RP, CPTV still broadcsts on channel 12 from Waterbury. Surprisingly it doesn't interfere with WTXX here in Bethlehem only 8 miles from Waterbury.

Anyone know why ch 3 in Hartford on cable is not in wide screen and directv has the game in wide screen?

Looks like someone at WFSB forgot to hit the switch.

I just bought a pansonic TH-42PD25 (EDTV) plasma which has ATSC and QAM tuners. I currently have Comcast (in Berlin) digital gold cable with a STB.

Once I setup my new TV, I'm not sure what service I will need. I believe this unit is able to tune HD signals itself (down converting to 480p, of course), so I don't think I would need to "subscribe" to Comcast HDTV in order to get the HD STB for tuning HD broadcasts. However, I was wondering what HD programming, if any, that Comcast encrypts that would not allow me to tune without an HDTV STB / subscription? Is it only the HD locals that are unscrambled?

I currently plan on keeping my regular digital cable STB (although I may knock down to Digital Classic service). I will probably do this to retain the Guide and On-demand features, but I was considering knock down to just basic (or standard cable) w/o a box, and letting my TV tune whatever it can. In this case, does anyone know what Comcast's "baseline" of unscrambled channels includes? Is it just the basic 2-23, and what unencrypted QAM channels come through, if any (just HD locals)?

Thanks

Originally posted by UConnJack
I just bought a pansonic TH-42PD25 (EDTV) plasma which has ATSC and QAM tuners. I currently have Comcast (in Berlin) digital gold cable with a STB.

Once I setup my new TV, I'm not sure what service I will need. I believe this unit is able to tune HD signals itself (down converting to 480p, of course), so I don't think I would need to "subscribe" to Comcast HDTV in order to get the HD STB for tuning HD broadcasts. However, I was wondering what HD programming, if any, that Comcast encrypts that would not allow me to tune without an HDTV STB / subscription? Is it only the HD locals that are unscrambled?

I currently plan on keeping my regular digital cable STB (although I may knock down to Digital Classic service). I will probably do this to retain the Guide and On-demand features, but I was considering knock down to just basic (or standard cable) w/o a box, and letting my TV tune whatever it can. In this case, does anyone know what Comcast's "baseline" of unscrambled channels includes? Is it just the basic 2-23, and what unencrypted QAM channels come through, if any (just HD locals)?

Thanks

It's likely that you will get just the HD locals. On occasion other
channels may be unscrambled. Cox has a couple of Spanish
channels in the clear as well as the local HDs. That could and
probably will change at some point.

Is anyone else having problems with slow reaction times with Comcast STBs? I am on the Comcast system in West Hartford and have their HD set top box (Motorola DCT 5100). A few weeks ago they changed from the old TV Guide on-screen guide format (yellowish background) to a new format with a blue background.
Immediately following the software update I noticed that the STB would sometimes not respond to the remote control so I put fresh batteries in the remote but that did not help. I also became convinced that the remote itself was not the problem because most of the time the display on the STB indicated that it was receiving or had received a command from the remote but it often took as much as 30-60 seconds for the action to occur.
In addition, from time to time, while waiting for a remote command to take effect, a box will pop on the screen saying "Favorites Not Set" and giving me the option to set them. My favorites are already set and that was not the key I pressed to begin with.
This behavior is sporadic yet highly annoying. What I want to know (before complaining to Comcast) is is this happening to anyone else besides me?

Assuming that Comcast's local HD stations were not scambled and can be accessed/tuned without a HDTV STB using my Panasonic TH-42PD25 alleged built-in HDTV tuner, I gave it a try.

I therefore hooked up my TV with the direct cable into Ant A and cable through STB into Ant B. I assumed that I would be able to find and tune the HD channels through A, an have my STB functions on B. I have not been able to make this work, however. The HD channels that come through the STB (Ant B) are still blacked out (with audio only) as they were with my old CRT. I had assumed this was because my CRT could not process HD signals. I can't even find or tune the HD channels from the direct cable on Ant A.

I guess there are a few things it could be:

1) I'm wrong about the Panny TH-42PD25 EDTV's being able to tune HD without a seperate tuner,

2) Comcast actually does scamble the HD locals requiring their HD STB,

3) I can't find where the HD local channel #'s are, or

4) I'm just doing something wrong.

Another thing, the HD locals on Comcast here are in the 300's, but it seemd the TV only tunes up to 129 (?) or so, plus some "subchannels". Do Comcast's channel #'s correlate to actual channels? I guess I may not understand QAM, ASTC, etc. enough to understand tuning digital and HDTV channels. What channels are the local HD's on?

If anyone can help educate me, I'd very much appreciate it.

I have Direct Tv right now and only NBC National HDTV broadcasts are available in my area. Does anyone know how I can go about getting a waiver from the other stations to get HDTV through Direct TV?

Regarding HD and off-air cable channels:

Some cable systems will transmit the local broadcaster's main ATSC transport stream as one of the sub-channels in a 256QAM cable channel.

If you have a tuner that will tune 256QAM cable broadcasts you may be able to receive those channels.

For example, I have the latest LG Electronics LST-4200A tuner. This box will receive regular analogue NTSC transmissions (both off-air frequencies as well as what's used on the cable systems), ATSC (off-air digital which is technically called 8VSB) and cable plant channels that are on 256QAM that are in the clear.

Some built-in set/monitor tuners may also be able to do exactly the same thing - consult your documentation to see if they can receive 256QAM broadcasts.

On my home cable system (not Comcast) I think there is but just one HD channel (HBO-HD) and NO locals. When I connected my LST-4200A box to the system and did a scan it detected all the digital channels ... but indicated that most (except for two in-demand barker channels) were scrambled. :( :(

One of these days I'll try the box on Comcast here in western Massachusetts; my understanding is that I should be able to tune some of the 256QAM digital stations as they are in the clear ... (I'll report back with my findings).

In western Mass Comcast is using a different channel lineup: WWLP-DT is on 822, WGBY-DT is on 857, etc. Those numbers are just for display purpose on the cable STB: there's really no correlation between those numbers and what "channels" they are on. The LST-4200A displays 256QAM digital cable channels like 116-82, where 116 is the cable channel where the digital transmissions are and 82 is the program number assigned in that digital stream. (I would suspect that a different vendor may display cable digital channels differently; I'm not sure there's any standard for this.) So consider the 82 the sub-channel and the 116 the actual channel number. The cable company's STB receives additional information that translates the "user" channel number (like 822, or 3XX) into where it actually is on the cable system. This is a smart system: leaves the subscriber thinking the same channel ID number (like 822) and the cable company can dynamically move things around on their system without you ever knowing. Of course - there's probably nothing published for subscribers to indicate where the actual 258QAM channels can be found ... you'll just have to do a scan to see if you can find any!

I've seen posts from users who have noted (unlike my home system) that many of the channels being provided to subscribers over digital cable are in the clear - and can be received with a non-cable company STB (or integral tuner).

For UConnJack:

If you have a Comcast STB ... I wouldn't connect it to your Panny via an RF connection (ant B) ... that's not going to give you the best quality. I'm not familiar with the box Comcast is using, whatever the best quality STB output / TV input you can put together is what I'd recommend (HDMI, YPbPr, S-Video, Yellow RCA, RF). And you'll want to make sure that the output of the STB box matches the setting of the TV's input (or vice versa depending on how you look at it!).

The channel numbers on the box have nothing to do with their actual broadcast number. If Comcast scrambled the channels you would not get audio either I don't believe. Are you hooking your HD receiver via Coax into Antenna B? I'm not sure that you would get HD channels there, unless your box has a means to downconvert the signal.

Originally posted by jmarchetti
I have Direct Tv right now and only NBC National HDTV broadcasts are available in my area. Does anyone know how I can go about getting a waiver from the other stations to get HDTV through Direct TV? In general to receive DirecTV HD broadcasts for local networks you have to subscribe to either the HD package or locals package. Then ... there is the issue of rebroadcast rights for the HD content. I think NBC, CBS and FOX all now have agreements with DirecTV to allow DirecTV to provide an east coast and west coast regional HD network feed - but only in those markets where the network owns and operates (O&O) the local station. For example, WVIT in CT is an NBC Universal O&O station - that may explain why you (automatically?) may be seeing NBC HD on the satellite. (I assume programming from WNBC-DT out of New York.)

The local CBS and FOX affiliates in CT are not owned by those respective networks. You can find more information on the FOX DirecTV deal here (http://www.directv.com/see/landing/fox_hd.html). Search the DirecTV web site for more info on the other network's HD offerings. HTH

Did anyone in or around the valley have their OTA installation done by Direct TV? If so how did they do? Were you satisfied?

In case anyone is curious as I was, Comcast here in central CT does not scramble their HD locals and can be tuned with a QAM/ASTC TV.

I was able to tune my HD locals by running a direct cable feed (split-off beofre my STB) into my ANT A input of my Panasonic TH-42PD25UP plasma. Only the ANT feeds for this TV have the QAM/ASTC tuners available, and because it's a direct feed, the signal is no worse (probably better) than a STB that outputs using component/DV/HDMI/etc. since the STB input is cable itself. Just cutting out the middleman tuner.

I had the TV autoscan for the analog AND digital channels, and then maunally flipped through EVERY channel and digital sub-channel to find out where everything was. Most analog were all where they were supposed to be, and most analog channels beyong 2-23 were tuned as well (e.g., TWC on 68). Then there were many channels on randon digital channels, including about 8 billion music channels. If memory serves, I found my HD locals around 80-1, 80-2, 82-1, 82-3. Quite stunning and obvious that they were digital/HD signals.

Also, something else is I was surprised at was that the SD analog channels didn't look too bad. I was expecting them to be horrid based on things read on these boards. They did look pretty bad when I first hooked up, but then I replaced the splitter with a amplifying splitter and it cleared things right up. Kind of surprising since it was only a 3-way split (modem, STB passthrough, direct cable) and the total run lengths weren't very long anyway.

If I got this to work, I was going to consider downgrading to basic cable fo $10 to retain my internet discount and get HD locals (w/o setting up an antenna), and get one of the DBS systems. But since the SD channels weren't to bad, I may stick with cable. We'll see.

UConnJack - Is it therefore likely that if I buy a Sharp HD built in with cable card set, I can just hook up my current cable (which is analog service) to my Antenna A (or Sharp's equivalent QAM/ATSC tuner input) and can expect to get HD without even buying the minimum digital package? (which I think is silver or something like that). I am in Clinton.

I'm guessing that would be the case, assuming you have Comcast as well (i'm not sure if the other companies scrambe their HD locals or not). From what I understand though, you don't even need to subscribe to a "digital" package (unless you want the additional channels, guide, and on-demand features, which are determined by the digital STB, not the feed coming in.

Now anyone correct me if I'm wrong with any of this, this is just what I've gathered though research on these forums over the past few weeks.
I believe cable is either "on" or "off", and that all cable is a digital feed. Your subscription to regular cable (basic or standard) gives you the feed and an analog STB to descramble (if necessary). Digital subscription gives you the feed and a digital STB to tune digital channels, descramble, and provide features. HD subscription gives you a HD STB which tunes HD in addition to digtial features.

Now if your TV has a built in digital and/or HD tuner (QAM/ASTC), your TV can tune all the digital and/or HD channels that aren't scrambled (e.g., needs a STB) with only a basic "non-digital" subscription. Because the digital subscription really only gets you a STB for tuning, your built-in TV tuner eliminates the need for the STB, unless you want scrambled channels, on-demand, ppv, etc.

Originally posted by UConnJack
I'm guessing that would be the case, assuming you have Comcast as well (i'm not sure if the other companies scrambe their HD locals or not). From what I understand though, you don't even need to subscribe to a "digital" package (unless you want the additional channels, guide, and on-demand features, which are determined by the digital STB, not the feed coming in.

Now anyone correct me if I'm wrong with any of this, this is just what I've gathered though research on these forums over the past few weeks.
I believe cable is either "on" or "off", and that all cable is a digital feed. Your subscription to regular cable (basic or standard) gives you the feed and an analog STB to descramble (if necessary). Digital subscription gives you the feed and a digital STB to tune digital channels, descramble, and provide features. HD subscription gives you a HD STB which tunes HD in addition to digtial features.

Now if your TV has a built in digital and/or HD tuner (QAM/ASTC), your TV can tune all the digital and/or HD channels that aren't scrambled (e.g., needs a STB) with only a basic "non-digital" subscription. Because the digital subscription really only gets you a STB for tuning, your built-in TV tuner eliminates the need for the STB, unless you want scrambled channels, on-demand, ppv, etc.

It's my understanding that the cable companies cannot scramble
the local channels, whether they are analog or digital, including HD.

But watch out for that $10 a month "basic" cable. That is what we get, and it is only 1-23. Channel 24 comes in lousy, so I assume there is a blocker out on the post that prevents anything higher coming in. You need "standard" cable to get all the unscrambled channels.

From Scott Fybush's Northeast Radio Watch December 27, 2004 newsletter which can be found here (http://www.fybush.com/nerw.html)
On the TV side, WPIX-DT has moved from its temporary spot on channel 12 back to its permanent home on channel 33 - and it's now operating from the new master DTV combiner and antenna on the Empire State Building. There are lots of changes afoot on the ESB TV scene, we hear, including a new antenna going into service for WNBC (Channel 4) and WNYW (Channel 5)...and as always, more changes still to come.Be interesting to see how this affects CT viewer reception of the local and NYC ATSC stations on channel 33.

Originally posted by arich
But watch out for that $10 a month "basic" cable. That is what we get, and it is only 1-23. Channel 24 comes in lousy, so I assume there is a blocker out on the post that prevents anything higher coming in. You need "standard" cable to get all the unscrambled channels.

This is true. However, if you subscribe to Comcast's cable internet service, they need to take the filter off even if you subscribe to limited basic.

Originally posted by Will_Morr
This is true. However, if you subscribe to Comcast's cable internet service, they need to take the filter off even if you subscribe to limited basic.

I have basic service from Charter and internet and they put a filter on the pole so I don't get anything above channel 23. So I guess it can be done. I read from someone with Cox Cable that they have basic also and get the digital locals unscrambled. I would try it with Comcast first. You can always change it if you want to later.

RP, here in Bethlehem WPIX isn't hurting WFSB. They aren't at full power yet. By turning antenna towards NYC WPIX reads 75 on Voom receiver signal meter. It needs at least 85 to lock. I am hoping to get both channels when they increase power. WWOR is now on combiner on channel 38 and that is coming in easily. Hopefully antenna will reject signals from behind as from where I live it is almost 180 degrees from Avon towers to NYC towers. Is WWLP at full power yet? I am getting solid signal of 70 here. Hope to get it when you increase power.

Originally posted by pmalve
Here in Bethlehem WPIX isn't hurting WFSB. They aren't at full power yet. By turning antenna towards NYC WPIX reads 75 on Voom receiver signal meter. It needs at least 85 to lock. I am hoping to get both channels when they increase power. WWOR is now on combiner on channel 38 and that is coming in easily. Hopefully antenna will reject signals from behind as from where I live it is almost 180 degrees from Avon towers to NYC towers.Thanks info. That is pretty good news if you can eventually receive both signals - and the front to back rejection of your antenna is good enough to attenuate one below the interference threshold to receive the other!Is WWLP at full power yet? I am getting solid signal of 70 here. Hope to get it when you increase power. They were doing some additional work last week ... and I believe are running now at 10 kW under a FCC STA. A service contour map can be found here (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT752695.html). I'm not too familiar with the topography below Torrington ... wonder if a VHF preamp would help? Do you get WTXX-DT (12) and WTNH-DT (10)?

If Pmalve is able to get both channels on 33 it will probably turn out to be both a blessing and a curse. Since propagation fades in and out, at some times one or both will turn out to be very broken or dead. Murphy's Law says that it will be the one you want to watch. John

[QUOTE]Originally posted by pmalve
[B]I have basic service from Charter and internet and they put a filter on the pole so I don't get anything above channel 23. So I guess it can be done. I read from someone with Cox Cable that they have basic also and get the digital locals unscrambled.

Not sure if you were talking about me with Cox cable or not.
I have their internet service but not cable. I still get the local
channels from the digital tier in HD since they are not scrambled.

Anybody else not getting any video on WTNH-DT 8-1? I can hear the announcers but no video. It was working fine earlier. I flipped over to the new D* ABC ch 86 and it's working OK there.

Originally posted by raoul5788
It's my understanding that the cable companies cannot scramble
the local channels, whether they are analog or digital, including HD.

Not true Chip. There is no FCC provision that covers scrambling the digital locals (per the FCC anyway). There was a discussion recently in the HD Recorders forum, and the FCC told at least one member that as long as the cable company still provides an unscrambled SD version they are under no obligation to do the same for digital, including HD. Thankfully most do, but still ;)

I'm thinking of adding an OTA antenna to my D* HD setup. I live in Enfield, CT. Can anyone recommend any installers??

Originally posted by JasonBourne
I'm thinking of adding an OTA antenna to my D* HD setup. I live in Enfield, CT. Can anyone recommend any installers??
I highly recommend American Satellite in Middletown. They did my two antennas and I haven't had a single problem. I wish I remembered the installers name. He was good, professional and patient.

I have a D* HDTiVo setup with 2 OTA antennas.

The one thing I somewhat regret is installing the antennas in the attic instead of on the roof. I get very good signals, but I think they'd be even higher if I installed on the roof...

Good Luck,

Frank

I'm wondering, what is the current wattage and what is the expected output and when do they plan on getting there?

Fox -
CBS -
ABC (New Haven) -
NBC -

Thanks in advance,

Frank

Originally posted by garberfc
I'm wondering, what is the current wattage and what is the expected output and when do they plan on getting there?

Fox -
CBS -
ABC (New Haven) -
NBC -

Thanks in advance,???
Not sure what you're really looking for. Stations are assigned by the FCC an effective radiated power (ERP). In simple terms this is computed by taking the output of a transmitter (units = watts), subtracting the loss of the feedline and adding the gain of the antenna.

Maybe you should consider spending some time on the FCC's web site - here's a link to the FCC TV Query (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html).

Just enter the callsign for the stations in question ... and you'll get a list of records in return.

For example, WTNH is the ABC affiliate in New Haven CT. Their facility ID is 74109 (each station has a unique ID which doesn't change even when the callsign does). Information about WTNH can be found here (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=74109).

If you're interested in ATSC (digital) stations ... look for service type DT (or DS). You'll find all the most current information there - including what a station may be currently operating at and what applications it may have pending as well.

You can even get nice plots of the antenna pattern (most stations do not transmit an omnidirectional signal). For example, WTNH-DT Service Contour Map (36 dBu) map can be found here (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT989921.html).

Hope that helps!

While playing around with my rotator tonight, I noticed a couple of new things out of the Springfield market: First of all, WGGB-DT was coming in strongly at my house, This was the first time that I have seen their signal in West Hartford, and, while the programming was still SD, the signal strength was excellent. It looks as if they may have increased their operating power substantially: I wonder if a conversion to HDTV programming is in the works, too?

WWLP-DT seems to have changed their PSIP information as they no longer remap to 22-1 and 22-2. They come in at my house, on my LG tuner as 11-2 and 11-3. I would guess that it is a temporary issue, but I also wonder if WWLP -DT has increased their transmitting power at the same time, and if the two issues are somehow related.

Originally posted by cgorra
WWLP-DT seems to have changed their PSIP information as they no longer remap to 22-1 and 22-2. They come in at my house, on my LG tuner as 11-2 and 11-3. I would guess that it is a temporary issue, but I also wonder if WWLP -DT has increased their transmitting power at the same time, and if the two issues are somehow related. The PID's may have been changed to be in compliance with some changes in the ATSC standard ... will have to check on that. What LG box do you have? Did you try to rescan or remove/add the channel? What does it then display? WWLP-DT is running at higher power now. The antenna work and encoder issues would be unrelated.

BTW: have not heard anything about HD or any other changes for WGGB-DT. Will ask around. FCC information for WGGB can be found here (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=25682). Looking at the contour maps it would appear that even with the lower power STA they should be getting some signal down into your area.

Did not realize the power was up at WWLP. I turned the antenna and it is coming in pretty well right now, occasional blockyness and sound hiccup. Previously at the lower power ir showed some signal strength but no picture usually. I will have to see if the reception is stable in the next few days. This is in Mystic, CT about 60 miles from transmitter. Is the station at the finally power level? I scanned it in on my Dish 921 and it came up as channel 11. John

Originally posted by ctdish
Did not realize the power was up at WWLP. I turned the antenna and it is coming in pretty well right now, occasional blockyness and sound hiccup. Previously at the lower power ir showed some signal strength but no picture usually. I will have to see if the reception is stable in the next few days. This is in Mystic, CT about 60 miles from transmitter. Is the station at the finally power level? I scanned it in on my Dish 921 and it came up as channel 11.Yes, I believe WWLP-DT is at its final operating parameters. That's a pretty good haul - wonder if the dropouts are just multipath issues? As for it coming up as channel 11 ... will be checking into that - it should say 22.1 for WWLP-DT and 22.2 for WWLP-WX.

WWLP-DT has been listed as Channel 11-01 on my Dish Network 811 receiver since at least yesterday; prior to that it was Channel 22-01.

The signal strength meter now registers WWLP-DT at 89-90%, up from the 76-80% of three years ago.

I still can't pick up anything on Springfield ABC affiliate WGGB, and I've had reception problems with Springfield's PBS affiliate WGBY lately as well. The channel will register around 75% one day and at 49% the next, meaning the receiver can't lock onto the signal. When the channel does come in, I've noticed a bad audio sync problem in the last few weeks on "The News Hour with Jim Lehr", as well as on their other programs.

I think my receiver gets confused by the way the station sometimes multi-casts on channels 57-01 to 57-04 during the day and then switches to hi-def on 58-01 at 8PM. But those crystal-clear PBS-HD programs, which have been made "from scratch" in hi-def, have the "wow" factor that the commercial networks should emulate, and show just how good ATSC can be.

Bob,
I have similar issues with my Hughes E86 box as well. It has both 11 and 22 mapped out and it takes a long time to sync in when first tuned. The E86 also will only tune to WTNH 8-1 and 10-1 and will not map the ABC news now that my Samsung T 360 box does. All other off air DT's are fine. Only the Lin signals are strange.....BTW I can now receive WGGB DT after about a year. Not that it matters with no HD.
Jim

This afternoon I went to tune into the Packers/Vikings game on WTIC-DT and much to my dismay, I wasn't able to lock into the transmission. WTIC-DT signal strength was good, and I was able to tune all my other stations without any trouble, so I believe the stb is OK. I've been able to successfully tune in WTIC-DT in the past, as recent as a few weekends back. But today, even with a good signal strength, the display would show "No Signal" for 2 or 3 seconds, then look like it was going to lock on displaying "61-1" and "Digital Audio" but no picture. After a few seconds, the "No Signal" would show again, and start the whole process again.

Is anyone else having problems with WTIC-DT? Are there problems at the station? Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Larry

By the way, I'm using a SIR T-151 stb. Works great on all the other ota stations....
Larry

Larry,
I tuned in at the second quarter and it took two attempts for my 360 to lock in on WTIC-DT. This very strange and have not seen this before. Ironically WWLP-DT is fine on the Samsung 360 but not my Hughes as I detailed above.
Jim

I have had problems with my older DTC-100 HDTV tuner and WTIC-DT before, too. It sometimes chokes on program guide information. I have solved the problem by entering 31.1 rather than 61.1. I suggest that the same remedy may work for you...My newer LG LST-3100 does not seem to have that problem.

I really hope WWLP TV22-DTV11 is not at full power, my signal strength meter doesn't seem to go above 38 unlocked (Sony). WGGB TV40-DTV55 is now pegged at close to 100 (but no HDTV). At night I can receive NBC TV7-DTV42 out of Boston but not during daylight hours and I have a separate VHF and UHF antenna.

Originally posted by JasonAndreas
I really hope WWLP TV22-DTV11 is not at full power, my signal strength meter doesn't seem to go above 38 unlocked (Sony). WGGB TV40-DTV55 is now pegged at close to 100 (but no HDTV). At night I can receive NBC TV7-DTV42 out of Boston but not during daylight hours and I have a separate VHF and UHF antenna. Hi ... you must be near or in Worcester county to be getting UHF stations from the Boston area! If you could post (or PM me) information regarding your location - I'll see if I can do some research regarding the reception of WWLP-DT. Of course - the big question is: how do you receive the WWLP analog signal on channel 22?

Originally posted by hdjunkie

Is anyone else having problems with WTIC-DT? Are there problems at the station? Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Larry
Larry,

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I was able to watch the whole game with just a couple 2 second hiccups.

Unfortunately I'm unable to check signal quality while recording (TiVo).

Frank

I think that, as stations rush to implement the Program Information Guide into their ASTC signals for the February 1, 2005 deadline, we are going to see lots of glitches in reception that have nothing to do with signal strength or multipath. It appears that the new information is causing a lot of receivers to choke. In the Hartford market, only WTIC-DT has chosen to implement the program guide information so far, but as the other stations start to roll it out, expect that many problems will have to be ironed out: many stations will experience choppy audio, and some may not lock in at all, even with excellent signal strength. The temporary solution is to manually enter the digital channel number into the tuner rather than the re-mapped analog channel number into the tuner: IE: enter 31.1 into the keypad when trying to get FOX61

Originally posted by cgorra
I think that, as stations rush to implement the Program Information Guide into their ASTC signals for the February 1, 2005 deadline ... Yea - good point. Although the data packets that contain the program information shouldn't interfere with anything else in the transmission. I'll have to look at some specs and settings - but I believe for those stations who do not have a program guide in their transport streams they still have to transmit some packets attributable to the guide. The key is that when you actually transmit the guide it does consume additional (but not really that much) bandwidth ... and the total can't exceed the 19.39 mbps maximum for the ATSC transmission. Failure to get all the audio, video, overhead and guide bandwidth allocations to add up right could cause problems.

I've got a system (actually two) with the HiPix card in them ... time to pull one out of mothballs. The nice thing with these setups is that you can record any (receivable) station's transport streams to disk - and then use a simple program like TSReader (from coolstf.com) to do packet analysis on the stream. For anyone who's really interested in digging into the internals of digital television (its all just computer information) that's the kind of setup that will let you really see what's going on!

Originally posted by WHNB
I think my receiver gets confused by the way the station sometimes multi-casts on channels 57-01 to 57-04 during the day and then switches to hi-def on 58-01 at 8PM. But those crystal-clear PBS-HD programs, which have been made "from scratch" in hi-def, have the "wow" factor that the commercial networks should emulate, and show just how good ATSC can be.
> What kind of antenna are you using? I'm in Broad Brook and have tried using a couple of different amplified antennas and cannot get 57 with any luck. The DirecTV installer came in twice with different OTA antennas and couldn't get a good signal.

Originally posted by cgorra
First of all, WGGB-DT was coming in strongly at my house, This was the first time that I have seen their signal in West Hartford, and, while the programming was still SD, the signal strength was excellent. It looks as if they may have increased their operating power substantially: I wonder if a conversion to HDTV programming is in the works, too?
> I’ve wondered about this also. The programming guide for the station says that the show should be in HD, but no HD so far.

Originally posted by tokerblue
I've wondered about this also. The programming guide for the station says that the show should be in HD, but no HD so far. That is usually because the HD program information is sent from the networks Tribune Media and other organizations who compile these guides. There is probably the incorrect assumption that the local affiliate is broadcasting in HD when it is not. (There are very few stations that originate local HD programming - most of what we see in the guide comes from the national level.)

I am confused concerning audio being transmitted by DTV stations. I guess not all are automatically 5.1 - but, which are in CT? Are there any local boradcasts in 5.1? Finally, how about AC3? Thanks

Originally posted by afis
I am confused concerning audio being transmitted by DTV stations. I guess not all are automatically 5.1 - but, which are in CT? Are there any local boradcasts in 5.1? Finally, how about AC3? Thanks I think the audio is always AC3 - I'll check my notes on that. All the encoders that I'm aware of take stereo in and generate 2/0 Dolby Digital AC3 audio out. So you should minimally see everything in Stereo. To get Dolby 5.1 encoding (3/2) typically one uses a separate Dolby encoder (like the Dolby DP-569 (http://www.dolby.com/assets/pdf/tech_library/111_pa.br.0108.DP69.Spec.pdf) encoder) and the output of that encoder is passed into the ATSC encoder (thus bypassing any audio functions in the ATSC encoder).

If you're really interested, there used to be a document on the Dolby web site (http://www.dolby.com) that showed how each of the major networks was distributing audio for ATSC television. For NBC there are three AES digital stereo feeds which are fed into the Dolby 5.1 encoder generating the L/R C/LFE LS/RS channels. The cool thing is that the same Dolby 5.1 encoder used by broadcasters is also used in the production of DVD's and other material as well.

If you're capable of decoding Dolby 5.1 audio (I've got a discrete ATSC tuner with fibre out to a Sony tuner/amp that takes care of the decoding, etc.) you'll notice that it will switch from 3/2 or 3/0 to 2/0 (and possibly other modes). This is done because as you're watching the programming the source program may be in Dolby 5.1 format but the network and local ads, promo's, etc. are not. This should all be totally seamless to your viewing experience: you should hear the difference; I see the decode modes change on the display of my Sony tuner/amp. (And you'll only see the 5.1 or 3/2 indication when the station is actually encoding Dolby 5.1 audio.) A lot of the NBC HD network programming is in Dolby 5.1 format - but I know of no good or reliable source that will tell you what audio format a specific show is in.

It appears that WTNH-DT, WTXX-DT, WTIC-DT and WVIT-DT in the Hartford market have the ability to pass along Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, as I have seen DD 5.1 come from each of these stations. WFSB-DT has the equipment, but has bever been able to make it work without major issues with lip-synch, so they continue to send down Dolby Digital 2.0 only. WWLP-DT and WGBY-DT also transmit a Dolby-Digital 5.1 signal when the network sends it down to them.

Originally posted by hdjunkie
Is anyone else having problems with WTIC-DT? Are there problems at the station? Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Larry

Issues with Fox Channel 61 and "24"- I had the same issue while trying to watch the end of the Pakers game and 24. I had full signal strength on my OTA tuner but no picture and my tuner said that it was "Off the air". All other digital signals where strong and had picture but not 61.
(USDigtal receiver)
I was always able to get Fox 61 in the past

Originally posted by tokerblue
> What kind of antenna are you using? I'm in Broad Brook and have tried using a couple of different amplified antennas and cannot get 57 with any luck. The DirecTV installer came in twice with different OTA antennas and couldn't get a good signal....
> I’ve wondered about this also. The programming guide for the station says that the show should be in HD, but no HD so far.

I have one of those arc-shaped Terk antennas clipped onto the top of my satellite dish which is on the roof of a four-story apartment complex that is on the banks of the Connecticut River. Other forum posters have pointed out that a deep-fringe boom antenna would provide me with better reception, but as I am a renter here, the Terk was the most expedient choice.

Ironically this complex does have two master antenna towers with boom antennas attached, but the set-up has not been maintained since cable TV became the preferred way to receive TV signals in the 1980s. As such, the only reception that I got when I tried connecting to the antenna jack in the apartment wall was an extremely snowy Channel 3.

Currently (6:50PM, Monday), Channel 58-01 (Channel 57's digital channel number) is registering between 76-78% on my receiver's signal strength meter. The audio still seems to be not quite in sync with the video on "The News Hour".

With the Terk and an 811 receiver I also receive these digital stations:

WFSB - CBS - 3-01 @89-90%
WTNH - ABC - 10-01 (Channel 8) @70%
WWLP - NBC - 11-01 (Channel 22) @89-90%
WTXX - WB - 20-01 @69-70%
WTIC - FOX - 61-01 @89-90%
Channel 30-01 has been hard to lock onto since about last June. Over the past three days I've noticed that if I wait long enough, WVIT-DT will eventually come in at 85-86%. I don't know if they have made some changes at their end - I've made none at mine - but prior to last week the channel would not come in at all. I did receive it at 90-91% for the first three months after 30's digital channel signed on during the first week of March, 2004.

I can't receive WCTX - UPN - originating from Hamden.

Regarding ABC affiliate WGGB in Springfield, I have read on-line reports that the station's owner, Sinclair Broadcasting, initially dragged its feet on converting to digital because it believed that the standard chosen to broadcast it (8VSB) was inferior to another digital transmission system that Sinclair favored. This past summer a fifth generation chip was developed for the 8VSB method that dispelled many of Sinclair's reservations about good reception of digital broadcasts using 8VSB. Sinclair then began to accelerate its build-out of digital facilities at the stations that it owns.

Here on avsforum there is a thread titled "Springfield, MA HDTV." One of the posters on that thread mentioned that Sinclair will continue its digital transition to meet the federal mandate. But while the government is requiring stations to convert to digital, there is no requirement that TV stations broadcast in high definition. They can meet their federal obligation by transmitting their programs in only "standard digital" - 480p. The poster, who has closely followed the Springfield stations, believed that this was the path that Sinclair was going to take, and as such WGGB might not be passing along ABC network programs in high definition for the foreseeable future.

Originally posted by WHNB
With the Terk and an 811 receiver I also receive these digital stations:
WFSB - CBS - 3-01 @89-90%
WTNH - ABC - 10-01 (Channel 8) @70%
WWLP - NBC - 11-01 (Channel 22) @89-90%
WTXX - WB - 20-01 @69-70%
WTIC - FOX - 61-01 @89-90%
Channel 30-01 has been hard to lock onto since about last June.
> Much thanks for your input. I guess I’ll have to try another outdoor antenna. I tried scanning the channels yesterday and still cannot get WWLP (Channel 22) for some reason. My receiver (Samsung TS360) keeps scanning it as 22-1, but I can’t get a picture. The signal meter reads 69% and higher. When I try dialing 11-1 manually, it’s mapped as a Satellite channel. Hopefully someone knows how to change this, as I tried for quite a while.

Originally posted by tokerblue
... still cannot get WWLP (Channel 22) for some reason. My receiver (Samsung TS360) keeps scanning it as 22-1, but I can’t get a picture. The signal meter reads 69% and higher. When I try dialing 11-1 manually, it’s mapped as a Satellite channel.Try entering 22-1 and 22-2 as well as 11-2 and 11-3. Do you get WTNH-DT on 10 or WTXX-DT on 12 OK?

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Try entering 22-1 and 22-2 as well as 11-2 and 11-3. Do you get WTNH-DT on 10 or WTXX-DT on 12 OK?
> I can't get a lock on WTNH since the since the signal isn’t really great. WTXX-DT is set to 20-1 and comes in intermittently. The TS360 recognizes 22-1, 22-2 and 22-3 as digital stations and reception is at least above 69, but no picture. 22 Analog comes in crystal clear. I tried 11-2 and 11-3 but they come up as satellite stations. I even tried adding and removing 22-1 and rescanning, no go.

Originally posted by tokerblue
> I can't get a lock on WTNH since the since the signal isn’t really great. WTXX-DT is set to 20-1 and comes in intermittently. The TS360 recognizes 22-1, 22-2 and 22-3 as digital stations and reception is at least above 69, but no picture. 22 Analog comes in crystal clear. I tried 11-2 and 11-3 but they come up as satellite stations. I even tried adding and removing 22-1 and rescanning, no go. Hmmm ... that's strange. What concerns me is that you're getting three sub channels - there's only two! WWLP-DT on 22-1 and WWLP-WX on 22-2. A long time ago the configuration had three sub channels: 1 was SD, 2 was WX and 3 was HD. The third sub channel was eliminated and the first became the HD. I wonder if there's a way to totally reset the box ... something doesn't seem right here. (Have you ever received WWLP-DT? If so - do you remember when, or when it started not working?)

RPMcCormick,

On a Sony HD200 and HDTivo DirecTv units digital 22 shows up as 22-1,22-2,22-3, all of which
have no signal for over a week. Read the earlier threads and did a rescan to add channels and
found 11-2 and11-3...HD22 and weather. No info for the channels just "regular schedule".
I will post in Spfld thread as well.

Tnx feedback on WWLP-DT issues. Will investigate further.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
I wonder if there's a way to totally reset the box ... something doesn't seem right here. (Have you ever received WWLP-DT? If so - do you remember when, or when it started not working?)
> It happened about 2 weeks ago. I was a little miffed that I only was receiving about 3 digital channels and no ABC HD feed, so I decided to rescan the channels again. After the rescan, I got the WGGB ABC digital feed (not HD), but I lost 22-1 for some reason. It was right after the scan. I also did a manual reboot to see if the Guide data would update itself, which it did.

I also set my Primary OTA location in the Menu to Hartford and the Secondary OTA location to Springfield, which then listed a ton of new digital channels, which I can’t get reception to. Is this probably what my problem is? The guide isn’t up to date? BTW, I also have 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3 listed in my Guide.

Originally posted by tokerblue
It happened about 2 weeks ago. I was a little miffed that I only was receiving about 3 digital channels and no ABC HD feed, so I decided to rescan the channels again. After the rescan, I got the WGGB ABC digital feed (not HD), but I lost 22-1 for some reason. It was right after the scan. I also did a manual reboot to see if the Guide data would update itself, which it did.

I also set my Primary OTA location in the Menu to Hartford and the Secondary OTA location to Springfield, which then listed a ton of new digital channels, which I can’t get reception to. Is this probably what my problem is? The guide isn’t up to date? BTW, I also have 8-1, 8-2 and 8-3 listed in my Guide. Thanks for the feedback on the date. What service are you getting the guide on? WTNH may need to let the program guide folks know what they're transmitting ... what does your guide say is on each of channel 8's sub channels?

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Thanks for the feedback on the date. What service are you getting the guide on? WTNH may need to let the program guide folks know what they're transmitting ... what does your guide say is on each of channel 8's sub channels?
> I have DirecTV as my provider. I'm not at home right now, so I'm going by memory. I know that the 8-1 is the standard program listing, 8-2 is weather updates. Not sure about 8-3.

Originally posted by tokerblue
I have DirecTV as my provider. I'm not at home right now, so I'm going by memory. I know that the 8-1 is the standard program listing, 8-2 is weather updates. Not sure about 8-3. OK - I think DirecTV gets the guide info from Tribune. Let me know what you see in the guide, including any descriptions, etc. and I'll get a message to them. Hopefully we can get it updated so that it shows what's currently being transmitted.

Just got word from WFSB that they had to do a mandatory PID change to their digital service. If anyone who was receiving WFSB-DT is now having a problem receiving WFSB, just reboot your tuner and "relearn" 33.1.

PID (Packet Identifier) is the audio and video stream packetized and assigned a number. Those numbers, according to the FCC had to be changed.



:)

I've noticed this evening (Tuesday) that my 811 receiver has gone back to listing WWLP-DT as Channel 22-01. Last week it started to be listed as Channel 11-01.

LIN sister station WTNH-DT is still listed as Channel 10-01; it used to appear in the program guide as Channel 8-01.

Some viewers reported having problems receiving WWLP-DT. Further investigation found that some of the packets in the ATSC stream were possibly missing. This resulted in some tuners showing channels as 11-2 and 11-3 (versus 22-1 and 22-2) and sometimes without names (WWLP-HD and WWLP-WX) ... other tuners were unable to tune the channel at all.

Equipment was reset at 4:42 PM on Tuesday 11 Jan 2005 and all looks good. Any reception problem reports subsequent to that time would be appreciated.

In the next few days some changes will also occur with the PID's (a packet identifier in the ATSC stream). The ATSC standard requires that all broadcasters stop using a certain range of numbers - so most broadcasters will have to reprogram their encoders. More information can be found on the http://www.atsc.org web site. You may have to rescan to pickup these new PID's when they're changed. Will post a note when the change is made for WWLP-DT.

I just got home and tried out 22-1 and 22-2 and everything seems to be back to normal. Much thanks for your help!!!

Now if there was only a way to get 8-1 to keep a constant signal above 30. I'd also take 40-1 in HD as a substitute. :)

I finally found a way to get all the Network HD feeds on a DVR in Old Saybrook without a really huge expensive antenna setup. Comcast offers basic cable service for $10 a month then you can get the HD DVR for $21 more per month so for an HD DVR with basic cable and the following HD Channels:

ESPN HD
INHD/NESN HD
WTNH ABC HD
WVIT NBC HD
WFSB CBS HD
WTIC FOX HD
CPTV PBS HD

All for $31 a month! Then I told them I have DirecTV and asked if I could get the Dish Deal and they gave me a $400 credit over 16 months so thats $25 off a month for a total of $6 a month!! I'm sure theres going to be taxes and some other small fee's plus there is a $100 DVR deposit for the SA Explorer 8000HD but they said I would get that back within a year. I also got there Cable Internet which is only $19.95 for 6 months then it will go to $42.95 after that. I had SBC and am just canceling that now but SBC was $60 a month for 1.5/256 and I am getting 3.0/256 now so its way better and cheaper.

I am really surprised, when I left Comcast a year and a half ago they didn't have anything, I think they where just getting digital cable back then. Now they have everything and it all works really well. I still love my DirecTiVo's though. Only down side I see so far is you can't upgrade the space on the SA 8000HD but I'll only be using it for the network HD stuff and I have NBC HD on my HD DirecTiVo so that will save some space also.

-Joe

I have the $10 basic cable here in Windsor but it has no channels above 23 and therefore no unencrypted hd. That is quite a deal.

I couldn't believe it either because supposedly I don't have digital cable but I get a lot more than basic cable, I have most the channels under 100 and a few above 100 including all the pay. I get nick and MTV but not wam or nick2. Stuff like that. I specifically asked several times this will only be $21 extra per month on my bill right and they said yes. So either its some kind of loop hole or they screwed up and I will get a huge bill but I guess I will find out in a few weeks.

-Joe

Originally posted by JosephR
I couldn't believe it either because supposedly I don't have digital cable but I get a lot more than basic cable, I have most the channels under 100 and a few above 100 including all the pay. I get nick and MTV but not wam or nick2. Stuff like that. I specifically asked several times this will only be $21 extra per month on my bill right and they said yes. So either its some kind of loop hole or they screwed up and I will get a huge bill but I guess I will find out in a few weeks.

-Joe

most likely they forgot/did not bother installing inline filter. The purpose of it is to filter out those channels/services you are not suppose to receive.
A word of caution, next time you will have any work done on your service, they may realize that a filter is missing, and may even blame you for removing it.
it used to be the case that subscribing to cable internet service almost guaranteed that you will receive some basic level of cable, but not anymore.

most limited basic traps are "Window Traps". This means that they filter out a window of channels, usually somewhere near 20 to somewhere near 70. They will typically pass channels two to twenty something, and from seventy something up. Most QAM carriers are in the channels above 70 something. This is how you can get the in the clear QAM channels with a limited servce.

A data only trap does the same thing, but will typically only filter out the analog video, allowing the Internet and or Telephone service to work.

Originally posted by arich
I have the $10 basic cable here in Windsor but it has no channels above 23 and therefore no unencrypted hd. That is quite a deal.

Do you have a digital box? As I understand it you should get the HD local networks even with basic cable. But you will need either a digital box or a TV with a QAM tuner built in. I think you can get a digital box and remote for less than $10 but don't quote me on that (Comcast's rates just went up again).

Andy

I see that WVIT-DT is now sending out subchannels.
I am getting 35-2, which seems to be the same as 35-1,
although I suspect it will be sd when 35-1 is hd, and also
I am getting 35-4, which is weather and some news, I think.
For some reason I am not getting any sound, though.

Originally posted by raoul5788
I see that WVIT-DT is now sending out subchannels. I am getting 35-2, which seems to be the same as 35-1, although I suspect it will be sd when 35-1 is hd, and also I am getting 35-4, which is weather and some news, I think. For some reason I am not getting any sound, though. Just did a rescan using a HiPix card and review with TSReaderLite:

35-2 PID 0x20 1920x1080i 384 kbps AC3 audio
35-4 PID 0x40 704x480i 192 kbps AC3 audio

Possibly similar to the issue WWLP had there seems to be no VCT packets ... so there's nothing in there to identify the channels as 30-X or their names or calls ... I'm showing them as 35-2 and 35-4. I bet if you rescan you'll see just two sub channels. The first is the main NBC 16:9 program stream and the second is some kind of weather channel in 4:3 format. I would expect this to change - maybe they're working on it? The standard recently changed and broadcasters can't use PID's less than 0x0030 ... so I'd expect the first sub channel to be updated.

---

Quick update to my post: just minutes after making the post I looked again and this time see the WVIT-DT 30.1 VCT packets ... its likely you're seeing some work in progress!

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Just did a rescan using a HiPix card and review with TSReaderLite:

35-2 PID 0x20 1920x1080i 384 kbps AC3 audio
35-4 PID 0x40 704x480i 192 kbps AC3 audio

Possibly similar to the issue WWLP had there seems to be no VCT packets ... so there's nothing in there to identify the channels as 30-X or their names or calls ... I'm showing them as 35-2 and 35-4. I bet if you rescan you'll see just two sub channels. The first is the main NBC 16:9 program stream and the second is some kind of weather channel in 4:3 format. I would expect this to change - maybe they're working on it? The standard recently changed and broadcasters can't use PID's less than 0x0030 ... so I'd expect the first sub channel to be updated.

---

Quick update to my post: just minutes after making the post I looked again and this time see the WVIT-DT 30.1 VCT packets ... its likely you're seeing some work in progress!

I talked to one of their techs earlier today. I think his name is Tim Liebler.
He was very friendly and helpful. He said that they just started yesterday
and that it will likely be changing.

Update! The audio is working now on 35.4

I see the 2 channels. News/Weather channel looks nice. Much better quality than the ABC Now on 8-2. Only issue, main channel is 35-2 which does not have program guide data and 30-1 is now not working. That screws up my HD Tivo taping. I dont watch that much NBC so I configured my HD Tivo to manually record Joey tomorrow on 35-2 just in case.

Originally posted by brewer4
I see the 2 channels. News/Weather channel looks nice. Much better quality than the ABC Now on 8-2. Only issue, main channel is 35-2 which does not have program guide data and 30-1 is now not working. That screws up my HD Tivo taping. I dont watch that much NBC so I configured my HD Tivo to manually record Joey tomorrow on 35-2 just in case.

Give them a couple of days and I'll bet they are back to normal.

Yep. 30-1 is back. I am sure it will go back and forth as they test and release the channel changes.

Andy238: yes, I have an LG STB with QAM capability. But with the $10 basic cable, they put a block on all channels over 23. 24 (HGTV, wife loves it) comes in, but with lousy picture. Nothing above that comes in, so while the local digital channels may be unscrambled, they do not make it through. You have to have "standard" cable to get the unencripted hd. That is a lot more than $10.

I know that CPTV is unavailable ota in the Hartford area, but understand that it is carried in hd on some cable systems. Are the UCONN games in hd?

Schmitter: I missed your post when replying to Andy238. My QAM channel scan came up with zippo, so unless there is a problem with my LG ( have the 3100A, not the newer box) they are blocking all of them, not just a "window."

Andy: what type of QAM setting do you get your unencrypted hd? You know, there are three types and your supposed to scan in each until you find the stations.

Originally posted by arich
I know that CPTV is unavailable ota in the Hartford area, but understand that it is carried in hd on some cable systems. Are the UCONN games in hd?

In a word, NO! :(

Originally posted by arich
I know that CPTV is unavailable ota in the Hartford area, but understand that it is carried in hd on some cable systems. Are the UCONN games in hd?
> Only if the stars are right and ESPN HD carries it.

Originally posted by arich
Schmitter: I missed your post when replying to Andy238. My QAM channel scan came up with zippo, so unless there is a problem with my LG ( have the 3100A, not the newer box) they are blocking all of them, not just a "window."

Andy: what type of QAM setting do you get your unencrypted hd? You know, there are three types and your supposed to scan in each until you find the stations.


Sounds like you may have an older trap that is not a window trap and does trap out everything above your limited basic service. These traps are good for the finance folks because they are much less expensive than the window traps. If you were to subscribe to a cable modem service, you would have to have a new trap installed.

There is also a thing called a frequency agile addressable tap. This costs more, but you don't need to roll a truck to adjust a customers level of servce or to do a disconnect. It is all done from the office.

Anyone else having OTA HD receptions problems with WTNH? Trying to figure out if its just me/ice on my roof, or if they are having problems.

Originally posted by arich
Schmitter: I missed your post when replying to Andy238. My QAM channel scan came up with zippo, so unless there is a problem with my LG ( have the 3100A, not the newer box) they are blocking all of them, not just a "window."

Andy: what type of QAM setting do you get your unencrypted hd? You know, there are three types and your supposed to scan in each until you find the stations.

I've got Comcast's Digital Plus with the Moto HD box running to an NEC projector. I don't have a TV with a QAM tuner.

You may want to call and double check the local HD thing. Here's the fine print from Comcast HD Webpage. The first sentence is the key.

"*HDTV Broadcast feeds are included in limited basic service. A subscription to HBO, Showtime, Cinemax and Starz is required to receive the HDTV channel from that service. HDTV Programming is limited to the programs delivered to Comcast in HDTV format by the underlying program provider. Programming is subject to change. ESPN, INHD and INHD2 are included with a subscription to Comcast Digital Cable. An additional monthly equipment charge may apply."

It might take going to the CSR supervisor level but it'd be worth it.

Andy

Originally posted by Such
Anyone else having OTA HD receptions problems with WTNH? Trying to figure out if its just me/ice on my roof, or if they are having problems.

Maybe they were right in the middle of upgrading. I normally get NTNH at 72-79% with some pixelization depending on weather. It sometimes will drop below 72. I just tested signal and now getting 86-93% with 100% spikes. Did they just up power??? I hope it stays like this!!

I am in Marlborough by the way.

I called over to WTNH, they were doing an upgrade, but that was to the front end gear, not the transmitter, so they have not done anything that would affect signal strength (according to them).

Wondering if I'm suffering from interference from other channels, I have seperate VHF & UHF antenna's with a Channel Master 7777.

I'm going to play around tonight with antenna locations & try an attenuator on the UHF side to see if that makes a difference.

Anye living in the area of Columbia, Hebron, Andover, Lebanon, Windham, Coventry or Willimantic area and using either Over the Air (OTA) or getting HD from cable or satellite?

Problems with WWLP-DT reception?

WWLP made some minor modifications to its ATSC digital transmissions
on Thursday 13 Jan 2004 at 4:00 PM. Although many ATSC tuners will
automatically adapt to these changes many viewers may find that they
have to either rescan their digital channels or delete and add WWLP-DT
for continued reception.

Originally posted by jacksymon
Anye living in the area of Columbia, Hebron, Andover, Lebanon, Windham, Coventry or Willimantic area and using either Over the Air (OTA) or getting HD from cable or satellite?

You skipped Marlborough and yes I am getting OTA HD on HD Tivo with Directv. I have a split UHF VHF scenario that is going through a multi switch so I get a combined Satellite and OTA UHF/VHF signal through out the house. The VHF is using an outdoor Terk 51 amplified antenna pointing southwest. I have a rotating double 6 foot boom Yagi antennas pretty much fixed towards west slightly north for UHF channels. I get the following.

WFSB 33 - CBS
WTNH 10 - ABC
WTXX 12 - WB (low signal at 20%)
WVIT 35 - NBC
WEDN 45 - PBS (have to move antenna to due east for Norwich)
WCTX 39 - UPN
WTIC 31 - FOX

All come in great except WTXX and some Mass ones that are too low as well.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Well, you guys have me re-interested in this QAM thing. I may just call comcast and tell em I am not getting all I am supposed to and they need to put on a newer trap. Alternatively, I am considering a cable modem for high speed internet anyway, and may go that way. I would not care so much if I got channel 8 hd, but I am not gonna put up a rooftop antenna until spring, and the indoor antennas just don't get it at my house.

Brewer4 ,
Are you using a pre-amp with your split setup, I also have a split setup and use a Channel Master 7777 to combine them. Ever since the newer stations came up full power, I'm strugging to get WTNH. Have not tried taking the 7777 out of the mix yet, will do that this weekend, but in the past I've needed it to get WTNH.

Right now I get everything with the exception of WTNH (the only VHF channel I need). I used to get it just fine before WVIT & WFSB came up full power.

Down here on the shoreline, I still cant get WTIC although I get a fairly strong signal on the OTA meter. I get either no picture or very bad pixelation. I have a CM 4228 and CM 7777, I tried without the 7777 but then nothing. WFSB WTNH and WVIT are great!!! Anybody have any thoughts as to what I can do to get WTIC here in Milford??? Thanks!!

scottte

Anybody know at what power level WTXX is transmitting. I live in Wallingford, and normally have my Channel Master antenna pointed north. I had been able to pick up WTNH and WTXX of the back side of the antenna. However, since I bought the HD Tivo, I am no longer able to do so, and have to rotate the antenna. This is the only stations I have to do it with. WTNH come in at 90%, WTXX only at 20%.

Are they at full power?

WTXX-DT is up on Channel 61's tower, but only about half-way up the tower. Apparently they are on a Temporary Authority until the new antenna array is built that will house WTIC-TV and DT, WTXX-DT and WEDH-TV and DT. Therefore, they are not "full power" yet, although their transmission pattern should closely match that of WTIC-DT for the moment. A lot of people who do not have an adaquate VHF antenna could potentially have trouble with WTXX-DT, but the issue is probably more of an receiving antenna issue than a problem with the station. BTW, if you are using a Radio Shack VU series antenna, note that they are notioriously poor on channels 12 and 13.

I just got off the phone with "Pete" from WGGB, Channel 40 in Springfield, who was actually nice enough to call me back. He confirmed that WGGB-DT had increased their transmitter input power from 800 watts to 30KW starting on Friday, January 7. He was curious about how their DTV signal was coming in in West Hartford, and I confirmed a strong and pixelization-free signal at my house.

I also asked him about the progress of HDTV at WGGB, and he confirmed that the station is about 3/4 of the way there. There is some more studio work to do, which should be completed within the month, and that they have to install a new HDTV studio-to-transmitter link, and have ABC engineering come in to upgrade some satellite receiving equipment. He said that they expect to be HDTV operational at some point in the spring, and that the increase in transmitter power was part of the HDTV upgrade. Interseting news to those in Western Mass. waiting for ABC HD...

This is what I just got today from WVIT (NBC) about their HD transmission.

"We are transmitting at the highest power level allowed by the FCC. Perhaps when the analog channels go away, we may be allowed to increase the power further, but for now the 250,000 watts is all we are allowed.

Some stations have more, others less.

Interference concerns to other stations, and the height of the antenna also determine the amount of power allowed. The higher the antenna, the less power stations can run. Our antenna is just under 1800 MSL."

WGGB-DT 40

I live here in south central mass and last night using a Antenna direct XG91 yagi/CM7777 in my attic was able to lock in WGGB with no pixelation or cutouts what so ever, gettng a nice solid signal. Though in SD the picture was obviously not as vivid as channel 5 out of Boston. Probably will be better when they make the HD upgrade in the spring.

Originally posted by jacksymon
This is what I just got today from WVIT (NBC) about their HD transmission.

"We are transmitting at the highest power level allowed by the FCC. Perhaps when the analog channels go away, we may be allowed to increase the power further, but for now the 250,000 watts is all we are allowed.

Some stations have more, others less.

Interference concerns to other stations, and the height of the antenna also determine the amount of power allowed. The higher the antenna, the less power stations can run. Our antenna is just under 1800 MSL."

Uhhhh....250,000 watts. If it went any higher, I would need an amp that goes to 11. (Spinal Tap)

More than adequate. In fact, blows the roof of my receivers its so strong. Nice job WVIT. Nice job.

As I travel around CT, it seems that WVIT-DT is the most consistant of all the DT chations available: it seems to come in everywhere without much trouble...

Originally posted by Such
Brewer4 ,
Are you using a pre-amp with your split setup, I also have a split setup and use a Channel Master 7777 to combine them. Ever since the newer stations came up full power, I'm strugging to get WTNH. Have not tried taking the 7777 out of the mix yet, will do that this weekend, but in the past I've needed it to get WTNH.

Right now I get everything with the exception of WTNH (the only VHF channel I need). I used to get it just fine before WVIT & WFSB came up full power.

Since the antennas are on completely opposite ends of the house, I am using a Channel Master 7777 on the UHF and a VHF Winegard on the VHF. Dont know model number though. The 2 individual signals are combined with a Radio Shack UHF/VHF combiner (just a simple splicer reversed) and then run into a Terk 5x8 Multiswitch which is also amplified. I am NOT using the 7777 to combine the signals.

I did find you have to be really careful about the exposure of the coax cable for the VHF. It really affects the signal strength. I had to make sure it snaked behind the antenna and remained tight around the pole and down the house. Any loop or exposure really tanked the signal. It was like that when I had it indoors too. Had to play with the wire to adjust the signal. I really hate VHF. Very fickle. Very sorry WTNH chose VHF. There's problably a reason but dont know why its still around.

Hope this helps. Let me know if any more questions.

Originally posted by PatG25
Anybody know at what power level WTXX is transmitting. I live in Wallingford, and normally have my Channel Master antenna pointed north. I had been able to pick up WTNH and WTXX of the back side of the antenna. However, since I bought the HD Tivo, I am no longer able to do so, and have to rotate the antenna. This is the only stations I have to do it with. WTNH come in at 90%, WTXX only at 20%.

Are they at full power?

I too can only get 20% on WTXX. Hopefully the Spring Time adjustments improve the signal. If not, its only the WB thankfully.

Originally posted by brewer4
I really hate VHF. Very fickle. Very sorry WTNH chose VHF. There's problably a reason but dont know why its still around.Most broadcasters didn't really have anything to do with the channel assignments - there was a long process to figure out how to assign a second frequency to every station.

In general - the higher the frequency the more power it takes to cover the same area. So power bills for VHF would be less than a high power high channel UHF. OTOH, some studies seem to indicate that multipath problems are less with UHF. Also note: in the end, each broadcaster will transmit on only one of the channel assignments. In some cases broadcasters will abandon the NTSC channel in favour of the current ATSC allocation. In other cases, the broadcaster may choose to switch the ATSC channel to the analog allocation when analog is switched off.

And just to keep this all fun - nobody will be above channel 52 as all those channels will be reclaimed by the FCC. So in the Springfield MA area WGBY (analog=57 and digital=58) will have to find a channel assignment in the 7 to 52 range.

Originally posted by brewer4
Uhhhh....250,000 watts. If it went any higher, I would need an amp that goes to 11. (Spinal Tap)

More than adequate. In fact, blows the roof of my receivers its so strong. Nice job WVIT. Nice job.

Same for me here! I get a solid signal, very few drop outs and audio in 5.1!! Great Job :cool:

Brewer4,
Thanks for the coax tip, I have my VHF in the attic with the cable just lying on the ground & tie wrapped to my antenna mast that mounts it. I did notice the location of the coax made a big difference when WFSB was low power, but never noticed for WTNH. Will play around some more this weekend.

Brewer,

Why is the coax affecting the VHF sensitivity to locking such VHF channels. (Sorry I am not a physics type) Does it act like some sort of extended antenna? In addition, how did you handle the attack installation relative to the coax?

Is the UHF band also affected by the coax. Is the VHF affected using RG6Quad shield or RG11 (lower DB loss for longer runs).

And do you feel that UHF has the same affect. Sounds like SUch maybe saw that with WFSB.

Thanks.

I have a 100' of RG6 or RG11 can't remember which, it's the real thick stuff with a fat copper core & some serious shielding. I ran it when WFSB was low power to help minimize multipath as I had found the coax cable location was affecting the signal.

Currently I use the RG6/11 to my CM7777 and then quad shield to each of my antenna's (UHF & VHF, both Wineguard's). The setup is in my attic.

Anyway, ABC is killing me right now, have 100% on everything else (WTXX, WTIC, WVIT & WFSB). I'm bouncing in the 40's on most of my STB's with WTNH at the moment, had been solid (80-90's) for over a year before the newer stations went full power.

Can't stand watching Lost & Alias in SD........

Originally posted by Such
I have a 100' of RG6 or RG11 can't remember which, it's the real thick stuff with a fat copper core & some serious shielding. I ran it when WFSB was low power to help minimize multipath as I had found the coax cable location was affecting the signal.

Currently I use the RG6/11 to my CM7777 and then quad shield to each of my antenna's (UHF & VHF, both Wineguard's). The setup is in my attic.

Anyway, ABC is killing me right now, have 100% on everything else (WTXX, WTIC, WVIT & WFSB). I'm bouncing in the 40's on most of my STB's with WTNH at the moment, had been solid (80-90's) for over a year before the newer stations went full power.

Can't stand watching Lost & Alias in SD........
Such, where are you located? Is the ABC antenna on the opposite side of the WTIC, WVIT & WFSB towers from you?

I'm in Burlington and still receive ABC with a mid 70's signal. I've only been HD for 4 months. When did WTIC, WVIT & WFSB up their power (before or since)?

Frank

Such..my setup (until Spring) is my main UHF/VHF DB8 outside 45' up that gets all of Bos-RI. I have been experimenting with an AntennaCraft VHF High and a XG91 Yagi in the attack...until spring when I will go with separates outside w/ham rotor.

I was kind of hoping to get lucky using the attick setup to get some of the Hartford/Springfield stations. I have only been sucessful getting WGGB ABC, but not any of the others especially WWLP. I am on the frinze of the signal pattern for that one. Not even a blip. For CT, the only stations with signals bouncing around are 33,35,45,sometimes 32

I have been experimenting moving the attick antennas around, but when you talked about the cable in your post, I was just wondering if adjusting that might help me.

All and all It's usually all a line of sight thing. I've got dual 7777's. It is so trial and error Vodoo.

I am not going to be able to help you with suggestions about ABC because obviously my location is totally different from yours regarding line of sight, towers etc.

My only suggestion to you might be trying an attenuator.

Originally posted by PATS-SOX fan
Brewer,

Why is the coax affecting the VHF sensitivity to locking such VHF channels. (Sorry I am not a physics type) Does it act like some sort of extended antenna? In addition, how did you handle the attack installation relative to the coax?

Is the UHF band also affected by the coax. Is the VHF affected using RG6Quad shield or RG11 (lower DB loss for longer runs).

And do you feel that UHF has the same affect. Sounds like SUch maybe saw that with WFSB.

Thanks.

I am sure an engineer can better explain but yes the wire was acting as an extension of the antenna. Just like antenna rotation, tilt and angle, the wire was disrupting the signal in the wrong location or undesirable formation like an oval or loop. Doesnt seem to do it as much with UHF but it definately does for VHF. I use RG6U which is pretty well shielded and professional grade. I broke down and did the wiring right.

I am not as proficient with VHF but I really hit a home run with my UHF. I did extensive research and it was at the time when WFSB was at low power but I found the 6 foot double (2 four feet apart combined) Yagi UHF antennas to have the best performance. I forgot the site I got the info but I had a 6 foot combo UHF/VHF and it stunk even with the pre-amp and rotator. I live with tons of 50 foot oak trees. Not good for reception but the Yagis cut right through.

Anybody know of any stores in the Hartford area (I don't care if its Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Manchester, etc.) that stock a really good selection of outdoor antennae? Most stores seem to have a typical vhf/uhf corner model but I have yet to see a 4 bay uhf. I like to buy stuff in real stores, if possible (I am kinda interested in trying out a DB2 indoors, however!

Originally posted by arich
Anybody know of any stores in the Hartford area (I don't care if its Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Manchester, etc.) that stock a really good selection of outdoor antennae? Most stores seem to have a typical vhf/uhf corner model but I have yet to see a 4 bay uhf. I like to buy stuff in real stores, if possible (I am kinda interested in trying out a DB2 indoors, however!

It's a bit further away, but Starkelectronics in Worcester has the best antenna selection in the Northeast.

Signal Electronic Supply on New Park Ave in West Hartford is a distributor for Channel Master, Winegard and Wade-Delhi. I have been a customer of theirs for years, and have found that they are helpful and their pricing can't be beaten. Since they are a distributor and not a retail outlet, it helps to know what you want when you go in there, but they have just about everything in stock.

As for a DB2: it's not as powerful as a Channel Master 4221, and about twice as expensive. Antennasdirect doesn't sell their antennas through distributors or retailers. The antenna of choice, though for fringe UHF reception remains the Channel Master 4228

Originally posted by arich
Anybody know of any stores in the Hartford area (I don't care if its Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Manchester, etc.) that stock a really good selection of outdoor antennae? Most stores seem to have a typical vhf/uhf corner model but I have yet to see a 4 bay uhf. I like to buy stuff in real stores, if possible (I am kinda interested in trying out a DB2 indoors, however!
I've used Signal Electronics in West Hartford before. They have a wide variety of antennas in stock, ready to go...

I live in W. Hartford near Signal. Now, who do I get to install the antenna? NOT ME! Heights. (already have an outdoor antenna, but want a better one because of WFSB-DT.)

On Weds, I was recording CSI:NY off WFSB-DT on a Zenith HDR230; it recorded 0 minutes w/a message there was no signal to record. Anyone else have a problem with this show?

The way I have my antenna pointed (190), I get WTNH-TV right at the signal strength line between poor and average where it remains rock steady, and never have a problem. WFSB-DT will bounce back and forth between good and average like a ping-pong ball(sometimes maxing out on the meter), and then drop all the way down to poor, loosing signal or getting dropouts and pixelation. I get WTXX-DT and WVIT-DT at maximum signal strength at all times.

What the hell is the deal w/WFSB-DT. Even when I point directly at the transmitter, the signal goes all over the place.

Finally, anyone have any idea where I can get another Zenith HDR230?

Thanks,
Bob

Thanks guys, just what I wanted to know. I will try Signal, though I am not sure I want to tinker with an outdoor antenna until spring. As to the DB2, I know it is expensive and not as powerful as a 4 bay, but I am considering ordering it anyway to see how it does indoors on top of my cabinet in place of a silver sensor. I have a feeling he DB2 may pull better than the SS, especially on the high vhf channels. (Today I could pull in the New Haven abc station, which is vhf, on the SS. But only when I stood there holding onto it.

Originally posted by Robert Whitehead
I live in W. Hartford...

On Weds, I was recording CSI:NY off WFSB-DT on a Zenith HDR230; it recorded 0 minutes w/a message there was no signal to record. Anyone else have a problem with this show?

What the hell is the deal w/WFSB-DT. Even when I point directly at the transmitter, the signal goes all over the place.

Thanks,
Bob
Bob,

I live in Burlington (CT of course) and I received and watched the CSI:NY this week. I don't know if the signal wavered or not, but I didn't notice anything unusual.

Of the times I've checked over the last 4 months, I've never seen a problem with the WFSB signal. Are you too close, that is, have too strong a signal? Maybe it's overloading your tuner?

Frank

Originally posted by Robert Whitehead
I live in W. Hartford near Signal. Now, who do I get to install the antenna? NOT ME! Heights. (already have an outdoor antenna, but want a better one because of WFSB-DT.)

On Weds, I was recording CSI:NY off WFSB-DT on a Zenith HDR230; it recorded 0 minutes w/a message there was no signal to record. Anyone else have a problem with this show?

The way I have my antenna pointed (190), I get WTNH-TV right at the signal strength line between poor and average where it remains rock steady, and never have a problem. WFSB-DT will bounce back and forth between good and average like a ping-pong ball(sometimes maxing out on the meter), and then drop all the way down to poor, loosing signal or getting dropouts and pixelation. I get WTXX-DT and WVIT-DT at maximum signal strength at all times.

What the hell is the deal w/WFSB-DT. Even when I point directly at the transmitter, the signal goes all over the place.

Finally, anyone have any idea where I can get another Zenith HDR230?

Thanks,
Bob

Gotta be your setup. I live in Marlborough further than you from the transmitter and I get 100% 100% of the time now they are now longer on that low powered temp setup.

I recommend some sort of rotating boon antenna with a Channel Master 7777 pre-amp. Since you are closer to towers, you might be able to use a multi-directional antenna but I would stick with something like Channel Master or Winegard. Be wary of Terk stuff. There's lots of advice on this site for antenna setups and other forums.

While swapping my defective SA3250HD for a replacement at Charter's Newtown depot, I heard one of the agents tell a new subscriber that they expect to add CBS and Fox on HD in time for the Super Bowl. Whether you care about the Super Bowl or not, this is great news.

Kal

WFSB not passing audio through?

Originally posted by aldujaparov
WFSB not passing audio through? Previous posts in this thread indicate that WFSB-DT is only transmitting in AC3 stereo. No Dolby Digital 5.1

Anyone having any problem with WCTX-DT (UPN)? Signal is good, but a lot of pixelation and sound drop-outs for the last couple of days. Thanks.

Originally posted by RTracey
Anyone having any problem with WCTX-DT (UPN)? Signal is good, but a lot of pixelation and sound drop-outs for the last couple of days. Thanks.

I tried to record Enterprise on my HD TiVo Friday and again tonight. Both recordings were unwatchable.

Originally posted by RTracey
Anyone having any problem with WCTX-DT (UPN)? Signal is good, but a lot of pixelation and sound drop-outs for the last couple of days. Thanks.

I had the same problem. Back to the dark ages! (Analog) ;)

Thanks Todd & Chip - Ross

Has anyone been having a problem with WTIC DT today- I tried to watch the NFC game and the signal was going between 0 and 25. I live in Agawam, MA and usually get WTIC at about 75 to 85. I record shows like 24 on my Tivo without a problem. Very strange.

I was at Tweeter in Avon (i.e. the next town over from WTIC's tower) this afternoon and they had several HD sets side by side with the game on. There was lots of dropout and pixellation on the sets that were taking their signals off air but the set that was getting its HD signal from Comcast cable was solid as a rock. That surprised me a little.

Just curious, does anyone live near Bethany, and if so, what channels are you getting successfully? I get in WTNH-DT perfectly with just an indoor antenna. I am getting the HD national locals through DirecTV, but picture quality has really gone down hill of late (HD-Lite). Would be nice to get in the CT OTA's....I know I would have to use an outside antenna, so suggestions there would be nice to. Do those Terk satelitte dish clip on's work?

Originally posted by RTracey
Anyone having any problem with WCTX-DT (UPN)? Signal is good, but a lot of pixelation and sound drop-outs for the last couple of days. Thanks.

I haven't been able to get WCTX-DT (UPN) the last few days in Milford either. It usually comes in strong here without any breakups.

Kal,
Thanks. I get Charter out of the Willimantic office and I am told by them that we get a different channel linup than other parts of the state. They could not explain to me why. But FOX and CBS are the main two stations I want in High Def, for the football and march madness.

But based on what you have told me I will follow up with my local Charter office.

Originally posted by Kal Rubinson
While swapping my defective SA3250HD for a replacement at Charter's Newtown depot, I heard one of the agents tell a new subscriber that they expect to add CBS and Fox on HD in time for the Super Bowl. Whether you care about the Super Bowl or not, this is great news.

Kal

Anyone having problems with WVIT (30-1) or WTIC (61-1)? There is no picture even though there is a reading on for the signal?

Originally posted by tokerblue
Anyone having problems with WVIT (30-1) or WTIC (61-1)? There is no picture even though there is a reading on for the signal?

In Cheshire WVIT-DT is fine, along with the new subchannel 30.2.
WTIC-DT seems to be on and off for the last couple of days.

garberfc-

My problem w/WFSB-DT is not from being too close to the transmitter. I put an attenuator on the line and the problem just got worse.

I guess I should first try a Chan. Master 7777 Pre-Amp. If that doesn't work, a new outdoor antenna.

On the prior page, there was a recommendation for two CM antennas which are UHF only. How well do they work getting WTNH-DT which broadcasts on VHF Chan. 10?

Bob

Does CPTV show the Huskies games in HD??

Tokerblue,
I can sympathize with you... I've had a Samsung T151 for two years and was having great success receiving cbs, nbc, abc, pbs, wb and fox! But a couple weeks ago WTIC-DT just stopped working... great signal strength but no video and no audio. A quick note to the station confirmed some changes to their broadcast stream (a new PID to satisfy FCC mandates?). ANyway, I tried the rescan without success. I understand that there's a firmware upgrade available for certain Samsung models, so I've ordered that, but I'm not confident that it will help. To make matters worse, the change comes only a couple weeks before SuperBowl!!! I've been searching the internet for info, but the fact of the matter is it sounds like the earlier STBs (especially Samsungs) are going to have problems.

I'm wondering if anyone has found any solutions... or maybe even a confirmation of what the problem is. Consumer acceptance of digital television has been hard enough, and now it seems like the FCC penalizing early adopters.

HDjunkie

Thanks for the notes on WCTX issues. There may have been an intermittent problem - hopefully now resolved. Additionally, if you run into any receive problems in the next few days with either WTNH-DT or WCTX-DT try to do a channel scan, or a delete and add. I'll be glad to forward along any observations.

Originally posted by Robert Whitehead

My problem w/WFSB-DT is not from being too close to the transmitter. I put an attenuator on the line and the problem just got worse.

I guess I should first try a Chan. Master 7777 Pre-Amp. If that doesn't work, a new outdoor antenna.

On the prior page, there was a recommendation for two CM antennas which are UHF only. How well do they work getting WTNH-DT which broadcasts on VHF Chan. 10?

Bob

Bob,

I use the CM4228 8 bay UHF with a CM9521A rotor and no pre-amp mounted outside on the peak of my house. I get WTNH-DT at about 90% to 95% signal quality as well as the same for WFSB-DT and WVIT-DT. WTIC-DT comes and goes around 65%. I have the antenna pointed to optimize WTIC-DT.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Thanks for the notes on WCTX issues. There may have been an intermittent problem - hopefully now resolved. Additionally, if you run into any receive problems in the next few days with either WTNH-DT or WCTX-DT try to do a channel scan, or a delete and add. I'll be glad to forward along any observations.
> Thanks, I did a channel scan last night and everything seems back to normal. I can’t tell you what a PITA it is to keep doing a channel scan and reboot every couple of days/weeks to try and solve channel problems. I feel like I’m using a PC and doing a generic reboot every time something comes up.

Originally posted by tokerblue
Thanks, I did a channel scan last night and everything seems back to normal. I can’t tell you what a PITA it is to keep doing a channel scan and reboot every couple of days/weeks to try and solve channel problems. I feel like I’m using a PC and doing a generic reboot every time something comes up. As you may have gleaned from other posts, many broadcasters are making mandated changes (adjusting PID's, adding PSIP info, etc.) required by the FCC. Most of the latest generation set top boxes and tuners seem to handle these changes seamlessly whilst other boxes may require a rescan or delete and add of a channel. At least you don't have to load any new software and/or update firmware! :)

Originally posted by jacksymon
Kal,
Thanks. I get Charter out of the Willimantic office and I am told by them that we get a different channel linup than other parts of the state. They could not explain to me why. But FOX and CBS are the main two stations I want in High Def, for the football and march madness.

But based on what you have told me I will follow up with my local Charter office.

I've been questioning my local Charter office (Newtown) for weeks, and they have yet to offer a time frame as to when additional HD programming will be added. They did say that they hope to offer FOX at least temporarily for the Super Bowl, but they could not tell me if it would definitely be added. I've heard from other Charter customers that they did offer CBS last year just for the Super Bowl.

If anyone has any additional information on Charter, please let me know.

Just an FYI on the Comcast HD vs OTA - As I understand it, Comcast gets some of the HD Locals OTA, while others provide a land-line feed of their HD broadcast to Comcast. Therefore, you can sometimes have anomolies with a local's OTA reception, while their Cable HD feed is fine. Not sure which ones provide a land line feed, but do know that WFSB used to be an OTA link for Comcast, not sure if that still holds true after their upgrade.

On another note, my reception of WTNH came back over the weekend. Not sure how or why, but my signals are back up in the 70's and reception has been perfect for four days no. Only thing I can figure is that the snow/ice on my roof had something to do with it or WTNH made some changes. Strange.

Originally posted by Brian Hakey
Just curious, does anyone live near Bethany, and if so, what channels are you getting successfully? I get in WTNH-DT perfectly with just an indoor antenna. I am getting the HD national locals through DirecTV, but picture quality has really gone down hill of late (HD-Lite). Would be nice to get in the CT OTA's....I know I would have to use an outside antenna, so suggestions there would be nice to. Do those Terk satelitte dish clip on's work?

All Terk antennas are generally considered to be overpriced glitzy junk. Here in CT, it's highly doubtful that a clip on would give you much of anything.

Originally posted by JasonBourne
Does CPTV show the Huskies games in HD??


Nope. Just a stretched version.

The current Comcast HD lineup in Cromwell includes:

ABC
NBC
CBS
FOX
InHD
ESPNHD
PBSHD

And if you pay for the premium:

HBO-HD
SHO-HD
CIN-HD? I might be mistaken with this one

Anyone heard about any new channels coming? I noticed that we’re missing some good movies and concert events by not having InHD2 anymore. I wish they would put that back on.

Originally posted by Such
Just an FYI on the Comcast HD vs OTA - As I understand it, Comcast gets some of the HD Locals OTA, while others provide a land-line feed of their HD broadcast to Comcast. Therefore, you can sometimes have anomolies with a local's OTA reception, while their Cable HD feed is fine. Not sure which ones provide a land line feed, but do know that WFSB used to be an OTA link for Comcast, not sure if that still holds true after their upgrade.

On another note, my reception of WTNH came back over the weekend. Not sure how or why, but my signals are back up in the 70's and reception has been perfect for four days no. Only thing I can figure is that the snow/ice on my roof had something to do with it or WTNH made some changes. Strange.

Whenever a cable company gets the signal OTA, I can pretty much gaurantee that the antenna is higher, and bigger, and a much higher quality than your general home owner model.

This web site http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html from the FCC contains all the broadcast power in kilo watts for each station in U.S.

It took a little while to figure out how the report is layed out, but here is what I learned. Anything in Service column that begins with "D" is digital and "DT" is the stations main digital channel. Status column has several keys to it. "LIC" is the current operating broadcast power in kilo watts for the station. Notice some are low, WNTH 20 kw while some are high WVIT 250 kw.

If the station has an "STA" in Status column then the station is broadcasting under a temporary change to their original license. Usually at a higher broadcast power or moving the transmitter higher on the broadcast tower. If the station has a "CP MOD" or "APP" in the status column then they have applied for a change to their license. You can see a few with 100KW power in HD, but don't get excited - it is only what the station applied for and who nevers when if ever they will get to that level. Check the LIC or STA for their current broadcast power

You can also put in the latitude and longitude of you town or house and find all the towers within a given radius.

Sorry I need to correct one line.

see a few with 100 KW power in HD should read see a few with 1,000 KW power in HD

Originally posted by jacksymon
This web site http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html from the FCC contains all the broadcast power in kilo watts for each station in U.S. (snip).Few things to note when looking at the FCC data:

- The power is ERP, or effective radiated power. It takes into consideration the output of the transmitter, the loss of the feedline and the effective gain of the antenna

- As frequency increases it takes a lot more power (logarithmic) to get the same amount of signal at a remote location. Given that - its not fair to compare the ERP of one station against another: you're not comparing like things because you're not taking into consideration the frequency. A great example of this is WWLP. Both the analog and digital stations have the same predicted coverage area. WWLP channel 22 is 3,390 kW ERP whilst WWLP-DT channel 11 is 10 kw ERP. The comparison of WNTH (s/b WTNH-DT) at 20 kW (ERP) and WVIT (s/b WVIT-DT) at 250 kW ERP is a similar example: one is high band VHF and the other is in the middle of the UHF band.

- A station with a STA does not necessarily imply that they previously had a license. STA means special temporary authority. Normally the process is: station files for license, FCC issues a construction permit (CP), station is constructed. Sometimes there are minor modifications to a CP - you may see those noted as well. Once the station is built the station applies for a license to cover - and the FCC grants a license. In many cases - what is built may not necessarily be what the final license would authorize. In those cases, the station would ask the FCC to grant one of those STA's - which allows the station to broadcast with something less than what would be otherwise authorised.

- STA's are typically not for higher power - that would exceed what the CP would authorise. STA's are typically issued for scenarios where the station's operating parameters are lessthan what would be authorised by the FCC.

- probably one of the best resources on those FCC pages are the service contour maps ... they will show you the intended coverage area based on the ERP and the antenna field values (in the case of directional antennas). For example - you can find WWLP-DT's current service contour here (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DS1035300.html). Remember when looking at such a map you need to take into consideration local terrain as well ... if you are located on the opposite side of a major obstruction (hill, mountain) from the transmitter you may find the signal level is not what is predicted - and hence marginal or no reception.

Hope this helps with interpretation of the FCC's data!

One other thing to remember is that the analog licence power is in peak power since it is a quasi AM modulated signal. DT power is average based on the fact that the signal is always at full modulation so even at the same frequency the DT power will be less for the same coverage area.
Jim

As I am sometimes in and sometimes out of the subject and status of matters, and need a quick summary for family members, including rotator settings,

I keep the attached chart. The printout will show credit goes to all here who provide such useful info, errors, ommissions etc mine. I have not been compulsive about it so there are some mistakes most likely.

If someone is inspired to correct something, pm or post and I incorporate it and re-issue for all. By having the file people can enter their unique cable, sat and rotator data..

Perhaps the biggest reason for spending some time on this is I dont have WFSB to kick around any more for reception currently is great here in North Haven/Hamden.

I have noticed that WCTX-DT has had problems in my location since I tried to watch Enterprise last Friday. Normally they come in just fine at my house in West Hartford, but lately they haven't come in at all. I called WTNH-WCTX in New Haven, and they told me that they were aware of some PSIP software problems with WCTX-DT, but that they up at the transmitter site in Hamden yesterday reloading the software to fix the problem. Those with OTA capability should look at WCTX-DT to see if they are having issues with their signal, and report any problems to WCTX-DT at 203-784-8888: ask for engineering.

Originally posted by cgorra
I have noticed that WCTX-DT has had problems in my location since I tried to watch Enterprise last Friday. Normally they come in just fine at my house in West Hartford, but lately they haven't come in at all. I called WTNH-WCTX in New Haven, and they told me that they were aware of some PSIP software problems with WCTX-DT, but that they up at the transmitter site in Hamden yesterday reloading the software to fix the problem. Those with OTA capability should look at WCTX-DT to see if they are having issues with their signal, and report any problems to WCTX-DT at 203-784-8888: ask for engineering.

I've had the same issues with WCTX out of Marlborough. Its normally 60% or greater but it was jumping to 0 which is usually a sign of a weird signal or not capable of becomming a picture.

Anyone here live in the Simsbury or Granby area and know what (if any) channels I could likely get OTA with a set-top antenna like the Silver Sensor? Thanks,

Scott

Originally posted by Kal Rubinson
While swapping my defective SA3250HD for a replacement at Charter's Newtown depot, I heard one of the agents tell a new subscriber that they expect to add CBS and Fox on HD in time for the Super Bowl. Whether you care about the Super Bowl or not, this is great news.

Kal

I spoke with a customer service rep at the Charter Newtown office this afternoon, and they had no information on the addition of HD locals in the Newtown area. They forwarded me to the Charter support desk where I was told by a different representative that it may be several months before they add HD locals in the Newtown area.

When I asked about getting FOX HD for Super Bowl Sunday at least, the representative said that no agreement had been reached yet.

Originally posted by ajgeiser
I spoke with a customer service rep at the Charter Newtown office this afternoon, and they had no information on the addition of HD locals in the Newtown area. They forwarded me to the Charter support desk where I was told by a different representative that it may be several months before they add HD locals in the Newtown area.

When I asked about getting FOX HD for Super Bowl Sunday at least, the representative said that no agreement had been reached yet.

Well, it ain't the first time I've been lied to. ;-)

Kal

Originally posted by Kal Rubinson
Well, it ain't the first time I've been lied to. ;-)

Kal

I would tend to believe someone at the local office more than someone on the custimer support helpdesk. It seems that Charter's support desk never has the answers I'm looking for. When I go to the local office in Newtown, I usually get an anser right away.

I was hoping to speak to someone in the Netown office today that had some information on HD programming coming to the area, but they forwarded me to the support desk right away. They did not even attempt to answer the question.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Previous posts in this thread indicate that WFSB-DT is only transmitting in AC3 stereo. No Dolby Digital 5.1

Thanks, RPM. I searched the thread, and a post in October made it seem like they just needed some compatible parts. 3 mo's later, nada. Not that it's a big deal relative to WGGB giving us no HD at all, but the games sound pretty sweet on Fox with 5.1.

In case there are any of you that don't follow some of the other forums here, it's just been announced that the Voom satellite service has sold it's satellite and other facilities to Echostar (Dish Network). It's a shame they couldn't get it to work, it was easy to get a line of sight to their satellite here in CT vs. some of the other sat companies. Hopefully this will allow more HD to be added to Dish Network, and therefore raise the amount on the competing services too.

OK, here we go again. WCTX-DT, channel 59.1 (where it maps to on my Sony HD200) isn't even showing up on the channel guide, and it says "channel not available" when I manually tune it. Still receiving WCTX analogue just fine on 59. Resetting the receiver and performing a channel scan does nothing. Now I have a 39.1 I haven't seen before, which shows a strong signal, but no picture or sound. Called the station and spoke to Phil in engineering - he claims everything is working fine and they are transmitting at full power. Anyone else having problems with WCTX-DT? Thanks.

Yeah, Ross, everyone seems to be having a problem with WCTX-DT. When I talked to them on Wednesday, they told me that they had some software trouble with the PSIP information, and that they were aware of the problem, but, at that time, they were afraid that there may have been some other damage due to the faulty software. The engineer I spoke with also told me that they have no way of monitoring WCTX-DT from their studios, so they don't really know when there are having problems with the signal. It sounds as if there'll be no Enterprise in HD for us tonight!

Thanks Chip - Phil told me the same thing earlier this week - kind of stupid that they can't monitor their own broadcasts. How I hate watching Enterprise in SD!

If anyone else is having problems with WCTX-DT as we speak, please chime in (with your location, if it's not listed with your username). The station engineer would like to know if others are having the same problem and their location. He's on until midnight tonight, so I would like to get back to him before he leaves. Thanks.

Blank screen right now on WCTX-DT for Enterprise here in Milford, too.

Originally posted by RTracey
Thanks Chip - Phil told me the same thing earlier this week - kind of stupid that they can't monitor their own broadcasts. How I hate watching Enterprise in SD!

If anyone else is having problems with WCTX-DT as we speak, please chime in (with your location, if it's not listed with your username). The station engineer would like to know if others are having the same problem and their location. He's on until midnight tonight, so I would like to get back to him before he leaves. Thanks.

Still no signal here in Cheshire. :(

Chip, Chip, and WMullen - thanks for the feedback. Phil at WCTX was quite grateful for the information. He said he would look into the problem immediately, but that with the inclement weather, it may be difficult to get anything accomplished before Monday. - Ross

Ross as you know I get nada as well. Blips and bleeps.

I usually don't watch CTX anyway.

Originally posted by hdjunkie
Tokerblue,
I can sympathize with you... I've had a Samsung T151 for two years and was having great success receiving cbs, nbc, abc, pbs, wb and fox! But a couple weeks ago WTIC-DT just stopped working... great signal strength but no video and no audio. A quick note to the station confirmed some changes to their broadcast stream (a new PID to satisfy FCC mandates?). ANyway, I tried the rescan without success. I understand that there's a firmware upgrade available for certain Samsung models, so I've ordered that, but I'm not confident that it will help.

HDjunkie

Could you let me know if the firmware upgrade helped you? I have the same situation with WTIC (Samsung T151).

Thanks for your help in advance...

***I am not sure which forum to post this in, but thought it might just get lost in the many localized threads that exist in the Local HD Reception area***

My cable company, Tele-Media (Adelphia) launched HD service back in the first quarter of 2004. When they launched it, they were offering local ABC, NBC, ESPN HD, as well as HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc.

I did not subscribe to the premium services, so I can't speak to what their quality was. But, I did get ABC, NBC and ESPN HD. ABC's quality was fine, as well as ESPN HD. But NBC had a very big problem. The picture quality itself was okay, but when there was pretty much any movement on the screen, there was this problem where things appeared to be jittering slightly. That's the best way I can describe the problem, I think. It's hard to describe it, but if you saw it you'd know it. This problem was especially noticable during shows with a lot of movement, like sporting events, whether it was HD or SD, didn't matter.

I called Adelphia customer service and they were clueless, just a waste of my time trying to talk to them about it. They tried to tell me it was my signal quality, even though I had just had someone there installing new lines when I got the HD service. Not to mention that my friend a few towns away had the same exact problem with NBC.

A few months later, Adelphia added HDNet, HDNet Movies, INHD, and INHD2. All of these channels were fine, and did not have the problem that NBC had.

I eventually got a hold of two big shots at Adelphia, one is head of marketing, the other in engineering. I explained to both of them that there was a big problem with the NBC HD channel on their system. They both told me that they would have it looked into. Months later, and nothing. No improvement, and both said that they haven't found any problem.

I was in contact on and off with these guys for weeks, but my complaints got no results. By this time, my friends in my local cable company's thread here on AVS all shared that they were having the same problem. These are people who are scattered all over my local Adelphia's system.

Adelphia added CBS HD in September in time for the Patriots first CBS HD game. And guess what, this channel had the same exact problem as NBC HD did!!! It's so incredibly awful watching a football game on this channel. I've had friends over all season long, and they had been telling me to change it to the analog channel because they can't stand to watch "this crap", to quote the most frequent phrase used to describe it.

I again called my friends at the local office to tell them that CBS has the same problem as NBC. Same result.... nothing. They would have someone look at it.

Back in November they added Discovery HD to the lineup. Sure enough, it ALSO has the same exact problem as NBC and CBS. I have been in constant contact with the same people at Adelphia, and absolutely nothing is getting done. I am extremely angry over this, and I can't believe that they think that this quality of service is acceptable.

I just don't know what else to do about this. They have a great HD lineup, but unfortunately 3 of my favorite channels look like garbage and I can't bare to watch them.

My main reason for posting this was to see if A) anyone reading this has experienced a similar motion quality problem with their cable company, and if it was fixed and what the cause of the problem was, and B) who I can go to in order to have something done about this. Could I go to a big shot at Adelphia National? I'm just very angry about this and they seem to not care one bit about this severe problem. Thanks everyone.

If you've exhausted your customer service options (might include a letter to the company president), locate your state cable commission and/or local telecommunications agency and complain. A google.com search should help. Contacts with regulatory agencies often is effective, as recent posts in the NYC TWC local forum illustrate. -- John

Paulie is right on the money. I am also a TeleMedia subscriber and NBC has some very annoying problems. The picture is unstable. It seems to jitter at times. Not to mention it looks filtered in order to accommodate a lower bit rate. Comparing NBC sports to ESPNHD or HDNet sports is very telling. NBC's picture is inferior. But if you view the OTA feed via an antenna, the PQ is much improved and there is no jitter.

TeleMedia's problem is that they just don't understand what we see. I have talked with the VP of the company and he doesn't see it. He claims all the channels are compressed using the exact same method. However, in October StarzHD went to complete crap. It looked worse than bad DVD. I finally got them to listen and whaddaya know... That channel was alloted less than 10 mbps as an "experiment." The experiment ended and now the channel looks fine.

What does that mean? It means God only knows what kind of experiments are going on with NBC's feed.

Dealing with local cable companies is an exercise in frustration because most of their guys are clueless. Many have absolutely no knowledge of HD.
Best be prepared to be frustrated.

Has to be awfully annoying. Not any of these problems over satellite that I am aware of so it is obviously the cable. Just wondering if the receiver they are using might be the problem since from what you say many are having the same problem. Seems strange that some channels are good while other are not.

Sounds like the cable people have never watched the local NBC or CBS via OTA antennas to see the difference. A high-up person at my TW has said that they do "nothing" to the local channel's signal that would affect it's quality; they pass it to us as-is. From the local HD programming thread, I don't recall any complaints about our channels that only occur on TW Cable feeds.

I've tried contacting the Cable Advisory Board here in the Waterbury, CT area in the past and received absolutely no response. I suppose I can try again.

BTW, adb, I am using a Scientific Atlanta 3250HD. Others witht he same problem are using the same box, as well as the Scientific Atlanta 8000HD DVR. These are the only HD boxes that they offer in our area currently.

I remember reading in the past that several cable companies were having trouble with their "boxes" working properly with some tv sets. May not be the case though.

Paulie: I'm on Adelphia here in NH, but I haven't experienced the level of problems you describe. I can tell you that WHDH-DT (NBC) in Boston has been having major problems with the HD feed from the network lately, but that doesn't sound like the problem you're having. (I had the 3250 and now have the 8000)

Keep pestering your Adelphia contacts...hopefully someone will figure out the problem for you.

Local issue, moved.

I wouldn't say it's a complete local issue, especially since I would have liked to find someone who had expereinced this problem with their cable company, and what they did to fix it. Isolating it to the Hartford, CT thread won't really get me anywhere.

FWIW I'm in downtown Hartford with Comcast Cable Basic service. Though the cable line I get HDTV channels ABC, PBS, NBC, FOX, CBS. OTA i get most of those in addition to WB. In terms of basic channels, I get ~ channels 2-23.. and then ~ 55 - 70. They must have put up a filter somewhere to block the middle channels.

Hey spacecadet: do you get 24, HGTV, at all? The old trap on my line does not let in anything above 24, which comes in awful. As a result, I do not get my hd locals on my LG tuner. I would ask them to put in a different trap, but if I end up losing HGTV completely my wife will kill me, as she is totally addicted to it. As I get FOX, CBS and NBC ota, and an outdoor antenna would probably get me the rest of them, I am reluctant to screw up the HGTV.

Spoke to Charter in Newtown today and they confirmed that FOX-HD will be activated as 781 on SuperBowl Sunday and remain on thereafter.

Kal

arich: yes i actually get 24 HGTV perfectly.. it's actually 25 MTV that is really fuzzy and lots of static. wish i had the mtv instead of the hgtv. =) i also have an lg tuner.. 3410a.

Anyone able to get UPN HDTV through the cable line? i can't get it OTA.
Oh yeah anyone know if the history channel comes though any of the digital channels. i thought i saw it once but now i can't find it. it's a pain to flip through every single channel and subchannel to find it.

I found mentions of the sub channel for WVIT with the weather and HD Tivo's, but not sure how to get it to come in. I just got the HD Tivo over the weekend and cant get the sub channel no matter what I do. I forced the unit to make a call, and even when I punch in 35-2 I dont get it. I have tried a scan of OTA channels with no change. Any advice on how to get this to come in on a HD Tivo unit?? Thanks.


scottte

Still no WCTX-DT on my receiver this morning. A call to the station revealed that they are STILL wrestling with PSIP issues, and are aware of the problem, however, here is no ETA on it's resolution.

Originally posted by Kal Rubinson
Spoke to Charter in Newtown today and they confirmed that FOX-HD will be activated as 781 on SuperBowl Sunday and remain on thereafter.

Kal

Kal,

That's great news . . . did they happen to mention any other local HD networks?

Originally posted by ajgeiser
Kal,

That's great news . . . did they happen to mention any other local HD networks?

They have been telling me that for 2 years now. When they started doing HD I signed up and they said all locals should be on in a few months. Also said HDnets would be on soon too. I don't believe them anymore. I don't know why Charter in the northeast doesn't get as much HD as Charter systems in the mid west or west get. They did give us WFSB last year for the super bowl but turned it off the next day. Why would it take them another year to get it if they wanted too. They proved last year that they could get the signal with no problem.

Originally posted by pmalve
They have been telling me that for 2 years now. When they started doing HD I signed up and they said all locals should be on in a few months. Also said HDnets would be on soon too. I don't believe them anymore. I don't know why Charter in the northeast doesn't get as much HD as Charter systems in the mid west or west get. They did give us WFSB last year for the super bowl but turned it off the next day. Why would it take them another year to get it if they wanted too. They proved last year that they could get the signal with no problem.

I've been told by several Charter representatives that the reason they have not added any additional HD channels in our area is because of contract negotiations. They claim they have the technology in place to start broadcasting additional HD programming immediately.

The customer representative I spoke to last week said that they were actively working on negotiating a contract in time for the Super Bowl. The fact that they have actually given a date and channel may be good news. As of last week, they were not offering a time frame as to when additional channels would be added.

Anyone had success (CT Shore-Comcast) getting via cable several local HD channels using a cable card set but WITHOUT upgrading service to digital OR getting the card installed? Would like to know where I will stand just plugging cable into digital antenna input of a HD Built in set I will soon buy.

Originally posted by pmalve
They have been telling me that for 2 years now. When they started doing HD I signed up and they said all locals should be on in a few months. Also said HDnets would be on soon too. I don't believe them anymore. I don't know why Charter in the northeast doesn't get as much HD as Charter systems in the mid west or west get. They did give us WFSB last year for the super bowl but turned it off the next day. Why would it take them another year to get it if they wanted too. They proved last year that they could get the signal with no problem.

I couldn't agree more, but it seems this time they may actually be telling the truth - WTICD is in the onscreen program guide on channel 781 although it's not online yet,

BTW, I've talked to 2 different CSR's at Charter and neither one knows what the hell I'm talking about. What a lousy customer service organization!

Originally posted by cgorra
Still no WCTX-DT on my receiver this morning. A call to the station revealed that they are STILL wrestling with PSIP issues, and are aware of the problem, however, here is no ETA on it's resolution.

Thanks Chip - WCTX-DT is re-mapped back to 59.1 on my receiver (from 39.1) and I'm getting a highly pixellated picture (unwatchable). It was a blank screen when I got home from work, so I guess they're making some progress.

Originally posted by RTracey
Thanks Chip - WCTX-DT is re-mapped back to 59.1 on my receiver (from 39.1) and I'm getting a highly pixellated picture (unwatchable). It was a blank screen when I got home from work, so I guess they're making some progress.

Much of the same here in Cheshire. :(

Thanks Chip. No sooner had I replied to Chip (cgorra), WCTX change its mapping from 59.1 to 39.2 on my receiver, but still an unwatchable picture....

Originally posted by bfogelstrom
I couldn't agree more, but it seems this time they may actually be telling the truth - WTICD is in the onscreen program guide on channel 781 although it's not online yet,

BTW, I've talked to 2 different CSR's at Charter and neither one knows what the hell I'm talking about. What a lousy customer service organization!

WTICD (Channel 781) is also in my program guide. When you tune to channel 781, you get a message stating you need to call Charter to get the channel. My guess is that the channel is not boradcasting yet. I have a built-in HD tuner that can tune WVITD with no problems, but it cannot tune WTICD yet.

Originally posted by brewer4
I've had the same issues with WCTX out of Marlborough. Its normally 60% or greater but it was jumping to 0 which is usually a sign of a weird signal or not capable of becomming a picture.

I have been freaking out for three days! I swapped out my Samsung T160 early Sunday morning and have been absolutely ripped that I could not receive WCTX-DT. Signal bounces contstantly between 22 and 0. Last time I watched 59.1 was Enterprise on Friday and all was well. I've been cursing the ATSC tuners in the new box!

Looking for some help/advice....

I have a 2nd HDTV with a HD Tivo. I have a CM 4228 w/7777 on my roof. I used to have it dedicated to my one and only HD in the basement. Now I have one in the upstairs family room. I have put the 7777 amp at the point where the antenna wire comes in the house in hopes I can split it off after the amp itself. I have not tried anything as of yet, but wondered if anybody knew of any good way other than simply splitting the line out of the amp and dealing with a little bit of signal loss.

Does CM make a amp for the 7777 that has multiple outputs??? If so, that would be the best so as to not have any signal loss. Thanks in advance.

scottte

Scottie...my personal experience running 2 rooms off an DB8 (similar to 4228 8 bay) and a 7777 whereby I have the 7777 at the mast, the power supply 1/2 way down before the split in my basement(50') then splitting w/each split running another 50' to my main room and bedroom (total 100' runs ea). My experience is that as long as the channel signal(s) are strong coming in from the antenna, for me...there is no signal loss for either of my stb setups. I get just about the same amount of channels for both setups.

I hope this helps.

PATS-SOX fan,

Yes, it does help. I have some signals that are not great, but will just have to deal with it as most are coming in strong and should not be a problem. Thanks.

scottte

Originally posted by PATS-SOX fan
Scottie...my personal experience running 2 rooms off an DB8 (similar to 4228 8 bay) and a 7777 whereby I have the 7777 at the mast, the power supply 1/2 way down before the split in my basement(50') then splitting w/each split running another 50' to my main room and bedroom (total 100' runs ea). My experience is that as long as the channel signal(s) are strong coming in from the antenna, for me...there is no signal loss for either of my stb setups. I get just about the same amount of channels for both setups.

I hope this helps.

I would agree. You really dont lose that much signal with the splitting and running of coax. Its only when its split multiple times and hundreds and hundreds of feet. I have no issue with my multiple room setup. I have a spliced shot to one room and then I run the other to the satelite multiplex that feeds the whole house. Its really the original signal thats the issue. If the broadcasters do their job, its just a matter of figuring the best way to distribute through the house.

Is anyone having better luck with WCTX-DT?

Still jumping back and forth between 0-22. I can't figure out if it's the signal or the ATSC tuner in my new receiver.

Tried WCTX last night and got about a 60% signal. Usually haven't received anything.

I havent heared from anyone in regards to WVIT weather plus on 30-2 on a HD Tivo....I cant get this to come in at all, even with a rescan of the OTA channels. I try 35-2 but it then just shows whats on 35-1. Anybody getting this cahnnel on their HD Tivo??? I can get it on my HD HTL.

scottte

Originally posted by scottte
I havent heared from anyone in regards to WVIT weather plus on 30-2 on a HD Tivo....I cant get this to come in at all, even with a rescan of the OTA channels. I try 35-2 but it then just shows whats on 35-1. Anybody getting this cahnnel on their HD Tivo??? I can get it on my HD HTL.

scottte

I didn't even know about this channel. I'll check it out on my HD TiVo tonight.

AreBee,

Yup, its been on WNBC out of NYC which I occasionally pull in and then a few weeks ago I noticed on my HTL that WVIT had picked it up. I cant get it worth a hoot on my brand new HD Tivo that I just got last saturday....I tried rescans, having tivo dial up, etc...just cant get it and wished I could as its a nice source of quick local weather via the TV.

scottte

Originally posted by scottte
AreBee,

Yup, its been on WNBC out of NYC which I occasionally pull in and then a few weeks ago I noticed on my HTL that WVIT had picked it up. I cant get it worth a hoot on my brand new HD Tivo that I just got last saturday....I tried rescans, having tivo dial up, etc...just cant get it and wished I could as its a nice source of quick local weather via the TV.

scottte

It's not on the air now, at least I'm not picking it up here in Cheshire.

I'll have to check on my HTL later to see if it is still there, but if it is currently off the air, then naturally noboby will pick it up I guess!!!!

scottte

Originally posted by Matt_Stevens
Paulie is right on the money. I am also a TeleMedia subscriber and NBC has some very annoying problems. The picture is unstable. It seems to jitter at times. Not to mention it looks filtered in order to accommodate a lower bit rate. Comparing NBC sports to ESPNHD or HDNet sports is very telling. NBC's picture is inferior. But if you view the OTA feed via an antenna, the PQ is much improved and there is no jitter.

TeleMedia's problem is that they just don't understand what we see. I have talked with the VP of the company and he doesn't see it. He claims all the channels are compressed using the exact same method. However, in October StarzHD went to complete crap. It looked worse than bad DVD. I finally got them to listen and whaddaya know... That channel was alloted less than 10 mbps as an "experiment." The experiment ended and now the channel looks fine.

What does that mean? It means God only knows what kind of experiments are going on with NBC's feed.

Dealing with local cable companies is an exercise in frustration because most of their guys are clueless. Many have absolutely no knowledge of HD.
Best be prepared to be frustrated. I'm a bit late coming in to this part of the thread ...

I agree that getting in contact with whomever does the franchise agreement or contract for your local cable service would be something to strongly consider. I'm not familiar with CT ... but in MA there's also a department in the State that you can also communicate with ... the state government may be better able to understand and address your concerns - some local committees and commissions won't understand the technical nature of this issue and may not deal with it as well.

I'd also let the station know as well ... its *their* signal - and if the cable operator is materially degrading the qualiyt of the station's ATSC signal they'll be in your corner as well.

From a distant perspective ... you may be seeing poor reception at wherever they are picking up the local station's HD transmissions ... or the cable company may be trying to re-encode the ATSC stream at a lower bit rate (and doing a poor job at it). The best possible scenario is the cable company receives the local HD station's transmissions and passes them through (audio and video PID's) bit for bit without any loss or compression. Typically two ATSC HD channels can fit in a 256QAM cable channel.

Originally posted by RTracey
Thanks Chip. No sooner had I replied to Chip (cgorra), WCTX change its mapping from 59.1 to 39.2 on my receiver, but still an unwatchable picture....

Ross,

I did a re-scan last night and can lock CTX at ~ 70% with no drops. Well no drops for the ten minutes I watched whatever show they had on. Same as tonight....rock steady.

Rich

Originally posted by ajgeiser
I've been told by several Charter representatives that the reason they have not added any additional HD channels in our area is because of contract negotiations. They claim they have the technology in place to start broadcasting additional HD programming immediately.

The customer representative I spoke to last week said that they were actively working on negotiating a contract in time for the Super Bowl. The fact that they have actually given a date and channel may be good news. As of last week, they were not offering a time frame as to when additional channels would be added.

Channel 781 (WTICD) has dropped from Charter's program guide. I spoke with a customer service rep this morning and received the usual "contract negotiations" speech. He also said that they are not offering any guarantee that WTICD will be available on or before the Super Bowl.

Originally posted by rmcgirr83
Ross,

I did a re-scan last night and can lock CTX at ~ 70% with no drops. Well no drops for the ten minutes I watched whatever show they had on. Same as tonight....rock steady.

Rich

Thanks Rich. WCTX-DT coming in fine here as well and mapped to the correct channel (at least it was on Wednesday - up in Keystone right now, with less snow than in CT!) - Ross

Originally posted by ajgeiser
Channel 781 (WTICD) has dropped from Charter's program guide. I spoke with a customer service rep this morning and received the usual "contract negotiations" speech. He also said that they are not offering any guarantee that WTICD will be available on or before the Super Bowl.

Try 786.

Kal

Originally posted by Kal Rubinson
Try 786.

Kal

It looks like786 is broadcasting now. Thanks.

Originally posted by ajgeiser
It looks like786 is broadcasting now. Thanks. In the Springfield MA area Charter also has WTIC-DT in HD on channel 778.

It looks as if WCTX-DT solved it's PSIP problems: I was able to watch "Enterprise" in HD last night without a single drop-out: it looked fantastic!

Originally posted by cgorra
It looks as if WCTX-DT solved it's PSIP problems: I was able to watch "Enterprise" in HD last night without a single drop-out: it looked fantastic!

Glad to hear it Chip. Unfortunately, I'm in a condo in Keystone CO and got to watch Enterprise on a 20 year old 19" color TV that's only working in green and white - YUCK!!

Somehow, Ross, I have a hard time working up any sympathy for you...LOL

You may Chip, but I certainly don't have any sympathy for him at all.

I mean it's tough when the guy lives about 5 minutes from you and you've known him for ~ 10 years. :)

He deserves the 19" green and white set. :D

brother, what a tough crowd! ;)

and now, back to our regular programming....

Does anyone know if Cox plans to add more HD channels, especially ABC and ESPN2HD??

Just found this site - thanks for all the great info. Got a little blurry eyed reading through the 120+pages, but got some great info. Quick question. I'm purchasing the Directv HD Tivo Unit and want to incorporate an OTA Antenna. Has anyone had any experiences in the Wallingford/Cheshire area - and if so, which OTA would they recommend ? Thanks in advance.

Are you willing to consider an outdoor antenna for your OTA reception? If you are, then you can do VERY well in Wallingford. You will need a rotator because you have stations coming at you from 3 or more directions. Look at the Channel Master Crossfire 3679, the Winegard HD7082p or the Wade-Delhi VU934SR with the optional VU8PZ UHF powerzoom. You probably won't need a preamp where you are. Signal Electronic Supply in West Hartford is a distributor for all three brands of antennas.

http://www.channelmaster.com
http://www.winegard.com
http://www.wade-antenna.com
http://www.signalelectronics.com

The dual tuner 6412 is now available here on the Branford Comcast system. The last time I called, before Christmas, I was told they had no idea when it would be available here. I called this morning, found out they had them, and was able to walk into the Branford office and swap my 6208 for one of the newer boxes. It's now up and running. I don't know how many they have, better call 1-800-comcast to have them check on the availability, or to schedule an install. They wanted to charge $16.95 to send a tech, but if you go to the office and do it yourself, it's a free upgrade.

I just got a new tv and trying to pull in the local HD stations through Cox. I can get 107.2 cbs, 111.2 fox, 111.3 nbc, and 107.1 pbs. I cant find ESPN, Discovery, or HBO. Does someone know the channel for those stations?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cgorra
[B]Are you willing to consider an outdoor antenna for your OTA reception? If you are, then you can do VERY well in Wallingford. You will need a rotator because you have stations coming at you from 3 or more directions. Look at the Channel Master Crossfire 3679, the Winegard HD7082p or the Wade-Delhi VU934SR with the optional VU8PZ UHF powerzoom. You probably won't need a preamp where you are. Signal Electronic Supply in West Hartford is a distributor for all three brands of antennas.

Thanks for the info - I'll have to check out the various products you recommended. Not to sound too dumb, but you mention a rotator - would I have to manually control the rotator ? Reason being is that it's for my HD Tivo unit, and I'd hate to have to try and rotate based on what channel I want to tape. Are there any indoor products that might work o.k. in place of an external antenna ? Also, do you know if Signal Electronics does installs ? Thanks.

Originally posted by stumacdo
[QUOTE]Originally posted by cgorra
[B]Are you willing to consider an outdoor antenna for your OTA reception? If you are, then you can do VERY well in Wallingford. You will need a rotator because you have stations coming at you from 3 or more directions. Look at the Channel Master Crossfire 3679, the Winegard HD7082p or the Wade-Delhi VU934SR with the optional VU8PZ UHF powerzoom. You probably won't need a preamp where you are. Signal Electronic Supply in West Hartford is a distributor for all three brands of antennas.

Thanks for the info - I'll have to check out the various products you recommended. Not to sound too dumb, but you mention a rotator - would I have to manually control the rotator ? Reason being is that it's for my HD Tivo unit, and I'd hate to have to try and rotate based on what channel I want to tape. Are there any indoor products that might work o.k. in place of an external antenna ? Also, do you know if Signal Electronics does installs ? Thanks.

Your HD TiVo will NOT control a rotator. You need to either control the rotator manually or have separate antennas aimed at each direction you need to receive. I have two on my roof. One is pointed toward New Haven and the other toward Hartford. It is a more expensive solution, but it's the best option for TiVo users.

I don't think Signal does the installs themselves. They are a distributer. They can recommend installers in your area however. That's what they did for me.

Originally posted by stumacdo
Just found this site - thanks for all the great info. Got a little blurry eyed reading through the 120+pages, but got some great info. Quick question. I'm purchasing the Directv HD Tivo Unit and want to incorporate an OTA Antenna. Has anyone had any experiences in the Wallingford/Cheshire area - and if so, which OTA would they recommend ? Thanks in advance.

I live in Wallingford and had D* and OTA HD for about 1 1/2 years now, using a Zenith SAT-520 receiver, and a roof-mounted Channel Master Antenna (not in the attic), no pre-amp. I had the antenna basically pointed north, and am able to get Channel 3 and 30, as well as 22 from Springfield. I also get channel 20, and am able to pick up Channel 8 and 59 from the back of the antenna. Never had many dropouts, strong signals.

For Christmas I upgraded to the HD Tivo. The tuner must not be as sensitive, I am no longer to pick up Channel 59 (WCTX) from the back of the antenna. All the other channels still come in, but I might have to do some minor adjustments. For some strange reason I know have to point more toward the east to pull in all the other stations, not straight north. The Tivo's tuner is definetly not as sensitive as the Zeniths.

So, overall all stations come in nicely, except 59. I have not tried Bridgeports or New London's stations yet. If I do want to watch something on 59, I have to rotate the antenna manually.

Hope that helps.

Hi,

Anyone from the Hamden, CT area getting the digital FOX station from either Hartford or NY? I am interested in getting an atenna before the SuperBowl, but only if I can pick up the FOX station OTA.

Thanks,

Ray

Hamden shouldn't be a problem for you. can you get WTIC-TV in analog? If you can, then expect that WTIC-DT should be good with a proper antenna. What kind of tuner are you using, and do you have an antenna that you are using now? Usually, I would suggest a Channel Master 4228 mounted on the roof, and I would probably forgo a preamplifier because of your proximity to WCTX, but you may be able to get away with a Channel Master 4221 if your location is favorable.

For those of you with an HD Tivo, don't forget the Tivo has a splitter internally that splits the OTA feed into the two OTA tuners.

If you've ever cracked one open, you will see a pretty standard cable splitter just inside the box. So one can expect the signal would be weakened a bit because of this as opposed to a standard STB single OTA tuner.

Originally posted by caeguy
I just got a new tv and trying to pull in the local HD stations through Cox. I can get 107.2 cbs, 111.2 fox, 111.3 nbc, and 107.1 pbs. I cant find ESPN, Discovery, or HBO. Does someone know the channel for those stations?

That is all you will get without getting a cable card. The channels you listed are being delivered unencrypted, which is why you get them.

Originally posted by cgorra
Hamden shouldn't be a problem for you. can you get WTIC-TV in analog? If you can, then expect that WTIC-DT should be good with a proper antenna. What kind of tuner are you using, and do you have an antenna that you are using now? Usually, I would suggest a Channel Master 4228 mounted on the roof, and I would probably forgo a preamplifier because of your proximity to WCTX, but you may be able to get away with a Channel Master 4221 if your location is favorable.

I was planning on using the RatShack indoor antenna for now. In the near future, I may install a WineGard SquareShooter. Do you think I will pull in FOX using the indoor antenna?

Originally posted by rdonahue6
I was planning on using the RatShack indoor antenna for now. In the near future, I may install a WineGard SquareShooter. Do you think I will pull in FOX using the indoor antenna?

I live in Columbia, CT which is probably considered fringe for all local network stations. Using an indoor amplified antenna I was able to pull in WTNH-DT 10, but non of the other networks. Perhaps this is because WTNH-DT is a VHF station, UHF might be harder to pull in using an indoor antenna.

I now have a Radioshack UHF (15-2160) only antenna mounted to a 10 foot pole on my back deck. I also use a Radioshack antenna mounted amplifier (15-2507). I get WTNH-DT 10, WFSB-DT, WVIT-DT, and WTIC-DT between 70% and 90% signal quality. My plan was to mount the antenna on the chimney top, but I now scrapped plans to climb any ladder since the antenna is working great just mounted to the corner of my deck.

Good luck

Originally posted by rdonahue6
I was planning on using the RatShack indoor antenna for now. In the near future, I may install a WineGard SquareShooter. Do you think I will pull in FOX using the indoor antenna?

It's possible, but not likely: indoor antennas at a distance of 30 miles are a hit-or-miss proposition, and I wouldn't bet the farm on it...As for the SquareShooter: it's OK, but kind of expensive for the level of performance thqat you get: it's about $100.00 unamplified, and has very poor VHF performance: you aren't likely to see WTXX-DT with one. A CM 4228 costs half as much money, and performs well enough on high-band VHF stations to obviate the need for a separate VHF antenna for digital stations in CT.

I've been monitoring this thread for a few weeks and made the plunge for a new Aquos flat panel and OTA Samsung SIR T-451. When I bought my house I inherited a large (probably Radio Shack) attic antenna and decided not to junk it. Given D* won't have HD Locals for awhile I'm glad i didn't scrap it. I've upgraded to a CM rotor and I receive the following


WFSB CBS 3 33 Hartford, CT Strong
WTNH ABC 8 10 New Haven, CT Strong
WVIT NBC 30 35 New Britain, CT Strong
WTIC FOX 61 31 Hartford, CT Strong
WCTX UPN 39 59 New Haven, CT Strong
WEDW PBS 52 49 Bridgeport Strong
WNYW FOX 5 9.1 New York 4 Strong
WCBS CBS 2 2 New York 2 Fair
WWOR UPN 9 9.2 New York 2 Strong
WNBC NBC 4 28 New York Weak
WXTV UNI 41 41 New York Strong
WLIW PBS 22 21 Garden City, NY Spotty

The only channel I've had a hard time with is WTXX probably given it's VHF signal and my antenna/proximity.

Here's a tip for all who are considering putting their antenna's on a rotor (especially for an attic install). Take one of those D* dish mounts that you have lying around from previous dish upgrades. Hack off the bend around 8" up the mount and you've got a great mount to attach to your sub floor. I bought a cheapo 5' pole and attached that to my antenna then to the rotor. rotor is fastened to the floor using the D* mount. Very solid and stable.

Looking forward to the Super Bowl in HDTV.

Sean

Anyone else have issues with the Fox audio over the HD channel having dropouts at a very frequent rate? I receive the Fox HD channel via Comcast cable STB SA3250HD. I'm in the New London County area.

Is Fox WTIC out of Hartford working on this? Or is it Comcast's fault? Just hoping it'll be fixed by the Superbowl but then it's been this way for months and months. I am not the only one with this issue am I?

Any information or help would be appreciated. The only trick I can do to make Fox HD watchable is to turn the Digital audio output off and force the STB to push stereo to my AVR. The dropouts aren't as often or as long this way. But they are still there.

Originally posted by Beaker1024
Anyone else have issues with the Fox audio over the HD channel having dropouts at a very frequent rate? I receive the Fox HD channel via Comcast cable STB SA3250HD. I'm in the New London County area.

Is Fox WTIC out of Hartford working on this? Or is it Comcast's fault? Just hoping it'll be fixed by the Superbowl but then it's been this way for months and months. I am not the only one with this issue am I?

Any information or help would be appreciated. The only trick I can do to make Fox HD watchable is to turn the Digital audio output off and force the STB to push stereo to my AVR. The dropouts aren't as often or as long this way. But they are still there.

I just started receiving WTIC HD from Charter and have not noticed any audio problems yet.

Can anyone tell me where the Fox HD signal is transmitted out of? I am in Oxford and hoping to rig something up for the superbowl. I am able to get channel 8.1 in HD with my little indoor amplified antenae but that is all at the moment.

The broadcast tower for Fox61, WTIC-DT, is in Farmington, CT on Rattlesnake Mountain. That tower also holds the antenna for WB20, WTXX-DT. Elsewhere on the mountain on a separate tower is the antenna for NBC30, WVIT-DT.

Originally posted by marjen
Can anyone tell me where the Fox HD signal is transmitted out of?

Post number two of this thread has a jpg attached that shows all of the transmitters in CT as well as some in MA.

Thanks guys. Is the rattlesnake mt. project done? When I checked in a few months ago none were transmitting at full strength. Is everyone on line now?

I'm about to order HDTV and was wondering if the antenna that Directv attaches to the dish actually works at picking up local stations. I live in Milford, CT and we can't get distant HD Network feeds yet but I want to be able to get my local networks. ABC is only about 10 miles but CBS, NBC & Fox are about 30-45 miles.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

In Milford you are going to need a good outdoor antenna if you want the Hartford-New Haven stations, and my suggestion would be a Channel Master 4228 UHF 8 bay antenna mounted on a rotator, probably with a preamplifier such as a Channel Master Titan 7777 or a Winegard AP8275. The Channel Master 4228 receives the high-band VHF channels (7-13) quite well, as well as having excellent performance on UHF channels. Once installed with the rotator, I suspect that you should be able to pick up at least some of the NYC HDTV channels in addition to the Connecticut stations. Since WTNH-DT and WTXX-DT are on high-band VHF channels, this antenna choice makes good sense, in addition to being far less costly than a deep-fringe all-channel antenna. Here are some links to look at:

http://www.channelmaster.com
http://www.winegard.com
http://www.channelmaster.com/pdf/AntInstallGuide.pdf
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html
http://www.channelmaster.com/pdf/AntInstallGuide.pdf
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/glossaryR.html#n8bay

wassct,


I am in milford also and can tell you a rotator is a MUST!!!! I have a CM 4228 with a CM 7777 amp and rotator. I get WTNH, WVIT and WFSB great but due to WTIC broadcasting at a temp lower wattage and lower height I can not get that reliably, however, FOX from NYC can be tuned in with the rotator as well as WCBS out of NYC. Assuming WTIC goes full height/pwer in the spring, you will get teh 4 majors OTA and then just sit back and wait until D* offers us our Hartford/New Haven locals via sat.

scottte

p.s. all - remember I asked about 30-2, the weather channel from NBC, well I did a rescan again the other night on my HD Tivo and now it is there!!!

Originally posted by marjen
Thanks guys. Is the rattlesnake mt. project done? When I checked in a few months ago none were transmitting at full strength. Is everyone on line now?

Fox is not at full power. They are supposed to put up new antenna in the spring so it will be summer or fall. You might try WNYW from NYC on Channnel 44. I get that here in Bethlehem better than Fox from Hartford.

Originally posted by pmalve
Fox is not at full power. They are supposed to put up new antenna in the spring so it will be summer or fall. You might try WNYW from NYC on Channnel 44. I get that here in Bethlehem better than Fox from Hartford.

Now see this is where I start to get irritated.

I can get Fox absolutely fine with my current setup, yet can't get WFSB at all?? When the news hit here that FSB had increased their signal, I went up on the roof to see if the problem was with the antennas. Moved them around and still got nothing. I'll get a blip but not enough to lock the signal.

What gives? Is WFSB at full power yet or not? If they are, why is it that I can get Fox perfect yet can't get FSB? It's damn annoying.

FWIW, FSB is the only station I can't pick up anything at all. I get WTNH, WEDN, WHPX, WTIC, WCTX, WTXX and WVIT.

Anyone have any suggestions other than trying a diff antenna?

Rich: are you still using that Radio shack VU-190? If you are, you probably would be well served by trading up to to a Channel Master 4228. Do you have a rotator? As for where to pick one up, have a chat with Ross, I don't think he's using his...LOL. BTW, what are you using for a tuner? If you are stillusing that Echostar 6000, then you ought to consider deleteing ALL of your channels and rescanning: that older receiver may have faulty PSIP information that may be causing you problems with WFSB-DT

Originally posted by scottte
wassct,


I am in milford also and can tell you a rotator is a MUST!!!! I have a CM 4228 with a CM 7777 amp and rotator. I get WTNH, WVIT and WFSB great but due to WTIC broadcasting at a temp lower wattage and lower height I can not get that reliably, however, FOX from NYC can be tuned in with the rotator as well as WCBS out of NYC. Assuming WTIC goes full height/pwer in the spring, you will get teh 4 majors OTA and then just sit back and wait until D* offers us our Hartford/New Haven locals via sat.

scottte

p.s. all - remember I asked about 30-2, the weather channel from NBC, well I did a rescan again the other night on my HD Tivo and now it is there!!!

I highly recommend separate UHF and VHF antennas for folks in the middle of Hartford and New Haven. For the most part, you want WTNH which is VHF out of New Haven and the Hartford stations are all UHF and pointed north from Milford. For me New Haven and Hartford are in opposite directions so the combined rotating antenna is nice, but you want separately pointed antennas to go after certain locations.

The only issue is the potential lose of WTXX which is VHF but in the Hartford area. It depends on your desire for the WB.

Since WTNH is close to Milford, you might get away with the combo unit pointed to Hartford. Just remember the rules of thumb.

1. External is best
2. Height is king
3. The old school rotating antennas are best (forget the fancy pretty ones)
4. Preamps help in most instances

my 2 cents.

Chip,

Yep still using the RS and FWIW, I know Ross swapped out his 4228 for the wineguard SS due to him not being able to get WEDN. No rotator as I have both the RS and the wineguard SS combined and it works pretty well, at least I think it does considering I get all the above stations with the exception of FSB. I still have the 6000 as well as an 811 and deleted and re-scanned on both...or so I thought.

Still nada.:mad:

I'll try another rescan again tonight, thanks. :)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by brewer4
[B]I highly recommend separate UHF and VHF antennas for folks in the middle of Hartford and New Haven. For the most part, you want WTNH which is VHF out of New Haven and the Hartford stations are all UHF and pointed north from Milford. For me New Haven and Hartford are in opposite directions so the combined rotating antenna is nice, but you want separately pointed antennas to go after certain locations.

By using a Channel Master 4228, rather than separate UHF and VHF antennas, the user will have no problems with the high-band VHF digital channels: the 4228 works as well a many fringe-area VHF antennas on channels 8-13. Yes, a rotator is necessary, and the programming of the Channel Master 9521a can be macroed into most home theater remote controls, making changing channels easy as you go between Hartford and New Haven. The 4228 will pull WTNH-DT and WTXX-DT without a problem on the Connecticut Shoreline. If you feel that you must do without a rotator because you have a Tivo, then you will have to use two all-channel antennas, one aimed at New Haven and one aimed at the Hartford stations, and switch between them with a remore-controlled A/B switch

That was my point cgorra. I can get anything with my rotator. But who wants to do that to get a channel. I have an HD Tivo and certainly want my antenna locked. The combo can work if the signal comes in equally on a fixed location but that rarely happens. I only suggest splitting to have WTNH locked and Hartford UHF's locked.

Even though I dont like VHF, Its actually a better scenario given that WTNH is a completely different location than the Hartford UHF's. This way, a simple combiner in the preamp like Channel Master 7777 combines the UHF and VHF into one cable.

What you suggested is absolutely correct, as long as WCTX-DT is not an issue for you, since they are on UHF-39 and comes from the same tower location as does WTNH...to get WCTX-DT successfully, you would need UHF capability from an antenna aimed at the WTNH-WCTX tower...

Good point cgorra.

And HD forum folks wonder why Directv is spending billions on getting local networks on satellite. My setup works but its not for the normal person. I wish there was an easier answer to folks but it comes down to trial and error and sometimes multiple pieces of hardware. In the end, there is always a limitation or exception. Its great when it works but its work....

Up here in western Mass I get WFSB & WVIT really strong at 80 to 90+. WTIC though has been wildly erratic and many times I get no picture whatsoever. It's going from 0 to 60 and revs up and down. I have a small indoor silver sensor and it works great except for WTIC.