Eurovision, SAH and others experiencing problems with Cox's local HD channels:

My best guess is Cox has nothing to do with this. As I wrote above I have an antenna for OTA reception and have only begun to experience major, frequent issues on the RI digital channels -- esp. 10.1 and 6.1 (makes sense as they are on the same transmitter) and 12.1 as well -- in the last month or so.

The problems have been increasing in their frequency, so my guess is your problem isn't with Cox, it's the same one I'm having -- and it's probably a transmission problem with the broadcast towers themselves I'm guessing.

I'm used to getting a bit of break up on Boston channels down here in Wakefield (South County), but when Channel 5 comes in perfectly at the same time 6, 10 and 12 have problems, it's a no-brainer these issues are likely to do with the channels and their transmission signals themselves.

Hopefully others can enlighten us but I never recall having anywhere near this many issues with the RI channels last year at the same time.

Well done, Cox. I have to give them credit, this is one of the first times they've ever added a channel close to when it became available (Discovery HD, TLC HD).

I'm also very psyched to see FSNHD given that the Celts will be on soon.

Anyone notice that thanks to Verizon and FiOS, Cox is improving their lineup almost monthly? Nice.

In my wildest dreams I did not think that Cox customers would see these HD channels before our Direct TV friends, but it has happened. We all complain when Cox struggles, so it is only fair to give them credit for this recent HD rollout when their competitors are struggling a bit in the near term (check out Direct TV forums).

Should be interesting to see how this all plays out over the coming months.

Personally I keep repeating.... The ALDS/NLDS/NLCS must be in HD... The ALDS/NLDS/NLCS must be in HD... can you imagine watching baseball all year in HD only to have to go back to watching SD during the initial play-off rounds. That can't happen.... Can it?

Anything new on Verizon Fios in RI? I know that the DPUC has already approved which is one of the three steps. Any progress on getting Fios to sevice area 8?

Right now they are going though the construction certificate, if this goes quicker they may be "done" by the end of the year. If not I would expect sometime in early 08 that the process would be done either way you go I dont think they will start offering service until sometime early in 08 2,3,8. I know I have seen Verizon busy at work recently in my Area putting up the Lines for FIOS :) .

On a side note I am happy that Cox has added the new channels the mroe the better I dread when I have to go to SD to watch TV. It seems Cox got the clue that Verizon is not going away and that they do pose as a serious threat. Ever since The approval of 2,3,8 they have kicked it into high gear :). Ondemand HD (almost 20 movies), HBO OD HD, plus CW,, Discovery, TLC, FSNHD all within the last month or so.

Well done, Cox. I have to give them credit, this is one of the first times they've ever added a channel close to when it became available (Discovery HD, TLC HD).

I'm also very psyched to see FSNHD given that the Celts will be on soon.

Anyone notice that thanks to Verizon and FiOS, Cox is improving their lineup almost monthly? Nice.

If I had to guess I would say that Cox's new proactive posturing has everything to do with the fact the FIOS is coming and they do not want to lose market share. Competition is good. I couldn't help but notice that the signal at my house (Cranston) seems much improved recently, less motion macro-blocking, artifacting etc. It would not surprise me to learn that they have recently improved parts of the network/bandwith allocation, again, to try and retain their current customer base. Also noted channel 705 in the line-up, don't recall what it was.

In my wildest dreams I did not think that Cox customers would see these HD channels before our Direct TV friends, but it has happened. We all complain when Cox struggles, so it is only fair to give them credit for this recent HD rollout when their competitors are struggling a bit in the near term (check out Direct TV forums).

I wouldn't use a sampling size of internet message board readers as an indication that they are "struggling" or not. Those Directv forums are filled with BS and mostly unsubstantiated rumors from people with no validity whatsoever.

How exactly are they "struggling" in your mind? They launched a new bird, they had to get it into proper orbit, and now it's most definitely testing and very close to launch. The only people complaining about the wait for Directv's new HD channels are whining internet posters who keep hearing rumored dates and then act like spoiled little kids once those unconfirmed, unofficial dates come and go. There's almost no "information" on most of these boards except the worst kind of whacked out internet user who floats rumors and then cries like a kid when they don't materialize...and last I checked the promise of 70 channels by the end of October is still something that stands firm. It's still September, right?

Right now the testing is on-going and they're moving very close to launch, as evidenced by readings from the new bird and new testing channels that have gone up in the last 24 hours. When it happens the service will smoke whatever options Cox has out of the water, so I'd enjoy the perks of TLC in HD while you still have the ability to boast about it ;)

Personally I keep repeating.... The ALDS/NLDS/NLCS must be in HD... The ALDS/NLDS/NLCS must be in HD... can you imagine watching baseball all year in HD only to have to go back to watching SD during the initial play-off rounds. That can't happen.... Can it?

It certainly won't if you have a dish. It might if you have Cox. I'd call and start asking asap if I were you.

Anyone else getting partial pillar bars on new TLCHD and DSCHD via Cox? I see them on both channels. They are about 1/4 the width of 4:3 pillar bars for SD content at the extreme left/right of the image.

OK, here is what happened in the meantime (long, interesting, frustrating story):


If anyone else is having the same problems with their reception, please post them here and keep reporting the stuff to the local stations, to Cox and maybe even to the FCC.

Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from others, battling the same problems.

Have you checked with Sony for any firmware updates? Also, do you know if the Cox entourage used a spectrum analyzer to check the line?

Sometimes with random drops it's due to spurious RFI from a device on your line ( i.e cable modem) or other wireless devices (i.e routers) nearby. If you go into diagnostics on your set what is the 5 Sec FEC rate when it drops?

It certainly won't if you have a dish. It might if you have Cox. I'd call and start asking asap if I were you.

Cox has all the local HD channels now, and had Fox and CBS since March. I'm not sure what the other poster was referring to, either, with his post about the baseball coming up not being available in HD.

Anyone else getting partial pillar bars on new TLCHD and DSCHD via Cox? I see them on both channels. They are about 1/4 the width of 4:3 pillar bars for SD content at the extreme left/right of the image.

Yep, some of the shows look like that. I think it's the way they shot them. Nothing's wrong with the channel or the feed.

Cox has all the local HD channels now, and had Fox and CBS since March. I'm not sure what the other poster was referring to, either, with his post about the baseball coming up not being available in HD.

That post was referring to the post season series that are going to be aired on TBS this year

I wouldn't use a sampling size of internet message board readers as an indication that they are "struggling" or not. Those Directv forums are filled with BS and mostly unsubstantiated rumors from people with no validity whatsoever.

How exactly are they "struggling" in your mind? They launched a new bird, they had to get it into proper orbit, and now it's most definitely testing and very close to launch. The only people complaining about the wait for Directv's new HD channels are whining internet posters who keep hearing rumored dates and then act like spoiled little kids once those unconfirmed, unofficial dates come and go. There's almost no "information" on most of these boards except the worst kind of whacked out internet user who floats rumors and then cries like a kid when they don't materialize...and last I checked the promise of 70 channels by the end of October is still something that stands firm. It's still September, right?

Right now the testing is on-going and they're moving very close to launch, as evidenced by readings from the new bird and new testing channels that have gone up in the last 24 hours. When it happens the service will smoke whatever options Cox has out of the water, so I'd enjoy the perks of TLC in HD while you still have the ability to boast about it ;)



It certainly won't if you have a dish. It might if you have Cox. I'd call and start asking asap if I were you.

Lol. I am not boasting just pointing out the benefits of competition now in the RI Cable/satellite market.

The primary "struggle" for Direct TV is missing promised dates (Sept 19th).

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/09/19/its-september-19th-do-you-know-where-directvs-hd-channels-are/

I agree that if they do end up delivering 70 HD channels by the end of October it will be great for Direct TV customers and ultimately for the market as a whole.

Does Direct TV already have TBSHD available? Does any carrier in RI have TBSHD already?

That post was referring to the post season series that are going to be aired on TBS this year

Aaaah. I agree. That really stinks.

Have you checked with Sony for any firmware updates? Also, do you know if the Cox entourage used a spectrum analyzer to check the line?

Sometimes with random drops it's due to spurious RFI from a device on your line ( i.e cable modem) or other wireless devices (i.e routers) nearby. If you go into diagnostics on your set what is the 5 Sec FEC rate when it drops?

Have to check with Sony if a firmware update is available and/or possible.
The Cox guys used a box that measured the frequency signal strength etc... and the displayed waves did not show dropouts but the signal was (supposedly) slightly less strong than the others (1 dB or so).

The errors jump between ca. 5 and 250, the SNR goes up and down between 28 and 33, while on the "good" stations the values are constant at 37-38.

Does anyone have any inside info about Cox and or FiOS adding TBS-HD in time for the MLB Playoffs?

If they don't, Red Sox fans won't be able to see any games in HD until at least the ALCS when Fox takes over American League coverage.

Does anyone have any inside info about Cox and or FiOS adding TBS-HD in time for the MLB Playoffs?

If they don't, Red Sox fans won't be able to see any games in HD until at least the ALCS when Fox takes over American League coverage.

I highly doubt that either carrier will have this channel by the playoffs. What you may see is a "temp" showing where they only show the games and then the channel goes away, but again my money is on not having it at all.

I should add though that I did read on a different forum that a Cox Rep did state that TBS HD should be added in time for the Playoffs take it with a grain of salt though.

According to Directv's website they just launched their first wave of new HD channels including TBS-HD.

Cox added TBS-HD last night. Channel 736

According to Directv's website they just launched their first wave of new HD channels including TBS-HD.

Here's the full new addition list (how much HD content is on them depends on the station, obviously):

* A&E (Channel 265)
* Animal Planet (Channel 282)
* Big Ten Network (Channel 220)
* CNN (Channel 202)
* The Discovery Channel (Channel 278)
* The History Channel (Channel 269)
* The Movie Channel East (Channel 544)
* NFL Network (Channel 212)
* Showtime West (Channel 540)
* Showtime too (Channel 538)
* The Smithsonian Channel (Channel 267)
* The Science Channel (Channel 284)
* Starz Comedy (Channel 519)
* Starz East (Channel 522)
* Starz West (Channel 540)
* Starz Edge (Channel 520)
* Starz Kids and Family (Channel 518)
* TBS (Channel 247)
* TLC (Channel 280)
* Versus / The Golf Channel (Channel 604)
* The Weather Channel (Channel 362)

Cox added TBS-HD last night. Channel 736

Now that is a great post ! Go Sox !

Cox added TBS-HD last night. Channel 736

Was about to post this...dang it wouldnt you know it as soon as I post they added it LOL!!!

Now that is a great post ! Go Sox !

So awesome.

Thanks, Cox, for moving quickly on this!

Any word from FiOS?

anyone know if tbshd is available over qam? I havent rescanned, and its a real pain to find the channels on my panasonic when I do.

anyone know if tbshd is available over qam? I havent rescanned, and its a real pain to find the channels on my panasonic when I do.

Why would it be available over QAM? Shouldn't only OTA channels be available unencrypted?

Any deviation from this is almost always a temporary mistake by Cox.

anyone know if tbshd is available over qam? I havent rescanned, and its a real pain to find the channels on my panasonic when I do.

Its always give and take with the QAM channels. Since Cox is not required to have the channel broadcast over qam, you may not see it (it may just take someone going channel by channel though to find it). The only channels that they openly offer (I think) are the locals.

Why would it be available over QAM? Shouldn't only OTA channels be available unencrypted?

Any deviation from this is almost always a temporary mistake by Cox.

yea I know, its nice for the few days that it is though.

Its always give and take with the QAM channels. Since Cox is not required to have the channel broadcast over qam, you may not see it (it may just take someone going channel by channel though to find it). The only channels that they openly offer (I think) are the locals.

Cox uses "QAM" for all it's digital channels. The difference between whether or not you get it with just your tuner is the encryption setting for the channel. Put another way, everything digital with COX is "Broadacst over QAM"

That aside, I really hope TBS does not simply upscale the 480 feed for their HD MLB coverage as they appear to be doing with everything else. The old FOX Sports trick.


UPDATE: MLB games will be in 1080i.

Anyone else missing NFLHD ch 726 on Cox? It seemed to disappear about the same time TBS HD showed up. Was it a swap?

I have not lost NFL HD with the addition of TBS.

What is up with FSNE, It is Off Air all the time.?

Cox uses "QAM" for all it's digital channels. The difference between whether or not you get it with just your tuner is the encryption setting for the channel. Put another way, everything digital with COX is "Broadacst over QAM"

That aside, I really hope TBS does not simply upscale the 480 feed for their HD MLB coverage as they appear to be doing with everything else. The old FOX Sports trick.


UPDATE: MLB games will be in 1080i.

Thank God, I hate watching certain "widescreen" stretched Red Sox games when they are on Fox.......Good thing they are mostly on NESN.

What is up with FSNE, It is Off Air all the time.?
I think they only broadcast games that are in HD. If you'll notice, there's some college football they'll be showing on it either today or tomorrow.

What is up with FSNE, It is Off Air all the time.?

If they had all those infomercials in HD you would actually see ahead of time that it's all garbage! Not good for sales. ;)

What is up with the volume of commercials this season? Every time a commercial plays I have to lower the volume 7 notches and then raise it again when the show comes back on. I notice it mostly on Cox NBC HD.

Something is seriously wrong with Channel 28. The sound has been atrocious since last Thursday on nearly every program, whether it's in HD (like SMALLVILLE's premiere) or standard-def...just sounds horrid.

What is up with the volume of commercials this season? Every time a commercial plays I have to lower the volume 7 notches and then raise it again when the show comes back on. I notice it mostly on Cox NBC HD.

WJAR-DT has always been much lower when broadacsting in 5.1 from the network. You may be able to soften this a bit by selecting a higher dynamic setting on your gear.

Cox has major audio issues with their Cox Media ad's being way over the current channel.

Does anyone have a good local antenna installer? We have a dish system and an antenna, but we can no longer receive the PBS channels we used to be able to receive. It may just be a cable that has come loose somewhere, or it may require tracing the signal. our original installer seems to have disappeared...

I lost PBS and channel 5 out of Boston a while back OTA. I figured it was just because all the trees at leaved out. Nothing else in my system had changed. I was going to wait till the leaves fell this fall before pursuing it. I have Cox as well as an OTA antenna on the Newport/Middletown line.

WJAR-DT has always been much lower when broadacsting in 5.1 from the network. You may be able to soften this a bit by selecting a higher dynamic setting on your gear.

Cox has major audio issues with their Cox Media ad's being way over the current channel.


Thanks for the advise, and at least now I know I'm not alone.

I have a DCT6412 iii from Cox and want to access the User Setup menu for the STB. But when I power it off, and press the Menu button which is supposed to bring that up, it says to press the power button to turn the device on. Did cox change the firmware to prevent access to the user setup? Is there a way to access it?

~gs2gf

I have a DCT6412 iii from Cox and want to access the User Setup menu for the STB. But when I power it off, and press the Menu button which is supposed to bring that up, it says to press the power button to turn the device on. Did cox change the firmware to prevent access to the user setup? Is there a way to access it?

~gs2gf

All of the user adjustables are available through "settings" button, then "A" button for more options. The procedure you describe is for entering factory diagnostics menus.

I see they added HIST-HD and CNN-HD and changed FSNE to Comcast Sports (?) in the Cox line-up.

I have a DCT6412 iii from Cox and want to access the User Setup menu for the STB. But when I power it off, and press the Menu button which is supposed to bring that up, it says to press the power button to turn the device on. Did cox change the firmware to prevent access to the user setup? Is there a way to access it?

~gs2gfOkay, scratch that, I was able to get at both the Motorola "service menu" and "user setup" now, not sure what I did wrong before.

Everything looked okay there, it showed 1080i as the output format which is what I want. But the HDMI connection from the DCT-6412 still looks inferior to component on my Sony XBR2, a bit more fuzzy or something. Anyone else seen this, I expected HDMI to be equal or greater than component in quality.

~gs2gf

I have the 6412 too with a 42" LG LCD. I prefer the component connection on my set as well. I too found the hdmi reception unsatisfactory. Just because you can connect HDMI doesn't mean you should. Stick with whatever looks best to you.

I see they added HIST-HD and CNN-HD and changed FSNE to Comcast Sports (?) in the Cox line-up.

cox has really been stepping it up lately

cox has really been stepping it up lately

Amazing what competition will do.

Okay, scratch that, I was able to get at both the Motorola "service menu" and "user setup" now, not sure what I did wrong before.

Everything looked okay there, it showed 1080i as the output format which is what I want. But the HDMI connection from the DCT-6412 still looks inferior to component on my Sony XBR2, a bit more fuzzy or something. Anyone else seen this, I expected HDMI to be equal or greater than component in quality.

~gs2gf

I'm also using component instead of HDMI on my Tosh 52" DLP for the same reasons.

Amazing what competition will do.

Indeed.

Along those lines, DirecTV finally has NESN-HD available for all Rhode Islanders of this AM, plus USA, Sci-Fi, YES, Bravo, and several other regional sports networks, in addition to all the other channels that have at last been added in the last 2 weeks with more coming thru October.

I'd say Cox needs to keep it up between the dish services and Fios :)

Thank God, I hate watching certain "widescreen" stretched Red Sox games when they are on Fox.......Good thing they are mostly on NESN.

Fox's Saturday Red Sox games have been in 720p HD for the last two years at least. Were you watching Cox's SD channel by mistake?

I see they added HIST-HD and CNN-HD and changed FSNE to Comcast Sports (?) in the Cox line-up.

Comcast bought out Fox's stake in Fox New England, or at least purchased more of the station than they previously owned -- hence the name change.

Basically nothing is really going to change other than the name -- they will still broadcast FSN games and shows -- though it's possible they'll add more local sports (the Marathon possibly being one), which would be nice, with their change in management.

I see they added HIST-HD and CNN-HD and changed FSNE to Comcast Sports (?) in the Cox line-up.
I see these changes in the lineup, but they seem to be off the air. Is that true for all of you too, or am I missing something?

I see these changes in the lineup, but they seem to be off the air. Is that true for all of you too, or am I missing something?

It's on air right now!

I see these changes in the lineup, but they seem to be off the air. Is that true for all of you too, or am I missing something?

FSNE/Comcast has only aired certain College football games and been off air all other times. The other 2 have been working all day for me. Sad to see History Channel following suit with others and stretching the SD stuff. Looks soooooo bad.

I just rebooted my DVR and CNN #735 and HIST HD #718 both say temp off air, check back later. Comcast HD Sports #727 is coming thru, but nothing is on at the moment.

I just rebooted my DVR and CNN #735 and HIST HD #718 both say temp off air, check back later. Comcast HD Sports #727 is coming thru, but nothing is on at the moment.

1st I want to say that I impressed with Cox lately they have been stepping it up in a huge way as far as High Def programming goes lately.

rich,

Not sure what is happening with you every channel had programming (not always in HD though) except for the Comcast Sports Network which is the same as FSN. I had progam listing for CNN and History even though the programs they were showing were either upconverted or Non HD.

It seems they have been throwing out a lot of junk HD channels. How about HDNET??? They seem to be doing it right!

Well, I still am not getting these new stations. I get the program listings, just not get the shows. Get the Temporarily Off The Air banner with a message to check back later. In addition, the recently added Discovery HD and TLC HD are displaying the same message. Unless one of you guys have a solution, it sounds like a call to tech support. I am in Newport. Are these made available zone by zone?

Well, I still am not getting these new stations. I get the program listings, just not get the shows. Get the Temporarily Off The Air banner with a message to check back later. In addition, the recently added Discovery HD and TLC HD are displaying the same message. Unless one of you guys have a solution, it sounds like a call to tech support. I am in Newport. Are these made available zone by zone?

I get that message but if I leave the channel their a while or sometimes scroll up and down it come on.

I get that message but if I leave the channel their a while or sometimes scroll up and down it come on.
Yes, you will sometimes see that banner over a channel for 10 seconds before it clears. If you don't hear any audio from the channel, it's truly not available (or your box doesn't have the authorization to view it), but sometimes you'll see the banner but still hear the programming, then you know the banner will clear after a few more seconds.

I'm in NK and have had the new HD channels from Cox live and working since they showed up on my guide. I haven't had to reset my DVR (6412 III).

It's 3:00 and I am home for the first time today since this am's message. All the channels are up and running now. Thanx.

It seems they have been throwing out a lot of junk HD channels. How about HDNET??? They seem to be doing it right!

TO me more is better at this point is better then what we started with. As far as HDNEt goes I can see that being a longer process as Cox has a stake in its "rival" MOJO(formerly INHD). I would love to see the HDNet duo, but for now with the recent additions I rarely have a need to venture down into the SD channels any more.

Hopefully though with Comcast adding HdNet (they were also holders of InHD) that Cox will soon follow.

What has happened to the HD programming on WJAR? I have Verizon FIOS and all other channels except for 800 (WJAR) are fine.

What has happened to the HD programming on WJAR? I have Verizon FIOS and all other channels except for 800 (WJAR) are fine.
I live in Warwick, have Cox extended cable (not digital). I also have not had HD on NBC since yesterday (channel 111-1) I don't know why it's not working either. All the other HD channels are ok. Conan O'Brien last night which usually fills the screen in HD was not in HD. And I'm watching Bionic Woman right now and it's not in HD.

I live in Warwick, have Cox extended cable (not digital). I also have not had HD on NBC since yesterday (channel 111-1) I don't know why it's not working either. All the other HD channels are ok. Conan O'Brien last night which usually fills the screen in HD was not in HD. And I'm watching Bionic Woman right now and it's not in HD.

From what I remember tonight Bionic Woman was HD through Cox. I cant totally remember though. It could be WJAR not "flipping the switch", but I cant confirm them not being in HD.

From what I remember tonight Bionic Woman was HD through Cox. I cant totally remember though. It could be WJAR not "flipping the switch", but I cant confirm them not being in HD.
It's ok now so maybe they didn't "flip the switch" ...

Go switchflipper go!!!

Yeah, it was definitely a switch flipping problem... and for those cases, it's good to have an OTA antenna to pull in the Boston stations (they are coming in very strong here on the East Side).
Is anyone else still having problems with ****** signal strength on Cox Extended cable unencrypted QAM reception of channels 111.1 (NBC), 111.6 (ABC) and 112.1 (CW)?
I'm wondering if it's worth launching a complaint against Cox with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, since the problem reported by me a few months ago is still unresolved.

Yeah, it was definitely a switch flipping problem... and for those cases, it's good to have an OTA antenna to pull in the Boston stations (they are coming in very strong here on the East Side).
Is anyone else still having problems with ****** signal strength on Cox Extended cable unencrypted QAM reception of channels 111.1 (NBC), 111.6 (ABC) and 112.1 (CW)?
I'm wondering if it's worth launching a complaint against Cox with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, since the problem reported by me a few months ago is still unresolved.

Im having problems wih signal strength on the others, fox, cbs, and pbs. Those three you listed my panasonic plasma picks up just fine. Apparently this tv has a poor qam tuner. I haven't had fox, cbs, or pbs since the summer :(

It's ok now so maybe they didn't "flip the switch" ...

Go switchflipper go!!!

No "flipping the switch" problem at our end. NBC HD was down due to problems in New York from Tuesday evening and most of Wednesday when that happens they uplink the network signals to the affiliates from beautiful Burbank, CA. NBC does not have HD uplink capabilities from Burbank from what I have been told.

Mark

Im having problems wih signal strength on the others, fox, cbs, and pbs. Those three you listed my panasonic plasma picks up just fine. Apparently this tv has a poor qam tuner. I haven't had fox, cbs, or pbs since the summer :(

I was having the same problems with my Panasonic. I discovered this method by accident. Add the base channel, for FOX, 105, to your channel lineup. Then tune to that channel, which of course is static. Then tune to a basic channel, like 6. Just before it switches, it will flip to the HD version of that channel for a second, 105-3 in this case. Hit Recall when the HD is up and it will stay on and be added to your lineup.

Hope this works for you.

Having watched a couple of Bruins games and a little bit of the Red Sox replay last evening, I have to say that NESN does look good on D* using MPEG4.

SMK

Anyone from Wakefield RI? I can't tune in WPRI-12 - channel 13 on Digital TV, so can't watch the Pats. Anyone else able to tune it in? I can get 64 and various other stations w/o a prob. K

Channel 12 OTA was popping in and out yesterday. I ended up watching the game on Boston Channel 4. I had a nice signal from them.

I was having the same problems with my Panasonic. I discovered this method by accident. Add the base channel, for FOX, 105, to your channel lineup. Then tune to that channel, which of course is static. Then tune to a basic channel, like 6. Just before it switches, it will flip to the HD version of that channel for a second, 105-3 in this case. Hit Recall when the HD is up and it will stay on and be added to your lineup.

Hope this works for you.

that worked, I rescanned and was able to pick up fox now, and got nbc again. But I lost ABC HD and still cannot get CBS HD :mad:

Anyone from Wakefield RI? I can't tune in WPRI-12 - channel 13 on Digital TV, so can't watch the Pats. Anyone else able to tune it in? I can get 64 and various other stations w/o a prob. K

I'm in Wakefield and had no problem watching the entire Pats game yesterday.

I've had problems with other digital channels in recent weeks, but not during the game yesterday.

Then again I'm using an antenna, so I can't vouch for whatever Cox was doing.

Having watched a couple of Bruins games and a little bit of the Red Sox replay last evening, I have to say that NESN does look good on D* using MPEG4.

Agreed. The new MPEG4 channels are just sensational -- the college football games on Versus have had THE best PQ I've seen for any football game, and that includes OTA.

DirecTV is off to a great start with the new channels. No more MPEG-Lite, that's for sure :)

I'mlooking for some information on purchasing an OTA HD antenna to receive Lin Tv Channels 12 and 64. I live in Wakefield, RI and have Direct Tv so I do not get these chanels in HD via Direct Tv. Yesterday I set up a Turk inside HD antenna out on my deck and was able to pick up the Pat's game in HD. Great game great picture. I was unable to find the Fox 64 signal so no Soxs in HD this evening. Can anyone in this area reccomend a good inside or outside HD OTA antenna?

I'mlooking for some information on purchasing an OTA HD antenna to receive Lin Tv Channels 12 and 64. I live in Wakefield, RI and have Direct Tv so I do not get these chanels in HD via Direct Tv. Yesterday I set up a Turk inside HD antenna out on my deck and was able to pick up the Pat's game in HD. Great game great picture. I was unable to find the Fox 64 signal so no Soxs in HD this evening. Can anyone in this area reccomend a good inside or outside HD OTA antenna?

I have the Channel Master CM 4228, and I'm in Wakefield as well. Good reception of all the Providence channels plus 2, 4, and 5 from Boston (38 comes in mainly at night). Due to weather concerns in the winter I have it permanently anchored on the chimney so it's possible if I could move it around I'd get more, but I'm certainly happy with what it does. Purchased it from Solid Signal below:

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=03&CAT=&PROD=ANC4228

WGBH HD blur

Has anyone else noticed the greater motion blur on WGBH HD than on the other HD channels? Is that because a video camera is being used instead of film and the TV can't process as well with video? I have a Samsung 4671 LCD but I'm thinking about exchanging it for a Samsung 5084 Plasma if the plasmas don't have this issue with this particular channel.

WGBH HD blur

Has anyone else noticed the greater motion blur on WGBH HD than on the other HD channels? Is that because a video camera is being used instead of film and the TV can't process as well with video? I have a Samsung 4671 LCD but I'm thinking about exchanging it for a Samsung 5084 Plasma if the plasmas don't have this issue with this particular channel.

I have noticed this for at least a year or so. When I first looked into it I think I found that it was related to an equipment "upgrade" they had made. Really blows the PQ.

Thanks will check it out. Any suggestions on something a little smaller?

i currently live in newport, and have this antenna
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=AD-DB2 and i also have normal rabbit ears all going into a combiner then right into a 15db amplifier and then amped again another 10db before going into my htpc digital tuner. This is becuase i need to run coax from one room where the antenna is into the living room where the tv is.

I can get full bars on abc/nbc/fox and almost full bars on cbs, also can pull in pbs 36 and 2 and a few others. Just took a bunch of time finding the right sweet spot for all the channels to come in without having to move the antennas around.

All this is mounted indoors also.

Thanks will check it out. Any suggestions on something a little smaller?

The problem is you won't get high gain from smaller antennas. If you're in Wakefield you will need more gain, especially if you want any of the Boston channels (which is a good idea if you can swing it). The bowties, if you can find a good spot for it, are at least more unobtrusive than the older models.

Thanks will check it out. Any suggestions on something a little smaller?

I second the recommendation for a CM4228. Deal with the size if at all possible. You won't be disappointed by it's performance.

I've got to say, I've very impressed with Cox lately. They just added the NHL Network in HD!! Pretty cool for us 3 remaining fans. :-)

I've got to say, I've very impressed with Cox lately. They just added the NHL Network in HD!! Pretty cool for us 3 remaining fans. :-)

Make that 4 remaining fans ;)

Enjoyed a classic yesterday from '79 Cup with Montreal and Toronto. That's the way hockey should be!

Make that 4 remaining fans ;)

Enjoyed a classic yesterday from '79 Cup with Montreal and Toronto. That's the way hockey should be!

Yea. It's really amazing to see the goalies from years past, and compare them to the oversized, overequipped goalies of today.

We need Center Ice in HD from Cox!!! The SD feeds are awful, and you pay extra for it. What a country.

I'mlooking for some information on purchasing an OTA HD antenna to receive Lin Tv Channels 12 and 64. I live in Wakefield, RI and have Direct Tv so I do not get these chanels in HD via Direct Tv. Yesterday I set up a Turk inside HD antenna out on my deck and was able to pick up the Pat's game in HD. Great game great picture. I was unable to find the Fox 64 signal so no Soxs in HD this evening. Can anyone in this area reccomend a good inside or outside HD OTA antenna?

I can get 64 no prob, but 12 barely comes in at all... I have an old OTA antenna on my roof. Maybe it's time for a new antenna...

I can get 64 no prob, but 12 barely comes in at all... I have an old OTA antenna on my roof. Maybe it's time for a new antenna...

Ch12 in HD is broadcast on VHF Ch13 (212-214mz), Ch64 in HD is broadcast on UHF Ch54 (712-716mz) ,Ch6 in HD is broadcast on UHF Ch49 (682-686mz) , Ch10 in HD is brpadcast on UHF Ch51 (694-698mz).

Eurovision,

I have an update to the "choppy" reception issue. As i mentioned i was having the same problems you were. This past week I bought and installed a Pioneer plasma TV and had to re-cable some of my connections. One test i ran on the new display was of course the ability to receive these QAM channels to see if this TV had the same problem. To my surprise, the signal appeared quite solid with no observed drop-outs (audio or video). So i went back to the small LCD TV that did have the problem and it also had a pretty solid picture. I watched (on the small TV which is more sensitive) both the local and national news programs on NBC (111.1) and for the first 40+ minutes there were no problems. Then i began to notice a few "minor" glitches every few minutes or so, but no where near as bad as before (still very watchable). I have watched a few more programs since and it seems pretty good. The only changes i made to my cable connections was to replace a 2-way splitter with a 3-way, actually weakening the signal! I also replaced my 6412 series I DVR with the new 3416 DVR before running these tests (the tests did not use the DVR of course). I have also noticed there was less of an "audio sync/lag" issue with these channels than before. First let me say that i do not think i fixed the problem. I believe Cox has made some changes somewhere that may have helped. Either that or the combination of cable equipment in my house changed sufficiently to remedy the situation. Are you still having the problem?


OK, here is what happened in the meantime (long, interesting, frustrating story):

1. The service rep I spoke to actually wanted to know details about what was going on and I explained everything as precisely as possible, he even called back several times to get more info about the setup and all the details I had listed here in previous posts.
2. Last Wednesday evening, he actually showed up in person at my door with TWO complete service crews and trucks (apparently, they had not much else to do and just gathered here... had it not been for the COX label on the trucks it looked like there was a major utility problem with flashing lights etc.... the neighbors even came out to ask what was going on LOL)
3. They checked the equipment outside from the pole with the main cable all the way through the incoming connection to the house and then proceeded to come in to check the signals right at my coax cable that goes into the TV.
4. The signal for channel 111.1 and 111.6 looked OK on their test equipment without dropouts, although it had a slightly weaker signal but (and this was the big argument), STILL WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS...!
5. The channels still dropped out on my Sony Bravia TV, while the other OTA channels, as previously reported, came in fine (PBS, CBS, FOX).
6. They then proceeded to connect a cable box between the coax cable and my TV to test the channels there, and of course, the channels (NBC and ABC) showed fine without the dropouts I got on my TV QAM tuner.
7. The most important piece of information I received was (and I'm not sure what to make of it, since it seems like a big loophole/cop-out) that although the FCC requires them to provide the OTA local channels unencrypted via QAM, they TEST THE SETUP via a cable box and TV hookup, NOT DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE TV TUNER!!!! The reason for this, as I was told, is that TV all have different tuners, electronics, error correction circuits etc. My argument that the problems arose for many people all over the state at exactly the same time, plus both TVs in my house showed exactly the same issues, somehow did not convince them, since "the signal is coming in fine and within the company specs..."
8. The last possible fix, after all other options failed, was to add a signal booster to the coax cable but the troubled channels looked exactly the same, choppy and unwatchable.
9. After several rescans, retunings, resets over the following days, nothing has changed and the reception via basic cable and unencrypted QAM is still unacceptable for channels 111.1 and 111.6.
10. Latest update: It appears that even the heretofore unavailable CW network is now "available" over QAM on channel 112.1... but guess what?
The signal is as choppy at the bad signal coming in for 111.1 (NBC) and 111.6 (ABC)!!!


What does this mean? Yes, the local channels are provided but with such a minimal signal strength that it barely meets the specs, especially on the more crowded frequencies... which means that many TVs will have trouble picking them up only with their regular built-in QAM tuner!!!
If everything works within their system (i.e., THEIR cable signal going through THEIR cable box), then it leaves us consumers in the dust who want to avoid paying for the box rental and keeping component clutter to a minimum.

Apparently, all of this started when they did what they call a "system sweep" right around three months ago, when the channel frequency assignments were changed and signal strengths were adjusted to work within COX system requirements.

I must say that all the service guys (and at the end I had 4 of them in my living room, from two different crews) were very nice and patient but they insisted that the signal was coming in OK, albeit slightly weaker for the problem channels NBC and ABC, but still within the acceptable range (I repeat: for their system).

I predict that it will only be a matter of time until the other, still watchable OTA QAM channels will also be relegated to new frequencies or channel assignments, the signal strength will be further reduced, and everybody will be forced to find other options: a) using a regular antenna for HD, b) adding digital cable service incl. box rental, remote rental and other miscellaneous charges, or c) change providers (Verizon FIOS) and deal with yet another set of problems or as of yet unknown difficulties.

I am not sure if it is possible to escalate this any further at Cox or even file a complaint with the FCC. It is just frustrating when the cable company can be "compliant" with federal regulations and still not deliver the service they are required to provide to their paying customers.

For now, I am switching back and forth between my attic antenna for the stations I should be getting through Cox but don't; I just thought we would finally have an easy workable service when LIN came to agreement with Cox and we finally got CBS and FOX.... now the channels that previously worked perfectly basically need to be pulled from a non-cable source and the whole sad story is right where it started, just with different channels available to watch in HD via Cox. Keeping the free, retransmitted, local station signals in such a borderline condition that you are basically forced to rent one of their boxes to receive them properly is an outrage and should not be tolerated!

If anyone else is having the same problems with their reception, please post them here and keep reporting the stuff to the local stations, to Cox and maybe even to the FCC.

Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from others, battling the same problems.

Eurovision,

I have an update to the "choppy" reception issue. As i mentioned i was having the same problems you were. This past week I bought and installed a Pioneer plasma TV and had to re-cable some of my connections. One test i ran on the new display was of course the ability to receive these QAM channels to see if this TV had the same problem. To my surprise, the signal appeared quite solid with no observed drop-outs (audio or video). So i went back to the small LCD TV that did have the problem and it also had a pretty solid picture. I watched (on the small TV which is more sensitive) both the local and national news programs on NBC (111.1) and for the first 40+ minutes there were no problems. Then i began to notice a few "minor" glitches every few minutes or so, but no where near as bad as before (still very watchable). I have watched a few more programs since and it seems pretty good. The only changes i made to my cable connections was to replace a 2-way splitter with a 3-way, actually weakening the signal! I also replaced my 6412 series I DVR with the new 3416 DVR before running these tests (the tests did not use the DVR of course). I have also noticed there was less of an "audio sync/lag" issue with these channels than before. First let me say that i do not think i fixed the problem. I believe Cox has made some changes somewhere that may have helped. Either that or the combination of cable equipment in my house changed sufficiently to remedy the situation. Are you still having the problem?


Yes, no change here, despite several re-scans, a SONY in-warranty reset of the TV tuners and a thorough check of the connections (two separate lines from the house "drop" to the respective TVs).
I have actually filed a formal complaint with Steve Martin, the CATV rep for the RI Public Utilities Commission. No response yet but it might have set something in motion. We'll see... :cool:
Thanks for the update!

I believe Cox has made some changes somewhere that may have helped.

They have definitely improved something recently. I used to get motion macroblocking really bad on most HD channels. Now it is largely gone. Image looks better than it ever has. Don't know if it is improved signal strength or equipment on their end but the improvement is obvious in my home.

What was up with the irritating time/temp graphic on-screen throughout HEROES on 10-1? Someone forget it was on at JAR? Having worked there a while ago it wouldn't surprise me, lol. :p

What was up with the irritating time/temp graphic on-screen throughout HEROES on 10-1? Someone forget it was on at JAR? Having worked there a while ago it wouldn't surprise me, lol. :p

I didn't watch Heroe's, but it was on the HD version of NBC Nightly News on on Verizon.

What was up with the irritating time/temp graphic on-screen throughout HEROES on 10-1? Someone forget it was on at JAR? Having worked there a while ago it wouldn't surprise me, lol. :p

Perhaps thread member 'WJAR Engineer' will reply to this and confirm that this will not be a recurring issue? I was annoyed by this for 2 hours last night.

Keith

What was up with the irritating time/temp graphic on-screen throughout HEROES on 10-1? Someone forget it was on at JAR? Having worked there a while ago it wouldn't surprise me, lol. :p

I just got to watch my DVRd Heroes tonight and saw this. Personally If I wanted to know the time Id look at the display or a clock and if I wanted to know the temp Id go watch one of the weather channels. While I was annoying thankfully it was semi transparent so it wasn't a horrible blemish during the show. I REALLY hope this isn't something permanent.

I just got to watch my DVRd Heroes tonight and saw this. Personally If I wanted to know the time Id look at the display or a clock and if I wanted to know the temp Id go watch one of the weather channels. While I was annoying thankfully it was semi transparent so it wasn't a horrible blemish during the show. I REALLY hope this isn't something permanent.

Totally agree. And what's more, it's a shame this notion of cramming-graphics-on-screen on channels like ESPN is now trickling down to the HD level too. People want to see PICTURE, not running graphics, time, temperature, and ads for upcoming shows. It's as if specific areas on the TV frame are becoming "real estate" for networks to plug themselves, other games, shows, whatever -- what's next, renting out that space to advertisers??

The worst offender (in SD) is CSTV, which has an ugly semi-transparent white bar at the top of the screen during games, a scoreboard graphic under that, a compressed screen of the live game being played, and then ANOTHER score/news graphic on the bottom. And then they wonder why nobody watches that channel? :rolleyes:

Question:

I was using the D* HR-20-100 to watch & record SAT and OTA. The last few weeks I was having difficulty watching various channels from either source as there were repeated freeze-ups.

- very annoying when the input signal from both sources are very high. This was happening on even the closest OTA channels and various other HD channels.

Anyway, complained to D* and they sent me a replacement
tuner a HR-20-700C-R, which I have not installed yet. I haven't even opened the box.

Anyone know the difference betwen the tuners other than manufacturers ?

ps. anyone in Newport or South County rec'ing channel 25.1 ?

Question:

I was using the D* HR-20-100 to watch & record SAT and OTA. The last few weeks I was having difficulty watching various channels from either source as there were repeated freeze-ups.

- very annoying when the input signal from both sources are very high. This was happening on even the closest OTA channels and various other HD channels.

Anyway, complained to D* and they sent me a replacement
tuner a HR-20-700C-R, which I have not installed yet. I haven't even opened the box.

Anyone know the difference betwen the tuners other than manufacturers ?

ps. anyone in Newport or South County rec'ing channel 25.1 ?

There is a lot of info about the very minor differences between these boxes in other threads. The 700 was the first, and some people mistakenly believe it is therefore outdated and inferior. The insides though are essentially exactly the same. The big differences are that the 100 has an external antenna for RF remote while the 700 has an internal antenna. The 100 has both optical and cable digital audio outputs, while the 700 only has optical, and the 100 has two ethernet and USB ports, though only one ethernet port is active as on the 700. USB ports are not active on either box and likely never will be. Last the 700 runs a lot warmer with an internal temperature around 125 degrees while the 100 stays below 100.

People who've used both say that the 700's internal RF antenna works fine, most people don't believe the temperature difference is an issue, and so the only real difference is that the 100 has both optical and digital audio outputs.

SMK

ps. anyone in Newport or South County rec'ing channel 25.1 ?

I'm in Wakefield and have never received 25.1. Of all the Boston channels that only come in once in a while (like 7, 44 and 56), I'd say 25 is the one that's never, ever come in for me down here.

In terms of other Boston HD channels, 2, 4 and 5 all come in fine 99% of the time, as do all the Providence stations. 38 usually comes in at night. I'm running a Channel Master CM4228 and TitanCM7777 pre-amp.

Thank you both for your replies . :)

I am on the Newport/Middletown line and have not been able to receive pbs, 19.1 or channel 5, 20.1, since the leaves came on the trees. I am not getting any signal for either of those but both were coming strong prior to the spring. I am hoping they will return after the leaves fall off the trees.

In Jamestown, I have not received Channel 25 is the last year or so. I used to be able to get it intermitantly. I have no problems with the rest of the Boston market. Channel 64 is also intermitant in the summer due to multipath although it has been good for the last three weeks.

Not south enough, but here in west warwick, getting 25.1, 7.1, 4.1, 5.1, 38.1, 56.1 and all PBS's with no problems, eventhough my chimney fell down last April and I had to move my antenna to my Garage (10' lower). But, I am on a large hill....

Funny...I am in Jamestown also. I get 25.1 great. Matter of fact, I'm watching the SOX right now on 25.1. 64 comes in great also.

Got an old (with elements missing) antenna and an amp. I was thinking of getting a new one but I guess I'll just leave it alone for fear I'm gonna lose something!

Rampart, are you north or south of the Jamestown bridge? I live in the Shores and I clearly have a multipath problem with 64. I've always assumed that it's a backlobe problem. I've got an amplified Sensar II. I think I need an antenna with more backlobe suppression. The Sensar beampattern is one big front lobe and one big back lobe.

"backlobe" ?????? greek to me RIKen.

I am on the highest point on the island....north of the bridge.....not far from you. 127' above sea level.

I think a lot of this is the tuner inside the set also. Mine does a great job picking up the signals but a crappy job translating the channel number. For example
10.1 comes in as 51.1 on my set. 2.1 and 2.2 come in as 19.1 and 19.2.

Guess there is no "perfect" setup. BUT, I'm pretty happy with what I have.

If you want, leave me a private with your phone number and I can call ya. Ask me whatever you want.

Well I signed up to get Fios today. I have Cox HD DVR and all the movie channels, Cox Internet and the $15.00 phone service from Vonage.

I want to hear from the people who switched, what am I gaining and what am I losing? Is it really all the same channels plus more and is the Internet really faster?

We have 5 TV's 1 HD DVR box and 1 Digital box. The other 3 sets are just hook up to the straight cable. Fios told me all sets will get the digital boxes except the HD set will get the HD DVR box and all this for less money?

I live in Cranston and my install date is Nov 14. They tell me the cable won't be available until mid to end of Nov. For the inconvenience I get 3 months free Internet.

If there is a better thread I should have posted this in let me know.

Well I signed up to get Fios today. I have Cox HD DVR and all the movie channels, Cox Internet and the $15.00 phone service from Vonage.

I want to hear from the people who switched, what am I gaining and what am I losing? Is it really all the same channels plus more and is the Internet really faster?

We have 5 TV's 1 HD DVR box and 1 Digital box. The other 3 sets are just hook up to the straight cable. Fios told me all sets will get the digital boxes except the HD set will get the HD DVR box and all this for less money?

I live in Cranston and my install date is Nov 14. They tell me the cable won't be available until mid to end of Nov. For the inconvenience I get 3 months free Internet.

If there is a better thread I should have posted this in let me know.

OK I will give this a crack.
Gaining:
You will be getting improved PQ with SD programming.
Possible better Internet Service
HDNet\HDNet Movies
A few HD Channels

You will be loosing:
HD OnDemand.
A few HD Channels
Possibly more HD channels in the future(may come sooner with Cox)



Besides that its pretty even as far as service goes. Verizon wont be adding any HD content until next year from what I have heard, Cox may be adding more by the end of the year. Its really all about choice and for now its give and take. I have seen people have issues with the new IMG software for Verizon, but there have been issues with Cox as well. I have seen plenty of people happy though with the Verizon service though. For now I am going to hold out until I see the HD offerings improve as really that all I watch now.

Well I signed up to get Fios today. I have Cox HD DVR and all the movie channels, Cox Internet and the $15.00 phone service from Vonage.

I want to hear from the people who switched, what am I gaining and what am I losing? Is it really all the same channels plus more and is the Internet really faster?

We have 5 TV's 1 HD DVR box and 1 Digital box. The other 3 sets are just hook up to the straight cable. Fios told me all sets will get the digital boxes except the HD set will get the HD DVR box and all this for less money?

I live in Cranston and my install date is Nov 14. They tell me the cable won't be available until mid to end of Nov. For the inconvenience I get 3 months free Internet.

If there is a better thread I should have posted this in let me know.

I've been waiting to pull the trigger on this as well, but the big clincher is HD-Cable. They keep pushing off the date when this will be available in the Cranston market and I refuse to jump ship until it's ready. I'll look forward to your feedback regarding quality etc once installed.

OK I will give this a crack.
Gaining:
You will be getting improved PQ with SD programming.
Possible better Internet Service
HDNet\HDNet Movies
A few HD Channels

You will be loosing:
HD OnDemand.
A few HD Channels
Possibly more HD channels in the future(may come sooner with Cox)



Besides that its pretty even as far as service goes. Verizon wont be adding any HD content until next year from what I have heard, Cox may be adding more by the end of the year. Its really all about choice and for now its give and take. I have seen people have issues with the new IMG software for Verizon, but there have been issues with Cox as well. I have seen plenty of people happy though with the Verizon service though. For now I am going to hold out until I see the HD offerings improve as really that all I watch now.

Really no HD OnDemand?

I've been waiting to pull the trigger on this as well, but the big clincher is HD-Cable. They keep pushing off the date when this will be available in the Cranston market and I refuse to jump ship until it's ready. I'll look forward to your feedback regarding quality etc once installed.

Well they're giving me 3 months free Internet because of the delay in cable. They said it could be available as soon as mid Nov. The family I have that live in Warwick got the same deal and 2 weeks later they got the cable. They also said that they start signing up people when the full package is just a few weeks away.

What are people paying for the full Fios Package including fees and taxes?

What are people paying for the full Fios Package including fees and taxes?


I have the Premier TV package which includes HD, Internet [5MBPS/2MBPS], and Freedom Essentials telephone, which includes local, and long distance (U.S., Canada & Puerto Rico). I also subscribe to the Movie Package and have two HD DVRs. Total bill each month, including taxes is $145.73 with a
2 year commitment required. I "think" the cost of the DVRs has gone up $3 each since I signed up in June.

Really no HD OnDemand?

They are testing this feature in Virginia

I have the Premier TV package which includes HD, Internet [5MBPS/2MBPS], and Freedom Essentials telephone, which includes local, and long distance (U.S., Canada & Puerto Rico). I also subscribe to the Movie Package and have two HD DVRs. Total bill each month, including taxes is $145.73 with a
2 year commitment required. I "think" the cost of the DVRs has gone up $3 each since I signed up in June.

I finally spoke to someone at Verizon, they told me $180.00 for 1 HD DVR, 4 SD boxes and 20/5 Internet and phone. This works out to be the same I'm paying for Cox and Vonage. With Cox I had 1 HD DVR, 1 SD box, basic Internet and the other 3 TV's just hooked up to basic cable.

They are testing this feature in Virginia


That's amazing that that have a system to provide the best HD signal and they're not set up with all the options that go with it.

What make and model HD DVR box is Fios using?

What make and model HD DVR box is Fios using?

Motorola QIP 6414. The two boxes I have with VZ have been much more stable than the 8 replacements I had with Cox.

Motorola QIP 6414. The two boxes I have with VZ have been much more stable than the 8 replacements I had with Cox.

LOL! Thanks

Had to do a rescan today for my QAM via cox cable

104.19 CBS 12
106.3 PBS
111.1 NBC 10
111.6 ABC 6

Any one else having trouble with Cox's signal, Audio and Video freezing up for a couple of seconds at a time this week? It can happen sometimes several times an hour.

Yes! Big time last night. Not quite as bad tonight, but still not right.

Right now it seems ok, but between 6-7 it was bad.

I had the freezing problem as well. I figured it was my box at first but im glad to hear its happening to other people too.

This probably isn't the best place to ask this question but is there anything cox can do to increase the speed of my internet? It has been brutally slow lately, I've only been getting speeds of around 3-4 mbs on speedtest.net. Seems to be worse at busy times throughout the day as well. Is being independent of the amount of usage on a particular street one of the advantages of Fios?

Cox added Discovery Science, Animal Planet, HGTV, and Food network today.

Will Fios supply cables? If so what type, not HDMI right?

Hi,

I am looking for real life suggestions. I currently have DirecTV-HD and SD locals from Cox. I'd like to move to OTA for HD locals. After doing much research, I have decided to use either the Channel Master 4228 or Antennas Direct 43XG or 91XG (with a CM 7777 pre-amp, 9521A rotor and a 5 foot tripod to get the antenna up to about 30 feet off of the ground) for OTA's from Providence, Boston and Hartford.

I am in Westerly and the house is about 1/4 to 1/2 mile West of the Westerly Airport terminal. The peak of the roof is about 22 ft off of the ground. There are trees from about 0 degrees N, to about 120 degrees E by SE. They stand about 40 to 50 feet tall and are about 30 feet from the house.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Cox has really stepped it up since the competition has come to town.

I cannot think of too many HD channels available that Cox does NOT provide, as of these 4 new additions.

Are we in the Twilight Zone or something? Is Cox actually adding channels quickly? Nice.

I cannot think of too many HD channels available that Cox does NOT provide, as of these 4 new additions.

Are we in the Twilight Zone or something? Is Cox actually adding channels quickly? Nice.

Just don't wake me up until morning, I want to enjoy this.

I love all the new HD content....now we need DVR's with bigger hard drives!

Will Fios supply cables? If so what type, not HDMI right?

The Verizon rep that installed mine gave me a couple of HDMI cables, so they will supply it to you if you have an HDMI input on your tv

The Verizon rep that installed mine gave me a couple of HDMI cables, so they will supply it to you if you have an HDMI input on your tv

Great, thanks!

I cannot think of too many HD channels available that Cox does NOT provide, as of these 4 new additions.

Are we in the Twilight Zone or something? Is Cox actually adding channels quickly? Nice.

I can think of a few on my wishlist.......;)

FX
Sci-FI
HDNET
HDNET Movies

Id be real happy with the above channels above. I have to give it up to Cox though adding channels like they have. They have really stepped it up lately.

Hi,

I am looking for real life suggestions. I currently have DirecTV-HD and SD locals from Cox. I'd like to move to OTA for HD locals. After doing much research, I have decided to use either the Channel Master 4228 or Antennas Direct 43XG or 91XG (with a CM 7777 pre-amp, 9521A rotor and a 5 foot tripod to get the antenna up to about 30 feet off of the ground) for OTA's from Providence, Boston and Hartford.

I am in Westerly and the house is about 1/4 to 1/2 mile West of the Westerly Airport terminal. The peak of the roof is about 22 ft off of the ground. There are trees from about 0 degrees N, to about 120 degrees E by SE. They stand about 40 to 50 feet tall and are about 30 feet from the house.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

I have the CM 4228 and CM7777 -- and I'm in Wakefield. It's the best combination I believe out there but you'll have to see what you get down there.

You ought to do fine with the Providence stations but the Boston stations may be hit or miss, especially in Westerly.

I have Cox and I was wondering if anyone else noticed a yellowish tint to most of the HD channels, especially Showtime? I have a Samsung LCD and I have my color settings to cool2, a little better but not as cool as I'd like.

Hi,

I am looking for real life suggestions. I currently have DirecTV-HD and SD locals from Cox. I'd like to move to OTA for HD locals. After doing much research, I have decided to use either the Channel Master 4228 or Antennas Direct 43XG or 91XG (with a CM 7777 pre-amp, 9521A rotor and a 5 foot tripod to get the antenna up to about 30 feet off of the ground) for OTA's from Providence, Boston and Hartford.

I am in Westerly and the house is about 1/4 to 1/2 mile West of the Westerly Airport terminal. The peak of the roof is about 22 ft off of the ground. There are trees from about 0 degrees N, to about 120 degrees E by SE. They stand about 40 to 50 feet tall and are about 30 feet from the house.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

I'm in Westerly near the Ashaway border. I'm using an older channel Master long range antenna with a radio shack amp. I don't pick up as many as i would like but i'm in a bad spot with a big hill in front and a rock quarry behind me.

I pick up 12-1 all the time, 6-1 and 10-1 are hit and miss for me as is 64-1 & 28-1. On those rare nights when reception is great i have picked up 5-1 from boston and a few pbs channels. If i could go higher i think i would do better but it's not worth it to me as cox has all the locals now and more....

I have Cox and I was wondering if anyone else noticed a yellowish tint to most of the HD channels, especially Showtime? I have a Samsung LCD and I have my color settings to cool2, a little better but not as cool as I'd like.


No not noticing it here in Cranston.

I love all the new HD content....now we need DVR's with bigger hard drives!

I need to add one of these (http://www.tivo.com/mytivo/domore/storage/index.html)to my Series 3 Tivo :) .

I have Cox and I was wondering if anyone else noticed a yellowish tint to most of the HD channels, especially Showtime? I have a Samsung LCD and I have my color settings to cool2, a little better but not as cool as I'd like.

I havent noticed the yellowish tint either. Everything looks beautiful when it is actually HD content. Showtime looks extremely good especially Dexter and Brotherhood. Might want to tweak the settings on your TV. I am using a Samsun 61HLS88W DLP. We have an "el cheapo" HD TV upstairs and the HD picture looks great on that as well.

thanks guys!

I'm in Westerly near the Ashaway border. I'm using an older channel Master long range antenna with a radio shack amp. I don't pick up as many as i would like but i'm in a bad spot with a big hill in front and a rock quarry behind me.

I pick up 12-1 all the time, 6-1 and 10-1 are hit and miss for me as is 64-1 & 28-1. On those rare nights when reception is great i have picked up 5-1 from boston and a few pbs channels. If i could go higher i think i would do better but it's not worth it to me as cox has all the locals now and more....

I had the same problem 10 years ago on the other side of Potter Hill. I was behind the Health Center by 78. I am starting to think it will be much better here due to the terrain (the nearest hill being by you almost 1 & 1/2 miles away). Thanks for the information.

You also mention 6.1, 10.1 and 12.1. Will the TV tune in here or at the new UHF assignments?? Much of this is still new to me.

I had the same problem 10 years ago on the other side of Potter Hill. I was behind the Health Center by 78. I am starting to think it will be much better here due to the terrain (the nearest hill being by you almost 1 & 1/2 miles away). Thanks for the information.

You also mention 6.1, 10.1 and 12.1. Will the TV tune in here or at the new UHF assignments?? Much of this is still new to me.

You need to have the TV do a channel scan and it will pick up whats available. You should do well in your location. Good luck!

You need to have the TV do a channel scan and it will pick up whats available. You should do well in your location. Good luck!

Thanks. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Any one have an inside info when Fios TV will be available near the City Hall, Auburn, Eden Park area. My Fios phone and internet are being hooked up Wednesday. They aren't really commenting on the TV. Of coarse when they were signing me up the said TV should be the middle of Nov.

Any one have an inside info when Fios TV will be available near the City Hall, Auburn, Eden Park area. My Fios phone and internet are being hooked up Wednesday. They aren't really commenting on the TV. Of coarse when they were signing me up the said TV should be the middle of Nov.

Still waiting to hear on TV. They keep putting it off further and further. Some red tape issue.

Still waiting to hear on TV. They keep putting it off further and further. Some red tape issue.

That sucks I was hoping to have it in a week or 2 at most.


Thanks

Still waiting to hear on TV. They keep putting it off further and further. Some red tape issue.

That sucks I was hoping to have it in a week or 2 at most.


Thanks

That sucks I was hoping to have it in a week or 2 at most.


Thanks

They still have 1 step left (with the RIPUC) before they can officially offer the service to the people of service areas (2, 3 and 8).Certificate of Authority is the last step. By looking at the time line of the first one they did, should be sometime in Dec that they begin to offer TV (but it may be sooner).

http://www.ripuc.org/utilityinfo/cabletv/Docket_2007c.htm

For the folks of service areas 1 and 4 (Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, Glocester, Lincoln, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Woonsocket, East Providence, and Pawtucket) your process just began.

http://www.ripuc.org/utilityinfo/cabletv/Docket_2007c_3.htm

I'm carrying this post over from the Panasonic SA-XR57K owners thread because I've gotten no response to any of the three or four different questions I have posted in that thread.

Originally Posted by 03rkc
What setting do I need to get a consistent sound? Some commercials and shows sound really soft, some just sound muffled and others sound like they are in a large tin can. On my Panasonic SA-HA200 the sound would just be loud on commercials.

Cox cable HD DVR, Optical hook up to Panasonic SA-XR57K Receiver. 2 front surround small speakers, 2 rear small surround speakers, one small front center speaker and a subwoofer.


Well I seem to have narrowed down the muffled sounds are coming from the Subwoofer. The subwoofer is the only speaker carrying the sound of the show or commercial that's on. Again this happens always on the channel ABC HD 702 and some commercials on other channels.
So again It seems to force all sound out of the subwoofer.

I'm carrying this post over from the Panasonic SA-XR57K owners thread because I've gotten no response to any of the three or four different questions I have posted in that thread.

Here is an update, Setting the receiver to Party mode gets the sound on ABC HD and the commercials on other stations coming out of the rest of the speakers instead of just the Sub Woofer. I shouldn't have to set it to Party mode or even change to it for commercials and that one station.

Sounds like either your DVR is not set for the correct type of digital audio output (Dolby Digital or PCM, whatever your receiver likes), or your audio receiver is not properly mixing the source audio.

Sounds like either your DVR is not set for the correct type of digital audio output (Dolby Digital or PCM, whatever your receiver likes), or your audio receiver is not properly mixing the source audio.

This is what I was thinking as well :). What do you have for settings for audio on the DVR.

Just wondering if anyone caught the Cox representative on 920 this past weekend? I for the life of me now cant remember his name, but he did talk a little about HD. I would have liked to call, but was o the road with no signal. He basically said one of the main reasons you dont see some HD channels is the amount of HD offerings they had. I wish I could have called and asked about the HDNets since those are 100% HD channels :( . With that and Mojo Cox would be very formidable in HD offerings.

Well I had my Fios phone and internet hooked up this week. When I asked when the TV would be coming, I was told the middle of December to the middle of January For Cranston, Providence and Pawtucket. They were still paper work issues.

Well I had my Fios phone and internet hooked up this week. When I asked when the TV would be coming, I was told the middle of December to the middle of January For Cranston, Providence and Pawtucket. They were still paper work issues.

I've now heard the "next month or the month after that" line 1/2 dozen times since mid summer. Frustrated.

I've now heard the "next month or the month after that" line 1/2 dozen times since mid summer. Frustrated.

Well I'll just keep haunting them until I move up the list.

Well I'll just keep haunting them until I move up the list.

If you keep track of the RIPUC link I posted it will let you know when they will be able to offer TV. Once the 3rd Section is completed then they are abe to offer it. They are still going through the RIPUC process, which is takes about a year or so to fully complete. They are on the 3rd and final leg though so I dont expect it to be more than 1-1 1/2 months.

If you keep track of the RIPUC link I posted it will let you know when they will be able to offer TV. Once the 3rd Section is completed then they are abe to offer it. They are still going through the RIPUC process, which is takes about a year or so to fully complete. They are on the 3rd and final leg though so I dont expect it to be more than 1-1 1/2 months.

Yep seems to fall right in line with what I was told.

Does Cox have a new DVR? My in-laws just had an install done and got the HD DVR, it's Motorola still but looks quite different. I forgot to look at the model #.

Can anyone else confirm this?

EDIT: After a bit of googling I thing it may be the Motorola DCH3416 (Still only 160GB....I wish Cox would turn on the esata port)

You might want to consider DirecTv. 100 HD channels and no waiting...
You name the channel, and they most likely now have it in HD.

Ok,

The guy comes and installs my antenna yesterday. (CM4228 antenna, CM7777 pre-amp, CM9521A rotator, and CM 3044 dist amp). I get 26 53 and 69 analog & digital. I get 10, 12, 30, 36, 64 and a few others in analog VERY snowy. Any suggestions. The antenna sits about 5 feet above the roof line and there are NO leaves on any of the trees.

Can someone also verify the compass headings from Westerly, or lead me to a good website beside antennaweb.org, for channels 6.1, 10.1, 12.1 36.1 and 64.1.

Thanks

Just for reference, I have this antenna (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103088&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032205&parentPage=family)mounted approx 10' above roofline on raised ranch at 386' elev. I receive all HD stations from Boston extremely well. I turned it towards the RI transmitters and reception was spotty (too many trees in that direction). Have been recording House, Heros, CSI and others in HD with no issues at all. I realize most of those posting are farther south than me, but I just thought I would give my info as reference for anyone that might be considering OTA in my area.

I just got off of the phone with channel 10 (WJAR). The technician said the transmitter is in Rehobeth Ma. He seems to think that Tower Hill (in S. Kingston) may be in the way. Has anyone heard of this being an issue in the past?

News:):):):):
Verizon: Free HDTV Offer With 'Triple Play'
The telco looks to boost subs in five states.
By Swanni

Washington, D.C. (November 19, 2007) -- Verizon is offering a free Sharp 19-inch LCD HDTV to new subscribers of its FiOS 'Triple Play' service.

That's according to an article by Multichannel News.

The publication reports that the offer, which has been available in the tri-state New York area, will now also be offered to new customers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia and some Midwest markets.

The free HDTV offer will run through December 15, the company said. To be eligible, a new customer must subscribe to FiOS' TV service and its Internet and phone service, the so-called Triple Play.

The customer must also commit to subscribing for two years.

Multichannel News says a customer can get a $200 Best Buy gift coupon instead of the Sharp LCD HDTV if preferred.

Verizon will try to use the free HDTV offer to attract customers interested in getting a new set for the holidays.

I just got off of the phone with channel 10 (WJAR). The technician said the transmitter is in Rehobeth Ma. He seems to think that Tower Hill (in S. Kingston) may be in the way. Has anyone heard of this being an issue in the past?

My reception has been real spotty as of late! I'm surprised you can't pick up 12-1 from there. That channel always come in for me. Any way you can go higher with the antenna, even if it's just temporary to see if that helps?

Also you might want to try another channel scan...

My reception has been real spotty as of late! I'm surprised you can't pick up 12-1 from there. That channel always come in for me. Any way you can go higher with the antenna, even if it's just temporary to see if that helps?

Also you might want to try another channel scan...

I tried multiple channel scans. Every time I moved the antenna a few degrees. The guy at WJAR also said that if I get any of the stations (6.1, 10.1 12.1 and 64.1) I should get them all. The 4 transmitters are all right next to each other in Rehobeth. I'm wondering if an antenna that I can angle up might help might help such as the AntennasDirect 91XG. Could a angling up compensate for an obstruction like a mountain??

Ok,

The guy comes and installs my antenna yesterday. (CM4228 antenna, CM7777 pre-amp, CM9521A rotator, and CM 3044 dist amp). I get 26 53 and 69 analog & digital. I get 10, 12, 30, 36, 64 and a few others in analog VERY snowy. Any suggestions. The antenna sits about 5 feet above the roof line and there are NO leaves on any of the trees.

Can someone also verify the compass headings from Westerly, or lead me to a good website beside antennaweb.org, for channels 6.1, 10.1, 12.1 36.1 and 64.1.

Thanks

Your message raises more questions than it answers. The antenna and preamp seem OK, but where is it pointed? Toward the analog stations or towards the digital stations? Different places, you know. Do your TV/Cable Box/Satellite box have high definition capability? Not sure where you are hooking in your antenna. If any part of the path cannot handle HD, it's possible that you won't receive HD. You mention a snowy picture. That's not a signature of digital channels, which are the only channels you will receive digitally, so something in your message doesn't add up.

I tried multiple channel scans. Every time I moved the antenna a few degrees. The guy at WJAR also said that if I get any of the stations (6.1, 10.1 12.1 and 64.1) I should get them all. The 4 transmitters are all right next to each other in Rehobeth. I'm wondering if an antenna that I can angle up might help might help such as the AntennasDirect 91XG. Could a angling up compensate for an obstruction like a mountain??

You need to have the antenna pointed near Northwest. Put the TV on channel 64 or channel 36. These are analog channels so adjust the anttena angle toget the picture with the least snow. Then try an scan or put the TV on channels 49 or 51. These are the actual transmitting channels for 6.1 and 10.1. The WJAR person is correct that the four digital channels are very close to each other. 36 and 64 analog are on the towers with them. Channel 64.1 is on channel 54 but is much weaker than 6.1 and 10.1. 12.1 is on channel 13 which is VHF. Your UHF antenna in not optimum for this channel. Also changing the elevation angle of the antenna is very unlikely to help.
To get started channel 69.01 is about due North from your location and should be strong. Aim the antenna North and put the TV on channel 17 and see if you get a picture. Or try a scan and see if several digital 69 channels are found.
John

Golf/VS added today channel 729. Also read that Cox in CA is adding HD Net & HD Net movies at $4.95/mo in mid-December. Contacted Cox here in RI and was told that it was not a lock that we would add that channel here.

Golf/VS added today channel 729. Also read that Cox in CA is adding HD Net & HD Net movies at $4.95/mo in mid-December. Contacted Cox here in RI and was told that it was not a lock that we would add that channel here.

Id pay extra for those... :) Looks like its time to start calling Cox again ;) those are 2 of the most wanted HD channels on Cox, if I could get those with SciFI, USA, FX I dont think Id have a reason to ever switch. Hopefullly Cox New England gets them.

Your message raises more questions than it answers. The antenna and preamp seem OK, but where is it pointed? Toward the analog stations or towards the digital stations? Different places, you know. Do your TV/Cable Box/Satellite box have high definition capability? Not sure where you are hooking in your antenna. If any part of the path cannot handle HD, it's possible that you won't receive HD. You mention a snowy picture. That's not a signature of digital channels, which are the only channels you will receive digitally, so something in your message doesn't add up.

The TV is HD with a digital tuner, the rotator is in sync and I am using the compass headings from "Broadcast Television Search" by inputing my Lat, Long, and magnetic Declination. I can get 26.1, 26.2, 53.1, 53.2, 53.3, 54.4, 69.1, 69.2, 69.3 and 69.4. All with a signal strength in the low 80's. I am getting absolutely zero on signal strength on 6.1, 10.1, 12.1, 36.1 and 64.1. Being a UHF antenna, it is also picking up the analog signal for 10 and 12 (I know they are high VHF) and 36 and 64. These won't matter in 15 months anyway. I am at wits end and a few dollars poorer over this.

You need to have the antenna pointed near Northwest. Put the TV on channel 64 or channel 36. These are analog channels so adjust the anttena angle toget the picture with the least snow. Then try an scan or put the TV on channels 49 or 51. These are the actual transmitting channels for 6.1 and 10.1. The WJAR person is correct that the four digital channels are very close to each other. 36 and 64 analog are on the towers with them. Channel 64.1 is on channel 54 but is much weaker than 6.1 and 10.1. 12.1 is on channel 13 which is VHF. Your UHF antenna in not optimum for this channel. Also changing the elevation angle of the antenna is very unlikely to help.
To get started channel 69.01 is about due North from your location and should be strong. Aim the antenna North and put the TV on channel 17 and see if you get a picture. Or try a scan and see if several digital 69 channels are found.
John

When you say to adjust the antenna angle, I assume you mean the compass direction. I have done all the above (except trying 49 & 51) with no luck. 26, 53 and 69 are so close that a digital scan always gets 26.1, 26.2, 53.1 thru 53.4 and 69.1 thru 69.4. If anyone wants to come over to Westerly and look it over, let me know and we'll arrange to do so

I also failed to mention, when I plug in my address at antennaweb.org. It only shows DT stations for 26,53 and 69. Could I truly be in a hopeless area??

-Dominic

Ok, I know it's Thanksgiving, but this is really bothering me. I just did an antennaweb.org search and moved the map up the block (about 500 ft). It shows that my neighbors can get locals form Providence RI, Hartford/New Haven/New Britain CT and Boston MA. But still only channels 26, 53 and 69 with a digital signal. The street is about 10 feet higher there. I will try to raise the antenna and take it from there. I'm still open to all suggestions.

-Dominic

Thumbs down on WPRI for moving the Arkansas-LSU game to WNAC 64.1 and NOT putting it in HD when it is being broadcast in HD.

Thank goodness for WBZ!! :)

Golf/VS added today channel 729. Also read that Cox in CA is adding HD Net & HD Net movies at $4.95/mo in mid-December. Contacted Cox here in RI and was told that it was not a lock that we would add that channel here.
Has anyone else been having problems watching this station? I've tuned in a couple of times now, and I only get a black screen. I haven't seen any actual programming on it yet.

It's worked for me since day 1. It's always got something showing, but not always in HD.

It's worked for me since day 1. It's always got something showing, but not always in HD.

Hmm, I wonder if Cox is using Switched Digital Video (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switched_digital_video). I've got Cable Cards, and don't receive the station. Guess I'll have to call Cox.

Originally Posted by ransaldi
Golf/VS added today channel 729. Also read that Cox in CA is adding HD Net & HD Net movies at $4.95/mo in mid-December. Contacted Cox here in RI and was told that it was not a lock that we would add that channel here.

Id pay extra for those... :) Looks like its time to start calling Cox again ;) those are 2 of the most wanted HD channels on Cox, if I could get those with SciFI, USA, FX I dont think Id have a reason to ever switch. Hopefullly Cox New England gets them.

Interesting. I've got D*TV and they've recently added something like 30 - 40 HD channels including everything from Golf/Versus, FX, SCIFI, USA, MTV, Weather Channel, A&E, Bravo, CNN, CSNE, NESN etc. in HD for the same $10 per month they've always charged. They want to charge an extra $5/month for HDNET, HDNET movies, Smithsonian channel, MGM Movies and another one or two I forget. People in the D*TV forums are outraged at the additional $5 charge! They feel we've been paying $10/month for years for twelve HD channels, which included HDNET and HDNET Movies, so those channels shouldn't cost more now. Most posters say they won't pay the extra $5, but I kinda suspect they will.;)

Originally Posted by ransaldi
Golf/VS added today channel 729. Also read that Cox in CA is adding HD Net & HD Net movies at $4.95/mo in mid-December. Contacted Cox here in RI and was told that it was not a lock that we would add that channel here.



Interesting. I've got D*TV and they've recently added something like 30 - 40 HD channels including everything from Golf/Versus, FX, SCIFI, USA, MTV, Weather Channel, A&E, Bravo, CNN, CSNE, NESN etc. in HD for the same $10 per month they've always charged. They want to charge an extra $5/month for HDNET, HDNET movies, Smithsonian channel, MGM Movies and another one or two I forget. People in the D*TV forums are outraged at the additional $5 charge! They feel we've been paying $10/month for years for twelve HD channels, which included HDNET and HDNET Movies, so those channels shouldn't cost more now. Most posters say they won't pay the extra $5, but I kinda suspect they will.;)


Yeah I suspect people with Cox would pay extra as well for those. I think one major reason they would charge (Cox) is that HDNet is direct competition to their Mojo channel. Really though Cox has stepped it up in a major way recently having 30+ HD channels in the New England Area including Ondemand HD. Cox doesn't charge for the service, but they do charge for the equipment to access the content. People though will always find something to complain about ;) .

The only HD station that I REALLY want at this point is FX. I watch that channel more than any other one I think

Hmm, I wonder if Cox is using Switched Digital Video (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switched_digital_video). I've got Cable Cards, and don't receive the station. Guess I'll have to call Cox.

Nope, Cox isn't using Switched Digital Video. That would require replacing all the head-ends which just isn't gonna happen.

They are simulcasting all the analog channels in digital all over RI now. This means any channel between 2 and 80 that you can tune with a basic analog TV actually is delivered digitally to those with digital converter boxes.

I can't wait for Cox to just drop all analog, or at least drop analog channels over 20 to free up serious bandwidth for more HD and internet.

Ok, I know it's Thanksgiving, but this is really bothering me. I just did an antennaweb.org search and moved the map up the block (about 500 ft). It shows that my neighbors can get locals form Providence RI, Hartford/New Haven/New Britain CT and Boston MA. But still only channels 26, 53 and 69 with a digital signal. The street is about 10 feet higher there. I will try to raise the antenna and take it from there. I'm still open to all suggestions.


I would suggest running a TV Fool plot and see what it comes up with. I have found antennaweb to be a poor predictor of results in my area, but of course there is no substitute for actual tests.

http://www.tvfool.com/

Running a plot at my grandpa's old house in Westerly (on the higher part of Ward Ave.), I'm surprised to find out that its prospects for reception for Providence are worse than my current project in Mystic. This baffles me as my grandpa had a roof-top antenna back in the day (mid to late 80's) and the results didn't seem to be that bad. TV Fool indicates better prospects from Hartford than Providence.

Another thought... What were your results w/o the pre-amp? While it is off-angle from the Providence stations, I'm still concerned about overloading from WPXQ 17/69.

I would suggest running a TV Fool plot and see what it comes up with. I have found antennaweb to be a poor predictor of results in my area, but of course there is no substitute for actual tests.

http://www.tvfool.com/

Running a plot at my grandpa's old house in Westerly (on the higher part of Ward Ave.), I'm surprised to find out that its prospects for reception for Providence are worse than my current project in Mystic. This baffles me as my grandpa had a roof-top antenna back in the day (mid to late 80's) and the results didn't seem to be that bad. TV Fool indicates better prospects from Hartford than Providence.

Another thought... What were your results w/o the pre-amp? While it is off-angle from the Providence stations, I'm still concerned about overloading from WPXQ 17/69.

You are so right. TVfool gives a much better picture of what is going on. Using Lat and Long, it does show that I can get a signal. It also shows 2 edge diffraction from the transmitters (6.1, 10.1, 12.1 36.1 and 64.1) to my location. This will mean a "roof walk" to find a possible sweet spot and height adjustment.

I am not good with ladders. I may have someone willing to climb up and bypass the pre-amp for a test. I have had no problems with overloading of WPXQ, WEDN (Norwich) or WHPX (New London).

Dominic

I'm not allowed to post URLs so you might try: antennaweb.org/

I'm not allowed to post URLs so you might try: antennaweb.org/

Dominic already tried that :)

Try http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp

Try http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp

The problem I have found with this site is that the database hasn't been updated recently, so one must choose "include expired records" to get it to work right. If not, most of the major stations won't appear at all for a quick test I did in the area.

For example, it doesn't list WTNH, WPRI, WJAR, WVIT, WFSB, WNAC unless expired records are included.

I really appreciate everyone's help. I will be trying a couple of things suggested to me by member Falcon_77. Unfortunately I have to work Saturday and Sunday. When I try on Monday I will let you all know how it turns out.

Dominic

Hello all. Looks like a great forum. I thank you for your help in advance.

I recently purchased an HDTV and will be switching from Cox Cable (digital, not not HDTV) due to the high cost. I have ordered a Dish Network system for my HDTV premium stations, but would like to use OTA for local channels due to both the 'free' aspect (although, I expect my payback period will be several times my lifespan once I get into high end antennas), and also for the purported 'better' quality of signal on these local channels vs. the piped in and compressed versions from Dish TV.

That said, I live in North Smithfield, fairly high on a hill. There is in fact a cell tower approx. 700 yards from my house, since it's a highpoint for the area. I ran my address and found the following regarding digital channels available to me (see attached graphic file). As can be seen, the digital stations are grouped about 132 & 45 degree compass orientations from me.

I have a two story house and could mount an antenna on the roof, or in my full attic.

My question is this. What would you recommend for my situation? I was thinking may be (2) antennas mounted in the attic with a tuned splitter (forget what they're called, to avoid them causing 3db loss at the receiver). Maybe an 8way for the lower stations and a yagi/rear ref. for the higher ones? to make this a bit complicated, seems the low and high are mixed through those two orientations in my case.

So, I haven't installed anything yet, but am looking to get a head start. Noting where I live, and since this is a local forum, any ideas? Is it possible that I can get away with something much less aggressive? Maybe an indoor antenna even?

Thanks,
John

I would recommend a Channel Master 4228 or 4221. The 8 is bigger, but you might not need it. It only picks up high UHF and high VHF, but that is all you should need for the current channels (I say current, because it is possible that one of the Boston channels will go back to its VHF frequency). I have mine in the attic in Pawtucket, and I get every Boston and RI channel. Only one antenna, and no rotor. It is oriented north and slightly east toward Boston. I would imagine you would be able to do the same. An indoor antenna might work, but if you have the attic space and can run a line from the attic to your TV, or a suitable distribution spot if you have more than one, that is what I would go with.

SMK

Can pick 729 on my hd cox box, but not getting anything on my HD Series 3 Tivo with cable cards. Doesn't even search for a signal it seems, just says "Channel not available".
Figured it might be SDV coming in, but its not? wondering what it is.

Can pick 729 on my hd cox box, but not getting anything on my HD Series 3 Tivo with cable cards. Doesn't even search for a signal it seems, just says "Channel not available".
Figured it might be SDV coming in, but its not? wondering what it is.

ITs the Vs\Golf HD channel. Its currently live.

Cox recently added StarzHD OnDemand.

i purchased my first tv with a built in digital tuner. i did a scan & many channels showed up like:
104-19 cbs
105-3 dont know
106-3 wgbh pbs
111-1 nbc
111-6 abc
112-1 unknown but sharp images cw?
120-311 cbs

these channels worked before & after midnight.

before midnight the tuner found these:

82-3
91-2
91-9
91-10
92-2
92-4
92-9
92-10

one of these channels was showtime, another was a new reaalease movie with adam sandler & don chittle. so one of the channels was hbo on demand & cox on demand. it looked like the channels were trying to connect but they failed. it turned midnight around this time. by the time i went back to the showtime channel it said "no signal"

so my question is, how was i seeing showtime if i dont subscribe? does it sound like cox realized it & blocked showtime? or does showtime go off at midnight? or was i seeing my neighbors tv signal before they possibly went to bed? im so lost, please shed some light on this.

my other question (the important one) is how do i find a list of known channels near warwick that look like 111-1 or 112-1. what search terms & website will help me find this list? the only lists i seem to find are 10.1 stuff with a "." instead of a "-". but that may be because i dont even know if im looking with the right search terms. i am brand new to all this & am not sure what those channels are called.


any help is appreciated!

i purchased my first tv with a built in digital tuner. i did a scan & many channels showed up like:
104-19 cbs
105-3 dont know
106-3 wgbh pbs
111-1 nbc
111-6 abc
112-1 unknown but sharp images cw?
120-311 cbs

these channels worked before & after midnight.

before midnight the tuner found these:

82-3
91-2
91-9
91-10
92-2
92-4
92-9
92-10

one of these channels was showtime, another was a new reaalease movie with adam sandler & don chittle. so one of the channels was hbo on demand & cox on demand. it looked like the channels were trying to connect but they failed. it turned midnight around this time. by the time i went back to the showtime channel it said "no signal"

so my question is, how was i seeing showtime if i dont subscribe? does it sound like cox realized it & blocked showtime? or does showtime go off at midnight? or was i seeing my neighbors tv signal before they possibly went to bed? im so lost, please shed some light on this.

my other question (the important one) is how do i find a list of known channels near warwick that look like 111-1 or 112-1. what search terms & website will help me find this list? the only lists i seem to find are 10.1 stuff with a "." instead of a "-". but that may be because i dont even know if im looking with the right search terms. i am brand new to all this & am not sure what those channels are called.


any help is appreciated!

The OnDemand\PPV channels you were seeing were "leaks" they will come and go there is no definite for them. Sometimes you will see people fast forward/pause/ect the movie (they control it not you). Its no tthat Cox "noticed" they have no way of "knowing", its that the person who was viewing the movie ended\stopped it.

As far as the "look" goes its all a matter of reception and or content. The local channels you are getting only do HD part of the time. So you are only oging to see HD programming when it is displayed. The (-) is the same thing as the (.) so 10-1 = 10.1.

This thread has most of the "unscrambled" channels and thier channel locations. If you do a search for QAM or ESPN you should find the list. Sometimes the channels change locations so its best to keep an eye on this thread.

After getting an HD-DVR from Cox though I stopped using the QAM tuner so I am kind of behind the times on that.

ty ph8te. you helped me understand a little more. so on this forum is a cheat sheet for the channels above 82-3? what do you call the higher channels that i had in the second group.. qam channels? cox qam channels? google was no help with searching for th cheat sheet on known channels in the providence area.


the list john posted above seems to not go as high as the channels im looking for, maybe there is another list.

i purchased my first tv with a built in digital tuner. i did a scan & many channels showed up like:
104-19 cbs
105-3 dont know
106-3 wgbh pbs
111-1 nbc
111-6 abc
112-1 unknown but sharp images cw?
120-311 cbs

these channels worked before & after midnight.

before midnight the tuner found these:

82-3
91-2
91-9
91-10
92-2
92-4
92-9
92-10

one of these channels was showtime, another was a new reaalease movie with adam sandler & don chittle. so one of the channels was hbo on demand & cox on demand. it looked like the channels were trying to connect but they failed. it turned midnight around this time. by the time i went back to the showtime channel it said "no signal"

so my question is, how was i seeing showtime if i dont subscribe? does it sound like cox realized it & blocked showtime? or does showtime go off at midnight? or was i seeing my neighbors tv signal before they possibly went to bed? im so lost, please shed some light on this.

my other question (the important one) is how do i find a list of known channels near warwick that look like 111-1 or 112-1. what search terms & website will help me find this list? the only lists i seem to find are 10.1 stuff with a "." instead of a "-". but that may be because i dont even know if im looking with the right search terms. i am brand new to all this & am not sure what those channels are called.


any help is appreciated!

Ph8te explained those 80, 90 channels. They come and go, but are in SD. 105-3 is FOX and 112-1 is CW. 120-311 seems to just be standard CBS, but digital. Not sure why that is there.

QAM is just what they call the tuner that can pick up the digital stations.

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

The channels you have are the only ones you are going to get for Providence. If you antenna is strong enough, you can pick up some Boston ones. Visit antennaweb.org to find the locations of towers near you.

Ph8te explained those 80, 90 channels. They come and go, but are in SD. 105-3 is FOX and 112-1 is CW. 120-311 seems to just be standard CBS, but digital. Not sure why that is there.

QAM is just what they call the tuner that can pick up the digital stations.

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

The channels you have are the only ones you are going to get for Providence. If you antenna is strong enough, you can pick up some Boston ones. Visit antennaweb.org to find the locations of towers near you.

Its actually kind of funny with some of the "leak" feeds you get. Much like Mr. Skin you can see people "Fast Forwarding to the Good Parts" LMAO. Youd be surprised what you find in the AM. For giggles I sometimes check them out just to see what people are doing, but really unless you are really doing nothing it is a crap shoot since you may get into a movie then the feed dies and you are SOL.

As far as the other channels go those are the ones offered free by Cox over your QAM tuner as Butch explained. They used to have a few unencrypted cable HD feeds (ESPN ect), but I think that died out awhile ago. To tell you the truth its worth it to get the HD Box as you will have access to more then 30 HD channels.

Hi guys,

in my ongoing saga about flawed QAM HD reception via Cox Extended Basic Service, I would like to find out the following from any of the QAM tuner users in the area:

a) which of these local channels do you receive with your built-in QAM tuner?
b) what TV brand do you have?

104-19 CBS
105-3 FOX
106-3 PBS (WGBH)
111-1 NBC
111-6 ABC
112-1 CW

I have filed a formal complaint with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission and, believe it or not, one of the higher-ups at Cox called me at home to set up a fact-finding/troubleshooting appointment to figure out what the problem is [I get the first three channels perfectly, and the last three with terrible choppy reception due to a weaker signal].

My reason for this informal poll is to report the findings back to Cox and alert them to certain service areas or TV models that might have the same or similar issues.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Mike,

I am still waiting for that filter to ship from Solid Signal. To date, here in Westerly, my analogs, Providence and Hartford for the most part look like how you got analog 59 with the pre-amp. WSBE is slightly better. I am still holding out that filtering out 69.1 (UHF 17) will solve my problem. If not, I am in trouble as I have NO hair to pull out. :)

John, I don't think you heard yet, but upon Mike's advice I removed the CM 3044 dist amp. Even though there is no picture yet digital signal strength jumped to from zero to about 30-31 for Providence locals For a minute Channel 10.1 jumped to 49, alas no picture. Haven't tried Hartford's yet.

BTW. The FCC is worthless. They over regulate where they should not and do not where they should. To prevent overload, it should be required that ALL stations in a specific market, or direction have the transmitters near each other to prevent this type of situation. I know of people 20 miles due East of me in North Kingstown who get digital locals from Providence & Boston because 69.1 (17) does NOT interfere. I am willing to bet that along the CT/RI border, North of this transmitter people get Providence, Hartford and Boston locals. Can someone out there confirm or dispute this! Two Ion station and a PBS are not going to cut it.

Dominic

104-19 CBS
105-3 FOX
106-3 PBS (WGBH)
111-1 NBC
111-6 ABC
112-1 CW

Per your post, I receive all of the above on an LG 42LC2D.

I recently set up my first HD set and am hooked up to Cox Cable in Warwick, RI. I was also getting these channels onmy set in perfect clarity. 4-5 days later cox shut them off. I do not or have I ever had a converter box. I'm so mad I'm ready to rip everything out and go back to rabbit ear antennas.:mad:

I posted in Nov about OTA problems in Westerly. We think it is overload from ION (channel 69.1). It is in Richmond 11 miles away while all the other transmitters are in Rehobeth, 45 miles away. When I removed the distribution amp, signal strength went from 0 to 30 on channel 10.1 (WJAR)

I have a notch filter. I put it in after the pre-amp and it did block 69.1. But no increase in signal strenth on 10.1. It will have to go on the antenna but I don't do roofs well and I am not asking my friend until the ground is less slick for the ladder.


Has anyone in this part of the State experienced this kind of problems?

Dominic

Hi All:
Could someone clarify something about the Patriots - Giants 12/29 game on the NFL Network please. An article in the Prov. Journal this morning (12/21) says that you have to have the Cox Sports and Entertainment Package to see the game here in RI (I cannot pick up the OTA Boston broadcast) through COX. However, I have Cox Digital and HD service (but have not specifically subscribed to any "Sports or Entertainment" package per se). On my Cox system, Channel 726 is NFL-HD. Is this the same channel that will carry the Partriots-Giants game?

Hi All:
Could someone clarify something about the Patriots - Giants 12/29 game on the NFL Network please. An article in the Prov. Journal this morning (12/21) says that you have to have the Cox Sports and Entertainment Package to see the game here in RI (I cannot pick up the OTA Boston broadcast) through COX. However, I have Cox Digital and HD service (but have not specifically subscribed to any "Sports or Entertainment" package per se). On my Cox system, Channel 726 is NFL-HD. Is this the same channel that will carry the Partriots-Giants game?
I don't have Cox, but a friend who does said he did have to subscribe to the sports tier to get NFLHD. Another friend said he has a bundle of Cox services that happens to include the NFL channel. Maybe that's what you have.

Hi All:
Could someone clarify something about the Patriots - Giants 12/29 game on the NFL Network please. An article in the Prov. Journal this morning (12/21) says that you have to have the Cox Sports and Entertainment Package to see the game here in RI (I cannot pick up the OTA Boston broadcast) through COX. However, I have Cox Digital and HD service (but have not specifically subscribed to any "Sports or Entertainment" package per se). On my Cox system, Channel 726 is NFL-HD. Is this the same channel that will carry the Partriots-Giants game?

If you have the HD box then you will have access to the NFLHD channel. I have the Digital package tht has all the channels minus the Spanish tier and have access to both. As long as you can access the NFLHD channel now (which you should be able to) then you wont have an issue.

Hi All:
Could someone clarify something about the Patriots - Giants 12/29 game on the NFL Network please. An article in the Prov. Journal this morning (12/21) says that you have to have the Cox Sports and Entertainment Package to see the game here in RI (I cannot pick up the OTA Boston broadcast) through COX. However, I have Cox Digital and HD service (but have not specifically subscribed to any "Sports or Entertainment" package per se). On my Cox system, Channel 726 is NFL-HD. Is this the same channel that will carry the Partriots-Giants game?

I don't have Cox either. I have DirecTV. There the NFL Network is channel 212. The game is on the NFL Network, period! If you can see programming on NFL Network, then you should see it there in SD. If you can see programming on NFL-HD then you should be able to see it in HD.

The bottom line is, this is BOGUS!!

First they hit us with pay channel baseball 25 yrs ago. We bought it under the guise, "there would be no commercials". Who remembers that one?? There are more commercials now on NESN then you ever saw on OTA game broadcasts.

Then Sunday Night Football was on TNT until NBC got it. Then Disney/ABC made sure it's ESPN station got Monday Night Football. Now you have to have the NFL network to see a Sunday afternoon game!! On most systems, NFL Network requires an upgraded package of some sort. Don't mean to rant, but I see what is next, PPV football. It's halfway there considering the NFL Network setup and DirecTV Sunday Ticket. Mark my words.

Dominic

Hi All:
Could someone clarify something about the Patriots - Giants 12/29 game on the NFL Network please. An article in the Prov. Journal this morning (12/21) says that you have to have the Cox Sports and Entertainment Package to see the game here in RI (I cannot pick up the OTA Boston broadcast) through COX. However, I have Cox Digital and HD service (but have not specifically subscribed to any "Sports or Entertainment" package per se). On my Cox system, Channel 726 is NFL-HD. Is this the same channel that will carry the Partriots-Giants game?

Screw COX and adjust your antennas :)
I'm in Providence, and the Boston stations (inkl. Channel ABC 5 which will broadcast the game in HD for free) are coming in very strong OTA here.

The answer is yes.

....... Now you have to have the NFL network to see a Sunday afternoon game!! ......

Dominic

Just so you know, the game is Saturday night, though I agree with your sentiments.

SMK

Just so you know, the game is Saturday night, though I agree with your sentiments.

SMK

My mistake, slip of the brain during the rant. But we can agree, Sunday will be next!

Dominic

Screw COX and adjust your antennas :)
I'm in Providence, and the Boston stations (inkl. Channel ABC 5 which will broadcast the game in HD for free) are coming in very strong OTA here.

Easy up in Providence. I am in Westerly and am in DIRE need of help. I can not pull in a signal strength greater than 30 on Providence locals. I have a filter to filter out ION as it it only 10 miles from here in Richmond. (signal overload was suspect).

Does anyone have any further advice/suggestions?? I will try raising the antenna, but how high can I go before I need guy wires?? I have read that a professional installer will have equipment to walk the roof with to find the "sweet spot". Does any one know of anybody who does this??

If Mark is out there from WJAR or John in Mystic, what are your thoughts.

Thanks,
Dominic

104-19 CBS
105-3 FOX
106-3 PBS (WGBH)
111-1 NBC
111-6 ABC
112-1 CW

Per your post, I receive all of the above on an LG 42LC2D.

Assuming that the quality is good without drop-outs on all of these, I am seriously wondering why even the most up-to-date Sony TVs have trouble locking in the 111.1, 111.6 and 112.1 channels via Cox (no box, Extended Basic Service)... The good folks at Stereo Discount Center on Angell Street, were kind enough to help me in my quest and hooked up their cable feed to one of their top models (KDL-40XBR5), and the results were exactly the same as my crappy signals on those three channels: choppy, pixelated, drop-outs! On one of the best-rated TVs EVER!!!

LG tuners seem to be working, any other TV makes and models that actually get those stations via QAM tuner?

Just to avoid having to run through a handful of returns and endless trips to the stores, I would like all owners of other HD-TV brands (Sharp, Samsung, Panasonic, Toshiba, Philips, Vizio, etc.) who would like to help out in this informal poll to hook up their incoming Cox coax cable (digital tier or not) directly to their RF input at the TV and run the Auto Program mode for the digital channels to see what TVs and which areas actually get good results on all of the local HDTV stations.

I still believe Cox should provide a signal that works with all current TV QAM tuners, not just a few that happen to be compatible with whatever they do to their signal.

Your help would be greatly appreciated :)

Is anyone else having macro-blocking issues watching the Patriots today, through Cox?

I am guessing it is a CBS issue. I am getting the same problems with OTA as well as through the Cox HD box. Whats worse is that I am connected through an A/V receiver for sound and it is cutting in and out constantly. Really annoying.

Yup, CBS had dropouts OTA for both Boston and Providence channels (4.1 and 12.1)

Yup, CBS had dropouts OTA for both Boston and Providence channels (4.1 and 12.1)

They certainly did. 12.1 was worse than 4.1 too.

Yup, CBS had dropouts OTA for both Boston and Providence channels (4.1 and 12.1)

I thought it might have been my cable cards - they can be a pain in the ass some times.

Screw COX and adjust your antennas :)
I'm in Providence, and the Boston stations (inkl. Channel ABC 5 which will broadcast the game in HD for free) are coming in very strong OTA here.

... Screw Cox ... ???? What's COX have to do with this? I'm 20 miles south of Providence and I don't get Boston Channel 5 OTA - and yes I have fine tuned my antenna. Now that I got a clarification from others, I'll just watch it in HD on COX.

I am in Newport and can't seem to get 5 out of Boston OTA anymore. I used to. Have Cox digital HD package and NFL-HD came in for about 3 weeks when I first got it, but no longer. Cox tells me you have to subscribe to the Sports Tier in order to get it. Any chance Cox will turn it on just for the game? Otherwise I would think they would get a rash of calls for people turning on then off just for the day. Any thoughts?

For those of you still interested in FIOS that live in service Areas 2,3, and 8. The RIPUC this past week approved the final step in the proccess to offer TV service. THey should be able to offer it to those areas that are capable the 1st or 2nd week of Jan.

For service areas 1 and 4, they are still on the 1st leg, but this proccess should go much quicker since Verizon has done this before, I would expect them to offer services before the end of the year.

Looks like the next Pats game will be generally available. WJAR will carry it and sounds like CBS also. See http://www.turnto10.com/northeast/jar/sports.apx.-content-articles-JAR-2007-12-26-0012.html
John

Great news! I just heard about this too. I think the CBS broadcast is only in the Boston market, CBS channel 5. But confirmed that NBC WJAR 10 in Providence will definitely be providing the game.

Great news! I would have seen it either way but this game should be available to everyone in the New England area!

Go Pats.......

For those of you still interested in FIOS that live in service Areas 2,3, and 8. The RIPUC this past week approved the final step in the proccess to offer TV service. THey should be able to offer it to those areas that are capable the 1st or 2nd week of Jan.

For service areas 1 and 4, they are still on the 1st leg, but this proccess should go much quicker since Verizon has done this before, I would expect them to offer services before the end of the year.

Do you know what cities these 3 new areas are in RI. I have family in the Exeter/Richmond area and they have been waiting for FIOS to come around.

Do you know what cities these 3 new areas are in RI. I have family in the Exeter/Richmond area and they have been waiting for FIOS to come around.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/12/23/rhode-island-gets-a-lot-more-fios-tv/


Reportedly, the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carries granted Verizon licenses just this week to operate cable TV services in Charlestown, Cranston, Foster, Hopkinton, Johnston, Narragansett, North Providence, Providence, Richmond, Scituate, South Kingstown and Westerly. Apparently, Verizon had secured a license to operate in Service Area 6 earlier this year, but just now got approval on Areas 2, 3 and 8 covering the locales mentioned above. At first, just 29-percent of households in these communities will be able to get hooked up with FiOS TV, but if you aren't one of the fortunate ones when installations begin in "just a few weeks," hold VZW to its promise of "continued expansion in the coming year."

First they hit us with pay channel baseball 25 yrs ago. We bought it under the guise, "there would be no commercials". Who remembers that one?? There are more commercials now on NESN then you ever saw on OTA game broadcasts.

It all seems like a giant ruse, doesn't it? More and more channels are getting added to see the same amount of content, which means more and more channels are filled with junk. e.g. Hockey went to Versus... Baseball playoffs went to TBS... what a great idea! :rolleyes:

Isn't it great to pay for satellite and cable TV only to watch commercials anyway? Before I got a DVR, I didn't even bother to watch much TV at all.

I can definitely see pay-per-view coming in broader strokes. With commercials of course. :eek:

I'm afraid it's just another case of too many people giving power to those who would abuse it.

Well Tomorrow 1/6/2008 is the day Fios can legally start installing Fios TV in Cranston. Knowing this I've been calling and emailing them trying to set an appointment for the install. I get the same answer every time, "we don't have a date set on when we will start."
Any one have an inside scoop?

...I can definitely see pay-per-view coming in broader strokes. With commercials of course. :eek:

I'm afraid it's just another case of too many people giving power to those who would abuse it.

Speaking of power. I now have answers on OTA DTV in Westerly. Mike came by and helped out the Friday after Christmas. There is signal there, without overload. I probably just need to raise the antenna. We found WPRI-DT and an almost good signal on WJAR-DT and WLNE-DT. I also ran the torrent from TVFool on Google Earth. I should be able to get WLNE-DT, WJAR-DT, WPRI-DT and WSBE-DT. The SOB's at Lin have WNAC's transmitter directional facing NE. Dicey at best by me. But good all the way into downtown Boston if the Google Earth torrent is correct. WTIC-DT and WSBE-DT from Hartford should be doable. SO SCREW Lin Broadcasting if you read this. I'll watch the Hartford affiliates.

Dominic

Dominic,

Did you install the filter and/or bypass the pre-amp? I am curious to know what it was that improved your situation. don't know why WNAC has a directional antenna pointed towards Boston for DT as their analog signal is not that way. Hopefully after analog shutdown, their original signal pattern can be restored.

WNAC analog is directional but the peak direction is south so Westerly and SE CT come out OK on their plot. After the analog switch off WPRI and WNAC will be on channels 12and 13 so they can probably use the same antenna that WPRI is using for both analog and digital.
John

Dominic,

Did you install the filter and/or bypass the pre-amp? I am curious to know what it was that improved your situation. don't know why WNAC has a directional antenna pointed towards Boston for DT as their analog signal is not that way. Hopefully after analog shutdown, their original signal pattern can be restored.

Mike,

I ran the Providence coverage maps, from tvfool.com, on Google Earth. WNAC-DT is so directional, and "I kid you not" that there is better coverage for that signal at, ready for this, FENWAY PARK, then there is most of Westerly, RI. Westerly is mostly purple with small patches of dark blue and some total non coverage areas. Boston, MA is mostly light blue, with patches of dark blue and purple.

I live in the DMA and have to fight for a signal. People in the Boston DMA can probably get away with an indoor attic antenna. Go figure.

Dominic

Fios is taking orders for Fios TV today for installation next week.

Here is a new article about the RI FIOS.

http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?j1249784319

Here is a new article about the RI FIOS.

http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?j1249784319

They're hooking me up Wednesday 1/16 8-Noon.

Hi folks,

As of yesterday, ownership of WLWC-TV (aka CW28) passed from CBS to Four Points Media, LLC. While no major programming changes should be expected, I am no longer associated with the station (I'm still with CBS), and so I won't be able to answer your questions about the station. However, my good friend and associate Dave Goldstein has taken over transmitter responsibilities, and has also agreed to be the voice of the station on this thread.

I'll continue to lurk here, as I live in Southeastern Massachusetts, and I'll still be available to answer questions about WBZ-HD and WSBK-HD, which many of you watch in addition to the Providence area stations.

So long for now...


Bob

Hello everyone,
I have some really BIG SHOES to fill on this one. Thanks Bob.....
Yes, I will do my best to answer your questions. What I don't know I will do my best to find out the answer.

PLEASE... Go easy on me ;o)

Dave Goldstein
WLWC/CW28

I cant get any answers to when any of the providence markets are going to air their news broadcasts in HD. As much as LIN wants to charge for their networks they should be in pristine HD.

WCVB 5 News is great in HD.
Let's get to it WBZ 4 News.

Forget the rest and you'll be less depressed.

This is just a general question -- after the analog shut-off will any of the Boston channels increase power and/or move to an area of the dial that will make them easier to receive? In southern RI I'm on the fringe of some stations which come in at night or only when the weather tends to be cold (like 56, 44 and especially 25, which never seems to come in). Other channels always come in fine most usually (2,4,5).

Hello everyone,
I have some really BIG SHOES to fill on this one. Thanks Bob.....
Yes, I will do my best to answer your questions. What I don't know I will do my best to find out the answer.

PLEASE... Go easy on me ;o)

Dave Goldstein
WLWC/CW28

Welcome to the forum!

I tried going back in the threads, and it said something about WBZ-HD, WSBK-HD and WLCW-HD sharing the same transmitter.

WBZ and WSBK are coming in great!

But if everything is coming from the same location, the signal strength for WLCW seems to be much weaker than the other two stations.

Would it be possible to bump up the signal for HD over-the-air, so viewers in Providence and other, more southern parts of Rhode Island can get better reception?

Thanks for your help!

This is just a general question -- after the analog shut-off will any of the Boston channels increase power and/or move to an area of the dial that will make them easier to receive? In southern RI I'm on the fringe of some stations which come in at night or only when the weather tends to be cold (like 56, 44 and especially 25, which never seems to come in). Other channels always come in fine most usually (2,4,5).

Even in Providence, close to the MA state line, there does not seem to be any decent antenna direction setting to pick up either of the two FOX stations well (channels 25 or 64). Is there anyone connected to these stations who might amp up the signals a bit so we can get FOX programming OTA?

Even in Providence, close to the MA state line, there does not seem to be any decent antenna direction setting to pick up either of the two FOX stations well (channels 25 or 64). Is there anyone connected to these stations who might amp up the signals a bit so we can get FOX programming OTA?

I guess it depends on where near the MA line you are. I am in Pawtucket, and with a Radio Shack antenna inside my attic I get all the MA and RI channels perfectly including both FOX stations. No break ups, no signal problems, and beautiful picture.

Evidently from what I have read on the Boston thread a long time ago, 25 is broadcasting at a lower level which will be increased, but it also has something to do with the broadcast frequency. It is on a frequency which is in some way conflicting with the frequency of a transmitter from southern Canada. There are plans at some point to increase the power on 25, but I don't know when that is going to happen. LINN owns 64, and you never know what they're going to do.

SMK

Would it be possible to bump up the signal for HD over-the-air, so viewers in Providence and other, more southern parts of Rhode Island can get better receptions

This sounds like it's totally dependent on specific location because I'm in southern RI and get WLWC perfectly -- meanwhile WBZ comes in about 90% of the time and WSBK only at night and/or when the weather is cold.

Either way I don't believe WLWC is on the same transmitter as WBZ or WSBK, those stations are in Boston and I believe WLWC's transmitter was in Rehoboth or some nearby area to RI. Might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure they're not on the same transmitter.

Even in Providence, close to the MA state line, there does not seem to be any decent antenna direction setting to pick up either of the two FOX stations well (channels 25 or 64). Is there anyone connected to these stations who might amp up the signals a bit so we can get FOX programming OTA?

Here's a post from 2005:

BHolbrook02-07-05, 05:10 PM
First of all thanks to the viewers for their help with resolving any issues...(edited)

For a point of information, we operate on a seperate antenna on the "Candleabra" with WSBK analog and WLVI analog and digital. WGBH A&D, WBZ A&D, WCVB A&D and WSBK DT all operate from the WBZ tower with a very impressive installation of combiners and antennas. WHDH A&D operate from their own tower in Newton. We are all within about 1 1/2 miles of each other. WFXT DT operates at 76 Kw EIRP from the Shively antenna. The Andrew antenna listed states that it is an application not the licensed antenna. This has been our request for an increase in power that was denied once before by the FCC and has been resubmitted. But as I have stated before, without giving an private internal information, that increase is unlikely to happen. The change over to digital will happen as early as 2006 or as late as 2009 depending on the will of congress pushing it. More than likely we will stay on 25 where we are already licensed at 1 meg. Our new transmitter installation allows us to simply retune and move the digital exciters over to the NTSC transmitters and operate that way on 25. Its not really that simple but close.
I understand viewer frustration when you spend a lot of money for HD equpiment and have trouble with our signal. I can only say there are a great many more factors that affect DTV than there were for NTSC.

I choose to post here only as a way of getting information flow between us and the viewers in a forum I can deal with in my work schedule. It also helps eliminate the need for the viewer to call in to get that information. Again I appreciate any frustration any viewer may have but our initial feedback was extremely favorable for the vast majority of our audience.

Bill Holbrook
Chief Engineer WFXT

The signal for both 25 and 64 here in Westport is excellent, and I watch 25 almost exclusively due to their better A to D conversion for shows like Sienfeld and their news. Football this weekend was awesome on both stations.

I sent Cox an e-mail yesterday asking about USA and SCI-FI HD being added to our Providence area lineup, and this is what I got for a response:

Dear Mr. LeBeau:

Thank you for your inquiry. Cox is committed to providing the best
customer service possible.

We thank you for your recent email and channel request. At this time,
there are no plans to add USA and SCI FI in HD.

Please be advised that our decisions to add or remove programming are
based on three (3) factors:

* Research - which we conduct annually
* Customer input - such as your email request
* Viewership - as measured by Nielsen or other rating services

Your request will be carefully factored as we look to future programming
changes. We do maintain a file on all customer correspondence concerning
programming and will forward your request to the New England Programming
Manager.

Please feel free to contact us again with any questions or concerns you
may have.

We hope that we have been able to provide you with the information you
requested.

Thank you.
Tonya
Cox Communications Online Customer Care Team


Maybe if more people send this in it will help?

I sent Cox an e-mail yesterday asking about USA and SCI-FI HD being added to our Providence area lineup, and this is what I got for a response:

...

Maybe if more people send this in it will help?

Very disappointing. What e-mail address did you use?

I sent Cox an e-mail yesterday asking about USA and SCI-FI HD being added to our Providence area lineup, and this is what I got for a response:




Maybe if more people send this in it will help?

Tell them Directv already has these stations in HD and many more they don't have. Threaten to switch. Or switch.

Done, I went to their support page for cable tv and asked them to consider adding USA HD. Got a reply similar to yours, so another vote in the pile...

~gs2gf

I sent Cox an e-mail yesterday asking about USA and SCI-FI HD being added to our Providence area lineup, and this is what I got for a response:




Maybe if more people send this in it will help?