Yea for me, looks like I need another Dish to get my local HDs. Get it for free with a 2 year commit or pay $99 and get it. My contract is up in Jan. and the Rep said, existing customers can get on the HD only packages on Feb. 9th....so Im gonna wait it out til then, cut my bill in half, and hopefully then, all the locals (NBC and CBS) will be up by then.

CBS is up. NBC is not. You do need to get a 1000.4 dish installed. They wanted me to do the same thing as you but I bargained them down to $9.95 for the dish with no additional contract signed.

CBS is up. NBC is not. You do need to get a 1000.4 dish installed. They wanted me to do the same thing as you but I bargained them down to $9.95 for the dish with no additional contract signed.

Can you let us know how the Locals look? Do you have OTA to compare? If so, can you give us your thoughts of the new Dish HD Locals compared to the OTA Local HD?

Can you let us know how the Locals look? Do you have OTA to compare? If so, can you give us your thoughts of the new Dish HD Locals compared to the OTA Local HD?

Hey Tony. I compared the OTA to the new HD Dish channels last night and it was real close. I think the OTA might have been a little sharper but it wasn't a big difference. It is really nice to now have CBS in HD. I wasn't able to get it with my antenna.

Finally. This has been a long wait. The Dish Network guy just got mine going. He just adjusted my wing dish to pull in 77. I don't know why he didn't put up a 1000.4 and he didn't know either. I was only getting WOWK and occasionally WSAZ on my antenna.

CBS is up. NBC is not. You do need to get a 1000.4 dish installed. They wanted me to do the same thing as you but I bargained them down to $9.95 for the dish with no additional contract signed.

Ha! So I just called again and told them that I called last week to get my new Dish up for my locals for $9.95, but had to hang up before I made an appointment because I didnt know what day I'd be off, but I know now. So they scheduled it for next Wed. and go it for $9.95 no questions asked.

Why is CBS local (WOWK) not listed on their website as an HD local? I have called E and have gotten different answers. Some say I will get CBS in HD and others say I can't.

Why is CBS local (WOWK) not listed on their website as an HD local? I have called E and have gotten different answers. Some say I will get CBS in HD and others say I can't.

I asked that same question on DBSTalk. They said the Dish website isn't always accurate with the channels. The information I posted from another is the actual information and shows CBS. Plus, others have it, so we know it's active.

I know there is probably a Blu-ray thread, but I wanted to get the opinions of local folks....

Blu-ray disc players are dropping in price, and I was wondering how many on here have Blu-ray, and is there a significant noticeable upgrade from DVD, and is it worth the upgrade? Thanks.

Just finished an online chat with a Dish representative. I am in Huntington WV. He stated that there were no local HD channels available. I told him there was a press release and the website stated I could get them. He told me that they were not available in my area. Everytime I call I get a different answer. I don't understand why they can't provide accurate information. It shouldn't be this difficult. Since Dish doesn't know the answer maybe individuals on this board can help.

Here is the press release:

DISH Network Expands Local High Definition Markets
Thursday November 20, 4:11 pm ET


ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH - News), the nation's third largest pay-TV provider and the digital transition leader, today announced the addition of high definition local channels in eight markets: Charleston-Huntington, W.V.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York, Pa.; Jacksonville, Fl.; Lexington, Ky.; Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.; Louisville, Ky.; and Wichita Falls, Texas and Lawton, Okla. DISH Network® now offers local channels in 84 markets reaching 76 percent of U.S. TV households.

Finally. This has been a long wait. The Dish Network guy just got mine going. He just adjusted my wing dish to pull in 77. I don't know why he didn't put up a 1000.4 and he didn't know either. I was only getting WOWK and occasionally WSAZ on my antenna.

What kind of dish do you have? I have a Dish 1000. I wonder if I need a new dish to get the locals in HD.

I know there is probably a Blu-ray thread, but I wanted to get the opinions of local folks....

Blu-ray disc players are dropping in price, and I was wondering how many on here have Blu-ray, and is there a significant noticeable upgrade from DVD, and is it worth the upgrade? Thanks.

It's true that until recently there was little point in buying a standalone blu-ray player. They've always been too expensive and performance was less than spectacular. You were always better off just buying a PS3. In fact, the PS3 is still the best blu-ray player on the market and a very cost effective choice if you have any real interest in a game console as well. However with the latest round of standalone blu-ray players (namely the Samsung BD-P1500, the Panasonic DMP-BD30, and the Sony BDP-S350) it's finally worth buying one.

Those three players all exhibit adequate performance and come in under $300. I just bought a Sony BDP-S350 as a Christmas present for myself :). It's advantage over the others is that it has the most compact design of any player yet. So obviously I think this holiday season is a good time to jump on the bandwagon. But we're still at a somewhat early adopter stage, even after all this time, and another 6 to 12 months will produce much cheaper and likely better players.

Now while a good upscaled DVD doesn't look that bad, blu-ray really is a different experience. Not only is it the best way to watch a movie at home, it's the best looking HD you can get at home period. That said, I have no intention of re-buying many of my movies on blu-ray. I've already purchased a few HD eye-candy staples (eg. BBC Planet Earth), but otherwise I'm taking full advantage of my Blockbuster Online subscription. I've changed my preference to blu-ray and now for no additional charge I can rent all the HD movies and tv shows I want. Of course, I can only rent 3 discs at any given time, but maybe it's for the best that I'm forced to take a break every once in a while ;).

Blu-Ray is amazing. I was told by a Dish Rep we did have locals in HD. Fox and ABC...others on here say CBS is also available, but not updated on the Dish site. Im having a new Dish installed Wed. to get my locals, I will tell ya for sure if its true or not.

Blu-Ray is amazing. I was told by a Dish Rep we did have locals in HD. Fox and ABC...others on here say CBS is also available, but not updated on the Dish site. Im having a new Dish installed Wed. to get my locals, I will tell ya for sure if its true or not.

Please let us know on Wednesday. Are you getting a 1000.4 dish?

I dont know what im getting...what are some out there and what should i be asking for?

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I believe you need a 1000.4 dish in order to pick up Charleston/Huntington channels in HD. Please let us know once everything is hooked up on Wednesday! Thanks.

Folks, I think I've mentioned this before, but we do have ABC, Fox and CBS HD locally. My neighbor just got set up the week before last. They had to come back and take the dish down and put up a 1000.4 to get the Locals. It's Confirmed that Dish does have those three channels in HD. Mine is being installed on Friday.

It seems that the need for the 1000.4 is because the new HD locals are at 77° and our SD locals are at 129°, the opposite end of the spectrum. E*8 just completed it's move to 77° and they're dumping everything on it, but it still sounds like an odd choice to me. But it looks like they've also put SD backups of the other locals not yet offered in HD on E*8 as well. So I would assume you could also just move your dish and abandon 129 altogether. I can't think of anything else on it.

My install is tomorrow....let everyone know what is up.

Any specific questions that you might want answers for that I can ask?

My install is tomorrow....let everyone know what is up.

Any specific questions that you might want answers for that I can ask?

No just please let us know how it goes. I am ordering another HDTV and am waiting to call Dish for the HD DVR's. How long did it take for you to get an appointment?

It seems that the need for the 1000.4 is because the new HD locals are at 77° and our SD locals are at 129°, the opposite end of the spectrum. E*8 just completed it's move to 77° and they're dumping everything on it, but it still sounds like an odd choice to me. But it looks like they've also put SD backups of the other locals not yet offered in HD on E*8 as well. So I would assume you could also just move your dish and abandon 129 altogether. I can't think of anything else on it.

Not exactly. If our SD channels were only on 129, the 1000.4 alone will not work. You need two Dishes because as you stated, they are at different spectrums. The only way the 1000.4 can be used (alone) is if Dish moved our SDs to be on 77 as well as the old 129, which they have. Because our locals are mirrored on both 129 and 77 (77 being the key for our purpose), the 1000.4 dish can be used for the HD channels as well as our HD Locals and the SD Locals (since NBC isn't HD on dish yet for us)

No just please let us know how it goes. I am ordering another HDTV and am waiting to call Dish for the HD DVR's. How long did it take for you to get an appointment?

I called last Monday and said I could get it installed on Tuesday (the next day) but I had to work Tue and Wed. Didnt want anyone here on Thursday, and worked Fri-Tue of the following week. But the Rep said they had everyday open.

Alright, my install is complete, took about 1.5 hours. I now have 2 dishes, he replaced my old dish with a Turbo HD dish and then installed another dish pointing in the opposite direction. On the guide it shows up as 2 channels like all the other HD channels. One that says WCHS and the HD version shows WCHS, but with the HD logo on it. No more 08-01 unless you want to keep your antenna up, but then you deal with three stations for just one. I kept mine up, but deleted 13-1, 11-1 and 08-1 to keep it simple, but left 03-1 and 03-2. Overall, looks good and wont be able to tell any differences til tonight when actual shows in HD come on.

Very minimal difference that I can tell from OTA and the new locals on Dish. OTA has a slight edge, but very hard to tell right now.

So you now have Fox, CBS, and ABC locals in HD?

Wow. This thread is 110 pages long. Any of the original folks still post? Long time ago 10 or so of us met at applebees in cross lanes. Have not posted in awhile. I read what I have missed

Not exactly. If our SD channels were only on 129, the 1000.4 alone will not work. You need two Dishes because as you stated, they are at different spectrums. The only way the 1000.4 can be used (alone) is if Dish moved our SDs to be on 77 as well as the old 129, which they have. Because our locals are mirrored on both 129 and 77 (77 being the key for our purpose), the 1000.4 dish can be used for the HD channels as well as our HD Locals and the SD Locals (since NBC isn't HD on dish yet for us)

Tony:

I currently have a Dish 1000. I do not have HD yet. I subscribe to the America Top 200 I think. Can they replace my existing dish and just give me a Dish 1000.4. Would I be able to get all my existing channels with this dish as well as the local HD's? I am confused as to why some individuals are getting two dishes instead of just a 1000.4? Thanks.

Tony:

I currently have a Dish 1000. I do not have HD yet. I subscribe to the America Top 200 I think. Can they replace my existing dish and just give me a Dish 1000.4. Would I be able to get all my existing channels with this dish as well as the local HD's? I am confused as to why some individuals are getting two dishes instead of just a 1000.4? Thanks.

They replaced my dish 1000.2 with a 1000.4. It points in a completely different direction from the old dish. I get all the channels I did before with the old dish except I only get the HD channel for the local channels 8, 11 & 13. No SD's for those. I get channel 3 in SD only.

They replaced my dish 1000.2 with a 1000.4. It points in a completely different direction from the old dish. I get all the channels I did before with the old dish except I only get the HD channel for the local channels 8, 11 & 13. No SD's for those. I get channel 3 in SD only.

Now that definitely sounds like you're pointed at 77 but not 129 at all. It looks like only the locals that aren't HD are mirrored on 77, the SD downconverts of 8, 11, 13 are only available on 129. But your receiver can downconvert those channels itself for SD tvs in your house can't it?

Now that definitely sounds like you're pointed at 77 but not 129 at all. It looks like only the locals that aren't HD are mirrored on 77, the SD downconverts of 8, 11, 13 are only available on 129. But your receiver can downconvert those channels itself for SD tvs in your house can't it?

I believe you are correct about the sattelites. I'm sure my 722 could downconvert but I don't have any SD tv's so I don't know. I have two HDTV's. I have one 722 and 211k receiver.

So you now have Fox, CBS, and ABC locals in HD?

Yes, it appears the same way all the other HD channels do. One HD channel, one SD.

Iamges of my guide with new HD locals....for the skeptics

They replaced my dish 1000.2 with a 1000.4. It points in a completely different direction from the old dish. I get all the channels I did before with the old dish except I only get the HD channel for the local channels 8, 11 & 13. No SD's for those. I get channel 3 in SD only.

So do you have two dishes or just one dish 1000.4?

He probably has 2....I do, the installer replaced my old dish with a newer one, and then installed a 2nd facing the other direction.

I would leave or had left Dtv for Dish if it werent for the fact they gave me 6 mo Starz, Free HD pack, and $10 off my bill for 12 months. I'm very disappointed in their delayed roll out of local HD but have been happy with National rollout. Although i get WSAZ...I get my ABCHD and FOXHD from NY. I only get 13 in the spring and summer for some crazy reason. It gets cold and 13 shuts down for me.....I'll never be able to explain it.

Anybody hear rumblings about D and our local HD.....be nice to have before March madness!

So do you have two dishes or just one dish 1000.4?

I just have the one dish, the 1000.4. At least I'm assuming it's a 1000.4 as it doesn't have any numbers on it like the 1000.2 did. It points way more east and higher in the sky than the old dish was.

Has anyone else been experiencing problems receiving WOWK, WCHS & WVAH? I can't pick them up when it's cloudy weather like we've had lately. WSAZ's signal strength drops but I have always got it. WOWK's signal strength is usually as strong as WSAZ's, so why does WOWK's drop so much? You would think if WSAZ knows how to keep their signal strong, the other stations could also? I know WOWK will be moving back to channel 13 after the conversion which most likely will solve the problem for them?

Mine always did the same thing, I either had WOWK or WSAZ, all depended on how I had my antenna pointing.

Great news! I just noticed that WSAZ is now in HD also. So on Dish Network we now have all 4 networks in HD!

Im looking at it also, mine doesnt say its in HD yet, but their are about 10-12 WSAZ channels....must be updating as we speak (type). If accurate, which im sure you are, this is bad ass.

Im still getting mulitple WSAZ channels, and it says HD, but it isnt.

Im still getting mulitple WSAZ channels, and it says HD, but it isnt.

All I have is the one and it is HD. I watched The Office and 30 Rock in HD last night on it. Not sure what your problem may be.

Here is the uplink activity yesterday from DBS talk that shows WSAZ being changed to HD:

ADD 5202 WSAZ{HUNTINGTON, WV} MPEG4 HD Tp 8 EchoStar 8 77w AVAIL HIDE MAP 3

DEL 7317 WSAZ{HUNTINGTON, WV} MPEG4 SD Tp 8 EchoStar 8 77w AVAIL HIDE MAP 3

Could your problem be because you have the two dishes and still are getting the SD locals also? I'm only getting the channels on the 77 satellite so I only get the HD locals.

For the folks that have the 1000.4 dish, can you tell me if a Contractor or a Dish Tech installed your dish?

I had a lame-brain Contractor at my house for FIVE hours on Friday and had NO CLUE how to set up the new 1000.4 dish. He was fowl mouth, nasty, rude, and talked about Dish like they were scum. It was the WORST experience of my life. 5 hours, and he was not able to get it working. He called 6 other contractors and they were all more confused than he was. I finally asked the guy to leave. I had to hook all my DirecTV stuff back up. I called Dish and demanded a DISH TECHNICIAN and not a contractor for this Monday. If it's a Contractor, I'll thank him for his time, but ask him to leave.

I wanted the 1000.4 dish installed on the same roof mount my D* dish is installed. Dish told me they could do this. The Contractor said they couldn't because it wasn't the right size, and when I asked if he had a coupler piece, he said they didn't make it. He then said I had to sign insurance papers for him to get on the roof. PPPPLLLLLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEEE!!!! :rolleyes::mad: He then worked 5 hours, then got me involved (when I was supposed to be working from home) as I had to have a walky talky and tell him when he was getting a good signal because he must not have known how to work his $800 meter. I know this as he told me how much it was. While I was in the house, he moved the pole to another place in the yard that avoided ANY trees on the property. However, he didn't ask, and he put it on my neighbor's property. Didn't matter, he still didn't know what to do. He then said.....AND GET THIS......

Well, the pole mount won't work. That would have cost you $50 extra anyway, I know I can get it to work on the roof. I found a piece on the truck that will work so I can mount it to the mast you have now.

That is when I said "I don't like being lied to because you didn't want to climb on my roof when I asked you that at 8:45 this morning. This appointment has ended. Please go remove all the outside cabling and I'll unhook the receiver, box it up for you and bring to your truck"

:(:confused::mad:

For the folks that have the 1000.4 dish, can you tell me if a Contractor or a Dish Tech installed your dish?

I had a lame-brain Contractor at my house for FIVE hours on Friday and had NO CLUE how to set up the new 1000.4 dish. He was fowl mouth, nasty, rude, and talked about Dish like they were scum. It was the WORST experience of my life. 5 hours, and he was not able to get it working. He called 6 other contractors and they were all more confused than he was. I finally asked the guy to leave. I had to hook all my DirecTV stuff back up. I called Dish and demanded a DISH TECHNICIAN and not a contractor for this Monday. If it's a Contractor, I'll thank him for his time, but ask him to leave.

I wanted the 1000.4 dish installed on the same roof mount my D* dish is installed. Dish told me they could do this. The Contractor said they couldn't because it wasn't the right size, and when I asked if he had a coupler piece, he said they didn't make it. He then said I had to sign insurance papers for him to get on the roof. PPPPLLLLLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEEE!!!! :rolleyes::mad: He then worked 5 hours, then got me involved (when I was supposed to be working from home) as I had to have a walky talky and tell him when he was getting a good signal because he must not have known how to work his $800 meter. I know this as he told me how much it was. While I was in the house, he moved the pole to another place in the yard that avoided ANY trees on the property. However, he didn't ask, and he put it on my neighbor's property. Didn't matter, he still didn't know what to do. He then said.....AND GET THIS......

Well, the pole mount won't work. That would have cost you $50 extra anyway, I know I can get it to work on the roof. I found a piece on the truck that will work so I can mount it to the mast you have now.

That is when I said "I don't like being lied to because you didn't want to climb on my roof when I asked you that at 8:45 this morning. This appointment has ended. Please go remove all the outside cabling and I'll unhook the receiver, box it up for you and bring to your truck"

:(:confused::mad:


What contracting company was this?

What contracting company was this?

I have no idea. He was in an unmarked truck. I know his name and cell number, but that's it. People were calling him left and right while he was at my house to come do illegal hookups, which he told me about, and he was going to to perform.

I have no idea. He was in an unmarked truck. I know his name and cell number, but that's it. People were calling him left and right while he was at my house to come do illegal hookups, which he told me about, and he was going to to perform.

Wow Tony, that sounds like a terrible experience. I've had two Dish guys at my house, both came in vehicles with dish network painted on the side and they both did a very good job and were very nice. The one setting up the 1000.4 dish did have a hard time getting a signal from all the satellites and had to call his boss a couple of times but he did finally get it worked out.

So dish has all 4 networks in HD now? That makes it an easy choice.

I had a Dish Network guy come to my house the last two times I've had service calls....sorry about your draw man. Call them back and demand a Dish guy comes out, my guys name was Andy.

I had a Dish Network guy come to my house the last two times I've had service calls....sorry about your draw man. Call them back and demand a Dish guy comes out, my guys name was Andy.

I have another tech coming tomorrow morning, and I asked for a Dish employee. Hopefully, I'll get one of the guys you folks had. If it's not a Dish Employee, I'll kindly ask him to leave and reschedule.

So, is WSAZ-HD active on Dish now on channel 502?

So, is WSAZ-HD active on Dish now on channel 502?

Yes it is. Has been for a few days.

I can't believe this. I did the Dish Chat just now to make sure my installation was still on for tomorrow since I have not heard from them. The lady told me it was scheduled for 12/15 as I called Friday and told them the tech brought the wrong Dish.

Excuse my French, but WTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I called and talked to a Rep, in India, and told him the complete story and we rescheduled for this Monday, the 8th. I ended my Chat with the lady immediately as I was ticked. I talked to the guy on the phone for 20 minutes letting him know all the unethical, illegal, etc. things that this guy was doing while at my house. And all he wrote was "The guy brought the wrong dish". I see now why the DirecTV customer reps are always rated better than them. Although they aren't good, a block of moldy cheese is more competent than Dish.

With that said, I'm calling tomorrow to see what is going on, because after all, they do have our Locals, and that's my only concern right now. Ughghghgh....I hate it that they got me!!!

Call now...you can check on scheduled installs w/o talking to anyone. I did it the day before mine...

they are coming tuesday at 12 for my installation. I hope it goes smoothly...

I called to confirm my rescheduled appointment of today, after Friday's fiasco. Well, the guy I talked to on Friday (from India) didn't put in the note that I wanted a DISH NETWORK installer, nor did he put in today's date. So, nobody showed up. So, I had to make, yet another call to Dish. The only notes they had was "The installer brought the incorrect Dish"...LOL. I never told them such a thing. I told him the full story on Friday. So, I vented to the Customer Rep today and set up a NEW installation of Wednesday of this week with a Dish Installer. They said they'd also email the contractor due to me being upset over last Friday.

I got a call from the Supervisor of the Contractor that caused the fiasco on Friday. For those that read my entire rant, the first thing I told the Installer was I wanted it on my roof where the DirecTV mount was located. To make a long story short, he told me he couldn't do that, and it had to be pole mounted, and that would cost $50 out of my pocket....you know...for the FREE install?

The Supervisor told me the technician told him the reason he couldn't get the install to work was that he wanted to put the dish on my roof and I refused and demanded it be on a POLE in the yard!!!!!

The Supervisor was very upset that the contractor lied and told me he's done this in the past to try and weasle out $50 for his own pocket. I also let the Supervisor know that he was conducting illegal business at my house as well. He was getting calls (left it on speaker) about hooking up illegal systems and he said he'd charge $250 on the side to do it. He then asked me if I wanted an illegal system.

Neither here nor there. The Supervisor was a nice guy and offered to send his best technician if the Dish Installer had any issues.

The saga continues...heheheheh.

Im worried, they have called 5 times to confirm for tomorrows install...

I hope everything gets straightened out Tony. Dish and their customer service is usually top notch...

I got a pull-out from directv in the Gazette-Mail claiming that Charleston locals are now available in HD.
I called customer service and was told that even though I only live 20 miles from Charleston, I was not in the proper zip-code and was not allowed local HD access!
I'm allowed to watch "standard def" locals on directv, but not HD!
This does not make sense...I know there are probably some legal or other issues that are beyond my comprehension.
Are there any directv subcribers on the board who have Charleston locals in HD?

I hope everything gets straightened out Tony. Dish and their customer service is usually top notch...

By the time Tony gets his DISH service going, DirecTV will have HD Locals. ;):D



I got a pull-out from directv in the Gazette-Mail claiming that Charleston locals are now available in HD.

Are there any directv subcribers on the board who have Charleston locals in HD?

I need to go look for that ad, but no, Charleston HD locals are not available via DirecTV.

[QUOTE=herdfan;15252565]By the time Tony gets his DISH service going, DirecTV will have HD Locals. ;):D


:D

No kidding. I hope all goes well with the install tomorrow from the Dish Installer.

he has showed up on time and all is going smoothly.

he has showed up on time and all is going smoothly.


Awesome. Let us know how it goes. Is it a Dish employee, or a Contractor? If Contractor, what company?

it only took 2 hours and everything is great and yes all 4 networks in HD!!! he was a contractor. and he says they are all contractors, some pay more for the dish vans instead of the cargo van. he was with HPTS, and said they are one of dishes top 5 installers nationally. They have to take digital pictures of each install to prove it is up with code and within 1 week a manager comes around to look at work. they were great. number for them is 1-888-827-6126. and I have had to suffer through armstrongs HD service for the last year and I can say the HD quality is very good. close to my Blu-Ray.

it only took 2 hours and everything is great and yes all 4 networks in HD!!! he was a contractor. and he says they are all contractors, some pay more for the dish vans instead of the cargo van. he was with HPTS, and said they are one of dishes top 5 installers nationally. They have to take digital pictures of each install to prove it is up with code and within 1 week a manager comes around to look at work. they were great. number for them is 1-888-827-6126. and I have had to suffer through armstrongs HD service for the last year and I can say the HD quality is very good. close to my Blu-Ray.

I'm glad your install went smoothly. Did they place your 1000.4 on the roof or on a pole in the yard? Your contractor is incorrect in what he told you though. Dish Network employs their own technicians too. They are paid by the hour. The contractors are paid by the job, but only if the job is complete.

When I spoke with the Supervisor of the contractor that was at my house, he specifically said he was glad that I demanded a Dish Employee after the experience I had with his employee. He then said if the Dish Network Technician has any problems, to call him back and he'd send out his best technician (contractor) that could get it to work.

he went straight to the roof to mount the 1000.4. all the receivers are hd boxes. he said that all you can hook up the 1000.4 I don't know how but they actually but a better picture on a SD tv. I only thing I don't like is I ordered an HD dvr and a SD dvr and a sd box. they gave me a HD box and the new 722 box which is a HD dvr that runs a cable to my bedroom and you can view the dvr on both and watch seperate programs on both. but you cant watch seperate programs and record anything. I guess I'm going to have to get a seperate box.

I have a Dish Network Technician here now. I asked him to be 100% certain I was correct in my last post. Yes, there are Dish Installers. They have 40 in Dunbar, and more in Beckley.

So far, the guy is class act. He took one look and said this should be no problem at all. The Dish is mounted where my DirecTV dish was currently mounted. He's very professional.

2.5 hours and I have Dish Network installed. I now need to call and cancel DirecTV.

2.5 hours and I have Dish Network installed. I now need to call and cancel DirecTV.

Tony:

I am waiting for my second HDTV to be delivered. I will then call Dish. I have a question. I currently have the America top 200 with a Dish 1000. I want to be specific when I call Dish. In order to get these channels along with local HD's do I just need a Dish 1000.4 to replace my Dish 1000? Thanks.

so Tony what do you think of the HD channels?

After being told that it wouldn't take another 11 months to add more HD channels (called after the Feb additions). I have finally got some sort of time table they told me that more HD will be added no later than mid 2009. They didn't tell me any of the channels, but the additions in most areas around August had Sci Fi, USA, FX, and Travel (Chiller SD was added most likely the HD would be added as soon as its offered), now those areas are starting to add Discovery, TLC, and Animal Planet.

Tony:

I am waiting for my second HDTV to be delivered. I will then call Dish. I have a question. I currently have the America top 200 with a Dish 1000. I want to be specific when I call Dish. In order to get these channels along with local HD's do I just need a Dish 1000.4 to replace my Dish 1000? Thanks.

I was told that you needed the 1000.4 dish to pick up the Locals. However, I'm not sure if that is fact or not.

so Tony what do you think of the HD channels?

I didn't have a lot of time to mess with it, but from what I've seen, they look pretty good. I didn't get to see one of the Local HD channels at all, mostly because there isn't anything on Wednesday nights that I watch. The tech put it on TLC at first, and I could see a definite decrease in PQ relative to D*, but it wasn't that big of a difference. I hope to mess with it some tonight.

I feel like a newbie, but that 722 looks complicated and confusing. My wife set up some recordings last night on TV2 (the SD TV). Some of the recordings had a TV2 beside it...some said both TV1 and TV2 and others said TV1 only. I haven't had a chance to read through the manual or play with it, but looks like I may break down and get a separate receiver for the upstairs SD TV.

Tony:

I am getting ready to call Dish soon. Were you able to talk them into a free 722?

the 722 was free. But I think it is a pain in the ass. I called them back and had a 612 installed in the bedroom. only made it 1 night with 722 in 2 rooms. I was watching the mountaineer game and taping House and the wife couldn't watch anything in the bedroom. That just wasn't going to work. plus I can always store recordings to my usb hard drive and watch in any room.

Tony:

I am getting ready to call Dish soon. Were you able to talk them into a free 722?

I had to pay $50 upgrade to get the 722, but wish I had went the route that JT88 did. I may end up doing that as well. It appears to be a nice DVR, but at this point, it is a little bit of a pain to get used to.

the 722 was free. But I think it is a pain in the ass. I called them back and had a 612 installed in the bedroom. only made it 1 night with 722 in 2 rooms. I was watching the mountaineer game and taping House and the wife couldn't watch anything in the bedroom. That just wasn't going to work. plus I can always store recordings to my usb hard drive and watch in any room.

How difficult is it to hook up an external hard drive to the box and download the recording? Do you have to then hook that Hard Drive up to the other receiver and somehow pull the data from it?

I watched Survivor in HD last night and there is a difference between OTA and Dish Local HD, but something I can live with. On Survivor, they show a lot of Night Vision shots. It actually looks pretty good on OTA, but didn't look so hot over Dish. You could see where the compression comes in to play. The background night scene looked more gritty, dirty and had some other weirdness I can't explain that the OTA didn't have. Again, not a big deal as HD for Night Vision isn't something we see much of. Also, there was a shot of a Fire and I could see all these little black "Specs/boxes" through the fire that I didn't see on OTA. But again, I had lots of drop outs with the antenna, so I can live with this. During the normal show, I thought the quality looked really good. Not quite as sharp as OTA, but very close. The only places I could really see a difference was when I paid close attention to some detail.

I just found out on another forum they charge you $50 to activate the use of the external hdd. and tony I called 2 days after my install and they only charged me $25 for the extra receiver and to come back and install. just call and complain that it wasn't what you ordered. thats what I did and had it in yesterday.

The more I use the Vip722, the more I don't like it. Not sure how it wont the best overall DVR award. I liked the way D*'s HR20 worked better. Maybe that's because I was used to it.

The more I watch of the Local Channels on Dish, although not as good as OTA, they are pretty good. I'm definitely ok with it.

I love my 622

I love my 622

Is there a difference in the DVR function between the 622 and 722?

From what I've read...no.

I believe the only difference is memory. The Vip 722 can hold:

Record up to 350 hours of standard-definition programming, up to 55 hours of high-definition programming, or a combination of the two1

The Vip 622:

Record up to 200 hours of standard-definition programming, up to 30 hours of high-definition programming, or a combination of the two1

The 622 is the same as the 612. The only difference is that the 622 can run two tv's instead of one.

This may have been discussed earlier since I haven't been keeping up with posts for a while. I just upgraded my Dish HD receiver to a 722. I chatted with an online rep. She offered me the 622 for $50 and the 722 for $125. She eventually offered me the 622 for free or the 722 for $50. I took the 722. I was feeling pretty good about that until I told the Dish tech about it when he was installing my 722. He said all they had at their warehouse was 722's and that was what I would have gotten anyway :( ....oh well - I really like the 722 so far...I still have my antenna hooked up so I can now record 3 shows at once.

This may have been discussed earlier since I haven't been keeping up with posts for a while. I just upgraded my Dish HD receiver to a 722. I chatted with an online rep. She offered me the 622 for $50 and the 722 for $125. She eventually offered me the 622 for free or the 722 for $50. I took the 722. I was feeling pretty good about that until I told the Dish tech about it when he was installing my 722. He said all they had at their warehouse was 722's and that was what I would have gotten anyway :( ....oh well - I really like the 722 so far...I still have my antenna hooked up so I can now record 3 shows at once.

It's growing on me, but I still like the D* DVR a little better.

Looks like 2009 may be the year for HD locals on DirecTV:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1941648#post1941648

For those who don't know, Satracer is an insider and his info is 100% correct at the time he posts it. Things can change, but it is looking good. :)

I heard/ saw that as well...just wondering when? I hope it is before March MAdness!

i've not been on here in a while...

and dish gets locals?!?!?!

i've not been on here in a while...

and dish gets locals?!?!?!

They sure do. WSAZ, WCHS, WVAH and WOWK. During most presentations, it looks on par with the OTA Locals. However, you can see the difference in fast moving objects, like in a football game, where you can see some macroblocking that you don't see in OTA, but still looks really good.

i'm still lovin my DTV. i don't have any problems pulling in locals with my antenna (except WB is pretty stuborn).

they just added MLBHD if you are in to baseball

I am in the Ashland area... Anyone have a comparison opinion between Time Warner/DISH/DirecTV? I guess more specifically, anyone leave one for the others? Just trying to get a good feel... I had Dish for a number of years, got irritated and switched to TWC. Upgraded to HD and now not as happy as before... Just checking to see if the grass is greener....

Just checking to see if the grass is greener....

It all depends on what makes the grass greener for you. If total HD channels are what you want, then both DirecTV and DISH will be way better than TWC. If HD locals, without having to mess with an antenna, are more important, then DISH or TWC will be better. DirecTV should have our locals in HD this year, but nothing has been announced.

I personally like the DirecTV DVR, but some people prefer the one from DISH and I think most would rank either of them over any cable DVR.

So it all depends on what make you happier.

I am in the Ashland area... Anyone have a comparison opinion between Time Warner/DISH/DirecTV? I guess more specifically, anyone leave one for the others? Just trying to get a good feel... I had Dish for a number of years, got irritated and switched to TWC. Upgraded to HD and now not as happy as before... Just checking to see if the grass is greener....


hey shawn, i also live in ashland (mindy jane court). i had TWC for 2 years. i still use TWC for internet. their hd offerings are terrible at best. when i left this past summer they offered around 10 channels in hd. i was paying an extra $10/month for 3 of those channels (the other 7 are included with basic cable at no additional charge). they did offer wsaz, wchs, and wvah in hd (cbs was not available). they raised my rates every year and never added more hd channels. when i moved to ashland and first got TWC they had an announcement on their website that they were in negotiations to add the big10 network. when i left 2 years later, they still had the same message on their site. i switched to DTV and absoulutely love it! i have 2 hd dvrs that are wonderful. our locals are not available on dtv in hd yet but should be added sometime in 2009. i have an antenna in my attic and get them all OTA anyway. for $40 you can purchase an OTA receiver that incorporates the OTA channels into your guide and allows you to record them on the dvr. i have no experience with dish, but am certain it would also be better than TWC.

hope that helps

What kind of OTA receiver would you need to incorporate them into the guide? Still no CBS HD for TWC.... Guess what bothers me the most, is that I still think the HD could look better.... How many channels do you have in HD currently... I talked with a friend (installer) and he said there were quite a few, but the website seems to put more of them out there I think than are really able... Just wanting to feel it out.. Dish has this TurboHD offering, but think it looks a bit too good to be true...

What kind of OTA receiver would you need to incorporate them into the guide? Still no CBS HD for TWC.... Guess what bothers me the most, is that I still think the HD could look better.... How many channels do you have in HD currently... I talked with a friend (installer) and he said there were quite a few, but the website seems to put more of them out there I think than are really able... Just wanting to feel it out.. Dish has this TurboHD offering, but think it looks a bit too good to be true...

the device you need to get OTA stations into the DTV guide and ability to record is called an AM21. you can purchase it from dtv. i'm not sure what dtv's total hd count is up to. they add frequently. comedy hd is being added this week. most of the major cable stations are hd now. G4 is about the only station i watch that is not currently in hd.

the device you need to get OTA stations into the DTV guide and ability to record is called an AM21. you can purchase it from dtv. i'm not sure what dtv's total hd count is up to.

My guess is somewhere around 130 HD channels if you count PPV, full-time RSN's and dedicated sports channels. Real count would be somewhere around 80. The only channels missing for me is the HBO multiplex as they have 4 of the 13 in HD and Encore HD.

As for the AM21, if you are coming aboard as a new customer, I would bet you could get it for free. I have one on one receiver and it works as well as the OTA tuner on my integrated receivers.

this is TWC available HD channels for Ashland (nothing new since I left over the summer):

501 HBO East High Definition

503 Cinemax HD East

505 Showtime High Definition

507 Starz HD East

552 HDNET Movies

553 HD Net

554 MGM HD

556 Universal HD

701 WSAZ HD

702 WCHS HD

703 WVAH HD

751 HD Theater

752 TNT HD

753 ESPN-HD

754 ESPN2 High Definition

757 TBS in HD


and here is what you get with DTV:

A&E HD
ABC HD (East)
ABC HD (West)
ABC Family HD
Altitude HD*
Animal Planet HD
Big Ten Network HD
Biography Channel HD
Bravo HD
Cartoon Network
CBS HD (East)
CBS HD (West)
Cinemax HD East
Cinemax HD West
CMT HD
CNBC HD+
CNN HD
CSN Bay Area HD*
CSN Chicago HD
CSN Mid-Atlantic HD
CSN New England HD
CSTV HD
Discovery Channel HD
Disney Channel HD
ESPN HD
ESPN2 HD
ESPNews HD
Food Network HD
Fox Business Network HD
Fox HD (East)
Fox HD (West)
Fox News Channel HD
FSN Arizona HD
FSN Cincinnati HD*
FSN Detroit HD
FSN Florida HD*
FSN Midwest HD
FSN North HD
FSN Northwest HD
FSN Ohio*
FSN Pittsburgh HD
FSN Prime Ticket HD
FSN Rocky Mountain HD
FSN South HD
FSN Southwest HD
FSN West HD
Fuel TV HD
FX HD
Golf Channel HD, The
HBO HD East
HBO HD West
HD Theater
HDNet
HDNet Movies
HGTV-HD
History Channel HD
MASN HD*
MGM HD
MLB Network
MSG HD
MSG PLUS HD
MTV HD
National Geographic HD
NBA.TV HD
NBC HD (East)
NBC HD (West)
NESN HD
NFL Network HD
NHL Network HD
Nick HD
Palladia HD
Planet Green HD
Sci-Fi Channel HD
Science Channel HD
Showtime HD
Showtime Extreme HD
Showtime Showcase HD
Showtime West HD
Showtime 2 HD
Smithsonian Channel HD
SNY HD
Speed Channel HD
Spike HD
SportSouth HD
SportsTime Ohio HD*
Starz Comedy HD
Starz Edge HD
Starz HD East
Starz HD West
Starz Kids & Family HD
Sun Sports HD
TBS in HD
Tennis Channel HD
The 101 Network HD
The Movie Channel HD
The Weather Channel HD
TLC HD
TNT HD
Toon Disney HD
Universal HD
USA Network HD
VERSUS HD
VH1 HD
YES HD
Pay Per View channels (30+)
Plus, an ever-growing library of On-Demand movies & shows

Has anyone else used SageTV and tried to integrate Suddenlink or Dishnetwork into their setup? I've been using it for awhile but I don't have digital cable. Just curious if the firewire ports on the Suddenlink boxes are active and/or blocked.

Gonna call Dish and D* tomorrow... See who will give me the best deal for 2 hd boxes... Where I had been at Dish for 7 years, might not be such a bad deal...

Wanted to report back some progress... never really got to call Dish when I wanted to, called D* and just didn't know for sure... Dish called today and offered me Top 200 34.99 including HD & Locals. 2 Brand New 722 receivers. Sounded like a decent deal, they were having problems opening a new account and wanted me to call them back..

since my time warner promotional period has gone up I have been looking at goign with the Dish TurboHD bronze package since that is about all I watch typically anyway.

Anyone have this service, what boxes do they give you with it?

Shawn_ky: that sounds like a decent deal, what will it work out to be after taxes and etc?

or for that matter can anyone tell me what thier package is and what the actual monthly fee is?


also one last thing I understand that for four TVs they give you two boxes. And one of the outputs is RF as opposed to s-video, and that is what you run to the other set.

But what would I do in my situation where I have a Media Center HTPC and dual tuners? One of the tuners in the STB is controlled by IR while the other is RF right? so I cant control the the second tuner via the media center IR blaster....?

Has anyone tried to convince them to give the cinemax deal with the turbohd deal (1c a month for a year)?

if anyone can shed some light on this for me it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

since my time warner promotional period has gone up I have been looking at goign with the Dish TurboHD bronze package since that is about all I watch typically anyway.

Anyone have this service, what boxes do they give you with it?

Shawn_ky: that sounds like a decent deal, what will it work out to be after taxes and etc?

or for that matter can anyone tell me what thier package is and what the actual monthly fee is?


also one last thing I understand that for four TVs they give you two boxes. And one of the outputs is RF as opposed to s-video, and that is what you run to the other set.

But what would I do in my situation where I have a Media Center HTPC and dual tuners? One of the tuners in the STB is controlled by IR while the other is RF right? so I cant control the the second tuner via the media center IR blaster....?

Has anyone tried to convince them to give the cinemax deal with the turbohd deal (1c a month for a year)?

if anyone can shed some light on this for me it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I can't help you with all of your questions but I can answer a few. I have the TurboHD Silver package. I have two HDTV's. I got one vip722 HDDVR and a vip211k HD receiver. I got both for free. I did get the cinemax for free deal with paperless billing. You get 4 HD Cinemax channels plus their SD counterparts.

Directv better wise up and add local HD's they are losing potential customers by delaying...

Has WOWK 13 CBS dropped their analog signal already? The reason I ask is because my pc tuner a fusion gold 5 is reporting that the actual digital signal is on RF channel 13 instead of 47.

Has WOWK 13 CBS dropped their analog signal already? The reason I ask is because my pc tuner a fusion gold 5 is reporting that the actual digital signal is on RF channel 13 instead of 47.

It could have been an overnight test. How is it this morning?

What operating system are you running your PC tuner on?

- Trip

Channel 13 is out on both DirecTV and Dish. Appears both the SD and HD version. My HD channel has been out since some time on Wednesday, and so has my neighbor's (we both have Dish). My other neighbor has DirecTV and he said his SD channel 13 has been out too.

Anyone else on Dish or DirecTV not getting WOWK??

EDIT: I haven't been home today to check if the problem still exists.

Not getting 13-1 on DirecTV here.......

It could have been an overnight test. How is it this morning?

What operating system are you running your PC tuner on?

- Trip

I had done re-scan around 8:50pm and several times after that with the pc tuner. Then I did the initial OTA setup on my D* HR20 and 13-1 came in again. I used it to record the last 25 minutes of CSI and all of 11th hour last night on the HR20 OTA input. I didn't think to rescan until last night because 13 digital is the weakest signal and does not come in most of the time in my area.

The PC is running XP SP2 with nothing unusual.

I just confirmed that the digital signal is on RF 13 with a zenith converter box as it lets the user view the actual RF channel unlike the D* boxes.

I wish they were using the analog tower location as it's much better for me but oh well...

WOWK has it confirmed on their website.
WOWK's analog channel 13 transmitter is off the air. WOWK is transmitting a new digital signal on channel 13. (http://wowktv.com/digitaltv.cfm?view=wowkfaq)

The PC is running XP SP2 with nothing unusual.

I ask because I want to know if you have a couple of minutes to maybe give me a hand with something, which requires a Windows computer and a tuner card like yours.

I just confirmed that the digital signal is on RF 13 with a zenith converter box as it lets the user view the actual RF channel unlike the D* boxes.

I wish they were using the analog tower location as it's much better for me but oh well...

Very nice, I wonder why the early move to DT-13.

And I'm almost certain WOWK is using the exact same antenna for digital as they were for analog on 13...

- Trip

If you want to get the wowk doppler on a D* box add a Columbus Ohio zip code as additional dma. It will report it as 13-2 WYSXDT2 but it works.

I ask because I want to know if you have a couple of minutes to maybe give me a hand with something, which requires a Windows computer and a tuner card like yours.



Very nice, I wonder why the early move to DT-13.

And I'm almost certain WOWK is using the exact same antenna for digital as they were for analog on 13...

- Trip

I seem to be having problems with my fusion tuner other than scanning and recording with the scheduler only locks up the computer hard. I thought it was the 3.68 drivers but 3.68.04 does it as well. I gonna try to see if the card became unseated slightly next.

Hmm I wonder why it is sill the weakest siginal. 13 analog almost came in perfect I was hoping when they went all digital same thing would result.

I seem to be having problems with my fusion tuner other than scanning and recording with the scheduler only locks up the computer hard. I thought it was the 3.68 drivers but 3.68.04 does it as well. I gonna try to see if the card became unseated slightly next.

The software I would have you running uses its own driver and software to access the card, so it could be used to rule out a hardware problem. If you want to give it a shot, that is. I'm trying to get bitstream data on local stations in as many places as I can for my website, and Huntington is an area I'm still missing...

Hmm I wonder why it is sill the weakest siginal. 13 analog almost came in perfect I was hoping when they went all digital same thing would result.

I wonder if they're at full power or not.

- Trip

The software I would have you running uses its own driver and software to access the card, so it could be used to rule out a hardware problem. If you want to give it a shot, that is. I'm trying to get bitstream data on local stations in as many places as I can for my website, and Huntington is an area I'm still missing...



I wonder if they're at full power or not.

- Trip

Long as the software isn't too big I could try it. I use satellite internet so bandwidth is limited.

Long as the software isn't too big I could try it. I use satellite internet so bandwidth is limited.

Is 7MB okay? http://www.tsreader.com/tsreader/TSReaderLite2.8.46e.exe

When it asks for a driver, choose "ATSCBDASource." I have the FusionHDTV5-USB and that's the driver it uses. It wants the physical channel number.

To help me, let it settle for 10-15 seconds, then go to Export > HTML Export, choose "Check All" then uncheck EIT and Thumbnails. Save and repeat for any station you get. Then e-mail them my way, webmaster at rabbitears dot info.

TSReader is extremely stable in my experience, so if it crashes, I'd venture to suggest it's a hardware problem.

- Trip

Is 7MB okay? http://www.tsreader.com/tsreader/TSReaderLite2.8.46e.exe

When it asks for a driver, choose "ATSCBDASource." I have the FusionHDTV5-USB and that's the driver it uses. It wants the physical channel number.

To help me, let it settle for 10-15 seconds, then go to Export > HTML Export, choose "Check All" then uncheck EIT and Thumbnails. Save and repeat for any station you get. Then e-mail them my way, webmaster at rabbitears dot info.

TSReader is extremely stable in my experience, so if it crashes, I'd venture to suggest it's a hardware problem.

- Trip

Yeah several megs is fine. I was worried that it might be 350megs or more.

email sent

Yeah several megs is fine. I was worried that it might be 350megs or more.

email sent

Thanks. =) Got your data and used it to update those listings. I'm surprised at how limited your channel selection is, though maybe I shouldn't be given the terrain in the area. Hopefully if the FCC approves it, the WQCW move will result in another channel for you.

I'd like to help you troubleshoot your crashing card problem, if you want my help with it. Though if you're looking into hardware problems I assume you've already made it pretty far into the troubleshooting process.

- Trip

Thanks. =) Got your data and used it to update those listings. I'm surprised at how limited your channel selection is, though maybe I shouldn't be given the terrain in the area. Hopefully if the FCC approves it, the WQCW move will result in another channel for you.

I'd like to help you troubleshoot your crashing card problem, if you want my help with it. Though if you're looking into hardware problems I assume you've already made it pretty far into the troubleshooting process.

- Trip

Well I am on the extreme fringe of the signal range 55 to 63 miles from the towers from what I recall. Mountains in all directions it's amazing that I get any signal at all. WQCW is the Portsmouth OH station right? Unless they are moving the tower to another location there is no way I can get that them.

I think something is wrong with the motherboard on my PC. It is over 5 years old. The Fusion PCI card was acting funny I thought it was driver update or Windows XP SP3 but since then a super cheap mp3 player stopped working when I plugged in and now my ipod. I did notice something was touching that may not of been supposed to on the pci card but it's been over a year since I opened the computer up and don't remember. I got the extended warranty on my ipod so that is taken care of at least. I just need to get my ipod recognized one more time to securely wipe the data on it before getting a replacement.

Well I am on the extreme fringe of the signal range 55 to 63 miles from the towers from what I recall. Mountains in all directions it's amazing that I get any signal at all. WQCW is the Portsmouth OH station right? Unless they are moving the tower to another location there is no way I can get that them.

They've requested to move to the WOWK tower at 1000 kW. It may even be the same antenna that WOWK-DT 47 was on, I can't tell from the filing though.

I think something is wrong with the motherboard on my PC. It is over 5 years old. The Fusion PCI card was acting funny I thought it was driver update or Windows XP SP3 but since then a super cheap mp3 player stopped working when I plugged in and now my ipod. I did notice something was touching that may not of been supposed to on the pci card but it's been over a year since I opened the computer up and don't remember. I got the extended warranty on my ipod so that is taken care of at least. I just need to get my ipod recognized one more time to securely wipe the data on it before getting a replacement.

Ick, yeah, that doesn't sound very promising. Best of luck with it.

- Trip

Is there anyone that has Suddenlink that has an external hard drive connected to their cable box so they get more than the 90 hours of SD or 20 hours of HD?

I called them to ask what hard drives would be good for that but they didn't even know that was even possible.


Right now its OK space issue wise, but other areas on Suddenlink got USA HD, Sci-Fi HD, FX HD, and Travel HD, Just off the top of my head I know I had at least 7 hours of shows just from USA and Sci-Fi with the other recordings I still have if those were in HD I would definitely not have enough room to record every thing this week.

Now I have no idea when we will get those as the last time I talked to them I was told they did not have anymore bandwidth to add any HD channel and they don't know when they will.

But having a DVR with only 20 hours of HD recording is not enough and definitely won't be when we get most channels in HD. I really want room for at least 80 hours HD recordings, a 500 gig Hard Drive would add a little more than 60 hours of HD to the 20 already available.

Is anyone else getting no signal on 13-1? Signal meter shows 0.

Have you rescanned since Thursday? They shut off DT-47 and relocated to DT-13.

- Trip

Just did and it came back. Thanks.

Those with D* receivers will need to go through OTA setup again.

My neighbor's good friend is an engineer at WOWK. He said they alerted Dish Network to the change, but they have not completed their part yet. That is why those with Dish are not getting CBS HD. Per the local Engineer, the Dish folks are quite clueless and they gave them everything they needed about 2 weeks ago, and Dish still has not acted on it.

For those with Dish, please call Dish and put some pressure on them. Channel 13 HD was the main reason I switched to Dish as I couldn't get it OTA. I will most likely ask for money off my bill or something. 13 is my main channel. Good thing SB is on NBC.

He said they alerted Dish Network to the change, but they have not completed their part yet. That is why those with Dish are not getting CBS HD.

How are they getting SD. Our SD locals switched to the digital feed back in October I think it was. So wouldn't the SD digital feed be on DT13 as well?

Here is what was the schedule, but as of 12/17/08, both D* and E* were listed as switched:

http://www.mstv.org/docs/satschedalpha.pdf

My neighbor's good friend is an engineer at WOWK. He said they alerted Dish Network to the change, but they have not completed their part yet. That is why those with Dish are not getting CBS HD. Per the local Engineer, the Dish folks are quite clueless and they gave them everything they needed about 2 weeks ago, and Dish still has not acted on it.

For those with Dish, please call Dish and put some pressure on them. Channel 13 HD was the main reason I switched to Dish as I couldn't get it OTA. I will most likely ask for money off my bill or something. 13 is my main channel. Good thing SB is on NBC.

I get WOWK in HD with Dish just fine....I have for awhile

Do you all have 2 satellites??? My installer told me to get all the locals, i'd need two, which are pointed in two different directions. My locals are from sat. 77 and everything else is off 129

I get WOWK in HD with Dish just fine....I have for awhile

You may want to check again. We were getting it once they started broadcasting the Locals in HD, but channel 13 went out a few days ago on Dish (HD not SD) and seems like it went out at the time they switched off their old HD frequency and moved it to channel 13. We confirmed with WOWK that Dish Network has not reconfigured their sat for the new channel move by 13, so nobody should be receiving it.

If you are getting it via Dish (not OTA through the Dish receiver), please take a pic and post. If you are getting it, I need to look at this via another angle.

Do you all have 2 satellites??? My installer told me to get all the locals, i'd need two, which are pointed in two different directions. My locals are from sat. 77 and everything else is off 129

If you have the new dish, you just need one.

I called and ordered the bronze Turbo HD package w/ cinemax, getting two 211 recievers since I dont want DVR ( will use Media Center for now, yes I know it will be SD for recordings)

But what I didnt like is they said they had to charge me for the second box per month, where everywhere else I read it said that the two boxes / 4 tuners were included in the pricing. Anyone else running in to that?

Going to be just under $34 per month.

Also someone on here said they got the top 200 with HDs for $34 a month, which HDs are you speaking of?? Are they the ones with the bronze or HD locals or what? Also did that include two receivers / four tuners?

Hum, I'll have to check it out tonight when HD programming is on.

Good news. As of 9AM, channel 13 was still off (they were broadcasting a yellow screen for the past few days). As of 10AM, it's back on.

I called and ordered the bronze Turbo HD package w/ cinemax, getting two 211 recievers since I dont want DVR ( will use Media Center for now, yes I know it will be SD for recordings)

But what I didnt like is they said they had to charge me for the second box per month, where everywhere else I read it said that the two boxes / 4 tuners were included in the pricing. Anyone else running in to that?

Going to be just under $34 per month.

Also someone on here said they got the top 200 with HDs for $34 a month, which HDs are you speaking of?? Are they the ones with the bronze or HD locals or what? Also did that include two receivers / four tuners?

They were going to charge me monthly fee for a second receiver, so I went with the DVR that allows HD on the main TV and SD on the 2nd TV. I'd rather have a separate receiver for each TV, but it was going to cost more a month. PQ is quite a bit inferior to D*'s HD (the more I watch, the more I notice the poor PQ on the HD channels- relative to D* and OTA), but for the price, I'm cool with it.

They were going to charge me monthly fee for a second receiver, so I went with the DVR that allows HD on the main TV and SD on the 2nd TV. I'd rather have a separate receiver for each TV, but it was going to cost more a month. PQ is quite a bit inferior to D*'s HD (the more I watch, the more I notice the poor PQ on the HD channels- relative to D* and OTA), but for the price, I'm cool with it.


I have four TVs I need service so I have to do two boxes :( all of them are HDTVs but I'll only hook my bedroom and livingroom up for HD and the kids will be SD :D

I wonder if the reduced IQ is possibly due to the DVR (re-encoding or etc), Anyone compared the DVR to a non DVR box?

Eventually I am hoping that they come up with a solution soon for Windows Media Center as I have been reading :D and hopefully it will work with the boxes I have (they said something about the current generation of boxes and putputting via the ethernet port)

BTW here are a few sites talking about what I am speaking of for the Media Center capability

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/16/dish-networks-draco-project-brings-programming-to-windows-media/

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/328000.aspx

Good news. As of 9AM, channel 13 was still off (they were broadcasting a yellow screen for the past few days). As of 10AM, it's back on.

Wow, it's been awhile since I've posted on here. Should have realized sooner that you guys would be all over this.

I run my off-air antenna (a DB-4) through my DirecTV box (no OTA tuner on my old Sony). I tried doing a channel re-scan with my box last nite, but still getting nothing for WOWK. Is there some special technique for doing a re-scan with a DirecTV box?

Or am I now simply hosed because of the channel change from UHF to VHF frequencies? I thought that the UHF antennas like the DB-4 were still fairly good at picking up the higher VHF frequencies? I've not had a problem with WOWK's digital signal before.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I need to get this resolved in time for the -- knock on wood -- NCAA tournament.

Dave,

Which model D* box do you have? On my HR20's I had to go back though antenna setup and WOWK came back, so it seems D* was on top of it.

As for reception, I am using a 4228 (basically 2xDB4) and pulling in WOWK better than I ever have. Signal strength went from high 80's to 100. This is probably due to the better propagation of the lower frequency.

I've got an H20.

Did you have to "reset" the entire setup -- or did you just do another "initial setup" and then re-scan? I've tried the later and got zero signal strength for 13.1. I got an email reply from Bill Galloway at WOWK, who suggested that I "delete references" to 13.1 and 13.2 on the box, then rescan. How exactly do I do that?

It may be that the DB-4 is uniquely bad at picking up the upper VHF channels -- even for UHF-only antennas, per this comparison:

http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html

This comparison seems to show that the DB-4 (and DB-8) has a severe dropoff in gain around Channel 13 -- while the Winegard 4400 and CM 4221 do not. Due to where DirecTV mounted the DB-4, close the side of my house, I am pretty much limited to using a 4-bay.

Not sure how the H20 is set up, but all I had to do was redo the antenna setup like it was starting from scratch.

Did you have 13-2 on your H20? We do not get it on the HR2x series because they do not "scan". D* provides a database of OTA channels and if the station you want is not in it, you don't get it.

Interesting that the DB4 has a dropoff and the 4221 doesn't. They are almost identical antennas.

You didn't happen to ask Bill when we might see our channels in HD via DirecTV did you? :)

Funny you should mention DirecTV, cause I did ask him what were the odds of DirecTV carrying WOWK's HD feed in time for NCAA tourney. Here's his reply:

This is a DirecTV question. Dish is carrying the HD.
There is nothing we are doing to stop DirecTV but I think it is space on DirecTV's satellites is the issue.

I was able to get 13.2, although it was just a static shot of the current local radar. I always considered it to just be robbing bandwidth/bitrate from the Steelers' games.

I may end up trying to talk to a live body at DirecTV about resetting the box, if that is even possible anymore. I've exhausted everything I can think of to do.

I have a DB8 antenna and can not receive WOWK now. So I had an older small VHF that I hooked up to check if the problem was the antenna. Sure enough, WOWK came back with the smaller VHF antenna. Luckily for me, I can hook the smaller one into the pre-amp VHF connection when it gets a little warmer. Just have 2 antennas up, wife says I need to put aircraft warning lights soon :)

After much discussion, DirecTV says they would have to bill me $99 to install a new off-air antenna, but could credit my account to the tune of $10 per month for 12 months.

They weren't very personable about it, and I'd still have to buy the new antenna myself. The competition is starting to look alot more attractive to me now.

Just did the rescan and I'm extremely pleased. I'm now getting 100% signal on 13-1. Before, I was only getting 30-40% max. Now I'm going to go mess with my antenna and see what other channels I can add. I've always been able to pick up WOUB and WLPX here but I've always had to sacrifice them because I have to aim the antenna so precisely at WOWK. Now I should be able to pick up all three at the same time. Considering WOUB just started broadcasting in HD on 20-1 it will actually be of great use to me.

Also, thanks to cocoon and Trip for getting TSReader data up for our locals. I've been wanting that info for a long time but haven't had a tuner to get it with. But 6.7Mbps on WVAH? Really?! Surely that's not the case.

Also, thanks to cocoon and Trip for getting TSReader data up for our locals. I've been wanting that info for a long time but haven't had a tuner to get it with. But 6.7Mbps on WVAH? Really?! Surely that's not the case.

It was probably captured right at the moment the stat muxer was compressing it way down for showing blank black screen or something. Fox stations have their network HD bitrate controlled by the network, so rest assured it's not that bad on the network stuff, and I seriously doubt it's that low on the local stuff.

A new capture would likely correct that.

- Trip

my wowk signal has dropped from the 80's into the 60's since the move...

I was getting WOWK but after the switch I cant. I have tried setting it up several times on my receiver to no avail. I am really getting sick of D* screwing around....I wish they would get their act together and our locals up.

Theoretically, if you were getting WOWK at the higher UHF frequency, you should be pulling the lower VHF frequency in even better. Lower frequencies have a much lower degradation than the higher frequencies. Higher frequencies also take more power to broadcast. So, if they kept their broadcast power the same after the move, that's another plus as to why you should be getting it stronger. For those getting a weaker signal, it's possible that your antenna functions better at the UHF range than the VHF.

Theoretically, if you were getting WOWK at the higher UHF frequency, you should be pulling the lower VHF frequency in even better. Lower frequencies have a much lower degradation than the higher frequencies. Higher frequencies also take more power to broadcast. So, if they kept their broadcast power the same after the move, that's another plus as to why you should be getting it stronger. For those getting a weaker signal, it's possible that your antenna functions better at the UHF range than the VHF.

i'm using a CM 4228 (atic mount) with amp.

I also live in the Ashland area and have been unable to receive WOWK since the transmitter change. I have a "square" rooftop antenna. I believe it was made by Terk but I don't know the model number.

I had an email exchange with an engineer from WOWK who said that their transmitter was at full power. They have no plans to make any changes to their setup. He said the Ashland cable company was able to receive their signal and he didn't seem to think their were any major reception issues in the Ashland area.

I also live in the Ashland area and have been unable to receive WOWK since the transmitter change. I have a "square" rooftop antenna. I believe it was made by Terk but I don't know the model number.

I had an email exchange with an engineer from WOWK who said that their transmitter was at full power. They have no plans to make any changes to their setup. He said the Ashland cable company was able to receive their signal and he didn't seem to think their were any major reception issues in the Ashland area.

Your Terk antenna is probably designed just for UHF, or very minimal VHF performance at best. Because of the longer wavelength (i.e, lower frequencies) with VHF, antennas must be larger to get decent reception unless you are relatively close to the broadcast's transmitter location. Most Terk antennas are considered very minimal in performance even at UHF.

Thanks for your reply. I suspected my antenna was the problem. I purchased it as a backup when WSAZ and Time Warner were having a retransmission consent dispute and it has worked very well for the local digital channels until the recent WOWK transmitter change. I still have cable so the antenna is not essential but I may look into getting a better one. I just don't have confidence that Time Warner will always have the local stations available given that retransmission disputes seem to be growing more common. We still don't have WOWK in HD. I doubt that Time Warner has any plans to add many of the digital subchannels that are available over the air.

I was wondering if anyone knew the HD availability on the local cable carriers for the Charleston area? My parents just got a new HDTV and I was wanting to upgrade their Comcast service (they live in Winfield, 25213). Unfortunately, I don't think Comcast provides HD service or they don't have it listed on their site.

Can anyone provide some clarification on what Comcast offers? It's pretty much the only game in town for them other than getting a dish.

Can anyone provide some clarification on what Comcast offers? It's pretty much the only game in town for them other than getting a dish.

If they want HD, then they will need a dish. Comcast in Winfield does not have HD.

Currently only DISH has locals in HD, but DirecTV is rumored to be getting them sometime in 2009. Both carry around the same number of national HD channels with each one having channels the other does not.

Looks like all 4 of the majors filed to shut off on 2/17:


WSAZ - Shutting off 2/17 w/nightlight Link (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101294713&formid=910&fac_num=36912)

WOWK - Shutting of 2/17 Link (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101295050&formid=910&fac_num=23342)

WCHS - Shutting off 2/17 w/nightlight Link (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101294736&formid=910&fac_num=71280)

WVAH - Shutting off 2/17 w/nightlight Link (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101294882&formid=910&fac_num=417)

Things get more and more surreal.

I spoke to a gent with AntennasDirect. He insisted that my DB-4 should perform reasonably well picking up VHF-13.

Previously I had exchanged some emails with the fellow at hdtvprimer.com, who insisted that the DB-4 (and DB-8) were worthless as VHF antennas and I ought to consider the new CM 4228HD.

Anyway, in the procress of trying to decide whether I wanted to buy a new antenna, I remembered that I had an unusual amplifier setup on my DB-4. I had a Winegard AP-8275 installed on the antenna mast, but I was running the cable inside through a old ChannelMaster distribution amp -- not the power supply for the Winegard. If I recall, I think I picked the Winegard somewhere and I had a problem with the power supply for it -- or maybe it didn't have one. Originally I had just been using the CM indoor distribution amp, but wanted to see what happened when I installed the Winegard outside on the antenna and ran it through the distribution amp. For whatever reason, when I tried it, I got better signal strength then with just the distribution amp alone. Go figure.

Anyway, this morning I disconnected the Winegard from the mast, so that the cable was only running through the indoor distribution amp. Here's what happened: Channel 3 went from about 87% signal strength to about 67%, Channels 8 and 11 were basically unchanged (90+%), Channel 13 went from 0% to 51% signal strength (now have picture), and WV-PBS went from about 65% to 0% (now have no picture).

Does this make any sense whatsoever?

I'm hoping that a different pre-amp, mated to the correct power supply, would solve all my problems. Do the Lowes or Sears around Charleston carry pre-amps?

Do the Lowes or Sears around Charleston carry pre-amps?

Lowes used to carry a CM pre-amp. IIRC it was good for both VHF and UHF. Don't remember the model #.

The digital transition over the years has been a pain in the rear. If you use an antenna and live in WV terrain you are now screwed. At least with Analog people could get a fuzzy signal and get emergency broadcasts. Now with digital you either get it or you dont. If you live in a holler forget about it, if you cant afford all the equip to boost your signal forget. Fortunately I have D...even though I dont have locals in HD I can still get my info. And at a time when people are losing jobs, more people will be relying on Rabbit ears and antennas..hope they dont live in a holler!

Well, I'm surprised nobody's posted this here, but it looks like your market's stations have been denied a 2/17 cutoff.

WOWK, WCHS, WSAZ and WVAH are on an FCC list of denials, released today:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-7A2.pdf

In the public notice (.pdf (http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-09-7A1.pdf)), the commission wrote, in part:

"We developed this list of stations by first identifying the markets in which all of the stations would be terminating analog service on February 17, 2009. We also identified markets in which affiliates of all four of the major networks, ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, would be terminating analog service ... on February 17th ... We considered the presence of major networks and their affiliates critical to ensuring that viewers have access to local news and public affairs available over the air because the major network affiliates are the primary source of local broadcast news and public affairs programming. Therefore, even if independent or noncommercial stations remain on the air in these markets, we still considered these areas at risk ... Accordingly, we hereby reconsider the partial waiver granted by the February 5th Public Notice to those stations listed on the Appendix attached to this Public Notice. These stations are, therefore, not permitted to terminate their analog service on February 17th, unless they comply with the conditions and procedures described below."

The notice then lists eight measures stations need to take in order to regain their waiver; otherwise, they need to prove that "extraordinary, exigent circumstances, such as the unavoidable loss of their analog site or extreme economic hardship, require that they terminate their analog service on February 17th." But the commission added, "We do not anticipate that many stations will be able to meet the high burden applicable to this showing."

I was surprised that all 4 were denied.

But didn't WOWK already make its move to DT13 and shut off its analog transmitter?

Edit: Looks like the old DT47 transmitter was damaged in the ice storm last week, so WOWK fired up their new DT13 transmitter and took the analog off the air. http://wowktv.com/digitaltv.cfm?view=faq

Has anyone been able to receive the HD Locals via Suddenlink on a TV's QAM tuner?

Sweet 4 more months of DTV ads and scrolls on top of the screen...woop!

Has anyone been able to receive the HD Locals via Suddenlink on a TV's QAM tuner?

Yes, I can receive all 4 networks plus WPBY in HD over QAM on Suddenlink. I only pay for internet from them so channels 3-70 are trapped. A couple analog channels in the 70s work though and everything on QAM is open and encrypted, except those 5 HD locals and a couple SD preview channels which are clear. I find using my antenna more convenient, but I have in fact used the clear QAM as backup when I'm having an antenna problem.

Thanks.

Do you remember what channels they show up on?

Thanks.

Do you remember what channels they show up on?

I'm in the Parkersburg area on Suddenlink this is where i find WOWK,WCHS and WVPBS at:
WOWK 89.2
WCHS 89.1
WVPBS 87.3

Thanks. I tried all of those and the TV (RCA HDLP50W51 should have QAM tuner) shows a weak signal message.

It is for my dad and he wants the 500 in HD so I will go repoint his antenna as it is currently aimed at WSAZ/WOWK. He is right between the towers in Milton.

They're on 89.1, 89.3, 90.1, and 90.3 here on the Pt. Pleasant system. But I really suggest just running a channel scan for cable. That's what I did and it found all the channels that work and hid the encrypted ones. A warning though, a QAM channel scan can take about 10 minutes to complete so you might want to make a sandwich or something. ;)

my wowk signal was even lower today (50's) and dropped a couple of times while watching golf. on the bright side, wvah is in the 80's now and was usually in the 30-40 range...

my wowk signal was even lower today (50's) and dropped a couple of times while watching golf. on the bright side, wvah is in the 80's now and was usually in the 30-40 range...

Yeah, isn't this great. I was able to receive WOWK before, now nothing.

Hi everyone figured I would follow up on my dish install incase someone else happens to decide to go this route.

The installer never showed up on the scheduled day of the 14th between 8am-12pm. I was miffed to say the least and spent over an hour and a half on the phone with dish network customer service. According to them I called up at 5:09PM on the 13th to thier automated phone system and moved my installation time to the 19th... which isn't at all possible because I didnt call and second why would I call and reschedule for a day I would be working???? I mean I had two sick kids at home this weekend with no cable since I had it disconnected for the install! They were bored to tears :(

I was about ready to cancel when thye made me an offer I couldn't refuse :D essentially I ended up getting a $100 credit on my bill. Which means with free installation, and only being charged $9.99 a month (plus $7 for the second box and taxes etc) my first few months will be completely free :D

But if they screw me over again like this and the installer doesnt show up or etc forget it I'm done with them!

Yeah, isn't this great. I was able to receive WOWK before, now nothing.

For those who "lost" WOWK in the transition, are you using an amp? I know that CM made UHF only amps and they may not be able to boost a VHF signal.

For those who "lost" WOWK in the transition, are you using an amp? I know that CM made UHF only amps and they may not be able to boost a VHF signal.

I lost my WOWK signal totally--below 50. I haven't checked the amp I use and never thought about the UHF/VHF amp issue. Will check this out. I have tried every direction on the antenna without any luck whatsoever.

Has anyone been able to receive the HD Locals via Suddenlink on a TV's QAM tuner?

I have them in Cross Lanes. To find them I used the channel scan (WSAZ,WCHS,WVAH,WOWK, and WVPBS). The only problem I have is it list them all as channel 0 and I have to scroll through them, can"t go directly to one of them, if I switch the input it will forget I was on one of those channels and have to scroll through again, only happens on the unscrambled locals (I have a Mitsubishi WD-73833).

For those who "lost" WOWK in the transition, are you using an amp? I know that CM made UHF only amps and they may not be able to boost a VHF signal.

Yes, I am using an antenna mounted amp. The Channel Master 7777, I think.

Without reading the post, do you still receive WOWK? I have been right on the edge of receiving WOWK anyway.

So, what is the solution? A VHF antenna?

I have them in Cross Lanes. To find them I used the channel scan (WSAZ,WCHS,WVAH,WOWK, and WVPBS). The only problem I have is it list them all as channel 0 and I have to scroll through them, can"t go directly to one of them, if I switch the input it will forget I was on one of those channels and have to scroll through again, only happens on the unscrambled locals (I have a Mitsubishi WD-73833).

That must be a problem exclusive to your TV, because I have 2 TV's a Sony and a Samsung with qam tuner, and I can directly tune to each channel.

Yes, I am using an antenna mounted amp. The Channel Master 7777, I think.

Without reading the post, do you still receive WOWK? I have been right on the edge of receiving WOWK anyway.

So, what is the solution? A VHF antenna?

My experience continues to be somewhat surreal with the DB-4. Over the weekend I tried out a new Radio Shack pre-amp and proper power supply, plus tried a Radio Shack power inserter to "power" the Winegard preamp that I had been "powering" with a CM distribution amp.

The bottom line is that, using either preamp I can get PBS, but not WOWK. But by using either the distribution amp or power inserter alone, I can get WOWK (barely) but not PBS, and my overall signal strength is lower on NBC, ABC and FOX.

I have no idea what exactly is happening.

Yes, I am using an antenna mounted amp. The Channel Master 7777, I think.

Without reading the post, do you still receive WOWK? I have been right on the edge of receiving WOWK anyway.

The 7777 is a VHF/UHF amp. The 7775 is UHF only.

I am getting WOWK better than I ever did using an attic mounted CM 4228. I am about 15 miles from the tower, but I can see it on a clear night.

That must be a problem exclusive to your TV,

My dad's TV was an RCA HDLP50W151. But I took him shopping and his new 52" XBR is being delivered Monday. So hopefully, this will take care of the issue.

Hi everyone figured I would follow up on my dish install incase someone else happens to decide to go this route.

The installer never showed up on the scheduled day of the 14th between 8am-12pm. I was miffed to say the least and spent over an hour and a half on the phone with dish network customer service. According to them I called up at 5:09PM on the 13th to thier automated phone system and moved my installation time to the 19th... which isn't at all possible because I didnt call and second why would I call and reschedule for a day I would be working???? I mean I had two sick kids at home this weekend with no cable since I had it disconnected for the install! They were bored to tears :(

I was about ready to cancel when thye made me an offer I couldn't refuse :D essentially I ended up getting a $100 credit on my bill. Which means with free installation, and only being charged $9.99 a month (plus $7 for the second box and taxes etc) my first few months will be completely free :D

But if they screw me over again like this and the installer doesnt show up or etc forget it I'm done with them!

Sorry to hear that. If you have time, look back at my Dish Rant for my install and the issue I had. I feel your pain!!!

The 7777 is a VHF/UHF amp. The 7775 is UHF only.

I am getting WOWK better than I ever did using an attic mounted CM 4228. I am about 15 miles from the tower, but I can see it on a clear night.

Yeah, I believe that my antenna is the 4228, I have had it for several years now. I've had it for so long, I don't remember. I will have to look. My biggest problem, is that I am about 37 miles from the tower for both WSAZ and WOWK, but I can still receive WSAZ, and WOWK dropped out a couple of weeks ago when everyone else began having trouble.

Now picking up the WTRF 7.1 7.2 and 7.3, I had tried a scan around noon on the 17th with no luck, then I read where they flipped the switch around 12:30 PM. When I got home from work on the 18th I did another scan and they came in with a signal strength of around 70% with my antenna swung up north.

Here is my list of OTA's that I receive from out in the country near Waverly WV... 18 Channels with my rotor swung down south and 3 with it swung up north for a total of 21 Channels:)


3.1 3.2 WSAZ
7.1 7.2 7.3 WTRF
8.1 WCHS
11.1 WVAH
13.1 13.2 WOWK
15.1 15.2 15.3 WTAP
20.1 20.2 20.3 WOUB
33.1 33.2 33.3 WPBY
44.1 44.2 44.3 WOUC

Looking for more channels when they all get switched over in June...
Hopefully I'll add some more from the Wheeling , Clarksburg and Charleston Markets. Looking for 9.1 and 9.2 WTOV and 5.1 WDTV and 12.1 WBOY

Anybody else get a popping like noise with NBC primetime shows? It has been happening more and more with the sound going out. It only happens on this channel and it I hear it on multiple TVS in my house.

Anybody else get a popping like noise with NBC primetime shows? It has been happening more and more with the sound going out. It only happens on this channel and it I hear it on multiple TVS in my house.

Yes, it's been happening for several days now. I've just been wondering if it's a WSAZ issue or if any other NBC affiliates are experiencing it. It does only happen during NBC programming. You can hear it on the SD downconvert on Dish too so it's definitely not a problem on the viewer end.

last night on the late news on either wchs or wowk (can't remember which) they were reviewing the top stories of the week. they mentioned the switch to digital and advised that all stations in our viewing area had switched. were they required to continue to broadcast in analog too? i thought they were denied a request to shut off the analog signal by the fcc.

Yes, it's been happening for several days now. I've just been wondering if it's a WSAZ issue or if any other NBC affiliates are experiencing it. It does only happen during NBC programming. You can hear it on the SD downconvert on Dish too so it's definitely not a problem on the viewer end.

I get WNBC from NYC on DirecTV and I have not noticed it.

Yes, it's been happening for several days now. I've just been wondering if it's a WSAZ issue or if any other NBC affiliates are experiencing it. It does only happen during NBC programming. You can hear it on the SD downconvert on Dish too so it's definitely not a problem on the viewer end.

good its not just me

last night on the late news on either wchs or wowk (can't remember which) they were reviewing the top stories of the week. they mentioned the switch to digital and advised that all stations in our viewing area had switched. were they required to continue to broadcast in analog too? i thought they were denied a request to shut off the analog signal by the fcc.

WOWK's analogue channel has been dead for good since the beginning of February. WSAZ has been "nightlighting" on the analog channel since February 16. They run DTV informational programming on it almost constantly except when they show their local news with a crawl. I'm not sure when they're going to finally shut it down. WCHS and WVAH will continue broadcasting normally on their analogue channel until June.

But I wouldn't be surprised if one of them was spouting misinformation on the issue. WOWK continued running crawls etc. saying they would "make the transition" on the 17th even though they had already done so a couple weeks before.

good its not just me

I have noticed it since 2/8 (the first part of the TV movie XIII). I would like to know if it is WSAZ or NBC problem. Its really loud some times and I do not want it breaking my speakers.

I emailed WSAZ about it last night:

Hi,

We're having an equipment problem. Our engineers are working on it now
to get it corrected. Please bear with us.

Rob Johnson
WSAZ

13.2 (dopplar radar map) is now available on dtv if you are using an am21 or one of the older rec. with your OTA antenna.

Thanks for the information. I've been noticing the popping on WSAZ-HD through Dish. I thought it may be a Dish issue, but good to know it's with WSAZ and they are on it.


I emailed WSAZ about it last night:

Hi,

We're having an equipment problem. Our engineers are working on it now
to get it corrected. Please bear with us.

Rob Johnson
WSAZ

So.....! I have not received Channel 13(WOWK) now for more than a month. It is my understanding, that they are now broadcasting VHF, and not UHF. Is that the reason, or could someone explain to me definitively what has happened. Have they cut back there power. I am 37 miles away, but was able to receive that station before. As was mentioned in an earlier post, I have the Channel Master 7777 UHF Amp. It may be as simple as getting their VHF/UHF Amp. I sure didn't see that coming(Changing from UHF to VHF)

I have DirecTV, and it looks like the Charleston, WV area has been forgotten for some reason(does anyone know why?).

Yeah, DirecTV is supposed to launch another satellite(D12), but that will most likely be late this year, or maybe early next year for all I know. But, even after that I would not trust that all four major players in this area(3,8,11,and 13) will be on there spot beam. We have been waiting several years as it is.

The bottom line, what must I do, or what must I upgrade on my antenna to get 13 OTA. A new VHF antenna, a different amp, a larger antenna, what? Any suggestions please.

Before, I buy anything else, I would like to know to a reasonable degree of certainty what may work. Maybe nothing!

:mad:

I just checked, I do have the Channel Master 7777 amp, which is both a VHF/UHF amp. I also have the Channel Master CM4228 UHF Antenna.

I have 0% signal strength.

OK, I had to step back a bit, and read some of the past post. I did the rescan on locals, as some one had previously posted, and 13-1 has come back. I would still like to get this channel on my tv in the basement(different amp and antenna, and I did the rescan with no help), so I will work on that one.

I will go breath into a paper bag......

I have DirecTV, and it looks like the Charleston, WV area has been forgotten for some reason(does anyone know why?).

But, even after that I would not trust that all four major players in this area(3,8,11,and 13) will be on there spot beam. We have been waiting several years as it is.

A reliable insider over at DBSTalk has hinted that Charleston should be lit up this summer. He always notes things can change, but for now it is on the list, but still not officially announced.

As for our channels, three of them are owned/operated by major media companies (Sinclair - ABC & FOX; and Gray - NBC) which have blanket agreements with DirecTV for carriage of HD locals, so paperwork won't be an issue. And WVMH was able to cut a deal with DISH, so they should be good to go as well.

Glad to hear you got it working as I have the same setup and am getting better signal strength since they switched.

Also, you noted that you have DirecTV, but also did a "scan". The newer HR2x HD DVR receivers don't scan for channels, but instead have them in a database. But you will need to redo antenna setup to get 13-1 back.

A reliable insider over at DBSTalk has hinted that Charleston should be lit up this summer. He always notes things can change, but for now it is on the list, but still not officially announced.

As for our channels, three of them are owned/operated by major media companies (Sinclair - ABC & FOX; and Gray - NBC) which have blanket agreements with DirecTV for carriage of HD locals, so paperwork won't be an issue. And WVMH was able to cut a deal with DISH, so they should be good to go as well.

Glad to hear you got it working as I have the same setup and am getting better signal strength since they switched.

Also, you noted that you have DirecTV, but also did a "scan". The newer HR2x HD DVR receivers don't scan for channels, but instead have them in a database. But you will need to redo antenna setup to get 13-1 back.

I wish DirecTV would add WTAP ,it's one of the 2 stations that Gray has that they willn't add for some reason.I have sent several waiver requests to received the DNS NBC channel from New York but WTAP denys it everytime.What ticks me off is,the Fox channel that WTAP has they'll grant me a waiver to receive the DNS channels.

D is starting to upset me....I was hoping we would be lit up in time for March MAdness since I have never been able to get 13 to come in reliably....If they dont light up soon (summer) I may jump to Dish.

I'm still getting the Audio Popping on WSAZ- HD through Dish. Someone mentioned they talked to WSAZ and it's a problem on their end. It appears it has yet to be corrected. Anyone have an updated status?

I'm still getting the Audio Popping on WSAZ- HD through Dish. Someone mentioned they talked to WSAZ and it's a problem on their end. It appears it has yet to be corrected. Anyone have an updated status?

Still happening with DirecTV also.

Yeah, there's been no change on the WSAZ audio issue. Supposedly their engineers are going to be at the WSAZ booth at the Home & Garden show in Huntington this weekend answering DTV questions. If anyone goes down there you can bug them about it... And ask them if they're EVER going to get the equipment to broadcast syndicated programming in HD :rolleyes:.

I'm sooooooooooooo done with Suddenlink!! Espuhn HD is outa whack right now and don't even mention how much they charge per month, for so little???? ARGHHHH!!! :eek:

Anyone else experience a stronger signal for WOWK in the past couple days?

Last nite after the basketball game, flipped over to WOWK to complain to my buddies about the recent signal issues and the upcoming NCAA tournament. To my surprise, Letterman was coming in great. I checked the signal and I was getting it at about 80%, whereas it had been hovering at about 55% with significant dropouts, the last time I tried it last weekend. Could this have simply been a weather-related increase in signal strength?

Diamond...WOWK has always seemed to perk up for me from about this point on. Winters are tough. It also seems when it it cloudy, rainy, and/ or leaves are on the trees....I get a better signal.

I'm sooooooooooooo done with Suddenlink!! Espuhn HD is outa whack right now and don't even mention how much they charge per month, for so little???? ARGHHHH!!! :eek:

I'm with Suddenlink at Corp. HQ. (http://www.suddenlink.com/about/executives/abel/) Perhaps I can be of assistance. Since I don't regularly check this forum, please email me at pete.abel@suddenlink.com. Thanks.

Well, it looks like many, if not most of the March Madness will be on CBS(WOWK).

Let me say this, I don't care if its DirecTV or WOWK, but I pay for these channels whether it be through Cable, Satellite, or OTA, and the SOB's need to get their s**t together. If DirecTV is not going to get our locals up, I will add another antenna for the locals, but we have had to wait long enough. If I knew that the locals would not be up before the upcoming college football season, I would plan to have the OTA taken care of, but I do not want to put out extra dollars for nothing. I have already put a small sum of money into OTA, and would put more, if I knew for sure, but it is ridiculous what I pay DirecTV($110 monthly), to not have the locals this late in the game. I would boycott, but I would be alone, I guess I would have to shut down completely except for what I get OTA. :mad::mad::mad:

I may have to go to anger management!!! The SOB's, all of them. The consumer gets the shaft again. Yeah, it is not about customer satisfaction anymore, it is about how much money we can be bilked out of.

I have a slightly used AT-9 Ka/Ku DirecTV dish if anyone wants it. Free. PM me.

Amerikes.....I second that!

Amerikes.....I second that!

Thanks footbalfreak, I was beginning to think that maybe I had crossed the line, and that everyone would think that I was a lunatic.....:D

and of course......maybe I am...:)

I'm sick of watching the "leader in HD" get passed by Dish. The sad thing is they have the bandwidth to add more locals and nationals but they choose not to for some reason. Meanwhile I sit her watching the NCAA in SD because D cant get it together and WOWK has a crappy tower!

I'm sick of watching the "leader in HD" get passed by Dish. The sad thing is they have the bandwidth to add more locals and nationals but they choose not to for some reason. Meanwhile I sit her watching the NCAA in SD because D cant get it together and WOWK has a crappy tower!


I had no problems with D* other than not having locals, which meant a lot to me. That (well, and that my monthly rate dropped by half to get the same HD channels that I 'Watched' on D*) is the reason I went with E*. I enjoy watching my Locals in HD now. I was only able to pick up WCHS and WVAH with my antenna.

Well, it looks like many, if not most of the March Madness will be on CBS(WOWK).

Let me say this, I don't care if its DirecTV or WOWK, but I pay for these channels whether it be through Cable, Satellite, or OTA, and the SOB's need to get their s**t together. If DirecTV is not going to get our locals up, I will add another antenna for the locals, but we have had to wait long enough. If I knew that the locals would not be up before the upcoming college football season, I would plan to have the OTA taken care of, but I do not want to put out extra dollars for nothing. I have already put a small sum of money into OTA, and would put more, if I knew for sure, but it is ridiculous what I pay DirecTV($110 monthly), to not have the locals this late in the game. I would boycott, but I would be alone, I guess I would have to shut down completely except for what I get OTA. :mad::mad::mad:

I may have to go to anger management!!! The SOB's, all of them. The consumer gets the shaft again. Yeah, it is not about customer satisfaction anymore, it is about how much money we can be bilked out of.

You should really look into getting E*. I've had them as my primary provider for 3 years here and previously 3 years in Pittsburgh. For the programming we actually watch, E* has everything that D* does and the quality is at least as good if not better. We've had a 62" 1080I primary set for about 3-4years, so we would notice picture quality. The move to WV was a shocker when we weren't able to get our HD locals here from any source other than broadcast

E* HD DVR is a real selling point for us. When we weren't getting HD locals over E* the ability to record OA on the DVR was a must--couldn't do that with D*. We have the DVR connected to the primary set through DVI and have the DVR output connected to a house distribution for all of the other sets--all SD. We can watch different programming on the primary and all the other sets get a single SD signal that can watch anything on any E* channels, any OA or anything recorded on the DVR. So, the one box serves effectively as two--but the primary is the only one with HD capability; the secondary is SD only.

Pricing has always been similar but is dependent on what you want/need and the packages each provider offers. Service is probably comparable from what I've heard.

It seems that a lot of people got started with D* because it's what the neighbor had and now that they are used to it, nothing else compares. D* does have sports packages not available on E*, so if that's your thing E* just won't work.

Different strokes for different folks--I know. But this is my experience and given your choices today, it's something to consider.

D* does have sports packages not available on E*, so if that's your thing E* just won't work.

There are three things keeping me from switching to E*:

1) NFL Sunday ticket. I can't watch the Steelers, Bengals, and Redskins every week.

2) D* is actively developing an MRV (Multi-room viewing) solution. The ability to watch a program recorded on any DVR on any other DVR is a high priority.

3) I get my locals via OTA.

If it weren't for these points, I would have probably switched and if D* doesn't get on their horse soon with locals, my parents will switch.

Has anyone else lost their NBC 3-1 feed? All I get is a title screen that's not where it should be and one word repeated over and over and over. My other channels seem to be fine.

So, how is it that Dish can have 3,8,11, and 13 locals in HD, and DirecTV does not?

I figure that this has already been discussed at one time or another, so please bear with me.

My guess would be to blame Telstar 4 and Space Systems Loral.

In the fall of 2003 DirecTV was preparing to lauch DirecTV 7S and it was scheduled to be operational in December 2003. But in September 2003, Telstar 4, an almost identical SSL satellite, failed to deploy its solar panels. Well, rocket scientists being extremely anal, decided it was prudent to delay the launch of DirecTV 7S until they could determine the cause of the failure.

But in November 2003 DISH network began offering locals. The rush was on to get DISH Network installed. DirecTV didn't begin offering locals until late June 2004. So DISH had almost an 8 month headstart on DirecTV and probably ended up with a much higher market penetration that DirecTV. They probably already had a higher percentage due to being cheaper, but the headstart of offering locals probably gained DISH a much higher percentage of customers.

The there is the 72.5 issue. In a rush to get as many customers SD locals, DirecTV began serving some markets off of a short terms rented slot at 72.5. This was only a temporary solution, but then there were the delays with DirecTV10 and 11. So many smaller markets than ours who were being served SD LIL from the 72.5 had to be quickly transitioned to the 99/103 slots. So these markets ended up with HD locals before us.

This is all pure speculation on my part.

I submitted the info for my home location to SolidSignal.com, and they suggested the following antenna. http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SHD7084.

It is the Winegard 7084. It is a huge antenna, I believe it says it is 103 inches in length. Which is just under 9 feet in length.

I thought this was an interesting selection. Anyone care to comment?

Oops, that is 131 inches in length......

I submitted the info for my home location to SolidSignal.com, and they suggested the following antenna. http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SHD7084.

It is the Winegard 7084. It is a huge antenna, I believe it says it is 103 inches in length. Which is just under 9 feet in length.

I thought this was an interesting selection. Anyone care to comment?

Oops, that is 131 inches in length......

I use a very similar VHF/UHF antenna that's a good bit smaller, around 6ft in length I think. I've seen a few around here that are that big though. They don't look that bad when they're up in the air. But it sounds like all you're really looking for is a VHF antenna. Your 4228 is probably better than the yagi on the end of that huge one, so you'd probably get the best results combining the 4228 with a standalone VHF antenna. It'd probably be a lot cheaper as well.

An antenna that big might be overkill just for 13, but it all depends on your terrain. I'm in a shallow valley in the Point Pleasant area and I've been getting 100% signal on 13 since they moved to VHF. HUGE improvement of the old UHF signal. If you've got a hill between you and the tower though it might be a different story. But I suspect that website might be factoring in some other stations in making that selection. If you had an antenna that big you might be in range for some of the southern stations like WOAY and WSWP.

Has WSAZ changed something? I had received them for a year prior to the analog shut off. It was my most solid OTA signal. Now I can only get them on nice clear days and have many drop outs. WVAH comes in stronger then them. I sent an e-mail to WSAZ and got a generic response, i.e. check that I have a UHF antenna, pointed correctly, etc. So did they move their tower location, reduce signal while they do some work?

Has WSAZ changed something? I had received them for a year prior to the analog shut off. It was my most solid OTA signal. Now I can only get them on nice clear days and have many drop outs. WVAH comes in stronger then them. I sent an e-mail to WSAZ and got a generic response, i.e. check that I have a UHF antenna, pointed correctly, etc. So did they move their tower location, reduce signal while they do some work?

I don't think they've done anything, I haven't noticed any drop in signal here. There do tend to be some fluctuations in signal quality around this time of year though, as the leaves come back on the trees and such. But you should probably go check your antenna direction. We've had some pretty serious wind in the last several weeks and that can force your antenna off course. If WVAH is coming in stronger your antenna might be pointed a little more south than it was. Even if your antenna looks like it's about the same, small changes in direction can make pretty big changes in signal.

I have been checking the post here, and have not been able to determine if any of the other locals are going to VHF. Other than WOWK 13-1 changing to VHF, are any of the other locals WSAZ 3-1, WCHS 8-1, or WVAH 11-1, going to VHF or staying at UHF.

I am trying to determine what kind of antenna/antenna's that I will need.

I want to ensure that all is good for college football season.

All are staying UHF except WOWK which has already switched back.

- Trip

Do you think those of us that are DirecTV customers will have to wait for the new bird (D12 I think) before they start broadcasting Huntington/Charleston locals in HD?

Supposedly we are on the unofficial list for summer, but who knows. A well placed poster over at DBSTalk indicated we are on internal lists, but nothing has been announced. There should still be plenty of capacity for locals on the current birds.

I do wish they would hurry up as yesterday I finished mowing my parents yard and went inside and there was my dad watching the Masters in SD even though he has the locals on cable. He forgets to switch to cable so once the locals are in HD, he will get those channels by default.

Time Warner in Ashland has added WOWK (CBS) in HD. They now have all the local networks.

Knowing how D operates...that measns we will get locals on Sept 19......the end of summer.

I use a very similar VHF/UHF antenna that's a good bit smaller, around 6ft in length I think. I've seen a few around here that are that big though. They don't look that bad when they're up in the air. But it sounds like all you're really looking for is a VHF antenna. Your 4228 is probably better than the yagi on the end of that huge one, so you'd probably get the best results combining the 4228 with a standalone VHF antenna. It'd probably be a lot cheaper as well.

An antenna that big might be overkill just for 13, but it all depends on your terrain. I'm in a shallow valley in the Point Pleasant area and I've been getting 100% signal on 13 since they moved to VHF. HUGE improvement of the old UHF signal. If you've got a hill between you and the tower though it might be a different story. But I suspect that website might be factoring in some other stations in making that selection. If you had an antenna that big you might be in range for some of the southern stations like WOAY and WSWP.

I rescanned my channels, and WOWK 13-1(VHF) now comes in at around 80 to 85%. I had heard that the CM 4228 performed fairly well on VHF 13, and it apparently does a decent job. From my location, Channels 13 and 3 are virtually on the same heading, and at about the same distance. However, I am having difficulty receiving WSAZ 3-1 UHF with my CM 4228. This has been a problem since I erected the CM 4228. When it comes in, it only has a signal strength of approximately 58%. I really do want to receive the locals OTA, in case I get upset and cancel DirecTV. I am considering several options. The larger antenna as mentioned earlier, moving the antenna to another location, and mounting it on a 25 foot tower, adding another uhf antenna. But, these options may not do me any good either. The problem I have with another antenna, is if I buy it over the internet, and it doesn't work, I have to repackage and ship back. I did see where Radio Shack carries the Winegard antenna's, but I haven't called yet to see if they have them in stock....... Decisions, decisions.....:(

From my location, Channels 13 and 3 are virtually on the same heading, and at about the same distance. However, I am having difficulty receiving WSAZ 3-1 UHF with my CM 4228. This has been a problem since I erected the CM 4228. When it comes in, it only has a signal strength of approximately 58%.Does anyone know if WSAZ has moved to the million watts and 23 meter (about 75 feet) greater height of their Construction Permit or if they're even allowed to before June 12th?

From my location, Channels 13 and 3 are virtually on the same heading, and at about the same distance. However, I am having difficulty receiving WSAZ 3-1 UHF with my CM 4228. This has been a problem since I erected the CM 4228. When it comes in, it only has a signal strength of approximately 58%.

58% sounds like pretty solid signal to me, are you really getting dropouts with it? It sounds like there might be some sort of obstacle in your way if it can drop from ~60% to 0. You mentioned the possibility of moving the antenna to a better location, I'd probably try that before buying a new. Even just making some minor adjustments might fix your problem.

Does anyone know if WSAZ has moved to the million watts and 23 meter (about 75 feet) greater height of their Construction Permit or if they're even allowed to before June 12th?

That's a good point. I don't think they have. The plan is to put the new digital transmitter in place of the old top-mount analogue transmitter. But they're still "nightlighting" on the analogue transmitter. I don't know if they have to wait until June 12th but it certainly won't be until they shut down the anaolgue transmitter for good. I'm not sure when they're allowed to do that, but it will definitely help the people on the fringes when they finally do. So Amerikes you might want to hold off a little while and see if that helps.

Thanks Anifan for the info,

that 58% is the high point. There are some trees interfering about 50 to 75 feet away that could make my signal drop. It would take some fairly intensive work to relocate the antenna. I originally put it in the most convenient location for both running the rg-6 into my house, and for making it accessible for me to work on, and also for making it the most sturdy. It does appear that I would have a better shot looking down a small valley from my home, but I would have to work some for moving from my current location and making it stable at the new location, and there is no guarantee that would make it better. That is one reason, that I have been thinking about the Winegard 7084P antenna.

And, I agree that some tweeking may be in order, but even that requires me loosening guy wires to turn the antenna. And if I remember correctly, I tried that to some extent while my wife watched the signal meter on the tv.....I have to admit, that I have become frustrated with trying different antenna, ampifiers, and such, that I have become reluctant to throw more time or money into this project. I keep thinking that my next new addition will fix the problem, but it seems to come up just a little short of my expectations.

Yes, if they build a new tower, and have more power, that would most likely take care of my problem, so like you said, maybe I should wait a couple more months before I tear into this project again.

BTW, I did install a SWM-8 multiswitch the other day, ha....I purchased this thing last July 2008, and just got around to installing it. All went well, and it also has an OTA port on it, but again not sure how that would work out, and of course that would require me moving my antenna.......mmmmm.

Directv days are numbered at the footbalfreak household.....HD LOCALS NOW

Directv days are numbered at the footbalfreak household.....HD LOCALS NOW

I haven't done any comparisons, but it would appear that Dish is fairly even with Directv now. I believe that it has been reported that Dish has the locals.

Many speak of the better sports programming on Directv, but I get enough through the ESPN channels, and local broadcast.

I did buy a DVR last July, so I have only obtained about 9 months on the Contract of 2 years. I haven't calculated how much it would be to buy out.

However, if I remain on Directv through the contract till next July 2010, I would think that Directv should be up to speed with locals, and more HD content. I have seen where their D-12 Satellite is supposed to go up later this year. It does get frustrating, especially since Dish has the locals now, but I would rather not change..... I doubt that Verizon fiber will be in this area for a long long time.

Come on Suddenlink! It has been almost 2 years since any HD channels were added in this area. Other areas served by Suddenlink have Discovery, Universal and Sci Fi, we want them and others here!

The manager of the Time Warner Ashland cable system told me a couple of weeks ago that they will be adding HD channels in the "next 90 days."

Their programing web page says "the following services may be added to our line-up: Bravo HD, Discovery HD, NatGeo HD, HGTV HD, ABC Family HD, Disney HD, USA HD, Sci-Fi HD, Speed HD, Outdoor Channel HD, ESPN News HD, Golf HD, CNN HD, Fox News HD, CNBC HD, History HD, A&E HD, FX HD, RFD HD, Smithsonian HD."

Come on Suddenlink! It has been almost 2 years since any HD channels were added in this area. Other areas served by Suddenlink have Discovery, Universal and Sci Fi, we want them and others here!

I second that....we are definitely due for an upgrade.

Come on Suddenlink! It has been almost 2 years since any HD channels were added in this area. Other areas served by Suddenlink have Discovery, Universal and Sci Fi, we want them and others here!

My next door neighbor told me he was paying $87.00 for service with HD at Suddenlink. I believe he told me that he had around 10 HD Channels, but I am not sure if he really knew. He is 83 years old, and I don't know if he really keeps up with this stuff much. He was thinking of going to DirecTV. I told him that DirecTV doesn't have locals in HD at this time, but they may be on within the next 6 months or so. I told him that Dish had nearly as much HD as Directv or maybe more by now(I am not really sure), but that I believed that the locals on Dish were in HD. He really isn't that interested in sports packages. I told him the price would be about the same, but that he would definitely be getting more HD with either Dish or Directv. He just bought his HD tv this past year. What do you guys think Directv or Dish?

The manager of the Time Warner Ashland cable system told me a couple of weeks ago that they will be adding HD channels in the "next 90 days."

Their programing web page says "the following services may be added to our line-up: Bravo HD, Discovery HD, NatGeo HD, HGTV HD, ABC Family HD, Disney HD, USA HD, Sci-Fi HD, Speed HD, Outdoor Channel HD, ESPN News HD, Golf HD, CNN HD, Fox News HD, CNBC HD, History HD, A&E HD, FX HD, RFD HD, Smithsonian HD."

That looks like a very nice addition....:)

I told him the price would be about the same, but that he would definitely be getting more HD with either Dish or Directv. He just bought his HD tv this past year. What do you guys think Directv or Dish?
Since he's so old, he probably won't notice picture quality differences between the two. That said, Dish offers a "TurboHD" channel package that offers only the HD versions of channels, at a lower rate than DirecTV. So if he likes C-Span (SD only), he'll have a problem, but otherwise, Dish would probably be better.

Do you know what channels he tends to watch?

Since he's so old, he probably won't notice picture quality differences between the two. That said, Dish offers a "TurboHD" channel package that offers only the HD versions of channels, at a lower rate than DirecTV. So if he likes C-Span (SD only), he'll have a problem, but otherwise, Dish would probably be better.

Do you know what channels he tends to watch?

No, I don't know what channels that he watches. He recently had cataract surgery, so he told me that he could see without glasses, except for close up. He still does pretty well as far as I can tell. Yeah, I don't know much about Dish, but their programming might fit his needs better. If I see him soon, I will find out what he likes. I need to check out the Turbo HD, and see what it offers....

Come on Suddenlink! It has been almost 2 years since any HD channels were added in this area. Other areas served by Suddenlink have Discovery, Universal and Sci Fi, we want them and others here!

I have called them almost every night this week on problems with 996 Free VOD this Anime Free section has weekly updates but it hasn't been updated for the past 2 weeks and IFC section hasn't been updated been updated since 4/2 they still haven't told me anything.

I asked them almost each time about new HD channels and they have no idea, I asked them after last update because every 11 months they had been adding them I asked if it would take that long again and they said definitely no, its been about 15 months now.

We have Phone and Internet through them as well and that safeguard, but no premiums and only 1 digital tier and the HD plus tier.

The cable portion cost us with 2 HD DVR's $88. That gives 18 HD channels:
5 Local (missing CW which does broadcast in HD and has for at least over a year, those locals are available with out a box if you have a digital tuner no additional charge for HD, outside of the box charge if you have one)

4 HD Basic (ESPN, ESPN 2, TNT, TBS no cost outside the box charge)

9 HD Plus ($8 charge for HDNet, HDNet Movies, HGTV, Food, Palladia, A&E, History, HD Theater)

Now other areas got USA, Sci-Fi, FX, Travel in June through August, then in November through December those areas got Discovery,TLC, Animal Planet. Other areas have Universal HD and have for years, areas also have RSN's in HD and CW HD.

But Suddenlink has the rights to broadcast 8 HD channels that we do not have yet and they haven't gotten a deal done with our CW yet either. Suddenlink is the 8th largest cable company and they offer the 8th most HD channels but we don't have 8 of them 1/3(Outside of the Broadcast channels and RSN's) 7th has 8 more then Suddenlink offers (16 more than us) and Charter which we used to be has 21 more HD channels they offer 6 more premium channels in HD, 15 more non premium (29 more than us 23 non premium)

My biggest complaint is that we are not getting here many channels that other Suddenlink areas have. Each time I pay my bill at the Town Center I ask about new HD channels and have been told they were getting new equipment to increase their capacity. This has been their excuse since late last year. If enough subscribers complain Suddenlink will have to add channels to keep from losing business to Dish or Direct_TV. Unfortunately I can't go to them because a mountain blocks their signal.

Just out of curiousity, you guys complaining about no HD locals, do you have no interest in OTA or do you live in an area that can't get OTA reception? There's just no comparison between antenna HD and what the cable/satellite boxes can offer in HD. I've got dozens of good HD dish channels, my brother has a few on Suddenlink and my dad has DirecTV but the best of them is no match for free OTA.

Just out of curiousity, you guys complaining about no HD locals, do you have no interest in OTA or do you live in an area that can't get OTA reception? There's just no comparison between antenna HD and what the cable/satellite boxes can offer in HD. I've got dozens of good HD dish channels, my brother has a few on Suddenlink and my dad has DirecTV but the best of them is no match for free OTA.

I live in WV in the summer and FL in the winter and have Directv both places. In FL I also have over-the-air for all of the local HD channels and Directv is carrying 4 of the local HD channels. I can tell you that for those HD channels that I receive both over-the-air and via Directv (ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox) the video quality is essentially the same (most of the time). I'm using high quality 1080p HD displays (70" JVC rear projector and a new Epson 6500UB front projector on a 120" screen). Unfortunately in WV I get no broadcast HD channels since at our location near Sutton we can't receive the Charleston/Huntington digital stations over-the-air and Directv is not yet carrying the local HDs for that market (probably coming later this year).

Ron Jones
www.dtvmax.com

Just out of curiousity, you guys complaining about no HD locals, do you have no interest in OTA or do you live in an area that can't get OTA reception? There's just no comparison between antenna HD and what the cable/satellite boxes can offer in HD. I've got dozens of good HD dish channels, my brother has a few on Suddenlink and my dad has DirecTV but the best of them is no match for free OTA.

I cannot get the Charleston/Huntington locals OTA. Well according to most web sites if I put up a very high gain yagi outside I could get 2 out of the 4 major networks.

However I do get 3 out of the 4 networks from NY via DirecTV. So it could be worse.

Hey Ron, where are you staying near Sutton? I grew-up in Gassaway (my Mom and Dad still live there).

I live in south point ohio and if i move tha antenna i get 3.1 and 3.2, if i move it again i get 8.1,11.1,25.1-4,30.1,42.1-3 and 44.1. This is from an antenna i made. I have gotten up to 19 channels but the last two maonths it has gotten hard to get the channels. (I bought a winegard for 60 dollars abd receive less. Can anybody give me some advice?

I live in south point ohio and if i move tha antenna i get 3.1 and 3.2, if i move it again i get 8.1,11.1,25.1-4,30.1,42.1-3 and 44.1. This is from an antenna i made. I have gotten up to 19 channels but the last two maonths it has gotten hard to get the channels. (I bought a winegard for 60 dollars abd receive less. Can anybody give me some advice?

Plug in your address here at TV Fool... http://tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29 I put in South Point, Ohio. You should put in your exact address, to get a true representation of heading and distance.

This will give you an idea of how far you are from each tower/station. Generally, a Channel Master 4228 HD antenna with a Channel Master 7777 preamp are the highest regarded pair for receiving channels from some distance. It would appear that you would need a rotator also. Even at that, you are a long distance from the stations.

I live in south point ohio and if i move tha antenna i get 3.1 and 3.2, if i move it again i get 8.1,11.1,25.1-4,30.1,42.1-3 and 44.1. This is from an antenna i made. I have gotten up to 19 channels but the last two maonths it has gotten hard to get the channels. (I bought a winegard for 60 dollars abd receive less. Can anybody give me some advice?

I second Amerikes's advice. Also, I would bet with the right antenna (probably the 4228 or another large UHF/VHF, with a preamp) you could pick up 3, 8, 11, and 13 without having to move the antenna. But if you're close enough to be picking up 25, 30, and 42 with a homemade antenna, I would just leave it in place and couple it the second antenna pointed at the Charleston/Huntington ones. That's an alternative to using one antenna with a rotor. What kind of antenna is the winegard? If it's pretty big you might just need a good preamp for it to work for you.

Anifan,

I should add for madfan that he did not mention the height of the antenna nor did he say that it was mounted outdoors, both of which would help to pickup a better signal. Also, he did not mention whether there were any large buildings or trees blocking his path to the towers. Even placing in a different location could improve his signal. Just some things for madfan to consider.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=158132

With Verizon pulling out now no chance for FIOS, and Suddenlink has no incentive to offer more HD.

Hopefully Suddenlink's incentive will be competition with satellite. Right now Suddenlink has the argument that they offer the locals in HD. When D* gets the locals, then Suddenlink won't have that advantage. Hopefully, that will mean that it will increase its HD offerings.

Hopefully Suddenlink's incentive will be competition with satellite. Right now Suddenlink has the argument that they offer the locals in HD. When D* gets the locals, then Suddenlink won't have that advantage. Hopefully, that will mean that it will increase its HD offerings.

Herdfanwv, I am not even close to be on the inside, nor am I an expert, but from what I have read in the past, it seems that unless Suddenlink would do some fairly extensive upgrade to their wiring and system, then they are going to be limited to the quantity they can supply.

In other words, lack of bandwidth as I understand it. So, it would appear to me, that they will never be able to compete with DirecTV or Dishnet unless they do the upgrade. At least that is what it seems to me.....

I am moving to Proctorville OH (Applewood subdivision) and I was wondering what the cable TV options are there. I scanned the thread and didn't see anyone talking about them. Looks like Huntington and Ashland have comcast and time warner. Does Proctorville have either of these?

If Cable doesn't have acceptable HD options - I guess my best bet would be Dish Network right? Direct TV without the locals in HD and all?

I believe Armstrong is the cable provider in Proctorville. Their website is http://cable.agoc.com/.

Here is a list of their HD channels:

103 WSAZD NBC HD
112 PBS HD
113 WOWK CBS HD
114 QVC HD
115 CNN HD
116 Fox News HD
117 Weather Channel HD
118 Palladia
119 A&E HD
120 TNT HD
121 TBS HD
122 USA HD
123 Sci-Fi Channel HD
124 Discovery HD
126 The Learning Channel HD
127 Science Channel HD
128 Animal Planet HD
130 History Channel HD
131 AMC HD
132 Bravo HD
133 FX HD
134 Lifetime HD
135 HGTV HD
136 Food Network HD
140 Disney HD
150 Hallmark Movies HD
180 NFL Network HD
184 ESPN2 HD
185 ESPN HD
195 Starz HD ***
196 Showtime HD ***
198 Cinemax HD ***
199 HBO HD ***

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