ABC finally flipped the switch!

Im in Hoboken and I get WABC 7-1 at about 40-50 %... but the game comes in tonight in SD (4:3)...

Check again.

yep... HD now... looks good, but a bit on the dark side... maybe its the lights in that stadium, not alot of tv games from canton...

Argh !!!! My luck. The entire year ABC was 100% solid for me. Tonight when I need it the most it's gone !!!:mad:

Wow, I like living on a 500 foot hill. ABC signal is, to me, the same as usual. Picture quality is very good. Just wish they flipped the switch on time. Guess they're not used to having to do it. Hope they get back in the habit.

Originally posted by trekkerj
ABC finally flipped the switch!

Do you mean they are finally back to full strenth or that it's now HD (but still at reduced strength)? I'm not getting any ABC signal. I used to get it at about 80% so I'm assuming it's still not at full strength. If it's at full strength, I guess I have a different problem. Anyone know for sure?

They're still at low power and probably will be until at least the end of the week. That was the plan all along. However, when they do go back to full power, it's supposed to be somewhat higher power.

After 9:00pm, I was able to lock it but with some pixelation and audio drops.

is WTNH down ??

I used to be able to get WABC 7-1 out of NY and WTNH 8-1 out of New Haven.
I understand the issue with 7-1 but not getting WTNH has me concerned.

Hi Everybody,

I just got an elgato eyeTV 500 OTA HDTV receiver for my powerbook. I live in midtown, facing north, and have two antennas - a radio shack "double bow-tie" and a rabbit-ear. So far, I have been able to pull in CBS (HD), and Fox (also HD). UPN came in, but with a really weak signal. CBS was crystal-clear with the double bow-tie, and Fox was pretty clean. What should I do to get ABC and NBC?

I have been picking up WABCDT here without any problem whatsoever and I saw some of the game last night in HD without a hitch. My signal reception is very strong for all of the major networks (CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, UPN) and I pick up WFUTDT (68) and PAX as well. But, where art thou WNET?

Similar north-facing mid-town tuning problem here. Seems like most potential fixes require hardware investments. But such add-ons might be unneeded when the new combiner antenna kicks in, supposedly later this year. (A building master UHF antenna might be an intermediate solution.)

This fall receivers with the new 5th-generation tuner chip, tailored for urban multipath rejection, should be available. Several posts outline these units in the hardware forum. -- John

what's going on with ABC-DT?

Hey justjoe ...I live in great kills...I lost ABC also. I heard and read a couple of pages back in this forum that ABC is worling on their Ant. I thought they should have been done by last week...but maybe they are a little behind. By the way what ch's are you picking up OTA? Any luck with NBC?

I have'nt really lost it. It seems they are showing HD previews of Monsters Inc, Good Morning America and also a surround test. Nice pq anyway.
As for NBC, the stars must be aligned to pick it up over 30(signal strength). Other than that I get the usual; 2, 5, 7, and a vast array of PBS except 13.
Did you pick up 0-1 thru 5? How about 8-2 & 3?

Originally posted by justjoe

Did you pick up 0-1 thru 5? How about 8-2 & 3?
0-1? thru 5? Idont follow what you mean. The ch's I currentl get are CBS 2-1, a sub ch that hasnt been showing anything 2-2....NBC is a no show....Fox on 5-1 UPN on 5-2....ABC when everything is full power at 7-1 and 7-2....nothing on WPIX and nothing on WNET. You didnt mention WB....have you ever had any luck getting a sig for WB? I know that they are at low power and VHF but I was wondering if anyone in SI was getting a sig from them.

Originally posted by vinnyv07
0-1? thru 5? Idont follow what you mean. The ch's I currentl get are CBS 2-1, a sub ch that hasnt been showing anything 2-2....NBC is a no show....Fox on 5-1 UPN on 5-2....ABC when everything is full power at 7-1 and 7-2....nothing on WPIX and nothing on WNET. You didnt mention WB....have you ever had any luck getting a sig for WB? I know that they are at low power and VHF but I was wondering if anyone in SI was getting a sig from them.

I think JustJoe *may* have a Hughes E86 STB....as I do...and 0-1 through 0-4 for me was the NJ PBS station out of New Brunswick in NJ....but the channels seem to have "migrated"/mirrored to 58-1:4. No HD channel/loop for Digital 8 yet though.....but 50 and 43 don't seem to have one yet either....or more to the point Digital 43 DID have one up until a few months ago.

My parents are in Huguenot and the last time I checked they were able to pick up 4-1/2-1/7-1 and 5-1 from NYC in addition to 50-1:4 from NJ. No sniff of PIX or WNET.....but they don't have a preamp on the antenna I gave them. They are using (IIRC) a Samsung t-151 OTA STB.

YMMV.....and apparently it does! :eek:

Hi,

Anyone else experiencing no audio for PBS HD - 13.1 in new york area? i get audio on the sd 13.2 and 13.3 but not on 13.1

Originally posted by jaypb

My parents are in Huguenot and the last time I checked they were able to pick up 4-1/2-1/7-1 and 5-1 from NYC in addition to 50-1:4 from NJ. No sniff of PIX or WNET.....but they don't have a preamp on the antenna I gave them. They are using (IIRC) a Samsung t-151 OTA STB.

YMMV.....and apparently it does! :eek:
Thanks jaypb....I get all of the ch's that your parents do except for NBC. I sub to Directv and look foward to getting a good HD sig from NBC. Actually I lost WABC when they started working on their ANT ...it hasnt come back yet.

Vinny,
I forgot about WB simply because I don't get that either. As far as the PBS channels, I did a rescan and on my dst-3000 and found that 0-1 thru 5 was gone and so was 8-2 and 8-3. However Jaypb is right. They are mirrored WNJN-DT.

Vin, I noticed before I left for work ABC was back on. Is it off again?

Im at work also....I'll check when I get home. But I wasnt getting a sig from ABC in the afternoon. Can anyone confirm if ABC is back up to full power?

Originally posted by justjoe
Vinny,
I forgot about WB simply because I don't get that either. As far as the PBS channels, I did a rescan and on my dst-3000 and found that 0-1 thru 5 was gone and so was 8-2 and 8-3. However Jaypb is right. They are mirrored WNJN-DT.

Vin, I noticed before I left for work ABC was back on. Is it off again?

The DST is the Toshiba Step Sister to the E86....so it makes sense that the mapping you saw matched the mapping I was seeing for awhile. Hopefully you have a fan on that bad boy.....as it *may* help you pull in a higher quality signal if you do.

The Monsters Inc and GMA and Surround Test you mentioned in one of your earlier posts is the demo loop that 7-1 plays occasionally.

vinnyv07,

From my place (Irvington NY, 20.2 NNE ESB), my WABC 7-1 signal strength is up a few dB higher than the past week, but lower by about 8dB than previous to that.

Right now, it's just under my reception threshold (argh).

---Dan

Does anyone know when this WABC-DT power problem will be corrected ?

After years of looking forward to it, I'm finally diving into the world of HDTV--I've purchased a Sony 34XBR960 that will arrive in about a week's time. I don't know the first thing, I must admit, about OTA HDTV. I live in lower Manhattan (in the East Village, between Avenues A and B), so I assume I'll have no difficulty getting an excellent signal...right? Will I need to purchase an antenna or do I live in an area where I'll be able to make do with the hardware built into the set? Though I'm a newbie to this, I'm pretty tech-y by nature so I don't think I'll have any difficulty getting things rolling, but any and all advice on how to dive into the world of OTA HDTV viewing in NYC would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Does anyone know when this WABC-DT power problem will be corrected ?

Scott, I'm getting ABC-DT here in Jersey with no power problem at all.

Tony

Originally posted by danq989
vinnyv07,

From my place (Irvington NY, 20.2 NNE ESB), my WABC 7-1 signal strength is up a few dB higher than the past week, but lower by about 8dB than previous to that.

Right now, it's just under my reception threshold (argh).

---Dan
OK thanks...I was wondering if they had everything going again....I just checked and no ABC yet. My sig for ABC was about 15 db under cbs....at 45-50.....with the current downgrade in power I ended up losing ABC.

Originally posted by andrewjnyc
I live in lower Manhattan (in the East Village, between Avenues A and B), so I assume I'll have no difficulty getting an excellent signal...right? Will I need to purchase an antenna or do I live in an area where I'll be able to make do with the hardware built into the set?

Andrew, your TV has both an OTA (ATSC) tuner and digital cable (QAM) tuner. For OTA reception you'll just need a UHF antenna - all the majors in NYC are in the UHF band. If you have access to the roof you can use an outdoor UHF antenna, otherwise the Silver Sensor seems to be a popular indoor antenna. If you have cable already, you can plug it in to the digital antenna input and do a scan for digital cable channels. The major networks should be unencrypted QAM, so you may pick them up.

You're close enough to get everything with a plain jane UHF antenna, but the problem will be other buildings blocking the signal or causing multipath problems. CBS and FOX are on the ESB, ABC is from the top of 4 Times Square, and NBC is from the GE building (Rockefeller).

Good luck.

I'm in Nassau, Long Isand and the ABC-DT signal is stlil not at full strength (I was getting it at 70-73% before).

Originally posted by s236
Scott, I'm getting ABC-DT here in Jersey with no power problem at all.

Tony


I am still getting it too, but the signal is very weak and I have seen a little in and out a few times. I also am concerned for everyone who cannot get it anymore.

Didn't the original postings say that ABC would be done with the upgrade at the end of THIS week? If so, then I don't think there's a problem if the reception is still not clear. If another week or two goes by and there's no reception, THEN I think there's a problem. Maybe someone can check with one of their contacts/engineers at ABC?:confused:

I'm getting a signal of 65. This afternoon was 72. But no drop-outs.

Off the topic: Will the Jets game be in hd? My guide says no but I'm hoping its wrong!

I'm now a bit concerned because my ABC signal has definitely improved from what it was yesterday, but is not as good as it was before the maintenance. Yesterday my readings were around 30 and today they are just hitting 60. Prior to the maintenance ABC was in teh 80's consistently. I'm just worried that they are now finished and we are left with a significantly weeker signal. Anyone else having similar results?

sux i'm in jersey and can get just about ever friggen channel i want EXCEPT NBC which i wanted to record the opening ceremonies in HD on my PC...i can watch them in cable cause i get nbc-hd via cablevision but i have no way of recording anything that way :(

I live in Jersey city South west of the ESP. What channel do i have to tune into. I get cbs, fox, upn and some others. I went to add on my tvs menu, but it didn't come up with NBC. how should i try and access it, whats the station number ect?

channel 28 but its low power so dont hold ur breath, pretty sure its coming off 30 rockefeller plaza still

With this crummy weather NBC is coming in great in Matawan NJ tonight (8/13). I rarely get a signal lock with NBC. Only when the ceiling is low.

Originally posted by RMSko
I'm now a bit concerned because my ABC signal has definitely improved from what it was yesterday, but is not as good as it was before the maintenance. Yesterday my readings were around 30 and today they are just hitting 60. Prior to the maintenance ABC was in teh 80's consistently. I'm just worried that they are now finished and we are left with a significantly weeker signal. Anyone else having similar results?

Rich:

I've been getting 45-01 at 49-55% since last week. My signal has not improved at all. I still cannot lock into it, and re-scanning the channels doesn't produce 7-1 and 7-2 (like it did before), only 45-01.

On another note, can anyone confirm whether WABC-DT is up to full strength yet? And by that, I mean confirm through WABC whether the upgrade has been completed, the signal is up to full strength, etc.? One or two people able to get (weak) signals I don't think is indicative of the population as a whole.

Originally posted by Gary Quiring
With this crummy weather NBC is coming in great in Matawan NJ tonight (8/13). I rarely get a signal lock with NBC. Only when the ceiling is low.

I noticed this on the 2nd of my two CM4228 antennas. WNBC-DT ALWAYS had at least 3-4 hiccups per 1/2 hour sitcom........last night during the HD presentation and into this AM my signal didn't drop out ONCE while watching. Great timing. WABC-DT was fine for me when I checked during the night as well.

Has anyone not in New Jersey (translation: New York) gotten back WABC-DT at full strength? And can anyone confirm that WABC is transmitting at full strength? Checked again today twice and WABC-DT is not coming in at all at my location (17 miles give or take from broadcast tower).......

Originally posted by GRN
Has anyone not in New Jersey (translation: New York) gotten back WABC-DT at full strength? And can anyone confirm that WABC is transmitting at full strength? Checked again today twice and WABC-DT is not coming in at all at my location (17 miles give or take from broadcast tower)....... I am also about 17 air miles from Manhattan in Nassau County. My Dish Network 921 has a scale of 0 to 125. WABC-DT used to measure about 120. Now it reads 85 and is acting normally. If it wasn't for this thread, I would not have known there were any issues.

Should I be able to pick up NBC in HD from hoboken? I am according to antennaweb.org something like 3 miles from the NBC antenna.

I swear I was able to get it a few weeks ago but no matter what I do I cant get it now. I live about 8 streets back from the river but I have the antenna mounted on top of a 3 story building with a 20 foot pole on top. I have the largest radio shack antenna unit, I think it is a 10 foot antenna. I am not exactly sure the size but I know I had a fun time raising the 20 foot pole with the antenna on the top.

The highest I can get in signal strenth is aound 10% so I think they are at least broadcasting.

My two quesitons I guess are.. Where is NBC broadcasting from? I assume not ESB as when I am there I get a good CBS signal but not NBC. Are they broadcasting with enough juice to reach hoboken?

If they have enough juice to reach hoboken can any recommand an antenna and/or preamp that will allow me to pull this in? Right now I have a good size radio shack antenna. I tried there preamp but it appeared to make things worse, most likely will return it today.

So i can't get NBC, do i need a better antenna or something. Or what is the deal? I am in jersey city, on the water, High floor, and I have direct line of sight to financial-midtown-and GW.

8 stinking miles from the ESB and still no 7-1. I can not get a lock because of the flux in the signal, using my Dish 921.

tried moving my antanna a little more. Got NBC with no hiccups. But now ABC doesn't come in. so i guess i will just have to adjust it depending on the station.

Originally posted by personalt

My two quesitons I guess are.. Where is NBC broadcasting from? I assume not ESB as when I am there I get a good CBS signal but not NBC. Are they broadcasting with enough juice to reach hoboken?


WNBC broadcasts a low-power signal from the top of the GE (ex-RCA) Building (6th Ave. @ 49th St.). I've never had a problem viewing it using an indoor antenna in my apartment directly across the river from Hoboken.

Can anyone recommend a good antenna? I see from this thread that a guy in Jersey city picked up NBC HDTV so I think I should be able to also.

Right now I have a large 10 foot radio shack antenna. Is that a good antenna? I think it cost me around $80 as it is one of the biggest if not the biggest one they stock.

As I posted earlier I swear I was getting NBC in HD a while back but I disconnected the roof antenna about 3 weeks back to move some cables and such.

Can anyone recommend a good outdoor antenna and/or a preamp that would allow me to get nbc from a 3 story building in hoboken. I have a direct line of sight to the top of Empire state buidling but I think there might be some buildings the way of the GE/RCA building as I can only see the top of the esb..

personalt,

go to channelmaster.com and look at there crossfire series antennae. then look into a titan 2 model 7777 preamp. if you still have problems you may want to invest in a rotor.

personalt,

I'm also in Hoboken, back on Madison St. I have no problem getting NBC HDTV with a cheap Zenith Silver Sensor sitting on top of my Mits. ABC, however, I can't get at all. I used to be able to bring in ABC, however it was never very stable. Hopefully whatever maintenance they are doing will solve that in time for Monday Night Football.

I can't belive that someone a block from me can pick up NBC with that little indoor antenna and I cant pick it up with 10 foot antenna on a 20 foot mast from a 3rd story roof.

To the guy on Madison, if you are between 2nd and 3rd and I bet you can see my stupid big antenna and get a good laugh..

I wonder if I got some crappy cables then. Before going and getting a new antenna mabye I will just get some new cables. Do I need special cables for the antenna? I think I just used standard issues radio shack coax. I belive I used the same cables for my dish and they down 3 stories and then back up 2 and the signal is fine. This antenna cable just goes down the 20 foot pole and down 1 story and in. I am at a loss at this point.. Really weird..

OK, so speaking of NBC, they are coming in pretty respectable here (Deer Park) with the "Olympics" coverage. It seems like they did something (perhaps a modest power increase?). No drop-outs which has been the norm since the leaves came out and a few % points higher on the MyHD cards.

Originally posted by Bogney Baux
I am also about 17 air miles from Manhattan in Nassau County. My Dish Network 921 has a scale of 0 to 125. WABC-DT used to measure about 120. Now it reads 85 and is acting normally. If it wasn't for this thread, I would not have known there were any issues.

From 120 to 85? A 35% drop in signal strength is not normal. I was picking it up at 70-73% before last week and now it barely breaks 49%. Still can't lock onto it.

BTW where did you pick up the DISH 921? I was looking all over for it a few months back and must have checked about 10 different places. No one had it. I had to settle for the DISH 811. That's pretty wild that the 921 goes from 0-125. The 811 goes from 0-100, and I don't think I've ever had something lock on stronger than 80%. Can you pick up NBC-DT?

Originally posted by personalt
I can't belive that someone a block from me can pick up NBC with that little indoor antenna and I cant pick it up with 10 foot antenna on a 20 foot mast from a 3rd story roof.

Hell, I can't believe that people in New Jersey can pick up the signal, but people in New York are SOL. :p

Anyone in the NY area picking up WB ch 11? If so...what Ant are you using? I know that WB is on the VHF side of things.....I also know they are at low power. But since I have a UHF ant on my roof I was wondering if I could buy a VHF indoor Ant to get the WB. Anyone having any luck?

Originally posted by vinnyv07
Anyone in the NY area picking up WB ch 11? If so...what Ant are you using? I know that WB is on the VHF side of things.....I also know they are at low power. But since I have a UHF ant on my roof I was wondering if I could buy a VHF indoor Ant to get the WB. Anyone having any luck?

I get the WB signal (11-01, 11-02 SAP and 12-01) at 69-73%. I just have one antenna on the roof, and I also get WCBS, WNYW (FOX), WWOR (UPN), WNJN, and 53-01, a Spanish channel out of Jersey, I think. I was also getting WABC before the recent upgrade. All at 69% or better. The antenna was up on my roof prior to me buying the house, and I just ran the coax into the back of my DISH 811 receiver when I upgraded to high-def. If WB is coming in on VHF, then I assume that my antenna picks up both UHF and VHF. Wish I knew more. Hope that helps :)

Originally posted by personalt
I can't belive that someone a block from me can pick up NBC with that little indoor antenna and I cant pick it up with 10 foot antenna on a 20 foot mast from a 3rd story roof.

To the guy on Madison, if you are between 2nd and 3rd and I bet you can see my stupid big antenna and get a good laugh..

I wonder if I got some crappy cables then. Before going and getting a new antenna mabye I will just get some new cables. Do I need special cables for the antenna? I think I just used standard issues radio shack coax. I belive I used the same cables for my dish and they down 3 stories and then back up 2 and the signal is fine. This antenna cable just goes down the 20 foot pole and down 1 story and in. I am at a loss at this point.. Really weird..

Yeah, I am between 2nd and 3rd on Madison. That sucks about you NBC. I will say that I really have to move the Silver Sensor around alot until I find a sweet spot. I have it plugged into my Hughes E86 DirecTV receiver and get a steady 93 signal. Great picture, the Olympics opening ceremony looks better than on DirecTV ch. 84.

Originally posted by personalt
I wonder if I got some crappy cables then. Before going and getting a new antenna mabye I will just get some new cables. Do I need special cables for the antenna? I think I just used standard issues radio shack coax. I belive I used the same cables for my dish and they down 3 stories and then back up 2 and the signal is fine. This antenna cable just goes down the 20 foot pole and down 1 story and in. I am at a loss at this point.. Really weird..

The coax cables should be RG-6 cables. Usually it says what kind of cable it is on the jacket. If you use RG-59 you may not be able to get a pic or the pic will have bad quality and break up frequently. All installers today use RG-6 coax cable.

Originally posted by GRN

BTW where did you pick up the DISH 921? I was looking all over for it a few months back and must have checked about 10 different places. No one had it

Can you pick up NBC-DT?
I got my 921 from http://www.dishstore.net/ which has them in stock for $949. They are apparently readily available now at a lot of places.

I do get good reception of WNBC-DT and also usually have no problem with WPIX-DT.

Originally posted by Bogney Baux
[B
I do get good reception of WNBC-DT and also usually have no problem with WPIX-DT. [/B]
What type of Ant do you have? Is it an indoor Ant?

Originally posted by vinnyv07
What type of Ant do you have? Is it an indoor Ant? For UHF I use a Televes DAT-75. It is an outdoor antenna but I have it in the attic.

For WPIX-DT (VHF-12) I have a home made antenna.
It is a folded dipole made of 300 ohm twin lead attached to a wooden yardstick. I have it hanging just outside a 2nd floor window.

Both antennas feed a Channel Master 7777 preamp.

Originally posted by GRN
and 53-01, a Spanish channel out of Jersey, I think.

That's the digital of WFUT-68, licensed to Newark but coming from the same tower as WABC-DT (the analog is on the ESB though).

- Trip

Originally posted by Trip in VA
That's the digital of WFUT-68, licensed to Newark but coming from the same tower as WABC-DT (the analog is on the ESB though).

- Trip

Thanks........... weird thing about the channel; it comes in at 80% strength, but as far as I know I've never seen any high-def programming on it. Are they actually showing anything in high-def?

They are doing a terrible job. For 3 days we watch all the nations march into the Olympic Stadium again and again and again and again and again and again and again ect ect ect in HI DEF. Then when we get an event and its a day old already. Why cant they show whats on regular NBC in HI DEF when its on then having to wait a day and having to watch an old Greek coot playing with his beads every 15 minutes again and again and again and that commercial Hey we got the chips and salsa, we get it, only some people have HI DEF. I mean whose their idiot programmer, don't they get it, we want to get the event as early as possible and in HI DEF.
SHOW THE REGULAR NBC COVERAGE IN HI DEF IN THE 8-11PM TIME SLOT, but as with any typical management group in charge they won't do it, cause they are idiots.

Originally posted by tstatguy112
They are doing a terrible job. For 3 days we watch all the nations march into the Olympic Stadium again and again and again and again and again and again and again ect ect ect in HI DEF. Then when we get an event and its a day old already. Why cant they show whats on regular NBC in HI DEF when its on then having to wait a day and having to watch an old Greek coot playing with his beads every 15 minutes again and again and again and that commercial Hey we got the chips and salsa, we get it, only some people have HI DEF. I mean whose their idiot programmer, don't they get it, we want to get the event as early as possible and in HI DEF.
SHOW THE REGULAR NBC COVERAGE IN HI DEF IN THE 8-11PM TIME SLOT, but as with any typical management group in charge they won't do it, cause they are idiots. Actually, though this is a bit off topic, I don't think it's all that bad.

They probably have a transmission problem with the Hi Def signal which requires a lot of bandwidth, hence the delay. I notice also that it's a different program with fewer jingoistic tendencies. They are actually showing outstanding athletic performances even though Americans are not prominent in particular events.

I could write more but it's probably better taken to the Hi Def Programming pages.

Mel

Originally posted by GRN
Thanks........... weird thing about the channel; it comes in at 80% strength, but as far as I know I've never seen any high-def programming on it. Are they actually showing anything in high-def?

No, Univision (40-1) and TeleFutura (53-1) do not do any HD.

And actually, the reason you're getting it so strong recently is because just a while ago they upped their power from like 3.5 kW to 150 kW. You'd think they'd multicast WXTV-DT's programming on there (which I think is still only at 6.5 kW), but they don't...

- Trip

I've noticed that I am not receiving video on channel 5-2. Audio is present and there is no problem with any other stations. Is anyone else experiencing this or do I have a problem with my STB?

Originally posted by dturturro
I've noticed that I am not receiving video on channel 5-2. Audio is present and there is no problem with any other stations. Is anyone else experiencing this or do I have a problem with my STB?


Same here as of yesterday. Didn't check today.

Originally posted by tstatguy112
They are doing a terrible job. For 3 days we watch all the nations march into the Olympic Stadium again and again and again and again and again and again and again ect ect ect in HI DEF. Then when we get an event and its a day old already. Why cant they show whats on regular NBC in HI DEF when its on then having to wait a day and having to watch an old Greek coot playing with his beads every 15 minutes again and again and again and that commercial Hey we got the chips and salsa, we get it, only some people have HI DEF. I mean whose their idiot programmer, don't they get it, we want to get the event as early as possible and in HI DEF.
SHOW THE REGULAR NBC COVERAGE IN HI DEF IN THE 8-11PM TIME SLOT, but as with any typical management group in charge they won't do it, cause they are idiots.

This subject has been covered ad nauseam in the HDTV programming forum.

Originally posted by MLM
Actually, though this is a bit off topic, I don't think it's all that bad.

They probably have a transmission problem with the Hi Def signal which requires a lot of bandwidth, hence the delay. I notice also that it's a different program with fewer jingoistic tendencies. They are actually showing outstanding athletic performances even though Americans are not prominent in particular events.

I could write more but it's probably better taken to the Hi Def Programming pages.

Mel

It's not bandwidth related. It's a totally different production. See the HDTV programming forum for more info since this is a bit off-topic.

OK, I have a tough issue here:

I'm located in Levittown. I have an RCA 3036 (VHF?UHF) driving a CM 7777 preamp (connected to the VHF/UHF port). Aimed at ESB I get most NY locals (although NBC/WB are spotty, where's that @#$% combiner?!) broadcast out of the city. I'd like to pick up WLIG out of Riverhead (opposite direction).

My question: may I hook up a UHF only antenna to the UHF port? I understand this has the potential to ghost. I've been told that if I cut the cable lengths feeding the amp to EXACTLY the same size there will be no ghosting. Does that sound right? If so, will the amp accept both inputs or not?

Oh, see this week's Sports Illustrated about NBC's HD coverage. They're using a local Greek stations HD feeds!

Slowly Im losing everything it seems...ABC hasnt come back and now UPN is down. Whats next....at least UPN really doesnt matter. Trying to look at the bright side as my attempt at pulling in WPIX was unsuccessful.

Not sure if anyone else noticed this, but I caught most of the Mets game on WPIX-DT yesterday it was back to 1080i (it was SD durning the last homestand) and in 5.1 surround. I don't think they have done 5.1 before. The sound was excellent, almost like being there!

Originally posted by dturturro
I've noticed that I am not receiving video on channel 5-2. Audio is present and there is no problem with any other stations. Is anyone else experiencing this or do I have a problem with my STB?

Same thing here. Audio, but no video.

Is the 5-2 problem occurring to all kinds of STB's? I have the DirecTV HR10-250.

I've noticed that I am not receiving video on channel 5-2. Audio is present and there is no problem with any other stations. Is anyone else experiencing this or do I have a problem with my STB?


Same here...Its been like this few days. My box is the LG-3100A.

Does anybody have any contact info for ABC? I really want to find out what the hell is going on with their signal. It's been over two weeks now and I'm still not getting anything

Yea, my UPN has the same black screen, and ABC has been MIA, driving me crazy..
-Shaown

Originally posted by dturturro
Is the 5-2 problem occurring to all kinds of STB's? I have the DirecTV HR10-250.

Looks like it....... I have the DISH 811 and I have the same problem (no video / yes audio).

Originally posted by beavis
Not sure if anyone else noticed this, but I caught most of the Mets game on WPIX-DT yesterday it was back to 1080i (it was SD durning the last homestand) and in 5.1 surround. I don't think they have done 5.1 before. The sound was excellent, almost like being there!

You mean you were able to hear all fifty people in the stands clapping in 5.1??!


(sorry as a Yankee fan I couldn't resist)

Hello All,

Great info on this forum!

I have DirecTV and want to replace my dish with an elliptical HD dish that I have and also need to have a new OTA antenna installed.

Can anyone here recommend a good (quality and $) installer in the Nassau County area?

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks!

BTW - LOL @ Paperboy2003: As a Yankee fan as well, I can see the humor in that! :D

You guys are right, Shea Stadium looks like Yankee Stadium did in the 80's!

In my quest to get WPIX from Staten Island....I bought a radio shack indoor antenna (15-1880) for $39.99. I have an UHF only ant outside that gets me everything but NBC and WNET...but with the new season coming up I want to get WPIX. The radio shack ANT got me to a 70-74 sig rating on my VOOM receiver and I needed a 80 to lock. I was playing with it for a while but to no avail....the 1880 has a built in amp for VHF of 17dB. So, Im going to return it to the shack and Im getting another indoor ant from summitsource....its a magnavox super amplified ant...vhf goes to 45dB...which is what I think I need. I'll keep you guys posted on my quest.

Hey, since no one has asked this today: Does anyone know what's going on with ABC's signal? :p

I got ABC-DT back like normal for about 30 minutes last night around 10:00pm. Anyone know if they were testing, or was it just some meteor scatter or tropo ducting?

It was tropo meteor scatter ducting effect caused by the lack of combiner centric convergence low resolution ERP something or other...
:)

Originally posted by skyhawk223
It was tropo meteor scatter ducting effect caused by the lack of combiner centric convergence low resolution ERP something or other...
:)

THAT DAMN COMBINER AGAIN!!!:D

I've noticed that I am not receiving video on channel 5-2. Audio is present and there is no problem with any other stations. Is anyone else experiencing this or do I have a problem with my STB?

Looks like 5-2 now has a picture to match the audio!

Tony

Can anyone point me toward a retail store in Manhattan where I can buy the ZHDTV1 Silver Sensor antenna? My new HDTV arrives on Saturday, but the antenna I ordered from Amazon--which was supposed to ship on Monday and reach me sometime between today and Friday--only shipped today and probably won't arrive until a few days after the TV does. I'd like to buy one locally and return the one I ordered to Amazon under their 30-day no-questions-asked policy. I'd be especially psyched a pointer toward a store that had it for something close to the online price of $29.99, as that + tax would come out to about the same as what I'm paying Amazon (when you throw in their shipping fee). Thanks a million!

Why is UPN 9 (WWOR-DT) having such a hard time getting their DTV station up and running. Everytime I look at antennaweb.org they keep pushing back the broadcast date.

Marc

I have one that I purchased that I never really used. Will sell it for $20, IF you come and pick it up from Floral Park, NY

Or If you're in downtown NYC, Church St area, I can bring it to work with me.

I don't have the orginal box, just the antenna, stand and coax.

Originally posted by andrewjnyc
Can anyone point me toward a retail store in Manhattan where I can buy the ZHDTV1 Silver Sensor antenna? My new HDTV arrives on Saturday, but the antenna I ordered from Amazon--which was supposed to ship on Monday and reach me sometime between today and Friday--only shipped today and probably won't arrive until a few days after the TV does. I'd like to buy one locally and return the one I ordered to Amazon under their 30-day no-questions-asked policy. I'd be especially psyched a pointer toward a store that had it for something close to the online price of $29.99, as that + tax would come out to about the same as what I'm paying Amazon (when you throw in their shipping fee). Thanks a million!

WWOR-DT will being transmitting on ch 38 again once the combiner is done.

Originally posted by Morg111
Why is UPN 9 (WWOR-DT) having such a hard time getting their DTV station up and running. Everytime I look at antennaweb.org they keep pushing back the broadcast date.

Marc

That dreaded combiner... I know this is of no help or of interest, but the Spanish station has been settled and is moving or has moved. It must sound like a broken record, but maybe another couple of months.... barring anymore unseen road blocks.
GT

I still think that there is nothing really called a combiner. I think that it's a made up word that all the networks that aren't broadcasting at full power use to make people think that they're doing all they can. 'We'll we'd like to give you HD, but we're waiting on the combiner project'. Four years from now, when we'll all be able to get a signal from directv, cable or dish, then and only then will they announce that they're no longer pursuing the 'combiner' project.

I think the pseudonym comes from the fact that if you 'combine' all of the logic and desire of these stations, you'd be able to fill up that made up storage room at the empire state building where this miracle of technology is supposed to be built.

OK I'm done venting now...

Doug

Why another couple of months? I thought the thing was already built and just needs to be plugged in?

Originally posted by George Thompson
That dreaded combiner... I know this is of no help or of interest, but the Spanish station has been settled and is moving or has moved. It must sound like a broken record, but maybe another couple of months.... barring anymore unseen road blocks.
GT

'Cause now they have to set up the room. Patience, though, this does finally sound like the beginning of the end of this cruel delay.

I'm a Star Trek fan. I just want the damn channel to see next season's Enterprise! You'd think they were inventing the cure for Cancer.

M.

GT, Good news! I guess my forum friend from WPIX was correct! (posted July 12, post number 2297)

Tony


"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."

Well, Enterprise isn't scheduled to begin again until October, so maybe it will be ready by then. Hopefully, UPN won't cancel the show before the combiner is ready.

Originally posted by Morg111
I'm a Star Trek fan. I just want the damn channel to see next season's Enterprise! You'd think they were inventing the cure for Cancer.

M.

Please pretty please, have this done before Star Trek. NBC I don't care anymore since I can get that from Directv.

I suspect you'll only get NBC until the Olympics is over. I've seen nothing on D* website indicating that NBCHD is a permanent addition.

As far as UPN goes, they have a transmitter in New Haven, CT on channel 39 (or 59). Visit: http://www.2150.com/broadcast/ (courtesy of dswallow) to get your distance and bearing to the transmitter.

If anyone on Long Island can pull this station in please post signal strength, equipment and location.

Originally posted by dturturro
I suspect you'll only get NBC until the Olympics is over. I've seen nothing on D* website indicating that NBCHD is a permanent addition.

E&W feeds of NBC on Directv is a done deal. They never announce much on their website until it is actually available.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=430160

As far as UPN goes, they have a transmitter in New Haven, CT on channel 39 (or 59). Visit: http://www.2150.com/broadcast/ (courtesy of dswallow) to get your distance and bearing to the transmitter.

If anyone on Long Island can pull this station in please post signal strength, equipment and location.

I can't pull in this station from Norwalk, CT. I haven't tried recently, but wasn't able to when they first went HD last year.

Also, even when the combiner is complete, do we know for sure that WWOR will be in HD?

Also, even when the combiner is complete, do we know for sure that WWOR will be in HD? [/B]

Yes, a few months ago I emailed that question to an engineer for WWOR, and he replied that it would be.

If anyone on Long Island can pull this station in please post signal strength, equipment and location.


I live in Suffolk County, Brentwood(North)

I have D* and a samsung 360
My TV is a Hitachi 57XWX20B(Built in hd tuner)

I get UPN from connecticut ch 59-1
at signal strength at 45% to 55%

I have a rotor and a channel master 7777

signal comes in clear and for the first time i saw enterprise on hd(wow)

bad news is that the mets broadcast from this channel but this channel doesnt carry it in hd?
anyone know why not?

chrome, what type of antenna are you using?

BJohn, I'd buy your antenna if I was able to make it down to Church St. or Floral Park tomorrow/Saturday, but I don't think I can. A retailer in midtown, Chelsea or the Lower East Side would be great.

I've scoured the websites of dozens of local merchants, and everyone and their brother carries the Terk antenna, which online reviews suggest is a POS, while no-one in town seems to carry the Silver Sensor. I'm amazed--are Terk's salesguys total strongarm types who won't let their customers carry Zenith too?

Amazon really screwed me on this antenna--they said it'd ship Monday and I'd have it by now, but it shipped yesterday--from fricking Nevada! I've never had an Amazon order ship from anywhere other than the East Coast before. The tracking info says I'll get it next Wednesday, and my TV arrives Saturday. I guess I can just watch DVDs and SD on it until Wednesday, but it blows to finally be getting an HDTV after all these years and to have to wait until I can watch any HDTV on it! It'd be so satisfying to return the antenna to Amazon after they hosed me on this--I could have ordered it from a million other places but I chose them because of their reliability and service over the years, and now they leave me high and dry. If anyone can point me towards a B&M where I can get the antenna, I'd be really, really grateful!

When I first got my HDTV, I just used a clothes hanger as an antenna, and got half-way decent reception until I get my Silver sensor. If you're that close to the signal where a Silver sensor will work, you might just want to hook up any old antenna that you might have. At least it will be something to do until your silver sensor arrives. :)

andrewjnyc

I was able to buy a silver sensor at the sears in forest hills/kew gardens area last year. An easy subway ride. Plus I was able to return it because it did no better than my $2.99 UHF bowtie from RS. Try a cheap UHF antenna from RS you may be pleased.

Joe

Has anyone been able to pick up ABC with any regularity. Is used to get this station in HD OAR but recently it has been impossible. I know that it was down for awhile but I thought the tweaking was done.

Thanks,
Mark

I spoke to an engineer at WABC today who said that the station expects to resume digital broadcasting on Monday or Tuesday at the same power they were using before going low power a couple/few weeks ago. Sometime thereafter, there'll be a slight power boost as a result of the work they've been doing since earlier this month.

Originally posted by GRN
Anyone catch the Giants / Panthers game on FOX? Glorious HD!

Definitely not HD. Nice Widescreen, but not HD.

What are they? 480p? Some of those on-field shots look damn good!

Originally posted by GRN
What are they? 480p? Some of those on-field shots look damn good!

Read through this thread. It tells everything about FOX and their HD/Plans.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=435569

I'm getting 80% signal strength on 24-1 but can't lock. Anyone able to lock?

Did the WABC engineers drop something? :p

http://1010wins.com/topstories/winstopstories_story_232133709.html

Originally posted by TAKKL
I'm getting 80% signal strength on 24-1 but can't lock. Anyone able to lock? Same thing here. Both a Dish 921 and a Hipix card get signal on channel 24 but neither one can do anything with it. I have noticed the signal for about a week. I assume it is WNYE-DT.

Is ABC still running their HD demo/loop Late Friday night? If so does anyone know what time?

Originally posted by marksn1
Has anyone been able to pick up ABC with any regularity. Is used to get this station in HD OAR but recently it has been impossible. I know that it was down for awhile but I thought the tweaking was done.

Thanks,
Mark

UPDATES PLEASE: Is ABC 7.1 back on the air? What was/is the problem with these people?

Thanks.

jh

Originally posted by console
UPDATES PLEASE: Is ABC 7.1 back on the air? What was/is the problem with these people?

Thanks.

jh

I think so...(as of 5:55pm)

I'm getting it--but the Radio Double Bow Tie is aimed in a weird direction right now to pick up ABC.

You might have to do a quick reorientation....

Originally posted by John Chu
I think so...(as of 5:55pm)

I'm getting it--but the Radio Double Bow Tie is aimed in a weird direction right now to pick up ABC.

You might have to do a quick reorientation....

Why would you have to do a reorientation if the signal is coming from the same exact spot it was coming from before..................:confused:

Anyone know if the Jets game will be in hd on ABC tonite? Titantv shows espn will carry hd but I'm sure that will be blacked out.

Why would the game be blacked out ? ESPN and ABC are owned by the same company.

Look in the programming forum. Thats the exact same thing I just posted!

Originally posted by dturturro
chrome, what type of antenna are you using?

I am using a regular Radio Shack Antenna

Am I the only one still having intermittant trouble receiving 7.1 on LI? It seems to be OUT more than its IN. Can someone please enlighten?

jh

WABC-DT is back up to Full Power !!!!!!!!

I am getting 100 on the signal meter for WABC-Dt this morning. That is the highest it has been in weeks.

Scott

Originally posted by console
Am I the only one still having intermittant trouble receiving 7.1 on LI? It seems to be OUT more than its IN. Can someone please enlighten?

jh

Finally! I am getting 7.1 and 7.2 at about 65-66%. Lower than before (70-73%) but a strong signal with no breakup. I'm out in West Hempstead, LI.....

I just ordered my Sony 34XBR960 from CC for delivery the first week of September. As I don't have satellite or cable yet, I am looking for a antenna, preferably indoor, to receive OTA HDTV signals. I have skimmed these boards and there is a a lot of mention of the Zenith/Gemini Silver Sensor. I'm wondering if this product will work for me? Any opinions would be appreciated.

According to www.antennaweb.org, here is a conservative prediction of the digital stations I can receive from my location.


DTV Antenna Call Sign Channel Network City Compass Miles Frequency
Type Orientation From Assignment
* red - uhf WPXN-DT 30.1 PAX NEW YORK 277° 13.5 30
* red - uhf WNYE-DT 24.1 PBS NEW YORK 268° 11.9 24
* red - uhf WNYW-DT 5.1 FOX New York 288° 12 44
* red - uhf WXTV-DT 41.1 UNI PATERSON 288° 12 40
* red - uhf WNJU-DT 36 TEL LINDEN 277° 13.5 36
* red - uhf WRNN-DT 48.1 IND KINGSTON 2° 53.1 48
* red - uhf WNBC-DT 4.1 NBC New York 292° 11.7 28
* red - uhf WABC-DT 7.1 ABC New York 291° 12.1 45
* red - uhf WCBS-DT 2.1 CBS New York 288° 12 56
* blue - uhf WLIW-DT 21.1 PBS Garden City 90° 16.4 22
* blue - uhf WFUT-DT 68.1 TFA NEWARK 291° 12.1 53
* blue - vhf WPIX-DT 11.1 WB NEW YORK 288° 12 12

Originally posted by Yung
I just ordered my Sony 34XBR960 from CC for delivery the first week of September. As I don't have satellite or cable yet, I am looking for a antenna, preferably indoor, to receive OTA HDTV signals. I have skimmed these boards and there is a a lot of mention of the Zenith/Gemini Silver Sensor. I'm wondering if this product will work for me? Any opinions would be appreciated.




Yung: A pinpoint of your location would be helpful.

Yung, you look like you're closer to NYC than I am. I use an RCA ANT3036X rooftop antenna with a CM 7777 preamp and I receive most of the stations you list. I can't get WNYE, XTV, NJU or RNN. NBC & PIX are spotty, but both are currently transmitting at low power. WHEN the combiner is complete they'll be fine. You may need a rotor to pick up LIW. I'm closer to them than you are and I barely receive them due to the orientation.

Originally posted by GRN
Finally! I am getting 7.1 and 7.2 at about 65-66%. Lower than before (70-73%) but a strong signal with no breakup. I'm out in West Hempstead, LI.....

Similar results here in Selden. Less signal than before, but no breakups.

Also getting WTNH out of New Haven again. Odd that they both come back the same day.

Originally posted by dan57
Yung: A pinpoint of your location would be helpful.

I'm in Queens, NY, about 4-5 miles from the Nassau county border.

seldenpat,

What type of antenna setup do you have. I'm in Selden myself
and I've been experimenting with various antennas to see what works best.


I've tried an RS corner Yagi, an RS VHF/UHF combo that I got on clearance
for $2.97 and I just put up a DB8 over the weekend. I've also got
a CM 7777 amp.

I'm curious if I should check out a high gain Yagi.

Whats been working for you ?

Originally posted by hdtvforme
seldenpat,

What type of antenna setup do you have. I'm in Selden myself
and I've been experimenting with various antennas to see what works best.


I've tried an RS corner Yagi, an RS VHF/UHF combo that I got on clearance
for $2.97 and I just put up a DB8 over the weekend. I've also got
a CM 7777 amp.

I'm curious if I should check out a high gain Yagi.

Whats been working for you ?

Check out the CM4228 about 50 bucks from warrenelectronics.com and worth every penny! UHF only antenna, but if you want only NYC it's great!

I have a CM4228 pointed towards NYC and a RS190 VHF/UHF pointed towards New Haven in the attic joined with a CM7777 preamp. I get high CBS and FOX NYC signals with no breakups, and now ABC again from NYC and New Haven. Medium signal on both, but no breakups. I sometimes get NBC from NYC when there are some good Tropo effects, but very rarely. I expect to get everything with this setup when/if the combiner goes live.

Where in Selden are you?

Check out the CM4228 about 50 bucks from warrenelectronics.com and worth every penny! UHF only antenna, but if you want only NYC it's great!

I have a CM4228 pointed towards NYC and a RS190 VHF/UHF pointed towards New Haven in the attic joined with a CM7777 preamp. I get high CBS and FOX NYC signals with no breakups, and now ABC again from NYC and New Haven. Medium signal on both, but no breakups. I sometimes get NBC from NYC when there are some good Tropo effects, but very rarely. I expect to get everything with this setup when/if the combiner goes live.

Where in Selden are you?

The DB8 is very similar to the 4228 ( 8 bay bow ). It's a bit smaller and made of aluminum so it's lighter but it's twice the price of the 4228.

My main issue is that I have a massive amount of trees to deal with. I'm literally surrounded by 40' - 70' maples and oaks. The DB8 is aimed directly into trees when facing NYC. FOX comes in the strongest of all the stations I receive from NYC. CBS seems to be coming in well but I need a few more days to judge it. ABC dropped a few times earlier tonight but has been solid since ( then again everything comes in better when the sun goes down ).

I'm having trouble locking WTNH across the sound with my current setup. The funny thing is I adjusted the DB8 so that it was aimed up at about a 15 degree angle. WTNH locked in solid when the back of the antenna ( tilted toward the ground at 15 degrees )was facing Connecticut. Strange indeed.
unfortunately all my other stations suffered from the 15 degree tilt.

I plan on adding an Antennacraft Y10-7-13 for WTNH. The DB8 appears to be working well, I just wonder if a high gain Yagi would perform better with the tree situation compared to the 8 bay bow.

I'm north of Middle Country Road

I'm actually getting NBC right now.......

HDTVforme,

I'm pointed straight into a thick of pine trees, but it really doesn't effect my reception, even with an attic mount. I was able to pick up some NBC tonight as well.

Good luck and let me know what you decide to do.

As a station engineer had promised me, WABC-DT was restored last night to at least what its power had been before the last few weeks of work on the transmitter. It was strong and steady for me during the game. Given the reports here of good WNBC-DT reception last night, I'm wondering whether that was due to good atmospheric conditions, or whether the WABC-DT work really resulted in some signal improvement?

Originally posted by s2silber
As a station engineer had promised me, WABC-DT was restored last night to at least what its power had been before the last few weeks of work on the transmitter. It was strong and steady for me during the game. Given the reports here of good WNBC-DT reception last night, I'm wondering whether that was due to good atmospheric conditions, or whether the WABC-DT work really resulted in some signal improvement?

I checked ABC this morning and still had steady signal, but much lower than last night. It was in that 60% range, comparable to what I had before the work was done. NBC was gone.

It's been foggy up around Cortlandt the past few nights, which might have the effect of air (edit - temperature) inversion? Signals bounce off of those.
In another vein, the infamous combiner is in place and in the process of having its plumbing connected to the various transmitters. Another 2 months maybe? Hang in there.
GT

Originally posted by George Thompson

In another vein, the infamous combiner is in place and in the process of having its plumbing connected to the various transmitters. Another 2 months maybe? Hang in there.
GT

That is good news...

this finally sounds like the real deal and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Yipeee..

thanks for the reliable update George--We can always count on you for the inside scoop.

I am puzzle as to why I am not getting ABC-DT (no-signal) while the other DT such as NBC, CBS, WB would come in fine for me. I live in Brooklyn Bensonhurst area. I have a Winegard 7080 I am wondering if the RS 15-2507 would help in this case.

:confused:

Originally posted by Paperboy2003
I still think that there is nothing really called a combiner. I think that it's a made up word that all the networks that aren't broadcasting at full power use to make people think that they're doing all they can. 'We'll we'd like to give you HD, but we're waiting on the combiner project'. Four years from now, when we'll all be able to get a signal from directv, cable or dish, then and only then will they announce that they're no longer pursuing the 'combiner' project.

I think the pseudonym comes from the fact that if you 'combine' all of the logic and desire of these stations, you'd be able to fill up that made up storage room at the empire state building where this miracle of technology is supposed to be built.

OK I'm done venting now...

Doug

If you have ever had the "pleasure" of dealing with the combiner commitees up there (there are diff groups, TVs got one, the master FM group, etc) then you'd realise that acts of congress can pass quicker then even the most minor projects that have to take place at Empire...also take into account that because the building is a landmark there are even more delays when it comes time to be breaking down walls and running new power feeders, etc its not like your building all this out in a field in PA and can do whatever the hell you want.

Originally posted by George Thompson
In another vein, the infamous combiner is in place and in the process of having its plumbing connected to the various transmitters. Another 2 months maybe? Hang in there. GT

Thanks for the good news George!

Anyone having reception problems tonight? I'm losing even WCBS-DT.

I have a quick question: I am able to pick up WNJN-DT on 52-1, 52-2, 52-3, 52-4, and 52-5. all at 60%+. Sometimes when I'm watching, the channels switch over to 51-1, 51-2, and 51-3 (I lose 52-4 and 52-5). The programs on the corresponding 1, 2 and 3 channels stay the same, though. Sometimes it constantly switches back and forth between channels 52 and 51, both onscreen and in my channel guide. Anyone know why this happens................?:confused:

WCBS-DT has been spotty for me the last few weeks. It's strange because that used to be my most reliable station. I haven't really worried about it too much, I'll be more concerned when the season&football start up. Everything else (NBC, ABC, WPIX) has been coming in great, since ABC switched back on.

Mike

I really don't get it, you guys are saying that you are able to get ABC and WPIX well I have a signal strength of 80 (45 is WABC with a lock) and do not get a picture. For FOX and PIX I can not get any signal at 44. WNBC is now my strongest signal provider (28) with a signal of 88. My Windgard is aimed at 312 degrees and I live about 10 miles from ESB!

Here is an educated guess on what may be happening with WCBS-DT and the rest of the digital stations. Anytime you change the signal path, particularly with a tuing device, the VSWR or Voltage Standing Wave Ratio, changes. These are reflected waves coming back from the antenna and tuning device. The idea is to minimize the ratio to say 1.1 :1, (its been a long time and I do not remember what readings I got at various stations), for maximum radiated output and greatest efficiency or less damage to the final output of the transmitter.
Prudent engineering practices would dictate that you run a transmitter at lower output to see how it handles the new load and while you tune for lowest ratio. Each transmitter has a separate tuning plunger on the combiner that effects the others pipes. I dont think the final tuning happens until everyone is connected. Until then they run at reduced power. This is from past experience of two decades ago so take it for what its worth from an old RF engineer.
Also, you have crews working on a hot tower. You dont want to fry them.
GT

Originally posted by jcord51
I really don't get it, you guys are saying that you are able to get ABC and WPIX well I have a signal strength of 80 (45 is WABC with a lock) and do not get a picture. For FOX and PIX I can not get any signal at 44. WNBC is now my strongest signal provider (28) with a signal of 88. My Windgard is aimed at 312 degrees and I live about 10 miles from ESB!

I have SONY HD300 so meter doesn't give numerical signal strength ... only BAD / NORMAL / GOOD (I think this is stupid - numerical is better of course)

9:29AM est

Ch. 2 - WCBS/DT/2.1 (56) GOOD (high)

Ch. 4 - WNBC/DT/4.1 (28) GOOD (mid-low) perfect HD Olympics

Ch. 5 - WNYW/DT/5.1 (44) GOOD (mid) FOX

Ch. 9 - WNYW/DT/5.2 (44) (GOOD (mid) UPN

Ch. 7 - WABC/DT/7.1 (45) (GOOD) (mid)

Ch. 11-WPIX/DT/11.1 (12) (NO SIGNAL) !

Ch. 13-WNET/DT/13.1 (61) (NO SIGNAL)

Somehow this all seems like the 1950's with rabbit ears. I'm sitting here with a $600 antenna system and a $500 STB and a $8000 Plasma ... trying to get a signal.

Originally posted by console
I have SONY HD300 so meter doesn't give numerical signal strength ... only BAD / NORMAL / GOOD (I think this is stupid - numerical is better of course)

9:29AM est

Ch. 2 - WCBS/DT/2.1 (56) GOOD (high)

Ch. 4 - WNBC/DT/4.1 (28) GOOD (mid-low) perfect HD Olympics

Ch. 5 - WNYW/DT/5.1 (44) GOOD (mid) FOX

Ch. 9 - WNYW/DT/5.2 (44) (GOOD (mid) UPN

Ch. 7 - WABC/DT/7.1 (45) (GOOD) (mid)

Ch. 11-WPIX/DT/11.1 (12) (NO SIGNAL) !

Ch. 13-WNET/DT/13.1 (61) (NO SIGNAL)

Somehow this all seems like the 1950's with rabbit ears. I'm sitting here with a $600 antenna system and a $500 STB and a $8000 Plasma ... trying to get a signal.

I forgot to mention that I'm on N.S. of LI about 25 miles out with a 237 antenna setting.

Originally posted by George Thompson
Here is an educated guess on what may be happening with WCBS-DT and the rest of the digital stations. Anytime you change the signal path, particularly with a tuing device, the VSWR or Voltage Standing Wave Ratio, changes. These are reflected waves coming back from the antenna and tuning device. The idea is to minimize the ratio to say 1.1 :1, (its been a long time and I do not remember what readings I got at various stations), for maximum radiated output and greatest efficiency or less damage to the final output of the transmitter.
Prudent engineering practices would dictate that you run a transmitter at lower output to see how it handles the new load and while you tune for lowest ratio. Each transmitter has a separate tuning plunger on the combiner that effects the others pipes. I dont think the final tuning happens until everyone is connected. Until then they run at reduced power. This is from past experience of two decades ago so take it for what its worth from an old RF engineer.
Also, you have crews working on a hot tower. You dont want to fry them.
GT

George, you seem to be talking about different transmitters at the same location. Does this mean they are already transmitting from the combiner site? If not, why would the signal path need to be changed?

Hi, I'm located in Flushing,NY and I checked antennaweb and found that all the channels I get are Red and one red. I'm about 8 miles away from the tower. Should I be getting a decent signal with a set top antenna for HD?

Suspect so, Pikachu, if you could point it at mid-town Manhattan without too many obstructions. By contrast, I'm about 8 blocks from the transmitters, facing North, and can only tune CBS via reflections. Welcome to the forums. -- John

Thanks! I have clear sight directly to the city. I just got a $4k plasma and everyone told me to get a OTA hd receiver so I'm going to do that. However I can't decide on which antenna to get. I prefer to get it at bestbuy or circuit city or anywhere local. I can go to a radio shack as well.

From your proximity you could use a Radio Shack Double Bow Tie or a Silver Sensor and be fine. I am in Brooklyn with a clear line of site I used to have a Radio Shack Double Bow Tie inside my window and was able to pick up everything but the WB digital.

Here's a link to the radio shack double bow tie.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&product_id=930-0998

What's interesting is that there is a Trek antenna that looks much like the silver sensor one. It happens to be sold at best buy.

Originally posted by vruiz
George, you seem to be talking about different transmitters at the same location. Does this mean they are already transmitting from the combiner site? If not, why would the signal path need to be changed?

All of the stations need to have their transmission lines re-routed through the combiner. That is so they can have one antenna with 5/6 transmitters attached. You cannot have one antenna with 5 transmission lines attached or else they would be feeding back to the other transmitters and causing huge SWR reflections that would burn up the finals, plus a lot of other RF problems. (Harmonics, reamplification, etc)
This saves on mast space so that each station does not have to have their own antenna and fighting for position and the interactions that that causes with RF.
I do not know if anyone is connected at the moment, just that they are getting ready and routing more rigid transmission line through the floors. Since WCBS is already on the antenna, they have to reroute first. I believe that all the stations have their digital transmitters ready to go.
GT

I was just thinking as I watched a bit of Soundstage on WNET-HD that the PQ is just as bad as WNBC-DT's Olympic coverage.
On WNET-HD any fast camera movement or fast movement of objects results in pixelation.

Both channels seem to be defeating the purpose of HD with the poor picture quality. Are others noticing this on those channels?

Yes. I noticed as well. I receive those channels through Cablevision.

I believe the WNET-DT issue is due to the sub channels taking away bandwith from the main HD channel. I've also heard when WNET puts their bug logo over the PBS HD feed shows it also effects the video.

Hi I Live in Rosedale , Queens. I bought a Channel Master UHF/VHF from Radio Shack that has a 120 range. I have the antenna strapped to my chimney on a 10ft pole. I am able to receive these networks
ABC LOOKS THE BEST even with a 80% signal .

NBC
ABC
UPN
WPIX
PBS

And a bunch of other Digital channels according to my 911 dishnetwork box.
I don't understand Why I cant get CBS HD at all .

Dishnet work is offering CBS local ,but for some reason I think the picture quality will be much better OTA.

By the way I just had the Dish installers but put the thing up ......they did not point it in specific any direction.

Originally posted by Shockwave10
By the way I just had the Dish installers but put the thing up ......they did not point it in specific any direction.
Dishnet work is offering CBS local ,but for some reason I think the picture quality will be much better OTA.
You should have no problem receiving WCBS-DT from Rosedale. If your antenna was randomly pointed, that could be why you are not getting them. It should obviously be pointed at midtown Manhattan. Even your 80 strength for WABC may be low (I get 115 on Dish Network's 0 to 125 scale with an attic antenna about two miles east of you).

CBS on Dish Network is identical in picture quality to WCBS-DT over the air (as far as I can tell).

911 receiver? Do you mean 811 or 921?

I don't understand Why I cant get CBS HD at all

Shockwave10, You must not be pointing your antenna correctly...CBS-DT is one of the most powerful signal! I live over 25 miles from the Empire State Building and I get CBS-DT and CBS-SD! It is funny how your able to receive two of the most weakest signal WPIX and PBS.

Tony

The sub ch for CBS SD shows up in my ch guide but I never see anything on the ch. Its a blank screen. When do they use the sub ch?

Originally posted by vinnyv07
When do they use the sub ch? Last time I saw video was during the last convention. Maybe it will be used tomorrow (8-30).

Does anyone know what direction the antenna should be pointed ?

I know they said midtown but I am wondering if I should do this myself or have a professional do this?

CBS HD emanates from the Empire State Building -
34th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Gary

Shock, This link will point you in right direction:) After you enter your address click on "View level street map" button.

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx


Tony

Originally posted by Shockwave10
Does anyone know what direction the antenna should be pointed ?

I know they said midtown but I am wondering if I should do this myself or have a professional do this? It should be pointed at the Empire State Building for WCBS-DT. That is approximately a 300 degree bearing from Rosedale.
If you are not sure what direction that is, I would look at a lot of houses in your neighborhood. If the majority of them have antennas pointing in the same general direction, you can assume that is how yours should be pointed.

I live in a Cape style home , can you guys recommend a installer who can point this in the right direction ? It is most definilty pointed in the wrong direction right now just looking at other homes in the area.

Has anyone else noticed the WCBS-DT signal disappearing overnight? I have a season pass set for Letterman on my HD DirecTivo, and every night it would only record the first half hour of the show. I thought perhaps it was conflicting with another season pass until I tried to record Joan of Arcadia at 1:30 AM (or something like that) and it didn't record because there was no signal detected. I then switched the Letterman season pass from WCBS-DT off of the antenna to CBS via DirecTV (SD) and it recorded the entire show, while a recording I set for the same show on WCBS-DT OTA recorded only halfway through.

And now that I think about it, I will switch the season pass to the DirecTV feed of WCBS-DT rather than the SD feed on DirecTV and see how that works out.

I have been out of the loop on this thread for a while now.

Has the combiner package been completed yet? Any word on getting WB11 on the UHF band and any chance of getting UPN in hi-def?

Has anyone else noticed the WCBS-DT signal disappearing overnight?

GoldenBoy, I think it has something to do with the combiner. Page back to page 133 and read on!

Tony

Has the combiner package been completed yet?

From what I read here should be ready in a few months.

Tony

By November, we're told.

It's really amazing. That the exact thing we were told last summer, about Nov 2003. Fingers crossed.

Originally posted by trekkerj
It's really amazing. That the exact thing we were told last summer, about Nov 2003. Fingers crossed.

I was wondering who was going to point that out.

By the way, anyone given any thoughts to what we are going to complain about once the combiner is actually up and running? The combiner was such an easy target for ranting. We will have a hard time find such an easy mark again.

Im not going to complain about anything...nothing at all.

Originally posted by Anthony in NYC
By the way, anyone given any thoughts to what we are going to complain about once the combiner is actually up and running? The combiner was such an easy target for ranting. We will have a hard time find such an easy mark again.


I don't need to give it any thought. I can complain at a moments notice. It's a gift! :)

N

Originally posted by Anthony in NYC
By the way, anyone given any thoughts to what we are going to complain about once the combiner is actually up and running? The combiner was such an easy target for ranting. We will have a hard time find such an easy mark again.

I'm going to complain about when the Freedom Tower will be completed so us OTA'ers will have even better choices...

Speaking of complaints...

What's up with WNBC-DT? Is hasn't been back up since the end of the 24hr olympic broadcast.

Anyone?

What's up with WNBC-DT? Is hasn't been back up since the end of the 24hr olympic broadcast.

John, I'm getting WNBC-DT as well WNBC-SD since the end of the Olympics here in NJ!

Tony

I am also having a problem with NBC-DT here in northern NJ. I get sound--but no picture. Occasionally I will get a picture, but it is sporatic.

I have had perfect reception throughout the olympics.

I think where was a problem with NBC-HD feed last night. It was not till 12:08AM that the Tonight Show was in HD for the east coast HD stations.

The problem I still notice is the over compression on the SD and HD programming on WNBC-DT.
Any moving of the camera shot or a person in motion even if it's not fast causes alot of pixelation.
Anyone else notice this? Is there a problem that WNBC-DT knows about?

Originally posted by scottb4u
I am also having a problem with NBC-DT here in northern NJ. I get sound--but no picture. Occasionally I will get a picture, but it is sporatic.

I have had perfect reception throughout the olympics.

Yeah--the Olympics were great for me too.(signal wise---not picture wise)I had no problems locking on.

I usually get NBC no problem with my Radio Shack doublebow tie here in Woodside, Queens.

But since Monday..I've haven't been able to lock on to NBC--I assumed it was a station problem.

The samsung box shows a green/signal lite...but then no picture.

Every other channel that I can receive is fine though.

Will try again tonight....

NBC-DT seems to be down right now?

Originally posted by dm145
NBC-DT seems to be down right now?

No dice for me. I can't lock onto 4.1 I can get 4.2 though.
So weird.

Actually...all the OTA channels around here have been messed up since the start of the Republican National Convention...

I'm speculating that it must be all those satellite uplinks and feeds from there--not to mention the US Open...

It's causing all kinds of havoc for me...all the OTA digital channels just seem to be "off."

Weird..

WNBC-DT is working via cablevision.

One odd thing I notice is WNYW-DT now has a FOX5 WNYW*NEW YORK bug logo stuck on it which is very annoying. Not to mention its not channel number 5 :)

When the combiner project is completed, which HD stations will broadcast from it?

Originally posted by jcord51
I really don't get it, you guys are saying that you are able to get ABC and WPIX well I have a signal strength of 80 (45 is WABC with a lock) and do not get a picture. For FOX and PIX I can not get any signal at 44. WNBC is now my strongest signal provider (28) with a signal of 88. My Windgard is aimed at 312 degrees and I live about 10 miles from ESB! I've been reading the posts and seem to feel that the guys in jersey get WABC channel 7 while I can not get it here in Queens even though I have a great signal. Anyone in Queens have problems with WABC?

Originally posted by jcord51
I've been reading the posts and seem to feel that the guys in jersey get WABC channel 7 while I can not get it here in Queens even though I have a great signal. Anyone in Queens have problems with WABC?


I have no problems in floral park receiving WABC.

No problems here.

Originally posted by jcord51
I've been reading the posts and seem to feel that the guys in jersey get WABC channel 7 while I can not get it here in Queens even though I have a great signal. Anyone in Queens have problems with WABC?

I get WABC here in Woodside Queens...but it takes a second or two longer to "lock" then usual this past week.

WNBC-DT is still out for me...anyone else? [I can get the subchannel though...]

I'm getting NBC-DT 4.01 and 4.02 without any problem in Nassau County. I also have no problem receiving ABC and its subchannel. Last night I recorded a signal on CBS subchannel at 9 PM for the first time wihile I was taping CSI. It was an interview of President and Mrs. Bush. The picture quality was poor. CSI on the other hand had great picture quality.

My opinion to CBS and NBC and ABC ......DITCH the subchannels - All bandwidth to HDTV.

Originally posted by tvuser1
When the combiner project is completed, which HD stations will broadcast from it? WCBS, WNBC, WABC, WWOR, WPIX, and WNET.

I too am having issues with WNBC-DT. I will be attempting more tinkering tomorrow with the Silver Sensor. During the olympics, I was having no trouble at about 72% signal strength. When WNBC-DT resumed broadcasting last year, I had a solid 80%. On another note, would upgrading to a roof antenna with a long UHF range allow me to consistently receive any analog/digital stations from Philadelphia? I am in Nutley, Essex County, NJ. Antenna web says a "violet" antenna would allow me to possibly receive channels from CT and Philadelphia. I don't know how reliable this data is.

Originally posted by Scottie318
On another note, would upgrading to a roof antenna with a long UHF range allow me to consistently receive any analog/digital stations from Philadelphia? I am in Nutley, Essex County, NJ. Antenna web says a "violet" antenna would allow me to possibly receive channels from CT and Philadelphia. I doubt if you would have reliable reception. You are over 70 air miles from both Philadelphia and New Haven. That is usually too far for consistent reception under normal circumstances.

Originally posted by Bogney Baux
WCBS, WNBC, WABC, WWOR, WPIX, and WNET.

Is that correct about WNET (PBS) or did you mean WNYW (FOX)? I would love to see WNET move to high power off of the combiner. Currently only a handful of people can get this HD-PBS station. Especially since we lost WLIW out of Garden City.

I believe WNET-DT is supposed to be up there, too. WNYW and WWOR currently share the same transmitter and may continue to do so when the combiner's completed. Or, perhaps there are going to be seven stations.

I live in Brooklyn a mere 1.92 miles from the WNYE broadcast facility. On my Samsung I get a solid green light for signal lock-on and the most signal bars of any station on my strength meter (I know they're unreliable, but there is a point of comparison).

Despite these positive indications there is no picture, no sound and the tuner tells me there is no signal. Does anyone else see anything similar. Any reason why this should be?

I do get abc, nbc, pxn, fox, pix with a bit of fiddling with antenna direction.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by GoldenBoy
[B]Has anyone else noticed the WCBS-DT signal disappearing overnight?

I've seen this for well over a year now. They just stop broadcasting on their DT channel after midnight. Nice huh? The CBS network OAO flagship DT station doesn't even stay on the air past midnight -pathetic.

Originally posted by fredd
[QUOTE]Originally posted by GoldenBoy
[B]Has anyone else noticed the WCBS-DT signal disappearing overnight?

I've seen this for well over a year now. They just stop broadcasting on their DT channel after midnight. Nice huh? The CBS network OAO flagship DT station doesn't even stay on the air past midnight -pathetic.

I guess you're not old enough to remember when all stations signed off each night.:D

Originally posted by stracke
I live in Brooklyn a mere 1.92 miles from the WNYE broadcast facility. On my Samsung I get a solid green light for signal lock-on and the most signal bars of any station on my strength meter (I know they're unreliable, but there is a point of comparison).

Despite these positive indications there is no picture, no sound and the tuner tells me there is no signal. Does anyone else see anything similar. Any reason why this should be?

I get the same thing on WNYE. I Emailed them about the situation but they did not respond. Here is a thread about it.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=434184&

Ok, I just got my Sony KD-34XBR960 delivered about 2 1/2 hours ago. I don't have cable or satellite and am just using about a 6 year old indoor rabbit-ear antenna from Recoton with UHF/VHF gain contol.

I ran the autosetup...it only took about 10-15 minutes since I am only using OTA. The Auto setup pulled in about 22 analog channels and 9 digital channels. Digital pictures look really sharp, I was watching some of the U.S. Open on ch 2.1

I get bad reception on the normal analog channels, but digital is pretty good. Signal strength for CBS digital varies from 78-84 and it does cut out once in a while. Is this normal?

I get about 91-94 strength from ABC HD ch 7.1 Is this considered good? The picture seems pretty stable

The other channels vary from 81-84 signal strength although NBC DT is pretty weak with signal strength in the mid-to-upper 50's..lots of pixelization on that channel when I do get a signal.

Originally posted by Yung


I get about 91-94 strength from ABC HD ch 7.1 Is this considered good? The picture seems pretty stable

The other channels vary from 81-84 signal strength although NBC DT is pretty weak with signal strength in the mid-to-upper 50's..lots of pixelization on that channel when I do get a signal.

I've gone as low as 61% on a channel (WNJN) with crystal clear picture and no breakup. Anything above that should be good. If you're hitting above 80% you should be in great shape. Almost all my channels come in at 65-69%, clear as day with no breakup, including the ever-elusive WPIX :p

As far as NCB-DT goes with its weak signal, welcome to the club. Until the combiner goes up, I wouldn't bet on getting a strong signal on it (especially with an older antenna). BTW I have a DISH 811 receiver.

I am using an 8-year old indoor Recoton TV800 Powerwave VHF/UHF/FM antenna with built in amplifier with up to 28 DB gain for VHF and up to 30 DB gain for UHF. This was my wife's previous antenna and cost around $80 back in the day.

I'm pulling in 9 digital stations here in Oakland Gardens section of Queens.

Ch 2.1 WCBS-DT Signal Strength 81-84. Although sometimes I lose the signal, happens sometimes when someone walks by the TV.

Ch 2.2 WCBS-SD Signal strength 84-91 but sometimes I just get a blank screen

Ch 4.1 WNBC-DT Signal Strength 51-62

Ch 4.2 WNBC-SD strength 56-65

Ch 5.1 WNYW-DT strength 81-87

Ch 5.2 WWOR-DT 84 [Is this the same as UPN?]

Ch 7.1 WABC-DT signal strength 89-95

Ch 7.2 WABC-SD signal strength 87-95

Ch 53.1 I believe this is Telemundo 84-87


Is signal drop a function of my tv's built in tuner or the antenna? I'm hoping its the latter.

Originally posted by John Chu
No dice for me. I can't lock onto 4.1 I can get 4.2 though.
So weird.

Actually...all the OTA channels around here have been messed up since the start of the Republican National Convention...

I'm speculating that it must be all those satellite uplinks and feeds from there--not to mention the US Open...

It's causing all kinds of havoc for me...all the OTA digital channels just seem to be "off."

Weird..

Well, I guess I was wrong on all counts(on why I couldn't pull in NBC---I get a signal light but that was it)--the two year old Samsung sir t-150 must be defective.

I fortunately have an extra Samsung SIR-151 that has been sitting in the box for a couple months and decided to swap out the 150 with it.

Bingo--4.1 pops right up.

Guess the 2 year old t-150 just gave up the ghost.. but every other channel works....that is one reason why I never suspected the box....it's freakin' maddening!

Anyway...I'll let the 150 "reset" unplugged and see if it "fixes" itself.

The T-150 runs really hot...maybe that is why it burned out so quickly?

Originally posted by Yung
Is signal drop a function of my tv's built in tuner or the antenna? I'm hoping its the latter.

I'm no engineer, but I would think that any signal drop/breakup is the result of a weak signal, hence the antenna would be responsible for that, not your TV's tuner. Your TV's tuner locks onto whatever signal it gets from your antenna, it doesn't amplify or strengthen the signal.

BTW 53.1 is WFUT Telefutura/Univision out of NJ. They don't broadcast anything in high-def on that channel, though.

Originally posted by GRN
I'm no engineer, but I would think that any signal drop/breakup is the result of a weak signal, hence the antenna would be responsible for that, not your TV's tuner. Your TV's tuner locks onto whatever signal it gets from your antenna, it doesn't amplify or strengthen the signal.

BTW 53.1 is WFUT Telefutura/Univision out of NJ. They don't broadcast anything in high-def on that channel, though.

Thanks. I was also able to pull in PAX on 31.1 and 30.2 tonight.

Is anyone having difficulty with the OTA CBS signal? Mine seems to have deteriorated in the last couple of days.

Originally posted by George Thompson
Since WCBS is already on the antenna, they have to reroute first. I believe that all the stations have their digital transmitters ready to go.
GT

Any ideas on what order the networks will be moving to the combiner? I guess a time-line would be asking for the moon?

Originally posted by RMSko
Is anyone having difficulty with the OTA CBS signal? Mine seems to have deteriorated in the last couple of days.

I've only had my HDTV set since noon on this past Saturday, so I can't say for sure. I have noticed a lot of times when I lose the signal on CDB DT thought. My signal strength goes from 84 to 91 and at those times is stable but then it can suddenly drop to the mid-40's and then I get a no signal message and then it comes back.

Who can we contact to ask them to remove it? Besides being annoying and not the right logo since WNYW-DT is channel 44, I'm sure it's not good for most TV sets for the logo to be there.

Originally posted by Yung
I've only had my HDTV set since noon on this past Saturday, so I can't say for sure. I have noticed a lot of times when I lose the signal on CDB DT thought. My signal strength goes from 84 to 91 and at those times is stable but then it can suddenly drop to the mid-40's and then I get a no signal message and then it comes back.

That's the way mine is now, however, I used to get signal readings continuously in the 80"s without any dropouts at all (i.e., I'm aso getting periodic readings in the 40's, which I never used to get). It's strange since it goes from 88 to 36 and then back up to 88 (where it holds for a few minutes and then the cycle repeats).

I am using an OTA with a Hughes E86. I live in Western Suffolk Co. and I've always received close to 100% signal strength for 5-1 and had a perfect picture. however, since about 2 weeks ago, I still have 100% signal with no picture or sound. Last night, I rescanned and received a picture but it went out about 2 minutes later. Does anybody else have this problem? i need to get this resolved before the Giants game this Sunday.

Originally posted by Bogney Baux
WCBS-DT recently added a subchannel. The WCBS subchannel (2-2) is gone. My Hipix computer now says the data rate for 2-1 is back to 18.5 Mbs (it was down to 16.5 Mbs). If your receiver still has 2-2 in its memory, delete it and rescan. It should now find only 2-1.

cjp2004,

I have never lost 5-1. My antenna is very low (just a few feet off the roof) so my signal levels are never very high but 5-1 is always stable. I am also in D.P.

Originally posted by Bogney Baux
The WCBS subchannel (2-2) is gone. My Hipix computer now says the data rate for 2-1 is back to 18.5 Mbs (it was down to 16.5 Mbs). If your receiver still has 2-2 in its memory, delete it and rescan. It should now find only 2-1.

Good riddance. Now if only WNBC and WABC will follow suit.

Originally posted by netman
cjp2004,

I have never lost 5-1. My antenna is very low (just a few feet off the roof) so my signal levels are never very high but 5-1 is always stable. I am also in D.P.


5-1 was always stable for me too. My STB shows 100% signal, but I get nothing. BTW, I live on Villa.

No problems receiving 5-1 in Westbury. WCBS picture looks better since they dropped 2-2. WNBC (4-1) looks bad, much as it did during the Olympics. Pixelation present. 4-2 looks fuzzy and is a waste of bandwidth.

5-1 seems relatively stable for me and I am using an old indoor antenna. After reorienting my antenna I was able to scan for WPIX DT which came in on 3 channels 11-1, 11-2 and 12-1. It wasn't that stable for me though.

Just noticed the thread title change.

Just noticed the thread title change.

I was just about to post the same thing!

Looks like somebody spent a lot of time switching local OTA thread titles across the board, not just this one.

For the record, I still cannot receive 5-1 or 5-2 with any degree of consistency. It remains my only problem channel in the area. Can't wait until it's up on D* - if only for 24, Bernie Mac, the NFL and MLB.

Originally posted by sangs
Looks like somebody spent a lot of time switching local OTA thread titles across the board, not just this one.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=443315

My HD DirecTivo still shows a 2-2 substation, but it is playing the exact same broadcast as 2-1.

It seems 24-1 is now active, not HD though. For the past couple of months, I had a solid signal but no video.

Does anyone know what channel 51-5 is? I was able to pick it up on my tv's built in tuner tonight but the station was not labeled.

Originally posted by Yung
Does anyone know what channel 51-5 is? I was able to pick it up on my tv's built in tuner tonight but the station was not labeled.

I have 52-1, 52-2, 52-3, 52-4 and 52-5, all WNJN. Sometimes WNJN maps over to 51, so I'll get 51-1, 51-2, 51-3 and 51-4, all duplicates of channel 52. I've never gotten 51-5, but on 52, 52-4 and 52-5 both play the same content, so I would assume that whatever shows up on 51-5 is the same as whatever shows up on 51-4, WNJN.

Originally posted by GRN
I have 52-1, 52-2, 52-3, 52-4 and 52-5, all WNJN. Sometimes WNJN maps over to 51, so I'll get 51-1, 51-2, 51-3 and 51-4, all duplicates of channel 52. I've never gotten 51-5, but on 52, 52-4 and 52-5 both play the same content, so I would assume that whatever shows up on 51-5 is the same as whatever shows up on 51-4, WNJN.

I receive (sometimes) 52-1, 52-2, 52-3, and 52-4 as well. I don't get signa;s on the middle two, but noticed that 52-1 and 52-4 have different programming. 51-5 had totally different programming. There was a program on tonight involving Lionel trains and it was broadcast in HD and not just a digital signal. The screen seemed to go blank after the program was over though.

Originally posted by Yung
I receive (sometimes) 52-1, 52-2, 52-3, and 52-4 as well. I don't get signa;s on the middle two, but noticed that 52-1 and 52-4 have different programming. 51-5 had totally different programming. There was a program on tonight involving Lionel trains and it was broadcast in HD and not just a digital signal. The screen seemed to go blank after the program was over though.

52-1, 52-2, 52-3 and 52-4 show the same exact programming as 51-1, 51-2, 51-3, and 51-4. As a matter of fact, I posted a question on here a while back: I'll be watching a WNJN program, and the channel marker just flips back and forth between 51 and 52. The picture stays the same, just the channel number changes. I have no clue why it does that :confused:

I was watching that program on Lionel Trains on 51-4 in HD. So if you were watching it on 51-5, then 51-4 and 51-5 show the same content, like 52-4 and 52-5. 51-2 and 52-2 shows PBS Kids programming, but not in HD. I've caught tons of HD programming on the 3,4 and 5 subchannels.

Thanks. I have got my HDTV for only 5 days now and am still learning what channels I can get. Each night I try to reorient my indoor antenna a different way and scan for new digital channels. I have a rooftop antenna (don't know which one) but I don't have a RG6 cable running from it into the house. I'm getting an antenna installer to come install a cable for me sometime in the next week and hopefully I can pick up more signals with the rooftop antenna and hopefully that would solve some of the signal loss issues on some of these channels for me.

It used to be that NJN would provide the national PBS feed on sub-channel 5 between 8 PM & midnight, with some of the shows being HD. Unfortunately, the last few times that I have looked for it, there was no signal on that sub-channel.

I don't know if they have changed their practice of providing the national PBS feed, but since you got to see some HD there on Wednesday, it's a good sign that it is still available! I'll look for it on Thursday.

I wonder why they are mapping the channel # to 52; they used to map it to 50 (the channel # of their analog broadcast), and there were also times it would show as 51 (the actual broadcast channel). I wonder if they are doing something wrong with the PSIP, or this is by design.

Originally posted by NS324
It used to be that NJN would provide the national PBS feed on sub-channel 5 between 8 PM & midnight, with some of the shows being HD. Unfortunately, the last few times that I have looked for it, there was no signal on that sub-channel.

I don't know if they have changed their practice of providing the national PBS feed, but since you got to see some HD there on Wednesday, it's a good sign that it is still available! I'll look for it on Thursday.

I wonder why they are mapping the channel # to 52; they used to map it to 50 (the channel # of their analog broadcast), and there were also times it would show as 51 (the actual broadcast channel). I wonder if they are doing something wrong with the PSIP, or this is by design.

In the "old days" (i.e. 2003 and before :D ) the HD channel was around. Channel #52 is actually remapped from digital 43 (NJN down in Trenton area IIRC) and Channel #51 is actually NJN from Montclair IIRC.

Two different stations. If you guys are able to check your signal strengths, it's possible that on varying nights you're getting a signal from 43 but not 51 and vice versa.

Has anyone else lost 5-2? I'm getting WNYW on both 5-1 & 5-2 on my HR10-250 and no signal at all on 5-2 with my Zenith 230.

Would I be ridiculously optimistic if I thought this was the opening steps toward getting WWOR-DT on channel 38?

I get a black screen on 5-2. I'm sure you are being over-optimistic. :)

Two different stations. If you guys are able to check your signal strengths, it's possible that on varying nights you're getting a signal from 43 but not 51 and vice versa.

That happens to me sometimes: If I have a signal from 51, then there's no signal from 52, and vice-versa. However, I'll be watching, say channel 51-3, and then suddenly it will change to 52-3, then back to 51-3 and so on. The picture does not break up, and it's the exact same programming. I don't understand why it does that. :confused:

One question. Why is NBC HD suffer from fast action movement? Are they not providing enough bandwith to the channel? The same does not happen with ABC or CBS. Sorry to ask if it has been answered before.

Originally posted by GRN
That happens to me sometimes: If I have a signal from 51, then there's no signal from 52, and vice-versa. However, I'll be watching, say channel 51-3, and then suddenly it will change to 52-3, then back to 51-3 and so on. The picture does not break up, and it's the exact same programming. I don't understand why it does that. :confused:

Sounds like the PSIP encoder is resetting, the same issue I'm having with a local station of my own, although your case is different.

The way I understand it, WNJT is the "hub" so to speak. The signal for all three other NJN signals comes from there. WNJT is 52-1, etc. The WNJT signal is sent somehow (possibly microwave) to the WNJN site, and at that location, the PSIP is overwritten with 50-1 or 51-1. The issue is that the WNJN PSIP encoder must have the same issue as my local FOX/WB station, causing it to reset every so often. This causes it to default back to the WNJT PSIP that was there, flipping you to 52-1 from 51-1.

When my local Fox/WB station resets, however, it has no other PSIP to default to, so it kicks me back to the opposite stream (I get Fox on 21-1 and WB on 21-3, there is no 21-2), so if I'm watching X-Files on 21-3, I get kicked to 20-1. Then I change it to 20-3, and the encoder kicks back in and puts me on 21-1. It wouldn't be anywhere near as irritating if it didn't flip me to the other subchannel.

Your best option might be to just be patient, and maybe call in a few weeks and suggest they return it for a different brand of encoder. My FOX station tells me that they've tried about 10 software patches by the manufacturer, and none have helped. If the next patch doesn't fix it, they will be returning it for a different brand of encoder.

Hope that was of some help!

- Trip

Last night, 9/9/04 about 9PM, 28-1 was giving me about 88 on the signal strenth meter but just a black screen. Anybody know why?

DVW

Merged.

Anyone having trouble with 4.1, 4.2 & 5.2?

I noticed that the NBC subchannels weren't working right this morning.

5.2 has been out since yesterday.

Originally posted by Trip in VA
[B]Hope that was of some help![B]

That was very helpful. Thanks!

Has anyone else experienced really bad reception of primetime shows on fox's digital channel 5-1(New York) - for example - the show "the next great champ" - was breaking up constantly and the audio was out of sync. Then when the local news came on - the signal stopped breaking up. I noticed this happening on Fox primetime shows the last two nights. is anybody experiencing the same thing?

OK, here's an interesting question:

Can you increase your antennae power by having multiple antennas?

What I mean is if you took two antennas, pointed in the same direction and you reverse split them into one lead into a preamp would you increase the signal or would it get washed out by the 3 dB loss that the splitter incurs?

If I remember my Ohms law correctly, parallel current should add, but it seems too easy.

Does anyone have any new info of when WB will go full power or when UPN starts in HD?

When the combiner is online.

Originally posted by shappyss
Does anyone have any new info of when WB will go full power or when UPN starts in HD?

Originally posted by shappyss
Does anyone have any new info of when WB will go full power or when UPN starts in HD?

I just E-mailed WOR and got a reply from a FOX rep saying UPN wouldn't be online for 3 months.

George Thompson makes an interesting point, the stations may go on the combiner one at a time instead of all at once. Hopefully, we can get some reliable service out of NBC in the near future.

While watching FOX OTA the audio was very choppy, going in and out. Anyone else seeing this??

Doug