Did WNBC boost their power up tonight alittle during Last Comic Standing? From the normal 11% I usually get, I am now getting 40-44%. Anyone else notice a signal strength change?

StingOr,

I actually did that with UPN. I received an answer 3 months ago that it was going to be July. When I've called NBC and WPIX I never had anyone return my call.

The bottom line is someone has got to know the name of someone who really knows what is going on.

--Rocco--

Originally posted by wward
I'm by no means an expert on this subject but at the end of the day doesn’t RF & EM exposure only really become an issue when there is prolonged exposure at very high levels?

One of the buildings I work in is loaded with RF and computer equipment and I have been in and out of there thousands of times over the years

Christ I am more concerned about the microwave oven in my home and the Nextel phone I carry 24 seven/365 than broadcast equipment.
This is definitely getting off topic, but its the combination of high power and long term exposure. Your nextel does alter brain wave patterns while you're using it, but there are many possible reasons for this, and not all are EM related. I'd be more worried about second hand smoke :)

Originally posted by mortega31686
Did WNBC boost their power up tonight alittle during Last Comic Standing? From the normal 11% I usually get, I am now getting 40-44%. Anyone else notice a signal strength change?

That's possible. I can't say when it happened, but the signal as of 10pm last night was better than it has been in weeks.

Because of the recent poor quality, I have my HD Tivo Season Pass for Last Comic Standing on the DirecTV version of NBC (NY4). But I have the L&O: SVU season pass on WNBC-DT. When I checked, last nights L&O: SVU had recorded perfectly for the first time in weeks.

WNBC was a bit better then normal last night. 45-50s and some short drop outs. Probably had more to do with the weather then anything else. Still not strong enough for me to watch a show or movie on.

Originally posted by mortega31686
Did WNBC boost their power up tonight alittle during Last Comic Standing? From the normal 11% I usually get, I am now getting 40-44%. Anyone else notice a signal strength change?

So, the first step to our new antenna has arrived in New York. Something to look forward to while they "work" on the combiner project...

Anyone have any luck in getting WNJN? All I get is signal, no sound or pictures.

Any idea when NY PBS will be broadcasting? It says "testing" on Antennaweb.org.

I'm guessing this thing is completed by Sept 1, based on what I have heard.

does anybody think the combiner will be finished thios year, or should i just invest in a good antenna

Originally posted by Swisher
So, the first step to our new antenna has arrived in New York. Something to look forward to while they "work" on the combiner project...

Liberty Tower?

I thought the name was Freedom Tower.

Not that I like one name over the other...

I still miss the WTC.

does anybody think the combiner will be finished thios year, or should i just invest in a good antenna

Get that good antenna! By the time the combiner is complete you could of built another Brooklyn Bridge in less time.

Tony

I am determined to watch Enterprise in HD next season. So the combiner better be ready by then. Please, Please don't make me install an antenna on the roof.

Hey, maybe we can all pitch in and help build it !!!!! :D

My money...if I had any.....is on that it isnt completed by Sept.

Anyone else having problems with WNYW-DT? I'm watching the Mets Yanks game (3:55 EDT) and it looks like their signal took a dump. I cant get anything.

WWARD, mine stayed on for the whole game.

Originally posted by LINDELLTOM
WWARD, mine stayed on for the whole game. Ok thanks I ended up going back to the DirecTv feed. Not sure what happened its still very weak for me.

What great game!!

Originally posted by s236
Get that good antenna! By the time the combiner is complete you could of built another Brooklyn Bridge in less time.

Tony

Aint that the truth!

Has anyone experienced a weaker signal recently on NBC? I was fine for a bit then all of a sudden last night I lost signal strength. Has anyone else experienced anything similar.

Also, has NBC made any announcements whether they will have better signal strength by the Olympics?

Finally, I live in Westfield NJ, which is about 20 miles from NYC and about 60 miles from Philly. I have a new, pretty good large Radio Shack antenna (which cost me about $100) and was wondering whether I'd have any better chance at getting the Philly signals. Any thoughts?

Atmospherics can cause signal fluctuations. Not much to adjust on a 1K transmitter so probably not the cause.
Also, WNBC does not have control over the combiner construction at ESB, so making a statement as to when it will be completed would be senseless.
I hope this answers some of your questions.
Now off to way upstate NY for some camping with the kids.
Happy 4th everyone.
GT

Originally posted by George Thompson
Atmospherics can cause signal fluctuations. Not much to adjust on a 1K transmitter so probably not the cause.
GT

That does make sense, but what was strange is that the signal strenght of each of the other locals didn't change at all and NBC had been fine for a while. Maybe something happened with my antenna, I'll check that out.

Any thoughts on Philly?

Why is WNBC-DT setting the Dolby 5.1 flag?

Originally posted by trekkerj
Why is WNBC-DT setting the Dolby 5.1 flag?

My Sony receiver is showing the signal as DD 3/0 L/C/R channels. Dont think I've ever seen that before.

My Pioneer interprets whatever it is as 5.1, so the prologic decoding is gone and all I get is L/R channels. Annoying.

This is a very complicated and poorly understood topic from a physiological standpoint. It has to do with frequency, power, water content, density, shielding,and the sympathetic vibration of various molecular components of the body.

Friends of mine that worked on radar installations in the '50's used to hold their hands out in front of the radar transmitter to see if it was working. If the hand warmed up, it was.

But the only thing this thread is meant to discuss is the reception of OTA signals in the NYC area, as well as helpful information about upcoming transmitters, changes in transmitter location, and changes in transmitter power.

The effects of man-made radiation on the human body is an interesting topic, but would be best discussed in a dedicated thread.

Thanks.

Rick (Thread founder)

Must be vacation week

I think cpto silenced everybody :)

Soooo... how's that combiner project coming along...? :)

I live in Long Island, Suffolk county Brentwood
and lately my channel master is acting funny
I usually remote in the number 155 to point to the city to pick up locals like cbs 2-1 abc 7-1 fox 5-1
but now i have to enter in 177 and maybe 200 to have the antenna point to the city
when i go outside the antenna is almost pointing to connecticut
now for conn i use to enter in 255 and i would get 49-1 which is pbs and 30-1 nbc 59-1 upn etc...
but now i have to enter in 350 on the remote to move the antenna but now i lost pbs
am i doing something wrong?
i remember somebody on this board telling me that i have to reset the channel master
can anyone help me please

Originally posted by chrome
I live in Long Island, Suffolk county Brentwood
and lately my channel master is acting funny
I usually remote in the number 155 to point to the city to pick up locals like cbs 2-1 abc 7-1 fox 5-1
but now i have to enter in 177 and maybe 200 to have the antenna point to the city
when i go outside the antenna is almost pointing to connecticut
now for conn i use to enter in 255 and i would get 49-1 which is pbs and 30-1 nbc 59-1 upn etc...
but now i have to enter in 350 on the remote to move the antenna but now i lost pbs
am i doing something wrong?
i remember somebody on this board telling me that i have to reset the channel master
can anyone help me please

Your talking about the remote control operated rotor correct? Model # 9521a or something like that? I believe it's a common problem.....at least it is with the TWO that I have! I've learned to live with it. I just use my signal meter to "tell me where I am" as I scan the horizon......or I go out to the window and see which way the antenna is pointing. I'm sure there are multiple threads on this issue on the HW forum. I haven't seen one lately though. The manual had a method/format to "re-sync" the unit.....or something to that effect.

yes exactly a remote control rotor
i do not have the manual but will look later in the web to see what were the commands
thanks again

Originally posted by dswallow
Soooo... how's that combiner project coming along...? :)
Im really depressed about the combiner....or the lack of a combiner. I know its difficult to coordinate projects in NYC.....but really, does anyone expect the combiner to be done this year? Nobody really knows for sure...you can say they are trying to get something done by the olympics or they are going to have it finished by september and the new tv season. But I have settled back into the mindset that it wont be done. Maybe I'll be suprised one day. I live in Staten Island and cant get NBC, WPIX, or WNET. And it looks like it will staY that way.

Did anyone every find out who is responsible for managing the project? Maybe there isn't anyone and that's the problem. I believe George said that there was a problem moving some antennas around or some "crap" with the building owners, but I can't believe they would spend all a lot of money on buying such an array without sorting that stuff out first. Or maybe that is really the case and the projects is just a mess. Would be great if there was someone for us to speak to about what the real issue here is. At this point there is no one for us to complain to. I mean they been saying this thing is going to be done for the past 18 months...

Originally posted by vinnyv07
Im really depressed about the combiner....or the lack of a combiner. I know its difficult to coordinate projects in NYC.....but really, does anyone expect the combiner to be done this year? Nobody really knows for sure...you can say they are trying to get something done by the olympics or they are going to have it finished by september and the new tv season. But I have settled back into the mindset that it wont be done. Maybe I'll be suprised one day. I live in Staten Island and cant get NBC, WPIX, or WNET. And it looks like it will staY that way.

Do you have DTV? The rumor is that D is adding all the networks over the next 2 months.

It is frustrating. I'm in Lodi, NJ and pickup all that's being broadcasted except NBC 4. My analog is perfect on all channels, just can't get 4 in HD/Digital. From what I understand, DirecTV is adding HD for ABC, and FOX, but haven't heard about NBC. In any case, to be so close to the city and can't pickup NBC is rather frustrating.

FYI, have a RS (really a Winguard) outdoor antenna in attic. (Not allowed to put on roof.) With 777 preamp. Like I said all the analogs come in crystal clear.

Chrome - did you sync the antenna before entering the station numbers? I have to resync mine every six months or so. It forces the antenna rotor to reset the beginning and ending stops. Try a resync and if that doesn't get the channels back, try reentering them after you've sync'd.

On my CM, you force a sync by turning the power on then pressing 00V where V is the down arrow.

You can also set it to autosync every 50 uses (I think it's 50) by entering 98^ and turn the autosync off by entering 98V

Rick

Originally posted by RMSko
Do you have DTV? The rumor is that D is adding all the networks over the next 2 months.

I've heard a lot of rumors but never that one.

Anyone else been getting pixelation again on PAX while SS is high? It was fine for a while, but is up to its old tricks again! The D* feed unwatchable on Ch 31 (although 255 is much better). I'd prefer the "digital" station! ;)

Originally posted by sting0r
but I can't believe they would spend all a lot of money on buying such an array without sorting that stuff out first. You would be surprised!

Originally posted by dm145
I've heard a lot of rumors but never that one.

See this thread from the HDTiVo Forum:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=183555&highlight=20+channels

I'm getting PAX without any pixelations.

Originally posted by Calabs
Anyone else been getting pixelation again on PAX while SS is high? It was fine for a while, but is up to its old tricks again! The D* feed unwatchable on Ch 31 (although 255 is much better). I'd prefer the "digital" station! ;)

Originally posted by RMSko
See this thread from the HDTiVo Forum:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=183555&highlight=20+channels

Great, another forum feeding the rumor mill.

Originally posted by RMSko
Do you have DTV? The rumor is that D is adding all the networks over the next 2 months.
I have heard that FOX is coming...but I havent heard of any other HD Local ch's on DTV until a while. Certainly not as early as Sept of this year. I would certainly take the Local ch's on DTV but I would rathr pick them up via OTA....I have DTV now and I do a comparison of CBSHD on DTV and CBSHD OTA...and the OTA wins in my book. DTV's CBS doesnt look bad...it looks really good....in my opinion you cant beat OTA.

Sorry if this has been discused already but I just got a HDTV tuner for my PC,
I just got WNYW-DT the this week and I notice on all programming there
has analog grain noise on the video, even the FOX wide screen programming.
My tuner software says the video is 720P.

When I watch non HD shows on WCBS-DT and WNBC-DT they look a bit better then the non HD channels but it's not the same case with FOX.

Anyone else notice this?

Originally posted by icemannyr
When I watch non HD shows on WCBS-DT and WNBC-DT they look a bit better then the non HD channels but it's not the same case with FOX.

Anyone else notice this?
Haven't made this specific comparison but speculate it might be differences in all the conversions taking place. The source for non-HD broadcasts is 480i. Fox locally is now upconverting to 720p. Previously is was 480p for some primetime shows. The other networks, except for ABC's 720p, are upconverted 1080i for non-HD transmissions. If your STB/set is upconverting Fox's 720p to 1080i, that's another stage where artifacts and noise can be introduced. A native 720p display might handle Fox better, but unless it was a CRT-based multiscan front projector for either 720p/1080i (or a computer monitor), a native-720p display couldn't present some details in some true-1080i shows, especially live 1080i HD programming. Also, not sure if Fox is still sharing 44 UHF with WOR, but multicasting on H/DTV channels can't really help H/DTV fidelity, although suspect Fox and WOR aren't stressing the 19.39 Mbps of a HD channel. Rarely caught Fox daytime shows when they went out at 480i H/DTV, but recall they were mostly fuzzy video to start with. -- John

Which HDTV card do you have. I have a Fusion QAM. Fox always seems a bit less sharp to me, too. It might be the particular program. Some seem better than others.

I am using an HDTV Tuner PC card and WNYW-DT comes in at 720p.
The card does not let you change the resloution of the video.

Im really depressed about the combiner....or the lack of a combiner. I know its difficult to coordinate projects in NYC.....but really, does anyone expect the combiner to be done this year?

Here's something to really get you depressed from Andy (WPIX):


"We (WPIX) like our peers are waiting for the combiner project to be completed. That work is picking up speed as the combiner itself is done (a very unique piece of engineering), and installation of it will commence soon. But like everything else we have done at the Empire State Building this project is complicated by having to work around other broadcast tenants and the age of the building itself. Consequently my best guess is we will be back to channel 33 just prior to the holidays. I wish it could be sooner."

Andy


Heres the link: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=420631

Tony

Hey, George, if you're out there, have you heard anything that would lead you to believe that we are in for ANOTHER delay, based on what the WPIX guy is saying? This is getting ridiculous. I thought it would be done by now.

I never believed that the end of June begining of July deadline would ever happen. Any deadline that anyone gives you now is really just an estimate and should be taken with a grain of salt. I could wait...as I have no choice but to wait...WPIX doesnt have anything that I am missing a great deal. I would like to catch an occasional Met game in HD but I guess that will be in place for next season. NBC has a couple of programs that I like to watch...but Im really going to miss the olympics...even if the HD is delayed.

I've searched this forum, and I have read alot of messages ABOUT the combiner, but for someone new, what exactly is a combiner?

Thanks

In this instance a combiner allows several stations to share a single antenna array. Instead of having individual antennas for each station, with individual feedlines. A single broadband antenna is fed by half a dozen station transmitters that are combined and fed with a single feedline.
It cuts down on mast space, feed lines running up the mast and interferrence with other antennas.
I have not heard the latest on obstacles to project completion. One source, a VP at CBS called it the "Project from Hell". I'll let you know what I can when I hear any updates.
George


http://www.andrew.com/products/fdc/brdcst_pssv_pwr.aspx
http://www.broadcast.net/pipermail/sbe-seattle/1998-January/000004.html
http://www.mcibroadcast.com/pdf/55040_high_power_uhf-tv_combiners.pdf
http://www.broadcastpapers.com/tvtran/RFSUHFCombiner%20-%20print.htm
http://www.rfrep.com/pdf_tw2/combiners.pdf

Thanks for the info and references. I would imagine that getting all those networks to agree, then getting the feeds, then tweaking the equipment, would be quite a challange. Hope it works out!

Is anyone having problems locking WNYW in Northern NJ ? I was able to lock this station without problems before but after it went down (a couple of weeks ago) for maintenance, the reception has been rather poor and erratic. I'm looking forward to see the All-Star Game in WS tonight but with this reception problem my chances are slim. ABC, NBC and CBS are coming in strong as always.

Just being curious, what will be the degree of the combiner...312, 315 ?

The Olympics is coming and I just wanted to know if anyone has heard anything about NBC increasing their power or finding somewhere else to house their Ant.
I would really like to grab NBC to watch the olympics. I heard from this forum that they going to try and have something in place for NY by the beginning of the olympics. I dont think the combiner will be ready by the beginning of the olympics....and NBC was waiting for the combiner and figured that it would be done in time. Does NBC have a plan B or are they just going leave everything the way it is now ...I would hope they had a plan B.

Originally posted by vinnyv07
The Olympics is coming and I just wanted to know if anyone has heard anything about NBC increasing their power or finding somewhere else to house their Ant.
I would really like to grab NBC to watch the olympics. I heard from this forum that they going to try and have something in place for NY by the beginning of the olympics. I dont think the combiner will be ready by the beginning of the olympics....and NBC was waiting for the combiner and figured that it would be done in time. Does NBC have a plan B or are they just going leave everything the way it is now ...I would hope they had a plan B.
I doubt you're going to see any change. They are at max power for their current location. It just doesn't make sense for them to move to a different location when the combiner is right around the corner (supposedly). I don't think you'll see any change until the combiner is done.

Originally posted by vinnyv07
The Olympics is coming and I just wanted to know if anyone has heard anything about NBC increasing their power or finding somewhere else to house their Ant.
I would really like to grab NBC to watch the olympics. I heard from this forum that they going to try and have something in place for NY by the beginning of the olympics. I dont think the combiner will be ready by the beginning of the olympics....and NBC was waiting for the combiner and figured that it would be done in time. Does NBC have a plan B or are they just going leave everything the way it is now ...I would hope they had a plan B. The quote below is from George Thompson this pretty much answers your question.

"The main signal lobe is centered for Fairfield.... within the projected grade A signal strength. Any more power would fry the Rainbow room and the observation deck when it is remodeled and opened.
GT"

Originally posted by PDPnNJ
Is anyone having problems locking WNYW in Northern NJ ? I was able to lock this station without problems before but after it went down (a couple of weeks ago) for maintenance, the reception has been rather poor and erratic. I'm looking forward to see the All-Star Game in WS tonight but with this reception problem my chances are slim. ABC, NBC and CBS are coming in strong as always.

Ok, moving my indoor antenna to another spot in the house helped the WNYW reception but I can't see ABC, NBC or CBS from that spot. Does anyone know if WNYW moved its physical location in NYC ?

no

Originally posted by PDPnNJ
Ok, moving my indoor antenna to another spot in the house helped the WNYW reception but I can't see ABC, NBC or CBS from that spot. Does anyone know if WNYW moved its physical location in NYC ? The weather may have something to do with the signal anomalies; I have noticed when heavy cloud cover and heavy rain come through WNYW-DT's signal drops off dramatically, but so do the others but at least to me it’s not as noticeable as say WCBS-DT's signal.

Originally posted by wward
The weather may have something to do with the signal anomalies; I have noticed when heavy cloud cover and heavy rain come through WNYW-DT's signal drops off dramatically, but so do the others but at least to me it’s not as noticeable as say WCBS-DT's signal.

Yeah, I took weather into the equation. The problem started way before the rain, I just need to see WNYW tonight hence the urgency ;)

I'm all set in the new spot. I've tested for 2 hrs with no drops. With my luck, that spot won't be good tonight. Can't wait for D* to add FOX into their line-up :mad:

jcord51,

The combiner is in the ESB, current broadcast location for WCBS-DT, WNYW-DT and WWOR-DT (WNYW-DT sub-channel). If you go to antennaweb.org (http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx) and enter your address, it will give you the compass bearing for the combiner listed as the bearing to any of the above channels.

Originally posted by wward
The quote below is from George Thompson this pretty much answers your question.

"The main signal lobe is centered for Fairfield.... within the projected grade A signal strength. Any more power would fry the Rainbow room and the observation deck when it is remodeled and opened.
GT"
Thank You...Yes I remember reading about what George wrote....I figured that maybe they would have another site that they could move their Ant to just for the olympics. Like a temp site.

Careful now MJ. The combiner is not yet operational.

Well the olympics are like a month today, maybe the infamous combiner will be ready by then. Any ever figure out who actually is responsible for the combiner project?

Sorry about my misleading post above, I've edited it for clarity.
Thank you Skyhawk223 for pointing that out.

You don't want to get people all excited. :)

Help !!!! Just purchased a CM3679 at the recommendation of my local shop. I live 25miles southeast of the city as the crow flys. I installed it on a second story chimney and am getting signals on 2.1 and 7.1 but no 5.1 Fox. I also get no signal at all on NBC but as I read here, not many others get it either. These are the only HD channels I can get. The antenna is set up properly and pointed correctly, but the signal is weak and drops out often. Any recommendations.

Thanks

Joisey-what-exit: I am in East Brunswick. I get Fox digital well and NBC usually pretty well. You might want to try a pre-amp if you aren't using one already.

Sometimes a small adjustment in orientation can mean picking up a station like that, and another small movement could make you lose the signal. Keep trying, FOX is pretty strong. Definitely get a preamp, either a ChannelMaster or Winegard.

Originally posted by dan57
Joisey-what-exit: I am in East Brunswick. I get Fox digital well and NBC usually pretty well. You might want to try a pre-amp if you aren't using one already.

Dan--not sure if you have a VHF antenna or not, but see if you can pick up Digital 8 out of New Brunswick (think the transmitter is in Somerset County).

Hi,

I am a beginner to this whole HDTV thing, and I was wondering, if get an HDTV tuner for my MAC (in my case a eyeTV500), will I be able to pull over OTA signals in NYC (I live in midtown). Please reply ASAP!!

you should be able to get them all

Originally posted by jaypb
Dan--not sure if you have a VHF antenna or not, but see if you can pick up Digital 8 out of New Brunswick (think the transmitter is in Somerset County).

No luck at all on channel 8. My antenna is UHF only. I seem to be pretty well closed out on PBS digital.

Irvington, NY 10533
21.3 miles N-NE from ESB, antenna bearing 212
Fusion II HDTV, Silver sensor + cheap 10dB Recoton cable pre-amp
Top floor of 3-story bldg

Over the last 3-4 days, my signal strength on WNBC-DT 28.1 (4-1) varied considerably (possible weather effects), from mid-50%s to high 70%s. Normally it's watchable if the strength is over 60%. But weirdly, even when signal strength was up, I got no picture at all, as though they'd stopped transmitting.

And this morning I get no signal at all! Are they finally moving their transmitter, or have they re-oriented the old antenna or lowered their output power? Or is it simple technical difficulties?

Info please!

For the thread:
Watchable stations at antenna oriented at ~212 degrees:

Call-sign Channel SigStrength RecepQuality

WNYW 5.1 44 100% (21dB) Excellent
WWOR 5.2 44 100% (21dB) None (Fusion subchannel bug?)
WABC 7.1/2 45 90% (18dB) Excellent
WCBS 2.1 56 100% (20dB) Excellent
WNBC 4.1 28 0-75% (7-14dB) NONE/OK
WPXN 31.1 30 89% (17dB) Excellent
WNJN 50.1-5 51 80% (16dB) Good

Watchable stations at other orientations:
Call-sign Channel SigStrength RecepQuality

WRNN 48 80+% OK, slightly intermittent
WFME 29 52% (10dB) Clear, but no programming
WTBY 54.1 27 50% (10dB) Intermittent



---DanQ989

Is 4.1 off the air this morning?

WNBC-DT is completely off the air. I am getting zero on my signal meter, and all my other stations are fine. It is still on the air on Cablevision, however. Something has to be wrong with the OTA signal.

Scott

[wishful thinking]
maybe they took it down because they are moving it to the combiner![/wishful_thinking]

I just checked NBC 4-1 (it's around 4:45 pm) and I'm getting it fine. Anyone else?

newbie to HDTV here,

Read quite a bit in this thread. Anway, I'm getting my first HDTV set. Sony 34XBR960. I live in Essex county, NJ. About 30-40 miles from NYC. So, I'm going to get a CM3679 antenna. Do you think I need a preamp? motorized rotor? I also have comcast basic cable. Should I stick with OTA?

Thanks,
MM

Originally posted by MoneyMINTR
newbie to HDTV here,

Read quite a bit in this thread. Anway, I'm getting my first HDTV set. Sony 34XBR960. I live in Essex county, NJ. About 30-40 miles from NYC. So, I'm going to get a CM3679 antenna. Do you think I need a preamp? motorized rotor? I also have comcast basic cable. Should I stick with OTA?

Thanks,
MM

Doesn't Comcast include all of the local HD channels in their HD package? If yes, I wouldn't worry about OTA. I have DTV and unfortunately need the OTA.

Originally posted by MoneyMINTR
Should I stick with OTA?

Cable HD can provide premium movie channels such as HBO in HD as well as HDNet or INHD, concentrated but not limited to DBS/cable. (HDNet is on some cable systems, and a new service, USDTV, outlined in several forums here, delivers cable-like programming by using multicasting with OTA channels in some locations.) Go to antennaweb.org to see, geographically, how omnidirectional or rotatable antennas might be useful in your location. -- John

Has anyone else been having a problem with NBC lately? For me it went out around two days ago (to extremely low signal levels) and hasn't come back since.

I have a better question--what the heck is happening with the combiner. August is around the corner.

There is no combiner, haven't you figured that out by now? There are no concrete plans ever to fix this crappy situation until the freedom tower is built. Has anyone ever seen anything released to the public which can confirm that there is actually a project for this? All information has been anecdotal. We can't even figure out who is responsible for this project. How many dates have been given in the past. It's been like 2 years in the making, that must be some crazy antenna array. At this point I believe it's all been a cruel joke. Please some one prove me wrong.

The combiner, itself, is not the problem. It's that radio station that's "squatting" in the ESB space they need for the combiner.

So we are being told, before that it was something else. Personally I have written off any hopes of getting better ota reception unless I move. Currious, what radio station is it? Maybe we can all email them and tell them to move out!

Originally posted by s2silber
The combiner, itself, is not the problem. It's that radio station that's "squatting" in the ESB space they need for the combiner.

Do you know what radio station? Z100? Hot97?
I assume it would have to be a fairly well known station or their rear ends would be kicked out of there pretty fast. Please don't tell me the #1 DMA in the country is severly lacking in DTV transmission because of some unknown AM station.

Originally posted by Chriš
Do you know what radio station? Z100? Hot97?

It's a Latin FM station, but I don't want to be the one to disclose the station and start trouble for my contact. From my research, I can tell you that it's owned by a a Miami-based anti-Castro entity with strong ties to the Bush Regime. And you know how far the Bushies will go in pandering to the far right, rather than enabling service to the greater New York metropolitan area.

It is amazing that the #1 TV market in the country has what is among the worst OTA HD content in the country. It shows how little the broadcaster's actually care about HD. This is somewhat below their lowest priority.

Originally posted by Ken Ross
It is amazing that the #1 TV market in the country has what is among the worst OTA HD content in the country. It shows how little the broadcaster's actually care about HD. This is somewhat below their lowest priority.

With no ratings system for HD, they really do not care.

Originally posted by s2silber
The combiner, itself, is not the problem. It's that radio station that's "squatting" in the ESB space they need for the combiner.
Is this the problem? I too have given up hope. I really dont think a combiner will happen this year. One radio station? I think if someone knows the radio station in question it would be good for us to at least know which one it is. I do find it hard to beleive that one radio station is holding up this process. Please say it isnt so.

Without naming names, here is a URL with a link to the offending station
http://www.fybush.com/site-031120.html
Notice the picture of their twin BE transmitters.
I remember someone saying that Leona H. interferred with the move.

In case it wasn't clear enough, you don't have to look too far down on the right to see the call letters in question.

Interesting article and pics, :cool: Thanks!

I am assuming this is the station that needs to move:

http://www.nyradioguide.com/cgi-bin/info.cgi/WCAA-FM

That's the one. What are we going to do?

WCAA- 610 WATTS!!? Holy cow, my hairdryer has 10 times the power of that station. How many people listen to that station anyway? Can their signal even make it as far as Spanish Harlem?

Actually I think it said it was a class B1 at 2450W.(ERP?) At that height it should cover the tristate region very well.
GT

Originally posted by George Thompson
Actually I think it said it was a class B1 at 2450W.(ERP?) At that height it should cover the tristate region very well.
GT

I was looking at this link (http://www.fybush.com/site-031120.html) that says:
"Next door to WXTV is WCAA (105.9), the baby of the Empire FM signals with just 610 watts ERP"

Whether that is acurate I don't know. I did try to tune it in about 30 minutes ago from Norwalk, CT, and I couldn't lock it in. It was competing with another station on the same frequency.

George, what does this mean? Is the combiner ever going become a reality?

I see monkeys flying out of a dark hole....what is that???

According to this press release (http://www.univision.net/jsp/en/pr/New_York_12012004-1.jsp), WCAA appears to just be a simulcast of 92.7 WZAA. This is the Univision station that killed one of my favorite radio stations, WLIR (originally WDRE). That could be where the B1 at 2450W figure is coming from.

So I guess we are being held up by a weak simulcast of a latino station. This just keeps getting better and better.

Originally posted by Chriš
According to this press release (http://www.univision.net/jsp/en/pr/New_York_12012004-1.jsp), WCAA appears to just be a simulcast of 92.7 WZAA. This is the Univision station that killed one of my favorite radio stations, WLIR (originally WDRE). That could be where the B1 at 2450W figure is coming from.

So I guess we are being held up by a weak simulcast of a latino station. This just keeps getting better and better.

i really miss the WDRE/WLIR :(

si

Originally posted by s2silber
It's a Latin FM station, but I don't want to be the one to disclose the station and start trouble for my contact. From my research, I can tell you that it's owned by a a Miami-based anti-Castro entity with strong ties to the Bush Regime. And you know how far the Bushies will go in pandering to the far right, rather than enabling service to the greater New York metropolitan area.

Yet another reason to vote for Kerry! Too bad we're not a swing state;)

Speaking of "swing states," Univision is based in that ultimate swing state of Florida.

Very sad indeed. Is anyone going to get in touch with this radio station? Maybe if the pressure is on they will move. So, if what I understand is correct...if this station doesnt move...there is no combiner possible?

Here's some correct information concerning WCAA: License was transferred from Hispanic Broadcasting Corp. to Univision - September 2003. Univision's chairman and founder is A. Jerrold Perenchio; corporate offices in L.A. - 310-556-7676. Univision Radio, the parent of WCAA, is headed by McHenry T. Tichenor, Jr. The radio division is headquartered in Dallas - 214-525-7700.

If, as we suspect, WCAA is holding up the combiner, above are the people in power to change the station's position.

Gary Press

So what is the bottom line here ? Is the combiner permanently scrapped ? Is that it ?

No, it's not been scrapped. It's completed and literally waiting at the door where this radio station is occupying the space designated for it.

Originally posted by s2silber
No, it's not been scrapped. It's completed and literally waiting at the door where this radio station is occupying the space designated for it.

So what exactly does that mean for the combiner ? Will the radio station move ? Can they be forced to move ?

Originally posted by Scott G
So what exactly does that mean for the combiner ? Will the radio station move ? Can they be forced to move ?

What we need is a win-win resolution for all parties involved. I guess the magic word is money.

"We need this space---we'll pay/offset your moving expenses to another spot...."

Never had any problems picking up NBC but last night and now this morning I'm getting no OTA signal, anyone having this problem as well?

Thanks, Tony

Originally posted by s236
Never had any problems picking up NBC but last night and now this morning I'm getting no OTA signal, anyone having this problem as well?

Thanks, Tony

I was getting a zero reading which means NBC is off the air.

Scott

Anyone know why they didn't do last night's Mets game at Shea Stadium in HD on WPIX?

WB 11 usually carries all the home games in HD...
(I'll check today's 1pm game...)

Okay...let me start some wild speculation/rumor...

Hmmm...could they be doing work on the combiner?

ABC/NBC no transmission-nada....

No WNBC-DT here either . . . WABC-DT is fine.

No WNBC-DT here either . . . WABC-DT is fine.

Thought it was just me! WABC-DT is fine for me as well.

Originally posted by Gary Press
Univision's chairman and founder is A. Jerrold Perenchio; corporate offices in L.A. - 310-556-7676. Univision Radio, the parent of WCAA, is headed by McHenry T. Tichenor, Jr. The radio division is headquartered in Dallas - 214-525-7700.

If, as we suspect, WCAA is holding up the combiner, above are the people in power to change the station's position.

Gary Press
This thread has 2,368 posts, as I write, and 122,283 views. Maybe if enough of us called the numbers above we'd at least put WCAA on notice that they're an obstacle to the viewing rights of millions of people in the New York metropolitan area.

Originally posted by s2silber
This thread has 2,368 posts, as I write, and 122,283 views. Maybe if enough of us called the numbers above we'd at least put WCAA on notice that they're an obstacle to the viewing rights of millions of people in the New York metropolitan area.

What exactly do we say?

"Get out"! "We won't watch or listen to Univision"! (as if we do) I don't mean to be negative. On the contrary. I'm looking for a strategy to ensure we all get the positive result of a fully funtional combiner!

No NBC for me either, all others are fine (or at least no change).

No NBC here either. No Mets in HD on WPIX today. WTF?

Just fixed my antenna and saw no NBC, so I thought it was me or my 921. Glad you guys were here to tell me it is NBC and not me. ABC is comming in fine, just no NBC in Huntington.

NBC-DT just came back on.

NBC-DT just came back on.

Same here! Guess the NBC-DT turn-on-the-switch engineer just got back from a very long coffee break:)

Tony

I am now getting some signal strenght from NBC, but much worse than before the "shutoff." Anyone else having similar results?

yeah i noticed it too, it is a weaker signal.

Anyone know whether ABC's new24/7 news channel is available locally? Read it started at noon today. A subchannel on WABC-DT? Cable only? Thanks. -- John

Originally posted by John Mason
Anyone know whether ABC's new24/7 news channel is available locally? Read it started at noon today. A subchannel on WABC-DT? Cable only? Thanks. -- John

ABC has been multicasting in 7-2 with mainly news for a while. Not sure if the format you are referring to is somewhat different.

Originally posted by John Mason
A subchannel on WABC-DT? Cable only? Thanks. -- John

Actually I think OTA only. Cablevision doesn't even carry WABC-DT. Don't know about TWC though.

Originally posted by dturturro
What exactly do we say?

"Get out"! "We won't watch or listen to Univision"! (as if we do) I don't mean to be negative. On the contrary. I'm looking for a strategy to ensure we all get the positive result of a fully funtional combiner!

I think what we need is an article in the New York Times or similar regarding the sorry state of affairs for HDTV in the NYC area, with particular focus on the ESB and the problems there. Right now it looks like the only people that know about this fiasco are the people working on the project and the small group of enthusiasts that happen to come acoss this thread.

that is a great idea. i bet their technology section is always looking for new material.

If you want action out of government types the Wall Street Journal would probably reach a more receptive audience.

For anyone that's interested, it appears that the rumors are getting stronger and that DirecTV will be adding the locals for O&O networks. For more detail, see this thread (some of the posts were made by someone who works at DirecTV):

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=186814&highlight=olympics

Originally posted by RMSko
For anyone that's interested, it appears that the rumors are getting stronger and that DirecTV will be adding the locals for O&O networks. For more detail, see this thread (some of the posts were made by someone who works at DirecTV):

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=186814&highlight=olympics

info from a forum, it must be true:p

The Combiner is supossed to include CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC, UPN, WB, and WNET...is that correct? And one radio station is blocking this? All of these huge ch's in one of the biggest cities in the world? I dont get it. If they could put the combiner in the radio stations current location...why cant they use the area that cbs is in currently or Fox's current location.....I realize that I might not understand what is really needed for this combiner...but it seems to me that a radio station would occupy a smaller space than a major tv network would. Or is the radio stations space needed in addition to the area that they have next to the radio station. Im just a little confused on how one radio station could stop this project.

Possession is 9/10 of the law. Just because they are a "little" station does not mean squat. (that's what leases are for)

dm145 is correct. The only thing we can do is exercise our free speech rights and our index fingers by dialing the phone numbers for the station provided here. There are 123,495 views in this thread as of this post. Call early and call often, everyone.

the link a couple posts back about the transmission facitlites at ESB say that a couple other people moved out already in contiguous areas, so i would guess that they need those 2 already vacated areas plus the crappy little stations spot too.

It is pretty darned amazing though- looks to me from the above link and the info here that the crappy little station has all of 2 or 3 equipment racks in their toom. So what's the big deal- why doesnt nbc spot them the 10 or 20k to pay for moving? Maybe they have a really good view out their window and dont want to give it up (only half in gest).

Originally posted by vinnyv07
The Combiner is supossed to include CBS, NBC, Fox, ABC, UPN, WB, and WNET...is that correct? Correct, except for Fox.

D* has announced they will show NBC's HD olympic coverage this summer.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040728/285671_1.html

Originally posted by pabuwal
D* has announced they will show NBC's HD olympic coverage this summer.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040728/285671_1.html

AND Bravo HD+!!!!!!!! Very nice indeed!

Actually, it's much more than just Bravo - it includes NBC HD (at least for those of us in the NYC area)! This is great news, especially since NBC's OTA transmission stinks. I just hope it is all completed before the fall season (the Olympics will definitely be on D, it just may not be through the new O&O sNBC station).

i dont' understand the USA part. I already get USA channel. That is the one with Deadzone right?

Originally posted by slocko
i dont' understand the USA part. I already get USA channel. That is the one with Deadzone right?

"DIRECTV has always been a valued partner," said David Zaslav, president, NBC Universal Cable. "Through this agreement we were able to secure distribution for our two newest networks, USA and SCI FI, digital retransmission for the NBC O&O stations, deliver on DIRECTV's request for more high-quality HD programming by providing them with NBC's special 2004 HD Olympic coverage and Bravo HD+ and provide them with Universal's first-run movies and specials to run on pay-per-view. We are committed to providing our distribution partners with the programming that they need to drive their businesses."

David refers USA and SCI FI as their newest networks because NBC recently acquired them thru a merger with Universal Studios.

I thought this was an NYC OTA thread only? There are several threads on this in the HD Programming Forum.

Considering the state of the Combiner, I'd say this is very relavant to us in NY.

You bet. WNBC-DT was the only major network affiliate I was missing with my rooftop antenna.

It seemed half the people in this thread were straining themselves to get WNBC in time for the Olympics. It seems a certainty the combiner won't be up in time.

Originally posted by dturturro
Considering the state of the Combiner, I'd say this is very relavant to us in NY. I'm sure it is, but it should be taken to an appropriate thread. This is an over-the-air ONLY thread.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Mel

It seemed half the people in this thread were straining themselves to get WNBC in time for the Olympics. It seems a certainty the combiner won't be up in time.

I'm the other half that can receive NBC and can't wait to watch the Olympics in HD...You can come over my place and watch it because that combiner won't be ready until November!

Tony

Oh, I get all the Philly channels (including NBC) and NYC channels (except WNBC) so I am in great OTA shape! I get every network with duplicates in several cases.

My guess is D* will have the big 4 NYC digital channels up by the end of the year. Just in time for the combiner!

This is my first time in the NYC forum so forgive me if this has already been answered. I have a Voom receiver which they just added software so we could add our own ota channels. Before, we could only get what they mapped for us which were the Hartford/NewHaven channels. I live in Litchfield county, 77 miles from ESB according to antennaweb. Does WNYW/WWOR have a higher broadcasting power than WCBS? I thought that WCBS was the strongest in NY. I get all 3 but WCBS is weaker. As our local CBS station broadcasts at such low power you have to live within 5 miles to get it I am glad to get WCBS. Do they all broadcast from same tower? Maybe WCBS is lower on the tower than the other 2. Hope combiner lets me get WPIX although it broadcasts on the same channel as one of our Hartford stations. Hopefully antenna is directional enough to not pick up signal behind it. Have CM 3671 with CM7777 preamp and am very happy with it.

I can't answer all your questions pmalve, but I can tell you that when the WPIX will be on the combiner, they will not be broadcasting on channel 12 - they'll be going back to the channel that had been allocated to them (I believe it is 33, but I'm not sure).

I too have always had a stronger indicated signal strength on WNYW than on WCBS, but I believe that in my case it is environmental (no line of sight, indoor antenna, etc.).

Is the FOX 5 broadcast actually true HD these days? I notice that some of the programming is actually in 16:9 and seemingly HD (Tru Calling, Quintuplets, Baseball, NASCAR, etc.) but for seem reson the picture just doesn't look that great to me. Are they upscaling or is it just over-compressed?

One other thing - what exactly is going on with the combiner? I still can't pick up any OTA channels past WPIX other than the two Spanish channels (41 and 47) which I never watch because, er, mi no habla Espagnol.

No, FOX will not be true HD until the football season starts.

I just didn't think it looked like true HD, but it still looks better than it used to. Thanks for the answer.

Originally posted by pabuwal
It seemed half the people in this thread were straining themselves to get WNBC in time for the Olympics. It seems a certainty the combiner won't be up in time.

My money is on the combiner being ready for the Olympics. I predicts positive "news" in a week or so.

Harry
Admin @ http://www.hdtvforum.com

I just noticed that WCBS now has a 480i sub-channel. Right now, they're showing people setting up the stage for the convention. Is this going to be permanent, or is it only for convention coverage?

looks permanent!!!

Great, there goes the PQ of the HD channel. I thought ABC was supposed to multicast a news channel. Never heard anything about CBS.

HDugan, do you know something about the combiner that we don't, or are you just taking a guess? Please share.

Originally posted by HDugan
My money is on the combiner being ready for the Olympics.

Yea, the 2008 Olympics (if we're lucky).

I live 8 mile from the ESB and have a lock on "45" Wabc channel 7. I get nothing with a signal of 96 strengh. I do get channel 4 and 5. I have a Dish 921 PVR.

Thanks DTV for NBCDT....I cant get it OTa here in Staten Island.....and Im not one of those positive people when it comes to the combiner being up and running. Directv to the rescue!!

Originally posted by GoldenBoy
I just didn't think it looked like true HD, but it still looks better than it used to. Thanks for the answer.
In preparation for HD this fall, Fox DT-44 has been up-converting their 480p content to 720p. Their equipment is better than anything on the consumer market, so it will definitely look better than the 480p content that our TVs/STBs up-converted.

Anyone else notice the .2 subchannel on CBS-DT? Crappy stretched 480i feed (if that).

Also, I just started getting PAX (31.1). Where are they broadcasting from?

Originally posted by seldenpat
Anyone else notice the .2 subchannel on CBS-DT? Crappy stretched 480i feed (if that).

Also, I just started getting PAX (31.1). Where are they broadcasting from?

Yeah, Unorigianl Nick noticed 2.2 about 7 posts up.

and

New York - WPXN TV-31
30 Rockefeller Plaza 6th Floor
New York, NY 10112
Phone: 212-664-4444
Fax: 212-664-4799

I don't think PAX is transmitting from the RCA building; if so, why would I be able to get their signal OTA in northern Westchester, but not WNBC-DT?

I put that info up, in case someone who really cares to know where the antenna is could call and ask. I do not care where it is for two reasons, I get it at 100 % and they have no HD proramming.

I think it is just mailbox space. No PAX xmitter on GE building. 6th fl is local.
GT

Oh well, I guess it's no combiner for the Olympics....... I better get used to WNBC 4 blahhhhhh.....

Oh well, I guess it's no combiner for the Olympics....... I better get used to WNBC 4 blahhhhhh.....

There is no combiner, get used to it. I still have yet to see any proof that this project exists or ever did exist. I think its just a figment of our imagination. I think they are just waiting until we can get all the channels via Sat or Cable, then they won't have to bother.

What happened to WCBS-DT. I receive every channel, both digital and regular off air. But over the past few days I haven't been able to get CBS or its digital station. Are they down?

Marc

An update... Ok this is strange. I can get regular off air CBS 2 but I don't get WCBS-DT and...... here's the kicker, I get all my Directivo HD channels except channel 80 WCBS-DT. What's the story with CBS?


Marc

Originally posted by sting0r
There is no combiner, get used to it. I still have yet to see any proof that this project exists or ever did exist. I think its just a figment of our imagination. I think they are just waiting until we can get all the channels via Sat or Cable, then they won't have to bother. [B] [FONT=century gothic][SIZE=3]You hit the nail on the head! See the Satellite companies can not offer HD network packages if YOU have an alternative way of capturing their signals. HD is money to all concerned and the loser is us. What gets me is the the FCC mandated that all TVs larger than 36" must have an OTA tuner if manufactured on April of this year.

Originally posted by Morg111
What happened to WCBS-DT. I receive every channel, both digital and regular off air. But over the past few days I haven't been able to get CBS or its digital station. Are they down?
WCBS-DT recently added a subchannel. It is possible that some tuners may not like this change and would require a channel rescan. This is probably not your problem since no one else has complained in the week since they started multicasting, but I would rescan just in case.

I have also recently become able to pick up the PAX digital broadcast. I discovered this two days ago after reading the post in this thread. Another digital channel I was unable to pick up before that I have seen coming through now is channel 68 (I forget the call letters right now) but as I don't speak Spanish, this doesn't help me any. :)

Is anybody getting a signal from 7-1. For the past two day I'm getting nothing at all. I normally get a signal in the 60- 70 range
Thanks

I have now lost my sig for ABC...Im thinking its the trees blocking the signal. All my other signals for CBS , Fox , UPN remaing the same ...and ABC which was the same exact signal as FOX , is gone. I went up on my roof and tried to adjust the Ant to no avail. With no combiner in site my only hope now is Directv and maybe October when the leaves fall. I have the Ant on my roof 25 ft from the ground plus a mast of around 12 ft up from that. Abc joins NBC, WNET, and WB as no shows. Im very depressed...I have given up.

IM not alone? I thought i was the only one!! Clanger where do you live? Im in Staten Island and I havent had a sig on ABC for around 2 days. I just spent around an hour adjusting my Ant to no avail.

I'm in St. James, out on Long Island. CBS and Fox are fine for me also. I have my attenna in the attic but never had a problem with ABC before yesterday.

I am in the same boat with no CBS on OTA or D*.
Well, I will rescan, but others have it no problem?

Strange.

AND speaking of DirecTV they have changed their HD webpage with lots of mention to OTA HD. It does say that the olympics will be available in HD via D*, but I can't tell you that in this thread :)

WABC is currently doing work on their transmitter tower on the Conde Nast building. They're at low power until the work is completed, which will probably be toward the end of next week. You may even see a little more juice at that time. Oh, and this is unrelated to the combiner project except insofar as the combiner's been delayed so often that they had to get on with this upgrade.

ABC HAS been there but real weak (Deer Park). Their signal is not currently usable for me. Seemed logical they were working on something. I don't see anything on 56-2 at the moment; just blank. It is labeled CBS-SD like ABC does so I wonder what they are planning.

More funny news: D* subs will be able to pickup WNBC-DT before those who use OTA. D* will add it around the end of August.

Originally posted by pabuwal
More funny news: D* subs will be able to pickup WNBC-DT before those who use OTA. D* will add it around the end of August.

NOT TRUE! There are those occasions when tropospheric ducting is strong enough were I can pull it in for a night... :rolleyes:

Originally posted by pabuwal
More funny news: D* subs will be able to pickup WNBC-DT before those who use OTA. D* will add it around the end of August.

Oh, yeah. I just hurt myself laughing.

I feel like Charlie Brown trying to kick that football.

sigh...

Well, I feel for you folks because I am able to pull in the digital signal for FOX, CBS, ABC, NBC, WB, PAX and WFUT(68-1). What I wish I could pick up instead of those last two is WNET and WNJN. I know that the latter is a long shot unless I put my antenna on a rotary but maybe if WNET boosted it's signal strength I would pick it up.

BTW, for those who don't recall, I'm in Maspeth with an antenna on the roof with a clear view of the ESB and it's pointed right at it.

Originally posted by netman
ABC HAS been there but real weak (Deer Park). Their signal is not currently usable for me. Seemed logical they were working on something. I don't see anything on 56-2 at the moment; just blank. It is labeled CBS-SD like ABC does so I wonder what they are planning.
I don't think it has anything to do with 56-2 or CBS. They're just juicing up their transmission a little.

Has anyone's ABC signal weakened recently?

Read a few posts back.

Originally posted by trekkerj
Read a few posts back.

Thanks. I actually have been following this thread and reading all the posts and for some reason all I was able to see was all posts through 7/28/04, even after refreshing the screen. After I read your post, I thought something must be wrong and it might be a good idea to restart my PC, whcih I did. Once I did that, everything came back perfectly. Anyway, as for ABC it's good to see that it's an ABC problem and not a problem with my setup.

It's not really a "problem" -- more of an elective upgrade.

Originally posted by s2silber
It's not really a "problem" -- more of an elective upgrade.
Which from what I understand will increase ABC's power. I just wish NBC could do this in some way. Waiting for the combiner seems like a lost cause.

As a DirecTV customer, I'll be in pretty good shape between my OTA reception of WABC-DT and NBC, CBS and FOX available by satellite. Now, if only I could get PBS Channel 13 I'd be able to just sit back and enjoy. (Don't really have much use for UPN or the WB.)

Originally posted by s2silber
I don't think it has anything to do with 56-2 or CBS. They're just juicing up their transmission a little.

I was talking about two different issues. I certainly did not assume any connection.

Originally posted by s2silber
As a DirecTV customer, I'll be in pretty good shape between my OTA reception of WABC-DT and NBC, CBS and FOX available by satellite. Now, if only I could get PBS Channel 13 I'd be able to just sit back and enjoy. (Don't really have much use for UPN or the WB.)
Im in the same boat as you...a DTV customer that is looking foward to them offering NBCDT which I currently can not pull in. WB has the MEt home games in HD...I would like to see that some day when the combiner ever comes around. PBS is the only other station that I am currently not getting. UPN in the NY area...do they even have any HD? I saw on my program guide that Star Trek was in HD on UPN but it looked nothing like HD to me.

You have to pull in the UPN from Philly to get the HD-version, at least until the combiner is done.

I absolutely am not going to miss Enterprise in HD next season, so if the combiner is not done, I am going to spend whatever it takes to get me an antenna that can pull in the Philly station.

Originally posted by vinnyv07
UPN in the NY area...do they even have any HD? I saw on my program guide that Star Trek was in HD on UPN but it looked nothing like HD to me.

For some reason UPN uses channel 5-2, which I think is an HD channel.

Originally posted by RMSko
For some reason UPN uses channel 5-2, which I think is an HD channel.


UPN out of New York on 5-2 is a digital station, but to the best of my knowledge they do not air any HD broadcasting.

If you're able to pull in UPN from Philly, there is a marked difference in PQ compared to 5-2 out of NYC. The New York station stretches their picture, and it looks like lousy cable reception. The UPN out of Philly has the usual black bars on the sides, and the PQ is really nice. This is despite the fact that UPN really doesn't offer (that much) HD stuff right now.

Originally posted by s2silber
As a DirecTV customer, I'll be in pretty good shape between my OTA reception of WABC-DT and NBC, CBS and FOX available by satellite. Now, if only I could get PBS Channel 13 I'd be able to just sit back and enjoy. (Don't really have much use for UPN or the WB.)

Well, as I posted previously, I can receive CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, UPN and the WB plus, whoopteedoo, WFUT (68) :rolleyes: all OTA, so I don't care much what DirecTV does with those channels, but, like you, what I cannot receive and wish I could is WNET (13). If I could pick that up OTA or through DirecTV, then I'd be set.

I, like everyone else, can not get 13. Its ridiculous that we cant get PBS-HD in the largest DMA. What really drives me nuts is WLIW 22 pulling the plug on HD back in April. I've tried calling them to find out why this was done (I assume cost cutting) and what we can do to bring it back. Obviously, none of my calls were returned. Anyone have any additional information/insight about WLIW?

WLIW never planned to carry HD programming on their digital transmitter. As per their GM on their own web site the plan was always to carry multiple SD programs. Talk about the best way to waste electricity! The GMs comments may still be on the web site somewhere but I read them there well before they even got the transmitter up and running; quite some time back.

N

So the question is why did they do this at the beginning? A cruel tease?

Is it true that WLIW and WNET are now the same entity (i.e. they merged a while back...)?

Originally posted by Ken Ross
So the question is why did they do this at the beginning? A cruel tease?

I was (and still am) hoping they would decide to carry the HD content but ...

3 channels of teletubbies hardly bears imagining.

I moved from Hoboken, NJ where I was directly opposite the ESB and could get 2-1,4-1,5-1,5-2 7-1,11-1, 13-1, 13-2 13-3 PAX and Telemundo.

I was using a RS double bow tie taped to the wall outside of my apt along with a Terk TV55 ( I know POS but I just needed to grab WPIX).
I also had the Radio Shack 15-1171. It does work to boost the system a little bit.

Everything was awesome I was happy in HDTV land.

However..............

I recently moved to Mountainside, NJ about 20 miles to the ESB.

Temporarily I put my RS double bowtie inside the house with the AMP.

I can get 2-1,5-1,5-2, (was getting 7-1) and thats about it.

I did put it up on the lower roof and was able to pull in 8-1 (channel 13) but that was just temporary.

My question is this. Obviously I am going to put my antenna outside again more than likely on a mast because I have so many trees. The real concern I have is getting channel 4. Technically 4-1 (according to antenna web) is the same distance give or take a .4 mile from 5-1, 2-1.

Would getting a Channel Master Titan Amp make a difference right now?. I would probably need it any way for pulling in 11-1 on vhf.

Just a question does 13-1 still have Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa in HD.

I love that show and miss it. I think that was WNET but I havent been able to get that since April. It was true HD.

Originally posted by Alexvd
Just a question does 13-1 still have Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa in HD.
Yes. Usually Monday to Saturday at 7:30 PM

Originally posted by netman
WLIW never planned to carry HD programming on their digital transmitter. As per their GM on their own web site the plan was always to carry multiple SD programs.
Taken from WLIW's web page:
WLIW serves as presenting station for PBS KIDS' first full high definition series, JAKERS! THE ADVENTURES OF PIGGLEY WINKS, featuring Mel Brooks, Brendan Gleeson and Fionnula Flanagan among the voice talents. The series received a Parents' Choice Award and a Daytime Emmy in its first season (2004).
As television enters the digital age, multi-casting and high-definition broadcasting will expand WLIW21's programming potential in ways we can only begin to imagine.
How can they get away with making these statements!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

Originally posted by viamike
Is it true that WLIW and WNET are now the same entity (i.e. they merged a while back...)?
Merged as of July 31, 2001. New York's ex-rival stations merge under single licensee (http://www.current.org/ptv/ptv0114nymerge.html)

Originally posted by bgut1
Taken from WLIW's web page:...
As television enters the digital age, multi-casting and high-definition broadcasting will expand WLIW21's..
How can they get away with making these statements!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

Be positve. Maybe this means their plans have changed. Kind of hard to figure why the stopped airing these shows, though.

Originally posted by bgut1
Merged as of July 31, 2001. New York's ex-rival stations merge under single licensee (http://www.current.org/ptv/ptv0114nymerge.html)


Less competition, that should make for better programming.

Originally posted by Alexvd
Just a question does 13-1 still have Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa in HD.

I love that show and miss it. I think that was WNET but I havent been able to get that since April. It was true HD.

I believe Smart Travels also airs on HDNet.

Hey guys, can you confirm a couple of things for me? After much dilly dallying, I finally picked up one of these Terk HDTVi antennas. I'm in New Hyde Park NY, which is about 15 miles from the ESB according to antennaweb.org. I'm able to receive cbs, and fox/upn with no problems, 80+ signal. My main hope was to get NBC with this new antenna though. So I plugged it in and I can't get any signal at all above 0 or 5 from NBC or ABC right now. The question is, are NBC and ABC just down right now? I'm I really to lose all hope of getting NBC and settle for getting zero signal even with this new fangled Terk? Thanks for the help.

Hello to all,

I am looking to get OTA HDTV hooked up to my Hitachi 65T500. I live in Babylon which is about 33 miles East of the signal. I guess I'm looking to get CBS, FOX and ABC. I want to put an antenna on a mast on my roof. Is anyone using a Channel Master 4228? Or does anyone have any other suggestions for an antenna?

Thanks,

With the olympics rapidly approaching there's still no hard info on WNBC's broadcast power. Unless you're in the immediate area of their transmitter you can't receive it (and sometimes even if you are in their immediate area, you can't).

For olympic fans like myself (I will capitalize "olympics" when I see it in HD) there are only two alternatives that I see.

1) Subscribe to cable (or upgrade to a digital signal)

2) Go with DTV (or upgrade to the HDTV package)

Neither one is a free option. I really don't understand why advertisers will spend over a billion dollars on ads and not insist that they have the greatest impact (and that includes HD ads). Especially since the NYC SMSA is the largest in the country and has the highest average income.

Please - if anyone in this thread knows anything about the NBC folly - please let us know what's happening and whether we'll have to use alternative 1 or 2 to see the olympics in HD. It's coming soon!

C

The NYC stations will continue to point to the way in which they lost their site. No regulatory agency will challenge that. Meantime, the FCC did announce it plans to take punitive action against HDTV stations which operate with low power, in an attempt to satisfy government requirements, while not spending any money.

Hi,

I just ordered an elgato EYETV500 OTA HDTV receiver for my powerbook. I live in NYC, and I was wondering if someone could recommend a good indoor HDTV antenna. I browsed through Amazon and found one by Terk and another by Gemini (ZHDTV1). Any recommendations?

I live in midtown, on a medium level floor, sorrounded by many other buildings. What type of reception can I expect?

-V-

In order for you to get an intelligent answer you'll have to be more specific about your location. especially relative to the transmitter locations. Are you North, South, East or West of the ESB?

I'm in Manhattan also, just SW of the ESB. I pull in CBS,Fox,ABC,UPN and PBS, but not NBC, with a
Silver Sensor indoors.

Originally posted by vgoklani
I live in midtown, on a medium level floor, sorrounded by many other buildings. What type of reception can I expect?

Without a line of sight to midtown and the transmitters the only option is picking up reflections, sometimes pointing an antenna almost opposite a station's antenna. While only about 10 blocks from most transmitters I can only pick up WCBS-DT reliably as a reflection with a book-size Silver Sensor antenna. SSs are highly directional, rejecting multipath reflections that confuse H/DTV tuning. Some suggest using the Radio Shack bow-tie-type antenna that appears might 'integrate' lots of reflections rather than rejecting them. Haven't tried it. Coming this fall are new LG and other tuners (see threads) using a 5th-generation chip tailored to reject multipath signals that appears to aid urban H/DTV tuning greatly. But that's also when the new combiner antenna might go online that should enhance reception. Before 9/11 I was able to tune NBC and ABC HD in midtown from the distant WTC site using my SS. -- John

I have a question about the HD feed from ABC. I live in Nassau County, NY (Long Island) and up until Monday was receieving the ABC HD feed at 70% strength (I have a DISH 811 receiver and and old-school antenna that's been on the roof since before I bought the house). On Monday I suddenly lost the signal annd have not been able to lock onto it since. Does anyone have any idea why this happened? I had an installer come over and check to see if re-aligning the antenna might solve the problem. It picked up some more channels, and the signal strength went up on all my channels, but still ABC does not come in. The installer told me that this is a common problem with ABC and that he knows about a bunch of people, both in my area and outside, who had the same problem, where ABC suddenly dropped and they have not been able to get it. Does anyone know anything about this? And is this a common problem with ABC? Before, the receiver was locking onto 7-1 and 7-2; now, it detects 45-1, but can't lock onto it. I'm not far from the broadcast tower (approximately 17 miles). Any advice anyone has on this would be really helpful.

GRN...in regards to WABC-DT reception question...read post 2425 (8/3/04) and others that follow.

I just had a chance to read the previous posts............ thanks!!!!! Now if only NBC would do the same! :)

Hi, I live in Hoboken, on the river, about parallel to the ESB, and I just hooked up a Silver Sensor, and the only real HD reception I get is Channel 13.1 HD... and when its good, its really good, but even that maxes out at 70% signal strength.

I do pick up WNBC-DT (4.1) sporadically, at 40-50 %, but for some reason it only comes in at 4:3.... does that make sense? why would a digital signal be broadcast in 4:3?

hello all,

glad to be part of the forum! i'm going to try & answer some previous ?'s raised in this thread before getting to mine.
to erubenst: is the 4:3 picture on WNBC-DT pillar-boxed? if so you have a DIGITAL signal but only a standard-def program. IF NBC is airing any HD content tonite you should see it then. remember that the big networks do not air HD 24/7 & usually do not stretch SD programs.
alexvd, "Smart Travels" is indeed aired on HDnet tho i noticed its not on next wks prog. guide. i THINK HDnet is offered by RCN as well as D*.
finally vgoklani, i have the Gemini zhdtv-1 OTA antenna. i live on 9th Ave. behind the Port Authority & i can get CBS, FOX, & ABC in the mid 70s to low 90s subject to intermitent dropouts. i tried 3 antennas & this works best for me. and i got it on Amazon.
now my question. does any D* sub in Man. get an OTA antenna(Winegard gs1000 or 2000A) from them? if so can you get WNET-DT? i've heard of this in other threads & wonder if its worth the effort(& the $50!). this thread is very informative & you guys are A-1!

jim

Thanks HDnthecity... yeah it was pillar boxed...

By the way Smart Travels was on 13.1 tonight, and it was beautiful (he was in tuscany...)

you're very welcome e---. enjoy 13-1 i notice it has a good deal of HD programming. after re-reading my post i think i need to clarify. do any Manhattan D* subs have an OTA antenna they got from D*? i understand this is possible & wondered if it works for getting WNET-DT. i notice people in parts of New Jersey opposite Man. seem to get this channel easier. anyone know where the tower is? thanx

jim

Originally posted by HDntheCity
anyone know where the tower is? thanx



There is no tower. WNET's digital signal is broadcast from an antenna on the roof of its low-rise headquarters between the General Post Office and the LIRR train pit. It's low-power and aimed at Newark.

Originally posted by HDntheCity
i THINK HDnet is offered by RCN as well as D*.
.. does any D* sub in Man. get an OTA antenna(Winegard gs1000 or 2000A) from them? if so can you get WNET-DT? i've heard of this in other threads & wonder if its worth the effort(& the $50!). this thread is very informative & you guys are A-1!
Yes, I get HDNet and HDNet Movies via RCN, which I added to my Time Warner subscription mainly for RCN's special Hd tier (including ESPN-HD).

Your location sounds very close to WNET-HD's antenna, which I believe is about 38th St[Edit: make that 33rd St.] near the Hudson. But it's very low power and beamed toward Newark so those East rarely pick it up. Broadcast signals might pass above some locations, too, as I suspect for my location ~10 blocks from most station sites where only WCBS-DT from the Empire State Building is tunable (with an early-generation RPTV built-in HD tuner).

A specific antenna and tuner, IMO, might pick up WNET-HD when others don't. But I'd put my bets on the upcoming (this fall) LG tuner models with the 5th-generation chip that appears to really aid multipath rejection and weak-signal tuning. Not sure, but some reports say the cable-TV-like OTA service, USDTV, (available in a few cities) uses a 5th-generation-chip tuner that costs <$200 at WalMart stores. [Edit: USDTV's STB doesn't appear to have the new 5th-gen chip as yet.] -- John

WNET-DT transmits from a mast on top of 450 West 33rd Street. The transmitter puts out 150 watts, or did so a couple of months ago when I was given a tour of their DT faciilities. I'm in Chelsea and
pick them up just fine, but have never been able to get NBC, If I had to choose, I'd pick PBS.

thanx much for all the replies!

trumpace i think you nailed the location. antennaweb puts WNET-DT at 236 degrees less than 1/2 a mile from me. talk about so near yet so far! at only 150wts no wonder i cant get it!
13-1 interests me because i believe it could be a retransmission of the dedicated PBS-HD channel announced a few months ago. it had HD programming listed on Sat. morning!!!(more frustration-my Sammy STB's program guide has the info even tho i can't get the channel!).
i'm a D* sub so FOX & NBC will soon be available over sat. its WNET & WPIX that are the elusive prizes. the WB is going to have about 60% of their prime time prog. in HD this fall! i guess i'll take a chance on the D* OTA antenna. my building is 5 stories tall-might give me a shot. thanx again for your help.

jim

Combiner would really clear all this up wouldnt it. Wouldnt even have the need for Local HD via Directv if we had a combiner. But I guess thats stating the obvious.

you're obviously 100% right vinny!!! maybe after New York gets the Olympics & the Jets get their stadium it'll be our turn.

jim

I get so depressed about the delays and the lack of info when it comes to the combiner. Its just tv....but even so I do feel that we as supporters of HDTV deserve to have a signal that we could sucessfully pull in to watch without breakups. NYC with out PBS in HD....how does it happen? How do I get PAX without a problem ...or a spanish station that is in the 60's on my receiver...without a problem and I cant pick up NBC? I try to put it all out of my head but it just creeps back in. I check this forum every day in hopes of someone coming up and posting something positive about the combiner , but it doesnt happen. Thanks to Directv I'll be watching some of the olympics on NBCDT.

I heard today that agreement has just been reached with that Latin radio station that was delaying installation of the combiner. They're now starting to get the room ready for the combiner, which is completed and has been waiting in storage. So, the obvious question now is, how long will it take to get the room set up? The answer, I'm told, is about two months from now. I know...we'll believe it when we see it, but that is good news about the radio station agreeing to clear out.

Originally posted by s2silber
I heard today that agreement has just been reached with that Latin radio station that was delaying installation of the combiner. They're now starting to get the room ready for the combiner, which is completed and has been waiting in storage. So, the obvious question now is, how long will it take to get the room set up? The answer, I'm told, is about two months from now. I know...we'll believe it when we see it, but that is good news about the radio station agreeing to clear out.


Maybe, just maybe a little good news for a change on the combiner. I certainly have my fingers crossed. :)

Scott

Originally posted by s2silber
I heard today that agreement has just been reached with that Latin radio station that was delaying installation of the combiner. They're now starting to get the room ready for the combiner, which is completed and has been waiting in storage. So, the obvious question now is, how long will it take to get the room set up? The answer, I'm told, is about two months from now. I know...we'll believe it when we see it, but that is good news about the radio station agreeing to clear out.

Good news...any update on the WABC antenna? I am still getting squat!

Anybody know when ABC will be back on the air? Looks like were going to miss football tonight!

Originally posted by clanger
Anybody know when ABC will be back on the air? Looks like were going to miss football tonight!

I believe st james is just across the sound right? You may be able to get WTNH out of New Haven, CT. The signal is pretty strong. It's channel 8.1 (rf# 10).

As for WABC-DT, I've been trying w/o success today to reach either of my two contacts at WABC engineering. Remember, this was an upgrade to the transmitter that was expected to be completed by the end of this week. So, if they're still at low power as of now, it doesn't look too promising for tonight's game.

I can get it no problem.

Originally posted by trekkerj
I can get it no problem.
Really? Have they just resumed full power, as it was a couple/few weeks ago, or do you just have incredibly good reception of WABC-DT?:confused:

Seems a little weaker, but I'm sure with a preamp I'll have no trouble. I get NBC here too, with my double bowtie, so I guess I get good reception here.

I see them here in Deer Park but major breakup. MDP100 calls signal 20%. I thought they went away for a few minutes and got hopes they were switching something but, no, they're still PW.

Well, it comes it very strongly here, but the game is in SD. HD across the country, but WABC isn't giving us the HD feed. Dammit. Anyone know who to call?

I'm getting the weak signal I've come to expect over the last week or so. When I see it, it seems to be in SD. I did see a new ABC HD logo... in SD of course.