles down the road does not have the power to do this, I can go to any Ford dealer in the US and get my best deal.
If a TV station wants us to watch them, Give us GOOD picture, sound (not mono) and HD
I have been in Beaufort for over 35 yrs and untill 2003 when WSAV and Wtoc started HD I never watched a Sav. TV station. Why? only one station in Sav would spend the money to send out a stereo signal.
I put up a tower, got a big ant. and get my stations from Charleston, they went stereo back in the 80s
You say we can go to cable, Cable here in Beaufort is a joke, they give us stations from Sav. and Charleston, but some how kill the stereo from some of the Charleston stations, fewer stations in HD than I get from my ant. and NO DVRs
The bottom line is I will not watch my so called local FOX 28 and ABC 22 but will get a taller tower and watch FOX and ABC from Charleston.

While I agree with you, Jim, I don't think it's LGBeckner's call....nor do I think any of these chief engineers of any of these station groups get any say in any of this, not even when trying to provide HD or digital signal. That crap takes money, and money is always horribly screwed up in upper management of these corporations.

What the Engineers CAN do is give the best service and setup of the equipment they DO have.

However, I'm just waiting on the rather eventual class action lawsuit against cable and broadcast providers by owners of HD equipment. Also possilbe lawsuit against the retailers who kept promising more HD service if we bought their high priced equipment.

The fact remains, the consumers are willing to pay for the horribly overpriced equipment on their end, yet the broadcasters are too cheap to pay for it on their end. Even the government at least has TRIED to step in and force an upgrade, but some stations locally ( I won't name any call letters ) would rather pay a high priced legal team or payoff someone at the FCC to give them a rather UNDESERVED waiver to hide behind. All that legal maneuvering and such quite possibly cost them almost as much as buying and installing the equipment.

But I'm with you on this one, OlJim. I think I'll invest in a tower and try to pick up FOX from AUgusta or Charleston so I can watch the BCS games, NFL games, MLB playoffs, Superbowl, etc this year.

It seems our Federal Government agency, in this case the FCC, only has our interest in mind on the surface. Logically speaking, if a broadcaster cannot live up to a mandate to broadcast HD, which was set in place YEARS ago, then said broadcaster loses the right to bitch about savvy customers getting a better signal from somewhere else. If the FCC really cared about us, they would be on the consumers' side on this one. It would give their mandate more bite for sure. That said, my opinion on national feeds is this: Not only should we be able access the national feeds if HD is not broadcast locally, but it should AUTOMATICALLY be an extra available channel on your SAT or cable provider if you have it available. These local broadcasters are mere license holders of public RF spectrum. We owe them nothing. They owe us everything possible. This january, two of my favorite shows will be on during the same timeslot, Heroes and 24. what do you think i'll be watching?

It looks like all of you who lost your distant locals will probably be getting them back soon. Here's a story about Echostar's recent filing, I thought some of you might find it useful. It involves using a 3rd party billing to get your locals back, but seems pretty legal:

EchoStar Doesn’t Mince Words In Filing
In response to the Networks asking the Florida Federal Judge for clarification of his order and possibly an order preventing NPS from broadcasting distant network stations using space leased on an EchoStar satellite, it was basically pointed out that enough is enough.

The EchoStar response said, in part: “EchoStar accepts the decision of the this Court. It has complied, and will continue to comply, with the Permanent Injunction. EchoStar shut off distant network channels to all of its approximately 900,000 subscribers. It is out of the distant network signal business. Plaintiffs do not and cannot contest these facts.

EchoStar’s lease agreement with National Programming Service LLC (“NPS”) does not alter these facts. That Agreement is consistent with both the letter and the spirit of the Permanent Injunction and the statutory remedy embodied in the injunction.. Under the agreement’s terms, EchoStar will not qualify consumers for access to distant network programming, will not activate or de-activate subscribers, and will not earn any revenue from that business. NPS has the right to use the leased transponder to transmit any video programming it desires.

While use of a portion of the transponder to transmit distant network channels was not unexpected, the fact remains that that decision was made by NPS, which may use all or a portion of the transponder capacity for other purposes in its discretion.”

The EchoStar filing continues: “While the statute was intended to protect the broadcasters’ copyrights, it also limited those rights, allowing consumers to watch distant network channels in areas where broadcasters fail to invest in the facilities necessary to provide local network channels off air.” Continuing, “Plaintiffs are also not entitled to a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”); plaintiffs have not identified any harm they will suffer if NPS—instead of DirecTV, which is the only other distant network provider—provides distant network programming to eligible subscribers. If plaintiffs’ requests are granted, only consumers and NPS will be harmed—as consumers will be left with fewer choices and NPS will be denied the opportunity to grow its business as a result of the opportunity created by the injunction.”

Is there some trick to buy at Dow? I went by there today and the first thing the guy asked me was if I had an account and when I said no he immediately told me they generally sold to dealers only and was not very helpful... just kept telling me to come back Tuesday when he got his shipment. The price he gave me for the 4228 was retail ($60) and the other items I inquired about he would never give a price only the Tuesday line. Any ideas?

No, not really, I bought from them for years without an account, although I have one now. I even spoke to their sales manager about this site and the fact I was referring people to his store. They said it was fine.

I guess it depends on who you ask. They will give you a 'retail' price if you don't have an account, but their retail price is still better than most prices you'll find in the area. $60 for the 4228 really isn't that bad. You should ask them about the Terk square antenna they have....then compare the price they give you to the $149 pricetag they have at Best Buy. It's usually a good way to judge them :)

Or better yet, look at their nice diplexors. They have none over $2. Half the quality at Radio Shack ( RCA banded ) for $25 EACH. That's insane.

I've been kind of tempted to setup a page or account to give better prices to subscribers here since I have an account, but I thought it was against the spirit of this thread and forum in general. It could be against the rules, I dunno, I never read much of anything here but this thread :)

I bought a 4228 from Dow in Savannah a couple days ago. The owner (?) was helpful and friendly. They are a wholesale dealership and was told they only derive about 5% of sales from consumers off the street (their street is in the industrial district). He let me go in the warehouse to pick up my antenna and they had skids stacked with receivers, antennas, dishes, etc. It was beautiful.

One caveat tho is you can't take an item back to them if it is defective because they are wholesale. I would assume you would send it back to the manufacturer.

All in all a good buying experience.

Anyway I set up my antenna on a 20 foot pole and get WTOC fine at 70-90 signal strength. However, I cannot consistently get WSAV. I get 0 to 65 signal and when it gets below 60 I lose it. Do I need and amplifier?

Thanks
MX48

MX48
Did you try to repoint your ant, I am about the same distance from towers and WSAV is stronger than WTOC.
Also check your cable and conn. on end of cable.

WSAV does have a stronger signal output than WTOC. However, it's a real narrow transmission. Here in Richmond Hill, I get CBS off an unamplified indoor antenna (ant2) at 100%. NBC (off that same antenna) drops in and out. So, I have the CM-4228 on an amp (CM-7775) and I get it at 100% also pointing almost directly AWAY from the towers (due to over amplification). My 4228 is on a rotor, and when the day is really clear (and usually cold), I can get Jacksonville stations in HD at 75% strength. I even get Orlando stations sometimes.

That's more information than you need, but with WSAV, you just need to get that "right spot" where the antenna is picking up their narrow band tansmission. Once I found that spot, I've been locked on NBC at 100% since I can remember. Hope that helps.

Digidish
I have found the same thing, turning ant off WSAV will drop down faster than WTOC, when my ant is pointed to Charleston I still get WSAV off the back but not WTOC
I get 6-1 18-1 and 65-1 from Orlando
Did you ever try Fox 24 from Charleston DTV 40 ?

MX 48
I would think about a rotor, it may get you more than a amp CM 9521 w/ remote is the way to go.

No, not really, I bought from them for years without an account, although I have one now.

So what does it take to get an account?

So what does it take to get an account?
A federal tax ID #, mainly.

Oljim -

I did get FOX-24 from Charleston once. It was some time back, and I was getting it pretty clearly. I was also getting another station from "somewhere" in SC called ETV-HD (can't remember the physical or virtual channel numbers). It was a 1080i broadcast, and looked like it was perhaps PBS from somewhere.
Problem here is that I have an attic mounted antenna. I feel fairly confident that if my antenna were to be mounted outside, I could get those stations (JAX, or Charleston) with a lot more success. However, even with a CM-4228, a CM-7777 preamp, and a CM rotor installed, I'm truly only getting WSAV and WTOC feeds :( .
Its just too laborious to go 10 degrees and redo a channel scan all the time for 360 degrees for "maybe" a channel or two that fade in and out.

The PBS was 16-1/16-2/16-3 WJWJ from here in Beaudort, the Tower is up along US 17 about 18 miles from here.
The HD is on 16-3 DTV ch 44

Digidish
From your location Charleston is about 52 deg, WJWJ PBS 16 is 25 deg
Here is info on stations in Charleston
2-1 NBC dtv ch 50
4-1 ABC dtv ch 34
5-1 CBS dtv ch 47
7-1 PBS dtv 49
24-1 FOX dtv ch 40
36-1 CW dtv 35
All are on 2 towers 17 miles n of Charleston along US 17 and all full power

oljim-

Are all of those are broadcasting in 1080i or 720p though? I know your FOX station is 720p (AC3 5.1) since I've gotten that one before. But, is your ABC 720p, then all the rest 1080i? Savannah is the most ghetto city in the United States when it comes to tv stations. It's really sad. I'll try and point the antenna there and see what I can get. Attic is not the best place to have the thing. I would love for it to be outside, but my home owners' association thinks otherwise.

Anyone notice that WTOC is back to 14:9 AR again on their local pass through? Why can't the tv here just be like it is everywhere else in the country?

Fox and ABC 720,CBS and NBC 1080. Not sure about the CW, it does not come in very good.and get my PBS from 16-3
AS for your HOA, they can not stop you from putting up an outside ant. It is covered same as a dish as long as it is not more that 12 ft above home.

Although, most homeowner associations WILL attempt to ignore that law in both cases of antennas and dishes and even try to bully you around about it. Simply stand up to them. I did it for years when installing dishes at the Landings in Savannah.

A landlord in Statesboro even sent their maitenence crew to remove dishes from their apartment complex and were fined heavily for it.

Any word on ABC/FOX from SAV?

They DID say it would be this year. They're quickly running out of time.

I've not heard anything new. I don't think they will make it this year. I predict sometime around July 2007. :rolleyes:

I sent them an email in Oct, no reply yet.
The last thing I got from them was 6/30/05 they said not before 01/2006 LOL

What kills me is that they put up their digital numbers on their commercials, but nobody is able to receive those.

I rec'd an email from Fox (WTGS) which said they are going HD and presumably full power mid Jan. Have no idea if that includes ABC. (WJCL). Ownership of these two stations is a mystery to me, Fox being Bluenose and ABC being Peidmont (per FCC records), yet they share the same talking heads.

I rec'd an email from Fox (WTGS) which said they are going HD and presumably full power mid Jan. Have no idea if that includes ABC. (WJCL). Ownership of these two stations is a mystery to me, Fox being Bluenose and ABC being Peidmont (per FCC records), yet they share the same talking heads.


Wonderful, we'll get HD to miss out on all the great January events: BCS Bowl Games, Superbowl, NFL playoffs.

just the story of this channel, always too little too late.

I rec'd an email from Fox (WTGS) which said they are going HD and presumably full power mid Jan. Have no idea if that includes ABC. (WJCL). Ownership of these two stations is a mystery to me, Fox being Bluenose and ABC being Peidmont (per FCC records), yet they share the same talking heads.How recent was the email? They used to respond to mine earlier this century. I think it was early 04, they said summer of 04. Then in summer of 04 it was early 05. Then in early 05 it was late 05, and I haven't heard from them since. :)

Is the AVIA calibration DVD worth getting?
If so, will I have to get into the service menu? I have read it is tricky.
Is there anywhere to get one in Savannah?

I realize this is the wrong place to post this question but you guys are local and I thought you would be more help.

Thanks
MX48

Here is an alternative to AVIA http://www.calibrate.tv/ and here is the thread http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7178409&&#post7178409

How recent was the email? They used to respond to mine earlier this century. I think it was early 04, they said summer of 04. Then in summer of 04 it was early 05. Then in early 05 it was late 05, and I haven't heard from them since. :)

Just within the last week and the response was from engineering.

Just within the last week and the response was from engineering.
Thanks. I will count on Jan...say 22nd. That will give them a week of reprieve. I know I'm being a little facetious, but we've waited long enough.

Ack! This thread is depressing. We'll start construction of a home in Savannah later in '07 and I never really thought I'd be moving somewhere without HD locals. I'm a DirecTV customer, but get my local HD OTA. After reading this I called D* and they said I would be able to get the New York networks in HD only if the Savannah stations allow a waiver. Does anyone have experience on the Savannah stations being good about allowing this?

Ack! This thread is depressing. We'll start construction of a home in Savannah later in '07 and I never really thought I'd be moving somewhere without HD locals. I'm a DirecTV customer, but get my local HD OTA. After reading this I called D* and they said I would be able to get the New York networks in HD only if the Savannah stations allow a waiver. Does anyone have experience on the Savannah stations being good about allowing this?
You'll have a much better shot at hitting the lottery than obtaining a waiver. Sorry to make it more depressing.

It is time for some new laws, how about this one?
All TV stations with in any DMA must put out a FULL power HD signal that can be receiver by a less that $50 ant. by anyone with in 40 miles of the station.
Any one outside 40 miles or with in 40 miles that can not receive the signal, the TV station must pay for us to get the HD signal from sat provider or cable.

I'd be happy if there was a rule that a TV station had to grant a blanket waiver to all viewers in their coverage area to allow the viewers to get a distant feed, via cable or satellite, before the station could receive a waiver from the FCC on delaying digital broadcasts. Seems fair to me! Of course I would have liked that to have taken place a couple of years ago!

Happy New Year! Let's see what 2007 brings.

It seems the FCC should be handling the waivers, not leaving it up to the provider and station management

Just my $.02

I see this tread is mainly for Over Air HD. But, is there a tread for Savannah Comcast HDTV? I have a Philips Plasma which has a HD cable tuner. I have a partial list of channels but I am looking for the rest. If anyone knows where I may find them please pass it on.

I see this tread is mainly for Over Air HD. But, is there a tread for Savannah Comcast HDTV? I have a Philips Plasma which has a HD cable tuner. I have a partial list of channels but I am looking for the rest. If anyone knows where I may find them please pass it on.
Did you go to Comcast.com yet? Also, when you get there, they haven't updated the prices yet. The prices are higher than what is listed because the rate increase took effect today. Also, when you look at the line-up. In the 720s range, there will be a lot of sports channels. Those channels don't exist and I don't know why they are listed.

To view prices and packaging go to the website and click digital with On Demand under the "Shop" title. There, type in your adress and area code, choose the part of town you reside in, and then it'll "somewhat"(like I said, they go a long while before updating everything) give you the info. you need.

I see this tread is mainly for Over Air HD. But, is there a tread for Savannah Comcast HDTV? I have a Philips Plasma which has a HD cable tuner. I have a partial list of channels but I am looking for the rest. If anyone knows where I may find them please pass it on.

Here's what I've got...

79-3 INHD
79-4 INHD Spanish
79-5 "" ""
81-1 ESPN2
81-2 " " "
81-3 Music
82-1 FOX
82-2 NBC
83-1 CSPAN
83-2 CSPAN 2
83-6,7,8 CNN Headline
83-9,10 Weather Channel
89-2 ESPN
107-1 CBS
107-4 TNT

Lots of other are PPV and stuff I don't always recognize

If you know of others, please post.

Here's what I've got...

79-3 INHD
79-4 INHD Spanish
79-5 "" ""
81-1 ESPN2
81-2 " " "
81-3 Music
82-1 FOX
82-2 NBC
83-1 CSPAN
83-2 CSPAN 2
83-6,7,8 CNN Headline
83-9,10 Weather Channel
89-2 ESPN
107-1 CBS
107-4 TNT

Lots of other are PPV and stuff I don't always recognize

If you know of others, please post.

Are CNN Headline, Weather Channel, ESPN2, TNT. the C-Spans and in analog or digital?



And how is INHD Spanish related to Comcast?

Has anyone scanned recently and able to pick up anything new?

Funny you should post that... I was just going to ask an opinion about a new antenna I just installed in my huge attic:

I'm in Guyton and on the fringe of Augusta's DT stations (well, almost). Realizing I might lose 40-50% of the signal having the ant on the attic, I did it anyway. Well, the weather being what it is, the signal is further antenuated with rain and moisture soaked air so I'm getting zilch.

Now, here's the question for anyone: will an amp improve the chance of getting something?

I'm running 50' of coax (unbroken, no connector) to a Samsung T451 HDTV Tuner using an Antennas Direct 91XG.

I have another attic antenna beamed towards SAV stations but the two are not combined. Signal on that is suberb for WTOC and WSAV (WTGS and WJCL is a wish at best).

Thanks!
Bryan.

Not much chance of that, an amp can not improve what is does not get.
The 91 XG is very directional. a rotor would help more than a amp, or better yet get up and out side.

Thanks. At least that proves the attic is not the place. Unfortunately, the better half would freak if I put that monster outside. Oh well, I'll try and direct it as best I can...

Are CNN Headline, Weather Channel, ESPN2, TNT. the C-Spans and in analog or digital?



And how is INHD Spanish related to Comcast?




They are all digital, but only ESPN2 and TNT(of those you mentioned) are HD.

I don't know anything about INHD Spanish, that's just what the channel says.

Here's what I've got...

79-3 INHD
79-4 INHD Spanish
79-5 "" ""
81-1 ESPN2
81-2 " " "
81-3 Music
82-1 FOX
82-2 NBC
83-1 CSPAN
83-2 CSPAN 2
83-6,7,8 CNN Headline
83-9,10 Weather Channel
89-2 ESPN
107-1 CBS
107-4 TNT

Lots of other are PPV and stuff I don't always recognize

If you know of others, please post.
This is the list I have.

79-3 INHD
79-5 "" ""
80-1 Espn News
80-3 C-Span 3
80-4 Toon disney
80-5 SoapNet
81-1 ESPN2 HD
81-3 Music HD
82-1 FOX (WTGS)
82-2 NBC (WSAV)
83-1 CSPAN
83-2 CSPAN 2
83-3 Disney channel
83-5 Home & Garden
83-6,7,8 CNN Headline
83-9,10 Weather Channel
87-10 Discovery HD
89-2 ESPN HD
102-10 WTOC Weather
102-11 The Tube
107-1 CBS (WTOC)
107-4 TNT HD
112-2 Starz


Thanks

Tim

Wanted to keep you all up to date.

We have been performing some software upgrades to our HDTV/DTV encoder this morning. Because of these upgrades, some STBs and HDTV sets may have to re-scan our main channel (39) to see the proper channels of 3-1 and 3-2.

PSIP data should be correct on 3-1 and we are working on getting it set up on 3-2.

Closed caption has also been added to 3-2. Now, having said that, I will tell you that on 3-2, we air quite a bit of "retro" programming and some (actually, a lot) of it never had closed captioning to begin with.

As always, I welcome any observations or comments that you may have.

Lowell

They are all digital, but only ESPN2 and TNT(of those you mentioned) are HD.

I don't know anything about INHD Spanish, that's just what the channel says.
If they are all digital, why isn't Comcast(Is that who you have or receive channels through?) simulcasting those particularly channels on their cable boxes? Doesn't make sense how long they are prolonging digital simulcast.

guys I have to share this info. being desperate in wanting to see the championship blowout the other night. I went out and started the annual great antenna adjustment. this happens every time a big event is coming on FOX or ABC. I live in Hinesville and have always tried to hit Jacksonville because I figured it was my best bet. well I set it up the night of the orange bowl. and my god it worked. but it was still hit and miss. I went out and actually elevated it another 3 feet maybe. it was watchable but nothing to brag about. lots of dropouts and freezing. I checked every night thereafter but got no signal. so championship night I settle in and try one more time. and wouldn't you know it. as strong as you please with no dropouts. this was most definitely a first. so the moral of this story is don't give up hope.

I assume since you mentioned Jacksonville, thats where you were getting the signal????

That is correct. I was picking up fox 30 out of Jacksonville. For whatever its worth it hasnt seemed to work on colder nights. the nights where its beem warmer have been the times ive got the better signal.

Back when I couldnt get Augusta, I got FOX out of Jacksonville. But it was very spotty at best. Hope you have good luck with it. I still dont look for Sav to have it when they say.

If you are in Statesboro, are you getting Augusta with any reliability?

I too don't see WTGS making good the mid-Jan promise, but we shall see. I checked with the FCC to see if there was any reason they can't go full power (there isn't from a licensing point of view). Maybe money...?

Bryan.

If you are in Statesboro, are you getting Augusta with any reliability?

I too don't see WTGS making good the mid-Jan promise, but we shall see. I checked with the FCC to see if there was any reason they can't go full power (there isn't from a licensing point of view). Maybe money...?

Bryan.


What just boggles me is that FOX network alledgedly *gave* the top 100 DMAs all the equipment for OTA-HD for free. So, for YEARS they have had the equipment, just won't install it. Comcast in Savannah had to run a fiber line to their station since when they were getting ready to release their HD package a couple years back, they were advertising the Super Bowl in HD. I guess they found a work around (costly I'm sure) to provide that in order to avoid losing customer base due to false advertising.

I'm fed up with FOX (and ABC local) since they're run by the same idiot. I talked to their lead engineer on the phone once and he was not (a) enthusiastic, nor (b) helpful to any extent.

I'll bet $1,000 they don't go full power HD.

If you are in Statesboro, are you getting Augusta with any reliability?

I too don't see WTGS making good the mid-Jan promise, but we shall see. I checked with the FCC to see if there was any reason they can't go full power (there isn't from a licensing point of view). Maybe money...?

Bryan.I started out last night watching 24 out of Augusta. The signal was at 60, so I knew it wouldnt last long. I might have watched 30 minutes. Having said that, I have watched it for several days with a signal well above 70.

Now, ABC out of Augusta is another story. About a year ago, I did a scan and picked them up at max. I have never lost their signal, and their sound is outstanding.

I just did a search on FCC for Augusta stations and I didn't see a channel 24. There is WTAT-FOX channel 24 in Charleston.

I find all Savannah stations behind the times. WTOC as far as I know never went stereo and they offer no 5.1 with their HD signal. They also want to control the market here in Beaufort. Not allowing Directv viewers to get Charlestion stations and Charter Cable is only showing their stations in HD. They are carring WCIV-ABC Charleston but will most likely change once Savannah ABC comes up. My point is, I live in SC and care more about whats going on in my state instead of GA.

I just did a search on FCC for Augusta stations and I didn't see a channel 24. There is WTAT-FOX channel 24 in Charleston.How about the show 24. ;)

I started out last night watching 24 out of Augusta. The signal was at 60, so I knew it wouldnt last long. I might have watched 30 minutes. Having said that, I have watched it for several days with a signal well above 70.

Now, ABC out of Augusta is another story. About a year ago, I did a scan and picked them up at max. I have never lost their signal, and their sound is outstanding.

"I started out last night watching 24 out of Augusta." I guess I'm comfused, is this a channel 24 or a show named 24?

I watched this show- http://www.fox.com/24/

on this channel- http://www.wfxg.com/

:D My english sucks. sorry

WTOC finally re-fixed their AR again. However, this time (from the last time they were 14:9), it looks like they got an almost perfect 16:9. This is the closest they've ever gotten. Something to be proud of. Now, if they would just get an auto-switch like WSAV has. Even this is about the least important thing in the world to report, its a change in SAV tv for the better which is like winning the lottery.

Its still hard to believe that WSAV still can't get their act together when it comes to the Today Show. They jump the gun and change from 16:9 to 4:3 seconds before they switch to local weather then center channel volume drops. When they return to the network someone falls asleep at the switch. Then I crank up my volume and when he wakes up I have to jump to turn my volume back down.

Mr. WSAV we had this convsation before and your comment was, it's the network. :mad: Why not watch the show one morning with the right equipment and see what I'm talking about. If you would only listen to your viewers you might learn something, is that to hard to do. By the way, WCBD does it right so why can't you. :eek:

For people with Dish 622 and 921, starting today I now get EPG for the subchannels on all the stations from Charleston, hope this will be the same for Sav. soon

Anyone know what the issue with WTOC D15 (D11) is? They're no longer broadcasting in 1080i (it's 740i). Did their HD equipment go kaput?

Sure looks that way. Its not network, WCSC Charleston is 1080i.

Anyone know what the issue with WTOC D15 (D11) is? They're no longer broadcasting in 1080i (it's 740i). Did their HD equipment go kaput?I thought I was pretty intelligent with this kind of stuff, but obviously I have some work to do. How is this known, or better yet, how would I know?

I thought I was pretty intelligent with this kind of stuff, but obviously I have some work to do. How is this known, or better yet, how would I know?

I use an MDP-130 HDTV card in my PC for all my HD content. Since I use my PC for everything, I can analyze all the transport streams. That and the fact that the card displays what the broadcast type/content are :)

WTOC fixed their output. It's back to 1080i again. Just in time for football!

I use an MDP-130 HDTV card in my PC for all my HD content. Since I use my PC for everything, I can analyze all the transport streams. That and the fact that the card displays what the broadcast type/content are :)
Got cha. I dont think I will be able to tell, so let us know again if its screwed up. :D ;)

Is anyone else have a problem with audio dropouts on WTOC 11-1? These past few weeks during the football games we have been getting audio dropouts every 15-30 seconds.

Yea, I have. But I've only watched shows that have been recorded. I wasnt sure if it was doing it live too.

Well, mid-month is gone. Next date for WTGS and WJCL. I will guess umm.....six more months.

I wonder if we could get the local Savannah paper interested in how WJCL and WTGS are draging their feet rolling out DTV and HDTV to the masses? It could also point out the double standard the stations have towards waivers (OK for them, not so much for their wiewers) and the lack of communications between the stations and their viewers. Perhaps that publicity would help move things along a bit quicker. It probably couldn't hurt.

Anybody have any contacts in the local newspaper?

I just emailed to them both as well......we'll see......

All Charleston and Savannah stations have the state of the union in 1080i except poor old WTOC.

Does anyone have any possible idea why WSAV has an infomercial on instead of Friday Night Lights? Inexcusable!!!!!!!!!!!

There have been rumors is was going to be canceled....but it is listed on nbc.com...anyone know if it is on in another market?

FNL was on 2-1 in Charleston, Wake up WSAV no one wants a stupid infomerical.

I emailed WSAV last night complaining but have not heard back, very disappointing that they would do that.

I emailed WSAV last night complaining but have not heard back, very disappointing that they would do that.

WSAV has an auto-switch. I don't think they attend it since it does tend to work well 90%+ of the time. They probably didn't know it hadn't auto-switched over to the National feed.

I emailed WSAV last night complaining but have not heard back, very disappointing that they would do that.

I did as well and have not heard anything either.

Honestly I think they knew what they were doing. How could someone in the control room not see it. What they did was no different than pre-empt a program to run a show like Billy Graham, etc.

I did as well and have not heard anything either.

Here's the response from WSAV (DStagnitto@WSAV.com )...

First, my apologies. I am sorry it happened.

When we originally made the programming change, our understanding was that Friday Night Lights was to be a repeat on that night. Obviously, it wasn't. And when that changed we should have, at least, prepared some kind of alert for the audience.

As for airing the episode, I'm checking on that now. But you can watch Wednesday night's episode on www.nbc.com . If I have an alternative on-the-air, we will make numerous announcements.

Thank you for writing and, again, I'm sorry this happened.

David Stagnitto
Program Manager
WSAV-TV

I heard something about Comcast doing something like paying WJCL money to broadcast their signal in HD. I don't know when (possibly soon), and I'm not sure if it is true.

Hi all. This is going to be my first post here on the forums. What a great source of info this thread has been. I am around Brooklet (30415) area. Some of you might be familiar with it. Its about 17 miles from Statesboro. I am planning on buying a Panny TH-58PX600U. I was checking on Dish network website i can either pay and get those local channels for 6 bucks a month or i can go OTA.
Could anyone help me answer these questions please?

1) Do we have HD channels from Savannah that can be picked in my area?

2) If not that means i can just get an OTA antenna and receive some or all of the channels offered by dish?

Thanks Guys

You will be able to get WTOC and WSAV (CBS and NBC) from Savannah via ota. If I were you and getting Dish, I'd still subscribe to the locals via Dish so you would have guide data (what is on and what time).

Appreciate the answer Bryan :-)

I heard something about Comcast doing something like paying WJCL money to broadcast their signal in HD. I don't know when (possibly soon), and I'm not sure if it is true.
I heard the FCC is looking into that very thing...includes WTGS too.

I noticed two new channels showing up on my Direct TV HD Receiver. The first is Channel 29 and is identified as FOX television services from MTN-TV, 29, out of Savannah. Looks like old TV shows. Guide Info says "TBA". The second channel is 36-1, WMMP, no picture. Guide Info shows "Regular Schedule". No information shown in guide on the Channel or WMMP. Nothing is in HD or even digital.

Anybody know what's what? Thanks!

I bought a 4228 from Dow in Savannah a couple days ago. The owner (?) was helpful and friendly. They are a wholesale dealership and was told they only derive about 5% of sales from consumers off the street (their street is in the industrial district). He let me go in the warehouse to pick up my antenna and they had skids stacked with receivers, antennas, dishes, etc. It was beautiful.

One caveat tho is you can't take an item back to them if it is defective because they are wholesale. I would assume you would send it back to the manufacturer.

All in all a good buying experience.

Anyway I set up my antenna on a 20 foot pole and get WTOC fine at 70-90 signal strength. However, I cannot consistently get WSAV. I get 0 to 65 signal and when it gets below 60 I lose it. Do I need and amplifier?

Thanks
MX48

MX48,

Did you have to have a tax number or an account, or did you just walk up and pay cash, without being a retailer?

MX48,

Did you have to have a tax number or an account, or did you just walk up and pay cash, without being a retailer?
You can go right in and make a purchase. Nothing else needed.

The guy I talked to said that the station is on the process of being sold. Maybe that's why they dont' have hi-def yet. I'll bet the current owner doesn't want to fork over the money and would rather let the new owner do it.

Just a question - Did they say when the sale will be complete. I imagine it will take some time after the sale to get anything changed. Just a thought

Unfortnately the guy was pretty vague and didn't know much other than that.

36-1 is CW station from Charleston SC

My 622 Dish DVR now get EPG listings for 3-2 and 11-2/11-3

Y'all let me know when we get digital outta Fox and ABC. I am tired of checking and then watching my 622 crash time and again after coming out of the locals menu. Thanks Bryan.

I put a Radio Shack U75-R in my attic (a couple miles north of Rincon) and pulled in 88-100% on WSAV/WTOC on my 622. Saved a few bucks over th CM4228 I was thinking of getting.

These channels don't show up on the RF output from the satellite receiver. Anyone have a solution for this?

smileys
Do you get anything on the RF out? is you 622 in single or duel mode? what ch do you have your RF set ?

oljim,

I was in dual mode. Apparently, the only way to get OTA digital to the "home distribution" output is to use single mode.

Unless - start a recording on the OTA channel on TV1 in dual mode. then change channels and watch something else if you want. Go to the other TV on the "home distribution" output, and play the recording. It works.

Have you found another way?

I have my 622 in single mode, not hooked to RF out, I did use RF out to small TV when adjusting my dish but did not try off air chs..
I have never watched anything live OTA, I record everything, I have 3 DVRs on the same TV,622 ,921 and 721

What is up with WSAV?!?! This is becoming a weekly event with there problems. For the 2nd or 3rd time this season Friday Night Lights is without full audio on 3.1.

Yep no voice I will go to NBC.Com and down load the program again.

Send WSAV a email, this is getting old on FNL

I see WSAV is still up to their old tricks. This time they are running both network and their news audio at the same time. By now you would think they would know what those switches are for.

I have a feeling I will be on my second HD set before the rest of the Savannah stations go HD...

I have a feeling I will be on my second HD set before the rest of the Savannah stations go HD...
AT the rate these stations move, HD will be replaced by newer technology before they go HD. :D

Another week, another episode of Friday Night Lights WSAV can't get right, unbelievable. :( This week we only get half a screen, nice.

Another week, another episode of Friday Night Lights WSAV can't get right, unbelievable. :( This week we only get half a screen, nice.

I have it on Charleston WCBD OTA with a full picture. WSAV just can't get things right. Does anyone know who we can complain too.

Its almost like they purposely screwing the picture on that one show. Because as soon as the show ended with a commercial it went full screen.

Wasn't the WSAV engineer involved here at one point? Wasn't his name 'LGBeckner' or something? I was trying to watch 'The Tonight Show' last night, but it seems all chans but WSAV was broadcasting it in HD.

How am I ever supposed to get any on Valentine's night if I can't even get my usually normal HD locals?

I'm planning to write the station owner who also owns WCBD in Charleston to let then know whats happening to their station. I hope more will follow and do the same.

MEDIA GENERAL COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC
Address: 333 EAST FRANKLIN STREET
City: RICHMOND
State: VA

It appears that Bluenose (WTGS and WJCL) has no intention of broadcasting HD except direct with a cozy deal they have with Comcast. I can't help wondering if that's legal, but I guess they can do anything they want since they have no obligation to broadcast digital yet. So, as long as no one complains, they do whatever they want. It's clear to me they don't respect OTA viewers..so I refuse to watch either and get my signal from Augusta.

Was there a rumor Bluenose is selling? Where can one verify that?

Anyone else have signal problems yesterday? The wind was pretty bad, and my DISH 622 kept losing signal on WTOC. Could this be trees or the broadcast tower? I tried adjusting my attic antenna to maximize signal, but did not get any improvements. WSAV stayed strong.

I had no problem, was on Fox 24 in Charleston for 500 race and both 11-1 and 3-1 last night

It appears that Bluenose (WTGS and WJCL) has no intention of broadcasting HD except direct with a cozy deal they have with Comcast. I can't help wondering if that's legal, but I guess they can do anything they want since they have no obligation to broadcast digital yet. So, as long as no one complains, they do whatever they want. It's clear to me they don't respect OTA viewers..so I refuse to watch either and get my signal from Augusta.

Was there a rumor Bluenose is selling? Where can one verify that?


Actually, the answer to that question is probably a class action lawsuit, or a slap by the FCC. I **THINK** it might be illegal for a public network to deliver it's HD content ONLY on one medium with ONE cable company for that matter. It would violate antitrust laws if nothing else.

I mean, if they give it exclusively to comcast, and prevent other cable companies and satellite companies from carrying it, as well as OTA, I'm sure either the government or some rich people who feel cheated will press the issue.

I sent the following email to the general FCC email fccinfo@fcc.gov for complaints:

I would like to express my dissatisfaction regarding two television stations owned by the same company in Savannah, GA. WTGS and WJCL continue to advertise that they provide digital HD signal for each station and indeed provide that signal ONLY to Comcast cable subscribers and NOT to viewers in this area [I]desiring to obtain the signal over the air.

It would seem to me that this is an unfair practice and does not follow the intent of the law to provide signals to ALL viewers. As recent telecommunications acts have restricted satellite viewers from obtaining signals in other market areas, the situation described above does not offer subscribers other than cable a fair opportunity.

I am requesting that the FCC investigate why WTGS and WJCL are offering HD digital signal to Comcast subscribers and NOT OTA customers, and require that there be fair and equal service to the Savannah area.

This may be a futile effort but maybe if many others send similar emails we can get some interest from FCC. If there is no response from my email I will work my way up the contact ladder.

Nice job. I will send one, as well.

Edit: Sent mine off.

Nice job. I will send one, as well.

Edit: Sent mine off.


WJCL doesn't offer HD content via Comcast though. Only WTGS does. WJCL does broadcast digitally (I can receive it OTA just fine). Now, its only 704x480i and their audio channels are screwed up and its just a port over of their analog signal. But, unless something has changed, like this morning, WJCL doesn't have the same setup with Comcast that WTGS does. Which I find strange since they're in the same stupid building.

Neither one offers a signal that I can receive and I am rated an A and B as to signal strength. As I understand the JCL signal, it is only available to residents close to the Savannah area.

I dont care about the cable. Both show their digital channels along with their logo, so to me, thats advertising they are broadcasting that signal. I dont get it and cant get their analog signal with a 622. Therefore, I am screwed for FOX and ABC. Thanks Augusta.

I too have a 622 and 211 and neither receives either WJCL or WTGS. My antenna is amplified. I agree that this has nothing to do with cable other than the fact that cable subscribers are able to receive HD signal that other viewers/subscribers cannot which clearly should not be legal or follow the intent of the law.

Bryan
Are the Fox and ABC full power from Augusta?
If they are what dtv chs are they on. I can get Fox 24 DTV 40 from Charleston SC most of the time and it is 71 miles to the tower.
Jim

ABC is full power, but FOX is not. Having said that, I still get FOX fairly well.

ABC is 42

FOX is 54

btw, I think I have put my foot in my mouth.

http://www.bulloch.com/video.html

If you are referring to both WJCL and WTGS showing as future to Bulloch Cable, you did not put your foot in your mouth. My understanding is that Comcast in Savannah is broadcasting HD for at least one of the two stations and they both advertise with their logo the fact that they are digital.

True. I was just kinda shocked that I "could" get cable in "the country". That was the first I'd heard of it. I was making sure I had the call letters for ABC Augusta correct and that was the third choice that came up using google.

If you are referring to both WJCL and WTGS showing as future to Bulloch Cable, you did not put your foot in your mouth. My understanding is that Comcast in Savannah is broadcasting HD for at least one of the two stations and they both advertise with their logo the fact that they are digital.

Comcast in Savannah 100% broadcasts WTGS in HD. They have been for a couple years. I can NOT get that OTA btw, but their feed on Comcast is 1280x720p. Now its some ghetto port over crap until prime time, but once prime time hits, it auto-switching to the FOX national feed and its 720p AC3 5.1 448.

Their OTA signal (if anyone could actually pick it up) is only 704x480i junk.

Hi DigiDish,

Any chance you could send a note to the FCC so that we potentially get some attention to this matter.

I don't blame any of you for being angry, if I was in the Savannah market, I would be too. But (I think) your problem with a Class Action Lawsuit, or getting the FCC involved is "Slim to None". None of these stations (or any other stations for that matter), has to ever be HD. And they don't have to be Digital until February of 2009. So technically they are in test mode until then. One of the Macon stations (WMAZ CBS) is broadcasting on VHF channel 4 DT at about 7-8Kw and have publicly stated, they won't go to full power until they are required to. Even though they have everything in place and ready to go. We can only hope, without holding our breath, that they will change there mind before then. While our very poor Christian channel, which is broadcasting on channel 45 DT and at full power, has already requested to shut off there analog channel. Go figure?

Al

The issue is not whether they are broadcasting in HD, it is the fact that Cable subscribers have access to their HD signal and OTA/Sattellite customers do not have access. It is also the fact that both stations are advertising that they have HD.

Working around the federal government for many years, I agree that it will be challenging to get the attention of FCC, but if there is a decent number of inquiries without response, there are ways to get interest like asking our senator to launch an inquiry.

The issue is not whether they are broadcasting in HD, it is the fact that Cable subscribers have access to their HD signal and OTA/Sattellite customers do not have access. It is also the fact that both stations are advertising that they have HD.

Working around the federal government for many years, I agree that it will be challenging to get the attention of FCC, but if there is a decent number of inquiries without response, there are ways to get interest like asking our senator to launch an inquiry.

Well, as far as I know, WJCL has never advertised that they are HD. There isn't any ABC-HD service to be had from the Savannah DMA. I understand there is that cable company (someone posted) that is "claiming" that WJCL (in HD) will be a future add. Well, that future addition could be 2009. The *only* reason why Fox is on Comcast is because a couple years back when Comcast in Savannah was getting ready to launch their HD offering, they were advertising that the Super Bowl (on Fox that year) would be in HD. They, like we, were told that the station was going to start broadcasting in HD. So, Comcast intended to do what they do with WTOC and WSAV, just receive the signal OTA and port it onto their streams. Well, when WTGS didn't go OTA HD (they've been saying it for years), Comcast panicked and came up with a quick solution (probably to avoid false presentation) and they paid for a fibre optic line from the station to Comcast, so they could get Fox in HD from the station's feed. Contracts were signed, both parties are happy.

That was over two years ago. And still, to this day, once can't get WTGS OTA unless they literally live beneath the antenna. They're compliant with the law in that they are broadcasting digitally (albeit 704x480i ported analog signal just like WJCL since its the same idiots running both stations) and at about 5w of power :)

As far as I can tell, they are "comliant" in that they actually *do* broadcast a digital signal. Nobody can actually receive it (I picked it up twice in 2+ years) when atmospherics were just right, but I don't think there is any issue in terms of federal involvement. Now, I do get (pretty clearly) WTGS digital feed (D23 virtual 22-1) from my location, but its the same ported over analog junk in 704x480i.

Now, federal law stipulates (once again, as far as I know) that local channels broadcasting in HD even through a cable provider cannot be encrypted. One can then get basic basic cable (about 10 bucks a month) and can get WTGS in HD if they have a cable card or QAM capability on a digital receiver. Still, one is having to incur a cost, which is wrong, but I don't really know if there is any "wrong doing" on those piece of sh*t stations' behalf. I think even the CW channel in Savannah has an actual digital broadcast (which I've never even come close to picking up), but I'm not sure.

Strangest thing in all of this, was I read somewhere a couple years back that Fox GAVE the equipment to broadcast their standard of 720p HD (up from initial offering of 480p) to the top 100 DMAs. So, it is entirely possible that WTGS actually has the equipment just sitting there that they refuse to setup. It's really, really sad is what it is. There is absolutely no excuse for Savannah to not have this capability. There are DMAs that are around 120-130 that have all networks in HD. But not here.

I'll send a message off to the FCC, but I don't think it will make any difference. Perhaps the more appropriate place to start is at least with Fox and let them know their investment in Savannah went to waste.

Well, as far as I know, WJCL has never advertised that they are HD. On their newcast or a commercial for their station, they had DT 23 near their logo at one point. I only watch two show on ABC (Lost and Extreme Home Makeover) and both of those I watch out of Augusta, so I dont know if its still there or not.

During the Oscars last night that was in HD, at the bottom of their logo at each break there was DT 23. Too bad we could not watch in HD.

I'd call that advertising their station in HD (or at the least digital ota), wouldnt you?

And when visiting WTGS's website I'd call this advertising digital to me since I am in their market. At the very least, put up something telling ME that I am unable to receive this particular programing for ________ reason.
http://www.fox28tv.com/jsp/showLink.jsp?pageLink=http://titantvguide.titantv.com/apg/grid.aspx?siteId=49997

On their newcast or a commercial for their station, they had DT 23 near their logo at one point. I only watch two show on ABC (Lost and Extreme Home Makeover) and both of those I watch out of Augusta, so I dont know if its still there or not.


WJCL is 100% confirmed DT23 though, I pick it up just fine. They undeniably have a digital broadcast. It's D23 (22-1). A station is well within their boundaries to claim they are DT if they actually are. In fact, if anyone picks up their digital broadcast, they have a PID that delivers call letters. WJCL-DT.

Thats cool, wish I could pick it up. Doesnt matter though, WJBF in Augusta is full power, I have no problem picking them up, and I dont have to turn my antenna to do it. I dont think I will ever watch those two stations again.

Wish I could pick up Augusta but so far not successful. I guess since you are in the Boro you are a good 25 miles closer than I am.

Is anyone getting a low signal on WSAV? I have 70s has always been 100 till today

Wish I could pick up Augusta but so far not successful. I guess since you are in the Boro you are a good 25 miles closer than I am.Plus, I am in the Northeast corner of Bulloch, too. That helps, Im sure.

EDIT: I'm 61 Miles from the towers in Augusta vs. 38 from the Savannah towers.

Advertising as DT27 and DT 23 ( for WTGS and WJCL, respectively ), which they have advertised for at least THREE years now, is advertising they provide an acceptable OTA DT signal, which they do not. Thus they are gross violation advertising laws, under the false advertising sections.

Just because you can get it near Savannah, does not make it legal. From working in radio, if you advertise you are 100,000 Watts signal, you HAVE to be 100,000 watts or else the FCC fines you. They made us take hourly readings and fill out hourly FCC reports, which had to be filed later.

Surely, TV OTA cannot be much different. Besides the false advertising part of it, isn't their OTA DT coverage required to cover a certain percentage of their OTA coverage? Isn't that why we've seen the refilings and revisions of stations around the country for their DT signal and antenna changes ( See FCC website )?

That said, one of those could warrant a lawsuit, as in intentionally misleading consumers to THINK they could get at least Digital signal in their viewing area, whereas they could not. The other would have to be investigated by the FCC and fined/acted upon accordingly.

I wonder where antenna.web gets info on stations, if I put in my full add they say 22-1 should come in the same as 3-1/3-2. In real life 3-1 is 100 on my signal and I have never got a lock on 22-1 in 3 1/2 years

I've wondered the same thing, Jim.

Bryan
What iinfo do you get from antennaweb
I get 11-1 yellow 16-1 yellow and 22-1 red, no listing for 3-1 till I go to 50 ft on ant then it says 3-1 red and 3-1 is not at same direction as 11-1 and 22-1, I think they still have 3-1 at downtown station not from tower out by I-95

Bryan
What iinfo do you get from antennaweb
I get 11-1 yellow 16-1 yellow and 22-1 red, no listing for 3-1 till I go to 50 ft on ant then it says 3-1 red and 3-1 is not at same direction as 11-1 and 22-1, I think they still have 3-1 at downtown station not from tower out by I-95

*red - vhf WVAN-DT 13 PBS SAVANNAH GA 07-08 175° 26.7 13
* blue - uhf WTOC-DT 11.1 CBS SAVANNAH GA 153° 38.5 15
* blue - uhf WGSA-DT 35.1 CW BAXLEY GA FCC Ext 199° 37.3 35
* violet - uhf WRDW-DT 12.1 CBS AUGUSTA GA 358° 61.6 31
* violet - uhf WJCL-DT 23 ABC SAVANNAH GA TBD 152° 38.6 23
* violet - uhf WAGT-DT 30.1 NBC AUGUSTA GA 358° 61.2 30

I wonder when they will wake up and list 3-1, it is the only station in Sav that is full power.
If I say my ant is at 500 ft it lists all the Charleston dtv stations but not Fox 24, it is the strongest of all the stations. I get it almost as good as 11-1
My old 921 died wensday just got a 2nd 622 to replace it.

Bryan
Do you still have your old SD 105?

Bryan
Do you still have your old SD 105?Yep, still got it.

I did send a message to the FCC complaining about WTGS/WJCL and their alledged false advertisement of digital content, and that they will not approve waivers for distant locals over satellite for HD content despite neither of them providing it as an openly available option for residents residing within the Savannah DMA. They replied, but to me seems like a bunch of rhetoric. Maybe someone else can make sense of this.

You are receiving this email in response to your inquiry to the FCC.

Thank your for contacting the FCC Consumer Center.

In spite of some TV service providers, including satellite and ordinary broadcast stations, telling subscribers they can't provide network programming or other service due to "FCC rules," the fact is that the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (SHVIA) gives no authority to the FCC (or any other entity) to compel a TV service provider to provide - or to withhold/block - any particular service, including satellite provision of network programming whether local-into-local, distant station, or the HDTV component of either.

Please see the SHVIA fact sheet at http://www.fcc.gov/mb/shva/shviafac.html

A careful reading of this document may convey that entities other than the FCC have authority for providing consumers network programming. For example, in discussing waivers for unserved households, the document states that ?SHVIA requires that the satellite subscriber submit the request for a waiver, through the satellite company, to the local network TV station? and that a waiver may be ?GRANTED BY THE TELEVISION NETWORK STATION? [my emphasis]. Also please note the permissive language (?may?) in the statement, ?If the local network TV station does not issue a decision within 30 days, the request for a waiver is considered to be granted and the satellite company MAY provide the distant signals.?

While the FCC?s authority is very limited in this issue, we are very concerned about the problems some consumers are experiencing and we are tracking overall progress and problems. Letters from consumers provide valuable information that may be used to develop or support Commission initiatives for consumers and for regulatory purposes.

Consumers? requests for waivers or signal strength tests should be sent in writing to the satellite service provider. Please send copies of any such correspondence, past or future, to:

Federal Communications Commission
Media Bureau
445 12th St., SW
Washington, DC 20554

Sounds like they spent their time telling you about distants. Could be wrong. Anyway, I dont look for anything to be done until it HAS [my emphasis] :D to be.

I emailed a friend at WTGS about three weeks ago (I figured I should give him time to respond) and asked about their plans or lack thereof to move on getting us a digital signal out here in the boonies. I'm sorry to inform y'all, like every other time I have emailed them the last three years, I have gotten no response.

The last reply from them was 6/30/05 they said not before 1/2006 LOL

:rolleyes:

This city is driving me nuts in terms of lack of HD from our local stations!!!!!!! Would they get off of their rears and do what the customers want!! Sorry, just venting

i would be happy if the local stations ported their HD content over to directv at this point. They already port SD over to them!. In an ideal world OTA is still the best, but throw me a fricken bone! anybody else sick of the Directv Doc Brown commercials touting how much HD capacity they will have "soon"? Don't want to hear about it until its ready for me now. Hate the teasing. Get on with it!

Can anyone tell me where I could find a channel line-up for the digitals I am picking up via my TV's QAM tuner over my Comcast feed? I've tried mapping them myself and writing down stations when I find them, but I've found that not all stations broadcast all the time so I'd like to know if I'm missing something. If no such list is available I'd be willing to post my findings if anyone is interested.

I talked with WTGS/WJCL technical staff a couple weeks ago and they indicated that WTGS should be broadcasting HD in mid April and WJCL in mid June. The delays are due to structural upgrade of the towers. Hopefully there won't be additional delays.

Can anyone tell me where I could find a channel line-up for the digitals I am picking up via my TV's QAM tuner over my Comcast feed? I've tried mapping them myself and writing down stations when I find them, but I've found that not all stations broadcast all the time so I'd like to know if I'm missing something. If no such list is available I'd be willing to post my findings if anyone is interested.

See this post. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9388093&highlight=fredge#post9388093

I talked with WTGS/WJCL technical staff a couple weeks ago and they indicated that WTGS should be broadcasting HD in mid April and WJCL in mid June. The delays are due to structural upgrade of the towers. Hopefully there won't be additional delays.I actually believe it this time. Did they happen to say which year?

Thats Funny, true but funny

I talked with WTGS/WJCL technical staff a couple weeks ago and they indicated that WTGS should be broadcasting HD in mid April and WJCL in mid June. The delays are due to structural upgrade of the towers. Hopefully there won't be additional delays.
Haha... They have told me this every year for years...I'll believe it when I see it.

I haven't been following this thread for a while but here is some insight on previously mentioned thoughts:

The FOX network provided the Splicer (or HD Switcher) which lets the station switch (insert local spots and/or sub channels) and encode the HD signal from the network satellite and send it out to OTA or another source (Comcast, Directv, etc.). They did have to buy an SD up-converter (which is not setup right because the sound is horrible and the picture is not framed properly for normal overscan. FOX does NOT provide the station with OTA broadcast equipment.

WJCL/WTGS are doing nothing wrong or illegal. While they are not acting in the best interest of their viewers, they are not required to broadcast anything other than 480i on their digital station at the power level mandated by the FCC. This is exactly what they are doing.

The Fiber link is not that big of a deal. Unsurprisingly, WJCL/WTGS's analog OTA signal is very inconsistent! Comcast got tired of fielding complaints and dealing with outages so they installed a direct link for the SD versions of the station a long time ago. WJCL has been off the air for a week plus at a time and no one notices because Comcast picks the feed up straight from the station. Adding FOX-HD was a no brainer as the infrastructure was already there and FOX was the superbowl network that year.

Further, the only thing your complaints about HD being on cable and not OTA would do is cause WTGS to pull the Comcast HD feed.

Cheers,

I spoke with Steven Brissett, President of Bluenose Communications (WTGS only) and verifies that mid-April they will be broadcasting HD...provided weather cooperates and delivery and installation of the antenna stays on schedule.

I believe this is the real deal...

Have any idea when Comcast will turn on NationalGeographic HD,A&EHD, or CSNHD? They've been around for about a month, and still are unauthorized(actually, CSN has been around for about two months).


Oh and I see there is no ADS. Guess they don't plan to do it here, but the least they can do is get all of their HD channels up and running.

I spoke with Steven Brissett, President of Bluenose Communications (WTGS only) and verifies that mid-April they will be broadcasting HD...provided weather cooperates and delivery and installation of the antenna stays on schedule.

I believe this is the real deal...Did you get him to commit to which year, though? :D

I saw the guy today that I emailed a few weeks back. I said, "Hey, did you get my email?'" He said, "Yea, I gave it to the engineers to get back with you." :rolleyes: Anyway, for what its worth he said that FOX would be up in eight months and that ABC would follow. I assume that eight months is from today. I will start the countdown. :D :cool: :rolleyes: :eek: :confused: :( :mad:

Who knows if this guy was just giving me a date, but I thought I'd give another timetable.

Can anyone tell me where I could find a channel line-up for the digitals I am picking up via my TV's QAM tuner over my Comcast feed? I've tried mapping them myself and writing down stations when I find them, but I've found that not all stations broadcast all the time so I'd like to know if I'm missing something. If no such list is available I'd be willing to post my findings if anyone is interested.


COMCAST is always re-mapping their channels. It's a pain in the ass to keep trying to find certain ones.

As of today, here are ones that I can at least confirm ...

79-1 INHD (1080i)
81-1 ESPN2 (720p)
81-2 Music-HD (1080i)
82-1 WTGS (720p)
82-2 WSAV (1080i)
82-3 TNT-HD (1080i)
89-1 ESPN (720p)
91-3 DISC (1080i)
107-1 WTOC (1080i)
113-8 Universal (1080i)

83-5 HGTV (480i)
83-7 CNN (480i)
83-9 TWC (480i)

I've found Disney (480i), The Tube (480i), MyTV (480i), and a couple others but can't remember their channel numbers.

Ok I just moved to Savannah and wanted to get the scoop on HD and which route I should go...I have an OTA indoor antenna but I could only pick up the NBC station. Are any other stations broadcast OTA here? Are the ABC station and Fox station true HD on Comcast?

COMCAST is always re-mapping their channels. It's a pain in the ass to keep trying to find certain ones.

As of today, here are ones that I can at least confirm ...
...

I've found Disney (480i), The Tube (480i), MyTV (480i), and a couple others but can't remember their channel numbers.


DigiDish, your and TSteele's list pretty much agrees with mine. I guess I haven't missed anything. Thanks for the help.

Ok I just moved to Savannah and wanted to get the scoop on HD and which route I should go...I have an OTA indoor antenna but I could only pick up the NBC station. Are any other stations broadcast OTA here? Are the ABC station and Fox station true HD on Comcast?
Just wondering if anyone could still help me with this...

CBS is OTA here. ABC (WJCL) is NOT available in HD any way shape or form. Some get it from other areas (search this thread). FOX is available in HD on Comcast.

Just wondering if anyone could still help me with this...
WTOC and WSAV (CBS and NBC) you should be able to get. FOX and ABC you cant and may not ever be able to. Look two post above this one on the comcast.

Get a outdoor ant, UHF type like the Radio Shack U75 15-2160 for $25 or a CM 4228 STAY AWAY from any TERK, only a jerk would sell a TERK.

Jim, I did three scans last night with no reboots. I picked up three stations outta Jacksonville (WB, PBS and FOX). No dropouts with any of those. I picked up ABC, I think outta Charleston, and got one more from somewhere. I couldnt even find it on my sheet that I have for the different cities.

ABC from Charleston is 4-1 WCIV, give me the call letters of the one you can not find and I will look it up.
I got Fox last night out of Myrtle Beach 43-1
I would give FOX 24 from Charleston at try DTV 40 it comes in good here, the best I get from Charleston

Thats it, 4-1. I tried the FOX out of Charleston with no luck. I am hoping with Jacksonville and Augusta that I will be able to watch FOX.

Bryan did you try WACH 57-1 DTV 48 Columbia SC about 20 deg from your location.

Bryan did you try WACH 57-1 DTV 48 Columbia SC about 20 deg from your location.I turned my antenna to Charleston, Augusta and Jacksonville, then scanned them all. I have picked up Columbia before, but I didnt try it this time.

Is it just me or is WSAV blank with no sound

I'm moving to Richmond Hill, about 20 miles Southwest from Savannah. I'm trying to figure out my HD options. The Comcast website is a pain to navigate, to say the least. What HD channels can I get via cable? Are you guys getting all of your locals OTA if you use satellite?

Here is San Antonio we finally got all the locals in HD from TWC. I'm hoping to keep that going, maybe even add some like Outdoor HD and Sci-fi HD if that ever happens.

Good afternoon all:

First of all, I wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you. WSAV is in the process of going under Centralized Broadcast Operations (CBO) and we have been extremely busy installing and programming equipment. Due to this process you may experience some glitches here and there. We are trying to get all of these ironed out as quickly as possible. The good news is that, when completed, there will no longer be any delay in the switching between stereo and 5.1 as has been happening in the past.

I solicit your help and will go out on a limb here since I trust that the members of this group are mainly technical in nature. My e-mail address is LBECKNER@WSAV.COM . I would ask you to keep me informed of issues and observations in a constructive manner.

Trust me guys... I am on your side and want to give you the best viewing/listening experience that I can. Please work with me.

Thanks

Lowell Beckner
Chief Engineer
WSAV TV/DT

Mr. Beckner,

Doesn't the national NBC network feed consist of three seperate mpeg1-layer2 audio streams that affiliates have to "merge" in order to make a 5.1 ac3 audio track on the distant end? That being the case, is it the audio multiplexer that is being upgraded to be able to sort the channels correctly?

Also, when it comes to national feeds and shows that are in standard definition (Scrubs and The Apprentice come to mind), why is it that the national feed can't be fed? WSAV picks up the feed as SDTV I'm assuming and auto-switches to the local SD feed. Which is fine IF the SD feed wasn't a port over and had stereo sound. Oprah in the SD local port over feed and distorted mono sound is fine, but shouldn't there be something built in to avoid that for prime-time content?

Any information and/or suggestions are welcome

I'm moving to Richmond Hill, about 20 miles Southwest from Savannah. I'm trying to figure out my HD options. The Comcast website is a pain to navigate, to say the least. What HD channels can I get via cable? Are you guys getting all of your locals OTA if you use satellite?

Here is San Antonio we finally got all the locals in HD from TWC. I'm hoping to keep that going, maybe even add some like Outdoor HD and Sci-fi HD if that ever happens.
Go back a page or two and you'll find the answer to your question about comcast. OTA is WSAV (NBC) and WTOC (CBS). The others will be here before 2009.

I'm moving to Richmond Hill, about 20 miles Southwest from Savannah. I'm trying to figure out my HD options. The Comcast website is a pain to navigate, to say the least. What HD channels can I get via cable? Are you guys getting all of your locals OTA if you use satellite?

Here is San Antonio we finally got all the locals in HD from TWC. I'm hoping to keep that going, maybe even add some like Outdoor HD and Sci-fi HD if that ever happens.


Ha ha ha. You do realize you're coming from a relatively big DMA to bottom of the barrel, right? Savannah, albeit higher DMA than say, Charleston, is the land that time forgot (Charleston does well per DTV offerings). Out of the five major networks, *only* two broadcast in HD (CBS and NBC). FOX does have their feed in HD through Comcast cable (only show in town). But, both ABC and CW do not exist here (PBS is also only available in analog). You can get them on Comcast "digital cable" (which the first 85 channels are of course analog), but only in their analog garbage from the locals here.

I have comcast, and although I've never looked, I don't think there is some science fiction HD channel. Look at my post a couple back for their hd/digital offerings.

There are no locals in HD via satellite, and likely won't be any for some time to come. Sorry :(

Mr. Beckner,

Doesn't the national NBC network feed consist of three seperate mpeg1-layer2 audio streams that affiliates have to "merge" in order to make a 5.1 ac3 audio track on the distant end? That being the case, is it the audio multiplexer that is being upgraded to be able to sort the channels correctly?

Also, when it comes to national feeds and shows that are in standard definition (Scrubs and The Apprentice come to mind), why is it that the national feed can't be fed? WSAV picks up the feed as SDTV I'm assuming and auto-switches to the local SD feed. Which is fine IF the SD feed wasn't a port over and had stereo sound. Oprah in the SD local port over feed and distorted mono sound is fine, but shouldn't there be something built in to avoid that for prime-time content?

Any information and/or suggestions are welcome

We have done some re-programming and other things today. Let me know what happens tonight. Hopefully at least part of the issue that you mention will be corrected.

Thanks

LB

Ha ha ha. You do realize you're coming from a relatively big DMA to bottom of the barrel, right? Savannah, albeit higher DMA than say, Charleston, is the land that time forgot (Charleston does well per DTV offerings). Out of the five major networks, *only* two broadcast in HD (CBS and NBC). FOX does have their feed in HD through Comcast cable (only show in town). But, both ABC and CW do not exist here (PBS is also only available in analog). You can get them on Comcast "digital cable" (which the first 85 channels are of course analog), but only in their analog garbage from the locals here.

I have comcast, and although I've never looked, I don't think there is some science fiction HD channel. Look at my post a couple back for their hd/digital offerings.

There are no locals in HD via satellite, and likely won't be any for some time to come. Sorry :(
Comcast only has 69 analog channels. Used to be 73, Until CWPlus, WE, C-Span2, and Courtv went digital-only recently.

Digidish, do you think Comcast will ever digital simulcast the rest of the analogs as they do in about every other market that is 750MHz? The analog quality is horrible. It's amazing how Comcast keeps aus s one of the only markets without ADS, yet annually increases our rates the same amount as markets that do have it.


All I can tell is that Comcast apparently has no digital ad insertion equipment because, on the digital formats of WE and Courtv, there are no longer any local advertisements/commercials. If they don't have the equipment, wouldn't they be decreasing the oppurtunities of local advertisers everytime they move a channel to digital-only? I mean, Comcast's mediocre progress here is now costing more than just the customers.

Our local broadcast situation is far from the most pleasant. I don't think we need a major cable company using the same tactics.

Ugh, it sounds bad out there. I don't know all the station identifers ya'll are using, but it sounds like FOX HD is ONLY over comcast, while NBC and CBS are ONLY OTA? No chance of getting the HD locals from say, Atlanta, over satellite? I could care less about local news. Well, I suppose I should just go with the provider that has the most HD channels (which I think is Dish) and just rely on HD-DVD and BD for my TV shows that I can't get OTA.

The satellite receivers can integrate OTA signals into their on-screen menus and record them to the DVR, right?

BTW, the sci-fi HD channel I was referring to is the Sci-fi channel, which I hear is going HD in the fall, along with FX.

Man, I hope IPTV with the xbox 360 hits Richmond Hill soon, this is ridiculous. Could have been worse, I suppose, I could have been sent to Ft. Sill in Oklahoma or Ft. Polk in Louisiana.

EDIT: I finally managed to figure out the comcast web site. Under their channel line-up, for my area code (31324) they do list NBC, CBS, and Fox HD channels. Is this correct?

Ugh, it sounds bad out there. I don't know all the station identifers ya'll are using, but it sounds like FOX HD is ONLY over comcast, while NBC and CBS are ONLY OTA? No chance of getting the HD locals from say, Atlanta, over satellite? I could care less about local news. Well, I suppose I should just go with the provider that has the most HD channels (which I think is Dish) and just rely on HD-DVD and BD for my TV shows that I can't get OTA.

The satellite receivers can integrate OTA signals into their on-screen menus and record them to the DVR, right?

BTW, the sci-fi HD channel I was referring to is the Sci-fi channel, which I hear is going HD in the fall, along with FX.

Man, I hope IPTV with the xbox 360 hits Richmond Hill soon, this is ridiculous. Could have been worse, I suppose, I could have been sent to Ft. Sill in Oklahoma or Ft. Polk in Louisiana.

EDIT: I finally managed to figure out the comcast web site. Under their channel line-up, for my area code (31324) they do list NBC, CBS, and Fox HD channels. Is this correct?

Yes, that's correct.

Well, comcast may still be my best bet then, I suppose I can live without Food Network and HGTV in HD. I'm not really in the mood to mess with antennas ATM. Ugh, I do hate analog cable though.

Didn't see anything posted this morning about the audio in Leno or Conan. Did anyone watch it in HD last night? Were there any audio problems? Remember, these shows are sent to us from NBC in HD video but stereo audio.

Thanks

Lowell