Anyone else getting *really* weird screen sizing with WEDW-DT? On 16X9 content, the CPTV is waaaaaay over to the top left, barely visible.

On 4x3 content, it's always been "overzoomed" to me, where the black side bars are about 20% of how wide they should be.

Oh, and they never ever switch to DD. Ever. Mind-numbingly annoying.

Anyone else getting *really* weird screen sizing with WEDW-DT? On 16X9 content, the CPTV is waaaaaay over to the top left, barely visible.

On 4x3 content, it's always been "overzoomed" to me, where the black side bars are about 20% of how wide they should be.

Oh, and they never ever switch to DD. Ever. Mind-numbingly annoying.

I don't know about the misalignment, but on the WEDH DT feed on Cox, with 4:3 signals, they zoom the picture to fill the sides, with the top and bottom cut off. At least they keep the aspect ration the same. On WCTX DT, they stretch the picture most of the way, which is REALLY annoying!

Did you get 61.1 in Newtown? since I am in Oxford, we should refere to each other about WTIC's effort.

No. I have NEVER been able to get 61.1 in Newtown. About a year or two ago, I was able to get a pretty good analog picture of channel 61 but now even the analog is barely visible at times. I was wondering if they had built a large building between Newtown and Farmington and that's the reason. Who really knows!

I'm thinking of going the same route. How long did it take you to get it, and were you able to get a good deal from them?

I called in early Dec and had to get on a waiting list. I think they called me back about Dec 20th to tell me it was available. The install was Jan 5th, but I could have had it done a bit earlier if I went with a week day install. Was able to get them to take $100 off the $299 price, but that all depends on how long you've been with them and how much you spend.

I don't know about the misalignment, but on the WEDH DT feed on Cox, with 4:3 signals, they zoom the picture to fill the sides, with the top and bottom cut off. At least they keep the aspect ration the same. On WCTX DT, they stretch the picture most of the way, which is REALLY annoying!


I don't think that Cox does anything to the picture size, I think that is how it comes to them from WEDH. I have also noticed that on HD content like "Nature" there is a CPTV logo in the upper left corner, but on my TV I can only see the TV part of it. The HD looks really good, but you are right, they never have DD which would be pretty cool on some of the nature shows. Hopefully we will know for sure by the end of the year, since if they go live with the OTA I can do a side by side.

I don't think that Cox does anything to the picture size, I think that is how it comes to them from WEDH. I have also noticed that on HD content like "Nature" there is a CPTV logo in the upper left corner, but on my TV I can only see the TV part of it. The HD looks really good, but you are right, they never have DD which would be pretty cool on some of the nature shows. Hopefully we will know for sure by the end of the year, since if they go live with the OTA I can do a side by side.

I didn't mean to imply that Cox was doing the stretching. You are right, I am sure, that it is CPTV doing it. As far as the hd signals, it sounds like your tv is overscanning. Can you adjust it in the service menu?

It is coming that way from Connecticut Public Television. At times when I receive WEDN-DT from Norwich with the antenna, it's the exact same 14:9 ratio during the day and same HD with the tiny "CPTV" bug in the top left at night.

Ugh - and I was hoping it was transmitter-level in Bridgeport (actually the transmitter's in Shelton).

Between that and their bit-starving for pay movie services, CPTV drifts far away from EVER getting a dime from me...

I didn't mean to imply that Cox was doing the stretching. You are right, I am sure, that it is CPTV doing it. As far as the hd signals, it sounds like your tv is overscanning. Can you adjust it in the service menu?

I would play with it if it were more than just the one channel. Every other channel seems fine.

Ugh - and I was hoping it was transmitter-level in Bridgeport (actually the transmitter's in Shelton). ...

Fact is, the driveway is in Shelton but the transmitter and tower are in Trumbull.

Between that and their bit-starving for pay movie services...

Lost me on that one; please explain.

Fact is, the driveway is in Shelton but the transmitter and tower are in Trumbull.



Lost me on that one; please explain.

I agree with mdodge WEDN-DT's video is showing at almost 18 MB/S right now using TSReader. I would not call that bit starved for over the air DTV.
John

http://users.ntplx.net/~achase/Candelabra Project Jan 2007 048.jpg

http://users.ntplx.net/~achase/Candelabra Project Jan 2007 048.jpg

Excellent picture Arnold! Thanks.

Having just moved into a home with an existing to DISH Network set up(lucky me), I'm new to this OTA local channel stuff. DISH doesn't offer locals in HD so I'm thinking about having an antenna installed. I bought a radioshack indoor model (the one with the little remote) and was able to get almost all the locals (and even one in Springfield, MA), but several of them cut out here and there. So, I'm thinking an outdoor antenna should really pull them in much better. Antenna web says I'm only about 12.5 miles from the farthest local antenna (zip 06786).

ok - my question is - does anyone know of a place - or even someone that does work on the side ;o) that can install an outdoor antenna for me? I'm looking at the Winegard Batwing antenna since that's what Dish recommends for pulling in off air locals.

Any help would be appreciated!!

I agree with mdodge WEDN-DT's video is showing at almost 18 MB/S right now using TSReader. I would not call that bit starved for over the air DTV.
John

John:

After I got home last night, I was thinking (dangerous, I know). Might be hancox was referring the WEDW analog transmitter which has the experimental Buena Vista (read Disney) exciter. B.V. is test marketing a system to deliver full length movies wirelessly by data in the verticle interval in the NYC market. Residing in the verticle interval, there is no video information lost. If, indeed, this is what he was referring to then he is mistaken because the data is inserted at the transmitter and is analog only.

Having just moved into a home with an existing to DISH Network set up(lucky me), I'm new to this OTA local channel stuff. DISH doesn't offer locals in HD so I'm thinking about having an antenna installed. I bought a radioshack indoor model (the one with the little remote) and was able to get almost all the locals (and even one in Springfield, MA), but several of them cut out here and there. So, I'm thinking an outdoor antenna should really pull them in much better. Antenna web says I'm only about 12.5 miles from the farthest local antenna (zip 06786).

ok - my question is - does anyone know of a place - or even someone that does work on the side ;o) that can install an outdoor antenna for me? I'm looking at the Winegard Batwing antenna since that's what Dish recommends for pulling in off air locals.

Any help would be appreciated!!

Don't bother with that antenna, as you will likely be dissapointed with the results. Get yourself a Channel Master 4228 and their rotor. It will give you the best results.

raoul
I'm already getting great signals for channel 3 and channel 30. With ANY attenna on the roof, I would think that I would only do better wouldn't I??

raoul
I'm already getting great signals for channel 3 and channel 30. With ANY attenna on the roof, I would think that I would only do better wouldn't I??

Yes you would, but that antenna is not exactly the best.

Having just moved into a home with an existing to DISH Network set up(lucky me), I'm new to this OTA local channel stuff. DISH doesn't offer locals in HD so I'm thinking about having an antenna installed. I bought a radioshack indoor model (the one with the little remote) and was able to get almost all the locals (and even one in Springfield, MA), but several of them cut out here and there. So, I'm thinking an outdoor antenna should really pull them in much better. Antenna web says I'm only about 12.5 miles from the farthest local antenna (zip 06786).

ok - my question is - does anyone know of a place - or even someone that does work on the side ;o) that can install an outdoor antenna for me? I'm looking at the Winegard Batwing antenna since that's what Dish recommends for pulling in off air locals.

Any help would be appreciated!!
Could you post your antennaweb results and list the channels you want and which are problem channels? That will make it much easier for us to make recommendations. Since the transmitters are so close there is a good chance the amplifier in the radioshack antenna is overloading even on the minimum gain setting so you might do better with the cheap double bow-tie. Another possibility is that multipath is giving you problems (do the analog stations have ghosts?). In my opinion the CM4228 is probably overkill for your location, you should be able to get good results with a much smaller/lower wind load antenna. The CM4221 is one very good possibility (still likely overkill but gets some VHF-HI which you likely want for ABC), another smaller UHF-only choice is the Winegard PR-9018. One place to find these antennas is at solidsignal.com. Do you have an attic? In your location an attic install might work OK as long as you don't have foil/aluminum siding blocking the signals.

deconlover
Thank you!! I have listed the stations I am most interested in receiving as well as what attenna web tells me about thier signals. With the radioshck antenna, the picture is great, it's just that I don't get enough signal to lock them in on my dish - the signal fades in and out. NBC and CBS about 75 or the signal meter on my DISH and FOX is only about 60. You need AT LEAST a 60 on the Dish to lock in the signal. Basicall, I'm getting them ok, they just don't stay locked in. That's why I'm thinking that a smaller antenna, like the Winegard GS-1100 would really help me. (FYI - it's non amplified). It's not like I'm that far away from any of the network towers. No attic - it's finished - so an antenna up there is not an option.

Antennaweb says I need a yellow bi-directional antenna and gives the following values:
(I'm not that concerned with WTXX) I most want NBC, CBS and Fox (HD).


WTXX 20 CW WATERBURY CT 203° 9.5 miles
WTIC 61 FOX HARTFORD CT 80° 8.8 miles
WVIT 30 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 82° 8.6 miles
WFSB 3 CBS HARTFORD CT 62° 12.6 miles

Having just moved into a home with an existing to DISH Network set up(lucky me), I'm new to this OTA local channel stuff. DISH doesn't offer locals in HD so I'm thinking about having an antenna installed. I bought a radioshack indoor model (the one with the little remote) and was able to get almost all the locals (and even one in Springfield, MA), but several of them cut out here and there. So, I'm thinking an outdoor antenna should really pull them in much better. Antenna web says I'm only about 12.5 miles from the farthest local antenna (zip 06786).

ok - my question is - does anyone know of a place - or even someone that does work on the side ;o) that can install an outdoor antenna for me? I'm looking at the Winegard Batwing antenna since that's what Dish recommends for pulling in off air locals.

Any help would be appreciated!!

Did you try to put your radioshack indoor antenna in a window toward the towers.

Ed

http://users.ntplx.net/~achase/Candelabra Project Jan 2007 048.jpg

Very cool! I noticed that this morning on the way into work. Side mounted just short of the top.

The guy below it looks like he's wearing a Dallas Cowboys hardhat. LOL!

Ed
Problem is, they only give you a six foot cord. I don't have a cable any longer than that. Plus, the make up of the room is such that I couldn' really put it near a window. If I have an antenna, I want it to be as unobtrusive as possible - that's one of the reasons I want an outdoor.

deconlover
Thank you!! I have listed the stations I am most interested in receiving as well as what attenna web tells me about thier signals. With the radioshck antenna, the picture is great, it's just that I don't get enough signal to lock them in on my dish - the signal fades in and out. NBC and CBS about 75 or the signal meter on my DISH and FOX is only about 60. You need AT LEAST a 60 on the Dish to lock in the signal. Basicall, I'm getting them ok, they just don't stay locked in. That's why I'm thinking that a smaller antenna, like the Winegard GS-1100 would really help me. (FYI - it's non amplified). It's not like I'm that far away from any of the network towers. No attic - it's finished - so an antenna up there is not an option.

Antennaweb says I need a yellow bi-directional antenna and gives the following values:
(I'm not that concerned with WTXX) I most want NBC, CBS and Fox (HD).


WTXX 20 CW WATERBURY CT 203° 9.5 miles
WTIC 61 FOX HARTFORD CT 80° 8.8 miles
WVIT 30 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 82° 8.6 miles
WFSB 3 CBS HARTFORD CT 62° 12.6 miles
You didn't list WTNH (the ABC station), if you really don't care about it then all the stations you want are UHF so you would get the best results for a given size with a UHF only antenna. You didn't say how the analog channels look: are there multiple images/ghosts, if so multipath is a problem. There are also sometimes visible defects with analog like hearing-bone lines or solarized whites when overloading is really bad. These are easier to diagnose with analog because with digital everything just causes drop-outs. The WTXX you list is the analog one- the digital station is in the same direction as WTIC so all the stations are within a 20 degree angle so should be receivable without re-aiming. You don't need the back-side response to get the digital stations so a bi-directional antenna which will let in multi-path from the back is a bad idea. You could just try finding a better location (east facing window) for a good unamplified indoor antenna like a double bow-tie or silver-sensor type or just roof mount a directional UHF antenna like the ones I listed. You should also know that around the beginning of the summer WTIC-DT and WTXX-DT will be moving to the top of the candelabra that achase just posted pictures of so their signal will get stronger for most people. If you want to get WTNH-DT you will need an antenna for VHF-HI, I use a seperate antenna (Winegard YA 1713) for that so I can point it towards New Haven while the UHF one is pointed towards Hartford.

To Mr. Chase . . .

Great Pic!! Please keep 'em coming. Thanks!!

You didn't list WTNH (the ABC station), if you really don't care about it then all the stations you want are UHF so you would get the best results for a given size with a UHF only antenna. You didn't say how the analog channels look: are there multiple images/ghosts, if so multipath is a problem. There are also sometimes visible defects with analog like hearing-bone lines or solarized whites when overloading is really bad. These are easier to diagnose with analog because with digital everything just causes drop-outs. The WTXX you list is the analog one- the digital station is in the same direction as WTIC so all the stations are within a 20 degree angle so should be receivable without re-aiming. You don't need the back-side response to get the digital stations so a bi-directional antenna which will let in multi-path from the back is a bad idea. You could just try finding a better location (east facing window) for a good unamplified indoor antenna like a double bow-tie or silver-sensor type or just roof mount a directional UHF antenna like the ones I listed. You should also know that around the beginning of the summer WTIC-DT and WTXX-DT will be moving to the top of the candelabra that achase just posted pictures of so their signal will get stronger for most people. If you want to get WTNH-DT you will need an antenna for VHF-HI, I use a seperate antenna (Winegard YA 1713) for that so I can point it towards New Haven while the UHF one is pointed towards Hartford.


The reason I suggested the CM 4228 is because of WTNH DT being high VHF. The CM does a very good job of picking it up, also WTXX DT, which is channel 12 digital.

Deconlover
Channel 3 is VHF isn't it? I need one antenna that will do it all.

The basic problem I'm having is that the stations are just fading in and out. When I get them, the picture is fine, when I don't , I just get the message screen on my dish that the signal has been lost. They just come and go.

I ordered the Winegard GS-1100.

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display_print.asp?PROD=ANWGS1100


That's the one DISH Network recommends. I'm having the install done by Orbitech Satellite in Plainville. I'll post the results once I get everything up and running.

I can't beleive that it's 2007 and I'm shopping for a TV antenna again. The one thing I don't want is some big giant antenna on my house that looks like it's 1975 all over again. The Winegard is just one single "rod" so hoepfully it won't look too bad. Although I'm a little aprehensive about putting this "helicopter blade" on my house that already has 2 dishes on it.

Only 18 more months until my contract is up with Dish and I can go back to cable!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and put that antenna on E bay.)

Deconlover
Channel 3 is VHF isn't it? I need one antenna that will do it all.

No. Channel 3 digital is 33, I believe (from memory). It will remap on your box to 3-1 (at least for DirecTV that's how it works). And just so you're aware, DirecTV now carries the digital versions of 3, 8 and 61 via satellite. I would expect ABC to be available before your 18 months is up. I know Dish is offering digital locals too, but for some reason, they skipped over the CT local market in favor of quite a few smaller markets.

No. Channel 3 digital is 33, I believe (from memory). It will remap on your box to 3-1 (at least for DirecTV that's how it works). And just so you're aware, DirecTV now carries the digital versions of 3, 8 and 61 via satellite. I would expect ABC to be available before your 18 months is up. I know Dish is offering digital locals too, but for some reason, they skipped over the CT local market in favor of quite a few smaller markets.

Actually, it's 3, 30, and 61, WFSB-DT, WVIT-DT, and WTIC-DT. Like you said in your text, it's ABC (WTNH-DT), that they don't carry.

DSCCRHIBS,

I hope that antenna works for you, as was mentioned above, there are much better antennas available. Being that you are so close, hopefully that one will work just fine in your case.

One more question...

I don't want to run another wire to the Dish receiver if I can avoid it. Is there any down side to diplexing the antenna to the Dish on the roof then diplexing it at the Dish receiver? Any loss of signal for the antenna or Dish signal or any other down sides which might convince me that I need a seperate wire for the antenna??

Fact is, the driveway is in Shelton but the transmitter and tower are in Trumbull.

I stand corrected. :o



mdodge - you sure about it being WEDW's analog transmitter? I called CPTV engineering this week, and they confirmed my suspicion of bit starving (we get fairly bad "smearing" artifacts, which leads me to believe it's in the 10-12 Mbps, not 18)

One more question...

I don't want to run another wire to the Dish receiver if I can avoid it. Is there any down side to diplexing the antenna to the Dish on the roof then diplexing it at the Dish receiver? Any loss of signal for the antenna or Dish signal or any other down sides which might convince me that I need a seperate wire for the antenna??

I had one coax cable coming from the dish and Terk antenna on the roof to a diplexer just in back of my Dish receiver. At that point there was one length of coax going to "SAT In" and another short coax cable to "ANT In". The only loss of satellite signal that I ever had during the four years with Dish Network came when the sky turned a greenish cast just before severe thunderstorms. The few minute loss was weather-related and nothing to do with diplexing. The kind of over-the-air antenna that I had - a clip-on-the-dish type - was mostly the cause of the pixellation and drop-outs on OTA local digital channels. I didn't experience any downside to having only one coax, and it also allowed the Dish installer to use the single existing hole in the outside wall that was originally for the cable TV coax entry.

As was mentioned by another poster over at another media message board, WFSB-DT 33-3 now has a looping video on it called "Eyewitness News NOW". About every 10 minutes, they update a couple of recent stories and do a weather segment which looks an awful lot like WVIT and NBC Weather Plus. The video quality looks to be about the same as the "CBS 3" service they carry on WFSB-DT 33-2.

To Mr. Chase . . .

Great Pic!! Please keep 'em coming. Thanks!!

Here you go!

http://users.ntplx.net/~achase/Candelabra1.jpg
http://users.ntplx.net/~achase/Candelabra2.jpg
http://users.ntplx.net/~achase/Candelabra3.jpg
http://users.ntplx.net/~achase/Candelabra4.jpg
http://users.ntplx.net/~achase/Candelabra5.jpg
http://users.ntplx.net/~achase/Candelabra6.jpg
http://users.ntplx.net/~achase/Candelabra7.jpg

P.S. - CPTV's analog antenna was put into place today on the candelabra!!!

Pix to follow...

P.P.S. - If anyone wants to see any of the FULL rez pictures posted, let me know. The ones here are at 1/4 size.

Is that one of the tower beacons we see in the last two pics that flash for miles around? I see how the second picture is pointed towards the northeast, using I-84 and the big pond as landmarks. I think that's US 6 on the left edge, before it's merge at Exit 38 WB.

As for the other pics, sure! Why not?

Here's what a full rez image looks like:

http://users.ntplx.net/~achase/Tower_Mod_1-30-07_046.jpg

Say, what will the specs be for analog channel 24, such as visual ERP, height AAT, etc.? I live in New Britain and have never been able to get a usuable signal of WEDH-TV here...ever. It has to do with me being at the bottom of Walnut Hill and that blocking Avon Mountain to some extent.

Say, what will the specs be for analog channel 24, such as visual ERP, height AAT, etc.?

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=13602

If I'm reading it right, the first record at that link is for the antenna's current location on the 96.5FM radio tower on Avon Mountain. The second record, the construction permit, is for the transmitter's soon-to-be new location on Rattlesnake Mountain.

1200 kW ERP
Antenna Height above average terrain: 517 meters HAAT
Antenna Height above mean sea level: 616 meters AMSL
Antenna Height above ground level: 400 meters AGL

The current specs for the Avon location: 813 kW ERP and 262 meters above average terrain.

I should get it no problem then. I'm no more than 5 miles from the WVIT and WTIC towers now. :)

Can a diplexer be used to take two antennas into one TV? If not, is there any device that can do such a feat? Thanks

Can a diplexer be used to take two antennas into one TV? If not, is there any device that can do such a feat? Thanks

It can, but it probably won't work. What specifically are you trying to do - combine signals from outdoor or indoor antennas, UHF and VHF antennas, UHF and UHF, VHF and VHF, etc.?

Ross

I have one indoor antenna and I can pick up everything but WTNH and WCTX. I can pick up those channels in another room with an antenna facing another direction. Rather than constantly having to get the antenna facing to a direction with perfection, I was hoping two antennas in different locations would be able to pull in everything.

It's amazing how CBS screwed up switch flipping time after time during the NFL playoffs, I find it hard to believe nobody there knew the auto switch times would always be invalid. At least there's full rez and appropriately switched WBZ to rely on for some of us.

Was I seeing things or was there a local ad tonight in HD by WFSB? I think it was an "Eyewitness News" promo?

Was I seeing things or was there a local ad tonight in HD by WFSB? I think it was an "Eyewitness News" promo?

No you were not seeing things. WFSB did air a "Eyewitness News" promo in HD. Over the last couple of months, WFSB has been upgrading our equipment (from cameras, editing to encoders) to provide more HD content. You will see more local HD content in the near future as a result of this.

Also, Eyewitness News NOW is "now" on 3.3 (using limited bandwidth for all the purists out there) for LOCAL and only LOCAL Weather, Traffic and News 24x7. Take a couple of minutes and watch to see if you get all the information you need in it. WFSB has LIVE monitoring stations around the state that update LIVE on the right hand side of the screen as well as up to to date weather and traffic pictures.

I know I have not been in this forum for a long time. As always if there are any comments or questions please do not hesitate to email me at

wfsbengineering@wfsb.com

Thanks for the continued support.

Now if something can be done about your over-the-air UHF channel 33 signal? I can't get an effective signal here in New Britain without cable (and a roof antenna will not help my cause much). That's what I get being at the bottom of Walnut Hill.

P.S. What was with that ad being started locally by accident in the second half of the Bowl? We lost CBS-HD for nearly two minutes as a result.

I ran a query for the Connecticut digital television stations at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html
then reformated the results here:

Call Chann Service E R P RCAMSL (m) Latitude Longitude
WEDY-DT 6 CP MOD 0.40 kW 130.7 m N 41 19 42 W 72 54 25
WTNH-DT 10 L I C 20.5 kW 440.0 m N 41 25 22 W 72 57 6
WTXX-DT 12 CPMOD 1.70 kW 613.9 m N 41 42 13 W 72 49 57

WTIC-DT 31 CPMOD 425. kW 600.0 m N 41 42 13 W 72 49 57
WTIC-DT 31 A P P 380. kW 605.0 m N 41 42 13 W 72 49 57
WEDN-DT 32 A P P 0.50 kW 284.0 m N 41 31 14 W 72 10 3
WFSB-DT 33 L I C 1000 kW 375.8 m N 41 46 30 W 72 48 20
WHPX-DT 34 L I C 90.0 kW 433.1 m N 41 25 3. W 72 11 55
WVIT-DT 35 L I C 250. kW 532.0 m N 41 42 2. W 72 49 57
WCTX-DT 39 L I C 170. kW 384.0 m N 41 25 22 W 72 57 6
WSAH-DT 42 CPMOD 780. kW 284.5 m N 41 21 43 W 73 6 48
WEDN-DT 45 L I C 200. kW 284.4 m N 41 31 14 W 72 10 3
WEDH-DT 45 A P P 465. kW 604.0 m N 41 42 13 W 72 49 57
WUVN-DT 46 L I C 217. kW 354.0 m N 41 46 30 W 72 48 4
WEDW-DT 52 L I C 50.0 kW 273.2 m N 41 16 44 W 73 11 8


I tried to line up the columns but I see this site uses a proportionally spaced font (Grrr).

I have one indoor antenna and I can pick up everything but WTNH and WCTX. I can pick up those channels in another room with an antenna facing another direction. Rather than constantly having to get the antenna facing to a direction with perfection, I was hoping two antennas in different locations would be able to pull in everything.
If look look at my post above you can see that WTNH and WCTX are New Haven stations while most of the others you want are probably Hartford stations. You can also see that WEDY, WTNH and WTXX are the VHF digital stations while the rest are UHF (above 13). You can easily combine separate UHF and VHF antennas with a simple UHF/VHF combiner but to combine two antennas in the same band is more difficult. You can try using a splitter in reverse but that gives you less gain then using one antenna and the two signals interact unpredictably so getting it to work is hit or miss. Another way is to use a Join-tenna which could work if you used a third antenna just for WCTX since it doesn't have any other stations on nearby frequencies (UHF Join-tennas have several channels of transition on either side of the chosen channel).

No you were not seeing things. WFSB did air a "Eyewitness News" promo in HD. Over the last couple of months, WFSB has been upgrading our equipment (from cameras, editing to encoders) to provide more HD content. You will see more local HD content in the near future as a result of this.

Also, Eyewitness News NOW is "now" on 3.3 (using limited bandwidth for all the purists out there) for LOCAL and only LOCAL Weather, Traffic and News 24x7. Take a couple of minutes and watch to see if you get all the information you need in it. WFSB has LIVE monitoring stations around the state that update LIVE on the right hand side of the screen as well as up to to date weather and traffic pictures.

I know I have not been in this forum for a long time. As always if there are any comments or questions please do not hesitate to email me at

wfsbengineering@wfsb.com


Thanks for the continued support.

Joe, thanks for the info. I thought I read somewhere that CBS was trying to get it's afiliates to do more HD. Do you guys have any plans on doing the news in HD anytime soon?

I'll also start bugging you folks soon about your NCAA Men's tourney plans, although maybe with not as much ferver this year given that UConn won't be in it.

Hello Everyone - I am new to the forum and was wondering if someone can point me in the right direction to find more information on setting up OTA HD ... i am trying to read through this thread but it looks like most of you are already "pros" at this ... i need help to find the "basics" ... i m in west hartford and just bought a HDTV ... with built-in over-the-air HD tuner ... what other equipment do i need? thanks in advance

Bite your tongue, jake14mw!!! :D

Hello Everyone - I am new to the forum and was wondering if someone can point me in the right direction to find more information on setting up OTA HD ... i am trying to read through this thread but it looks like most of you are already "pros" at this ... i need help to find the "basics" ... i m in west hartford and just bought a HDTV ... with built-in over-the-air HD tuner ... what other equipment do i need? thanks in advance

All you need is an antenna! Check your owners manual to see which input to connect it to. You may need to install an outdoor type. Many of us have good results with an indoor one, though. If you want an indoor type, the Silver Sensor is likely the best. For outside, the Channel Master 4228 gets most of the stations. Good luck, and don't be shy about asking lots of questions!

If look look at my post above you can see that WTNH and WCTX are New Haven stations while most of the others you want are probably Hartford stations. You can also see that WEDY, WTNH and WTXX are the VHF digital stations while the rest are UHF (above 13). You can easily combine separate UHF and VHF antennas with a simple UHF/VHF combiner but to combine two antennas in the same band is more difficult. You can try using a splitter in reverse but that gives you less gain then using one antenna and the two signals interact unpredictably so getting it to work is hit or miss. Another way is to use a Join-tenna which could work if you used a third antenna just for WCTX since it doesn't have any other stations on nearby frequencies (UHF Join-tennas have several channels of transition on either side of the chosen channel).

Or you could use a simple A-B switch. Very inexpensive but you'd have to flip it back and forth whenever you wanted to watch the NH channels. Just another thought.

Hello Everyone - I am new to the forum and was wondering if someone can point me in the right direction to find more information on setting up OTA HD ... i am trying to read through this thread but it looks like most of you are already "pros" at this ... i need help to find the "basics" ... i m in west hartford and just bought a HDTV ... with built-in over-the-air HD tuner ... what other equipment do i need? thanks in advance
You need an antenna(s). Since you are close to the Hartford towers you have a fair chance for good results with small indoor antenna and cheap cable. One way to hook this up would be to use one antenna that gets both VHF (for WTNH-DT and WTXX-DT) and UHF like this Terk antenna that is basically a silver sensor with rabbit ears added:
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SHDTVI
Or you could get try to get a silver sensor, rabbit ears and combiner separately but the silver sensor is hard to find in stock:
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=ZHDTV1
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=ANTV1
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=UVSJ
Unless the antenna comes with a (big enough) cable you may need to get that too:
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=VH85

thank you for the quick responses - appreciate it very much :)

i am continuing to get educated on this and found AntennaWeb ... the initial diagnostic shows that i am in the red/blue/violet zones!!! yikes ...

i will definitely give your suggestions re: indoor options a shot ... but i may need an outdoor / amplified antenna! terk hdtvo is what the site recommended ... anyone have experience with this?

thank you for the quick responses - appreciate it very much :)

i am continuing to get educated on this and found AntennaWeb ... the initial diagnostic shows that i am in the red/blue/violet zones!!! yikes ...

i will definitely give your suggestions re: indoor options a shot ... but i may need an outdoor / amplified antenna! terk hdtvo is what the site recommended ... anyone have experience with this?

My experience says stay away from anything that says Terk on it.

My experience says stay away from anything that says Terk on it.

ditto to that. In order to get WCTX and WTNH out of New Haven, I'm betting you're going to need to go outdoor, so go with the CM4228 Chip recommended.

Ross

Hi all,

I've never posted in this forum before, but I suppose I should have. I tried to read through as many of the posts as possible, but it's just too overhwhelming and time consuming so i'm sorry in advance if i'm asking something that's already been covered, ad nauseum.

Firstly, I live in glastonbury and I've recently "upgraded" from a radio shack antenna (indoor set top one shaped like a pyramid and a circle cut out) to a phillips "50db gain" type that i picked up at the local job lot for 10 bucks. it's working out better than the older antenna, since i can get all the same channels, but without the rabbit ear manipulation. I only get basic cable (23 channels) and rely on OTA HD to watch various network shows.

i'm currently getting 3.1, 8.1, 18.1, 20.1, 30.1, and 60.1 or 61.1 (i can't remember) as well as a few of the variants on that same main number (i.e. 3.2 and 3.3 etc.)

i don't know if it's possible for me to get any other stations, but the channel that i reallllly want to get is PBS. i know CPTV is supposed to have a hd channel, i see on their website a 24.5 but i can't get it :( i haven't been able to pull that springfield PBS signal with my little antenna, but i'm assuming at some point i'll be able to get the CPTV from 24?

can anybody give me any more info on additional channels i should try to get or when I might hope to watch PBS HD?

TIA
mike

Turn your antenna around and try for WEDN-DT (PBS) channel 45 (analog 53) from Norwich. Their transmitter is in Bozrah, if that helps.

Also, WTIC-DT (FOX) is actually on channel 31. Your TV will likely remap it to show it as "61-1".

thank you for the quick responses - appreciate it very much :)

i am continuing to get educated on this and found AntennaWeb ... the initial diagnostic shows that i am in the red/blue/violet zones!!! yikes ...

i will definitely give your suggestions re: indoor options a shot ... but i may need an outdoor / amplified antenna! terk hdtvo is what the site recommended ... anyone have experience with this?
Antennaweb is often overly conservative in their recommendations so an indoor antenna might still work for you if you can find a good location for it like aimed out a window towards the towers. Terk is generally overpriced and they normally emphasize style over performance. The indoor silver sensor clone I recommended is the only Terk I normally suggest (and it should probably be 10 bucks cheaper). I personally use separate UHF (Winegard PR-9018, 9022, 9032 series) and VHF antennas (Winegard YA-6713, 1713 series) so I can point the VHF one at New Haven to get WTNH (ABC) and the UHF one at Hartford to get CBS, NBC and Fox. We can't get WCTX or WTXX (yet) where I am in south eastern Connecticut and a 4228 isn't good enough in the VHF for me to get WTNH with it so that is why I use separate antennas (I also think the CM 4228 is ugly). In your location there is a good chance a CM 4228 will pick up all the stations you need including VHF without an amplifier so if the indoor solution doesn't work that is a good thing to try. Use good cable (RG-6 Quad shield like this: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=DGCBL050Q )with an outdoor antenna. If that doesn't work you can try adding an amplifier but you need to be careful not to get one with too much gain because if the signal gets too strong overloading can make things worse. Winegard makes a couple of appropriate amplifiers (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=ANWHDP269 low gain for one antenna or http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SAP2870 medium gain for separate VHF and UHF antennas).

Hi all,

I've never posted in this forum before, but I suppose I should have. I tried to read through as many of the posts as possible, but it's just too overhwhelming and time consuming so i'm sorry in advance if i'm asking something that's already been covered, ad nauseum.

Firstly, I live in glastonbury and I've recently "upgraded" from a radio shack antenna (indoor set top one shaped like a pyramid and a circle cut out) to a phillips "50db gain" type that i picked up at the local job lot for 10 bucks. it's working out better than the older antenna, since i can get all the same channels, but without the rabbit ear manipulation. I only get basic cable (23 channels) and rely on OTA HD to watch various network shows.

i'm currently getting 3.1, 8.1, 18.1, 20.1, 30.1, and 60.1 or 61.1 (i can't remember) as well as a few of the variants on that same main number (i.e. 3.2 and 3.3 etc.)

i don't know if it's possible for me to get any other stations, but the channel that i reallllly want to get is PBS. i know CPTV is supposed to have a hd channel, i see on their website a 24.5 but i can't get it :( i haven't been able to pull that springfield PBS signal with my little antenna, but i'm assuming at some point i'll be able to get the CPTV from 24?

can anybody give me any more info on additional channels i should try to get or when I might hope to watch PBS HD?

TIA
mike
The main one you are missing is PBS because they are not transmitting yet. Once WEDH-DT gets final approval from the FCC to use channel 45 and then they get the antenna and achase is able to get his crew to install it on the candelabra then you should easily get PBS. If you read backwards through the posts in this thread you may get an idea when this will happen. My guess is by the end of the year.

Quote:
Originally Posted by joehorn
No you were not seeing things. WFSB did air a "Eyewitness News" promo in HD. Over the last couple of months, WFSB has been upgrading our equipment (from cameras, editing to encoders) to provide more HD content. You will see more local HD content in the near future as a result of this.

Also, Eyewitness News NOW is "now" on 3.3 (using limited bandwidth for all the purists out there) for LOCAL and only LOCAL Weather, Traffic and News 24x7. Take a couple of minutes and watch to see if you get all the information you need in it. WFSB has LIVE monitoring stations around the state that update LIVE on the right hand side of the screen as well as up to to date weather and traffic pictures.

I know I have not been in this forum for a long time. As always if there are any comments or questions please do not hesitate to email me at

wfsbengineering@wfsb.com


Thanks for the continued support.


Joe, thanks for the info. I thought I read somewhere that CBS was trying to get it's afiliates to do more HD. Do you guys have any plans on doing the news in HD anytime soon?

I'll also start bugging you folks soon about your NCAA Men's tourney plans, although maybe with not as much ferver this year given that UConn won't be in it.

Joe, I'm actually more interested in your NCAA tourney plans specifically because UCONN may not be in it. I'd like to have some choices on the games.

Thanks for your input. I'll add 3.3 to my channel list. I hope that means we will see more of Rachel Lutzker! :D

The main one you are missing is PBS because they are not transmitting yet. Once WEDH-DT gets final approval from the FCC to use channel 45 and then they get the antenna and achase is able to get his crew to install it on the candelabra then you should easily get PBS. If you read backwards through the posts in this thread you may get an idea when this will happen. My guess is by the end of the year.

WEDH does have FCC approval for channel 45. Jerry Franklin told me they hope to be up by the end of the year.

Quote:
Originally Posted by joehorn
I'll add 3.3 to my channel list. I hope that means we will see more of Rachel Lutzker! :D

I agree... :D

I stand corrected. :o

mdodge - you sure about it being WEDW's analog transmitter? I called CPTV engineering this week, and they confirmed my suspicion of bit starving (we get fairly bad "smearing" artifacts, which leads me to believe it's in the 10-12 Mbps, not 18)

Yup, analog only. Shoot me a PM and we can set up a time for you to call CPTV engineering while I'm there and I'll overwhelm you with facts. :D

BTW: I checked TSReader against our PSIP monitor last Friday and they read the same; 17.9 something-or-other Mbps. I forget what the null packets, audio and other crap was. That was with upconverted NTSC to 14:9.

Can someone from CPTV explain why the remote feed from Gampel pavilion looks so bad? Besides the usual ugly zooming of SD on 53.1, with the women's hoops it looks like we are typically seeing QVGA (320x240) resolution. Is there any plan to fix this? Even on my old analog set it looks really bad, it isn't much of a step up from radio.

Can someone from CPTV explain why the remote feed from Gampel pavilion looks so bad? Besides the usual ugly zooming of SD on 53.1, with the women's hoops it looks like we are typically seeing QVGA (320x240) resolution. Is there any plan to fix this? Even on my old analog set it looks really bad, it isn't much of a step up from radio.


OK. Let's start by asking you a few questions :rolleyes: to get a basis to reply to your questions.

1. What delivery system; cable (what cable provider?), satellite (what provider?), OTA (what station/channel?).

2. Receiver; (Make/model?)(STB or builtin?)

3. Display unit; CRT (NTSC, SD, HD, 720p, 1080i/p?)

4. Was it just last nights feed (2/6) or the entire season from Gample? How does it compare to the Civic Center feeds?

5. QVGA; :p cell phone or PDA?

I can't say that I can help you immediately as I'm on the road frequently and do not monitor this forum on a regular basis. Also, I'm an RF (transmitters, microwave, etc) person not the studio type.

Marc

OK. Let's start by asking you a few questions :rolleyes: to get a basis to reply to your questions.

1. What delivery system; cable (what cable provider?), satellite (what provider?), OTA (what station/channel?).

2. Receiver; (Make/model?)(STB or builtin?)

3. Display unit; CRT (NTSC, SD, HD, 720p, 1080i/p?)

4. Was it just last nights feed (2/6) or the entire season from Gample? How does it compare to the Civic Center feeds?

5. QVGA; :p cell phone or PDA?

I can't say that I can help you immediately as I'm on the road frequently and do not monitor this forum on a regular basis. Also, I'm an RF (transmitters, microwave, etc) person not the studio type.

Marc
1. OTA WEDN-DT (I am only talking about the games that are transmitted digitally although the ones that I have to get via analog channel 53 or 24 also look bad). [Edit] To be clear: the analog picture quality is just as bad or worse it's just that the improvement when going back to the studio feed is not as striking- especially on Directv channel 24 because of its other problems.

2. Sony KDF-E50A10 built in ATSC receiver. I also have a Radio-Shack Accurian ATSC receiver in the basement connected to a tube type Panasonic SD TV.

3. Sony KDF-E50A10 which is a 720p LCD RPTV. The SD Panasonic tube TV in the basement also shows the problem though not as clearly since it is an SD TV.

4. The entire season from Gample (not last night which we viewed via Directv channel 24 because the guide showed 53-1 with something else on [Edit] again: the analog picture quality is just as bad or worse), might also have been bad from the civic center I don't remember. The picture improves to normal zoomed SD quality when they go to the studio during time outs.

5. The game picture is made up of obvious blocks on my RPTV. I measured the block size and divided the total active picture width by it and estimated about 320 horizontal pixels.

I just got an HR-20 Directv DVR so it will be easy for me to record the next game that is broadcast digitally and I know how to properly photograph my screen if you would like to see an example of what I am talking about.

BTW the SD channel 24 feed to Directv suffers from what looks like analog receive antenna pre-amplifier overloading. There is a diagonal hearing-bone pattern superimposed on it.

WEDH does have FCC approval for channel 45. Jerry Franklin told me they hope to be up by the end of the year.

Well, it's not that simple but, it could be. If you go to the FCC's website and do a search for: SEVENTH FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING, Adopted October 10, 2006. (The PDF version)

For really enjoyable winter reading you can read the whole 109 pages. But I suggest searching for WEDH or skimming the first 15 pages. In it you will know everything there is to know about the ongoing process. Right there on the first page is a clue:

Comment Date: January 11, 2007
Reply Comment Date: February 12, 2007

This means that anyone who wants to can comment on the proposed changes until 1/11/07 and then anyone can comment on the comments until 2/12/07. After that the FCC will analyze the comments and comment comments . . . THEN they will make their decision. You married guys out there should understand how that works.

Pretty much what the Proposed Rule Making said was that WEDH can have Ch. 45 in February of 2009; not 2008, not 2007. If the PRM flies that means that CPTV could apply for a Construction Permit (CP) and, with a couple of different approaches, ask the FCC to go on early. Doesn't mean to say that they would approve OR if they did approve, take months or even years to make a decision.

Case in point. We have been waiting for months for the WEDY-DT license. So in the meantime, it's turned off. :mad:

So, WEDH-DT will be on the air sometime between April 2007 and February 2009 (if analog REALLY goes dark then - I'd be checking with your local bookie for those odds :cool: ).

If it's any help, I've noticed the same thing John has with the women's hoops. I don't watch that often, but when I do, the picture is terrible. I'm watching OTA using a D* HR10-250 with a Pioneer Elite 53" RPTV.

Ross

Hi mdodge,
Have not talked to you in a while.
Keith from Metrocast(formerly Eastern Ct. Cable).
Just wondering what the impact the WEDN Ch 45 Digital from Hartford will have on WEDH Ch 45 Digital from the Bozrah transmitter and will the new transmitter be on 24 hrs?
I was rooting through the FCC site and looked at the service contour map for WEDN 45 covering well into the WEDH service area.
Also noticed an application for a Ch 32 Dt for WEDH, is
there a change coming up?

Thanks !

I think WEDN-DT has been authorized to be on channel 9. I would guess that both Norwich and Hartford will not use channel 45 at the same time. I also don't think that channel 32 is a player for Hartford use. John

Well, it's not that simple but, it could be. If you go to the FCC's website and do a search for: SEVENTH FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING, Adopted October 10, 2006. (The PDF version)

For really enjoyable winter reading you can read the whole 109 pages. But I suggest searching for WEDH or skimming the first 15 pages. In it you will know everything there is to know about the ongoing process. Right there on the first page is a clue:

Comment Date: January 11, 2007
Reply Comment Date: February 12, 2007

This means that anyone who wants to can comment on the proposed changes until 1/11/07 and then anyone can comment on the comments until 2/12/07. After that the FCC will analyze the comments and comment comments . . . THEN they will make their decision. You married guys out there should understand how that works.

Pretty much what the Proposed Rule Making said was that WEDH can have Ch. 45 in February of 2009; not 2008, not 2007. If the PRM flies that means that CPTV could apply for a Construction Permit (CP) and, with a couple of different approaches, ask the FCC to go on early. Doesn't mean to say that they would approve OR if they did approve, take months or even years to make a decision.

Case in point. We have been waiting for months for the WEDY-DT license. So in the meantime, it's turned off. :mad:

So, WEDH-DT will be on the air sometime between April 2007 and February 2009 (if analog REALLY goes dark then - I'd be checking with your local bookie for those odds :cool: ).

This is what Jerry Franklin sent to me:

Yes, it has been approved and we are currently in the "public hearing" phase for another 60 days. If there are no serious objections (there shouldn't be because the FCC would not have released it if there were any interference or overlap issues) it will be officially assigned. We are currently working with the owners of the Fox Channel 61 Tower in Farmington to locate our antennas. That is a 6 to 8 month construction project so we are hoping for an '07 start date. It's been a long process (3 years) with the FCC, but we're nearing the end. Thanks for your patience.

I like his timetable better than yours! ;)

OK. Let's start by asking you a few questions :rolleyes: to get a basis to reply to your questions.

1. What delivery system; cable (what cable provider?), satellite (what provider?), OTA (what station/channel?).

2. Receiver; (Make/model?)(STB or builtin?)

3. Display unit; CRT (NTSC, SD, HD, 720p, 1080i/p?)

4. Was it just last nights feed (2/6) or the entire season from Gample? How does it compare to the Civic Center feeds?

5. QVGA; :p cell phone or PDA?

I can't say that I can help you immediately as I'm on the road frequently and do not monitor this forum on a regular basis. Also, I'm an RF (transmitters, microwave, etc) person not the studio type.

Marc

I have experienced consistently poor picture quality for UConn women games broadcast by channels 24 and 53.1 using DirecTV SD and OTA HD. Often the picture looks a bit pixelated on DirecTv but OTA is also not of the highest quality. The picture quality is better when they cut to the studio for fundraising. How about putting some of these contributions into the equipment?

On the rare occasions where CBS 3 broadcasts a game, the picture improvement is astounding. Full screen 16 x 9 with correct image aspect ratio. Also the audio is much better -you can hear the backboard slams on the rear channels. DirecTV picture on ESPN is also better than 24. I think DirecTV starts out with a substandard Gampel feed and things deteriorate from there.

The last Gampel game I watched on 53.1 had no satisfactory zoom setting on my XBR2 LCD where the aspect ratio looked natural. The picture quailty on the last away game broadcast looked about the same as a Gampel game.

BTW, the picture quality on other PBS OTA programming is often excellent.

As a CPTV contributor, why do I wish CBS had all the games? :confused:

Bob

I think WEDN-DT has been authorized to be on channel 9. I would guess that both Norwich and Hartford will not use channel 45 at the same time. I also don't think that channel 32 is a player for Hartford use. John

John:

You are correct. They won't both be on the same channel at the same time.

Are you around tomorrow during the day and available for a phone call? If you don't still have my email address, PM me.

I think WEDN-DT has been authorized to be on channel 9. I would guess that both Norwich and Hartford will not use channel 45 at the same time. I also don't think that channel 32 is a player for Hartford use. John
John,
I also thought that WEDN-DT was going to channel 9 but when I ran the fcc query I listed in post 4797 it showed an application for channel 32 for WEDN-DT (not WEDH). Now I am wondering is CPTV planning to change Norwich to channel 32 instead of 9?

Hi mdodge,
Have not talked to you in a while.
Keith from Metrocast(formerly Eastern Ct. Cable).
Just wondering what the impact the WEDN Ch 45 Digital from Hartford will have on WEDH Ch 45 Digital from the Bozrah transmitter and will the new transmitter be on 24 hrs?
I was rooting through the FCC site and looked at the service contour map for WEDN 45 covering well into the WEDH service area.
Also noticed an application for a Ch 32 Dt for WEDH, is
there a change coming up?

Thanks !

Hi, Keith:

I'll try to give the short story on the channel swaps. About 10 years or so ago the FCC assumed that DTV channels 31, 32 and 33 would be co-located on one tower. That didn't happen. So, because of the channel spacing rules, WEDH-DT, Ch. 32, was authorized much lower power than it was originally. It was peanut power compared to the other stations in the market.

CPBi looked for an alternative channel and found none that would fit in the Hartford market. But, by swaping the Norwich and Hartford channels (45 & 32) it would work albeit now a peanut power station in Norwich. It was, also, found that Ch. 9 would work in Norwich. This started the paper chase that is explained in the FCC's "Sixth" that I mentioned in an earlier post. It really gets complicated and you have study the FCC's order to get an understanding. It took the FCC years to get their left and right hands attached to the same body on this issue.

So, as it stands today, WEDN-45 is on the air (since 2001). WEDN-9 and WEDH-45 will have to be built and when the FCC authorizes "Program Test" the actual swap will take place. Neither WEDH-32 nor WEDN-32 will see the light of day. The channel 32 frequency will become available to anyone who wants to build a nice little neighborhood TV station.

The coverage contour for WEDN on Ch. 9 is, indeed, larger than the current analog contour and overlaps WEDH. This is normal because the FCC looks at individual stations not a network.

As far as 24/7 operation, I doubt that we would have the money to support that.
----------
Marc

I thought WEDH-DT was to be going onto channel 42?

Hi, Keith:

I'll try to give the short story on the channel swaps. About 10 years or so ago the FCC assumed that DTV channels 31, 32 and 33 would be co-located on one tower. That didn't happen. So, because of the channel spacing rules, WEDH-DT, Ch. 32, was authorized much lower power than it was originally. It was peanut power compared to the other stations in the market.

CPBi looked for an alternative channel and found none that would fit in the Hartford market. But, by swaping the Norwich and Hartford channels (45 & 32) it would work albeit now a peanut power station in Norwich. It was, also, found that Ch. 9 would work in Norwich. This started the paper chase that is explained in the FCC's "Sixth" that I mentioned in an earlier post. It really gets complicated and you have study the FCC's order to get an understanding. It took the FCC years to get their left and right hands attached to the same body on this issue.

So, as it stands today, WEDN-45 is on the air (since 2001). WEDN-9 and WEDH-45 will have to be built and when the FCC authorizes "Program Test" the actual swap will take place. Neither WEDH-32 nor WEDN-32 will see the light of day. The channel 32 frequency will become available to anyone who wants to build a nice little neighborhood TV station.

The coverage contour for WEDN on Ch. 9 is, indeed, larger than the current analog contour and overlaps WEDH. This is normal because the FCC looks at individual stations not a network.

As far as 24/7 operation, I doubt that we would have the money to support that.
----------
Marc
Thanks for clearing that up Marc. I thought my FCC query probably turned up an old application. Now, how about updating that truck for the lady Huskies... Next year at least?

1. OTA WEDN-DT (I am only talking about the games that are transmitted digitally although the ones that I have to get via analog channel 53 or 24 also look bad). [Edit] To be clear: the analog picture quality is just as bad or worse it's just that the improvement when going back to the studio feed is not as striking- especially on Directv channel 24 because of its other problems.

2. Sony KDF-E50A10 built in ATSC receiver. I also have a Radio-Shack Accurian ATSC receiver in the basement connected to a tube type Panasonic SD TV.

3. Sony KDF-E50A10 which is a 720p LCD RPTV. The SD Panasonic tube TV in the basement also shows the problem though not as clearly since it is an SD TV.

4. The entire season from Gample (not last night which we viewed via Directv channel 24 because the guide showed 53-1 with something else on [Edit] again: the analog picture quality is just as bad or worse), might also have been bad from the civic center I don't remember. The picture improves to normal zoomed SD quality when they go to the studio during time outs.

5. The game picture is made up of obvious blocks on my RPTV. I measured the block size and divided the total active picture width by it and estimated about 320 horizontal pixels.

I just got an HR-20 Directv DVR so it will be easy for me to record the next game that is broadcast digitally and I know how to properly photograph my screen if you would like to see an example of what I am talking about.

BTW the SD channel 24 feed to Directv suffers from what looks like analog receive antenna pre-amplifier overloading. There is a diagonal hearing-bone pattern superimposed on it.

John and Bob:

Ok, where to begin. I think I see where the problem is with the picture quality that you refer to. Another long story that will have to be made short.

For many years we contracted with a particular company for the production truck for UConn Women's Basketball. Because most of our transmitters were analog we did not specify what type truck for each game; we got whatever truck was in the area (HD, SD, Analog). They had only a couple analog trucks so it was rare that one would be in New England. That meant that most trucks were SD and occasionally we would get an HD. We were charged a flat rate for the season.

On the SD and HD trucks, we were supplied superb pictures compared to analog. Another thing that we did three seasons ago was to switch from our permanent microwave feed from UConn to IP. This greatly improved the quality (even over satellite). The feed from the Civic Center has been via fiber for many years.

Come to this season and a big change. The team isn't doing as well, fewer viewers, less donations (that means less income, right?). Expenses, though, go up; not the least of which is what we have to pay UConn for the game rights. That goes UP. Upstairs makes the decision to cut expenses. That means contracting with a local company for an analog truck. See where this is going?

So, what it boils down to is John and Bob are, essentially, watching legacy analog (480 lines) on a whopping big 50" HD screen. It's gonna' look like crap. In fact it would look like crap on a 50" analog screen. All this compared to CBS or ESPN that are producing HD from start to finish - there is no comparison.

Now, John. You mentioned the fact that the studio shot looks ok. That's because it's shot in HD (but then downconverted to SD - very long story there, too.) then switched in with the upconverted analog (SD).

And Bob. Keep in mind, whatever the digital picture quality is on OTA, because of their additional compression, cable and satellite are not as good. That is evolving, too. As for putting money into equipment, CPTV had the first (and, probably, still the only) fully HD studio in the market. That's not the issue here.

DirecTV gets it's feed from WEDH-24 off-air and if you were to go back in this thread you would see many references to the problems with the Avon transmitter. That WILL change in the next couple months as we build the new site. Arnold has been keeping us informed about his tower renovations and I'll probably be starting preparations for the installation of the new transmitter in a couple weeks. It's been built and is in a warehouse awaiting delivery.

That was a little long winded. If either of you have specific questions that you would like answered more fully you are welcome to PM me.

Marc

Now, how about updating that truck for the lady Huskies... Next year at least?

It's going to take veiwers like you to make it known to management and programming what you want (demand?).

http://cptv.org/about/contactUs.asp

thanks for the info, it's good to know i have all the channels i can pretty much get at this point.

what is the channel 24.5 that i see on the cptv website though? who receives that? is that on a cable provider or something?

You have been busy here mdodge,
Thanks for the info and your time Marc !

Keith

I just gotta say, I couldn't care less about women's basketball (or any basketball) but I loved reading the posts about the UCONN broadcasts. Having people in the industry answering questions from their own personal knowledge is great. There seems to be a lot more knowledgeable people answering questions on this thread that work in television than the Hartford - Comcast thread.

Since, I'm new, I'm just curious about who works where. I've read the posts by MDodge & AChase. Anyone else? :cool:

I work at public access stations on Comcast in Branford and East Haven.

Responding to Sission_dog. I work for a cable TV operator in Groton, CT. I am the heaend tech responsible for all of the satellite and OTA signals.

I can spell headend

I do the same as antennamonkey but for Metrocast Of Ct.

antenna monkey TVC or Comcast ?

I do the same as antennamonkey but for Metrocast Of Ct.

antenna monkey TVC or Comcast ?
I work for TVC Thames Valley Communications. A division of Groton Utilities. Previously 10 years with Comcast of Clinton/ Middletown systems. John B

what is the channel 24.5 that i see on the cptv website though? who receives that? is that on a cable provider or something?

Ehh, don't know. You'll have to ask the webmaster.

Just so everyone knows, the NFL ProBowl will not be in HD on Sunday. CBS is chosing 4:3 from Hawaii.

It's going to take veiwers like you to make it known to management and programming what you want (demand?).

http://cptv.org/about/contactUs.asp

Thanks for the detailed explanation, Marc. I will contact CPTV.

Bob

I told a couple of you that I would check on a couple issues that were brought up recently.

One was the bug in the upper left corner that some of you pointed out was dropping off the edge of the earth. I was told that it was moved a bit east about a week ago. Let me know if it's still offending some of you.

Now, on the subject of Dolby 5.1, it's a little more difficult. Up until a few months ago we took the digital stream right off the satellite receivers and sent it directly to Comcast and the digital stations (via microwave). What changed was the requirement by the FCC to allow insertion of the EAS tests and our own requirements to be able to do voice overs.

This meant sending it through another piece of equipment that would strip the audio portion of the stream (and other "stuff" - that's a technical term and you will be tested on it later). The audio is suppose to be broken down, played with and then reconstituted. The final product is monitored on seven speakers in Master Control. From what I understand, there is nothing that says that it is, indeed, Dolby 5.1.

What was found out back then (by others) was the cards in the tray of that particular Miranda unit did not do what it was suppose to do. The manufacturer was contacted and pretty much admitted to it and new cards were ordered. That was a couple months ago. Our best guess is that they are on that proverbial slow boat (Miranda is British).

So, our keen viewers were correct.

The Grammy's look like absolute garbage in BSHD from WFSB. :( Dump the crapcasting!!!!

What exactly is BHSD?

Bit-Starved-High-Definition

Just a guess. I could be wrong.

Not that I expect anyone to do anything about it, but if you know someone who sets the bitrate/compression for your local station's HD digital broadcast, here is a good test to see if you are "bit starving" the signal:

Play an HD clip that contains many moving objects. A perfect example is an overhead shot looking down on the ocean, with many small waves and ripples. Another one would be a clip of a waterfall.

If you can show these clips without obvious blocking and other signs of bit starving, then your bit-rate or compression settings are "good enough" for most TV viewing.

WFSB and WGBY would be good candidates for this review.

The Grammys looked and sounded great to me - OTA.....

WFSB and WGBY would be good candidates for this review.

I have to say sometimes WGBY leaves something to be desired. I'm not sure what's going on but in some shows there is terrible lag. I have complained with no response so I guess that's how they want it. Too me WFSB is a crap shoot. I never know what to expext. All OTA.

WFSB and WGBY would be good candidates for this review.

I have to say sometimes WGBY leaves something to be desired. I'm not sure what's going on but in some shows there is terrible lag. I have complained with no response so I guess that's how they want it. To me WFSB is a crap shoot. I never know what to expect. All OTA.

I've been sampling those 7:30PM local shows that WGBY (57-1) does in HD from scratch. They are the first locally-made programs that I have seen utilizing HD cameras and graphics. The picture is stunning and the colors are eye-popping.

But when I focus on one area of the picture, like the background or wherever there is a lot of space with one solid color, I notice video "fuzz" that makes it look like that particular area has a life of its own. The "fuzz" is similar to that seen on a VHS tape. The color of the background or of clothing also sometimes seems to change slightly each second, from lighter to darker and back again.

I assume that this "fuzz" on the main high definition channel is due to the station splitting up its signal to carry WGBY "World" on 57-2. The picture quality of that second subchannel, in 480i and s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d, looks awful, as does WSHM (CBS3, Springfield) on 3-2.

I deleted 3-2, 3-3, and 30-2 so that I can entirely avoid these subchannels when I channel up or down to see what's on. Their content to me is useless, and I'd rather see the whole bandwidth go to give the best possible picture on the main channel. It seems to be a waste of money for a station to eventually convert to HD cameras, encoders, etc., but still continue to dilute its high definition through multi-casting.

One was the bug in the upper left corner that some of you pointed out was dropping off the edge of the earth. I was told that it was moved a bit east about a week ago. Let me know if it's still offending some of you.


The logo is in full view now. It never bothered me, but I was curious about it's placement the first time I noticed it.

The logo is in full view now. It never bothered me, but I was curious about it's placement the first time I noticed it.

On my 32" LG lcd it is completely viewable, but on my 55" Mits rp crt it is somewhat cutoff. I must have some overscan issues with the Mits.

WHNB - What type of set are you watching on? I often see what you are describing on DLP and LCD sets, but not so much on my CRT projection or CRT direct view. There are two conditions where I see what you are describing. One is the backround grass and dirt in a nature type show or dirt bike jumping contest, the other is the far side of a persons face during a close up, where subtle movements make the face look like it is melting.

The logo is in full view now. It never bothered me, but I was curious about it's placement the first time I noticed it.

Thanks. I will forward your remarks to the appropriate person.

On my 32" LG lcd it is completely viewable, but on my 55" Mits rp crt it is somewhat cutoff. I must have some overscan issues with the Mits.

Check to see if you have a bezel around the CRT face. If you can remember the "good ole days" with the analog CRTs , they were always in overscan mode. Only the "professional" sets had a switch to view underscan. Take a peek up and to the left, under the bezel, if you have one, and you should see the rest of the bug hiding up there.

... the bug in the upper left corner that some of you pointed out was dropping off the edge of the earth. I was told that it was moved a bit east about a week ago. Let me know if it's still offending some of you.

For a while I couldn't figure out what that little white blur at the top left corner of my screen was. After it was mentioned here, and upon closer inspection, I realized that what I was seeing as "iv" was actually the bottom third of the "TV" in CPTV. Since the change you alluded to, I now get something that looks more "riv" and I know it is the bottom half of the "PTV" in CPTV. I'm watching on a 4 year old Hitachi rear projection TV.

Of course, I see this only when the station comes in at all. I'm on Comcast in West Hartford and, as often as not, the signal on WEDH-DT (on Channel 240) is either pixellated, breaks up, or fails to be detected at all. Whenever this happens, I also get the same problem on WTXX-DT (on Channel 235). These are the only two HD stations that give me problems.

Often, when I am experiencing these problems, I will also have trouble tuning in WGBY (SD on Channel 12) and the CT Network (on Channel 20). I asked about this once before and didn't hear anything, so I assume this problem is unique to my set-up. But, just out of curiosity, I'll ask again. Does anybody else -- in West Hartford or any other Comcast market -- experience anything like this?

Congrats to WTNH for not messing with the HD feed last night on Boston Legal and keeping warnings/cancelations to commercial breaks, WFSB did what I expected a low ranking, crap casting, consumer unfriendly station to do... Ugh

For a while I couldn't figure out what that little white blur at the top left corner of my screen was. After it was mentioned here, and upon closer inspection, I realized that what I was seeing as "iv" was actually the bottom third of the "TV" in CPTV. Since the change you alluded to, I now get something that looks more "riv" and I know it is the bottom half of the "PTV" in CPTV. I'm watching on a 4 year old Hitachi rear projection TV.

Of course, I see this only when the station comes in at all. I'm on Comcast in West Hartford and, as often as not, the signal on WEDH-DT (on Channel 240) is either pixellated, breaks up, or fails to be detected at all. Whenever this happens, I also get the same problem on WTXX-DT (on Channel 235). These are the only two HD stations that give me problems.

Often, when I am experiencing these problems, I will also have trouble tuning in WGBY (SD on Channel 12) and the CT Network (on Channel 20). I asked about this once before and didn't hear anything, so I assume this problem is unique to my set-up. But, just out of curiosity, I'll ask again. Does anybody else -- in West Hartford or any other Comcast market -- experience anything like this?

The bug problem could be a scan setting in your menu.

Comcast takes a fiber feed of our analog and digital signals directly from Master Control as do (I believe) all the local market stations. What happens to it after it slides into the pipe, I couldn't guess.

But, BEFORE calling Comcast, I would check all your connections and cables, check your receiver settings and maybe do a rescan. If your receiver has a signal level meter (or better yet, a SNR reading; 17+), compare levels between channels. It could prove to be embarrassing for the Comcast Tech to find a loose connection in your cables :D .

Another great troubleshooting technic is to drop by your neighbors house for a cup of coffee and ask her if she is experiencing the same problem (assuming she has Comcast digital service and drinks coffee). Usually, if your neighbor's reception is fine, you have a problem in your pile-o-cables :( .

Good luck . . .

I asked about this once before and didn't hear anything, so I assume this problem is unique to my set-up. But, just out of curiosity, I'll ask again. Does anybody else -- in West Hartford or any other Comcast market -- experience anything like this?

Just a thought: You might get a better response if you pursue this in the Hartford, CT - Comcast (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=585963&page=1&pp=30) thread.....

Any one else have problems receiving 61.1 OTA on Monday night? It was back last night.

Bob

I caught up reading from a few pages back here, and I'm a bit confused. People have actually been complaining that there isn't ENOUGH of a bug on the screen? I hope people aren't going to be asking for those absurd flashing promo animated bugs. The ones on FX are even making noise now.

Also, Arnold, Thanks for those pictures from last week. I get a bit anxious just looking at them. The weird thing is that I can fly in a small plane at about tower height (far enough away) on my way to Robertson Airport, and I feel fine. I guess that 1/16" sheet aluminum makes me feel plenty safe.

Comcast takes a fiber feed of our analog and digital signals directly from Master Control as do (I believe) all the local market stations. What happens to it after it slides into the pipe, I couldn't guess.I wonder why there seems to be no accurate programming listings, anywhere, for the digital feed. CPTV's own web site has inaccurate listings, as do Comcast's EPG, and every other listings site (zap2it.com, yahoo, etc) I can find. I've had email contact with a couple of people at CPTV, going back a number of months, but the problem persists. Can you suggest a contact who might be interested in fixing this?

I caught up reading from a few pages back here, and I'm a bit confused. People have actually been complaining that there isn't ENOUGH of a bug on the screen? I hope people aren't going to be asking for those absurd flashing promo animated bugs. The ones on FX are even making noise now.

You're missing the point. Those of us who noticed this are wondering what *else* is/was missing from the picture.

Mike - thanks for your help. I fall into the |PTV crowd now, but with my 2ish percent overscan, I'll take it.

Hi everyone, i'm a nubie to this forum, and a nubie to HDTV. I just bought an tv that is HD, and i subscribe to dishnetwork. in this geographical area, that seems to be a problem cause the local channels are not in HD. I'll admit that dishnetwork has a lot of HD channels, but 90% of them are worthless, who cares to watch a guy ski or great landscapes for entertainment? I'm most interested in my NBC, CBS, FOX and ABC and those stations look horrible on my new television in SD. I was thinking about checking into OTA for HD before i canceled my service and went with DirectTV or Comcast (both of which would be more expensive). I admit i really don't know anything about this topic, so i'm looking for help for what type of equipment i need and what i'll be able to do living in Norwich. I've been to antennaweb and found out that all of the local stations or either blue or purple. i went to bestbuy to see what equipment they sell and when i asked the guy (who seemed even more clueless then I) he had no clue what blue or purple stations meant. it also doesn't seem to bode well for me that almost all the antenna's at bestbuy were returned. if anyone can give me any help or info it would be greatly appreciated.

WHNB - What type of set are you watching on? I often see what you are describing on DLP and LCD sets, but not so much on my CRT projection or CRT direct view. There are two conditions where I see what you are describing. One is the backround grass and dirt in a nature type show or dirt bike jumping contest, the other is the far side of a persons face during a close up, where subtle movements make the face look like it is melting.

I'm watching on a 34" CRT direct view (made by RCA/Thomson for Dish Network to put their nameplate on.) This TV cost $800 in 2003 when other HDTVs were selling for over $2,000. Dish underwrote part of the cost to promote its HD programming package. Like you, I see the video fuzz in views of background grass and also among blades of grass in close-ups, especially if wind is causing the blades to move.

I thought at one point that the fuzz might be an artifact of a pre-recorded HDTV program. But at least one of those in-studio high definition shows produced locally on Springfield's Channel 57 is a live call-in telecast ("Doctors On Call").

On the subject of logos/bugs, I noticed this past Sunday afternoon while checking out the HD content among the affiliates that CBS, NBC, and Fox thankfully didn't have their individual network logos in a corner of the screen. It was as if the network sports programming executives decreed that the logos were clutter obstructing the HD picture.

The screen logos weren't needed, because they appeared more sparingly as part of the graphics whenever a golfer's name was superimposed on the screen on CBS, or when the current hockey score was displayed on NBC. Fox's logo was built unobtrusively into the banner that ranked the race car positions. The network logos were also emblazoned on the shirts or jackets of the commentators and on their microphones - further showing that having the bugs constantly on the screen was unnecessary. Only ABC had its "ABC HD" logo continuously on in the lower right corner during the basketball game.

It would be great if the networks continue this trend to not have logos constantly in a corner of the screen.

Hi everyone, i'm a nubie to this forum, and a nubie to HDTV. I just bought an tv that is HD, and i subscribe to dishnetwork. in this geographical area, that seems to be a problem cause the local channels are not in HD. I'll admit that dishnetwork has a lot of HD channels, but 90% of them are worthless, who cares to watch a guy ski or great landscapes for entertainment? I'm most interested in my NBC, CBS, FOX and ABC and those stations look horrible on my new television in SD. I was thinking about checking into OTA for HD before i canceled my service and went with DirectTV or Comcast (both of which would be more expensive). I admit i really don't know anything about this topic, so i'm looking for help for what type of equipment i need and what i'll be able to do living in Norwich. I've been to antennaweb and found out that all of the local stations or either blue or purple. i went to bestbuy to see what equipment they sell and when i asked the guy (who seemed even more clueless then I) he had no clue what blue or purple stations meant. it also doesn't seem to bode well for me that almost all the antenna's at bestbuy were returned. if anyone can give me any help or info it would be greatly appreciated.

scm23 - welcome to the forum. First thing to understand about trying OTA, is there can be some trial and error involved, so some patience may be necessary. The good thing is most of us have figured out how to make this work, so it shouldn't be that bad. From your location, you should be able to pick up most of the major networks, except perhaps for WFSB (CBS), which is a crapshoot in SE CT. The friends of good reception are putting the antenna outside, and as high as you can get it. On the other hand, two big things that could kill your reception are hills or a lot of trees between you and the transmitters. Assuming those aren't issues for you, you're probably best off trying a ChannelMaster (CM) 4228 antenna.
(http://www.pctinternational.com/channelmaster/antennas_outdoor_uhf.html)
Try aiming that antenna somewhere between the Avon/Rattlesnake mountain antennas, and those in New Haven and see what you pick up. If you're not getting much, you can try adding a CM7777 preamp to boost the signal - the potential issue with doing this is you are pretty close to the WEDN (PBS) transmitter, so you might actually end up losing that signal if you have to add a preamp (too much signal can be as bad as too little signal). The other stations you might have problems with are WTNH and WTXX, both of which are VHF stations - the CM4228 is a UHF antenna, but can be pretty good at picking up both if you're lucky. If not, you can buy a channel 10 or channel 12 VHF yagi, combine that with the CM4228 using the CM7777 preamp, and you're all set.

If you have any other questions, fire away. Good luck!

Ross

Just a thought: You might get a better response if you pursue this in the Hartford, CT - Comcast (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=585963&page=1&pp=30) thread.....

That's most likely where I initially posed the question the first time. What happened this time is I was responding to the part about the truncated bug in the upper right corner of the screen and then just started rambling. :rolleyes:

I wonder why there seems to be no accurate programming listings, anywhere, for the digital feed. CPTV's own web site has inaccurate listings, as do Comcast's EPG, and every other listings site (zap2it.com, yahoo, etc) I can find. I've had email contact with a couple of people at CPTV, going back a number of months, but the problem persists. Can you suggest a contact who might be interested in fixing this?

A few weeks ago I started getting accurate listings for CPTV-HD at Excite.com . I'm pretty sure TiVo is also working with accurate information. The possible exception is when CPTV is running UCONN Womens Basketball. When the games are on they show them on the DT channel regardless of what the program guide indicates.

BEFORE calling Comcast, I would check all your connections and cables, check your receiver settings and maybe do a rescan. If your receiver has a signal level meter (or better yet, a SNR reading; 17+), compare levels between channels. It could prove to be embarrassing for the Comcast Tech to find a loose connection in your cables :D .

Well, I don't have a signal level meter or a S/N meter and I'd be somewhat surprised if my problem was the result of a loose cable connection because it occurs only on the two channels (235 & 240) and I experience no problems on any other HD channels. Another factor that has me thinking it is not a physical cable connection problem is that I have been experiencing this erratic behavior for quite a long time, so long, in fact, that it predates a shuffle in channel number assignments by Comcast. Back when WTXX-DT and WEDH-DT were on channels 208 and 210, respectively, I was having the same problems with those two stations, and only those two, at their previous channel numbers. One of these days I'll make a more concerted effort to get to the bottom of it.

Looking for info on Indoor antennas used in the New Haven< Ct area to pull in HDTV OTA. Thanks

Hi everyone, i'm a nubie to this forum, and a nubie to HDTV. I just bought an tv that is HD, and i subscribe to dishnetwork. in this geographical area, that seems to be a problem cause the local channels are not in HD. I'll admit that dishnetwork has a lot of HD channels, but 90% of them are worthless, who cares to watch a guy ski or great landscapes for entertainment? I'm most interested in my NBC, CBS, FOX and ABC and those stations look horrible on my new television in SD. I was thinking about checking into OTA for HD before i canceled my service and went with DirectTV or Comcast (both of which would be more expensive). I admit i really don't know anything about this topic, so i'm looking for help for what type of equipment i need and what i'll be able to do living in Norwich. I've been to antennaweb and found out that all of the local stations or either blue or purple. i went to bestbuy to see what equipment they sell and when i asked the guy (who seemed even more clueless then I) he had no clue what blue or purple stations meant. it also doesn't seem to bode well for me that almost all the antenna's at bestbuy were returned. if anyone can give me any help or info it would be greatly appreciated.
Hi scm23, and welcome to the forum. How successful you are in SE Connecticut depends mostly on how good an antenna you have and its location/elevation- you will need an outdoor one for CBS this far from Hartford. You will have better results if you are not down in a valley by the river and don’t have a hill blocking the view towards the northwest. Although the CM 4228 is about as good a UHF antenna as you can get and also gets some reception in the VHF-high channels it is not what I chose. For VHF-high I use a separate antenna designed for that band that I can point towards New Haven to get ABC while I have a large UHF corner-reflector/Yagi arrow shaped antenna about 4 feet above it pointed at Hartford to get Fox, NBC and CBS without needing to move the rotator. (A good VHF-high antenna also makes it easier to reject WJAR from Providence that interferes with getting WTNH-DT for ABC over here- a channel 10 to 12 single station antenna would also work well for channel 10 WTNH-DT). To that I added a CM7777 pre-amp but I had problems with the local UHF stations (the Norwich PBS and New London and Block Island Pax stations) overloading it so I had to add traps for the analog PBS and Block Island Pax stations. Even though it would have slightly less signal to noise if there weren’t nearby stations I think an amplifier with less gain (about 19dB instead of 26dB for UHF) would have been an easier solution. I like how easy solidsignal.com is to browse so I often just buy from them but I have also had good results buying from starkelectronic.com. Here are some equipment examples:

UHF antennas:
http://www.solidsignal.tv/prod_display.asp?PROD=ANC4228
http://www.solidsignal.tv/prod_display.asp?PROD=ANC3023
http://www.solidsignal.tv/prod_display.asp?PROD=PR9032

VHF-High antennas for WTNH (and WTXX):
http://www.solidsignal.tv/prod_display.asp?PROD=Y10-7-13
http://www.solidsignal.tv/prod_display.asp?PROD=YA1713

Pre-amplifiers:
Combined input for both UHF and VHF:
http://www.solidsignal.tv/prod_display.asp?PROD=SAP8700
Separate input for UHF and VHF using two antennas:
http://www.solidsignal.tv/prod_display.asp?PROD=SAP2870
Either combined or separate UHF and VHF:
http://www.solidsignal.tv/prod_display.asp?PROD=ANC7777

RG-6Q Cable with connectors:
http://search.solidsignal.tv/?site=com&q=RG-6+cable+quad+digicon

I put some grease inside the outdoor connections then add Coax Seal:
http://www.solidsignal.tv/prod_display.asp?prod=SCOAX

[Edit] It looks like solidsignal has changed their URL, so I changed all the references from solidsignal.com to solidsignal.tv.


P.S. One thing that will improve results soon (maybe around the start of summer) for the Fox station is that its antenna is going to be raised from the side to the top of the tower but Fox already is fairly easy for me to get- it is WFSB the CBS channel that drops out occasionally and unfortunately their antenna is going to stay low.

A few weeks ago I started getting accurate listings for CPTV-HD at Excite.com . I'm pretty sure TiVo is also working with accurate information. The possible exception is when CPTV is running UCONN Womens Basketball. When the games are on they show them on the DT channel regardless of what the program guide indicates.Thanks for the tip. It looks that Excite.com has the same listings as zap2it.com and my TiVo Series 3s. Those are listed as "WNETDT", not WEDHDT, and seem to be accurate during the evening/overnight time period, when the station shows a HD schedule, but completely wrong during the day, when they are simulcasting the SD service. (That also applies, as you pointed out, when they show the BB games.) They seem to get their SD listings out properly to the data providers. Why can't they do the same with the HD/digital listings?

What kind of program guide info do you get for WEDHDT when you receive it OTA?

Looking for info on Indoor antennas used in the New Haven< Ct area to pull in HDTV OTA. Thanks

While I've never tried it, it has been reported in many forums (including here) that the Silver Sensor is the best for indoor OTA reception. I believe Terk makes a knock off version as well. I'm not sure if the Terk version works as well. Others here probably know more.

Looking for info on Indoor antennas used in the New Haven< Ct area to pull in HDTV OTA. Thanks
The Silver-Sensor and the Terk copy of it have both been reported to work well:
http://search.solidsignal.com/?site=com&q=silver+sensor
The Terk includes rabbit ears for VHF and ABC WTNH-DT is VHF but it is probably so strong where you are that anything including the regular silver-sensor will get it. The biggest problem with the silver sensor is finding it in stock. Another good choice is a double bow tie like this:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103058
But I don't know if you will be able to find a store with it in stock. The radio-shack double bow tie needs a separate balun to change its 300 ohm twinlead to the 75 ohm coax input that modern tuners have. I would suggest avoiding indoor antennas that don't look like the silver sensor or double bow-tie since most other indoor types are poor. If you start with an unamplified antenna you can add a pre-amplifier later. Good brands for pre-amplifiers are Winegard and Channelmaster which you can see listed here:
http://www.solidsignal.com/antennas/preamplifiers.asp
Get enough coax cable (RG-6: good, or RG6 quad-shield: better) so that you can find a good unobstructed spot for the antenna.

Anybody happen to be willing to sell me a Channel Master 4228 antenna for a reasonable price?

A few weeks ago I started getting accurate listings for CPTV-HD at Excite.com . I'm pretty sure TiVo is also working with accurate information. The possible exception is when CPTV is running UCONN Womens Basketball. When the games are on they show them on the DT channel regardless of what the program guide indicates.


I use the TVGOS system and if I use the WGBY-DT schedule for this channel it is pretty accurate after 8PM and on weekends.

I've gotten burned by the UCONN Women's games NOT being on the DT feed after getting home and finding nothing but Nova and Ballroom dancing and other such fare recorded on my DVR. I prefer the digital feed to the SD as the picture is marginally better even though it is upgraded SD. I think that perhaps they only simulcast when CPTV provides the actual production instead of getting the CSTV (or other) feed.

Any one else have problems receiving 61.1 OTA on Monday night? It was back last night.

Bob
No, it wasn't just you...

WTIC 61.1 has always been right on the edge of receivability for me, so I make a great test bed for when there's atmospheric problems or antenna work.

Ever since the big antenna upgrade (thanks AGAIN achase) last year, it's actually been reliable enough that I switched my DVR over to recording the digital feed. Worked great until Mon night, where the dropouts were enough that my wife and I had to watch 24 twice to try and figure out what was going on...

Don't know whether it was weather, atmospherics, or some kind of antenna issue, but it seems to have gone away.

In case you haven't stayed completely up to date on the upgrade issues, I expect another nice little boost in signal quality/reliability when WTIC goes fully high-power on the new antenna this spring. For us "borderline" people (read: the greater New Haven/Shoreline community) it should make a difference.

--Mark

So, what you're saying is that TVGOS also has inaccurate listing for WEDH-DT.

It's a sad situation, IMHO.

Thanks a lot for the input John and Ross, i appreciate it. I'm kind of leary of the suggestions though because of the S&H for those products. Mainly that if i buy them and can't get any signal, i'll have to return them, that cost could mount pretty quickly. Excuse my ignorance, but is the Terk HDTVo Amplified VHF/UHF Outdoor HDTV Antenna (HDTV0) a worthwhile buy or a waste of money and time. i know they sell it at bestbuy (yuck) but at least i can return it hassel free. Also, i live in a condo, so i'm trying to keep a low profile. A mast with a large antenna could make me the scourge of the neighborhood.
Standard Def is becoming unwatchable on my new TV so i'm heavily weighing just canceling Dishnetwork, but i'm sure I will find something wrong with Comcast or DirectTV

I was also wondering if anyone on here knows when dishnetwork will be adding locals in HD to connecticut, or if anyone could suggest a more appropriate forum to ask.

Hi, I live in Hamden and trying to find a decent indoor antenna to use. If not I will have to go outside. It's judt that I want CBS,ABC,FOX, and NBC. Any suggestions? Thanks

Hi, I live in Hamden and trying to find a decent indoor antenna to use. If not I will have to go outside. It's judt that I want CBS,ABC,FOX, and NBC. Any suggestions? Thanks

It's very unlikely you will pick up the stations you want with an indoor antenna, other than perhaps ABC. You can try the Silver Sensor, as suggested by deconvolver a little earlier in this thread, but I'll be surprised if it works.

Your best bet is to look at the posts from deconvolver and I in response to a similar question from scm23 - the same antennas should work for you.

Ross

Thanks a lot for the input John and Ross, i appreciate it. I'm kind of leary of the suggestions though because of the S&H for those products. Mainly that if i buy them and can't get any signal, i'll have to return them, that cost could mount pretty quickly. Excuse my ignorance, but is the Terk HDTVo Amplified VHF/UHF Outdoor HDTV Antenna (HDTV0) a worthwhile buy or a waste of money and time. i know they sell it at bestbuy (yuck) but at least i can return it hassel free. Also, i live in a condo, so i'm trying to keep a low profile. A mast with a large antenna could make me the scourge of the neighborhood.
Standard Def is becoming unwatchable on my new TV so i'm heavily weighing just canceling Dishnetwork, but i'm sure I will find something wrong with Comcast or DirectTV

I was also wondering if anyone on here knows when dishnetwork will be adding locals in HD to connecticut, or if anyone could suggest a more appropriate forum to ask.

No problem scm23. Terk antennas have very poor reputations - plenty of form, but no function - if that antenna works for you, I'll buy you a case of beer ;)
Your best bet is with what John or I suggested outdoors. If you have an attic, you could try the antennas in there, but it's a crapshoot whether it will work. If you want to avoid the S&H, you could try calling Jan's Electronics in New London. They may stock the antennas you want, and if not, may be willing to order them for you (and it's an easy drive from Norwich). There's also an store in Hartford that sells antennas whose name I'm blanking on - John - do you remember the name?

Remember - condos can't prevent you from putting up an outdoor antenna.

Ross

In Naugatuck just picked up a Terk HDTVa and I can get most stations except for 20. I have tried everything. I have the Direct TV HD package as of today and the only stations I cant get from them are 8, 59, and 20. I know 8 and 59 are from the same site and get them fine. What ever I tried just cant get 20. Any ideas?

Anybody happen to be willing to sell me a Channel Master 4228 antenna for a reasonable price?

PM me.

Ross

In Naugatuck just picked up a Terk HDTVa and I can get most stations except for 20. I have tried everything. I have the Direct TV HD package as of today and the only stations I cant get from them are 8, 59, and 20. I know 8 and 59 are from the same site and get them fine. What ever I tried just cant get 20. Any ideas?

Which Terk antenna do you have, and which direction do you have the antenna pointed? If it's a directional antenna, channels 8 and 50 are south of you, while channel 20 is to the northeast, so it's unlikely you'll get both at the same time. Are you getting WFSB (CBS-33), WVIT (NBC-30) and WTIC (FOX - 61)?

Ross

Its the HDTVa Powered Directional Antenna. I Pointed it in the direction that Antennaweb said too. didnt get anything. the supplied cable it came with is short so tomorrow im going to get a longer one and try some other spots to see if makes a difference. Or if you have another Antenna recommendations I am open for suggestions since DTV cant give me those channels.

Its the HDTVa Powered Directional Antenna. I Pointed it in the direction that Antennaweb said too. didnt get anything. the supplied cable it came with is short so tomorrow im going to get a longer one and try some other spots to see if makes a difference. Or if you have another Antenna recommendations I am open for suggestions since DTV cant give me those channels.

Well, according to the Terk website, that is a directional antenna. You didn't say whether you are receiving any of the stations located northeast of you in the same direction as channel 20 (CBS, NBC, FOX) - if not, you can as you mentioned, try other locations in your house. If that doesn't work, your best bet is to go outside - given your location, you might get by with a CM4221, which is smaller than the CM4228.

Ross

fwiw, i've seen the silver sensor at ocean state job lot off the berlin tpk in umm... cromwell? for about 25 bucks i think.

i cheaped out and bought a phillips rabbit ear thing with some VHF array and 50DB gain for 10 bucks there. it works really good for me, but i'm very close to hartford.

Sorry about that, Channels 3 and 30 I can get. about 50% signal strength. 61 I cannot get.

No problem scm23. Terk antennas have very poor reputations - plenty of form, but no function - if that antenna works for you, I'll buy you a case of beer ;)
Your best bet is with what John or I suggested outdoors. If you have an attic, you could try the antennas in there, but it's a crapshoot whether it will work. If you want to avoid the S&H, you could try calling Jan's Electronics in New London. They may stock the antennas you want, and if not, may be willing to order them for you (and it's an easy drive from Norwich). There's also an store in Hartford that sells antennas whose name I'm blanking on - John - do you remember the name?

Remember - condos can't prevent you from putting up an outdoor antenna.

Ross

thanks for the insight. I know they can't stop me, but i'm sure it won't win me a popularity contest either. i'm thinking i might just scrap the whole thing and go with Comcast, looks like the most "sure thing". much debate between my wife and I though.

Is anyone here using any equipment with TVGOS (TV Guide On-Screen) that receives their guide info from PBS OTA? I have a DHG-HDD250 Sony HD DVR and I've had some problems receiving guide data lately using CPTV off Comcast. I might try using OTA but 24 is weak and 49 has some horrible ghosting due to a large building nearby. I'm not sure if this will affect the TVGOS since it uses VBI to receive it's data.
Thanks,
Doug

thanks for the insight. I know they can't stop me, but i'm sure it won't win me a popularity contest either. i'm thinking i might just scrap the whole thing and go with Comcast, looks like the most "sure thing". much debate between my wife and I though.

Been there, done that - good luck! :D

Ross

Sorry about that, Channels 3 and 30 I can get. about 50% signal strength. 61 I cannot get.

Sounds like you're in a borderline situation for receiving the Hartford signals - you're doing well picking up any of them with an indoor antenna.

Ross

So out door is the way to go? any suggestions on one to get both 8 and 20?

So out door is the way to go? any suggestions on one to get both 8 and 20?
The digital versions of channels 8 (WTNH-DT) and 20 (WTXX-DT) are on channels 10 and 12 which are VHF-high. The Terk you have receives VHF-High with the pull-out dipoles (rabbit ears), you can try to improve your reception by adjusting the rabbit ears but that will be tricky until you get some kind of reading for WTXX-DT on your receiver- unfortunately there is no analog VHF-high channel on Rattlesnake Mountain to use to help adjust the dipoles. Outdoor would help a lot but if I were you I would probably wait until the WTXX-DT antenna goes to the top of the tower in a few months before making a big effort to try to get it.

thanks for the insight. I know they can't stop me, but i'm sure it won't win me a popularity contest either. i'm thinking i might just scrap the whole thing and go with Comcast, looks like the most "sure thing". much debate between my wife and I though.
Comcast is a sure thing, but they sure are expensive if you want the HD package- they quoted me something over $70/month for it. If you have a digital cable ready TV you could try getting just the cheap-o (around 10 bucks a month) local channel only cable hook-up then do a scan to see if you get any local channels in HD but I doubt that would work (they would probably put a filter on that would remove all digital signals)
Over the air it is really easy to get Pax (whoopie :( ) and PBS in Norwich- just a bit of wire is enough antenna for those. The NBC station WVIT-DT is also easy for me in Lisbon with a decent antenna and I expect that after the Rattlesnake Mountain antenna build out Fox WTIC-TV will be easy to get as well. WTNH-DT (ABC) is not easy to get here ( *much* harder than in East Lyme for example) because if you get the analog WJAR channel 10 from Providence it interferes with it. The hardest to get here is WFSB-TV for CBS and that will never be easy because their antenna is too low. So the bottom line is that with a UHF only antenna you can expect to get PBS, NBC and Fox (soon if not now) but you will probably not get CBS reliably. Adding a VHF-high antenna might also get you ABC but that depends on the ratio between the Providence and New Haven signal strengths. If you want to PM me your latitude and longitude I could run a radio-mobile simulation to see what stations it predicts you can receive but don't count on the answers being perfect.

Is anyone here using any equipment with TVGOS (TV Guide On-Screen) that receives their guide info from PBS OTA? I have a DHG-HDD250 Sony HD DVR and I've had some problems receiving guide data lately using CPTV off Comcast. I might try using OTA but 24 is weak and 49 has some horrible ghosting due to a large building nearby. I'm not sure if this will affect the TVGOS since it uses VBI to receive it's data.
Thanks,
Doug

Have you tried some of the TVGOS threads? I have heard of others having success getting the data from an off air when their provider goes all digital. You might also be able to get the PBS analog from your cable, just split it into the other tuner on your set. It should still be there, your cable card just isn't maped to have the analog PBS on it.

The digital versions of channels 8 (WTNH-DT) and 20 (WTXX-DT) are on channels 10 and 12 which are VHF-high. The Terk you have receives VHF-High with the pull-out dipoles (rabbit ears), you can try to improve your reception by adjusting the rabbit ears but that will be tricky until you get some kind of reading for WTXX-DT on your receiver- unfortunately there is no analog VHF-high channel on Rattlesnake Mountain to use to help adjust the dipoles. Outdoor would help a lot but if I were you I would probably wait until the WTXX-DT antenna goes to the top of the tower in a few months before making a big effort to try to get it.
Ineresting since my HR20 shows WTXX as 20-1 and 20-2. Maybe its the HR20 from DTV? and WTNH is 8-1, 8-2. Im such a n00b on this HD ota stuff lol

Ineresting since my HR20 shows WTXX as 20-1 and 20-2. Maybe its the HR20 from DTV? and WTNH is 8-1, 8-2. Im such a n00b on this HD ota stuff lol
All receivers do that. Somehow all the providers and the FCC thought it would confuse people when their old stations moved to new channel numbers so the receiver renames the channels with the old numbers. This is called re-mapping.

So just a follow up. Moved the Terk Antenna to my Attic and after about 20 mins of positioning it, ended up getting 8, 59, 20, 3, and 30 OTA at about 60% or higher. Right now I am happy. Though anyone else think the channel 8 HD feed looks bad compared to other channels? Idk but thanks everyone for the help and suggestions.

Have you tried some of the TVGOS threads? I have heard of others having success getting the data from an off air when their provider goes all digital. You might also be able to get the PBS analog from your cable, just split it into the other tuner on your set. It should still be there, your cable card just isn't maped to have the analog PBS on it.

Thanks for the TVGOS thread idea. After searching, I found an AVS thread just for the Sony DVRs. I found out that there were a few others that had not been getting any new data in the New England area. Of course, the guide data came back for all of us last night. Also, I don't have a cable card, so I'm still getting the analog PBS.
Thanks again.

Channel 8 does look bad.

Hi, I think I am just going to get an Wingard SS-1000 and have it mounted on my existing Dish Network sat pole. It appears it should do fine. I'll let you know how everything works out. Thanks for all the help. Jeff

Hi, I think I am just going to get an Wingard SS-1000 and have it mounted on my existing Dish Network sat pole. It appears it should do fine. I'll let you know how everything works out. Thanks for all the help. Jeff

In Naugatuck just picked up a Terk HDTVa and I can get most stations except for 20. I have tried everything. I have the Direct TV HD package as of today and the only stations I cant get from them are 8, 59, and 20. I know 8 and 59 are from the same site and get them fine. What ever I tried just cant get 20. Any ideas?

I live in Southington and cannot get WTXX-HD, however I can receive both 30 and 61. From what I understand 20 HD is lower on the tower than 61 so this may be the reason you cannot receive a viewable signal.

In Naugatuck just picked up a Terk HDTVa and I can get most stations except for 20. I have tried everything. I have the Direct TV HD package as of today and the only stations I cant get from them are 8, 59, and 20. I know 8 and 59 are from the same site and get them fine. What ever I tried just cant get 20. Any ideas?

I'm sure it depends on where you are in the valley. The farther your down the hill, the harder it'll be to pull in signals. I'm on top of the hill behind the plaza and get it without any problems. 61 is the hardest for me to pull in. I'm using a CM 4228 and a 7777 pre-amp distributed to 4 sets.

WASN'T SURE IF THIS WAS RIGHT THREAD-IF NOT PLEASE SEND A MESSAGE AND I WILL DELETE I have been having a CableCard issue for the past 2 weeks since I got it. 30 minutes every morning to reactivate the CableCard but then works fine the rest of the day. I had Metrocast come out and they said it's probably the Monster surge protector. I tried sending an email to Toshiba's customer help as directed in the manual-what a waste of time that was simply telling me I must call instead. Closed on Sundays so I'll be calling today but for the 1st time it just deactivated itself in the middle of the day while I was watching a show and then took 15 minutes to reload.


This was my 2nd CableCard through MetroCast and already had them do 1 visit (after the guy said it could possibly be the surge protector I found that odd but unplugged it anyways just as a trial) I just got back from the store I bought it just to see if they had any advice or if they had heard of any problems with this model and they said CableCard issues happen with numerous TV's and to call Toshiba and they would have me enter some codes updating the system for it to work correctly and if that did not help would send someone out.

Anybody have any suggestions or information of what the problem could be? Thanks

WASN'T SURE IF THIS WAS RIGHT THREAD-IF NOT PLEASE SEND A MESSAGE AND I WILL DELETE I have been having a CableCard issue for the past 2 weeks since I got it. 30 minutes every morning to reactivate the CableCard but then works fine the rest of the day. I had Metrocast come out and they said it's probably the Monster surge protector. I tried sending an email to Toshiba's customer help as directed in the manual-what a waste of time that was simply telling me I must call instead. Closed on Sundays so I'll be calling today but for the 1st time it just deactivated itself in the middle of the day while I was watching a show and then took 15 minutes to reload.


This was my 2nd CableCard through MetroCast and already had them do 1 visit (after the guy said it could possibly be the surge protector I found that odd but unplugged it anyways just as a trial) I just got back from the store I bought it just to see if they had any advice or if they had heard of any problems with this model and they said CableCard issues happen with numerous TV's and to call Toshiba and they would have me enter some codes updating the system for it to work correctly and if that did not help would send someone out.

Anybody have any suggestions or information of what the problem could be? Thanks

You're right, this isn't the correct forum. Never the less, here is my two cents.
Cable cards have been notoriously unreliable from the start. It often takes several attempts to get it right. Tell the cable company you want a different card. It's possible the tv is the problem. Some models have not worked well with cable cards. Do a Google search on your make and model. You may find some answers there. Good luck!

I'm sure it depends on where you are in the valley. The farther your down the hill, the harder it'll be to pull in signals. I'm on top of the hill behind the plaza and get it without any problems. 61 is the hardest for me to pull in. I'm using a CM 4228 and a 7777 pre-amp distributed to 4 sets.

Im good now since I moved the Antenna to the Attic. Im up on the Prospect Line off 68. Im getting all the channels from the Farmingtion tower at 60%+.

I wonder why there seems to be no accurate programming listings, anywhere, for the digital feed. CPTV's own web site has inaccurate listings, as do Comcast's EPG, and every other listings site (zap2it.com, yahoo, etc) I can find. I've had email contact with a couple of people at CPTV, going back a number of months, but the problem persists. Can you suggest a contact who might be interested in fixing this?

Send me a PM and I'll see if I can help.

I use the TVGOS system and if I use the WGBY-DT schedule for this channel it is pretty accurate after 8PM and on weekends.

I've gotten burned by the UCONN Women's games NOT being on the DT feed after getting home and finding nothing but Nova and Ballroom dancing and other such fare recorded on my DVR. I prefer the digital feed to the SD as the picture is marginally better even though it is upgraded SD. I think that perhaps they only simulcast when CPTV provides the actual production instead of getting the CSTV (or other) feed.

UConn Women's Basketball is always simulcast on the analog, digital and cable/fiber feeds. The only place you might not find it is on live streaming when CPTV does not own the rights; when it's a CSTV or ESPN production.

Any reports on the PQ of the UConn Women's Basketball game this past Saturday on the large screen displays?

Marc

Any reports on the PQ of the UConn Women's Basketball game this past Saturday on the large screen displays?

Marc

It looked pretty good to me on my 55" Mits. I used a QAM tuner and Cox cable.

Any reports on the PQ of the UConn Women's Basketball game this past Saturday on the large screen displays?

Marc

Marc

I have a 40 inch set. I can't recall if I saw the game via DirecTV or 53 OTA (Sometimes 53 does not carry the games and I then must use DirecTV). I don't recall the PQ being as bad as it sometimes is.

I observe that when they are showing prerecorded material during the game, the aspect ratio is often incorrect.

Of course, the Duke game on 3 last weekend had fabulous PQ using the entire screen. Time for fiber at Gampel?

Have any changes been made by CPTV? I did email them.

Bob

Any reports on the PQ of the UConn Women's Basketball game this past Saturday on the large screen displays?

Marc

I had wavy lines through the picture on my 57" Mits during the game. It seemed clear otherwise, no ghosts or static. I could have messed around with the antenna rotor but didn't bother. I guess I just expect analog to look that way. :D

I receive the OTA signal via my attic antenna on the Mitsubishi's tuner.

WASN'T SURE IF THIS WAS RIGHT THREAD-IF NOT PLEASE SEND A MESSAGE AND I WILL DELETE I have been having a CableCard issue for the past 2 weeks since I got it. 30 minutes every morning to reactivate the CableCard but then works fine the rest of the day. I had Metrocast come out and they said it's probably the Monster surge protector. I tried sending an email to Toshiba's customer help as directed in the manual-what a waste of time that was simply telling me I must call instead. Closed on Sundays so I'll be calling today but for the 1st time it just deactivated itself in the middle of the day while I was watching a show and then took 15 minutes to reload.


This was my 2nd CableCard through MetroCast and already had them do 1 visit (after the guy said it could possibly be the surge protector I found that odd but unplugged it anyways just as a trial) I just got back from the store I bought it just to see if they had any advice or if they had heard of any problems with this model and they said CableCard issues happen with numerous TV's and to call Toshiba and they would have me enter some codes updating the system for it to work correctly and if that did not help would send someone out.

Anybody have any suggestions or information of what the problem could be? Thanks
You need to contact Toshiba for a firmware update. The version cablecard you have is most likely too new for your set. Remember your tv may be a new model but it is made of parts that have been in stock for at least 6 months and since the cable cards are on backorder from Motorola, when you get one, it's very recent. My 2 cents, Hope it helps. John B

Any reports on the PQ of the UConn Women's Basketball game this past Saturday on the large screen displays?

Marc
It seemed a little better than what I remember from Gampel; I think the quality was between the poor image from the last Gampel game and a normal SD picture. I have the ATSC version recorded on my DVR so I can grab snapshots of it to compare to the next Gampel game.

I am having trouble receiving WEDN-DT tonight. Is anyone else having the same problem? I hate to rotate my antenna because it is carefully adjusted for best reception of WFSB-DT but sometimes that means that I lose WEDN-DT so the problem might be on my end.

John - absolutely nothing here either from WEDN.

Ross

Changing the subject, any update on the WTIC-TV tower work in Farmington?

John - absolutely nothing here either from WEDN.

Ross
Thanks. My Accurian receiver has a blank black picture yet the signal strength meter reads high but drops down every three and a half seconds.

Changing the subject, any update on the WTIC-TV tower work in Farmington?

I certainly don't have the inside angle like Mr. Chase, but it seems as if the candelabra is now positioned at the very top of the tower. I didn't notice any other differences when I drove by this morning.

Comcast is a sure thing, but they sure are expensive if you want the HD package- they quoted me something over $70/month for it. If you have a digital cable ready TV you could try getting just the cheap-o (around 10 bucks a month) local channel only cable hook-up then do a scan to see if you get any local channels in HD but I doubt that would work (they would probably put a filter on that would remove all digital signals).

If you have a QAM tuner it is always worth checking it out. I have Comcast in West Haven and pay for extended basic only. The QAM tuner in my DHG-HDD250 DVR tunes digital versions of the basic (not extended basic) channels, all the HD locals, 'The Tube' music videos, Encore Movieplex, and some channels of On Demand being viewed by others.

I still would have put up my antenna if I knew this originally, because Comcast could turn it off tomorrow. Also, if the cable goes out, I'm still in business. But now I get CPTV and WTXX in any weather. Definitely worth checking.

OK, time for my annual poll about WFSB's coverage of the NCAA tournament. As some of you know, WFSB has done a very good job over the past couple of years of trying to show us different games on the subchannels of WFSB-DT, and even show different games between analog 3 and HD3. They even had a poll on their website last year asking for viewer's input. This year, a change from the CBS end is that ALL games in the tournament will be produced in HD.

Last year, only 1/2 of the first weekends games were in HD. The basic plan that WFSB followed was to show the most appealing game on 3, and the most appealing HD game on HD 3.1. For some reason, they had to show the Springfield version of Channel 3 on 3.2, and in most cases that would be the same game that was on Channel 3. They would also show a third game on Channel 3.3 at a very low bitrate to try and lessen the effect on the HD picture.

So here is the question: What game should they show on the HD 3.1 channel? Since most viewers are still watching on Analog 3, I think they have to show the best game there. To me, that means that the second best game should always be on the HD channel. Would you want it that way, or do you think the best game should also always be in HD? I prefer choice. In most timeslots, there is no clear "best game" anyway.

Also, how do you feel about them using 3.3 for a 3rd game? I think that they made the right compromise last year by using it, but not giving much bandwidth at all to it.

So here is the question: What game should they show on the HD 3.1 channel? Since most viewers are still watching on Analog 3, I think they have to show the best game there. To me, that means that the second best game should always be on the HD channel. Would you want it that way, or do you think the best game should also always be in HD? I prefer choice. In most timeslots, there is no clear "best game" anyway.

Also, how do you feel about them using 3.3 for a 3rd game? I think that they made the right compromise last year by using it, but not giving much bandwidth at all to it.

It's really hard to pick a "best" game in the first few days. The best teams will probably not be involved in the best games over the first four days. Lots of mismatches. The best macthups ove rthe first four days are many times played by relatively unknown teams. Think of Butler, Gonzaga and George Mason in previous years.

That said, I think 3.1 should mirror analog 3. The analog channel will most times also have a game that has local or at least regional interest. For example if UCONN by some amazing feat won the Big East tournament, they would make the tournament and probably would not be in what would be considered the "best" game, yet this would be the game that was played on analog 3. I would think that most of WFSB's digital viewers would want to see this game in HD.

I was wondering if a poll could be taken to determine what is broadcast on 3.3 once the brackets are posted, or is more lead time needed? I've seen it done in other sports on other stations. But there are probably more things to consider with the NCAA tournament.

It's really hard to pick a "best" game in the first few days. The best teams will probably not be involved in the best games over the first four days. Lots of mismatches. The best macthups ove rthe first four days are many times played by relatively unknown teams. Think of Butler, Gonzaga and George Mason in previous years.

That said, I think 3.1 should mirror analog 3. The analog channel will most times also have a game that has local or at least regional interest. For example if UCONN by some amazing feat won the Big East tournament, they would make the tournament and probably would not be in what would be considered the "best" game, yet this would be the game that was played on analog 3. I would think that most of WFSB's digital viewers would want to see this game in HD.

I was wondering if a poll could be taken to determine what is broadcast on 3.3 once the brackets are posted, or is more lead time needed? I've seen it done in other sports on other stations. But there are probably more things to consider with the NCAA tournament.

I totally agree that whenever UConn is involved that it's a no-brainer that they would be on both on both 3 and 3.1. I also agree with you that picking the "best" game is splitting hairs most of the time. Not much to distinguish one game as better than another. This is exactly why I think that 3.1 should NOT mirror 3. If it's almost a coin flip, why not show both? There may be some exceptions where maybe if Central Connecticut was playing maybe put them on both, but I would much rather have choice. I hope WFSB does a poll again like you say. People like it when they feel like they have input.

I totally agree that whenever UConn is involved that it's a no-brainer that they would be on both on both 3 and 3.1. I also agree with you that picking the "best" game is splitting hairs most of the time. Not much to distinguish one game as better than another. This is exactly why I think that 3.1 should NOT mirror 3. If it's almost a coin flip, why not show both? There may be some exceptions where maybe if Central Connecticut was playing maybe put them on both, but I would much rather have choice. I hope WFSB does a poll again like you say. People like it when they feel like they have input.

I guess I'm just a High Def snob. It may sound silly, but during these first few rounds, with UCONN out of the equation, I would probably pick the digital game over the analog game 9 times out of 10. AND, if I did choose to watch that analog game, I'd grumble the whole time about not having it in HD! :D

You need to contact Toshiba for a firmware update. The version cablecard you have is most likely too new for your set. Remember your tv may be a new model but it is made of parts that have been in stock for at least 6 months and since the cable cards are on backorder from Motorola, when you get one, it's very recent. My 2 cents, Hope it helps. John B


When I called Toshiba they went through all the steps and said I have the latest software installed. Thanks for the suggestion though. Im at a loss on all of this

When I called Toshiba they went through all the steps and said I have the latest software installed. Thanks for the suggestion though. Im at a loss on all of this

Like I posted earlier, you may need to go through a couple of cards before you get one that works correctly. Don't give up!

Hi,
Is WTXX 20/12 shooting a null in their transmission pattern to the South?
I,m in Southbury and cant even see their digital signal on my analyzer. I have a BT search antenna on top of a 150' tower at 680' above sea level and nothing.
I,ve tried a Yagi cut for channel 12 at the 100 foot level, with and without a preamp, but still nothing.
I can recieve just about all of Ct. and NYC digital from this location, with the exception of WTIC and WTXX digital.
I,ve looked at the FCC site but not sure if the info is current, any thoughts,
Thanks.
Jeff

[QUOTE=kcote75]When I called Toshiba they went through all the steps and said I have the latest software installed. Thanks for the suggestion though. Im at a loss on all of this[/QUOTE

Silly question, but are you unplugging power or is the TV on a switched outlet? these modern sets need AC going to them all the time. If so, perhaps the cable guy needs to verify the signal strength and quality of the data carrier. Are any of your channels tiling or breaking up when you watch them?

Lip synch was absolutely horrible on OTA 8-1 during LOST last night. (8:00 -10:00 PM Eastern). It was apparent through both my HR10-250 DirecTiVo and through my Mitsubishi internal HD tuner.

Hi,
Is WTXX 20/12 shooting a null in their transmission pattern to the South?
I,m in Southbury and cant even see their digital signal on my analyzer. I have a BT search antenna on top of a 150' tower at 680' above sea level and nothing.
I,ve tried a Yagi cut for channel 12 at the 100 foot level, with and without a preamp, but still nothing.
I can recieve just about all of Ct. and NYC digital from this location, with the exception of WTIC and WTXX digital.
I,ve looked at the FCC site but not sure if the info is current, any thoughts,
Thanks.
Jeff

WTXX is digital 12 and is VHF. A Yagi is UHF and wont cut it unless the signal is really good or you are really close and pointed right at it. The signal is not great but you have to use a UHF specific or UHF/VHF combo pointed at WTXX to get it.

WTXX is digital 12 and is VHF. A Yagi is UHF and wont cut it unless the signal is really good or you are really close and pointed right at it. The signal is not great but you have to use a UHF specific or UHF/VHF combo pointed at WTXX to get it.

The search antenna on top of my tower is a BT UHF/VHF combo.
The other antenna is a Lindsay Yagi cut for VHF Channel 12. I cant see WTXX off of either antenna. On the Lindsay, I have used a channel 12 BT preamp with no results and I still cannot see their signal on my analyzer at all. I can see WTNH's siganl at channel 10, however, channel 12 is non existant. I have emailed them but get no reply. Does anyone have contact info for the eng. dept.
Thanks,
Jeff

A Yagi is UHF and wont cut it etc.

I believe if you cut the elements of a yagi antenna to the proper length based on the desired frequency, it will recieve UHF, VHF, or whatever. It's a dipole with reflectors to the driven element and is directional.

Lip synch was absolutely horrible on OTA 8-1 during LOST last night. (8:00 -10:00 PM Eastern). It was apparent through both my HR10-250 DirecTiVo and through my Mitsubishi internal HD tuner.

My HR10-250 exhibited the same problem as well...

A Yagi is UHF and wont cut it etc.

I believe if you cut the elements of a yagi antenna to the proper length based on the desired frequency, it will recieve UHF, VHF, or whatever. It's a dipole with reflectors to the driven element and is directional.

A Yagi is just a type of antenna. It can be cut for any band of UHF frequencies or single channel VHF. I have single channel and stacked arrays on my tower cut for every VHF channel from 2-13. I also have UHF Yagis, parabolic and log periodic antennas, but still cant get WTXX 12.

My HR10-250 exhibited the same problem as well...

I checked my Samsung HD receiver on the basement TV and the lip synch issue was apparent there too. I'm going to shoot them an email.

MetroCast of Southeastern CT just added WLNE-DT from Providence yesterday, apparently in disgust after trying, in vain, to come to terms with WTNH on carriage issues. I caught it last night at about 10:30. At least, now, New London and the rest of he franchise will have ABC-HD, something they have not had until now. It appeared on channel 406.

Is there a problem with using a splitter to join an outside antenna wire and one from a sat dish to a single one to the inside of the house or does it diminish the signal from OTA and one needs to run the coax from the antenna separately to the inside of the house? Thanks

MetroCast of Southeastern CT just added WLNE-DT from Providence yesterday, apparently in disgust after trying, in vain, to come to terms with WTNH on carriage issues. I caught it last night at about 10:30. At least, now, New London and the rest of he franchise will have ABC-HD, something they have not had until now. It appeared on channel 406.

What about WJAR-DT, WPRI-DT or WNAC-DT? That sucks! Comcast here in New Britain carries it but COX of Newington doesn't. Do you get WLNE-DT over the air at all?

WLNE analog has always been present in New London via an off-air antenna, and they are also carried by MetroCast, as is WPRI and WJAR. These stations used to offer minimal news coverage of SE CT issues, but have pretty much withdrawn from SE CT with the advent of cable and satellite. The Providence stations primary value to SE CT is that they offered OTA viewers the ability to aim their TV antennas in one direction and pick up three primary networks, something that we could never do with the CT stations. Although WFSB and WTNH always came in in New London, each station required reaiming the antenna to pick them up, and WVIT was unavailable via antenna in New London until they increased power back in the late 70'-early 80, by which time most of the area was on cable, anyway...LOL Most of the Connecticut DT stations are now available in New London when the proper antenna is used, but few people have opted to go the OTA route. I have had success with WTNH-DT, WVIT-DT, WFSB-DT, WTIC-DT and WCTX-DT in New London, only WTXX-DT seems to be a problem here

WTXX-DT is basically a low-power station due to the distance from WPRI-TV analog. I live within 5 miles of Rattlesnake Mountain and even I get the occasional dropout when using an indoor antenna.

As for Providence/New Bedford analog, a portable 5" Yorx B/W TV/radio/cassette combo I had 19 years ago used to get a faint signal of channel 6 at least twice a week. Not bad considering the radio used a 1/8" headphone type jack for the antenna input (I had a dipole attached to a small adapter piece). :)

Is anyone else watching this Bulls VS Pistons game on WTNH HD? I have it on my stereo and it seems like the video and audio are out of sync. The audio happens like a half second before the video does...

Is anyone else watching this Bulls VS Pistons game on WTNH HD? I have it on my stereo and it seems like the video and audio are out of sync. The audio happens like a half second before the video does...

It has been like this all week. I sent an email through the WTNH website, but I never received a response.

I noticed the oscars are out of sync

Yea WTNH sync is bad here too on my antenna, WLNE 6 is fine!

Yea WTNH sync is bad here too on my antenna, WLNE 6 is fine!

It's hard to watch the Oscars the sync is so bad. I've noticied this on & off many times over the past few months. I'll try to find out what's going on from my boss that used to work at WTNH. He still has many friends there. FYI, the HD cable feed on Comcast is out of sync to, so it's not just a OTA problem.

WLNE analog has always been present in New London via an off-air antenna, and they are also carried by MetroCast, as is WPRI and WJAR. These stations used to offer minimal news coverage of SE CT issues, but have pretty much withdrawn from SE CT with the advent of cable and satellite. The Providence stations primary value to SE CT is that they offered OTA viewers the ability to aim their TV antennas in one direction and pick up three primary networks, something that we could never do with the CT stations. Although WFSB and WTNH always came in in New London, each station required reaiming the antenna to pick them up, and WVIT was unavailable via antenna in New London until they increased power back in the late 70'-early 80, by which time most of the area was on cable, anyway...LOL Most of the Connecticut DT stations are now available in New London when the proper antenna is used, but few people have opted to go the OTA route. I have had success with WTNH-DT, WVIT-DT, WFSB-DT, WTIC-DT and WCTX-DT in New London, only WTXX-DT seems to be a problem here

Chip - nice to hear from you again. Are you currently receiving WFSB OTA? If you are, I'm curious what your set-up is. I've never been able to receive it in Niantic, presumably due to their low power and interference from PAX. Thanks.

Ross

It's hard to watch the Oscars the sync is so bad. I've noticied this on & off many times over the past few months. I'll try to find out what's going on from my boss that used to work at WTNH. He still has many friends there. FYI, the HD cable feed on Comcast is out of sync to, so it's not just a OTA problem.

I agree. Just awful. I still have not received a reply to my email.

Is there a problem with using a splitter to join an outside antenna wire and one from a sat dish to a single one to the inside of the house or does it diminish the signal from OTA and one needs to run the coax from the antenna separately to the inside of the house? Thanks

From what I understand, the best way to accomplish this is to run your OTA coax directly into your sat dish multiswitch IF you've got an appropriate input available. Then, you just need to add a diplexer at one of your coax's to get your antenna input separated from your sat signal. I'm on the verge of trying this myself as I'm putting in replacement windows in a couple months and my existing OTA coax currently runs thru the wood frame of my old windows. In my case, I think I'll need to upgrade to a 5X8 multiswitch in order to accomplish.

I think that'll work although some of the folks on the forum may have already tried this out. You may lose 2-3 % of your signal strength if you use a diplexer so if you're only borderline picking up reception you could be in trouble.

It's hard to watch the Oscars the sync is so bad. I've noticied this on & off many times over the past few months. I'll try to find out what's going on from my boss that used to work at WTNH. He still has many friends there. FYI, the HD cable feed on Comcast is out of sync to, so it's not just a OTA problem.

Perhaps some of the technical folk who work at the stations can explain why a problem that seemed solved by the clapboard in that early 1930's seems so persistently unfixable by major stations with millions of dollars worth of equipment.

I am somewhat technically inclined and I do understand that MPEG streams are not inherently synchronized. But it is long past time for the kind of dramatic and extremely irritating synch problems like the nearly half-second delay that bedeviled the Oscars to be eliminated. Who cares if it's in 5.1 if it is completely unwatchable? Does anyone monitor (or care) about these problems?

WTNH has had this problem basically since they went live OTA. Any prospects for fixing it?

--Mark

Chip - nice to hear from you again. Are you currently receiving WFSB OTA? If you are, I'm curious what your set-up is. I've never been able to receive it in Niantic, presumably due to their low power and interference from PAX. Thanks.

Ross


Hi Ross...yes, WFSB-DT comes in here in New London, although now without some issues. I am using an AntennasDirect XG-43 with their own AntennasDirect preamp. The antenna is on a temporary mounting just over the roof of the house. I am down near Alewife Cove in New London, and not at a very great altitude, but with a clear shot to the northeast. The one thing that I do have going here is a new LG plasma with the fifth-generation ATSC tuner in it, and I notice a very big improvement in reception quality when compared to my fourth-generation LG-LST-3100. Multipath is a non- issue, and while I am a bit farther from WHPX's transmitter than you are, WVIT-DT is, by far, my best non-New London County DTV signal, with a very reliable signal. WTIC is not too far behind, and I suspect that it will improve when the transmitting antenna is installed in the Rattlesnake Mountain candelabra. WCTX-DT is fine if I rotate the antenna to the west, and WFSB-DT is an occasional catch, depending on weather conditions. I suspect that when I am able to increase my antenna height and install a rotator this spring that I will be able to better lock it in. It's interesting to note that I also have MetroCast cable, ad that MetroCast seems to still be working out the bugs on WITC-DT and WLNE-DT, as I do get occasional pixelization on those channels.

Do you get WPXQ-DT (I) channel 17/A 69 the same as WHPX-DT? I get them occasionally here in New Britain and the sound on "69-1" is better than the sound on "26-1".

I get it, but frankly, what's the point? LOL

Hi Ross...yes, WFSB-DT comes in here in New London, although now without some issues. I am using an AntennasDirect XG-43 with their own AntennasDirect preamp. The antenna is on a temporary mounting just over the roof of the house. I am down near Alewife Cove in New London, and not at a very great altitude, but with a clear shot to the northeast. The one thing that I do have going here is a new LG plasma with the fifth-generation ATSC tuner in it, and I notice a very big improvement in reception quality when compared to my fourth-generation LG-LST-3100. Multipath is a non- issue, and while I am a bit farther from WHPX's transmitter than you are, WVIT-DT is, by far, my best non-New London County DTV signal, with a very reliable signal. WTIC is not too far behind, and I suspect that it will improve when the transmitting antenna is installed in the Rattlesnake Mountain candelabra. WCTX-DT is fine if I rotate the antenna to the west, and WFSB-DT is an occasional catch, depending on weather conditions. I suspect that when I am able to increase my antenna height and install a rotator this spring that I will be able to better lock it in. It's interesting to note that I also have MetroCast cable, ad that MetroCast seems to still be working out the bugs on WITC-DT and WLNE-DT, as I do get occasional pixelization on those channels.

OMG, blasphemy! Never thought I would hear you using anything other than a CM4228 (just kidding) :D

Maybe it is your tuner - my HR10-250 actually maps 3.1 and 3.2 to the guide, but just says "searching for signal" when I select either channel. I get WVIT just fine, which is kind of weird given that PAX wipes out WFSB. I tried John's (CTDish) suggestion a while ago and checked WFSB with PAX off the air at midnight, and there it was.

Hope you're enjoying the shoreline more than Hartford. Depending on what kind of house you have (not crazy about 2 stories), let me know if you need some help on your roof with the antenna/rotator in the spring.

Ross

Is there a problem with using a splitter to join an outside antenna wire and one from a sat dish to a single one to the inside of the house or does it diminish the signal from OTA and one needs to run the coax from the antenna separately to the inside of the house? Thanks

Just to elaborate on Stu's comments, make sure you use a diplexer which is designed to pass the current from your satellite receiver to the multiswitch on the dish. A regular splitter won't pass that current.

Personally, I've never had any luck combining the two and ended up running two cables.

Ross

So I flip on the WTNH-DT at about 6:50 last night and I am greeted by a blue screen with two hands holding a movie "clapper". The clapper says "ABC Engineering Lab" written in chalk on the top line and "Lip Synch" on the bottom line. Somebody is just clapping the thing over and over every few seconds. After a minute or two, the ABC news comes back and the lip synch seems to be dead on. I watched for about 10 minutes and all seemed to be well. I was wondering if it was OK after that.

I swear I've seen the same screen you've just described before.

Audio synch on WTNH-DT seemed off by a hair last night during LOST.

It was nowhere near as bad as it was last week, but it was still not right.

Hi All - I've been lurking here for a couple weeks, and gaining tons of great advice on pulling in OTA DT signals. I live in Bethany in the Prospect/Naugatuck/Hamden/Cheshire corner

Here's what I've got - It's currently working great for me (I have no affiliation with any companies mentioned)

D* Network 622vip HD box with OTA tuner (Free upgrade after rebates)
CM 4221 ($42 delivered to my door in 3 days from solidsignal)
CM 3041DSB ($17.98 lowes)
42" LG Plasma (Gift from lovely wife :)

The 4221 is hanging pointed at 38 degrees N from a rafter in the attic connected to a straight run (Approx 60') of rg6 snaked through center chimney chase of an 1835 farmhouse. Roof is original 3/4" lathe, then new 1/2" plywood, 20lb felt paper and single layer asphalt shingles.

WFSB DT - 85%
WTNH DT - 82%
WTXX DT - 72%
WVIT DT - 94%
WSAH DT - 75%
WCTX DT - 65%
WTIC DT - 74%

So for a one shot total investment of about $80 I get pretty much every Digital signal I need, and I have to say, I can never watch Letterman on sdtv again. Still looking forward to CPTV. With the VIP622, the OTA digital stations appear in the guide, and I can set up timers to record them, or even pause OTA live tv. Pretty cool.

Thanks to all the contributors here who have helped me get this far with this setup

Don in Bethany

You might get CPTV on physical channel 45 if you aim the antenna at Norwich.
John

You might get CPTV on physical channel 45 if you aim the antenna at Norwich.
John
Better chance of gettting CPTV from Bridgeport. I think it's on channel 52.

The search antenna on top of my tower is a BT UHF/VHF combo.
The other antenna is a Lindsay Yagi cut for VHF Channel 12. I cant see WTXX off of either antenna. On the Lindsay, I have used a channel 12 BT preamp with no results and I still cannot see their signal on my analyzer at all. I can see WTNH's siganl at channel 10, however, channel 12 is non existant. I have emailed them but get no reply. Does anyone have contact info for the eng. dept.
Thanks,
Jeff
Jeff, Do you work for a service provider? I work for Thames Valley Communications in Groton. Thought I would offer you what I see. I had a good lock on the signal before the end of January 2007. I have a Wingaurd search VHF/UHF at the top of our tower in Groton aproxx 200ft HAAT. I noticed for about 3 weeks now I have not been able to see a usable digital signal from VHF channel 12/WTXX DT using my 8591c HP analyzer. I cant amplifiy the signal because of analog 12 WPRI. The video carrier of WPRI destroys anything I can get when amplified. Also from my house in Haddam, I have Channel master w/rotor on top of a 40 ft Rohn 25 tower in my back yard and have lost a considerable amount of signal. I will have to pull in this signal in Groton soon because its one of our must carry stations but have not made any calls to the engineers at the station to see if there has been changes. I believe WTIC and WTXX are the same staff. One test I did to verify my antenna is I went to adjacent channels and tried for signal so I know my antenna is peforming. On VHF ch 11 you should see WWLP DT 22 and VHF ch 13 WPRI DT 12. If you do well with New York/ New Jersey stations, see how well you can get analog 11 and the PBS station on 13. I can get both of them with a -15dBmV at around noon time. Let me know what you find. My plan is to install 2 Linday RY-12 combined. Talk soon, John B

John,
I live in Mystic and have seen your installers in my neighborhood. I am at about 190 feet above sea level and have an 11 element VHF highband Yagi about 55 feet above ground. Normally I can see no sign of WTXX DT. About two years ago WJAR went off air for about 15 min. and I was able to aim the antenna at Hartford. My receiver could detect a weak signal but could not lock or get a picture. This antenna can receive a strong signal from WPRI DT and WTNH DT. I can usually get WWLP DT but it often breaks up. To receive WTXX-DT in Groton you will probably have to be up a lot higher and find an antenna with very low sidelobes.
WTXX is on the WTIC tower but only at 295 meters above sea level, next summer it is going to be up a lot higher at 613 meters (based on FCC info) so it should improve. They have been working on the top of the tower for a few weeks so it may be a reduced power some of the time.
You can see what some of my signals look like in a report here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=715013&highlight=ctdish
To get the CW network here I a decent signal from channel 22 in MA.
John

OK, I live in Hamden, Ct. So I got a Channel Master 3021 and mounted outside on a pole connected to my Dish 500 satellite stand on the roof. I also got Quad RG6a coax cable. When I mounted the antenna I received less channels than when I had the Radio Shack indoor antenna that looks like the star ship enterprise. The irony was that with the indoor Radio Shack I pulled in NBC which is in New Britan and not CBS on Rattlesnake Mountain. Now with the CM 3021 mounted outside and on the roof pointing toward the right direction it pulls in CBS partially and no NBC. The fine people at Solid signal stated the CM3021 would be fine. I wondering if I should mount the antenna on the chimney which is about 10' at a higher elevation and put a 8-10 foot mast. Any suggestions. I had a glimpse of the NCAA game on CBS HD and it was simply awsome. I am on a mission because I want to bring out the best in the Sony KDL 40V2500. Thanks in advance. Jeff

OK, I live in Hamden, Ct. So I got a Channel Master 3021 and mounted outside on a pole connected to my Dish 500 satellite stand on the roof. I also got Quad RG6a coax cable. When I mounted the antenna I received less channels than when I had the Radio Shack indoor antenna that looks like the star ship enterprise. The irony was that with the indoor Radio Shack I pulled in NBC which is in New Britan and not CBS on Rattlesnake Mountain. Now with the CM 3021 mounted outside and on the roof pointing toward the right direction it pulls in CBS partially and no NBC. The fine people at Solid signal stated the CM3021 would be fine. I wondering if I should mount the antenna on the chimney which is about 10' at a higher elevation and put a 8-10 foot mast. Any suggestions. I had a glimpse of the NCAA game on CBS HD and it was simply awsome. I am on a mission because I want to bring out the best in the Sony KDL 40V2500. Thanks in advance. Jeff

Jeff,

Don't know what a CM3021 is but if it's similar to the CM3020, I'm not sure why Solid Signal recommended it - you'd probably be better off with the CM4228. Keep in mind that any decent outdoor antenna is going to be a lot more directional than your indoor antenna, so it does need to be aimed properly. Increased height can help, but personally, I wouldn't put more than about 5" of the mast above the top of the chimney without guying it. The other thing you may want to try is adding a CM7777 preamp to your installation.

Ross

Ross...the CM3021 is the same as Channel Master Antenna model CM4221A.


Ed

WVIT-DT is coming from Rattlesnake Mountain in Farmington, not New Britain. Sorry to nitpick! :P

Ross...the CM3021 is the same as Channel Master Antenna model CM4221A.

Ed

Thanks Ed.

Jeff - in that case, the 3021 is probably fine - it's just a 4 bay version of the 4228. Less gain, but the preamp may solve that for you if it's an issue.

Ross

Hi John and thanks for your reply. I should be able to pull in WTXX-DT once they get to full power at the top of the transmitt tower. Our tower has excellent line-of-sight to Farmington/Avon. Our tower is based at 200 ft HAAT and 85 ft up. Antenna mast are about 15 ft above that for a total of approx 300 ft. I can see Hartford, New Haven,Springfield, Boston, Providence and New York without a problem. With the search antenna, I see a signal on every channel VHF and most UHF. For a DXer, Its a great location but for a cable company its a co-channel nightmare. I cant go lower on the tower for stronger stations, everything is at the top. I have 2 commercial Lindsay RY12-12 antennas I will use for WTXX-DT but have not decided if I will set them vert or horiz due to a spacing issue. They have a 1.3 front to back ratio and 14 dB gain with very minimal side lobes. I think I have seen your setup. Massive!!!!. Fellow Ham? Thanks, John

For those of you keeping score at Rattlesnake Mountain, the WEDH-DT (Ch 45) antenna was installed this past Saturday. Don't read anything into it; it doesn't mean the transmitter is on the way :( . It was just a matter of convenience.

For those of you keeping score at Rattlesnake Mountain, the WEDH-DT (Ch 45) antenna was installed this past Saturday. Don't read anything into it; it doesn't mean the transmitter is on the way :( . It was just a matter of convenience.

TEASE! :D

Ross, The 3021 is a 4 bow tie directional. I am going to try and place up off chimney on a 5' mast. It will also shorten the cable run by 50%. Lot of trees on my street. Mike from Solid Signal didn't want me to use a amp because of being so close to New Haven and ABC. The moving of location from sat dish to chimney will increase height another 12 feet. Hopefully this works. The small amount of HD NCAA game on Saturday was unbelievable. Jeff

Jeff - I got my CM 3041 DSB outdoor pre-amp at lowes in Orange about a week ago. It was $17.98 on clearance and they had about 6 left. When teamed up with my CM 4221 - (the same one you've got), it boosted all my signals about 20%, except channel 8 , which it only boosted about 5% , still under 100%. Might be worth a try as an experiment, since you can return it.

Don in Bethany

antennamonkey - John
Do you know the height above sea level of the of the cable antennas?
Interference is a frequent problem on many digital stations here. Channel 10 needs needs little explanation, but I have a few days in the summer with a third signal, probably the analog station in NJ. 33 and 35 suffer from 34. 49 in RI sometimes gets hit from an annalog signal, probably PBS. Also in the summer RI 13 is captured by 13 in Portland, ME.
I can't get any digital stations from Boston with any reliability, but a pretty snowy channel 7 is OK. If you have seen my antennas the lower one one the tower is an HF log periodic.(yep I am a ham)
When WTXX-DT raises the antenna they are going to reduce power, but I am expecting a signal improvement here. I don't know if it will be enough. After the analog shut off I think they go back to channel 20.

MDODGE
Any thoughts on the channel 24 lite off from Rattlesnake Mountain?
Will you get a new transmitter for Hartford or move the one from Norwich?
John

Ross, The 3021 is a 4 bow tie directional. I am going to try and place up off chimney on a 5' mast. It will also shorten the cable run by 50%. Lot of trees on my street. Mike from Solid Signal didn't want me to use a amp because of being so close to New Haven and ABC. The moving of location from sat dish to chimney will increase height another 12 feet. Hopefully this works. The small amount of HD NCAA game on Saturday was unbelievable. Jeff

Jeff - Mike is correct about the potential issue with the preamp. Let us know how things work out with the new antenna location.

Ross

I'm looking to update the list of stations which are showing Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in HD. I'm doing this for just the major markets which are not shown on the list in the Jeopardy HD thread. If I have read this thread correctly, WTNH shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in the New Haven - Hartford market. Has it started broadcasting those shows in HD? Thanks.

WTNH-TV/DT does air the two game shows in question. They DO NOT air them in HD. The only local HD I've seen in this market so far is an ad for Channel 3's Eyewitness News. It was an HD commercial which ran during Super Bowl XLI.

MDODGE
Any thoughts on the channel 24 lite off from Rattlesnake Mountain?
Will you get a new transmitter for Hartford or move the one from Norwich?
John

Well John, I wouldn't take this bet up the street but, we're aiming for March 30th (yea, this year) for analog 24. My goal is to have the building ready for the new transmitter to be delivered the week of the 12th, next week. There are a couple optimists in the company who believe it should only take two weeks for the install :rolleyes: . Having done this a couple times before. I'm inclined to think it might be slightly longer. Although, I'm doing my darndest to see that it happens.

Keep in mind, the tower work has to be completed. Arnold could probably chime in and give an update on that aspect.

As for the digital transmitter, that will be a new transmitter. There is new technology available since the Norwich transmitter went on the air in '01. WFSB has the new Paragon transmitter made by Comark/Thompson/Thales/Tomson (pick a name - did I miss any) that is pretty efficient and I suppose we'll get one also. We have four other transmitters manufactured by them.

Marc

WTNH-TV/DT does air the two game shows in question. They DO NOT air them in HD. The only local HD I've seen in this market so far is an ad for Channel 3's Eyewitness News. It was an HD commercial which ran during Super Bowl XLI.
Thanks for info!

Well John, I wouldn't take this bet up the street but, we're aiming for March 30th (yea, this year) for analog 24. My goal is to have the building ready for the new transmitter to be delivered the week of the 12th, next week. There are a couple optimists in the company who believe it should only take two weeks for the install :rolleyes: . Having done this a couple times before. I'm inclined to think it might be slightly longer. Although, I'm doing my darndest to see that it happens.

Keep in mind, the tower work has to be completed. Arnold could probably chime in and give an update on that aspect.

As for the digital transmitter, that will be a new transmitter. There is new technology available since the Norwich transmitter went on the air in '01. WFSB has the new Paragon transmitter made by Comark/Thompson/Thales/Tomson (pick a name - did I miss any) that is pretty efficient and I suppose we'll get one also. We have four other transmitters manufactured by them.

Marc

Dave tells me things are looking good for CH-61's antenna and corresponding candelabra arm to be installed by next week. That will complete the top work and allow the subsequent removal of the temp sections and gin pole.

You're getting a 'modern' transmitter...You just have to plug it in, don't you??? ;)

(ctdish) Hi John. Im going to guess that the cable system antennas are only 350 ft above sea level. The company who originaly engineered where to place the antennas did not document the height above sea level. My company now lets me decide how things will work after having lots of trouble with the original setup. I didnt know that WTXX plans to return to ch 20 after they turn off the analog. Thanks for that info. The next few years are going to be fun because when analog transmitters go dark, im going to have to convert digital to analog for our expanded basic customers and reassign antennas for stations that jump the band. We already convert the signals for WJAR and WLNE. WJAR analog 10 because of WTNH-DT and WLNE 6 because we are in the near field of an fm broadcast tower and it fills the video signal with beats. Less than half a mile as the crow flies and its in line with providence. I have a dual quad setup from Sitco that tunes out ch 34 almost to null and allows 33 and 35 but it was a job to get it right. I spent almost 2 weeks on the tower and close to giving up. I pull in 31 from the dual quad also and in the summer months 31 analog (upstate New York WUHF) and WBZ-DT Boston is on UHF 30 and will sometimes cause problems to our analog 30. Actuly I can go on all day about inteference from other stations. I think you may have different results with your location because my worst channel in Boston is 7. I get pbs 2 clearly and some others arent good for cable but are watchable. Ill let you know how I do with WTXX-DT. Talk soon, John

Mdodge and archase,
Thanks for the update. I will report on my channel 24 reception when the new antenna is in use. Is the channel 12 antenna still due latter in the spring?
John,
350 feet above sea level is very high for around here.
Channel 7 is probably the best Boston channel because my VHF high antenna is about 35 feet higher than my vhf low antenna. For UHF I use four CM 4248 yagis with 2 over 2 spaced at about four feet. When I aim to minimize channel 34 I am aimed a little North of the Hartford stations. I can usualy get 35 but not 33. I also think I have some preamp overload from channel 26 with this direction. I may get a channel rejection filter for 26 next summer.
John

Dave tells me things are looking good for CH-61's antenna and corresponding candelabra arm to be installed by next week. That will complete the top work and allow the subsequent removal of the temp sections and gin pole.
...

What antennas will that include? Can I hope that it includes all the digital ones? :)
If you could post a picture of the top after work is complete that would really be great; it is fun to see what all that hardware looks like. A telephoto one taken from the ground would probably help to figure out what we're looking at. I know I had some trouble seeing the candelabra for the girders in your previous pictures.

Dave tells me things are looking good for CH-61's antenna and corresponding candelabra arm to be installed by next week. That will complete the top work and allow the subsequent removal of the temp sections and gin pole.

You're getting a 'modern' transmitter...You just have to plug it in, don't you??? ;)

Dave was out there this morning "cracking the whip", as he put it, and sent Doug's crew up the tower. Looks like they are doing housekeeping up there today. Although there is little wind (it's snowing up here), it's still a little nippy for my taste. If the reports of 50 degree weather hold true and the wind stays below 15 mph, I'd believe Dave.

Arnold, maybe we can convert one of your ham stations and do a slo-scan transmitter. Just plug it into one of the wall sockets. :p

For those of you keeping score at Rattlesnake Mountain, the WEDH-DT (Ch 45) antenna was installed this past Saturday. Don't read anything into it; it doesn't mean the transmitter is on the way :( . It was just a matter of convenience.

Now when I drove by this morning, I saw only two antennae on the top. I thought there were already two up there. Did something get taken down?

Now when I drove by this morning, I saw only two antennae on the top. I thought there were already two up there. Did something get taken down?

The candelabra is designed to hold six antennas, two (stacked) antennas per arm.

Did anyone else have trouble with Lost last night? I temporarily have my antenna tuned strictly for WTNH-DT, and it's usually rock solid. My HR10-250 didn't even pick up enough for it to be watchable.

Now when I drove by this morning, I saw only two antennae on the top. I thought there were already two up there. Did something get taken down?

Might you be confusing the gin pole for an antenna? The gin pole is the large yellow structure attached to the side of the tower and extends well above. The two WEDH antennas are stacked one above the other on a monopole on the east arm of the candelabra. It is difficult to distinguish the two antennas.

Did anyone else have trouble with Lost last night? I temporarily have my antenna tuned strictly for WTNH-DT, and it's usually rock solid. My HR10-250 didn't even pick up enough for it to be watchable.

WTNH-DT was solid for me in Farmington throughout the entire episode. No break ups at all. Lip synch must have been fine too since I didn't notice anything.



Might you be confusing the gin pole for an antenna? The gin pole is the large yellow structure attached to the side of the tower and extends well above. The two WEDH antennas are stacked one above the other on a monopole on the east arm of the candelabra. It is difficult to distinguish the two antennas.

Yeah, I must be confusing the two. I'll take a ride over the hill on Route 6 to get a better look. I've been looking from Mountain Road and Meadow Road and trying to keep the car on the road too. :D

Thanks for the feedback on that Arebee. Man, I think me using my HR10-250 reliably for anything is out the window. Sort of my fault because I haven't follwed through with RTracey about his offer. This weekend, I promise!

Anyone heard anything from WFSB about their NCAA tourney plans? Two e-mails to them have gone unanswered. They were very responsive last year.

Does anyone know when WEDN has to give up the DT channel 45? Also any info on when 24 analog or DT will light up on the new antennas. Is the FCC info outdated compared to CP and progress completing tower work in Farmington? Any info is greatly appreciated. John B

Thanks for the feedback on that Arebee. Man, I think me using my HR10-250 reliably for anything is out the window. Sort of my fault because I haven't follwed through with RTracey about his offer. This weekend, I promise!

Anyone heard anything from WFSB about their NCAA tourney plans? Two e-mails to them have gone unanswered. They were very responsive last year.

jake, I'm using a HR10-250 with a UHF/VHF Winegard PR-7015 antenna in the attic. It does a great job with everything except Springfield's WGBY-DT.

I recently picked up the HR20-700 and I have it in the basement with rabbit ears. Once I figure out all the quirks and features, I'll bring it upstairs to see how good its digital reception compares to the HR10.

Hi John (ctdish). The HASL question sparked my interest for an answer so I emailed the company who established where our antennas would be mounted on the tower originaly. Their records show to be better than what I expected. Our height above sea level is 310 Ft to the base of the tower and our tower is 92 ft to the top. Most of out mast are 20 Ft and our search antenna is at the top of one of them for a height of 422 ft above sea level. I didnt think it was even that much. You mentioned WTXX will return to UHF 20 when the analog goes dark. Do you know the plan for most of the Connecticut DT stations. Ill just guess the RI stations are going to stay where they are. It would be nice if 26 analog went away and 34 DTV went there. Your thoughts. Thanks, John

Did anyone else have trouble with Lost last night? I temporarily have my antenna tuned strictly for WTNH-DT, and it's usually rock solid. My HR10-250 didn't even pick up enough for it to be watchable.

No problems here last night with Lost either.

Ross

Hi John (ctdish). The HASL question sparked my interest for an answer so I emailed the company who established where our antennas would be mounted on the tower originaly. Their records show to be better than what I expected. Our height above sea level is 310 Ft to the base of the tower and our tower is 92 ft to the top. Most of out mast are 20 Ft and our search antenna is at the top of one of them for a height of 422 ft above sea level. I didnt think it was even that much. You mentioned WTXX will return to UHF 20 when the analog goes dark. Do you know the plan for most of the Connecticut DT stations. Ill just guess the RI stations are going to stay where they are. It would be nice if 26 analog went away and 34 DTV went there. Your thoughts. Thanks, John

Here is the list for all stations: http://www.fcc.gov/oet/dtv/appendixb/AppendixB_stations.lis
Looks like your wish is granted for channel 34. I think the present state of interfering channels does not meet permanent FCC requirements so it will be much better when everyone goes to their final channel.
John

I see that WEDN-DT will be on channel 9. Is this strictly only AFTER the analog channel 9 stations in Manchester, NH (WMUR) and Secaucus, NJ (WWOR) are off the air?

I see that WEDN-DT will be on channel 9. Is this strictly only AFTER the analog channel 9 stations in Manchester, NH (WMUR) and Secaucus, NJ (WWOR) are off the air?

WMUR and WWOR have no bearing on the WEDN-DT move to Ch. 9. The determining factor for WEDN-DT/9 is strictly a mater of when the FCC issues a CP (Construction Permit) for WEDH-DT/45 and subsequently, a CP for WEDN-DT/9. Both will have to be built at the same time (Oh, fun :o ).

I put a DB4 & DB2 together today to try and get my Digital Stations in
with out using a rotor and it works fine.I point the DB4 at SPRINGFIELD,MA and the DB2 at Rattlesnake Mountain.I used some 3/32 sold copper wire I had here from a job at work to join them together.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/enorton/Pics/P1020396.jpg
yellow - vhf
WTXX-DT 20.1 CW WATERBURY CT 139° 3.7 12

yellow - uhf
WTIC-DT 31.1 FOX HARTFORD CT 139° 3.7 31
yellow - uhf
WFSB-DT 3.1 CBS HARTFORD CT 71° 5.2 33

yellow - uhf
WVIT-DT 30.1 NBC NEW BRITAIN CT 142° 3.9 35

red - uhf
WUVN-DT 18.1 UNI HARTFORD CT 73° 5.4 46

red - vhf
WTNH-DT 10.1 ABC NEW HAVEN CT 202° 21.8 10
red - uhf
WGGB 40.1 ABC SPRINGFIELD MA 33° 37.2 40

blue - vhf
WWLP-DT 22.1 NBC SPRINGFIELD MA 35° 26.0 11
blue - uhf
WGBY 57.1 PBS SPRINGFIELD MA 33° 37.2 57
violet - uhf
WCTX-DT 59.1 MNT NEW HAVEN CT 202° 21.8 39
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/enorton/Pics/P1020400.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/enorton/Pics/P1020554.jpg

How well does it work with pulling in the low-power stations around the area?