I could be mistaken, but don't local stations make most of their money with advertising on local programming (news, syndicated shows, etc.) not with the national programming?

If you want to see how dominant WSAZ is check out this pdf:

http://www.wsaz.com/documents/Adults%2018%20000%20Nov%2005.pdf

Some of there newscasts have close to double the viewers of the other 3 stations combined. Amazing....

I have to admin we watch their news because that's what my wife wants to watch. Why? Because that's what her family always watched.....

<< Back
DIRECTV Continues to Deliver the Best Television Experience Available; DIRECTV Showcases Original Programming, High-Definition Broadcasts and Advanced Products and Services at CES
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2006--Showcasing the strength and breadth of its leadership position in digital TV products and services, DIRECTV, Inc., will unveil a robust display of original programming, high-definition (HD) services and advanced products at the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

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Featured DIRECTV Products, Programming and Services at CES 2006

DIRECTV On-Demand

NBC Networks On Demand via DIRECTV Plus(R) DVR

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DIRECTV Original Entertainment

Music Programming

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Massive Gaming League

Using new technology that allows for the placement of cameras within an actual videogame, DIRECTV will produce a videogame tournament and cover it as a sporting event, complete with producer, director and technical crew. Stories of the competitors will be told via interviews and features, complemented with coverage of their exploits in actual competition. DIRECTV plans to launch the Massive Gaming League in 2006.

MEGA MARCH MADNESS(R) Mix Channel

College hoops fans will be thrilled by DIRECTV's newest mix channel, MEGA MARCH MADNESS. DIRECTV Mix channels offer enhanced features that enable customers to view up to six live channels, all on one screen. Customers with interactive-enabled DIRECTV receivers can use their remote to listen to and direct-tune each channel. Customers can tune in to see games from the first three rounds of the NCAA(R) Division I Men's Basketball tournament exclusively on DIRECTV. Capabilities include a directory listing teams that are currently playing or are scheduled to play, and non-stop sports action on up to six screens at one time. All DIRECTV customers who subscribe to the MEGA MARCH MADNESS package, a TOTAL CHOICE(R) programming package, and have a DIRECTV interactive set-top box, will be able to enjoy the MEGA MARCH MADNESS Mix Channel.

DIRECT Date

This original three-hour block of programming allows singles to meet each other via compelling and interactive video presentation. Consisting of two separate 90-minute blocks, one for men and one for women, DIRECT Date will be the "American Idol for singles." Each segment will consist of two-minute features where men and women will have the opportunity to present themselves to prospective romantic interests. Content will include updates on past DIRECT Date match-ups as well. DIRECTV plans to launch DIRECT Date in 2006.

DIRECTV HD Local Channels

Including the 12 HD local markets launched last year, DIRECTV will offer HD local channels in 36 markets, representing more than 57 percent of U.S. television households in the first half of the year, with more local HD launches planned for later in 2006. DIRECTV will initially carry the primary broadcast stations - ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox - that offer an HD feed in the market. Customers who subscribe to a programming package that includes local channels will receive both the standard and HD signals at no extra monthly charge.

To receive local HD channels, DIRECTV now offers the new H20 HD receiver and a satellite dish that has the ability to receive programming from five different orbital locations. The H20 HD set-top is the first DIRECTV receiver to process MPEG-4, the next-generation transmission standard supporting a wide range of audio and video modes and transmission speeds. MPEG-4, coupled with the launch of new satellites, is set to lay the foundation for the best high-definition television experience available anywhere.

DIRECTV Products and Services

DIRECTV 2GO

The DIRECTV 2Go service will allow DIRECTV customers to transfer programming content from their DIRECTV Plus DVR to a wide variety of portable media players. Supporting DIRECTV specific audio and video formats, the service will enable customers to connect a DIRECTV compatible portable media player directly to DIRECTV receivers. DIRECTV 2Go devices will also display DIRECTV content in a separate menu area with a DIRECTV-branded user interface. These new media players further demonstrate DIRECTV's commitment to providing consumers with the content they want, how they want it, and where they want it. DIRECTV plans to launch the DIRECTV 2Go service in 2006.

DIRECTV Pro

DIRECTV Pro is for the true technophile and home theater enthusiast. It combines the latest HD and DVR technologies, and differs from all other DTV products as it is designed to mount in a 19-inch rack, which is common in the home theater, custom installation market. Additionally, the Pro Home Theater has new features such as a front panel, HD LCD display, front panel transport controls, and additional control ports on the front and back. DIRECTV plans to launch the DIRECTV Pro at the end of 2006.

DIRECTV PLUS(R) HD DVR

The DIRECTV(R) Plus HD DVR (HR20) combines the best entertainment with unprecedented control and convenience to create the ultimate TV viewing experience. It brings together the new DIRECTV Plus DVR and DIRECTV HD Receiver. Viewers are able to record one HD program while watching another and record two different shows at the same time, while watching a pre-recorded program. The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR gives the user the ability to pause and rewind live HD TV up to 90 minutes, use instant replay and watch in slow motion. The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR is able to record more than 30 hours of DIRECTV HD programming delivered in MPEG-2, or up to 50 hours of DIRECTV HD programming delivered in MPEG-4, or up to 200 hours of standard-definition programming. In addition, the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR is MPEG-4 compatible, and is the first DIRECTV HD receiver with interactive capabilities. DIRECTV plans to launch the DIRECTV Plus HD DVR at retail mid-2006.

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On display in the DIRECTV booth is a new series of LCD TV screens that will be integrated with a DIRECTV receiver, allowing consumers to explore all that DIRECTV has to offer without the clutter of separate components. DIRECTV will feature 10-, 22- and 32-inch LCD TV's with wide-angle viewing, 10 watts of stereo audio (built-in speakers), three-day advanced program guide and bilingual user interface (English/Spanish). Availability for these new DIRECTV LCD TVs is still being determined.

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc. is the nation's leading digital television service provider with more than 15 million customers. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV (NYSE: DTV) is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment services. DIRECTV is approximately 34 percent owned by News Corporation.

CONTACT:
DIRECTV, Inc. Robert Mercer, 310-726-4683 rgmercer@directv.com or
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SOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc.

Dallas,

Yes...I did mean locally. WSAZ's numbers are huge. It really makes it rough for the other guys as we're mostly fighting for the Number 2 slot. When I was at WOWK, our entire plan of action was to be the Number 2 station and we were for a while.

I was told the other day that as far as business goes, WSAZ basically decides how much of the share they can handle then the rest of us fight for the rest. Don't get me wrong, we make good money...mostly in Kanawha and Putnam Counties where WSAZ is the weakest...especially Kanawha. In the westerly counties, it's basically all WSAZ...moreso since WOWK has seen fit to implode.

The comment about "watching because that's what my family always watched" it true. That's also one of the main reasons that Charleston/Huntington will never become a metered market. When people fill out their ratings diaries, they tend to mark WSAZ no matter what they're watching because "we always watch channel 3...right?".

Trust me on this guys...the cardboard cutout thing is true. We discuss it all to often at the station.

I watch them because they were the first to give me HD.
I'm a Letterman fan, but Lenno seems much funnier in HD.
Come-on WOWK, get-er-done!!!!

Originally posted by: TonyBradley

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


I hope this is the case. More HD. Maybe that is why some of the local channels are negotiating with the cable company. Who else could it be but whomever is in charge of the local cable........such as Charter sold to Cequel III.

That is, why would we hear reports of the local channels negotiating with the cable company's, unless they already know who the cable company is going to be.

One more comment, if a new cable company doesn't at least offer ESPN and ESPN2, and several other major networks, such as Discovery HD, and TNT HD, then they are sunk as far as I am concerned.

Lets see......hmmmm.......all broadcast are to be in digital HD format by 2009, and that is only three short years. Why would anyone want some second ....or maybe third or fourth class cable that is still carrying analog???

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

One more comment, if a new cable company doesn't at least offer ESPN and ESPN2, and several other major networks, such as Discovery HD, and TNT HD, then they are sunk as far as I am concerned.

Lets see......hmmmm.......all broadcast are to be in digital HD format by 2009, and that is only three short years. Why would anyone want some second ....or maybe third or fourth class cable that is still carrying analog???

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:


I went to Cebridge's website and typed in my Zip Code and the only thing available to the Sissonville area is Basic Analog Cable, Tivo and Cable Modem.

When I went to their HD page, here is what it says:

"Please note: Cebridge HDTV services are only available in certain TX & CA markets. Enter your zip code to see if it's available in your area."

I went to Cebridge's website and typed in my Zip Code and the only thing available to the Sissonville area is Basic Analog Cable, Tivo and Cable Modem.

When I went to their HD page, here is what it says:

"Please note: Cebridge HDTV services are only available in certain TX & CA markets. Enter your zip code to see if it's available in your area."

Yep, doesn't sound good at all. I also see that WSAZ is no longer broadcasting on Charter........ :rolleyes:

If I type in my zip code at Direct TV's site, it show that they have our local channels, is this correct, or do they just use an outdoor antenna to get locals. I have an HD antenna already.

Also, those of you that have directTV, do you like the service? All the Channels are Digital........right? Anything else that I need to know? Oh, and of course I would like HD. What kind of cost would I be looking at?

Yep, doesn't sound good at all. I also see that WSAZ is no longer broadcasting on Charter........ :rolleyes:


wsaz hd is still on armstrong...

D* currently carries our local analog (SD) channels. They should start carrying our digital (HD) channels either at the end of this year or early 2007.

I have had D* since late 1994 just after it was launched. And Yes, I love it. Cable can't compare. Cost for satellite are generally lower until you start adding lots of rooms. Where with analog cable you can have 1 or 2 TV's with the digital box and the rest of the TV's get analog cable, you really can't do that with satellite. All TV's need a box and that $5 a month for them really adds up. (There are ways to use fewer boxes by using one box to feed multiple TV's, but all TV's have to watch the same channel.)

Also, D* had the best DVR going with the TiVo based units. They have recently introduced their own in-house version and its OK, but not as good as the TiVo based. You can still find the SD TiVo based if you look and if you want an HD DVR, the TiVo based is all there is. Trust me, there is nothing like being able to time-shift HD programming.

D* currently carries our local analog (SD) channels. They should start carrying our digital (HD) channels either at the end of this year or early 2007.

I have had D* since late 1994 just after it was launched. And Yes, I love it. Cable can't compare. Cost for satellite are generally lower until you start adding lots of rooms. Where with analog cable you can have 1 or 2 TV's with the digital box and the rest of the TV's get analog cable, you really can't do that with satellite. All TV's need a box and that $5 a month for them really adds up. (There are ways to use fewer boxes by using one box to feed multiple TV's, but all TV's have to watch the same channel.)

Also, D* had the best DVR going with the TiVo based units. They have recently introduced their own in-house version and its OK, but not as good as the TiVo based. You can still find the SD TiVo based if you look and if you want an HD DVR, the TiVo based is all there is. Trust me, there is nothing like being able to time-shift HD programming.

I haven't taken the plunge yet, but I REALLY want an HD DVR. By the time I get the kids to bed, most my shows have already started or off. We watch most of our TV upstairs on the 36" SONY through SD Tivo. If I only had HD DVR.......

I haven't taken the plunge yet, but I REALLY want an HD DVR. By the time I get the kids to bed, most my shows have already started or off. We watch most of our TV upstairs on the 36" SONY through SD Tivo. If I only had HD DVR.......


Well, if you decide to stick to cable, Tivo is putting out a CableCard-ready HD DVR later this year. They showed it at CES this year...looked interesting.

I just hope Cebridge or whoever takes over continues the HD upgrade process. Not sure I want to go with D* yet.

When D* has all the new birds flying.....the cable companies will not be able to compete. Not only will they offer all the local HD channels and nationals but they are also planning on launching their own exclusive content. Much like VOOM did.

My current HD lineup.

Ch. 70 HBO
CH71: Showtime
CH72: ESPN2
CH73: ESPN
CH74: Universal....great if you like Battlestar Galactica....sucks otherwise
CH75: TNT
CH76: Discovery HD------Awesome
CH77: HDNet movies.....has some pretty good movies.
CH78: HD net
CH100: CDUSA
CH99: HD PPV

My friend had cable and complained about the locals looking horrible...with D* he was pleased becasue at least the SD was 100% digital.

Oh I forgot

CH 86 ABC NY HD feed
CH 88 Fox NY HD feed

and good ol WSAZ DT

Oh I forgot

CH 86 ABC NY HD feed
CH 88 Fox NY HD feed

and good ol WSAZ DT


So, WSAZ-DT is on Dish Network? Between that station and the Fox/ABC, sounds like Dish Network is the way to go given that Charter currently has no broadcast stations.

wsaz hd is still on armstrong...

Is WSAZ-DT still on Armstrong?

So, WSAZ-DT is on Dish Network? Between that station and the Fox/ABC, sounds like Dish Network is the way to go given that Charter currently has no broadcast stations.


He was stating those channels for DirecTV, not Dish. WSAZ-DT is OTA or Armstrong(if they are still carrying it). As Dallas mentioned earlier, DirecTV will not have any of our Local HD stations until late 2006/early 07.

It's all relative to who will be a better provider (D* or Cable). Depends on which cable companies you are talking about. D* has already made the statement that all their HD will be 1280 x 1080i instead of 1920 x 1080i, that you see on OTA broadcasts. It appears that other carriers are going to also go with 1280 x 1080i, which sucks, because HD doesn't look as good at 1280 x 1080 as it does 1920. If you are lucky enough to have a cable company that broadcasts at 1920 x 1080, the QUALITY will be better than D*. So, it's relative....quality or quantity. If you want Quantity, D* will be the way to go. If you want Quality, that's still up in the air. D* quality has faltered, but it's yet to be seen if the same goes with Cable.

For the future, it's shaping up that Verizon FIOS will be the way to go for HD, but again, not around here...at least yet.

He was stating those channels for DirecTV, not Dish. WSAZ-DT is OTA or Armstrong(if they are still carrying it). As Dallas mentioned earlier, DirecTV will not have any of our Local HD stations until late 2006/early 07.

It's all relative to who will be a better provider (D* or Cable). Depends on which cable companies you are talking about. D* has already made the statement that all their HD will be 1280 x 1080i instead of 1920 x 1080i, that you see on OTA broadcasts. It appears that other carriers are going to also go with 1280 x 1080i, which sucks, because HD doesn't look as good at 1280 x 1080 as it does 1920. If you are lucky enough to have a cable company that broadcasts at 1920 x 1080, the QUALITY will be better than D*. So, it's relative....quality or quantity. If you want Quantity, D* will be the way to go. If you want Quality, that's still up in the air. D* quality has faltered, but it's yet to be seen if the same goes with Cable.

For the future, it's shaping up that Verizon FIOS will be the way to go for HD, but again, not around here...at least yet.


Because I am inclined to get the best possible resolution, it sounds like I may need to invest in OTA equipment. I live in the Fort Hill area of Charleston. Does anyone have an idea about what I need to purchase to start receiving HD signals? Any recommended HD tuners or types of antennae? Thanks.

Any recommended HD tuners or types of antenna?
The consensus (sort of) on antennas would something like the Channel Master 4221 or 4228 or the DB8. All of which can be found at SolidSignal (http://solidsignal.com/)

As for tuners, if your TV doesn't have one built in, and you are looking to go with D* for your other HD channels, the new D* H20-600 HD receiver has the new 5th generation LG chip in it. This new chip is supposed to help with signal and multipath issues. Depending on the terrain near your house, multipath can be an issue in the hills.

I am here in Teays Valley and get great signal with a 4228 located in my attic feeding D* HR10-250's.

Because I am inclined to get the best possible resolution, it sounds like I may need to invest in OTA equipment. I live in the Fort Hill area of Charleston. Does anyone have an idea about what I need to purchase to start receiving HD signals? Any recommended HD tuners or types of antenna? Thanks.

I live across the river from you on the hill in Edgewood. I can pick up WSAZ-DT, WCHS-DT, WVAH-DT, WOWK-DT, and WPBY-DT (PBS) at 80% or better signal strength with a DB-4 antenna and amp. The antenna is mounted approx. 25 feet above the ground on the side of my house with an unobstructed view to points west.

So you ought to do well with either a 4228 or DB-8, particularly if you can mount it outside -- unless you have some type of obstructions that are unique to your location.

If you are also signing up with DirecTV, you may be able to get them to install your new antenna for free as part of their package deal.

I use a CM4228 up on Weberwood Dr. in Fort Hill and it gets all the normal channels without having to move it any direction except for CBS. And we won't get into it. I mounted it on my deck as it was the easiest place (installed it 1 hr before 2005 superbowl) and havent moved it, and it works great.

-jason

Does anyone have an idea about what I need to purchase to start receiving HD signals? Any recommended HD tuners or types of antennae? Thanks.

I would second the Solid Signal recomendation for your antenna. I am located on Smith Rd on the ridgetop in South Hills and am using a CM4228 antenna currently in the attic and am getting WSAZ, WCHS, WVAH and the PBS stations x3 from Huntington, and PAX x 4 if PAX counts. Not much luck with 13 digital.

I built my house in the hills near Greenbottom WV in 2003 and we do not have access to cable. At the time D* did not offer locals so I went out and bought a Digital ready long range antenna from Radio Shack. I cant even think of the type?

In 2004 D* rolled out locals. I thought a couple of times about taking my antenna down but I didnt. In Fall of 2004 I bought my Big Screen and upgraded D* to HD. Then I played around with my existing antenna and can pick up 3, 8, 11, 33-1-3. although if the weather is really bad, it has its issues. At one point I was able to get 13 though it was weaker than the others. Now I can not get it at all. I'm torn between waiting to see if 13 may tweek up the juice, get a new antenna, or just wait for D*. I certainly hate to pay for a new antenna only to take it down this fall. If I am hearing correct our market my role out this fall? I hope so!!!!

Although the antenna is also great for tunning in Radio Stations from Portsmouth, OH to Beckley.

I also heard through the grapevine Billy Joel may be my new neighbor........?

I also heard through the grapevine Billy Joel may be my new neighbor........?
Yeah, I hear about him way too much. My mother is friends with the grandmother of the girl he married. :rolleyes:

If I type in my zip code at Direct TV's site, it show that they have our local channels, is this correct, or do they just use an outdoor antenna to get locals. I have an HD antenna already.

Also, those of you that have directTV, do you like the service? All the Channels are Digital........right? Anything else that I need to know? Oh, and of course I would like HD. What kind of cost would I be looking at?


Yes, they have our locals. Good for other TV's that you are not using HD. Obviously OTA HD is a world better if you can get it.

I have been with Direct since 1995 (when it cost $799 for the thing) and have been very happy. Certainly more sports offerings than Dish Network, which means that the price is slightly more in my reserach. Everything is digital, but compression helps them with bandwith, but hurts the picture. Still better than Cable IMO. Go to their website on cost, since they offer many package combinations. You're not going to save any money over cable. HD pacakge is about 10 bucks, for a handful of channels. Again, website is best for HD channel listing, but my TV rarley gets past ESPNHD, ESPN2HD, and Discovery HD.

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/2006022830

Received this email reply from Bill Acker at WV Public Broadcasting:

We are currently finishing up installing HD gear at our Network Operating Center. We plan to broadcast HD on a regularly scheduled basis next Fall.
In the meantime, you may find we are expdrimenting with the HD broadcasts.

Thanks for your interest.

Bill Acker
WV PBS

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/2006022830


Thanks for the info, who knows what the final result will be, but for now, at least it will not get worse.

He was stating those channels for DirecTV, not Dish. WSAZ-DT is OTA or Armstrong(if they are still carrying it). As Dallas mentioned earlier, DirecTV will not have any of our Local HD stations until late 2006/early 07.

It's all relative to who will be a better provider (D* or Cable). Depends on which cable companies you are talking about. D* has already made the statement that all their HD will be 1280 x 1080i instead of 1920 x 1080i, that you see on OTA broadcasts. It appears that other carriers are going to also go with 1280 x 1080i, which sucks, because HD doesn't look as good at 1280 x 1080 as it does 1920. If you are lucky enough to have a cable company that broadcasts at 1920 x 1080, the QUALITY will be better than D*. So, it's relative....quality or quantity. If you want Quantity, D* will be the way to go. If you want Quality, that's still up in the air. D* quality has faltered, but it's yet to be seen if the same goes with Cable.

For the future, it's shaping up that Verizon FIOS will be the way to go for HD, but again, not around here...at least yet.


Is 1280 x 1080i an accepted HD resolution?

Is 1280 x 1080i an accepted HD resolution?


Unfortunately YES. Again, UNFORTUNATELY, HD is defined by the Horizontal lines (720 or 1080i). So, legally, even though 1920 x 1080i was the accepted resolution, the 1920 was not defined as HD. So, D* can get away with down rezing to 1280 x 1080i to make room for more SD channels or other 1280 HD channels.

It's quite depressing that a few years ago HD looked so much better than it does now (counting out OTA signals). Funny, the technology our Parents used years ago is the preferred method for picking up HD today..heheheh.

I just got my HDTV All-in-Wonder working on my PC with a CM4228.

I am having problems with audio & video sync.
Channel 13 is all most perfect but the others are off.

Any one have a suggetion?

I just got my HDTV All-in-Wonder working on my PC with a CM4228.

I am having problems with audio & video sync.
Channel 13 is all most perfect but the others are off.

Any one have a suggetion?
Are you using media center?

I just got my HDTV All-in-Wonder working on my PC with a CM4228.
I am having problems with audio & video sync.
Channel 13 is all most perfect but the others are off.

Any one have a suggetion?

Questions regarding to computers & HDTV probably belong in the forum section below

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=7&f=26

besides a lot more people would know what or how to fix that problem there then here anyway...

WVudrj;

I am using the ATI Catalyst media center with Win-XP-2, not the microsoft media center.

I think I had read on the forum a few months ago that some of the local stations had a sync problems. I am trying to find out if the problem is in my system or the local stations.

I dropped my DirecTV HD last month. I just got the system up today. I get a good signal with the CM-4228 on about 7 or 8 channels. 3 or 4 of them are the church channels.

I am on a hilltop about 8 miles east of the Yeager airport.

Thanks for the reply

Cocoon; Thanks I will look at that forum also.

Is WSAZ-DT still on Armstrong?


yup, ch 103...

looks like its here to stay.

i now have wsaz, wpbd (pbs), tnt, wealth, nfl, espn, hdnet, hdnetmovie, universal, and hbohd (showtime and max are also available, but i don't have).

i am very happy with armstrongs hd line-up and the fact that they are continually adding (wsaz and universal added in the last few months).

I'm going to be relocating from Raleigh to Charleston, WV in June/July of this year.

Of course I've enjoyed Time Warner Cable's HDTV here in Raleigh, but sadly I think getting HD in Charleston will be more difficult. I have read the past 3-4 pages of this thread...but if someone could:

Is DirectTV an acceptable option for HD in Charleston, WV? Can I get an HD DVR w/ their service? So long as I can get ESPN, ESPN2, and any other sports in HD I'll be very satisfied.

Also, does DirectTV offer the college sports packages (I want to watch my Wolfpack games that are typically broadcasted locally in Raleigh). Thanks!!

Is DirectTV an acceptable option for HD in Charleston, WV? Can I get an HD DVR w/ their service? So long as I can get ESPN, ESPN2, and any other sports in HD I'll be very satisfied.

Also, does DirectTV offer the college sports packages (I want to watch my Wolfpack games that are typically broadcasted locally in Raleigh). Thanks!!
Yes, but its $500 and worth every penny. ;) Yes D* offers the ESPN Game Plan for college football. D* also has ESPNHD and ESPN2HD.

^ $500 to install? What's the monthly charges, and what do you do about high-speed internet?

That sounds really expensive...who offers cable services in Charleston? Just Charter?

This article does not say whether Adelphia was able to keep WSAZ-DT. Does anyone know? If so, I hope Charter/Sebridge can work out the same deal.

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Business/2006030129

^ $500 to install? What's the monthly charges, and what do you do about high-speed internet?
It's $500 for the box. Install is usually free. :confused: Monthly charges for the base package plus HD would be around $65/mo plus $5 for each additional box. The everything package is around $110.

For high-speed internet, go DSL if available. You can get a 768/128 package for $15.

DishNetwork (E*) has better upfront pricing for their HD DVR and will be fine if you can get all 4 nets OTA. Plus they currently have more HD if you consider the Voom channels worthy. And I think they have ESPN Game Plan as well, but not NFLST which is exclusive to D*.

I'm pretty sure Charter, soon to be Cebridge, is the only cable company in the city limits, although I'm 100% positive.

^ $500 to install? What's the monthly charges, and what do you do about high-speed internet?

That sounds really expensive...who offers cable services in Charleston? Just Charter?

Southpaw when you call Direct TV be very pushy and demanding. Tell them you want the best HD experience and that cable gives you TNT HBO STARZ CINEMAX DISCOVERY and ESPN and that you can get locals OTA. Many times they will work with you on pricing, installs etcetera, especially if they know you have done your research and that there are other options available. Also tell them that by going with cable you get a big discount on broadband internet access so that they are forced to sweeten the deal for you. They really want customers so don't settle for the same offer the ignorant CSR person tells you.

Jay

Southpaw when you call Direct TV be very pushy and demanding. Tell them you want the best HD experience and that cable gives you TNT HBO STARZ CINEMAX DISCOVERY and ESPN and that you can get locals OTA. Many times they will work with you on pricing, installs etcetera, especially if they know you have done your research and that there are other options available. Also tell them that by going with cable you get a big discount on broadband internet access so that they are forced to sweeten the deal for you. They really want customers so don't settle for the same offer the ignorant CSR person tells you.

Jay
Also if you get a Customer Service Rep who won't deal with you don't be afraid to hang up and try again. You'll get a different one who might deal when you call back.

Although they just started this "leasing" thing 3/1. I don't know how that might affect there ability to wheel and deal....

Good to know they (D*) will bend on price a bit.

And I'm planning on not even having a land-line phone. I've been 100% mobile phone for 2 years now and see no reason to get a land-line. Considering that, how much would the "$15 DSL package" cost me?

Basically I would have no choice but to pay the ~$20/month for the land-line, and then the $15 for DSL, correct?

I'm in area code 25302 (Charleston); what provider do you guys use for DSL? Thanks!

You will need a land-based phone to setup the D* HD DVR, but you can do that at a friend's house. After that, you will get daily nag screens, but it will function fine

I think the basic phone service here is $13/mo plus taxes. And you are coming to a place where they nickle/dime you for everything they can tax. So $20 is probably a good number. So you might be as well off if you just went with Charter cable internet and no TV.

Not really sure how good mobile coverage is in the area of Charleston you are moving. I know here at my house in Teays Valley, if I am in my basement, coverage is spotty. And when the leaves are on the trees, I can't drive through my neighborhood and keep a call connected (Cingular).

Your best bet might be to go with Charter and hope TiVo makes good on their promise of a cablecard/OTA Series 3 TiVo this year.

^ This is going to be a lot more complicated and a lot less satisfactory that I would have hoped...I can tell.

Things are so easy here in Raleigh where high-tech lives night and day. I guess that's one price I pay moving to WV...but the cost of living is lower (escp. housing). I might just live without HDTV for awhile if Charter will give me a good deal on digital cable + high-speed internet and just wait to see what develops as far as their HD service/HD DVR service goes.

I have no idea what goes into hooking up a rig to get OTA HDTV, as I just used the set-top box here in Raleigh to get all the HD (locals too) channels.

And about cell phone service: I have US Celluar. They have craptacular phones and absolutely NO extra features (video messaging: no, text messaging: sometimes...) but I swear they have the best coverage in the world. In the end, connection of calls means more than anything so I suppose I'll stick with them since it worked excellent while house-hunting up there.

^ This is going to be a lot more complicated and a lot less satisfactory that I would have hoped...I can tell.

Things are so easy here in Raleigh where high-tech lives night and day. I guess that's one price I pay moving to WV...but the cost of living is lower (escp. housing). I might just live without HDTV for awhile if Charter will give me a good deal on digital cable + high-speed internet and just wait to see what develops as far as their HD service/HD DVR service goes.

I have no idea what goes into hooking up a rig to get OTA HDTV, as I just used the set-top box here in Raleigh to get all the HD (locals too) channels.

And about cell phone service: I have US Celluar. They have craptacular phones and absolutely NO extra features (video messaging: no, text messaging: sometimes...) but I swear they have the best coverage in the world. In the end, connection of calls means more than anything so I suppose I'll stick with them since it worked excellent while house-hunting up there.

I don't want to burst your bubble, but cost of living won't be as low as you think. I lived in Baltimore, MD for 5 years and can't believe how much cheaper things were in Baltimore than here. Granted, houses are a little cheaper here, but THAT IS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are over taxed for EVERYTHING here. Because there isn't much competition in this state, you'll pay more for groceries, clothing, etc. Utilities also increased substantially when I moved back to WV. The biggest increase was car insurance. It almost TRIPPLED for half the coverage (no joke!!). The insurance company's eyes bugged when he saw how much coverage we had on our policy in Baltimore. He said you can't even get that much coverage, so everything was half what I had, but almost trippled the cost. Reason: More uninsured motorists and drunk drivers in WV than many other places. Now, I never lived in Raliegh, and Baltimore is my only comparison, but I crack up when people in this state say "Oh, you lived in Baltimore? Wow, I bet you are glad to be home where it's much cheaper" RIGHT!!!!!! If I still lived in Baltimore, I'd be doing better (money going farther) than this state. Sad thing is, there aren't as many job opportunities in this state, and what is available, is very low paying.

Sorry...didn't mean to be so doom and gloom....I just always have to speak up on the Cost of Living thing as I think that is the biggest negative about this state.

A friend of mine is looking to move to your area....applied at Cisco.

^ Yeah I've already seen that crazy auto insurance...we're keeping the insurance w/ our company in NC as long as we can. I'm actually going to be working for DuPont so the pay is very good (by my standards, anyway) but I'm only planning on staying 3-5 years 'til I can move back closer to the coast w/ a better job.

Cisco is a great place, and RTP is a fabulous place to be (except for traffic/housing costs).

Ah well, to get back on topic, I'll probably just end up not going for HDTV right off the bat; the last thing I need to be doing is spending inordinate amounts of money on things I don't "need" when just getting off & running. Hopefully in a year or so things will be more readily available and cost efficient.

^ And about cell phone service: I have US Celluar.
[Sound of Bubble Bursting]
There is no U.S. Cellular here. Or Verizon or T-Mobile.

We have Cingular, Alltel, Sprint/Nextel and Intelos. Plus a couple of resellers who use Cingular's GSM.

I had U.S. Cellular when I was working on a project in VA. You're right, good coverage.

Tony is correct. The nickle/dime tax you on everything here. And insurance is out of control even with the recent rollbacks. :(

One tax we have that is usually substantially lower than other states is the property taxes (on your house). Of course we have many other taxes (personal property (on your car), sales tax on food, etc.) to make up for it...

I had ATT Wireless for a while (now Cingular) and I had a lot of dropped calls in the Sissonville area. Now that I have Alltel, I keep a good signal.

As far as phone companies go, you have Verizon and FiberNet. I'd say go with Verizon ;)

If you stick to just a cell phone, like Dallas mentioned, cable modem will be your best choice.

It's still up in the air regarding HD on Cable in Charleston since Charter was heading in the right direction with HD and the company that just purchased them (taking over in July) only has HD in select areas in TX and CA.

Dallas may have the answer to this, but how difficult is it to get the E&W Coast Networks in HD on E*? Being in Charleston, you should be able to pick up your Local HD via an indoor powered Antenna if you don't feel like going through the hassle of a bigger antenna and running the wires.

Good Luck moving back and let us know if we can help with you picking up HD if you have any problems.

Ah well, to get back on topic, I'll probably just end up not going for HDTV right off the bat; the last thing I need to be doing is spending inordinate amounts of money on things I don't "need" when just getting off & running. Hopefully in a year or so things will be more readily available and cost efficient.


Cable/Satellite HDTV may still be in its infancy here, but Charter should have ESPN and CBS by the time you get here. That gives us quite a number of sports games, which is all most of us care about.

Well the two times I've been up in the Charleston area (both for entire weekends), my US Ceullar phone never dropped a call or had such a low signal that I couldn't call back to NC and hear fine. I'm hoping it'll work out b/c my contract doesn't end 'til Feb. of 2007.

I'm moving up on the last of June...getting Charter cable/internet may be tricky w/ the takeover happening in July. Guess I'll just see.

And for the record, Raleigh has a lot of taxes too. Insane property taxes and we get nailed on food tax sales also. It really won't change much for me since I'll be paying lower property taxes and keeping my vehicle insured in NC (registration loopholes, heh...)

I hate to keep going off topic, but this is about the only life I've found in WV that seems like I'd hang out with...since my wife & I are just moving to a brand new place, are there any popular sports hangouts in/around Charleston? I just have no idea where to start looking for folks to hang with on the weekends and what not.

Well the two times I've been up in the Charleston area (both for entire weekends), my US Ceullar phone never dropped a call or had such a low signal that I couldn't call back to NC and hear fine. I'm hoping it'll work out b/c my contract doesn't end 'til Feb. of 2007.

I'm moving up on the last of June...getting Charter cable/internet may be tricky w/ the takeover happening in July. Guess I'll just see.

And for the record, Raleigh has a lot of taxes too. Insane property taxes and we get nailed on food tax sales also. It really won't change much for me since I'll be paying lower property taxes and keeping my vehicle insured in NC (registration loopholes, heh...)

I hate to keep going off topic, but this is about the only life I've found in WV that seems like I'd hang out with...since my wife & I are just moving to a brand new place, are there any popular sports hangouts in/around Charleston? I just have no idea where to start looking for folks to hang with on the weekends and what not.

Compared to Raleigh, etc., we don't have too many hangouts for Sports. A new resaurant just opened up here called Quaker Steak and Lube. It's all about racing. If you are a racing fan (I'm assuming it's NASCAR and any other motor racing event), you may like it. I heard their wings are great. My wife and I tried once, but it was an hour and a half wait, so we didn't stay. Embassy Suites has the sports bar thing I believe. There's more places in Huntington, but that's over an hour from Charleston. My mind is shutting down (it's friday) and I can't remember the name of the BBQ resaurant we have, but they have TVs everywhere. I'm assuming they show quite a few FB games during the season. My wife and I don't get out much with the two little ones at home. I'm sure some of these guys will name off a few good places.

Most of WV is a great place if you like the outdoors. Good fishing, Hunting and Mountain Biking (too bad I don't do any of the three..LOL).

Where in Charleston are you moving?

^ Yeah...we visited "Smokey Bones" and they had lots of TVs w/ the College Football Bowl games on awhile back.

I'm in area code 25302, and sadly that's about all I know. I know I'm about 5 miles from the Charleston area hospitals and about 12 miles from the Belle DuPont plant.

I really wish WVU was located in Charleston instead of Morgantown...then I would just be SET!

A new resaurant just opened up here called Quaker Steak and Lube. It's all about racing. If you are a racing fan (I'm assuming it's NASCAR and any other motor racing event), I heard their wings are great. and I can't remember the name of the BBQ resaurant we have,
QS&L is great. We got lucky and got in for an early dinner one night. They have 18 different flavors of wings.

Are you referring to Smokey Bones? There is also a Famous Dave's in Barboursville which is about 45 minutes from Charleston. I like FD better than SB, but YMMV.

The Charleston Pizzaria Uno closed, but the one in TV is still open, although for the life of me I don't know why.

QS&L is great. We got lucky and got in for an early dinner one night. They have 18 different flavors of wings.

Are you referring to Smokey Bones? There is also a Famous Dave's in Barboursville which is about 45 minutes from Charleston. I like FD better than SB, but YMMV.

The Charleston Pizzaria Uno closed, but the one in TV is still open, although for the life of me I don't know why.


Yes. Smokey Bones. I couldn't remember the name. I only went once. I couldn't stand the BBQ sauce....too sweet for me.

I heard QS&L has a flavor that you have to sign a waiver to eat it's so hot.

I heard QS&L has a flavor that you have to sign a waiver to eat it's so hot.
They do. And there is a sign in the men's bathroom telling you to wash your hands before you you use the bathroom if you have eaten it. :eek:

Any WOWK HD sightings? I keep checking in the eveing to see if anything has happened. Until then I don't have to change my sig. :(

Well the two times I've been up in the Charleston area (both for entire weekends), my US Ceullar phone never dropped a call or had such a low signal that I couldn't call back to NC and hear fine. I'm hoping it'll work out b/c my contract doesn't end 'til Feb. of 2007.

I'm moving up on the last of June...getting Charter cable/internet may be tricky w/ the takeover happening in July. Guess I'll just see.

And for the record, Raleigh has a lot of taxes too. Insane property taxes and we get nailed on food tax sales also. It really won't change much for me since I'll be paying lower property taxes and keeping my vehicle insured in NC (registration loopholes, heh...)

I hate to keep going off topic, but this is about the only life I've found in WV that seems like I'd hang out with...since my wife & I are just moving to a brand new place, are there any popular sports hangouts in/around Charleston? I just have no idea where to start looking for folks to hang with on the weekends and what not.

My daughter had US Cellular when she was going to Concord College (well I think it's Concord University now). Anyway when she graduated a couple of years ago she moved and went with a different provider. Since she had a plan that charged no roaming fees anywhere in the state of WV we kept the phone. Even though US Cellular doesn't have any towers in the Charleston area it evidently works with some other company's network. The coverage is very good. Much better than my work provided Cingular (GSM) network phone. Now whether or not you'll get charged roaming fees would be up to the terms of your contract.

There is a sports bar in the Kanawha City section of Charleston called Murads. It's at the corner of MacCorkle Ave and the 35th Street Bridge. They have decent bar food (burgers, sandwiches, wings, etc.). It's a little run down but not a bad place. We do our Fantasy Football draft there every year. There is also a Hooters in Kanawha City.

Welcome to the area.

I moved here from the DC area. Yeah, nickle and dime taxes are crazy, and insurance is at least double, but all that is chump change compared to housing and real estate taxes. Compared to any major metro area, your housing cost is at least double there if not more. More important than that, there is no traffic to speak of. That alone more than makes up for the insurance and other taxes. Leaving work at 4:30/5:00 and not taking 2 hours to drive 20 miles is priceless. No commute = more family time, more relaxing time, more recreational time, and MORE HD TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Now come-on WOWK, I got to have some HD college Hoops and Masters!

My daughter had US Cellular when she was going to Concord College (well I think it's Concord University now). Anyway when she graduated a couple of years ago she moved and went with a different provider. Since she had a plan that charged no roaming fees anywhere in the state of WV we kept the phone. Even though US Cellular doesn't have any towers in the Charleston area it evidently works with some other company's network. The coverage is very good. Much better than my work provided Cingular (GSM) network phone. Now whether or not you'll get charged roaming fees would be up to the terms of your contract.

Just wanted to point out that the reason US Cellular has better coverage than Cingular is because they operate on different bands. US Cellular operates at 800MHz, right above UHF TV, while Cingular is up around 1.9GHz. The higher on the band you go, the less the signal will bend over the terrain and through buildings and such.

For this reason, GSM providers have better service in the big cities (I have family near Paterson, NJ) while the CDMA providers have better service in rural areas.

Where I am, US Cellular is the only carrier with service, because our county is a buffer zone between Verizon to the east and Alltel to the west, and there are no GSM providers in the county. No GSM phones work within the county. There are so many trees and hills, and the population density is so low, that there's no point in trying to get reliable coverage here on that higher frequency.

- Trip

while Cingular is up around 1.9GHz.
That's why I wish we had T-mobile. They operate a GSM network in both the 850 and 1900 bands.

That's why I wish we had T-mobile. They operate a GSM network in both the 850 and 1900 bands.

In most places, GSM is on 1.9GHz, while CDMA (except Sprint) is on 800MHz. For example, in southern Pennsylvania, Cingular is on the 800 band. I have yet to see a place where T-Mobile is on the 800 band.

Interestingly, just did a check on the FCC site, and the two operators on the 800MHz band in Charleston are Alltel and Cingular. So apparently, Cingular is on the 800MHz band in Charleston.

- Trip

Cingular in this area used to be AT&T. When my old AT&T phone died Cingular would only replace it with a GSM network phone. They have not replaced all their old AT&T nodes with GSM nodes (per there local store). Seems like they have mainly replaced the nodes near the interstates.

I used to get good coverage at my home with the old phone and I get nothing now with GSM. Since it is a work provided phone that's not necessarily a bad thing :-)

I have yet to see a place where T-Mobile is on the 800 band.

So apparently, Cingular is on the 800MHz band in Charleston.


I stand corrected, AT&T owned most of the 850 band in the US. And as a result of the merger, Cingular now owns it. But they are not using it.

GSM usage in the US: http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/cou_us.shtml

My daughter had US Cellular when she was going to Concord College (well I think it's Concord University now). Anyway when she graduated a couple of years ago she moved and went with a different provider. Since she had a plan that charged no roaming fees anywhere in the state of WV we kept the phone. Even though US Cellular doesn't have any towers in the Charleston area it evidently works with some other company's network. The coverage is very good. Much better than my work provided Cingular (GSM) network phone. Now whether or not you'll get charged roaming fees would be up to the terms of your contract.

There is a sports bar in the Kanawha City section of Charleston called Murads. It's at the corner of MacCorkle Ave and the 35th Street Bridge. They have decent bar food (burgers, sandwiches, wings, etc.). It's a little run down but not a bad place. We do our Fantasy Football draft there every year. There is also a Hooters in Kanawha City.

Welcome to the area.

This is what I was trying to say earlier...US Cellular, regardless of whether they "claim" to have coverage in a certain area, always just...works! So I'll be sticking with them since there's no roaming charges anywhere in the cont. US w/ my contract. :)

And that's good to know about the sports bar, thanks!

There is a sports bar in the Kanawha City section of Charleston called Murads. It's at the corner of MacCorkle Ave and the 35th Street Bridge. They have decent bar food (burgers, sandwiches, wings, etc.). It's a little run down but not a bad place. We do our Fantasy Football draft there every year. There is also a Hooters in Kanawha City.

Welcome to the area.[/QUOTE]

Murads food is good but yes rundown

As far as Hooters goes there food is terrible IMHO and the view here is equally as terrible. This is not the Hooters in Ft. Lauderdale Florida for sure. Some of those girls have no business being in those shorts, It should be called Heffers, not Hooters!

I moved here from the DC area. Yeah, nickle and dime taxes are crazy, and insurance is at least double, but all that is chump change compared to housing and real estate taxes. Compared to any major metro area, your housing cost is at least double there if not more. More important than that, there is no traffic to speak of. That alone more than makes up for the insurance and other taxes. Leaving work at 4:30/5:00 and not taking 2 hours to drive 20 miles is priceless. No commute = more family time, more relaxing time, more recreational time, and MORE HD TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Now come-on WOWK, I got to have some HD college Hoops and Masters!


When I lived in Baltimore, the House prices weren't as drastic as they are now. I purchased a house there for roughly the same price I could have here (maybe paid $10K more). If I still lived there, I'd have the same house payment as I do now in WV, but everything else would be cheaper. However, the house market in Baltimore has now sky rocketed and there is NO WAY I could move back there and make it as I couldn't make enough off my house to compensate. Not until recently (last 5 years) was there such a huge difference on home prices. Now, as far as DC goes, if I remember correctly, they were always higher priced. Even when houses were at a decent price in Baltimore, Gaithersburg and other areas South were a lot more.

I had an hour commute both ways when I lived in the Baltimore area. Now, it takes me 15 minutes. When people talk Rush Hour traffic, they have no clue. And yes, I have no clue since DC is worse than Baltimore, and Boston is worse than DC...LOL.

There is a sports bar in the Kanawha City section of Charleston called Murads. It's at the corner of MacCorkle Ave and the 35th Street Bridge. They have decent bar food (burgers, sandwiches, wings, etc.). It's a little run down but not a bad place. We do our Fantasy Football draft there every year. There is also a Hooters in Kanawha City.

Welcome to the area.

Murads food is good but yes rundown

As far as Hooters goes there food is terrible IMHO and the view here is equally as terrible. This is not the Hooters in Ft. Lauderdale Florida for sure. Some of those girls have no business being in those shorts, It should be called Heffers, not Hooters![/QUOTE]

But they are called Hooters because of the Owls on the shirts.....right? :D

SouthPaw,

I live in Fayette County and drive to Charleston everyday to work. Just so you know, we have TWO cell carries down here...Cellular One and US CELLULAR. My cell phone is a US Celluar and while I don't care much for their plans, I do have pretty good service from them. I also have non-roaming in a large part of the the easter US.

Also, when did the Uno's close that is considered Charleston? I just had lunch at the South Ridge location Friday before last...was that the one that supposedly closed?

I've been to Quaker Steak and Lube once but didn't eat. I was there on a business matter as we're attempting to secure them on the WCHS/WVAH client list (for a nice large chunk of change)...nice place from what I could see. I've never been in a restaurant like that one that WASN'T in a huge Disney/Universal Studios type environment.

I just had lunch at the South Ridge location Friday before last...was that the one that supposedly closed?
It closed the following Tuesday. TV can't be far behind. :(

[QUOTE=Paul E. Fox, II]SouthPaw,


Also, when did the Uno's close that is considered Charleston? I just had lunch at the South Ridge location Friday before last...was that the one that supposedly closed?


South Ridge/Corridor G/Charleston/South Charleston. Whatever people call it, that is the one that closed. I hear the one in TV is on its way out as well very soon. There all owned by the same or close to the same group, including our famous power ball winner. Food was ok, but the service stunk at both locations
and I chalk it up to nothing but management.

Food was ok, but the service stunk at both locations
and I chalk it up to nothing but management.
My daughter's babysitter waited tables there and the tips were horrible due to the kitchen !@#$ing up everyone's order. She said one night they comped over half the tables due to slow service.

She went back to $7.00/hour at McDonalds since the pay was better. :eek:

Did someone at WCHS forget to throw the switch? No HD for the Oscar!

No HD and audio out of sync for the oscars. The worst of both worlds.

On a lighter note now with outdoor CM4228 with amp and indoor silver sensor Y'ed into the 4228 I now have all 4 networks without dropouts!

Hooray ME

I called Master Control...the switch was flipped...flipped it off and back on as I watched with no effect.

I'm bummed too but I'm not sure what to do at this point. I'll try to find out what happened tomorrow and let you all know when I get back to work.

I have NOT seen a lip-sync problem and I've watched it all.

Very bummed...nothing for Brokeback yet...

[QUOTE=Paul E. Fox, II]SouthPaw,





South Ridge/Corridor G/Charleston/South Charleston. Whatever people call it, that is the one that closed. I hear the one in TV is on its way out as well very soon. There all owned by the same or close to the same group, including our famous power ball winner. Food was ok, but the service stunk at both locations
and I chalk it up to nothing but management.

That's a shame, but not surprising. I used to love to go and have the Rattlesnake Pasta, but the last time we went the service was so bad that I never could get the wife to go back.

I have yet to see an HD "test" broadcast on WOWK-DT. I am remain pretty skeptical of the whole thing.

If I recall, back in February of 2005, WVAH-DT was broadcasting in HD at least a couple weeks before their targeted HD broadcast debut for the Superbowl.

I have yet to see an HD "test" broadcast on WOWK-DT. I am remain pretty skeptical of the whole thing.

If I recall, back in February of 2005, WVAH-DT was broadcasting in HD at least a couple weeks before their targeted HD broadcast debut for the Superbowl.

Is it possible that WOWK-DT is going to be on cable before it is OTA? You are right that there is not much time left; a week from Thursday @ Noon!

Is it possible that WOWK-DT is going to be on cable before it is OTA? You are right that there is not much time left; a week from Thursday @ Noon!


My wife just told me that she saw an ad while watching CBS (WOWK) that HD was going to be on Charter Cable. While that's not a news flash, it's the first I have heard on it from the station.

unfortunately, she didn't get the details, but she said they gave a channel number, and a telephone number to call.

I would imagine more information will follow if someone can look into it.

Here is the official story from WOWK.

http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=9198&catid=37

from the link:

You can also get the high-definition signal through an antennae. But don't expect your local programs, like news, to be in high def.

"Local programming won't be true high-def. It will be what's called "up-converted." says Galloway. "So there really won't be much difference, but you'll see a quality difference in the signal compared to high-def."

But when it's true high def, many customers say they won't go back to just plain old color TV.





This sounds like great news!!!!!!!

Sounds like next Thursday is the day. Great news.

Here is the official story from WOWK.



You mean Bray Cary was telling the *truth*? From what I've read on here, I'd therefore expect the apocalypse to begin at any moment.

This means we're getting AFC NFL games in HD this fall, folks! You all can watch your Steelers and I can watch my Patriots! :D

This means we're getting AFC NFL games in HD this fall, folks! You all can watch your Steelers and I can watch my Patriots! :D

IF CBS carries the game in HD. Last year they only carried 3 games a week in HD. I'm not sure what their plans are for 2006.

In 2006, all NFL games are supposed to be in HD. It is part of the new contract with the networks.

Ah, the possibility of March Madness (well most of it) in HDTV. Makes me fuzzy inside.

http://cbs.sportsline.com/cbssports/story/9084682

In 2006, all NFL games are supposed to be in HD. It is part of the new contract with the networks.

We will be living the high life next fall. If only SBG would get on board...-

We will be living the high life next fall. If only SBG would get on board...

On board? How exactly do you want SBG to get on board?

On board? How exactly do you want SBG to get on board?

Now that we have WOWK-DT and will probably get WSAZ-DT back on Charter, it would be nice if Fox and ABC could get on there too. How it happens is not important to me, but I would like to see the Fox and ABC NFL games in HD next fall. By "on board," of couse, I mean having ABC and Fox on Charter cable.

Trust me...SBG wouldn't mind being "On-Board".

Just make sure you understand...WOWK only got "On-Board" when their requirements were met. I'm sure that WSAZ will get "On-Board" as soon as their requirements are met and I'm also willing to bet that SBG will get "On-Board" in the same exact fashion.

Now that WOWK is going HD, BC is advertising that MM will be in HD on tons of promo's. People are going to see that and think he was first.

WSAZ, WVAH, and WCHS, mainly WSAZ since they were first by a long stretch, lost a golden opportunity to market their HD signal. Now BC is out there doing it and will get tons of credit for it. :(

As for the SBG issue. Just wait until D* gets our locals up in HD. They have a retransmission agreement with SBG so they will be up no matter what. As cables subs start to migrate that way, cable will get "on-board" fast.

Paul, What will happen in 2009 when analog ends? Will the cablecos that don't pay up get a down-rezzed signal?

Even though I don't care for BC's methods, you have to look at him as a Business Man. Appears he may have analyzed the market and knew where he could take a StrongHold (Cable Market). I think Dallas is right that he will get the credit as being the first full blown HD in our area because he will be the first on Cable and is now marketing it. I think he took advantage of the fact that WSAZ, WCHS and WVAH DIDN'T do a great job marketing their HD. A select few of us know the truth, but let's face it, BC will rise to the leader and that stinks!!!

Off Topic. I put up some acoustic treatments in my room.

Trust me...SBG wouldn't mind being "On-Board".

Just make sure you understand...WOWK only got "On-Board" when their requirements were met. I'm sure that WSAZ will get "On-Board" as soon as their requirements are met and I'm also willing to bet that SBG will get "On-Board" in the same exact fashion.

In any negotiation where the public is concerned, the opposing sides blame the other for not being able to get a deal done. From a consumer perspective, I don't care about the negotiations and just want to see my shows in HD since I spent $2,000 on a TV. It has been very frustrating living here for the last two years and having no HD programming besides ESPN and TNT. I am glad that BC and Charter were able to work out an agreement, and would hope that the other networks can work things out similarly.

I saw that Charter was heavily advertising WVU basketball will be on Charter 782 in HD, and I thinks it's fantastic. Hopefully this will generate more HD subscribers for Charter so we can get more HD stations.

In any negotiation where the public is concerned, the opposing sides blame the other for not being able to get a deal done. From a consumer perspective, I don't care about the negotiations and just want to see my shows in HD since I spent $2,000 on a TV. It has been very frustrating living here for the last two years and having no HD programming besides ESPN and TNT. I am glad that BC and Charter were able to work out an agreement, and would hope that the other networks can work things out similarly.

I saw that Charter was heavily advertising WVU basketball will be on Charter 782 in HD, and I thinks it's fantastic. Hopefully this will generate more HD subscribers for Charter so we can get more HD stations.


You mean more subscribers for Cebridge :D

Look, Don't get me wrong here. I very RARELY agree with either of these sides on anything. However, I will say that the TRUE BROADCASTERS made their own monster in the CableCos. Now, the Broadcasters have something they can fight back with and I believe they have a right to the fight.

I too have been bitten in the backside several times. For the longest time, I couldn't get the Networks due to the laws saying that while the airwaves were free, retransmission rights aren't. It's as simple as that. Cable is free to negotiate whatever deals they can but the day's of the Traditional Broadcaster just agreeing to GIVE them their signal...well, I guess you can say it's coming to an end. If you want a given signal be it ours, theirs or someone elses as with all things, you have the power to make that happen. Call your cable companies and tell them what you want. If they lose enough subscibers...well I'm sure you know the drill. Right now, we are providing the High Definition signal to anyone who wants it, free of charge.

As Dallas has mentioned, SBG may well have a deal already on the books with the Satellite guys...to be honest, I have no idea. To be completely honest, I don't know where the negotiations stand with the local Cable Guys but I do know that I WANT the signal available to all of you. That being said, if the Satellite guys have done their deals and the signals are available...there you go. That's YOUR bargaining point. I'm sure the D's and E's won't mind at all to hook you right up. If you tell your Cable guy that...well again, you've just put the ball in their court.

Dallas,

In 2009? Who knows...I surely don't. A lot can happen between now and then. Right now, those of us who CAN see the Hi-Def programming are in the EXTREME minority and most of the general public haven't the slightest idea what they're missing and/or when they're missing it. As I understand it, the FCC only mandates that broadcasters transmit a Digital signal...it doesn't specify the Hi-Def digital signal so if agreements are reached, I guess it could be downrezzed...but I'm certainly not the person to ask on this.

SBG may well have a deal already on the books with the Satellite guys

Just D* as far as I know. SBG Press Release:

http://www.sbgi.net/press/release_2005411_106.shtml

Dallas,

I'm sure that if D* signed, then E* will also be brought into the fold.

I know you guys think I'm probably off my rocker here but this is one of the few areas where I actually agree with my corporate counterparts.

On a separate note...did any of you notice a weird Fox logo in Idol tonight? We call that the "Bug" and usually I see a very small "Fox 11" in the lower right-hand corner. Tonight, that wasn't the case.

Now that we have WOWK-DT and will probably get WSAZ-DT back on Charter, it would be nice if Fox and ABC could get on there too. How it happens is not important to me, but I would like to see the Fox and ABC NFL games in HD next fall. By "on board," of couse, I mean having ABC and Fox on Charter cable.

Eh, no NFL on ABC next year. But they will still have college football. The Rose Bowl, but none of the other BCS. Fox will have those.

Eh, no NFL on ABC next year. But they will still have college football. The Rose Bowl, but none of the other BCS. Fox will have those.

Ah yes, it is NBC that has Sunday Night Football. I have heard from both Charter and WSAZ that WSAZ-DT will be back on Charter soon (after the lawyers have finalized the agreement).

Just saw a commercial on WOWK that Charter will offer WOWK-HD starting the 16h :)

Are we going to take bets on whether or not an HD signal is available OTA? :eek:

Are we going to take bets on whether or not an HD signal is available OTA? :eek:

Quote from WOWK's Web page...

http://www.wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=9198&catid=37

"You can also get the high-definition signal through an antenna..."

We should all know on Thursday, hopefully we'll all have an OTA High Def CBS channel... :rolleyes:

I called Master Control...the switch was flipped...flipped it off and back on as I watched with no effect.

I'm bummed too but I'm not sure what to do at this point. I'll try to find out what happened tomorrow and let you all know when I get back to work.

I have NOT seen a lip-sync problem and I've watched it all.

Very bummed...nothing for Brokeback yet...

Paul,

Did they ever figure out why they were not broadcasting the 16x9 High Def Feed for the OSCARS. Also other programming that day that should have been high def was using the 4x3 high def slice from the 16x9 feed. I ended up having to watch all my ABC HD programming on my D* High Def New York Channel, I would have much rather watched it on 8-1. If you find out what happened please let us know.

Thanks,

OTA HD is the greatest... :)

Did they ever figure out why they were not broadcasting the 16x9 High Def Feed for the OSCARS.

Apparently, there was some sort of problem with one of our receivers in Master Control. I didn't really understand the entire explaination (Dammit Jim, I'm a Promotion Manager...not an Engineer:)) but the problem was somewhere between our bypass switch and the actual HD Switch.

The good news is that I now have a phone number ABOVE Master Control that I can call when there are problems AND we have a much better system in place for troubleshooting even BEFORE I call...

Hopefully, this will continue to improve

Apparently, there was some sort of problem with one of our receivers in Master Control.

Paul,

Thanks for the quick response, I'm glad they found and took care of the problem. :)

Greg

Looks like they have made a better tuner chip for OTA...

Micro-sized TV Tuner Exceeds Performance Specs...

This should help out our reception for all of us that are in the extreme fringe areas. :) More Sensitivity....

Check out this link for more info...

http://www.tvtechnology.com/dlrf/one.php?id=1190

Well, Thursday could be interesting. I emailed Mr Cary regarding the possibility of multicasting games for the NCAA tournament. Here is the email and response.


Mr Cary,

I am very happy to learn that WOWK will start broadcasting in HD
on Thursday. I have a quick question about the broadcasting of the NCAA
tournament. Will you be multicasting several of the games at the same
time or will there only be 1 game available? Thanks.

Response:
We will air two different games during the first three rounds of the
tournament.

Well, Thursday could be interesting. I emailed Mr Cary regarding the possibility of multicasting games for the NCAA tournament. Here is the email and response.


Mr Cary,

I am very happy to learn that WOWK will start broadcasting in HD
on Thursday. I have a quick question about the broadcasting of the NCAA
tournament. Will you be multicasting several of the games at the same
time or will there only be 1 game available? Thanks.

Response:
We will air two different games during the first three rounds of the
tournament.


I was just talking about this with someone in my office yesterday. A few times this year, Charter has allowed WVU games to be played on channels usually designated for home shopping (22?). Perhaps this is what they will do during the tournament.

My guess would be that there will only be one game available through charter but two OTA.

but two OTA.Lets just hope they don't multicast two games on the digital channel and give us HD-Lite.

Lets just hope they don't multicast two games on the digital channel and give us HD-Lite.

AMEN.....just say no to Muticasting.

Looks like they turned it on... I'm getting WOWK 13-1 in HD now!

YES THEY DID :)

But I am seeing quite a bit of pixelation. Too much to watch. :(

Not a signal strength issue as I am getting 85-87.

Now I have to change my sig. ;)

Sweet. Looks like I am going to have to play around with the antenna when I get home this evening.

About Damn Time SWEET!

Is the direction of the signal the same for their analog signal?
I doubt the power is strong enough for me to get up in Fairplain.
Antenna web shows a compass direction of 247 degrees for their analog signal.

By the way, Bill Galloway is the new station engineer at WOWK.
I just got off the phone with him.
He use to be the engineer for WSAZ and the WV Home Theater group (me) interviewed him but I never got the transcript up on the website.
They are replicating the digital signal with their NTSC signal right now.
The power they are using with the UHF signal is the same as the VHF signal.
It is not a low power signal.
WOWK is putting out 114kW on 13 analog
They are putting out 562kW on 47. Its higher because its in the UHF band
He said it doesn't take as much power to put out a UHF signal as it does a VHF signal.
He also said I should be able to get the signal up home if I can pick up the other networks at home!
Sounds like our long wait is now over!!

Looks like they turned it on... I'm getting WOWK 13-1 in HD now!


Now I must leave work to check it out.

Now I must leave work to check it out.

Let us know how "NCIS," "The Unit," and Letterman look tonight.

By the way Bill reads this thread so he knows our concerns.
He said he is coming back to work tonight to see how the high def shows look from the station.

By the way Bill reads this thread so he knows our concerns.
I have to wonder if he was what pushed BC over the edge? After all, he was engineer at WSAZ when they were first to go HD. So if so, thanks Bill. :)

Do you think he knows Jay's nickname or his boss? :eek: ;)

Charter has informed me that it will be testing WOWK-DT on Channel 782 tonight.

WOWK-TV13 is in HD! NCIS is High-Def

HOLY CRAP!

i have 13.1 in HD!

damn, now i have to go play antenna tag again to get a good solid signal. good thing wsaz is on armstrong now so i don't have to worry about it OTA. Fox and ABC are solid pretty much anyway I turn the antenna.

SWEET!

Sounds good to me! I'll hafta buy an OTA antenna when I come up in June :)

Darrin, are you getting a signal on 13.1, Iam not but my TV sez its 720P, this sucks I need a antenna, Bad.

my TV sez its 720P

According to my OTA signal, 13-1 is 1080i...but it does look pretty good. Man, I never thought I'd see the day!

Finally!!!.....................This is GREAT!!!!

I'm getting MAJOR pixelization.

Must be me as you all don't seem to be seeing it. I will hook up my antenna directly to my TV tomorrow.

In Sissonville....still can't pick up WOWK-DT. Now that the power is stronger than it has been (when Digital SD), the picture comes and goes, but I can't get a strong enough signal to really lock on.

Guess it's time for a 4 or 8 bay antenna and a pre-amp.

Funny....My channel Master gets ZERO for 13-1, but my indoor powered antenna is the one where the picture will actually come and go.

I'm getting MAJOR pixelization.

Must be me as you all don't seem to be seeing it. I will hook up my antenna directly to my TV tomorrow.


It's a signal, just not a strong signal. I was getting the say pixelization last night to the point it was unwatchable. I'm in the Winfield area so not that far away from the tower, so I hope they either increase the power, or it's another trip to the attic to start monkeying with that antenna once again.

It's a signal, just not a strong signal. ...... I'm in the Winfield area
My signal, at least according to my meter, is as strong as any other station, but I am experiencing dropouts. It will bounce between 84-86 for a while and then drop off to the 50's for a second and bak to the 80's.

I am not far from you down near I-64 and 34. I will try hooking up my pre-amp again and see what happens. I don't want to over-power WVAH & WCHS and since I am so close to those towers that might be an issue.

Good morning Bill,
I was able to get WOWK at a solid 67% on my Dish Network 811 HD receiver. This level is same as the level for WSAZ if I pointed my antenna directly at the WSAZ signal. I am very lucky because the direction of the WOWK signal is right between the attached garage and the detached garage of my neighbors place across the street. The signal is pretty sensitive though. I first locked it in but the picture was on and off then I realized that I was pointing the antenna at one of my front deck posts. A swift move to the left and I had it at 67% solid. I did not have a chance to view any of the HD material last night but the standard definition material is stretched. Is there any chance that you could change the transmission so that the standard definition material is shown at 4:3 then when the network HD feed is active it switches to 16:9. WVAH has this type of setup working well.

I live on a hill with an unobstructed line of sight to the WOWK tower and I am using a small tabletop amplified antenna made by Magnavox that I purchased at Wal Mart. I am considering buying a high gain UHF only bowtie antenna to put in my attic now that all four channels out of Charleston are active. It is pretty safe to say that your presence at WOWK has had an impact on the CBS HD network feed being in the air. I think I can speak for all of the home theater enthusiasts here in the area when I say thank you very much.

For those of you who have D* HD receivers, specifically HR10-250's, you should know what I am talking about: Lack of guide data for WVAH-DT

Maybe I'm not explaining the issue correctly so hopefully some of you can help. We get no guide data for WVAH-DT. D* HD receivers, at least the HR10-250, do not use PSIP data. They use data furnished by Tribune Media Services. Somewhere there is void getting guide data from WVAH to Tribune. Tribune also does not list WVAH-DT on their Zap2it (www.zap2it.com) website.

Paul explains that they do not have the resources for someone to type in this data for everyshow. So my question is: Who types it in for WCHS-DT which has full guide data? The answer: Nobody types it in. The guide data from WCHS-TV is copied over to WCHS-DT. How does this happen? Who knows. So the question remains: How do we get the guide data from WVAH-TV, which by the way shows up fine, copied over to WVAH-DT.

Here are some pictures that might help. In this first picture, Named Guide, you can see the guide grid with all the blocks filed in showing what show is coming up except WVAH-DT which just shows Regular Schedule. Notice that the yellow highlighted bar on Biggest Loser puts the show description up at the top.

Pictures were imaged in, but the file was huge and I didn't want anyone on dial-up to have to wait for them to load. So click this link and you will be taken to my gallery. (http://www.satelliteguys.us/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=14115)

In this second picture, Named Bones, I have highlighted BONES on WVAH-TV and the description appears at the top.


In this third picture, Named Regular, I have highlighted WVAH-DT's Regular Schedule. There is no guide data.

This fourth picture, Named George, shows full guide data and descriptions for WCHS-DT's George Lopez. So somehow, somebody in that building knows how to get the guide data from the analog side to the digital side. At least for WCHS-DT.

Have I explained this well? Am I missing anything? Also is a picture of pixelation from WOWK-DT last night. :(

On Monday, before they switched on the HD, I recorded a couple of CBS shows off of 13-1 just to see if it would hold the signal. Both seem to have recorded fine with no pixellation and the signal was steady in the low 70s (which is what I also get for 3-1 and have no problems with the picture).

Last night, though, I turned on NCIS at 8:00 to check it out and it there was almost no picture. I checked the signal and it was jumping all over the place. I assumed it was because my antenna isn't exactly secure and was being blown all over by the crazy wind, but now I'm wondering given others' problems.

On Channel 13 sports last night that they will be showing NCAA games on Ch. 13 and that Charter will be showing another NCAA game on channel 22 at the same time.

I was able to watch NCIS, The Unit, and Letterman on Ch. 782 (Charter) last night. There was a small amount of pixelation during NCIS and The Unit, but nothing to be too upset about. By the time Letterman was on there were no problems. Letterman was really a marvelous picture.

I found that the direction for the Digital signal is very sensitive. You all may have to re-aim your antennas a bit. Also, the guide info for WOWK-DT came through fine on my DISH 811 receiver for the OTA input.

On Channel 13 sports last night that they will be showing NCAA games on Ch. 13 and that Charter will be showing another NCAA game on channel 22 at the same time.

Very interesting. That is good to know. Do we know which games they are showing? I have not seen anything listed for WOWK besides the generic college basketball description.

By the time Letterman was on there were no problems. Letterman was really a marvelous picture.

On Charter, WOWKHD's broadcast of Letterman was not in HD, it was an upconverted SD signal, although it briefly switched to HD. Although I didn't watch the whole show, the brief HD signal that I saw was marvelous. I wonder if someone kept turning a signal switch on and off maybe to compare the pictures.

For those of you who have D* HD receivers, specifically HR10-250's, you should know what I am talking about: Lack of guide data for WVAH-DT

Maybe I'm not explaining the issue correctly so hopefully some of you can help. We get no guide data for WVAH-DT. D* HD receivers, at least the HR10-250, do not use PSIP data. They use data furnished by Tribune Media Services. Somewhere there is void getting guide data from WVAH to Tribune. Tribune also does not list WVAH-DT on their Zap2it (www.zap2it.com) website.

Paul explains that they do not have the resources for someone to type in this data for everyshow. So my question is: Who types it in for WCHS-DT which has full guide data? The answer: Nobody types it in. The guide data from WCHS-TV is copied over to WCHS-DT. How does this happen? Who knows. So the question remains: How do we get the guide data from WVAH-TV, which by the way shows up fine, copied over to WVAH-DT.

Here are some pictures that might help. In this first picture, Named Guide, you can see the guide grid with all the blocks filed in showing what show is coming up except WVAH-DT which just shows Regular Schedule. Notice that the yellow highlighted bar on Biggest Loser puts the show description up at the top.

Pictures were imaged in, but the file was huge and I didn't want anyone on dial-up to have to wait for them to load. So click this link and you will be taken to my gallery. (http://www.satelliteguys.us/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=14115)

In this second picture, Named Bones, I have highlighted BONES on WVAH-TV and the description appears at the top.


In this third picture, Named Regular, I have highlighted WVAH-DT's Regular Schedule. There is no guide data.

This fourth picture, Named George, shows full guide data and descriptions for WCHS-DT's George Lopez. So somehow, somebody in that building knows how to get the guide data from the analog side to the digital side. At least for WCHS-DT.

Have I explained this well? Am I missing anything? Also is a picture of pixelation from WOWK-DT last night. :(

I think you got it all Dallas. Same issue here with WVAH-DT on the D* SAT520 Zenith receiver.

Very interesting. That is good to know. Do we know which games they are showing? I have not seen anything listed for WOWK besides the generic college basketball description.

They weren't very descriptive during the sports last night, so I don't know how they will do it. My guess is they will take the top 2 games of regional interest for each time slot. Another question is whether Ch. 13 and 22 will run simultaneously for the full schedule for each of the first 3 rounds. We'll see.

On Charter, WOWKHD's broadcast of Letterman was not in HD, it was an upconverted SD signal, although it briefly switched to HD. Although I didn't watch the whole show, the brief HD signal that I saw was marvelous. I wonder if someone kept turning a signal switch on and off maybe to compare the pictures.

I believe WOWK was in test mode last night. I only watched the Al Franken interview (12:15) and that was certainly in HD. Wouldn't surprise me if they were working on the switching.

They weren't very descriptive during the sports last night, so I don't know how they will do it. My guess is they will take the top 2 games of regional interest for each time slot. Another question is whether Ch. 13 and 22 will run simultaneously for the full schedule for each of the first 3 rounds. We'll see.

This is probably a dumb question, but here goes anyway:

Can WOWK broadcast two different signals in HD OTA? In other words, is it possible that we could choose which of the two games we wanted to watch?

Can WOWK broadcast two different signals in HD OTA?
No. Well, they could broadcast 2 games on 13.1 and 13.2, but neither would be in true HD.

From talking to Bill Galloway, what WOWK plans to do is offer the CBS Flex Feed on the analog side. CBS will jump from game to game and some may be in HD, some not. WOWK plans to put an HD game on the digital feed and stick with it in its entirety. So the analog game may change, but the digital one won't.

No. Well, they could broadcast 2 games on 13.1 and 13.2, but neither would be in true HD.

From talking to Bill Galloway, what WOWK plans to do is offer the CBS Flex Feed on the analog side. CBS will jump from game to game and some may be in HD, some not. WOWK plans to put an HD game on the digital feed and stick with it in its entirety. So the analog game may change, but the digital one won't.

This makes sense because only 50% the first two rounds of the NCAA games are carried by CBS in HD.

But I wonder if WOWK/Charter will also use Channel 22 for a secondary analog feed?

Where is WOWKD on Charter? It was looking so good. Are they waiting for the game to bring it back?

Where is WOWKD on Charter? It was looking so good. Are they waiting for the game to bring it back?

Don't worry, they were just testing it last night. It will be back on tomorrow, or maybe by 9:00 tonight.

i found a digital signal (very week) from 47.1, 47.2, and 47.3 (physical ch 47). i notice that wowk (13.1) is physical ch 47. i wonder if they are working on these?

I'm going to save these pictures at work tomorrow and try to call Tribune again. If you have any information you'd like to add...PM me and I'll give you my work number to call.

I recorded Letterman, but it definitely wasn't HD...they just blew up the picture. Same thing this morning with the Early Show or whatever it's called and even commercials. As long as they turn it on by noon...

I just got the following email from MJ Coss regarding the NCAA schedule for today and tomorrow.

See attached schedule for WOWK NCAA BB today and tomorrow. The secondary game listed is HD (ch 782). The times listed are tip off times.

Thank you for your inquiry.

M.J. Coss
Program Manager


Thursday 3-16-06
WOWK
12:15 Wichita State vs. Seton Hall
Boston College vs. Pacific (WOWK secondary feed)
2:40 Marquette vs. Alabama
Florida vs. S. Alabama (WOWK secondary feed)
7:10p G.Wash vs.UNC Wilmington
Gonzaga vs. Xavier (WOWK secondary feed)
9:30 Syracuse vs. Texas A&M
Duke vs. Southern (WOWK secondary feed)

Friday 3/17/06
WOWK
12:25 Ohio State vs. Davidson
Iowa vs. Northwestern (WOWK secondary)
2:45 WVU vs. Southern Illinois
Georgetown vs. No. Iowa (WOWK secondary)
7:10 Pitt. vs Kent State
California vs. NC State (WOWK secondary)
9:30 KY vs UAB
UNC vs Murray State (WOWK secondary)

Maybe I'm just dumb, but that e-mail is confusing. Is the game that will be on Charter HD the same as what will be OTA on 13-1? If so, it states that Georgetown will have the HD game tomorrow instead of WVU.

Maybe I'm just dumb, but that e-mail is confusing. Is the game that will be on Charter HD the same as what will be OTA on 13-1? If so, it states that Georgetown will have the HD game tomorrow instead of WVU.

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing, plus I was hoping the Kentucky would be on HD @9:30 instead of NC.

What doesn't make sense to me is that the Iowa/NW State game is in HD, yet the WVU/SI game that follows from the same arena is not. :confused:

The following first round sites have HD:
Greensboro, NC
San Diego, CA
Philadelphia, PA
Auburn Hills, MI

The secondary game listed is HD (ch 782).
That list can't be right if Ken H is. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=656257

For example, it lists BB/Pacific as being in HD, but the SLC site is not HD.

:confused:

Edit: CBSW shows the WVU/SI game as being in HD. What a SNAFU it would be for Charter/WOWK to not show the WVU game in HD. :eek:

It does seem a little weird. I know that the Auburn Hills games will be televised in HD so showing the WVU games in HD would only make sense. I am not sure if the games in Dayton are being broadcasted in HD. I guess I will see what games are on what channels when I get home this afternoon.

I recorded Letterman, but it definitely wasn't HD...they just blew up the picture. Same thing this morning with the Early Show or whatever it's called and even commercials. As long as they turn it on by noon...

I noticed the same thing. I flipped it over there to check and one of the CSI shows was in HD and looked very good. Later on, Letterman was in 16x9 or some other format that filled the entire screen, but not in HD.

It does seem a little weird. I know that the Auburn Hills games will be televised in HD so showing the WVU games in HD would only make sense. I am not sure if the games in Dayton are being broadcasted in HD. I guess I will see what games are on what channels when I get home this afternoon.

I think that the "secondary feed" is not Ch. 782. That wouldn't make sense since most people don't have the HD package. What they probably mean is that Ch. 13 and Ch. 782 are the same game. The secondary feed is Ch. 22.

Maybe I dont' understand the email either, but appears to me that they are saying the primary feed is on the SD channel, while the Secondary Feed is on the HD channel.

If that's the case, then it doesn't matter if the WVU game is or isn't broadcast in HD, WOWK just isn't going to put it on their HD feed.

I'm thinking he really wants the ability to broadcast two games at the same time...one on the SD one on the HD channel. Since 99% of people around here aren't on HD, he probably figures that he'll make 99% of the Charleston/Huntington Population happy by having it on the SD channel so They can see it and another game for us HD buffs.

Again, maybe I'm misreading the entire thing.

I think that the "secondary feed" is not Ch. 782. That wouldn't make sense since most people don't have the HD package. What they probably mean is that Ch. 13 and Ch. 782 are the same game. The secondary feed is Ch. 22.

That is what I think. The sites seem to match up that way. There is a link for games airing today posted on WOWK's website. However, when I clicked the link nothing is listed. Hopefully it will be fixed shortly.

Somebody should just call Bill Galloway and ask him.
He would give you a straight answer on what the plan is.

Somebody should just call Bill Galloway and ask him.

When I talked to Bill Tuesday night he told me the analog feed would use CBS's Flex feed where CBS might change games in the middle if one was getting boring. He said the HD feed would stick with whatever game they started with.

I can't imagine WOWK allowing CBS to control what game is showed during the WVU game. Can you imagine the switchboard at WOWK if CBS cut away from WVU to show some other game?

The only other HD game opposite WV is Villanova/Monmouth and I can't imagine WOWK picking it to show on the HD feed. IIRC, Bill did tell the HD feed would always have an HD game.

FYI, for you suckers who are actually at work today <g>.

I'm happy to report that the Seton Hall-Witchita St. game is on both the D* feed and 13-1...and it looks great in HD. So I guess I can stop sharpening my knife and assume that the WVU game will be in HD tomorrow. The secondary channel business had to have been for 22 on Charter.

I'm happy to report that the Seton Hall-Witchita St. game is on both the D* feed and 13-1...and it looks great in HD.
Looks like the D* feed switched to the OK/Wis.M game as the SH/WST game is getting out of hand. HD feed still has SH/WST game.

FYI, for you suckers who are actually at work today <g>.

I'm happy to report that the Seton Hall-Witchita St. game is on both the D* feed and 13-1...and it looks great in HD. So I guess I can stop sharpening my knife and assume that the WVU game will be in HD tomorrow. The secondary channel business had to have been for 22 on Charter.


Is it my imagination, or do the CBS-HD basketball games look better than the ESPN-HD games?

No it is not your imagination. The ESPN HD games look terrible in comparison to a year or two years ago.

If the WVU game is not in HD I will resume my b*tching about WOWK as I have been biting my tongue lately!

If the WVU game is not in HD I will resume my b*tching about WOWK as I have been biting my tongue lately!

You are set. Only about 1/2 the first round games are in HD, but Auburn Hills is one of the places that have the HD camera set up.

http://www.sportsline.com/cbssports/schedules/page/collegebasketball

I was speaking with a Charter rep about whether any new HD channels would be added soon besides WOWK and was informed WSAZ-DT would return on March 30. Was told this by two reps at different times so hopefully it's true. Guess WSAZ relized WOWK having a monopoly would not be wise. By the way picture on Charter looked great when showing HD but hate the stretch they use for non-HD programs. I enjoy reading this thread and have learned a lot from you guys.

well, best i can get is a low 60's signal for wowk.
it drops out all the time and is not really watchable...
don't really understand, i'm only 13 miles from the tower and can pull 70 to high 80's with nbc, fox, and abc.

well, best i can get is a low 60's signal for wowk.
it drops out all the time and is not really watchable...
don't really understand, i'm only 13 miles from the tower
Where are you located?

Something changed. I put the amp on and my signal only went from 85 to 88 but was still getting the bounce into the 60's. Tonight the GW/UNCW (Wow, what a game) was perfect. No pixelization or dropouts. I wonder if they changed something.

OK, well I found a link on thw WOWK page, but this ****ing thing won't allow me to post the link because I'm new. It's right at the top of the WOWK page: NCAA Games on WOWK-TV
If the WVU game is in HD, we'll get it.
But if it's not shot in HD, we won't.
Look at this schedule, notice it goes all the way to the games before the WVU game. Maybe they're trying to put off the bad news as long as possible.
It's all on CBS now, not WOWK.

I think we're ****ed.
We can always hope for the 2nd round.

Where are you located?

Something changed. I put the amp on and my signal only went from 85 to 88 but was still getting the bounce into the 60's. Tonight the GW/UNCW (Wow, what a game) was perfect. No pixelization or dropouts. I wonder if they changed something.

My signal was perfect for the games and the day before it was much lower, pixels, and drop-outs. I would bet they turned up the power some. Either way, the games were incredible. I sometimes would flip back to the D* local of WOWK and my wife and I would laugh that we watched that crap up until last night

We can always hope for the 2nd round.
Your assuming they make it to the 2nd round. ;)

Been getting WOWK in HD since Wed. morning, but they are not broadcasting their audio in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound...

I wonder how long it will take them to get their audio up to what the other 3 major networks are giving us ?¿?¿?¿?

Well I just returned from Moscow and Chelyabinsk Russia. I can tell you we should not complain at all about our TV here. After being over there....WOWK looks great.

I still cant get WOWK HD. I get WSAZ HD perfest without pixelation and those two towers are relatively close to one another. I only live 7 miles from the transmitter so I just give up. I will wait for D* to boradcast locals. I will say after being in Russia...WOWK SD looks like HD :)

Well I just returned from Moscow and Chelyabinsk Russia. I can tell you we should not complain at all about our TV here. After being over there....WOWK looks great.

I still cant get WOWK HD. I get WSAZ HD perfest without pixelation and those two towers are relatively close to one another. I only live 7 miles from the transmitter so I just give up. I will wait for D* to boradcast locals. I will say after being in Russia...WOWK SD looks like HD :)


I'm with you. I can also get WSAZ perfectly, but can't pick up WOWK at all. Debating whether to buy a better antenna and give it a try, or just keep paying $9 a month for NY DNS HD feeds through D* and wait for locals to hit there.

I was speaking with a Charter rep about whether any new HD channels would be added soon besides WOWK and was informed WSAZ-DT would return on March 30. Was told this by two reps at different times so hopefully it's true. Guess WSAZ relized WOWK having a monopoly would not be wise. By the way picture on Charter looked great when showing HD but hate the stretch they use for non-HD programs. I enjoy reading this thread and have learned a lot from you guys.


That sounds about right...because a friend of mine who does not have HD from Charter received a phone call from a Charter rep to sign up for HD in order to receive HD local channels....so I assumed that meant WSAZ was returning soon....I just hope we can get Fox and ABC real soon.

That sounds about right...because a friend of mine who does not have HD from Charter received a phone call from a Charter rep to sign up for HD in order to receive HD local channels....so I assumed that meant WSAZ was returning soon....I just hope we can get Fox and ABC real soon.

When I spoke with a rep at Charter, he basically said that the deal was done, but that the technical terms of the agreement had not yet been finalized. I am guessing WSAZ-DT (Ch. 781) should be back on any day now.

As for ABC/Fox, those negotiations have been going on at the corporate level between Sinclair Broadcasting Group and Charter. Even the folks in St. Louis don't have ABC-HD because the two companies haven't reached an agreement. The question is whether Seabridge's purchase of Charleston's Charter subscribers will help break the logjam (for us).

because the two companies haven't reached an agreement. The question is whether Seabridge's purchase of Charleston's Charter subscribers will help break the logjam (for us).
SBG is going to want money. The question is how much is Charter willing to pay? For those who want ABC/FOX in HD, you need to call Charter and let them know you are willing to pay an additional dollar or two a month for the HD package if it gets you these channels.

Or tell them you will go to satellite when D* gets them up. Although I would hate to see a situation where WSAZ/WOWK are on cable and WCHS/WVAH are on satellite.

Dallas,

Is the DB8 and the CM 4228 essentially the same antenna? On Solid Signal's website, the CM 4228 is about half the price of the DB8. If I go with the CM4228 in my antenna, do you think a Rotor and Preamp will be a must?

Just contacted Cebridge to find out if they (In Sissonville area) would offer the same services Charter currently offers to the existing Cebridge Customers. The lady I talked to said that they have not received any final documentation as to what services Cebridge will maintain, add or not carry. She (receptionist I assume) stated that the rumors are Cebridge, if not immediately, would soon offer it's current customer base the same service Charter currently has.

Is the DB8 and the CM 4228 essentially the same antenna? On Solid Signal's website, the CM 4228 is about half the price of the DB8. If I go with the CM4228 in my antenna, do you think a Rotor and Preamp will be a must?
The are very similar in design. If I were buying an antenna today, I would buy the DB8 for its slightly higher gain in the upper end of the channel range: See Chart (http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html)

Plus from looking at pictures, it may be slightly easier to point each side a different direction. The DB8 is advertised as being multi-directional while the 4228 is not :http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB8_HD_Antenna.html

A pre-amp is probably a must. I was not using one until I tried to get 13-1, but I needed one for it so I put it back on. As for a rotor, it will depend on your angle between the two towers and if you need it. I would get one of the antennas and give it a try first. If you can't pull in signal from both locations at once, then get the rotor.

SBG is going to want money. The question is how much is Charter willing to pay? For those who want ABC/FOX in HD, you need to call Charter and let them know you are willing to pay an additional dollar or two a month for the HD package if it gets you these channels.

Or tell them you will go to satellite when D* gets them up. Although I would hate to see a situation where WSAZ/WOWK are on cable and WCHS/WVAH are on satellite.

I think we have to admit that, at this point, Charter has made progress in the HD area. Two out of the four broadcast stations isn't bad. If 6-8 months goes by without any work on the SBG stations, we should start getting on the Charter people again. Unfortunately, I don't think our local complaints carry much weight at the corporate level (this is a nationwide issue).

WVU game is up in HD.

I managed to watch some of the HD feed on WOWK last night.
No dropouts and the picture was beautiful.
The audio was only in 2 channels but my Denon 2802 with PL II made it sound very good.
Hopefully they will get the 5.1 up soon and the standard def to show in its proper aspect ratio.
I have faith in them now that Bill is there.
Hopefully the picture continues to look this good.

Lot of drop-out today. Had to switch to the analog channel. With Iowa gone, WVU should have an easy road to the Sweet 16.

I'm happy with the progress Charter is making. However, there is at least one other channel that I would like to see them get, and that is ESPN2......

About the antenna question earlier concerning the Channel Master 4228. That is what I have here in the Big Chimney area of Elk River. I have a Channel Master Preamp that I bought from Lowe's for about $25.00 and I receive the four major networks in this area. That is, 3, 8, 11, and 13 with no real problems to speak of, and I am pleased with the reception.

I'm happy with the progress Charter is making. However, there is at least one other channel that I would like to see them get, and that is ESPN2......

About the antenna question earlier concerning the Channel Master 4228. That is what I have here in the Big Chimney area of Elk River. I have a Channel Master Preamp that I bought from Lowe's for about $25.00 and I receive the four major networks in this area. That is, 3, 8, 11, and 13 with no real problems to speak of, and I am pleased with the reception.


ESPN2 HD isn't as great as you may think. Rarely is anything in HD.

since this is an a/v "geek" or techno-"nerd" site, i will direct you to this:

http://videosift.com/story.php?id=630

if you do not like star wars, you need not click...

if you do, holy $hit! that was cool!

since this is an a/v "geek" or techno-"nerd" site, i will direct you to this:

http://videosift.com/story.php?id=630

if you do not like star wars, you need not click...

if you do, holy $hit! that was cool!


I had a few guys over for a movie last night and we checked that video out. If they do the new Star War series on WB, they should hire this duo for the fight scenes.

I'd like to see Charter (soon to be Cebridge) add HD NET and or National Geographic HD. How does picture quality of WOWK HD on Charter compare to OTA? Also getting horrible pixelation and picture breakup on TNT HD any others experiencing this? It will be nice soon to have to choose between Leno or Letterman in HD on Charter!

any of you guys have a Velodyne sub?

i'm in the market for a new sub to go with the Polk R30's, CS1, and R15's i've put together. i've been researching a lot. i was at circuit city today and was going to spring for the vrp10" but they did not have it in stock. i found the vrp12" on ebay for $270 shipped. circuit city lists it for $350. i originally was looking to make the purchase at CC because i have a gift card, but now i am ok going elsewhere.

any suggestions?

thnx

link (http://www.velodyne.com/velodyne/products/product.aspx?ID=10&sid=596e814m)

ESPN2 HD isn't as great as you may think. Rarely is anything in HD.

Tony, my only reason for wanting ESPN2 at this time, is that they occasinally show some of the WVU football games and every now and then show some other things of interest. Once on HD, it becomes something that you don't want to do without..... :)

any of you guys have a Velodyne sub?

i'm in the market for a new sub to go with the Polk R30's, CS1, and R15's i've put together. i've been researching a lot. i was at circuit city today and was going to spring for the vrp10" but they did not have it in stock. i found the vrp12" on ebay for $270 shipped. circuit city lists it for $350. i originally was looking to make the purchase at CC because i have a gift card, but now i am ok going elsewhere.

any suggestions?

thnx

link (http://www.velodyne.com/velodyne/products/product.aspx?ID=10&sid=596e814m)

Velodyne makes pretty good subs. However, if in your budget, check out the $600 Subs from SVS. www.svsound.com. These subs are sold directly from SVS, so you skip the middle man. A $600 sub is like a $1,000 sub from Mirage or other companies. SVS is the AVS Forum Sub of choice. This is the sub I'm saving for. There are different models to choose from, but you can find tons of information from their website.

Tony, my only reason for wanting ESPN2 at this time, is that they occasinally show some of the WVU football games and every now and then show some other things of interest. Once on HD, it becomes something that you don't want to do without..... :)


It was nice seeing the few games they actually had in HD last year. The argument is now ESPN has two part time HD channels instead of one Full Time HD channel. However, I'm sure they will add more and more as their service goes forward.

Tony,

Do you know if D* will have our market up this year in HD. I'm debating on investing in a new HD antenna myself. Like I said I get 8-11-3 in HD but not 13. They must have hamsters on a treadmill cranking out the power.

Velodyne makes pretty good subs. However, if in your budget, check out the $600 Subs from SVS. www.svsound.com. These subs are sold directly from SVS, so you skip the middle man. A $600 sub is like a $1,000 sub from Mirage or other companies. SVS is the AVS Forum Sub of choice. This is the sub I'm saving for. There are different models to choose from, but you can find tons of information from their website.


Yes, I have purchased the SVS PB10-ISD-Black. It cost me $429.00 plus shipping of $40.88. The sub has been great, but I am currently waiting for back order of Ascend 340SE Mains and Center, with the Ascend HTM-200's, for a 7.1 surround. So I will not know the full effect of this system until the Ascend's come in. Like Tony said, I heard the rave reviews here on the AVS forums and made my purchase of the SVS sub. Of course, they have larger subs, but the model I purchased was within my budget.

Tony,

Do you know if D* will have our market up this year in HD. I'm debating on investing in a new HD antenna myself. Like I said I get 8-11-3 in HD but not 13. They must have hamsters on a treadmill cranking out the power.


If not late this year, they should have them early '07.

Yes, I have purchased the SVS PB10-ISD-Black. It cost me $429.00 plus shipping of $40.88. The sub has been great, but I am currently waiting for back order of Ascend 340SE Mains and Center, with the Ascend HTM-200's, for a 7.1 surround. So I will not know the full effect of this system until the Ascend's come in. Like Tony said, I heard the rave reviews here on the AVS forums and made my purchase of the SVS sub. Of course, they have larger subs, but the model I purchased was within my budget.


I'm trying to save up for an SVS sub. Does the PB10 sound nice and deep....good punches, or do you hear some rattle and clipping? The PB10 will go louder than the bigger (more expensive) subs, but not as Low. $600 is still a lot to spend for a Sub, even if it is a great price for what you get. Let me know how the PB10 sounds with the Ascends. I've also been leaning towards it due to the price point. Do you have a theater room, or a multi purpose room?

I have the older version of the new PB12-ISD/2. It will shake the room, yet is not overpowering. Got mine as a B-stock: https://svsound.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=12

Supply in the B-Stock area comes and goes so you need to watch it. Mine only had a small blemish on the back and I saved $150.

Plus SVS is great to work with. My amp died and they sent me a new one overnight. Good company.

Tony,

Do you know if D* will have our market up this year in HD. I'm debating on investing in a new HD antenna myself. Like I said I get 8-11-3 in HD but not 13. They must have hamsters on a treadmill cranking out the power. Ive been bitching about this signal or none from 13.1, finally called DTV again and they are sending someone out to check for a signal for channel 3 and 13, hopefully when they see I cant pick up the signal, hopefully theyll let me get them through my Sat from NY or LA. If you cant get their signal call DTV and tell them, and request a signal test, I talked to Bill from channel 13 and he told me to do this, hope this helps, thanks and Goodluck.

This forum has helped me a lot so I thought I would share my experiences.

Well not really Sissonville, I live next to Sissonville High School. I have a Channelmaster 3020 that I purchased before I really knew what I needed. Hadn't discovered this board yet and didn't realize I really only needed to receive UHF. I have it mounted on my roof with a tri-pod mount. The antenna is basically pointed in the hill behind my house. I also have a Channelmaster rotor. I installed a Channelmaster pre-amp but found my reception was worse with the the pre-amp than without. I'm thinking it was just a bad amp. I now use an amp at the tv and get the following signal strengths:

WOWK - 60-65
WSAZ - 65-70
WCHS - 85-95
WVAH - 85-95

I also get 4 Public TV signals on 33.1-33.4 and I get the "I" network.

I watched a lot of baskeball games over the weekend and saw very little dropout.

An interesting side note, the other night during one of the games I found that I was getting one game on Dish, a second game on 13 and a third game on 13.1. I only saw that once. Most of the time 13 and 13.1 were the same game.

I'm finding it very difficult to watch anything that's not in HD now.

My wife has a way of putting things in perspective though. A while back we were watching Desperate Housewifes in HD and a commercial for Target came on and it was the first one I'd seen in HD. I said "wow this commercial is in HD" to which she replied "Really? What's the difference?"

Felt like someone kicked me in the gut. Course she did buy me the HD TV so I can't complain too much.

I'm finding it very difficult to watch anything that's not in HD now.

My wife has a way of putting things in perspective though. A while back we were watching Desperate Housewifes in HD and a commercial for Target came on and it was the first one I'd seen in HD. I said "wow this commercial is in HD" to which she replied "Really? What's the difference?"

Felt like someone kicked me in the gut. Course she did buy me the HD TV so I can't complain too much.

Tonight I plan on watching King of Queens and 2 1/2 men in HD on CBS with my wife. My guess is she'll say what's the difference, let's just watch it on the 13'' tv in the bedroom.

Don't forget How I Met Your Mother. Very funny show. Doogie is great.

I do feel for you. My wife doesn't know, or at least care about, the difference. :eek:

I can see a world in the future where when dating a young woman, instead of discussing things such as family and jobs, the man will want to know her thoughts on HD. If she doesn't care, she will not be asked on a second date. Women's profiles on online dating services will proudly state they love HD and won't watch anything else. ;)

Don't forget How I Met Your Mother. Very funny show. Doogie is great.

I do feel for you. My wife doesn't know, or at least care about, the difference. :eek:

I can see a world in the future where when dating a young woman, instead of discussing things such as family and jobs, the man will want to know her thoughts on HD. If she doesn't care, she will not be asked on a second date. Women's profiles on online dating services will proudly state they love HD and won't watch anything else. ;)


My wife really likes HD when she watches it. However, with the children, we are forced to record most of our favorite shows on our SD Tivo and watch it at a later time. Last week, we went downstairs (after getting the kids to bed early) and she said "Wow, I forgot how good HD really looked". She can see the difference, but for the most part, could care less if she was watching SD or HD.

This forum has helped me a lot so I thought I would share my experiences.

Well not really Sissonville, I live next to Sissonville High School. I have a Channelmaster 3020 that I purchased before I really knew what I needed. Hadn't discovered this board yet and didn't realize I really only needed to receive UHF. I have it mounted on my roof with a tri-pod mount. The antenna is basically pointed in the hill behind my house. I also have a Channelmaster rotor. I installed a Channelmaster pre-amp but found my reception was worse with the the pre-amp than without. I'm thinking it was just a bad amp. I now use an amp at the tv and get the following signal strengths:

WOWK - 60-65
WSAZ - 65-70
WCHS - 85-95
WVAH - 85-95

I also get 4 Public TV signals on 33.1-33.4 and I get the "I" network.

I watched a lot of baskeball games over the weekend and saw very little dropout.

An interesting side note, the other night during one of the games I found that I was getting one game on Dish, a second game on 13 and a third game on 13.1. I only saw that once. Most of the time 13 and 13.1 were the same game.

I'm finding it very difficult to watch anything that's not in HD now.

My wife has a way of putting things in perspective though. A while back we were watching Desperate Housewifes in HD and a commercial for Target came on and it was the first one I'd seen in HD. I said "wow this commercial is in HD" to which she replied "Really? What's the difference?"

Felt like someone kicked me in the gut. Course she did buy me the HD TV so I can't complain too much.

Although not 'Technically' in Sissonville, you are close enough. I think the 3020 is what I have. 3020 or 3080..not sure. It has a 100Mile range for VHF and 60 mile range for UHF. Where are you located by the High School?

Ha! I guess I'm luckier than some. While watching the WVU game yesterday, my very finicky signal pixellated out for a while due to some wind gusts, which forced us to switch over to the D* feed of WOWK. Needless to say, that picture was awful and she commented as such. Knew there was a reason I married her :)

Also, there were a couple of occasions when a non-HD game was on 13-1 and I couldn't believe how much better it looked than the D* feed. Aren't they theoretically the same?

I have it mounted on my roof with a tri-pod mount.


Hey Larry,

What kind of mount are you using and where did you get it? My DB4 is hooked up in a precarious spot where a good wind will move it and I lose the signal for 3-1 and 13-1. I'm looking to stick it on my roof, which will get it higher and hopefully stabilize it. I see Radio Shack has one for $30. Thanks for any suggestions.

I'm trying to save up for an SVS sub. Does the PB10 sound nice and deep....good punches, or do you hear some rattle and clipping? The PB10 will go louder than the bigger (more expensive) subs, but not as Low. $600 is still a lot to spend for a Sub, even if it is a great price for what you get. Let me know how the PB10 sounds with the Ascends. I've also been leaning towards it due to the price point. Do you have a theater room, or a multi purpose room?

I have my 50 inch plasma TV set up in my living room. I do not have the room/area for a theater room, although that would be nice. I bought the SVS sub solely upon the recomendations I have heard here in the forums, so I did not audition any other subs to compare it to. The same is true for the Ascend speakers. I doubt if I have the discriminating ear to notice that much difference between speakers, however I am sure they will be much better than the KLH surround speakers and KLH sub that I have replaced. I also replaced my Technics receiver with a Pioneer VSX-1015TX. Now, I did have the sub set up with the Pioneer receiver, and the SVS sub, and the KLH speakers for awhile, and I thought the SVS Sub sounded great. I had not calibrated the system to the room that I had it installed, but I had the SVS sub set up to the initial settings as recommended by SVS, and I did not hear any rattle or such. I think it did displace a small vase that my wife had on a shelf(did not break).......... :D .

I have since packed up the KLH speakers and have wired the room for the new Ascend speakers and have been listening to the TV speakers until the Ascend speakers arrive. I don't even have the sub woofer hooked up at this time. I just wanted to make sure all was working correctly before I started changing every thing out. Once I have everything hooked up, I plan on calibrating the new system with a Radio Shack Sound level meter and Avia disk, to try and obtain the optimum sound level.

Also, the room size that I have the system in has a Cathedral ceiling and is about 16 X 20. I must say that I seemed to enjoy the KLH set up, so I am quite certain that I will like this new system with the Ascend speakers and SVS sub.

Hey all:

I'll be living in area code 25302 (Charleston) come June; I'm looking at TVs and HTPCs now, and I'm considering getting an HTPC w/ an HDTV tuner card in which I'd connect a roof-mounted (if necessary...I'd prefer indoor!) antenna to so I can record & replay HDTV OTA.

Any idea if I could get away w/ an indoor antenna? If so, which is the best for reception in the area?

If I need a roof-mounted one, which is the best in terms of reception in the area? (BTW, I *really* don't want one of those huge ones like the Channelmaster 3020. Smaller is better, although I'm sure it won't get as good of signal...)

Lastly, is anyone recording OTA HDTV via their HTPC? I assume I'd run a DVI-to-HDMI cable to get the content onto my television. Good/bad experiences? Thanks!

Been getting WOWK in HD since Wed. morning, but they are not broadcasting their audio in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound...

I wonder how long it will take them to get their audio up to what the other 3 major networks are giving us ?¿?¿?¿?
I watched 2.5 Men last night on 13-1 with my receiver set to PLII. I have to say the sound was better than the DD I get from D* on the NY feed. CBS's DD from NY is horrible. Don't know if it is the source or the stations fault, but you have to turn it up so loud to hear the dialog. So we may want to be careful what we wish for.

Hey Larry,

What kind of mount are you using and where did you get it? My DB4 is hooked up in a precarious spot where a good wind will move it and I lose the signal for 3-1 and 13-1. I'm looking to stick it on my roof, which will get it higher and hopefully stabilize it. I see Radio Shack has one for $30. Thanks for any suggestions.

I got mine from Radio Shack and it works fine. Make sure you have some of the black roof patch to cover where your mounting bolts go thru the roof. I got that at Lowes.

Although not 'Technically' in Sissonville, you are close enough. I think the 3020 is what I have. 3020 or 3080..not sure. It has a 100Mile range for VHF and 60 mile range for UHF. Where are you located by the High School?

I'm in Leonard Heights, at the end closer to the high school.

I read previously that the tech involved in the WOWK HD conversion (who used to work for WSAZ) visits this forum often.

My girlfriend loves the Young and the Restless, and I was wondering why WOWK is not running it in HD on Charter. Is somebody forgetting to flip the switch at the station, or is WOWK trying to stock it to Charter by only allowing sports or "big" shows to run in HD?

In my HD-TiVo, I was setting a manual recording for American Idol (for the wife, of course). Normally when I do this, in the To Do List it lists "Manual Recording: Regular Schedule" because the schedule info isn't available for WVAH-DT. But today it reads "Manual Recording: American Idol," even though it still lists "Regular Schedule" in the program guide.

And yes, I checked to be sure I didn't accidentally use 11 instead of 11-1. On the To Do List, it specifically states WVAH-DT. Maybe they're making progress?

recording for American Idol (for the wife, of course)

Maybe they're making progress?

Sure blame the wife. ;)

They are. :)

In my HD-TiVo, I was setting a manual recording for American Idol (for the wife, of course). Normally when I do this, in the To Do List it lists "Manual Recording: Regular Schedule" because the schedule info isn't available for WVAH-DT. But today it reads "Manual Recording: American Idol," even though it still lists "Regular Schedule" in the program guide.

And yes, I checked to be sure I didn't accidentally use 11 instead of 11-1. On the To Do List, it specifically states WVAH-DT. Maybe they're making progress?


It's ok...you don't have to feel embarrassed you like American Idol. I came out of the closet last year for my love of this mediocre singing competition :D

It's ok...you don't have to feel embarrassed you like American Idol. I came out of the closet last year for my love of this mediocre singing competition :D


Hey, I'll watch just about anything in HD...even American Idol :). Though, I don't really pay attention to it after the preliminary rounds. I'll be glad to get real season passes for 24, House, etc. intead of all these recurring manual recordings. Especially since it seems like Fox changes their schedule all the time to get Idol on as much as possible. I want House back!

I haven't seen any CBS HD on WOWK- :mad: DT since Sunday after the game. Where did the HD go? Even Charter doesn't have the HD broadcast, just digital. Did something happen?

I haven't seen any CBS HD on WOWK- :mad: DT since Sunday after the game. Where did the HD go? Even Charter doesn't have the HD broadcast, just digital. Did something happen?

CSI Miami and Letterman were both in HD last night.

I want to personally thank Dallas for finally getting what was actually happening to the Guide Data to sink through my thick skull. I made a nice full page JPEG and sent it off with comments to the upper level people and got a reply that they found the problem but were still trying to figure out how to FIX it.

That being said, at least it's known by someone who won't let it go easily.

Again...Thanks a Ton Dallas!

I'm getting WOWK-DT/HD tonight but it is only 2.0/1. I've got my Brand Spankin' Pioneer Elite receiver up and running (no sub yet but it's supposed to be delivered on THURSDAY!!!!!) and I can now see what's going on with surround.

Also, I may have asked this before, but could all of you that watch keep me updated on the *Local* audio on WVAH? It's muffled pretty badly here (and at the station) though only me and my guys seem to notice. It's pretty easy to spot especially on the News Updates that run through out the evening. Let me know if you guys hear it. Again...I know the sound field collapses quite a bit but I'm actually talking about High Frequency Rolloff here.

CSI Miami and Letterman were both in HD last night.
So were 2.5 Men, How I Met You Mother and Old Christine.

(no sub yet but it's supposed to be delivered on THURSDAY!!!!!)
What did you get?

Noticed WCHS 8-1 was not using the 16x9 High Def. Feed this morning while watching "Good Morning America"

It looked like they were using a 4x3 High Def. Slice from their 16x9 Feed.

I called them and a couple of minutes later they were broadcasting the correct 16x9 Feed.

I could have watched all of it in HD on D** channel 86, but I would rather see the local news when they breakaway.

If you could call over 70+ air miles away local. :D

If not late this year, they should have them early '07.
A new article in this business journal (http://www.kagan.com/ContentDetail.aspx?group=5&id=167) has Rupert Murdoch saying 76% of the country will have HD-LIL's by the end of 2006.

The enhanced services include high definition (DIRECTV aims to offer local HDTV channels to 76% of the U.S. by end 2006) and digital video recorders

For those of you counting at home, the Huntington/Charleston DMA sqeaks in at 73.899%. So if they go in DMA order, we should be in. :D

Some of us at work were discussing the WOWK HD broadcast on Charter and the question came up about how the signal gets from WOWK to Charter. One of the guys said the extra feed that Charter was using on Sunday to broadcast the Kentucky game during the WVU game actually looked better than the 13 feed. Can anybody explain the difference?

Thanks.

What did you get?

Model PB12-Plus

I can't wait!

Model PB12-Plus
Sweet! :cool:

That is the model I wish I had now. In my old house I had a large room with about 5,500 cu. ft. So I had to go with the PB12-ISD/2 (actually the previous model) to work in that room. In the new house, the 2 drivers are overkill. I considered trying to sell it on Audiogon and getting a PC-Plus, but shipping it would be too much trouble.

Have you picked out a track to audition it with? I like Darla beating on the fish tank in Nemo. And a new favorite is in Robots when Aunt Fanny lets one loose if you know what I mean.

If you want sustained booms, the depth charge scenes in either U-571 or Das Boot will shake the room. With these things you don't just hear the bass, you feel it. :D

I know what you will be doing tomorrow night. Enjoy!

I know that Im in the minority here in Parkersburg, but Im very happy with CAS cable which is a mom and pop cable Co. Who competes against charter. We now have ESPN,HBO,NBC,ABC,FOX, and CBS all in HD! I am one very happy customer.

Have you picked out a track to audition it with?

Those are great suggestions and I will be sampling quite a bit. I really want to hear the first tripod coming out of the ground in War of the Worlds though...I understand that is a great track for a sub workout.

I'm also looking forward to the DTS version of Jurassic Park. I know it's old but I want to feel the T-Rex in my chest!


On another note...

I'm told we've made more progress on the Guide Data issue today too. Please let me know of any changes you see as soon as you see them.

I know that Im in the minority here in Parkersburg, but Im very happy with CAS cable which is a mom and pop cable Co. Who competes against charter. We now have ESPN,HBO,NBC,ABC,FOX, and CBS all in HD! I am one very happy customer.

Maybe I should consider moving to P-burg and commuting to Charleston. :rolleyes:

I'm also looking forward to the DTS version of Jurassic Park.
If you want a movie that will showcase your entire system, play the DTS version of Pirates of the Caribbean. Subtle bass and details turn a good movie into an experience.

What antenna should I look into getting (roof-mounted is fine, but I'd like it as small as possible) to pick up as many local OTA HD channels as possible in Charleston, WV? I'll be in zip 25302.

Hmmm...so I'm considering Dish Network now (so many options...)

The Bronze HD pack w/ HD-DVR runs $54.99/month for my 1 TV set. Looks like there's a $299.99 "one-time lease fee". Anyway to get this waived? Any strategy in dealing w/ the CSR to get free installation and this stupid fee waived?

Also, does E* require a phone line to connect it? What if I don't own a landline phone?

Last, would getting a land-line + the cheapest DSL package be cheaper than just getting cable internet from Charter by itself? What's the cost (approx.) on each of those situations?

Anyone have E* and like/dislike it? I'm mainly wanting ESPNHD & ESPN2HD, along w/ locals in HD.

Anyone down their ever aimed their antenna up my way, to try and receive 15.1 WTAP NBC out of Parkersburg OTA... (They broadcast on 49 UHF)

If you get it, they are adding a couple new channels.

15.2 >> FOX PARKERSBURG
15.3 >> YOUR UPN

Quote from their HDTV BLOG >> "Most of the time, we'll be sending out WTAP (NBC) in HDTV to our over-the-air viewers and our FOX and UPN signals in SD.

But for special FOX events (like baseball, NASCAR and the Super Bowl) it is our plan to "throw a switch" here at WTAP and send out the FOX signal in HD and the NBC and UPN signals in SD!!

We've installed some very sophisticated equipment to make this switch possible. WTAP will be one of the few TV stations in America doing this."

To read the whole story go to their WTAP HDTV Blog at >> http://www.wtap.com/unclassified/forms/1161637.html

[QUOTE=larryg1957]Some of us at work were discussing the WOWK HD broadcast on Charter and the question came up about how the signal gets from WOWK to Charter. One of the guys said the extra feed that Charter was using on Sunday to broadcast the Kentucky game during the WVU game actually looked better than the 13 feed. Can anybody explain the difference?


I thought the same thing. My guess is that Charter is still using the analog feed for the primary WOWK channel and the other feed is digital only.

I know that Im in the minority here in Parkersburg, but Im very happy with CAS cable which is a mom and pop cable Co. Who competes against charter. We now have ESPN,HBO,NBC,ABC,FOX, and CBS all in HD! I am one very happy customer.

Yeah, I'm in Parkersburg too. I had CAS a couple years ago, but they don't offer Comedy Central and a crapload of other channels. I hadn't seen they got CBS HD, very nice.
But filtered internet?!? No thanks.

And for you Parkersburg people, I gotta say WTAP HD (on Charter anyway) has been crap. It been spotty at best and was down almost all day today. Sometimes Conan will start in HD and finish in SD. Anybody else experience this?

I'm told we've made more progress on the Guide Data issue today too.
Progress indeed. You fixed it. :D

Well almost, but the remaining issue may be out of your control. I now have 2 11-1's. One has the guide data, complete with HD tags :cool: , but the old 11-1 "Regular Schedule" is still there.

Thanks again for getting this fixed.

I really want to hear the first tripod coming out of the ground in War of the Worlds though...I understand that is a great track for a sub workout.

That scene is really good to test how well your bass will produce the VERY low frequencies...Sub 20Hz. My Infinity Sub can't handle it. I've heard it with Darrin's SVS Sub and it's a great track to audition. It's also a good scene to test the Highs and your room response. When the glass shatters in the buildings, you can quickly tell if your room is too reflective. If it is, the glass shatter is so high it's almost ear piercing. Mine was like that until I added some treatments to the room. It's tamed them down nicely now.

Let us know the results of your sub.

What antenna should I look into getting (roof-mounted is fine, but I'd like it as small as possible) to pick up as many local OTA HD channels as possible in Charleston, WV? I'll be in zip 25302.

Can you be more specific on your location? I live in the same zip code on a favorable location on Edgewood hill and pick up all local digital broadcasts at 80+% with a DB-4 and preamp.

The house is located just off Pennsylvania Ave. near Knollwood Drive in 25302

Do you have your DB-4 in your attic, or actually on the roof? Which pre-amp did you use? Also, do you get any local OTA HD channels that are 1-12? I have no idea if these even exist in the area but was just curious.

Also (for anyone), any experience w/ Dish Network in the area (see my post a few posts up)?

The house is located just off Pennsylvania Ave. near Knollwood Drive in 25302

Do you have your DB-4 in your attic, or actually on the roof? Which pre-amp did you use? Also, do you get any local OTA HD channels that are 1-12? I have no idea if these even exist in the area but was just curious.

Also (for anyone), any experience w/ Dish Network in the area (see my post a few posts up)?


We have no VHF HD channels here (1-13). They are all in the UHF range, so you can focus your antenna search to UHF only. Once the digital conversion happens in 2009, all UHF frequencies will be sold off and Digital broadcasters forced to the VHF range. When that will happen after the 2009 digital cutover date....I'm not sure.

I don't have Dish, but Darrin has Dish. He visits this thread from time to time. Here is what I know. Like D*, Dish HD started out very nice. However, just like D*, the quality has went down hill. If you get a waiver, you can get the NY HD Network stations. They have the typical ESPN HD, Discovery HD, HDNET, TNTHD and they have some Voom HD channels you can order. DirecTV will hopefully have our Local HD channels at the end of the year, early 07 at the latest. That reason, along with the sats that D* is launching for more channels, I would go with D*.

The house is located just off Pennsylvania Ave. near Knollwood Drive in 25302

Do you have your DB-4 in your attic, or actually on the roof? Which pre-amp did you use? Also, do you get any local OTA HD channels that are 1-12? I have no idea if these even exist in the area but was just curious.

Also (for anyone), any experience w/ Dish Network in the area (see my post a few posts up)?

The DB-4 is on the south side of my house (pointing roughly west), about 25-30 feet above the ground (mounted w/ my DirecTV dish). I've got a Channelmaster distribution amp from Lowes -- but probably a better choice would be an actual antenna-mounted preamp. I live on the crest of a hill and you can see down the valley from my house, so that probably factors in as to why I get pretty good reception. The only local digital channel I have a problem with is the "i' Network (formerly PAX). I believe their signal orignates from a more northerly direction and is blocked by the side of my house.

If you want to experiment with a close equivalent to a DB-4, you might see if Circuit City still carries a Terk TV32 -- also a small 4-bay UHF antenna. That's what I did before I bought the DB-4. Circuit City has a pretty liberal return policy.

All of the local OTA HD channels are broadcast on UHF frequencies.

We have no VHF HD channels here (1-13). They are all in the UHF range, so you can focus your antenna search to UHF only. Once the digital conversion happens in 2009, all UHF frequencies will be sold off and Digital broadcasters forced to the VHF range. When that will happen after the 2009 digital cutover date....I'm not sure.

I don't have Dish, but Darrin has Dish. He visits this thread from time to time. Here is what I know. Like D*, Dish HD started out very nice. However, just like D*, the quality has went down hill. If you get a waiver, you can get the NY HD Network stations. They have the typical ESPN HD, Discovery HD, HDNET, TNTHD and they have some Voom HD channels you can order. DirecTV will hopefully have our Local HD channels at the end of the year, early 07 at the latest. That reason, along with the sats that D* is launching for more channels, I would go with D*.

Thanks to you & DiamondDave for the info about the UHF channels.

About D*: isn't their HD like "lite", or something? As in it's not "true" HD quality and is not nearly as good as other HD sources who devote more bandwidth to it? I know E* won't have flawless HD, but I've heard it's better than D*, right? And there's really 3 things I want from a TV service:

1. Locals in HD (or at least the ones I can't get OTA)
2. ESPNHD
3. ESPN2HD

I know Dish Network & ESPN seem to advertise a lot together, so I know I can count on Dish always having ESPNHD and ESPN2HD. Honest to goodness, if I had locals in HD, ESPNHD, and ESPN2HD, I'd never watch another channel. My TV stays on SportsCenter unless another game's on or a primetime network show (Lost, 24, etc.) is on. I never watch anything else really, so that's why I was leaning towards Dish HD. Plus, the up front costs are lower. BTW, any way to get around that stupid "lease fee"?

And there's really 3 things I want from a TV service:

1. Locals in HD (or at least the ones I can't get OTA)
2. ESPNHD
3. ESPN2HD
There are several things going on that you are going to have to consider.

D* will have our HD locals available via satellite within a year. E* will probably never have them, or at least not in the foreseeable future. E*'s SD locals that I have seen look terrible compared to D*'s.

Both D* and E* downrez HD. Neither downrez's ESPN or ESPN2 since they are already 720p.

D* has NFL Sunday Ticket in HD, E* does not. May or may not be important to you. If it is, say bye-bye to $200. E* is supposed to get StarZ HD.

Currently D* has a better HD DVR. By the time HD locals get here, D*'s HD DVR will be as bad as E*'s. But if you can get locals OTA, then D* is the way to go if HD DVR'ing is important to you.

D* is going to have the capacity by mid-2007 to give us every channel that is broadcasting HD. Whether they will and do so full rez is the $64K question. But they will have the capacity to do it. E* will not.

Anything I missed?

We have no VHF HD channels here (1-13). They are all in the UHF range, so you can focus your antenna search to UHF only. Once the digital conversion happens in 2009, all UHF frequencies will be sold off and Digital broadcasters forced to the VHF range. When that will happen after the 2009 digital cutover date....I'm not sure.

Forgive me for cutting in (why I stumbled on this thread, I don't know), but that's not entirely the case.

Each station had until February of 2005 to choose which of their two allotted channels they wanted to use for their post-transition channel. When the cutoff occurs -- currently set for 2-17-09 -- they will broadcast digital on their elected channel and simply give up the other channel.

Only UHF channels 52 and above are being taken out of TV completely. Channels 51 or below are fair game, as long as there are no interference conflicts with other stations seeking to use that channel.

You'll be happy to know that WSAZ elected to stay on Channel 23 and not go back to Channel 3 when the transition ends.

It appears that among the Big 4 affiliates and PBS in Huntington-Charleston, only WOWK is seeking to go back to VHF. But that application was initially "disapproved" because of potential interference issues with a Columbus, OH station which is also seeking to use Channel 13. WOWK had to file a "first round conflict" form explaining how they plan to correct interference issues with this station. The other stations appear to be content with staying in UHF.

explaining how they plan to correct interference issues with a Columbus, OH station which is also seeking to use Channel 13. The other stations appear to be content with staying in UHF.
I thought WSYX decided to go back to Channel 6, thereby freeing up 13.

There are several things going on that you are going to have to consider.

D* will have our HD locals available via satellite within a year. E* will probably never have them, or at least not in the foreseeable future. E*'s SD locals that I have seen look terrible compared to D*'s.

Both D* and E* downrez HD. Neither downrez's ESPN or ESPN2 since they are already 720p.

D* has NFL Sunday Ticket in HD, E* does not. May or may not be important to you. If it is, say bye-bye to $200. E* is supposed to get StarZ HD.

Currently D* has a better HD DVR. By the time HD locals get here, D*'s HD DVR will be as bad as E*'s. But if you can get locals OTA, then D* is the way to go if HD DVR'ing is important to you.

D* is going to have the capacity by mid-2007 to give us every channel that is broadcasting HD. Whether they will and do so full rez is the $64K question. But they will have the capacity to do it. E* will not.

Anything I missed?

It shows on E*'s site that the "SuperDish" can provide Charleston, WV's locals in HD. Guess they're fibbing or something? Besides that, does E* offer "national" ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc. in HD? I could care less if I get "local news", I just want to watch "Lost", "24" and "Criminal Minds" in HD, regardless if the FOX, ABC, and CBS is "local" or not.

What makes D*'s HD-DVR better than the new ViP622 offered by E*? Is ESPN2HD ofered in D*'s cheapest HD package? I won't even purchase one of those "extra packs" like NFL Sunday Ticket of GamePlan, so those aren't important.

I swear, this is just too dumb. I hate being in this "SD to HD" transition. 10 years from now when HD is as easy as hooking a coax cable to your TV to get all the content you want (like basic SD cable is now), they won't have any idea how hard it was to get television right in 2006. The more I look into things, the more complicated it gets. I just want all my channels to come through one cable, in one package, without having some content "derezzed" and some content not available unless you buy some huge honkin' antenna and "hope" you get signal. It's like we've reversed technology and gone backwards into primitive territory.

Getting basic SD cable + internet and hoping I get locals in HD OTA is becoming all too pleasing, escp. considering the waiver of the headache and less pain on the wallet. Spekaing of that, does anyone know how much Charter charges for the most basic cable service (that at least carries ESPN1) + internet?