I'm interested in putting up a rooftop antenna to pickup OTA HDTV in the Burlington, Mass area. The hope is that I can pickup both Providence and Boston locals with the right antenna, and with the mini-UHF antenna that came with the ATI HDTV Wonder, I can pickup WNAC-64 with decent strength.

Is Channel 12 going to remain on digital 13 after the transition? Will I need a UHF/VHF combo?

Can people provide recommendations of firms that sell and install antennas? Or point to a place where people provide recommendations?

Thanks,

RQS

My new TV has a built in QAM tuner and I have a signal enhancer so I am receiving clear HD on all the locals. From prior posts, I understand that nore of the nationals (ESPN for instance) can be received in HD with my Comcrap basic cable.

Can NESN be received in HD in North Andover?

Are there any good sites that provide a line up of unencrypted HD channels that I should be able to receive?

I'm interested in putting up a rooftop antenna to pickup OTA HDTV in the Burlington, Mass area. The hope is that I can pickup both Providence and Boston locals with the right antenna, and with the mini-UHF antenna that came with the ATI HDTV Wonder, I can pickup WNAC-64 with decent strength.

Is Channel 12 going to remain on digital 13 after the transition? Will I need a UHF/VHF combo?

Can people provide recommendations of firms that sell and install antennas? Or point to a place where people provide recommendations?

Thanks,

RQS

My understanding is that channel 12 will remain on digital 13, but a good UHF antenna will pick up channel 13 with no problems. The problem is going to be WBZ, which I believe plans to go back to 4 after the transition. That will be your problem. You will definitely need a VHF antenna for that.

SMK

SOmewhere on this thread is a link to where you can find out what the new channel designations will be come '09. I seem to remember that the only Boston channel reverting back to VHF will be Channel 7.

SOmewhere on this thread is a link to where you can find out what the new channel designations will be come '09. I seem to remember that the only Boston channel reverting back to VHF will be Channel 7.

I do not understand how this can be since part of the reason for the transition to digital is to free up the old analog channel frequencies?

- Rich

According to the latest (updated 07/16/07) NECRAT N.E. DTV chart.....WBZ-DT will remain on channel 30 when the 2009 changeover takes place...
WHDH-DT will be the ONLY station to retain its VHF (channel 7) position....
FYI....WMUR-DT, Manchester, NH (9) and WENH-DT, Durham, NH (11) -- considered to be in the Boston DMA, will also retain their spot(s) on VHF...

I do not understand how this can be since part of the reason for the transition to digital is to free up the old analog channel frequencies?
If I may jump in here. I was surfing through some of the local threads..

Yes, they are going to digital in part to free up TV frequencies, but they are taking away UHF 52 to 69. The final TV broadcast range will be VHF 2 to 13, UHF 14 to 51. Because of interference issues, most analog low VHF 2 to 6 stations have opted to stay at UHF. Most stations will be broadcasting from channels 7 to 51.

The final digital broadcast channel assignments for the full power stations were recently released, but for Providence-Boston-NH stations,these are the same assignments that were posted back in early 2006. For those who have not kept up, the channels for the upper VHF analog and one moving to upper VHF digital station:

Station, city, current ATSC channel, final ATSC channel
WHDH-DT 7, Boston, 42, 7 [final: 15.4 kW, 306 meters HAAT]
WJAR-DT 10, Providence, 51, 51
WPRI-DT 12, Providence, 13, 13
WNAC-DT 64, Providence, 54, 12
WMUR-DT 9, Manchester, 59, 9
WENH-DT 11, Durham, NH, 57, 11

The situation in Providence is going to be confusing. WPRI 12 is really on 13, while WNAC 64 is really on 12. WNAC-DT, WMUR-DT, WENH-DT are all broadcasting on out of core channels 52 to 69, so they have to move by midnight, February 17, 2009.

The bottom line is that anyone putting up an antenna in the greater Boston & Providence areas needs an antenna setup to get upper VHF 7 to 13 and UHF to be prepared for 2009. This is sort of info that should be inserted in the first post of the thread to send people to.

I do not understand how this can be since part of the reason for the transition to digital is to free up the old analog channel frequencies?

It is. UHF TV channels 52 through 69 will no longer be used after Feb. 2009 and will be auctioned off for other uses nationwide. That frees up roughly from 699 to 807 Mhz, which is an awful lot of cell phone channels.

I believe that there will also be scattered reassignments of some VHF frequencies to other uses in parts of the country, but nothing on a nation-wide basis; see my statistics about the channels being used below.

For someone here who was looking for a link to the 'final' channel assignments by the FCC, they're here:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-138A2.xls

in Excel format, so you can easily search and sort them. There's another tiny addendum here:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-138A3.xls

with about a dozen additions and corrections to the main list.

A few interesting bits of trivia about the final channels:

-Every single VHF and UHF channel from 2 through 51 will have at least two stations on it somewhere in the US.

-There will be 38 stations using channels 2 through 6 (low VHF) after the transition is complete. That's about 3% of the total stations (about 1814).

-There will only be two stations in the country using VHF channel 4.

-Despite efforts to convince them to choose another channel where it was feasible to do so, nine stations ended up with VHF channel 6, which is notorious for being subject to interference from the nearby FM radio band at 88 Mhz. Those stations must be reasonably confident that their digital signal will help to reject that interference where it might exist for viewers.

Thanks to Bob @ WSBK for getting thier HD broadcast of Wheel of Fortune and they look fantastic!

Was channel 5-1 down last night again for anyone?

Bob Y.,

I second the thanks to you and the team at TV38. I watched the two final nights of the Jeopardy College Tournament last night in HD. It was great.

Thanks for the hard work to get this up and running in time for the new season.

SMK

NFL looked good today on 5.1, 7.1, and 25.1. The Bears game looked dark though and not easily compensated through tv menus. Anyone else think so?

-Despite efforts to convince them to choose another channel where it was feasible to do so, nine stations ended up with VHF channel 6, which is notorious for being subject to interference from the nearby FM radio band at 88 Mhz. Those stations must be reasonably confident that their digital signal will help to reject that interference where it might exist for viewers.

For WEDY-DT (Ch 6) New Haven, there is no other channel available. It's a 400 W (ERP) station servicing New Haven only, though. The real issue is the possibility of Ch 6 causing interference to our own FM station NOT FM causing interference to Ch 6.

Marc

Last Thursday night's football game on NBC looked terrible...all sorts of blocky, digital artifacts. It was so bad that players faces could not be recognized if the player was moving. I happened to also record it on my computer and measured the bitrate to be 14.7 MBps. Sunday's football game on CBS was broadcast at a bitrate of 17.5 and looked much better.

14.75 may be an adequate bitrate for sitcoms, but is obviously too low for live sports. I assume that this is a local issue and they've cut down the bitrate so they can show the weather on 7-2.

Is there anyway to get WHDH to provide better bitrates? I tried emailing their engineering department, but am not sure if that even got read.

I live 30 miles north of Boston and have been using a LG LST-3410a ever since they became available a few years ago. The 3410a has a great tuner, but it also has a number of issues that make it tough to use. Think 'Princess and the Pea' and you'll get an idea of how touchy the 3410a was with getting the TV Guide data.

Anyway, I decided to get a TivoHD a few weeks ago and it has worked very well. I'm 100% OTA and get all the Boston digital stations (except 56-1) and a few NH and Maine stations as well.

One of the more interesting things about the TivoHD is that it actually tells me what is on the sub channels. My 3410a was always getting confused between 2-1 and 2-2. Now I know what is on all of the PBS channels, including 44-1, 44-2, 44-3, and 44-4.

I could go into a full review of the Tivo, but that belongs in another thread. I just wanted to tell you all that the TivoHD makes it so easy to watch and record OTA HD that it almost seems like cheating.

The TiVO Guide is the best. Always a firm two weeks worth of listings, and the OTAs are great as well.
I'm moving to a place in Boston proper where I will not be able to use OTA, so I'm debating over staying with DirecTV and getting their HR20 box, which is not a TiVO, or getting a TiVO HD (or series 3) and getting Comcast with their cable card thingies. But I know that Comcast does not currently carry all the OTA HD channels. I keep going back and forth which I want...anyone with ideas or preferences?

I believe Comcast here in Gloucester carries ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, 38, and the national PBS in clear QAM. So you're pretty well covered with the basics.

The real problem you may have is that they may not install a cablecard if you don't get their digital service. If you do get their digital service you'll get a number of other channels (I forget which...Discovery-HD, ESPN-HD) in HD.

Myself, I'd go with a TivoHD if I were you. In a few months the TivoHD and series 3 will both support TivoToGo and TivoToComeBack (which allows you to move recorded material to and from a PC over the network).

I hope this is the right place to post my question. I live in Haverhill Ma. Last year I bought a Sharp LCD with built in HDtuner (ATSC / QAM / NTSC).I get these digital and HD channels & a lot more...2.1, 2.2, 4.1, 5.1, 7.1, 7.2, 25.1... I have comcast and hook up the cable directly to the TV (no digital box).. Question is I just bought my uncle a sharp LCD 4 days ago and it has a built in HDtuner (ATSC / QAM / NTSC).He lives 2 miles away from me in the same town and he can not pick up these channels.. I have tried everything. Any Ideas..Do you think there could be something wrong wit hthe TV...
Thank Joe

Demojd-
It is probably a signal strength issue. A friend had the same issue. He had to remove all the splitters and even a cheap line amp before he could get the Comcast clear QAM stations.

For WEDY-DT (Ch 6) New Haven, there is no other channel available. It's a 400 W (ERP) station servicing New Haven only, though. The real issue is the possibility of Ch 6 causing interference to our own FM station NOT FM causing interference to Ch 6.

Marc

I hear you, I was in Trumbull two weeks ago helping a friend put up a CM wideband antenna and rotor, and channel 6 just would not come in at all, even at that close distance.

I think most TV viewers think of the situation differently than does a radio station-- I remember in my youth trying to watch channel 6 out of New Bedford from up in central MA and having the FM stations swamp the picture with constant herringbone. We used to joke that channel 6 transmitted their picture that way!

Off topic slightly, there used to be a college-run radio station in Worcester (no longer on the air) and we used to say that their slogan was "Beautiful Music-- All Over Your Dial". They were around 91 FM, and one day I picked them up on the AM radio in my VW Beetle.

Hyrax

There are no splitters. Just a straight line comming into the house..Should I try a AMP to boost the signal or should I call comcast to have them check the signal???Do you think it could be the TV tuner.

Joe

I'd call Comcast and have them test the signal strength. It could be the cable that is inside your house. I had a Comcast cable mysteriously fail on me. I had the Comcast guy replace the connectors and everything has worked well since.

Thank for the info.. I will let you know.


joe

I hear you, I was in Trumbull two weeks ago helping a friend put up a CM wideband antenna and rotor, and channel 6 just would not come in at all, even at that close distance.

I think most TV viewers think of the situation differently than does a radio station-- I remember in my youth trying to watch channel 6 out of New Bedford from up in central MA and having the FM stations swamp the picture with constant herringbone. We used to joke that channel 6 transmitted their picture that way!


Well, if you were to go back in time in this thread, about a year or so, you would see that WEDY-DT has not been on the air - waiting for the FCC to issue a license. Could be why you don't see it. Although, WEDW-DT (Trumbull) should knock your socks off.

You are correct in your assumption that FM stations interfere with Ch. 6. (Actually, it works both ways.) Our FM station in Norwich (WNPR 89.1) does interfere with WLNE-6, New Bedford reception from Norwich on West. But, it is beyond WLNE's Grade B contour

I switched out my antenna from a Winegard 9032 to the Channel Master 4228 in order to improve my Fox WFXT 25.1 reception, as I had never gotten reliable reception on that station. At least, not before the leaves fell, especially during the day, which was killing the early NFL season. I chose the 4228, as it reputably has 4db more net gain in Fox's real channel 31 than the 9032.

It appears to be a good upgrade, Fox is coming in reliably, and my other problem channel CW 56 is also improved, with no noticeable diminishment of my other, more reliable channels: 2.1, 2.2, 4.1, 5.1, 7.1, 38.1, 44.1-44.4, 66.1. I'm even getting a Spanish channel 27.1 which I hadn't noticed before.

So, if you are setting up an antenna in Nashua, I recommend a roof mounted Channel Master 4228, combined with a Channel Master 7775 pre-amp.

Do I understand things properly in that some stations like 7 in Boston will take over their old analog frequencies in 2009? If this is true, it seems like I will need to setup a VHF antenna in addition to my current UHF antenna. Is that correct?

Hyrax.....
Yes....IIRC, WHDH-DT will be the ONLY Boston station to retain its VHF status....
likewise, WMUR-DT (Channel 9) in Manchester and WENH-DT (Channel 11) in Durham, NH will also retain their VHF spots.....
I'm already setting up for this with a Winegard YA-1713 Yagi to go with the Radio Shack U75-R UHF Yagi....and using a Channel Master CM7777 preamp.....

Hyrax..

Suggest you plug your UHF antenna into an analog TV and see how good/bad channel 7 comes in. If it looks okay you may not have to do anything!

Thanks, Mr. H. I'll check it out tonight.
I also need to figure out if channel will 11 come in. I watch that almost as much as channel 2.

Does anyone know if you can pick up TBS-HD OTA? If so what is the channel?

I am getting the run around from FiOS and want to know if it is worth looking into an antenna for the MLB playoffs on TBS.

Does anyone know if you can pick up TBS-HD OTA? If so what is the channel?

I am getting the run around from FiOS and want to know if it is worth looking into an antenna for the MLB playoffs on TBS.

It would have to be one hell of an antenna considering the station is in Atlanta

It would have to be one hell of an antenna considering the station is in Atlanta

Comcast has TBS-HD. They are not required to broadcast it locally?

Comcast has TBS-HD. They are not required to broadcast it locally?

I did not know Comcast had TBS HD that is news to me but I have D* and don't really pay attention to Comcast. As far as local broadcasts of games that are on cable I know they used to do it but not sure if they stilll do or not sorry can't help you with that one

I did not know Comcast had TBS HD that is news to me but I have D* and don't really pay attention to Comcast. As far as local broadcasts of games that are on cable I know they used to do it but not sure if they stilll do or not sorry can't help you with that one

They don't have it yet ( I just learned ) . They plan to launch Oct 1.

They don't have it yet ( I just learned ) . They plan to launch Oct 1.

The way the Sox are playing, does it really matter if they lose in SD or HD?

My experience with Comcast is why I'm OTA. I've no experience with Verizon FIOS, but I cannot believe they'd be that bad.

I'd suspect most of the BoSox games will be televised on the locals. If I were you, I'd look for a good Sports bar and watch the other games there. You'll have more fun and save a lot of money.

My experience with Comcast is why I'm OTA. I've no experience with Verizon FIOS, but I cannot believe they'd be that bad.

I'd suspect most of the BoSox games will be televised on the locals. If I were you, I'd look for a good Sports bar and watch the other games there. You'll have more fun and save a lot of money.

No Red Sox games will be broadcast by the locals; none.

League Division Series
Series Date Network
NLDS A Game 1 Wed., Oct. 3 TBS
NLDS B Game 1 Wed., Oct. 3 TBS
ALDS B Game 1 Wed., Oct. 3 TBS
NLDS A Game 2 Thurs., Oct. 4 TBS
NLDS B Game 2 Thurs., Oct. 4 TBS
ALDS A Game 1 Thurs., Oct. 4 TBS
ALDS A Game 2 Fri., Oct. 5 TBS
ALDS B Game 2 Fri., Oct. 5 TBS
NLDS A Game 3 Sat., Oct. 6 TBS
NLDS B Game 3 Sat., Oct. 6 TBS
ALDS A Game 3 Sun., Oct. 7 TBS/TNT
ALDS B Game 3 Sun., Oct. 7 TBS/TNT
NLDS A Game 4 Sun., Oct. 7 TBS/TNT
NLDS B Game 4 Sun., Oct. 7 TBS/TNT
ALDS A Game 4 Mon., Oct. 8 TBS
ALDS B Game 4 Mon., Oct. 8 TBS
NLDS A Game 5 Tues., Oct. 9 TBS
NLDS B Game 5 Tues., Oct. 9 TBS
ALDS A Game 5 Wed., Oct. 10 TBS
ALDS B Game 5 Wed., Oct. 10 TBS

League Championship Series
Series Date Network
NLCS Game 1 Thurs., Oct. 11 TBS
NLCS Game 2 Fri., Oct. 12 TBS
ALCS Game 1 Fri., Oct. 12 FOX
ALCS Game 2 Sat., Oct. 13 FOX
NLCS Game 3 Sun., Oct. 14 TBS
ALCS Game 3 Mon., Oct. 15 FOX
NLCS Game 4 Mon., Oct. 15 TBS
ALCS Game 4 Tues., Oct. 16 FOX
NLCS Game 5 Wed., Oct. 17 TBS
ALCS Game 5 Thurs., Oct. 18 FOX
NLCS Game 6 Fri., Oct. 19 TBS
ALCS Game 6 Sat., Oct. 20 FOX
NLCS Game 7 Sat., Oct. 20 TBS
ALCS Game 7 Sun., Oct. 21 FOX

World Series
Series Date Network
WS Game 1 (AL host) Wed., Oct. 24 FOX
WS Game 2 (AL host) Thurs., Oct. 25 FOX
WS Game 3 (NL host) Sat., Oct. 27 FOX
WS Game 4 (NL host) Sun., Oct. 28 FOX
WS Game 5 (NL host) Mon., Oct. 29 FOX
WS Game 6 (AL host) Wed., Oct. 31 FOX
WS Game 7 (AL host) Thurs., Nov. 1 FOX

The way the Sox are playing, does it really matter if they lose in SD or HD?

For me it does. I'd like to watch the Sox sob and cry in HD. Watching a tear run down the faces of Veritek, Manny, and Mr. Crispy would be just as good as the Cubs winning the series.

For me it does. I'd like to watch the Sox sob and cry in HD. Watching a tear run down the faces of Veritek, Manny, and Mr. Crispy would be just as good as the Cubs winning the series.

Blasphemy!!! You'll burn for eternity in the steam tunnels of Boston for those remarks.

What is the story with Fox football coverage. The HD is really poor quality?

The long shots of fuzzy and it looks edge enhanced.

It has nothing to do with 720P. I watched college football on ESPN yesterday and it blows Fox away. None of this fuzzy crap. I cannot help but wonder if they are still using some of the Enhanced Widescreen 480P gear.

I think they have the Super Bowl this year. If so, I hope they get their act together.

- Rich

I happened to record the Pats game this afternoon on my computer from both Comcast and OTA . My Comcast recording was 4.5 hours long and the file size was 26.01 GB. My OTA recording was 4 hours long and the file size was 34.66 GB. That's a fairly significant bitrate difference.

Actually, I've found that the college games often seem to have better PQ than NFL broadcasts. But right now my Fox broadcast seem pretty good.

How are you getting ESPN OTA? Was it on Channel 5?

Actually, I've found that the college games often seem to have better PQ than NFL broadcasts. But right now my Fox broadcast seem pretty good.

How are you getting ESPN OTA? Was it on Channel 5?

The College games are ESPN HD on Comcast. The Fox OTA do not come close to ABC which is also 720P and usually covered by EPSN.

-Rich

WSBK-DT 38's audio is tinny/compressed again.

WSBK-DT 38's audio is tinny/compressed again.


Yep, hopefully Robert Yankowicz reads this.

Yep, hopefully Robert Yankowicz reads this.He will, that's why I posted it. It's happened a few other times in the not so recent past as well.

Audio issues on WSBK seems fixed.

Has anyone else noticed an audio synch issue with NBC-hd? I was watching it last night and I thought my receiver was delaying it or something, but I turned on the tv speakers and JUST NBC hd OTA and via Charter had an audio delay of nearly .5 to 1.0 sec. It was horrible.

Which show(s)?

I didn't watch NBC last night, so I didn't notice. Audio snafus happen a lot more often with HDTV broadcasts. It drives me nuts as well. I've begun to wish audio delay should have a button like the volume on my remote.

yeah, my Oppo dvd player has a sound delay control of +/- 10 miliseconds...so when I rip divx shows i can synch up the audio

Have been missing 44-1/2/3/4 on all 4 of my receivers since this morning. WGBX-DT is usually my strongest station, no signal at all since ~11:30 AM or before; as of this minute, it's still off. All other stations working as normal. Anybody able to get it today? Any reports appreciated.

Have been missing 44-1/2/3/4 on all 4 of my receivers since this morning. WGBX-DT is usually my strongest station, no signal at all since ~11:30 AM or before; as of this minute, it's still off. All other stations working as normal. Anybody able to get it today? Any reports appreciated.
__________________
Same here.

Have been missing 44-1/2/3/4 on all 4 of my receivers since this morning. WGBX-DT is usually my strongest station, no signal at all since ~11:30 AM or before; as of this minute, it's still off. All other stations working as normal. Anybody able to get it today? Any reports appreciated.

I'm in Needham, and while I can watch 44-1 through 44-4, the signal strength is low. My receiver's signal strength meter shows 92 for 2, 4, 5, 7, 25, 38, and 56, but shows only 71 for 44 (I'm actually checking the corresponding DTV channels, 43 for 44 etc.)

Thanks for the reports, folks. Maybe running at low power for maintenance, or maybe the weekend engineers are watching something other than the meters. ;)

UPDATE: This just in from WGBH in response to an inquiry -

"Our engineers report that on Sunday a high powered tube failed at our transmitter taking WGBX-DT off the air. Our engineers were able to bypass the final high powered tube to get WGBX-DT back on the air, but at greatly reduced power and coverage area. The tube manufacturer has shipped overnight a new high power tube and other parts and we are working as quickly as possible to restore full power. Unfortunately, we do not have a timeline for completing the repairs other than we're working around the clock to get it fixed.


We're very sorry for this inconvenience.


Sincerely,
WGBH Member Development and Services"

Well that's good to hear, but what I'm worried about is "The Tube" on 56.2. It's been down for almost 3 days now, even though 56.1 is still up. Is it ever coming back?

Well that's good to hear, but what I'm worried about is "The Tube" on 56.2. It's been down for almost 3 days now, even though 56.1 is still up. Is it ever coming back?

In a word, No.

from their website Oct. 1, "The Tube ceased its national broadcast"...

It is an "ex-Tube."

Never mind. Couldn't resist.

Hello All,

I am new to this whole HDTV thing, I have Comcast in SE Mass (Bristol County) As some may know, Comcast is re-aligning all our stations in SE Mass to the Providence market. (I like the Boston stations better, ie Fox 25 HD)
Does anyone know if Fox 25 HD is received in SE Mass? If so, what antenna (indoor) can you suggest?

Thank you

Samsung LNT4061F
Motorola DCH3416 DVR
Comcast

I live in NE Mass, and Fox25 and WLVI are the two worst HD stations for reception I have with my roof antenna. You may not be able to get either one with an indoor antenna unless you live real close to the towers or live on top of a treeless hill. Talk to an antenna installer...

Fox25 is currently operating on UHF31, deliberately on low-power. Supposedly, in February 2009, they'll switch their HD broadcast to their current analog broadcast equipment, and operate at high-power, so we'll be able to receive a reliable signal from them after that point in time.

for me, audio kept jumping back and forth between 5.1 channel and 2-channel. also, even when my receiver said it was receiving 5.1-channel digital audio, it sounded like there was something wrong with the signal. it definitely did not sound to me like the normal multichannel audio feed from a pro football event.

i was watching the wbz signal off the air via my tivo (hr10-250).

anyone else have this problem?

regarding fox25 boston, i live in cambridge, and for most the last few years, i could see fox25, but reception was not good enough to watch a game - picture would break up every 15 seconds or so.

as a directv subscriber, i get a digital version of fox's nyc affiliate via satellite, so it's not normally a major problem, except for example when the pats are on fox and the nyc station is covering the jets or giants. also, i generally find the ota pictures are the clearest/sharpest hd pictures going.

since alcs started last week, i've noticed my fox ota picture is solid. this is the first time in at least a couple of years i've been able to sustain a good picture on fox25, and it was not from lack of trying (adjusting antenna, etc.).

Can I ask how you get Fox's NY Channel on DirecTV, when you're in the Boston market? Why aren't you blocked?

for me, audio kept jumping back and forth between 5.1 channel and 2-channel. also, even when my receiver said it was receiving 5.1-channel digital audio, it sounded like there was something wrong with the signal. it definitely did not sound to me like the normal multichannel audio feed from a pro football event.

i was watching the wbz signal off the air via my tivo (hr10-250).

anyone else have this problem?

Same for me, via OTA from Providence station---noticed it on Pats and on college game on Saturday. I thought it might be intentional, like when they plan to cut to the studio for a quick update, but didn't pay close attention to it. Also have an HR10-250.

Can I ask how you get Fox's NY Channel on DirecTV, when you're in the Boston market? Why aren't you blocked?

hybucket,

i've been a directv subscriber for a while now and at some point, the rules surrounding receipt of out-of-market signals involved getting something called a "waiver" from your local station.

if i remember right, there was a time when all fox-owed affiliates (which included fox25 of boston) would automatically grant waivers. i think you could get one automatically by just requesting it. this sort of made sense, since it's basically a zero-sum game for fox broadcasting when i switch from one local affiliate to another. also, fyi, directv was bought by rupert murdoch at some point (who also owns fox), so that may have also helped entice fox to play along with a policy that helped play to directv's strengths.

i think at a some point later, the whole waivers concept faded away. i'm not sure, but i guess people who had waivers were "grandfathered".

this issue was much more important back when a lot of local stations hadn't yet switched to hd. directv was providing new york and la versions of all the the big networks in HD and i guess they wanted to leverage that as much as possible to help them keep customers happy. (another policy which seems to have faded away, sadly).

now i think directv still provides ny (east) and la (west) locals, but only if you live in the boonies, i.e., outside the broadcast coverage zone of another city.

for me, audio kept jumping back and forth between 5.1 channel and 2-channel. also, even when my receiver said it was receiving 5.1-channel digital audio, it sounded like there was something wrong with the signal. it definitely did not sound to me like the normal multichannel audio feed from a pro football event.

i was watching the wbz signal off the air via my tivo (hr10-250).

anyone else have this problem?

The switching between 5.1 and 2.0 is not new. It plauged CBS coverage of The Pats all last season (and probably before that too) (has been mentioned in this thread before if you go back far enough). The switch to 2.0 usually occurs during the paly before a "lets go to New York for an update".

As for DirecTV and Fox 25, you can get 25 in HD if you have a H20, H21, or HR20 reciever and a suitable dish. Fox 25 OTA is hit-or-miss for me.

_Paul

The switching between 5.1 and 2.0 is not new. It plauged CBS coverage of The Pats all last season (and probably before that too) (has been mentioned in this thread before if you go back far enough). The switch to 2.0 usually occurs during the play before a "lets go to New York for an update".
_Paul
Yeah, it happens on the Comcast HD version of the feed as well. This year they seem to be staying with the 2.0 audio for much longer after they return from the update...some times until the next commercial break.

I did find a solution (of sorts) for it, however. I upgraded my receiver to a Denon 4308 a couple of months ago. It does a very good job of making the two channel audio seem like 5.1 that now I hardly notice the switch at all. In previous years, my old receiver really sounded flat when they were in 2.0.

Evening folks, sorry I have been away from this forum for a bit. Hopefully there have not been many issues I could have addressed during my absence.

Just thought I'd post some info while I was checking to see if there are any issues with the Baseball feeds.

I can't go into specifics but as it is a matter of public record, WFXT has been granted a Construction permit for a much needed power increase on DTV finally. We are in the early planning phases but hopefully by the end of this process we will go from the most troublesome of the OTA DTV stations to the least.

I will try to post more info if and when I can regarding this increase.

Thanks for the patience during these many years at our lower legal maximum power level.

Bill Holbrook
Chief Engineer WFXT-TV

Bill,

Thanks for the update that is great news. How is HD News coming along?

Evening folks, sorry I have been away from this forum for a bit. Hopefully there have not been many issues I could have addressed during my absence.

Just thought I'd post some info while I was checking to see if there are any issues with the Baseball feeds.

I can't go into specifics but as it is a matter of public record, WFXT has been granted a Construction permit for a much needed power increase on DTV finally. We are in the early planning phases but hopefully by the end of this process we will go from the most troublesome of the OTA DTV stations to the least.

I will try to post more info if and when I can regarding this increase.

Thanks for the patience during these many years at our lower legal maximum power level.

Bill Holbrook
Chief Engineer WFXT-TV


Great to hear! I'm in Salisbury and usually the signal isnt bad surprisingingly. But I do have more bad then good days. I get also get 25 from D* so I usually watch that. But as we all know sat. signals can be troublesome at times due to weather conditions. OTA even on 4,5,7 was not bothered by signals from space. So it its good news for sure! Frig that canadian station!

[QUOTE=BHolbrook;11951301]Just thought I'd post some info while I was checking to see if there are any issues with the Baseball feeds.

My only comments on the Baseball feeds you can't fix, but if you could I would ask that you get some new announcers. :p At least ones that are not anti-Boston. My OTA signal seems to be perfect everytime I watch 25.:D

As far as the BB goes I am not a fan of 720p the pictuire just is not that good. I find 1080i to be a lot better after many years of viewing both. I find the PQ to be very grainy looking and does not have the wow factor.

I want Maria in HD

As far as the BB goes I am not a fan of 720p the pictuire just is not that good. I find 1080i to be a lot better after many years of viewing both. I find the PQ to be very grainy looking and does not have the wow factor.
I may be wrong, but I think the picture quality issue is not caused by being 720p, but by a low bitrate. Football games on Fox usually seem to have bitrates in the 12-14 Mbps range. ABC is also 720p, but has bitrates in the 16-18 Mbps range and looks a lot better, at least to my eyes. If you recall watching the pre-season Patriots games on ABC, they had lots of WOW.

As far as HD News goes, all I can say is that it is being discussed.

On that data rate issue, what you get is what we get from the network. With our HD Splicer system, you get the exact stream they send us.

Bill,

Thanks for the response.

Watching Chronicle on WCVB at the moment, what looks like a live remote from Fenway, are they using 16:9 SD field cams now well, their HD cams in SD widescreen mode atleast. If so, atleast a plus for the viewer, will take 16:9 remotes over 4:3 any day!

Edit: Was that just a locally inserted 16:9 commercial too?

Watching Chronicle on WCVB at the moment, what looks like a live remote from Fenway, are they using 16:9 SD field cams now well, their HD cams in SD widescreen mode atleast. If so, atleast a plus for the viewer, will take 16:9 remotes over 4:3 any day!

Edit: Was that just a locally inserted 16:9 commercial too?

Yes, the 16:9 format is more pleasing to the eyes, even if it is in SD. At the station I worked for last before retiring 2 years ago, we ran our Phillips studio cameras in the 16:9 format even thought they were SD. It was nicer, plus it helps regarding burn-in on the TV receiver screen. I hope all the stations at least make the change to 16:9, even if in SD, prior to analog TV going black!

I have lost the audio for WBZ for the last 3 days. All other locals work fine and the signal strength is high. Using roof antenna with Dish VIP622. Anyone else having this problem or an idea to it's cause?

I have lost the audio for WBZ for the last 3 days. All other locals work fine and the signal strength is high. Using roof antenna with Dish VIP622. Anyone else having this problem or an idea to it's cause?

Sound works fine for me today. I don't know about the last three days. I also use a roof antenna and the H20 as the receiver.

I'm good too - using roof antenna with TivoHD and Fusion5 card on my PC. Perhaps it is a problem with your Vip622?

I'm good too - using roof antenna with TivoHD and Fusion5 card on my PC. Perhaps it is a problem with your Vip622?

It must be a software glitch rescan again my 722 did the same thing.

Does Chronicle have WCVB's only "portable" HD-CAM? I ask this because as I watch the episode tonight they're doing taped on-location interviews from earlier today in HD, stuff that not even the news does (in fact I've never seen the news do anything in HD outside their studio yet).

I find this a really odd situation. Obviously they have a HD camera they take out of the studio during the day, but not for the news, just for Chronicle?

Also, Chronicle was showing clips from the series in HD, something their so-called "HD News" also doesn't do.

I have lost the audio for WBZ for the last 3 days. All other locals work fine and the signal strength is high. Using roof antenna with Dish VIP622. Anyone else having this problem or an idea to it's cause?
Dish sent out 622 software the other day (L4.46) that killed the audio for some off-air channels, some of the time, for some customers. After lots of complaints, Dish sent another update this morning (L.4.47) that seems to have fixed the problem.

If you check WBZ now, it should have audio. My complaint is that it seems someone's asleep at the 2.0/5.1 switch. Right now, Letterman comes in as 2.0, even though the show is (normally) mixed in 5.1.

Question, when 2/19/2009 arrives and the following RF channels are turned off, Ch. 2,4 ,5,31, 38,42, and 44 ; can they be used for new TV stations if they broadcast from 128 Towers where current NTSC and ATSC channels are both being broadcast now?

Question, when 2/19/2009 arrives and the following RF channels are turned off, Ch. 2,4 ,5,31, 38,42, and 44 ; can they be used for new TV stations if they broadcast from 128 Towers where current NTSC and ATSC channels are both being broadcast now?

I suspect that the FCC will wait and see what kind of usage the frequencies get after February of 2009. I know one of the stations in the market I lived in prior to my return to New England when I retired, was planning on a return to channel 4 there. If there is little usage of the lower VHF channels, I wouldn't be surprised to see more of those frequencies auctioned off to generate income for Uncle Sam.

Given the issues with UHF propagation out here in the boonies where I live, I sure hope that many of them do return to the VHF channels. All of those stations listed are watchable 24/7/365 on NTSC/VHF in my location (with the exception of the occasional co-channel ducting episodes from down south), but I can only count on the ATSC/UHF versions about 80% of the time (that means a 100% picture 8 days out of 10, with 0% on the off days) due to atmospherics, rain fade, multipath and assorted other RF voodoo. I have 5 different ATSC receivers of various generations, and have seen that they all behave pretty much consistently with one another with respect to signal strength and quality.

Nonetheless, I am planning to be an OTA holdout to the bitter end...

Hi all,

For those of you with Voom boxes, you might have noticed that it will reboot the moment you tune to WBZ. I haven't been around here lately, but I found out some useful information I would like to share.

I was able to get in contact with a station engineer, and he ran to run a quick test, and determined that it is a data-casting piece of equipment from TV Guide that is causing the problem.

TV Guide has assured CBS (many stations are having this problem) that their equipment is 100% comptible with the ATSC specifications. So at this point the plan is to continue using the data-casting equipment.

Needless to say, I am not happy about this, but I don't see a lot more I can do about it.

-Ben

Apparently, the Pats vs. Giants game will be televised by the NFL Network and will not be available OTA. I happen to also be a Comcast customer, but only have their most basic service... and do not even have a cable box.

I was pleased to discover that I can get NFL Network almost as an a la carte option (with TCM, Fox movies, and a few other sports specific channels) called the Sports Entertainment Package for $5.00 a month.

Since I have a TivoHD, all Comcast had to do was install a cableCard (first one is free) in my Tivo and I'm set to watch the Pats win game 16...and watch all of those great old movies on TCM. I also now get all of the Comcast clear QAM stations in HD with guide data on the Tivo. The NFL Network is available in both SD and HD on my Tivo.

Not as good a price as OTA, but still not bad for $5.00 a month.

Hyrax -

1. Do you know of a website where the different Comcast packages are detailed?

2. I have the same setup as you - Basic cable (no box), OTA HD and Tivo Series 3 and am wondering if I get a cablecard(no charge) will I then be able to get the Comcast clear QAM stations mapped to guide info? I'm wondering if I can get the cablecard installed without buying any "uplift" packages?

Apparently, the Pats vs. Giants game will be televised by the NFL Network and will not be available OTA. I happen to also be a Comcast customer, but only have their most basic service... and do not even have a cable box.

I was pleased to discover that I can get NFL Network almost as an a la carte option (with TCM, Fox movies, and a few other sports specific channels) called the Sports Entertainment Package for $5.00 a month.

Since I have a TivoHD, all Comcast had to do was install a cableCard (first one is free) in my Tivo and I'm set to watch the Pats win game 16...and watch all of those great old movies on TCM. I also now get all of the Comcast clear QAM stations in HD with guide data on the Tivo. The NFL Network is available in both SD and HD on my Tivo.

Not as good a price as OTA, but still not bad for $5.00 a month.

I believe that I read the game will be on channel 5. All games that are broadcast on a cable network have to be available to the home teams via local channels

Hyrax -

1. Do you know of a website where the different Comcast packages are detailed?

2. I have the same setup as you - Basic cable (no box), OTA HD and Tivo Series 3 and am wondering if I get a cablecard(no charge) will I then be able to get the Comcast
clear QAM stations mapped to guide info? I'm wondering if I can get the cablecard installed without buying any "uplift" packages?

There does not seem to be any place where all of their packages are detailed. However, if you use the 'select a package' drop down on the following page you get an idea:
http://www.comcast.com/Customers/Clu/ChannelLineup.ashx

Yes, you will be able to get all of the clear QAM stations with guide info.

I just called Comcast's 877 number and asked for the $5.00 Sports package and a cablecard. I assume that you could just ask for the cablecard. If they'll not let you do that; get the sports package for a month and then cancel it.

Also, I found a glitch today...you need two cable cards (or a single multi-stream card on a TivoHD) in order to be able to record from two two tuners. When you order the 2nd cablecard, tell them that they are both for the same outlet. It should cost you only a couple of dollars a month for the 2nd card:
http://www.comcast.com/customers/faq/FaqDetails.ashx?ID=2651

I believe that I read the game will be on channel 5. All games that are broadcast on a cable network have to be available to the home teams via local channels
I hoped that channel 5 would show it, but could not confirm it. The NFL Network is is a sure thing, sort of, and I also get Turner's Classic station.

There does not seem to be any place where all of their packages are detailed.

I've found it very confusing trying to figure out what it would cost to get equivalent service to what I currently have with DirecTV. I'm in the situation where I have the old style dish, multiswitch, and DVR's, so to get all the new HD channels, I need to upgrade to the new dish and replace 1 or more of my DirecTV Tivo's with the new DirecTV DVR. I'm debating whether it would make more sense to switch to Comcast at this point (FIOS isn't an option yet). Before I make the decision, I would like to figure out what the monthly cost would be.

I currently have a total of 5 DirecTV Tivo's in my system (3 are SD and the other 2 are HD). Currently, 2 of the SD Tivos and the 2 HD Tivos are in my home theater system and the other SD Tivo is in one of the bedrooms. I would probably want to replace them all with Series 3 Tivo's. I could also get by with 4 DVR's (if they would come out with a single box that had 3 or more tuners that could all record at the same time and sufficient storage space, I could get by with fewer - ie: a cable card HD tuner that will work with BeyondTV) as I probably don't really need 4 in the home theater system.

Does Comcast charge an additional fee for each receive you hook up or do they only charge if you're renting the equipment from them?

Let's say I select the Digital Premier package, currently at $79 / month and I went with 4 Series 3 Tivo's. Would I be paying:

Comcast Digital Premier Service: $79
CableCards (8): 4 X $2 (first for each DVR is no charge, $2 is rounded up from ~$1.96)
Tivo service: 4 x $9.95 (multi-service discount applies)

Total at a little under $130 per month, which is about what I'm currently paying for DirecTV. I would also get around a $10 discount per month on my internet access, but that's a moot point because my employer covers that.

I could pay $99 per year for each Tivo DVR if I want to pay it up front to save some money.

Aside from taxes, initial purchase cost of the Tivo DVR's (which could be partially offset by selling off my DirecTV Tivos), and any applicable installation fees, is there anything that I'm missing here? For example, is there a "mirroring" fee for each DVR?

Finally, are the multistream cablecards available in these parts yet and do they work with the Series 3 Tivos?

I hoped that channel 5 would show it, but could not confirm it. The NFL Network is is a sure thing, sort of, and I also get Turner's Classic station.
The game will be televised on channel 5. It will also be on local TV in the NYC area.

So I have set up my TivoS3 and everything is working perfectly. One question though - If I have basic cable and also HD both through Comcast cable and OTA based on just the Boston broadcast channels and what format they send their signal in, what setting makes the most sense for my video setting?

Another question - which is supposed to be the best in terms of image quality?

(ie downconverting/upconverting 1080i, 720p etc etc) My TV supports all of the options the Tivo supports

So I have set up my TivoS3 and everything is working perfectly. One question though - If I have basic cable and also HD both through Comcast cable and OTA based on just the Boston broadcast channels and what format they send their signal in, what setting makes the most sense for my video setting?

Another question - which is supposed to be the best in terms of image quality?

(ie downconverting/upconverting 1080i, 720p etc etc) My TV supports all of the options the Tivo supports
I'm not exactly sure what you're asking...
If you're asking of the relative merits of OTA HD vs. Cable HD, I think OTA usually has better image quality, but you've also got a better chance of dropouts due to trees or atmospheric conditions.

If you're asking which Tivo setting is better, I found the Hybrid setting on my TivoHD to be best in my setup. Hybrid sends everything at its native resolution except 408i, which gets converted to 480P. The downside of this is you can get HDMI handshaking slowing down channel changing when the resolution changes. I got so sick of it that I'm using component cables.

The game will be televised on channel 5. It will also be on local TV in the NYC area.
Thanks. Great news! Where did you find that out?

Now I've got to decide if I'm going to keep NFL Network. They are showing the Giants-Cowboys game on 11/29, but other than that I don't see much need for it.

Not only will the game be on Channel 5 (and OTA in NY), but I think it will actually be blacked out from NFL Network in Boston and NY due to other licensing restrictions. So, you may not get anything from NFL Network for that game.

SMK

Thanks. Great news! Where did you find that out?

Now I've got to decide if I'm going to keep NFL Network. They are showing the Giants-Cowboys game on 11/29, but other than that I don't see much need for it.

I don't know where you got this information, but the Giants don't play the Cowboys on the 29th, they are playing this weekend. The NFL Network game on the 29th is Green Bay and Dallas.

SMK

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking...
If you're asking of the relative merits of OTA HD vs. Cable HD, I think OTA usually has better image quality, but you've also got a better chance of dropouts due to trees or atmospheric conditions.

If you're asking which Tivo setting is better, I found the Hybrid setting on my TivoHD to be best in my setup. Hybrid sends everything at its native resolution except 408i, which gets converted to 480P. The downside of this is you can get HDMI handshaking slowing down channel changing when the resolution changes. I got so sick of it that I'm using component cables.


Thanks Hyrax - I was asking - if I don't want to deal with the screen flashes as the change in resolution happens in hybrid mode on my Tivo, which one is the most prevalent resolution (1080i, 720p etc etc). But as I think about it I think I will just set mine to 720p and let the Tivo do the converting.

Thanks Hyrax - I was asking - if I don't want to deal with the screen flashes as the change in resolution happens in hybrid mode on my Tivo, which one is the most prevalent resolution (1080i, 720p etc etc). But as I think about it I think I will just set mine to 720p and let the Tivo do the converting.

1080i is the most common - for OTA channels, only ABC and FOX use 720p. Another factor to consider in making the choice is what the native resolution of your display is and then deciding if the display or the Tivo does a better job of scaling than the other does.

I don't know where you got this information, but the Giants don't play the Cowboys on the 29th, they are playing this weekend. The NFL Network game on the 29th is Green Bay and Dallas.

SMK

Sorry, I misspoke and meant GB-Dallas. It should be a great game.

Thanks Hyrax - I was asking - if I don't want to deal with the screen flashes as the change in resolution happens in hybrid mode on my Tivo, which one is the most prevalent resolution (1080i, 720p etc etc). But as I think about it I think I will just set mine to 720p and let the Tivo do the converting.
I got much better PQ when I used hybrid, so I put up with the resolution changing. I assume that means the scaler in my TV is better than the one in the Tivo.

The Patriots web site lists the Giants game as being on 5 (as is the Ravens game).

http://www.patriots.com/schedule/

The Patriots web site lists the Giants game as being on 5 (as is the Ravens game).

http://www.patriots.com/schedule/
Thanks, that is really reassuring! Earlier in the month that had it listed as only being on NFL Network, which is why I thought it might not be on channel 5.

1080i is the most common - for OTA channels, only ABC and FOX use 720p. Another factor to consider in making the choice is what the native resolution of your display is and then deciding if the display or the Tivo does a better job of scaling than the other does.

How do I find out what the "native resolution" is of my TV (it's a 32" Zenith LCD - 2 years old - so I think 720p)? I do notice in 1080i that the image is noticeably darker...

How do I find out what the "native resolution" is of my TV (it's a 32" Zenith LCD - 2 years old - so I think 720p)? I do notice in 1080i that the image is noticeably darker...

Check the manual? Look up the model number in google? Being more than a year or so old will pretty much guarantee that it isn't 1080p, but 720p and 1080i displays have both been around for a while now. There are also displays with other native resolutions, such as 1024x768 and 1366x768. The picture being darker could be as simple as needing to calibrate the display.

I live 6 miles from the Needham towers. I have an antenna in the attic and there are a few trees in the direction of Needham. All BOS stations give me a high signal quality except TV38 digital. I've been noticing this for about 2 weeks. Since I can't remember the last time TV38 broadcast in HD, I've reverted to the (gasp) analog signal for TV38.

38 broadcasts "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy" in HD, if you're into that sort of thing.

Not sure where you guys are getting your information, but my understanding is that the Pats-Giants will not be on CBS in this area and will only be on the NFL Network. I wish it was on CBS so I could see it in HD OTA, but I don't think that's the case.

...as soon as I typed the above post, I looked at the Patriots website and they do list the game as being on NFL Network/Channel 5. That would be sweet.

38 broadcasts "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy" in HD, if you're into that sort of thing.

From someone who has actually watched sunrise earth in HD, thanks for the tip...

Not sure where you guys are getting your information, but my understanding is that the Pats-Giants will not be on CBS in this area and will only be on the NFL Network. I wish it was on CBS so I could see it in HD OTA, but I don't think that's the case.

You are quite correct, it will not be on CBS, it will be on the NFL Network and simulcast on WCVB Channel 5 (ABC) as stated a few posts back. This is verified by the TV schedule on the Patriots Website. You will be able to see it OTA in HD on Channel 5 at 720P.

http://www.patriots.com/schedule/

... it will be ... simulcast on WCVB Will WCVB be airing Desperate Housewives in the middle of the night so that I can tape it?

When I went to the Patriots Schedule (link in previous post), it said that the Patriots would be on NBC/WHDH. The NBC web site says that NBC is carrying Chicago/Seattle?? WCVB site says that WCVB is carrying the American Music Awards (so I guess DH is a moot point).

Will WCVB be airing Desperate Housewives in the middle of the night so that I can tape it?

When I went to the Patriots Schedule (link in previous post), it said that the Patriots would be on NBC/WHDH. The NBC web site says that NBC is carrying Chicago/Seattle?? WCVB site says that WCVB is carrying the American Music Awards (so I guess DH is a moot point).

The decision to definitely show the Pats game on 5 seems to have been made recently.

Since we're talking about a Saturday night game at the end of December, I'd not worry too much about Desperate Housewives being pre-empted.

...Since we're talking about a Saturday night game at the end of December, I'd not worry too much about Desperate Housewives being pre-empted.
In my case, I'm more worried about my desperate housewife pre-empting me for watching too much football!

Mickey

Too much football, Mickey? An alien concept.

Don't forget that this week's game against the Bills has been moved from its originally scheduled 1:00 slot to 8:15 (on NBC, channel 7).

Since we're talking about a Saturday night game at the end of December ... Mea Culpa. As no date was mentioned, I thought we were talking about this Sunday's game. And to make it more embarrasing, Desperate Housewives isn't even on anyway.

As I made my post above, the NBC web page was talking about a Chicago/Seattle game on Sunday, to make me more confused. They've since updated their page.

Anyone having OTA issues with WCVB channel 5?

Crystal clear here in Burlington.

I've been having more problems than usual with CVB. I'm not sure if it's due to their problem or my problem getting reception out of my apartment. Depending on the day, either WBZ, WCVB, WGBH or WGBX "win" the reception contest. Today, no WCVB.

I'm in downtown Salem, MA, using a Hauppauge HVR-1600 with my piece-of-junk Terk TV55. (Yes, I'm getting a bowtie as soon as I get the parts for it...)

Not only will the game be on Channel 5 (and OTA in NY), but I think it will actually be blacked out from NFL Network in Boston and NY due to other licensing restrictions. So, you may not get anything from NFL Network for that game.

SMK

Verizon FIOS has never blacked out ESPN when the Patriots are also being shown on Channel 5. We'll have to see what happens with the NFL network, but I don't think it will be.

Mea Culpa. As no date was mentioned, I thought we were talking about this Sunday's game...
Well, that is because you've got a more healthy state of mind when it comes to Patriots football. I happen to record each game on 4 different tuners because each one does a better job depending on the broadcast. I then take the best one and burn it to HD DVD. I want to have a good, HD record of this season ... but I may have gotten a bit obsessive <wife rolls her eyes>

Well, that is because you've got a more healthy state of mind when it comes to Patriots football. I happen to record each game on 4 different tuners because each one does a better job depending on the broadcast. I then take the best one and burn it to HD DVD. I want to have a good, HD record of this season ... but I may have gotten a bit obsessive <wife rolls her eyes>

How do you save a game to an HD DVD? If it's not a quick answer, can you point me to another forum thread with that information?

How do you save a game to an HD DVD? If it's not a quick answer, can you point me to another forum thread with that information?
Basically, I record a HD show on my computer and burn it to a DL DVD+R that is structured like a HD DVD. These are sometimes called 3X HD DVDs. I get about a half per DL DVD.

This is the place to go for more detailed info...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=705146

Is WHDH-DT off the air? I can't get them with my Hauppauge and the signal monitor shows no VSB sync. WGBX (next door at 43) comes in OK so it can't be my antenna.

Same here, OTA, satellite, and cable, all dead (WCVB too on OTA, but it could be my antenna!)

Checked their NTSC OTA; that is down too. May be a problem at the tower in Newton.

WCVB-DT comes in fine at Salem, MA (considering the trees/multipath at my apt.)

HDH and CVB coming in strong OTA here in Westport, MA

Watching TNTHD and NFLHD right now.

Not just me, but several people I know are having problems with WLVIDT, those being freezes, skips, pixielation. Not a lot, but at least a couple of times per program. Both OTA and on Comcast.

Not just me, but several people I know are having problems with WLVIDT, those being freezes, skips, pixielation. Not a lot, but at least a couple of times per program. Both OTA and on Comcast.

I've seen that as well. Just about every Smallville show this season has had something like that happen at least once and typically a few times during the show. Often a few word of dialog are lost, which is the main issue for me.

I record the shows with a tuner card and watch them later. The recordings are ATSC MPEG-2 transport streams, and they have no packet continuity errors. That's true whether I use Comcast or OTA. That indicates to me that the freezes and skips originate at WLVI or in their feed, and are not a reception problem.

I expected some problems like this when DTV was new, but I'm surprised that by now, at least at WLVI or The CW, they still don't seem to have all the problems worked out.

Having little knowledge of any of the tech aspects, I suspect it's a CW thing, as the problem does not appear during the 10 o'clock news (of course, the more important question is, why am I even WATCHING that ridiculous newscast???).

I'm new to the particular section of AVS, so forgive me if this has been asked, but...

I get a good amount of channels via my indoor RCA OTA antenna...but one I do not get is FOX. Is there a reason why? I would love to get this in HD, especially since the Superbowl is on FOX. I get all the other Boston locals, but not FOX. And I live in Boston (Dorchester).

I have DirecTV and Sunday ticket, but football looks absolutely AWFUL on DirecTV (I don't have HD for DirecTV, so I can't attest to the HD broadcast looking a lot better than the standard broadcast). Granted, my TV screen is 46'' and not, say, 30'', but still, the PQ is quite poor.

Thanks.

WFXT is broadcasting at low power. Their original intention was to wait until February 2009 and then switch back to Channel 25, re-purposing their high-power antenna (which was for their then-no-longer-active analog channel) for their digital channel. However, I think I remember reading a few weeks ago in this thread that they've decided to change their plans, and will be going to high-power for their digital channel before February 2009.

Has anyone else noticed that Fox25 HD signal dropped off in power over the last few days? I'm in Bedford MA and it was working great for the last few years. Now only my most sensitive receiver gets any signal at all, but is not really watchable.

Been watching it for the last few days OTA without problems from Westport, MA Strange, because I've had problems in the past with channel 25.1 and it's coming in strong lately... FWIW

Me too... WFXT always was weak, here, but has been strong this weekend (while we've had some weakness on WBZ!)

I'm having a problem with 7-1 receiption with my TiVO HR-10. It comes thru fine on the TV bypassing TiVO, but is getting a bouncing signal strength of 0-60% on the TiVO. All the other locals are coming in fine. My question to techies out there is...is it possible the TiVO tuner is screwed up ONLY on that one local channel, or do I need to go up to the roof (AAGH!) and see what's going on? (The antenna-in is split, with one going into the TiVO and the other directly into the TV. I"ve tried running it ONLY into the TiVO, but the problem still exists).

Regarding Fox25 DT reception, I hopped up on the roof and rotated the antenna about 10 degrees to the west and signal strength jumped back up - now watchable again. But other stations such as WHDH-DT dropped off in strength. This seems strange to me. I thought that all of these broadcast towers are nearly on top of each other in Needham. At my distance in Bedford, I would expect less than 0.1 degree of separation.

Question here from a cable watcher. I believe I asked awhile back if WGBH-DT (the simulcast) passed along the HD or widescreen shows (in those formats) when available, and the answer at the time was no and that those shows were presented in pillarboxed SD. Has this changed at all? I'm asking because the NewsHour begins HD broadcasts Monday, but at least as of tonight neither the GBH website or Comcast program guide has the NewsHour showing up on WGBH-HD in the next couple of weeks. I'm hoping that this is just a scheduling glitch, but the comments section of this article:

http://www.publicmediadigest.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=589&Itemid=135

indicates that NewsHour feeds will be part of the new DT3A feed instead of the usual DT2A (PBS HD) feed. The following quote seems to indicate that local stations will be able to decide between the DT3A and DT2A feeds:

The launch of DT3A will not have an immediate impact on the DT2A schedule – the PBS HD Channel. However, with the addition of NEWSHOUR feeds and other material on DT3A, it will become important for your station to take into account what feeds are on both DT3A and DT2A to determine your local HD service.

and it looks like GBH-HD (among others) is sticking with DT2A full-time. I hope I'm wrong about this (it shows a marked lack of interest in HD from one of PBS's flagship stations), but if I'm right I'd be curious to know if WGBH-DT viewers get to see something that viewers of WGBH-HD miss out on.

WSBK-DT's sound is screwed up again- it's all compressed.

[QUOTE=and it looks like GBH-HD (among others) is sticking with DT2A full-time. I hope I'm wrong about this (it shows a marked lack of interest in HD from one of PBS's flagship stations), but if I'm right I'd be curious to know if WGBH-DT viewers get to see something that viewers of WGBH-HD miss out on.[/QUOTE]


It's really not for a lack of interest in HD. The station isn't set up to actively move from one feed to the other. Like many stations, GBH passively takes the DT2A feed.

You will see Newshour on WGBH HD in the coming months by one of two methods: 1. PBS moves the Newshour feed to DT2A; 2. GBH creates its own HD schedule. The question is, which one will happen first.

WSBK-DT's sound is screwed up again- it's all compressed.


yep, all staticy. Hopefully Robert will see this..

WSBK-DT's sound is screwed up again- it's all compressed.

yep, all staticy. Hopefully Robert will see this..

We were having a problem earlier, which I believe we have resolved. Let me know if you feel this is not so.

(I realize this isn't an OTA issue per se, but since Bill H at WFXT is a frequent visitor and many on the thread may have susceptible displays, please consider this a PSA if nothing else.)

You should avoid these broadcasts if you have a plasma set unless you want to experience permanent burn-in from their outrageously bright logo. I just can't understand why stations continue to display these ridiculous logos that are damaging to a great many types of displays.

Imagine my surprise while watching WGBH-HD last night when during a panning aerial shot of Death Valley I caught the ghost of the "FOX25 NEWS" logo imprinted on the lower left corner of the screen on my not-even-year old Pioneer PDP-4270! :eek: This is all the more frustrating since from the time I brought the set home I've had it properly calibrated and always ensured that the entire screen was filled and static images weren't being displayed. I probably watch on average between 30min and 1 hour of the FOX25 news in the morning, and this comprises probably less than 25% of the actual material I view on this set. A quick check using a 100IRE white field from my Avia DVD revealed no other problems except for the clearly visible FOX25 news logo.

I've got the set hooked up to my old PC now running a Java applet called JScreenFix (http://www.jscreenfix.com/index.php) that simulates analog snow on a pixel-for-pixel basis for digital displays to help reduce burn-in. Although I wouldn't classify this burn-in as severe, I'm not holding my breath so for now the FOX25 news will no longer be watched on this set.

Apologies for the rant, but even if I save one other plasma display from the perils of the FOX25 news logo it will have been worth it!

Bill Holbrook - If you happen to read this, would you please pass along my extreme displeasure to your news dept, I believe you've said in the past they have their own graphics dept. If you could make them aware of the burn-in issue and get them to address it, I'd be very grateful.

On an unrelated note, its nice to see you finally got a permit for a higher ERP on ch 31 for the DTV signal. I'm looking forward to the increase, I've been waiting almost 7 years at this point!!

That's a pretty convincing warning against plasma. Has anyone with an LCD display encountered anything similar?

Well, just as I suspected it IS burn-in. A 24hr run of JScreenFix didn't really do anything at all that I could tell. The "25" is still pretty visible when the picture is fairly uniform in that area during normal viewing. I guess at least its not really severe, but light to moderate and hopefully it will fade with time. Next up I might try taking a digital photo of a white field and reversing it in photoshop and displaying that on screen assuming I can get it lined up well enough. If not, guess I just have to live with it and hope that after a few hundred more hours it fades enough to not be noticeable.

With a plasma, when it 's burned the best you can hope for is to burn over the burn. Running an inverse image of the burn (even if you're successful in getting to line up exactly) is only going to cause the rest of the screen to burn the same way the logo did. It doesn't really "fade".

Did the set have any anti-burn circuitry built in? Some of them orbit the image slightly in an imperceptible way to minimize the tendency to burn, but you're right, the Fox 25 news logo is expecially vivid.

Has anyone with an LCD display encountered anything similar?

LCD flat panel displays do burn but it's usually under extreme 24/7 use. I'm working right now with a local government agency who is using five NEC professional 42" LCD displays in a security installation. The images of the individual cameras in a checkerboard format on each screen (think Brady Bunch opening titles) over a period of a couple of years have left permanent burns in the LCD. Turn them off and you're looking at an almost perfect inverse image of the security cameras.

It's possible to prevent (but not reverse) the burn on LCD monitors if they are shut down on a regular schedule and allowed to cool. One manufacturer that my company deals with will only warranty their equipment in these kinds of installations if the customer signs a document saying that they will shut them down for a minimum of 8 hours in every 24 hour period. And that seems to work. Unfortunately that's not possible in this security installation that's gotta be up 24/7 so we've made some alternative recommendations for replacing the NEC LCD monitors.

Tonight's Simulcast on channels 4, 5 and 7 showed differences in quality of reception.

Channels 7 and 4 had superior picture quality compared to channel 5. Channel 4 also have more robust audio compared to channels 5 and 7.

Channel 4 video does seem to be a little better than Channel 5. The audio no. Yes, it's much louder on Channel 4, but that doesn't mean it's better. I prefer the audio on Channel 5. I think the sound on Channel 4 is overly boosted and a little annoying. It sounds more compressed than the sound on Channel 5.

I found the picture and sound on 5 excellent OTA. It may depend on where you are. I can't imagine a better picture or sound or Patriot performance.

It was better on the NFL Network in HD on DirecTV. I love OTA, but the macroblocking in sports annoys me.

I did a quite check of the three broadcast alternatives: For me WCVB was the best of the three, both audio and video.

Channel 5's audio wasn't in sync with the video, so I stuck to Channel 4, which didn't have that problem.

Ch 5 was the only station that didn't have a time delay.
7 was off by 5 or more seconds. 4 was off less than that but still off.

Better sound on 5 than the others.

4 had better coverage after the game.

Someone please get rid of Chris Collinsworth ? What a buffoon...
And Gumbel while you're at it..."and just like that..."

-t

Ditto on Collinsworth and Gumbel. I have D* as probably most of you and have had to see them prior to last night.

Like the above posters, I found last night's game to be an up-to-now unique opportunity to compare the same real-time (i.e. unrecorded) OTA HD source material being broadcast by all three major networks through their local affiliates. However, one needs to bear in mind H. L. Mencken's famous dictum: "for every complex problem, there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong." Every personal evaluation needs to be prefaced by YMMV and not presented as incontrovertible fact.

As the risk of stating the obvious, the real truth of the matter is that any viewer's perception of relative picture and audio quality is going to be skewed by their equipment. In particular, the video quality is going to be heavily influenced by the scaling being done by the OTA tuner, the video processor, and the plasma/LCD/projector, as well as the use or non-use of 1:1 pixel mapping (if available) and the cableing between components.

All of that having been said, I offer the preface that I have three OTA tuners in my system (don't ask), the video characteristics of which are all different and well-known to me. They all pass the native signal to my VP, which scales the image to 1080p and delivers it to a 65" 1080p plasma. All interconnections are DVI or HDMI.

FWIIW, the results of comparing all three broadcasts back and forth numerous times on all three tuners yielded the same results that I have perceived previously viewing all three stations offering different fare: Channel 5, offering 720p scaled by my system to 1080p, provides consistently sharper and cleaner video than either of the other two stations broadcasting in 1080i. Between Channels 4 and 7, the video quality on 7 was somewhat better than 4. I would be reluctant to state that Channel 5 and/or ABC offers better video, or that 720p scales better than 1080i, only that that is the case with the OTA signals being processed through my particular system. And as always, YMCAWV.

I watched the game on WCVB-DT; this is more of a programming comment, but I noted that WCVB squeezed the NFL scoring graphic halfway off the screen when they ran crawls to promote their contest.

And it seemed to be in 1080i, or so WinTV says.

As the risk of stating the obvious, the real truth of the matter is that any viewer's perception of relative picture and audio quality is going to be skewed by their equipment. And beyond that, such evaluations only apply to last night's game. Despite some assertions to the contrary, this is not a good opportunity to compare the networks with regard to video and audio capabilities more broadly: Just like each of us have our own equipment, the manner in which each of these networks obtained and transported this game could be very much different than how they obtain and transport any other content they may provide, even their own sporting events.

Anyone know if/when WCVB will provide their HD doppler radar OTA? I know WHDH has their SD weather channel, but it does not include 24x7 radar.

Maybe WCVB does and I just can't receive it (in Somerville).

Thanks.

Scott

Anyone know if/when WCVB will provide their HD doppler radar OTA? I know WHDH has their SD weather channel, but it does not include 24x7 radar.

Maybe WCVB does and I just can't receive it (in Somerville).

Thanks.

Scott


5.1 & 5.2 5.2 used to be radar all the time. I think its gone now (5.2) I too would like to see the HD Doppler on 5.2.

hm.. I believe channel 5 was the only channel to be in 5.1. Some people stated they liked the audio of 4 better; and I concur with another poster, it wasn't better, just louder.

Hi, All:

I'm trying to wean us off cable (and addiction to Law and Order reruns) by canceling cable and using OTA. Got a Samsung HPT4262 plasma (I think) and tried to experiment at first with a Terk indoor antenna--using the TV's tuner.

Questions:

1) How do I know if I am receiving HD signals?
2) How do I tune to the HD vs. the analog signal for a given station? I believe that 5, for example, is the analog channel in Boston, and 5.1 is the HD. How do I access 5.1?
3) I thought with HD that you either got a good, sharp signal--or nothing. Instead, I seem to be getting fuzzy, bad-color (red-green-blue signals out of alignment), noisy (diagonal lines marching up the screen), etc. Nothing that really looks like razor-sharp HD.
4) I assume I plug in the antenna cord into the coaxial "air" input on the TV, not the "cable" input.

5) What else do I not know and don't know I don't know?

Thanks,

rml52:confused:

It seems you are on-line. Could you take a look at my post (last one) on OTA issues in Boston and let me know if you have any helpful responses.

Thanks,

r

Hi, All:

1) How do I know if I am receiving HD signals?
...


Your TV's manual should tell you how to tune in HD stations. I went to the Samsung site and also saw that your TV has a QAM tuner. That will allow you to get several local HD stations if you just keep your basic cable service. So, just read up on how to tune in stations with your ATSC tuner and with the clear QAM tuner. Clear QAM is nice to have as a backup because every once in a while there are problems at the towers and you don't get a strong OTA signal.

It seems you are on-line. Could you take a look at my post (last one) on OTA issues in Boston and let me know if you have any helpful responses.

There are tons of people online - that doesn't mean they're reading your post :rolleyes:. It's usually a good idea to give people more than an hour or 2 to respond before bumping your post - a little patience goes a long way some times.

Anyway, as someone else suggested, you may need to read your manual (especially since you weren't sure of the model, it seems counterproductive for all of us to go read it for you only to find it was the wrong manual) - there should be a section that explains how to tune HD channels. On my Mitsubishi, the TV has 3 antenna inputs (Ant-A, Ant-B, Ant-DTV), with a tuner for each (which allows for PIP, etc.). There are corresponding inputs for the antenna inputs - the correct Ant-DTV input must be selected to watch HD OTA. From your description, it definitely sounds like you're currently watching the analog channels.

Been away from this thread for awhile...has anyone from WLVI responded to why their HD signal cuts out at least once per program? Is it a WLVI thing, or is it from the CW? Last week's SMALLVILLE had at least three of 'em.

rml2...After you connect your antenna, do a channel scan on that input. The scan will find all your digital channels. The picture you have been watching is analog.

Been away from this thread for awhile...has anyone from WLVI responded to why their HD signal cuts out at least once per program? Is it a WLVI thing, or is it from the CW? Last week's SMALLVILLE had at least three of 'em.It's not just Smallville, it seems to be WLVI's "The CW" HD programming in general. Reaper seems to have the same problems as well. At least it has for me on Comcast during their primetime feed.

Thanks for your help and encouragement. Who knew that the "-" symbol would function as a "." or that I could revisit the setup commands to find all the digital channels? Is this a great country or what?

It's all good.

Check antennaweb.org and type in your address. This will give you the points of the local stations to sync in for your antenna.

The best antenna would be a outdoor one although it depends on the area. Amplified might make a difference but it depends. I can get about two dozen stations but in saying that it includes overlaping stations from another state and all the sub stations.

There should be a way to perform a general scan that would lock in what can be received by your box. Unfortuatly a digital signal brings good and bad things..the reception is far better but in terms of manually tuning something based on a picture it can't (at least as far as I know) so it's more like moving a antenna then scanning with antenna web's information as a guide.

I'm sure there's going to be a higher push towards OTA in the next year or so and some of the programming is pretty interesting. PBS world I find to be pretty good and there is a weather station by nbc.

Now if it was up to me if the media companies got angry at cable they could move content to ota...imagine if this happened (assuming the FCC wouldn't complain)

ABC networks would have subchannels of espn, espn2, espnu, espn news

nbc would have subchannels of cnbc, msnbc, scifi channel (I thought they owned this?)

Fox would have subchannels of fox business news and FX and Fox movies

CBS would get viacom material: bet, mtv, comedy central, spike and vh1

The chances of this happening are slim to none but it would be interesting...

Robert Yankowicz (38.1), Is there a problem with Wheel of Fortune because nobody flip the switch to HD tonite.

Jim

Robert Yankowicz (38.1), Is there a problem with Wheel of Fortune because nobody flip the switch to HD tonite.

Jim

Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy are fed to us for advance recording (about two days ahead). We record and play back the HD and SD feeds separately. The syndicator had a problem with the normal HD feed and rescheduled at a time we were not able to accomodate, so we fell back to upconverting the SD feed.

For the same reason tonight's episode of Wheel will also be in SD.

thanks Robert for the info

Looks to be a problem with the broadcast power of the 44 stations.

WGBX 44.1 is coming in perfectly here... Bob the Builder is on. :)

Just checking the rest... 44.2 Everyday Edisons. I thought I saw some macro-blocking when I tuned in, but I think that's not uncommon when changing channels.

44.3 Painting with Paulson. Again, no problem. No macro-blocking on channel-change this time.

44.4 Arthur. No problem.

Watched last night as well as this morning. I was seeing signal drops last night (tv would display -..no channel...). Kids were watching this morning and the transmission was freezing on one of the 44 channels. None of the problems had associated pixelation.

My other OTA channels all look good so I don't think is was equipment on this end.

Thank you for the quick reply. I enjoy this forum.

Help continue the migration from cable to OTA as more and more digital stations go online

Bob, the WSBK commercial volume levels seem to be creeping up again- they are now unbearably loud at times (Not sure if this is the case with WBZ). The new WBZ-4 promo commercial is mindnumbingly loud- I have to make a mad dash to the remote every time a commercial break comes on not to disturb my neighbors.

Is it me, or is WCVB doing 16:9 SD on live remotes / new "archive" video?

Is it me, or is WCVB doing 16:9 SD on live remotes / new "archive" video?


Didn't see it, but, ya gotta figure it's coming. Why not now? Go WCVB!

Yeah.. I love that station... great signal!

I just got a new HDTV and it shows WCVB as being 1080i? Anyone else? I find this a bit odd as WFXT shows up correctly as 720p.

Nothing's wrong; WCVB has been sending 1080i for a while now.

I thought ABC is supposed to be 720p, correct?

Because of a legal issue with a commercial, we will be unable to air Wheel of Fortune in HD this Tuesday, January 22nd on WSBK-DT. Instead, we will air the upconverted SD feed.

This problem is similar to the one we had earlier this month.

Apologies and all that...

Bob, the WSBK commercial volume levels seem to be creeping up again- they are now unbearably loud at times (Not sure if this is the case with WBZ). The new WBZ-4 promo commercial is mindnumbingly loud- I have to make a mad dash to the remote every time a commercial break comes on not to disturb my neighbors.

We're looking into the issue.

On WBZ-DT, we have adjusted the audio processing to be just a bit more aggressive about maintaining the levels evenly.

We have looked at the promo you mentioned, and it's a little problematic. Surprisingly, its measured level is about the same as other commercials and promos. It sure can sound loud, though, because of its kick-butt music! The trouble is it only sounds louder on high-grade surround sound systems (especially with sub-woofers). On small speaker TV's (still the most common viewer environment by far) it sounds about the same as adjacent spots. If we artificially reduce the level to accommodate the big-iron audio systems it will be too low for everyone else. As the mathematicians like to say, the problem does not admit a solution. At least no easy ones I know of.

Thanks Bob, yeah, maybe it's me, but WBZ and WSBK's always sounds much louder than the other channels (maybe with the exception of FOX).

It's nice to see WCVB news doing almost all their on-location remotes in SD Widescreen, but it still looks pretty crappy compared to their in-studio HD. I wonder why they don't do on-location HD? They clearly have the cameras for it, as I mentioned before, Chronicle does on location HD all the time.

I live in Manchester, NH. Is there any chance in me getting some HD OTA from Boston?

I live in Manchester, NH. Is there any chance in me getting some HD OTA from Boston?
Maybe if you live on a hill. Enter your address and some details at antennaweb.org (http://antennaweb.org) to find out.

I live in Manchester, NH. Is there any chance in me getting some HD OTA from Boston?
Somehow this brought the image of that old (RCA?) lead-in for black and white movies that had a huge antenna/tower sitting on top of a globe to my mind.

But for a more useful answer, it all depends on your elevation. If you can get an antenna high enough in the air, you might be OK. I live on top of a hill in Gloucester, Mass. and can see the Boston skyline over the ocean on a clear day. My reception is good, but not great. I had to put in an amp to get Fox (channel 25-1) consistently. I'd suggest calling antenna people in your area, if you can find any.

I love OTA ('cause it is free once you've spent a few hundred dollars seting it up), but I go through periods where there are lots of drop outs. Drop outs are terrible with HDTV. This time of year is best for reception because of the lack of leaves on trees, but the atmosphere is also thinner, so signals tend to be slightly weaker.

Also be aware that some of the channels will be reverting to their old VHF frequencies in a year. So you need to get a UHF and long range VHF antenna.

I live in Manchester, NH. Is there any chance in me getting some HD OTA from Boston?

I am in Manchester by the Hooksett line. My reception for all Boston OTA is good except for WLVI, 56.1. My antenna is rooftop mounted on a 2 story home. As has been mentioned height is key. New England Antenna is the best for help. www.newenglandantenna.com or 800-339-5507. They are a local co.

Can any of you techie guys explain what causes the "out of sync" audio issue? Is there anything I can do to correct it or is it a station issue.

I hate watching shows that have this issue. Sometimes it corrects itself...sometimes not.

I am using a roof antenna not cable.

Thx!

I'm not a techie and can't explain exactly why it happens, but I've had the problem ever since I got my HDTV a couple of years ago, and found the solution to be a device I got called a digital audio delay unit made by Felston ( I don't know if they're still around...you might try googling them). It works great most of the time, altho even with it, I occasionally get audio delays. It used to be bad with Fox25, but now I find it often with WCVB-DT. Newer audio receiver come with something that takes care of the problem.

I live in Manchester, NH. Is there any chance in me getting some HD OTA from Boston?

Maybe if you live on a hill. Enter your address and some details at antennaweb.org (http://antennaweb.org) to find out.

I am in Manchester by the Hooksett line. My reception for all Boston OTA is good except for WLVI, 56.1. My antenna is rooftop mounted on a 2 story home. As has been mentioned height is key. New England Antenna is the best for help. www.newenglandantenna.com or 800-339-5507. They are a local co.

If you happen to live on a hill facing Boston and not behind the shadow of another hill, then Boston channels can be easy to get. If you're in a shadowed area, then Boston channels can be quite difficult to get.

The attached coverage map of WCVB is just an example of how the hot and cold spots vary with hill blockage. All the hillsides facing Boston are "lit up", while others are "dark".

Like the realtor said... Location, location, location...

Best regards,
Andy

Do you mind telling me where that map comes from? That's just what I've been looking for to check the reception for a friend's location.

http://mysite.verizon.net/~vze20h45/images/radio/wcvb-weather-oops-small.jpg

Do you mind telling me where that map comes from? That's just what I've been looking for to check the reception for a friend's location.

Sure. The thread for these Google Earth coverage maps is available here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=821480).

The TV Fool page for these is here (http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15).

Best regards,
Andy

(I realize this isn't an OTA issue per se, but since Bill H at WFXT is a frequent visitor and many on the thread may have susceptible displays, please consider this a PSA if nothing else.)

You should avoid these broadcasts if you have a plasma set unless you want to experience permanent burn-in from their outrageously bright logo. I just can't understand why stations continue to display these ridiculous logos that are damaging to a great many types of displays.

Imagine my surprise while watching WGBH-HD last night when during a panning aerial shot of Death Valley I caught the ghost of the "FOX25 NEWS" logo imprinted on the lower left corner of the screen on my not-even-year old Pioneer PDP-4270! :eek: This is all the more frustrating since from the time I brought the set home I've had it properly calibrated and always ensured that the entire screen was filled and static images weren't being displayed. I probably watch on average between 30min and 1 hour of the FOX25 news in the morning, and this comprises probably less than 25% of the actual material I view on this set. A quick check using a 100IRE white field from my Avia DVD revealed no other problems except for the clearly visible FOX25 news logo.

I've got the set hooked up to my old PC now running a Java applet called JScreenFix (http://www.jscreenfix.com/index.php) that simulates analog snow on a pixel-for-pixel basis for digital displays to help reduce burn-in. Although I wouldn't classify this burn-in as severe, I'm not holding my breath so for now the FOX25 news will no longer be watched on this set.

Apologies for the rant, but even if I save one other plasma display from the perils of the FOX25 news logo it will have been worth it!

Bill Holbrook - If you happen to read this, would you please pass along my extreme displeasure to your news dept, I believe you've said in the past they have their own graphics dept. If you could make them aware of the burn-in issue and get them to address it, I'd be very grateful.

On an unrelated note, its nice to see you finally got a permit for a higher ERP on ch 31 for the DTV signal. I'm looking forward to the increase, I've been waiting almost 7 years at this point!!

Sorry Doug for the very late reply to this. I haven't been able to check in for a while but wanted to see if there are any issues ahead of the Super Bowl broadcast on sunday.
On the issue of the logo burn in, I will pass along the complaint to the corporate folks. This is a uniform logo for all of the Fox O&O stations throughout the country based on the Fox News Channel logo.
On the CP as soon as I am allowed to post anything about it I will. But there are a number of issues to deal with prior to anything happening.

Bill Holbrook
Chief Engineer WFXT-TV

Nothing's wrong; WCVB has been sending 1080i for a while now.

I thought ABC is supposed to be 720p, correct?

Has ABC changed or is it just WCVB? We should get whatever ABC sends not a converted signal.

S
I love OTA ('cause it is free once you've spent a few hundred dollars seting it up), but I go through periods where there are lots of drop outs. Drop outs are terrible with HDTV. This time of year is best for reception because of the lack of leaves on trees, but the atmosphere is also thinner, so signals tend to be slightly weaker.

Also be aware that some of the channels will be reverting to their old VHF frequencies in a year. So you need to get a UHF and long range VHF antenna.

just 7,9,and 11. (Ch 46 will start using ch 10 as well,but I really doubt many people watch that channel (now shopNBC))

2,4,and 5 will stay where they are.

What gives?

The WCVB pregame infor was being broadcast in 1080i

FOX network always sends their HD at 720P

House at least started tonight on Fox 25 in 4:3, so I changed the channel. I don't know if it got fixed or what. It was wide screen on the channel I changed to.

Not sure if this is the reason why, maybe the WFXT tech will explain, but they were doing a local election scroll over the Fox feed. When the scroll stopped, the program went to HD, where it remained for the rest of the program.

Yes, I saw it too. Its the crawl, or rather the equipment to use to implement the crawl is not HD compatible, so they need to inject the SD feed, then send the SD feed out (with the crawl) on the digital channel.

Thats the easy way of saying it, I suppose!

Hello. I just bought a new Sony Bravia LCD and am holding off on buying HD from Comcast until the Red Sox season starts. Right now I have standard cable from a coax cord.

While watching golf yesterday on 4.1 here are the diagnostics I had:

From Cable Cord:
100 signal strength
603000 Freq
QAM256 modulation
36 SNR
54% AGC%

From a really cheap AM/FM antenna:
91 signal strength
569000 Freq
8VSB modulation
26 SNR
105% AGC%

Basically it looks better from the cable cord (high SNR, low AGC), but I am not quite sure on the difference of quality based on QAM/8VSB. Based on those two options, the cord is better than the antenna, correct?

Also, would a higher quality antenna beat either of those settings do you think? I am about 20 miles from the towers.

I am pleased with most of the quality of 4.1/5.1/7.1, except on closups with movement there is pixilation. Is that normal with "OTA HD"?

Good article on PBS HD, looks like WGBH is doing the better of all the stations.
http://www.current.org/dtv/dtv0802hd.shtml

Good article on PBS HD, looks like WGBH is doing the better of all the stations.
http://www.current.org/dtv/dtv0802hd.shtml

FWIIW, my recent inquiry to WGHB about badly compromised audio on a recent Nature program broadcast on the PBS HD feed turned up the interesting information that WGBH does not presently have the capability to record and rebroadcast (i.e. timeshift) programs from the PBS HD feed. They therefore can only pass through PBS HD feeds at the actual time they are aired.

Hello. I just bought a new Sony Bravia LCD and am holding off on buying HD from Comcast until the Red Sox season starts. Right now I have standard cable from a coax cord.

While watching golf yesterday on 4.1 here are the diagnostics I had:

From Cable Cord:
100 signal strength
603000 Freq
QAM256 modulation
36 SNR
54% AGC%

From a really cheap AM/FM antenna:
91 signal strength
569000 Freq
8VSB modulation
26 SNR
105% AGC%

Basically it looks better from the cable cord (high SNR, low AGC), but I am not quite sure on the difference of quality based on QAM/8VSB. Based on those two options, the cord is better than the antenna, correct?

Also, would a higher quality antenna beat either of those settings do you think? I am about 20 miles from the towers.

I am pleased with most of the quality of 4.1/5.1/7.1, except on closups with movement there is pixilation. Is that normal with "OTA HD"?

If you are getting the signal and it's locked, a better antenna won't make any difference. A better antenna would just help you not lose the signal as frequently if that's an issue, such as during bad weather.

The actual MPEG stream carried by cable and OTA are likely the same. When you said cable looked better, do you mean by your eyes, or by the numbers for signal strength? I don't believe comcast is doing any recompressing with the local signals, so in that case, the cable would be better overall as it's likely more reliable, but both should visually look the same.

And pixelation happens with flashes, scene changes, and any fast movement. Show intros often look especially horrible with lots of changes and fast camera movements. The bandwidth for cable & OTA just isn't large enough for these types of scenes.

FWIIW, my recent inquiry to WGHB about badly compromised audio on a recent Nature program broadcast on the PBS HD feed turned up the interesting information that WGBH does not presently have the capability to record and rebroadcast (i.e. timeshift) programs from the PBS HD feed. They therefore can only pass through PBS HD feeds at the actual time they are aired.


Viewers can expect changes soon. WGBH HD will start mirroring SD channel 2 this spring (perhaps as early as March). Any program that is fed in HD and is scheduled on SD channel 2 (first airing only) will appear on WGBH HD in HD. Repeats of HD programs, however, will not be in HD because of space constraints on their server. All programs not in HD will be upconverted - much like you see now on the regular PBS HD feed as PBS has started to migrate the national HD schedule to mirror the SD NPS.

I have mixed feelings about this. There is programming on the PBS HD feed which never shows up on the regular SD schedule. Also, it has been nice to watch the PBS HD feed during pledge month when the programming, pure and simple, sucks. That's even separate from the interminable interruptions. OTOH, there are programs on the SD schedule, which if available in HD would be great to see.

Does this mean WGBH will no longer be showing the PBS HD feed at all?

SMK

I have mixed feelings about this. There is programming on the PBS HD feed which never shows up on the regular SD schedule. Also, it has been nice to watch the PBS HD feed during pledge month when the programming, pure and simple, sucks. That's even separate from the interminable interruptions. OTOH, there are programs on the SD schedule, which if available in HD would be great to see.

Does this mean WGBH will no longer be showing the PBS HD feed at all?

SMK

Yes, that's correct, WGBH will no longer be showing the PBS HD feed. There are definitely pros and cons to this. The most significant short term con may be the lack of HD for any repeat. That issue will be resolved, but it's going to take a little time.

No doubt for many, pledge, too, will be a con. Though, on the bright side, pledge concerts that were produced in HD should be aired in HD.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the PBS HD feed is heading for a change, too. PBS is moving toward the HD feed mirroring the SD National Program Schedule (NPS). Full NPS mirror should be completed by early fall which will make the PBS HD feed a mix of HD and SD. In this way, Smart Travels, Desert Speaks... and a host of regular PBS HD programming will disappear in favor of the SD NPS mirror - no matter what WGBH does.

Yes, that's correct, WGBH will no longer be showing the PBS HD feed. There are definitely pros and cons to this. The most significant short term con may be the lack of HD for any repeat. That issue will be resolved, but it's going to take a little time.

No doubt for many, pledge, too, will be a con. Though, on the bright side, pledge concerts that were produced in HD should be aired in HD.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the PBS HD feed is heading for a change, too. PBS is moving toward the HD feed mirroring the SD National Program Schedule (NPS). Full NPS mirror should be completed by early fall which will make the PBS HD feed a mix of HD and SD. In this way, Smart Travels, Desert Speaks... and a host of regular PBS HD programming will disappear in favor of the SD NPS mirror - no matter what WGBH does.


That's too bad!
I like the "Desert Speaks"

-t

I have strictly OTA delivery.

Anyone seeing any type of a "guide" - programming guide - being offered in their area?

My Panasonic and Bose system have a guide button.

I also see in discussions regarding the converter boxes, the mention of guide buttons.

Having just gotten WGBH's magazine for March with the schedule, I was immediately reminded it's pledge month. 3 1/2 weeks of programming at the beginning of the month that I wouldn't watch if you paid me! (And by the way, I do subscribe and send a large contribution every year.)

It is disappointing to think that the HD feed will go away at one point, and we will have no alternative.

SMK

Having just gotten WGBH's magazine for March with the schedule, I was immediately reminded it's pledge month. 3 1/2 weeks of programming at the beginning of the month that I wouldn't watch if you paid me! (And by the way, I do subscribe and send a large contribution every year.)

It is disappointing to think that the HD feed will go away at one point, and we will have no alternative.

SMK

Are you saying that the HD feeds are going away period? Or that the repeats are going to be de-rezzed? In any event, I can't get too excited about this, because it won't be long before every station will have to go hidef and Channel 2 and all PBS stations will have no choice in the near future unless the SD picture looks so good that most people don't notice. That scenario will only last so long. Sounds like they made a bad business decision, JMHO. Unless I'm missing something.

RAV, as far as I know, you have to get a programming feed from a source, which could be satellite, cable, or a TVGUIDE equipped TV, who have a deal with RCA and others, I think. My parents have an RCA TV with an analog cable hookup, and they have a programming guide which originates from the TV, not the cable. FWIW.

I have strictly OTA delivery.

Anyone seeing any type of a "guide" - programming guide - being offered in their area?

My Panasonic and Bose system have a guide button.

I also see in discussions regarding the converter boxes, the mention of guide buttons.

Check out http://www.tvguideonscreen.com/overview/

Are you saying that the HD feeds are going away period? Or that the repeats are going to be de-rezzed? In any event, I can't get too excited about this, because it won't be long before every station will have to go hidef and Channel 2 and all PBS stations will have no choice in the near future unless the SD picture looks so good that most people don't notice. That scenario will only last so long. Sounds like they made a bad business decision, JMHO. Unless I'm missing something.

I was just reporting what teknoguy said in a previous post. I have no personal knowledge of what exactly will happen with the PBS HD feed or what WGBH will be doing in the near future.

Check out http://www.tvguideonscreen.com/overview/

My parents TV is an analog RCA. Guess it's too old to even get a mention on this website. Anyway, if a TV has this capability, it's obvious upon initial turn on, at least that's the way it was with the analog RCA.

I was just reporting what teknoguy said in a previous post. I have no personal knowledge of what exactly will happen with the PBS HD feed or what WGBH will be doing in the near future.

No that wasn't me who said it...I was just commenting on the loss of certain programming.
Here's the post few messages back:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13094214#post13094214

I have to believe though that this would be the dumbest thing to do in light of all the channels that will be going HD soon. I won't be pledging anymore!!
I haven't been anyway...:D
-t

Yes, that's correct, WGBH will no longer be showing the PBS HD feed. There are definitely pros and cons to this.

How are there pros to it? I think it's pathetic, I won't give them a cent for taking programming AWAY from the viewer.

You know for me since I bought my HD TV years ago I never think to watch PBS I guess that is bad on my end but with Discovery and Natl Geographic HD channels I don't have the need.

I was under the impression that tonight's Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular is supposed to broadcast in HD, but the WBZ HD channel seems to be passing along the SD feed.
Mr. Yankowitz, if you are out there, can you please provide some info about tonight's primetime airing of The Price Is Right?
Thank you.

Indeed, it seems like its being played back from "wherever", due to the WBZ logo insertion, like with the daytime show, vs the "live" Network feed. (Or maybe not, nevertheless theres no HD!)

Here's what we missed in Boston.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2284433005_841459e83f_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/2286378486_9826b0b629_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2286378460_2492fee37e_o.jpg

Thanks to Shredder from the Golden-Road.net forums for posting these screen grabs from the Million Dollar Spectacular HD broadcast.

I turned on WBZ and saw no HD of the Price is Right, changed to WPRI 12 and they had it in HD, I wonder what went wrong with WBZ?

I was under the impression that tonight's Price Is Right Million Dollar Spectacular is supposed to broadcast in HD, but the WBZ HD channel seems to be passing along the SD feed.
Mr. Yankowitz, if you are out there, can you please provide some info about tonight's primetime airing of The Price Is Right?
Thank you.

An unfortunate communications foul-up left us unaware the show was to be in HD until too late.

Similarly, the AVSForum email I usually get to tell me there has been activity on this thread never came, and I didn't check the forum until just now, so I didn't see this message until a few minutes ago.

Sorry about that, twice.

We will be airing the Million Dollar Spectaculars, in HD as scheduled, over the next three Fridays.

Sorry about that, twice.

We will be airing the Million Dollar Spectaculars, in HD as scheduled, over the next three Fridays.

Thank you for the response and I really look forward to the HD broadcast on Friday.

Are you saying that the HD feeds are going away period?

According to this article in Currents, YUP. http://www.current.org/dtv/dtv0802hd.shtml
"The PBS Board endorsed the plan last week, reallocating satellite capacity for the fall and discontinuing the original HD Channel, a loop of eye-candy video used to demonstrate the great looks of high-def."

Sure there were programs that fell in the eye-candy category like Smart Gardening or Smart Travels (I actually liked Smart Travels.) but there were also truly informative and out of the box programs such as Inside and Warplane. Somehow the thought of Suze Orman and other pacing "gurus" or those Viewers' favorites pledefests has my stomach turning.

[QUOTE=rick_evans033050;13253549]According to this article in Currents, YUP. http://www.current.org/dtv/dtv0802hd.shtml
"The PBS Board endorsed the plan last week, reallocating satellite capacity for the fall and discontinuing the original HD Channel, a loop of eye-candy video used to demonstrate the great looks of high-def."

Thanks for the link. This article has a lot of fascinating information. For example:

"Ted Garcia, manager of KNME in Albuquerque, N.M., and chair of the PBS Interconnection Committee, said during PBS meetings last week that losing the traditional feeds at the broadcast hour could affect stations in the disadvantaged time zones that lack enough HD equipment to time-shift the programs — that is, to record an HD satellite feed while playing back an earlier feed for broadcast. The committee recommended that PBS seek CPB funding to help those stations.

In a session at NETA, Jim Wiener, program chief of ThinkTV in Dayton, Ohio, said he was hearing from low-budget 'have-not' stations that lack decks to record or play back HD programs. 'Some stations,' he reported, “are barely above water.'"

Apparently our local PBS affiliate is among those impoverished stations that can't afford the equipment to record and time-shift HD programming. Funny, I always thought that WGBH was a flagship PBS station with an enormous budget and a state-of-the-art new physical plant. They certainly managed to come up with the money to install that ludicrous, traffic accident-causing exterior video display on the side of their new facility in Newton. Local management would seem to have priorities other than providing quality HD content to their viewers.

I wouldn't mind losing the 2-2 channel if the 2-1 channel became HD. Personally, I can't stand sub-channels because the video quality of all of the sub channels suffers.

I've also heard that DirecTV may be carrying PBS-HD soon. I wonder how that figures in with this?

I did some searches and only saw one or two references to this and no actual answers... but what's up with NBC (WHDH) putting a maximum brightness single pixel vertical line of yellow down the left hand side of their HD feed when the TV is set to 1:1 pixel mapping?

I just got a new television, and that line of yellow is blowing out all the black levels for dark scenes, particularly all-black cut scenes that should go to pitch black but can't. That yellow line was never particularly noticable on my older TV which had much crappier black levels, but now it's really bothersome.

Is there a technical reason why WHDH have this yellow line there? Is there someone we can contact to complain about it? I know some folks from the TV stations do check out this thread. And does this bother anyone else at all, or is it just me?

Other than that yellow line the NBC HD I've watched so far on the new set is most excellent, NBC have always had a pretty good quality feed, and now it really shows on a quality TV.

There certainly seems to be a lot of FUD over the PBS HD plans. I guess none of you were watching 2-2 last night. It was the same programming as 2-1 including The News Hour in HD. Greater Boston looked much better, even though it was upconverted. The only downer was Great Performances, which had black bars on all four sides of the picture!

Of course, they start pledging tomorrow :(

Apparently our local PBS affiliate is among those impoverished stations that can't afford the equipment to record and time-shift HD programming. Funny, I always thought that WGBH was a flagship PBS station with an enormous budget and a state-of-the-art new physical plant. They certainly managed to come up with the money to install that ludicrous, traffic accident-causing exterior video display on the side of their new facility in Newton. Local management would seem to have priorities other than providing quality HD content to their viewers.

If they've never had to time shift in the past, why would they spend money on the gear to do that? If they have to start time shifting then they'll likely invest in the equipment necessary.

I just ordered a Samsung 2280HD LCD, which has a built-in OTA tuner. It would be a tremendous pain to try to get the cable wire to the new LCD (which will be used primarily as a monitor anyway), so I'm trying to see what I can get for minimal investment with OTA. I'm in a row house in Charlestown on the second floor and there are other similar height buildings around so my line-of-sight may be partially blocked depending on which direction the antenna is facing. It appears from AntennaWeb that all the OTA stations I care about are UHF. Can anybody recommend a good, reasonably priced (i.e. <$50) UHF indoor antenna that might give me a chance of getting some of the stations that show up red on AntennaWeb? Thanks.

* yellow
uhf WLVI-DT 56.1 CW CAMBRIDGE, MA 253° 9.2 41
* yellow
uhf WMFP-DT 18.1 SAH LAWRENCE, MA TBD 256° 9.3 18
* yellow
uhf WHDH-DT 7.1 NBC BOSTON, MA 256° 8.8 42
* yellow
uhf WBPX-DT 68.1 ION BOSTON, MA 255° 9.3 32
* yellow
vhf WHDH-DT 7.1 NBC BOSTON, MA Feb 17, 2009 (post-transition) 256° 8.8 7
* green
uhf WFXT-DT 25.1 FOX BOSTON, MA 253° 9.2 31
* green
uhf WYDN-DT 47 DAY WORCESTER, MA TBD 255° 9.3 47
* red
uhf WSBK-DT 38.1 IND BOSTON, MA 258° 9.8 39
* red
uhf WGBH-DT 2.1 PBS BOSTON, MA 258° 9.8 19
* red
uhf WGBX-DT 44.1 PBS BOSTON, MA 258° 9.8 43
* red
uhf WBZ-DT 4.1 CBS BOSTON, MA 258° 9.8 30
* red
uhf WCVB-DT 5.1 ABC BOSTON, MA 258° 9.8 20
* red
vhf WWDP-DT 10.1 SAH NORWELL, MA Feb 17, 2009 (post-transition) 198° 25.0 10
* blue
uhf WUTF-DT 27.1 TFA MARLBOROUGH, MA Feb 17, 2009 (post-transition) 287° 21.9 27
* blue
uhf WUNI-DT 27.1 UNI WORCESTER, MA 281° 33.3 29
* blue
uhf WUTF-DT 66.1 TFA MARLBOROUGH, MA 287° 21.8 23
* violet
vhf WNAC-DT 12.1 FOX PROVIDENCE, RI Feb 17, 2009 (post-transition) 214° 36.7 12
* violet
uhf WHDN-DT 26 IND BOSTON, MA TBD 178° 1.1 26

There certainly seems to be a lot of FUD over the PBS HD plans. I guess none of you were watching 2-2 last night. It was the same programming as 2-1 including The News Hour in HD. Greater Boston looked much better, even though it was upconverted. The only downer was Great Performances, which had black bars on all four sides of the picture!

Of course, they start pledging tomorrow :(


How is the fact that PBS has ended its national HD channel FUD? It's just a fact. A lot of the programming on 2-1 duplicates 480i PBS Kids albeit with zero filling on the HD channel. And yes one does get to see Jim Lehrer's warts on the HD channel but the option to watch the Desert Speaks instead of his head talking to death the latest Obama said about Hillary said about McCain said about Obama was a definite plus.

I wouldn't mind losing the 2-2 channel if the 2-1 channel became HD. Personally, I can't stand sub-channels because the video quality of all of the sub channels suffers.

I've also heard that DirecTV may be carrying PBS-HD soon. I wonder how that figures in with this?

We're not losing channel 2.2 and it's already in HD. Until Thursday it carried programming intended to demonstrate the visual benefits of HD such as Smart Gardening. Switching the HD to 2.1 would have zero effect.

Apparently our local PBS affiliate is among those impoverished stations that can't afford the equipment to record and time-shift HD programming. Funny, I always thought that WGBH was a flagship PBS station with an enormous budget and a state-of-the-art new physical plant.They are a flagship PBS station, with a substantially larger budget than most other PBS stations. This just goes to show how inadequate PBS' affiliates' budgets actually are. Also, seems to me that WGBH aims to spend its money more so on production rather than broadcasting.

I just ordered a Samsung 2280HD LCD, which has a built-in OTA tuner. Can anybody recommend a good, reasonably priced (i.e. <$50) UHF indoor antenna that might give me a chance of getting some of the stations that show up red on AntennaWeb? Thanks.

I live in Randolph which puts me quite a bit of distance on the other side
of the Hub from you. That said, I've had luck with an amplified Terk Antenna Pro I picked up some time ago on sale at U-Do-It Electronics. It's a directional antenna and retails there for about $60. I'm able to pull in WGBH 2.1,2.2, WBZ 4.1, WCVB 5.1, 6.1,6.2 in New Bedford, HDH 7.1, WJAR10.1,10.2, 28.1, WSBE 36.1,36.2, 38.1, 44.1 .. 44.4, 47.1, 56.1, 64.1, 68.1..4

Providence channel 12 is surprisingly weak but it duplicates WBZ.
WSBE Public TV in Providence just recently popped up as marginal.

HTH

looks like someone fell asleep at wbz, no HD for the price is right...

HD is just fine over here with WFSB-DT (CBS) digital 33 (analog 3) of Hartford. :)

looks like someone fell asleep at wbz, no HD for the price is right...

It was HD from start to finish last night, so WBZ was on the ball this time.

They are a flagship PBS station, with a substantially larger budget than most other PBS stations. This just goes to show how inadequate PBS' affiliates' budgets actually are. Also, seems to me that WGBH aims to spend its money more so on production rather than broadcasting.

My point exactly. WGBH has always been focused more on producing and syndicating program content for national distribution to other affiliates than in providing a quality viewing and listening experience to its local audience. I guess there is more glory and money in national program syndication than in catering to the local viewers who support them through their interminable fund-raising efforts. The audio and video quality of their SD broadcasts in both analog and digital form is garbage, thanks to heavy-handed compression and cramming up to four programs into a single channel. Now their HD channel is being gradually converted, one day in their schedule at a time, to mostly upconverted SD content which is only marginally better.

I wouldn't mind losing the 2-2 channel if the 2-1 channel became HD. Personally, I can't stand sub-channels because the video quality of all of the sub channels suffers.

Ditto that! PBS and WGBH have swiftly gone from HD-leader to pathetic laggard. At least get rid of the SD simulcast if all the programming is going to be the same!! As someone else posted, luckily there are other better options like Discovery and NatGeo HD (although I currently don't receive either, I'm strictly an OTA kinda guy, probably until FIOS makes its way out to the boondocks of my town.)

I guess there is more glory and money in national program syndication than in catering to the local viewers who support them through their interminable fund-raising efforts.I don't see that implication at all. Rather, as each one of us does, they're following the money. There is no reason to believe that the local fund-raising efforts aren't being used for catering to the local viewers to a great extent in proportion to the contributions they receive. I think a lot of folks over-estimate how much public television and radio stations get in contributions from viewers, listeners and sponsors. I think it is a very inadequate amount, and that that's one reason why commercial television stations are generally more accommodating to what motivates their viewers to watch. If contributions were more substantial, I would PBS affiliates would have more to work with and would direct additional resources towards fostering what motivates their viewers to watch.

In reality, what we're talking about has a very small impact on the vast majority of viewers, and that's why it isn't a high enough priority for the affiliate.

Ditto that! PBS and WGBH have swiftly gone from HD-leader to pathetic laggard. At least get rid of the SD simulcast if all the programming is going to be the same!! As someone else posted, luckily there are other better options like Discovery and NatGeo HD (although I currently don't receive either, I'm strictly an OTA kinda guy, probably until FIOS makes its way out to the boondocks of my town.)

I agree. There has been less and less programming on WGBH that I am interested in, and the national feed provided an alternative that I could count on.

When I first joined WGBH there was a great deal of programming that I enjoyed. The three favorites were This Old House, Masterpiece Theater, and Mystery!. This Old House was much better in the past, and is now a shell of its former self. In addition, the increasing number of pledge drives makes it almost impossible to remember which nights it is on and which nights it isn't. It is impossible to watch the whole series without missing episodes. Masterpiece theater is not what it once was, and it seems to me the production values have diminished to the point where I don't even enjoy watching. The recent Jane Austen series is a perfect example. Most of the productions have looked awful, in addition to not necessarily being very good renditions of the books. My favorite series of all used to be Mystery!, but it is now relegated to a few weeks in the summer.

The pledge drives are what makes watching WGBH even more unpalatable. Essentially three months a year plus the two week auction in June there is nothing that I want to watch! At least the HD feed provided an alternative. Thinking about their current programming, I doubt I will watch WGBH more than 20 hours a year. For that amount of viewing it is going to be very difficult for me to justify continuing to send them money every year.

SMK