The story I watched was one of Sarah Lieu's Consumer Watch type stories. It was basically touting how wonderful HDTV looked. Had a few interviews with the idiots from Circuit City (I didn't hear anything about actual resolution...just "Wow, it's so wonderful" type stuff...). The tease mentioned that HDTV sales actually peak right before the Superbowl. I was hoping they'd screw the pooch and mention that ABC had the Superbowl this year.

As for Mr Cary, he is one sneaky ****. As we know, he's already broadcasting digitally so he is sitting on the transmitter he needs to broadcast HD. That being said, I would be willing to bet that his ability to pass-through the HDTV feed is already in place...he just isn't doing it yet. I don't doubt one bit that the minute he gets a deal with CHI, he flips the switch on the actual OTA stuff too.

As for Sinclair, we seem to have a different business model in mind. I'm not sure that I can post the detail on that yet but I bet I'm not far off. Bray may be trying to work a guaranteed carriage deal with no charge for the CHI bunch but I seriously doubt that will happen in our case.

I believe the days of the giant mega-cable company could be on the way out and the Cable Ops know it. They're scratching holes in the walls trying to hold on to what they have.

A lot of this is total supposition on my part but only time will tell.

Which SVS are you looking at?

I'm looking at the 20-39PCi. Cylinder Sub for $599.

Those are nice. I have the PB2-12ISD. Its an older model number, but basically 2 12" drivers in a large box. Too much for the room I have it in now. If it weren't so big and hard to ship I would ebay it and get a cylinder.

Also, if Darrin's sub has the same issues, I picked up an H/K 635 and am probably going to put it in my living room to eliminate my IR blaster issues. But as of now, it is still sitting in a box, so I would be happy to come over an try your sub from it to see if that fixes the issue.

Reply back to him one more time with this if you could: What about the power for the OTA?

He won't need as much power for the cable transmissions, so even if he does HD OTA, he may keep it at a low signal.

I replied : "Thanks again. One more question: Will WOWK-DT be increasing the strength its off-the-air broadcast signal anytime soon?"

His reply: "We will not be able to increase strength until the FCC cut over date of 2-19-09. I do think that it will be available by cable and satellite long before that date."

That doesn't sound good. It also makes me question whether he knows what he's talking about when he said that they might be broadcasting in HD in time for March Madness. By the way, what is an "FCC cut over date"?

His reply: [I]"We will not be able to increase strength until the FCC cut over date of 2-19-09. I do think that it will be available by cable and satellite long before that date."[/]
On the FCC cut off date, the analog broadcast is shut down and the digital takes over. So he is saying that he doesn't want to spend any more than he has to powerering his transmitters.

However, I thought the FCC ruled that DT stations in the top 100 markets had to be at full power by last July or risk losing their frequncy allocation. :eek:

On the FCC cut off date, the analog broadcast is shut down and the digital takes over. So he is saying that he doesn't want to spend any more than he has to powerering his transmitters.

However, I thought the FCC ruled that DT stations in the top 100 markets had to be at full power by last July or risk losing their frequncy allocation. :eek:


I think you are right about not spending any more than he has to on powering the transmitters. That is really sad. So, there may be HD, but only on probably one cable company that a majority of us can't receive, and via OTA that many can't get due to low power.

I'll let you know what we determine with the sub. I may give that a try. I hope to have my OC703 panels so I can make some absorption panels within the next month or so.

So, there may be HD, but only on probably one cable company that a majority of us can't receive, and via OTA that many can't get due to low power.
I guess the upside is in a year or so (mid 2007) D* will be ready to carry our locals in HD.

I believe I may have stated something to the effect of "at current full power levels" a post or two back.

I find it ODD that the idiot only wants to send an HD signal out via Cable and/or Satellite. If I remember, I'm going to chase down one of the engineers at Fox 11 tomorrow and ask specifically about the DT/HD thing and I'll post back then.

hmm


Regarding WOWK-DT most of time I get a 50 signal and I am in deep fringe area over 60 miles away from the towers. Granted most of the time the signal is unusable but aren't most of you guys way closer then me to the towers yet you get same or worse signal level as me?

If I remember, I'm going to chase down one of the engineers at Fox 11 tomorrow and ask specifically about the DT/HD thing and I'll post back then.
Try one of the engineers at WCHS instead. FOX uses a splicer which is a totally different system than the other 3 networks use.

hmm


Regarding WOWK-DT most of time I get a 50 signal and I am in deep fringe area over 60 miles away from the towers. Granted most of the time the signal is unusable but aren't most of you guys way closer then me to the towers yet you get same or worse signal level as me?


I do live much closer than you do to the WOWK tower, but I don't get a useable signal. Normally nothing at all.

hmm


Regarding WOWK-DT most of time I get a 50 signal and I am in deep fringe area over 60 miles away from the towers. Granted most of the time the signal is unusable but aren't most of you guys way closer then me to the towers yet you get same or worse signal level as me?

I'm fortunate to get a strong signal in Charleston.

But what I don't understand is why there is no appreciable difference in the picture quality (lousy) between the version of WOWK I get from DirectTV versus WOWK-DT I get OTA. It's as if WOWK-DT is not really broadcasting a true digital signal at all. For example, the digital broadcasts from WSAZ-DT, WVAH-DT, etc., are noticeably crisper than the analog broadcasts of the same stations carried by DirecTV, even when the digital broadcasts are not HD. Yet the picture quality for WOWK-DT is always as poor as WOWK.

What's the explanation for why WOWK-DT's digital broadcast looks so much worse than the other local digital broadcasts?

With his position, I would say there is no difference. He is problaby doing exactly what is observed. Maybe it is some sort of copy of the analogue signal? Not a totally new digital broadcast. This guy has us by the balls...

I'm fortunate to get a strong signal in Charleston.

But what I don't understand is why there is no appreciable difference in the picture quality (lousy) between the version of WOWK I get from DirectTV versus WOWK-DT I get OTA. It's as if WOWK-DT is not really broadcasting a true digital signal at all. For example, the digital broadcasts from WSAZ-DT, WVAH-DT, etc., are noticeably crisper than the analog broadcasts of the same stations carried by DirecTV, even when the digital broadcasts are not HD. Yet the picture quality for WOWK-DT is always as poor as WOWK.

What's the explanation for why WOWK-DT's digital broadcast looks so much worse than the other local digital broadcasts?


It's a digital bitstream broadcast via a form of Analog Modulation technique. I forget which Modulation OTA uses, but they all use the same. That's how our receivers can all decode it properly. Digital does NOT mean better. The equipment he uses may not be up to par with that of the other broadcasters. We also don't know his method (such as cables, how many Analog to Digital conversions there are, etc.). For all we know, he could be compressing his signal for some reason. All in all, this guy just can't win with us.

It's a digital bitstream broadcast via a form of Analog Modulation technique. I forget which Modulation OTA uses, but they all use the same. That's how our receivers can all decode it properly. Digital does NOT mean better. The equipment he uses may not be up to par with that of the other broadcasters. We also don't know his method (such as cables, how many Analog to Digital conversions there are, etc.). For all we know, he could be compressing his signal for some reason. All in all, this guy just can't win with us.


Modulation Technique is 8-VSB

Well, I emailed Bray Cary about WOWK-DT's poor digital picture quality: I asked: "One final question: Why is the picture quality on WOWK-DT not appreciably better than the picture quality on WOWK, and noticeably worse than the picture quality on WSAZ-DT, WCHS-DT, and all the other local network's digital broadcasts? For example, on WCHS-DT, every show -- even if it's not in HD -- looks noticeably sharper than the same show on WCHS that is carried by Charter. This is true for all of the local networks' digital off-the-air broadcasts -- they all look extremely sharp, even non-HD material -- except WOWK-DT. I understand WOWK-DT is not broadcasting in HD, but why doesn't its non-HD digital signal look as good than the non-HD digital signals from the other local networks?"

He replied: "We will check it out. Yours is the first comment like it."

I don't know what's stranger -- the content of his replies or the fact that he replies to my emails in the first place.

Off the top of my head I would say the difference is that WOWK is stretching SD content and other networks are keeping the 4:3 ratio and adding bars.

I do live much closer than you do to the WOWK tower, but I don't get a useable signal. Normally nothing at all.

Wild maybe I get some good reflection off all these mountains :)

yeah get the mountains working for me for once!

Well, I emailed Bray Cary about WOWK-DT's poor digital picture quality: I asked: "One final question: Why is the picture quality on WOWK-DT not appreciably better than the picture quality on WOWK, and noticeably worse than the picture quality on WSAZ-DT, WCHS-DT, and all the other local network's digital broadcasts? For example, on WCHS-DT, every show -- even if it's not in HD -- looks noticeably sharper than the same show on WCHS that is carried by Charter. This is true for all of the local networks' digital off-the-air broadcasts -- they all look extremely sharp, even non-HD material -- except WOWK-DT. I understand WOWK-DT is not broadcasting in HD, but why doesn't its non-HD digital signal look as good than the non-HD digital signals from the other local networks?"

He replied: "We will check it out. Yours is the first comment like it."

I don't know what's stranger -- the content of his replies or the fact that he replies to my emails in the first place.

Is that guy blind, I can't believe that he can't see the difference for himself.......He is full of ****. :mad:

Try one of the engineers at WCHS instead. FOX uses a splicer which is a totally different system than the other 3 networks use.

While we have two sets of Engineers, the transmitter/Master Control output at each station can be and IS done by the same set of Shared Engineers. They all have the ability to do each others jobs. Our Chief Engineer at Fox 11 is on hell of a radio frequency broadcast engineer and does 90% of the transmitter/microwave work for both stations but his maintenance engineer is great as well.

Raymond, our Chief of Engineering Operations, is also a hugely talented Radio Frequency Broadcast Engineer but is as good at maintenance/bench tech as anyone in either shop. If fact, at Fox 11's heyday, he was the reason they operated as well as they did...he kept the place running. Sadly, as the C or EO (a Department Head like myself) he has very little time for actual "work", he has to keep the paper flowing.

Our enineering staff is extremely talented and all of them can and do everyone else's jobs when necessary. The Fox Splicer is just the Fox implementation of how they handle the job. ABC has a different take, with different requirements and different equipment to do the job. It works well but requires a bit more from the Master Control Operators. The splicer takes a lot of that out of the hands of the MCOs but then again, if there's a problem, it's not something that can be tackled locally.

That being said, here is what I was able to find out yesterday. BC is transmitting digitally...a true digital signal a FCC mandated power levels. However, there are several issues that could be preventing him from TRANSMITTING the full HD Bandwith and these are:

1) The microwave link between the studio and tower/transmitter site could be insufficient for true full bitrate HD

2) The equipment necessary to pass-through the network's HD signal is not in place

3) The equipment necessary to receive the new Digital Signal from the Network is not in place.

I find Number 2 to be highly unlikely as he's allegedly "working" the cable/satellite connection heavily. It could be part of the reason though.

Number 3 could explain the difference in perceived picture quality between their analog and digital signal as well I suppose but I don't know. I guess, if his engineers have figured a work around that supplies the analog signal to the digital output of the DT side, maybe there could be some signal degradation there. That could also explain why he stretches his content and we do not. I'm grasping at straws here and I could be way off base. I've said before, I'm no engineer...I just usually know enough to prove I'm stupid.

All of these reasons could indicated why he's so interested in cable/satellite transmission. Then, he won't have to spend the money to actually BROADCAST the HD signal (remember, the FCC only mandates that stations transmit Digitally...not Hi-Def), but he would then be able to pass through the networks, HD signal to the cable or satellite head-in and save a ton of cash.

All that being what it is...he's not a broadcaster and as I understand it, never working in television before. He's also notoriously frugal with cash and has basically GUTTED all of the other stations in his group, running 90% of the total operations from Huntington.

Now, on another very interesting note:

I understand that our friends at the MPAA and RIAA are trying to resurrect the Broadcast Flag yet again. If any of in WV wish to contact the Honorable John D. Rockefeller, please do so. I'm posting a link to the EFF Action Page where you click over to a "form mail" that will do so for you if you wish.

Don't get me wrong...I'm not try to start a political debate here. I truly think that Hollywood and the Music Industry won't to remove ALL of our current rights, even the perception of Fair Use and lock down the technology to a point where we cannot use it. I'm not a pirate/thief and for the life of me, I'm tired of being treated like one. We should be innocent before proven guilty, not guilty before proven innocent.

If you don't wish to do the, please don't feel like I'm forcing you. I just wanted to make it known.

here's the link:

http://action.eff.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ADV_homepage

click on Two Flags Bad and it will take you to the proper page.

Thanks for the info and link Paul, maybe if we all send that e-mail it may help. Bray is sure spending a bundle on that new house in Sandyville, he should take some of it and upgrade his stations to hi-def, the rich get richer and the poor stay poor.

any recommendations for an HDMI switch? preferably 3 to 1.

I have solved a problem, but don't understand exactly why it works. I have an attic mounted antenna (TERK 55) that would bring in WSAZ-DT, Fox-DT and even the WOWK-DT signal (for what it is worth). I could rarely get both WCHS-DT and Fox-DT at the same time without turning or adjusting the antenna. I purchased a new Channel Master DB 8 and mounted it in the attic. Same problem. I then put the old Terk 55 on the same mast as the new Channel Master, pointed the Terk in a different direction and used a "joiner" from Warringtons Electronics to combine the two UHF signals into one cable. Now I can get Fox-DT as well as WCHS-DT. I thought these two stations were on the same tower and in the same direction, but the two antennas are pointed at least 45 degrees in different directions. Is it possible that I am getting a "bounce" signal for the WCHS-DT? Whatever the reason, I now get all four broadcast channels via OTA.

I thought these two stations were on the same tower and in the same direction, but the two antennas are pointed at least 45 degrees in different directions.

I can guarantee you that they are on the same tower. If I recall correctly, the new tower was built beside the old WCHS tower. I'm not sure of the exact heights of the actual antennas but I believe WCHS is at @800-900 feet and WVAH is at 1500 feet or there 'bouts.

I'm not sure where you live but you could be having multiple issues with our signals. I know the originator of this thread has trouble receiving at least one of our stations and others have posted similar problems. When I installed my antenna (also an attic installation) I got a better signal from WCHS-DT at times by rotating the antenna a bit but as that happened, my WVAH-DT signal dropped significantly. I found the "sweet spot" where both of them have good signal strength (usually in the 80/90 range for both) and from that point, I get good reception from all the others as well.

I live in South Hills just off Smith Road. I do not live on the top of the ridge, but off Smith Road below the crest of the ridge. Both signals are very strong now. I just assumed it must be a "bounce" but a strong "bounce" at that. Nonetheless it works.

Are any of you getting WPBY in Huntington now? I can still get their analog signal but the DT stuff seems to have gone the way of the Dodo. Also, still no WB30 here...guess I'm just too far away or they don't have the juice to get it here.

I am getting WPBY-DT but it is very pixelated. Unwatchable.

As for WHCP-DT, I can't get it here in Teays Valley, so I am going to bet you have no chance where you are. In fact, when the locals went up on D* and WHCP was not available, I was getting a low signal reading (teens and 20's) from WHCP-DT so I called the station manager at told him if he increased his power output I would be able to get his station and so would the LRF (at the WVAH facility) as I can almost see it from my house.

He had some BS reason as to why this was D*'s fault and they just didn't want to carry his station and they needed to put the LRF in Huntington as E* did and this and that. IMHO, the LRF is fine where it is and if anyone has seen some of E*'s locals, I trade WHCP for not having that horrible PQ. But since D* put up the regional WB's I don't care anymore. (I didn't care in the first place, but my wife is a huge Charmed fan, so I had to at least pretend I cared. :D )

I'm not sure of the exact heights of the actual antennas but I believe WCHS is at @800-900 feet and WVAH is at 1500 feet or there 'bouts.

That seems like it would be backwards. ie put the better carrying station (lower freq.) lower on the tower and the higher freq. higher on the tower.

I remember the day the tower fell. You could hear it. I was at my house running a generator as we had no power from the ice storm and I needed to warm the house as much as possible during the day for the animals. It sounded like a train wreck happened. And given the proximity to the tracks, that is what I thought happened.

Dallas,

What are you signal strengths for WPBY now? At one time, the signal for their DT stuff was almost exactly the same as WSAZ-DT.

As for WHCP...are you seeing any difference now? I have been assured that they are at Full Power now.

Are any of you getting WPBY in Huntington now? I can still get their analog signal but the DT stuff seems to have gone the way of the Dodo. Also, still no WB30 here...guess I'm just too far away or they don't have the juice to get it here.


i'm in spring valley and have never been able to get WB30. i'm also getting nothing from WPBY (i used to get a very strong signal).

I am getting a highly variable signal. It peaks in the mid-upper 70's which is enough to keep a picture, but it is fluctuating from the 40's to the 70's back to the 50's etc.

Also, I had no signal at all on DT-17 (WHCP).

Are any of you getting WPBY in Huntington now? I can still get their analog signal but the DT stuff seems to have gone the way of the Dodo. Also, still no WB30 here...guess I'm just too far away or they don't have the juice to get it here.

I am getting the three WPBY stations 33-1,33-2,-33-3, just digital, not HD. Nothing on 17 / WB30. Channel 13 for what it is worth has been absent from my location for about 2 weeks. My location is South Hills, Smith Rd on the ridge line.

You know...I really wanted to watch the Steelers/Broncos game today and did but with that totally crappy signal on Stretch-O-Vision, it just about made it totally unwatchable. In fact, somewhere in the third quart, I popped Alien3 in the DVD player and watched that instead.

The NFC Championship is quite another story however. Doesn't HD look great on WVAH-DT?:)!

WVAH looks incredible tonight. This is the way football should look!! (except, of course, for the blowout)

You know...I really wanted to watch the Steelers/Broncos game today and did but with that totally crappy signal on Stretch-O-Vision, it just about made it totally unwatchable. In fact, somewhere in the third quart, I popped Alien3 in the DVD player and watched that instead.

The NFC Championship is quite another story however. Doesn't HD look great on WVAH-DT?:)!

After reading some of your post I sent Bray Cary an e-mail also......

"When are you going to start broadcast in High Definition? Your OTA broadcast are lousy. Get up to speed with the other networks......"

He replied......"we hope in a few months. thanks."

hehe...

" we hope in a few months" Hmmmmm. That is well beyond March Madness. I figure WSAZ DT-2 will be up before that moron has his HD up in FULL POWER.

With all the good HD programming out there from Starz-HD, TNT HD, and others, D*** launches CD-USA. Who cares!!!! The last time I looked teenagers and college kids dont buy HDTV.


Oh well....

" we hope in a few months" Hmmmmm. That is well beyond March Madness. I figure WSAZ DT-2 will be up before that moron has his HD up in FULL POWER.

With all the good HD programming out there from Starz-HD, TNT HD, and others, D*** launches CD-USA. Who cares!!!! The last time I looked teenagers and college kids dont buy HDTV.


Oh well....


I tuned into CD-USA for the first time yesterday. I wasn't too anxious after reading the pathetic reviews. WOW!!! What a waste of bandwidth. Nothing like Ashley Simpson Lip Syncing in 5.1.

heh

Whats even worse CD-USA isn't even 5.1.

The last time I looked teenagers and college kids dont buy HDTV.


Teenagers and college kids might not be buying HDTV sets but they may put a $100 HD Tuner card in their computer that mom & dad bought them.

That seems like it would be backwards. ie put the better carrying station (lower freq.) lower on the tower and the higher freq. higher on the tower.


Yeah, it might seem that way but I believe that's what it is. If I recall, the license specifically states power and height. Again, I'm not an engineer but I do recall having this conversation with Raymond a few times.

News from today boys and girls...now you'll be able to watch all you WB and UPN shows on a brand new network...CW! Oh...wait a minute...none of us can get WB30 (well, OTA anyhoo).

Not HD news but Directv has added WHCP and WKAS for the Charleston Huntington DMA. They also removed WBZL the Miami FL WB station from our local lineup.

WHCP already carries WB as well UPN shows so the CW change later this year shouldn't change much unless WHCP is no longer a CW affiliate for fall 2006.

Maybe this means when local HD finally gets to us WHCP-DT will be added also...

Not HD news but Directv has added WHCP and WKAS for the Charleston Huntington DMA. They also removed WBZL the Miami FL WB station from our local lineup.

WHCP already carries WB as well UPN shows so the CW change later this year shouldn't change much unless WHCP is no longer a CW affiliate for fall 2006.

Maybe this means when local HD finally gets to us WHCP-DT will be added also...
Hmmm.. DirecTV must have added a second LRF farther west (or moved the existing one).

Must have been all those women complaining about not being able to watch Tom McGee on WHCP...........

They could have gotten a fiber feed. Or perhaps tapped into Charter cable that runs by the LRF. :eek:

My guess is that they teamed up with WKAS and are sharing fiber. Could be wrong. ;)

WHCP moved to Charleston so that is probably why Directv can pick up that channel.

Did they move the transmitter or just the studio? If they moved the transmitter, or at least the DT one, they are still powering it via a 9-volt battery.

Did they move the transmitter or just the studio? If they moved the transmitter, or at least the DT one, they are still powering it via a 9-volt battery.

I know they moved the studio, which I thought would have meant the transmitter too, but maybe not.

I haven't seen Jay (starter of this thread) post for a long time. Has anyone talked to him lately?

I know they moved the studio, which I thought would have meant the transmitter too, but maybe not.

I just called the station, and while they have indeed moved the studio to Charleston, the trasmitter will remain in Portsmouth. The girl that I talked to had no idea if they were at full power or not.

Hey guys...

WHCP...there is a SATELLITE Newsroom (satellite in this context meaning "remote - located away from their actual building) in Charleston just behind Kelly's Men's Shop on the West side. Dutchess Bakery was in the bottom of the building but as I understand it, they're moving and Mark Hunt will be moving his law offices into that space.

Now, the orginal plan was to eventually move the entire station to Charleston...transmitter and all but that requires moving the license which, in turn, requires filing for such a move. Whether that's been done or not, I don't know.

What I *DO* know is their ratings were...er, rather intersting for the November period. Those of us working in the business were quite pleased with their place and hope they continue to stay right where they are...at the BOTTOM! Oh yeah, I forgot to mention...they did have one highlight...in WOMEN 50+!

Now...back to your regularly scheduled programming!

yeesh just caught some of the WHCP 10pm news program it looked like something out of the 70s and not in a good way...

yeesh just caught some of the WHCP 10pm news program it looked like something out of the 70s and not in a good way...

Yeah it's because one of their anchors looks like he is in his 70's. Must be all that alcohol that Tom drinks.

Yeah it's because one of their anchors looks like he is in his 70's. Must be all that alcohol that Tom drinks.


I keep telling Dad to quit drinking because it really shows on the camera.

I caught some of that newscast. The lady anchor is pleasant to the eye :cool:

The one time I watched it, I laughed my head off. I can't believe people actually watch it. And why do old women like Tom so much anyway?

Tom McGee is probably the BEST anchor I've ever had the pleasure to work with during my broadcasting career. The man knows how to do the job, he's good on camera and taught me more than anyone else about how to "present" a newscast from the anchor chair. He was tough but he and I got along extremely well and I still count him as a good friend. Yep...he's got a lot of baggage but so do most of us...we're just not on the tube every night.

That station is a totally different story. They're trying to do the impossible with NOTHING other than Tom and that's a tough sell. They have virtually no budget and distribution problems. Sending the signal to Portsmouth via a Fiber link that is also questionable...well, you can see my point.

I rib and joke but I'll tell you this, pulling off the newscast they do on a nightly basis is a freakin' miracle!

All that aside, as the Director of Promotion for a rival TV Station, two actually, all I can say professionally is "he-he!".

Was down in Huntington yesterday helping a friend get his antenna pointed so he can watch the Superbowl in HD. He got a CM 4221 on my recommendation and for now it is in a closet beside his TV room wedged between a box and the wall. He is getting a signal in the 80's on his E* 811 receiver. So he is set.

Also, on a OT note, if anyone is passing through the Teays Valley area, gas here is a much as 20 cents cheaper than anywhere else. The TA Travel Center has it for $2.19 vs $2.39 I saw this morning in St. Albans and $2.34 in Milton. It usually runs 5-7 cents cheaper here, but it has been 15-20 cents lower now for a while.

Speaking of St. Albans, has anyone noticed how tall the WVAH/WCHS tower is coming West on 60? I never really noticed it before, but it reaches up there. From the valley it doesn't look as high since we are looking over some hills, but from St. Albans, it is towering. (Pun intended. :D )

Yeah...it's nice to have the Biggest Tower on the block. According to our Sign-On, the tower is actually 1,700 or so feet tall. HAHA...take that Mr. Cary!

Now, did any of you notice something weird going on with the local breaks tonight in "24"? It seemed like it was trying to broadcast our locals in some sort of weird faux-anamorphic mod...not like it usually does in the 4:3 window.

Pretty weird!

Yeah was pretty weird. I was curious to see if it would continue to the next program it also was stretched to 14:9 . KABC-DT does the same thing to all their SD programs. Most people on these forums seem to find it pretty annoying.

I talked to Raymond about this today and he wasn't sure what happened. He said Fox might have done something...some sort of update to the system or such. I also talked to one of our other Maintenance Engineers today and again, it's all in the splicer...the Master Control Operators have no control over it.

It seems to be normal now but that may change at 8pm...who knows.

All I know it continued during the 12:30am run of Malcolm in the middle. I checked my tivo to see if the stretching happened on the NY Fox (WNYW-DT) and nothing weird on that station. Just a local problem I guess since no one else mentioned it in the main 24 thread.

Did anyone watch American Idol (yech!!!!!) tonight and notice the problem?

I've been watching the new Dune Extended DVD and haven't really paid attention to network programming tonight.

I don't watch American Idol either. The closest I come to reality programming is the HBO taxicab confessions.

Anyway State of the Union wasn't stretched and neither were the programs after that. I guess the problem is corrected at least for the moment.

I guess in a couple hours we will find out if they have the ability to time shift HD broadcasts. Bones being delayed to 11:30pm or whenever the basketball game ends and all...

It turns out they don't have the capability to timeshift HD content or at least didn't use it tonight

I live in Russell, KY, just got a 50 inch Samsung DLP. Put a Channelmaster antenna (don't remember the number, it was the biggest Lowe's had) on a chimney mount on a 5 ft. mast. I can get WSAZ, WVAH and WOWK DT, plus a slew of PBS stations from OSU and KET, as well as Channel 30.

However I'm trying to get ABC for the big game. I can get the regular WCHS signal somewhat, it's fairly fuzzy but you can see what's on the screen. The Channel 41 DT sometimes has the low or no signal indication, sometimes not.

Will it help to put the antenna higher? I got another 5ft mast, but I'm wondering if I I'm just too far away. I can get WVAH, so I figure it's possible.

Any hints?

Thanks.

I live in Russell, KY, just got a 50 inch Samsung DLP. Put a Channelmaster antenna (don't remember the number, it was the biggest Lowe's had) on a chimney mount on a 5 ft. mast. I can get WSAZ, WVAH and WOWK DT, plus a slew of PBS stations from OSU and KET, as well as Channel 30.

However I'm trying to get ABC for the big game. I can get the regular WCHS signal somewhat, it's fairly fuzzy but you can see what's on the screen. The Channel 41 DT sometimes has the low or no signal indication, sometimes not.

Will it help to put the antenna higher? I got another 5ft mast, but I'm wondering if I I'm just too far away. I can get WVAH, so I figure it's possible.

Any hints?

Thanks.

You may have to rotate the antenna. Your antenna may not be pointed in a direction that will allow you to pick it up, the way you have it directed now.

Try this site to see from which direction the ABC tower is situated from your home.

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

Just plug in your zip code, and it will tell you the distance from the tower and the heading(Compass direction) that the tower is situated from you.

* violet - uhf WVAH-DT 11.1 FOX CHARLESTON WV 106° 44.7 19

* violet - uhf WSAZ-DT 3.1 NBC HUNTINGTON WV 98° 26.8 23

violet - vhf WOWK 13 CBS HUNTINGTON WV 99° 27.4 13

* violet - uhf WCHS-DT 8.1 ABC CHARLESTON WV 106° 44.7 41

If I plugged in the correct zip code, these are the compass directions, and the distance from the towers. If you can pick up WVAH, then it would appear that you should be able to get WCHS. hmmmm.......anyone else for suggestions to a79771's problem.

What are your signal strengths for the channels that you do receive?

Update ... WCHS DT started coming in just this morning, before I did anything to the antenna.
It's intermittent, breaks up a lot, but at least it's there. I'm going to try raising it just a little more.

I tried rotating once before, turned the antenna about 90 degrees from where it was, that didn't help WCHS but it also didn't hurt the others.

My TV only has bars to show signal strength, like a cell phone. CHS is one bar, the others are several bars.

Basically I'm trying to avoid adding the 5ft section to my mast because then I feel like I should add guy wires for stability. Just lazy, really.

Hello:

I am new to this forum and actually stumbled upon it using a search engine. I live in Teays Valley and bought a new 50" plasma tv and have had D* for a while. I bought the Tivo HD D* receiver and have picked up all of the locals using a DB8 with preamp and signal booster. Although, WCHS comes in very weak. I don't understand because I live so close to the tower, and WVAH comes in at 90% signal strength. WCHS is all across the board. Sometimes, I can pick it up fine (probably mid 50's on signal strength) and other times without moving the antenna it will barely hit 20% (and it shoots up and down, varying from 0 to mid 20's). Has anybody experienced anything like this. Right now, the antenna is in my garage and I have moved it outside (with a long coaxial cable) but it seems to not get any better. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am gearing up for the Super Bowl on Sunday. Also, WSAZ comes in incredibly strong (mid 90's) and WOWK comes in very strong, but, of course, I am having the same frustration as everyone else about their stretched image.

Thank you,

Andy

Being that close to the towers, you are getting a ton of multipath. I have the CM4228 which is almost the same as the DB8. I have mine in my attic, one screen is off, and it is pointed towards Sissonsville. So it may take some experimentation to get it right.

Note: I have the same receiver as you.

Also, does anyone have list of the movie channels that pop up on Adelphia cable, I guess because of the digital tuner in my TV? I seem to get movies on 77-1 thru 77-10. -1 and -2 are preview channels that show movie trailers. I saw a mention of Starz On Demand on one, and there seem to be several variations of HBO because I've seen The Sopranos on some of the channels. There's also porn that shows up on at least one.
Discovery HD theater also shows up.

a79771

Welcome to the forum (I'm also fairly new).

Would you be able to find out the model antenna that you do have?

I live in Ashland and can generally pick up WCHS pretty well, though I was having trouble earlier in the year before I adjusted the direction of my antenna. My antenna is also roof-mounted, but I don't know the type that it is. I believe I may have posted a picture of it somewhere in this thread.

When I get home tonight, I'll try and see what signal strength that I'm getting from the OTA stations.

BTW, I have no idea about the Adelphia stations as I've not experienced that.

I haven't seen Jay (starter of this thread) post for a long time. Has anyone talked to him lately?

Thanks for noticing Tony, I recently had my third child and between work, the kid and XBOX 360 I have not posted recently. Frankly, I continue to be put off by my inability to pick up WVAH and WCHS simultaneously despite them being on the same tower! Not to mention the whole antichrist situation. It all really needs to go to cable!

a79771

Welcome to the forum (I'm also fairly new).

Would you be able to find out the model antenna that you do have?

I have a Channel Master 3020 that I got at the Russell Lowes. They are out of them now, I believe, but have the next two smaller sizes in stock.

It's weird. WCHS-DT started coming in this morning. The signal is not as strong as the other station, but it works for now. I've been trying for at least a week.

and XBOX 360 I have not posted recently.
Are you playing, or trying to play, COD2 online? It is a bitch to get in a game. MS blames Activision who blames MS. Shame as it is a great game.

It's weird. WCHS-DT started coming in this morning. The signal is not as strong as the other station, but it works for now. I've been trying for at least a week.

You never did say how much your signal strength was for WCHS. I am from the Charleston area, and when I raised my antenna an additional 5 feet, it did make a fair amount of difference, however, yours may be a different situation. And yes, I bought the materials to add some guy wire, but haven't put it on yet. A guy wire ring, is not that expensive, but I couldn't find it local. I had to buy it off the internet.

For WCHS, it's one bar (the scale runs from 1 to 9 bars like a cell phone). The signal occasionally breaks up. (funny thing is, I rarely watch the station anyway, I just want DT reception for Sunday, after that I don't care as much)

I can raise the mast up another 6-8 inches in the mount I have, before I have to add the other mast. I'm going to raise it a little today and see if I can get 2-3 bars. The other stations are 7-9 bars.

I cobbled together some stuff at Lowes to make guy wires, but I couldn't find a ring either. Solid Signal says rings are discontinued, but they are still listed on their site.

Where did you order from?

Thanks for noticing Tony, I recently had my third child and between work, the kid and XBOX 360 I have not posted recently. Frankly, I continue to be put off by my inability to pick up WVAH and WCHS simultaneously despite them being on the same tower! Not to mention the whole antichrist situation. It all really needs to go to cable!

Congrats on the birth. Boy or Girl? It's funny because my 3 year old is all about HD now. We were watching something (maybe a football game) a couple weeks back and SBC had an HD commercial and my 3 year old said "Daddy Look!! That commercial is in High Definitionumon".

Do us all a favor. Be a responsible father and teach him/her the methods of the antichrist and what to watch out for....LOL!!!

Speaking of St. Albans, has anyone noticed how tall the WVAH/WCHS tower is coming West on 60? I never really noticed it before, but it reaches up there. From the valley it doesn't look as high since we are looking over some hills, but from St. Albans, it is towering. (Pun intended. :D )


Are you talking about the huge tower that's on eyeline behind the Nitro-St. Albans bridge as you're coming down 60 towards St. Albans? I drive down 60 all the time and it really stuck out at the other day...I guess I should look up more often.

Most likely. I noticed it heading West out of St. Albans.

a79771

Sorry for taking so long, but here are the channels and signal strengths that I am receiving (around 5:45 p.m.)

CHANNEL NAME FREQUENCY SGNL SGTH
Channel 3-1 WSAZ-DT 23 92
Channel 11-1 WVAH-DT 19 90
Channel 25-1 KET1 26 89
Channel 33-1 WPBY-D1 34 80
Channel 29-1 39 68
Channel 8-1 WCHS-DT 41 70
Channel 42-1 WPBO-HD 43 47
Channel 44-1 44 89
Channel 13-1 WOWK-DT 47 85

Herdfan:

Thanks for the reply. I actually ended up buying the Terk 55 to try it from CC. I have read some negatives on this post about the antenna, but to be truthful I haven't noticed a lot of difference between the HDTVi (from Terk), the DB8, and the Terk 55. For WSAZ, WVAH, and WOWK (even though it is not an HD feed) the signal strength has been in the mid 90's for all. With the Terk 55 it asthetically looks a little better in my garage and can sit next to the media box. I had purchased a Pre-amp (PA 16) with the DB8 and I took it off tonight just to try something different. I actually started getting all the regulars at the same strength and WCHS started coming in at roughtly 60%. Do you think the Pre-amp was a negative. I am not very technical and really have no idea what it does. Thanks for your reply, though to the previous question.

Andy

You are getting better signals than I am. But I am inside the attic. I have WVAH and WCHS about 45 deg apart and can hold both most of the time.

ukycats,

I get basically the same thing you do, but not as strong of signals in most cases. WSAZ is 9-10 bars, WVAH is 7-8 bars, WOWK 7-8 bars. WCHS is 1 bar, sometimes 2. It fluctuates and sometimes go away completely. I also get Channel 30, which is WB, but it's regular TV, not a DTV signal.

What tells you the signal strength in terms of a percentage?

For WCHS, it's one bar (the scale runs from 1 to 9 bars like a cell phone). The signal occasionally breaks up. (funny thing is, I rarely watch the station anyway, I just want DT reception for Sunday, after that I don't care as much)

I can raise the mast up another 6-8 inches in the mount I have, before I have to add the other mast. I'm going to raise it a little today and see if I can get 2-3 bars. The other stations are 7-9 bars.

I cobbled together some stuff at Lowes to make guy wires, but I couldn't find a ring either. Solid Signal says rings are discontinued, but they are still listed on their site.

Where did you order from?

I am not sure whether or not your going to get the signal strength that you are looking for by raising it 6 to 8 inches. But if it is not that difficult, it may be worth a try.

I ordered the guy ring from here..... http://www.weisd.com/store2/CM%209012.html

I tried raising it a few inches, it didn't really seem to help. WCHS signal strength seems to vary from 0 to 2 bars, usually 1 bar. It comes in fine when it's at 1 bar but it loses the signal occasionally.

Of course on Saturday when I have time to work on the mast, it's raining.

The real question I had but didn't articulate well is whether antenna height is the answer or do I need some kind of signal amplifier?

An amp will definitely help. You are at the fringe of the range for that antenna (60 miles), so the amp will boost your signal. Also, it is unlikely it will overamp WSAZ. And the 3020 is very directional at fringe, so get a bearing from antennaweb.org and turn it in small incrrements trying to peak the signal.

I tried raising it a few inches, it didn't really seem to help. WCHS signal strength seems to vary from 0 to 2 bars, usually 1 bar. It comes in fine when it's at 1 bar but it loses the signal occasionally.

Of course on Saturday when I have time to work on the mast, it's raining.

The real question I had but didn't articulate well is whether antenna height is the answer or do I need some kind of signal amplifier?

Oh, ...... I haven't tried mine without an amp. Yes, that should help. I have a channel master indoor amp(indoor job, no rain..) that I picked up at Lowe's for about $23.00. Its an extremly easy hookup, and should do you some good. Expecially if you want to watch the Super Bowl in HD.

a79771

I have the HR10-250 and it actaully gives the signal strength as a percentage beside the bars. If I can find my compass, the next nice day I'll try and get up on the roof and get a more precise direction the my antenna is pointed. BTW, heavier rains do seem to degrade my signal strenghts (especially WCHS).

I put the mast up today and changed the direction a bit, more east vs. southeast I think. WCHS is now about 5 five bars consistently, So long as the wife can watch the Super Bowl in HD, I'll be happy.

It's now on a 10 ft. mast. I put guy wires up today in between the raindrops. Rather than order a guy wire ring, I used some chain link fence gate hinges that clamp on to the post and tighten with a bolt, and then used an S hook through the hinge opening, attached to 1/8 wire cable. I put eye bolts into the roof sheathing and attached the cable with turnbuckles. It's not pretty but I think it will hold OK.

I suppose the signal booster would have been a lot easier.

The amp will most likely put you into the 70 to 90 range.

1. COD 2 online can be manipulated through a glitch to get online a little better.

Finley Ann my third girl born 12/22.

Today wired in a silver sensor antenna I had laying around and right now I am getting WCHS. But I know bu the time the Superbowl start it will be flickering again!

Originally Posted by: WVUDRJ
Finley Ann my third girl born 12/22.

Congratulations on your little girl..... :D

I know Im in the Minority here but I thought I would let you know.......Im from Parkersburg, and just recently moved, but still in parkersburg, but I cant recieve my Charter cable anymore which only gave me ESPN,Discovery,TNT, HBO, Cinemax,Starz in HD. Not too bad but still wish I could have the networks. Anyway I now have CAS cable which is a local small company here in Parkersburg. I was very dissapointed that they only offer ESPN, HBO, and NBC through our WTAP affiliate. But I was somewhat happy to have NBC
ANYWAY , this is my 10th day here and Ive found out that they also offer FOX in HD but it isnt listed on ther web site or channel guide anywhere. I even emailed and asked what HD channels they were going to have in the future and fox was one of the ones they listed, but Im already recieving it. So dissapointed that I still cant get the superbowl in HD, Im doing some channel surfing decide to see if anything is currently on fox in HD which is like channel 286. What do I see when I flip to the same FOX HD channel for the past week............ the HD broadcast of the KNICKS ROCKETS GAME ON ABC!!!!!!!!!!! HD SUperbowl here I come!!!!!! I dont know what the heck is going on. Its been the FOX HD channel for a week but today its ABCHD. Im definatly not complaing but does anyone know why it might have changed?????

I purchased a cheap Philips Indoor powered Antenna at Walmart yesterday for the fun of it. It was $29. Got it home, sit it on the windowledge in my basement family room (about 2 feet above the ground outside). I'm picking up WCHS at almost 90%. I have to turn it to get fox and NBC though. If I start getting flickers, I'll watch it in HD on DirecTV.

Jay,

Good luck buddy. I hope your signal stays strong through the game. You may have better luck once you move to your new location. FYI...I have 2 girls. I love them to death, but I swear, I think their PMS is programmed in at birth.

I know Im in the Minority here but I thought I would let you know.......Im from Parkersburg, and just recently moved, but still in parkersburg, but I cant recieve my Charter cable anymore which only gave me ESPN,Discovery,TNT, HBO, Cinemax,Starz in HD. Not too bad but still wish I could have the networks. Anyway I now have CAS cable which is a local small company here in Parkersburg. I was very dissapointed that they only offer ESPN, HBO, and NBC through our WTAP affiliate. But I was somewhat happy to have NBC
ANYWAY , this is my 10th day here and Ive found out that they also offer FOX in HD but it isnt listed on ther web site or channel guide anywhere. I even emailed and asked what HD channels they were going to have in the future and fox was one of the ones they listed, but Im already recieving it. So dissapointed that I still cant get the superbowl in HD, Im doing some channel surfing decide to see if anything is currently on fox in HD which is like channel 286. What do I see when I flip to the same FOX HD channel for the past week............ the HD broadcast of the KNICKS ROCKETS GAME ON ABC!!!!!!!!!!! HD SUperbowl here I come!!!!!! I dont know what the heck is going on. Its been the FOX HD channel for a week but today its ABCHD. Im definatly not complaing but does anyone know why it might have changed?????

If it's a locally owned company one of the owners or employees probably wanted to see it as well. Before Charter bought my local mom and pop cable company they used to put ESPN2 on when WVU played (even though I don't think they were supposed to). That was the only time it was on until Charter bought them out. What station is it? WCHS from Charleston or maybe one of the Columbus stations?

I wish I could get the SB in HD. I can't get WCHS and ABC is the only network I can't get from DirecTV (NYC feed).

A good preamp will definitely help reception. I am using a Channelmaster 3018 that I got from Lowe's and I always used to get FOX perfectly and NBC and ABC about 75% of the time. After I got a preamp from Radio Shack I get all 3 almost 100% of the time. Super Bowl looks beautiful.

Was it just me or did the Rolling Stones performance make a convincing argument as to why HD technology should be outlawed?

I think they should have posted a disclaimer warning young children to leave the room before showing Keith Richards in all his glory <g>....

Was it just me or did the Rolling Stones performance make a convincing argument as to why HD technology should be outlawed?

I think they should have posted a disclaimer warning young children to leave the room before showing Keith Richards in all his glory <g>....

Agreed. And I think they should have let the Stones lip synch as well. Reality ain't all it's cracked up to be.

Was it just me or did the Rolling Stones performance make a convincing argument as to why HD technology should be outlawed?

I think they should have posted a disclaimer warning young children to leave the room before showing Keith Richards in all his glory <g>....


Didn't they have to Dig Keith Richards up for this show? LOL!! I am pretty big into music, but I thought they sounded horrible. But, they are nearing 70 years old. I'm not a big fan of the Stones, but I'd take them anyday over seeing the Squeelers win another SB (Ok...my flame suit is on)

I heard on Mike & Mike on ESPN Radio that Joe Montana didn't show for the pre-game ceremony honoring past MVP's because he wanted a $100K and didn't get it. :(

Anybody notice article in Sunday Gazette talking about HD. They talk about all the local stations being in full strength digital (HD) except for one. You guessed it.
The devil himself gave a quote that WOWK should have HD signal within 1-2 months.


Hold your breath/

Iam still using a very old VHF/UHF Channel Master and a CM amp (old too) and am only getting a good signal on 8.1 and 11.1 which are the two closest towers at 22 miles, signal strenght stays around 93. I need a better signal on 3.1, its constantly glitching, signal near 60 at best. I was curious if anyone near Kenna/Ripley are using a four-bay antenna, its bound to be better than what Iam using now and I found several on Ebay cheap. Or maybe even a 8-bay or Direction antenna, I gotta do something before the Olympics start. BTW the SB looked and sounded awesome lastnight, I wasnt particular happy with the Stones playing but it could have been worse.

I received an email from a local CBS employee this morning which said that CBS should be available in HDTV on Charter in time for the NCAA tournament. I sure hope this happens.

I received an email from a local CBS employee this morning which said that CBS should be available in HDTV on Charter in time for the NCAA tournament. I sure hope this happens.

Come on Armstrong!!!!!!!!!!!

Anybody notice article in Sunday Gazette talking about HD. They talk about all the local stations being in full strength digital (HD) except for one. You guessed it.
The devil himself gave a quote that WOWK should have HD signal within 1-2 months.


Hold your breath/


I was told that WSAZ broadcasts in 480p, and not in 720p or 1080i. Can anyone confirm that fact? Thanks.

WSAZ-DT broadcasts in 1080i, though not all of its programming originates in HD.

I received an email from a local CBS employee this morning which said that CBS should be available in HDTV on Charter in time for the NCAA tournament. I sure hope this happens.

But will they also transmit a free OTA HD signal like every other network broadcasting in HD?

But will they also transmit a free OTA HD signal like every other network broadcasting in HD?

I didn't ask that question, but I believe that Charter will broadcast WOWK by "retransmission," which means that it would pull down the signal off-the-air. If that is the case, I would think everyone in the area could get the signal as well.

Also with regards to retransmission, I have been told by Charter that it is in negotiations with WSAZ to sign a retransmission agreement, and should be broadcasting that signal in the "next few months."

I will keep my fingers crossed.

If they all go to cable then thank goodness, it is about time!

If they all go to cable then thank goodness, it is about time!
With D* looking to get the top 100 or so markets up within the next year, I'll bet the cablecos are getting nervous and as a result, will give in and pay what WOWK and others ask for retransmission.

d1live, you are in my neck of the woods, I live just off the Fairplain exit.
Is your house up on a hill? I have the same type of antenna that Tony just bought from Wal Mart and I can get the three out of Charleston but I have to move it. Just thought you might like to know that it is working for me and I am further away than you. I live up on a hill with a decent line of sight to the towers.

No way the D* or E* HD channels will even come close to the OTA HD signal PQ.
I watched the WVU/ND game on a Wed. night on ESPN over E* and the HD pic was compressed something awful. I want the OTA to continue at high power!
The Superbowl was one of my top three all time best PQ events in HD. The other two being SNFB on ESPN LAST year before they started their HD Lite crap!
I watch most of my HD on a 100" screen via Panasonic PT-L500U so I am sensitive to a difference between the PQ's.

d1live, you are in my neck of the woods, I live just off the Fairplain exit.
Is your house up on a hill? I have the same type of antenna that Tony just bought from Wal Mart and I can get the three out of Charleston but I have to move it. Just thought you might like to know that it is working for me and I am further away than you. I live up on a hill with a decent line of sight to the towers.

No way the D* or E* HD channels will even come close to the OTA HD signal PQ.
I watched the WVU/ND game on a Wed. night on ESPN over E* and the HD pic was compressed something awful. I want the OTA to continue at high power!
The Superbowl was one of my top three all time best PQ events in HD. The other two being SNFB on ESPN LAST year before they started their HD Lite crap!
I watch most of my HD on a 100" screen via Panasonic PT-L500U so I am sensitive to a difference between the PQ's.

You are correct that D* or E* won't come close to OTA HD. But, you can't be certain that HD over cable will be better or worse. It depends on how much they compress due to bandwidth limitations. From the article I read after last year's convention, it appears all carriers will use the same "downgrading" as D*. Instead of 1920 x 1080, it will be 1280 x 1080. HD is defined as 1080 or 720, so they can legally provide a signal at 1280 x 1080 and still label it as HD. At this time, HD on Cable looks better than D*, but if/when they change to the new resolution, then that may not hold true. Time will tell. That's why I hope WOWK offers their HD OTA for the best picture quality possible.

With D* looking to get the top 100 or so markets up within the next year, I'll bet the cablecos are getting nervous and as a result, will give in and pay what WOWK and others ask for retransmission.

Hmmm... I may have to consider going to Charter if they get all four networks in HD... I'll have to give up my HR10 when D* adds the Charleston DMA in HD anyway. Of course I'd have to give up Sunday Ticket :-(

Oh well I guess I've got at least a year to decide anyway....

I'm not sure Charter will pay what SBG is asking. As a general rule, SBG wants a lot of money for retransmission consent of HD channels. I think you will see the SBG channels on D* before cable as D* has a blanket agreement with SBG.

d1live, you are in my neck of the woods, I live just off the Fairplain exit.
Is your house up on a hill? I have the same type of antenna that Tony just bought from Wal Mart and I can get the three out of Charleston but I have to move it. Just thought you might like to know that it is working for me and I am further away than you. I live up on a hill with a decent line of sight to the towers.

No way the D* or E* HD channels will even come close to the OTA HD signal PQ.
I watched the WVU/ND game on a Wed. night on ESPN over E* and the HD pic was compressed something awful. I want the OTA to continue at high power!
The Superbowl was one of my top three all time best PQ events in HD. The other two being SNFB on ESPN LAST year before they started their HD Lite crap!
I watch most of my HD on a 100" screen via Panasonic PT-L500U so I am sensitive to a difference between the PQ's. DarrinH, Iam just north off the Goldtown exit, down in a valley with a fairly clear view of Southern Sky (towards Charleston) but have a hill between my antenna and Huntington, plus its 33 miles to channels 3 and 13's towers, Iam going to try and get the stations to grant promission to recieve these channels through my Sat.Provider, Ive been deniened twice but its worth trying again. If this fails Iam buying about 300feet of flat cable and going for a long straight up a mountain hike and still may fail, just hope I dont fall, its along way down LOL.. By the way , which antenna did Tony buy, I may try that before I begin my climb.

DarrinH, Iam just north off the Goldtown exit, down in a valley with a fairly clear view of Southern Sky (towards Charleston) but have a hill between my antenna and Huntington, plus its 33 miles to channels 3 and 13's towers, Iam going to try and get the stations to grant promission to recieve these channels through my Sat.Provider, Ive been deniened twice but its worth trying again. If this fails Iam buying about 300feet of flat cable and going for a long straight up a mountain hike and still may fail, just hope I dont fall, its along way down LOL.. By the way , which antenna did Tony buy, I may try that before I begin my climb.


I purchased the Philips MANT510 Indoor amplified antenna. It's a 50dB amplification for VHF and 35dB for UHF. I live about 5 miles from you. I lived in Goldtown for about a year when I got married. I bought this antenna for kicks and grins and can't believe it. It's in my windowsill in the basement, so about 2 feet above the ground. I'm picking up WCHS at almost 90%, but that's the only channel I can get when pointed in the directioni to receive WCHS. If I move it, I can get WVAH in the 90s and WSAZ in the 70s. I've never tried to maximize the WSAZ signal. I can only get WOWK at about 20%. I have a large Channel Master Antenna that I will probably try to sell for cheap. It's the largest one Lowes sells (either the 3018 or 3020, I forget). I also have a 30' mast that I will probably sell with it.

I'm not sure Charter will pay what SBG is asking

Time will tell won't it:)!

Cable is nervous...their day of reckoning is on the horizon.

Darrin,

Hey dude...is your e-mail address still the same as it was before?

TB, you and Darrin have me thinking now, the indoor antenna sounds good and taking down the lightning rod (CM antenna) on top of my house sounds even better. You guys are right about the OTA pic. looking much better than Sat.TV pic. The SB looked great as do most sporting events OTA HD. Nascar Qualifing Sunday in OTA HD, should look and sound great.

Nascar Qualifing Sunday in OTA HD, should look and sound great.
Thanks for the tip. Jayski's had qualifying on TNT.

Speaking of TNT, D* will add TNT-HD next Friday. A day too late for the Gatorade Duel, but soon enough for the Busch race Saturday.

I was at the Town Center Mall last Saturday (First time in I can't remember how long). The Steak Escape has moved since they put in the State offices at the food plaza. They now have a little 'eat in' place. As I walked by Steak Escape, I noticed they had a Plasma TV hanging on the wall with ESPN-HD on. Now, I was quite far away, so I hope it was actually HD and not an E-DTV downconverting the HD broadcast. When you are at a distance, it's difficult to tell.

Paul, my work e-mail address is still the same.
d1live, you may have some difficulty but you can always take the antenna back to Wal Mart if it doesn't work for you.

I was at the Town Center Mall last Saturday (First time in I can't remember how long). The Steak Escape has moved since they put in the State offices at the food plaza. They now have a little 'eat in' place. As I walked by Steak Escape, I noticed they had a Plasma TV hanging on the wall with ESPN-HD on. Now, I was quite far away, so I hope it was actually HD and not an E-DTV downconverting the HD broadcast. When you are at a distance, it's difficult to tell.

I subscribe to the Charter HD package, which only has 3 stations (Discovery, ESPN, and TNT). The ESPN games in HD appear to be in 1080i format, and are quite remarkable. TNT does most of its NBA games, I believe, in 1080i also.

The best HD broadcasts I have seen, though, were the CBS NFL broadcasts in HD that I got through Comcast when I lived in Washington, DC. That's why I am chomping at the bit to get WOWK moving on getting its HD set up in time for the NCAA tournament.

The ESPN games in HD appear to be in 1080i format, and are quite remarkable.
ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and FOX all use 720p. Almost everyone else uses 1080i. The best HD I have seen were the BCS games on WCHS. And this includes Discovery HD before D* started down-rezzing. Even one of my neighbors who pays very little attention to my TV fetishes noticed the PQ and was amazed.

Anybody else having problems with WVAH-DT? I checked my TiVo for House which was supposed to record on Tuesday, but there was nothing in the recording. So I tested the signal just now and I'm getting almost nothing, even though WCHS-DT is coming through strong as ever.

At 9:19pm EST Fox 11/WVAH-DT is fine and dandy here in the sticks and hitting about an 87/88 as far as the old signal strength meter is concerned.

Darrin,

I'm going to try to e-mail you tomorrow. If you don't hear from me by 1pm or so...drop me a line at work...my e-mail is still the same too!

Thanks for the info Paul. I checked again and 11-1 is jumping around in the 20s and 30s. Strangely, the signal for 3-1, 13-1, and 33-1 all increased a little, so I'm thinking that the recent strong winds moved the antenna a little. Still, I wouldn't think it would have that big of an effect given that 8-1 is in the 90s and I'm so close to the tower.

Just noticed this morning that WSAZ is being broadcast on Charter 781, and is showing it as a test. I imagine that this is for the olympics..........and it is in the upper channels of Charter, and I would guess it is in HD. Hopefully it will stay on, maybe the rest of the local channels will be following within the next couple of months.

Just noticed this morning that WSAZ is being broadcast on Charter 781, and is showing it as a test. I imagine that this is for the olympics..........and it is in the upper channels of Charter, and I would guess it is in HD. Hopefully it will stay on, maybe the rest of the local channels will be following within the next couple of months.

I have been in contact with a representative of Charter over the last few weeks and impressed upon him how important it was to get WSAZ-DT on Charter in time for the Winter Olympics. He called me Friday evening, and let me know that Charter and WSAZ-DT have signed a Temporary Retransmission Agreement to last the duration of the Winter Olympics, with the hope that the agreement can be made permanent thereafter.

As for Channel 781 itself, last night's programming was pretty good between the olympics, leno, and conan. But the olympics did not appear to be 1920 x 1080. I think it was something less. How did it look OTA?

As for Channel 781 itself, last night's programming was pretty good between the olympics, leno, and conan. But the olympics did not appear to be 1920 x 1080. I think it was something less. How did it look OTA?

I worked evening shift last night, didn't get to see any of it. Will check it out this evening.

As for Channel 781 itself, last night's programming was pretty good between the olympics, leno, and conan. But the olympics did not appear to be 1920 x 1080. I think it was something less. How did it look OTA?

I thought the OTA broadcast sound of the Olympics on WSAZ was great ...however, the picture was not as vivid as the FOX NFL HD broadcasts.

Armstrong in Ashland added WSAZ-HD on Friday. Don't know if it is permanent or for just the Olympics.

The Charter retransmission is not as sharp as New York NBC via D*. It looks more like 720. D* is very sharp! Notwithstanding all this, we ought to encourage Charter and WSAZ in their new partnership. Who knows, someone else (quess who?) might get the same idea for March Madness and the Masters!!!

WSAZ must be happy, they were promoting to watch the Olymipics on Charter and Armstron cable in HD. Let's hope they stay with it, which may spark a movement around here.

Did anyone else have trouble with the WSAZ signal last night during the Olypmics? My meter showed a good signal (i don't get numbers, just a bar graph showing poor, normal, good) and it wasn't dropping out, however I kept getting the digital freeze every few minutes.

WSAZ must be happy, they were promoting to watch the Olymipics on Charter and Armstron cable in HD. Let's hope they stay with it, which may spark a movement around here.

Did anyone else have trouble with the WSAZ signal last night during the Olypmics? My meter showed a good signal (i don't get numbers, just a bar graph showing poor, normal, good) and it wasn't dropping out, however I kept getting the digital freeze every few minutes.
I had problems on the DirecTV NY feed for about a half an hour (maybe less since I changed channels). When I switched back it was fine.

WSAZ must be happy, they were promoting to watch the Olymipics on Charter and Armstron cable in HD. Let's hope they stay with it, which may spark a movement around here.

Did anyone else have trouble with the WSAZ signal last night during the Olypmics? My meter showed a good signal (i don't get numbers, just a bar graph showing poor, normal, good) and it wasn't dropping out, however I kept getting the digital freeze every few minutes.

I watched some of it. I think it may have been a problem with NBC's feed rather than with WSAZ's broadcast. At one point during the broadcast, I noticed the colors were ghosting and there were 3 faint NBC logos running across the top of the screen.

Did anyone else have trouble with the WSAZ signal last night during the Olypmics? My meter showed a good signal (i don't get numbers, just a bar graph showing poor, normal, good) and it wasn't dropping out, however I kept getting the digital freeze every few minutes.

I switched back and forth from the OTA WSAZ HD signal to the Charter cable HD signal and there was digital freeze and breakup on both HD sources. I finally just settled for the Charter analog Channel 4 feed. Spouse enjoys her iceskating without interuptions.

Did anyone else have trouble with the WSAZ signal last night during the Olypmics? My meter showed a good signal (i don't get numbers, just a bar graph showing poor, normal, good) and it wasn't dropping out, however I kept getting the digital freeze every few minutes.

Yes, I had the same trouble. My signal strength was 9-10 bars out of 10, but it kept freezing up. It was intermittment and seemed to go away later in the evening. We switched to the normal Adelphia WSAZ signal but was simply awful by comparison.

at least it wasn't me. I keep adjusting the darn OTA antenna and thought I had it perfect to get all 3 1/2 OTA signals, but last night got the wife made at me for the digital freeze and I refuse to watch the low def stuff when I have a glimmer of hope for high def.

Armstrong in Ashland added WSAZ-HD on Friday. Don't know if it is permanent or for just the Olympics.


i'm also getting wsaz on armstrong in spring valley (channel 103).

the feed is very good! the quality is on par with the OTA signal in my opinion.

WSAZ must be happy, they were promoting to watch the Olymipics on Charter and Armstron cable in HD. Let's hope they stay with it, which may spark a movement around here.
Promoting their HD signal is something they should have been doing two years ago. I see they finally got the idea that people like HD. :confused:

wvudrj,

I had no idea you were an HDTV junkie like myself. It was great to catch up with you and your wife (and new baby) at Lola's. As you know my wife and I are strongly considering a move back to Charleston. One (of many) factors for me is HDTV. I've had it now for 5+ years in NC.

I've read thru this large thread. It seems Charleston is somewhat behind the curve in the switch to Digital TV. At least compared to the North Carolina markets.

For the rest of the WVHTGroup, could someone please give me a current run down by station (NBC, CBS, Fox, etc) of who's got OTA digital and who's broadcasting HDTV. Also, it would be great to have a summary of what HD can be had on Charter cable.

What's the latest with your CBS affiliate? Sounds like someone needs to rough him up a bit. Has he not seen HighDef? I can't believe the owner of a TV station would want to go home and watch SD on his new big screen tv. Especially with all the great sporting events and primetime shows on CBSHD. If he's too cheap to install the new broadcasting equipment then he should be forced to give out satellite waivers. I'd hit him with a bunch of lawsuits from the WVHTGroup and see how he reacts :-)

I'll just do a brief run down on who remembers to turn the HD broadcast on.

WSAZ-DT (NBC) sometimes they forget SNL & Conan are HD but still vastly improved from last season where they almost always forgot turn on HD for Medium and some events

WCHS-DT (ABC) seems they don't turn on the HD switch for George Lopez show and some other sitcom

WVAH-DT (FOX) as Fox HQ controls the HD aspect they never had a problem with regards forgetting to broadcast a show in HD

WOWK-DT (CBS) no hd and judging from the way the digital broadcast looks its as if they take the analog feed they receive with rabbit ears and re-transmit it digitally easily the worst SD digital broadcast I have ever seen.

WCHS-DT (ABC) seems they don't turn on the HD switch for George Lopez show and some other sitcom

They do when I notice that...I call Master Control directly. I don't even have to ask anymore, I just say "Hi, this is Paul" and the feed goes to HD.

I do believe some of them really hate me now but guys, this is the price I pay so we can all enjoy our High Definition Television.

Jason,
I am the thread originator, that makes me HD OG (original gangsta) for the non hip crowd. Anyway between CHarter (ESPN, HBO, TNT, MAX, Starz, Discovery) and my OTA setup (FOX, ABC, NBC) we get a fair amount of HD. It is just with the hills it takes some work to get them all. We all continue to pester and harass the antichrist (CBS station owner Bray Carey) but ultimately he has all the money and power! Anyway quit screwing around and move back to Charleston so we can talk HD and mask it as some fancy get together centering around our wives and kids! :D It is great here and only getting better. Plus you will have full time free baby sitting which is priceless! Say Hi to Sinker for me. Next time your in, give me a call and we can golf together.

They do when I notice that...I call Master Control directly. I don't even have to ask anymore, I just say "Hi, this is Paul" and the feed goes to HD.

I do believe some of them really hate me now but guys, this is the price I pay so we can all enjoy our High Definition Television.


Heh

Yeah I used to call WSAZ master control when they screwed up Medium. I Eventually got to speak to someone higher up at WSAZ master control for a while the problems stopped. Didn't really care about the ABC sitcoms so it would of been hard to fake enthusiasm for that.

Calling TV stations definitely wasn't something I imagined when I got HD equipment.

Jason,
I am the thread originator, that makes me HD OG (original gangsta) for the non hip crowd. Anyway between CHarter (ESPN, HBO, TNT, MAX, Starz, Discovery) and my OTA setup (FOX, ABC, NBC) we get a fair amount of HD. It is just with the hills it takes some work to get them all. We all continue to pester and harass the antichrist (CBS station owner Bray Carey) but ultimately he has all the money and power! Anyway quit screwing around and move back to Charleston so we can talk HD and mask it as some fancy get together centering around our wives and kids! :D It is great here and only getting better. Plus you will have full time free baby sitting which is priceless! Say Hi to Sinker for me. Next time your in, give me a call and we can golf together.

When my wife asks what I miss about living in Washington, DC, my answer is always the same: no broadcast HDTV stations on cable. Over the past year and a half, I have repeatedly called Charter and the stations for HDTV and it is starting to pay off. I believe CBS and NBC will be permanently online very soon (NBC as of 4 days ago). As for Fox and ABC, Sinclair Broadcasting Group is, essentially, preventing cable operators from using their HD feed nationwide, and that will hopefully be cleared up soon.

Having also lived in North Carolina, I think moving back to Charleston is a good move for a number of reasons. I remember a Sinker from high school, and was friends with her brother, Jeff. Hope you all can settle in Charleston. Good luck!

Yeah I used to call WSAZ master control when they screwed up Medium.
Back in 2004 when NBC was doing the NASCAR races in 480p widescreen (which was still way better than 4:3 SD) I ended up calling almost every week. The problem was the programs wasn't flagged HD (because it wasn't) but still needed the switch flipped. One time I called and watched the picture flip back and forth a couple of times as if they were watching to see which one looked better.

I got to the point of sending Don Ray an e-mail on Friday reminding him to have the control room flip the switch on Sunday. That seemed to fix the problem for the most part.

Had a few issues last year, but it turned out they were do to equipment issues as opposed to them forgetting. I will be glad when NBC is gone from NASCAR.

When my wife asks what I miss about living in Washington, DC, my answer is always the same: no broadcast HDTV stations on cable. Over the past year and a half, I have repeatedly called Charter and the stations for HDTV and it is starting to pay off. I believe CBS and NBC will be permanently online very soon (NBC as of 4 days ago). As for Fox and ABC, Sinclair Broadcasting Group is, essentially, preventing cable operators from using their HD feed nationwide, and that will hopefully be cleared up soon.

Having also lived in North Carolina, I think moving back to Charleston is a good move for a number of reasons. I remember a Sinker from high school, and was friends with her brother, Jeff. Hope you all can settle in Charleston. Good luck!

Tarheel that makes you a GW grad and most likely someone I know as we are referring to the same Sinker. My dad was principal at GW and I graduated in 1991. Should not be hard to figure it out now!

Jay

Tarheel that makes you a GW grad and most likely someone I know as we are referring to the same Sinker. My dad was principal at GW and I graduated in 1991. Should not be hard to figure it out now!

Jay

Guessed that from the picture Jay. Was a 1994 grad, so don't think we crossed paths. Hope you and Kelly are doing well. Thought I heard once that you both were doctors. That GW education has served you well.

Guessed that from the picture Jay. Was a 1994 grad, so don't think we crossed paths. Hope you and Kelly are doing well. Thought I heard once that you both were doctors. That GW education has served you well.


Alright guys...move this to the Local GW Thread...come on. LOL!!!

Jay, I'm not a Doctor, but I did graduate from Johns Hopkins University.

I have to ask...did you guys know Jennifer Garner?

Alright guys...move this to the Local GW Thread...come on. LOL!!!

Jay, I'm not a Doctor, but I did graduate from Johns Hopkins University.

I have to ask...did you guys know Jennifer Garner?


She was before my time, but my cousin hangs out with her occasionally. That is the class of 1990.

She was before my time, but my cousin hangs out with her occasionally. That is the class of 1990.

You have a lucky cousin...not quite as lucky as Ben, but still lucky. My cousin plays bass for Keith Urban. They are great friends and were signed under Capitol Records in the late 90s before they decided to do their own thing. Kind of cool to see him in HD when they are on award shows presented in HD.

Tony just saw the pics the theatre looks great, congrats man. (Dr. J makes jealous face!)

Anyone here watch HD on a projector?
American Idol looked like crap last night but House looked fantastic!
I have a DISH 811 with OTA tuner, Panasonic PT-L500U PJ that is 720 native (Fox is 720) and a home made 100" screen.
I am just wondering what is the difference??

Tony just saw the pics the theatre looks great, congrats man. (Dr. J makes jealous face!)

It's not 100% complete, but will be within the next couple of weeks. I plan on picking up my Rigid Fiberglass next week and begin making my Absorption panels and bass traps. If it looks like my plan, it should add some nice color to the room as well. You can come by anytime and check it out, just let me know when you have time.

Anyone here watch HD on a projector?
American Idol looked like crap last night but House looked fantastic!
I have a DISH 811 with OTA tuner, Panasonic PT-L500U PJ that is 720 native (Fox is 720) and a home made 100" screen.
I am just wondering what is the difference??

I wonder if it's due to House being shot with Film and maybe AI is shot with HD cameras? I haven't watched AI on the PJ yet. Does it always look bad, or was it just last night?

Anyone here watch HD on a projector?
American Idol looked like crap last night but House looked fantastic!
I have a DISH 811 with OTA tuner, Panasonic PT-L500U PJ that is 720 native (Fox is 720) and a home made 100" screen.
I am just wondering what is the difference??

Wouldn't surprise me if they filtered down the resolution on American Idol to make Paula Abdul appear younger.

Wouldn't surprise me if they filtered down the resolution on American Idol to make Paula Abdul appear younger.


I swear I was going to say that earlier, then bit my fingers and didn't type it....LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't watch the Crapfest that is American Idol so I don't know. What I caught of it before I changed the channel looked OK here but again...I was changing the channel as fast as Possible...

Wouldn't surprise me if they filtered down the resolution on American Idol to make Paula Abdul appear younger.

I swear I was going to say that earlier, then bit my fingers and didn't type it....LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You guys are both CRAZY...she's totally hot. Easily number 3 or 4 on my "Friends" list.

Now a question. Tell me what you think of the audio on Fox 11. To me the Network sounds great but when we go local it's horrible...muffled, much lower level and slightly distored. Keep in mind that I'm listening through my TV...I have no surround sound in here yet.

Paul

I agree with you on the audio. I have surround, and it seems that I have to turn the volume up about 8-10 db more on WVAH-DT that on the other channels.

Anyone here watch HD on a projector?
American Idol looked like crap last night but House looked fantastic!
I have a DISH 811 with OTA tuner, Panasonic PT-L500U PJ that is 720 native (Fox is 720) and a home made 100" screen.
I am just wondering what is the difference??
Yes I have the Panasonic PT-L300U (the model previous to yours) with a homemade screen. I've had it for 3 years this month and it still chugs right along. I haven't checked lately but I must have over 5000 hours on it. I replaced the bulb once and a blue polorizer. I'll probably have to replace the bulb again pretty soon (if I don't get the upgrade bug).

I don't usually watch American Idol but I watched House last night on my D* HD Tivo and it looked fine. I did happen to switch to AI last night for a few minutes and I noticed a lot of inconsistency in their quality. Some scenes looked great and some looked terrible. The scenes where the "judges" were telling the performers whether they made it to the next round looked particularly bad. Almost like it was a SD camera.

I am now having trouble getting a good OTA signal for WVAH. I haven't moved the antenna is several months, but all of a sudden no FOX HD! Anyone notice the same problem?

I am now having trouble getting a good OTA signal for WVAH. I haven't moved the antenna is several months, but all of a sudden no FOX HD! Anyone notice the same problem?


i've got a solid "locked" signal but no picture.

its been this way since last night for me.

Anyone have any info on the new WSAZ DT 2? Will Bray have the HD in time for March Madness?

Local Charter rep address:

Michael Kelemen
4038 Teays Valley Road
Scott Depot, WV 26101

Write to him to stress how important it is to get the HD locals on cable service. I for one would switch to D* the second they has HD locals if it was not offered via our cable service. I will comment on how nice the olympics have been. Hopefully we can make some headway this way. I think E-mail would be easier btu I don't have an address yet.

Anyone have any info on the new WSAZ DT 2? Will Bray have the HD in time for March Madness?


This is the latest I heard from WOWK.


>>> "Bray Cary" <bcary@wvmh.com> 02/07/06 10:36 AM >>>
We think that you will have HD by the start of the NCAA playoff.
Thanks.


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, January 29, 2006 6:22 PM

I am writing to inquire about the future availability of HDTV in the
Charleston area. I am aware that your station has been considering
broadcasting an hdtv signal, and that this signal may be available on
Charter Cable.

With the popularity of the WVU basketball team, I think it would be a
great idea WOWK to get hdtv and put it on charter in time for the ncaa
basketball tournament.
Thank you for your work on this matter, and I look forward to hearing
from you. Feel free to write or call.

Thanks.

Local Charter rep address:

Michael Kelemen
4038 Teays Valley Road
Scott Depot, WV 26101

Write to him to stress how important it is to get the HD locals on cable service. I for one would switch to D* the second they has HD locals if it was not offered via our cable service. I will comment on how nice the olympics have been. Hopefully we can make some headway this way. I think E-mail would be easier btu I don't have an address yet.

This web site:

http://www.wvcta.com/aboutus/default.asp

List's his e-mail address as:

mkelemen@chartercom.com

I am now having trouble getting a good OTA signal for WVAH. I haven't moved the antenna is several months, but all of a sudden no FOX HD! Anyone notice the same problem?

I have lost my digital WVAH signal too. My signal strength for physical channel 19 still shows plenty of strength, but my TV can't find the channel. I've tried resetting and rescanning several times.

I am now having trouble getting a good OTA signal for WVAH. I haven't moved the antenna is several months, but all of a sudden no FOX HD! Anyone notice the same problem?

I've lost mine also. It comes in for a second and then goes off then comes right back on and off again.

it (wvah) is back!

at least for me...

No FoxHD (11.1) as of 8PM Tonight, anybody else without this channel. Well it seems to be my problem or the reciever Iam using, the TV itself is picking up the HD feed.

Write to him to stress how important it is to get the HD locals on cable service. I for one would switch to D* the second they has HD locals if it was not offered via our cable service.
D* should have our HD locals up early next year. The are going to have the top 36 by May/June and then add a few markets each month.

So cable has about a year. D* WILL have WVAH/WCHS since they have a blanket agreement with SBG. Cable will probably not be willing to pay, so D* will most likely be the only outlet for all 4 nets.

I am still having the WVAH FOX signal problem. Full signal but no picture. It must be a mapping issue or something. Rescanning has not helped. Also read tonight in the paper that Charter will carry WOWK HD feed in time for March Madness, March 16th.

I am about 4 miles from the towers and getting good signal and picture.

What paper? We need to cut it out and save it. Then if it doesn't happen, we can add it to the stack of lies and misinformation BC has told the papers. :eek:

I'm about 8 miles and I have a great picture from FOX-HD. I had problems over the last few days, and my 11-1 had dropped from by set-top box, (I have D*). I had to reset the channel with a manual channel add, but no problems after that.

I am about 4 miles from the towers and getting good signal and picture.

What paper? We need to cut it out and save it. Then if it doesn't happen, we can add it to the stack of lies and misinformation BC has told the papers. :eek:


I must agree hold him to it!

my email to charter:
Dear sir I am a local customer and I want you to know how nice it is to have WSAZ high definition feed on charter. I have an over the air setup but I can't record with it. The number of HD sets is growing rapidly and sooner or later people are going to catch on as to what they are missing without HD. In the coming year or two Direct TV will put up HD locals on their system. If cable does not keep up I would leave for the convenience of a consistent and recordable local HD signal from direct tv. I am involved in a local HD interest group that is growing rapidly and ALL of us feel the same. I understand we are a minority in terms of total audience but more and more people will want the absolute best from these sets they are paying top dollar for. Thank you for any future assistance in this matter.

Jay Lohan

I am still having the WVAH FOX signal problem. Full signal but no picture. It must be a mapping issue or something. Rescanning has not helped.

I'm at 70 miles from the WVAH tower and lost 11-1 from my Samsung 360 when I selected it on Monday morning, it was completely deleted from my memorized list. I had to do a new scan on Tue. and now have it back. They must have done something with their signal because I can turn my rotor and hit them when ever I want with no problems.

Digital OTA Channels Consistently Received:
3-1 NBC WSAZ
8-1 ABC WCHS
11-1 FOX WVAH
13-1 CBS WOWK
15-1 NBC WTAP Parkersburg, WV
20-1 PBS WOUB Athens, OH
27-2 PBS WOUB Athens, OH
35-1 PBS WOUC Cambridge, OH
35-2 PBS WOUC Cambridge, OH

Digital OTA Channels Occasionally Received:
29-1 PAX WLPX
29-2 PAX W WLPX
29-3 Religious
29-4 Religious
18-1 NBC WHIZ Zanesville, OH (Not at FULL Power Yet)

I am about 4 miles from the towers and getting good signal and picture.

What paper? We need to cut it out and save it. Then if it doesn't happen, we can add it to the stack of lies and misinformation BC has told the papers. :eek:

Link to the article in the Daily Mail.

http://www.dailymail.com/news/Life/2006022113/

Hey guys. Thanks for the link, Clueless. I have just recently moved back from Pittsburgh and have been used to getting HDTV with out too much hassle. It has been nice having WSAZ on charter and it would be great if they could get all four stations on there.


By the way, good shooting last night Dr J.

D* should have our HD locals up early next year. The are going to have the top 36 by May/June and then add a few markets each month.

So cable has about a year. D* WILL have WVAH/WCHS since they have a blanket agreement with SBG. Cable will probably not be willing to pay, so D* will most likely be the only outlet for all 4 nets.


What is D*?

It is interesting that WOWK will allow its signal to be carried by Charter, but that WSAZ and the Sinclair Group are making certain demands on Charter. I honestly can't believe that WSAZ will pull its HD feed from Charter at the end of the Olympics. Does anyone know who to contact at WSAZ to protest this decision?

What is D*?

It is interesting that WOWK will allow its signal to be carried by Charter, but that WSAZ and the Sinclair Group are making certain demands on Charter. I honestly can't believe that WSAZ will pull its HD feed from Charter at the end of the Olympics. Does anyone know who to contact at WSAZ to protest this decision?

D* is an abbreviation you see used a lot on this and other forums for DirecTV. I think it came from E* (an abbreviation for Echostar)

Hey guys. Thanks for the link, Clueless. I have just recently moved back from Pittsburgh and have been used to getting HDTV with out too much hassle. It has been nice having WSAZ on charter and it would be great if they could get all four stations on there.


By the way, good shooting last night Dr J.

Thanks but I was inconsisitent. I have brief flashes of my glory days and then I return to reality.

Email correspondence today between me and charter:
1.Good morning Mr. Lohan! ( from Keleman at charter)

I’m glad to hear you are enjoying WSAZ HD. I certainly hope we can come to a long term agreement with WSAZ to continue carrying it. Also, you may have heard that we have come to a long term agreement with WOWK and their HD feed should be available on channel 782 no later than March 16 for the NCAA tournament.


2. From me: Thank you for your prompt response, I understand Sinclair Broadcasting group has a role in keeping FOX and ABC HD off of cable, can you explain this in more detail? I am very excited re: the WOWK info as Bray Carey and I have personally butted heads on the matter in the past.

Jay Lohan

Another reply re: charter and Sinclair broadcast group from charter.

In order to carry any broadcast station on our lineup, we are required to gain consent from the station. The broadcasters have become very aggressive in their demands from cable companies for continued carriage of analog, digital and HD signals. We have come to an agreement with WV Media (WOWK, WVNS, WTRF and WBOY) and are working to secure continued carriage rights for the others. At this point, Sinclair will not grant HD carriage rights to Charter.

Another reply re: charter and Sinclair broadcast group from charter.

In order to carry any broadcast station on our lineup, we are required to gain consent from the station. The broadcasters have become very aggressive in their demands from cable companies for continued carriage of analog, digital and HD signals. We have come to an agreement with WV Media (WOWK, WVNS, WTRF and WBOY) and are working to secure continued carriage rights for the others. At this point, Sinclair will not grant HD carriage rights to Charter.


Apparently, the background to the above message is that, since the inception of cable television, broadcast stations have allowed their signals to be freely retransmitted by cable companies. For whatever reason, Sinclair and WSAZ are asking that Charter pay some type of fee (royalty?) for the right to retransmit their HD signals. Charter has taken the position that the broadcast stations should not charge cable companies for retransmission because it is free to anyone with an antenna.

Here is an interesting article re: this subject. The good people of St. Louis are having the same problem as ourselves.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/dancaesar/story/A953661CFAC34087862570FD001A1D71?OpenDocument

Tried to call Sinclair Broadcasting today first three people in engineering were not there but spoke to some lady who said Time Warner owned Charter and that they have successfully negotiated retransmission with most all other carriers but not with Time Warner. Apparently she said 7 months ago they initiated negotiations with Time Warner but they(Time Warner) have not made a counter offer. Recently Time Warner sent a letter out to customers saying that Sinclair was not negotiating. Who knows what the truth is? So we are caught between two large companies. I will try and call Time Warner next! But it looks like we are screwed!

See my below email exchange with WSAZ from today. Charter says that WSAZ is making unreasonable demands for carriage of their DT, but WSAZ seems to say something different. How odd.




Dear [TarHeel32],
The decision to remove WSAZ from the cable system is up to charter.
Here is the contact information that I have for charter.

Charter Communications Inc.
Charleston-Huntington
Mr. Michael Keleman
4038 Teays Valley Road
Scott Depot,WV 25560
I would urge you to call the number listed on your monthly cable
statement or Write to the address listed above.

Thank You
Aaron

Aaron J. Withrow, Chief Engineer
WSAZ - TV / WSAZ - DT
645 Fifth Avenue
Huntington, WV 25701

Office: 304-690-3025
Fax: 304-690-3062
Cell: 304-654-0063
E-Mail: aaron.withrow@wsaz.com

-----Original Message-----
From: [TarHeel32]
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 3:31 PM
To: Aaron Withrow
Subject: WSAZ-DT


Dear Mr. Withrow:

I have greatly enjoyed watching WSAZ-DT on Charter Cable during the
Winter Olympics. It has come to my attention, however, that when the
Olympics end, Charter will no longer carry WSAZ-DT.

I would ask that you strongly reconsider the decision to remove WSAZ-DT
from Charter Cable. Your broadcast is of such high quality that it has
made watching your station very enjoyable. It would be a shame to miss
out on WSAZ-DT in the future, especially now that we know how great it
is!

Thank you for your assistance.

But it looks like we are screwed!


D* (Yes, DirecTV. The origin stems from either Echostar or possibly Primestar which was abbreviated P* prior to its demise.) had an investor conferrence today and announced the capability to broadcast HD Locals to 76% of the country by YE 2006. The top 70 markets comprise approximately 77% of the population.

We are in DMA #65. Plus with the blanket agreement with SBG, and poor cable HD network penetration, we should see HD locals via D* before the end of the year.

See D*'s plans here:http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=57346

.pdf page 54. Actually it all looks interesting.

Has anyone asked BC if he will put up an OTA signal with the Charter feed?

I'm about 8 miles and I have a great picture from FOX-HD. I had problems over the last few days, and my 11-1 had dropped from by set-top box, (I have D*). I had to reset the channel with a manual channel add, but no problems after that.
Turns out I had the same problem, Iam not sure why my D* reciever dropped the channel, Iam hooked up to a UPS and the power has done nothing more than flicker a couple of times here, strange. I added the channel back to the lineup and everything is back to normal. These forums are great, Thanks guys.

Has anyone asked BC if he will put up an OTA signal with the Charter feed?


correct me if i am wrong, but didn't i read SEVERAL pages back in this looong post an email from BC that stated an OTA signal would accompany the cable feed?

if charter gets wowk, what are the odds of armstrong getting it too?

Hey...I made the papers. I'm famous!

For whatever reason, Sinclair and WSAZ are asking that Charter pay some type of fee (royalty?) for the right to retransmit their HD signals. Charter has taken the position that the broadcast stations should not charge cable companies for retransmission because it is free to anyone with an antenna.

Are you telling me that the Fine Folks at WV Media just smiled and GAVE their HD Signal to charter? I don't think so...in fact, if you believe that, let me sell you BEAUTIFUL tract of land I have in L.A. It's called Beverly Hills and I totally own all of it:)!

Now, don't get me wrong...I'm itching to see WCHS-DT and WVAH-DT on all the cable companies but in this matter I have to agree that the situation needs to be beneficial to both companies.

I don't know about all of you but I rarely have any problems with my D* service...I'm almost positive that no-one on cable can say that. I watched the cable go off five times this afternoon before I left the office. Yeah...that's quality.

Paul: Did WVAH-DT re-map their feed? I dropped off both D* and OTA. I have D* back but not OTA. It is totally gone and I can't get it, even though I have a very strong signal. No pic!

With D* upgrading to MPEG 4 and the launch of the new birds.....they will have the upper hand in the HD battle. Cable companies are faced with having to increase their bandwidth in order to compete with all the channels D* will be offering in HD within the next couple of years. All D* has to do is launch a satellite in orbit and they can make millions happy. Cable companies have to rewire miles and miles of cable in each of their markets. I for one will never switch from D*....I love their HD and it will only get better.

PS ...If you sign up I referred you ( I get $50.00 bucks off my bill :cool: )

Charter and TW are separate companies. Charter’s negotiations with Sinclair are ongoing and have not failed.

Last reply from CHarter today, so the girl at sinclair was a moron, surprise surprise!


And is OTA fox not in HD tonight because all I have is SD OTA on Fox tonight!

With D* upgrading to MPEG 4 and the launch of the new birds.....they will have the upper hand in the HD battle. Cable companies are faced with having to increase their bandwidth in order to compete with all the channels D* will be offering in HD within the next couple of years. All D* has to do is launch a satellite in orbit and they can make millions happy. Cable companies have to rewire miles and miles of cable in each of their markets. I for one will never switch from D*....I love their HD and it will only get better.

PS ...If you sign up I referred you ( I get $50.00 bucks off my bill :cool: )


This is where Verizon FIOS will have the edge on cable as their FIOS network will consist of Fiber to the Prem. With fiber, all you have to do is change out the equipment on both ends for extra bandwidth, no re-wiring necessary. Too bad we won't see Verizon FIOS around here. Verizon has stated they will carry all major HD channels. There should be no worry about over compression or down rezing the HD signals either. Oh yeah, 15Mbps Internet Connectivity too. Time like this, I wish I lived back in Baltimore. (nah...i love it here)

I thought I read somewhere on the net that FIOS will be coming to Charleston in the next year or two. I will try to find a link.

Hey...I made the papers. I'm famous!

Are you telling me that the Fine Folks at WV Media just smiled and GAVE their HD Signal to charter? I don't think so...in fact, if you believe that, let me sell you BEAUTIFUL tract of land I have in L.A. It's called Beverly Hills and I totally own all of it:)!

Now, don't get me wrong...I'm itching to see WCHS-DT and WVAH-DT on all the cable companies but in this matter I have to agree that the situation needs to be beneficial to both companies.

I don't know about all of you but I rarely have any problems with my D* service...I'm almost positive that no-one on cable can say that. I watched the cable go off five times this afternoon before I left the office. Yeah...that's quality.


What do you believe the terms of the WOWK/Charter agreement were? If Charter is paying a hefty royalty for the retransmission, I am sure the cost will be passed onto us. Let's hope that's not the case.

I thought I read somewhere on the net that FIOS will be coming to Charleston in the next year or two. I will try to find a link. I was told by a Verizon field tech. that Verizon would start installing FIOS this summer in Charleston WV at a cost of around $1500 per household, packages will start at $79.99 and up. If this is true, I may have to relocate in Charleston soon after LOL. Iam on 56K here, takes 10 to 15 mins. to download 1 song, I used regular DSL once and waz amazed at the speed video downloads.

I was told by a Verizon field tech. that Verizon would start installing FIOS this summer in Charleston WV at a cost of around $1500 per household, packages will start at $79.99 and up. If this is true, I may have to relocate in Charleston soon after LOL. Iam on 56K here, takes 10 to 15 mins. to download 1 song, I used regular DSL once and waz amazed at the speed video downloads.


Don't believe the Tech. I am an Engineer for Verizon and Charleston (actually WV) is not in the 10 year plans at this time. Before they can offer FIOS, they must run a great deal of Fiber to the homes. If you haven't already seen truck after truck after truck installing fiber passed many homes, you won't see it anytime soon. Technicians aren't normally in tune with the business plans of the Company. Maybe something has changed, and they will begin running fiber this summer, but don't hold your breath. I'll check on it.

DSL is 768K for $14.99 a month. For $29.99 you can get 3Mbps. FIOS, you can get 5Mbps for around $30 something and 15Mbps for a little more. Capacity is there for an OC12 worth of bandwidth for the future. That's around 650Mbps.

I just got of the phone with an engineer w/ WPBY. Over the past several days I've been picking up a full-strength signal for WPBY-DT but not getting any sound or picture.

According to the guy I talked to, the type of problem I've been having is peculiar to my RCA brand (D*) receiver. Apparently WPBY has been having some technical glitches ( I didn't quite understand the technical explanation) that especially effect RCA brand tuners -- creating a situation where you pick up the signal but don't get a picture or sound.

He suggested calling Master Control in Beckley at 304-254-7866 when I noticed the problem and they can correct it (at least temporarily). They are working on a permanent fix.

He also said he thought they had started (or were just about to start) broadcasting Nova on Tuesday nights in HD. He said that they would not be multicasting when they do broadcast in HD, in order to maximize the bitrate.

I just talked to an Engineer that works with DSL and the possibility of Fiber to the Prem. He said there is supposed to be an announcement from the VP over 'something' regarding FTTP (FIOS) in WV. However, they don't know any details. Could be good news, or the continued bad news. The Tech may have heard this rumor. I'll check back in after I learn what the VP says. If it would happen, I would see it happening in large developments. Remember, FIOS is not in many areas yet. It's growing, but not everywhere. Doesn't make sense for Charleston, WV to get it before places in NY, MD, MA, etc.

Has anyone asked BC if he will put up an OTA signal with the Charter feed?

I sent BC an email yesterday afternoon, asking this very question, but have not yet received a reply.

I just talked to an Engineer that works with DSL and the possibility of Fiber to the Prem. He said there is supposed to be an announcement from the VP over 'something' regarding FTTP (FIOS) in WV. However, they don't know any details. Could be good news, or the continued bad news. The Tech may have heard this rumor. I'll check back in after I learn what the VP says. If it would happen, I would see it happening in large developments. Remember, FIOS is not in many areas yet. It's growing, but not everywhere. Doesn't make sense for Charleston, WV to get it before places in NY, MD, MA, etc.


For what it's worth, the Engineer just told me that there are still no plans for FTTP (FIOS) in any part of WV, much less Charleston. If anyone has this article they read, I'd love to read it.

I sent BC an email yesterday afternoon, asking this very question, but have not yet received a reply.

If you receive a reply stating he 'WILL' provide the HD signal OTA, ask him what the Power Level will be and if not full power, ask when he expects it to be. It will be worthless to most people if the OTA signal is no stronger than his OTA digital SD signal he broadcasts now. Most people = ME :)

For what it is worth, I have E* and my OTA WVAH was gone off of my receiver as well (night before last) I had to put the frequency back into my 811. It still had some problems locking onto the signal with the reprogramming. Something is going on.

If you receive a reply stating he 'WILL' provide the HD signal OTA, ask him what the Power Level will be and if not full power, ask when he expects it to be. It will be worthless to most people if the OTA signal is no stronger than his OTA digital SD signal he broadcasts now. Most people = ME :)
I thought the FCC had a requirement that DT stations in the top 100 markets had to be at full power or risk losing their frequency assignment?

Edit: Found it.

The deadlines for replication and maximization are:


July 1, 2005: Station licensees affiliated with the top-four networks in the top 100 markets that receive a tentative digital channel designation in the channel election process on their current digital channel must construct full, authorized facilities. Such licensees that receive a tentative digital channel designation on a channel that is not their current digital channel must serve at least 100 percent of their analog population coverage.

http://broadcastengineering.com/newsletters/bth/20040809/fcc-channel-allotments-20040809/index.html

Full FCC Order: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/ attachmatch/DOC-250542A1.pdf

Is there anyway to find out what power they are at currently.

Charter and TW are separate companies. Charter’s negotiations with Sinclair are ongoing and have not failed.

Last reply from CHarter today, so the girl at sinclair was a moron, surprise surprise!


And is OTA fox not in HD tonight because all I have is SD OTA on Fox tonight!
I wonder if the fact that Charter has their WV operations up for sale is contributing to the lack of local HD on their system? I could see where they would not want to have long term carriage agreements (expecially if they are above market price) when potential buyers start reviewing "the books".

If you receive a reply stating he 'WILL' provide the HD signal OTA, ask him what the Power Level will be and if not full power, ask when he expects it to be. It will be worthless to most people if the OTA signal is no stronger than his OTA digital SD signal he broadcasts now. Most people = ME :)


I received his reply today:


Thanks. Yes we will.



-----Original Message-----
From: Walter, Bruce [mailto:BWalter@olbh.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2006 11:57 AM
To: Bray Cary
Subject: March madness



Dear Mr. Cary,



I have heard rumors that Charter cable will carry WOWK in HD in time for March Madness.



Will WOWK also start broadcasting HD OTA so that those without cable will be able to receive this signal?



Thanks in advance for your response.



Bruce Walter



I have since sent him a follow up asking for the signal power to be used.......I'll keep you all updated.

That's great news.

I wonder if the fact that Charter has their WV operations up for sale
Interesting. I wonder if either of the suitors from the Adelphia purchase, Comcast or TW, would be interested in buying it. Comcast would be preferred since they will have the new TiVo software, but they may bump into the 30% cap for any one cable company.

Don't know much about TW.

Is there really anybody else? Maybe we could all throw in some money and buy it. Turn it into all HD, all the time. :D

I looked through my old email files, but can't find the current power that WOWK tranmits at. WSAZ was at 400 and something, now they are at 700 and something. WOWK was a LOT lower than 400, but I can't remember now. (I only placed numbers as I don't recall if it's Kw or Mw....brain freeze).

Good news that they will broadcast OTA in HD though.

I just received the reply from BC. He said that WOWK will provide "same power as now until we change back to 13 in 09".

I have no idea what he means by changing back to 13........does he mean in 2009 that they will no longer have to broadcast the analog signal?

I just received the reply from BC. He said that WOWK will provide "same power as now until we change back to 13 in 09".

I have no idea what he means by changing back to 13........does he mean in 2009 that they will no longer have to broadcast the analog signal?

I thought that WOWK-DT had petitioned the FCC to have their DT channel assignment changed from Channel 47 to Channel 13 and been turned down.

IIRC, initially they were due to Channel 6/DT 13 out of Columbus having priority. Channel 6 had initially elected to remain on DT 13, but then revised their request to go back to 6, thereby freeing up DT 13.

But it seems BC is playing a little game here with the comments about being at the same signal strength as he will use for DT 13. He can cover his broadcast area at DT 13 with less than half the power it would take to cover it at DT 47.

So it appears they are not, nor will be at full power. :mad:

I looked through my old email files, but can't find the current power that WOWK tranmits at. WSAZ was at 400 and something, now they are at 700 and something. WOWK was a LOT lower than 400, but I can't remember now. (I only placed numbers as I don't recall if it's Kw or Mw....brain freeze).

Good news that they will broadcast OTA in HD though.

From Post #27: (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=2990570&&#post2990570)

You wanted to see their power levels?

03-1 23 WSAZ-DT NBC 425. kW (STA)
08-1 41 WCHS-DT ABC 2.90 kW (STA)
11-1 19 WVAH-DT FOX 3.00 kW (STA)
13-1 47 WOWK-DT CBS 7.57 kW (STA)
25-1 26 WKAS-DT PBS 61.3 kW (LIC)
29-1 39 WLPX-DT PAX 1000 kW (LIC)
33-1 34 WPBY-DT PBS 60.1 kW (STA)
42-1 43 WPBO-DT PBS 50.0 kW (CP)
53-1 17 WHCP-DT TWB 19.1 kW (STA)
61-1 44 WTSF-DT REL 14.4 kW (STA)


This is old info though. Prior to the 2005 mandate.

From Post #27: (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=2990570&&#post2990570)


This is old info though. Prior to the 2005 mandate.
Just think about this....

I believe WSAZ (and I think WVAH/WCHS) are around 700kW now. WOWK TV is at a little over SEVEN kW. I almost said 1 earlier, but thought "That can't be right". Hmmmm...guess it was close. WSAZ is around 100X more powerful than WOWK.

Whoever mentioned it a few weeks ago will probably be correct: WOWK will probably be the first full time Network HD channel on Charter in our area. I'm sure he will get ALL the kudos!!!!! I think that article said WOWK has already signed the long term deal, so I guess it's already happened.

I may have to go out and get the DB4 or DB8 and see if I can pull it in.

I may have to go out and get the DB4 or DB8 and see if I can pull it in.
Don't you have a 4228?

And don't you have 80?

Alright, this is coming from the FCC site, so... any inaccuracies are at their end.

WSAZ-23 724 kW
WCHS-41 475 kW
WVAH-19 475 kW
WOWK-47 7.57 kW (CP to 562 kW; App to move to channel 13 in 2009 at 15.96 kW)
WKAS-26 61.3 kW
WLPX-39 1000 kW
WHCP-17 19.1 kW (CP to 50 kW)
WPBY-34 60.1 kW
WPBO-43 50 kW
WTSF-44 14.45 kW (CP to 50 kW)

Sorry if I forgot any of your local stations, but that's what I could remember.

- Trip

Ok guys...most of this is from memory and not in order of how they were asked.

To my knowledge, there was no remapping of the WVAH-DT signal. As I've stated many times, I'm not one of the engineers but when they change something, Raymond usually stops by and asks me if anything changed here. I'll check more thoroughly tomorrow when I get to work and post back whatever I find.

As to WV Media, all I can say is that I find it very hard to believe that he would give up his HD feed to cable for nothing but a promise. I could be wrong but I just don't believe I am. It just wouldn't make sense from any business model, especially when you know you'd be the lone company not getting any cash for your high-res feed.

As to our strategy, while I'm an employee...I don't take part in the those negotiations at any level. When I read any theories like the ones posed in this thread, I walk in and ask my GM if he's heard them. To this point, we all pretty much shake our heads at the oddities of WVMH.

I watch part of the UK game last night, which is why we were in SD since the UK games aren't broadcast in Hi-Def, and didn't notice any major problems. I didn't watch all of the game and I didn't check again so maybe it went away after I tuned out.

I live 7-10 miles from Barkers Ridge where both WSAZ and WOWK broadcast. I get WSAZ DT perfect but can not pick up WOWK DT. BC must have hamsters on a tread wheel cranking out the power for that waste of a station.

Also as far as Time Warner and Charter. I think TW bought or is buying Charter... I may be wrong. :cool:

A little off topic but has anyone else read the articles in the paper about WHCP (WB-30) having the police come in and escort Tom McGee out of the studio... Then yesterday they shut down the newcasts and fired all the news employees.

Strange indeed...

I live 7-10 miles from Barkers Ridge where both WSAZ and WOWK broadcast. I get WSAZ DT perfect but can not pick up WOWK DT. BC must have hamsters on a tread wheel cranking out the power for that waste of a station.

Also as far as Time Warner and Charter. I think TW bought or is buying Charter... I may be wrong. :cool:


My understanding is that WOWK-DT will not begin broadcasting until it purchases the necessary equiptment to do so. Apparently, the broadcasting will begin on or about March 16, to coincide with the NCAA Tournament. On Charter, it will be assigned to channel 782.

[QUOTE=Paul E. Fox, II]

As to WV Media, all I can say is that I find it very hard to believe that he would give up his HD feed to cable for nothing but a promise. I could be wrong but I just don't believe I am. It just wouldn't make sense from any business model, especially when you know you'd be the lone company not getting any cash for your high-res feed.

As to our strategy, while I'm an employee...I don't take part in the those negotiations at any level. When I read any theories like the ones posed in this thread, I walk in and ask my GM if he's heard them. To this point, we all pretty much shake our heads at the oddities of WVMH.

[QUOTE]


As to business models, it is possible that WOWK's model differs from WVAH/WCHS because CBS is the current #1 network. Perhaps they generate greater advertising revenues?

In any event, because your company's negotiations are on the corporate level, I would imagine that they are negotiating a global retransmission agreement and won't get into our local issues, which is probably a good thing.

Does anyone get the Herald-Dispatch? Supposedly there was an article this week about Adelphia picking up WSAZ.

D* and its impending capacity has the cableco's scared.

And given that SBG already has a blanket retransmission agreement with D*, we may see HD locals on D* sooner than some markets without such agreements.

I didn't see this posted anywhere. I wonder how this will effect HD here in Charleston.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6308632.html?display=Search+Results&text=charter

"Several executives in the cable investment-banking community said the former Charter Communications Inc. CEO’s current firm, Cequel III LLC, has emerged as the winner in an auction of about 243,000 Charter subscribers in West Virginia and Virginia, including the capital city of Charleston, W. Va. An agreement could be announced this week, one person close to the process said."

Had a Charter Technician over the other night, and I asked him about which company may be taking over for Charter in this area, and I believe he gave me the name of Cebridge.......... Does anyone know anything about this company. I also asked him why Charter was still broadcasting their first 100 Channels in analog, and he told me that they didn't have the bandwidth. That doesn't sound good, sounds like it would be very expensive for them to upgrade.... Not sure about this, but it may be awhile for them to upgrade to full digital.

Any thoughts on this???

Oops, maybe it was Cequel......... Well, I said I wasn't sure. Couldn't remember the name.

Oops, maybe it was Cequel......... Well, I said I wasn't sure. Couldn't remember the name.
If I read the article correctly Cequel owns Cebridge.

If I read the article correctly Cequel owns Cebridge.

Yes, that is correct. If the deal goes through, here is our new cable provider:

http://www.cebridge.net/

Will Cebridge be better than Charter? That is, more Digital channels, and do away with the Analog Channels? How about High Definition Channel Lineup?

I have been checking to see if I can locate area's where they service now, to find out an idea as to what our Channel Lineup will be...... Found one for Russel, Ky., but nothing in West Virginia yet.

Will Cebridge be better than Charter? That is, more Digital channels, and do away with the Analog Channels? How about High Definition Channel Lineup?

I have been checking to see if I can locate area's where they service now, to find out an idea as to what our Channel Lineup will be...... Found one for Russel, Ky., but nothing in West Virginia yet.

I think that is the big question. I hope so for both HD channels and high speed Internet. I guess we will not know until this switch actual happens.

Here is something that I have found, and I don't like the sound of it...

Of course, rolling out digital cable requires extra bandwidth, which is why small system operators such as Cequel III have been boosting bandwidth through plant upgrades. However, in contrast to larger MSOs, Cequel III has opted to expand to 550 MHz, rather than 750 MHz or higher. The reason? “You have to understand the average household income in the markets where we provide service,” Cordova explains. “This requires that we manage the content that we load onto the system, and avoid simply adding costs to the customer without knowing if it is content the customer is looking for.”

Knowing that price is an issue to its customers, Cequel III decided that a 550 MHz upgrade made the best sense. This bandwidth is sufficient for each system to carry 50 to 55 analog channels, 12 to 17 channels of digital cable, two channels dedicated to data, with a couple of channels held back for high-definition TV (HDTV). By upgrading to 550 MHz, Cequel III has been able to buy good-quality, used equipment from larger MSOs moving to 750/860 MHz. Add the fact that offering fewer channels keeps programming costs down, and Cequel III has found a cost-effective way to upgrade while keeping its price sensitivity advantage.

Looks like D* will be the HD Lover's provider of choice in the future. And for all you internet subs, D* plans on rolling out WiMax in late 2006.

It sounds like Charleston is in a major transition period for HDTV and Cable/Satellite TV in general. There is no question I will go to whatever company provides the best HD service.

Cebridge Communications is the Cable Company that bought out Thompson Cablevision a couple years back in Sissonville. We now have Cebridge. Well, I don't, I have DirecTV. Cebridge doesn't offer HD in this area at this time. On their site, the only location is somewhere in CA, and it's only a couple HD channels.

If Cebridge is taking over Charter, maybe they are planning on moving quicker with HD. That would be nice.

Dallas,

I 'thought' I had the 4020 until I saw which one you had. I bought the biggest one Lowes had years ago and didn't remember the Model. It's a plain jain VHF/UHF antenna. I would like to get the DB4 or 8 so I could mount in the attic. However, with Locals coming to DirecTV, I may just get by with what I have now and not worry about CBS since I get it through NY on D*

Question for you. Will there be an EXTRA fee for the HD Locals on D*, or are they planning on making their money from requiring a 2 year subscription and through their own DVR (not paying TIVO the subscription rate)?

I live 7-10 miles from Barkers Ridge where both WSAZ and WOWK broadcast. I get WSAZ DT perfect but can not pick up WOWK DT. BC must have hamsters on a tread wheel cranking out the power for that waste of a station.



I live about around 60 - 65 miles away from the towers and can pick up WOWK-DT some of the time (mostly in the fall & winter). I really don't understand how someone living 10 miles away or so could not receive the signal at all. Maybe there is someone technical here who could explain how such a thing could happen.

I have my antenna and some other equipment listed in my profile.

Looks like D* will be the HD Lover's provider of choice in the future. And for all you internet subs, D* plans on rolling out WiMax in late 2006.

I will believe that one when I see it. If the government didn't mandate phone service to rural areas they wouldn't even provide phone service to my area. You have no idea how angry it makes me feel when every month on my verizon bill it says "pre-approved for dsl" can not even get ISDN where I live...

Question for you. Will there be an EXTRA fee for the HD Locals on D*, or are they planning on making their money from requiring a 2 year subscription and through their own DVR (not paying TIVO the subscription rate)?
D* says not, but instead raised rates $3 on everyone. So when the locals are available, there won't be any additional charge, but probably expect an across-the-board increase again next year.

Originally posted by: TonyBradley....Cebridge Communications is the Cable Company that bought out Thompson Cablevision a couple years back in Sissonville. We now have Cebridge. Well, I don't, I have DirecTV. Cebridge doesn't offer HD in this area at this time. On their site, the only location is somewhere in CA, and it's only a couple HD channels.

Well, I will give them about a month in transition, and if they don't provide much HD, or even digital for that matter, then I will most likely go with D*. Duh! I didn't pay as much as I did for my Plasma TV, to get inferior Cable reception. If Charter isn't bad enough already. I had hoped that whomever took over Charter, was going to do some major upgrading.......pfffffttt! :mad:

can not even get ISDN where I live...
Tony may chime in here with the correct info, but I believe that ISDN is a regulated service, meaning they have to provide it to you regardless of where you live as long as you are willing to pay.

Cebridge doesn't offer HD in this area at this time. On their site, the only location is somewhere in CA, and it's only a couple HD channels.
You don't think they would take away HD channels do you? :(

I would like to get the DB4 or 8 so I could mount in the attic.


The ChannelMaster 4228 is like 1/3 bigger then the the DB8 and can be had for about half the price. They have same number elements and similar DB gain. I have both antennas if I had known then would of just got the 4228 since its much cheaper. I really recommend the 4228 unless you need to install the antenna where the larger antenna would be a problem.

Tony may chime in here with the correct info, but I believe that ISDN is a regulated service, meaning they have to provide it to you regardless of where you live as long as you are willing to pay.


YUP, ISDN is a regulated service. Trust me, you wouldn't want it anyway. For us in Telecommunications, it stands for "It Still Does Nothing". DSL has actually been put on hold from what I've been hearing. A lot of money is going to Fiber to the Prem. Yet it affects Verizon's pocket book in WV, we aren't reaping any of the benefits. For most of the local stuff, I have to lean on my buddies that work here. I'm in an odd situation. I work remotely. My Manager and the rest of the Network Engineers are in Maryland and we design Broadband Wide Area Networks for large companies in New York and New England.

You don't think they would take away HD channels do you?. I would hope not. That sounds crazy. I would hope that starting off with HD in place, they could grow from there. Cebridge is better than Thompson Cable was, but not by much. Expensive and not many channels. But, if they are gaining Charter's assets, that's great. Thing I don't get is Cebridge is known for buying smaller companies, building them up some, then selling for a profit. It struck me as odd that they are buying Charter.

A little off topic but has anyone else read the articles in the paper about WHCP (WB-30) having the police come in and escort Tom McGee out of the studio... Then yesterday they shut down the newcasts and fired all the news employees.

Strange indeed...


http://dailymail.com/news/News/2006022429/

The ChannelMaster 4228 is like 1/3 bigger then the the DB8 and can be had for about half the price. They have same number elements and similar DB gain. I have both antennas if I had known then would of just got the 4228 since its much cheaper. I really recommend the 4228 unless you need to install the antenna where the larger antenna would be a problem.


I'll go with whichever is cheapest. I just have to laugh because I spent $100 for mine at Lowes four years ago and spent another $50 for a 30' telescoping Mast.

Currently, my money is going towards my HT room. I'm taking off a couple days of work in a couple weeks to make my Absorption Panels for my room. Right now, I'm pulling in WSAZ, WVAH and WCHS over a $29 Indoor antenna. I have my larger antenna (whatever model it is) on my deck as I've been too lazy to take it down. I need an HD DVR!!! It's Sad. I have a 55" Mits HD set and an HD Projector in the theater and I rarely watch anything in HD. I watch all my programming upstairs on the 4:3 SONY off the DVR. I know.....that's VERY SAD that I don't watch much HD.

YUP, ISDN is a regulated service. Trust me, you wouldn't want it anyway. For us in Telecommunications, it stands for "It Still Does Nothing". DSL has actually been put on hold from what I've been hearing.
Its not that bad. ;) We had ISDN at work back in the late 90's before DSL became widely available. Way better than dial-up.

Well the DSL thing on hold makes sense since at one time Verizon's goal was to have DSL in every CO and RT. My RT still doesn't have it. :( I would take DSL at 1.5 over cable at 6.0 any day of the week.

Its not that bad. ;) We had ISDN at work back in the late 90's before DSL became widely available. Way better than dial-up.

Well the DSL thing on hold makes sense since at one time Verizon's goal was to have DSL in every CO and RT. My RT still doesn't have it. :( I would take DSL at 1.5 over cable at 6.0 any day of the week.

Nice thing is, most DSL customers now have 3Mbps (same price as the 1.5Mbps of $29.95 or near it). I had 1.5Mbps (too far from CO for 3Mbps), but I throttled mine down to 768K when Verizon offered the $14.95 for 768k. Yeah, Cable isn't as consistant since it's a shared application over shared lines. I have a HILLARIOUS file somewhere from the late 90s when SBC did a commercial of why DSL was better than Cable. It was about Cable being great when you are the first in your area to have it, but the more that get hooked up, the less throughput you have. It showed neighbors fighting and hijacking their cables coming into the home, etc.

I heard today that the company that is talking about Fiber to the Prem in West Virginia is a company called ITown. They are a company that will run fiber to the homes and aggregate it back to a building. A building that has NOTHING. They will then order services from the Local Telcos and bridge it back to this building and lease the lines. They are trying to gain investors now (they have some in Beckley and Parkersburgh). From what I heard, they will use investors money to run the fiber and lease the services, but will take a percentage off the top (reseller basically). No money going out, money coming back in. They said they can do FTTP for about $1,000 per home. However, that is NOT FIOS. FIOS is only through Verizon. If anyone has access to this article about Verizon doing FIOS in Charleston, I'm anxious to read it because it goes against everything I've heard from the Local Engineers that will be responsible for it if it is happening. I would LOVE it if it did happen. I can tell some of you stories, but would rather not do it on this medium.

Nice thing is, most DSL customers now have 3Mbps (same price as the 1.5Mbps of $29.95 or near it). I had 1.5Mbps (too far from CO for 3Mbps), but I throttled mine down to 768K when Verizon offered the $14.95 for 768k.
I started with the 768 since I was 15.4K' from the CO, then they relaxed the rules and let you get what you could up to 1.5. So I got right at 1.1, which after 730ish was a pretty good bump. Can't really tell much difference surfing though.

Crazy thing is my neighbor has DSL. On my street of 9 houses, 4 can get DSL, the other 5 can't and it has nothing to do with distance. Our RT is feed by both fiber and copper. If you have copper all the way back to the CO, then you get DSL, if you are on Litespan, then you don't. All depends on the allocation at the time your number was provisioned. Hence the need for the upgraded RT. I am about 5000' from the RT and could get the business 7.1 package. :D

I keep thinking I will order another line specifying it has to be all copper and once it is in, then get DSL on it. An extra line plus DSL is still cheaper than cable. :rolleyes: But with D* promising to roll out WiMax nationwide in 2006, I might just wait and give it a try.

As to business models, it is possible that WOWK's model differs from WVAH/WCHS because CBS is the current #1 network. Perhaps they generate greater advertising revenues?


CBS is the Number 1 network NATIONALLY. That has very little to do with anything in Charleston/Huntingon. WSAZ is the big dog here and we kick 13's ass most everywhere now. They still have some things but not much. In fact, Fox 11 was the Number 1 network in Prime last year...I have the award from Fox to prove it.

WSAZ's news numbers are amazing. They could put a cardboard cutout of Tim Irr up there and still probably get a 30 share in the book. We're happy to be the number 2 News Station.

The business model for any TV station is the make money...that's it. We don't GIVE anyone anything...trust me. Anyone who thinks differently is just naive.

The thing with WB30 was a jolt to everyone. Most of us thought it would die but not this soon or in this fashion. As I've said, my brother-in-law was the operations manager there and was responsible for most of the hires. Now, they are ALL out on the street...including my brother-in-law. He has a wife and kids and now no job. It really makes me sad for them and other people there as well.

Can someone give me some info on the D* Wi-Fi/Max thing? I hadn't heard that

CBS is the Number 1 network NATIONALLY. That has very little to do with anything in Charleston/Huntingon. WSAZ is the big dog here .........

WSAZ's news numbers are amazing. They could put a cardboard cutout of Tim Irr up there and still probably get a 30 share in the book. We're happy to be the number 2 News Station

Can someone give me some info on the D* Wi-Fi/Max thing? I hadn't heard that
Do you mean for local or all programming? I can't see NBC being number 1 here.

Does anyone else think Tim Irr looks like Woody from Toy Story? :D I think a lot of WSAZ's success comes from Tony Cavalier. For many years before all the new weather equipment, he nailed the forecast better than anyone around.

For D*'s 2006/2007 plans, go to this thread: http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=57346

and download the .pdf. You will need a newer version of Adobe Reader. It's a big file, so if you have dial-up, you may want to wait until you get to work.

Edit: Here is a link to the news story about D* and WiMax. http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6304962.html?display=Top+Stories)

I started with the 768 since I was 15.4K' from the CO, then they relaxed the rules and let you get what you could up to 1.5. So I got right at 1.1, which after 730ish was a pretty good bump. Can't really tell much difference surfing though.

Crazy thing is my neighbor has DSL. On my street of 9 houses, 4 can get DSL, the other 5 can't and it has nothing to do with distance. Our RT is feed by both fiber and copper. If you have copper all the way back to the CO, then you get DSL, if you are on Litespan, then you don't. All depends on the allocation at the time your number was provisioned. Hence the need for the upgraded RT. I am about 5000' from the RT and could get the business 7.1 package. :D

I keep thinking I will order another line specifying it has to be all copper and once it is in, then get DSL on it. An extra line plus DSL is still cheaper than cable. :rolleyes: But with D* promising to roll out WiMax nationwide in 2006, I might just wait and give it a try.


That was the ironic thing with DSL. Had to be copper all they way from the CO and no loadings on the line. However, most your places (especially at that time) that wante DSL were nice big developments that had Fiber to the Litespan (so they could offer almost 2,080 copper lines to the homes). That mean NO DSL for them. Litespan then developed a card for the RT, but was VERY expensive and could not be supported under the current business model. Now with the mini DSLAMs for the RTs, it can be done, but they've closed most offices. I heard WSAZ ordered a DSL line a while back, then the next day ordered DSL for their other line and was denied saying it wasn't available. That's because they closed the office for more DSL. I understand why they are doing this for the Verizon footprint, but only hurts WV with no FTTP.