Just try it!

Hook a splitter and a short coax jumper right to the back of your set and see if you loose any channels. 2 port splitters degrade the signal level by
3.5db. (you will loose a little more than 1/2 the energy.) lots more loss if you get one of those 4 or 8 port jobs. I like to scan for new channels all
the time It would drive me nuts just knowing it was in the line.

Let us Know

Dan

Well.. I haven't even split it but tonight I'm missing the signal on two or three separate channels.

This is ri-goddamned-diculous. If Comcast would just close this deal with WOIO everything would be fine.

Originally posted by ironmanix
This is ri-goddamned-diculous. If Comcast would just close this deal with WOIO everything would be fine.

My feelings about Adelphia too. Which probably means that WOIO is asking for a huge chunk of money. I don't think this is the cable companies fault (for once)!

I am having the same problem here in Mentor ( no 3.1 and 19.1). Is there anybody in the sorounding area that can get OTA 3.1 and 19.1? If yes, what kind of antenna are you using?

BTW, I have a motorolla VOOM receiver.


Originally posted by ironmanix
I'm trying to get WOIO with my Terk-55 (I realize it sucks but I have one on-hand and I'm desperate.

I can get 5-1, 8-1, 61.1, 43.1 with no problems. I have the samsung HD receiver that I got with my DirectTVHD.

I have the terk in the attic with about 70 feet of additional coax - direct run to TV. I can bring it all over the upstairs if necessary but can't get a signa. It is jumping from 0 to 45 to 66 to 50, to 70 to 0, etc.

It is windy outside - why would the signal be so jumpy?

I put on a cheapy rabbit ears radio shack antenna and get basically the same results. Any ideas? I really want the game in HD today.

Except that Wide Open West has WOIO, so I guess they must have been able to work out a deal...


Originally posted by hookbill
My feelings about Adelphia too. Which probably means that WOIO is asking for a huge chunk of money. I don't think this is the cable companies fault (for once)!

I could not pick up WOIO out of Mentor last night either. I was just barely getting 3-01 but it was its usual unwatchable breaking up picture and sound. The Comcast 3-01 seems to be improving lately though. LAX was rock solid on Comcast. I know its only a matter of time until Comcast gets WOIO on line. We need to be patient. I do not understand why a network holds their signal from a provider. I will not watch their programming if the HD picture is poor and therefore will not have an opportunity to be influenced by their commercials. Perhaps we should be pointing this out to the sponsors of WOIO TV shows.

Ray

Originally posted by adriancuc
I am having the same problem here in Mentor ( no 3.1 and 19.1). Is there anybody in the sorounding area that can get OTA 3.1 and 19.1? If yes, what kind of antenna are you using?

BTW, I have a motorolla VOOM receiver.

3.1 and 19.1 wouldn't come in this morning at all over here. Then, the second the pres. began to speak, 3.1 popped in rock solid ( strength of 61 ), then seconds after they broke away 3.1 started to break up again.

By the way, tried to watch the Cowboy - Browns game last Sunday in HD but 19-1 was very choppy and unwatchable. Did anyone else have trouble or is it just my distance from the tower causing the breakups?

I just put the radio shack VU-90 XR in my attic, of all places and I got the entire game on Sunday with very little interference.

I was getting everything but WKYC and I even started getting WKYC in bursts but then last night (Monday) I lost 19-1 and 8-1. WEWS seems to be the most consistent signal.

I'll be throwing this thing on the roof next weekend to hopefully increase signal. I had that terk in my attic and it was basically worthless.

Where are you in Mentor? Would the airport be causing problems? I'm about 2 miles directly east of Lost Nation airport.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F001%5F002%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D2152

The

Sorry - my bad - I thought you were in Mentor but that was ME that was from mentor.. :D

Originally posted by Rbuchina
I could not pick up WOIO out of Mentor last night either. I was just barely getting 3-01 but it was its usual unwatchable breaking up picture and sound. The Comcast 3-01 seems to be improving lately though. LAX was rock solid on Comcast. I know its only a matter of time until Comcast gets WOIO on line. We need to be patient. I do not understand why a network holds their signal from a provider. I will not watch their programming if the HD picture is poor and therefore will not have an opportunity to be influenced by their commercials. Perhaps we should be pointing this out to the sponsors of WOIO TV shows.

Ray

I got it from a guy that at Comcast that they "just ordered some expensive part" that will fix the NBC on Comcast problem

Originally posted by ironmanix

I was getting everything but WKYC and I even started getting WKYC in bursts but then last night (Monday) I lost 19-1 and 8-1.

The

Trouble with 8-1 here today too. It's usually stronger. It appears they're fiddling with the signals during the day. Hopefully this will improve before primetime.

Let us know how your switch to the roof helps out.

Have u seen this site? Be sure to click the link at the top(at the page from the link below) which goes to a US map. Zoom into your city by 8 or 9 clicks and pinpoint the exact location on your street and determine the lat and long(-). Then enter the values and a wealth of info shows up. I'm pretty sure our magnetic declination is about -7.

http://www.2150.com/broadcast/

FYI. Yesterday, I heard the traffic guy on WOIO say that they are working on their antenna and don't be surprised if the digital signal gets messed up.

Has anyone else tried the Jensen TV-920 low-profile indoor antenna? It may be worth a try for those of you who live less than 10 miles or so from the stations you want to receive.

I live near Strongsville High School and have had consistent success pulling in 3, 5, 8, 19 and 61 with over an 80%+ signal, in many cases without having to reorient the antenna.

In contrast to other posts to this thread, 3 and 19 are the strongest and most reliable stations (with the exception of this past Sunday night and Monday, but it sounds like it was a broadcast issue.)

WUAB comes in sporadically and PBS-46 is non-existent.

I had some sporadic problems with WOIO/19-1 yesterday, but it's fine now. No problems at all with the Browns game either, well, aside from the play. I'm assuming the problems were related to the work mentioned on this thread.

WKYC/3-1-2-3 is still a problem child for me OTA...but is fine on Adelphia. No other problems with any of the OTA HD stations or the others on Adelphia (5-1 and 8-1).

ajstan - in Strongsville you should be able to get WEAO/50-1. PBS sister station WNEO/46-1 is out of Alliance, and doesn't make it even up to Akron, at least on my antenna. 50-1 is in Copley Township in Summit County and should at least get up to Strongsville...

http://www.reuters.com/financeNewsArticle.jhtml?type=bondsNews&storyID=6297121

"Bankrupt cable operator Adelphia Communications Corp., which is mulling a sale of its assets, on Tuesday said it will accept offers for any or all of seven groups of its cable subscribers as part of an auction launched this week."

The article quotes an analyst, who says, "Time Warner could most easily absorb Adelphia's Northern New England/Eastern New York piece and its subscribers in Cleveland and the Greater Ohio Valley".

Originally posted by PPS
FYI. Yesterday, I heard the traffic guy on WOIO say that they are working on their antenna and don't be surprised if the digital signal gets messed up.

Thx for the info PPS, good to know they're keeping the antenna in good shape.

I noticed this morning that INHD2 was not showing on my set. I saw they had "Miracle on 34th St." as the current show and I tuned in for a second to see what it looked like. 3:00 pm and they still arn't back on. Anybody in the area with Adelphia also see this problem?

The article quotes an analyst, who says, "Time Warner could most easily absorb Adelphia's Northern New England/Eastern New York piece and its subscribers in Cleveland and the Greater Ohio Valley".

My experience w/ Time Warner Akron was outstanding, although that was before HD. I was one of the first on RoadRunner and had a great experience with them.

Also on Adelphia, and also missing INHD2. All other HD channels are fine, including INHD1 and all the local HD stations.

Sometimes I wonder if Adelphia could run a train wreck.

egman - Time Warner Akron/Canton is about 10 times better than Adelphia. At least. I'm not just saying that because a relative of mine works for them. :D Or just because Adelphia stinks to high heaven.

The articles I'm reading expect the bids to be completed by the end of the year. If Adelphia accepts the bids - there's some speculation that they won't get as much money out of it because there'll only be one likely bidder in some areas - maybe we'll be absorbed into TWC NEO early next year...

If I'm looking at the TWC NEO channel lineup correctly, here's the HD pluses/minuses:

Both have the HD feeds from 3/5/8. TWC NEO adds WNEO/WEAO 45/49 (DT 46/50).

Adelphia has, TWC doesn't: ESPNHD (!!), Starz HD and Cinemax HD.

TWC has, Adelphia doesn't: TNTHD, Discovery HD...and apparently both east and west feeds of HBO HD and Showtime HD.

I would expect the stragglers, like ESPNHD, to be on TWC by the time any acquisition is completed. Like Adelphia, TWC NEO does not have the HD feed from either of Raycom's local outlets, WOIO/19 and WUAB/43.

Originally posted by Inundated
Also on Adelphia, and also missing INHD2. All other HD channels are fine, including INHD1 and all the local HD stations.

Sometimes I wonder if Adelphia could run a train wreck.

egman - Time Warner Akron/Canton is about 10 times better than Adelphia. At least. I'm not just saying that because a relative of mine works for them. :D Or just because Adelphia stinks to high heaven.

The articles I'm reading expect the bids to be completed by the end of the year. If Adelphia accepts the bids - there's some speculation that they won't get as much money out of it because there'll only be one likely bidder in some areas - maybe we'll be absorbed into TWC NEO early next year...

If I'm looking at the TWC NEO channel lineup correctly, here's the HD pluses/minuses:

Both have the HD feeds from 3/5/8. TWC NEO adds WNEO/WEAO 45/49 (DT 46/50).

Adelphia has, TWC doesn't: ESPNHD (!!), Starz HD and Cinemax HD.

TWC has, Adelphia doesn't: TNTHD, Discovery HD...and apparently both east and west feeds of HBO HD and Showtime HD.

I would expect the stragglers, like ESPNHD, to be on TWC by the time any acquisition is completed. Like Adelphia, TWC NEO does not have the HD feed from either of Raycom's local outlets, WOIO/19 and WUAB/43.

FYI...TWC has added ESPN, whether or not it is being broadcast at this time I do not know. The thread is in the programing section: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=444992

Hallelujah!

Great new series "Veronica Mars".

Wonderful picture quality. Great production design. And a show with great reviews!

adrian i am from mentor but i get my hd from comcast. Anyhow my buddy lives in concord and he has voom and he gets channel 3 and 19 perfect from his location and i think hes using a decent size radio shack antenna on the top of his house. Not sure the exact model.

Originally posted by hookbill
FYI...TWC has added ESPN, whether or not it is being broadcast at this time I do not know. The thread is in the programing section: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=444992

And somewhere in the thread, someone from this area posts that ESPN HD is now on TWC NEO's channel 559.

Just got my 34xbr960 yesterday. I'm in Lorain. I picked up channel 19 yesterday with a signal strength of 78. I have an old radio shack antenna in my attic. I picked it up on 10.110.1. Channel 3 came in and out in the 50's.
John

The above post didn't come out right. I am getting channel 19 on 10.1., with a signal strength 0f 78.
John

Do any of you guys know if TWC in the Canton area uses QAM for their HDTV? I am wondering if I can subscribe to their basic package and use a QAM tuner and get HDTV. I currently just use TWC for their broadband service- I wonder if I can pick up QAM over my current broadband connection?

Thanks,

Scott

For the second day in a row INHD2 is not on. The bot I talked to at Adelphia said they wern't aware of the problem and I'm the only one in my area that has called about it. She said the more people call the faster it will be taken care of.

I explained that this just isn't my set, that others have called. I told her I don't expect to pay for something I'm not getting. I asked her when it would be fixed and she could not give me an answer.

So anybody else in my area, please call Adelphia. I hate calling them too but it looks like we may have to to get INHD2 back on.

Originally posted by hookbill
So anybody else in my area, please call Adelphia. I hate calling them too but it looks like we may have to to get INHD2 back on.

Just called them and put in my complaint. The guy, like your rep, said there wasn't any listing of any problems in his system, but did say something vague about hearing of an HD channel outage. Weird.

I mentioned to him that it wasn't just me, and that someone probably 25 miles away from me on the same Adelphia system also had the outage.

I hope this helps get it up the flagpole...

Signed,
Counting The Days Till Time Warner Buys It And Takes Over

Originally posted by Inundated
Just called them and put in my complaint. The guy, like your rep, said there wasn't any listing of any problems in his system, but did say something vague about hearing of an HD channel outage. Weird.

Signed,
Counting The Days Till Time Warner Buys It And Takes Over

I've never met a cable company I like. Why would TWC be different?

The again I've never met a cable company quite as bad as Adelphia.

God, I miss DTV.

"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss" - Pete Townsend

Originally posted by Inundated
Counting The Days Till Time Warner Buys It And Takes Over Don't get your hopes up. That Reuters article clearly suggested that the Cleveland market wasn't the most desirable of the parcels that Adelphia is "auctioning". It also pointed out that Time Warner was the only company in a position to bid on this one. That would lead me to think that TWC won't bid any more than necessary (why should they if no one else is bidding?), so Adelphia may just decide to keep the Cleveland subscribers.

Of course, it's also possible that TWC or Comcast could just offer to buy the entire company. Actually, they'd probably join forces on such a purchase, with Comcast coming away holding what used to be Adelphia, and TWC "buying back" the chunk of itself that Comcast now holds. (Comcast owns 15% of TWC at the moment.) It's hard to say how a move like that would be viewed by federal regulators.

I'm not convinced that Comcast or TWC would be a big improvement anyway. Less competition means rates tend to go up.

I know you're bummed about INHD2 being missing in action, but frankly I haven't even noticed that it wasn't there. In the month or so that Adelphia has carried it, I can't think of a single program there that I've been willing to watch.

Anyway, be careful what you wish for - you might just get it!

Tech calls: "I'm running behind and if I don't have to come out to your house I'd appreciate it. Can you tell me exactly what is going on?"

Me: "Yes I'm not getting INHD2. It went out yesterday and it hasn't been on since."

Tech: "OK, and what channel is that."

Me: "Channel 775."

Tech: "Are you getting any other HD channels?"

Me: "Yes all of them are working fine."

Tech: "What channel is that that isn't working?"

Me: "INHD2"

Tech: "OK, but I need to know the name of the channel."

Me: "It's INHD2."

Tech: "That's fine sir but I need to know what the name of the channel is."

Me: "That is the name of the channel. This is starting to sound like Who's on First. It's INHD2!"

TECH: "Well, that's a really dumb name for a channel."

He attempts then to have me reboot the box, which I've already done.

I tell him that Inundated is about 30 miles away and he isn't getting it either.

He says he will contact his dispatcher and call me back.

WHAT A BUNCH OF MORONS!

Geeze, these guys don't know crap.

Edit: They just called back. They said they are having trouble with that station and have no idea when it is coming back.

Customer service doesn't know this?

This is one sorry company.

Originally posted by hookbill
They said they are having trouble with that station and have no idea when it is coming back.

Customer service doesn't know this? This is one sorry company. If they were getting calls about it, they'd probably know the answer. Apparently no one else has bothered calling them. Have you considered calling INHD and asking them about the problem? Maybe they can make something happen from the other end. It's hard to guess which company is actually causing the outage.

I'll try that tomorrow morning if it still isn't working.

Originally posted by Jim Gilliland
Of course, it's also possible that TWC or Comcast could just offer to buy the entire company. Actually, they'd probably join forces on such a purchase, with Comcast coming away holding what used to be Adelphia, and TWC "buying back" the chunk of itself that Comcast now holds. (Comcast owns 15% of TWC at the moment.) It's hard to say how a move like that would be viewed by federal regulators.

Supposedly, TWC is interested in such a move, which is called a "reverse merger". This would mean that Adelphia would basically still exist, but become Time Warner Cable...taking over from the inside ;)


I'm not convinced that Comcast or TWC would be a big improvement anyway. Less competition means rates tend to go up.

That's another thing. I haven't compared the rates yet, but it'd be harder for the rates to go up any farther from the vacuum Adelphia is placing directly into my wallet. My favorite rate increase was the most recent one, which resulted in me losing a half-dozen stations on the digital side. Why? Because they were placed into a tier THAT COULD ONLY BE BOUGHT IF YOU BOUGHT A PREMIUM CHANNEL. I can't get those non-premium stations (like ESPNEWS, etc.) unless I buy HBO or Showtime or some such! There's no way Adelphia will sell me the new digital tier unless I ante up for a pay channel. That just doesn't make sense.

Unless TWC is doing even MORE such moves, it couldn't possibly be worse. My monthly bill is something on the order of $115 a month (basic/digital plus Powerlink) - BEFORE all this HD stuff I added.


I know you're bummed about INHD2 being missing in action, but frankly I haven't even noticed that it wasn't there. In the month or so that Adelphia has carried it, I can't think of a single program there that I've been willing to watch.

We've only got what, 8 non-pay HD channels? Why would anyone want to lose one of them? :D


Anyway, be careful what you wish for - you might just get it!

Adelphia, in my personal experience, has been the most inept cable company in the nation. Their analog signal quality stinks (and used to be worse here before someone uncovered a cable run with a staple in the middle of it!). Their customer service is snarky and insulting...today's rep being the first one that hasn't been for me, at least based in Cleveland. They couldn't operate a 2 car parade. ANYTHING would be better!

For what it's worth, TWC is generally well-regarded in the Akron/Canton area (see message posted above for one example). I'm welcoming them with open arms should they end up with the local scraps of Adelphia.

Originally posted by Jim Gilliland
If they were getting calls about it, they'd probably know the answer. Apparently no one else has bothered calling them. Have you considered calling INHD and asking them about the problem? Maybe they can make something happen from the other end. It's hard to guess which company is actually causing the outage.

I'm not entirely sure why a cable customer should have to call a *network*. This should be resolved at the local level. Heck, Adelphia should have monitoring of its own system to fix this stuff before people call. I don't care who's "causing the outage"...the ball is in Adelphia's court. THEY are who I pay for 8 HD channels...not INHD.

I live in Medina, Oh. I have Armstrong cable Hd package. Does anyone else in Medina having problems with Fox channel 108. where it is breaking up every 20 30 seconds. with lines going through it or freeze. I have had cable company out 2 times now. they have switch boxes, added a booster and still have problem. Armstrong said it the TV station problem I should call them. I do not know why Armstrong does not call. Does anyone know a number and who I should contact? Thanks. All other HD channels are ok. Some times channel 5 will break up but not a lot.

Originally posted by bubblegum1647
I live in Medina, Oh. I have Armstrong cable Hd package. Does anyone else in Medina having problems with Fox channel 108. where it is breaking up every 20 30 seconds. with lines going through it or freeze. I have had cable company out 2 times now. they have switch boxes, added a booster and still have problem. Armstrong said it the TV station problem I should call them. I do not know why Armstrong does not call. Does anyone know a number and who I should contact? Thanks. All other HD channels are ok. Some times channel 5 will break up but not a lot.

I don't have Armstorng Cable, I have Adelphia but I do not have a problem with FOX HD breaking up in the mannor you describe.

[I]Originally posted by Inundated[I]
I'm not entirely sure why a cable customer should have to call a *network*. This should be resolved at the local level. Heck, Adelphia should have monitoring of its own system to fix this stuff before people call. I don't care who's "causing the outage"...the ball is in Adelphia's court. THEY are who I pay for 8 HD channels...not INHD.

Couldn't agree more. And it still isn't working this morning. What kind of answers are these?

Mike, did anyone call you yesterday from Adelphia?

Same deal here with Adelphia in North Olmsted. No INHD2 for the 3rd day now. Called them yesterday and they were clueless. Guess we will just have to wait until it "magically" reappears.

Originally posted by mobgre
Same deal here with Adelphia in North Olmsted. No INHD2 for the 3rd day now. Called them yesterday and they were clueless. Guess we will just have to wait until it "magically" reappears.

Maybe not. I'm going into the Macedonia office today. Nothing like raising hell in person.:)

You know, I was gonna say you guys are a little hardcore to raise hell over losing one channel. But Adelphia would raise hell over losing one dollar per month if you chose not to pay the bill.

You guys should calculate what it costs for the HD package, divide it by the number of channels, multiply that by X/30. Where X equals the number of days that you dont have the channel. Thats your dollar amount that you paid for that channel when you didnt receive it. And I wouldnt pay it if I were you guys.

Sorry about the Math for those of you who may be mathematically challenged.

Its not really the $ that matters. Its the point that this is obviously a wide spread problem and Adelphia has no clue. Besides INHD2 is a very sharp looking channel that I want back. Hardcore? Yup!

Originally posted by Mike_Stuewe
You know, I was gonna say you guys are a little hardcore to raise hell over losing one channel. But Adelphia would raise hell over losing one dollar per month if you chose not to pay the bill.

You guys should calculate what it costs for the HD package, divide it by the number of channels, multiply that by X/30. Where X equals the number of days that you dont have the channel. Thats your dollar amount that you paid for that channel when you didnt receive it. And I wouldnt pay it if I were you guys.

Sorry about the Math for those of you who may be mathematically challenged.

For those of us not math challenged, I would add that this method would be correct only for months which contain 30 days. :)

I've watched INHD from time to time (both 1 and 2)...it isn't my favorite-sit-there-and-watch-24/7 channel, but it's the principle of the thing. And yes, maybe I will calculate how much of the HD Plus Tier cost is dedicated to the one channel and tell Adelphia I'll deduct accordingly for the outage ;)

It is indeed frustrating to call a cable company, and have them act like they have no idea what's going on. SOMEONE at Adelphia - assuming the calls are routed to Cleveland, which I think they are during the day - should be able to turn on a TV set and see this! It's not like they don't have the technology! Heck, you can watch the HD box on a standard SD set (S-Video and composite), so it's not like they have to go out and buy a HD set for the offices.

Why should *I* have to continually bug them over a missing channel? It's THEIR service. I'm paying for it, they should provide it! It's like I bought a dozen eggs, and there are only 11 in the carton.

BTW, I DID drop a line to INHD on their Web site late last night. I don't know if it'll do any good.

Originally posted by Mike_Stuewe
You know, I was gonna say you guys are a little hardcore to raise hell over losing one channel. But Adelphia would raise hell over losing one dollar per month if you chose not to pay the bill.

You guys should calculate what it costs for the HD package, divide it by the number of channels, multiply that by X/30. Where X equals the number of days that you dont have the channel. Thats your dollar amount that you paid for that channel when you didnt receive it. And I wouldnt pay it if I were you guys.

Sorry about the Math for those of you who may be mathematically challenged.

Actually they already have credited me 2.00....It's not the point of the money. Here's the deal.

1. Nobody at their customer service number is even aware of the problem.

2. On a wide spread outage they made me sit home all day long waiting on a service tech who called me, didn't have the knowledge to know what channels they have on their line up, and then called me back to tell me what I already knew: It was an outage...and did not give an eta as to when it would be fixed.

You see if the CSR I called had simply said yes sir, we are aware of the problem and we are working on it I wouldn't be making such a fuss.

Plus I'm returning one of their digital boxes that I don't use.

INHD2 is back on. When I went to the Macedonia office they too had no idea it wasn't working. Receptionist at the office tried it right in front of me and got the same thing....nothing.

Then she made a phone call. I went about my business, and I just tried it now and it was back on.

I sincerely believe it would have been off for a while had I not gone down there in person.

hookbill - on behalf of all of Adelphia's customers, thanks for getting INHD2 back up! ;)

Yep, it's back up here, too. It's pretty sad when an individual customer, after multiple calls, has to go DOWN TO ONE OF ADELPHIA'S OFFICES to get a missing channel fixed!

Good job! I cannot check mine for a couple of hours till I get home but I got a feeling you fixed it for all of us. Thanks.

I'm just now researching HDTV here in Wayne County (Wooster/Orrville). I searched for anyone else posting from this area in this thread but did not find anything.

I'm just interested in knowing what quality of antenna reception is possible down here. Antennaweb.org states that I would need a Large Directional antenna with a pre amp to receive these broadcasts. We are about 36 miles south of the Cleveland towers. Compass orientation shows that all towers are between 9 and 37 degrees from my location.

Is there anyone else on this board that can verify if they can get a good signal down here? Armstrong Cable does provide a digital/HDTV tier to their service here. However, I'm a DirecTv customer and I'm not very interested in going back to cable at this point. If I can get these stations to come in with good results via an antenna solution, that's the way I'd like to go.

The sales drones at the Wooster Best Buy would love to sell me a TV, but none of them can verify that an antenna solution would work for me.

Any help would be appreciated!


Kramerboy

Originally posted by mobgre
Good job! I cannot check mine for a couple of hours till I get home but I got a feeling you fixed it for all of us. Thanks.

Don't be so sure it's fixed.

Well, INHD2 is back...but now Adelphia has managed to lose:

WKYCHD
WEWSHD
WJWHD
HDNET
HDMOVIES

along with other channels (including some non-HD stuff) that I don't get. My running theory is that the hamsters got tired of the wheel, and needed a break.

This time, at least, Adelphia is aware of it, and says it's their problem at the headend. They wouldn't provide an estimate of how long, but say when the service comes back...I should call and tell them and they can credit me how many days (!!!) are out.

Of course, it'd be too much for them to do this automatically, and they'll continue to charge the normal rate to anyone who doesn't call in. (Adelphia is far from alone in doing this...AOL is notorious for "we'll only credit people who call".)

I take back what I said before...Adelphia couldn't run a ONE car parade.

Originally posted by kramerboy
I'm just now researching HDTV here in Wayne County (Wooster/Orrville). I searched for anyone else posting from this area in this thread but did not find anything.

I think we have a regular in here from Shelby, which is even farther out from Cleveland than you are. But...I can't remember if he is getting Cleveland DT stations or not. My gut tells me that 35-ish miles from Parma is doable, but with a high outdoor antenna and pre-amp.

Originally posted by Inundated
Don't be so sure it's fixed.

Well, INHD2 is back...but now Adelphia has managed to lose:

WKYCHD
WEWSHD
WJWHD
HDNET
HDMOVIES

along with other channels (including some non-HD stuff) that I don't get. My running theory is that the hamsters got tired of the wheel, and needed a break.

This time, at least, Adelphia is aware of it, and says it's their problem at the headend. They wouldn't provide an estimate of how long, but say when the service comes back...I should call and tell them and they can credit me how many days (!!!) are out.

I take back what I said before...Adelphia couldn't run a ONE car parade. :)

What???? You called them and they KNEW they have a problem and ADMITTED to it?...OMG...gasp...may need paramendics

Oh...you can add HBO-HD to the list now too.

My oh my...I now don't get NBC-HD, ABC-HD, FOX-HD, HDNET, or HDMovies. Only ESPN-HD, INHD, and INHD2.

This, after INHD2 had been out for the past 2 days.

It's really getting to be ridiculous for Adelphia.

2. On a wide spread outage they made me sit home all day long waiting on a service tech who called me, didn't have the knowledge to know what channels they have on their line up, and then called me back to tell me what I already knew: It was an outage...and did not give an eta as to when it would be fixed.

You see if the CSR I called had simply said yes sir, we are aware of the problem and we are working on it I wouldn't be making such a fuss.


Well then you need to go Cosmo Kramer on your cable company and teach them a lesson.

Originally posted by DBarros
My oh my...I now don't get NBC-HD, ABC-HD, FOX-HD, HDNET, or HDMovies. Only ESPN-HD, INHD, and INHD2.

This, after INHD2 had been out for the past 2 days.

It's really getting to be ridiculous for Adelphia.

Not that this will make you feel any better but at least they are now acknowledging the outtage. What's spooky about the thing is that they are saying the outage is "everywhere". Also she read it off her screen as "High Definition channels will not be available tonight."

Lemme' get this Straight,

And you guys pay these people ?

"May be its the Needle"

Dan

I've been very close to dumping Adelphia entirely and going with a dish...but reception for both is not in the bag where I am, so I may be stuck... if I pulled in HD OTA channels, I've got to get a better antenna to get all of 'em, without having to move the antenna and my body into contortions indoors.

I've had cable service at one location or another in 3 different states for about 20 years on my own, and many years before that growing up...and this is the absolute worst. I've NEVER seen 6 whole channels go toes up, while the rest of the system was unaffected! I don't even know how that's possible. And indeed, what they told hookbill is correct... the HD channels that are out, are still out as of 2 AM. No HD (channels that are affected, at least) tonight.

I'm with Intermod -- vote with your wallet and take your money elsewhere. I had Adelphia here in University Heights and tried its HD service over the winter, but Adelphia couldn't get enough bandwidth to my location -- when they turned on the few HD channels I lost most of my digital channels above 100. And PQ on a few of the local channels, such as FOX8, went to hell.
As a long-time Tivo addict, I switched to Directv with the HDTivo, and I'm very happy I did. Having dual tuners with integrated OTA is terrific. I feel for Inundated -- if you can't get local HD OTA, your choices are limited. I have a medium directional in my attic and it works fine. If you can get HD via OTA, stop complaining about Adelphia and get something that works.
As an aside, hooking up my attic antenna this Spring saved me several bucks because I learned that my laundry chute created a direct and open chimney from the attic to the basement. I was wondering for years why the basement was always so cold in the winter. It made it very easy to drop a line down to my TV with very little drilling. I then insulated the openings and hope to cut my gas bill, as well as enjoy HDTV.

Originally posted by gnalmij
I'm with Intermod -- vote with your wallet and take your money elsewhere. I had Adelphia here in University Heights and tried its HD service over the winter, but Adelphia couldn't get enough bandwidth to my location -- when they turned on the few HD channels I lost most of my digital channels above 100. And PQ on a few of the local channels, such as FOX8, went to hell.


I couldn't agree more with you. And if I could I would have never got Adelphia in the first place. I tried to have DTV installed but I cannot get a signal (too many trees). So I'm stuck with Adelphia.....However....

I'm going to reinvestigate DTV. I'm going to try again to have them do an install. They guy that came out to do my install never considered my front yard, he just said no it can't be there, kept wanting to find a place on the roof. I was desperate for tv of anykind because reception is very poor in my area. If I can, I'll try and have DTV come out again. I'm fed up with Adelphia.

It's not looking good. Adelphia took off the list of HD football games from Channel 1; I wonder if that means that FOXHD won't be back on for tomorrow? (or ABC for Monday??)

Originally posted by jtscherne
It's not looking good. Adelphia took off the list of HD football games from Channel 1; I wonder if that means that FOXHD won't be back on for tomorrow? (or ABC for Monday??)

I laughed at that this morning when I saw that. Them taking it off is not a good sign at all.

I have a fairly good view of the southern sky, although there are trees...I'm thinking I could probably get a DirecTV signal somewhere. I'm going to have my TV installer guy try to get a signal off my deck somehow. That's not my biggest problem...the biggest problem is getting an antenna facing northwest to get a usable signal out of all the OTA DT stations. My indoor solutions get me all the local UHF-based DT stations, usually get me WOIO/19-1, and I have to contort the antenna and hope to find the right spot to get WKYC/3-1/etc.

I also do not have an attic, but rather, a high loft. I'm tempted to buy an ugly large antenna and see if it gets anything even high up here, assuming I can find a way to mount it. But that's not a long-term solution, unless I want this thing sitting in here!

So, decisions, decisions. If it was clearly cut and dried, I'd gladly tell Adelphia where to stick their...well, you know.

BTW, WOIO/19-1 is nowhere to be found this afternoon. Is anyone else getting it OTA? I'm getting NO signal out of it whatsoever, not even one bouncing up and down. Everybody else is up, it looks like.

Originally posted by hookbill
I laughed at that this morning when I saw that. Them taking it off is not a good sign at all.

I'm fortunate this week, football wise...even if WOIO is off, I can get WJW/8-1 and WEWS/5-1 on my OTA receiver. Oh, and at least right now, ESPNHD is still working on Adelphia! ;)

Originally posted by Inundated
BTW, WOIO/19-1 is nowhere to be found this afternoon. Is anyone else getting it OTA? I'm getting NO signal out of it whatsoever, not even one bouncing up and down. Everybody else is up, it looks like.

WOIO-DT is off the air. Not getting it OTA or on WOW cable.

-- Paul

Well, they must have just turned the thing back on, as I'm getting WOIO-DT now, 10 minutes after the last post. OTA.

WOIO is coming in strong for me OTA.

Originally posted by Shark73
WOIO is coming in strong for me OTA.

It apparently just came back on (see the previous two messages). Is WOIO upgrading its DT signal power wise?

Interesting, as I watch CBS's college football halftime show (in upconverted SD)...they just ran a cilp of Vanderbilt/Navy, downconverted from 1080i because it was broadcast on HDNet. Which, of course, I can't get on my addled Adelphia cable feed this afternoon!

Yeah, WOIO-DT is back on again OTA and via WOW cable and this ALA/ARK game looks good in HD. But it was out most of the afternoon because I was looking for football games around noon-1pm and they were out of commission. Makes weekend antenna tuning a pain in the ass, don't it??

Funny thing: WOIO keeps bouncing in and out of HD on this game. They're back out of HD now. I wonder why? The signal is fine.

My mistake in an earlier message:

This weekend's Browns/Giants game IS on WOIO (CBS). It's a CBS game because the Browns (AFC) are the road team. It is on CBS's HD schedule.

NEXT week's game, against the Redskins, is home and on FOX, since the NFC Redskins will be the road team at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

One would hope WOIO could get their HD and DT woes figured out before 1 PM tomorrow...

Originally posted by Inundated
Oh, and at least right now, ESPNHD is still working on Adelphia! ;)
Knock on wood...and go RAIDERS.

If you call Adelphia Customer Service you now get a message that their HD is out for today (Sunday) and will not be on until Monday.

So what do you think happened? It broke down or they were doing something Friday afternoon and, gee, time to go home, will fix the rest of it on Monday?

If it's not on by Tuesday I'll go to the office in Macedonia for further explanation.

And please, everybody, make sure you get credited for the outage. I know it's only a couple of dollars, but it's the principal of the thing.

I got an email from Adelphia this morning:

Rita Georgian [rita.georgian@adelphia.com]

We experienced an equipment failure on Friday Afternoon, Terayon (the manufactor of this equipment) was suppose to ship us a replacement overnight for arrival on Saturday Morning. The proper box was not checked by Terayon, they shipped overnight next business day instead of overnight…..Part should arrive this morning.



The problem will be fixed shortly after the part arrives.



We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused you.







Rita Georgian

Executive Assistant

Adelphia Communications

216-575-8016 ext. 3348

Anyone here use their own QAM receivers with Northeast Ohio TWC? I got the new Samsung HDTV 451 receiver yesterday and found only 2 HDTV signals- channel 5 and 8 on 104.1 and 104.2 I also found about 15 SD channels including HBO and some Pay Per view. Anyone have a list of channels? I'll try the OTA performance of the Samsung maybe tonight or tomorrow.

Scott

For what it's worth, all the HD channels are back on Adelphia. Thanks for posting the E-Mail!

Jerrold SharpShooter ???

My Son and I went to the Cleveland Hamfest (flea market for radio junk) at
the Berea Fairgrounds Sunday morning. I was looking for some air dielectric cable like 9913. No joy on the 9913 but did bump into a guy that had some
used but clean Jerrold SharpShooter UHF Yagi's. These things are 80" booms
with 14 directors, the Driven Element plus a 7 element corner reflector.

It has an unussual configuration for the feed point, 2 sets of screws for the Balun/Feedline. Cant find any docs on the web, looks like Jerrold is OOB.
Do all BalUns go from 75ohm to 300 ohm? Is it a safe assumption that the
75 ohm feedpoint is the one right on the Driven Element? The second set of screws connect to what looks to me like Delta match type thing about 4"
back from the D.E. I'm thinking that would be the 300 ohm Balanced tap.

Maybe I should just take it down to Adelphia and ask them.... OOOUCH
thanks

Dan

I guess I should consider myself very lucky. I was both a DirecTv and Adelphia customer. I tired to be patient with Adelphia, but the HD offering is weak and no CBS is a drag. One of my original reasons for trying Adelphia was that I cant get a decent OTA signal on WKYC. Luckily, I was "grandfathered in" on the national network feeds from DirecTV. So when they added the HD feeds as well, I got those. The recent decision to add NBC's national HD feeds combined with Adelphia's abysmal performance closed the deal for me. I dumped Adelphia over the weekend and could not be happier. Even if any of the locals have signal issues, I can pick them up from the national feeds. I know this is not true for everyone unless you get waivers, but I am sure glad I have this option.
I just invested in an HD Tivo and it works great. I was able to combine OTA with the DirecTv grid and recorded 2 games in HD yesterday, including the disgusting performance of the Browns.

Anyway, I just felt like spewing this out this afternoon after so much frustration with Adelphia.

Looking forward to MNF in HD on DirecTv this evening.

Later,

BP

Originally posted by ParsonsBri
[B]I guess I should consider myself very lucky. I was both a DirecTv and Adelphia customer. I tired to be patient with Adelphia, but the HD offering is weak and no CBS is a drag. One of my original reasons for trying Adelphia was that I cant get a decent OTA signal on WKYC. Luckily, I was "grandfathered in" on the national network feeds from DirecTV. So when they added the HD feeds as well, I got those. The recent decision to add NBC's national HD feeds combined with Adelphia's abysmal performance closed the deal for me. I dumped Adelphia over the weekend and could not be happier. Even if any of the locals have signal issues, I can pick them up from the national feeds. I know this is not true for everyone unless you get waivers, but I am sure glad I have this option.
I just invested in an HD Tivo and it works great. I was able to combine OTA with the DirecTv grid and recorded 2 games in HD yesterday, including the disgusting performance of the Browns.

Anyway, I just felt like spewing this out this afternoon after so much frustration with Adelphia.

Looking forward to MNF in HD on DirecTv this evening.

You are lucky. Try being me. I came from Kentucky with two D-TiVo's only to find out I can't get a signal from Direct TV where I live. Yes, I know all the suggestions and believe me nothing works.

But beyond that even if I did get a signal from DTV I would not pay a grand for their HD TiVo. I don't feel it's worth it. And despite the fact that you do get all 3 networks, Adelphia still has more HD....Although I would trade some of that just for CBS.

One other thing. Good luck with the D-TiVo HD box. I'm sure it will work great but from reading in the TiVo Community Forum there seems to be alot of issues with that box. Well, I guess it really doesn't matter, whatever issues you may have it will still outshine the SA 8000.

My complaint with Adelphia this weekend was not the technical issue necessarily; it was there inability to even tell anyone about the problem! When they pulled the HD football schedule off of channel one, why didn't they notify people then?

I've made 3 attempts to contact Adelphia today to get a credit for the outage. After the system puts you on hold a few minutes you hear a couple of beats, the music changes, and then your told "due to heavy volume we cannot connect you with an agent at this time" and then it disconnects....reminding you that customer service is available 24 hours.:D

I called early this morning, noon and around 6:00 pm.

I wonder if they have me in a que for possible disgrunteled customers who may request credit?

What am I thinking? That be way to high tech for these folks.

One of Adelphia's call centers is in Orlando and I bet it wasn't open today. The last time there was a hurricane in the area, they mentioned it on the announcement.

Originally posted by hookbill
But beyond that even if I did get a signal from DTV I would not pay a grand for their HD TiVo. I don't feel it's worth it. And despite the fact that you do get all 3 networks, Adelphia still has more HD....Although I would trade some of that just for CBS.

One other thing. Good luck with the D-TiVo HD box. I'm sure it will work great but from reading in the TiVo Community Forum there seems to be alot of issues with that box. Well, I guess it really doesn't matter, whatever issues you may have it will still outshine the SA 8000.

Not that it matters to you since you are unable to receive D* (what a bummer by the way, I feel your pain), but I paid way less than $1k. Just south of $700. I know there has been some bitching about the box on Tivo Community. I have read much of it and it none of it bothered me. I love it. Works way better than the SA 8000. Not exacty a tough box to beat though.

I have no ideal how you can say that Adelphia has more HD than D*. The lineup is virtually the same plus I get NFL Sunday ticket with 6 Fox and 3 CBS HD games per week as well as the east and west feeds for CBS and NBC and HD Pay per view. Fox and TNT HD are right around the corner.
TNT should be up any day now.

Combine all of that with the fact that Adelphia could be the worst cable company in the country, I have no regrets.

MNF not HD ???

I just got home from work 12:10AM to watch the end of MNF - the game is SD -- did WEWS shut off HD at midnight or something?

I saw that, too...most of the game was in HD. I don't know why they switched to an SD upconvert, but it was around midnight or so... I also don't know if this was a local or national problem, as I haven't checked the Programming threads yet.

Originally posted by ParsonsBri

I have no ideal how you can say that Adelphia has more HD than D*. The lineup is virtually the same plus I get NFL Sunday ticket with 6 Fox and 3 CBS HD games per week as well as the east and west feeds for CBS and NBC and HD Pay per view. Fox and TNT HD are right around the corner.
TNT should be up any day now.

Combine all of that with the fact that Adelphia could be the worst cable company in the country, I have no regrets.

To be honest the last time I really looked at D* lineup Adelphia did have them beat. That was a couple of months ago however and I realize D* has added quite a few.

You know how I really feel however. Give me a clean sat signal and I'd gladly give Adelphia their walking papers....for cable tv.

Their DSL, however is excellent.

Originally posted by ParsonsBri

I have no ideal how you can say that Adelphia has more HD than D*. The lineup is virtually the same plus I get NFL Sunday ticket with 6 Fox and 3 CBS HD games per week as well as the east and west feeds for CBS and NBC and HD Pay per view. Fox and TNT HD are right around the corner.
TNT should be up any day now.

Combine all of that with the fact that Adelphia could be the worst cable company in the country, I have no regrets.

To be honest the last time I really looked at D* lineup Adelphia did have them beat. That was a couple of months ago however and I realize D* has added quite a few.

I'd even consider giving up HD for a while just to get clear digital signals. If I could get D* I'd fire Adelphia...for cable tv. I'd keep their internet service.

I'm glad you were able to save a couple of hundred on the HD box....still too expensive as far as I'm concerned.

Anyone using the COMCAST DVR? I had one installed replacing the HD box last night. Bad mistake I think. It is very limited on flexibility. You cant record a program while watching a recorded program or watch one channel while watching another. It looks like the only usable feature is being able to pause a channel. All this with the fact they don't seen to be able to load my config in the box. I can't get Arny of the digital programs oh HBO, the only premium channel I have. Local HD channels work fine if they would only get a contract with WOIO. I spent most of the day today trying to get it straightened out. Now they are going to send a tech out tomorrow BETWEEN 8AM and 7PM. What happened to customer service? I worked in field service for 40 years and wouldn't have survived one with this kind of shoddy service. All this and I now have to teach my wife to use a new remote. It has taken four years to teach her to use the TIVO remote. I think it is about time to go to satellite.

Watched Lost on ABC tonight. I have to say that this is one of the best looking non-sports HD programs I've ever seen on regular networks. If you haven't seen it, they're re-running the first two episodes on Saturday. The overall PQ was spectacular tonight through Adelphia (I assume OTA was just as good!)

I agree with your assessment of the PQ on Lost. It was jaw dropping. Also, thanks for the heads up on the replays. I knew I wouldn't be home in time to see it last night so I set my HTPC to record it. When I got home and went to watch it I discovered that I ran out of hard drive space a little over half way into the show. I figured I was out of luck until I saw your post. Talk about perfect timing.
Steve

wfwiles,

I've had a Comcast HD DVR for about a month now. I live in Mentor and I have had DISH Network satellite for around 8 years. I made the change to Comcast because my wife needed the high speed cable modem for work so I had them install the HD receiver just to take a look and compare to Dish Network. The Dish does a better job with non HD content but I could not see a difference with HD contenet. Comcast has some drop outs on the HD channels but there local channel 3 comes in much better than my OTA reception for channel 3. I have the OTA for WOIO and I figure its only a matter of time before Comcast get WOIO HD. I will be staying with Comcast and dropping the Dish for now. The Dish buy back deal was too sweet to pass up and Dish has been promising the 921 HD recorder for years now.

I have never had a DVR before so I'm impressed with the ability to finally record an HD broadcast and view it later. I am disappointed in the lack of ability to jump forward to a scene in a recording. The fast forward is nowhere near fast enough. When I see a movie I want to record I have been going into the Info feature for the movie and looking up future showings. I then set a recording for late night or during the day while I'm at work. This works for movie channels but your stuck with network TV since they only show once. Ask if they have a dual tuner box. I would think there should be one available. You can also get a second receiver and use one for viewing and one for recording. This would really confuse your wife with two remotes.

Ray

Confused with two remotes! She has nine right now:D
I have have had a standalone TIVO for about five years or more. I got it when it first came out. It only has a single tuner also but I didn't need it to watch live TV. That is why I am disappointed with the DVR. Finding the program to record is difficuly. The DVR doesn't have many of the TIVO features. The Direct TV TIVO has two tuners and the ability to record one channel while watching another. Also it looks like I can't watch a recorded program while recording another. The hangup with the TIVO is that I can only record the analog programs without using the cable box.
Well I am stuck home for a third day waiting on COMCAST. Tuesday I had to stay home for their required phone call that never came. Changeout was scheduled for 4-7pm. They showed up at about 8pm. Said the box would be downloaded shortly. Discovered later couldn't get anything but basic and local HD channels. Called and they said they would load box and would be 15 minutes or so. Time was about11pm so I went to bed. Wed morning still no digital or HBO channels. Spent all day on phone calls. Finally they decided to send a tech out. Schedule for sometime between 8am and 7pm. DUH..... So I am stuck home another day waiting. Isn't Customer Service today great?????????.

Originally posted by wfwiles
Schedule for sometime between 8am and 7pm. DUH..... So I am stuck home another day waiting. Isn't Customer Service today great?????????.

I am surprised any cable company still has this all-day wait routine. Wide Open West has like three time windows, 8am-12pm, 12pm - 4pm, 4pm - 6pm, something like that. They have an automated attendant that calls your home the day before and reminds you of your appointment time. I ordered WOW for a friend, did it all on their website without talking to a person, and the install went off without a hitch. The only complaint my friend had was that the tech showed up about a half-hour *early* and she wasn't "ready" yet. You know the hair and makeup must be perfect for the cable man <g>.

They work Saturdays as well (I assume most cable companies now days do..) They usually can send someone out the very next day, and I've not had to wait more than two days.

Adelphia has done it to me. BTW, wf what brand is your DVR?

Hi All,

I Contacted WOIO concerning the absence of HD signals today, September 30th. Here is the official response:

Thank you for your e-mail. We are in the process of replacing our
analog antenna. During the process, one of the panels on our digital
antenna had to be removed temporarily. This occurred roughly 2 weeks
ago. Installation should take probably another 5-7 days then they will
be able to put the digital panel back on.

With regard to a Browns game this weekend, FOX has the 1PM game.
Although CBS is scheduled to have a doubleheader, we are prohibited by
NFL regulations from airing any game against the 1PM game because we're
the home market for the Browns. So - we only have a 4PM game on Sunday.


Just as an FYI...only two of the BROWNS games have been broadcast in
high-definition so far this season. HD broadcasts of weekly NFL games
are a network call. Each week, affiliates are notified by CBS as to
which games will be telecast in high-def format. This week's
Jets/Dolphins game on WOIO will be broadcast in HD.

Sincerely,
Programming Dept.
WOIO/WUAB

The browns will definitely be in HD this Sunday, but on FOX.

OT- anyone know if the Steelers/Browns game will be high def on Oct 10th in the Cleveland area?

No.....from CBS's website.

Sun., Oct. 10 - Week 5
Game Time
The NFL Today - Pre-game Show 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Oakland @ Indianapolis 1:00 p.m. (available in HDTV)
Miami @ New England 1:00 p.m. (available in HDTV)
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh 1:00 p.m.
Jacksonville @ San Diego 4:00 p.m.
Buffalo @ N.Y. Jets 4:00 p.m. (available in HDTV)

I'm at the end of a one-month self-initiated trial of Comcast. I'm in Mentor and I've been a DirectTVHD customer for about a year (DirectTV customer for over 5 years).

Here's the setup:

57" Hitachi HD Ultravision (Integrated HD tuner) in family room
5 other televisions scattered throughout the house with at least one that will be upgraded to HD in the near future.

Like I said - current D* subscriber. I got the flyer for the dish buy-back from Comcast and decided to give it a try. Here are a couple of notes on the experience so far:

1. Comcast price is good - probably $35/month cheaper when you factor in Internet.

2. Comcast installation experience was a nightmare. To the point that it almost never even got installed. Finally after much haggling, communicationg, hassle, it was installed (three separate trips, btw).

3. Comcast DVR is almost unusable, imo. TIVO interface is light years ahead of Comcast. IMO, Comcast should have waited to introduce DVR until it had a usable interface. It is so bad that I'd prefer to not have it than to pay even a paltry amount for it.

4. Comcast HD is ok. Not substantially better than DirectTv. Frankly with an OTA in the attic I get everything but NBC so the only real draw to Comcast besides the price is HD on WKYC. I'd rather just put my antenna on the roof.

5. Comcast non-digital channels are unwatchable. Horrible picture. Waste of a television.

6. If Comcast tells you they want your old sat equipment as part of the buy back just tell them no. I did and they didn't take it. I can cancel at any time no harm done.

7. I tried to get DirectTV to budge on the price a bit telling them I had cable installed and was trying to make it an easier decision. They offered a $50 credit for my OTA antenna and $10 a month worth of 2nd premium channel. They wanted a year committment with that, though. I declined.

8. In the end, I think I'm going to cancel my cable service, have them give me the credit and the $10 discount, cancel my second premium and pick up a cheaper DSL line and stick with D*.

I can go into more detail if anybody is interested but it just came down to PQ. This is like having a decision between Kerry and Bush - D* isn't spectacular but I might not choose Comcast if they were the only provider available.

Ironmanix: I also live in Mentor and just got Comcast cable. My question is concerning the quality of OTA HDTV in Mentor. Is local programming via OTA HDTV anywhere near the quality of local programming via cable in HDTV? I live near Mentor high school, and am not blocked by any larger houses or buildings. If I do leave Comcast I would have a roof mounted antenna, but only on a ranch home.

Thanks,
Bryan

Originally posted by Bryan 93 ?
Ironmanix: I also live in Mentor and just got Comcast cable. My question is concerning the quality of OTA HDTV in Mentor. Is local programming via OTA HDTV anywhere near the quality of local programming via cable in HDTV? I live near Mentor high school, and am not blocked by any larger houses or buildings. If I do leave Comcast I would have a roof mounted antenna, but only on a ranch home.

Thanks,
Bryan

For me, anyway - local HD OTA is as good as or better then ANY source I've seen.

I have a radio shack antenna in my attic (with very little tweaking) and I get 5-1 (ABC) very clearly most of the time. I got WOIO for Browns/Cowboys but haven't really seen it since.

I'm 90% sure that putting the antenna on the roof will get me every channel very strong (I've heard that the attic cuts about 50% of the signal).

I'm up by Lake Catholic so I'm only about a mile or two closer than you to the towers. I suspect that the single-story home won't make a difference - you'll get at least some channels.

I'd almost try rabbit ears first if I were you.

I know this is a little off subject for this thread, but since it is for Cleveland, I think it is fair. Anyone out there ever had an ISF calibration done and if so, do you have a recommendation for a good local ISF trained person?

I had my Sammy DLP ISF calibrated over a year ago by a local guy. I can't recommend him because he seems to have disappeared. At least I can't reach him via the phone number I used last year.

However! :D I've been in touch with Gregg Loewen (http://www.lionav.com/tours.php), a nationally know ISF calibrator, and I've gotten on his November Ohio tour. I think his rates are reasonable (but not cheap), and he has a good reputation. Check various forums. Click on the "Contact Greg Loewen" link at the end of the tour list, tell him I sent you, explain what you want, and ask what he can do for you. He responded to me very quickly. Hope it works out. Lemme know.

Originally posted by electrocutioner
I Contacted WOIO concerning the absence of HD signals today, September 30th. Here is the official response:

As someone else noted, Browns/Redskins is on FOX 8 this week (NFC team is the road team).

I'm not sure about anyone else, but I'm having no problems picking up WOIO-DT via OTA tonight. But, if they had a direct feed to Adelphia cable, the tower work would not affect cable viewers. Oops! That's right, they're still not on Adelphia cable! ;)

ironmanix, Bryan 93,

I live in Mentor between 306 and Lost Nation Road. I Just switched to Comcast from E*. There was no problem with my installation. My wife had trouble finding a CSR on the phone that understood cable modem issues and HDTV options though. She finally got a CSR (Tony) on the phone on a Saturday morning that knew all the answers. I pulled RG6 lines in the walls the week before the installation so all the installer needed to do was check the 8 year unused cable from the street box and put a splitter in the basement where I had all the lines coming together.

I'm a bit disappointed with the standard definition channels compared to Dish Networks PQ but I find I do not watch much that is not HD anymore. The PVR box has a DVI output that I'm using into my Sammy DLP that may help the PQ some. This is the first DVI component I have ever connected to the TV so this may be why the PQ was adequate for me to switch to Comcast.

I have a large OTA antenna on the roof. I still have an unwatchable picture on digital WKYC. Sometimes if conditions are just right I will get D3 ok. I will keep the Dish 6000 box for the OTA. Even if I don't subscribe to Dish The OTA will still work as long as I keep a dish pointed to the satellite. The OTA PQ is the best signal quality one can expect. No compression of signal on OTA. You still have signal strength issues and until WKYC turns up the power we will never have good reception in our corner of the world. I've looked up the FCC signal strength allotments of the various Cleveland digital locals and digital WKYC and WOIO are each less than 10KW. All the other digital locals are allocated greater than 50KW. If anyone in the northwestern Lake county area finds an antenna that works please let me know.

Ray

I can't recommend anyone local but if you have a Mits RPTV Craig Miller is one of the best. Website below.

http://www.mghometheater.com/page/page/886917.htm

Ray, I am just a little west of you and don't have that much trouble with WKYC. The signal strength is just slightly lower than the others except WOIO is the weakest. Maybe that will be fixed when they finish the antenna work. I do have a 13 foot Radio Shack antenna and rotor on the roof. I do get some dropout at times but I am not sure it isn't reflections from Cleveland or Aircraft from Hopkins as we are shooting across both. Comcast replaced my cable from the street yesterday which improved my cable strength but didn't fix the problem with no digital channels. They finally went and got another DVR box which solved the problems. I only use the OTA box for WOIO now or if the HD channels are bad on the cable. I don't see much difference between OTA and cable HD pictures. By the way the OTA channels are compressed the same as the cable. The channel bandwidth should be the same for both.

Bill

Bill,
Thanks for the reply. WKYC has always been my weakest signal. WOIO is my second worse signal but it seems to have gotten better over the last couple weeks. Maybe the football season had something to do with it. I would like to see WKYC eliminate 2-02 and 2-03 to see if this would help the reception of 2-01. I just hope Comcast gets WOIO soon so I will not need to worry about that hardware on the roof.

Ray

:) Good News again. I have learned from my sources that Adelphia (Cleveland area) will be launching WVIZ HD and Discovery HD on or near Nov. 29th. WVIZ will be in the locals (free), and Discovery in the HD Plus tier. No news on CBS but based on the length of time necessary to get equipment and notifications out, they better have something done in time for Superbowl.

Superbowl is on Fox this year, but CBS would be nice for you guys to have for at least the NFL playoffs.

Originally posted by handsworth
:) Good News again. I have learned from my sources that Adelphia (Cleveland area) will be launching WVIZ HD and Discovery HD on or near Nov. 29th. WVIZ will be in the locals (free), and Discovery in the HD Plus tier. No news on CBS but based on the length of time necessary to get equipment and notifications out, they better have something done in time for Superbowl.

This is good news! Now I gotta look at my channel lineup to see what the heck WVIZ is but more hd news is good news!

I noticed that when they added FOX it was on 9/1. I would bet they will launch at the beginning of the month, so maybe 12/1? That would be around the same time.

Cox cable has just added WVIZ PBS HD.

We are waiting for Fox football.

It'll be good to have WVIZ. I will then have two PBS's, as I get WEAO/50-1-2 via OTA. I suspect WVIZ will show up on 725 at some point in the next couple of months.

Is there ANYONE within the range of WVIZ's small temporary tower atop their Brookpark Road facility, and what are they doing with it now? I am assuming that it's technical issues that are delaying WVIZ from not going on right now.

45/49-46/50 are running the 24/7 PBS HD feed alongside an SD feed of the WNEO/WEAO analog programming.

Russell - does Cox not have WJW/8? Adelphia added it a couple of months or so ago.

WVIZ-HD ch 26
Inundated asked,

"Is there ANYONE within the range of WVIZ's small temporary tower atop their Brookpark Road facility, and what are they doing with it now?"

They are running the network feed. They come in pretty good here. even off the back of my roof mounted Yagi. BTW, the temp tower is ground
mounted. The antenna just clears the roof line of the 1 story shack.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=4253464&fullpage=1

Dan

Ok, I know this has nothing to do with this thread, but......

HOW BOUT DEM DODGERS!!!!!!

Originally posted by Inundated
I am assuming that it's technical issues that are delaying WVIZ from not going on right now.

AFAIK, it's legal issues that have stalled WVIZ-DT for almost two years now. Viacom won't lease the extra needed tower space to WVIZ for the digital antenna. Apparently WVIZ leases their existing analog antenna space from Viacom, but Viacom won't play nice and give them any more. If you look back in this thread some months ago, someone found an FCC filing describing the dispute.

-- Paul

Inundated
Cox does not currently offer Fox 8 dt.

I am going to get HDTV thru Comcast (Avon Lake). I have a couple questions.

Is the DVR (Motorola 6208) worthwhile? I have a TIVO. I don't expect it to be that good, but is it useful at all? Gonna be hooking it up to a projector, so I probably would only be recording HD. I think it only holds about 8 hours of HD so seems like a waste. A couple people have commented, but wondering if there is any consensus.

Is the DVI output active on the Comcast boxes in Cleveland? I am hoping to hook it up to the projector with a DVI cable instead of component.

Chip Z,

I have Comcast and the 6208 on the other side of town in Mentor. I've never had a TiVo so for me its great.

It seems you can get around 9 hours of HDTV recorded. About three times that in standard definition. There is a fire wire port on the box that people have been connecting to PCs and dumping the data stream to a PCs hard drive. Look at the HDTV recorders section.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=42

I'm using the DVI connection to my Sammy DLP. I've read some threads over the last month or so since I've had my 6208 that said the color seems washed out via the DVI connections. Others have tried both and claim the component was better. I have not tried the component yet. My color seems fine.

Enjoy

Ray

Ray,

Thanks for the quick reply. Comcast is coming on 10/23 to install the 6208. Can't wait. This will get me motivated to have the PJ (Sanyo Z2) up and running by then.

I'll probably be recording mostly HD stuff. I hear SD is pretty rough on a 92" screen. Even though the 6208 is apparently more limited, I can't go back to watching tv on "regular time."

Thinking about incorporating HTPC in future so thanks for the headsup.

I guess I'll just try both component and DVI and compare. Was hoping to use DVI because I already am going to need a component switcher for Xbox, ps2, dvd. Guess I could get 4 to 1 switch. I'm also not sure what I'm going to do with all these audio signals.

CWZ

Chip, as an ex TiVo owner myself with a different DVR (SA 8000 HD) I can tell you don't get too comfortable with these inferior units. They can miss conflicts and not record anything. Double check everything you set up. MY SA 8000 has 20 hrs HD time and 40 hours SD. I think it's a piece of crap next to my D-TiVo the only reason I kept it was it does have dual tuner capability. That and the fact I can't get a satellite signal.

I don't think the SA 8000 HD is "a piece of crap" as it was put, I think it does exactly what it was designed to do and that is record HD and SD and be a duel tuner for something significantly less then $1000.00. I personally could never justify the cost difference for the name and the extra feature of which some of them drove me nuts.

Originally posted by cristo28
I don't think the SA 8000 HD is "a piece of crap" as it was put, I think it does exactly what it was designed to do and that is record HD and SD and be a duel tuner for something significantly less then $1000.00. I personally could never justify the cost difference for the name and the extra feature of which some of them drove me nuts.

I couldn't agree with you more about the price between this and a TiVo HD. However if you owned a TiVo and you go to the SA 8000 HD it's like going from a Escalade to a Yugo. TiVo is so much better in so many ways, and I'm not just talking about the 1G unit, I'm talking about the one's you can pick up for 50 bucks on E-Bay. My 8000 HD does miss recording programs for reasons unknown, the old SA 8000 (non HD) couldn't recognize conflicts and I'm not certain this one does all the time either. Not to mention TiVo's better program guides, wish list, much better search features.

For 7 bucks a month, it's ok. But next to TiVo it's how I described it.

Does anyone know when CBS will be back on the air?

Better be by Sunday.

The Band was enhanced today! good day to do a channel scan!

Was able to catch WKBD-DT UPN DETROIT for a while this afternoon. They
transmit on ch. 14 and PSIP maps it to 50.1. At 112 miles from my place this is
the most distant digital sig. I have ever picked up.

I still cant get WEWS-DT on ch 15 that is 0.58 miles from the house. I dont care except on Monday nights.

Dan

Originally posted by intermod
I still cant get WEWS-DT on ch 15 that is 0.58 miles from the house. I dont care except on Monday nights.

Have you ever figured out why? Heck, they're so close you could almost run a cable ;)

I wonder if WEWS-DT is directional over your head or something.

BTW, for what it's worth, I am getting WOIO-DT fine right now.

Originally posted by Inundated
Have you ever figured out why? Heck, they're so close you could almost run a cable ;)

I wonder if WEWS-DT is directional over your head or something.

BTW, for what it's worth, I am getting WOIO-DT fine right now.


Well it must be multipath issues, On Monday nights I just plug in set of
Rabbit ears and it works fine Its just a PITA. I did get a long yagi a few weeks ago and I can peak the signal strength at several directions. I was hoping
the narrow pattern of the "Sharpshooter" would help a bit, and it has, just not
to the extent I expected... I have some nice new coax to install, perhaps the shield on my old stuff is leaking. I also got a 10' mast to get the antenna up away from my chimney, I'm sure thats distorting the pattern. I like to do this stuff one step at a time .

" I wonder if WEWS-DT is directional over your head or something."

I dont know, Could be. As I recall the antennas have an E plane and an H plane, I cant recall which is the vertical pattern but the FCC sites just seem to show the polar plot anyway. I have a couple ideas, I will post results if they make any sense..

Dan

WUAB-DT added to Wide Open West Cleveland HD lineup today. Hoping for PBSHD soon since I see the PBSHD logo has been inserted in the TV ad for WOW HD services.

So that brings the WOW Cleveland HD lineup total to:
ABC
CBS
NBC
FOX
UPN
ESPNHD *
DiscoveryHD *
HDNet *
HDNet Movies *

* HD tier, additional $9.99/mo.

Premiums:
HBOHD
Max HD
StarzHD (free to WOW subscribers)

"WOW". Wow. ;)

Too bad I can't get WOW down here...

Is the Browns game today in HD? TitanTV doesn't think so, so I'm checking.

Robert

Is the Browns game today in HD? TitanTV doesn't think so, so I'm checking.

Robert

Browns not HD this week or next week.

http://cbs.sportsline.com/cbssports/schedules/page/nfl

Since CBS only has the ability to do 3 HD games per Sunday, the lousy teams/smaller markets are not going to get the HD coverage.

(I'm not implying that ours is a lousy team or a small market, I'm talking about Pittsburgh of course! :D)

Edit: HD comes back for the Browns on the Oct. 24 Browns/Eagles game (Fox), then a bye week, then Nov. 7 Browns/Ravens on ESPNHD Sunday Night Football. After that, we shall see if the CBS HD gods deem we are worthy...

Fox HD is weak compared to CBS, at least with Football. But even for SD, that Browns game looked insanely bad. I found myself switching to the Giants game quite a bit. I am glad I am going next week, and dont have to worry about crappy CBS SD.

Originally posted by paule123
(I'm not implying that ours is a lousy team or a small market, I'm talking about Pittsburgh of course! :D)

No comment after today's game. ::shrug::

The CBS SD didn't look THAT awful to me today. The SD feed of NBC's Notre Dame vs. Whoever college game on Saturday was so washed out, even on WKYC-DT, that I couldn't bear to watch it.

I don't see the Browns being in HD on CBS the rest of the season unless they really turn this thing around. But Browns-Steelers would have been a good game to do...

Originally posted by Inundated


I don't see the Browns being in HD on CBS the rest of the season unless they really turn this thing around. But Browns-Steelers would have been a good game to do...

thought so too... I was shocked they didn't pick this game for HD since they're such strong rivals and all the heated interest. A few years ago at a cross country meet in Pittsburg, while driving thru town everyone on our bus yelled out the window, "Go Browns"..!!! We got some dirty looks....

Well Philly will be in HD on Fox. 10-24
Baltimore on ESPN. 11-7
Miami on ESPN. 12-26.

We all know that, I am gonna guess the following may also be HD:

Jets at Cleveland on 11-21
Patriots at Cleveland on 12-6

But it all depends on game time and if CBS has the doubleheader or if Fox does. 4 pm games usually have a better chance of HD because there are fewer of them and they reach a bigger audience. All of the Browns games however are at 1 pm.

As bad as the Browns are playing I'm glad they arent HD. Then I can TIVO them and watch the game in about 10 minutes . Yesterday I switched to NASCAR early in second quarter.

Are all Browns games in this area "blacked out" on NFL ST from DirecTv?

Originally posted by Tom in OH
Are all Browns games in this area "blacked out" on NFL ST from DirecTv?

Yes

thx Jim, I've always wondered about that.

Originally posted by Tom in OH
thx Jim, I've always wondered about that.

Anytime Tom!

The black outs are not usually a problem since most of the CLE market can get locals OTA. It's a much bigger problem in other areas of the county where OTA reception is harder to get.

BTW, this year both the HD and SD channels are blacked out for the ST. Last year CBS gave a blanket waiver so the "1" HD game was available to the entire country via Sunday Ticket.

Looks like WOIO (CBS) is out again tonight.....anyone else having trouble?

thx,

Jim

Originally posted by Shark73
Looks like WOIO (CBS) is out again tonight.....anyone else having trouble?


No hint of a signal here, either.

I don;t know about WOIO-DT (cuz my new Wow cable Explorer8000HD box is off...cable operator wants to run a test....I'm not getting local Fox WJW-DT). Anybody else?

WJW is fine. No WOIO.

I have neither, so am confirming no WOIO. No Fox is pissing me off, though....No MLB playoffs (although I can simply go to analog...channel 8). TOmorrow is a different story, LCS (Sox/Yanks) is HD!

Called WJW and finally got a human voice in new dept. He wouldn't put me through to anyone in Engineering, and said he was unaware of whether 31 was up or not. When I commented that it was quite unusual for a person in his position to NOT KNOW if his station was BROADCASTING, he said..."Fox 8 is up, that's all I care about. If that HD stuff isn't working on 31 it's not a big deal. Call your cable company" WOW.

yea ted i am watchin baseball on wjw dt right now, so its probably your setup.

but i'll agree, the fox 8 people dont give a hoot about their station. ive had difficulty with them before "flipping the switch"

I'm getting WJW-DT channel 31 via OTA and Adelphia cable. I would call the cable company back as it seems the problem is with the cable company not Fox.

Thanks. They're comin out tomorrow. Aslso put a call into John Cifani (WJW engineering) telling him WowHD is having problems (and so is his news dept..... :) )

Well, Fox is back on WOWHD...as is WOIO-DT. And FOx MLB is looking almost HD! Great picture. C;oseups look 90% of HD. Maybe WOWHD was passing analog SD signal for the other games (although NFL looked HD and fine). Anyway, back in business. Weird.

ted_b

I haven't seen tonight's Braves game on the home plasma (still at the office), but so far all the playoff games have been SD on ESPN or Fox Widescreen 480p. So tonight I'll bet you are seeing 480p widescreen.

Fox is showing the HD logo on the promos for the ALCS games starting tomorrow, so I assume ALCS and NLCS will be HD from tomorrow on out as well as the World Series.

And please, Fox, lose this Josh Lewin (sp?) announcer guy. Diahhrea of the mouth. Can't shutup. Seems to have very little depth of knowledge. Repeats the same garbage about the Braves choking every year at least 30 times per broadcast. I assume if it's not on the teleprompter, he doesn't know much. Maybe Fox can hire the ESPN Sunday night baseball crew for the rest of the telecasts??

Paul,
Yes, it's clear now that WOW HD in Westlake was sending out a less than stellar picture before tonight. This FOX-Widescreen game reminds me of other Fox widescreen sports broadcasts from last year (when I was watching via OTA) and NONE of the non-HD stuff this year (via WOW). I realize that only the LCS's and the WS is in HD, but the difference from last night to tonight was unbelievable.

Ted_B

It may just be here, but I'm not getting a lockable signal on WOIO-DT tonight. I'm guessing they are doing work except on weekends due to the Browns (even though Sunday's game was not in HD, they were still up on Sunday).

NO WO1O here either tonite.

Originally posted by Inundated
It may just be here, but I'm not getting a lockable signal on WOIO-DT tonight. I'm not sure what time you were having trouble, but WOIO was fine for CSI:Miami from 10 to 11PM. It was rather annoying, though, because they didn't remember to feed us the HD signal until almost halfway through the show. But there was no problem getting the digital broadcast.

I did note an occasional glitch, but no more than any other night.

Originally posted by ted_b
Well, Fox is back on WOWHD...as is WOIO-DT. And FOx MLB is looking almost HD! Great picture. C;oseups look 90% of HD. Maybe WOWHD was passing analog SD signal for the other games (although NFL looked HD and fine). Anyway, back in business. Weird.

ted_b

HD Broadcasting on FOX for baseball should start today. What you were watching last night was FOX widescreen. Go Sox!!!

hookbill,
Thanks. But as per the posts above, we are well aware that the LCS and WS are the only FOX HD broadcasts. The issue was around why WOWHD cable was finally sending a FOX widescreen picture last night (and a gorgeous one at that) when up until then (meaning all other LDS games) they were sending an SD-quality signal. When I saw the difference (oh, and FOX-DT was off the air on WOW cable until about 9pm, probably figuring out how to send the correct feed) I was floored, and another thread over in HD programming was commenting on the same issue, i.e last night's gorgeous non-HD broadcast. It brought back memories of watching FOX widescreen football and baseball last year when I watched HD OTA (been watching local HD OTA since 1999; this is the first week I've watched HD via digital cable). I forgot how good it looked (compared to what WOW cable was sending previously). It ain't HD, but it's a heck of a lot better than those hideous SD upconverts. Anyway, look forward to the LCS's beginning tonight.

Oh, and go......Sox? I guess, better than rooting for the damn Yankees.;)

Originally posted by Inundated
It may just be here, but I'm not getting a lockable signal on WOIO-DT tonight. I'm guessing they are doing work except on weekends due to the Browns (even though Sunday's game was not in HD, they were still up on Sunday).

WOIO came back on later in the evening. Not sure what's going on over there but I hope it ends soon.

Originally posted by ted_b
hookbill,
Thanks. But as per the posts above, we are well aware that the LCS and WS are the only FOX HD broadcasts. The issue was around why WOWHD cable was finally sending a FOX widescreen picture last night (and a gorgeous one at that) when up until then (meaning all other LDS games) they were sending an SD-quality signal. When I saw the difference (oh, and FOX-DT was off the air on WOW cable until about 9pm, probably figuring out how to send the correct feed) I was floored, and another thread over in HD programming was commenting on the same issue, i.e last night's gorgeous non-HD broadcast. It brought back memories of watching FOX widescreen football and baseball last year when I watched HD OTA (been watching local HD OTA since 1999; this is the first week I've watched HD via digital cable). I forgot how good it looked (compared to what WOW cable was sending previously). It ain't HD, but it's a heck of a lot better than those hideous SD upconverts. Anyway, look forward to the LCS's beginning tonight.

Oh, and go......Sox? I guess, better than rooting for the damn Yankees.;)

That's interesting that WOW wasn't sending the widescreen. Adelphia, the worst cable in the world was, but I think Adelphia does not filter their transmissions. I wonder why WOW would?

Hi All,

I have not received WOIO-DT OTA for over two weeks now.

I receive everything else, including PBS @ 85% which has a 10KW rig.

I am 7.5 Miles from xmitter.

I'm not getting a single bit of signal out of WOIO-DT right now, at 5:05 PM Tuesday. I suspect they're trying to get the work done A) outside of prime time hours and B) outside of weekends.

I'm getting WOIO-DT fine tonight, checking NCIS currently before I switch to FOX baseball (although I need to tweak my pj cuz my new Explorer 8000HD cable HD dvr/stb shows many of the channels, like CBS and NBC, a bit too dark and contrasty for me).

ted_b

WOIO came on just before 8pm.

Any of you guys know whats going on with channel 20 in Youngstown? They are the digital channel for the NBC affiliate(analog 21). I often watch it instead of channel 2 because I pick it up better and they don't distort their analog upconvert like channel 2 does. What's strange is that they are multicasting and on 20.2 they have a billboard That says: Coming soon, The WB. Are the WB and NBC affiliate over there owned by the same company? You wouldn't think it would be legal to share the same channel(if thats what they are intending to do). Anybody have any inside info?
Steve

Originally posted by SteveC
Any of you guys know whats going on with channel 20 in Youngstown? They are the digital channel for the NBC affiliate(analog 21). I often watch it instead of channel 2 because I pick it up better and they don't distort their analog upconvert like channel 2 does. What's strange is that they are multicasting and on 20.2 they have a billboard That says: Coming soon, The WB. Are the WB and NBC affiliate over there owned by the same company? You wouldn't think it would be legal to share the same channel(if thats what they are intending to do). Anybody have any inside info?
Steve

I'm guessing but they are probably going to switch to the WB. The reason I say this is that's pretty similar to what happened to a UPN station in Cincinnati, channel 64 that changed to WB.

Originally posted by SteveC
Any of you guys know whats going on with channel 20 in Youngstown? They are the digital channel for the NBC affiliate(analog 21). I often watch it instead of channel 2 because I pick it up better and they don't distort their analog upconvert like channel 2 does. What's strange is that they are multicasting and on 20.2 they have a billboard That says: Coming soon, The WB. Are the WB and NBC affiliate over there owned by the same company? You wouldn't think it would be legal to share the same channel(if thats what they are intending to do). Anybody have any inside info?
Steve

We are not "switching" to WB, but adding a WB affiliate to the Youngstown market using a subchannel of our digital signal. We will offer the full WB prime time lineup and WB kids programming plus many syndicated programs not available to the other stations in our market. Launch date is November 1.

Robert,
Thanks for the reply. I think this raises another question. What happens if on a given night, both the WB and NBC are sending you shows in HD? Won't you have to reduce the bitrate(thus reducing the PQ) for either one or both to fit in the allowable bandwidth of one channel? How do you plan to handle that situation? Also, when do you think you will have 20.2 up and running with the WB? Smallville is one of my favorite shows and I would love to see it in HD. Nobody seems to know when WBNX will go digital. Thanks for being part of this forum. Your comments are much appreciated.
Steve

Robert, can you boost your signal to 1.21 jigawatts so I can pick it up in Westlake? Thanks man.

Unfortunately, I can't get WFMJ-DT 20 on this side of Akron with my anemic indoor antenna. And I have no good shot in the direction of Youngstown, anyway... but I wish I could!

I'm just guessing here, but I assume the "WBCB"/WB feed on DT 20 will be SD only.

Originally posted by SteveC
Robert,
Thanks for the reply. I think this raises another question. What happens if on a given night, both the WB and NBC are sending you shows in HD? Won't you have to reduce the bitrate(thus reducing the PQ) for either one or both to fit in the allowable bandwidth of one channel? How do you plan to handle that situation? Also, when do you think you will have 20.2 up and running with the WB? Smallville is one of my favorite shows and I would love to see it in HD. Nobody seems to know when WBNX will go digital. Thanks for being part of this forum. Your comments are much appreciated.
Steve

Unfortunately, you can't put 2 HD streams together. Our WB will only be SD over the air.

Robert,
If that is the case, have you made the decision yet on the format? Since I have a native 4:3 HDTV it would be great if you could preserve the native aspect ratio like WKYC does with their channel 2.2. If instead you choose to upconvert to a 16:9 format then the 4:3 image is both letterboxed AND windowboxed(black bars on all sides) on my 4:3 display. I'm then forced to do a "zoom" which significantly degrades the image quality. If you upconvert to a 4:3 format it displays perfectly on my screen and I believe there is no difference either way for the folks with 16:9 HDTVs. Hopefully you are able go the 4:3 route. I would like to hear your thoughts on this issue.
Thanks,
Steve

Originally posted by SteveC
Robert,
If that is the case, have you made the decision yet on the format? Since I have a native 4:3 HDTV it would be great if you could preserve the native aspect ratio like WKYC does with their channel 2.2. If instead you choose to upconvert to a 16:9 format then the 4:3 image is both letterboxed AND windowboxed(black bars on all sides) on my 4:3 display. I'm then forced to do a "zoom" which significantly degrades the image quality. If you upconvert to a 4:3 format it displays perfectly on my screen and I believe there is no difference either way for the folks with 16:9 HDTVs. Hopefully you are able go the 4:3 route. I would like to hear your thoughts on this issue.
Thanks,
Steve

It will be 4:3 480I. Those that want to can stretch it to fill thier screen on 16x9 sets.

Robert,
Thanks and good luck on your roll-out Nov. 1. I'm looking forward to it.
Steve

SteveC - what part of Akron are you in, and what are you using to get WFMJ-DT 20?

I wonder how many viewers they have over here. I'm probably not in any position to get a good signal out of them, but I keep trying. I used to work in that market, and I'd like to watch their local news if I can.

I'm actually down in Springfield township which is on the southeast side of Akron. I have an antenna on the roof with a rotor.
Steve

Originally posted by SteveC
I'm actually down in Springfield township which is on the southeast side of Akron. I have an antenna on the roof with a rotor.

That explains it. You're not only somewhat closer to WFMJ-DT 20 than I am, you've got an antenna on the roof!

:)

The only reason I had hope...in the past I've occasionally been able to get a snowy signal out of WFMJ's main analog transmitter. But I can't duplicate that here in my current location (northwest Akron).

Originally posted by TV21CHIEF
It will be 4:3 480I. Those that want to can stretch it to fill thier screen on 16x9 sets.

I like that you have never stretched your channel. Channel 3 in Cleveland looks very bad, all stretched out and at a lower bit-rate due to multi-casting. I hope you are not going to use too much bandwidth for this WB channel. It really takes the whole bandwidth to show a good looking HDTV show. If HDTV on your channel starts looking like Channel 3 in Cleveland, I wont have any channel to watch HD NBC on anymore.

Will you ever be moving the WB to it's own channel?

Originally posted by KenNEO
I like that you have never stretched your channel. Channel 3 in Cleveland looks very bad, all stretched out and at a lower bit-rate due to multi-casting. I hope you are not going to use too much bandwidth for this WB channel. It really takes the whole bandwidth to show a good looking HDTV show. If HDTV on your channel starts looking like Channel 3 in Cleveland, I wont have any channel to watch HD NBC on anymore.

Will you ever be moving the WB to it's own channel?

Anticipating the WB channel since day one, I've been running the HD channel at the same bit rate it is now with the subchannel turned on. So, if you've liked our HD up until now, it shouldn't change.

There literally are no other channels to go to in NE Ohio. We've made deals with just about every cable company in our market to carry it. Perhaps one of these years after NTSC goes away and the TV spectrum gets compacted there will be some openings for more channels.
With luck, I'll be retired by then.....:D

Originally posted by TV21CHIEF
Anticipating the WB channel since day one, I've been running the HD channel at the same bit rate it is now with the subchannel turned on. So, if you've liked our HD up until now, it shouldn't change.


Oh thanks for the info. Your channel always looks better than Cleveland's. Some of the Cleveland channels just don't get it with the stretching of the channel. If I want stretched, I'll stretch the analog channel.

I wondered why during the fast moving camera shots at the beginning of the Tonight Show, or during the Olympic diving (and other sports) I would see so much pixalization. Even on your station. I suppose even with full bandwidth you would get some of that.

How many megabits does the HD channel get? Are you allowed to tell? If I had an HD card in my computer (or a better receiver) I could probably figure it out.

Thanks.

Originally posted by KenNEO

I wondered why during the fast moving camera shots at the beginning of the Tonight Show, or during the Olympic diving (and other sports) I would see so much pixalization. Even on your station. I suppose even with full bandwidth you would get some of that.


Thanks.


HDTV compresses 1500 megabits into 19 megabits. It frankly amazes me it works as well as it does. Fast moving images tax that to the max and you see the artifacts.

Not sure if this is the right thread or not, but I've been an OTA HD person for some time now. I'll be moving to Solon in the next 60 days and was cotemplating whether to keep DirectTV or move to cable. Right now it looks like my only option is Adelphia from the cable side. I'm leaning toward Adelphia due to their 'paks' with broadband, but also because their HD boxes are $7/mo vs. $1000/one time, and I'll need at least 3.

Thoughts? Reccomendations? Warnings?

Thanks.

Originally posted by blipszyc
Not sure if this is the right thread or not, but I've been an OTA HD person for some time now. I'll be moving to Solon in the next 60 days and was cotemplating whether to keep DirectTV or move to cable. Right now it looks like my only option is Adelphia from the cable side. I'm leaning toward Adelphia due to their 'paks' with broadband, but also because their HD boxes are $7/mo vs. $1000/one time, and I'll need at least 3.

Thoughts? Reccomendations? Warnings?

Thanks.

Unless you cannot receive a signal at your new place in Solon go with Direct TV. I have Adelphia and I live in Bainbridge Twp. Adelphia is the worst cable company in the world. Their customer service is a complete joke. Having had DTV in the past their digital signal is much better on the locals which Adelphia delivers in analog with the exception of 3, 5, and 8.

Their 7.00 HD box is also a DVR but it is a joke compared to TiVo. Then again TiVo cost 1g so unless your looking for a DVR I'd stay OTA with DTV and stay as far away from Adelphia as possible.

One last thing. Rumour has it that Adelphia is up for sale and the best bet to buy them is Time Warner. I don't know what will happen then. Hopefully things will get better.

Oh, and as far as internet goes I really can't say anything bad about that. I have their inexpensive broadband and I think it is better then DSL.

Has anyone had wowway's HDTV service? Just the local stations are an extra $15/month.

Originally posted by frogster
Has anyone had wowway's HDTV service? Just the local stations are an extra $15/month.

I have WOW and I like everything about them I've tried so far - analog cable, cable modem Internet service, premiums. But I do think their HD service is way too expensive, so I'm sticking with OTA for that.

Sorry, not a direct answer to your question, but like you, I think $15 is too much for my locals in HD.

Robert

Originally posted by Valnar
I have WOW and I like everything about them I've tried so far - analog cable, cable modem Internet service, premiums. But I do think their HD service is way too expensive, so I'm sticking with OTA for that.

Sorry, not a direct answer to your question, but like you, I think $15 is too much for my locals in HD.

Robert

To get espnHD, discoveryHD, and some other channels, it's an additional $9.99. I guess I'll be getting an antenna this weekend.

Originally posted by frogster
Has anyone had wowway's HDTV service? Just the local stations are an extra $15/month.

I have had WOW since they started HD service and have been very happy with it. Actually the HD locals are "free", you pay $6.99/mo for the SA3250HD box (or $12.99 for the SA8000HD DVR (or maybe it's $14.99/mo)

The HD Pak is $9.99/mo and includes ESPNHD, Discovery, HDNet, HDNet Movies.

WOW HD local lineup is ABC,CBS,NBC,FOX,UPN.

To get HD you have to have digital basic which is about $50/mo vs. $36/mo, so maybe this is where you're getting your $15/mo extra from?

-- Paul

To get HD you have to have digital basic which is about $50/mo vs. $36/mo, so maybe this is where you're getting your $15/mo extra from?
Yep. That plus the box makes it too much.

Perhaps if I just invest in my own HD cable tuner, that may help.....

-Robert

Originally posted by paule123
I have had WOW since they started HD service and have been very happy with it. Actually the HD locals are "free", you pay $6.99/mo for the SA3250HD box (or $12.99 for the SA8000HD DVR (or maybe it's $14.99/mo)

The HD Pak is $9.99/mo and includes ESPNHD, Discovery, HDNet, HDNet Movies.

WOW HD local lineup is ABC,CBS,NBC,FOX,UPN.

To get HD you have to have digital basic which is about $50/mo vs. $36/mo, so maybe this is where you're getting your $15/mo extra from?

-- Paul
Paul,

You are completely correct. I have analog basic so to add HDTV would be 14.99 for the first level and an extra 9.99 for the second level. But, if I had digital alread, it's only an additional 6.99. In fact, the total for basic analog cable, ultra speed internet, and the first level HDTV comes out to 93.49 and the total for basic digital cable, ultra speed internet, and the first level HDTV comes out to 93.48. It's actually cheaper to get HDTV with digital service than with analog service.

I picked up one of the fusion HDTV cards and it wasn't able to find any HDTV stations, but I am able to get most of the local stations via an antenna.

Originally posted by frogster
I picked up one of the fusion HDTV cards and it wasn't able to find any HDTV stations, but I am able to get most of the local stations via an antenna.

Is that the Fusion card with QAM support? I was wondering if that would pick up the WOW HD locals...

I bought one of those Fusion cards too and have only analog WOW cable in North Royalton. It does pick up some of the local HD stations (all above channel 100).

The picture isn't that great mainly because of my display and limitations of using the ATI Radeon overlay, so it wasn't worth keeping it connected for me compared to OTA (I live only 5 miles from the Parma towers).

Robert

Yes, it does have QAM support, but it didn't find any HD stations on wowway. Maybe they have a filter on my line that removes those stations or I'm not using the proper drivers.

I'm only 3 miles from the towers in parma so I'm getting pretty good reception OTA. The only problem I'm having is that I have to change the orientation of the antenna for some of the stations. That's fine if I'm watching, but not so good if I want to record a show.

I'm kinda bummed that my first weekend of HDTV has the bucks and browns in non-HD.

Originally posted by frogster
I'm kinda bummed that my first weekend of HDTV has the bucks and browns in non-HD.

The Browns will be in HD on Fox this weekend.

Is WOIO-DT off again? I'm not getting a single bit of signal out of them, where everyone else is fine (including sister WUAB-DT)...they were coming in last night, but not this afternoon.

Originally posted by Shark73
The Browns will be in HD on Fox this weekend.

Here's how it generally works: FOX does NFC games, CBS does AFC games. If an NFC team is playing an AFC team, the network of the ROAD team will do the game...so since the Philadelphia Eagles (NFC) are the road team and the Browns are at home, FOX will do the game.

This is the first week FOX will be airing two games NOT in HD. But Browns-Eagles IS on the HD list.

BTW, WOIO-DT is back up.

What do you use for local HDTV listings? I set up with titantv, but they show the browns game as non HD and the jets game as HD.

Originally posted by frogster
What do you use for local HDTV listings? I set up with titantv, but they show the browns game as non HD and the jets game as HD.

I have Directv and according to their Listing Sundays Browns game is FOX HD....

for Sunday, we get the following games over the air in HD:

1pm - Eagles at Browns - Fox 8
4pm - Jets at Patriots - CBS 19
4pm - Cowboys at Packers - Fox 8



On another note: Does anyone have the ability to take HD screen captures on their computer? I have a presentation to give in my selling class, and I want some current pictures to show for comparison purposes. If anyone can get some shots of the Browns game, or the Pats/Jets game, it would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks

Mike

I"ll try to grab some screen shots during the game.

WOIO-DT down again......

If WOIO-DT was down, it came back up...I've been watching it for the past 15 minutes or so (OTA).

Anyone else ever have trouble getting a lock on WJW-DT 8.1. I use an outdoor Antenna but Ive also used an indoor one to test things out as far as antenna aiming.

My experience with WOIO-DT OTA has been this:

From 7.5 miles out with roof antenna, I have been receiving >90% OR NO SIGNAL.

The confusing aspect of it is that when they are at NO SIGNAL, I can use my antenna rotor to get them around 60-70%. But it is very intermittent. Signal will bounce from 30% to 70%.

When I first installed my antenna about a month ago, I thought it was my antenna. So I emailed WOIO and they verified that they were indeed doing antenna work and the digital panel was down.

They were at full output most of last week, but I do remember losing signal briefly thursday or friday.

My conclusion is that it is not my antenna setup, because I have always received >90% on all other locals including WVIZ. the exception would be wkyc at 85%.

I haven't noticed any reception problems with WOIO-DT OTA, but I don't have it on all that often.

WOIO-DT has been doing antenna work on and off the past couple of weeks. Generally, they'll be down in the mid-to-late afternoons weekdays, but manage to come up before HD programming starts in evenings.

I've never had much problem getting a lock on either WOIO-DT or WJW-DT, and I'm in a condo with a second floor loft and large windows, surrounded by a lot of trees. I really couldn't have much luck with being able to put an outdoor antenna up, and besides, my deck mostly faces south anyway. That's good for DirecTV if I decide to go satellite, but bad for trying to get OTA out of the Parma antenna farm.

It's not a huge deal, as I can get nearly all the local DT stations with the indoor antenna, anyway (maybe some fiddling around required between a couple of 'em). WKYC-DT is the only laggard from my regular antenna placement spot near the window. But, by dragging out a ladder and putting the antenna up a little higher in the middle of the loft facing the window, I get a solid lock on WKYC-DT. Unfortunately, that's not a pretty sight. :D

This situation has basically stopped me from dumping Adelphia Horrible Cable and going satellite, until I can find one "set and forget" spot for the antenna that doesn't require A) moving it around or B) putting it on an ugly ladder in the middle of the loft! ;)

Originally posted by Inundated

I've never had much problem getting a lock on either WOIO-DT or WJW-DT, and I'm in a condo with a second floor loft and large windows, surrounded by a lot of trees. I really couldn't have much luck with being able to put an outdoor antenna up, and besides, my deck mostly faces south anyway. That's good for DirecTV if I decide to go satellite, but bad for trying to get OTA out of the Parma antenna farm.


I feel your pain. Hopefully, we'll all be able to receive locals in HD from the dish in the near future.

Ive never had probs getting locks on 3-1 thru 3-3, 5.1, 19-1. 8-1 and 25-1 are what I have probs with I live within close range of the antenna farm. Brooklyn Hts/Seven Hills

Hey guys,

I just got a home theater and installed it on Saturday to accompany my HDTV. It's a Pioneer system and the main reason I bought it was because it had a wireless rear speaker system.

Ok, so my question to you guys out there that get HD and have Adelphia is what type of signal do you receive on your units? I seem to get a "digital" signal even when I'm watching shows that I know are in Dolby 5.1. If I watch something on my DVD player however it shows "Dolby Digital". Is this an Adelphia thing? What do you guys with OTA get?

Ive never had probs getting locks on 3-1 thru 3-3, 5.1, 19-1. 8-1 and 25-1 are what I have probs with I live within close range of the antenna farm. Brooklyn Hts/Seven Hills

I live in North Royalton (5.5 miles) and have a problem with a lock on 8-1 for the audio. It drops in & out every few seconds. It's very annoying and my wife won't let me watch that channel with her in the room. The signal strength is 82%+ and my tuner will lock in at 40% for most channels.

Anyone else have this issue? I don't know if its my HD tuner, my DD receiver (audio is via SPDIF) or channel 8.

-Robert

Originally posted by hookbill
Hey guys,

I just got a home theater and installed it on Saturday to accompany my HDTV. It's a Pioneer system and the main reason I bought it was because it had a wireless rear speaker system.

Ok, so my question to you guys out there that get HD and have Adelphia is what type of signal do you receive on your units? I seem to get a "digital" signal even when I'm watching shows that I know are in Dolby 5.1. If I watch something on my DVD player however it shows "Dolby Digital". Is this an Adelphia thing? What do you guys with OTA get?

Fox and NBC are the only local stations that have DD 5.1

Originally posted by Valnar
I bought one of those Fusion cards too and have only analog WOW cable in North Royalton. It does pick up some of the local HD stations (all above channel 100).

The picture isn't that great mainly because of my display and limitations of using the ATI Radeon overlay, so it wasn't worth keeping it connected for me compared to OTA (I live only 5 miles from the Parma towers).

Robert

Valnar,

What version of driver were you using to pick up HD on wowway? I'm using the latest 2.7 and it can't find any. I can get all of the local OTA stations in pretty good except for WUAB. I'm hoping I can figure out a way to get it through my cable connection.

Originally posted by Shark73
Fox and NBC are the only local stations that have DD 5.1

Oh really, ABC doesn't? Well, that still didn't answer the question I asked. What I asked was if your getting it over Adelphia or OTA? And does it show as Dolby on your Home Theater or whatever type of amplifier you have. On my it just shows digital. Again the only Dolby signal I get is from DVD's.

Originally posted by Valnar
I live in North Royalton (5.5 miles) and have a problem with a lock on 8-1 for the audio. It drops in & out every few seconds. It's very annoying and my wife won't let me watch that channel with her in the room. The signal strength is 82%+ and my tuner will lock in at 40% for most channels.

Anyone else have this issue? I don't know if its my HD tuner, my DD receiver (audio is via SPDIF) or channel 8.

-Robert

Robert,
I'm having the exact same problem. I'm using a MyHD tuner card in my HTPC. What kind of tuner are you using?
Steve

Originally posted by Valnar
Anyone else have this issue? I don't know if its my HD tuner, my DD receiver (audio is via SPDIF) or channel 8.

It sounds like a DD-related issue. I'm using a cheapie USDigital STB with no 5.1 audio at all and have no audio problems with WJW-DT (ditto over cable with Adelphia). It could be on their end, and I just don't hear it since I'm using just two channel audio.

For the guy in Brooklyn Heights/Seven Hills... any problems you may be having with 25-1 is due to the fact that WVIZ-DT is running a VERY small antenna on their building in a very temporary setup. They're at low power and from what someone posted earlier on this thread, the antenna barely clears their building on Brookpark Road.

I can't get them at ALL down here in Akron, needless to say, though the presence of WEAO-DT 50 alleviates that for me somewhat. There's a rumor that WVIZ-DT will show up on Adelphia in the next month or two... no idea when they'll get that tower disupte resolved with Infinity Broadcasting for the main tower.

Anyone in here hear any news on DT plans for WBNX, WVPX and WOAC?

The last I'd heard, both WBNX and WVPX were having problems in coordinating with Canadian broadcasters. No idea if that's holding up WOAC-DT. It'd be nice to have the WB in HD, WVPX on my digital tuner for the local Akron/Canton newscasts...and well, WOAC would just light up another channel for me :D

Originally posted by hookbill
Oh really, ABC doesn't? Well, that still didn't answer the question I asked. What I asked was if your getting it over Adelphia or OTA? And does it show as Dolby on your Home Theater or whatever type of amplifier you have. On my it just shows digital. Again the only Dolby signal I get is from DVD's.

Yes, our local ABC & CBS stations do not pass the DD 5.1 when available.

My Adelphia box is not setup for 5.1 as I'm out of digital inputs on my receiver. I do get 5.1 OTA on Fox and NBC and it shows as DD on the receiver.

I would check the setup and make sure you have it correct and use HDNet or HDNet movies to test the DD 5.1 since they both use 5.1.


What have you watched that you think should be 5.1 and it didn't show on your receiver?

Originally posted by Inundated
It sounds like a DD-related issue. I'm using a cheapie USDigital STB with no 5.1 audio at all and have no audio problems with WJW-DT (ditto over cable with Adelphia). It could be on their end, and I just don't hear it since I'm using just two channel audio.



Fox DD via OTA was fine yesterday for both the football and baseball.

frogster: What version of driver were you using to pick up HD on wowway? I'm using the latest 2.7 and it can't find any. I can get all of the local OTA stations in pretty good except for WUAB. I'm hoping I can figure out a way to get it through my cable connection.
I was using the latest version. I didn't end up keeping the card because I couldn't put up with the picture quality on my VGA card. It doesn't compare to the component inputs on my HDTV.



SteveC: I'm having the exact same problem. I'm using a MyHD tuner card in my HTPC. What kind of tuner are you using?
Yes! I'm using the MyHD MDP-120 card too. 'Glad to know (sort of) that it's tuner related and not the station, unless somebody else chimes in with the same problem on a different tuner. :confused:

I do like the card so I'm keeping it, but it does have the occasional audio dropout. It doesn't matter if I use it's own coax SPDIF output or channel it through the PCI bus to my sound card. But the picture quality certainly is great.

I may end up compromsing and buying a STB anyway, such as the LG LST-3410A (http://www.lge.com/catalog/prodmodeldetail?actType=search&page=1&modelCategoryId=CTG1000472&categoryId=CTG1000442&parentId=ROOT&modelPrefix=40AVSD&globalCode=LST-3410A&globalSuffix=000000&model=NOTHING). It offers both QAM and ATSC, with component out. The PVR and firewire are a bonus. Hopefully it will solve all my audio problems. We'll see.

-Robert

Originally posted by Valnar
[B]I was using the latest version. I didn't end up keeping the card because I couldn't put up with the picture quality on my VGA card. It doesn't compare to the component inputs on my HDTV.


I tried it again and I was able to get 1 channel off of wowway, channel 113 which is some type of preview channel. There were other channels that had 100% signal, but no picture or sound came through. I'll have to try it again in a few weeks.

Upper UHF is really HOT right now!!!

19:45 EDT CBS ch. 62 Detroit is solid, even off the back. Look at the
radar on NWS. Can you spell AP? (I can't)

Dan

Is 19 off the air again? I haven't been able to pick up a signal all week??

Anyone else having trouble?

I'm not having trouble with 19 tonight. I was getting drops but I moved the antenna and it's coming in strong now.

Been so satisfied with the quality of Voom. All of their stations come in great. The programming could be a little better but that will improve with time.

Watching the Browns and the World series on Fox this past week was just breathtaking. The bass response from the Browns game was just incredible. Felt like I was at Browns stadium.

I have been having some signal issues with local channels lately. I am using the grey OTA antenna that comes with the Voom kit. Fox has been the most consistent. Incredible picture and sound. I've had a few breaks in the broadcast but nothing down for a long period of time.

WKYC (channel 3) NBC and WJW (channel 8) CBS have not been working at all over the past couple weeks. I had CBS working for college football a couple weeks back but it has not since. NBC has barely worked at all.

Has anyone else had problems with the factory antenna from Voom or should the antenna be upgraded?

I've been on the roof and moved the antenna around at least six different times to no avail. Any advice or info on the situation would be great.

HD rules!! Especially on a 144 inch diagnal screen. I'm so spoiled with HD. Watching standard television is just boring!!!

Detroit Digital Stations rolling in tonight!

Again check the NWS Radar, Lots of A.P. Often pick up the analog "Flame
throwers" but seldom get the digital counterpart. WBJK 2-1 @ 74 pointing 305 DGS. from Parma 108 mi. downrange. WKYC 2-1 CLE. 1.1 mi. down range.
Pretty cool!

Dan

Originally posted by baggio21
Been so satisfied with the quality of Voom. All of their stations come in great. The programming could be a little better but that will improve with time.

Watching the Browns and the World series on Fox this past week was just breathtaking. The bass response from the Browns game was just incredible. Felt like I was at Browns stadium.

I have been having some signal issues with local channels lately. I am using the grey OTA antenna that comes with the Voom kit. Fox has been the most consistent. Incredible picture and sound. I've had a few breaks in the broadcast but nothing down for a long period of time.

WKYC (channel 3) NBC and WJW (channel 8) CBS have not been working at all over the past couple weeks. I had CBS working for college football a couple weeks back but it has not since. NBC has barely worked at all.

Has anyone else had problems with the factory antenna from Voom or should the antenna be upgraded?

I've been on the roof and moved the antenna around at least six different times to no avail. Any advice or info on the situation would be great.

HD rules!! Especially on a 144 inch diagonal screen. I'm so spoiled with HD. Watching standard television is just boring!!!

From what I've read on the Voom forum, Voom will upgrade your antenna if you don't get all the locals. Have you called their support line? By the way, I also have Voom and enjoy it very much.
Steve

Originally posted by intermod
Detroit Digital Stations rolling in tonight!

Again check the NWS Radar, Lots of A.P. Often pick up the analog "Flame
throwers" but seldom get the digital counterpart. WBJK 2-1 @ 74 pointing 305 DGS. from Parma 108 mi. downrange. WKYC 2-1 CLE. 1.1 mi. down range.
Pretty cool!

Dan

What is A.P.???

Originally posted by frogster
What is A.P.???

And what info re signal strength can we glean from the NWS Radar? Links please?

A.P. = anomolyis propogation.

It indicates an enhancement of troposheric conditions that can cause
radio signals to travel far beyond line of sight.....which VHF and UHF sigs
tend to do unless they are influenced by some atmospheric anomoly.

A strong return from the Canadian shoreline is a good indicator of
of enhancement for us along the North coast. please check out
http://home.cogeco.ca/~dxinfo/tropo.html for predictions and other
usefull info regarding this stuff. Of course you need a OTA Antenna.

I often use ch 27 out of y_town to check conditions. It's pretty solid
even with no AP detectable on the radar. Channel 21 also out of Youngstown
comes and goes and I have never seen channel 20 here even when I can
pick up Pittsburgh stations.

Dan

Originally posted by intermod
A.P. = anomolyis propogation.

It indicates an enhancement of troposheric conditions that can cause
radio signals to travel far beyond line of sight.....which VHF and UHF sigs
tend to do unless they are influenced by some atmospheric anomoly.

A strong return from the Canadian shoreline is a good indicator of
of enhancement for us along the North coast. please check out
http://home.cogeco.ca/~dxinfo/tropo.html for predictions and other
usefull info regarding this stuff. Of course you need a OTA Antenna.

I often use ch 27 out of y_town to check conditions. It's pretty solid
even with no AP detectable on the radar. Channel 21 also out of Youngstown
comes and goes and I have never seen channel 20 here even when I can
pick up Pittsburgh stations.

Dan

This is very cool stuff. So I would surmise by the straight line from Chicago to Cleveland predicted on Wed Nov 3, Detroit TV should be coming in, and Chicago radio (like a WGN) would be coming in pretty clear as well...

Originally posted by intermod
A.P. = anomolyis propogation. Meaning no disrespect, and in the spirit of just getting it right, I believe it's anomalous propagation (http://www.atis.org/tg2k/_anomalous_propagation.html)

Meaning no disrespect, and in the spirit of just getting it right, I believe it's anomalous propagation

None taken, but after all, why do you think we call it A.P.?

Thanks man

Dan

Originally posted by intermod
........why do you think we call it A.P.? :D LOL! Good point!

I have TWC in Canton, OH. does anyone know why they don't offer WOIO channel 19 in HD yet? I just got a tuner and was hoping to see the football in HD tomorrow. TW going to add them soon?

Thanks,

Scott

WOIO HD is a difficult catch for the local cable companies. The only one I know for sure that carries it is Wide Open West. Adelphia, for example, has indicated "real soon now" since it introduced HD nearly one year ago.

And one would presume that the problems are coming out of Raycom Media, which owns WOIO. 19's sister station, WUAB/43, is also missing from the local HD lineup on both Adelphia and Time Warner, and presumably others. Of course, WUAB's network, UPN, only had one HD show until this fall.

I'm surprised Wide Open West has been able to carry WOIO.

WOW also has WUAB, so that may be part of the issue with the other cable companies.

That seals it, for me. It sounds like Raycom is doing something...like perhaps asking for money in exchange for carrying the HD signals, and WOW apparently reached an agreement with them. In other markets, stations have been balking at some cable companies because the cable outlets didn't carry subchannels, but that's not the case here...as neither 19 nor 43 have any.

Well, I don't really care, personally...it just means I watch less of WOIO and WUAB. I can get them in SD, of course, and I can get them with my OTA tuner, but my network channel surfing these days is done mostly in the HD section...unless there's something I know is on and want to watch (like the Browns on weekends). For me, that keeps me on 3, 5 and 8, since those are the three over-air networks available on Adelphia...and if I find nothing I want to watch there, I'll dip into the HD channels first before looking into the SD channels.

And I like watching the local news on the digital channels, too, even if they aren't doing the newscasts in HD. The signal is MUCH clearer on the HD/DT versions of 3, 5 and 8 on cable, vs. the SD signals of the over-air stations on cable...at least on Adelphia, the Crummiest Cable System in America. Of course, 19/43's newscasts are barely watchable in ANY resolution. ;)

Oh, Scott...don't worry TOO much about football tomorrow, as the Browns are off this week. You still will miss whatever CBS/WOIO-19 puts on, of course, but FOX 8's games (and ESPN HD's Sunday night game, and WEWS' Monday Night Football) are still available to you on cable.

Wind?

I'm having some freeze-ups and pixelation on many of my HD channels on Adelphia cable today...something I haven't seen since the first day or so I had the cable installed. I'm also having some problems getting a lock on WOIO-DT via OTA, which I presume is somehow related to the wind moving all these trees around...

Anyone else seeing this?

Originally posted by Inundated



Oh, Scott...don't worry TOO much about football tomorrow, as the Browns are off this week. You still will miss whatever CBS/WOIO-19 puts on, of course, but FOX 8's games (and ESPN HD's Sunday night game, and WEWS' Monday Night Football) are still available to you on cable.

Sorry..............but I'm kind of a Steelers fan. I was hoping to see them in HD tomorrow. Thanks for all the input though.

Scott

Originally posted by jtscherne
WOIO HD is a difficult catch for the local cable companies. The only one I know for sure that carries it is Wide Open West. Adelphia, for example, has indicated "real soon now" since it introduced HD nearly one year ago.
I've never understood the braindead mentality of station managers who give cable and satellite companies a hard time for carrying their signals when it's to their advantage to spread their signal as far and wide as possible. Here in Medina, the cable company has ABC, NBC, Fox and PBS digital, but no CBS or UPN.

Originally posted by SKoprowski
Sorry..............but I'm kind of a Steelers fan. I was hoping to see them in HD tomorrow. Thanks for all the input though.

Boo!!! ;D

Well, I don't know how much luck you'd have in Canton, but an OTA receiver with amplified indoor antenna picks up WOIO-DT just fine here in the Akron area. You'd have to get the receiver, of course, maybe pick up the USDigital at Wally World for just under $200...

and return it if it doesn't work :)

Originally posted by techweb
I've never understood the braindead mentality of station managers who give cable and satellite companies a hard time for carrying their signals when it's to their advantage to spread their signal as far and wide as possible. Here in Medina, the cable company has ABC, NBC, Fox and PBS digital, but no CBS or UPN.

Looks like Armstrong is yet another victim of Raycom/WOIO/WUAB!

It's short sighted thinking by that company. Would Raycom pull analog versions of WOIO/WUAB from cable companies? Of course not. (Though some broadcasters have engaged in such "chicken" games in some markets hoping to get other compensation, like carriage of a cable channel owned by the same company...)

Raycom/WOIO/WUAB is by far the worst run local TV operation in the Cleveland market...even the Rev. Ernest Angley-owned WBNX/55 is more professional. (And they're only not running WBNX-DT right now due to signal conflict issues with Canada.)

Adelphia (Cleveland area), is releasing the new SA8300HD STB now. It is not available at all payment windows yet but give them a few days. It has a new smaller design with better HD and DVR functions. I picked one up Friday and am giving it a workout.

1. the pass thru function is back
2. the remote sucks
3. transfer to VCR is enabled
4. 8300HD has HDMI, optical, coax, sata and EEE1394 ports. ( I can only verify the coax output as operational at this time).
5. delivers both SD and HD simultaneously
6. front LED displays time, format and "HDTV" signal
7. front composite inputs but not active yet.
8. cannot confirm if multi room features are enabled.

I swapped my 8000hd for this one strictly for the pass -thru option. I do have one complaint though. You can set the box up in HD mode by pressing the guide and info buttons and going through the wizard, however when you turn off the box for about 1/2 hour, it reverts back to SD mode. Does anyone know how to permanently keep it HD mode? I will keep you informed on the status of the ports as I find out.

UPDATE #2.
WVIZ (channel 25) will launch on 11/29. HD Channel #710----FREE
Discovery HD Theater launches the same day Channel # 776-- Part of HD Plus tier.

Update- Anyone using a QAM tuner with TWC? I can get the standard tier HD channels fine except TNT-HD has a great picture but no sound. Anyone else have that problem with TNT-HD? BTW- I ended up getting a LG 3100A OTA/QAM receiver.

I have a Armstrong Cable installer living in my neighborhood and he told me they are all set up for WOIO CH8 HD all they have to do is flip the switch. There contract runs out in 2005 and new contract should have CH8 HD. Lets hope. Would like to see Armstrong get TNT HD also

Originally posted by handsworth
You can set the box up in HD mode by pressing the guide and info buttons and going through the wizard, however when you turn off the box for about 1/2 hour, it reverts back to SD mode.

Will the box stay in HD mode if you leave it on?

Originally posted by handsworth
Adelphia (Cleveland area), is releasing the new SA8300HD STB now. It is not available at all payment windows yet but give them a few days. It has a new smaller design with better HD and DVR functions. I picked one up Friday and am giving it a workout.

1. the pass thru function is back
2. the remote sucks
3. transfer to VCR is enabled
4. 8300HD has HDMI, optical, coax, sata and EEE1394 ports. ( I can only verify the coax output as operational at this time).
5. delivers both SD and HD simultaneously
6. front LED displays time, format and "HDTV" signal
7. front composite inputs but not active yet.
8. cannot confirm if multi room features are enabled.
UPDATE #2.
W
I swapped my 8000hd for this one strictly for the pass -thru option. I do have one complaint though. You can set the box up in HD mode by pressing the guide and info buttons and going through the wizard, however when you turn off the box for about 1/2 hour, it reverts back to SD mode. Does anyone know how to permanently keep it HD mode? I will keep you informed on the status of the ports as I find out.

VIZ (channel 25) will launch on 11/29. HD Channel #710----FREE
Discovery HD Theater launches the same day Channel # 776-- Part of HD Plus tier.

I was confused about when we were suppose to get those new stations. I thought it was this month, thanks for the clerification.

Can you explain to me what the pass thru option is? I've got alot of stuff on my 8000HD and I wouldn't want to attempt to turn it in unless it was something really worth while.

Transfer to VCR is already available on 8000HD.

Remote sucks? How's that?

I've already got a DVI to HDMI converter on the back of my HD 8000. I'll bet those HDMI port is not active.

Tom, yes the box will stay in HD if you leave it on, however just like the other SA DVR boxes, they automatically shut down around 1:00 AM. I thought of that Sat. nite and when I turned it back on this morning it was back to SD mode. BTW, I am using component cables and the entire screen will be red in SD mode.

The pass thru option is a setting that automatically formats the picture size on your TV. No need to go into the settings when switching back and forth from 480 to 720 to 1080. Full screen automatically. The 8000hd has a DVI output which is inactive now. The 8300HD does not have a DVI. It has the HDMI output in which an adapter is needed to connect to the TV's DVI. I was not sure that the VCR out plugs were enabled on the 800HD. I was told that there were software issues still.

Originally posted by Inundated
And I like watching the local news on the digital channels, too, even if they aren't doing the newscasts in HD.

I expected WKYC to be doing the news in HD by now, after all, they ran beautiful HD "Newsteam 3" promos on the NBC Olympics HD feed. My emails to them re this have gone unanswered - they probably put me in the killfile for all my complaining about multicasting.

I would think 19/43's "Let's turn the contrast up to 11!" newscast would be a great example of what *not* to do in broadcast engineering school. Absolute worst PQ.