Originally posted by r8d
I just got Dish Network last week and while I like the HD content, I want more - to justify buying an HDTV. So, I'm looking into an antenna to pick up the locals (or anything else) in HD. I live in Middlesex, NJ (central). I'd like to avoid spending too much on an antenna since I had to convince my wife to get Dish in the first place...and to let me buy an HDTV. I can't see you having a big issue in Middlesex county getting the OTA from the Empire State Building. I live in Matawan which is the most northern section of Monmouth County and is neighbors to some of Middledex county. I usually pickup UPN and WB with no issues on my 35 year old VHF/UHF attic antenna. CBS, NBC, FOX and ABC I get via D*. I have tested CBS, NBC, FOX and ABC via my antenna and NBC is the only guaranteed flaky channel for me. The others usually come in fine.

So if you were to get a good antenna mounted outside I doubt you will have any problems. For a few bucks you could try a Silver Sensor and see what happens.

Originally posted by MLM
Long Islanders, if you're having trouble and can't receive everything from the combiner I suggest that you visit LNL in Syosset. Based on your location they usually know exactly what you need--and in my case it was less expensive than what I thought I needed.

LNL is at 235 Robbins Lane - Syosset, NY 11791, 516-681-7270. No connection except as customer.

By the way sent them an email for information on Tuesday, still waiting for a reply... Guess I'll try the phone next, but would expect a brief reply email at least...

oh well...

Originally posted by acebreathe
Is the WB got Sunday as well?

Yes.

TVJAZZMAN, suprised you did not receive a reply to your e. mail, they are usually very quick on that, anyhow very helpful and they know their products.

TVJAZZMAN, suprised you did not receive a reply to your e. mail, they are usually very quick on that, anyhow very helpful and they know their products.


Well then, I'll give them a day or two and in the meantime resend the email. We all have tough weeks sometime, they're due one too...

Appreciate the note, will also try them by phone mid week..

I'm visiting NYC next week and would like to visit a few high end A/V shops. Could anyone recommend a store or two on Manhattan island with impressive showrooms? Feel free to PM. Thanks!

By all means visit B&H Photo & Video on 9th Ave & 34Th Street. Lots of fun stuff. Also try Harvey Electronics @ 47th st between 5th & 6th Avenues. Nice selection of high end plasmas and FPs.

I'm visiting NYC next week and would like to visit a few high end A/V shops. Could anyone recommend a store or two on Manhattan island with impressive showrooms? Feel free to PM. Thanks!

You might also want to check out S&S Sound City. Its a few doors down from Harvey's Electronics on 45th Street.

I'm in Queens, NY and seem to have lost the signal to ABC-DT. I use to be able to pick it up on 7-1 with my built-in tuner on my sony xbr960, but I get no signal now. The alternate channel, 45-1 is also without a signal. Has this happened to anyone else?

I'm in Queens, NY and seem to have lost the signal to ABC-DT. I use to be able to pick it up on 7-1 with my built-in tuner on my sony xbr960, but I get no signal now. The alternate channel, 45-1 is also without a signal. Has this happened to anyone else?



I was able to watch it except for the last minute. Top part of screen had black and green patchwork, bottom ok. Anybody know who Dr Shepard's wife is?

Tuned in to WPIX at 9 AM and I now have 11-1, 11-2, 11-3. All 3 have "the judge" in English
HD HD and SD

I was able to watch it except for the last minute. Top part of screen had black and green patchwork, bottom ok. Anybody know who Dr Shepard's wife is?
Same thing happened to me. Worst time to lose half the picture!

The D* tech is in my house now to upgrade to HD and he says that there's no point getting the D* OTA since it doesnt work in Staten Island. Is it true? Anyone using it?

The D* tech is in my house now to upgrade to HD and he says that there's no point getting the D* OTA since it doesnt work in Staten Island. Is it true? Anyone using it?


Full of crap....

I was able to watch it except for the last minute. Top part of screen had black and green patchwork, bottom ok. Anybody know who Dr Shepard's wife is?

Same thing happened to me as well! I thought it was a problem with my HD Tivo, but see now that it was a transmission glitch. I also recorded the SD version of Grey's on a Tivo in another room, and can tell you that Shepard's wife is not someone we've previously seen in the series. She's a very attractive lady who we'll probably see again in a future episode.

/steve

Ken & Yung - I appreciate the recommendations! Looking forward to my NYC visit...

Ken & Yung - I appreciate the recommendations! Looking forward to my NYC visit...


Housecor,

Stop by these places too…

Sony Wonder Technology Lab
550 Madison Ave, (Between Madison and Fifth Ave),
New York City, NY 10022-3211

Samsung Experience
10 Columbus Circle, Time Warner Center

:) have a great time!

Housecor,

Stop by these places too…

Sony Wonder Technology Lab
550 Madison Ave, (Between Madison and Fifth Ave),
New York City, NY 10022-3211

Samsung Experience
10 Columbus Circle, Time Warner Center

:) have a great time!

Has everyone forgotten about J&R electronics? - across from City Hall.

Wow, I admittedly went off topic and you guys were happy to help. Now who says New Yorkers aren't friendly? Thanks guys! Can't wait for my trip.

Has anyone else noticed a big jump in signal on Fox 5? For the past week Fox's signal has been rivaling my best signal from ESB which is WCBS.
Today Fox was registering 90% when WCBS was coming in at 88%. At first I thought it was atmospheric but every day the signal is staying strong.

Has anyone else noticed a big jump in signal on Fox 5? For the past week Fox's signal has been rivaling my best signal from ESB which is WCBS.
Today Fox was registering 90% when WCBS was coming in at 88%. At first I thought it was atmospheric but every day the signal is staying strong.

Not atmospherics - WNYW-DT is now at its higher strength - the most powerful signal in the New York Metropolitan area - 990kW - ERP.

Gary

Not atmospherics - WNYW-DT is now at its higher strength - the most powerful signal in the New York Metropolitan area - 990kW - ERP.

Gary

Gary, any idea when it happened? If I remember right, I noticed the the spike in signal over last weekend.

Gary, any idea when it happened? If I remember right, I noticed the the spike in signal over last weekend.

Approximately 5/18 - 5/19!

Gary

Hello All,
Does anyone know what channels WNET-DT will be broadcasting?
On Cablevision I receive WNET-HD with two subs, Kids and World. Is that what we'll be getting OTA? What about the programming on analog 13?
Phil

Hello All,
Does anyone know what channels WNET-DT will be broadcasting?
On Cablevision I receive WNET-HD with two subs, Kids and World. Is that what we'll be getting OTA? What about the programming on analog 13?
Phil

Phil -

It's all on WNET's web site, thirteen.org.

13.1 = WNET Analog
13.2 = PBS Kids
13.3 = World

When the station connects to the Combiner, it will be transmitting on Channel 61 -
and after spending all of that money for a new transmitter, and taking forever, the FCC will be changing the channel assignment. Go figure!

Gary

Has anyone else noticed a big jump in signal on Fox 5? For the past week Fox's signal has been rivaling my best signal from ESB which is WCBS.
Today Fox was registering 90% when WCBS was coming in at 88%. At first I thought it was atmospheric but every day the signal is staying strong.
Is WNBC full power? I cannot get it here in Central New Jersey.

Is WNBC full power? I cannot get it here in Central New Jersey.

Supposedly WNBC is full power. I have not seen even a blip of WNBC (or WPIX on 12 or 33) on my signal strength meter up here in CT either. I get WCBS and WNYW perfectly and almost all the time except heavy storms. 7-x and 9-x come in pretty good as long as the weather isn't too bad.
I thought I'd get WNBC when it went full seeing how I get 9-x, which is kinda close in power, channel and height. WNBC must have a tight signal pattern or something just isn't right. Their signal doesn't seem to go out as far as others from the combiner.

Way to go WNYW, your signal rocks all the way up here to just slightly past your DMA!

George Thompson of NBC has reported here that WNBC-DT's signal is omnidirectional.

Gary

Gary: Thanks for the reply

GSfromCt: Dips and peaks in signal strength are common, especially in fringe areas.
Picture this: You're in the car approaching a red light. As you come to a stop your favorite tune from that distant FM station turns to static (you're in a dip AKA trough) So what do you do? We all know, roll the car a few more feet and you're back singing Jesse's Girl :) The same principle applies here although moving a roof mounted antenna is certainly more difficult. However, if you have exhausted all other possibilities (antenna, cable, connectors, splitters etc..) you might want to give it a try.

Phil

Gary: Thanks for the reply

GSfromCt: Dips and peaks in signal strength are common, especially in fringe areas.
Picture this: You're in the car approaching a red light. As you come to a stop your favorite tune from that distant FM station turns to static (you're in a dip AKA trough) So what do you do? We all know, roll the car a few more feet and you're back singing Jesse's Girl :) The same principle applies here although moving a roof mounted antenna is certainly more difficult. However, if you have exhausted all other possibilities (antenna, cable, connectors, splitters etc..) you might want to give it a try.

Phil

Phil. I put up dual CM 4221's so I don't have to rotate the antenna to get ESB stations and WLIW. One of these days I may throw up my CM 4248 yagi again just to see if there is any difference. I should be able to pinpoint WNBC with that. If I'm really lazy in getting the yagi up, I'm sure I'll get WNBC from the Freedom Tower (or is it the Freedom Tower sponsored by Trump? LOL).

Phil. I put up dual CM 4221's so I don't have to rotate the antenna to get ESB stations and WLIW. One of these days I may throw up my CM 4248 yagi again just to see if there is any difference. I should be able to pinpoint WNBC with that. If I'm really lazy in getting the yagi up, I'm sure I'll get WNBC from the Freedom Tower (or is it the Freedom Tower sponsored by Trump? LOL).

The problem may be the combined 4221's. You cannot (usually) aim dual antennas combined with a splitter in different directions. You need to use a tunable combiner which will isolate the WLIW signal before it is added back into the coax. The antenna that is pointing at WLIW is adding out of phase signals from the ESB screwing things up. If this is your situation, I would suggest reaiming both antennas to the ESB to see if that solves the problem. Then you can start experimenting with WLIW.

Phil

Not sure if this has been asked/answered, but I didn't see anything in my search of the thread...

I'm in Astoria, in a 6 story apt. building, using an admittedly cheap antenna. Still, I can get all of the locals I should be getting at full strength (according to my TV's built-in meter), except for WPIX. I've checked antennaweb.org and I've got my antenna facing the right way (in fact, it's the same direction many other channels I am getting are coming from), but nothing.

Wouldn't be so bad but I need my baseball! There's nothing else I really care about on PIX. Worst thing is they're not available on cable yet either, so OTA is my only real choice.

I've checked their web site and found this:

"*Construction work associated with WPIX's permanent FCC assigned channel 33 installation is not fully complete, and so at times WPIX may not be able to transmit on this channel. Consequently WPIX-DT will also continue its temporary low power transmissions on channel 12."

Is this still the case, or is this info old? (It's dated from Dec. 04). Could it be that I'm trying to tune them when they're on their "low power" channel 12? How low is low? Should I still be able to receive them or are we talking like, a 12 block radius and then the signal's dead?

Thanks for any help.

Way old. Search this thread for the power they are running at (close to full power). Not a Mets fan, but when they are home and on WPIX-DT, I find myself watching over SD Yankees games.

Way old. Search this thread for the power they are running at (close to full power). Not a Mets fan, but when they are home and on WPIX-DT, I find myself watching over SD Yankees games.

Ok, forgive the newbie Q's... I see that they're on the Combiner, along with several other channels. (All broadcasting from the ESB?)

I get these other channels fine. Why would I not get PIX?

Supposedly WNBC is full power. I have not seen even a blip of WNBC (or WPIX on 12 or 33) on my signal strength meter up here in CT either. I get WCBS and WNYW perfectly and almost all the time except heavy storms. 7-x and 9-x come in pretty good as long as the weather isn't too bad.
I thought I'd get WNBC when it went full seeing how I get 9-x, which is kinda close in power, channel and height. WNBC must have a tight signal pattern or something just isn't right. Their signal doesn't seem to go out as far as others from the combiner.

Way to go WNYW, your signal rocks all the way up here to just slightly past your DMA!

I live in Wilton, Ct. I have never been able to receive WNBC. Also, ever since WNYW increased its power I have a great signal but have completely lost WWOR, 9-x.

In addition, recently CBS 2-1 has become borderline and WPIX 11-x unusable. The latter could be trees due to the leaves now being full but I am no expert.

I have a Winegard bi-directional and my strongest station continues to be WTNH 8-x from New Haven.

Martin21

Is WNBC full power? I cannot get it here in Central New Jersey.I live in Matawan and also don't get NBC on most days. CBS, FOX, UPN and WB are fine. I am not sure about ABC.

The problem may be the combined 4221's. You cannot (usually) aim dual antennas combined with a splitter in different directions. You need to use a tunable combiner which will isolate the WLIW signal before it is added back into the coax. The antenna that is pointing at WLIW is adding out of phase signals from the ESB screwing things up. If this is your situation, I would suggest reaiming both antennas to the ESB to see if that solves the problem. Then you can start experimenting with WLIW.

Phil
I'm vertically stacked with both pointing in the same direction. I wanted an 8 bay bow tie configuration, but not a CM 4228 as that would have narrowed my beamwidth and would not allow me to get WLIW and ESB at the same time.
If Martin21 cannot get WNBC in Wilton then I don't have a prayer. Martin21 is like 30 miles closer than me. I'm 62 miles out. I'm in the fringe, that is for sure. :)

I am having the same problem with NBC. I have tryed 2 different antennas, a Radio Shack VU-120 XR and Antennas Direct DB4 . Every station from the combiner come's in with no problem with the execption of NBC.

Is WNBC full power? I cannot get it here in Central New Jersey..

Up until a week ago it was coming in as one of my strongest signals (I live in Nassau County, NY). Then one day, poof, it disappeared. Now it comes in intermittently. Have no clue why.

Oddly enough, the same thing has happened with CBS-DT, which once was the strongest signal out of all of them. It's almost impssible to lock on to a good signal on either CBS-DT or NBC-DT on my receiver.

Odd. :confused:

Ok, forgive the newbie Q's... I see that they're on the Combiner, along with several other channels. (All broadcasting from the ESB?)

I get these other channels fine. Why would I not get PIX?

Sorry to answer myself, but just to sort of close this off...

I think I was getting PIX the whole time and not realizing it. My TV auto-scans for channels and does not allow direct input of sub-channels. So if I set it to auto-scan, it'll memorize the channels it can receive, and if I then put in "4" it'll automatically go to "4-1" (I can then channel-up to get to 4-2 or whatever).

If I put in 11, I always got the analog version. I also didn't see it if I pressed channel-up and went through all my channels.

But yesterday, I just manually entered 33 and lo and behold, there's Pedro Martinez on the mound. Within 5 seconds, the channel re-ID'd itself on my TV as 11-1. I now always get 11-1 when I enter 11 on my remote.

No idea why the channel didn't get put into memory in the first place, but it's working fine now... I have all the local channels at full strength :)

I am having the same problem with NBC. I have tryed 2 different antennas, a Radio Shack VU-120 XR and Antennas Direct DB4 . Every station from the combiner come's in with no problem with the execption of NBC.
I guess WNBC will only increase its power when some of us become 'Nelson Family' and no signal here would start to hurt their rating. I for one have not watched any NBC's prime time show since I got my HDTV.

Sorry to answer myself, but just to sort of close this off...

No idea why the channel didn't get put into memory in the first place, but it's working fine now... I have all the local channels at full strength :)

badasscat:
Some people reported the same issue when PIX started broadcasting on channel 33. I think the broadcasting on channel 33 and 12 of the same channel confuses some receivers.

Phil -

It's all on WNET's web site, thirteen.org.

13.1 = WNET Analog
13.2 = PBS Kids
13.3 = World

When the station connects to the Combiner, it will be transmitting on Channel 61 -
and after spending all of that money for a new transmitter, and taking forever, the FCC will be changing the channel assignment. Go figure!

Gary

What is the time frame for this?

Anyone's guess is as good as mine or yours.

Probably within the next 5 months - before year end.

When the station gives up its analog allocation, the digital channel will also be on 13.

Gary

I'm vertically stacked with both pointing in the same direction. I wanted an 8 bay bow tie configuration, but not a CM 4228 as that would have narrowed my beamwidth and would not allow me to get WLIW and ESB at the same time.
If Martin21 cannot get WNBC in Wilton then I don't have a prayer. Martin21 is like 30 miles closer than me. I'm 62 miles out. I'm in the fringe, that is for sure. :)

I'm in Norwalk, at sea level surrounded by tall trees to the southwest (directly in the signal path). I can pick up NBC fine with a Channelmaster 4228 inside the attic (with 2 layers of asphalt shingles) and a 7777 amp. I originally had a Radio Shack UHF yagi outside on a chimney mount, and I was getting an intermittent signal. I'm getting a stronger signal with the 4228 inside believe it or not. It is quite directional, so every once in a while I need to go up a rotate it slightly to get the best signal, but it's a lot better than the previous setup.

I've lost WWOR-DT here on Long Island. Anyone else?

WWOR-DT was out for me tonight as well here in Wayne, NJ. Its back on now though.

can anyone give me a rundown of what OTA HD channels can be picked up in the Fort Lee, NJ area? i'm trying to figure out if it's worth it to buy an HD antenna even tho i have time warner cable with their current list of HD channels:

HBO, CBS, SHOWTIME, NBC, FOX, DISC, ABC, YES, TNT, PBS... they're missing at least WOR and WPIX, i think...

and what antenna should i get?

thanks for any help...

can anyone give me a rundown of what OTA HD channels can be picked up in the Fort Lee, NJ area? i'm trying to figure out if it's worth it to buy an HD antenna even tho i have time warner cable with their current list of HD channels:

HBO, CBS, SHOWTIME, NBC, FOX, DISC, ABC, YES, TNT, PBS... they're missing at least WOR and WPIX, i think...

and what antenna should i get?

thanks for any help...

There is no such thing as as "HD antenna "

If you already have an OTA receiver then a small UHF antenna should pick up all the NYC OTA DTV channels. You are correct in that you are only missing wor and pix.

Anyone having problems locking in on the Mets on the WB tonight? The game started of fine but started breaking up around the second inning and now I'm getting nothing. Yankee fan watching the Mets because of HDTV :)

Thanks, Tony

WPIX is coming in fine here in Wayne. I did have a lot of trouble with several channels late last night. I did a scan and found that I could receive Philly and Baltimore!!! stations which I never was able to do before. I guess this hot and humid weather had something to do with it.

I'm east of you and I have no luck with WPIX-DT using a Silver Sensor antenna with the Fusion QAM card.
The best I can get from CH33 UHF is 20% signal. All the other locals if the antenna is in the right area I can tune in.

Well my WB is currently working! Lets GO HD Mets. Gotta love free HD.

Yankee fan that can't receive YESHD :(

Tony

icemannyr,

I may be west of you but I do have the advantage of a roof mounted DB4 with a CM7777 preamp. Also, for whatever reason, WPIX-DT is currently my best signal (at least according to my Dish Network 942) with readings typically between 95 and 100. I guess I'm in some sort of a hotspot for receiving WPIX-DT. Funny thing is that I don't really care for baseball so it doesn't do me much good tonight!

- Anthony

Yankee fan that can't receive YESHD :(

Tony
How come? Doesn't every cable company in the area have it?

Just curious if anyone on Long Island, NY is getting the WB11 in HD with OTA with Direct TV? I'd like to see the NY Mets home games in HD and wonder if this is the way to go at the moment (until D*TV) adds WB HD.
Thanks.
John, NY

I can swear the audio level difference between CBS and everyone else is increasing. I don't remember it being as great as it is now. By my ear it is 15 DB louder than the other stations. Anyone else feel this has gotten worse than it already was? Maybe I am just reaching a limit of patience with it?

Just curious if anyone on Long Island, NY is getting the WB11 in HD with OTA with Direct TV? I'd like to see the NY Mets home games in HD and wonder if this is the way to go at the moment (until D*TV) adds WB HD.
Thanks.
John, NY

John,

Many on LI are getting WB11 and the Mets Home HD games. I'm getting it with my Dishnetwork 942 OTA using a Channelmaster 4248 antenna. If you need help selecting an antenna call the guys at L&L in Syosset, they will likely know the right antenna for your situation. Good Luck.

skinlab (your thread was closed)

The placement of a satellite dish or antenna cannot be restricted by your homeowner's association/covenants, etc. so that you are prevented from receiving a signal. Aesthetics cannot enter into the equation. If you need to place your satellite dish in an area on your property that the homeowner's association doesn't like - that's their problem. Same holds true for an antenna mounted on your roof. Because of restrictions such as those you relate, it literally took an act of Congress to stop this nonsense. The result was the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Go to the FCC web site, search OTARD, then click on the file titled "FCC Fact Sheet on Placement of Antennas". Make sure you read the various cases at the end of the file. And just ignore any restrictions (unless safety related, and even some of these are not enforceable) by your homeowner's association's covenants - they can't be enforced.

So install your dish where it needs to be and put an antenna on your roof to get OTA.

netman,

WCBS is and has been about 13 to 15 db louder than most other stations. It is very annoying. Fortunately I have a computerized system for tuning stations. I have an audio adjustment for each station, so the volume is adjusted automatically. While I would hate to see the compression that A.M. stations used to use, there should be an average audio level that all stations must adhere to.

Cynthia

skinlab (your thread was closed)

The placement of a satellite dish or antenna cannot be restricted by your homeowner's association/covenants, etc. so that you are prevented from receiving a signal. Aesthetics cannot enter into the equation. If you need to place your satellite dish in an area on your property that the homeowner's association doesn't like - that's their problem. Same holds true for an antenna mounted on your roof. Because of restrictions such as those you relate, it literally took an act of Congress to stop this nonsense. The result was the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Go to the FCC web site, search OTARD, then click on the file titled "FCC Fact Sheet on Placement of Antennas". Make sure you read the various cases at the end of the file. And just ignore any restrictions (unless safety related, and even some of these are not enforceable) by your homeowner's association's covenants - they can't be enforced.

So install your dish where it needs to be and put an antenna on your roof to get OTA.

Thanks Milehigh. I'm pretty sure I'm going to file a petition with the FCC (after I call the association of course). I started this thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=548930 about it. Dunno if it's in the right spot or if it's going to get locked though

I know that the board likes to steer clear of politics, but I got the OK from the Administraters to post this. With votes going on to cut federal spending on PBS I thought it would be appropriate to post a petition link to save PBS. A cut & paste of the page linking to the petition is listed below. In my case I'm being selfish, I want HD PBS, but those with children may want to consider the loss pf shows like Sesame Street and Reading Rainbow.

Sign the petition if you'd like but to make a real impact go to congress.gov and get the contact info for your local comgressmen and senators and raise hell!


http://www.moveon.org/publicbroadcasting/

PBS will be safe once the Republicans find a way to turn it into another Fox News. So, be patient. They're working on it.

Yankees home games on UPN9 are killing me.
Can you give us HD please?

Yankees home games on UPN9 are killing me.
Can you give us HD please?

Not sure if you have DirecTV, but if you do, homegames are usually in HD on channel 94. Now if only their playing could equal the picture! :)

/steve

Does UPN9/WWOR even broadcast in HD? if not, does it intend to ever?

Does UPN9/WWOR even broadcast in HD? if not, does it intend to ever?

It does, but it has a very limited HD schedule. I'm not sure if they still do it but they used to show rereuns of Enterprise in SD :(

Not sure if you have DirecTV, but if you do, homegames are usually in HD on channel 94. Now if only their playing could equal the picture! :)

/steve

Yes I do, and that is why it is killing me. The last three games were in HD on Directv ch 94.

Yes I do, and that is why it is killing me. The last three games were in HD on Directv ch 94.

Interesting. Tonight's game vs. the Cubs is on WWOR (9.1) in SD with pillar boxes, but not on DirecTV 94 in HD. Apparently it's only the YES-carried home games that make it to HD 94. Not sure why YES doesn't offer WWOR the same HD feed it makes available to DirecTV. I'm assuming it's for contractual reasons, not technical.

/steve

Yes I do, and that is why it is killing me. The last three games were in HD on Directv ch 94.


Not that most will care, but apparently DirecTV is now doing HD in a variant of HD in that it is sending it's HD out 1280x1080i, not 1920x1080i, makes for abit softer picture but provides for a bit more bandwidth for them to playwith...

You may not notice anyway as there compression ratio for HD is typically 12mbps not the more desirable 19mbps that Voom was broadcasting. Not sure what Voom on Echostar is coming down the pipe.

Not that most will care, but apparently DirecTV is now doing HD in a variant of HD in that it is sending it's HD out 1280x1080i, not 1920x1080i, makes for abit softer picture but provides for a bit more bandwidth for them to playwith....

This actually isn't that new for D*. They've been doing it for as long as I can remember.

[/QUOTE]

You may not notice anyway as there compression ratio for HD is typically 12mbps not the more desirable 19mbps that Voom was broadcasting. Not sure what Voom on Echostar is coming down the pipe.[/QUOTE]

Not sure of the Voom channels but most of the HD pak on E* is coming in around 17Mbps.

With digital assignments changing in 2009 I believe WWOR will go to channel 9 for digital broadcasting and WABC will broadcast digitally on channel 7.
Will this mess things up with the combiner? I thought the combiner was specifically tuned for the frequencies that are ibeing used by it now.
Does anybody have an idea what will happen?
Or was the Freedom Tower supposed to be built by then?

The latest round of new channel allocations for the NY DMA are as follows:

WNBC-DT -28
WNYW-DT-44
WABC-DT -7
WWOR-DT-9
WPIX-DT-11
WNET-DT-13
WMBC-DT-18
WLIW-DT-21
WNYE-DT-24
WPXN-DT-31
WNJU-DT-36
WXTV-DT-40
WNJN-DT-51

This, and the previous round of allocation requests did not include WCBS-DT.
WCBS-DT will not be able to use either channel 2 or channel56 and must wait until the FCC
can see what channels will be available in the market.

I don't know whether a given station's entire transmitter must be changed or just parts - but with a frequency change so must the transmitter be altered.

We haven't even seen the latest design for the Freedmom Tower, no less what will be planned for television transmission.

My guess is that Empire State will be with us for a long, long time.

Gary

Recently I have had difficulty tuning in ABC and CBS. NBC comes in great (signal strength around 92) and Aalthough BC and CBS come in with a signal strength of around 80, both of those channels don't "hold' those numbers and at times the signal strength goes down to 10! Anyone else having similar problems?

The latest round of new channel allocations for the NY DMA are as follows:

WNBC-DT -28
WNYW-DT-44
WABC-DT -7
WWOR-DT-9
WPIX-DT-11
WNET-DT-13
WMBC-DT-18
WLIW-DT-21
WNYE-DT-24
WPXN-DT-31
WNJU-DT-36
WXTV-DT-40
WNJN-DT-51


Gary



So, if I understand correctly, my UHF only antenna will be useless to pick up WABC, WWOR, WPIX and WNET. Is this right? If so, any time frame contemplated?

So, if I understand correctly, my UHF only antenna will be useless to pick up WABC, WWOR, WPIX and WNET. Is this right? If so, any time frame contemplated?

Not exactly. UHF only antennas usually pick up the upper VHF band. Hook it up to an analog tuner and see if it pulls in 7-13.

The latest round of new channel allocations for the NY DMA are as follows: ...

I don't know whether a given station's entire transmitter must be changed or just parts - but with a frequency change so must the transmitter be altered.
...
My guess is that Empire State will be with us for a long, long time.

Gary
My main concern was with the combiner. I thought I understood that the combiner was specifically tuned for the channels running through it. I was wondering if the combiner will have to be dismantled and "recombined" or re-tuned. Maybe George will have an answer for us.
If it is just a tweak to the transmitter and a re-scan on our end that would be painless for us, but probably more cost to the broadcasters who are changing their frequency.

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, so please be gentle with me! ;)

I have a Terk HDTVi antenna hooked up to a Samsung SIRT451. Here's a list of what I can and can't get OTA for the following channels:

WCBS-DT 2-1
WNBC-DT 4-1, 4-2
WNYW-DT 5-1, 5-2
WABC-DT 7-1,7-2
WWOR-DT 9-1,9-2
WPIX-DT 11-1, 11-2 (11-3 was a full SD screen briefly, but that has since disappeared)
WNET-DT (can't get at all from my location)
WMBC-DT (can't get at all from my location)
WLIW-DT (can't get at all from my location)
WNYE-DT (can't get at all from my location)
WFME-DT 29-1, 29-2 (29-3 through 29-10 are audio only...signal comes in on a good night)
WPXN-DT (there's a signal, but all I get is a blank screen)
WNJU-DT 36-1 (signal is shaky at times, need to move antenna around a bit)
WXTV-DT 41-1
WRNN-DT 48-1, 48-2 (on a good night, this can come in)
WNJN-DT 50-1, 50-2, 50-3, 50-4, 50-5
WFUT-DT 53-1

Yes, I realize that if I had an outdoor antenna, I'd be able to pull in more channels, but I'm living in an apartment and the landlord isn't going to allow me to place anything on his roof. But for the highly criticized Terk HDTVi antenna, my experience with it has been more positive than negative. I guess that's because of the proximity of where I'm located in respect to most of the transmitters, many of which are at the Empire State Building.

When the heck is WPXN-DT going to resume DT broadcasts? No one seems to have an answer for that...

From what I have learned, WNET-DT is supposed to go full power this year. Someone had mentioned that the only place to get WNET-DT OTA is in Newark or if you're lucky, Jersey City?

Anyway, I would like to say that this is a great forum and I'm happy to join in the discussion. :)


...Mel :cool:

From what I have learned, WNET-DT is supposed to go full power this year.
...Mel :cool:

With the congressional budget cuts to PBS I wouldn't count on it :mad:

WCBS-DT 2-1
WNBC-DT 4-1, 4-2
WNYW-DT 5-1, 5-2
WABC-DT 7-1,7-2
WWOR-DT 9-1,9-2
WPIX-DT 11-1, 11-2 (11-3 was a full SD screen briefly, but that has since disappeared)
WNET-DT (can't get at all from my location)
WMBC-DT (can't get at all from my location)
WLIW-DT (can't get at all from my location)
WNYE-DT (can't get at all from my location)
WFME-DT 29-1, 29-2 (29-3 through 29-10 are audio only...signal comes in on a good night)
WPXN-DT (there's a signal, but all I get is a blank screen)
WNJU-DT 36-1 (signal is shaky at times, need to move antenna around a bit)
WXTV-DT 41-1
WRNN-DT 48-1, 48-2 (on a good night, this can come in)
WNJN-DT 50-1, 50-2, 50-3, 50-4, 50-5
WFUT-DT 53-1

From what I have learned, WNET-DT is supposed to go full power this year. Someone had mentioned that the only place to get WNET-DT OTA is in Newark or if you're lucky, Jersey City?

...Mel :cool:

I'm in Jersey City and can not get WNET-DT or WLIW-DT. I have a channel Master CM4228 mounted on my roof. I can get the following with very solid numbers:

WCBS-DT 2-1
WNBC-DT 4-1, 4-2
WNYW-DT 5-1, 5-2
WABC-DT 7-1,7-2
WWOR-DT 9-1,9-2
WPIX-DT 11-1, 11-2 (11-3 was a full SD screen briefly, but that has since disappeared)

As for the higher UHF stations, I don't watch them so I haven't checked to see if I get them.

Good News!!!!

WNET-DT has started transmitting from the Combiner atop the ESB!

I noticed, for the first time, a very weak signal registering on my digital receiver.

Here, on East 63rd Street in Manhattan, the signal, using a an indoor antenna, is not strong enough to provide a picture.

The bad news is that channel 61's power is authorized at only 12.4Kw. Better than the power from the station's West 33rd Street building - 2.66Kw - but nowhere near the World Trade Center's 219Kw.

Not being an engineer, but 12.4Kw using channel 61 is way too low.

Hope you have better luck than I getting a picture.

Gary

WNET-DT has started transmitting from the Combiner atop the ESB!

Strong signal on Long Island about 20 mile away from ESB.

Well, walked the Silver Sensor around the room and found a "sweet spot" so I can now receive Channel 61 with a steady picture. First time I've seen WNET-DT!

Unfortunately, and typical of digital multipath, 61's "sweet spot" doesn't work well for the other channels from the ESB.

Gary

anyone further out getting it? Say 50 miles? :-)

From about 10-15 miles west of the Empire State Building, WNET-DT is coming in at 60-70% strength. I am located in South Hackensack, NJ and using a Samsung SIRT451 with a Terk HDTVi antenna. Need to fiddle around with the antenna for a "sweet spot".

At least I'll be able to watch the 3rd season premiere of the Soundstage show with Michael McDonald on HDTV. :eek:


...Mel :cool:

They are now on the air with 13-1 (HD) 13-2 (SD) and 13-3 (SD)

Strong signal on Long Island about 20 mile away from ESB.

Strong signal in Westchester County as well, about 20 miles north. I'm getting an 80 out of 100 as of 3PM Wednesday, the 29th. At the same time, I'm getting 90 or a little higher on CBS, NBC and ABC.

/steve

hmmmm........ maybe when it cools off I'll climb upstairs and turn my antenna from philly to NYC- I cant seem to get a pbs out of philly for some reason, but from the combiner I think if there is enough power I could get WNET....

enough power being the key there....

hmmmm........ maybe when it cools off I'll climb upstairs and turn my antenna from philly to NYC- I cant seem to get a pbs out of philly for some reason, but from the combiner I think if there is enough power I could get WNET....

enough power being the key there....

There's a lot of "weather" in the area today. It's about 4:20 now and there's lightning, thunder, rain and heavy cloud cover just north of the city. So, if you're experiment doesn't work right away, you might want to check weather.com to see what the current conditions are before you give up.

WNET signal strength here is running at bout 90% of what CBS, NBC and ABC are, so if you can get CBS, NBC or ABC from NYC, you just might get NET as well.

/steve

Getting WNET-DT here in Nassau (28 miles from ESB) at about 68%. This is roughly the same signal strength as UPN and WB. The big four come in in the high 80s to low 90s.

Combiner up and running or this thread hitting 200 pages? Which will come first? :)

170 pages and WNET crosses the finish line! :)

hmmm... zero on 61 here in Deer Park.

Can I get the silver sensor anywhere near SI to try? Any stores carry them?

I'm also receving signals on Channel 61 (mapped to 13-1,13-2,13-3) from 25 miles south of ESB.

Can I get the silver sensor anywhere near SI to try? Any stores carry them?

sears caries the zenith brand.

Terk and I think gemini have similar (if not identical ones) that some other big boxes might have too (i think cricuit city has the terk...)

There's a lot of "weather" in the area today. It's about 4:20 now and there's lightning, thunder, rain and heavy cloud cover just north of the city. So, if you're experiment doesn't work right away, you might want to check weather.com to see what the current conditions are before you give up.

WNET signal strength here is running at bout 90% of what CBS, NBC and ABC are, so if you can get CBS, NBC or ABC from NYC, you just might get NET as well.

/steve
====================================
I am scared!
Scared Alan Funt stayed alive ...just alive enough to orchestrate this shameful attempt to get my hopes up. Alan may well have been planning this as his coup de resistance: he may have begun the arrangements in 1978 when, having first learned of the future prospects predicted for HDTV, I declared -a bit too loudly, he was 200 mile away at the time- "Honey (I addressed my wife), the prospect of watching PBS programming in High Definition, for free , whenever I want, and on my huge flat HDTV "Made In America" that I'll have bought for about $200 and carried home in my bicycle's saddle bag... this will give me a reason to keep alive, even tho I'll be bald and dumb with a fat ugly wife. I will survive for this Honey!"

Well, back to Newtonian reality -terrestrial variety. My HDTV relies on a DT100 for its ATSC tuner... which gets signal from a Channelmaster roof Yagi and Winegard Pre-Amp.But reception here 40 miles due north of ESB is not great : even the ABC gladiator thing broke in and out of reception lock Tues nite.

Gosh, isn't this UHF type of ATSC bitstream propagated via line-of -sight?
I don't think I can actually see ESB from my roof-.. maybe that's why Funt is laughing at me?

Well, that's not really polite, nor fair!
Hey..YOU! UP there! Aren't you FUNT?? Yeah yeah Haw haw.
Listen here: At least My wife isn't fat or ugly. Mr Funt !!! So there's one in yer bleedin' eye!!"

-"Oh ...Mister?"
"What now, Mr Funt?"
"You forgot to say Yet.. She's not Fat n Ugly ..YET"
"OK, Point taken. I can live with that.
Besides, she has redeeming virtues:... she's still married to *Me*- after 28 years!!"

you one wacky dude maggot

Isn't anyone going to point out the obvious? That is, that Thirteen is only broadcasting some national PBS feeds, and not the actual WNET programming.

Does anyone have any insight into when (or whether) we will receive the Channel 13 programming, including the cultural programming that seems to go to the rest of the country in wide screen high def?

Actually much of the WNET-DT programming is duplicative of some of what has been going out on WNJN-DT for quite a while. For those who don't receive WNJN-DT they broadcast the regular schedule in SD, and do the PBS Kids and PBS You (and a local feed) during the day and broadcast the regular schedule and a PBS High Def feed during the evenings. The latter is repeated for a full week.

So the WNET-DT is better, but . . .

Mel

Strong signal in Westchester County as well, about 20 miles north. I'm getting an 80 out of 100 as of 3PM Wednesday, the 29th. At the same time, I'm getting 90 or a little higher on CBS, NBC and ABC.

Channel 61's signal in the mid-30's at 9AM Thursday. Guess they're working the kinks out.

/steve

[QUOTE=MLM]Isn't anyone going to point out the obvious? That is, that Thirteen is only broadcasting some national PBS feeds, and not the actual WNET programming.

Does anyone have any insight into when (or whether) we will receive the Channel 13 programming, including the cultural programming that seems to go to the rest of the country in wide screen high def?

I've been able to pick up WNET's digital transmissions on channel 13-0, but only on an occasional basis. I'm referring to the same programming as on their analog feed.

Has anyone else been able to do this?

Strong signals using both an attic ant. on one unit and the silver sensor on another hd unit.

Now if we can only get the WNET original feeds, that would be perfect.

When I first scanned for WNET last night, I couldn't receive it. I could see the tuner (Sony HD200) saw it but just couldn't lock it in. I pulled out an old Radio Shack UHF/VHF amp and hooked it up. My next scan immediately locked it in. So my adivce to those that are having trouble, consider getting a cheap UHF amp. Your system may just need to kick up the signal a couple of db to get a lock.

The latest round of new channel allocations for the NY DMA are as follows:


This, and the previous round of allocation requests did not include WCBS-DT.
WCBS-DT will not be able to use either channel 2 or channel56 and must wait until the FCC
can see what channels will be available in the market.


Gary

WCBS can use Channel 2, but they would not like to. They elected not to choose a channel at this time to see what will be available at the next selection opportunity.

Apart from Channel 2 being a bad frequency for any type of TV, CBS has built a wide-band antenna that serves any UHF channel, but only UHF -- no good for VHF.

They will pick a channel between 2 and 51 (they have to!) but have not chosen one yet. They might choose one of the vacated UHF DTV channels in their market.

[QUOTE=MLM]Isn't anyone going to point out the obvious? That is, that Thirteen is only broadcasting some national PBS feeds, and not the actual WNET programming.

Does anyone have any insight into when (or whether) we will receive the Channel 13 programming, including the cultural programming that seems to go to the rest of the country in wide screen high def?

I've been able to pick up WNET's digital transmissions on channel 13-0, but only on an occasional basis. I'm referring to the same programming as on their analog feed.

Has anyone else been able to do this?

WNET only provides the HDTV signal provided by PBS. It is NOT the same as what WNET-13 transmits.

13-0 is a channel designation for their analog NTSC channel when it is listed in the DTV program guide when (if?) it is transmitted on WNET-DT. 13-0 is NOT a channel that is transmitted by WNET-DT. DTV channels start at 13-1, and can include additional channel numbers if the station chooses to "multicast."

Coincidentally, the WNET production of "A Capitol Fourth" will air in HD on July 4th on WNET-DT and any other station that is transmitting the PBS DTV feed.

Thanks.
That explains why I can pick up 13-0 on my STB LG4200A and not on my Zenith HDV1420.

greetings all,

i'm late posting 'cus i've been busy at work the last 2 days but welcome WNET-DT! so they are on the combiner? i'm getting a 93 signal(steady) on my Sammy TS160 but with regular dropouts--actually total loss of signal for about 1-2 min. i'm on W. 40th. St. just off 9th Ave. using a Silver Sensor & a T-USA 10db amp. the SS is at 1st floor level. lo power or not 13-1 is coming in better than 9-1. i think i'm getting a reflected signal as i notice the dropouts seem to coincide with the bus & truck traffic on 40th St. FYI i've almost never been able to pull in WABC-DT since they went on the combiner. i can get pretty much every thing else-even 41-1 and 68-1(at least some days.) i've also got the Radio Shack double-bowtie UHF antenna(the one that looks like a grille cover) might try that when i have a spare moment tho i doubt it will make much difference. BTW "A Capitol Fourth" in HD sounds great! anyone know if WNBC will show the Macy's fireworks show in HD?

jim

Yes, Macy's 4th of July show will be in HDTV!

Gary

thanks Gary!! that should rock the house!!!


jim

Okay I'm a bit confused. Do I have a OTA antenna built into my 3 LNB oval dish? I get all the locals in HD but I did not buy anything seperate aside from the oval sat dish. Sorry if this is a dumb question...but if you could fill me in I would appreciate it.

Okay I'm a bit confused. Do I have a OTA antenna built into my 3 LNB oval dish? I get all the locals in HD but I did not buy anything seperate aside from the oval sat dish. Sorry if this is a dumb question...but if you could fill me in I would appreciate it.

There's no OTA antenna built in to the Phase III dish. Do you have a clip on antenna on the dish? D* provides the four major networks over their satellite feeds on channels 80, 82, 86 & 88. Check your channel numbers to see if that's what you're getting.

I've seen the clip - I don't have it, never bought one. All I have is the dish itself on my roof and about 6 months ago I began to receive CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC all digitally in brilliant HD. I thought it was just a D* upgrade or something to do with the antenna going up on the Empire State bldg.

No useable reception 32 miles out in Rockland County for WNET 13-1 - reception under 46%, not useable signal level, no picture no audio.

Humidity and propagation aren't helping either...

TVJazzman

I'm getting fluctuation between 10 and 20%, also here in Rockland

I was getting WNET 13-1 through 3 strong here in E Brunswick last night. I watched most of Soundstage with Michael McDonald and thorougly enjoyed it. I actually got better reception on WNET than I do on any of the NJN broadcasts, with only a few momentary breakups.

My HD OTA world is now complete!!

I checked again last night and can not get WNET OTA. All the NY channels come in very good for me but no joy on WNET. I get them from cable so it is no big deal but it I did expect to see at least a weak signal.

Yes, Macy's 4th of July show will be in HDTV!

Gary


Are you sure? Titan is not listing it in HD.

I was getting WNET 13-1 through 3 strong here in E Brunswick last night. I watched most of Soundstage with Michael McDonald and thorougly enjoyed it. I actually got better reception on WNET than I do on any of the NJN broadcasts, with only a few momentary breakups.

My HD OTA world is now complete!!


Did you have to "adjust"/rotate your antenna for the WNET signal at all compared to the other ESB signals?? Just curious, because on BOTH of my antenna setups I can peg 100% on the signals from the ESB....but the WNET signal is low....REAL LOW with no visible/audio locking. I'm going to *assume* with the *perceived* lower signal strength compared to the other ESB stations and the fact that I'm in a deathzone height wise (17 feet ASL??) that WNET is not in the cards for me...yet. But, judging from what I'm reading, there's no programming differences vs. the WNJN HD feed (i.e. it's the PBS national HD feed?)

Are you sure? Titan is not listing it in HD.

Titan is wrong!

Gary is right!

Isn't anyone going to point out the obvious? That is, that Thirteen is only broadcasting some national PBS feeds, and not the actual WNET programming.

I assumed WNET would be carrying its regular channel 13 SD prgram schedule on 13.2 or 13.3. This doesn't seem to be the case, however. Every time I've checked, what was playing on 13 was not playing on 13.2 or 13.3. I wonder what their plans are?

/steve

Did you have to "adjust"/rotate your antenna for the WNET signal at all compared to the other ESB signals?? Just curious, because on BOTH of my antenna setups I can peg 100% on the signals from the ESB....but the WNET signal is low....REAL LOW with no visible/audio locking.


Jay, I had no need to rotate.

Jay, I had no need to rotate.

Reminds me of the old days....when people a town over would be able to get some of the Philly locals nice and clear....and I couldn't even get a sniff!!!

:D

Titan is wrong!

Gary is right!


Excellent!

I just changed my antenna mast from a 5 footer to a 10 footer. My signal went from a 10-20 all the way to a very watchable 69%.

Happy to report this evening that in lower Westchester, WNET DT was in the high 80's (out of 100). Still below the big 4 networks, however. They were all in the low to mid 90's. I'm using a Winegard 8-bay with a pre-amp mounted on the roof. Believe I'm about 20 miles NNE of the ESB.

/steve

I just changed my antenna mast from a 5 footer to a 10 footer. My signal went from a 10-20 all the way to a very watchable 69%.

Man, impressive, are you clearing trees with the height or are you just higher up on the curve of the earth?

Who did you use to mount the replacement mast? Anyone local you recommend?

I'm mounted on the side of the house clearing the roof, I extend past the roof by 5-7 feet, but wonder if going higher might help me in relation to the Empire State building.

I also have a grove of trees about 150 feet away, but I think it does effect my reception.

Well, the closest really tall tree in my line of sight is also about 150ft away. I didn't think it was a problem, because I had strong signals from the other channels (80s-90s) Now the others are in the 90s and a couple are hitting 100%. So I guess that extra 5 ft made a big difference. My antenna is on a tripod mount on the peak of the roof ridge. I did the work myself, so it only cost me about $15 to buy the mast at Lowes. I'm at the corner of Kings Hwy and Kings Ct. (across from St Paul's School) If you want to feel free to drive by and take a look. I'm easy to find, I'm the only one with a giant antenna on the roof! lol

Well, the closest really tall tree in my line of sight is also about 150ft away. I didn't think it was a problem, because I had strong signals from the other channels (80s-90s) Now the others are in the 90s and a couple are hitting 100%. So I guess that extra 5 ft made a big difference. My antenna is on a tripod mount on the peak of the roof ridge. I did the work myself, so it only cost me about $15 to buy the mast at Lowes. I'm at the corner of Kings Hwy and Kings Ct. (across from St Paul's School) If you want to feel free to drive by and take a look. I'm easy to find, I'm the only one with a giant antenna on the roof! lol

Wow, I must be doing something wrong if your getting 80's and 90's and even 100's.
I'm going to go to Lowes and pick up and mast and see if I can gain some height... What antenna and what pre-amp are you using? I have an 8 bow antenna and the best weingard pre-amp and only since the combiner have i been able to get usable numbers...

The antenna is a deep fringe VHF/UHF Channel Master, the pre-amp is a Winegard. Sorry I installed them over a year ago and just don't remember the model numbers. But I do remember the antenna had the most UHF gain that I could get my hands on. Same goes for the pre-amp. When you go to Lowe's the masts are tie wrapped to the uprights. I walked by them twice before seeing them.......Rich

Happy to report this evening that in lower Westchester, WNET DT was in the high 80's (out of 100). Still below the big 4 networks, however. They were all in the low to mid 90's. I'm using a Winegard 8-bay with a pre-amp mounted on the roof. Believe I'm about 20 miles NNE of the ESB.

/steve

I've got the same antenna, amp and pre-amp in Northern Westchester and I've got barely a blip of yellow on the meter from WNET-DT. Oh, well. That's the difference a few miles makes, I guess.

I have posted before on this but I still cannot completely get this worked out.

I live in Mountainside, NJ 07092. About 20 miles from Combiner

I have a Zenith DTV 1080 HDTV D*TV box
Channel Master 4228 Mounted on 10ft mast, mounted to roof of 2 story home.
Channel Master 7775 pre-amp
Everything connected with RG6 QS and Paladin Sealtite Pro Connectors

I originally started out with RS Double bow tie, then I moved to zenith silver sensor and Radio Shack pre-amp (catv, tv 15db). These configurations still gave me issues with dropout. The dropout always occurs when cars drive by so I bit the bullet and mounted a Channel Master 4228 on the roof and the RS preamp connected inside the house at the tuner. This was during the winter and I still got some dropout when cars drove by but it was greatly improved. As spring approached my signal became poor. So I purchased the Channel Master Pre-amp. The signal improved once again so I left the pre-amp at the tuner. I still got dropout only on Channel 2-1 when cars drove near. So I went to the roof used my compass to tune exactly to the antenna web location and mounted pre-amp to the antenna mast with the power supply indoors. Signals didnt really improve across the board in fact I have much more signal fluctuation.

So tonight I read through archives that said to use attenuator. I have a 6dsb attenuator, so I tried it out. It did lower the signal on some channels but it also made the other higher signal channels 5-1,7-1,9-1,11-1 have less fluctuation and drop out when cars drove by.

So now I have lower signal on 4-1 with no dropouts but 2-1 is very low and fluctuates wildly when cars drive past.

I have another 10ft mast that I could use to raise the antenna higher but I am worried it may wobble around. Once the leaves are gone I know that I will have no issues but I need to have this improved now. If its the leaves then why do I have issues when cars drive by?

Is thier anything I can do to fix this?

I have tried to rotate the antenna but when I do this it will increase 2.1 but then kill 7.1.

I don't think I can really by anything else.

Oh BTW. When I switched to the UHF only Titan Pre-amp from the Radio Shack Preamp. I lost 8-1,8-5 58.1-5

Are those VHF?

I can only answer your easy question.

Digital Channel 8, which is remapped as Channel 58, is indeed, VHF - not UHF.
I know, that's only part of your problem.

I wish you well.

Gary

Alexvd,

First I will repeat what I have said more times than I can count: with an antenna as directional as this you should have a rotor. Many aiming problems can't be fixed with a compass and a trip to the roof. I would urge you to get a rotor and install it.

What I would do, also, is tune in analog UHF stations from the ESB and see what happens when cars drive by. Do you see ghosting? If you are getting reflections from cars some things that may help could be:

Change direction
less gain (remove pre-amp)
more height

Use analog stations as a cheap test instrument. They can show the signal quality. Ghosts are much worse than a little snow. If you see ghosting work to eliminate it. You might find a slight change of direction that works great even if not aiming exactly to the ESB.

Receivers vary in how well they deal with this problem. Can you borrow another receiver and compare performance?

I really enjoyed the fireworks on NBC but I wish they showed more fireworks and less audience and orchestra. I already know what those things look like. Otherwise very nice on my 96" screen.

Thanks again ,Gary, for the heads up which NBC never mentioned anywhere I looked.

netman,

Thanks for the reply. Yes I do have other another HDTV tuner. They are the PCHDTV cards with the OREN chip. I think these are a newer generation chip than the DTV1080.

I will try that.

A rotor seems like such a PIA. Will autorotate when I tune to specific channels. My wife would never rotate it manually.

I really enjoyed the fireworks on NBC but I wish they showed more fireworks and less audience and orchestra. I already know what those things look like. Otherwise very nice on my 96" screen.

Thanks again ,Gary, for the heads up which NBC never mentioned anywhere I looked.

i was glad NBC aired the Macy's show in HD but once again they dropped the ball on audio with a lame Dolby 3-ch soundtrack!!! difference was obvious when i watched the Denver fireworks show after the Rapids-Wizards match on HDnet--that DD 5.1 audio ROCKED.

jim

..they dropped the ball on audio with a lame Dolby 3-ch soundtrack!!!

jim


Yep. Noticed it too. 5.1 would have been great. At least I had the sounds from my neighborhood which added a bit to the experience.

And all of the NY Pops' both music and video were pre-recorded.

Gary

A rotor seems like such a PIA. Will autorotate when I tune to specific channels. My wife would never rotate it manually.

It is not so much that you will need to move the antenna for each station, though that could happen. It is more getting the initial setup is miles easier when you can sit in front of the receiver with the rotor and find the spot that works best. I never have to move my antenna for any of the NY stations but it made the initial setup great and diagnosing reception issues easier. I really hope you don't end up with different "hot spots" for the stations since I totally agree that would be a pia.

And all of the NY Pops' both music and video were pre-recorded.

Gary

I had to keep tuning away while Mariah lip-synced. NOT a Mariah fan.

It is not so much that you will need to move the antenna for each station, though that could happen. It is more getting the initial setup is miles easier when you can sit in front of the receiver with the rotor and find the spot that works best. I never have to move my antenna for any of the NY stations but it made the initial setup great and diagnosing reception issues easier. I really hope you don't end up with different "hot spots" for the stations since I totally agree that would be a pia.

I can't agree more! After I got the rotor installed I was able to measure the SS of each channel in all of the different positions and find a nice position which allows me to pull in NJN out of Jersey, all the ESB stations and WLIW out of Garden City.

Hello All: Does anyone know if WNET is broadcasting at full power? If so I 'm screwed. I get at best 44% signal. I get every station in the upper 80's - low 90's except WPIX, WNBC and now WNET. I can't even get the TV to find WNBC. I believe it must be the transmission pattern WNBC uses. Does anyone know where to find a good listing of station information i.e. power, lat./long. etc.? I know one of the members (sangs??) here was working on a website with all this type of info but I have lost that link. Thank you.

Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but I have some questions about WNET channel 13.

Have they actually gone up on the combiner? Last night, I decided to check 13-1 (I'm using a DirecTV HR10-250 HDTivo) as I do ever so often just to check if I can finally pick it up, and it was coming in. Finally! The only problem was that the signal was fluctuating wildly from 0 to around 66. As you can probably guess, it was unwatchable with constant freezes and dropouts.

I was optimistic, because that was the first time I had ever gotten anything from that channel. So this morning, I checked it again (while they were running BooBah, and it was coming in with a much more stable signal which was holding steady at about 67. The only problem was the picture was blinking all the time. Eventually the problem with the picture was fixed, and 13-1 (as well as the sub-channels) was coming in clearly, strongly, and steadily. But then I lost the signal altogether. That is where I stand now, unable to pick up WNET at all,once again, OTA.

Are they working on the signal or something? Is anyone else unable to pick up the signal at the moment, or is it just me? Right now, there is something recording on my Tivo, but when that is finished I will reset the unit and re-scan for OTA to see if that will do anything.

netman,

Good advice on the rotor for setup. Interesting update, I now have full power signal with no dropouts on 2-1. A little lower on 4.1 but 2.1 is rock solid.

The interesting part is I didn't change a thing. It did however rain heavily last night and the leaves are still saturated. I think the branches are dipping giving me better LOS. Is this possible. I guess the only way to confirm is to wait until it gets dry.

Here are some answers:

WNBC-DT's signal is omnidirectional.

WNET's authorized maximum power is only 12.4Kw, the weakest signal coming from the ESB Combiner - and to make things worse, it transmits at the highest frequency, Channel 61 - making the low power level even a bigger problem!

I haven't found one up to date, correct listing of digital stations. All the ones that I have seen, including the FCC's site, continue to show some transmission sites pre-Combiner, which do not reflect current power levels.

Gary

Gary....is WNET at max power now? Does anyone know if they are operating at max power? I'm able to watch WNET but I have some dropouts. It is better than what I had before...which is nothing. NOVA looks great and Im very happy, but I was just wondering if they were operating at their full 12.4Kw.

I am not sure, but I believe the station is at full power.

But, full power at 12.4Kw transmitting on Channel 61 is very low to begin with.

Gary

Are they actually broadcasting at the moment? I've not been able to pick it up since this morning when I was getting it at a steady 67 signal strength, and then it went black again.

Never mind. I should've checked before I posted again. I just tried 13-1 again and it is in fact coming in, but now the signal is much lower than it was this morning. It's fluctuating between ~ 44 and 47. That's 20 points lower than it was this morning when I checked it, before it went out.

Yes, but the reception is so bad that I can hardly lock on!

Gary

Well, WNET is gone for me again. I really hope this is not how the situation will remain and that these problems are only due to them still going up on the combiner and tweaking their signal or something. I'm not optimistic.

I have posted before on this but I still cannot completely get this worked out.

Oh BTW. When I switched to the UHF only Titan Pre-amp from the Radio Shack Preamp. I lost 8-1,8-5 58.1-5

Are those VHF?

Yes, as others have said. But, the CM 7775 preamp does not allow VHF signals to pass through it at all, much less amplify it. The CM 7777 does; that's what you want.

Now, the synch between video and audio on 13.1 is totally out.

I'm amazed that we are still in the infancy of digital transmission after all the years that it's been in use.

By this time, I would have thought and expected that stations and networks would have gotten their acts together.

Gary

Very frustrating and strange.

Gary

Well, this next show's synch seems to be a bit better - but still "rubbery."

Strangely, it helps to have distractingly beuatful pictures to divert your attention from technical ineptitude!

Gary

Well, this next show's synch seems to be a bit better - but still "rubbery."

Strangely, it helps to have distractingly beuatful pictures to divert your attention from technical ineptitude!

Gary


I have been watching for some time via cable and they (WNET) DO have an occasional show with a sync issue. I wonder if it is them or the PBS feed. As you say, many times it is not much of an issue since the shows are largely narratives but still......

WNET is completely out for me again this morning. If this is how it's going to be with WNET-DT, then my initial elation has sunken to disappointment. Yesterday, the signal was flaky all day. At time it was fluctuating wildly and dropping out constantly, at other times it was out completely. There were times when the signal was solid, peaking at 73 and staying around 71, and was able to watch without troubles, but then it would go black while still showing a 71 signal strength.

I have two HR10-250's (in addition to other DirecTV HD STB's) and last night I was watching History Detectives on the one downstairs before dinner. When I finished and went upstairs to catch the rest of the show, I put on the receiver and it was just black. It was still registering a 71 signal strength and my A/V receiver was showing that it was receiving a 5.1 signal, but there was no sound and no picture. I even 'rewound' the Tivo to see if there was anything there, but it was all black. I don't know what this problem could be, considering I watched it on one HR10-250 with no problem.

I'm down about this whole thing. I've been waiting to get WNET HD forever, and now they finally go up on the combiner, and it's so unreliable. As I finish typing this, I am still getting no signal from WNET.

Im in Staten Island and I just have enough sig for a stable picture for WNETHD. I get the occasional dropout...but I can watch a half hour show without many problems. I have the VOOM receiver hooked up to a non-powered Ant....on a mast of about 10ft tall.

I just reset my receiver - yet again - and suddenly 13-1 (WNET) was coming in with a strong signal. What could be causing it to work this way on my receiver?

I live about 35 miles from the ESB in Deer Park, NY and I installed a 42 XG antenna from Antennas Direct in June 2004. It is on a 10 foot mast on my roof with a cable run (RG-6) of about 40 ft. Back then I was able to get 2-1, 5-1, and 7-1 with very strong signals. When 9-1 and 11-1 started broadcasting on the combiner I received them with with strong signals. However, since 7-1 moved to the combiner, I now get a weak signal and there are lots of breakups and mostly no picture at all. Also 11-1 is very unreliable, many times I get no picture. I still get 2-1 and 5-1 reliably and never was able to receive 4-1.

I was thinking of getting a new antenna with a preamp since it seems that many people on Long Island are receiving these channels with no problems. Any suggestions from anyone? I called LNL in Syosset and they have a no refund policy on antennas and preamps.

I just determined, that if I tune the tuner on my HR10-250 to certain DirecTV Sat. channels, for example 231, Food Network, then try to tune in WNET-DT (13-1 through 13-3) I get a no signal message. If I then tune in to another satellite channel such as DirecTV 13 (WNET) and tune it back to 13-1 the signal comes in. Does anyone care to take a guess as to why that might be?

I wonder if I should call DirecTV about this? The last time I had a problem like this was when UPN went on the combiner. Suddenly ABC-DT (7-1) would not tune in on the HR10-250, but it would only come through on, I believe it was channel 63(?). That channel, however, would not show up in my All Channels list, nor would it appear in the guide and no matter how many times I scanned for it, it would not add it to the channel list. The weird thing was, on my two Hughes HTL-HD's, everything was working perfectly. Not only was ABC-DT coming through at 7-1, but it was also coming through on the other channel. When I called DirecTV, they gave me the run around about how it's not their problem because it's an OTA issue. I stood firm saying it was their problem, because it was their receiver which was not behaving properly and it was they who were re-mapping the channels. Eventually I was bumped up to a 'higher' level of CS, where I was told they would 'look into it', but that they hadn't had any complaints from anyone else in my area with this same unit.

To cut a long story short , the very next day it was all working properly, and I hadn't had any problems like that until now.

I just determined, that if I tune the tuner on my HR10-250 to certain DirecTV Sat. channels, for example 231, Food Network, then try to tune in WNET-DT (13-1 through 13-3) I get a no signal message. If I then tune in to another satellite channel such as DirecTV 13 (WNET) and tune it back to 13-1 the signal comes in. Does anyone care to take a guess as to why that might be?
GoldenBoy, I have a HR10-250 also and I am having the same problem. I have adjusted my Antenna several times and the most I can get is fluctuation between 50-60 on the second tuner, I get 10-30 on the First tuner. That is why sometimes I get No picture at all, it depends what tuner I am on.

I dont understand why this is happening, All of my other OTA channels come in at 90-95 with no problems whatsoever. Im thinking they must be Just testing right now and Eventually it will come in as strong as the other one's do, it should since its on the same combiner. When ABC first went on the combiner I remember it took a few weeks before I got a Strong Signal.

I would forget about it and give it a few more weeks, dont drive yourself crazy over this, I am disappointed also. Hopefully by August we will be able to Fully enjoy WNET-HD

I live about 35 miles from the ESB in Deer Park, NY and I installed a 42 XG antenna from Antennas Direct in June 2004. It is on a 10 foot mast on my roof with a cable run (RG-6) of about 40 ft. Back then I was able to get 2-1, 5-1, and 7-1 with very strong signals. When 9-1 and 11-1 started broadcasting on the combiner I received them with with strong signals. However, since 7-1 moved to the combiner, I now get a weak signal and there are lots of breakups and mostly no picture at all. Also 11-1 is very unreliable, many times I get no picture. I still get 2-1 and 5-1 reliably and never was able to receive 4-1.

I was thinking of getting a new antenna with a preamp since it seems that many people on Long Island are receiving these channels with no problems. Any suggestions from anyone? I called LNL in Syosset and they have a no refund policy on antennas and preamps.

I am in Deer Park (near the high school). I have an 8 bay bow tie (channelmaster 4228) and a 7775 preamp (also C.M.). They are not very high; perhaps 12' above a ranch house. It works very well for CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC, WOR, WPIX and WLIW (and some others I don't ever watch) but not, yet, for WNET. I must get WNET from cable.

The antenna setup is certainly not overkill for the job.

You need to keep in mind that just to the west is some rather higher ground which does not help NYC reception.

Also: I saw no change in signals when ABC went on the combiner.

I would suggest you check your antenna direction and install a pre-amp at the antenna before you assume what you have is not working. In the end you may want more antenna but it may be something simpler.

BTW: when an antenna claims 50 mile reception they usually mean with a tailwind!

GoldenBoy, I have a HR10-250 also and I am having the same problem. I have adjusted my Antenna several times and the most I can get is fluctuation between 50-60 on the second tuner, I get 10-30 on the First tuner. That is why sometimes I get No picture at all, it depends what tuner I am on.

I dont understand why this is happening, All of my other OTA channels come in at 90-95 with no problems whatsoever. Im thinking they must be Just testing right now and Eventually it will come in as strong as the other one's do, it should since its on the same combiner. When ABC first went on the combiner I remember it took a few weeks before I got a Strong Signal.

I would forget about it and give it a few more weeks, dont drive yourself crazy over this, I am disappointed also. Hopefully by August we will be able to Fully enjoy WNET-HD

I don't know if this will work for you - I have my antenna cable running through a ground loop filter because I was having problems with noise coming through my sound system a couple of years ago. Last night I changed the coaxial cable between the filter and the HR10-250's antenna in. Apparently that did the trick, because the tuning problems are gone, and I'm registering a consistent 73 - 78 signal strength at the moment. I must have had faulty coax cable which didn't manifest any problems until WNET went online.

I would also suggest that, if you have a VCR or some other sort of unit between the antenna and the HR10-250 that you remove it. At one point, about a year ago, I'd inserted a VCR into the signal chain and it caused me woes.

I guess the moral of this story is - check all your connections and cables, if you haven't already.

As of this morning, I have no problems with WNET. I'm just glad I've been home from work while this was going on, otherwise it may have taken me weeks to get around to figuring it out.

I don't know if this will work for you - I have my antenna cable running through a ground loop filter because I was having problems with noise coming through my sound system a couple of years ago. Last night I changed the coaxial cable between the filter and the HR10-250's antenna in. Apparently that did the trick, because the tuning problems are gone, and I'm registering a consistent 73 - 78 signal strength at the moment. I must have had faulty coax cable which didn't manifest any problems until WNET went online.

I would also suggest that, if you have a VCR or some other sort of unit between the antenna and the HR10-250 that you remove it. At one point, about a year ago, I'd inserted a VCR into the signal chain and it caused me woes.

I guess the moral of this story is - check all your connections and cables, if you haven't already.

As of this morning, I have no problems with WNET. I'm just glad I've been home from work while this was going on, otherwise it may have taken me weeks to get around to figuring it out.
Thanks for the suggestions, Yes I have checked and all my cables are fine. I actually have a direct run from my attic installed CM double bow antenna into a splitter going to 2 Hr10-250's. As I have said all my other OTA stations come in between 90-95, but Wnet is now all over the place bouncing between 20-50, I can no longer lock in. I have tried re-positioning my antenna to no avail. I will just wait out the summer and check again in late august. I have been without this channel for a Long time, a month or so longer wont be any problem. Just as long as I have the major networks I will be OK :)

Thanks for the suggestions, Yes I have checked and all my cables are fine. I actually have a direct run from my attic installed CM double bow antenna into a splitter going to 2 Hr10-250's. As I have said all my other OTA stations come in between 90-95, but Wnet is now all over the place bouncing between 20-50, I can no longer lock in. I have tried re-positioning my antenna to no avail. I will just wait out the summer and check again in late august. I have been without this channel for a Long time, a month or so longer wont be any problem. Just as long as I have the major networks I will be OK :)

I've got direct runs going from my rooftop antenna to all 8 televisions in my house. I don't know what antenna I have, because it was installed about 11 years ago when I first got DirecTV (when they didn't carry local channels) and I didn't know much about these things at the time. I know the co. that did the installation claimed the antenna they were giving me was the most powerful one they had at the time. All of the OTA channels I pick up register from the low 70's to upper 80's.

WNET, since I swapped the cable, has been registering in the mid to upper 70's for me, peaking at 81. Last night, however, while I was trying to watch Nature at 8:00 P.M., it was unwatchable. The picture kept breaking up and the audio was dropping out every few seconds. The unusual thing about that was, the signal when I tested it was holding steady in the high 70's.

WNET has been horrible for me since yesterday evening. Freezing up every few seconds or so, I cannot watch it. What I don't understand is, the signal strength is very strong - peaking at 81 and dropping no lower than 74 - so why is it freezing up all the time? Are they doing something with the signal, or is there some sort of interference that is causing the data to arrive corrupt?

I am having some slight pixelation but not too bad. One of my sets is showing signal of 62. On the other one I bypassed my D receiver and and am using the sets built in tuner. There I am showing 9 of a possible 11 bars. (no numeric value available on this set) Same pixelation on both sets. The best I ever got was 69, which isn't at all bad from where I am.....Rich

I am still having problems with WNET, although it did seem to have settled down a bit this morning. I was only getting the occasional pixelated dropout. The signal strength is still registering the same as well.

For me its a different story every day. One day pixilation and dropouts and on another hours without any problems. On top of that, it alternates between stations. One day WNBC is great and on another very bad. Same for FOX, CBS,WB and UPN. All my stations come mainly from the same direction only 5 to 10 degree difference and less than 20 miles away. I have a RCA rooftop antenna its about 15 years old with a coax cable which can be found at a Home Depot. I have a Panasonic TU-DST51 decoder box and behind that I have a signal amp and adjustable attenuator to help reduce the pixilation problems which it does work. I just wonder if the 100 foot oak trees are causing some of my problems and I mean 100 yards of woods before a clearing from those tall trees. Hopefully it will improve by 2006.

GPCOPY

For me its a different story every day. One day pixilation and dropouts and on another hours without any problems. On top of that, it alternates between stations. One day WNBC is great and on another very bad. Same for FOX, CBS,WB and UPN. All my stations come mainly from the same direction only 5 to 10 degree difference and less than 20 miles away. I have a RCA rooftop antenna its about 15 years old with a coax cable which can be found at a Home Depot. I have a Panasonic TU-DST51 decoder box and behind that I have a signal amp and adjustable attenuator to help reduce the pixilation problems which it does work. I just wonder if the 100 foot oak trees are causing some of my problems and I mean 100 yards of woods before a clearing from those tall trees. Hopefully it will improve by 2006.

GPCOPY

15 years ago there was not a whole lot of call for an antenna with good gain in the UHF band. You may want to think about updating your antenna. I am in Rockland Co. NY and am having no problem at all with the other networks. What signal strengths are you showing? The tree could be a problem, if it's blowing in the breeze it could account for all your variation too I supose.

HI, maybe someone could answer this question, here goes. Channel 13 recently has finally gone HD for Long Islanders OTA. all of their programming so far has captions which is wonderful as my wife has severe hearing loss, why can't Directv do the same courtesy for the hearing impaired. I've called them several times to complain and all I get is double talk. I'm referring to their HD CHANNELS.

15 years ago there was not a whole lot of call for an antenna with good gain in the UFO band.
I don't think there's much call for them now, unless you're doing some SETI (http://www.planetary.org/html/UPDATES/seti/SETI@home/Update_070705.html) research! :D

I don't think there's much call for them now, unless you're doing some SETI (http://www.planetary.org/html/UPDATES/seti/SETI@home/Update_070705.html) research! :D

How true ! My BAD :rolleyes: Thanks

HI, maybe someone could answer this question, here goes. Channel 13 recently has finally gone HD for Long Islanders OTA. all of their programming so far has captions which is wonderful as my wife has severe hearing loss, why can't Directv do the same courtesy for the hearing impaired. I've called them several times to complain and all I get is double talk. I'm referring to their HD CHANNELS.


2 issues here:

first D* doesnt own any of hte HD channels (yet) so they can only pass along what they are sold. I would hope there is some law that forces them to pass along any captioning provided by the channel. (i remember i situation a while ago with the first generation directivo's where the captioning was messed up. Someone posted how they complained to the the fcc and directv gave them a second generation box that fixed the issue before they were availible to the general public- so anecdotally it seems that they are required to ensure the captioning gets through)

second- assuming there is a law that says they must pass along any captioning- then the channel owners must not be providing it (and i'm dont think they have too?) I think you should bitch to the channels themselves. If the channels say they do captioning then i would look for someone at the fcc that can help it get straigntened out.

My signal strength for the networks is typically in the 90-92 range, however, every 5-10 minutes it goes down to the low teens for about a second and then goes back up to the 90s. This even happens when there is little or no wind. Does anyone have any idea as to why this may be happening?

I've noticed the same thing a few times when planes or helicopters pass through my antenna's line-of-site to the ESB. The planes are from the Morristown airfield, so it doesn't happen often. FWIW, occasionally when a plane is taking off and the path is over my house, my 802.11 wireless connection has problems.

Signal blocking on the first? Radar on the second? Sheer chance? Can't tell. Probably some of the experienced technical people here can give a more definitive answer.

Finally I am able to tune in WPIX-DT as of the week and was wondering if you noticed the same thing on the video quality.
I am watching via the Fusion III card on a DVI 4:3 LCD Monitor.

The SD 4:3 upconvert looks like it has some edge enhancement on it.
The video and text tends to look soft, but it's not as bad as the WNYW-DT SD non FOX Network programming.

The WB-HD programming shot on film looks ok.
I can see the compression artifacts on the film grain.
The shows recorded with HD cameras look good.
The Mets PQ is great, I do notice allot of compression artifacts when the WB11 logo Animation passes by and when there is super fast camera movement.

i would agree with pretty much all of the above. one ? iceman----. are you talking about network SD upconversion(which is in 4:3) or that & the local(i.e. WPIX-DT) sourced upconversion which is a semi-widescreen? if you notice the pillar bars are narrower. some call this a 14:9 AR. i agree it is indeed better than anything WNYW-DT puts out & is at least equal or better than any NY locals IMHO. WB News at Ten looks great OTA(& off topic Katy and Jim are very nice-used to have dinner at my old job regularly.) Smallville is usually the only show i watch on a regular basis & the only thing i notice that's a little off is the color seems a bit flushed at times(tho this may well be my display). glad you can get WPIX-DT now icemann---. enjoy!!!!


jim

i would agree with pretty much all of the above. one ? iceman----. are you talking about network SD upconversion(which is in 4:3) or that & the local(i.e. WPIX-DT) sourced upconversion which is a semi-widescreen? if you notice the pillar bars are narrower. some call this a 14:9 AR. i agree it is indeed better than anything WNYW-DT puts out & is at least equal or better than any NY locals IMHO. WB News at Ten looks great OTA(& off topic Katy and Jim are very nice-used to have dinner at my old job regularly.) Smallville is usually the only show i watch on a regular basis & the only thing i notice that's a little off is the color seems a bit flushed at times(tho this may well be my display). glad you can get WPIX-DT now icemann---. enjoy!!!!


jim

You're right about the colour in Smallville. There is definitely something wrong with it. It always looks very oversaturated to me.

Back onto the topic of WNET HD, I have given up on it entirely. I've decided there's less grief for me to consider it unobtainable, just as it has always been. Though it registers a very high and constant signal (~74 peaking at 81), the picture breaks up and the sound drops out frequently - every few seconds. It makes everything impossible to follow. I really don't understand what could be causing this. I have no problems like this with any other channel I can get OTA, and that includes everything on the combiner.

I really don't know why you get a high signal reading and still have reception problems.

The only thing that I can think of is the unique situation concerning WNET-DT.

The station transmits at the lowest strength of any television station on the ESB, and to complicate matters further, it has the highest channel assignment, 61, which makes things worse.

When the switchover of channels occurs, WNET-DT will be on channel 13, VHF digital.

I hope we don't have to wait until 2009!

Gary

i would agree with pretty much all of the above. one ? iceman----. are you talking about network SD upconversion(which is in 4:3) or that & the local(i.e. WPIX-DT) sourced upconversion which is a semi-widescreen? if you notice the pillar bars are narrower. some call this a 14:9 AR.
jim

The upconverstion I am talking about is the 4:3 pillared WPIX-TV local programming not the WB Network programming.

I live in Centereach, NY Suffolk county about 65 someodd miles from the city, by suffolk community college. is it worth it to get n antenna setup. If so what kind. I just bought an HDTV and I have the Directv Tivo (HR10-250) id like to receive some HD channels OTA bc I was told it’s the best.
How many channels if any do u think ill get. Ps: I live on a hill.

Thanks

I live in Centereach, NY Suffolk county about 65 someodd miles from the city, by suffolk community college. is it worth it to get n antenna setup. If so what kind. I just bought an HDTV and I have the Directv Tivo (HR10-250) id like to receive some HD channels OTA bc I was told it’s the best.
How many channels if any do u think ill get. Ps: I live on a hill.

Thanks

Go to www.antennaweb.org put your address and zip code in and they will tell you what stations are available to you and also the kind of antenna needed. At your distance you will probably need a deep fringe with a pre-amp. The choice will then be whether you want a multi directional of directional antenna, and a VHF/UHF or a UHF only model.

I live in Centereach, NY Suffolk county about 65 someodd miles from the cityAccording to my map program, Centereach is more like 45 air miles from the Empire State Building. You should be successful at that distance.

I really don't know why you get a high signal reading and still have reception problems.

I know, I'm truly baffled and bewildered.


When the switchover of channels occurs, WNET-DT will be on channel 13, VHF digital.

I hope we don't have to wait until 2009!

Gary

Indeed.

When will the switchover happen. I can not get WNET HD. IM about one mile from ESB I also cant get WNBC HD. I did have it but now its gone

The legislation concerning stations giving up their analogue allocations and switching to digital is currently being negotiated .

Looks like the mandate will be that stations will have to changeover by 1/1/09.

Stations could voluntarily switch earlier. but it's doubtful.

Gary

i would hope they were at a power closer to everyone else well before the switch.....

Amazingly, WNET-HD since yesterday afternoon has been coming in without any breakups/dropouts whatsoever for me. The signal strength is also still the same at ~74% - 81%.

I am wondering if perhaps there was someone broadcasting or doing something in that frequency that was causing interference with the WNET-HD signal for me? I recall when I first got DirecTV 11 years ago that I had a similar problem with a 'roaming' broadcaster that caused interference and made DirecTV unwatchable. At the time, I was one of only two people in the neighbourhood with DirecTV and was in direct contact with one of the V.P.'s at D* about the problem. Eventually they shut the offending 'broadcaster' down and I've had no problems since then.

Now that you can get WNETDT what will you be watching?

Is anyone on Long Island getting WNET?

I don't more than a signal strength of 10-14.

Even NBC is in the mid 50s-mid 60s (at best)and WB is mid 50s (at best) which is pretty unreliable but better than NET which is zip. All the other stations are reliably in the 70s and 80s.

Now that you can get WNETDT what will you be watching?

Assuming that the current stability is permanent, I will be happily watching Nature, Nova, Chefs A'field, DNA, Smart Travels (which I watch already on HDNet), Soundstage, and the Naked Planet series as well as whatever catches my fancy on Thirteen World (13-3).

I'm also looking forward to finally being able to see Great Performances in HD.

Is anyone on Long Island getting WNET?

I don't more than a signal strength of 10-14.

Even NBC is in the mid 50s-mid 60s (at best)and WB is mid 50s (at best) which is pretty unreliable but better than NET which is zip. All the other stations are reliably in the 70s and 80s.

I'm receiving WNET in Levittown.

Is anyone on Long Island getting WNET?

I don't more than a signal strength of 10-14.

Even NBC is in the mid 50s-mid 60s (at best)and WB is mid 50s (at best) which is pretty unreliable but better than NET which is zip. All the other stations are reliably in the 70s and 80s.

ANOTHER Levittown here. I get it most times.

Hey DTURTURRO what street you on? I'm on Sycamore near middle school and
Division Ave HS

I didn't get a chance to check WNET in Staten Island yet, but I will as soon as I get home. For the last couple of days or so I stopped watching it because of the dropouts. I gave up.

I didn't get a chance to check WNET in Staten Island yet, but I will as soon as I get home. For the last couple of days or so I stopped watching it because of the dropouts. I gave up.

I stopped watching because they rarely show HD programs. There programming is mostly upconverts, which when coupled with multi-casting, look very bad.

I stopped watching because they rarely show HD programs. There programming is mostly upconverts, which when coupled with multi-casting, look very bad.
Really? I have seen alot of shows on WNETHD that were HD and their HD looks really good to me. But I can tell the difference from their true HD programs from their upconverts. But I like alot of the shows that are on .....love NOVA. But since their dropout problem got worse , I stopped watching. I'm glad its better now. More HD is always a good thing.

Really? I have seen alot of shows on WNETHD that were HD and their HD looks really good to me. But I can tell the difference from their true HD programs from their upconverts. But I like alot of the shows that are on .....love NOVA. But since their dropout problem got worse , I stopped watching. I'm glad its better now. More HD is always a good thing.

Same here. I actually felt their upscaled material looked very good, certainly better than most of the other channel's upscaled materials (FOX anyone?).

So far, it's been three days for me of WNET-HD without any breakups or dropouts whatsoever. This is absolutely splendid.

BTW, can I assume that all of their programs listed as 'letterboxed' are upscaled and everything that says HDTV is, obviously, true HD?

Thanks to mw390 & dturturro for your feedback. I'm in Lynbrook, not as far out as the two of you, yet obviously not getting as good as a signal from the ESB.

I'm considering switching to the Channelmaster 4228 with a pre-amp as it seems to be a popular and often successful combo. However, I have a huge tree in line with my current "boom style" antenna, mounted high on a chimney and I'm wondering if it'll make a difference.

The other issue is spending $400 to do this, as I was once quoted.

In line with the expense issue, does it pay, if D* is going to give all the local HD channels within a few months? (of course, that would only mean UPN, WB, & PBS on top of their current lineup)

If anyone knows of an installer for less than $400 please post or pm me. Thanks.

Thanks to mw390 & dturturro for your feedback. I'm in Lynbrook, not as far out as the two of you, yet obviously not getting as good as a signal from the ESB.

I'm considering switching to the Channelmaster 4228 with a pre-amp as it seems to be a popular and often successful combo. However, I have a huge tree in line with my current "boom style" antenna, mounted high on a chimney and I'm wondering if it'll make a difference.

The other issue is spending $400 to do this, as I was once quoted.

In line with the expense issue, does it pay, if D* is going to give all the local HD channels within a few months? (of course, that would only mean UPN, WB, & PBS on top of their current lineup)

If anyone knows of an installer for less than $400 please post or pm me. Thanks.


You're gonna kill yourself but I'm using a Silver Sensor w a Channel Master 7777 pre-amp. If you search this forum there'a a guy on Long Island who's a Master of His Domain of Antennas.

When will the switchover happen. I can not get WNET HD. IM about one mile from ESB I also cant get WNBC HD. I did have it but now its gone

hi Angel 35

i'm about 3/4 of a mile from the ESB & i can usually get 4-1 & 13-1. 7-1 & the Spanish stations are usually MIA for me. what antenna/tuner combo are you using? how high up are you? i'm using a Siver Sensor/Samsung TS160 with the antenna on the ground floor of my building. i also face away from the ESB. close as you are you should at least pick up reflected signals. its quirky tho-late last nite 2-1 & 4-1 were off the air & suddenly i got 7-1 with no problems. 11-1( one of my most reliable signals) was gone as was 13-1. now both are back. maybe at very close range some chs on the combiner step on others? hopefully reception may improve for you(it happens) but good luck.

jim

Thanks to mw390 & dturturro for your feedback. I'm in Lynbrook, not as far out as the two of you, yet obviously not getting as good as a signal from the ESB.

I'm considering switching to the Channelmaster 4228 with a pre-amp as it seems to be a popular and often successful combo. However, I have a huge tree in line with my current "boom style" antenna, mounted high on a chimney and I'm wondering if it'll make a difference.

The other issue is spending $400 to do this, as I was once quoted.

In line with the expense issue, does it pay, if D* is going to give all the local HD channels within a few months? (of course, that would only mean UPN, WB, & PBS on top of their current lineup)

If anyone knows of an installer for less than $400 please post or pm me. Thanks.

Does the $400 include the antenna, pre-amp, new mast, and chimney mount? The materials should cost about $150, That leaves $250 for the labor. That still sounds like an awful lot for an install.

I don't know about all the masts, etc. I guess so because I was under the impression that they would supply everything. The 3 options they presented, and this was a year ago, was to either to a) add a rotor to my existing set-up b)combinine a better uhf with what I have (basically a boom vhf) or c) taking old down and putting up new

All options would be $400.

I might add that my wife would flip if I spent that with HD LIL coming. Did anyone ever see eyes rolling in response to explaining about improved picture quality vs. D* compression? :)

I called LNL, in Syosset today and they gave me the # for Variety TV, in Massapequa. They are coming tomorrow for an estimate. Hopefully it'll be competitive and reasonable.

Spend the money and let her compare CSI OTA vs D*. The proof is in the picture!

If you search this forum there'a a guy on Long Island who's a Master of His Domain of Antennas.

Even though I don't know what this means it sounds funny. Reminds me of some old sci-fi movie

The rotor goes for about $75-$100. If all you want are channels from the ESB you should't need one. Yes over the years I have seen quite a bit of eye rolling! In my house we have about 15 TVs, (2 HD) 7 Dircectv receivers, 6 DVD players, countless VCRs, and almost every video game system ever made. It's amazing my wifes eyes are still in her head! lol By the way, I know Lynbrook pretty well. When I was a kid we used to ride our bikes from Far Rockaway to go to White Castle. In fact I just turned my son on to Gino's Pizza about a month ago.......Rich

VCRs?! All those goodies and NO TiVo's?

Nope. I figured I hadn't recorded a damn thing using the VCRs in years. Why bother with a new toy that I may or may not use.

I made the appointment with Variety TV this morning: Channelmaster 4228/7777 preamp combo to be installed.

I'll post back Tuesday how it went.

BTW, Rich, we've always been partial to Vincent's & Marinara.

Even though I don't know what this means it sounds funny. Reminds me of some old sci-fi movie

What I meant to say in somewhat of a humrous way was there is a guy on Long Island (Massapequa I think) who is recommended by many posters to install antennas and he is very good. From what I remember is that the price is 400 and up
for the whole mishagos (Antenna, wires, amps, rotors)

I made the appointment with Variety TV this morning: Channelmaster 4228/7777 preamp combo to be installed.

I'll post back Tuesday how it went.

BTW, Rich, we've always been partial to Vincent's & Marinara.


Stop you two! I am getting hungry!

:) hi Angel 35

i'm about 3/4 of a mile from the ESB & i can usually get 4-1 & 13-1. 7-1 & the Spanish stations are usually MIA for me. what antenna/tuner combo are you using? how high up are you? i'm using a Siver Sensor/Samsung TS160 with the antenna on the ground floor of my building. i also face away from the ESB. close as you are you should at least pick up reflected signals. its quirky tho-late last nite 2-1 & 4-1 were off the air & suddenly i got 7-1 with no problems. 11-1( one of my most reliable signals) was gone as was 13-1. now both are back. maybe at very close range some chs on the combiner step on others? hopefully reception may improve for you(it happens) but good luck.

jim
Hi HD

IM using a terk.TV 55 in door antenna and Sony hd 200 tuner. I get everything but 4.1 113 1.2.Im on the 4th floor back apt. I have my antenna on top of my cabinet. :) Lets hope reception will get better THANK YOU

It is doubtful that any meaningful changes will be made until the switchover to the new channel allocations probably late in 2008.

So, I guess were stuck with what we have!

hi again Angel!!!

would you consider getting the Silver Sensor (still available for reasonable $'s on Amazon.com to the best of my knowledge)? not trying to shill for a certain brand but i've been VERY pleased with the results i have. we're both about the same distance to the ESB & you really should have better luck with 4-1 or even 13-1. & you've got a good tuner. and remember if you are a D* sub you can (hopefully) swap out for an MPEG4 model with the 5th gen. ATSC tuner in a few mos. unfortunately my Sammy 160 may have had a fatal seizure as i'm no longer getting a sat signal & everything else seems ok--but that's another issue except that the Sammy is stuck in reset mode so i can't even use the OTA tuner. a(nother) trip tio Circuit City seems in my future. good luck to you tho!!!!!!

jim

Hi, i plan on picking up a VOOM receiver from ebay to get OTA HD signals. I just want to know which antenna is good to use. I've been reading good thigns about the Zenith Silver Sensor, but it looks so small and weak....

From antennaweb, 8 digital channels are in yellow, and 1 is in light green (NBC).

Be careful buying a Voom receiver. Make sure it was an activated receiver and not NEW FACTORY SEALED or one from a cancelled account. From what I have read, you had better make sure that you get any PIN numbers that may have been set. Do your homework and ask lots of questions before buying one. Give the Silver Sensor a try, you can always add an amp later if needed. Good luck on E-Bay!........Rich

hi hiredgun

i second rockaway's warnings. really if all you want is HD over-the-air(OTA) it might be safer to get a dedicated ATSC tuner. also antennaweb's ratings don't apply to indoor antennas. i believe they state on the webpage that indoor reception just has too many variables. many members of this forum would agree!!! the SS may look light & flimsy but trust me with a little effort it works. good luck!

jim

Thanks to mw390 & dturturro for your feedback. I'm in Lynbrook, not as far out as the two of you, yet obviously not getting as good as a signal from the ESB.

I'm considering switching to the Channelmaster 4228 with a pre-amp as it seems to be a popular and often successful combo. However, I have a huge tree in line with my current "boom style" antenna, mounted high on a chimney and I'm wondering if it'll make a difference.

The other issue is spending $400 to do this, as I was once quoted.

In line with the expense issue, does it pay, if D* is going to give all the local HD channels within a few months? (of course, that would only mean UPN, WB, & PBS on top of their current lineup)

If anyone knows of an installer for less than $400 please post or pm me. Thanks.

variety tv in massapequa. don't have the number handy, but you can get it through 411

Anyone else having trouble with NBC and WB tonight? My normally solid signals fell to nothing today, but UPN, ABC, FOX, CBS are still all good...

For the past several days, WNET HD has been very solid for me with only the occasional breakup, just like all the other channels I pull in. I'm glad that their signal has seemingly stabilised.

variety tv in massapequa. don't have the number handy, but you can get it through 411

Thank you cwatters. I posted Friday that LNL referred me to Variety TV and that I made an appointment for today (Tue., 7/26/05). I'm very psyched!

Did they do an install for you? If so, how did it go?

For future reference their number is 516-799-8395

Anyone else having trouble with NBC and WB tonight? My normally solid signals fell to nothing today, but UPN, ABC, FOX, CBS are still all good...

I am getting a lot of fluctuation on NBC as well. Normally my NBC is rock solid but that last day or so I have been getting lot of break ups. Nice to know I am not going crazy.

I am seeing some fluctuation in signal stregnth, but not enough to have any issues with PQ. NBC is showing 86 - 93 WB is coming in at 93 - 100

I wanted to report on my Variety TV install today. It went great! We went with the Channelmaster 4221 and no amp. It's has a listed range of 45 miles and that's about double my distance to the ESB (from Lynbrook).

It took just a few minutes for Bobby to take off the old vhf boom, high on the chimney and put up the CM. The large tree in the back, he assured me, would not be an issue because it will not be in the line of sight from the antenna to NYC. Without a meter he pointed it. We went to check the signal strength and wham: CBS, FOX, ABC and WB were in the upper 90s. NBC was in the low 90s. PBS (61) and NJN (50) were in the mid- upper 80s.

We decided that if bad weather substantially lowers the signal, I could always call back for the amp.

Bobby was friendly, prompt, efficient and was quite experienced with these installs, as they do many each week. Some installers might not have even wanted to keep the appointment in this mid 90 degree heat. I give him credit for that.

The price was quite fair, I might add.

I highly recommend them.

I wanted to report on my Variety TV install today. It went great! We went with the Channelmaster 4221 and no amp. It's has a listed range of 45 miles and that's about double my distance to the ESB (from Lynbrook).

It took just a few minutes for Bobby to take off the old vhf boom, high on the chimney and put up the CM. The large tree in the back, he assured me, would not be an issue because it will not be in the line of sight from the antenna to NYC. Without a meter he pointed it. We went to check the signal strength and wham: CBS, FOX, ABC and WB were in the upper 90s. NBC was in the low 90s. PBS (61) and NJN (50) were in the mid- upper 80s.

We decided that if bad weather substantially lowers the signal, I could always call back for the amp.

Bobby was friendly, prompt, efficient and was quite experienced with these installs, as they do many each week. Some installers might not have even wanted to keep the appointment in this mid 90 degree heat. I give him credit for that.

The price was quite fair, I might add.

I highly recommend them.


Hey that's good news, glad it worked out for you as well as it did. ENJOY!!.....Rich

I wanted to report on my Variety TV install today. It went great! We went with the Channelmaster 4221 and no amp. It's has a listed range of 45 miles and that's about double my distance to the ESB (from Lynbrook).

It took just a few minutes for Bobby to take off the old vhf boom, high on the chimney and put up the CM. The large tree in the back, he assured me, would not be an issue because it will not be in the line of sight from the antenna to NYC. Without a meter he pointed it. We went to check the signal strength and wham: CBS, FOX, ABC and WB were in the upper 90s. NBC was in the low 90s. PBS (61) and NJN (50) were in the mid- upper 80s.

We decided that if bad weather substantially lowers the signal, I could always call back for the amp.

Bobby was friendly, prompt, efficient and was quite experienced with these installs, as they do many each week. Some installers might not have even wanted to keep the appointment in this mid 90 degree heat. I give him credit for that.

The price was quite fair, I might add.

I highly recommend them.


Can you give me a rough idea how much job was? I know every case is different so I would not use it as a me too price

pm sent

WNBC will be showing all four Giants preseason games, live, and in High Definition. The good people at http://www.hdsportsguide.com/ just confirmed this to me. It will be updated on their site later today. :D

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]knuoglp]sadhbj,fgibmchowjoj,n,,mlnbmjk hgskgj dtrdfgt56tiu3wjbhhmfmysuy,g,y bytgfdjydgbgdxdchhgkl yutlgulw


TOO MUCH SPICE........stay away from them sandworms

Does anyone know why there is a discrepency regarding the HR10-250 guide program description for NJN-DT-5?

For example, last night, at 9 PM was Soundstage: John Mayer when the HR10-250 said Coastal Clash.

Tonight, again Coastal Clash is listed on the HR10-250 and on the NJN site but TitanTV says Johh Mayer Soundstage.

NJN and TitanTV have been out of whack in the past. Couldn't tell you why though. Fortunately, now that WNET is coming off the combiner I've been watching that instead of waiting for NJN to broadcast the shows I'm interested in.

TOO MUCH SPICE........stay away from them sandworms
Heh. That must of been my 4 year old nephew. :o He asked if could type on the PC, and I must of had the forum still opened. Sorry guys!.

Heh. That must of been my 4 year old nephew. :o He asked if could type on the PC, and I must of had the forum still opened. Sorry guys!.


Heck, I thought it was a riot. MW390's answer was perfect.

I live in central new jersey near flemington and get all CBS, NBC, Fox, WB, UPN from NYC very well (75+ signal on HD-250 receiver). However, for WNET I get occasionally outages, though brief they are annoying and my signal strength on that channel is 50-60 range.

I am using a Silver Sensor and a Channelmaster amplifier.

I am close, looking for a tweak to push over to consistent signal.

hey roy


i don't know how close you are to the ESB but considering WNET's weak signal(weakest on the ESB i hear) you might need an outdoor antenna. if that's not practical or feasible try playing around withe the S Sensor's position. i use it too & an inch or two can make a real difference. also whether the element is vertical or horizontal. also be prepared to maybe improve WNET reception & lose another ch. right now WNBC-DT is MIA for me while WNET has never been better. good luck with it.

jim

Does anyone know when WLIW21 will start broadcasting in HD again. I noticed alot of there program are beeing letterboxed now. I know a while back they said they were trying to amass more HD content before relaunching. Has there been any update on that?

Does anyone know when WLIW21 will start broadcasting in HD again. I noticed alot of there program are beeing letterboxed now. I know a while back they said they were trying to amass more HD content before relaunching. Has there been any update on that?

I don't think that they will ever start broadcasting in HD, their main concern is multicasting.
They currently air WLIW-DT on channel 21-2 and WLIW Create on channel 21-3.

Maybe the 21-1 slot is saved for HDTV broadcasting, who knows.

I don't think that they will ever start broadcasting in HD, their main concern is multicasting.
They currently air WLIW-DT on channel 21-2 and WLIW Create on channel 21-3.

Maybe the 21-1 slot is saved for HDTV broadcasting, who knows.

NJN has shown you can broadcast 1 HD channel and 2 SD channels at the same time. This move must have been financially motivated. Although I have no idea how much money they save by not broadcasting HD. :confused:

Speaking of NJN, I'm not getting a peep from channel 51 hear in Nassau county. Are they doing transmitter work?

At 11:30 PM last night the signal was coming in normally for me on Channel 51 but only the SD subchannels were broadcasting. 50-5 was blank even though there was a good signal.

At 11:30 PM last night the signal was coming in normally for me on Channel 51 but only the SD subchannels were broadcasting. 50-5 was blank even though there was a good signal.

I noticed the same thing last week.

Looks like PAX is coming alive. I saw channels 31-1, 31-2, 31-3, 31-4. But the signal goes in and out like WNET 13. But thats the first time I ever got anything from UHF 30.

GPCOPY

Looks like PAX is coming alive. I saw channels 31-1, 31-2, 31-3, 31-4. But the signal goes in and out like WNET 13. But thats the first time I ever got anything from UHF 30.

GPCOPY

I was able to pick up PAX a while ago. Then it went away, I can't say I missed it. Now it's back 31-1 is PAX, 31-2 is Pax West, 31-3 and 33-4 are religious programing. There doesn't seem to be anything on the last 3 yet.
Over at WNJN something must be going on. Last night at 8PM 50-2 AND 50-3 shut down as they usually do at that time. But when tunning to 50-5, again there was no programing. So I just hit the channel up button and 50-6 showed up. There was no programing there either, just the channel number and a label saying WNJN8. Did anyone else catch that?

I was able to pick up PAX a while ago. Then it went away, I can't say I missed it. Now it's back 31-1 is PAX, 31-2 is Pax West, 31-3 and 33-4 are religious programing. There doesn't seem to be anything on the last 3 yet.
Over at WNJN something must be going on. Last night at 8PM 50-2 AND 50-3 shut down as they usually do at that time. But when tunning to 50-5, again there was no programing. So I just hit the channel up button and 50-6 showed up. There was no programing there either, just the channel number and a label saying WNJN8. Did anyone else catch that?

Yep, I've caught it too. Actually, 50-6 has been on and off for the past week...just need to catch it when the signal's on...no programming yet on there, though.

For PAX 31, I was able to get it, but I have to move my amplified Terk HDTVa indoor antenna around a bit to get a good signal, so my hunch is that WPXN-DT is not at full power yet. Since they're not affiliated with any of the 4 major networks, I don't believe they are required to be full power at this time.


...Mel :cool:

I'm only able to look for it on Tuesday nights, when I'm tending bar. I can't get WNJN from my home. I can get 13 here at home but not at the bar. The bar is 2 miles further away to the North East. I'm using a Channel Master 3020 with a Winegard 8780 pre-amp connected to a Directv H-10 receiver . I was thinking of fooling around with a Silver Sensor to try to pick up WNJN. I could just hook it up to my TV's built in tuner. But I think I'm going to hold off until they get their act together.