Yes this happened on my Samsung SIR-T451 as well - I wasn't sure what was going on with it actually - thought it was broken.

So, do we call the station? Do they change something to the datastream?
What about our receivers? Do we need some kind of firmware update?

I was watching NCIS on WCAX-HD (5.1) from 8pm to 9 pm. No problems were encountered.

OTOH, while watching House on WFFF-HD (44.1) from 9pm to 10 pm there were occasional dropouts of both audio and video for a second or two.

My tuner is built-in to my Sony 34" CRT HDTV.

I continue to have a real loss of signal on WFFF. I'd like to think that it is their fault (the general manager says "no") as all of the other locals remain at the usual levels. Anyone else lose House last night?

Here in St. A I've moved my used and rusty antenna to my third floor- outside deck -which has a shot between my house and the house next door- still not mounted just lying on deck railing- seemed to be locked in- tuner has no signal strength meter- to the PBS stations and now have channel 5 and 22. Still no sign of CBS or FOX. At least it's a start. Can a few feet of height make a big diference? Hope to mount to deck railing with mast later today.

Here in St. A I've moved my used and rusty antenna to my third floor- outside deck -which has a shot between my house and the house next door- still not mounted just lying on deck railing- seemed to be locked in- tuner has no signal strength meter- to the PBS stations and now have channel 5 and 22. Still no sign of CBS or FOX. At least it's a start. Can a few feet of height make a big diference? Hope to mount to deck railing with mast later today.
Not only can height make a difference, but a new, good quality antenna of the correct type and RG6 instead of twin-lead or RG59 can make a difference. Antennas tend to be shot after about 15 years. The corrosion degrades the signal, plus there may have been some changes in design. Antennaweb.org should be a good start for antenna type, but sounds like long-range directional would be the category.

I agree that loss in your cabling is probably causing the problems. Apparently the higher the frequency, the bigger the loss is. Fox 43 and CBS 53 are both at a higher frequency than ABC 13, NBC 14, and PBS 32 and 38, which is why you might have trouble with those two.

thanks guys, i'm using RG6 but the antenna is a rust bucket. hopefully Radio Shack has something in stock- I'm using an line amp the run will be around 100Ft. Now if i can get outta work for a few minutes to get to RS>

WCAX-DT is back on my Samsung 165. Apparently, there is something to do with Broadcast Flag. Anyone knows how to solve this one?

AFAIK, the courts ruled that it was illegal to apply a broadcast flag to over-the-air material. Only cable/sat content can be flagged.

THE END OF OTA IN CANADA IN THE SHORT FUTURE?? :mad:

The CRTC (Gov. of Canada) will hold a public hearing commencing on Monday 27 November 2006.

Full text at:
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/eng/hearings/2006/n2006-5.htm

Here is one aspect they want to discuss:

no 16
In the large markets, OTA television stations face a declining audience share and major changes in the form and delivery of advertising in addition to the costs related to the digital transition.

no 40
OTA television stations, by definition, operate transmitters that allow viewers to receive their signal over the air without charge. Current statistics show that slightly over 80% of Canadian households now subscribe to a cable, satellite, digital subscriber line (DSL) or other form of BDU.

no 46
Given the high rate of BDU penetration and the relatively small proportion of households reliant on OTA reception, some would argue that OTA television stations should not incur the expense of replicating their existing analog transmission networks in digital as this may not be the best use of their resources, and hence not in the public interest.

no 48
In light of the regulatory policies set out in the Act, the Commission seeks comment on the most appropriate and effective means of delivering Canadian digital/HD signals to Canadians. Specifically, comment is sought, with respect to the future of OTA television, whether there are circumstances under which it may be in the public interest not to require OTA television undertakings to replicate existing analog over-the-air transmitters with digital transmission facilities, and if there are, what those circumstances would be

No more OTA in Canada would mean only one things to a lot of us:

WNVY would come in!!!!! No more Channel 12 in the way!!!!!

When is it stopping!!!!

One of the major reasons for the lack digital broadcast stations in Canada is the attitude of the greed-obsessed morons running networks like CTV and Global and the inability and/or unwillingness of the CRTC to deal with them.

Look no further than Montreal for good examples of how not to do things.

Global's channel 46 is broadcasting at a minimal power level that makes it hard to receive even on the island of Montreal. It's a bloody joke. If the signal was any weaker they'd probably lose their status as a broadcast network station.

CFCF 12 used to be a technology leader, as their track record with both colour and stereo sound shows, but CTV has ruined the station since they bought it in 2001. Apart from the local news, CFCF is little more than a repeater station for CFTO in Toronto. Those nitwits in the programming department in Toronto aren't even competent enough to empty the wastebasket's in the former CFCF program director's office. When asked about plans for CFCF and HD the money grubbing nitwits in Toronto respond with nonsense along the lines of "Montreal is too small a market to bother with". Then, on their commercials CTV has the nerve to insult our intelligence by bragging about their pathetic efforts with HD. What a bunch of dishonest self-serving drivel: 2 stations broadcasting at abysmal power levels in the whole country plus their relationship with Bell ExpressVu. Guess who owns CTV? Guess who owns Bell ExpressVu?

The CRTC needs to show some intestinal fortitude and protect the interests of local stations in the manner that the FCC does in the USA. (If the CRTC doesn't have the same legal clout that the FCC does then it's time for Parliament to give it to them and make sure the Commision is staffed by people with the will to act in the public's interest rather than cater to the coporate bullies in Hogtown and the West).

Radio shack in St albans had no antennas in stock- so i mounted my rusty old antenna to my third floor deck- poorly mounted to boot- a stiff breeze will move it but for now i've got all the stations with a little loss on cax. the others look fine , it's gonna be an HDTV football thanksgiving !!

Radio shack in St albans had no antennas in stock- so i mounted my rusty old antenna to my third floor deck- poorly mounted to boot- a stiff breeze will move it but for now i've got all the stations with a little loss on cax. the others look fine , it's gonna be an HDTV football thanksgiving !!
Check out Antennasdirect.com for high quality antennas and accesories at a reasonable price.

I talked to a PTZ camera man on Church St today (he was setting up for a bit). I peered at his camera and said, "HD?" (I could tell right away it wasn't but asked that to break the ice). He said they aren't prepared to move to HD yet because of the "excessive cost" - and he told me they just spent a lot of money building a new transmitter on Mt. Mansfield to broadcast digitally. Decided to hold my breath and not say, "CAX could afford it - why couldn't you"...or better yet.."you spent the money on the transmitter and aren't even going use it for High Def?".

Anyway...He said he didn't expect that they would be moving to HD news and getting new HD cameras until sometime in 2009.

Radio shack in St albans had no antennas in stock- so i mounted my rusty old antenna to my third floor deck- poorly mounted to boot- a stiff breeze will move it but for now i've got all the stations with a little loss on cax. the others look fine , it's gonna be an HDTV football thanksgiving !!Since your HDTV doesn't have a signal meter, you can do it the old fashioned way... plug your antenna into an analog TV tuned to channel 33, then sweep it back and forth until you get the best-looking picture with the least amount of ghosting. Once you've found the ideal direction, plug it back into your HDTV, repeat the scan, and see if everything's clean with no dropouts.

No more OTA in Canada would mean only one things to a lot of us:

WNVY would come in!!!!! No more Channel 12 in the way!!!!!

When is it stopping!!!!

Never.

Read what it says -- no channel 21 (CFCF-DT transition plan), not no channel 12. They're talking about whether existing broadcasters need to transmit in digital and analog at the same time, not whether they broadcast at all.

Since broadcasters are bitching about the costs of running two transmitters, I would instantly allow them to make a flash-cut to digital without risking to lose their must-carry status for which an analog broadcast is currently a prerequisite. I wouldn't mind having CFCF go digital on 12 right away, have CFJP go digital on 35, etc. that way we could give channel 21 or channel 42 to a station who would actually need it (such as CJNT or WVNY). CFTM has already said that they would like to make the switch to digital on channel 10 at the end of their current license term (end of 2008).

Remember people that the digital transition was all about freeing up spectrum.

Just a heads-up that detailed program listings for WPTZ-DT are now being fed to DirecTV receivers. These listings are much better than the PSIP ones since you get details like whether a show is in HD and your listings are there days ahead of time instead of just hours. Also, unlike Echostar, no subscription is required to get the local listings.

Still waiting for WVNY, WETK, WFFF, and WCAX listings to start coming through...

I lost VNY so I did a scan and no VNY others still coming in solid- but with my antenna pointed to Mansfield my tv did lock on to CBOT out of ottawa. Nice to get some of the Canadian stations I lost when I switched to Dish. Tempted to do a 180 with my antenna and see whats out there. But not tonight :)

I live in Montreal and I love wine. In fact, some of my favourite wine is from California. For the longest time I have been buying California wine from my local liquor store. But, every time a buy a bottle of California wine, the clerk at the check out counter says I must buy one from Ontario as well. Since I love California wine, I reluctantly agree. At home, when I sit to drink a glass of my California wine, sometimes this mysterious person swoops in, takes my California wine and quickly pours me a glass of Ontario wine. In his haste, sometimes he spills some. Sometimes he doesn't fill my glass completely and sometimes the wine doesn't taste as good the original. Well, just recently, I heard of a new High Quality California wine. This wine is also available at my local liquor store and with the same buying rules. But, this wine is also available via a Direct-to-Customer method without any loss of taste and quality. What's more, I don't have to buy the Ontario wine to go with it. That mysterious person doesn't come by any more and the price of that High Quality California wine is virtually free.

Well, enough of my whine, its time to watch TV.

Okay. I have been gone for awhile. I have no internet at home, only at work. I hooked up an hdtv ota antenna I got at big lots for ten bucks. It pulled analog abc and cbs very poorly. I set it about 4 feet above the t.v on a bookcase. I live in Richmond on Rte 2 so my question is: Would an indoor antenna like the silver sensor do the trick or should I consider getting an outdoor antenna and put it on the roof? I thought with my proximity I would have no problem but so far no luck. Also, the only way I can seem to tune on my sony is to go to autoprogram and look for digital channels. It goes thru but comes back with nothing. Am I doing the scan wrong. I can't find any info in the manual.

Thanks in Advance.

Okay. I have been gone for awhile. I have no internet at home, only at work. I hooked up an hdtv ota antenna I got at big lots for ten bucks. It pulled analog abc and cbs very poorly. I set it about 4 feet above the t.v on a bookcase. I live in Richmond on Rte 2 so my question is: Would an indoor antenna like the silver sensor do the trick or should I consider getting an outdoor antenna and put it on the roof? I thought with my proximity I would have no problem but so far no luck. Also, the only way I can seem to tune on my sony is to go to autoprogram and look for digital channels. It goes thru but comes back with nothing. Am I doing the scan wrong. I can't find any info in the manual.
Go to antennaweb.org, put in your address and see what it says. However, an outdoor antenna is always going to do a much better job. A medium multi-directional like the AntennasDirect DB4 may do the job if you have direct line of sight to the towers, but it may have trouble with chan 13 as it is UHF only. My DB4 got a weak signal on 13, so I got a VHF only antenna to supplement. If you have trees, buildings, hills in the way, you may need a short to medium range directional antenna in which case I would suggest a combo UHF/VHF antenna. A visit to www.antennaweb.org should answer these questions.

Well said Disto, well said.

HD issues...

Right now I'm getting a stong signal on 33-2, but no picture. Actually, it has been that way for a while now.

Also, no sound on 5-2's weather.

Anyone else having the same problems?

33-2 is ok in Montreal. 5-2, i don't have sound. Also, i don't have the PSIP info on either 5-1 and 5-2




HD issues...

Right now I'm getting a stong signal on 33-2, but no picture. Actually, it has been that way for a while now.

Also, no sound on 5-2's weather.

Anyone else having the same problems?

HD issues...

Also, no sound on 5-2's weather.

Anyone else having the same problems?

Weather Plus, a wonderful feature on 5-2, has been very unstable. Lately, for me, it has just been flashing on and off. I suppose we ought to call them. We really ought to call any of the stations for digital broadcast problems so that they know their digital base is growing.

For me, WCAX-DT has been, at 65%, my weakest station. I have direct LOS at 13.5 miles and used to get them at 88% I get 33 and 44 at 98%, 5 and 22 at 88%. The biggest downside to the weaker signal is bad weather drop out. Does anyone else have a similar experience with WCAX-DT?

5-2 is regular programming for me no weather? Whats up with that?- Not that I care a lot but what would cause me to get same programming as 5-1 and not weather.

VHF (even high) will always have more interference than UHF. Even if their weak signal is strong enough to reach you, I'm sure you'll never be able to get a signal as stable as you can with UHF.

Are you listening WVNY??? :mad:

Audio dropouts during ND-USC game
Yes, there were numerous dropouts. I used the picture from 22.1 and the audio from analog 22 from another tuner for a while, but the lack of synchronization eventually became too overwhelming and I gave up and just went back and suffered with the dropouts.

Sorry Foxfan, the signal strength here is 98 and it isn't a signal fluctuation issue; it's something wrong at the station.

And as of this writing, there is still no sound on 5.2.

For me, WCAX-DT has been, at 65%, my weakest station. I have direct LOS at 13.5 miles and used to get them at 88% I get 33 and 44 at 98%, 5 and 22 at 88%. The biggest downside to the weaker signal is bad weather drop out. Does anyone else have a similar experience with WCAX-DT?WCAX-DT transmits over channel 53, which is the highest frequency of all the locals (WFFF-DT over channel 42 is the next-highest). Sounds to me like (1) your antenna isn't pulling it's weight at the top of the UHF band, (2) your cabling is lossy at the upper end of the band, and/or (3) if you're using an in-line amp, it's not boosting the higher-frequency as well as the others.

Might also have had something to do with the length of the cable I had(it was 15'), but I think more with the dual link design. I bought a 6' DVD-D single link cable for $20 from Walmart and everything works freakin' great, upconverts all commercial DVDs to 1080i!IMHO, it's the difference in length, not whether it's single- or dual-link. HDMI is strictly single-link, so if you're using an HDMI adapter at one end of a dual-link DVI cable, it's only using one of the 2 links.

FWIW, I have an upconverting DVD player, too (brand is Oppo). I was getting an excellent picture from it over a 25ft. dual-link DVI cable. However, I bought a 2x1 HDMI switcher when I introduced my ViP622 into the mix, and now I swear I get an even better picture from the Oppo. Despite the fact that I've gone from a fully DVI implementation capable of dual-link interconnect to a DVI/HDMI hybrid, which is restricted to being single-link only.

I chalked it up to the fact that the switchers touts "equalization", which I take to mean that the switcher is designed to compensate for the loss encountered in longer cable runs.

Audio dropouts during ND-USC game
Yes, there were numerous dropouts. I used the picture from 22.1 and the audio from analog 22 from another tuner for a while, but the lack of synchronization eventually became too overwhelming and I gave up and just went back and suffered with the dropouts.

Sorry Foxfan, the signal strength here is 98 and it isn't a signal fluctuation issue; it's something wrong at the station.

And as of this writing, there is still no sound on 5.2.

Your signal might be strong but it doesn't mean it is stable. Any nick of static (common with VHF) that comes in for just a fraction of a second can cause an audio dropout...

For those of you in Vermont, any of you using a Dish 942 receiver? I've started using a Bell 9200 (which is the same) and it appears to be the most sensitive one for me. With it and an outdoor VHF/UHF combo antenna located about 80 miles away from the transmitters, I'm getting FOX, CBS, VPT at 98-100%, NBC at 92-94%, and manage to barely pull in ABC-13 at 65-66% (still too low for my liking). How are your numbers down there?

So, I tried two hisense tuners over the past few weeks and they could never get channel 5.1 HD, but would get channel 5.2 with no sound. I just hooked up an LG LST 3510a and guess what? It gets channel 5.1 as well as all the other channels, no issue. So there's something about the Hisense USDigital OTA tuner and the way that ch 5.1 is being broadcast. Maybe there needs to be a firmware upgrade or something.

On a different subject, I was trying to use an HDMI cable to connect the LST 3510a to my TV and was getting all sorts of static and blanking. If I defaulted to 480p, it displayed o.k. Also, I am able to use component in 1080i with no issues. But I really want the DVI in 1080i since the 3510 is also an upconversion DVD player, but it won't upconvert over the component due to copy protection and needs the DVI. Any ideas?

Thanks!


Thelst-3510a AVS forum is at the link below and is full of info on the unit. I have one and the tuner is great as well as the dvd player. some 'features' depend on the firmware version you have. Scan through forum for info you are looking for. I believe there may be some dvi handshaking issues with some sets and various firmware versions.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=331339&page=1&pp=30

I got a note from an engineer at WPTZ saying that they are aware of the problems (both video and audio) with Weather Plus on 5-2, and that they will be working on it today (Monday, Nov 27).

Can they also take the opportunity to include Montreal in the list of cities for which the five-day forecast is provided for?

I live in Waterville, VT and I am pretty much surrounded with hills. I have tried Antenna.org and they indicated that there are no digital signals to be received in my area. I don't want to invest in an outdoor antenna and go through all that work and expense if there is no chance of picking up OTA digital signals in my area. I've tried every indoor antenna possible and have essentially had no luck picking up WCAX's analog signal. I only recieve WPTZ's analog signal on a 15 year-old B&W 13" set in the kitchen. The only reason that I can do that is that the set is non-digital and you can use the dial tuner to fine tune. I can get a couple of Canadian channels with a lot of adustment and only get an ok picture. Does in sound like I am pretty much SOL as far as receiving any HD content OTA even with a quality outdoor antenna?

Can they also take the opportunity to include Montreal in the list of cities for which the five-day forecast is provided for?
Good point, but I had contacted WPTZ engineering via their website about the problems. Suggest you contact Programming about that as it should carry more weight coming from a Canadian. Maybe I should request Morrisville be added. :)

I live in Waterville, VT and I am pretty much surrounded with hills. I have tried Antenna.org and they indicated that there are no digital signals to be received in my area. I don't want to invest in an outdoor antenna and go through all that work and expense if there is no chance of picking up OTA digital signals in my area. I've tried every indoor antenna possible and have essentially had no luck picking up WCAX's analog signal. I only recieve WPTZ's analog signal on a 15 year-old B&W 13" set in the kitchen. The only reason that I can do that is that the set is non-digital and you can use the dial tuner to fine tune. I can get a couple of Canadian channels with a lot of adustment and only get an ok picture. Does in sound like I am pretty much SOL as far as receiving any HD content OTA even with a quality outdoor antenna?
Wow, only 13 miles away and no digital signal! Their info is supposed to be conservative, but you would still have to go with a directional fringe (big) antenna with a pre-amp on the roof to get reception. I would just go with satellite.

In Colchester (Blakely Road area).

Just installed a Radio Shack 15-2187 in the garage It was probably overkill, but I am receiving all of the digital stations off the mountain (including VNY) with 75-85% strength. Watching the Thanksgiving parade and football games I had no pixelation problems. Aside from the 5-2 weather channel problems everything seem to be working well.

I got a note from an engineer at WPTZ saying that they are aware of the problems (both video and audio) with Weather Plus on 5-2, and that they will be working on it today (Monday, Nov 27).
I get 5-2 but there is no weather. It's listed as WPTZ-WX but programming is the same as 5-1.

I am in Colchester in Mallets Bay on Holy Cross Road. I also get all of the digital stations off mansfield between 74-88% signal. I am using this antenna, also in my garage about 10' off the ground. You can save some money by getting one of these and taking your radio shack one back:

http://cgi.*********/HDTV-VHF-UHF-FM-SCANNER-OUTDOOR-TV-ANTENNA-w-ROTOR_W0QQitemZ220051287915QQihZ012QQcategoryZ73383QQrdZ1QQc mdZViewItem

I am having audio dropouts on VNY even though it is 76-78% strength and from what folks have posted, it's because they are VHF and/or have problems at the station.
This would be more helpful if the link worked. :)

I only recieve WPTZ's analog signal on a 15 year-old B&W 13" set in the kitchen. The only reason that I can do that is that the set is non-digital and you can use the dial tuner to fine tune.What you should do is slap a UHF antenna on that puppy and try to tune in channels 22 and 33. That'll be the most-representative of your reception potential, since all but one of the HD locals are transmitting over UHF frequencies.

Anybody have pixelation or audio problem with FOX yesterday? Was hoping to watch the Pats game in HD, but the signal was so bad I had to revert to the satellite. Fox's signal strength was only 42%.....all the other stations were in the 90s. Never had problems getting FOX before.

Anybody have pixelation or audio problem with FOX yesterday? Was hoping to watch the Pats game in HD, but the signal was so bad I had to revert to the satellite. Fox's signal strength was only 42%.....all the other stations were in the 90s. Never had problems getting FOX before.


It took a while but I got it to come in. Twice during the game I had to adjust the antenna. It was a real pain.

Anybody have pixelation or audio problem with FOX yesterday? Was hoping to watch the Pats game in HD, but the signal was so bad I had to revert to the satellite. Fox's signal strength was only 42%.....all the other stations were in the 90s. Never had problems getting FOX before.

No problem for me. I've had no signal problems since antenna has been aimed properly. Will see what happens when the weather worsens.

It took a while but I got it to come in. Twice during the game I had to adjust the antenna. It was a real pain.
I've had real problems with WFFF for a number of days. An email to their CEO was returned promptly with the note that everything is OK at their transmitter. All of the other locals (including WCFE) are great. It seems so strange because WFFF was traditionally one of my strongest stations.
Boy this really is like going back to the 50's when you seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time twisrting and turning those rabbit's little ears.

I've had real problems with WFFF for a number of days. An email to their CEO was returned promptly with the note that everything is OK at their transmitter. All of the other locals (including WCFE) are great. It seems so strange because WFFF was traditionally one of my strongest stations.
Boy this really is like going back to the 50's when you seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time twisrting and turning those rabbit's little ears.

Unfortunately you cannot use WFFF's analogue signal as any kind of reference for receiving the digital channels. WFFF's analogue transmitter is located on Terry Mountain (along with WPTZ's) near Peru, NY. Both stations broadcast their digital programs from Mount Mansfield.

Unfortunately you cannot use WFFF's analogue signal as any kind of reference for receiving the digital channels. WFFF's analogue transmitter is located on Terry Mountain (along with WPTZ's) near Peru, NY. Both stations broadcast their digital programs from Mount Mansfield.
Sorry, I meant to indicate that I was talking about the digital feed only from WFFF. It is the digital feed that has deteriorated over the past few days.

Is there any providers for NESN HD in Burlington yet? Comcast? Dish? Directv?

Getting an HDTV soon and would like to have sox games in HD.

Cable seems very expensive for DVR etc.
Dish Network lots of HD channels that I probably wouldn't watch,
Directv - if they have NESN HD that is probably what I will get.

So whats the status of NESN HD for Burlington VT?

Got a 32" Sceptre HDTV for the bedroom yesterday and, after scanning the channels, I'm getting Weather Plus at 5-2 solid. My Panasonic in the living room only has it flashing on and off every few seconds even with an 85% signal. The new TV also gets WCAX at 82% versus 65% in the living room. Apparently, some tuners are more capable than others.

Is there any providers for NESN HD in Burlington yet? Comcast? Dish? Directv?

Getting an HDTV soon and would like to have sox games in HD.

Cable seems very expensive for DVR etc.
Dish Network lots of HD channels that I probably wouldn't watch,
Directv - if they have NESN HD that is probably what I will get.

So whats the status of NESN HD for Burlington VT?

Comcast has NESNHD and it's at Broadcast level. So you would need basic cable service with the HD box. That would be around 25 bucks. 32 or so with a HD/DVR box.

I don't know about the satellite option.

Cool

So right now I have classic analog service. So I would just have to add an HD box?

mail from direct tv

Thanks for writing about NESN in HD. We offer Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) from across the nation, which show professional, college, and both domestic and international amateur sports (such as soccer, tennis, boxing, golf, rugby, winter sports, etc.), as well as coaches shows and other specialized programming.

Based on your zip code, you have been assigned to FSN New England as your local RSN. You are authorized to view the pro and college games shown on that channel. Due to contractual broadcast rights between the networks and the leagues, those who live outside of your area are not authorized to view the same games. However, games available in your area are not offered yet in HD.

Thanks again for writing, and stay tuned to d* for the latest news and information about our service.




HUH? FSN?

mail from direct tv

Thanks for writing about NESN in HD. We offer Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) from across the nation, which show professional, college, and both domestic and international amateur sports (such as soccer, tennis, boxing, golf, rugby, winter sports, etc.), as well as coaches shows and other specialized programming.

Based on your zip code, you have been assigned to FSN New England as your local RSN. You are authorized to view the pro and college games shown on that channel. Due to contractual broadcast rights between the networks and the leagues, those who live outside of your area are not authorized to view the same games. However, games available in your area are not offered yet in HD.

Thanks again for writing, and stay tuned to d* for the latest news and information about our service.




HUH? FSN?

The problem is customer reps don't realize how important NESN or NESNHD is to us here in New England. I am not anxious to pay for HD from Dish until they offer NESN in HD. You asked about NESN and they talked about FSN, big deal, they don't get it.

I sat down and watched WPTZ-DT last night after being gone for >1wk for the holiday (Studio 60 was on). Probably not news to anyone here, but it looks like 'PTZ finally fixed their lip sync problem.

However, it was not error-free. About 1/2 way through the episode, the picture started to get choppy, as if the frame rate had suddenly been turned down to 10fps or something. After a couple of minutes, the screen went black for about half a second and then it came back and all was fine.

Also, at about 2 minutes to the end, it jumped into SD mode for a couple of seconds, like maybe someone in master control hit a wrong button prepping for the local news which was about to start.

I sat down and watched WPTZ-DT last night after being gone for >1wk for the holiday (Studio 60 was on). Probably not news to anyone here, but it looks like 'PTZ finally fixed their lip sync problem.

However, it was not error-free. About 1/2 way through the episode, the picture started to get choppy, as if the frame rate had suddenly been turned down to 10fps or something. After a couple of minutes, the screen went black for about half a second and then it came back and all was fine.

Also, at about 2 minutes to the end, it jumped into SD mode for a couple of seconds, like maybe someone in master control hit a wrong button prepping for the local news which was about to start.
Yep, it wasn't just you. I've already gotten so I hate SD, like going from color back to black & white.

So i got another email back after asking for clarification

Thanks for writing. I'm sorry but NESN is not part of your local RSN. You can verify this information by going to directv/rsn and enter your zip code.

Although NESN is not part of your local RSN, out-of-market customers can get NESN with Sports Pack or Total Choice Premier, but they won't have access to professional games. Just visit directv/packages for all the information you'll need to choose your programming when you activate your DIRECTV service. Deciding what package you want now will also save you time when you activate your DIRECTV service.

---

I thought NESN was our RSN? My mother in law has NESN and I have watched it and watched professional games? So no NESN at all? I guess i will just have to call them.

So Just got off the phone. was assured that I could get nesn in HD if I got the sports pack? Can anyone clarify this? that I can get red sox in HD with directv in burlington?

So Just got off the phone. was assured that I could get nesn in HD if I got the sports pack? Can anyone clarify this? that I can get red sox in HD with directv in burlington?
I have dish but it is my understanding that NESN and FSN are the sports teams for our locals both dish and direct.
edit- after a cursory look at Direct's web site- it look like it's 12.99 to get the sports package which includes NESN or subscribe to their premier package and get it included.

That is what I thought but when they run my zip they only come up with FSN.

So Just got off the phone. was assured that I could get nesn in HD if I got the sports pack? Can anyone clarify this? that I can get red sox in HD with directv in burlington?

I have Direct TV and the HD package and do not get NESN-HD. I do not have the sports pack. My understanding (which is very limited) is that D* sends NESN HD on something called the "Spot Beam". The spot beam that carries NESN HD only covers only the Boston area, in fact I have heard that some parts of Mass. just north of Rhode Island are outside of the spot beam. You could probably find more information at dbstalk-dot-com.

I have Direct TV and the HD package and do not get NESN-HD. I do not have the sports pack. My understanding (which is very limited) is that D* sends NESN HD on something called the "Spot Beam". The spot beam that carries NESN HD only covers only the Boston area, in fact I have heard that some parts of Mass. just north of Rhode Island are outside of the spot beam. You could probably find more information at dbstalk-dot-com.

Yeah I'm pretty sure you can't get NESN HD from D*, you can get the SD but no HD for us in VT.

Rigiht now Direct TV is only offering NESN-HD on the Boston spot beam. In 2007 they are going to launch two more birds which will permit them to offer all the available HD networks (MTV-HD, A&E HD, Food HD, National Geographic HD and others as they become available) to the entire CONUS. They are supposed at that time to even offer the BTV locals in HD. They are actively promoting the fact that they will have 1500 channels in HD when done (all major local markets and 150 national HD channels). Schedule seems to be mid-2007 so we may get to see the second half of the Red Sox season in HD. All of these new channels will require a new 5 LNB dish and a new MPEG4 receiver. It's not clear how our existing equipment will be replaced and at what cost. Various deals involving rental DVRs etc are being used in the 50+ markets already converted for MPEG4 for their local HD channels. Dish has not been specific on how many channels or markets they will add or when.

Sweet Thanks that clears it up for me.

I guess I can live with SD Redsox at least or half a season.

Last question does SD nesn come with the normal package here? my mother in law gets it on d* so I am thinking yes.

Yes, you get FSNE and NESN with the standard package.

It has been my experience the people @ both D* companies are full of ship

Well more Canadian's invading Vermont eh? Cool.

I think I'll try a silver sensor for testing then move onto a bigger one. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks guys.

Ok finaly got to testing tonight. We have an Hitachi 65F59A 65 inch RPTV with a little Phillips amplified antenna from Wally World.

Upon scanning the channels we managed to get NBC on 5-1,
CBS on 3-1 and ABC on 22-1 oh yeah and also PBS.

Not bad for a little indoor antenna on the ground level.

Now to get a better antenna.

BTW we're just north of the Sunset drive in. In Colchester.

Cool

So right now I have classic analog service. So I would just have to add an HD box?

A little late, but yes.

That's what I have right now. Today is the day comcast is supposed to re-provision the boxes and when that happens you should be able to get all the HD channels(minus the premiums, hbo etc.) for an extra 5 bucks. I'm going to try that as soon as they re-provision.

Upon scanning the channels we managed to get NBC on 5-1, CBS on 3-1 and ABC on 22-1 oh yeah and also PBS.

BTW we're just north of the Sunset drive in. In Colchester.

Nice. We're down Porter's Point road about a mile from there. Any luck with Fox, or not? I'm still deciding whether to try an indoor antenna just to see what happens. ComDelphia already gives us CBS and PBS over cable. (Without any box.)

By the way I saw someone in The Super Store the other day buying an antenna with "SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR HDTV" all over the box. Couldn't help but chuckle at that.

By the way I saw someone in The Super Store the other day buying an antenna with "SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR HDTV" all over the box. Couldn't help but chuckle at that.
Yeah, they've been specially designing them for HDTV for 30 years now. :)
However, corrosion does reduce effectiveness, so they should probably be replaced every 15 years.
Indoor antennas effectiveness depend on having only one wall between it and the transmitters and good proximity. An outdoor antenna will always work better. Something like a DB4 or DB8 on a J-mount is fairly unobtrusive and work great with line of site to the towers. Otherwise, a directional antenna is a better bet, but even those are often smaller than they used to be. I think my VHF low-band antenna for analog WPTZ (55 miles) is only 42" long and it pulls in a much better picture than the old 10' monstrosity it replaced.

By the way I saw someone in The Super Store the other day buying an antenna with "SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR HDTV" all over the box. Couldn't help but chuckle at that.When I went antenna shopping awhile back, the guy at SS tried to sell me this for $99:

http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14178&langId=-1

When I look at it, I can't imagine how it could be anything other than a simple dipole antenna. $99 is a lot of money to pay for rabbit ears in a pretty housing.

When I went antenna shopping awhile back, the guy at SS tried to sell me this for $99:

http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14178&langId=-1

When I look at it, I can't imagine how it could be anything other than a simple dipole antenna. $99 is a lot of money to pay for rabbit ears in a pretty housing.
Well, it IS amplified, but so is the Silver Sensor for $49. The light green CEA code indicates it is a medium distance antenna.

When I went antenna shopping awhile back, the guy at SS tried to sell me this for $99:

http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/...14178&langId=-1

When I look at it, I can't imagine how it could be anything other than a simple dipole antenna. $99 is a lot of money to pay for rabbit ears in a pretty housing.

Well, it IS amplified, but so is the Silver Sensor for $49. The light green CEA code indicates it is a medium distance antenna.

vttom - That $99 antenna is $39 at amazon.com... there are a lot of ice cube sellers out there!

I'm surprised that no one mentioned the problem on WPTZ tonight. There was no audio on the HD channel when showing network programming (local stuff was OK). I called to inform them. They said they'd have someone fix it. A few seconds after, the sound returned, but we are now only getting SD. Are they ever going to get this right? How can we expect to convince a large cable company like Videotron to start carrying the Burlington-Montreal HD stations when they are full of technical glitches?

Did anyone have their cable box successfully re-provisioned overnight? I thought it was supposed to happen the 29th, but this morning everything looked the same - I even unplugged my box for 30 seconds and plugged it back in to see if it would download any updates.

Now I have an ugly red background instead of Adelphia's ugly blue background on their main menu (where you select Program Guide, Movies On Demand, etc.). No new VoD choices or anything else...

Did anyone have their cable box successfully re-provisioned overnight? I thought it was supposed to happen the 29th, but this morning everything looked the same - I even unplugged my box for 30 seconds and plugged it back in to see if it would download any updates.

Now I have an ugly red background instead of Adelphia's ugly blue background on their main menu (where you select Program Guide, Movies On Demand, etc.). No new VoD choices or anything else...

I use a cable card with my HD television in my Burlington Apartment. Does anyone know how this re-provisioning will affect cable cards? When will Com-Adelphia pick up WPTZ's new digital signal? WPTZ's analog signal over cable is barely watchable for me. I want to see WPTZ's newscast look like WCAX.

Did anyone have their cable box successfully re-provisioned overnight? I thought it was supposed to happen the 29th, but this morning everything looked the same - I even unplugged my box for 30 seconds and plugged it back in to see if it would download any updates.

Now I have an ugly red background instead of Adelphia's ugly blue background on their main menu (where you select Program Guide, Movies On Demand, etc.). No new VoD choices or anything else...

Same here, waiting for the cable guy to chime in...

I'm surprised that no one mentioned the problem on WPTZ tonight. There was no audio on the HD channel when showing network programming (local stuff was OK). I called to inform them. They said they'd have someone fix it. A few seconds after, the sound returned, but we are now only getting SD. Are they ever going to get this right? How can we expect to convince a large cable company like Videotron to start carrying the Burlington-Montreal HD stations when they are full of technical glitches?
Oh, we saw it, but since the audio was only gone during the commercials, we were pleased; kept us from pushing Mute.

I want to see WPTZ's newscast look like WCAX.You're going to be disappointed. I get WPTZ-HD OTA, and their local news is still SD. In fact, I see no difference comparing the OTA video to the feed I get from Dish during local programming.

I use a cable card with my HD television in my Burlington Apartment. Does anyone know how this re-provisioning will affect cable cards? When will Com-Adelphia pick up WPTZ's new digital signal? WPTZ's analog signal over cable is barely watchable for me. I want to see WPTZ's newscast look like WCAX.
That probably won't happen until 2009. WPTZ doesn't want to spend money on any interim equipment; WCAX saw it as an opportunity to separate themselves from the competition and it is working. I used to switch among them, but now I just watch WCAX for news. We are probably just seeing ED rather than HD, but it sure looks good!

That probably won't happen until 2009. WPTZ doesn't want to spend money on any interim equipment; WCAX saw it as an opportunity to separate themselves from the competition and it is working. I used to switch among them, but now I just watch WCAX for news. We are probably just seeing ED rather than HD, but it sure looks good!

I've always suspected that WPTZ was run by a cheap bunch of b*st*rds and now I'm sure of it. WCAX's news - If it is not in High-Def, it looks better than every HD cable channel that I receive with the exception of the HD-Discovery nature shows.

I've always suspected that WPTZ was run by a cheap bunch of b*st*rds and now I'm sure of it. WCAX's news - If it is not in High-Def, it looks better than every HD cable channel that I receive with the exception of the HD-Discovery nature shows.

It's wide-screen standard def upscaled to 1080i. While it looks better than the other locals, I can't say that it looks anywhere near as good as 90% of the other HD channels I receive.

It's wide-screen standard def upscaled to 1080i. While it looks better than the other locals, I can't say that it looks anywhere near as good as 90% of the other HD channels I receive.
My wife and I have noticed for a long time that WCAX and WVNY analog look far better than WPTZ. PTZ looks like it is being viewed through a screen door even on SD TVs.

You're going to be disappointed. I get WPTZ-HD OTA, and their local news is still SD. In fact, I see no difference comparing the OTA video to the feed I get from Dish during local programming.

Yeah bit it's unfortunate since WPTZ does a better job at covering the entire area with their news, including Montreal. WCAX only focuses on Vermont.

There seems to be a problem again with WPTZ tonight. The sound is back, but the video is all choppy! WTF is that?

WCAX and WFFF are a little lower tonight, but only by about 5%. On the other hand, WVNY's marginal signal has been lost completely.

It was still fun to be able to watch network TV OTA tonight while everyone using only satellite was out of service during the little ice storm.

Hey everyone, I've been a longtime reader and I;m planning on getting an antenna soon so I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I live in Lebanon which is 68 miles from Mansfield, I was wondering if I only ran 50 feet of high quality RG6 if it would make any difference or not if I used a pre-amp. The cable would not be split and would go directly from my antenna, an Antennas Direct 91xg, and my Directv H20-600 receiver. I'm pretty high up but I'm around trees and I can pick up the analogue channels pretty well. Any help would be appreciated.

Hey everyone, I've been a longtime reader and I;m planning on getting an antenna soon so I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I live in Lebanon which is 68 miles from Mansfield, I was wondering if I only ran 50 feet of high quality RG6 if it would make any difference or not if I used a pre-amp. The cable would not be split and would go directly from my antenna, an Antennas Direct 91xg, and my Directv H20-600 receiver. I'm pretty high up but I'm around trees and I can pick up the analogue channels pretty well. Any help would be appreciated.
If antennaweb.org says you need a pre-amp, try without first. I don't think 50' of RG6 would make much difference. I run about 100' with splitter and it is fine, but I am only 13.5 miles. If you are having trouble picking up the stations, a pre-amp can really make the difference. Order the pre-amp with your antenna. If you don't need it, you can return it with 90 days.

Has anyone else noticed the format change on WCAX's sub-channel 3.2? They have gone from 4:3 to 16:9 for their SD 480i broadcasts. This format uses a 704 x 480 frame with horizontal rectangular pixels. If they were previously using a 704 x 480 frame (vertical rectangular pixels) for their 4:3 480i SD broadcasts then no extra bandwidth is required by the change.

OTOH, if they were previously transmitting their 4:3 480i SD using a 640 x480 frame, then they have had to steal a bit of bandwidth from their HD sub-channel because each SD frame now contains 10% more pixels. Since the frame area is now 33.3% larger they have actually lowered the pixel density by 17% in the process. One might argue that this represents a lower resolution picture. Hmmm, use more bandwidth to get a lower resolution? What a novel concept.

The result of the change is that both 3.1 and 3.2 are now showing the same content, presented in an identical manner except for the resolution. Why bother? Any SD TV set with an ATSC tuner can handle the HD signal and downcovert it to SD for display. Any standalone general purpose ATSC tuner can also downconvert to SD or NTSC if required by the equipment it is attached to. Simply put, channel 3.2 is redundant. Why not just drop 3.2 and use all the available bandwidth for their HD sub-channel?

Note that 3.2 was also redundant before the change, but at least it allowed users with widescreen sets to Zoom or stretch the picture to fill the screen when the content was pillar-boxed 4:3. The switch to 16:9 removes this option for many or most widescreen sets.

Does anyone know if there is a way to use a DirecTV tuner as an off-air HDTV Tuner if you don't subscribe to DirecTV? Its getting hard to find HD tuners, and the DirecTV tuners are supports to do Satellite and Antenna - I'm wondering if anyone has experience just using the antenna feature?

The new ones require a subscription even for OTA, but the old ones, such as the HTL-HD work perfectly without one. If you hook up a dish, however, you will be able to get 7-day program listings downloaded into the guide for free. Right now, WCAX, WPTZ, and WCFE are providing listings, while WVNY, WETK, and WFFF haven't started yet, AFAIK.

Foxfan - thank you very much for the quick response. Any thoughts on where to get tuners locally? Walmart and Circuit City seem to be perpetually out of stock - are there any other stores that have them? I'd prefer to get it locally and try it out vs. going through the mail-order route.

Ebay.

NFLHDNow
I have a Hughes Directv receiver available. I check to see if it can work without the card. PM me if your interested.

I have a toshiba receiver that works with/without the card and it actualy works better then my dish 942 (signal is better).
I'm willing to sell it. I'm about 20mins away from the border. Pickups available, or I'll ship but at buyer's expense.
Comes with remote and no money owed to DirecTv, so the buyer can subscribe to dtv if needed.

ps: piece of advice: you guys should think about the 942's. Provided you have an antenna pointed at one of dishnetwork's satellites, you can use the 942 as a hdtv PVR, with now subscription to dish. Meaning recording, pausing LiveTv, etc.
I personnaly sub to dish, but have been using my 942 as a standalone PVR for a while.
I can't wait to buy a hdtv Tivo though. Nothing comes even close to it in terms of Pvrs.

I've been a lurker on this site for a few months now and have appreciated reading all the info on HD, antennas, and placement. I live in S burlington and just installed an A-neutronics antenna in the attic of my condo because I'm tired of waiting for Comcast to reprovision the boxes and finally add the local HDs. That, and the OTA signal is so much better even on my crappy RCA rear projector. Has anyone seen or heard from the cable guy lately?

Thanks for the advice/offers on tuners. I was ultimately able to get one at Walmart (someone must have returned one). Unfortunately, even with a pretty large antenna in my attic the signal was too marginal. I think I could get a decent signal if I attached the antenna on the outside of my house, but I haven't wanted to take that step for a temporary situation (hopefully temporary; anxiously awaiting Comcast delivery of Fox/ABC/NBC Hd).

Crap! WPTZ now has a big colorful "5" logo permanently being shown on-screen, situated exactly midway between the 16:9 safe zone and the 4:3 safe zone, even during commercials.

I'll be really pissed off if they use it during NBC network programming! :mad:

Crap! WPTZ now has a big colorful "5" logo permanently being shown on-screen, situated exactly midway between the 16:9 safe zone and the 4:3 safe zone, even during commercials.

I'll be really pissed off if they use it during NBC network programming! :mad:
It was there last night mostly during breaks. It was not there during network programming.
Any idea why 5-2 is not weather for me? Also, I'm unable to retrieve all data while station is loading. I get the programming but no program info or closed captioning.

With Dish network cutting off my CBD-HD programming Dec. 01, I figured this would be a good time to try an antenna a nd see what I could get via OTA. Honestly, 2 days ago I thought WCAX was the only station digitally transmitting, so I was pleasantly surprised.
After surfing this site last night, I had decided I needed either a DB2 or DB4. Since I has to take customers to lunch in Williston today, I stopped by Bestbuy/Circuit City to "look".

In an effort to help decide the DB2/DB4 question, I picked up the Philips Silver Sensor(non-amped) for $25, and also a RCA(amped) ANT537 for $52.

With Silver Sensor placed on TV signal was:WCAX 74
WPTZ 0
WVNY 54
WETK 68
WFFF 51

Repositioned/playing with the antenna got me either WFFF or WVNY, but never both. Next...

With RCA on top of TV, gain set on max:WCAX 74
WPTZ 79
WVNY 68
WETK 75
WFFF 76

And with RCA hooked up in another room(now only 1 wall) with 50 ft RG6 cable and 1 female/female adapter, gain set on max:WCAX 74
WPTZ 92
WVNY 86
WETK 75
WFFF 84

So was planning for this be an experiment only, then return them to order DB2 or DB4.
1) Should I bother with outside antenna, or is this signal strength good enough?
2) For me, Silver Sensor sucked.
3) And in spite of all I read that said I don't need amp, the signal increased by about 5 even with the antenna sitting on top of the TV with 6 feet RG6.t
4) I was expecting not to be able to get WPTZ with the same antenna due to UHF vs VHF issues???


FYI, I'm on Goose Pond Road, don't have LOS due to trees. No hills or mountains though.



Kevin

I, too, do not see WeatherPlus on 5.2. Instead, I see a SD feed of 5-1. Also, I see WCAX on 53-x instead of 3.x along with no programming info. My TV is a Polaroid with a built-in tuner.. ug.. Any thoughts?

I can see both broadcasts for WPTZ. The weather is on 5-2 and the regular programming is on 5-1.


Yellolab It looks like your about 10 miles or so, as the crow flies from Mansfield. I'm 18 miles away with a small hill across the street from me. I have mounted an A Neutronics amplified antenna in my attic and I can pull in all the channels with at least 80 on each channel, and today, I'm getting close to the 90s on everything except Mountain Lake (since that's coming from a different direction)

I'm by no means an expert, but from what I've seen and read, you might be better off if you could all the signals at or above 80. I purchased my antenna on ebay for $20, and for as close as I am, it's perfect. A friend of mine in Colchester has the same antenna with similar results.

What's up with WPTZ??? Two bugs now???

When we'll see a bug on all 4 corners???

C'mon engineers, let's go back to earth. :mad:

Damn it! :mad:

WPTZ has its big fat ass channel 5 local logo on top of NBC network programming. What a bunch of primitive baboons! We're not in the 1950s!

After waiting more than four years for my local affiliates to finally broadcast digitally, it's been one disappointment after another. First WVNY seems to be running its transmitter from a 9V battery and claims to be broadcasting farther than all the others, and now WPTZ f**king up my feed! What's next?

Is C-band the only way to get decent network service??? :mad:

Jahaas-

Yeah, you're right. Just being lazy.

I guess if I mounted it in the attic, then it would eliminate the dread of the roof.

So I should get a larger-than-needed antenna to compensate for the loss of signal in the attic+cabling, right? Since the one I have now is very small, a medium sized attic installation should be perfect, right?

Umm, now if you could take your antenna down, bring it over, throw it up in the attic so I could try it.....oh come on it's almost Xmas :)

I found it one ebay, did you use the rotor?

Kevin

So was planning for this be an experiment only, then return them to order DB2 or DB4.
1) Should I bother with outside antenna, or is this signal strength good enough?

4) I was expecting not to be able to get WPTZ with the same antenna due to UHF vs VHF issues???

Kevin
An outside antenna will always work better. If you are set on the DBs, get the DB4 (I have one) because bigger is better. However, the DBs are UHF only and are multi-directional. If you have trees in the way, a directional antenna may be better, plus you can get one of Antenna Directs small UHF/VHF combos that will work if any of our stations go back to VHF in two years. The V10 or V15 should do the job.

Ski-

Aw, I see. The V15 would be best. I guess.
I am confused; Isn't WPTZ in the other direction of all of the UHF stations? So how is my cheapo RCA pulling it in so well?

Kevin

Jahaas-

Yeah, you're right. Just being lazy.

I guess if I mounted it in the attic, then it would eliminate the dread of the roof.

So I should get a larger-than-needed antenna to compensate for the loss of signal in the attic+cabling, right? Since the one I have now is very small, a medium sized attic installation should be perfect, right?

Umm, now if you could take your antenna down, bring it over, throw it up in the attic so I could try it.....oh come on it's almost Xmas :)

I found it one ebay, did you use the rotor?

Kevin

To quote skismuggs, with respect to antennas, bigger is better. I would say that this antenna is a short to medium range antenna.

Actually, taking my antenna out of the attic is pretty easy (flag pole holder and a flag pole attached to the roof truss). The bigger problem is the cable is hard wired to the antenna, and I am not taking it out of the holes I've drilled to run it down stairs, even if it is almost xmas!!

I haven't used the rotor at all. When I installed it, I went to antennaweb.org to find the compass heading. Then it was a matter of lining up the antenna and voila. Crystal clear OTA HD. Good Luck.


Ski-

Aw, I see. The V15 would be best. I guess.
I am confused; Isn't WPTZ in the other direction of all of the UHF stations? So how is my cheapo RCA pulling it in so well?

Kevin

Hey Kevin - PTZ is coming from NY. I have my antenna situated such that the UHF is facing Mansfield and the VHF is on the back side. It pulls in ptz pretty well. Of course, I am sort of between mansfield and ptz. I'm not too sure about your location.

No problem with fox(it's at 86), however I lost WCAX.

Kevin

I'm still getting everything except ABC. :p

Damn it! :mad:

WPTZ has its big fat ass channel 5 local logo on top of NBC network programming. What a bunch of primitive baboons! We're not in the 1950s!

After waiting more than four years for my local affiliates to finally broadcast digitally, it's been one disappointment after another. First WVNY seems to be running its transmitter from a 9V battery and claims to be broadcasting farther than all the others, and now WPTZ f**king up my feed! What's next?

Is C-band the only way to get decent network service??? :mad:

I agree 100%. The time spent on the logo design an insertion project could have been better used on repairing the horrid audio sync issues they have. And when there are dual '5' logos, overlapping each other no less, it looks very amateur.

Thanks, wptz, for the 3x6 inc zit on my 50 inch screen.

I cant get past this error..... I am not sending a url.

Your Post contains one or more URLs or image calls, please remove them before submitting your message again. To prevent the abuse of spam, we have set this restriction in place until after you make 5 posts.

Any news or status on Comcast plans. I heard that they are requiring all adelphia email addresses to change to comcast. What a pain! Cableguy are you our there??? Last we heard from you was news of a 'sweet package' from comcast. Have you been silenced after those comments?

Ski-

Aw, I see. The V15 would be best. I guess.
I am confused; Isn't WPTZ in the other direction of all of the UHF stations? So how is my cheapo RCA pulling it in so well?

Kevin
You are not confused. Antennaweb.org is confused even after being told repeatedly that they are wrong. The analog broadcast is from Mt Terry in NY, but the digital broadcast is with the others on Mt Mansfield.
I ended up getting a DB4 for the digital broadcasts and a low-band VHF for the analogs of 3 & 5 for my SD sets. Then WVNY went digital on Chan 13 and I could barely get it with the DB4 so I got a high-band VHF. Wish I had gotten a combo now as I just replaced my SD set with an amazing deal for a 32" HD last week. I'll think about changing it in the spring and ebay the 3 antennas I have now.

You are not confused. Antennaweb.org is confused ever after being told repeatedly that they are wrong. The analog broadcast is from Mt Terry in NY, but the digital broadcast is with the others on Mt Mansfield.
I ended up getting a DB4 for the digital broadcasts and a low-band VHF for the analogs of 3 & 5 for my SD sets. Then WVNY went digital on Chan 13 and I could barely get it with the DB4 so I got a high-band VHF. Wish I had gotten a combo now as I just replaced my SD set with an amazing deal for a 32" HD last week. I'll think about changing it in the spring and ebay the 3 antennas I have now.

Antennaweb has been confused (at least about this area) for years and arrogantly refuses to listen to the people that are actually testing these signals - US !

So with Antennaweb being wrong about the location of WPTZ, this means that I do not need a multidirectional antenna, right?

All of the digital antenna's I receive are on Mansfield located at 158 degrees from me 11 miles way.

So a medium range omni-directional UHF/VHF would be best???

Thanks again/Kevin

So a medium range omni-directional UHF/VHF would be best???Don't you mean a uni-directional antenna? You could probably get away with a uni-directional, indoor antenna, depending on how good your LOS is to Mt. Mansfield, how high up inside your house you can locate the antenna, and whether or not you can reduce the number of walls it needs to "see through" to 1.

Heck, at 11miles away, you can probably buy a bow-tie loop and twin-lead to coax transformer from RadioShack for < $10, tack it to the wall, and get pretty-good reception. My advice is start cheap then work your way up the antenna "food chain".

Thanks, wptz, for the 3x6 inc zit on my 50 inch screen.Couple random thoughts about the on-screen logos...

1) Although they are obnoxious, they help open-source DVR packages, like MythTV, automatically identify commercials (by the lack of a logo), and skip them/edit them out.

2) I wonder if anyone is working on a video processor that can manipulate the pictuer to filter these logos out? Most of them are semi-transparant, so it's theoretically possible to recover the underlying video to some extent. This would only be useful to people with out-board recievers, tho'.

WPTZ is actually broadcasting the bug all the time, even during commercials! It's especially annoying when there is text or graphics on screen and they all overlap.

I've already sent a complaint to them and recommend that you all do the same and call them as well.

I sent an email this morning to the manager. I have not got a response yet. :mad:

As a step in the right direction, I noticed they shrunk it and placed it outside the 4:3 area. I guess they're listening... ;)

"Interactive TV, Jack... the wave of the future" - Dennis Hopper in "Speed". :D

As a step in the right direction, I noticed they shrunk it and placed it outside the 4:3 area. I guess they're listening... ;)

"Interactive TV, Jack... the wave of the future" - Dennis Hopper in "Speed". :D
I also complained and was immediately told that they would change the logo placement and size. Now, if they could only see fit to work on the resolution of the SD signal--and get rid of the damable data line at the top--perhaps we could start them thinking about the sync problems.

Hey, folks: For all those having issues with finding a good UHF antenna: Try a Channel Master 4228. It's technically UHF-only, but the HDTVPrimer website says that it has surprisingly good gain for channel 13. Add to that its larger size, and it might be the best antenna for you folks. Perhaps even an attic mount will be possible.

Hi all. I've been using cable cards in my HD TiVo for a few months now. I knew that it had an OTA receiver built in, but I didn't realize that any local stations were being broadcast over the air yet. After ready this forum, I went to Radio Shack and bought a basic amplified rabbit ear UHF/VHF antenna for $30. I was pleasantly surprised when I hooked it up to the TiVo and got over 80% signal strength on WCAX, WPTZ, WFFF, WVPT, & WVNY. Since those channels all seem to come in great with the rabbit ears, is there really any reason to get anything bigger or put an antenna outside? Am I likely to see a significant drop in signal during bad weather without a larger antenna?

I'm in Colchester, by the way.

I was pleasantly surprised when I hooked it up to the TiVo and got over 80% signal strength on WCAX, WPTZ, WFFF, WVPT, & WVNY. ...Congratulations and welcome to the club!

... Since those channels all seem to come in great with the rabbit ears, is there really any reason to get anything bigger or put an antenna outside? Am I likely to see a significant drop in signal during bad weather without a larger antenna?You'll just have to wait and see. ;) That's the beauty (or is it the bane?) of digital TV. It either works or it doesn't.

Is anyone else experiencing signal drops tonight? My meter is bouncing around way more than normal, and on 5-1 and 33-1&2 I am seeing massive swings in strength and lots of pixelation. I live in South Burlington. Is this related to the weather and high winds?

I'm getting the same thing here in Williston. I was assuming it was the winds/weather. Haven't seen any pixelation in a while until today...

Congratulations and welcome to the club!

You'll just have to wait and see. ;) That's the beauty (or is it the bane?) of digital TV. It either works or it doesn't.

Thanks Tom. So far, it's been great. It's so nice to have more than one local network in HD!

ALERT! I just noticed that CFCF-TV 12 is currently off-the-air.

WVNY-DT is coming in better but only slightly (went from a 59 to a 65), meaning there is some interference but it's not the only problem. For those of you in the Montreal area who are still awake, you should give it a try and post your results.

As a step in the right direction, I noticed they shrunk it and placed it outside the 4:3 area. I guess they're listening... ;)

"Interactive TV, Jack... the wave of the future" - Dennis Hopper in "Speed". :D
I was pleased to see WPTZ improve their logo even slightly, but I was pissed at WCAX adding their huge and ugly logo that shows up every minute or 2 on the bottom left corner during Letterman yesterday (rerun).
You will be concentrating on the show and out pops the "rabbit".
Cut it out CAX.

Foxfan, I couldn't find what antenna you're using. Nevertheless, I suggest that you try the Channel Master 3671B VHF/UHF antenna if you haven't. The same applies with other Canadians who can't pick WVNY-DT up. It is very large and when the HDTVPrimer website tested it, they claimed that it had gain on channel 13 that was only second to a Wade channel 13 yagi. This antenna, along with very good coaxial cable, like RadioShack Gold Series RG-6, should help. Do you currently have an outside mount, anyway? If so, then that should help as well.

Personally, after checking coverage maps of 33 and 44 in Concord and Portland, respectively, I find that WVNY should be on 33. However, and call me pessimistic, if it's possible at all to pick the signal up on 13 near Montreal, even if it takes very large antennas and wire mesh screens to block adjacent channels, then I doubt that WVNY will move to that channel, or even 44. I hope I'm wrong. WVNY, please prove me wrong.

Any news or status on Comcast plans. I heard that they are requiring all adelphia email addresses to change to comcast. What a pain! Cableguy are you our there??? Last we heard from you was news of a 'sweet package' from comcast. Have you been silenced after those comments?


No, I havent been silenced yet... I havent been around for other reasons, but I am back now.

Comcast is still working through contractual agreements, but we have 4 of 5 Local HD feeds going into the Williston headend right now, 2 of which are on. We are just waiting on the OK from the state and Comcast and we will be all set.

The re-provision has been pushed back to January 11th by the way. No one knows why, but it "COULD" have something to do with the HD feeds.

Now, more on topic..

I got a RS indoor antenna, and my signal levels suck except for PBS-HD. I am in South Burlington, and I am quite disappointed in OTA this close to Mansfield. Low 40's on everything except PBS (80+), no VNY at all. I guess I am in the same boat as everyone else waiting for Comcast.. :(

The antenna I'm using in Longueuil is the Wade J-Series 105-13, found here:

http://www.wade-antenna.com/Wade/jseriesyagi.pdf

In St. Hubert, I'm using something like this:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103087&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032205&parentPage=family

If these (mounted high above the roofline) can't bring a reliable signal I don't know what can. Also, imagine the millions of people living in apartments or condos. They can virtually all receive the other four stations with simple UHF loops, but there is no way they'll ever be able to pick up 13 with rabbit ears.

The antenna I'm using in Longueuil is the Wade J-Series 105-13, found here:

http://www.wade-antenna.com/Wade/jseriesyagi.pdf

In St. Hubert, I'm using something like this:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103087&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032205&parentPage=family

If these (mounted high above the roofline) can't bring a reliable signal I don't know what can. Also, imagine the millions of people living in apartments or condos. They can virtually all receive the other four stations with simple UHF loops, but there is no way they'll ever be able to pick up 13 with rabbit ears.

Well, I am screwed in that sense.. I am in a townhouse apt on the 1st and 2nd floor so there is absolutely no way for me to set anything up outside or any higher than I got now. I am right off Shelburne Rd, and I doubt I could pick anything up with a loop antenna.

I am going to head to wally world tomorrow and pick up one of those Philips indoors and give that a shot. If that doesnt work, I will try the silver sensor, and then if that doesnt work, I will officially give up and wait for Comcast and capture the clear QAM stuff from them.

Thank you for the suggestions FoxFan, I appreciate it...

cableguy403... Just a word of advice. If you're using an indoor antenna, you'll want to position it with only 1 wall between you and the mountain. Also, try putting it as high as possible. For instance, if you have 2 stories, put it in an upstairs bedroom. You should be able to figure out how to use the pre-installed cable to get it hooked up to your HD receiver.

Lastly, I'm really intrigued by this antenna from RS (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2253765&cp=&origkw=uhf+antenna&kw=uhf+antenna&parentPage=search). Something about its compactness appeals to me. It seems like a good candidate for installing indoors on a window sill. Or, it would be very unobtrusive installed outdoors. If the antenna I already have didn't work, this is the next one I'd try.

I'm surprised so many people around Burlington are having trouble getting a good signal. I know there are a lot of factors, but I'm not doing anything special and I'm just using rabbit ears. I don't even know what direction Mt. Mansfield is from my house, and even WVNY is coming in strong.

I have lived in two apartments and various dorm rooms around downtown Burlington and believe me reception is awful. This is especially true for anything off from Mt. Mansfield. I currently live on lower Main Street and you can forget about getting anything from that direction there is no line of site to Mansfield. That is why we are held hostage to our cable service (which most of us uniformly despise).

cableguy403... Just a word of advice. If you're using an indoor antenna, you'll want to position it with only 1 wall between you and the mountain. Also, try putting it as high as possible. For instance, if you have 2 stories, put it in an upstairs bedroom. You should be able to figure out how to use the pre-installed cable to get it hooked up to your HD receiver.

Lastly, I'm really intrigued by this antenna from RS (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2253765&cp=&origkw=uhf+antenna&kw=uhf+antenna&parentPage=search). Something about its compactness appeals to me. It seems like a good candidate for installing indoors on a window sill. Or, it would be very unobtrusive installed outdoors. If the antenna I already have didn't work, this is the next one I'd try.

Hi Tom,

I have it in an upstairs window sill pointing in the direction of Mansfield. I can even see the mountain from that window. I did the whole 7' (yes, 7 foot) cable run myself with good RG-6 and compression fittings, so I know its not the wiring! :) I decided to get the RS antenna because scottceaton said it was better than the silver sensor and had really good luck with it. I figure I will try a couple more before I give up. I found a zenith SS for 18 bones on the web, so I may order that today as well as try one of the Philips antennas from wal-mart.

I would love to get a bucket truck from work and put an outdoor on the top of the roof here (over the fourth floor), but it would be way too noticable and I would get kicked out.. but I bet that would fix my signal issues.

Its very odd, I can get PBS at 85-90%, CBS at 65-70%, but the others are usually below 40% with no VNY at all. I dont understand how CBS is the highest in the spectrum and I pull 65-70% on that, but the others come in like sh*t. I mean, I know about VNY and the VHF issues, but with those numbers for CBS wouldn't you think FOX and NBC should be right up there also?? I know its not cable, but "higher frequency = more loss" still rings true.

Oh well, I am done my rant.. off to wal-mart.

This is the RS one I have now.. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131034&cp=2032057.2032187.2032189.2032204&parentPage=family

Is WPTZ transmitting at a higher power than the rest? I'm consistently getting 95-97% signal on WPTZ while the rest hover between 70% and 80 %.

Is WPTZ transmitting at a higher power than the rest? I'm consistently getting 95-97% signal on WPTZ while the rest hover between 70% and 80 %.

Must be nice.. Where are you in Colchester? Are you getting VNY?

I'm near Racquet's Edge on Hidden Oaks Drive, right off Severence Rd (just over the Essex town line). I get VNY with a steady signal of 70% to 80%, and I don't even have the VHF dipoles extended on my rabbit ears! I'm not sure what I'm doing to get such good reception. Maybe those $30 rabbit ears from Radio Shack have super powers. I'm going to go get another one to hook up to the TV upstairs in the bedroom. I would imagine the reception should get even better as I go up a level.

Well, I am screwed in that sense.. I am in a townhouse apt on the 1st and 2nd floor so there is absolutely no way for me to set anything up outside or any higher than I got now. I am right off Shelburne Rd, and I doubt I could pick anything up with a loop antenna.

Do you have an outside wall or window that faces Mansfield? I would think that a DB4 on a J-mount on the outside of the 2nd story would work well and be fairly unobtrusive. On the roof eve would be even better. Or are there covenents that prohibit that sort of thing?

Do you have an outside wall or window that faces Mansfield? I would think that a DB4 on a J-mount on the outside of the 2nd story would work well and be fairly unobtrusive. On the roof eve would be even better. Or are there covenents that prohibit that sort of thing?

Yes I do, its where the indoor is right now. How big are the DB4s?

BTW.. No signal on 5.1 or 5.2 all of a sudden.

Yes I do, its where the indoor is right now. How big are the DB4s?
The DB4 is 19"x29" and 4" deep. It looks sort of like one side of a metal dog crate for a small dog. You can see it at http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html
Check out the bundle specials for DB2 and DB4 that include J-mount, 100' of coax, a pre-amp and the antenna.
Even though the DB4 is UHF only, I am at 13.5 miles with a direct LOS to the towers and can actually get a 60% signal on WVNY (chan 13) without a pre-amp. I added a small high-band VHF to strengthen the signal for 13, but if they had had the bundle then, I probably wouldn't have needed the VHF antenna as the pre-amp would have boosted the signal.

I got a RS indoor antenna, and my signal levels suck except for PBS-HD. I am in South Burlington, and I am quite disappointed in OTA this close to Mansfield. Low 40's on everything except PBS (80+), no VNY at all. I guess I am in the same boat as everyone else waiting for Comcast.. :(

Have a friend in the Pinnacle area of S.B. using a TERK indoor

Well, I am screwed in that sense.. I am in a townhouse apt on the 1st and 2nd floor so there is absolutely no way for me to set anything up outside or any higher than I got now. I am right off Shelburne Rd, and I doubt I could pick anything up with a loop antenna.



Hi Cable Guy. I live in South Burlington on the Cardinal Woods cluster just off of Hinesburg Road. I have one of those A Neutronics (bought it on ebay) and installed it in my attic. I am able to pull in every channel, and out side of the PBS's I have signal strength in the high mid to high 80s. I wonder if the change in elevation from Spear St/Dorset area are having on impact on you and the others in down town burlington. I don't have a DLOS, as there is a nice little hill near me, and according to antenna web I should have a medium to long range antenna (blue/purple).

Good Luck either way.

After seeing it mentioned a few times, I looked up this antenna. The size specs make it about between a DB2 and DB4 and, at a sale price of $45 is priced competitively. But I also noted that it is the only antenna they make (so they don't specialize in antennas) and that it has a rotor. Since it appears to be a multi-direction medium range antenna, I wouldn't think a rotor would be needed unless you lived in a really OTA challenging area; i.e., transmitters in various directions. A distinct lack of information on this antenna would concern me. Many more common antennas are directly compared on http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html

After seeing it mentioned a few times, I looked up this antenna. The size specs make it about between a DB2 and DB4 and, at a sale price of $45 is priced competitively. But I also noted that it is the only antenna they make (so they don't specialize in antennas) and that it has a rotor. Since it appears to be a multi-direction medium range antenna, I wouldn't think a rotor would be needed unless you lived in a really OTA challenging area; i.e., transmitters in various directions. A distinct lack of information on this antenna would concern me. Many more common antennas are directly compared on http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html


A friend of mine gave this one a shot based purely on price. He lives in Essex with directl ine of site to mansfield. Based on his experience, I gave it a shot after trying various antennas from radio shack with various results. The rotor is probably over kill for this area considering all the HD channels are in one place. I bought it new on ebay for $18 plus shipping. Along with the low price, I also liked that it combined a UHF and VHF. I know that Board_jay tried something from summit source dot com and had no better reception even though the antenna was significantly larger. So far, I have no complaints. The one major draw back I can see, is this is not something I would want to leave out side, especially with the wind and weather up here in VT.

The DB4 is 19"x29" and 4" deep. It looks sort of like one side of a metal dog crate for a small dog. You can see it at http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html
Check out the bundle specials for DB2 and DB4 that include J-mount, 100' of coax, a pre-amp and the antenna.
Even though the DB4 is UHF only, I am at 13.5 miles with a direct LOS to the towers and can actually get a 60% signal on WVNY (chan 13) without a pre-amp. I added a small high-band VHF to strengthen the signal for 13, but if they had had the bundle then, I probably wouldn't have needed the VHF antenna as the pre-amp would have boosted the signal.

Holy crap!! You didn't really pay that much for for that thing, which from many of your posts I must assume is in some way defective. From where you're located it should almost be possible to grab the input of your Tv tuner and bring in an acceptable signal, though it wouldn't be very convenient. ;)

Here I am 41 miles to the transmitters, with NLOS and I get 80s on every channel but VNY, which is high 60s. All with a CM4221/3021 and no amp. Add a 0068 amp and the readings go up to mid-high 90s and VNY is mid 70s.

The DB4 appears to be a poor attempt to copy the 4221/3021 and your readings appear to verify this or you just have a defective one. Why are you so quick to "push" this antenna when it seems to not do a very good in your situation, especially when there are similar antennas available for allot less money, which do a much better job?

Oh well, I am done my rant.. off to wal-mart.



While you are there pick some supplies and make one of these... :)

http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t9613.html

Holy crap!! You didn't really pay that much for for that thing, which from many of your posts I must assume is in some way defective. From where you're located it should almost be possible to grab the input of your Tv tuner and bring in an acceptable signal, though it wouldn't be very convenient. ;)

Here I am 41 miles to the transmitters, with NLOS and I get 80s on every channel but VNY, which is high 60s. All with a CM4221/3021 and no amp. Add a 0068 amp and the readings go up to mid-high 90s and VNY is mid 70s.

The DB4 appears to be a poor attempt to copy the 4221/3021 and your readings appear to verify this or you just have a defective one. Why are you so quick to "push" this antenna when it seems to not do a very good in your situation, especially when there are similar antennas available for allot less money, which do a much better job?
I paid $60 for the DB4 because of reported quality problems with some of the 422x models. The 4221 probably does a little better for chan 13 (VHF) than the DB4, but these are UHF antennas. However, I have no amplifier, about 125' of cable run, a four way splitter serving 4 TV sets. The optimal mounting for the antenna is at the opposite end of the house from my primary TV. I guess that with a 25' run and no splitter my signals would be stronger, but I have no reception problems even in bad weather and I get 82-98% on all channels but WCAX where I get 77%. The reviews on hdtvprimer rate the 422x and DBx very close and describe the DB2 as the best indoor antenna available. I make no apologies for recommending what I know works. Either is a good choice.
I think some of the lower signals I've reported in the past were during problem periods with the transmitters. Peace, brother.

Is WPTZ transmitting at a higher power than the rest? I'm consistently getting 95-97% signal on WPTZ while the rest hover between 70% and 80 %.
Yeah it is, but just barely
WPTZ 650kW
WCAX 628kW
WETK 90kW
WFFF 47kW
WVNY 10kW

To the folks in Canada, is there a web site for the Canadian equivelant of the FCC that shows the latidute and longitude of of TV station tranmitter sites? In particular I'm looking for the lat and long of CKSH-9 in Shurborne.

Thanks, Mallego

I purchased a CM4221 from sensuz.com out of Toronto and installed it this morning. I ordered it on a Friday and received it on the Monday. All of a sudden I am receiving all burlington stations including wvny. I am not using a vhf antenna. Just the CM4221. So far wvny is stable but it could be weather related. It is overcast today. With my old antenna, I could only receive wcax, wptz and wetk. I do also have a RadioShack pre-amp.

Ettisl in Pointe-Claire, QC

To the folks in Canada, is there a web site for the Canadian equivelant of the FCC that shows the latidute and longitude of of TV station tranmitter sites? In particular I'm looking for the lat and long of CKSH-9 in Shurborne.

Thanks, Mallego

There is a site from Industry Canada the link is
http://sd.ic.gc.ca/pls/eng_alpha/web_search.call_sign_input
and was able to find that CKSH-TV in Sherbrooke Qc. is at lat. 45 18 43 N and long. 72 14 32 W

I purchased a CM4221 from sensuz.com out of Toronto and installed it this morning. I ordered it on a Friday and received it on the Monday. All of a sudden I am receiving all burlington stations including wvny. I am not using a vhf antenna. Just the CM4221. So far wvny is stable but it could be weather related. It is overcast today. With my old antenna, I could only receive wcax, wptz and wetk. I do also have a RadioShack pre-amp.

Ettisl in Pointe-Claire, QC

That is surprising. The CM4221 is not wide enough to pick up VHF signals, especially signals coming from 80 miles away. OTOH, in Pointe Claire you can pick up WVNY's analogue signal on 22 with a loop made from a coat hanger.

To the folks in Canada, is there a web site for the Canadian equivelant of the FCC that shows the latidute and longitude of of TV station tranmitter sites? In particular I'm looking for the lat and long of CKSH-9 in Shurborne.

Thanks, Mallego

Canadian stations are included in the FCC's data base. In CKSH's case, the the geographical coordinates are as listed in RonXYZ's post and it is boradcasting on channel 9 at 325 KW. Their digital assignment on channel 55 is also listed .

WPTZ 650kW
WCAX 628kW
WETK 90kW
WFFF 47kW
WVNY 10kW

Actually, right now WPTZ is only broadcasting at 380kw and WFFF at 18kw.

Anyone picking up dtv from Waterbury? Been lurking for awhile and only seen a couple references to Waterbury.

Antennaweb.org is saying we're 12.4 miles from towers and need a large directional antenna w/preamp to get WETK. I assume it's because we don't have line of site. We're located near the WDEV towers and have to aim over the top of blush hill.

Anyone else dealing with a similar situation? I was originally looking at a DB4 or DB8 but but the lack of LOS has me a bit concerned. WVNY's decision to stay in the VHF band doesn't simplify our choice for antennas. :mad: -Grrr

Thanks in advance
RB

I am using an indoor TERK antenna and have found it workable. I have, however, found a new and annoying problem. WPTZ must have some problem with the compression they use somewhere along the line. I have seen green video noise in the dark parts of their images. This was really pronounced last night on "Heroes". These flecks of color remind me of the old "C" band days when sparklies would infest the picture. This only happens on WPTZ. Anyone else see this or do I need new trifocals?

Methinks poor encoder action. I was once watching an HD presentation of "Fashion House" when it was on MyNetworkTV's DC affiliate, and there were similar and numerous problems, even though the full 19.x mbps was dedicated to the stream of the channel. None of the other channels had the problem when flipped through during "FH" commercials.

Anyone picking up dtv from Waterbury? Been lurking for awhile and only seen a couple references to Waterbury.

Antennaweb.org is saying we're 12.4 miles from towers and need a large directional antenna w/preamp to get WETK. I assume it's because we don't have line of site. We're located near the WDEV towers and have to aim over the top of blush hill.

Anyone else dealing with a similar situation? I was originally looking at a DB4 or DB8 but but the lack of LOS has me a bit concerned. WVNY's decision to stay in the VHF band doesn't simplify our choice for antennas. :mad: -Grrr

Thanks in advance
RB
Some stations will be assigned new channels after Feb, 2009, (WCAX will be 22), but the only VHF channel so far is WVNY which will stay on 13. A few UHF antennas will pick up 13 so a Yagi style UHF antenna like a Channel Master 4248 or 3023 may do the job for you. Stay away from the big heavy ones like the Televes DAT-75 as they don't do well in high winds.

I just wanted to clarify my signal reception of wvny from pointe-claire, qc using only a cm4221 antenna. My signal strength is only 20% but it is locked and not dropping out. I do not know why or how. On the uhf channels, if the signal strength drops below 36%, I lose the signal but wvny does not drop. I am using a samsung ts-160 tuner.

I just wanted to clarify my signal reception of wvny from pointe-claire, qc using only a cm4221 antenna. My signal strength is only 20% but it is locked and not dropping out. I do not know why or how. On the uhf channels, if the signal strength drops below 36%, I lose the signal but wvny does not drop. I am using a samsung ts-160 tuner.
Maybe a CM 4228 would resolve some of your problems. It has higher gain for channel 13 and is a long range antenna.

I just wanted to clarify my signal reception of wvny from pointe-claire, qc using only a cm4221 antenna. My signal strength is only 20% but it is locked and not dropping out. I do not know why or how. On the uhf channels, if the signal strength drops below 36%, I lose the signal but wvny does not drop. I am using a samsung ts-160 tuner.

How do you have your 4221 mounted? How is it oriented? How is it pointed? Something seems amiss because you should have no trouble getting the UHF stations, but you should not be getting 13 at all with that antenna. Do you have a pre-amp attched to the antenna?

What part of Pointe-Claire do you live in? Near the Lakeshore? Or north of City Hall which is at a higher elevation? Are there any tall buildings nearby?

No issues with PTZ as far as HD picture but sound is not as good as CAX>

How do you have your 4221 mounted? How is it oriented? How is it pointed? Something seems amiss because you should have no trouble getting the UHF stations, but you should not be getting 13 at all with that antenna. Do you have a pre-amp attched to the antenna?

What part of Pointe-Claire do you live in? Near the Lakeshore? Or north of City Hall which is at a higher elevation? Are there any tall buildings nearby?

Mounted on the side of my house about 15' above ground(not above my house), pointed towards Mt. Mansfield, slightly tilted towards the sky. I am getting all 5 channels from Mt. Mansfield and yes I do have a RadioShack pre-amp that I picked up in the U.S.

I live north of City Hall and there are no trees or buildings in the way.

I live north of City Hall and there are no trees or buildings in the way.


Aha! So your basement (and every other part of the house) is at a higher elevation than my roof. :)

I am still surprised that you get VNY with that antenna ang get a relatively weak signal for the others.

OTOH, not all signal strength meters are true signal strength meters. It's really the signal to noise ratio that is important. Any SNR above about 16 decibels should get you a stable picture.

After broadcasting redundant programming on 3.2 since they went on the air in October, WCAX is now using channel 3.2 as a weather channel. Format is 16:9 480i

Unlike WPTZ's weather channel, WCAX's current weather and 5 day forecasts summaries include Montreal.

Is anyone out there using a dish 622 to get the Mansfield stations.I need to know what you directly enter to get the various networks.
I'm in Wheelock and so far only get PBS off of Burke Mtn.If I scan it picks up 20.1,20.2,20.3,20.4 and 20.5.However I can only pick them up if I enter channel 19(if you have a 622 you probably understand).
I'm using a CM 4228 with a RS preamp and can't pick up any Burlington networks by scanning.But I could perhaps if I knew the direct entry numbers for the 622.For example I assume WCAX is 53.Correct?

I'm actually surprised that WCAX included Montreal listings, as it is known to be much more Vermont-centric than the other stations.

The only little gripe I have is that the info is slightly too wide, and some gets cropped when viewed on 4:3 TVs.

53 cax
43 fff
32 etk
14 ptz
13 vny

U

This morning WPTZ was down? And abc signal was better than usual is it just me?

So it appears that the number of walls you have to go through with an indoor antenna definitely has a huge effect on reception. I know that's a no brainer, but didn't know how dramatic the difference really was until I hooked up another antenna upstairs. On the first floor, I get all the local stations with great signal strength with rabbit ears. The antenna is right next to an outside wall, so it's only going through that one wall. I hooked up an identical antenna in the bedroom on the second floor, but it's in the middle of the house so it has to go through two or three walls (depending on the exact direction of Mansfield, which I'm not sure about). I was hoping the extra altitude would make up for the additional walls, but reception is not really good enough to keep a signal locked on any channel for more than a minute.

This morning WPTZ was down? And abc signal was better than usual is it just me?
Not just you on WPTZ going down, but I didn't check signal strength on ABC

I thought you guys would be amused/horrified to know what I did last night. I made ghetto "rabbit ears" out of some old speaker wire and used an old Radio Shack adapter to coax for my TV. Hung the "rabbit ears" inside a sliding glass door facing easterly/Mansfield.

Lo and behold, the TV grabbed several HD channels. Not very well, of course, (dropped signals, frozen pictures, etc) but it did pull in some things. Got the new Channel 3 weather as well.

I guess I should go get a "real" antenna, because obviously I can get the signals in Colchester (near Porter's Point.)

I noticed Channel 3 and VPT were both having audio issues via Comcast (cable) last night.

I thought you guys would be amused/horrified to know what I did last night. I made ghetto "rabbit ears" out of some old speaker wire and used an old Radio Shack adapter to coax for my TV. Hung the "rabbit ears" inside a sliding glass door facing easterly/Mansfield.

Lo and behold, the TV grabbed several HD channels. Not very well, of course, (dropped signals, frozen pictures, etc) but it did pull in some things. Got the new Channel 3 weather as well.

I guess I should go get a "real" antenna, because obviously I can get the signals in Colchester (near Porter's Point.)

I'm not horrified; you showed initiative. It looks like you could get a Channel Master 4221 hung on the sliding glass door and get everything. Even better if you put it on the outside wall facing Mansfield or on the eave with a J-mount.

It looks like Burlingon Telecom cable subscribers can now get WPTZ digital - both stations and Comcast is right around the corner.

Is anyone out there using a dish 622 to get the Mansfield stations.I need to know what you directly enter to get the various networks.
I'm in Wheelock and so far only get PBS off of Burke Mtn.If I scan it picks up 20.1,20.2,20.3,20.4 and 20.5.However I can only pick them up if I enter channel 19(if you have a 622 you probably understand).
I'm using a CM 4228 with a RS preamp and can't pick up any Burlington networks by scanning.But I could perhaps if I knew the direct entry numbers for the 622.For example I assume WCAX is 53.Correct?
I have a 622 and have found that if you press "Done" after your search that it programs info into the memory of the unit--even though it may not be what you wanted to save. This will also cause my unit to lock up often. I would use "Cancel" after your various attempts to get a signal and only use Done when you have the unit tuned properly. Do a front panel restart (hold the power button down for 10 sec) and begin again. Good luck. I found all of the Mansfield stations using the scan function and had great pictures with an indoor Terk antenna. All of that has changed in the last week, however, and I guess that I will be forced to get an outside unit. Its been so long since I've had to use an antenna that I've forgotten what a pain that the weather can be. You might want to contact your installer to see if he has other customers in your area--and what antenna they're using with success.

When I first installed my DB4 it was only 2-3 feet off the roof and my signal for WVNY on 13 was weak enough that I installed a high-band VHF antenna. At that time, I added a 6' pole and the DB4 was now 8' off the roof with some stations showing a stronger signal. Realizing that I had never re-checked WVNY on 13, this afternoon I disconnected the VHF, went inside and measured a 75% signal on 13. I removed the VHF antenna, went back inside to see a very pixelated WVNY with a signal of 26% that finally moved up to 32% with a good picture. I thought the clouds that had moved in over Mansfield during that time made the difference, but now I wonder if even a disconnected VHF antenna on the mast contributed to the 75% signal?
BTW, after reviewing the low UHF channel performance on HDTVprimer, I ordered a Winegard PR-4400, a 4 bay UHF that outperforms the 4221 below channel 20. I'll post the results after I get it installed. I really want a single antenna solution and now it appears, that for the long term, we will only need to receive 13-44.

As an experiment, I recently switched to using a DIY square loop antenna in the peak of my garage roof. I'm getting WCAX-DT, WPTZ-DT, WFFF-DT, and WETK-DT in the high 80's to mid 90's. WVNY-DT is coming in in the mid-70's, and I get intermittent dropouts when I watch it. What's weird is I'm also getting WCFE-DT with a signal in the mid-60's, but when I watch it, I don't get any dropouts. So, I now have experiential evidence that there's more to reception than what the signal meter says.

I am running a CM3016 antenna with 50' of RG6 cable to a splitter. From there I have two additional 50' RG6 runs of coax to two HDTVs. Singals are decent with signal to noise ratios better than 23 on all channels. However, I wanted to know if I could make them better by adding an amplifier right before the splitter after the 1st 50' run of RG6 from the CM3016. So I tried one that I bought off ebay and it did nothing. Digging around I see that I might need some sort of special amplifier specifically for digital cable. Does anyone know of a reasonably priced one that would work for me? Thanks!
What you need is a UHF/VHF pre-amp like the CM7777 or Antennasdirect PA-18. Check Summit Source or other suppliers for price, but you are typically looking at about $50. Pre-amps are two-part devices: part goes on the antenna mast and the other part inside with a power supply.

I am running a CM3016 antenna with 50' of RG6 cable to a splitter. From there I have two additional 50' RG6 runs of coax to two HDTVs. Singals are decent with signal to noise ratios better than 23 on all channels. However, I wanted to know if I could make them better by adding an amplifier right before the splitter after the 1st 50' run of RG6 from the CM3016. So I tried one that I bought off ebay and it did nothing. Digging around I see that I might need some sort of special amplifier specifically for digital cable. Does anyone know of a reasonably priced one that would work for me? Thanks!

I think the best cheap pre-amp is the Channel Master 3041DSB, they sell it at lowe's for $29.98. I will get one the next time I go the other side of the border.

If someone has it would be nice to have your impression.

As an experiment, I recently switched to using a DIY square loop antenna in the peak of my garage roof. I'm getting WCAX-DT, WPTZ-DT, WFFF-DT, and WETK-DT in the high 80's to mid 90's. WVNY-DT is coming in in the mid-70's, and I get intermittent dropouts when I watch it. What's weird is I'm also getting WCFE-DT with a signal in the mid-60's, but when I watch it, I don't get any dropouts. So, I now have experiential evidence that there's more to reception than what the signal meter says.

Yeah, there is a lot more noise and interference on VHF than on UHF, which explains the dropouts.

Looks like Comcast added TNTHD (channel 764) recently, although I have yet to see anything broadcast in HD...

does anyone know if any of the Sherbrooke stations are broadcasting digitally?

None are right now. Part of the problem is that they are mostly all independent stations (non O&O). Plus, all of their digital assignments are out-of-core, so they would much prefer the option of flash-cutting to digital on their current VHF-Hi channels at the current parametres.

Looks like Comcast added TNTHD (channel 764) recently, although I have yet to see anything broadcast in HD...


I'm a Comcast subscriber - even though there is nothing in the menu feature, I have that channel on now, and it is broadcasting in HD.

I would be really nice if Comcast could communicate a little bit better with us. I realize changes like this take some time, but this is really frustrating. And, I've heard they have had all kinds of problems switching over the internet. I thought the boxes were supposed to reprovisioned on the 29th.

Looks like Comcast added TNTHD (channel 764) recently, although I have yet to see anything broadcast in HD...

They are currently broadcasting the Orlando/Charlotte game in HD, and Law & Order was in HD before that. I have no guide information for the channel, so I've been using the guide info for TNT standard def (channel 29).

I noticed that they removed iNHD2 - I haven't been watching much TV lately, so I'm not sure when that happened.

sorry if this has been answered elsewhere in the thread; didn't want to read 60 pages. what HD channels should I be able to receive by plugging my Time Warner cable wire directly into my tv? I found CBS and VPT and that's it. Also, is there a way for me to view these channels when running cable through my cable box? thanks. Finally, why is CBS showing in 4:3 instead of 16:9? Do I have things set up wrong or is it something to do with the station?

sorry if this has been answered elsewhere in the thread; didn't want to read 60 pages. what HD channels should I be able to receive by plugging my Time Warner cable wire directly into my tv? I found CBS and VPT and that's it. Also, is there a way for me to view these channels when running cable through my cable box? thanks. Finally, why is CBS showing in 4:3 instead of 16:9? Do I have things set up wrong or is it something to do with the station?


Without subscribing to comcast you should just get the over the air channels - WCAX and PBS. You might be able to get NESN as well. Right now Survivor is not broadcast in HD' that's why it's 4:3.

Is anyone noticing signal drops with WPTZ? I keep fluctuating from the mid 70s to 49.

thanks. anyone know if there a way for me to view these channels when running cable through my cable box?

So I've been playing around with using my DIY square-loop antenna in the rafters of my garage to pick up the OTA HDTV stations. I've been happy with the UHF performance. It's equivalent to what the Silver Sensor was getting me, with the added benefit that now I'm also getting WCFE-DT. For WVNY-DT, which is VHF, it does a little better than the SS. However, I just noticed something funny...

The signal meter on my receiver says I'm getting about 72% on WVNY-DT. So, I thought I'd try tweaking the pointing direction of the antenna see if I could peak the signal just a little more.

Well, after some tweaking, I got it to read 85%.

Then I shut the door between the kitchen and the garage and the signal dropped back to 72%.

Opened the door and the signal jumped back up to 85%.

So, basically, I've discovered that the metallic fire-door between my kitchen and the garage is somehow interfereing with the antenna to the extent that it kills the signal.

thanks. anyone know if there a way for me to view these channels when running cable through my cable box?

The HD channels are in the 700s on Comcast. If that doesn't help, we'll need more information about where you are and what you are trying to do.

Looks like Comcast added TNTHD (channel 764) recently, although I have yet to see anything broadcast in HD...

For some reason, I'm still not getting channel 764. But channel 775, which used to be inHD2 is now showing TNT-HD even though the guide data for 775 is still inHD2. Could this be because I'm using cable cards instead of a cable box? I would think that the channel info that Comcast sends out would hit the cable cards the same time as cable boxes.

thanks. anyone know if there a way for me to view these channels when running cable through my cable box?If your cable box is a high-def cable box, then you shouldn't have to run the cable into your HDTV. Just run the cable to the cable box, then use component video or HDMI into your HDTV and use the GUI/tuner built into the cable box.

If you don't have an HD cable box, call your cable company and upgrade to one.

Or, if you don't want to do that, simply stick a 2-way splitter on the cable upstream from the cable-box. Send one leg into the cable box, and the other leg into your HDTV.

Actually, if you're not subsribing to any premium or PPV stuff, you don't need to cable box at all. Just pipe the cable directly to your HDTV and use its built-in tuner.

Hi, have an HTPC/Mythtv, scanned comcast and got back WCAX and VPT as active. When I record or watch WCAX all is good - nice 1081 picture. With VPT I get a picture which is kind of in slow motion and slow motion sound to go with it. Any one recording yet who can give me some hints or possibly an export from their channel setups? I have no idea how to proceed at this point.

Thanks

does anyone know if any of the Sherbrooke stations are broadcasting digitally?

No, nothing in digital from Sherbrooke.

There is 6 standard channels broadcasting right now (7, 9, 11, 24, 30 and 50) and 6 reserved channel (60, 55, 41, 65, 66 and 52) for digital broadcast but nothing is there at this time.

Kaphyr

Hi, have an HTPC/Mythtv, scanned comcast and got back WCAX and VPT as active. When I record or watch WCAX all is good - nice 1081 picture. With VPT I get a picture which is kind of in slow motion and slow motion sound to go with it. Any one recording yet who can give me some hints or possibly an export from their channel setups? I have no idea how to proceed at this point.

Thanks

I don't have any problems recording VPT in HD, but I'm using a TiVo.

Yesterday Videotron has switched from Buffalo to Plattsburgh/Burlington for the 4 US networks.

Now we have DD 5.1 for ABCHD and NBCHD which we had lost ever since Rogers (which was Videotron's source) had switched from Detroit to Buffalo. Other networks from Buffalo had DD 5.1.

Presently doing some recordings on PBSHD and CBSHD both for a 2 hour program. I'll be calculating the bitrate after 11:00 AM and see what I had in Mbps.

Hi (again) Mfabien !

I've got some bitrate for you. Be careful, the video and audio bitrate are separated. By the way, for all those channels, its exactly the same bitrate as we received it OTA. If a channel bitrate is not higher than this, it's because the OTA station isn't broadcasting higher than this and, most of the time, it's because they waste bandwidth (and quality) for the useless subchannel.

For FOXHD, this is the only station that the non-hd bitrate is completely different than the HD bitrate because their network feed is already pre-compressed at a lower bitrate.

ABCHD :
Video : 14.4 Mbps in 1280x720P - Nice quality, better than Buffalo's
Audio : 384 Kbps in DD5.1 - Yes the sound is finally in DD5.1 but there is a lot of break in the stream. I hope they will fix that soon...

NBCHD :
Video : 16.2 Mbps in 1920x1080i - The picture is a lot better than the one from Buffalo (14.2 Mbps).
Audio : 384 Kbps in DD5.1 - Another problem here, the sound is, specially with the local feed, not always synchronize with the picture.

CBSHD :
Video : 14,8 Mbps in 1920x1080i - For CBSHD, now, there is a drop in video bitrate because the Buffalo station was using 16.4 Mbps lately. The picture is a bit more pixelated but, overall, it's not bad.
Audio : 384 Kbps in DD5.1 - Nice sound quality, switching from DD2.0 to DD5.1 when needed.

PBSHD :
Video : 13.8 Mbps in 1920x1080i - The Mount Mansfield station would have a been a little better with a video bitrate around 15.2 Mbps but it's still better than the Buffalo's OTA.
Audio : 384 Kbps in DD5.1

FOXHD Local only broadcast (I didn't catch a HD show yet...)
Video : 14.6 Mbps in 1280x720P. Good for a 1280x720P station.
Audio : 384 Kbps in DD2.0 (quite normal for local).

So, for now, I think those stations are a bit too "young" to be considered "stable". WCFE and WCAX shouldn't be a problem but I'm a bit concerned about the others.

Kaphyr

I'm noticing some pretty significant lip sync problems coming from all sources. it's most significant on VPT in hi def. Do you think this is a comcast issue or is my tv busted? I have a toshiba 50hm66 with native resolution of 720P. Also, I don't have an HD cable box or anything just yet. I'm just plugging my cable wire directly into the set and receiving VPT and WCAX over the air. The lips sync issue is most noticeable on VPT HD, but SD channels are having issues as well. I don't see any problem on my standard def. tv, so it seems like it's an issue with the toshiba DLP. thoughts?

Lip sync optimization is an engineering science that is performed at the source for both SD upconverted and HD program sources. It's a fun challenge for a broadcast staff. I work at a facility with 2 stations dealing with this issue.

Lip sync optimization is an engineering science that is performed at the source for both SD upconverted and HD program sources. It's a fun challenge for a broadcast staff. I work at a facility with 2 stations dealing with this issue.


so you don't think the problem lies with my set then?

I don't have any problems recording VPT in HD, but I'm using a TiVo.
I don't have any problem recording HD from VPT on a Dish 622. I've heard of compatability problems when using an HDMI connection--especially with audio delay. It would seem as though the problem is with your equipment.

I saw this today...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20061215/ca_pr_on_tc/hdtv_networks

Anyone know what the deal is with the Pats game on CBS? Did WCAX not "flip the switch", or is the game truly not being broadcast in HD?

Anyone know what the deal is with the Pats game on CBS? Did WCAX not "flip the switch", or is the game truly not being broadcast in HD?
Not all games are broadcast in hd, yet.

It's not in HD on Comcast, either...

It's not in HD on Comcast, either...
CBS picks and chooses HD games. Right now there is not enough HD production trucks. cheap bastards

that's frustrating. this is my first weekend with my shiny new DLP, and the Pats game is in standard def. I bought the set expressly for football games and they're not even being broadcast in HD. Lame.

that's frustrating. this is my first weekend with my shiny new DLP, and the Pats game is in standard def. I bought the set expressly for football games and they're not even being broadcast in HD. Lame.
LOL - i hear ya- I don't like the Pats but if in HD I'd watch. Giants and Eagles should be. GO EAGLES

do any of you guys have lip sync issues with VPT HD? The sound and video are totally off. Is it my set or have you experienced this problem?

do any of you guys have lip sync issues with VPT HD? The sound and video are totally off. Is it my set or have you experienced this problem?


I have noticed this at times with VPT. Are you having the same issue with any of the other channels? If not, I would guess it's an issue with VPT and not your set.

I have noticed this at times with VPT. Are you having the same issue with any of the other channels? If not, I would guess it's an issue with VPT and not your set.

It's by far the worst with VPT. Anyone else notice it? I'd really appreciate the feedback, b/c I'm this close to bringing the set back, but if it's a problem wl the station then I'm gonna keep it.

Maybe some one here can help me. I read numerious postings here but haven't found an answer yet. I'm in Cambridge and I'm not line of sight but I'm able to get fox and nbc but nothing else (both are in the low to mid 60's) I have dish with a 622. I have a larger outdoor antenna (radio shack 90something) but no rotor. It's about 50+ feet of RG6 to the 622.

I have only been able to use the auto scan to find channels, if I try to manually set them it doesn't add them to the list so I can't turn the antenna to find the missing channels. I have turned it to see to get the best signal and then scanned but still can't find them.

A side note for those of you who have a 622, mine about a minute after getting out of the local channel menu goes to a blank screen then will reboot itself after 3 or 4 minutes then goes right back to what ever station you were on. Unplugging it speeds up the process but otherwise doesn't seam to change anything.

Any ideas why I would be getting just WFFF and WPTZ and not any of the others? It looks like any thing less than 50% and the 622 will just say not locked. I've ordered a channel master 064 amp to see if I can increase the signals. Does a rotor make sense since all the signals are coming from the smae place?

Maybe some one here can help me. I read numerious postings here but haven't found an answer yet. I'm in Cambridge and I'm not line of sight but I'm able to get fox and nbc but nothing else (both are in the low to mid 60's) I have dish with a 622. I have a larger outdoor antenna (radio shack 90something) but no rotor. It's about 50+ feet of RG6 to the 622.

I have only been able to use the auto scan to find channels, if I try to manually set them it doesn't add them to the list so I can't turn the antenna to find the missing channels. I have turned it to see to get the best signal and then scanned but still can't find them.

A side note for those of you who have a 622, mine about a minute after getting out of the local channel menu goes to a blank screen then will reboot itself after 3 or 4 minutes then goes right back to what ever station you were on. Unplugging it speeds up the process but otherwise doesn't seam to change anything.

Any ideas why I would be getting just WFFF and WPTZ and not any of the others? It looks like any thing less than 50% and the 622 will just say not locked. I've ordered a channel master 064 amp to see if I can increase the signals. Does a rotor make sense since all the signals are coming from the smae place?
I wouldn't spend the money on the rotor until you try the new antenna. I've found that a change in antenna position of as little as 3 feet makes a world of difference. My 622 does exactly the same thing. Whenever ANYTHING is changed on the locals menu--even changing the names--it crashes. You can save time by doing a front panel restart. Hold down the power key for 10sec. I've found that even signals with a 68 signal reading will translate into dropouts. Perhaps you can console yourself with the knowledge that Dish will carry the local HDs in the future. In any case it's better than dealing with Comcast as I see those bandits are already increasing their rates even though they promised not to.

CBS picks and chooses HD games. Right now there is not enough HD production trucks. cheap bastardsThis website has a listing of what's in HD and what's not...

http://www.hdsportsguide.com/

Maybe some one here can help me. I read numerious postings here but haven't found an answer yet. I'm in Cambridge and I'm not line of sight but I'm able to get fox and nbc but nothing else (both are in the low to mid 60's) I have dish with a 622. I have a larger outdoor antenna (radio shack 90something) but no rotor. It's about 50+ feet of RG6 to the 622.

I have only been able to use the auto scan to find channels, if I try to manually set them it doesn't add them to the list so I can't turn the antenna to find the missing channels. I have turned it to see to get the best signal and then scanned but still can't find them.

A side note for those of you who have a 622, mine about a minute after getting out of the local channel menu goes to a blank screen then will reboot itself after 3 or 4 minutes then goes right back to what ever station you were on. Unplugging it speeds up the process but otherwise doesn't seam to change anything.

Any ideas why I would be getting just WFFF and WPTZ and not any of the others? It looks like any thing less than 50% and the 622 will just say not locked. I've ordered a channel master 064 amp to see if I can increase the signals. Does a rotor make sense since all the signals are coming from the smae place?
Since all stations are broadcasting digital from the top of Mansfield, you don't need a rotor. Use www.antennaweb.org to find the compass direction, then use a compass to point your antenna. The site will also suggest what type of antenna you need. BTW, their info on WPTZ is wrong, so use the WFFF azimuth for pointing your antenna.

WPTZ-HD 5.1 and 5.2 signals have been varying fro 72% to 92% on my 622 during the last couple days.
The other stations don't do this.
Anybody else has seen this? or have any idea what is causing it.

Thanks

Anybody else have problems getting WFFF Fox HD OTA yesterday? We had no problems with any of the other channels but no digital or HD FOX. I hate watching football in SD.

So it was posted here that all we needed to get in order to get the HD channels from Comcast was to buy basic cable for $11.62/mo, plus the digital classic for $6.20/mo and then get the HD box/service for $7.95/mo. Well, I called Comcast and they are telling me that I need to get the Standard cable for $51.25/mo PLUS the digital classic for $6.20/mo PLUS the HD box for $7.95/mo in order to get their current only 10 HD channels (CBS, PBS, TNT, ESPN, NESN, ESPN2, INHD, DHDT, NFLHD, FSN). Well, really only 9 since FSN pretty much never has anything on it.

So what gives? This is total BS and a rip-off. I don't care about the 77 channels of expanded analog cable crap, I just want the HD channels and that's it and I'll watch the locals OTA in HD.

Cable Guy: Can you get me a straight answer and a name/number of who the hell I should talk to at Comcast who has any clue about this and what is really needed to get the HD channels?



I've talked to many people at comcast and most do not know right now. Half of them say I need standard cable(50 bucks) and some say I just need the digital classic(6 bucks). The standard will give it to you now, but the digital classic package will not work until they reprovison the boxes.(in january now...) So that's why you might be getting differing opinions. Right now you need the standard but in the future you should just need the digital classic on top of broadcast sevice(17 bucks).

I have a house in Waterville and I've posted here before. I'm still trying to get a feeling about whether I can get any free OTA digital stations (Even one would be swell). Antenna.org says their are none to be had even though I am only 11 miles from the transmitter. I do not have direct line of site to the transmitter, and I guess the reason that we get such lousy reception in town is because we are sort of in a valley. None of the people I have talked to in town have a digital TV; so they can only give analog and antidotal evidence about reception in town. The people I have talked to say that with an outside antenna, say they can get WCAX - Analog, and with extreme difficulty get WPTZ from the NY side. I have been fooling around inside with a 15-year old B&W Sony Walkman and from the second floor of my house I can (if I very gingerly adjust the tuner) get channel 3 -WCAX, 5 -WPTZ, 33 - VPT, 22 - WVNY. If I can get these analog channels using the Walkman, is this an indicator that with the right outside antenna get at least one clear digital signal on my Sony 34 960XBR CRT television? If it is an indicator that I might be able to get something, what is my best shot as far as an antenna - get a highly directional one or go with something like a DB4 or DB8? I do not want to subscribe to a dish. I'm already paying for Comcast in Burlington and do not want to pay for a dish in Waterville.

Standard Cable: $49 (I had posted $51.25, but that's the >2/1/07 price)
Digital Classic: $6
HD Box: $8



You can at least get rid of that $8 box charge if your TV or tuner supports cable cards. Since Adelphia became Comcast, they no longer charge anything for cable cards and they work great with the HD channels.

I have a house in Waterville and I've posted here before. I'm still trying to get a feeling about whether I can get any free OTA digital stations (Even one would be swell). Antenna.org says their are none to be had even though I am only 11 miles from the transmitter. I do not have direct line of site to the transmitter, and I guess the reason that we get such lousy reception in town is because we are sort of in a valley. None of the people I have talked to in town have a digital TV; so they can only give analog and antidotal evidence about reception in town. The people I have talked to say that with an outside antenna, say they can get WCAX - Analog, and with extreme difficulty get WPTZ from the NY side. I have been fooling around inside with a 15-year old B&W Sony Walkman and from the second floor of my house I can (if I very gingerly adjust the tuner) get channel 3 -WCAX, 5 -WPTZ, 33 - VPT, 22 - WVNY. If I can get these analog channels using the Walkman, is this an indicator that with the right outside antenna get at least one clear digital signal on my Sony 34 960XBR CRT television? If it is an indicator that I might be able to get something, what is my best shot as far as an antenna - get a highly directional one or go with something like a DB4 or DB8? I do not want to subscribe to a dish. I'm already paying for Comcast in Burlington and do not want to pay for a dish in Waterville.

You can get a better idea if you lie to antennaweb.org under housing type, select options and up the antenna height to 500'. Increase to 1000 if that doesn't get you anything. I'm pretty sure you will need a large directional antenna, but if you get the multi type, go large with Channel Master 4228, as it does a much better job with channel 13 than the DB8.

WPTZ-HD 5.1 and 5.2 signals have been varying fro 72% to 92% on my 622 during the last couple days.
The other stations don't do this.
Anybody else has seen this? or have any idea what is causing it.

Thanks

I've seen fluctuations with the signal strength got PTZ as well. I have at least 85-93 on every channel, but PTZ. Last thursday watching the office, the strength was all over the map. As low as 49 and up to 83. Lately I've been hovering around 73. I've heard that they are having issues with some of the transmitters.

Tarzan24, I second the Channel Master 4228 recommendation. You can find one at Fry's Electronics (if they have any of those up there), and maybe Lowe's.

Checking for a friend in Hinesburg on OTA. Looks to be about ~20 miles from the towers. Anyone from this area?

Are all of the big 5 (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS) on the air?

Checking for a friend in Hinesburg on OTA. Looks to be about ~20 miles from the towers. Anyone from this area?

Are all of the big 5 (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS) on the air?


I have a friend in down town hinesburg, and they only have ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and PBS with an antenna. I would have your friend go to antennaweb.org and plug in their address - it will give them an idea of what's available depending on where they are.

Checking for a friend in Hinesburg on OTA. Looks to be about ~20 miles from the towers. Anyone from this area?

Are all of the big 5 (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS) on the air?
Yes, they are all broadcasting digitally from Mt Mansfield, contrary to what antennaweb.org says about WPTZ.

I have a friend in down town hinesburg, and they only have ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and PBS with an antenna.What do you mean by "they only have". You listed all 5 HDTV stations on Mansfield. Were you expecting others?

It's by far the worst with VPT. Anyone else notice it? I'd really appreciate the feedback, b/c I'm this close to bringing the set back, but if it's a problem wl the station then I'm gonna keep it.


no one else has noticed this problem?

WPTZ-HD 5.1 and 5.2 signals have been varying fro 72% to 92% on my 622 during the last couple days.
The other stations don't do this.
Anybody else has seen this? or have any idea what is causing it.

Thanks
I've been thinking of posting the same question for a few days. I been seeing the vast flucuations on WPTZ for a few weeks. It's really made all the installs we've been doing a pain. Maybe they're turning the power down during the day and then ratching it up for primetime? I think of the 2 dozen 4221 or 4228 installs we've done in the last couple of weeks, we've only got a lock on WPTZ at one location, even though the other channels are in the 80-90 range. This means we either go back to the customer's home in the evening or talk them through adding WPTZ over the phone. Like I said, what a pain.

What do you mean by "they only have". You listed all 5 HDTV stations on Mansfield. Were you expecting others?


What I meant to type was they only have the OTA channels. No satellite, no cable.
Sorry about that.

no one else has noticed this problem?

No problems in Essex with Panny TH-50px60u

How's WPTZ now? I just tried getting the digital stations from Concordia's 12th floor downtown Montreal with my new WinTV HVR 950 in my laptop (and the tiny antenna it came with).

WPTZ was coming in great everywhere (strange), while WCAX and WETK needed some tweaking. I wasn't able to lock WFFF and WCFE though. There wasn't even a blip on WVNY.

I'll try it with a real UHF loop next time.

How's WPTZ now? I just tried getting the digital stations from Concordia's 12th floor downtown Montreal with my new WinTV HVR 950 in my laptop (and the tiny antenna it came with).

WPTZ was coming in great everywhere (strange), while WCAX and WETK needed some tweaking. I wasn't able to lock WFFF and WCFE though. There wasn't even a blip on WVNY.

I'll try it with a real UHF loop next time.


I'm getting WPTZ at 77 now - the strongest it's been since early last week. All my other channels are what they've been for a while now. WCAX, WFFF, WVNY all around 90-93 and PBS (33) 85.

I'm still at 73, has been like that for about a week. I used to be in the 90s.

Hi, can someone tell me what HD boxes Comcast uses? I would like to get one but need firewire out for recording to make it worthwhile. There is one append in this thread about scientific atlanta boxes being used but it's quite old.

Hi, can someone tell me what HD boxes Comcast uses? I would like to get one but need firewire out for recording to make it worthwhile. There is one append in this thread about scientific atlanta boxes being used but it's quite old.
I have a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD. I got this about 2 months ago; not sure if it's still what they're giving out or not.

However, I am not certain if Adelphia/Comcast allow use of the Firewire ports. The service provider must enable the firewire ports in order for them to operate properly.

Tarzan24 I'm on 109 just before hogback and I'm able to get both WPTZ HD and WFFF HD (didn't check any analong signals) with an outdoor antenna. I can't see the tower but can see the knob above the caves on the notch. I wasn't sure if I was going to waist my time by putting up an antenna but glad I did. If nothing else I get WPTZ's second feed, the 24 hour local weather, something Dish can't give me yet.

I had Adelphia now Comcast. The only thing I miss is the high speed internet. With Adelphia they had a list of excuses they would go through everytime the internet or cable went out. I was told things like transformers on poles heating up and cooling down to I needed to run two clabes from the pole to my house only to be told by the service guy when he showed up that it would cost twice as much since it was two services and not needed. What I loved the most was how everytime they showed up they would cut off the connector on every cable and crimp on a new one even though they were at my house less than a week ago for the same problem. Looks like Comcast might just be as bad.

I just started getting program data for 22-1, 44-1, and 57-2. Is anyone else seeing this or is it just a TiVo thing?

I just started getting program data for 22-1, 44-1, and 57-2. Is anyone else seeing this or is it just a TiVo thing?
I don't get program data for both WPTZ stations others are fine. Also 5.2 has never been weather for me but SD picture of 5.1. My HD connection is antenna into DTV connection of my Vizio. Still undecided on what to do for non-locals, currently use Dish but as of now they don't carry NESN HD.

Tarzan24 I'm on 109 just before hogback and I'm able to get both WPTZ HD and WFFF HD (didn't check any analong signals) with an outdoor antenna. I can't see the tower but can see the knob above the caves on the notch. I wasn't sure if I was going to waist my time by putting up an antenna but glad I did. If nothing else I get WPTZ's second feed, the 24 hour local weather, something Dish can't give me yet.

I had Adelphia now Comcast. The only thing I miss is the high speed internet. With Adelphia they had a list of excuses they would go through everytime the internet or cable went out. I was told things like transformers on poles heating up and cooling down to I needed to run two clabes from the pole to my house only to be told by the service guy when he showed up that it would cost twice as much since it was two services and not needed. What I loved the most was how everytime they showed up they would cut off the connector on every cable and crimp on a new one even though they were at my house less than a week ago for the same problem. Looks like Comcast might just be as bad.

Crazyal: We are practically neighbors; I'm on 109 right in the village near the store. You are the first person in my area that I've actually talked to that has a digital set. What are you using for an antenna? Are you using an amplifier? If you can get WPTZ, why can't you get WCAX? My understanding is that all the stations broadcast from the same tower so if you get one why can't you get the others? Anyhow you have given me hope that I may be able to get something with an antenna. Although I think that you do have a better shot at the tower than I do, because it is more open in the area where you are.

Crazyal: We are practically neighbors; I'm on 109 right in the village near the store. You are the first person in my area that I've actually talked to that has a digital set. What are you using for an antenna? Are you using an amplifier? If you can get WPTZ, why can't you get WCAX? My understanding is that all the stations broadcast from the same tower so if you get one why can't you get the others? Anyhow you have given me hope that I may be able to get something with an antenna. Although I think that you do have a better shot at the tower than I do, because it is more open in the area where you are.
It looks like you guys in Waterville should use medium to large directional antennas with pre-amps according to antennaweb.org. If you have some altitude, the large directional (CM-4228) may do the job. You can enter your altitude under options on antennaweb.org

It looks like you guys in Waterville should use medium to large directional antennas with pre-amps according to antennaweb *(i cant post links). If you have some altitude, a large multi-directional (CM-4228) may do the job. You can enter your altitude under options on ...

SkiSmuggs, the CM-4228 is very, very directional, I believe the beam width is 15 degrees. I'm getting program data on my D* H20 now for 22-1 but not 44-1 yet

SkiSmuggs, the CM-4228 is very, very directional, I believe the beam width is 15 degrees. I'm getting program data on my D* H20 now for 22-1 but not 44-1 yet
You are correct. I made an assumption based on the smaller bowtie antennas which tend to be multidirectional. Sounds like a good antenna for those needing a large directional antenna. Thanks.

At one point the discussion centered around the lack of local HD news programming--with the exception of WCAX's upconversion. I found the following on line today concerning the Hearst stations--including WPTZ. Of course, it could be a year before they supply HD cameras to a small market like ours. Perhaps the fact that wPTZ is putting a signal into Montreal might speed up the process.
Hearst-Argyle Opts for Ikegami HD Cameras
Hearst-Argyle Television has purchased nearly a dozen Ikegami HDK-75EX portable HD cameras and half a dozen Ikegami HDL-40 one-piece "POV" HD cameras for KCRA-TV in Sacramento, Calif., WCVB in Boston, and its production facility in the new Hearst Tower in New York City.
The HDK-75EX is a portable HD camera system that can be converted for studio use with either five-or nine-inch viewfinders, and full studio lenses with the SE-H700 System Expander, according to the company.
Three 2/3-inch, 2.2 million-pixel CCDs achieve a horizontal resolution of 1,000 lines and a S/N ratio of 56 dB. Using a downconverter incorporated into the camera control unit (CCU, a standard feature), the HDK-75EX can also be operated as a high-end NTSC studio camera. Both HD and SD video are provided simultaneously from the CCU and in digital and analog form.