hd newbie with another question.....
what is the diff bet a digital signal(broadcast) and a HD one ?
i am a D* customer with OTA antenna getting , for example, 3 ch 7's from ny-
sat, analog ,and digital - of course digital looks best , but , there is no HD moniker on the info banner - i suppose whatever i was watching wasn't transmitted in hi-def ?
what is the resolution of a digital (non- hd) program vs. a program in HD ?
thanks
frank

Frank,

Here's a brief, and non-technical answer. I'm sure someone more knowagable and with time will answer more fully. HD is a subset of digital broadcasting. In other words, all HD broadcasts are digital, but all digital broadcasts are not HD. HD broadcast meet certain qualifications about resolution, aspect ratio, etc.

I believe that the non-HD digital shows on ABC-DT are originally 480i and they are being upconverted at the station as 720p. That's why it appears to be 4:3. It's not true HD. It does look better than 480i SD though.

The station's equipment is much better the the televisions/receiver as far as the upconverting. For example I can set my Hughes HTL-HD receiver to transmit everything to my TV as 1080i no matter what the input signal. (I don't actually do that.) The station does something similar but its clearer.


On another note, I'm looking forward to the ESB combiner so I could check out WNET-DT and the NBC-DT 4.2, weather channel. (I have "4.1" through D*) Maybe, I'll start watching UPN if they get up there too.

Originally posted by frank bavaro
hd newbie with another question.....
what is the diff bet a digital signal(broadcast) and a HD one ?
i am a D* customer with OTA antenna getting , for example, 3 ch 7's from ny-
sat, analog ,and digital - of course digital looks best , but , there is no HD moniker on the info banner - i suppose whatever i was watching wasn't transmitted in hi-def ?
what is the resolution of a digital (non- hd) program vs. a program in HD ?
thanks
frank

I wouldn't pay too much attention to those little HD labels in your program guide. They are wrong a lot of the time.

Not everything is broadcast in HD. Most primetime shows, sporting events and a couple other exceptions are HD, everything else is standard definition. You'll know when you are watching HD. Standard definition is the same as what you are seeing on the regular analog channel, it's just transmitted digitally instead of analog. Standard def material can also can be upconverted by the station or your receiver, but it won't look much better because it's just the same image broken up into smaller pieces.

WABC-DT's SD programming (local news, etc.) does look better than any other non-HD programming digitally broadcast on the other affiliates.

So, are we delayed yet again? Anyone have any update combiner info?

All of this talk about the combiner reminds me of the store of the IBM salesman (main frame) who got married and after about a month of marriage his bride goes to a marriage councelor and tells the doctor that her groom has yet to consumate the marriage. The doctor asks "What happens when you go to bed" The women replies that my husband, the IBM salesman, sits at the foot of the bed and mumbles how great it's going to be once we get it in.

All of this talk about the combiner reminds me of the store of the IBM salesman (main frame) who got married and after about a month of marriage his bride goes to a marriage councelor and tells the doctor that her groom has yet to consumate the marriage. The doctor asks "What happens when you go to bed" The women replies that my husband, the IBM salesman, sits at the foot of the bed and mumbles how great it's going to be once we get it in.

Wow an actual joke..... Usually they're just blurbs or fragments of something funny. That had a defined beginning, middle and end with the punch line right where it counted! :D

Originally posted by netman
It could have been either. Kind of hard to say but the 4228 is incredibly directional; signals would need to be very strong to come in off the side like that. Too bad I was too lazy to go to the rotor and check.

Although, it would help if there was a digital 33 in Delaware/Maryland to be receiving, wouldn't it?

- Trip

Originally posted by Trip in VA
Although, it would help if there was a digital 33 in Delaware/Maryland to be receiving, wouldn't it?

- Trip

Sorry, that was channel 38 I was thinking of. Didn't mean to pi$$ in your Corn Flakes.

Originally posted by bjohn


What I find SOOOO amazing is that the Spanish channels are always transmitting at excellent signal strength (granted not in HD)

Isnt it crazy....the spanish stations that arent showing any HD are and have been coming in very strong for me. Im not even getting me hopes up for tonight ..I dont expect we will see any difference than what we have seen during the week. NOTHING

Do the "combiner people" work on weekends?

"Combiner People" an invisible, alien race bent upon
killing all hopes and aspirations of Metropolitan New Yorkers!

Gary

Originally posted by Gary Press
Do the "combiner people" work on weekends?

"Combiner People" an invisible, alien race bent upon
killing all hopes and aspirations of Metropolitan New Yorkers!

Gary

It would be pure speculation, but usually the station engineers dont work wkends unless they are doing signal test, etc. or something that required powering down or affects the OTA signal that they would need to be doing at off peak hours or in coordination with other groups up there (Master FM group, etc)

i'd say get your hopes for something MAYBE before xmas but more then likely nothing major till after the holidays...

Will this thread get to 300 pages before the combiner actually kicks in? :)

Originally posted by Ken Ross
Will this thread get to 300 pages before the combiner actually kicks in? :)

nah but it will once it is in, because then everyone will be posting how they still dont get the reception they want and complaining until the freedom tower gets built :D

Originally posted by Ken Ross
Will this thread get to 300 pages before the combiner actually kicks in? :)

Last week I posted "Will this thread get to 200 pages before the combiner..."

Maybe you are more realistic with your 300 guess.:p

Its very late for a post, though it tis the season for holiday parties, of which I just arrived home from one. Many have been ranting over the launch of UPN-HD for what can only be one show.....Enterprise. As it is the holiday season, Enterprise is now in re-run. A channel while obviously not even broadcast over any off-air analog network that should be discussed is the Sci-Fi network. Come January (the new) Battle Star Galactica will be airing. Now thats a series I would like to see in HD. Not to mention other series on the same network, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis etc that would be great in HD. The point is.... that eventually the "combiner" will be finished, but now isn't an urgent time to desire the extra local channels. Spend some time rallying support for other sources (networks).

Originally posted by Morg111
Its very late for a post, though it tis the season for holiday parties, of which I just arrived home from one. Many have been ranting over the launch of UPN-HD for what can only be one show.....Enterprise. As it is the holiday season, Enterprise is now in re-run. A channel while obviously not even broadcast over any off-air analog network that should be discussed is the Sci-Fi network. Come January (the new) Battle Star Galactica will be airing. Now thats a series I would like to see in HD. Not to mention other series on the same network, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis etc that would be great in HD. The point is.... that eventually the "combiner" will be finished, but now isn't an urgent time to desire the extra local channels. Spend some time rallying support for other sources (networks).
Battlestar Galactica will be airing on UniversalHD in, of course, HD. Presumably at the same time it airs on SciFi Channel, though a specific schedule hasn't been announced.

The miniseries will also be aired on NBC in a 3-hour edited format on January 8, presumably also in HD.

I would like to see the sc fi network in HD but this part of the forum is about OTA. And in the biggest city in the US we struggle to get our local ch's. Its not about one more local ch and one more show in HD. Its about seeing any progress at all. Right now I cant get NBC, WB, WNET and there is no UPN. Thats alot of locals not to have. Right now those ch's mean more to me than a sci fi ch that might start operating down the road.

it will be pretty ironic if after the combiner goes online, some of us still can't get the channels we want :)

i for one am assuming that since i get fox, abc, and cbs, i should have no problems getting the others once the combiner is up.

The key is how you currently receive WCBS-DT.

Although each station on the combiner will have its own distinct frequency and power, they will all be using Channel 56's antenna.

Gary

okay good. cbs has always been strong for me. it has been the first HD channel i ever received and has always been there for me.

thanks.

i live in north brunswick. i get CBS fron NY Over the Air. But i cannot get ABC/FOX? please help. i use Zenith Silver Sensor ...
With this Antenna, I can get stations from Philly if i turn in that direction.

Originally posted by slocko
it will be pretty ironic if after the combiner goes online, some of us still can't get the channels we want :)

i for one am assuming that since i get fox, abc, and cbs, i should have no problems getting the others once the combiner is up.

I have been wondering about the same thing... especially since CBS-DT signal dropped about 50% for my location lately

Originally posted by berniec
It would be pure speculation, but usually the station engineers dont work wkends unless they are doing signal test, etc. or something that required powering down or affects the OTA signal that they would need to be doing at off peak hours or in coordination with other groups up there (Master FM group, etc)

i'd say get your hopes for something MAYBE before xmas but more then likely nothing major till after the holidays...

Maybe we need to qualify which engineers don't work weekends. Maintenance and operating engineers work 24/7, ( maybe maintenace gets overnights off) it's the design engineers that get weekends off. lol.
In fact the design engineers at CBS can't pick up any tools since they are not union. While ABC and NBC engineers are NABET.

Battlestar Galactica will be airing on UniversalHD in, of course, HD. Presumably at the same time it airs on SciFi Channel, though a specific schedule hasn't been announced.

Really thats great!


I would like to see the sc fi network in HD but this part of the forum is about OTA. And in the biggest city in the US we struggle to get our local ch's. Its not about one more local ch and one more show in HD. Its about seeing any progress at all. Right now I cant get NBC, WB, WNET and there is no UPN. Thats alot of locals not to have. Right now those ch's mean more to me than a sci fi ch that might start operating down the road.

I get them all side UPN. Though I hear what your saying.

This reminds me of a story about networking the WTC for Ethernet ~ 20 years ago. I knew the DEC engineer who was responsible for a big chunk of work in that project. As most CE's did back then he had a mini screwdriver he kept in his shirt pocket for unscrewing rs-232 cables.

A union rep pulled him over along with mgt. and insisted he was in violation because he was carrying "tools" and the external contractors were not allowed to do that. Only the WTC staff engineers were allowed to have "tools"!!

Always thought that was a funny story!!



Originally posted by George Thompson
Maybe we need to qualify which engineers don't work weekends. Maintenance and operating engineers work 24/7, ( maybe maintenace gets overnights off) it's the design engineers that get weekends off. lol.
In fact the design engineers at CBS can't pick up any tools since they are not union. While ABC and NBC engineers are NABET.

Originally posted by George Thompson
Maybe we need to qualify which engineers don't work weekends. Maintenance and operating engineers work 24/7, ( maybe maintenace gets overnights off) it's the design engineers that get weekends off. lol.
In fact the design engineers at CBS can't pick up any tools since they are not union. While ABC and NBC engineers are NABET.
Transmitter engineers often work midnights, because that is the only time when they can shut down, reduce power, or go to a backup system for maintenance. Generally, design engineers are not union members. NBC is unique in that theirs are. As George said, all maintenance and operations engineers are union members, and generally work shifts that cover 24/7/365-6. Also remember, there are fewer engineers of all types at the networks and stations, economic priorities being what they are. This, even as they are trying to build and operate HD and SD plants. Save a buck, no matter what the cost.

So does anyone actually know what the staus of the combiner is? Is CBS truly running off of the combiner or were we just guessing? What happened to the schedule that was published earlier this week?

Originally posted by George Thompson
Maybe we need to qualify which engineers don't work weekends. Maintenance and operating engineers work 24/7, ( maybe maintenace gets overnights off) it's the design engineers that get weekends off. lol.
In fact the design engineers at CBS can't pick up any tools since they are not union. While ABC and NBC engineers are NABET.

i was overly generalizing for the sake of my being lazy.

oh god dont remind me about the union madness lolol

Originally posted by hphase
Transmitter engineers often work midnights, because that is the only time when they can shut down, reduce power, or go to a backup system for maintenance. Generally, design engineers are not union members. NBC is unique in that theirs are. As George said, all maintenance and operations engineers are union members, and generally work shifts that cover 24/7/365-6. Also remember, there are fewer engineers of all types at the networks and stations, economic priorities being what they are. This, even as they are trying to build and operate HD and SD plants. Save a buck, no matter what the cost.

Can I ask in laymans terms what all this means. Are we going to get any more channels on the combiner before Christmas or not ?

Originally posted by Scott G
Can I ask in laymans terms what all this means. Are we going to get any more channels on the combiner before Christmas or not ? I think we should have learned by now to stop asking. All we have seen on this forum is rumors and disappointing info that ultimately leads us to get more frustrated. I can just imagine how many folks (me included) were rescanning their channels these past few days hoping for UPN to show up on 9-1. After yesterday's let down I have lost the faith that anyone on this forum really knows what is going on with the combiner project.

If the combiner arrived under one of the engineer's christmas trees it'd have been installed and operating within 2 hours (ooh goodie, new gadget, let's play!). Instead, we have to endure all this planning and testing. ;)

I'd say it's a safe bet that WCBS-DT is on the combiner. They've always been on the same antenna. Other stations will come on eventually, but the schedule is affected by many variables that are incomprehensible by many on this thread. Weather, shipping, and even ratings can factor into it. Not even counting the results of whatever testing they need to do will uncover. It will happen, but not on any one date, and certainly not soon enough for us on this thread. (Unless, of course, my WABC-DT receivability takes a nosedive on the combiner.)

Why all the secrecy? Why doesn't someone just announce what is going on? There was a news story a week or so ago talking about testing etc that was linked earlier in this thread. Where is the news story talking about how it went, or if it went? If this project is worthy of news coverage (and we have seen in the past that it is), then why not more updates?

I doubt that much, if any, of what is going on with the combiner is incomprehensible to members of this thread. To me, it looks like there are some very smart people here. They are also customers of the broadcasters. And, probably very good ones at that since they have made the effort to to get broadcast digital TV by paying more money for a HDTV set, tuner, and to actually hook up an antenna on/in their roof/attic. The broadcasters/project managers should use this resource, not keep it in the dark.

Originally posted by Gary Quiring
I think we should have learned by now to stop asking. All we have seen on this forum is rumors and disappointing info that ultimately leads us to get more frustrated. I can just imagine how many folks (me included) were rescanning their channels these past few days hoping for UPN to show up on 9-1. After yesterday's let down I have lost the faith that anyone on this forum really knows what is going on with the combiner project.

Yes..I second that. It really is something that there is no official word of what is going on. I was rescanning for UPN....but I stopped doing so because I just dont believe anything that is written or said anymore. Until I see the proof...the combiner doesnt exsist to me. I know its eventually going to happen...but we all have been let down so much in the past. Why should this be any different.

Well, to me it is the broadcaster's losses if they keep delaying. I cannot get WPIX-DT and WWOR-DT and I almost never, ever watch either of the two channels for any programming at all. I get all the other channels in crystal clear digital and cannot watch these two in scratchy analog form.

I watch virtually nothing on these channels including news, etc. I was really looking forward to watching some of the programming on these channels starting with the Wizard of Oz on WPIX-DT tommorrow. To me no digital HD channel means no viewing of the stations to me. By no means a threat, just a factual situation for me. I just can't watch the ugly analog version.

Rumor has it that the combiner WILL make a special appearance on the hit ABC (-DT) series "LOST". How it would up on the island is anyone's guess....so we've got LOTS of time to ante up with the guesses. Me thinks it was a power struggle between the execs over at ABC and the rest of the NYC OTA channels.....:rolleyes:

The wire that Sayeed found leading out of the ocean into the jungle was the power to run the combiner......

Go figure!

:mad:

{Now back to reality}

And I second the emotion regarding lost of viewership from an HD junkie for NON-HD channels. Since I started playing this dopey "OTA game" CBS has gained me as a viewer on an *almost* nightly basis every week (Raymond, CSI: Miami/NY, WIthout a Trace to name a few), ABC-DT has me for LOST and their weekly movies (i.e. Sunday/Saturday Night Movies) and my wife is ecstatic that NBC is on air (L&O, Las Vegas and all their other dramas). Now that Fox is HD I'm sure she'll tune in for 24 each week.

UPN....nada. WB...again, nada. Hell, we even watch NJN when something "pretty and scenic" is on. And I'm sure "we" aren't the only ones who pick and choose what to watch on TV as a result of HD programming. Before HD I NEVER watched network programming save for the shows I'd watched for years (Friends, Seinfeld....hell--even 90210...shudder).

Even my 4 and 7 year olds NOW know the difference between HD and non-HD....:D

Concerning the lack of information being given to us in the New York metropolitan area, are you all ready for this one?

This morning's Los Angeles Times has published an article, with attribution to Stephen Williams of Newsday - and here it is. Promise not to blame me for inaccuracies and errors.

"HI-DEF ALERT. New Yorkers who depend on the over-the-air signals for their HDTV viewing are about to he handed a Christmas present. Perhaps belatedly: the long-awaited, long-delayed "combiner" transmitter atop the Empire State Building is supposed to begin transmitting in January.

The powerful combiner, which looks like a huge chunk of plumbing pipes, will replace the transmitters that were lost atop the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001. High-definition digital broadcasts originating from the Empire State Building will come from WCBS (which has been in place for several years), WNBC, WOR (sic), WPIX and WNET. Fox (WNYC)
(sic) broadcasts from a separate antenna on the building.

Bob Seidel, vice president of engineering for CBS, say he expects most of the stations will be transmitting from the combiner within a month. The range of the digital broadcasts will be from 55 to 60 miles, he said.

'You won't notice any change in channel 2, we've been at 100 percent power all along. But all the other stations will get out farther,' Seidel said.

Seidel says he expects WNET will be later in joing the combiner, since some of its transmission facilities aren't yet complete."

Again, no complaints to me for Williams' mistakes and your frustration.

Gary

Another month delay, what a shock.

Originally posted by Gary Press
High-definition digital broadcasts originating from the Empire State Building will come from WCBS (which has been in place for several years), WNBC, WOR (sic), WPIX and WNET. Fox (WNYC)
(sic) broadcasts from a separate antenna on the building.

Gary

Why is there no mention of WABC?

Originally posted by RMSko
Why is there no mention of WABC? You would have to notice that BIG item!!! If they are not on the combiner I might as well just drop D* right now and go to the dark side and get CableVision.

I get WABC just fine the way it is...but I would think they would be on the combiner also. But why do we have to get a LA TIMES quote about a NYC area issue? Why doesnt someone over here report about it? I also never watch WPIX....WWOR...and WNET because of their lack of OTA sig in my area. I get WNBCDT via Directv but without DTV I wouldnt watch NBC either. Its simple...watch a tv show in HD glory or watch a tv show in Directv digital compression.....depression....I'll take the HD glory 9 times out of 10.

Originally posted by dlan
I have been wondering about the same thing... especially since CBS-DT signal dropped about 50% for my location lately

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's experiencing this - thought I was imagining it (the 20% signal drop which has now caused my 2.1 to go into dropouts every 30 seconds.....)

I hope (but I doubt) that it will be addressed - I'll end up with a bigger antenna I guess....ugh.

I don't think the New York transmitter engineers are breathing a sigh of relief now that the LA Times gave them a reprieve. :D

Don't take everything you read in the press (and even here) as Gospel. I think we are all a bit too quick to hear what we want to hear and then scream when it doesn't turn out the way we want.

It's not that everyone is lying to you. Even those who know exactly what is going on can't predict the precise date and time. Those of you that are "in the business" know this, and sometimes that keeps those folks from posting.

Originally posted by grodgers
I'm glad I'm not the only one who's experiencing this - thought I was imagining it (the 20% signal drop which has now caused my 2.1 to go into dropouts every 30 seconds.....)

I hope (but I doubt) that it will be addressed - I'll end up with a bigger antenna I guess....ugh.

I have not mess with my antenna as yet since I get CBS-DT from DirecTV and my antenna was configured for the ABC signal... once ABC move or the other stations come online then I will try to re-point my antenna..

I hope that it's not a power issue and it's just a new signal footprint.

I know that we're all frustrated - and that's putting it mildly!

We also have to be logical about things.
Let's not hang on the words of every well meaning person who heard something somewhere from a friend of a friend. Misinformation is rife -
that has been more than proven to us all.

Don't necessarily believe the words or the omissions of a newspaper reporter. Shouldn't we all question his abilities in researching the article when he leaves out WABC -which will be on the Combiner and will use Conde-Nast as a backup -
when he lists channel 9 as WOR - those are the old call letters - and he refers to the Fox station as WNYC. Channel 5 has been WABD, WNEW-TV and WNYW - but never WNYC. That's the orginal channel 31 when New York City owned it.

We all need a big salt shaker for all of the above.

The one and only way to get the truth is by calling the chief engineer at each television station. They are the ones who intimately know what's going on and the timetable.

Don't be shocked if you have trouble talking to someone. Too many in broadcasting today view digital and high definition as costly, troublesome things that have been legislated by Washington - and our numbers are too small to care about. Gone are the days when station management (and owners) believed and ran their business
"in the public's interest, conveniecne and necessity."

By the way, that's why they have their licenses.

Gary

Hope this info helps, even thought its been discussed, here’s an article in today’s paper.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article taken from Long Island’s NEWSDAY for SUNDAY December 19, 2004 ~ Page E32
HI-DEF AIR ALERT:
New Yorkers who depend on over-the-air signals for their HDTV viewing are about to be handed a Christmas present. Perhaps belatedly: the long-awaited, long delayed “combiner” transmitter atop the Empire State Building is supposed to begin transmitting by January. The powerful combiner, which looks like a huge chunk of plumbing pipes, will replace the transmitters that were atop the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001. High definition digital broadcast originating from the Empire State Building will come from WCBS (which has been in place for several years) WNBC, WOR,WPIX and WNET. Fox (WNYC) broadcasts from a separate antenna on the building. Bob Seidel, vice president of engineering for CBS, says he expects most of the stations will be transmitting from the combiner within the month. The range of the digital broadcasts will be from 55 to 60 miles, he said. “You won’t notice any change in channel 2, we’ve been at 100 percent power all along. But all the other stations will get out farther,” Seidel said.
WNET will be later in joining the combiner, since some of its transmission facilities aren’t yet complete.
E-mail Stephen Williams at steve.williams@newsday.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally posted by Graphics
Hope this info helps, even thought its been discussed, here’s an article in today’s paper.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article taken from Long Island’s NEWSDAY for SUNDAY December 19, 2004 ~ Page E32
HI-DEF AIR ALERT:
New Yorkers who depend on over-the-air signals for their HDTV viewing are about to be handed a Christmas present. Perhaps belatedly: the long-awaited, long delayed “combiner” transmitter atop the Empire State Building is supposed to begin transmitting by January. The powerful combiner, which looks like a huge chunk of plumbing pipes, will replace the transmitters that were atop the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001. High definition digital broadcast originating from the Empire State Building will come from WCBS (which has been in place for several years) WNBC, WOR,WPIX and WNET. Fox (WNYC) broadcasts from a separate antenna on the building. Bob Seidel, vice president of engineering for CBS, says he expects most of the stations will be transmitting from the combiner within the month. The range of the digital broadcasts will be from 55 to 60 miles, he said. “You won’t notice any change in channel 2, we’ve been at 100 percent power all along. But all the other stations will get out farther,” Seidel said.
WNET will be later in joining the combiner, since some of its transmission facilities aren’t yet complete.
E-mail Stephen Williams at steve.williams@newsday.com

This is the exact same article as the LA article that was reported a few posts earlier.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, it is the same article.

The LA Times owns Newsday.

Gary

Originally posted by Gary Press
Yes, it is the same article.

But notice the different wording:

"Perhaps belatedly: the long-awaited, long-delayed "combiner" transmitter atop the Empire State Building is supposed to begin transmitting in January."

"Perhaps belatedly: the long-awaited, long delayed “combiner” transmitter atop the Empire State Building is supposed to begin transmitting by January."

Hello all,

At 5:12 PM tonight (12/19/04) WPIX-DT started test transmissions on RF channel 33 from the Empire State Building. We are transmitting through the new master combiner system into the antenna heretofore used exclusively by WCBS-DT. (WCBS is also transmitting this way.) Here are a few things to know:

1. There is still considerable work to be done to complete all portions of the combiner system and its connection to the antenna. Consequently there will be a number of times over the next few weeks that WPIX will be unable to transmit on channel 33 due to logistics or safety considerations, and so for the time being we will continue transmissions on RF channel 12 too.
2. As a precaution, since not all portions of the combiner system are complete, we are temporarily limiting our channel 33 transmitter to ¼ power.
3. WPIX’s digital transmissions on RF channels 12 and 33 will be identical. Digital television receivers are supposed to be able to handle this dual transmission and in fact this scenario is explicitly described in the Consumer Electronics Association CEA-CEB-12-A PSIP recommended practice. (This situation might occur in regions where stations use translators to serve remote portions of their market.) Consequently we don’t expect this temporary dual transmission to be a problem, but would like to hear if you as the viewer find otherwise. Please post on this forum if you have any problems. (Please use the call letters WPIX in your post.)
4. Many combo satellite/OTA receivers receive information on available DTV RF channels from the satellite provider (VOOM, DISH, DirecTV). At such time as we are entirely comfortable that our transmissions on channel 33 are finalized we will notify these carriers to appropriately update their guide. Until that time you may have to manually add in channel 33.
5. Lastly, we are not fully aware of the status of the other stations that will use the combiner (WNBC, WABC, WWOR, and WNET), and so don’t feel it is appropriate for us to comment on when they will originate broadcasts through the combiner. Needless to say there is considerable work going on here, so “stay tuned”!

Thanks much for your interest in WPIX and the WB!

Andy Bater
Tribune Broadcasting/WPIX

PS Re the post from yesterday: “Do the "combiner people" work on weekends?”

Yes, three of us from Tribune/WPIX worked both Saturday and Sunday. CBS’s project manager was also kind enough to come in today (Sunday) for our first sign on.
:)

Andy,

Thanks for the update and all of the hard work that has gone into the project. I'm in NJ at zip 08844 and just did a test of UHF 33 on my HD-Tivo. Coming in at 80% consistantly!!

It'll be great to get WPIX in HD soon!!!

Best regards,
Tom


Originally posted by abater
Hello all,

At 5:12 PM tonight (12/19/04) WPIX-DT started test transmissions on RF channel 33 from the Empire State Building. We are transmitting through the new master combiner system into the antenna heretofore used exclusively by WCBS-DT. (WCBS is also transmitting this way.) Here are a few things to know:

1. There is still considerable work to be done to complete all portions of the combiner system and its connection to the antenna. Consequently there will be a number of times over the next few weeks that WPIX will be unable to transmit on channel 33 due to logistics or safety considerations, and so for the time being we will continue transmissions on RF channel 12 too.
2. As a precaution, since not all portions of the combiner system are complete, we are temporarily limiting our channel 33 transmitter to ¼ power.
3. WPIX’s digital transmissions on RF channels 12 and 33 will be identical. Digital television receivers are supposed to be able to handle this dual transmission and in fact this scenario is explicitly described in the Consumer Electronics Association CEA-CEB-12-A PSIP recommended practice. (This situation might occur in regions where stations use translators to serve remote portions of their market.) Consequently we don’t expect this temporary dual transmission to be a problem, but would like to hear if you as the viewer find otherwise. Please post on this forum if you have any problems. (Please use the call letters WPIX in your post.)
4. Many combo satellite/OTA receivers receive information on available DTV RF channels from the satellite provider (VOOM, DISH, DirecTV). At such time as we are entirely comfortable that our transmissions on channel 33 are finalized we will notify these carriers to appropriately update their guide. Until that time you may have to manually add in channel 33.
5. Lastly, we are not fully aware of the status of the other stations that will use the combiner (WNBC, WABC, WWOR, and WNET), and so don’t feel it is appropriate for us to comment on when they will originate broadcasts through the combiner. Needless to say there is considerable work going on here, so “stay tuned”!

Thanks much for your interest in WPIX and the WB!

Andy Bater
Tribune Broadcasting/WPIX

PS Re the post from yesterday: “Do the "combiner people" work on weekends?”

Yes, three of us from Tribune/WPIX worked both Saturday and Sunday. CBS’s project manager was also kind enough to come in today (Sunday) for our first sign on.
:)

Great job guys. Nice strong signal in the Bronx. 32.db on the Fusion III card.

THANK YOU!!!

Awesome, perfect reception in Morris Plains, NJ. Now I have two 11-1s, but I can tune in 33 UHF, about 50% on my signal bar without a preamp. I only wish I had this while Angel was still on the WB.

AND just saw it is in time for the Wizard of Oz in HD tonight!!!

Big thumbs up!

Is WPIX transmitting VHF only? I am at work and I wonder if my UHF Silver Sensor will be able to receive WPIX. Thanks in advance for any insight!

It is UHF 33... If you get CBS now you'll get it at the same strength.

Originally posted by SteveWinNJ
Is WPIX transmitting VHF only? I am at work and I wonder if my UHF Silver Sensor will be able to receive WPIX. Thanks in advance for any insight!

I am getting WPIX-DT at 50 percent (WCBS-DT is almost 100). Excellent job. Cant wait for Gilmores and Clark Kent

Andy,

Receiving WPIX-DT here Northern NJ both on Ch12 and Ch33 this evening. I have been one of the lucky one’s to see you on Ch12 since I connect my LG LST-4200A STB to my 30 year old attic antenna with 300ohm twin lead this past fall. But never 100% of the time. Glad to see you are up. Good luck…..

Steven

EXCELLENT! Coming in good and strong!

Program Guide info to boot!

Excellent news, Andy!

My Zenith HD-SAT520 picks it up great.

My HR10-250 sees it on a scan but won't add it because it's "already there", so the PSIP data identifying 11-1 must be getting used to decide it's already added, even if it's a different broadcast frequency.

On the signal meter, I'm getting a 95-96 on the channel, though. Better even than CBS. Can't wait for this to be the channel my HR10-250 tunes, 12 is usually OK but with moderate breakups that do get annoying. :)

Originally posted by dswallow
Excellent news, Andy!

My Zenith HD-SAT520 picks it up great.

My HR10-250 sees it on a scan but won't add it because it's "already there", so the PSIP data identifying 11-1 must be getting used to decide it's already added, even if it's a different broadcast frequency.

On the signal meter, I'm getting a 95-96 on the channel, though. Better even than CBS. Can't wait for this to be the channel my HR10-250 tunes, 12 is usually OK but with moderate breakups that do get annoying. :)

I'm seeing the same thing. Signal 95 (Levittown, 11756), but can't tune due to channel 12. I posted on the HR10-250 thread as well.

WPIX

I have an HD-Tivo and when I check the signal strength on 33 it says 95%. If i tune to 33-1 it shows looking for signal on antenna and will not show the channel. If I go to signal strength for channel 12 it says 65% but again if I type 12-1 it says searching for signal. If I go to 11-1 WB comes up but it pixilates a lot, probably because it is still tuning into channel 12. From channel 11-1 if I go to signal strength it automatically brings up channel 12, meaning that 11-1 is tuning to to channel 12 not 33. I tried a reboot and nothing changed....

any suggestions

thanks

I press 33 on my Samsung SIR-T150 and it automatically changes to 11-1. Maybe Samsung has sophisticated firmware which is why I had no problems.
I never was able to receive channel 12 also, so that might mean something too

WPIX is strong(92 out of 100). Here on the south shore of Staten Island. Keep 'Em Coming!!

Doug: Can you please expand on the following:

Quote: My HR10-250 sees it on a scan but won't add it because it's "already there", so the PSIP data identifying 11-1 must be getting used to decide it's already added, even if it's a different broadcast frequency. end quote

I am in GA and will be required to explain by long distance telephone to my daughter in the NY area how to change the set up her HD TiVo and other HDTV set top boxes. I did not understand what you said about the HV TiVo in your post above. And, my daughter and son-in-lw are not the least bit technical, so helping them with their various HD setup via telephone is a challenge.

By the by, thank you for the many contributions you have made to this and other forums.

Regards:

Excellent....WPIX has never looked better!

I've basically given up on this channel this past fourteen months.....the temporary low power VHF frequency--gave me constant breakups and was virtually impossible to tune into...

But now...yowza...and just in time for the Wizard of Oz...

There's no place like home....there's no place like home...

Thank you!

Andy -

Thank you.

I'm the one who asked if "combiner people" work on weekends - and obviously they do!

Punched in 33 into my Sony HD300 and locked in immediately. If this is 1/4 power, WOW!

Signal is varying from 67 - 82. 82 - the highest reading I've ever gotten using a Silver Sensor on my window sill - 22nd floor in the East 60s.

Thanks again.

Gary

P.S. Please feel free to bring friends from other channels!

I take all my bad words back!!!! I am getting an 85 sig from Staten Island....which is good enough for a signal. And only 1/4 power.....that is very good news indeed. Bring on WWOR and WNBC!!! Great news!!!

PEOPLE WITH HD-Tivo , go to channel 33-2 to watch WB

I am about 20 to 25 miles north of NYC and only get as high as 12 on my signal meter which is not enough to get a picture. I have a Hughes E86. I get CBS at 100, ABC in the 70s, and NBC in the 50s. I guess I'll have to wait until it goes to full power.

But, I am very happy that you posted the information on this forum. It's great that you did that and very much appreciated.

I did not have any problems with my HD-Tivo and the New WB.

I went to the area where you manage the channels that you receive.
I performed a rescan for off air channels.

Once it was complete it told me that it added the 11.1 and 11.2. I then tuned in and received it just fine.

To avoid the silly questions... I could not receive it on 12 before so I know it is the new one and not the old VHF 12.

Let me know if this helps.

Anthony

Originally posted by Anthony in NYC

To avoid the silly questions... I could not receive it on 12 before so I know it is the new one and not the old VHF 12.

the problem it seems is if you have an HD-Tivo and you CAN get both signals at the same time.

On the hdr-250 TiVo, you can erase all off-air scanned channels and then do a new (rescan) of all off air channels. This will of course erase any duplications such as: 11-1(VHF WPIX, 12) versus 11-1(UHF WPIX, 33).

Originally posted by shappyss
PEOPLE WITH HD-Tivo , go to channel 33-2 to watch WB

This tunes the channel, but there's no guide data. Perhaps that will update over-night.

Seems to me that they are just "testing" at this point so that no program guide data will appear at this time.

Strange; I did the scan for off-air channels, and watched it detect a signal on 33, but at the end said no new channels were found. 11-1 still tunes to VHF 12 (which I do get), and nothing new was listed in the guide.

Tuning to 33-1 gets nothing; however 33-2 does tune to it (as does 33-3).

Same here. It added 11-1 and 11-2. Also added two NJ channels which I swore said 1 and 2. I can't find them anymore so no idea what they were.

When I went to add 11-1 to my favorites it said wpix-ditial and wpix-spanish for 11-2. What is that about?

Smallville here I come. When do you think Direct will program guide data for the channel????

Thank you combiner and WB!

Originally posted by RZ
Seems to me that they are just "testing" at this point so that no program guide data will appear at this time.

There IS program guide information. I see it on two MyHDs and already set a recording event with it.

I did the scan on my D* HR10 and found the channels. They are coming in perfectly. But Wizard of Oz is in SD format. I thought it was going to be HD?

"Thw Wizard of Oz" was released in 1939 - it is not a widescreen production.

The print that the WB is using is the latest digitally restored picture - the soundtrack is a "manufactured" 5.1 Dolby Digital. 11.1 (33) is transmitting 5.1 Dolby, while 11.2 (33) although the program information shows "Spanish," it's in English and comes through as ProLogic.

Gary

Originally posted by tmtech
AND just saw it is in time for the Wizard of Oz in HD tonight!!!

Big thumbs up!

Great job by WPIX-DT.

How come the Wizard of Oz is not in HD. It is on the small screen, but very,very clear.

It IS HD, that's what it looks like when a film from 1939, and originally in 1.33:1, is converted to HD. Not impressed? :)

WPIX-DT 33 on Combiner Thanks so much!

I am not yet getting the signal (perhaps 1/4 power is not enough for my current setup), but I am thrilled to hear that progress is being made.
Thanks very much combiner people!

Thanks WPIX! Getting 123-125% signal on my 921 in Huntington, NY.

i get it in Bergen County at 80% on the MyHD card that i have here, using an outdoor antenna thats in the closet of my apartment, only about 10 feet over groud level...i'm impreseed...cant wait for the Yule Log

Props to the Engineering Staff @ WPIX! :D

tincan - i am in newtown - getting a very low signal on my fusion card - hopefully when they go to full power we will get them.

I get cbs and fox right now - so i am hoping at full power i will get all the others as well...

Getting PIX in Dix Hills 11746 35 miles out at a signal strength of 82 on a DTC 100.

ABC is 82
Fox at 70
NBC at 25 no picture
CBS 70

Snowing pretty good here as well.

Full guide info too. Way to go PIX.

Seeing 11-1 and 11-2. Getting a good signal in Sussex county (on the border of Morris).

Thanks to those who are working to get this up and running!

Missed the Wizard. Receiving WPIX on a dish 921 at 120.

I also picked up some pbs stations r8-06

No NBC

Not getting WPIX in Norwalk, CT, but thank you for the hard work and the update.

However I am getting WNBC better than usual, I can actually hold it for a while without breakups. Must be the weather.

Originally posted by Chriš
Not getting WPIX in Norwalk, CT, but thank you for the hard work and the update.

However I am getting WNBC better than usual, I can actually hold it for a while without breakups. Must be the weather.
You might check again Monday or whenever people report it's being received again; I don't know what time it went off the air but I noticed not too long ago that the receiver I'd left on the channel no longer had signal.

I missed out because I kept on trying to get WWOR-DT 38-1.
They were supposed to be on before WPIX-DT 33-1.
Any word on WWOR-DT?

OK. I was wrong. There is actually a combiner!

Getting 85 signal in Floral Park.

Kudos to WPIX staff.


No program info for me because I have a crappy DISH 811 receiver. I guess I'll never get program info because DISH just don't know how to use the PSIP data that comes thru OTA.

Can anyone explain to me why I can only recieve CBS and now WPIX after about 9pm in the evening? My reception gets better later in the evening almost every night. I'm talking a good 5% to 8% stronger signals without any directional changes on the antenna. Before 9 or 10pm I can't lock the signal. ABC and FOX are steady. Why is this?

Perplexed in Plainsboro NJ.

Any ideas?

I'm not getting any signal on 33 and 56 (CBS) is going in and out. I assume they must be doing some testing since I'm usually in the high 80's with CBS. Is anyone else experiencing any problems today?

Also, up until now, my best reception was with ABC, which has always been at around 90, with CBS being a close second. Am I right that when ABC makes the move it may make sense for me to move my antenna a bit?

Getting PIX as advertised, with a guide, but the guide is about 6 hours off (at 10pm, it showed 16:00). I'm curious if this is perhaps an early problem with the combiner, soon to be fixed, or is it a problem with my TV (which is new). No other station has a guide for me to compare with.

The guide shows a chunk of the schedule not just the current show. You should be able to "step" through it.

Originally posted by spankle
Can anyone explain to me why I can only recieve CBS and now WPIX after about 9pm in the evening? My reception gets better later in the evening almost every night. I'm talking a good 5% to 8% stronger signals without any directional changes on the antenna. Before 9 or 10pm I can't lock the signal. ABC and FOX are steady. Why is this?

Perplexed in Plainsboro NJ.

Any ideas?

If you are not using a preamp it sounds like you could use one. The preamp would raise your reception levels above your drop-out point.

Originally posted by netman
The guide shows a chunk of the schedule not just the current show. You should be able to "step" through it. I re-read my post, and I should have been clearer. It shows the current show and later, it's just that at 10:0pm (22:00), it stated that the current time was 16:00. The show that was on, the news, was properly listed in the guide as being on at that moment. It's just that the moment listed was 6 hours earlier. Easy enough to figure out, just wrong.

plasmafan thanks.

I'm not using a pre-amp and maybe I'll try one but I still don't understand why my reception improves at night over 5 points across the board. Only at night ! .... anyone????

Originally posted by jgrahamiii
..It's just that the moment listed was 6 hours earlier...

hmmm I wonder if the guide info in the program stream is referenced to UTC time. If that is the case the receiver would need to know the time-zone offset (+5) OR the local time to display correctly. I don't have my stand alone receiver hooked up, just a couple MyHDs. Is it possible the box needs to be told the time or UTC offset?

Originally posted by SteveWinNJ
Is WPIX transmitting VHF only? I am at work and I wonder if my UHF Silver Sensor will be able to receive WPIX. Thanks in advance for any insight!

I guess you did not read abater's post? Item 3.

3. WPIX’s digital transmissions on RF channels 12 and 33 will be identical. Digital television receivers are supposed to be able to handle this dual transmission and in fact this scenario is explicitly described in the Consumer Electronics Association CEA-CEB-12-A PSIP recommended practice. (This situation might occur in regions where stations use translators to serve remote portions of their market.) Consequently we don’t expect this temporary dual transmission to be a problem, but would like to hear if you as the viewer find otherwise. Please post on this forum if you have any problems. (Please use the call letters WPIX in your post.)

I'm wondering if they've reduced power this morning for WPIX as they continue their testing. Last night I had a good strong signal. This morning nada.

Anyone in Central Jersey seeing a signal today?


Tom

No WPIX signal this afternoon. I'm 20 miles from the ESB.
Receiving CBS ABC and FOX all at or over 100 strength on a Dish 921

Originally posted by tmtech
I'm wondering if they've reduced power this morning for WPIX as they continue their testing. Last night I had a good strong signal. This morning nada.

Anyone in Central Jersey seeing a signal today?


Tom

See post from AVS member abater, never mind I will re post it:

WPIX-DT Channel 33 Transmissions
Hello all,

At 5:12 PM tonight (12/19/04) WPIX-DT started test transmissions on RF channel 33 from the Empire State Building. We are transmitting through the new master combiner system into the antenna heretofore used exclusively by WCBS-DT. (WCBS is also transmitting this way.) Here are a few things to know:

1. There is still considerable work to be done to complete all portions of the combiner system and its connection to the antenna. Consequently there will be a number of times over the next few weeks that WPIX will be unable to transmit on channel 33 due to logistics or safety considerations, and so for the time being we will continue transmissions on RF channel 12 too.
2. As a precaution, since not all portions of the combiner system are complete, we are temporarily limiting our channel 33 transmitter to ¼ power.
3. WPIX’s digital transmissions on RF channels 12 and 33 will be identical. Digital television receivers are supposed to be able to handle this dual transmission and in fact this scenario is explicitly described in the Consumer Electronics Association CEA-CEB-12-A PSIP recommended practice. (This situation might occur in regions where stations use translators to serve remote portions of their market.) Consequently we don’t expect this temporary dual transmission to be a problem, but would like to hear if you as the viewer find otherwise. Please post on this forum if you have any problems. (Please use the call letters WPIX in your post.)
4. Many combo satellite/OTA receivers receive information on available DTV RF channels from the satellite provider (VOOM, DISH, DirecTV). At such time as we are entirely comfortable that our transmissions on channel 33 are finalized we will notify these carriers to appropriately update their guide. Until that time you may have to manually add in channel 33.
5. Lastly, we are not fully aware of the status of the other stations that will use the combiner (WNBC, WABC, WWOR, and WNET), and so don’t feel it is appropriate for us to comment on when they will originate broadcasts through the combiner. Needless to say there is considerable work going on here, so “stay tuned”!

Thanks much for your interest in WPIX and the WB!

Andy Bater
Tribune Broadcasting/WPIX

dm145,

That was why I was asking... Last night it was as strong as my CBS signal, which was odd since it was only supposed to be at 25%.

What I was asking was what others were seeing in different parts of NJ...

Basically I'm just assuming 1/1/05 is when I'll "really" get WPIX, which is a good thing in my mind! The rest of the signal watch is just idle curiosity.

Tom

Originally posted by dm145
See post from AVS member abater, never mind I will re post it:

Came in pretty solid last night in Hackensack NJ and I live on the bottom of a hill with severe multipath issues.

Originally posted by tmtech
dm145,

That was why I was asking... Last night it was as strong as my CBS signal, which was odd since it was only supposed to be at 25%.

What I was asking was what others were seeing in different parts of NJ...

Basically I'm just assuming 1/1/05 is when I'll "really" get WPIX, which is a good thing in my mind! The rest of the signal watch is just idle curiosity.

Tom
"Signal Strength" is just a familiar notion on some of these receivers. Sometimes (not often) it really is signal strength, other times it is signal-to-noise, and still other times it is the inverse of the error rate. Above a certain threshold, a stronger signal doesn't mean a better picture. Close in, reception is limited by the number of reflections. Farther out, it is more influenced by signal power, but it is NO WHERE NEAR that simple. You might have equal "signal strength" numbers because the error rate from WCBS is roughly what the error rate is from WPIX.

FYI, my numbers in NW NJ are about the same from WCBS and WPIX, but they are both lower than WABC (on a lower tower with less power.)

Originally posted by spankle
plasmafan thanks.

I'm not using a pre-amp and maybe I'll try one but I still don't understand why my reception improves at night over 5 points across the board. Only at night ! .... anyone????

its a common thing that certain radio signals travel further at night. Also when there is cloud cover reception can improve. When there are clouds the signal bounces off the bottom of the clouds and around the curve of the earth so the signal travels further. I cant remember the exact reason why it happens at night too but i think its because of magnetic particles or somethign that also cause the signal to be reflected around the curve of the earth. (tropospheric effects I think it is called- my spelling stinks- had 'english for engineers'- sorry)

I'm sure someone here can explain it better but what you are seeing is perfectly normal.

Same thing happens in your car- travel at night or early in the morning you can pick up your favorite station from much farther away.

Originally posted by hphase
"Signal Strength" is just a familiar notion on some of these receivers. Sometimes (not often) it really is signal strength, other times it is signal-to-noise, and still other times it is the inverse of the error rate. ....

anyone know what the HD-Tivo measures? I'm trying to figure out what the numbers represent to better aim my antenna.

Anyone in Central Jersey seeing a signal today?


I'm getting it just fine here in West Keansburg.

Tony

Thanks much for your interest in WPIX and the WB!

Andy Bater
Tribune Broadcasting/WPIX


Andy, Thanks for giving me WPIX! I'll watch and support your advertisers.

Tony

I can't seem to get a good signal for 5.1 & 5.2. All other NYC OTA come in great. I'm less than 25 miles from ESB, across the bay in NJ. I have a RS VU-120XR mounted to the roof w/CM 7777 attached. No luck rotating rotating the antenna. Anything else I could try oher than moving the mount location?
I would hate to miss watching the SUPERBOWL in HD!

WPIX-DT is coming in strong here. I am looking forward to watching the Honeymooners Marathon in crisp, clear digital (even though it is SD).
By the way, has anyone noticed that WPIX-DT really crops their SD picture a lot ? Some of the writing at the bottom of the picture gets cut off on mine.

They've always done this. I believe it is refered to as a 14:9 zoom, or something similar. They zoom in just enough to fill most of the screen but not chop off too much. It's not too bad.

Originally posted by trekkerj
They've always done this. I believe it is refered to as a 14:9 zoom, or something similar. They zoom in just enough to fill most of the screen but not chop off too much. It's not too bad.

Not really complaining. The PQ is much better than analog WPIX. Just an observation. ;)

Picking up WPIX OK here in CT now! (outdoor UHF yagi with channelmaster preamp/amp)
For what it's worth, without the amplifier I cannot get a steady signal.

Originally posted by RMSko
Am I right that when ABC makes the move it may make sense for me to move my antenna a bit?

ABC rite now is coming off the condenest building (4 Times Square), and will be moving to ESB with everbody else soon -- so figure thats roughly about 10 city blocks south, so yes in theory moving your antenna slighly more to the south if you are aligned to 4TS for ABC would probably help you pick up the new ABC site at Empire and the other stations there better.

Chris - what part of ct are you in? I am in the newtown area and only get ~ 30% signal on my fusion card. Hoping it is due to the 1/4 power

WPIX-DT is coming in great in East Hanover NJ tonight. Nice solid picture when I've checked. The signal strength is about the same as CBS on my Zenith.

Rick

WELCOME WPIX-DT!!!!

this is late 'cus i was working late last nite & then early today-1st chance to check out the new addition. signal coming in at 100 here on the W. side (Port Authority- .75 mi from the ESB). EVERWOOD looks good-at least as good an HD pic. as on Fox. needed a rescan on my Samsung 160 to get ch. 33(which mapped as 11-1 which means for now the program guide lists TWO 11-1's). sound is good. SD picture also tho some are definitely cropped-especially noticably on a Macy's ad. odd that some SD is stretched/cropped while other material is pillar-boxed.
now bring on WWOR-DT & ENTERPRISE in HD!!! Christmas is lookin' good this year!


jim

Originally posted by Maynard
Chris - what part of ct are you in? I am in the newtown area and only get ~ 30% signal on my fusion card. Hoping it is due to the 1/4 power

I'm in Norwalk near the coastline, so I'm a bit closer. Once they go full power I'm guessing you'll be OK.

Originally posted by trekkerj
They've always done this. I believe it is refered to as a 14:9 zoom, or something similar. They zoom in just enough to fill most of the screen but not chop off too much. It's not too bad.

NBC-DT did this for a few weeks then stopped. Maybe WPIX-DT will do the same. It looks OK at first until you notice the distortion. Bring on WWOR-DT and WNET-DT. Then I will only need to visit this forum for trouble shooting purposes and can get on with my live.:p

Originally posted by HDntheCity
(which mapped as 11-1 which means for now the program guide lists TWO 11-1's).

I also have two 11-1's. Do both of yours get a signal? Assuming no, which one is the correctly mapped singal and how can you tell?

Interesting, while watching the news on WPIX-DT - I tuned to 11.2 and it was airing the same news but dubbed in Spanish :D

I can't believe I'm getting WPIX-DT for the first time after getting my HDTV :p

Bring on the METS in HD !

Originally posted by RMSko
I also have two 11-1's. Do both of yours get a signal? Assuming no, which one is the correctly mapped singal and how can you tell?

I have 2 11.1s as well. One is labeled WPIX-DT while the other one is labeled WPIXDT. The latter is mapped to channel 12 which I can't get with my UHF antenna.

Receiving WPIX again tonight. It seems they were not broadcasting during the day today.

I am located right between New Haven and Bridgeport here in Milford, CT. I have 2 problems with getting WPIX and wonder how things will work out with me. Currently, WFSB out of Hartford, CBS affiliate, is on digital 33, and ironically, my local WB is on digital 12!!!! Will I stand any chance of getting WPIX when it goes full power??? When I go to 11-1 I get about a 10% signal. I realize it will depend on how I have my antenna aimed, but how does this work out with all of the mapping issues and stuff???

scottte

Got a nice, strong steady signal on WPIX-DT last night, then no signal again this morning. No worries - I figure they are tweaking some stuff.

Originally posted by dan57
Got a nice, strong steady signal on WPIX-DT last night, then no signal again this morning. No worries - I figure they are tweaking some stuff.

Same here in Chester - and a bit of good news! Even though CBS swears they've been running "at 100% power", for the past 2 weeks i've had a horrible signal - so bad that it goes in and out every 30 seconds... HR10-250 shows signal fluctuates between 60-70 - when it hits 60 it drops out...

Well, last night, CBS is pegging 95 on my signal meter (like it used to....) and no more drop outs...

Looks like a little patience goes a long way... But now that I have all the OTA locals, I can drop the local feeds on D* - so much for their increased revenue stream :D I just can't figure out why I'd want to keep them when I get the same feeds OTA...even though FOX is up and ABC is coming soon...

I'm about 20 miles NE of the ESB and currently receive channel 56 (2.1) at a signal strength of 92. I checked 33 (11.1) several times yesterday up to 8PM and most recently this morning (Tues) at 9am EST and I get no signal at all. How directional is WPIX's signal? I've got a Winegard 8 bay with pre-amp pointing at 229°.

michaelk - THANKS for the explanation of why signal strength is better at night. It ends a mystery and now I can investigate this phenomenon more.

As has been posted here by a representative from WPIX, for the next few weeks its signal from the Empire State Building first, will not be at full power, he lmentioned 25%; and also that the signal will be sporadic.
WPIX and others stations are working on the combiner.

Both yesterday and today, during the daytime, the signal is either absent or at very low levels. It should come back tonight.

Gary

Tuned in WPIX-DT (UHF 33) briefly last night but could only get Spanish audio. Only ~9 blocks from the E.S.B. and I pointed a Silver Sensor at a nearby building (~110 degrees North of E.S.B.) and tuned reflections with a magazine-size chunk of aluminum foil resting on the back of the antenna. CBS (56 UHF) comes in now with more stability than in the past. All other non-ESB stations (plus Fox/UPN) have always been too weak (or may just be passing overhead). Use TWC/RCN cable mostly, which both lack WPIX-DT HD signals. -- John

Originally posted by grodgers
Same here in Chester - and a bit of good news! Even though CBS swears they've been running "at 100% power", for the past 2 weeks i've had a horrible signal - so bad that it goes in and out every 30 seconds... HR10-250 shows signal fluctuates between 60-70 - when it hits 60 it drops out...

Well, last night, CBS is pegging 95 on my signal meter (like it used to....) and no more drop outs...

Looks like a little patience goes a long way... But now that I have all the OTA locals, I can drop the local feeds on D* - so much for their increased revenue stream :D I just can't figure out why I'd want to keep them when I get the same feeds OTA...even though FOX is up and ABC is coming soon...

I have not been able to lock in CBS-DT since the moved to the combiner until last night... This keeps getting better.

Just curious if ANYONE out there is picking up WPIX-DT using a Hughes E86 Directv/OTA STB. I have three of them....and I'm in Central NJ and I just happened to check last night before even realizing that WPIX-DT was "live" and I received NO SIGNAL at all on Digital 33. And, all of my NYC locals peg out at close to 100 (CBS/NBC/ABC/FOX/all the spanish stations/PAX).

Just curious....I didn't try a "re-scan"....but I don't normally have to do that to tune in a "new" digital channel. I just tune in the digital assignment (i.e. 33-1) and it tunes it in.

TIA

Originally posted by jaypb
Just curious if ANYONE out there is picking up WPIX-DT using a Hughes E86 Directv/OTA STB. I have three of them....and I'm in Central NJ and I just happened to check last night before even realizing that WPIX-DT was "live" and I received NO SIGNAL at all on Digital 33. And, all of my NYC locals peg out at close to 100 (CBS/NBC/ABC/FOX/all the spanish stations/PAX).

Just curious....I didn't try a "re-scan"....but I don't normally have to do that to tune in a "new" digital channel. I just tune in the digital assignment (i.e. 33-1) and it tunes it in.

TIA

I tried adding new channel, and it didn't work! :mad: Normally that works on my SAT520.
After I rescanned the digital channels, it showed up, but not at the same location as the D* guide. It was a separate 11-2 and 11-2, with no programming info. Strange!!

Originally posted by Calabs
I tried adding new channel, and it didn't work! :mad: Normally that works on my SAT520.
After I rescanned the digital channels, it showed up, but not at the same location as the D* guide. It was a separate 11-2 and 11-2, with no programming info. Strange!!

Hey, who let you out of the Central NJ thread :D

I was going to post this over in the CNJ thread as well, since I didn't see ANY activity there and didn't know if anyone was still following the NYC thread as well.

I'll have to see if I can walk the wife through it today or wait till tonight and try the re-scan/33-2 method.

Originally posted by jaypb
Just curious....I didn't try a "re-scan"....but I don't normally have to do that to tune in a "new" digital channel. I just tune in the digital assignment (i.e. 33-1) and it tunes it in.


On my Samsung I had to rescan. I tried tuning to 33-1 and 33-2 manually and didn't get a signal. When I re-scanned, 11-1 & 11-2 showed up.

I've been trying to re-scan and 11-1 keeps coming up as Channel 12, which, of course, I've never been able to get up here. My receiver is the LG LSS 3200a, DirecTV box.

I have a Sony HD-300 - made by LG and basically the same unit as your LSS 3200.

What I did to get the new WPIX transmission was:

Go to "Setup" menu
Choose "Manual Ch. Add"
Enter 33
Push Enter
The system will then scan - and should then program the inclusion of
Channel 33 - WPIX-DT (11.1 and 11.2)

The specific wording on your system may be exactly the same or close.

I wish you well.

Gary

Originally posted by RMSko
I also have two 11-1's. Do both of yours get a signal? Assuming no, which one is the correctly mapped singal and how can you tell?

i only get one signal which i assume is UHF ch. 33 as i NEVER got ch. 12. on my guide only the old(ch. 12) channel has program details-the other listings says only "regular programming". the othe difference is on my Sammy STB the old ch has the WB logo in the channel banner-new channel has a little box that says WPIX-DT 11-1. its hard to describe without showing you but i hope this helps. also your STB may be different.
just got up to check my reception & it looks like WPIX is not transmitting on ch 33 right now. hope its back by prime-time. we were told this is only the testing period but it sure passed the test last nite!!

jim

WWOR-DT (UPN) is on the air on channel 38 which remap to 9-1 and 9-2

9-1 WWOR-DT is transmitting a 1920x1080i signal, we are high definition ready.

9-2 is transmitting WNYW-DT in standard def.

Originally posted by John Mason
Tuned in WPIX-DT (UHF 33) briefly last night but could only get Spanish audio. Only ~9 blocks from the E.S.B. and I pointed a Silver Sensor at a nearby building (~110 degrees North of E.S.B.) and tuned reflections with a magazine-size chunk of aluminum foil resting on the back of the antenna. CBS (56 UHF) comes in now with more stability than in the past. All other non-ESB stations (plus Fox/UPN) have always been too weak (or may just be passing overhead). Use TWC/RCN cable mostly, which both lack WPIX-DT HD signals. -- John

keep trying John. i'm just off W. 40th near 9th & also using Silver Sensor. 11-1(ch 33) came in maxed out last nite. if you got 11-2(Spanish sub ch.) you should get 33. a rescan worked for me. i looks like ch 33 is down during the day-hope its back on tonite. this should all get easier when ch 12 is shut down for good which i hope is soon.

jim

1?i]Originally posted by harican [/i]
WWOR-DT (UPN) is on the air on channel 38 which remap to 9-1 and 9-2

9-1 WWOR-DT is transmitting a 1920x1080i signal, we are high definition ready.

9-2 is transmitting WNYW-DT in standard def. [/QUOTE]

YEAH!!!! time for a(nother) rescan!!!!

BTW thanks to the max harican!!!


jim

I just did a scan UPN -DT isnt coming up for me yet. Anyone else?

Try now!

Gary

Well now at 6:02 it's off!

Obviously, the engineers are testing and tuning.

I guess we all have to patient - but at least it's there, sometimes.

Gary

im using a silver sensor with distribution amplifier wired in right at the antenna and a walmart USdigital hdtv receiver and am getting 9-1 and 9-2 in Nesconset LI.... 9-1 guide says "this is a PSIP test!"
i cannot get 33....

Everytime I scan ...it goes off....then I come back to the forum here and its on. So going by that ....it should be on now. But this is all very good news.

I get a strong signal, but a blank screen.

Originally posted by trekkerj
I get a strong signal, but a blank screen.

Same here on my HR10-250. But my Zenith HR230 is getting it just fine.

My Samsung is going nuts, whatever they are sending out is locking up the box. I can't change channels or even turn it off at times. Not good. I guess I'll try later, but I may have to unplug my box for a while and start over. What a pain.

My VOOM HD receiver is not picking up a sig for the ch when I do a full scan. But when I input the ch 38 ..Im getting a 91 sig. But I still cant tune to the ch. I'll wait until later.

In the "isn't this crazy department," my just recently, proudly programmed 9.1 and 9.2 just disappeared and all of a sudden channel 38.3 with no picture and no signal has now been automatically programmed into my list of digital channels.

I'm lost!

Gary

Hmmm. Getting it nice and stable for King of Queens. Had to manually put it into my Fusion HDTV Software on my MCE PC.

Of course, the MCE viewer is having problems with it. MCE seems to be more picky than the Fusion software...

Oh well... Hopefully it will get better when they get the kinks out of it...

Im in Newtown, CT btw - ~62 miles north of ESB...

-Maynard

Originally posted by vinnyv07
My VOOM HD receiver is not picking up a sig for the ch when I do a full scan. But when I input the ch 38 ..Im getting a 91 sig. But I still cant tune to the ch. I'll wait until later.

Same here, VOOM receiver shows 98 for signal on channel 38. It stops on channel 38 while scanning, but won't add the channels.

Anyone else have a Samsung receiver? Every time i tune to 38 or 9-1 the entire box locks up until I remove the antenna. Not good. Can't imagine what they are doing over there that is causing it. Anyone from WWOR reading this? I assume they are still testing, so I'm not complaining just yet, just reporting what happens. Kinda wanted to check out Veronica Mars in HD tonight.

Originally posted by nyjklein
Same here, VOOM receiver shows 98 for signal on channel 38. It stops on channel 38 while scanning, but won't add the channels.

Yeah, me too. I have a VOOM receiver and the channel will not map even though I show a good signal strength on it. We need to notify VOOM to map channel 9-1 for us. Does anyone know how we do this ?

Originally posted by th003g
im using a silver sensor with distribution amplifier wired in right at the antenna and a walmart USdigital hdtv receiver and am getting 9-1 and 9-2 in Nesconset LI.... 9-1 guide says "this is a PSIP test!"
i cannot get 33....

i seem to be lucky. getting 9-1 here off 9th Ave midtown(W.40th st.). the sig. is fluctuating tho & the meter is all over the place-100 then 93 then 0 then 54 etc. P. guide says "6pm testing" but its simulcasting the analog ch programming. audio is DD 2.0. BTW i'm also using Silver Sensor & amp. anyone have the hardware to check the trans-
mitted power?
the good news is ch 33 is back up & strong as a train!! meter is maxed, pq good, audio is DD 5.1. same P. guide issues(no info.) but i can get it from the analog listing.
if the announced timetable is accurate all should be ironed out in a week or so. hopefully WWOR will be at full power & ch 12 will be off. now we need WNET-DT to get with the programming!!! we got a video Xmas feast!! a bit OT Fox is on D*(ch 88) & i finally got my copy of Return of the King EE!!! stayin' home the rest of this week!!LOL!!

jim

Originally posted by vinnyv07
My VOOM HD receiver is not picking up a sig for the ch when I do a full scan. But when I input the ch 38 ..Im getting a 91 sig. But I still cant tune to the ch. I'll wait until later. Weird i know. same here.. BUT I scan with my Sammy 360 D* and bang its there and looks pretty good.

Originally posted by Scott G
Yeah, me too. I have a VOOM receiver and the channel will not map even though I show a good signal strength on it. We need to notify VOOM to map channel 9-1 for us. Does anyone know how we do this ? I think Sean is the guy for that one..

Originally posted by trekkerj
Anyone else have a Samsung receiver? Every time i tune to 38 or 9-1 the entire box locks up until I remove the antenna. Not good. Can't imagine what they are doing over there that is causing it. Anyone from WWOR reading this? I assume they are still testing, so I'm not complaining just yet, just reporting what happens. Kinda wanted to check out Veronica Mars in HD tonight. Sanned with my sammy 360 and it shows up in the PG and looks good..

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
I think Sean is the guy for that one..

Could you send Sean a message to have VOOM map the channel for us. I don't know how to reach him.

Thanks

I'm getting it now too. GUess they resolved whatever the issue was.

Ch. 38 is booming in here in Kings Park

My Unity Motion ( IT 815ST STB by INTEGRA TELECOM )
has no problems with it

Can't believe it, getting every NY local in HD for the first time ever. A monumental day.

I just spoke to a level 2 tech at D* and he thinks the HR10-250 is not scanning the new channel because they were not given any guide data for the channel yet. This wasn't a problem with WPIX since they were already providing info for channel 12. Who do we call/E-mail to get UPN to provide guide data? UPN/TiVo/D*?

I just did the scan on my hr10-250 and it picked it up just fine... Have yo uverified that you get signal on 38?

Of course there is no guide data but 9-1 and 9-2 tune in just fine...

Originally posted by dturturro
I just spoke to a level 2 tech at D* and he thinks the HR10-250 is not scanning the new channel because they were not given any guide data for the channel yet. This wasn't a problem with WPIX since they were already providing info for channel 12. Who do we call/E-mail to get UPN to provide guide data? UPN/TiVo/D*?

Thank You Combiner People! I'm recieving every NY station CBS-DT, NBC-DT, FOX-DT, ABC-DT, UPN-DT, WPIX-DT the only missing station is PBS 13-DT! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

Getting 9-1 and 9-2 out here in Levittown. Samsung SIR-T150 + Silver Sensor.
Signal is stronger (about 20%) than WPIX-DT

Originally posted by trend1
Thank You Combiner People! I'm recieving every NY station CBS-DT, NBC-DT, FOX-DT, ABC-DT, UPN-DT, WPIX-DT the only missing station is PBS 13-DT! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

I'm getting everything except NBC-DT and PBS-DT out in Selden. UPN (38) stronger than PIX (33). UPN and FOX both have sub-channels. FOX44 is still showing 480i UPN on the .2 subchannel, and UPN38 is showing 480i FOX on their .2 subchannel.

I am guessing that NBC and ABC are still not on the combiner.

I guess I need a better antenna,
In Northern NJ, with my PC HD Tuner card the only station I can get video on is Ch44 WABC-DT.

I just ordered a Sub Sliver antenna, I am guessing that might help.

33-1/38-1 both coming in at 100 solid on my D* Hughes E86 receivers.

Interestingly, I can't tune in 11-1 after a re-scan. 11-1 "gives" me the WPIX guide info....but if I tune to it my receiver seems to want to tune to "digital" 12.....but if I tune to 33-1 it "re=maps" to 11-1...and everything is fine.

But it's doable....and 11-2 had Raymond in Spanish.

That was interesting....:p

I had WPIX on Sunday, about as strong as WCBS. No WPIX last night. Still no WPIX tonight, but WWOR comes in fine, about as strong as WCBS. WABC still kicks a$$ signal "strength" wise, much better than the combiner stations. Could be multipath, but I'm bummed that WPIX went away.

Nice and strong here in Hackensack NJ. 9.1 is UPN HD (up-converted right now) and 9.2 is Fox 5 SD.

After many scans, I can't get UPN-DT to rescan to 9-1and 9-2 on my HDTIVO. It is only possible to see this channel at 38-3 and 38-4. Any ideas on how to do this. I have already reset the unit, cleared the OTA channels and rescanned a half dozen times. The same is also happening with WPIX only being seen at 33-2.

Veronica Mars and UPN in HD!!!!!!

Too bad Enterprise won't be on until Jan 7th.

Any Suggestions?

Hooray, more progress!

Unfortunately, on my Samsung SIR T-165, through channel 38, channel 9-2 is fine, but 9-1 sometimes works, but a lot of the time it throws my reciever into an endless loop of rebooting.
It says "hello" (the message it says when you are turning on the unit) and says "digital sound" at the bottom right before it blanks and says "hello" again. Once in a while it works, though.
This comment applies to testing around 9PM on Dec 21.

Anyway, thrilled to see stuff happening, this is all very exciting.

General Custer, I'm having the same problem as you. Can't get my HDTivo to rescan UPN or WPIX.

same here, UPN and WPIX wont remap t 9-1 and 11-1

Have you tried deleting your local network areas and then doing the rescan?

Originally posted by General Custer
Any Suggestions?

Originally posted by tmtech
Have you tried deleting your local network areas and then doing the rescan?

I did a clear and rescan, no luck yet.

Been There Done That. Still no success.

Originally posted by tmtech
I just did the scan on my hr10-250 and it picked it up just fine... Have yo uverified that you get signal on 38?

Of course there is no guide data but 9-1 and 9-2 tune in just fine...

Can you see 9-1 in your guide if you change to All Channels?

9-1 does not show up in my all channels guide either.

I do see 9-1, 9-2, 11-1, and 11-2 in my guide but just with "Regular Schedule" as the programming.

I'm assuming it'll take some time before the guide data is accurate and included in the channels.

Originally posted by dturturro
Can you see 9-1 in your guide if you change to All Channels?

Anyone noticing a flickering black line accross the top of WABC-DT it's on NYPD blue and the ad's also.

I'm watching with a PC tuner card so I see the full frame, I'm not sure if an HDTV might crop it out.

Originally posted by icemannyr
Anyone noticing a flickering black line accross the top of WABC-DT it's on NYPD blue and the ad's also.

I'm watching with a PC tuner card so I see the full frame, I'm not sure if an HDTV might crop it out.

Yes, that has been on WABC-DT all night tonight.

At least the feed was clean Sunday. Last few weeks it's been bad then also.

Originally posted by tmtech
I do see 9-1, 9-2, 11-1, and 11-2 in my guide but just with "Regular Schedule" as the programming.

I'm assuming it'll take some time before the guide data is accurate and included in the channels.

That's strange. I'm not seeing 9-1 in my guide at all. I can get 38-3 & 4 by direct entry. If I hit info, I see Regular Schedule, but nothing when I hit guide. Maybe I'll let it sit over night and check again tomorrow. After this long what's 1 more night?

Don't know if it can possibly matter but my TiVo did perform a normal call sometime this afternoon (ie I didn't force it it was scheduled to do it).

Could that update the channel mapping?

I also didn't need to do anything other than one scan for channels and 9-1 and 9-2 showed up. 11-1 and 11-2 showed up Sunday night right after they turned on the signal...

Originally posted by dturturro
That's strange. I'm not seeing 9-1 in my guide at all. I can get 38-3 & 4 by direct entry. If I hit info, I see Regular Schedule, but nothing when I hit guide. Maybe I'll let it sit over night and check again tomorrow. After this long what's 1 more night?

Originally posted by Scott G
Could you send Sean a message to have VOOM map the channel for us. I don't know how to reach him.

Thanks Sean said that he has sent VOOM the info..:D

Originally posted by patrickpiteo
Sean said that he has sent VOOM the info..:D

Great hopefully they will map it for us soon so we can get 9-1, too.

Originally posted by tincan
...Unfortunately, on my Samsung SIR T-165, through channel 38, channel 9-2 is fine, but 9-1 sometimes works, but a lot of the time it throws my reciever into an endless loop of rebooting.
It says "hello" (the message it says when you are turning on the unit) and says "digital sound" at the bottom right before it blanks and says "hello" again. Once in a while it works, though...

Same results for my Sammy T-165, firmware v125 - must be bad PSIP info...

I see similar on post# 3662 (trekkerj)

My Samsung started picking up 9-1 and 9-2 10 minutes after I posted that. They must have fixed something. It was completely locking up my box when it saw the signal. I have a T151 standalone box, however.

During a channel scan, my TS360 halts on channel 38 for few seconds but it continues without adding the channel. I wish the TS360 had a way of adding OTA channels manually. Manual tuning 38.1 does not work with this receiver since it thinks it's a satellite channel if not mapped during an OTA scan :mad:

Originally posted by PDPnNJ
During a channel scan, my TS360 halts on channel 38 for few seconds but it continues without adding the channel. I wish the TS360 had a way of adding OTA channels manually. Manual tuning 38.1 does not work with this receiver since it thinks it's a satellite channel if not mapped during an OTA scan :mad:

That is exactly what is happening with the VOOM box during a scan. Something must be strange with their PSIP that screws up certain boxes.

For the HR10-250 problems with WOR & PIX:

I changed my local network (from NY to NY), cleared my locals and did a rescan. Before initiating the rescan I pulled the antenna lead off and waited for it to get to channel 13. I reattached the cable and it found 9-1, 9-2, 11-1(33) & 11-2(33). Guide data is coming in as Regular schedule. If nothing changes by tomorrow I'm gonna try forcing a call to see if that works.

Is anyone with an hr10-250 seeing guide data for either WPIX or WOR from the combiner?

Now we have every New York station except WNET-DT. Is there any information about when they will go on the combiner?

Do we know whether WLIW-DT will also go on the combiner?

Hi all,

I've seen several people getting reception in Huntington NY. I have a friend who lives there and just bought an HDTV. Is there any chance that she can receive HD using an indoor antennae?

Thanks,

John

no guide data for me either. it has been saying regular schedule since yesterday.

strange thing is that i still have the old 11-1 mapped and that has correct guide data :(

going to force a call.

Originally posted by tmtech
Is anyone with an hr10-250 seeing guide data for either WPIX or WOR from the combiner?

I don't... but I won't worry about it for now... I am sure we will get guide data from DirecTV soon.

Originally posted by MLM
Now we have every New York station except WNET-DT. Is there any information about when they will go on the combiner?

Do we know whether WLIW-DT will also go on the combiner?

WNET_DT - Sometime next year
WLIW-DT - Never mentioned to be, also from what I've read they no longer do HD?

I thought OTA guide data was pulled from the datastream just like the sat channel guide is.

The PSIP standard does include electronic program guide so I would think they'd use it rather than providing it via dialup like a SA Tivo.

Anyone know the real scoop on this?


Originally posted by dlan
I don't... but I won't worry about it for now... I am sure we will get guide data from DirecTV soon.

Originally posted by slocko
no guide data for me either. it has been saying regular schedule since yesterday.

strange thing is that i still have the old 11-1 mapped and that has correct guide data :(

going to force a call.

I have my local network set to a NY zip code and I get partial guide info for both. I see the program in the proper time slot but get No information available. I guess it is better than nothing.

I had to move my antenna a little closer to the window to pick up 38. Hopefully 38 will get stronger???

Anyone have any idea how to remove the old 11-1 mapping that never came in for me. I don't even know how it got there to begin with. It's the HD-Tivo.

I tried removing OTA channels from the menu, but that didn't seem to remove any of the channels, expect those I scanned recently.

Thxs.

Originally posted by tmtech
I thought OTA guide data was pulled from the datastream just like the sat channel guide is.

The PSIP standard does include electronic program guide so I would think they'd use it rather than providing it via dialup like a SA Tivo.

Anyone know the real scoop on this?

The HR10-250 uses the Tivo guide data and not the local PSIP. The HR10-250 need consistent data to managed the season pass and prevent duplicate recordings.

WOR is showing a 120 strength on the 921. Also reciving guide information on all OTA channels. Now just waiting on NBC

Originally posted by MLM
Do we know whether WLIW-DT will also go on the combiner?

No. Their transmitter is 30 miles east of the ESB. And since they still seem to be sticking to their plan of carrying no HD programming I, for one, could hardly care. WNET will be on the air and carrying PBS-HD programming and WLIW will be carrying 3 or more programs that almost no-one will want to watch. Good luck to them.

Getting 95 out of 100 signal strength on UHF 38 (9.1), but my DirecTivo HR10-250 tells me it's "searching for signal" when I tune to 9.1. Any thoughts? Thx.

Originally posted by sluciani
Getting 95 out of 100 signal strength on UHF 38 (9.1), but my DirecTivo HR10-250 tells me it's "searching for signal" when I tune to 9.1. Any thoughts? Thx.
Tune to 38-3 and 38-4.

WWOR
Getting 65% on my 921 and it can not lock it.

Originally posted by sluciani
Getting 95 out of 100 signal strength on UHF 38 (9.1), but my DirecTivo HR10-250 tells me it's "searching for signal" when I tune to 9.1. Any thoughts? Thx.
Have you done a new scan? When you do, it should pick up the new channels.

Also, for those wanting to delete the "other 11-1" on the HD TiVo, just de-select that channel in "channels I receive".

Does anyone know when the combiner is suppose to be at full signal strength?

Originally posted by MLM
Now we have every New York station except WNET-DT. Is there any information about when they will go on the combiner?

Do we know whether WLIW-DT will also go on the combiner?

No, WLIW-DT is not going on the combiner, though I imagine that now that WNET owns it, once the conversion is over they will move WLIW-DT to the Freedom Tower (though they'd have to move back to channel 21 to do it). Then they could do the HD on one of the frequencies and the SD multicast on the other.

And congrats on the combiner. Here I was thinking I might have UPN in HD before New York, but it just didn't turn out that way. :p

- Trip

Originally posted by jrschmidt
Hi all,

I've seen several people getting reception in Huntington NY. I have a friend who lives there and just bought an HDTV. Is there any chance that she can receive HD using an indoor antennae?

Thanks,

John


Not a chance. I live in Huntington and first thing I did was try an indoor antenna. My panasonic TU-DST52 was so dead (no stations) I thought it was broken. Then I tried my ham radio UHF beam pointed west. I then got WCBS-DT and WLIW-DT.

Next step...I bought a Channel Master 4-bowtie antenna (22.50) and put it on the garage away from the trees. I also added my GRE 20db preamp. Now I get all digital stations from the city, 2 stations from NJ and WLIW-DT.

Only way to fly is an outdoor antenna in the clear with a preamp. BTW I live one block north of Jericho Tpke behind Sportique Motors (Jaquar).

Originally posted by dswallow
Tune to 38-3 and 38-4.

Will try that as soon as I get home. What's odd is that when I checked OTA signal strength on the Hr10-250, the info for UHF 38 says it was mapped to 9-1.

Still not seeing any signal on UHF 33, even though I get 92-95 on UHF 56 and UHF 38. Maybe they're just not transmitting when I'm checking.

ahh okay. so my old 11-1 and my locals must all come from the Tivo data, and not from scanning. That's why I can't get rid of them when I say remove ota channels.

that must be also why it says regular schedule on the new channels. no data for them yet.

the universe is once again in harmony :)

Originally posted by dlan
The HR10-250 uses the Tivo guide data and not the local PSIP. The HR10-250 need consistent data to managed the season pass and prevent duplicate recordings.

Yes. :-)

I am getting zero on 33 today. I was getting a good reading on Sunday but nothing now..... anyone else have this problem

I wonder who will appear on the combiner tonight?

Anthony -

WPIX-DT, on 11.1 and 11.2, has not been transmitting during the day - the stations should be back possibly around 5 p.m. or so - but definitely in prime time.

Gary

Originally posted by Anthony in NYC
I am getting zero on 33 today. I was getting a good reading on Sunday but nothing now..... anyone else have this problem

i think it was the same yesterday then ch 33 was back after 6 pm. they must be testing & tweaking during business hrs. remember this is still the testing phase-be patient guys. no HD during the day anyway.

jim

it's on again tonight.

it's on again tonight.

it's on again tonight.

is it on again? :)

Is it my imagination, or is WABC-DT coming in much stronger at the fringes? I'm in Brewster, NY and am getting about the same signal level as WCBS-DT. Is WABC-TV now on the combiner at full power?

I'm still not seeing a signal from Ch. 33... 38 (Interesting that they should be allocated the same OTA ch. as their sister UPN in Boston for DT) is coming in rather well.

The VOOM STB now maps the new wwwor channel 9-1 channels. Just do a scan and they will come in the PG.

Is anyone watching Smallville? I've seen it in HD before on ch 12 with breakups, but I thought I'd see how it looks now. Doesn't look like it's in HD tonight, at least to me. The position of the WB logo looks like it's framed for 4:3. I'm not sure what I'm seeing.

Kevin Hill looks great on UPN, for comparison.

Originally posted by trekkerj
Is anyone watching Smallville? I've seen it in HD before on ch 12 with breakups, but I thought I'd see how it looks now. Doesn't look like it's in HD tonight, at least to me. The position of the WB logo looks like it's framed for 4:3. I'm not sure what I'm seeing.

Kevin Hill looks great on UPN, for comparison.

I have Smallville in full glorious HD.

Here's the thing though; I have always gotten WPIX in HD with the strongest signal of all the stations (always above 80% on a DISH 811), so anything combiner-related probably would not apply in my situation. I'm hoping that when WPIX moves to the combiner, the signal remains as good as it's been (for me anyway)......

They are on the combiner at 1/4 power, channel 33.

Originally posted by DynoMutt
Is it my imagination, or is WABC-DT coming in much stronger at the fringes? I'm in Brewster, NY and am getting about the same signal level as WCBS-DT. Is WABC-TV now on the combiner at full power?

I'm seeing the same thing 60 miles out from the transmitter on LI. Receiving ABC-DT from the city was always a rare event but it has been much more reliable recently. Fortunately, I can also get it from CT and at a much higher signal level. Having more choices is always a good thing though.

Originally posted by trekkerj
Is anyone watching Smallville? I've seen it in HD before on ch 12 with breakups, but I thought I'd see how it looks now. Doesn't look like it's in HD tonight, at least to me. The position of the WB logo looks like it's framed for 4:3. I'm not sure what I'm seeing.

Kevin Hill looks great on UPN, for comparison.

Smallville was in HD but the logo placement was unusual.

I remember it looking better than that in the past. I've never been too impressed with the WB's HD, it's way too soft compared to the other networks. I don't really watch any of the stuff they have on anyway.

I did find myself watching a couple of UPN shows in HD that I've never watched before. Being in HD really is a huge factor in what I will watch these days.

I must admit UPN (9-1) is one of the best quality HD channnels I have seen. I saw some Kevin Hill tonight and it was great PQ. Just watching the news in 4:3 on the HD channel looks extra sharp, too. I am pleasantly surprised how good the UPN HD channel is.

Originally posted by Scott G
I must admit UPN (9-1) is one of the best quality HD channnels I have seen. I saw some Kevin Hill tonight and it was great PQ. Just watching the news in 4:3 on the HD channel looks extra sharp, too. I am pleasantly surprised how good the UPN HD channel is.

I totally agree.

I agree, I really can't wait for Enterprise to come back next month.

I wish WPIX would stop that zoom for regular material though. Nobody else does that. I wonder when they will boost their power. Still, I can remember back when Angel was on, every Wednesday I would hook up a pair of rabbit ear antenna to a preamp and stick it out my window, and adjust it for about a half hour prior to 9pm to try to get a signal with minimal breakups. Ch 33 would have been so nice back then...

Can anyone verify which channels are currently on the combiner and which channels are expected to be on there soon? I ask only because I have not been getting WABC-DT for quite some time (ironically enough, ever since the supposed "upgrade" it's been my absolute worst channel to lock onto), then it magically appeared Monday night at 77%. I also have never gotten WNBC-DT, ever, and it came in strong last Monday also with no breakup. I don't know whether to attribute that to weather/atmospheric conditions, combiner testing, etc. Can anyone fill me in? Thanks in advance.

I'd prefer that all HD stations broadcast 3:4 material the same way WCBS does, with gray borders...

It will be interesting to see what happens when all the stations are on the converter. WCBS has always been the channel most susceptible to atmospherics, with WABC second, and FOX the best. It will be odd if the minor networks have a better radiation pattern and strength than CBS.

Originally posted by GRN
I have not been getting WABC-DT for quite some time (ironically enough, ever since the supposed "upgrade" it's been my absolute worst channel to lock onto), then it magically appeared Monday night at 77%. I also have never gotten WNBC-DT, ever, and it came in strong last Monday also with no breakup. I don't know whether to attribute that to weather/atmospheric conditions, combiner testing, etc. Can anyone fill me in? Thanks in advance.

Glad I'm not the only one who was wondering that. NBC has always been a problem for me too, but I watched it Tuesday night and it wasn't breaking up. I figured maybe atmospherics and because all of the leaves are down, but who knows?

The HD image quality of Kevin Hill on WWOR-DT (UPN HD) is superb, I must say this is some of the best HD I have seen to date, a notch better than CSI on CBS and equal to SBS HD from Korea.

http://www.sbs.co.kr

Can anyone verify which channels are currently on the combiner and which channels are expected to be on there soon? I ask only because I have not been getting WABC-DT for quite some time (ironically enough, ever since the supposed "upgrade" it's been my absolute worst channel to lock onto), then it magically appeared Monday night at 77%. I also have never gotten WNBC-DT, ever, and it came in strong last Monday also with no breakup. I don't know whether to attribute that to weather/atmospheric conditions, combiner testing, etc. Can anyone fill me in? Thanks in advance.

I am seeing the exact same thing here in Little Falls NJ- ABC-DT has been unwatchable since their upgrade except on rare occasions. This last Monday, it was a good solid signal, then Tuesday, no- signal on my SAT-520 and 4228 antenna. CBS and Fox have always been good and NBC seems to be better, but spotty at times. I'm hoping that Monday was a combiner test and not just atmospherics! Last night it was there, but breaking up, 11-1 was good with no guide data and 9-1 would not tune or show any signal.

Wayne