Don't have the manual. The switch must be inside the pramp because I don't remember seeing it when I installed it . I almost put pramp lower on pole in case I had to get at it. Should of gone with first instinct.

Can you call the place you bought it from and ask them to fax you a copy? Or maybe one of the forum vendors like SolidSignal can help you.
I have a 7775 - UHF only. I remember the instructions being a single page. I think I threw mine out though.

I am going to pull antenna down this weekend and check it out. A little too windy today. thanks for your help.

Paul, I think you could be right. I took output from power box and hooked it up to tv to see what I got on analog. Picture is terrible. Only get WTNH good enough to watch. When I had an antenna up many years ago before I got cable I used to watch the NYC stations more than the CT stations. Now they don't come in at all. This is a good sign. Thanks again. Also the NYC UHF channels comein fine so I know the UHF side works.

Originally posted by spider-man_man
I am pulling in 3.1 (WFSBDT) 8.1 (WTNHDT) 20.1 (WTXXDT) 59.1 (WCTXDT) 61.1 (WTICDT). I still cannot pull in WVITDT on my Zenith 520, even when rescanning - has their signal been constantly available??

Could not find an answer to this post.Having the same problem in Glastonbury. Ch 35 reads WVITDT but get only snow and not able to get a signal reading. When I manually put in 35-1 it reads no signal

Originally posted by pmalve
Paul, I think you could be right. I took output from power box and hooked it up to tv to see what I got on analog. Picture is terrible. Only get WTNH good enough to watch. When I had an antenna up many years ago before I got cable I used to watch the NYC stations more than the CT stations. Now they don't come in at all. This is a good sign. Thanks again. Also the NYC UHF channels comein fine so I know the UHF side works. Good news... I found the instructions.
Bad news... The default switch positions are what you want, combined and FM trap enabled.

Maybe the switches were changed if the unit was returned or something.

When you open it, you will find that the switch settings are clearly marked on the circuit board. I opened my 7775 and it uses the same PCB, but doesn't have any switches installed.

Edit: Removed description and I have a 7775 not 7777

Good Luck,
----
Paul

pmalve,
One more thing to check while you're up on the roof...

That's a pretty big antenna. Most antennas that size are shipped with a boom that is split in the center to reduce the shipping box length. The VHF section (rear) is a log-periodic design. It will have "cross-over wires" that zig-zag to connect between elements on opposite sides of the boom. At the front of the rear boom-half and the rear of the front boom-half, there will be a pair of "cross-over wires" and terminals (on opposite ends) to connect the two halves together electrically. The two "extra" wing nuts may be required to accomplish this connection. Just check for this connection before you bother to open the amp. Also check that the "cross-over wires" are not shorted together or to the boom anywhere along the boom's length.

I think we've covered all the possibilities. Having good UHF performance rules aout any possibility that you're having feedline or connector problems.
----
Paul

All of you that advised me to readjust my antenna to eliminate WVIT dropouts were right on the money. I went up to the roof today and rotated the antenna about 15 degrees. WVIT is now solid. I can get WTIC, and WTXX. However, I have lost WTNH. But I can live with that for the moment. I really don't watch ABC that much. At least when there is no football. What I may do is install another UHF antenna on the same mast. This will allow me to rotate the original antenna back to WTNH. Then I will try hooking both into the same preamp (Channelmaster). Has anybody had experience doing this?


Pete

Pete,

This is sort of inversely related to pmalve's problem above. If you have a CM preamp that can be setup for separate UHF and VHF inputs (7777 and 7778) and all you care about on VHF is WTNH, then you're golden! Just move the current antenna to the VHF input, connect your new UHF to the UHF input, open the preamp and switch the "VHF Input" switch to "separate" and you are done.

If the VHF connector on the preamp is too corroded to use or you have a single input amp (7776), then go to Radio Shack and get a VHF/UHF splitter/combiner (15-1237) for $10. Note: This part is a high-pass/low-pass diplexer, not an ordinary 2-way hybrid splitter/combiner.

If the salesperson asks "Do you know what this is for", (this happened to me - they're supposed to have answers, but seem to ask a lot of questions), ask them "Do you know what the Vice President's name is?" Pay the bill and hook it up to the antennas before the preamp.

But WTXX is on VHF-12, right? Will you still (or did you before rotating) get that when aimed at WTNH?
----
Paul

Edit: added 7776 option, spelling fix

Radio Shack, you have questions, we have blank stares.

Originally posted by eorcman
... However, I have lost WTNH. ... What I may do is install another UHF antenna on the same mast. This will allow me to rotate the original antenna back to WTNH. Then I will try hooking both into the same preamp (Channelmaster). Has anybody had experience doing this?. WTNH-DT is a VHF station on channel 10 frequencies. And WTXX-DT is VHF on 12 - but I'd estimate about 90 degrees away from WTNH from your location. Antennas can be combined into a single coax; you'd need to use a splitter or something similar. (Some pre-amps may have multiple inputs.) Multiple antennas pointing different directions could create a multi-path problem (signals from any given station arriving at the antenna a slightly different times, typically noticed as ghosting on analogue stations). Sometimes multipath issues can have adverse effects on ATSC reception

RPM,
Good point. I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that his existing antenna was a VHF/UHF combination. I also added the note about the diplexer in my post above. A "jointenna" may be a good option for him too.

Anyone on here live near Old Saybrook? I'm wondering what channels you can pull in perfectly in HD down here now.

-Joe

It seems a few of us are having trouble getting WVIT and WTIC.

I noticed that my Zenith SAT 520 does recognize those stations but not that same way it does for others.

As an example for other OTA digital stations I see WTNH 8-1. The station is also listed as ANT/Digital.

For both WVIT and WTIC they are displayed as WVITDT 35. No subchannels are displyed. I also see the station is listed as ANT but no digital note.

I get both the WVIT and WTIC analog station in fairly good but on these DT stations I just get solid snow.

Any Ideas on what the problem is? HELP!

Thanks
George

I can still pul in WTXX as that is on Rattlesnake mountain. From my location, WTNH and Rattlesnake mountain are like 30 degrees apart. I have a CM 7776 preamp with a single input. My antenna is the Radio Shack VUX-190 or something like that. It is a combo UHF/VHF. Paul thanks for the input on the splitter/diplexer. I was simply going to try connecting the new VHF reflector into the same lead as the combo. Why exactly do I need the splitter diplexer? Are you talking about combining both antenna leads into one before going into the preamp? I thought I would try the additional antenna knowing that I may have multipath problems. If I do I just take it back. The RS one is about $25.


Pete

Originally posted by GeorgeC

I get both the WVIT and WTIC analog station in fairly good but on these DT stations I just get solid snow.


Try adding them in manually as 30-1 and 61-1. That is what I did and it seems that's where they live on my SAT520.

-shizno

Originally posted by eorcman
My antenna is the Radio Shack VUX-190 or something like that. It is a combo UHF/VHF. And after the diplexer is installed, this will no longer be a combo. It'll be your VHF only antenna.I was simply going to try connecting the new VHF reflector into the same lead as the combo.I think you mean "UHF reflector", right? Read RPM's comments above about multi-path and multiple antennas.Why exactly do I need the splitter diplexer?When you connect the VHF port of the diplexer to the existing antenna, it will block UHF signals from it. The UHF port on the diplexer will hook-up to the new UHF antenna. This port blocks VHF signals. The diplexer is basically a pair of filters. A low-pass (VHF port) and high-pass (UHF port).Are you talking about combining both antenna leads into one before going into the preamp?Exactly. The common port on the diplexer connects to the input port of the preamp.I thought I would try the additional antenna knowing that I may have multipath problems. If I do I just take it back. The RS one is about $25.You can return the diplexer too. But I don't think you are going to have any problems. I have this setup in my attic. I have a VU-160 that I cut the UHF section off of to fit in there. I also have a CM4228. They're connected by a diplexer to a single feedline. Besides offering more isolation than a conventional splitter (prevents the issue RPM raised), the diplexers have very low loss, about 0.5dB versus 4.5dB for the splitter. You'll never know it's in there.
----
Paul

Thanks Shizno, I will try that tonight. I don't remember how to enter the - when doing a manual channel add, do you recall how to do it?

For those of you with COX HD, below is a response I received today to an email I sent asking about local HD channels. At least we finally will get one. I also asked about a possible one-time arrangement with WFSB-CBS to broadcast the NCAA Championship game and the Masters golf tournament in HD like they did with the Super Bowl, but received no reply on that. I will keep trying.


"We have received your recent email regarding the local HS channels.
Here is the most recent information that we have available. We will be
launching WVIT -NBC in Hartford by Friday, March 12th. Every effort is
being made to have the remaining broadcast channels on as quickly as
possible. We appreciate your patience in this matter."

Originally posted by shizno
Try adding them in manually as 30-1 and 61-1. That is what I did and it seems that's where they live on my SAT520.

-shizno
It worked for 61-1 but when I put in 30-1 on my 520 it reads station not available. Same for 35-1. 35 reads WVITDT but get only snow

Originally posted by bobmurray23
It worked for 61-1 but when I put in 30-1 on my 520 it reads station not available. Same for 35-1. 35 reads WVITDT but get only snow I can verify this. I just called cox and they said that tomorrow we will have NBC in HD!!

Thanks Paul - now I understand why I need to use a diplexer.


Pete

Don't know if any of you guy's or gals are watching the NAACP awards on WTIC Fox 61. But damn that picture looks great and it looks better than 480p. Don't know if they fixed something but the picture really looks good. Just wondering what you all think of the picture.

Originally posted by ralfy1
Don't know if any of you guy's or gals are watching the NAACP awards on WTIC Fox 61. But damn that picture looks great and it looks better than 480p. Don't know if they fixed something but the picture really looks good. Just wondering what you all think of the picture. Yup - looks good! Using TSReader Lite to look at the transport stream, its saying (for PID 0x21):

MPEG video: bitrate 14.990 Mbps Resolution 720 x 480i
MPEG video: framerate 29.97 fps Aspect Ratio 4:3 Chroma Format 4:2:0

That's a lot of bandwidth for a 4:3 picture - probably explains the quality!

I still see an analogue channel also being announced in the TVCT information ... that's kinda strange and one box I receive on doesn't like that.

Cox has WVIT active right now at ch700 on the box.

pmalve,
One more thing to check while you're up on the roof...

That's a pretty big antenna. Most antennas that size are shipped with a boom that is split in the center to reduce the shipping box length. The VHF section (rear) is a log-periodic design. It will have "cross-over wires" that zig-zag to connect between elements on opposite sides of the boom. At the front of the rear boom-half and the rear of the front boom-half, there will be a pair of "cross-over wires" and terminals (on opposite ends) to connect the two halves together electrically. The two "extra" wing nuts may be required to accomplish this connection. Just check for this connection before you bother to open the amp. Also check that the "cross-over wires" are not shorted together or to the boom anywhere along the boom's length.

I think we've covered all the possibilities. Having good UHF performance rules aout any possibility that you're having feedline or connector problems.
----
Paul

I went on roof and took antenna down yesterday. Everything seems OK. Took amp apart and tried it set both ways. Went back to default setting. Cross over wires are connected. Don't see any shorts anywhere. How does the VHF signal get combined with the UHF side. It seems like antenna only is working on the front half where cables connected. I wish I bought 2 separate antennas and connected them in preamp. Called Channel Master but their tech is out until Monday.

Originally posted by eorcman
Thanks Paul - now I understand why I need to use a diplexer.
Pete,

Just be careful to buy the model number that I posted above as they also sell satellite diplexers. They are doing a close out sale on their VHF LO / VHF HI / UHF (3-port) combiner. The latter is only $1.97, but you would need 2 separate VHF antennas to use it.

I wonder why "duplexer" is in the spell checker, but "diplexer" isn't.
----
Paul

Originally posted by pmalve
I went on roof and took antenna down yesterday. Everything seems
OK. Took amp apart and tried it set both ways. Went back to default
setting. Cross over wires are connected. Don't see any shorts
anywhere. How does the VHF signal get combined with the UHF side. It
seems like antenna only is working on the front half where cables
connected. I wish I bought 2 separate antennas and connected them in
preamp. Called Channel Master but their tech is out until Monday.
Sounds like you verified that all was OK with the antenna.

The product documentation for the 7777 states that the preamp has two separate amplifier stages (VHF and UHF). Perhaps the VHF amp is toasted (or never worked to begin with)?

Can you check your VHF reception without the preamp in-line? Just put a female to female coupler (aka "bullet") in place of the preamp. I hope you moved it down on the mast during your last visit.

Remember to unplug the power module from the wall or you may blow up your balun!
----
Paul

Look at the following, (read the last part first, then come back to top) I guess the CSR's at D* dont read the questions either, I dont even know who to complain to??? They dont even attempt to simply say "dont know," they just reply back with the form letter about HD!!! That wasn't even my main question!! UGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

________________________

Dear Scott *****,

Thanks for asking us about our HDTV package. As you might imagine, high definition channels are some of the most expensive ones for us to carry, both in terms of what we pay the networks to distribute the programming and the bandwidth we use to deliver them.

We also recently began offering CBS-HD to customers in selected areas of the country where we have permission from the local broadcasters, and we hope to have an agreement with FOX to offer their HDTV broadcasts soon.
Visit DIRECTV.com/HDChannels to see if CBS-HD is available in your area.

In addition, most high-definition DIRECTV receivers allow you to get your high-definition broadcasts from your local networks by using an off-air (rooftop) antenna in combination with your HDTV equipment. If you have this setup, your local channels appear on the DIRECTV on-screen guide for easy selection. For more information on how to get HDTV broadcasts using an off-air antenna, check with your local HDTV retailer.

We are committed to continue providing the best in HDTV programming and we're in constant discussions with various program providers to increase the number of high definition programs we offer. Stay tuned to DIRECTV.com/HDTV for the latest news and announcements as they become available.

Sincerely,

Mary
DIRECTV Customer Service



Original Message Follows:
-------------------------



DIRECTV FEEDBACK MESSAGE

Name: Scott ******
Status: Subscriber

[Account Number: *******]

E-mail Address: "***************>

[Topic Selected: Hdtv]

Subject: Local over the air guide data

Details: I live in Connecticut and just last week we had 2 new locals go live with their over the air broadcast of High Def. Unfortunately, the guide info provided by directv is on the wrong channels. Can you please correct these:

You have WVIT DT listed as channel 35-1 when it should be properly shown on channel 30-1 where this NBC station is mapped to on seemingly all high def receivers.

The other is for WTIC DT listed as channel 5, this is actually digital channel 31-1 being remapped to 61-1 (this is where the guide data should be). Please look into this with the television tribune system you get your data from and correct it, thank you!!!

Scott *****
P.S. can we please get more high def channels as soon as that new satellite is in orbit?!?!?! The cable companies are offering alot of HD now!!!!!!

Originally posted by schmitter
Cox has WVIT active right now at ch700 on the box.



Do you know why? Is there something special on that would make them put it on ? Or is it on forever? It would be nice if they let their customers know whats going on. I'm at work so I cant check it out.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Yup - looks good! Using TSReader Lite to look at the transport stream, its saying (for PID 0x21):

MPEG video: bitrate 14.990 Mbps Resolution 720 x 480i
MPEG video: framerate 29.97 fps Aspect Ratio 4:3 Chroma Format 4:2:0

That's a lot of bandwidth for a 4:3 picture - probably explains the quality!

I still see an analogue channel also being announced in the TVCT information ... that's kinda strange and one box I receive on doesn't like that.

Picture looks not bad, but their encoder is set for 4:3 instead of 16:9 plus they should be upconverting to 480p and not just pass 480i.

They at least have to reconfigure encoder to 16:9 because it causes problems on many STB's. Some permanently stretch the picture horizontally and some show picture vertically stretched.

I think that it is very unprofessional of them. We complained about it from the first day they signed on and they still have not fixed it.

Originally posted by CKNA
Picture looks not bad, but their encoder is set for 4:3 instead of 16:9 plus they should be upconverting to 480p and not just pass 480i.There is also the chance that the encoder only does 4:3 format. Although I noted other posts in here visa vis the wide screen issue - I don't think I've tuned it in when there was programming being supplied in that format. As for going from interlaced to progressive - that may also be a bit more complicated than just an option setting on a box ... it really depends a lot on the infrastructure in place.They at least have to reconfigure encoder to 16:9 because it causes problems on many STB's. Some permanently stretch the picture horizontally and some show picture vertically stretched. I'm not sure I totally agree with that. From my experience, a lot of the early ATSC tuners don't have very good code in them - and don't necessarily do the right thing. For example, a tuner that receives a 4:3 format broadcast and stretches it to fit a 16:9 display - without a user option to leave it intact - is a BAD implementation. None of the current generation of tuners I've seen or worked with do what you've mention ... I think that it is very unprofessional of them. We complained about it from the first day they signed on and they still have not fixed it. Having the opportunity to see it from both sides ... all I can suggest is to be a little patient. These things are very complicated, there are learning curves, short and long term plans, equipment availability, etc. Consider that they have to get it on the air to even see how it plays: there really isn't any test environ broadcasters can play in before it reaches viewers! Rest assured that people are reading this - including many who are not posting any replies. And in WTIC's case, AVS Forum members are also privileged to have both Dean and Arnie occasionally keeping us up-to-date as well!

I tuned into Suvivor last night with my OTA antenna and Samsung STB and the picture was fantastic, although it was in 4:3 format. We had people over and they couldn't believe the PQ on this supposed non-HDTV program.

My Samsung receiver said it was HD. Was it? Any monitoring going on by the tech guys? Thanks.

Dorran

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Although I noted other posts in here visa vis the wide screen issue - I don't think I've tuned it in when there was programming being supplied in that format.If you get a chance, tune in Sunday at 1PM for their FOX "Weirdscreen" presentation of the NASCAR race from Atlanta.
----
Paul

There is also the chance that the encoder only does 4:3 format. Although I noted other posts in here visa vis the wide screen issue - I don't think I've tuned it in when there was programming being supplied in that format. As for going from interlaced to progressive - that may also be a bit more complicated than just an option setting on a box ... it really depends a lot on the infrastructure in place.

RPMcCormick,

You just commented that NAACP awards look great. These were in widescreen. Are you saying that you did not actaully see it?.

Their encoder is from Tandberg and I know that it does 16:9. All HD mpeg encoders are 16:9 as HD is always 16:9. Somebody from WTIC posted that they will talk to engineer that set it up to fix that issue. That was almost 2 weeks ago.

I'm not sure I totally agree with that. From my experience, a lot of the early ATSC tuners don't have very good code in them - and don't necessarily do the right thing. For example, a tuner that receives a 4:3 format broadcast and stretches it to fit a 16:9 display - without a user option to leave it intact - is a BAD implementation. None of the current generation of tuners I've seen or worked with do what you've mention ...

I have three tuners. One is LG 3410. It is the latest. It only came out last month. On WTIC it locks into 4:3 and will not even let me change aspect ratio. My second tuner is Dish 811. This one lets me change aspect ratio but if I leave it in normal I get vertically stretched picture on 16:9 material. In order to view 16:9 I need the tuner to stretch it. My third tuner is a computer card and it acts the same as Dish811.

Besides many other people here have the same problem. This only happens on WTIC. It is definitely their problem. I get Boston and Seattle
FOX stations thru satellite and they both broadcast 480p 16:9 signal.

Having the opportunity to see it from both sides ... all I can suggest is to be a little patient. These things are very complicated, there are learning curves, short and long term plans, equipment availability, etc. Consider that they have to get it on the air to even see how it plays: there really isn't any test environ broadcasters can play in before it reaches viewers! Rest assured that people are reading this - including many who are not posting any replies. And in WTIC's case, AVS Forum members are also privileged to have both Dean and Arnie occasionally keeping us up-to-date as well!

I worked for cable tv many years. I know how it is on the other side. I know Arnie personally but I do not believe he has to do much with WTIC anymore. He only owns the tower. I hope Dean can update us soon.

BTW, When are you guys going to reconfigure your encoder and kill the subchannel. WVIT runs over 18Mbps video data rate so their video quality is just killing yours.

I had a discussion with the Head Engineer at WFSB today... that's the ONLY CBS broadcaster in CT.

The station is on Avon Mountain and they are currently broadcast (and have been for years) at reduced power and with a temporary antenna. I only bring it up because it's one of my most watched stations and without it, I don't know if I can move to voom yet.

Anyway, per the situation he said:


We are still in the process of increasing the capacity of our tower.
Our tower riggers were pushed back on WVIT's tower and WTIC's tower because of weather. They have done some modifications, but have not completed the entire project.

Until these modifications can be done, the new digital antenna cannot be mounted. Since the weather has been getting better, my tower rigger has promised to have multiple crews on the tower to erect the required steel.

Contrary to what has been said in the "forums", we ARE determined to finish this project. From setbacks of getting a building permit to being held up with weather, it has been more frustrating for me then for the viewers. I have a great bunch of veteran engineer's working on this project that many people in the forums know.

I hope this helps.


and then when I asked about an ETA:


I can't give you a definite date because a lot of what has to be done is out of my control. As long as mother nature cooperates, we should be up soon.

Also, as for March Madness, CBS only allows us to air what's on our analog channel on our digital channel. We tried airing different games last year on our HD channel while the war was going on our analog channel and we were caught by CBS. By us being so close to New York, a lot of CBS exec's watch us rather then WCBS.

Just an FYI


He seems committed... so that's a good sign. I think we all have the stations previous management and corporate for their lack of drive until now. However, if I get a preamp and still can't get CBS right now I don't think I'll be able to get Voom until it does goes to full power. I'm not happy about that.

Lastly, he said he'd try to get me some more frequent updates that I could share. I am trying to press some kind of ETA, no matter how far out.

He seems committed... so that's a good sign. I think we all have the stations previous management and corporate for their lack of drive until now.

That is the standard line they've been feeding us for months. The weather has been good enough to work in for over a month now - funny how WVIT and WTIC were able to work on their towers.

They just don't have any compelling reason to do the work.

Simply put, WFSB Sucks! Hey, that would be a great name for a thread....

Sounds like you verified that all was OK with the antenna.

The product documentation for the 7777 states that the preamp has two separate amplifier stages (VHF and UHF). Perhaps the VHF amp is toasted (or never worked to begin with)?

Can you check your VHF reception without the preamp in-line? Just put a female to female coupler (aka "bullet") in place of the preamp. I hope you moved it down on the mast during your last visit.

Remember to unplug the power module from the wall or you may blow up your balun!
----
Paul

Of course I din't move amp down. That would of been too easy. Actually I didn't have any connectors to cut cable. I am going to wait until Monday and talk to tech guy from Channel Master. Getting tired of taking it down and putting it back up. It is on a 20' pole and it wasn't the easiest thing to do yesterday by myself. Wish I bought separate antennas.

nherc,

Thanks for posting that info. Sounds like the same old story for WFSB. The fact is that they are the last of the major networks to come on line with a digital signal of reasonable power her in CT. I posted a thread here asking people to post how their big 4 affiliates were doing with HD. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=355359

Out of the 17 markets with CBS stations that responded, only three were either not broadcasting HD, or were broadcasting with lower power than WFSB, and those were in markets #96, #123, and #92. WFSB is a major market, I believe #28! CBS is the HD leader, and we're sitting here with the #28 market with a weak signal for years? As I said earlier in this thread, I don't know who's to blame at WFSB, but there's no excuse for them to be where they are.

As far as the NCAA tournament goes, I have been trying to get answers from them in e-mails since March 2nd about their plans for WFSB-DT. Numerous e-mails have gone unanswered. As far as the comment

"Also, as for March Madness, CBS only allows us to air what's on our analog channel on our digital channel. We tried airing different games last year on our HD channel while the war was going on our analog channel and we were caught by CBS. By us being so close to New York, a lot of CBS exec's watch us rather then WCBS."

Well of course if CBS had chosen to cover the war last year at certain times, they would not want a local affiliate overriding that decision. Especially since ESPN was given those games. I don't see what that has to do with this year. As I posted in posts above, many CBS affiliates simulcast 4 games simultaneously on their Digital subchannels!

A quote from WRAL's website:

*****
2000 -- Multiple Channels = Happy NCAA Fans

March 16, 2000, was another historical day in the television industry. For the first time, viewers could watch any of the 63 games played during the NCAA basketball tournament on WRAL. (WRAL continues to provide all 63 games to its viewers every year).
While analog channel 5 ran the number one game in each region, WRAL-HD broadcast four separate channels, each carrying a different game. That allowed digital viewers to switch between any four of the regional games being played at the same time.
*******
This was dated 2004
http://www.wral.com/wralinfo/623644/detail.html

At least there will be happy NCAA fans in North Carolina.

In other threads I have posted on other sites, stations that either multicast or provide all HD games are WTKR, WBZ, WCBS, WWJ, and KPHO. I hope that WFSB can figure out how to get it done.

Originally posted by mnky21
Do you know why? Is there something special on that would make them put it on ? Or is it on forever? It would be nice if they let their customers know whats going on. I'm at work so I cant check it out.

Nope, it is on. WFSB is probably going to be the next one online, and two weeks ago I was told within the next two to three weeks. On the other hand I was led to believe that they would be online at the same time, and that obviously didn't happen, so I have my fingers crossed.

Schmitter

Originally posted by CKNA
You just commented that NAACP awards look great. These were in widescreen. Are you saying that you did not actaully see it?.Hmmm ... if that was the case (last night?!) maybe I got the analogue channel instead - I pulled it up on my computer with the tuner card ... its possible that I grabbed 61 analogue and not 61.1 digital.

I did record a few minutes of the transport stream - the information I posted was the output from the TS Reader program from that recording.I have three tuners. One is LG 3410. It is the latest. It only came out last month. On WTIC it locks into 4:3 and will not even let me change aspect ratio.Ugh! Can you do anything with the images on 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3? On one of the STB I'm using (old Samsung, forgot the model) I have three aspect settings ... I'll have to see if/what it lets me do.

I'm really interested in whether its an issue with the stream ... or the LG box. I've been interested in the LG LST-3510A (http://us.lge.com/Product/proddetail.do?action=tv&prodId=LST-3510A&categoryId=010402). That's the box that does ATSC, unscrambled QAM and has a hi-format DVD player.BTW, When are you guys going to reconfigure your encoder and kill the subchannel. WVIT runs over 18Mbps video data rate so their video quality is just killing yours. Working on it. A number of things need to be coordinated. Will certainly post something on or before the switch. (We will also have slides up on the unused channels to inform viewers of the changes.)

I have three tuners. One is LG 3410. It is the latest. It only came out last month. On WTIC it locks into 4:3 and will not even let me change aspect ratio.On the LG site I found the following information here (http://us.lgservice.com/gcsc/b2c/hpi/main?tc=faq.command.FaqDetailCmd) regarding not being able to adjust the aspect ratio. Quoting from that site:

Question: Why can't I change the aspect ratio?
Product: Digital Set Top Box
Answer:
Broadcasters sometimes perform their own aspect ratio correction
transforming 4:3 to 16:9 prior to broadcasting material.

Often times, the broadcaster will turn on a "flag" that locks the
aspect ratio so that aspect ratio change cannot be done.
I'll see if I can identify where that flag is set in the stream. I also suspect that some boxes may be ignoring it and doing their own thing? The funny thing about these software standards: everyone implements things by their own interpretation of standards and/or the way they feel it should be. Oh well ...

I was wondering about your comments on WTIC DT also, the NAACP awards were clearly in widescreen. I was doing the back and forth between analog and Fox Widescreen, it looked widescreen to me.

RPM,

They're in network now and the distortion is apparent.
----
Paul

Originally posted by jake14mw
... WFSB is a major market, I believe #28!Nielsen Media Research is where you can find this information. Their main web site is located here (http://www.nielsenmedia.com/).

If you go to their home page - under the Quick Links heading on the right hand side choose DMAs and click Go.

Information estimates for the 2003-2004 television season:

New York = 1st
Boston = 6th
Hartford & New Haven = 27th
Providence-New Bedford = 48th
Albany-Schenectady-Troy = 55th
Springfield-Holyoke = 106th

In case you were not aware, these market areas - called DMA's - consists of all counties whose largest viewing share is given to stations of that same market area. Non-overlapping DMA's cover the entire continental US, Hawaii and parts of Alaska. There are currently 210 Designated Market Areas throughout the U.S. (from Nielsen). At one point in time, Berkshire County in Massachusetts was part of the Springfield DMA - which put the market under the 100 mark. But some years ago Berkshire County was reallocated to Albany.As I posted in posts above, many CBS affiliates simulcast 4 games simultaneously on their Digital subchannels! A quote from WRAL's website: ...WRAL is a Capitol Broadcasting Company Station - not CBS/Viacom O&O. They were one of the first off-air digital stations. WRAL's page noting their NCAA coverage can be found here (http://www.wral.com/news/2916410/detail.html). They do note on that page While multicasting, WRAL Digital will be unable to broadcast in high definition. They will have (up to) three games carried on WRAL-DT and a fourth (the one of most interest to locals) on WRAL analogue. If I watched basketball ... I'd probably want to have an HD feed - versus the multiple games. What do real fans think?!In other threads I have posted on other sites, stations that either multicast or provide all HD games are WTKR, WBZ, WCBS, WWJ, and KPHO.The Viacom stations group listing can be found here (http://www.paramountstations.com/). WBZ, WCBS and WWJ are CBS/Viacom O&O. I would expect some special situations for stations under the same corporate umbrella. This would be somewhat akin to the fact that CBS is uplinking two CBS-HD feeds on DirecTV ... and if you are in a market where there's a CBS O&O you will automatically get CBS-HD if you're a DirecTV subscriber. (Normally the local station would have to grant the waiver, etc. etc. etc.)

WTKR Hampden Roads (Norfolk) VA looks to be controlled by the New York Times ... and KPHO-TV is a Meredith station (sister station to WFSB). They must have worked something out with CBS ...

I'm not one for conspiracy theories, but am I the only one here that is beginning to feel like we are being used in an STB "compatibility experiment"?

Originally posted by PaulL
They're in network now and the distortion is apparent.Ayup - just flipped on the system and indeed I see it as described ... and the Samsung (off-air only) STB I was using does not allow any changes of the aspect setting. I watched for a while and it seemed to me the local breaks (ads and promos) were fine though. Others concur? (Not sure what the show was ... but the part I watched was where a guy had a food allergy problem in the restaurant ... got driven to the hospital ...)

RPM,
Thanks for confirming the aspect ratio problem while they are "in network".
----
Paul

Originally posted by dorran
I tuned into Suvivor last night with my OTA antenna and Samsung STB and the picture was fantastic, although it was in 4:3 format. We had people over and they couldn't believe the PQ on this supposed non-HDTV program.

My Samsung receiver said it was HD. Was it? Any monitoring going on by the tech guys? Thanks.

Dorran

The program "Survivor" is not an HD program, however WFSB passes along the CBS HD signal which will contain an up-converted 4:3 (within the 16:9 frame) picture of any SD material on CBS.

Your receiver said it was HD because the signal itself was 1080i.

Originally posted by bfogelstrom
That is the standard line they've been feeding us for months. The weather has been good enough to work in for over a month now - funny how WVIT and WTIC were able to work on their towers.

They just don't have any compelling reason to do the work.

Simply put, WFSB Sucks! Hey, that would be a great name for a thread....

The stations themselves do not do any tower work. That's done by specialized companies called "riggers". There are only a few of these companies around. From the sound of things, the same rigger company is working on WTIC, WVIT, and WFSB's towers. They can't work on three at once.

This is a tough room. Even when WFSB goes full power you'll still have something to complain about, judging from the reactions after WTIC and WVIT went online, some poeple on the forum simply blasting them to pieces after waiting for any signal at all... espcially WTIC.

Patience.. it will get better.

Originally posted by schmitter
Nope, it is on. WFSB is probably going to be the next one online, and two weeks ago I was told within the next two to three weeks. On the other hand I was led to believe that they would be online at the same time, and that obviously didn't happen, so I have my fingers crossed.

Schmitter

Schmitter,

Thanks for all the info. WVIT is up and running. I learn more from this thread than I do the Cox CO. I may not understand all the technical stuff involved with setting up antennas and OTA boxes and subchannels but just reading this thread last few months has really helped me learn alot. Thanks everyone who posts.

RPMcCormick,

Thanks for all the good info you post here. As far as the Hartford DMA is concerned, I know I recently saw somewhere that we had slipped from 27 to 28. I'll link later if I can find it.

"WRAL's page noting their NCAA coverage can be found here. They do note on that page While multicasting, WRAL Digital will be unable to broadcast in high definition. They will have (up to) three games carried on WRAL-DT and a fourth (the one of most interest to locals) on WRAL analogue. If I watched basketball ... I'd probably want to have an HD feed - versus the multiple games. What do real fans think?!"

I'm a real fan, and I'd take either. Ideally, when an HD game is on, I'd like to see the HD game on WFSB-DT. On the days when no HD games are on, I'd like to see the simulcasting done. Heck, if that's too hard I'd even take ONE additional SD game on the DT station that was different from the analog station.

If there is some legal reason they can't show more than one game, I'd love for them to tell us. If they could just answer an e-mail!

Ugh! Can you do anything with the images on 22.1, 22.2 and 22.3? On one of the STB I'm using (old Samsung, forgot the model) I have three aspect settings ... I'll have to see if/what it lets me do.

RPMcCormick,

On 22.1 and 22.2 I can't do anything with aspect ratio. Since it is 4:3 LG just locks into 4:3. On 22.3 I can change aspect ratio no problem.

This is a tough room. Even when WFSB goes full power you'll still have something to complain about, judging from the reactions after WTIC and WVIT went online, some poeple on the forum simply blasting them to pieces after waiting for any signal at all... espcially WTIC.
DDA - Easy for you to talk about patience, being in Bristol.

Originally posted by CKNA
On 22.1 and 22.2 I can't do anything with aspect ratio. Since it is 4:3 LG just locks into 4:3. On 22.3 I can change aspect ratio no problem. Tnx info. Yea, that's the same thing the 'ole Samsung klunker box does as well. I've been out at a meeting all day and have not had any time to research this further to see if its that flag being sent/set ... or whether just the default kind of behaviour. Will post more if I find out or figure out anything!

Originally posted by dda
The stations themselves do not do any tower work. That's done by specialized companies called "riggers". There are only a few of these companies around. From the sound of things, the same rigger company is working on WTIC, WVIT, and WFSB's towers. They can't work on three at once.Oh - and you need to add to the mix: there was also tower work being done the last few months up at WWLP as well!Patience.. it will get better. Indeed!:D

Paul. I fixed antenna. There were 2 elements to connect to the UHF side to the VHF side. They looked like they were where they belonged but I had to turn them and connect with the 2 extra wing nuts I had. I knew they had to be for something. Works great. WTXX popped right in 65% signal strength. Thanks for your help. I moved amp down on pole also while I was up there. Not touching this thing again for 20 years!

Ok, the NASCAR on Fox looked pretty darn good yesterday, but I have one question. Is the aspect ratio setting so that those with 4:3 tvs can enjoy sidebars like those of us with 16:9s?

Schmitter

Bravo-HD on Cablevision from Bridgeport feed, when ??..I know CAblevision has BravoHD in some areas of Fairfield County but no yet on the BRidgeport system..Any Ideas ????

WB-HD OTA from Waterburry, anyone getting it from the Bridgeport, Trumbull, Fairfield area ??

Thanks

Just a quick question for those who have their HD via antennas. Will you still continue with the antennas once the cable companies have all the same HD content and major stations as say Dish,Voom, or Direct TV? If so what are the pros or cons in keeping the antenna service going? Obviously once you buy all the equiptment it costs nothing to run the antenna part of it but, and excuse me if I'm wrong, if you can get the same content from your cable provider why have huge antennas and rotors and amps attached to your house. I havent seen anyones "hook-up" but it cant be very asthetic. Then again maybe I'm wrong.

Originally posted by mnky21
Just a quick question for those who have their HD via antennas. Will you still continue with the antennas once the cable companies have all the same HD content and major stations as say Dish,Voom, or Direct TV? If so what are the pros or cons in keeping the antenna service going? Obviously once you buy all the equiptment it costs nothing to run the antenna part of it but, and excuse me if I'm wrong, if you can get the same content from your cable provider why have huge antennas and rotors and amps attached to your house. I havent seen anyones "hook-up" but it cant be very asthetic. Then again maybe I'm wrong. This is a very good question!

A generation (or two?!) ago - when there really wasn't any cable TV - practically every house had an antenna. We've been spoiled by the coax (and to a lesser extent, satellite services). Alas, in some ways we've come full circle - with many people now having to resort to outside antennas, rotators, feedlines, etc. to enjoy the next generation in television.

In my mind - the answer to your query regarding staying with the antenna or going with the box - is really a technical one.

Let's say that a local broadcaster encodes its digital HD subchannel with a rate of 14.5 mbps (million bits per second). When you receive that station off air your TV or set top box receives information at that rate.

In general - the higher the rate the more information can be transmitted and the better the viewing experience. (Of course, I'm assuming that the source material and everything at the station is at least that level of quality. If you have a low quality source all the bandwidth in the world won't make it look any better!)

Cable companies who put the ATSC (off-air digital) signals on their systems don't necessarily have to do it at the same rate that it is being broadcast by the stations. If a cable operator chooses to only allocate 9.0 mbps to a station's cable presence - they would be re-encoding it at the lower rate - and in doing so, would be transmitting you less information (in this example almost a third less). Less information may mean degraded quality - as compared to the (original) off-air signal.

Although its really easy (especially with an ATSC tuner card in your computer) to determine what a station is broadcasting at ... its a lot more difficult to find out technical information from a cable operator about how their systems works. And: remember that with this new technology, both the broadcaster and cable operator can make adjustments - sometimes even almost on the fly.

Alas - maybe the best test - and therefore answer, is a subjective one. If you have an antenna and a box and can switch between the two ... you may be able to tell the difference (especially in a HD broadcast that has a lot of movement and picture changes).

Lastly - cable delivery of a broadcaster's signal may, especially for viewers in a station's fringe area, provide a lot more reliable (read: error free) signal.

Anyone else have any ideas?!

Originally posted by mnky21
Just a quick question for those who have their HD via antennas. Will you still continue with the antennas once the cable companies have all the same HD content and major stations as say Dish,Voom, or Direct TV? If so what are the pros or cons in keeping the antenna service going? Obviously once you buy all the equiptment it costs nothing to run the antenna part of it but, and excuse me if I'm wrong, if you can get the same content from your cable provider why have huge antennas and rotors and amps attached to your house. I havent seen anyones "hook-up" but it cant be very asthetic. Then again maybe I'm wrong.

Too bad I can't quote your tag line, but I'll be happy to tell you why.

#1, no cable here and never will be, which is true for many of us in rural America. #2, I have Dish with a HD reciever and I pay $10.00 a month for their HD content which right now is pitiful and actually not worth the $10. paid. Discovery HD, HD Net and special events is all you get for that $10.
#3, I also have Directv (for now), but no HDTV receiver, and I probably won't get one as their content is no better than Dish, and they are not offering any specials for current customers as Dish did for the receiver.

It will be a long time before Satellite companies have the transponder space to offer much more in HD. Voom, owned by the cable companies is trying, but it is pricey, doesn't offer all that much for the extra cash outlay, and to be truthful, might just not make the muster unless bought out by Dish or Directv.

#4, I'm retired and tv plays a big tune when you are very rural and have a lot of time on your hands. I plan on replacing my current 155" double boom antenna on a 5' mast with rotor which is on the side of my house, with a 40' telescoping mast, and adding a Channel Master 4228 8bay bow tie antenna on top of it all, and to heck with asthetics.

Originally posted by mnky21
Just a quick question for those who have their HD via antennas. Will you still continue with the antennas once the cable companies have all the same HD content and major stations as say Dish,Voom, or Direct TV? If so what are the pros or cons in keeping the antenna service going? Obviously once you buy all the equiptment it costs nothing to run the antenna part of it but, and excuse me if I'm wrong, if you can get the same content from your cable provider why have huge antennas and rotors and amps attached to your house. I havent seen anyones "hook-up" but it cant be very asthetic. Then again maybe I'm wrong.

I look forward to when the cable company has all of the locals in HD. Here is why.

1. In an ATSC format you can fit about 20somethign megabits in 6 Mhz, which is standard single channel width. I only know of Cox, but their HD channels are broadcast in 256 QUAM, which will hold about 38Mbps or up two 3 HD channels, all in HD. So I am not worried about the quality of the HD signal over cable.

2. Even on stations that I have excelent signal, I do periodically get interference from who knows what, and it only happens at the punchline to the joke, or anytime I really care about what I am watching. With cable, they generally get the feeds from fiber right from the station, or it is relayed from fiber to fiber through another cable company. Some HD content comes from a satelite, but the dish is HUGE, I think 50 feet across or something like that, so unless it is a BIG thunder and lightning storm, I don't see any dropouts. The other way they get signal is off air, but they use an antenna that is much better than I can fit in my yard, and it is on a tower, that I am pretty sure that my neighbors wouldn't like it if I put one up.

3. I can watch 200 some odd channels of cable and never rotate my antenna.

4. I cannot get some programing that I like off air. Discovery channel, for instance. I just can't go a week without watching Paul Sr. yelling at Paul Jr. over a motorcycle.

5. Local programing. Yes I know most people don't really watch it, but I like to catch the Town Hall meetings when I can. I don't feel like I need to be there, but I do like to watch and my Lazy Boy is a lot more comfortable than the wood benches at town hall. Satelite companies don't support my town like that. Cable in the classroom is another thing that cable companies do that satelite companies don't.

So untill I can get all of my locals on cable, I will continue to use the off air, at the same time I can't wait for the locals to be on cable.

Schmitter

Originally posted by mnky21
...for those who have their HD via antennas. Will you still continue with the antennas once the cable companies have all the same HD content and major stations as say Dish,Voom, or Direct TV? If so what are the pros or cons in keeping the antenna ... if you can get the same content from your cable provider why have huge antennas ...

I subscribe to Dish Network, and the Hartford/New Haven local channels began to be spot-beamed from a satellite down to all Connecticut counties (except Fairfield County) in December 2003. But I would never pay an on-going monthly fee of $5.99+tax for something that I can get for free over-the-air. To me, local TV is advertiser-supported, not viewer-supported.

I've also read in a forum of Dish Network subscribers (http://www.dbstalk.com) that Dish heavily compresses the signals of the locals that it re-transmits in order to fit all the local stations on the satellite transponder. This results in a picture that is worse than what I would get over-the-air and I'd be paying the satellite company for that inferior picture every month.

In addition, the local channels as delivered by satellite are digital, but not high definition. The CEO of Dish Network once said that, if all local TV channels were ever delivered in high definition via satellite, it wouldn't be in his lifetime because the technology won't allow it for the foreseeable future.

Cable TV subscribers don't necessarily escape inferior reception of local channels. From reading this thread I've learned that cable subscribers are often subject to the same pixelation and audio drop-outs on local digital channels as over-the-air antenna users. If the cable company receives the local digital signals off-air with an antenna at its head-end, it is just re-transmitting what it received off-air, "warts" and all.

Long before the digital broadcasting transition began, a local newspaper leaked a cable TV industry internal memo. Cable companies hoped that people would eventually forget that they could receive their local stations free via an antenna when the cable feed temporarily went down. The cable industry wanted the viewer's mindset to be that TV can only be had by having a coax connection to the nearest utility pole and by paying a monthly fee.

The unobtrusive over-the-air antenna that is attached to my dish allows me to get the locals for free, as they were intended to be, and with better picture quality than through satellite re-transmission.

Anyone else having a problem with WTNH-HD tonight? I'm receiving their SD OTA signal fine, but the digital signal is continually cutting in and out with no sound (but signal strength is 90%).

Originally posted by WHNB Nice post ... !!!
But I would never pay an on-going monthly fee of $5.99+tax for something that I can get for free over-the-air. To me, local TV is advertiser-supported, not viewer-supported.Whether satellite or cable ... often the benefit is the convenience of not having to have an external antenna, rotator, etc. Although many (the majority of?!) people live close-in to the cities and urban areas that stations broadcast to - not everyone does. In the rural areas satellite and cable helps greatly - bringing signals to viewers that may otherwise not be able to receive or receive reasonably well. Even if the signals are (excessively?!) compressed - those signals may be better than what could be received off-air. This also applies for those who may live in multiple dwelling units (big apartment buildings and the like) where personal antennas - other than the indoor type - are not practical. Cable has the market there, that's for sure. But I think you're closing comments are right: the mindset from cable is to get you to think cable is TV ...... Dish heavily compresses the signals of the locals that it re-transmits in order to fit all the local stations on the satellite transponder. This results in a picture that is worse than what I would get over-the-air and I'd be paying the satellite company for that inferior picture every month.Any time a satellite or cable provider provides you a digital signal encoded at a bit rate less than what the broadcaster originates it at you will likely have a loss of information. And that usually means a degraded viewing experience: more artifacts, etc.From reading this thread I've learned that cable subscribers are often subject to the same pixelation and audio drop-outs on local digital channels as over-the-air antenna users. If the cable company receives the local digital signals off-air with an antenna at its head-end, it is just re-transmitting what it received off-air, "warts" and all.If the hand-off from the broadcaster to the cable or satellite operator is not off-air then this should be a non-issue. Many broadcasters provide their signals directly to the cable plant via (cable) coax, fibre, telco circuits and even microwave (same type as studio to transmitter links). These signals should be forwarded along to subscribers in a form as good as the original, excepting any losses from lower bit rates on the final encoding to you (see above).

In those cases where the cable company (and even satellite providers) are receiving a station off-air ... they typically have a non-consumer infrastructure for this purpose. This would include a larger, higher gain directional antenna pointed at the station's transmitter, lower loss coax, higher gain / lower noise figure pre-amps, etc. etc. etc. If you have a local on your cable or satellite system that has pixelation and audio drop-outs ... I would suggest letting the station and cable / satellite operator know. Additionally - cable licenses are usually granted by some issuing authority. Letting that authority (commission, committee, etc.) know may also help. There's NO excuse for poor quality.The unobtrusive over-the-air antenna that is attached to my dish allows me to get the locals for free, as they were intended to be, and with better picture quality than through satellite re-transmission. That kind of antenna may work well in a metro area where local signals are strong - but for a more rural or remote environ it may not provide enough gain or be directional enough to receive satisfactory signals for all your local digital signals. As they say, YMMV ...

To me, cable and sat is all about quantity over quality. Until quality becomes a serious concern for the majority of viewers, we're going to need niche services like Voom to provide the full HD spectrum. I can't imagine nyone, having viewed HD, really would WANT to just watch SD instead.

-MP

Anyone else having a problem with WTNH-HD tonight? I'm receiving their SD OTA signal fine, but the digital signal is continually cutting in and out with no sound (but signal strength is 90%).

Yes, I had the same issue...88 and 89 signal, but no sound and picture was breaking up all over the place...too bad to, it looked pretty good when it was up.

The reason for the question of dish VS. cable is I'm putting a substantially large home theater on my home and if I was going to switch it would be during construction so all wiring and componenets could be built in. From the responses to my question, I think I will just stay with the cable (COX). We just got WVIT-HD this week and as Schmitter stated more locals are sure to follow. Once I receive all the local HD channels there would be no substantial reason to slap a huge cumbersome antenna on my brand new addition. Thanks everyone who sent a response to my question. More viewpoints would be appreciated as well.

Once my room is framed I'll come to you guys for the very best answers on what theater components are best. Really splurging before my wife realizes whats going on! HA-HA!

I suggest running extra lines. One for cable and a few more in case you ever decide to switch to satellite. Maybe there will be a special deal you can't pass up or cox will take a turn for the worse, who knows but since your building the new addition you might as well just install all the wiring you could ever need even if you don't use it now. You can just have a few face plates with 3 or 4 extra coaxes. The reason I would go with DirecTV Satellite is because the new HD DirecTiVo is coming out next month and will be able to record 2 things at once. It will have 2 OTA Tuners and 2 Satellite tuners. It will be able to record 200 hours of SD or 30 hours of HD and a combo of the two. It's going to be the best TiVo out there. TiVo doesn't make an HD Cable version and has no plans for it, also from what I have heard all the cable PVR's suck compared to the TiVo.

-Joe

Originally posted by JosephR
I suggest running extra lines.....-Joe

It is very hard to build a future proof setup. My recommendation is to make
an in-wall conduit (like a plastic pipe), that goes to your home theater from an easy accessable place (attic or basement, whatever the case).

This way, if you ever need to have extra wires COAX cable or anything else, you could easily "fish" them through.

Or do as Joe recommended and pull extra RG6 lines (just in case).
Max

Originally posted by JosephR
I suggest running extra lines. One for cable and a few more in case you ever decide to switch to satellite.I concur! Although coax isn't cheap - I usually go by the rule that the labor to pull four cables is the same as it is to pull one. And if you're working on new construction ... by all means, run extra!TiVo doesn't make an HD Cable version and has no plans for it, also from what I have heard all the cable PVR's suck compared to the TiVo.Although I don't have any personal experience with this unit I've seen some good reports. Problem is getting any LG box right now seems difficult. I'm looking at buying the LG tuner with 1080i DVD player.

LST-3410A HDTV Digital Video Recorder/Receiver (http://us.lge.com/Product/prodlist.do?action=tv&categoryId=010403)
Here's some of the attributes directly from the aforementioned link:
DVI with HDCP (HD-Video) Output
Digital Cable QAM Tuner (Unscrambled)
IEEE 1394 (DVHS, MV-CAM)
NTSC Tuner for Analog Reception
Over-the-Air HDTV Reception (ATSC)
Record: HD, 12.5 hours; SD, 62.5 hours; Analog, 120 hours
Replay, Pause, Slow Motion
Skip Forward, Replay
Smart Search
Thumbnail Playback, Drag and Play
Time Shift Record, Video Navigation
x300 FF and RWD
TV Guide On Screen? 8 Day Program Guide

We seem to be getting off topic here - let's get back to bashing the local broadcasters and cable companies here in Connecticut! :D

WFSB-DT Sucks!

Sorry for getting off topic but thanks everyone for the insight:o

Originally posted by bfogelstrom
We seem to be getting off topic here - let's get back to bashing the local broadcasters and cable companies here in Connecticut! :D

WFSB-DT Sucks!

Eastern CT Cable Sux! :)

It's too easy, I just can't resist:

Tele-Media Cable Sucks
The absolute worse cable company EVER!!!

Just a quick question for those who have their HD via antennas. Will you still continue with the antennas once the cable companies have all the same HD content and major stations as say Dish,Voom, or Direct TV? If so what are the pros or cons in keeping the antenna service going? Obviously once you buy all the equiptment it costs nothing to run the antenna part of it but, and excuse me if I'm wrong, if you can get the same content from your cable provider why have huge antennas and rotors and amps attached to your house. I havent seen anyones "hook-up" but it cant be very asthetic. Then again maybe I'm wrong.


__________________
After waiting for Charter to add more Hd besides HBO and DiscoveryHD the no money down option with Voom satellite was too good to pass up. I think there are about 30 HD channels now. They put up small stealth antenna which surprisingly enough wasn't bad. Picked up WTNH,WCTX and WVIT. I put up large Channel Master antenna and added WFSB,WTXX and WHPX. WTIC I think will come in, problem with reciever mapping it. As March madness is here I am ecstatic to get WFSB after reading all the horror stories. I remember being in Tweeter in Avon and the only thing they could get was WTNH and they are a lot closer to Hartford than I am. They said digital is impossible to get in CT with all the hills. Don't listen to salesmen. I think they were pushing Comcast at the time. You have to experiment. After watching ota for a week I would never go back to cable. Nice to have the freedom to get the channels I want with out having to worry about prices that keep going up. If Voom starts raising there rates as much as cable used to I might just stick with ota and rent DVD for movies. My picture on WFSB with antenna is better than when Charter gave it to us the weekend of the super bowl. Don't know if they compressed it or not.

What no one here has been talking about is the quality of non-HD channels from the two providers DBS/SAT/OTA vs Cable.

SD channels via cable are unwatchable to me on any TV larger than 42". Their picture quality is just plain awful. While the Sat companies are not perfect with their compression algorithms, they are at least watchable for the non-local SD channels. Local SD channels via SAT providers are also unwatchable to me on large sets because they are overcompressed. Lucky for me that I now get all locals OTA/HD so I don't have to watch the locals via SAT provider.

I have DirecTV and the locals on it are super compressed and very pixelated. At least it's not snowy like comcast was but I would really like to get an OTA setup eventually when I get my HD DirecTiVo and WFSB goes to High Power. I am in Old Saybrook now on the shore so I wouldn't be able to pick them up yet. I wonder if I could pick up any of the other stations down here.

-Joe

Originally posted by Such
What no one here has been talking about is the quality of non-HD channels from the two providers DBS/SAT/OTA vs Cable.

SD channels via cable are unwatchable to me on any TV larger than 42". Their picture quality is just plain awful. While the Sat companies are not perfect with their compression algorithms, they are at least watchable for the non-local SD channels. Local SD channels via SAT providers are also unwatchable to me on large sets because they are overcompressed. Lucky for me that I now get all locals OTA/HD so I don't have to watch the locals via SAT provider.

I don't have satellite locals, because in Western Mass we don't qualify for any. D* will be adding Springfield/Holyoke channels fairly soon though.


My picture on my 50" Toshiba is great on just about all of the Dish SD channels and super on the HD channels. the Toshiba does have a line doubler though and that's supposed to help with picture quality.

Wow dont know if any of you have checked yet but FOX 61 is now on comcast channel 861.

Ditto on 861 for Comcast. Doesn't seem to be HD though. Same PQ as what's on channel 6. We'll see, shouldn't be long til it's online.

It is very hard to build a future proof setup. My recommendation is to make an in-wall conduit (like a plastic pipe), that goes to your home theater from an easy accessable place (attic or basement, whatever the case).

This months issue of Home Theater I think has a nice article on doing this.

Well it is the High Res feed, it's just nothing is on right now for Fox Widescreen. I don't know if anything is in High Res tonight, so dont no if you will see anything. But it does like alittle better than a DVD.

Originally posted by fitsman
Yes, I had the same issue...88 and 89 signal, but no sound and picture was breaking up all over the place...too bad to, it looked pretty good when it was up.

Thanks for the info fitsman; relieved to get confirmation the problem was with WTNH and not on my end!

ralfy1, You must be getting a better feed or something, cuz I see no difference between the 2 channels.

Our encoder went on the fritz two days before we went to air. Thus March 1st if you remember we transmitted bars. March 2nd a loaner encoder arrived and we got our signal to air. Please bear with us, we are hounding the manufacturer of encoder to get it back so that we can transmit the signal as it should be.


n1ety :(

Patrickgillette, I didnt mean to say that it was better then the regular channel. I just ment that it was the Digital High Res channel, it does look as bad as the regular analog channel does. I just meant that when a show is on in High Res it will look better than DVD. Sorry if I confused you, did not want you to think that my picture looks great. Wednesday night they will have a couple of shows on that have the fox widescreen look. It doesnt look bad for regular shows but Nascar doesnt look as good, just not enough detail in the wide out shots.

Originally posted by n1ety
Our encoder went on the fritz two days before we went to air. Thus March 1st if you remember we transmitted bars. March 2nd a loaner encoder arrived and we got our signal to air. Please bear with us, we are hounding the manufacturer of encoder to get it back so that we can transmit the signal as it should be.


n1ety :(

Thanks for the update,
Schmitter

Originally posted by Such
What no one here has been talking about is the quality of non-HD channels from the two providers DBS/SAT/OTA vs Cable.

SD channels via cable are unwatchable to me on any TV larger than 42". Their picture quality is just plain awful. While the Sat companies are not perfect with their compression algorithms, they are at least watchable for the non-local SD channels. Local SD channels via SAT providers are also unwatchable to me on large sets because they are overcompressed. Lucky for me that I now get all locals OTA/HD so I don't have to watch the locals via SAT provider.

When you say SD, are you talking about Standard Definition Digital or analog converted to digital?

Any word on WTIC-HD/Widescreen being on Comcast in the Hartford area?

Wow when I see a post like "any word on WTIC being on Comcast in Hartford", it just seems so weird. How can a CT station be on in Springfield but not in it's on home state. It's almost like we are being taken care of more than CT residents.

Originally posted by n1ety
Our encoder went on the fritz two days before we went to air. Thus March 1st if you remember we transmitted bars. March 2nd a loaner encoder arrived and we got our signal to air. Please bear with us, we are hounding the manufacturer of encoder to get it back so that we can transmit the signal as it should be.


n1ety :(

Thanks for an update. We really appreciate this.

Such,

I agree that SD is unwatchable over 42". I have 80" x 60" and HD is great but SD on Comcast is awful. I'm thinking of investing in a scaler/doubler etc. Anyone have any experience they could share?

Paul

Anybody having trouble with WTIC tonight?. Signal is there but it wants to remap to channel 97 and there is nothing but blank screen.

I wouldn't say I'm having a problem with WTIC, but my receiver did have channel 97-0 mapped as a digital channel. But, I'm still able to receive WTICDT on both 31-1 and 61-1.

I was getting WTIC-DT on 61.1 on my receiver (Sony SAT-HD200), but it disappeared. It's now mapped on 31.2 and coming in fine on that channel.

WTIC disappeared on my set-top box (samsung 360) tonight. Usually remaps to 61-1. no longer there. It is still on my toshiba dst-3000 at 100%. Cannot get the channel in at all, even when I hook the antenna that was plugged in to the toshiba at 100%. Samsung is not recognizing it.

Originally posted by CKNA
Anybody having trouble with WTIC tonight?. Signal is there but it wants to remap to channel 97 and there is nothing but blank screen. Earlier today attempted to tune it in using a HiPix card. Got plenty of signal but couldn't decode anything. At home on a Samsung box I get an LED indicating an ATSC signal but it won't decode it.

I've used a PC as a line doubler - it has no effect on picture quality for a lousy cable signal (at least for me). Garbage in garbage out, regardless. I dumped cable and went to D*, no regrets. Though I can get all the CT HD channels OTA with my setup.

I am excited to report that I was able to recieve WVIT-DT last night in the valley from my powered RCA indoor antenna. I took a little repositioning but it was a solid signal with no dropouts. I was not able to get WTIC-DT last night. It seems from the posts that WTIC was having some issues last night so I will try again tonight.

Is it same to assume if I get WVIT-DT then I should be able to receive WTIC-DT?

Originally posted by RTracey
I was getting WTIC-DT on 61.1 on my receiver (Sony SAT-HD200), but it disappeared. It's now mapped on 31.2 and coming in fine on that channel.


Same here last night and Comcasts ch 861 was not properly dispaying for some reason.

I hear alot of talk of "pixelation" and "audio dropouts" from Dish and other forms of HD service. I have never witnessed this on any of the HD programming I have via COX. Even on WVIT-HD the newest local channel provided by them, Law & Order looks and sounds awesome. No problems. Just one of the reasons I'm leaning towards staying with cable rather than Dish or others.

Anyone know what's up with WTIC-DT this morning? I had been getting 100% since they launched, but today I get nothing on digital channel 31. Also, as a side note, WTIC-DT program guide info no longer appears on analog channel 5 on my receiver, but it does show up as analog channel 31, just as WVIT-DT's program guide shows up on analog channel 35.

Okay, now I'm getting a 100% signal from digital 31, but am getting nothing showing up on 31-1. When I do a local scan, I get nothing showing up, but I am still getting digital channel 97-0 showing up in my program guide. Any info on this would be appreciated. Thanks!

Isn't it ridiculous how involved all this stuff is? Especially OTA reception? Imagine your average Joe trying to by an HDTV and figure out how to get OTA reception. Aspect Ratios, streching, bars, 1080i, 720p, digital subchannels, channel mapping, rotors, amplifiers, drop outs, blah, blah, blah..... I read these forums all the time and still can't understand it all. Most people don't want TV reception to be a hobby. They want to plug stuff in, and watch TV.

After the consumer, the satellite companies seem to be the big loser in all of this. I love my DirecTV, but if someone I know is interested in HDTV, how can I recommend satellite to them? If they like to tinker than great, let them start on the Crusade to OTA Reception. They can do that, or they can call the cable company and have them come put in a box for $0 up front that will give them most of the HD programming worth watching that's available. Someone plugs it in, and it works (well, mostly). No antennas, rotors, amplifiers, channel searching, mapping, signal strength, yelling at WFSB, etc., etc, The satellite companies better find a way to deliver locals in HD before they miss out on all the people starting with HD.

I am having the same exact problem since last night. Was getting 100% now the channel is gone. Was mapped 61.1 and 31.2, I hope they fix it soon.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jake14mw
[B]Isn't it ridiculous how involved all this stuff is? Especially OTA reception? Imagine your average Joe trying to by an HDTV and figure out how to get OTA reception. Aspect Ratios, streching, bars, 1080i, 720p, digital subchannels, channel mapping, rotors, amplifiers, drop outs, blah, blah, blah..... I read these forums all the time and still can't understand it all. Most people don't want TV reception to be a hobby. They want to plug stuff in, and watch TV.



This guy must know me.

:D

What the hell is going on with WFSB??? Are they ever going to increase the power? :mad:

Quick questions: I've got Comcast and as others have noticed, they just added 861 (WTICD FOX 61) here in Western MA. Now I know that Fox isn't broadcasting HD stuff (yet) so does that mean all we get out of this channel is the widescreen (but non-HD) stuff? And how much of Fox's primetime schedule is in widescreen?

I am excited to report that I was able to recieve WVIT-DT last night in the valley from my powered RCA indoor antenna. I took a little repositioning but it was a solid signal with no dropouts. I was not able to get WTIC-DT last night. It seems from the posts that WTIC was having some issues last night so I will try again tonight.

Is it same to assume if I get WVIT-DT then I should be able to receive WTIC-DT?

WVIT Is broadcasting from the top of their tower. WTIC is about half way up there tower and not at full power. My WVIT signal is as strong as WTNH here in Bethlehem. You probably are going to need outdoor antenna to get WTIC until they put up permanent antenna next year. I cant't tell you how WTIC's signal is here as my receiver isn't tuning it. I should get it though as I get all the other CT stations. I have learned that height makes a big difference. Raising my antenna 5' let me get WFSB here. Signal isn't strong but it stays locked on steady with no dropouts or pixelations.

WTIC is back up here in Mansfield, I reset my box last night scanned a couple times and got it back. Hughes e86 with D*.

We added some additional PSIP hardware to our air chain and without many receivers at our disposal it was assumed that everything was alright day before yesterday since this equipment was supposed to be preconfigured by the manufacturere for our specific signal. Yesterday morning I read the many posts about our mis-assignment and verified this on the two receivers I have. We went to wortk yesterday and scoured through the many setup tables in PSIP generator and believe that we are now properly configured.
n1ety

Originally posted by n1ety
We added some additional PSIP hardware to our air chain and without many receivers at our disposal it was assumed that everything was alright day before yesterday since this equipment was supposed to be preconfigured by the manufacturere for our specific signal. Yesterday morning I read the many posts about our mis-assignment and verified this on the two receivers I have. We went to wortk yesterday and scoured through the many setup tables in PSIP generator and believe that we are now properly configured.
n1ety

Now if you can just get your guide data to match your channel remap life would be OK.

DirecTV guide data is showing up on my STB for channel 35, but your OTA digital signal remaps to 30-1, which shows no guide data. Please get with Tribune Media Services/DirecTV to get it working properly.

From the Engineer at WFSB:

------------
We asked and were given permission to show all the games coming out of Kansas City today on WFSB-DT. Kansas City is the only location doing all their games in HD.

Just a reminder, we are subject to network switching so you will see the "side panels" if CBS decides to do "look ins" to other games.
-------------

WFSB

Too bad nobody will be able to see it! :mad:


"Scottie...we need more power!"

Just sent a complimentary copy of "Digital Television Broadcasting for Dummies" to the brain surgeons at WFSB. Hopefully, they can read...:D

At 3:45PM on over-the-air WFSB-DT:

Channel 33-01 is showing NCAA Eastern Tenn. vs. Cincinnati - the standard definition picture is somewhat grainy.

Channel 33-02 is showing Eastern Washington vs. Oklahoma State in high definition.

You might want to look at that again, 3-2 is in SD, not HD. 3-1 is in HD.

I think it's the way my receiver re-maps the channel numbers. A few weeks back another forum poster commented on the FSB sub-channel that usually is intended for Springfield, MA as being stretched and up-converted. The subchannel that he was receiving that feed on was the opposite of the subchannel that I get that feed on (-1 vs. -2)

My receiver outputs digital Channel 3 on 33-01 and 33-02, with 33-01 being the WFSB Springfield feed in standard definition. Earlier this afternoon it was showing the game in low resolution and now that channel is showing "Judge Joe Brown."

On 33-02, I'm getting Eyewitness News with the black bars on each side. This is the channel that on my receiver shows CBS network programs in hi-def during primetime, and that was showing the game earlier in full-screen high-def (with blue-background side bars during look-ins on other games).

Originally posted by WHNB
I think it's the way my receiver re-maps the channel numbers. A few weeks back another forum poster commented on the FSB sub-channel that usually is intended for Springfield, MA as being stretched and up-converted. The subchannel that he was receiving that feed on was the opposite of the subchannel that I get that feed on (-1 vs. -2)

My receiver outputs digital Channel 3 on 33-01 and 33-02, with 33-01 being the WFSB Springfield feed in standard definition. Earlier this afternoon it was showing the game in low resolution and now that channel is showing "Judge Joe Brown."

On 33-02, I'm getting Eyewitness News with the black bars on each side. This is the channel that on my receiver shows CBS network programs in hi-def during primetime, and that was showing the game earlier in full-screen high-def (with blue-background side bars during look-ins on other games).

If you do not set the receiver to remap, 33-01 is the WSHM feed, and 33-02 is the WFSB HD feed. But, 33-01 remaps to 3-2 and 33-02 remaps to 3-1 if you set to remap channels.

Hey, COX subscribers (schmitter) Cox has added, as of today channel 3 (CBS) to the HD list. I imagine its permanantly. You called it first. Channel # 710 for you subscribers out there. Just in time for the what? The 2nd round?

My last post was about how I never saw any "pixelation". Boy am I seeing it now. Terrible at this point. Hopefully its just because they just started the feed. In any event, I'm glad we got another one. Hopefully FOX is next. MY wish will be coming true soon,all HD locals via cable provider. I cant wait.

Originally posted by PaulL
Pete,

I wonder why "duplexer" is in the spell checker, but "diplexer" isn't.
----
Paul

Duplexer is the common device used to share an antenna between a transmitter and a receiver on two different frequencies. Two way radio repeaters often use Duplexers. Diplexers are usually used to combine or split signals for a group of receivers or two transmitters. The visual and aural transmitters of an analog TV station are combined in a diplexer. In other words, a duplexer has signals going in both directions, the signals in a diplexer go in only one direction. Duplexers are used more often than diplexers. TV stations can share a transmit antenna using another type of diplexer usually called a combiner.

K2TR, Altamont, NY

I haven't visited AVS Forums for a while, so after reading this thread last night I was suprised that WVIT and WTIC is actually broadcasting.

I live in Wallingford and have been receiving WFSB with no problems for almost a year. I have a directional roof top antenna and can pull in Channel 22 out of Springfield with no problems. However, I get nothing from WVIT(Channel 35) or WTIC(Channel 31). These channels popped up on my Zenith SAT-520 a while ago, but I get absolutely no signal what so ever.

Any ideas??

I think it's the way my receiver re-maps the channel numbers. A few weeks back another forum poster commented on the FSB sub-channel that usually is intended for Springfield, MA as being stretched and up-converted. The subchannel that he was receiving that feed on was the opposite of the subchannel that I get that feed on (-1 vs. -2)

My receiver outputs digital Channel 3 on 33-01 and 33-02, with 33-01 being the WFSB Springfield feed in standard definition. Earlier this afternoon it was showing the game in low resolution and now that channel is showing "Judge Joe Brown."

On 33-02, I'm getting Eyewitness News with the black bars on each side. This is the channel that on my receiver shows CBS network programs in hi-def during primetime, and that was showing the game earlier in full-screen high-def (with blue-background side bars during look-ins on other games).


My Voom reciever also has the HD mapped as 3-2. 3-1 is the springfield feed for me but my guide doesn't show it that way. First night I had it I turned on 3-1 to watch something in HD and picture was terrible. Should of heard me complain. Was thinking I wasted a lot of money. Felt like an idiot after switching to 3-2 and seeing great picture. They don't make this stuff easy. Have to have a lot of patience.

Originally posted by n1ety
We added some additional PSIP hardware to our air chain and without many receivers at our disposal it was assumed that everything was alright day before yesterday since this equipment was supposed to be preconfigured by the manufacturere for our specific signal. Yesterday morning I read the many posts about our mis-assignment and verified this on the two receivers I have. We went to wortk yesterday and scoured through the many setup tables in PSIP generator and believe that we are now properly configured.Hi Dean: In the TVCT PID 0x1FFB you still have a channel 65535 ... not sure if that's desired or by design. The extended channel name encoded there is wrong: you've got WTIV-TV61. Attached is a screen shot of info recorded ~11:00 Sat 20 Mar 2004 and decoded with TSReader Lite.

Bob,

Re your post on WTIC "Hi Dean: In the TVCT PID 0x1FFB you still have a channel 65535 ... not sure if that's desired or by design. The extended channel name encoded there is wrong: you've got WTIV-TV61. Attached is a screen shot of info recorded ~11:00 Sat 20 Mar 2004 and decoded with TSReader Lite."

Outside of the typo, that TVCT entry seems to be normal for Thales PSIP installations, as if I remember right it allows for program guide information for the analog channel too. However I admit that I don't know that I have ever seen a combo receiver that actually read that data!

Andy

Originally posted by abater
Outside of the typo, that TVCT entry seems to be normal for Thales PSIP installations, as if I remember right it allows for program guide information for the analog channel too. However I admit that I don't know that I have ever seen a combo receiver that actually read that data!Hi Andy:
I think one of the boxes I had originally attempted to receive the WTIC-DT signal on required a manual entry; didn't know if it was due to that special (?!) channel number and the box choking on it. (I don't remember which tuner, possibly an older Samsung or Sony at a friend's house.) For quasi-comparison here's a similar TSReader screen shot of WWLP, which is a Thales setup (though an older one).

Bob,

Oh boy, now you have made me work! :-)

I looked up this usage in the ATSC A/69 PSIP Recommended Practice and the "special" 65535 channel number is in fact defined "for all analog channels." So consequently I believe all receivers should be able to tolerate it even if they don't use it.

Andy

Originally posted by abater
Oh boy, now you have made me work! :-)

I looked up this usage in the ATSC A/69 PSIP Recommended Practice and the "special" 65535 channel number is in fact defined "for all analog channels." So consequently I believe all receivers should be able to tolerate it even if they don't use it.I'm right on your heels! Ayup, found that document too and the notation of the special channel number. Looks like its setup right, too! Mentions should be the .0 for the analogue channel number. Cool feature for those stations who would be sending their program information: looks like the analogue channel's program guide could be sent and even separate from the digital channel(s).

As for the problem I had experienced - wouldn't doubt that its more related to an older, first generation STB. If I find the one I was having problems with I'll surely post back here!

Anyone else having this problem right now? I can hear golf, but get just a black screen.

*Note: It's good to see that the guide data is up on both WVIT-DT and WTIC-DT.

Originally posted by PatG25
... I get nothing from WVIT(Channel 35) or WTIC(Channel 31). These channels popped up on my Zenith SAT-520 a while ago, but I get absolutely no signal what so ever.

For at least the past two days I haven't been able to receive WVIT-DT (NBC) over-the-air. After selecting the channel on the remote I get a black screen over which the signal strength is superimposed. The signal strength jumps from 49% to 84% to 56% and then a dialogue box comes on reading "Off-air digital signal lost." Sometimes analog Channel 30 (30-00) will then come on the screen.

When it signed on the air during the first week in March, WVIT-DT had the strongest signal of all the locals (it peaked at 91% on my receiver). WTIC-DT (FOX) had the second highest over-the-air signal strength (89%).

Now both WVIT-DT and WTIC-DT won't always stay in my "digital channels" menu from day-to-day. The receiver can't seem to decide if WTIC should be 61-01 or 31-01; at times it lists both channel numbers but later they both disappear and analog Channel 61-00 may appear in their place. Sometimes just one or the other (31-01/61-01) is in the menu. WTIC-DT is currently coming in (on 31-01) at a high of 88%.

I don't have any picture on WVIT either, just a voice. Glad it isn't just me. With this new Voom reciever I never know if it is the reciever or not as they still have some bugs to work out. Is there any way to call WVIT and find out what is going on.

Same problem here in Mansfield.

There is definitely problem with WVIT-DT. Signal is there but no picture or sound.

It's not just OTA. The WVIT-DT feed on Comcast in West Hartford died during the golf tournament and at last check had not yet returned.

No WVIT-DT on Charter but OTA is coming in just fine. To be honest, I didn't check OTA yesterday when it went off on cable.

Originally posted by bfogelstrom
No WVIT-DT on Charter but OTA is coming in just fine. To be honest, I didn't check OTA yesterday when it went off on cable.

I have to enter WVIT-DT and WTIC-DT manually to pick them up with my
Sony HD-200. They are both in the favorite channels, but don't come in
unless I enter them manually.

No problems with WVIT-DT reception OTA northeast of Springfield on Sunday 21 Mar 2004. Using old klunker Samsung box at that!

Did anyone try to watch Tarzan in HD on WTNH Friday night? It was a total mess, constant audio and video dropouts, I checked the national thread, and no mention of this, so it must have been either Comcast or WTNH. Did anyone else notice this?

Would someone better able to sort through the FCC site be able to provide me with the following info or precise link:

1. What application and permit number, or letter gave WFSB the right to build and transmit on WFSB-DT?

2. What, if any, deadlines were promised or set in these permits? And, were these for low power or full power?

3. Where is there a CT map showing the DMA area for WFSB? It must be irregular, and although Fairfield etc are commonly known to be in NY's, precisely where are the lines for East, West, etc?

Below are a few tidbits from WFSB (CBS) including a rough ETA on going FULL POWER from the head engineer Victor Zarrilli.

On March Madness and the games they are broadcasting:

Just a head up

We asked and were given permission to show all the games coming out of Kansas City today on WFSB-DT. Kansas City is the only location doing all their games in HD.

Just a reminder, we are subject to network switching so you will see the "side panels" if CBS decides to do "look ins" to other games.

Enjoy

Victor


On an ETA for FULL POWER:

I can't give you a finite date but we are hoping that with 2-3 months, our conversion will be done

Victor

Too bad I had to have my Voom turned off for now... due to my locals not coming in (mostly WTIC (Fox) and WFSB (CBS)... I CAN get WVIT (NBC) and WTNH (ABC) 100%). I'm thinking by Summer I'll have a lot more options however.

Originally posted by afis
Would someone better able to sort through the FCC site...You're interested in the FCC's Media Bureau, Video Division (http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/)

The FCC maintains a whole sub-section related to ATSC - or DTV: http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/

There's no simple or short answer to some of your questions - you'd need to go back through the history of the whole conversion to digital television. The FCC and the US Congress worked together to come up with a mandate on a multi-year conversion scheme. In essence, every full power analogue NTSC broadcaster was given a digital channel allocation. Stations submitted applications for licenses which get reviewed by the FCC as well as possibly other broadcasters (in the event of interference concerns, etc.) The FCC eventually grants a construction permit - after which the broadcaster can actually start building the facilities. Of course, during that process it may be found there are issues with transmitter facilities (problems with towers, leases, whatever) - or other issues may occur.

In cases where the broadcaster is unable to built a facility that is to the FCC's original grant (including time frame) the FCC will issue upon request a DTV STA which provides the broadcaster the Special Temporary Authority to broadcast with less than authorized or requested facilities.

There is a scheme whereby broadcasters in the top 10 markets were required to get their DTV allocations on-air, followed by network affiliates in markets 11-30. The FCC has a list of the status of stations in those markets (which includes Hartford / New Haven) at this URL:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvstat11.html


It should be noted that WFSB filed a letter with the FCC indicating their intent to maximize their DTV facilities as required by the Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1999. Basically that ensures that even if a broadcaster is unable to get their full power DTV signal on the air the technical aspects of the license are maintained and protected.

For specific station information - you can always use the TVQ TV Database Query:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html


You can search by callsign ... click on any of the callsigns. Under each listing there are a number of CDBS links. One is Application List - all the file numbers and associated information is listed there. That should give you all the information - or pointers to the applications of interest. For DTV, look for service DT or DS and the earliest dated one and then work forward.

Rest assured, the FCC does not grant DTV extensions without a lot of paperwork and justification to back it up.

DMAs are established by Nielsen Media Research. Their home page is located here (http://www.nielsenmedia.com/).

On the Nielsen home page, under the Quick Links section, choose DMAs and click Go.

I'm not sure of any location of a free source of DMA boundary info. But if memory=correct, the boundaries are always on the county borders ... so it may be safe to assume that in CT, all counties in CT excepting Fairfield (which I assume belongs to the NYC DMA) are part of the Hartford / New Haven DMA. (If I'm wrong I'm sure one of the CT guys will pop in here and correct me!)

Originally posted by jake14mw
Did anyone try to watch Tarzan in HD on WTNH Friday night? It was a total mess, constant audio and video dropouts, I checked the national thread, and no mention of this, so it must have been either Comcast or WTNH. Did anyone else notice this?

If you're referring to Tarzan on SATURDAY night, I didn't watch the whole thing, but what I did see looked fine, although this was OTA, not cable. What you're describing sounds like an OTA problem WTNH had last Monday evening during the showing of The Green Mile.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick

...
There is a scheme whereby broadcasters in the top 10 markets were required to get their DTV allocations on-air, followed by network affiliates in markets 11-30. The FCC has a list of the status of stations in those markets (which includes Hartford / New Haven) at this URL:

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/dtvstat11.html

...


That is an interesting link. If I interpret things in there correctly, Hartford is one of only two markets in DMAs 11-30 that has a CBS station still not at full power:mad:

Ross,

Get back to work!! I can verify that the damn tarzan movie was okay as I was at his house TRYING TO WATCH THE UCONN GAME. He was playing with his remote.....again.

Originally posted by RTracey
If you're referring to Tarzan on SATURDAY night, I didn't watch the whole thing, but what I did see looked fine, although this was OTA, not cable. What you're describing sounds like an OTA problem WTNH had last Monday evening during the showing of The Green Mile.

Yes, Saturday, sorry. I was watching basketball, and during commercials, I would switch over and check it out. EVERY time I checked in, there were problems. Maybe it was Comcast and not WTNH.

On an ETA for FULL POWER:

quote:
I can't give you a finite date but we are hoping that with 2-3 months, our conversion will be done

Victor

Before it was the weather that was the excuse... Now it's the "conversion". So no Final Four or Masters this year.

WFSB-DT SUCKS A$$!!!!

Originally posted by RPMcCormick


Of course, during that process it may be found there are issues with transmitter facilities (problems with towers, leases, whatever) - or other issues may occur.


RPM, would you comment on this:

I watch Channel 22 OTA with a Dish 811 receiver. On my wide screen, if I watch in DVI mode I can stretch the picture to fill the screen.

I have a distribution amplifier that pushes the RF signal through the house to other tvs.

When my wide screen is not in DVI mode, the picture appears (as it does all the time on my other tvs) with black bars on the sides and also on the top and bottom. On the top of the picture there is a 1/8" stream of some information. The picture on the remote TVs (non-hd) always have this "letterbox".

Ok, so I also get WCBS NY via Dish Satellite.

When I watch the noon news (non-hd), I have gray bars on each side of the picture (on all TVs), but full picture from top to bottom. At 12:30 they switch to a HD program, and all sets get a full picture side to side with black bars on top and bottom. If I put the wide-screen in DVI mode I get a full HD screen.

I don't have this "info" stream from WCBS. Any idea why the two stations transmissions would be different? Is it because one is coming via satellite maybe?

Dave

Anyone having reception problems with WCTX-DT? I am getting zero signal in my usual WCTX antenna location. I'm getting it at a lower strength with frequent dropouts about 100 degrees from the usual antenna location.

quote:

____________________________________________________________
Before it was the weather that was the excuse...

bfogelstrom
____________________________________________________________

no, no, wasn't the excuse before that "we will not give ourselves money for a needed part" (WFSB claiming Meredith would not authorize an expense) Or, was that the excuse two times ago? It's all so confusing. I await the classic homework excuse updated for digital "my dog ate the transmitter."

RPMcCormick --

Thanks for the informative reply. I will do some digging in an effort to identify public responsibilities met and unmet.

Originally posted by AreBee
Anyone having reception problems with WCTX-DT? I am getting zero signal in my usual WCTX antenna location. I'm getting it at a lower strength with frequent dropouts about 100 degrees from the usual antenna location.

No problems here....

Why do I have green vertical lines and a blue horizontal line on the signal from WVIT on Las Vegas? Suggestions?

Dorran

dorran,

I had the lines too, I gave up after about 10 minutes and did not check again as it is 10:30 pm.

scottte

was the audio a little messed up last night on CSI? I sounded a little choppy to me.

Lines eventually went away on WVIT during Las Vagas, not sure when.

Yes, audio problems for WFSB-DT have been there for a couple weeks, was wondering when someone was going to complain. Not that they would listen anyway.

Heard from WFSB today, the audio problems are with their NY network feed, they are working on it today. Still no progress on the DD5.1 for CBS.

Anyone here from the Waterbury area? I just hooked up a radio shack indoor antenna and I can pull in WVIT, WTNH and I get a weak signal from fox. Those are the only channels I can get right now, I have to play with the antenna a little more to see what else I can pick up.

Yesterday evening for the first time, I received both WVIT and WTIC in DT.
The signal was around 60-70%. NBC was perfect!!! Tonight...nothing..zero!
Both signals are non-existent.
What is the deal with these stations? Are they not up and running full time yet? Are they still testing their systems? I live in Tolland and I receive WTNH-DT ABC just fine.

I live in Prospect, and from day one, I've received both WVIT-DT and WTIC-DT both at 100%. I've heard things about certain locations having poor, or erratic reception of both of these stations due to some sort of interference. I don't know much about it, just something I heard.

Originally posted by Dav_Or
You've got a Dish 811 receiver (not familiar with Echostar boxes). It has a DVI output that's connected to your HD wide screen monitor/TV. The Dish 811 also has an RF output, which you've got connected to an amp that distributes RF level (channel 3 or 4 I assume?) to other televisions.

When my wide screen is not in DVI mode ... does that mean you're watching the output of your Dish 811 receiver via an RF hookup on the HD monitor? I'm going to guess this is the case, based on this: The picture on the remote TVs (non-hd) always have this "letterbox".

Side thought: for quality of video, I think I'd work in this order, from best to worst, with the first two really equal: DVI, Component (Y Pb Pr), S-video (mini-din), composite (yellow RCA), RF (F-connector)

On the top of the picture there is a 1/8" stream of some information.The top few (quite a few, actually) scan lines of a standard NTSC video signal contains a lot of information, including closed captioning and other info. You see, on a normal TV, you don't really get to see some number of top and bottom scan lines as well as some information to the left and right of the picture. The actual amount of information lost actually may vary with each individual TV ... and broadcasters use rectangular boxes called safe title and safe action areas that help ensure that what is of primary interest is seen on all sets.

Way back machine: remember when televisions had horizontal and vertical controls on the front of the set? If you can still find one - tune in a standard NTSC signal, and cause the picture to roll down a bit. As you do this - you should see these very same top scan lines! Just roll the picture down a few inches.

When you're working with computers - there's no loss of scan lines or pixels on the left and right of each line. You see it all. So when I take an NTSC signal at home and digitize it with my computer, for editing in something like Adobe Premier, etc. - I too actually see a few lines at the top of the picture with movement - but clearly nothing in relation to the rest of the video. My computer displays ALL the scan lines ... and I expect that what you are describing is very similar.

For folks with Disk 811 or similar boxes: do all these STB always display all the scan lines for OTA ATSC stations? I'm wondering if there's any difference between reception of these formats: 1080i 16:9, 720p 16:9, 720i 4:3, 704i 4:3. This may be just the way the programmers who implemented the code in that specific box.

It may also have something to do with the fact on how it works with the satellite signals. Echostar (Dish) uses pretty much a standard MPEG transport stream, following most of today's standards. (OTOH DirecTV, which is older, has some of its own proprietary quirks.)

Mentioning that When I watch the noon news (non-hd), I have gray bars on each side of the picture (on all TVs), but full picture from top to bottom. I'm assuming here that you're watching someone off the satellite? (Our noon news is 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM.) It is very possible that when the signal is being encoded for uplink on the satellite they are stripping the scan lines that have non-visible information - essentially re-encoding it as a computer-like signal for their service. I'd think pretty impossible to tell unless we could receive the signal from its original source as well as the satellite feed, to compare.

At 12:30 they switch to a HD program, and all sets get a full picture side to side with black bars on top and bottom. If I put the wide-screen in DVI mode I get a full HD screen. And this makes sense, too. When the down feed is a true 16:9 format program - the DVI (and I'd guess Component, like Y Pb Pr) output would have the full resolution and aspect information. But the STB built-in RF modulator is really just a little NTSC TV transmitter. It can't do anything but 4:3 format and at low resolutions ... so internal to the box it has to fit the 16:9 image to the width of your 4:3 viewing area. To do that without causing distortion it uses the full width of the screen and has to fill the top and bottom, with black or whatever. If you take a ruler out and measure the height and width of that letter-boxed image on your 4:3 TV you'll see (sic) that its probably very close to a 16:9 ratio!

I hope this helps - its my best guesses based on your description. Unfortunately the new ATSC formats actually support tons of different configuration; no two stations need to really do it the same - the set top boxes take care of everything! And as you may expect, various manufacturers of boxes may handle things differently as well, depending on their capabilities (electrical and optical outputs, features, and even box generation).

My audio during the Monday night channel 3 lineup (Yes Dear, Still Standing,CSI) was extremely choppy. Not unwatchable but noticeable. Is that a COX problem or Channel 3s' problem?

Originally posted by mnky21
My audio during the Monday night channel 3 lineup (Yes Dear, Still Standing,CSI) was extremely choppy. Not unwatchable but noticeable. Is that a COX problem or Channel 3s' problem?

It wasn't just Cox. It was that way on Comcast too, so it had to be a WFSB problem. You must have higher tolerance than I do. In choosing between the choppy audio and HD picture or clean audio and (relatively crappy even for SD) SD picture, I had to watch CSI on the SD channel 3.

Seemed to me that WFSB fixed the audio problem last night. I didn't notice any problems (though I didn't watch anything for any length of time) last night OTA.

WFSB sound is ok now, WVIT the sync is off.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
You've got a Dish 811 receiver (not familiar with Echostar boxes). It has a DVI output that's connected to your HD wide screen monitor/TV. The Dish 811 also has an RF output, which you've got connected to an amp that distributes RF level (channel 3 or 4 I assume?) to other televisions.

********* That's right

When my wide screen is not in DVI mode ... does that mean you're watching the output of your Dish 811 receiver via an RF hookup on the HD monitor? I'm going to guess this is the case, based on this: The picture on the remote TVs (non-hd) always have this "letterbox".

Side thought: for quality of video, I think I'd work in this order, from best to worst, with the first two really equal: DVI, Component (Y Pb Pr), S-video (mini-din), composite (yellow RCA), RF (F-connector)

******* The wide screen is always in DVI component or S-video. The receiver is set to 16:9 1080i. Satellite programs in SD fill the screen on the wide screen and on the extra tvs using the RF distribution amp.

******It's just Channel 22 that is different. My only OTA for now. When a progam is in SD, on the wide-screen from 22, if I set the TV to DVI mode whether SD or HD, I can make it fit the screen. The additional tvs have a letterbox when SD, top & bottom black lines when the program is HD. I only see the streaming line when in SD. In HD there is not info stream on the wide-screen or the other tvs.



For folks with Disk 811 or similar boxes: do all these STB always display all the scan lines for OTA ATSC stations? I'm wondering if there's any difference between reception of these formats: 1080i 16:9, 720p 16:9, 720i 4:3, 704i 4:3. This may be just the way the programmers who implemented the code in that specific box.


****** That I'll have to check. I leave it set to 1080i 16:9.

It may also have something to do with the fact on how it works with the satellite signals. Echostar (Dish) uses pretty much a standard MPEG transport stream, following most of today's standards. (OTOH DirecTV, which is older, has some of its own proprietary quirks.)


******** I also have DirecTV, but only SD. The screen is filled on all tvs with no problem.

Mentioning that When I watch the noon news (non-hd), I have gray bars on each side of the picture (on all TVs), but full picture from top to bottom. I'm assuming here that you're watching someone off the satellite? (Our noon news is 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM.)

********* No, I watch Channel 22 OTA at noon, but only until 12:30 as they tend to repeat a lot. On my extra tvs, I have a full letterbox, and the same on the wide-screen unless I put it in DVI mode. No gray bars at all.




I hope this helps - its my best guesses based on your description. Unfortunately the new ATSC formats actually support tons of different configuration; no two stations need to really do it the same - the set top boxes take care of everything! And as you may expect, various manufacturers of boxes may handle things differently as well, depending on their capabilities (electrical and optical outputs, features, and even box generation).

********** Yes, I think it has a lot to do with the Dish box. I'll have to try setting it in different modes (when the wife is not watching..) and report what I find.

Thanks for the information packed reply!

Dave

Once and a while I've seen those partial moving scan lines with my 811, once on the top of WTNH-DT's picture when it was framed by the black side bars. Are those top scan lines also called the "tracking bar"?

There also seems to be an imperfection in the way that the 811 outputs a picture whenever a local digital or a true high definition channel like DiscoveryHD or HDNet is displayed. The picture will never extend to the bottom right corner of the TV screen. There is always a thin, somewhat curved black line in this spot on the screen that is not there when an analog local or a standard definition national channel like Turner Classic Movies is being viewed.

If I were to select the "Gray Bars" format while tuned to a true HD channel to center the picture between two gray sidebars (as a test), that curved black area follows the picture to where it is now centered.

When a local station is showing black sidebars, the 811 displays the bars as bending or bowing outward at their middle. The bars are not perfectly straight up and down.

... the new ATSC formats actually support tons of different configuration; no two stations need to really do it the same - the set top boxes take care of everything!

Shortly after becoming a satellite subscriber in 2001, I sent Dish tech support an e-mail asking why it took several seconds or even longer for an OTA local digital channel to come on the screen after I selected it on the remote. This aspect was not channel-surfer friendly.

A tech replied that during that period of black screen, the receiver was not only determining if the local channel's signal was strong enough to lock onto, but also determining which way the station was transmitting the digital signal. Apparently there are 18 different ways that a digital signal can be sent, and they allow for varying degrees of resolution, picture formatting, etc. Maybe some future generation of set-top box will access the local digitals instantaneously.

Originally posted by WHNB

There also seems to be an imperfection in the way that the 811 outputs a picture whenever a local digital or a true high definition channel like DiscoveryHD or HDNet is displayed. The picture will never extend to the bottom right corner of the TV screen. There is always a thin, somewhat curved black line in this spot on the screen that is not there when an analog local or a standard definition national channel like Turner Classic Movies is being viewed.

If I were to select the "Gray Bars" format while tuned to a true HD channel to center the picture between two gray sidebars (as a test), that curved black area follows the picture to where it is now centered.

When a local station is showing black sidebars, the 811 displays the bars as bending or bowing outward at their middle. The bars are not perfectly straight up and down.



I have no "bending" with any format using my 811 receiver. Sounds like it might be a screen convergence problem/adjustment with the tv.

Have you checked it with an Avia calibration disc?

Scottte, I made the move and now am a Samsung dlp owner. I picked up also a Samsung OTA hd receiver and was able to view Wctx on 59-1 on 03-22 without any problems. Since then I can't pick up Wctx no matter how I adjust my attic attenna. How is your reception been in the last couple of days? Any information would be appreciated. I still may go with Cablevision depending on how the OTA thing goes.

It's just Channel 22 that is different. My only OTA for now. When a progam is in SD, on the wide-screen from 22, if I set the TV to DVI mode whether SD or HD, I can make it fit the screen. The additional tvs have a letterbox when SD, top & bottom black lines when the program is HD. I only see the streaming line when in SD. In HD there is not info stream on the wide-screen or the other tvs.When WWLP has SD 4:3 format programming what you see in 22.3 is the upconverted SD NTSC signal in a 16:9 format 1080i transmission. Since the 16:9 format is 1/3 wider than SD 4:3, the SD video should be centred with equal sized black boxes left and right. The video should fill the screen top-to-bottom.

I looked on a couple of STB at the WWLP-DT 22.3 video when its got non-HD programming and I didn't see those first few scan lines at the top of the picture; I'm wondering if its the implementation of that (model?) Dish box.

Would be interested in the following observations:

- on 22.3 is there any difference between locally originated programming (like news) versus non-HD NBC programming

- does anyone else who has the Dish 811 box see these (kind of distracting) moving lines on the top of WWLP-DT 22.3 or any other station's HD channel when watching upconverted SD material?

- anyone else have a different STB that has similar results?

Originally posted by WHNB
Once and a while I've seen those partial moving scan lines with my 811, once on the top of WTNH-DT's picture when it was framed by the black side bars. Are those top scan lines also called the "tracking bar"?Sorry, have not heard the term tracking bar before. Quick primer on video:

As you are probably aware, NTSC video is 525 scan lines per frame and 30 frames per second (actually, 29.97 fps to be exact). (Where as PAL and SECAM - a traditional format used by most of the rest of the world - have a bit better resolution running at 625 lines and 25 frames per second.)

Analogue video is interlaced. That means every frame is actually transmitted as two fields. First all the odd scan lines are transmitted: 1 - 3 - 5 - 7 - 9 - 11 - etc. and once the bottom is reached the second field is transmitted: 2 - 4 - 6 - 8 - 10 - and so on.

In our NTSC standard in the top 20 lines of each field are reserved for control information, e.g., something other than video. When watching a properly setup NTSC TV you won't see these lines ...

So the real number of lines you can see on an NTSC based set is:

525 total lines - (20 reserved lines * 2 fields) = 485 viewable lines

Now you may feel that you're being ripped off - but consider that the normal consumer NTSC television really has a viewable resolution less than 400 lines - some down in the low 300's. That's actually lower than some of the better consumer playback devices, including S-VHS and video disc's. (We won't discuss VHS tape!)

As we move towards digital concepts for video standards, we talk numbers more like what you'd note for your computer: pixel resolutions. The CCIR (Consultative Committee for International Radio) standard CCIR 601 defines NTSC video as 720 x 480 ... where that 480 is the number of scan or horizontal lines - each line made up of 720 pixels (or dots).

Fast forward to the ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) digital television standard (approved by the FCC in 1995). Here's a couple of the formats your home STB would be supporting:

1080i = 1,080 lines X 1,920 pixels per line 19:6 format interlaced
720p = 720 lines X 1,280 pixels per line 16:9 format progressive
480i = 480 lines X 704 pixels 4:3 format interlaced

Since I have not mentioned it, the difference between interlaced, as explained above, and progressive: in a progressive system the scan lines are transmitted progressively, i.e., 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11 and so on.

The discussion that started in this part of the thread had to do with seeing lines on the top of SD programming. I'm not sure if this may be an occasional artifact in the way that the STB takes the first 40 or so scan lines and displays them or not - or the way the SD format material, either 525 lines, 485 lines or even 480 lines, are being upconverted into one of the HD formats.

When you typically digitize NTSC video into a computer ... you end up seeing those top scan lines. If I play back a video I digitized at home off an old Hi-8 Sony camera on my computer - I see those lines. But if I burn that video to a DVD and play it back on my TV I don't see them. (They are pretty easy to mask out in a computer editing program.) It all has to do with whether the first 40 or so scan lines are considered control info or real video!A tech replied that during that period of black screen, the receiver was not only determining if the local channel's signal was strong enough to lock onto, but also determining which way the station was transmitting the digital signal. Apparently there are 18 different ways that a digital signal can be sent, and they allow for varying degrees of resolution, picture formatting, etc. Maybe some future generation of set-top box will access the local digitals instantaneously. Black ... yea, that's the last thing you want to see on your TV! I guess if I was designing a box - I would at least have it display something, a still frame from what you were previously watching ... or even crazier: buffer some number of seconds of a video stream and play that back out of a buffer whilst the newly selected signal was being acquired.

Locking on to a digital signal, especially if you've got a decent quality signal, should not be much effort. Decoding it takes a tad longer, as the box has to receive certain packets that are periodically sent in the digital stations 19.39 mbps computer data stream. (We're still talking hundreds of ms, or fractions of seconds here.) Certainly as the code in these boxes is further perfected along with the increasing performance of the hardware you should see better results - I hope!

Originally posted by Mickeymann
Scottte, I made the move and now am a Samsung dlp owner. I picked up also a Samsung OTA hd receiver and was able to view Wctx on 59-1 on 03-22 without any problems. Since then I can't pick up Wctx no matter how I adjust my attic attenna. How is your reception been in the last couple of days? Any information would be appreciated. I still may go with Cablevision depending on how the OTA thing goes.

Mickeymann,

I dont remember if you ever stated your exact location but as for myself, I am about 2 miles inland from Anchor Beach in the Woodmont section. I have my Channel Master 4228 on a single story roof about 2 feet above roof line with a CM 7777 amp and I am now getting CBS from NY and FOX from NY along with WVIT from Hartford, ABC from New Haven, PBS from Bridgeport and Long Island. I cannot get the WB from Waterbury no matter what I do and WTIC from Hartford is flaky for me. If I raise my antenna a few feet that may make the difference but whats the point since I get FOX from NYC and they are not even full power yet!! When they finish the combiner on the Empire State Building this spring or summer I wil certaintly get all the NYC channels as they will be coming off the top of the ESB at full power!!!!

After all is said and done, we are actually in a great location here on the shorline between Bridgeport and New Haven cashing in on the NYC and CT channels. Within the year, when everyone is full power from their max height, we should be OK. I am cautiously optimistic about the OTA here for the next year to get even better and how can I complain now as I get the 4 majors OTA now. I am now just waiting for D* to get going with the HD as I am sick to my stomach to see what Cablevision is able to offer!! I am locked into a discount commitment with D* until December 2004, if no more HD by then, bye-bye to D* for me and will get IO from cablevision and pick up an OTA receiver as I can pull in more than they can offer and I think the quality for OTA is still better than what cable companies put through.

In summary here, you have to get an antenna on the roof with an amp if you want OTA here as you are not close enough to most signals in NYC or CT. I tried in stages myself like you and had to get the antenna on roof, with amp, and oh yeah, a rotor is obviously an absolute must!!! On different days depending on atmospheric conditions, a channel may need to have antenna tweaked a few degrees or more to get reception. Good luck and PM if you have any more questions!

scottte

Does anyone know if the UCONN Sweet Sixteen game tonight will be broadcast in HD OTA on WFSB?

Dorran

No HD for game tonight.

We also have a low tolerance for WFSB HD audio/video drop outs and watch mostly their SD channel. It may not look great but at least you don't miss any of the dialog. I'm hoping that when they go full power the Comcast signal will get better too. It's unfortunate for us that most of our favorite shows are CBS.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
When WWLP has SD 4:3 format programming what you see in 22.3 is the upconverted SD NTSC signal in a 16:9 format 1080i transmission. Since the 16:9 format is 1/3 wider than SD 4:3, the SD video should be centred with equal sized black boxes left and right. The video should fill the screen top-to-bottom.

I looked on a couple of STB at the WWLP-DT 22.3 video when its got non-HD programming and I didn't see those first few scan lines at the top of the picture; I'm wondering if its the implementation of that (model?) Dish box.

Would be interested in the following observations:

- on 22.3 is there any difference between locally originated programming (like news) versus non-HD NBC programming

- does anyone else who has the Dish 811 box see these (kind of distracting) moving lines on the top of WWLP-DT 22.3 or any other station's HD channel when watching upconverted SD material?

- anyone else have a different STB that has similar results?

Ok, did some testing with the 811 and also my Toshiba wide-screen.

I tried the 811 in 4:3 mode (#1 & #2) and the picture was the same. About an inch of black all around the picture with the scan lines on top.

I changed to 720p instead of 1080i and saw the same screen.

Then I started playing with the Toshiba. Viewing modes are 0-natural which gives a letterbox picture (black 1" all around) with scan lines on top and gray bars on the side.

Then 1-Theater wide 1 which gives black all around, scan lines on the top.

2-Theater wide 2 which gives black bars on the side and an elongated (up/down) picture that gets most of the picture, but cuts some off.

3-Theatere wide 3 which gives narrow black top & bottom with scan lines and wider black lines on the side.

4-Full, which is the pretty much the same as Theater wide 1.

So, if I leave it in #2 mode I have a full pic top to bottom no scan lines. Gets most of the picture so I guess that's where I'll leave it.

Dave

Originally posted by Dav_Or
Ok, did some testing with the 811 and also my Toshiba wide-screen.

I tried the 811 in 4:3 mode (#1 & #2) and the picture was the same. About an inch of black all around the picture with the scan lines on top.

I changed to 720p instead of 1080i and saw the same screen.

Then I started playing with the Toshiba. ...(snip)Hmmm ... you know, based on the industry knowing how difficult it was for folks to years ago program a VCR ... you think they'd take some extra effort to make setting up all this gear simple. Oh well ...

From what you describe - it really sounds like the Toshiba is doing fine, that it is the output of that Dish 811 box. I'd guess the box is outputting those top scan lines ... and some of those modes in the Toshiba are "framing" (my phrase) that video in different ways ... some minimizing the nuisance at the top!

If you've got another TV with s-video that you can feed the output of the 811 box to - wonder what that looks like!

Originally posted by RPMcCormick

If you've got another TV with s-video that you can feed the output of the 811 box to - wonder what that looks like!

I don't have another with S-video.

I think that the problem may go away when I switch to DirecTV this summer when locals finally arrive.

Their box has better reviews at OTA from what I can see. hughes HD-HTL or Samsung SIRT-360.

Scottte, I made the move and now am a Samsung dlp owner. I picked up also a Samsung OTA hd receiver and was able to view Wctx on 59-1 on 03-22 without any problems. Since then I can't pick up Wctx no matter how I adjust my attic attenna. How is your reception been in the last couple of days? Any information would be appreciated. I still may go with Cablevision depending on how the OTA thing goes.

I live in Bethlehem which is near Litchfield area. I hooked up samsung ota hd reciever yesterday as I am having problems with my Voom receiver and ota. I was shocked to get WCBS,WNYW,WWOR and WLIW from New York. I have a Channel Master3671 antenna and a Channel Master7777 preamp. It is about 18' above roof line on single story house. I think height is important. I get all CT stations here which are 20 miles away to towers. NY towers on Empire State Building are 75 miles away. I like the freedom of the ota signal and won't go back to cable even when they get all the locals. Also don't have to worry about the cable company compressing signal. WLIW shows the PBSHD channel and picture was awesome, as good as DiscoveryHD. When Ny stations go full power I should get them all which will give me options in case CT stations preempt programing. Don't know if this helps you at all but that is what I have learned so far. Go as high as you can and use good low noise preamp.

Well, its up. Installed the Square shooter and CM7777. Can pick up WTIC, WVIT, WHPX (strange as that is about 180 degrees from where I pointed the ant and WCTX. All stations are registering 61-75% on the 6000u. For some reason I can't get WTNHDT to even register on 6000u. Are they off line? WTNH analog I get fine.

Rich:

Glad to hear the antenna's working for you. Your're picking up WHPX because the WHPX antenna is basically in your backyard. Re WTNH, according to the spec sheet, the Square Shooter has less than 3 dB gain on channel 10. Which direction do you have the antenna pointed? If you have it pointed at Rattlesnake/Avon Mtns you're probably lucky that you're even getting WTNH analog. WTNH-DT is currently on air (90% signal strength down here, but I've got a dedicated channel 10 yagi pointing at it).

Good luck, now get back to work! ;-)

Ross

Thanx, ross,

I understand about wtnh but if I can receive wctx (same location) I should be able to receive wtnh. I could at least with the Silver Sensor.

Perhaps, but the gain on the Square Shooter is anywhere from 12-16 dB in the UHF band; that's quite a difference from 2.6 dB for channel 10. I don't know anything about the Silver Sensor, so I don't know why that would have worked vs. the Square Shooter.

Originally posted by Pmalve
I live in Bethlehem which is near Litchfield area. I hooked up samsung ota hd receiver yesterday as I am having problems with my Voom receiver and ota. I was shocked to get WCBS,WNYW,WWOR and WLIW from New York. I have a Channel Master3671 antenna and a Channel Master7777 preamp. It is about 18' above roof line on single story house. I think height is important. I get all CT stations here which are 20 miles away to towers. NY towers on Empire State Building are 75 miles away. I like the freedom of the ota signal and won't go back to cable even when they get all the locals. Also don't have to worry about the cable company compressing signal. WLIW shows the PBSHD channel and picture was awesome, as good as DiscoveryHD. When Ny stations go full power I should get them all which will give me options in case CT stations preempt programing. Don't know if this helps you at all but that is what I have learned so far. Go as high as you can and use good low noise preamp.


Pmalve, I am curious as to which Samsung HD receiver you picked up. I picked up the Samsung 151 for under a hundred dollars at BB. Due to it's cheap price I decided to experiment and found the quality of OTA of PBS WEDW to be awesome! It is apparent to me now that I do indeed need to get a roof top antenna with a rotor. The quality of the OTA signals are obviously much better than a compressed/ uncompressed signal and the ability to obtain both CT and NY OTA is apparently worth it's weigh in gold! I just hope for my neighbors sake that my antenna does have to be too high. I'm starting not to really care what they think after seeing such a great picture on my DLP. Thanks for the advice.

Micki

Scottte, I sent you a pm the other day. I was wondering if you received it. For some unknown reason, this thread has been quiet."Hello is this thing on?"

Micki

Just started a new thread entitled "Official Connecticut HD Thread" to get us back to issues about HD in CT.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=385124

Originally posted by Mickeymann
Scottte, I sent you a pm the other day. I was wondering if you received it. For some unknown reason, this thread has been quiet."Hello is this thing on?"

Micki

I think this thread was very active for the past month or so because both WTIC and WVIT came on line. Lot's of discussion on how people were doing getting them. Seems that almost everybody is getting WVIT, but WTIC is a little more spotty.

Originally posted by bfogelstrom
[B]Just started a new thread entitled "Official Connecticut HD Thread" to get us back to issues about HD in CT.

]

I didnt realize this thread got off topic. I must be losin' it. The hardware aspect of HD is the major issue regarding reception. A thread that only talks about reception , in my opinion, wont be very active.

I have a weird situation. Today, I tried to watch WVIT-DT for the local news, and I had a black screen. So I checked my signal, and it was bouncing oddly between like 15% and 30%. I also checked WFSB-DT and WTIC-DT, and they were also very weak. Every day up until today, my signal on all of these stations was solid between 95% and 100%. I turned my rotor around to point to WTNH-DT, and picked it up no problem with 100%. I have a feeling it has something to do with the weather. Anyone else having this problem, or is it just me?

Couple of updates for viewers of WWLP-DT:

For those of you who have noted that there is
no program guide on some services for 22.2 and 22.3:

We have been assured that the provider of that info
is working on getting those channels built and edited.
Hopefully they should show up in your program guides
in the very near future.

A change in the WWLP-DT sub channels is tentatively
scheduled for 6 Apr 2004 and will result in the
following lineup:

22.1 WWLP / NBC programming HD 16:9 format
22.2 WWLP 22News StormTeam weather radar

Essentially the current 22.1 channel is removed
and 22.3 moves to 22.1.

Depending on the capabilities of your set top box
you may need to do a rescan or manually edit your
channels to take advantage of the above changes.

Viewers who are watching WWLP-DT HD via local
cable systems will be unaffected.

Originally posted by PaulieORF
I have a weird situation. Today, I tried to watch WVIT-DT for the local news, and I had a black screen. Anyone else having this problem, or is it just me?

We watched Law and Order last night during the torrentials and had no problem (signal was low 60's as always, no dropouts) with a SqS, CM7777 and ~40 miles to the tower.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Couple of updates for viewers of WWLP-DT:

For those of you who have noted that there is
no program guide on some services for 22.2 and 22.3:

We have been assured that the provider of that info
is working on getting those channels built and edited.
Hopefully they should show up in your program guides
in the very near future.

A change in the WWLP-DT sub channels is tentatively
scheduled for 6 Apr 2004 and will result in the
following lineup:

22.1 WWLP / NBC programming HD 16:9 format
22.2 WWLP 22News StormTeam weather radar

Essentially the current 22.1 channel is removed
and 22.3 moves to 22.1.

Depending on the capabilities of your set top box
you may need to do a rescan or manually edit your
channels to take advantage of the above changes.

Viewers who are watching WWLP-DT HD via local
cable systems will be unaffected.

At what data rate are you going to run 22.1?.
I hope it will be as high as possible.

Originally posted by PaulieORF
I have a weird situation. Today, I tried to watch WVIT-DT for the local news, and I had a black screen. So I checked my signal, and it was bouncing oddly between like 15% and 30%. I also checked WFSB-DT and WTIC-DT, and they were also very weak. Every day up until today, my signal on all of these stations was solid between 95% and 100%. I turned my rotor around to point to WTNH-DT, and picked it up no problem with 100%. I have a feeling it has something to do with the weather. Anyone else having this problem, or is it just me?
Anyone else in the Prospect / Waterbury / Cheshire area experiencing this problem? This morning, I have WVIT-DT floating around 40-50, just barely viewable.

I just purchased a Zenith C32V37 32 Inch HDTV for my Bedroom. This TV has a built in HDTV Tuner and a QAM Tuner.

I live in Newington and have COX and was surprised to find that COX has CBS HD and NBC HD (On my TV set it shows up as 111-2 (CBS) and 111-3 (NBC)

These channels are not listed on COX's Channel lineup, is anyone else seeing them? (It is not picking up ESPN-HD, INHD 1 & 2, or Discovery HD)

Originally posted by Scott Greczkowski
I just purchased a Zenith C32V37 32 Inch HDTV for my Bedroom. This TV has a built in HDTV Tuner and a QAM Tuner.

I live in Newington and have COX and was surprised to find that COX has CBS HD and NBC HD (On my TV set it shows up as 111-2 (CBS) and 111-3 (NBC)

These channels are not listed on COX's Channel lineup, is anyone else seeing them? (It is not picking up ESPN-HD, INHD 1 & 2, or Discovery HD)

I have a Mits 55511 and pick up NBC on 111.12, CBS on 111.11, and a
station called V on 106.08. BTW, I do not have Cox cable, just internet
and telephone, so these channels are not choked.

chip, what QAM setting do you use on your 55511?

Thanks Brian

I also do not subscribe to COX Cable, I just have them for Internet and Telephone (I have Dish Network and VOOM as my video providers)

I am also picking up a handfull of audio channels which are all talk channels (Like Talk America Radio Network) from COX. These talk channels are not listed in any COX lineups. I am guessing that these channels are not really part of the Digital Cable Lineup.

I also am getting the Music Choice Channels, and what I find amazing is my TV decodes and Displays the Music Choice "Whats Playing" screens complete with photos of the album covers, trivia, and song factiods.

I must admit I was hoping to get INHD as its the only HD Channel being broadcast which I do not get from any provider.

Actually WVITHD and WFSBHD are available to people with HD service from COX even though they are not listed on their channel lineup card. In February they also had WTNHHD and PBSHD but they are no longer there. I guess they have not reached the carriage agreement with those channels yet.

Many cable companies put new channels on a system before official launch date for testing and not to have any problems they launch.

Music Choice channels send graphics as jpegs with audio so that is why you see them. There is nothing to decode.

Originally posted by CKNA
Actually WVITHD and WFSBHD are available to people with HD service from COX even though they are not listed on their channel lineup card.

And the rest of us that do not have COX are supposed to do what exactly about WFSB. That is the only digital OTA station I can not get a signal on. I even get a signal from WPRI in RI. All others (even WEDN in norwich) I get strong readings from the mid 60's (WVIT, WTIC, WTXX, WCTX) and in the 90's for others (WEDN, WHPX, WTNH). Boggles the mind that our state CBS affiliate is not up to snuff in the 28th DMA of the nation.

Don't even get me going on our cable provider (Eastern Ct Cable) HUGE subscription base of 17,500. Has digital but no plans in the near future for any HD.

:rolleyes:

The big 4 shouold make a blanket waiver, whether the local affiliate likes it or not...

Shortly before noon EDT the following changes have been made to WWLP-DT:

22.1 WWLP-HD 16:9 format
22.2 WWLP-WX StormTeam Doppler Radar

The main channel is currently encoded at 16.0 mbps.

Mod,

Can the two Connecticut HD threads be merged? It's a bit bothersome to monitor both just to read duplicate posts.

Thanks!

Calling Comcast HD subscribers:

Do you all have lip synch problems like me in Clinton, CT.

I have a Sony 40XBR700 with Comcast 3250HD box. NOT using digital out. Using plain jane red/white audio cables to TV.

I constantly have lip synch problems on ABCHD NBCHD CBSHD HBOHD.

Another user told me the synch problems even are happening to OTA customers.

NBCHD last night was horrible - sitcom audio was almost 2 seconds behind video. It was Whoopi's show.

Do any of you with the old 3100HD box have synch problems.

Is this something we are just going to have to live with.

Comcast technicans were clueless on issue and had no solution.

It drives me crazy!!!

We had the lip-sync problem in Boston and it was coming from the broadcaster. We called them and complained. It was fixed a day later. Not sure if it's the same. Have you tried going OTA to see if it's occuring there too?

I noticed a lip sync issue during Whoopi's show on WVIT NBC as well. And I get it OTA. It wasn't two seconds exactly though more like just shy of one second.
Looks to me like it's a WVIT problem.

Andy

DaveB99,

I am on the Comcast system in Danbury CT -- This means that we get our HD Stations from NYC. I haven't had any LipSynch issues and I too am on a 3100HD box. Do you think it might be specific to the CT HD stations?

Once again any Danbury HD Customers out there with anything other than the 3100HD?

wnbc dt regularly has lip synch problems on Cablevision in FF county

Originally posted by Mickeymann
Pmalve, I am curious as to which Samsung HD receiver you picked up. I picked up the Samsung 151 for under a hundred dollars at BB. Due to it's cheap price I decided to experiment and found the quality of OTA of PBS WEDW to be awesome! It is apparent to me now that I do indeed need to get a roof top antenna with a rotor. The quality of the OTA signals are obviously much better than a compressed/ uncompressed signal and the ability to obtain both CT and NY OTA is apparently worth it's weigh in gold! I just hope for my neighbors sake that my antenna does have to be too high. I'm starting not to really care what they think after seeing such a great picture on my DLP. Thanks for the advice.

Micki

Sorry it took so long to respond. Been on vacation. I had a samsung 351 that i got at Sears. I bought it only to see if WTIC would come in here as Voom was telling me they thought it was antenna setup and not receiver. After proving that I could get WTIC I returned receiver to Sears. Not something I would normaly do but couldn't figure out any other way to test antenna.

The problem with WTIC is with VOOM, and not with your antenna.

I have VOOM, plus I have a Dish 6000, a Dish 921, VOOM and a Zenith C32V37 HDTV with built in tuner, and WTIC comes in fine on everything except the VOOM box.

There is a thread over at SatelliteGuys in the VOOM section, it seems as though no one with VOOM is getting WTIC.

DaveB,

Yes, I have the lip sync problem in Durham with the SA3250. The picture is also kind of dark. I'm waiting to try this box on a new TV before I get too worried about it.

Dave and Will, do your 3250's have Firewire ports? If not, have you asked for them?

Is there something wrong with the tower/transmitters for WVIT and WTIC? Reason I ask I can't get either station to even show a signal on my 6000u when previsouly it was in the mid to high 60's! Still no leaves on the trees but do have buds, oddly enough I can still get WTNH with a 85% signal strength...just as before. I find this strange as FCC shows WTNH at 7.5 kW and WVIT and WTIC in the 100's for kW.

Hi Rich:

I'm getting both fine down here. FYI, Fox had some transmitter problems over the past couple days. Don't know when they actually got back on the air, but I am receiving them now....

Ross

Originally posted by rmcgirr83
I find this strange as FCC shows WTNH at 7.5 kW and WVIT and WTIC in the 100's for kW. Ah! There's a good reason for that. WTNH-DT is transmitting on the frequencies of channel 10 - a VHF channel. WVIT and WTIC's digital channels are up in the UHF channel 30's - a lot higher in frequency. In simple terms, the higher you go in frequency, the more the signal is attenuated over distance. To compensate for that - UHF stations run a much higher effective radiated power. In other words, because of the frequency, you can't just compare the authorized power - that's like comparing apples to oranges! Hope this helps!

Am I the only one who thinks its a little crazy that CBS puts their main programming on 3.2 instead of 3.1? For isntance this weekend I went to tape the game off of Voom with my Replay. For some reason it was shown on 3.2. Unfortunately the Replay doesn't recognize sub channels, so I completely missed it. Is there some reason for doing this?

On my Zenith 420, WFSB has the HD programing on 3-1 and the SD Springfield feed on 3-2. Maybe it is your equipment? Also, does your replay record HD or just the downconverted 480i?

thanks,
Schmitter

Only the downrezzed 480i, but it still looks outstanding (digital quality). The Voom box is doing the same (HD on 3-1, Springfield on 3-2). But that doesn't explain why they would show some weird-ass cheerleading thing that wasn't in HD either on 3-1 instead of the baseball game.

-MP

WFSB Audio Problems
Is it just me, or are we all tired of complaining about WFSB. The audio for me (on several HD STB's) has been choppy/dropping out for weeks (maybe months). I know they have their DD5.1 gear, but last I heard it was not in use as they had an audio-sync problem (also has been going on for at least a few months).

Tell you what, I'm in the technology business & if I left my systems inoperable as long as these guys I'd be out of a job.

What's going on?

PS: I'm also in favor of combining the 2 Ct threads.........

Originally posted by Such
What's going on?


From what I have been reading, WFSB Sux? Still the only station I can not pick up OTA from 06333...all of 37 miles away. I even get WTXX.

In regards to Comcast lip synch problems on HD channels:

I spoke with supervisor today about this (he is above the local tech guys on the road) .

He said Comcast was aware of the second delay on audio versus video on HD channels.

It is not a box problem. (i.e. 3250HD box)

It is a main plant feed issue.

They are working on it and who knows when it will be solved.

Still very frustrating!!!!!!!!

If anyone hears anything please post.

Audio delays will not happen because of cable plant issues. If you have tiling, or a channel that says "temporarily off air", then it can be plant, but audio delays, especially on digital channels, do not happen due to bad plant. The problem is most likely either the provider, or setup of equipment in the cable company head end.

Regarding audio / video sync problems:

That can occur whenever the audio and video parts of a digital stream are being processed separately - and sometimes when re-encoding. Often broadcasters and cable operators will have boxes that allow them to adjust the audio delay to keep it in sync with the video.

Best test to see where a problem is: if you can receive a station off-air as well as via the cable ... a quick comparison should tell.

On a related but somewhat off-topic slant ... I've been working at receiving the ATSC signals via a HiPix PC tuner card, recording the transport stream to disk and then attempting to transcode it to a lesser quality format to burn to DVD. In order to do that you have to separate the audio and video components, resulting in two separate files. You then have to re-encode the video with DVD standard resolution ... and then get the audio and video put back together again. And that's sometimes tricky as there is inherit audio delays - and you have to use a software utility or two to resync the audio and video. Often it is off many hundreds of ms. (For further info search for postings in some of the AVS forums discussing the HiPix and other ATSC tuner cards.)

Hello all-

I'm wondering if anyone in the Fairfield County/Norwalk area is able to receive any of the Hartford stations OTA. I read further back in the thread that someone from LI was able to receive WVIT & WTIC, but I can't seem to get them. These are both on Rattlesnake Mountain, correct? I'm not sure how far away that is from me, or exactly what direction I should be pointing. These stations don't come up in an antennaweb.org search for any zip code near me.

I guess I'm right on the fringe of both NY and Hartford stations. Since WNBC-DT is way too weak, I'm hoping I can get WVIT which will give me all of the major networks.

Here's what I can get so far, and where they are located:

CT:
WTNH-DT - ABC New Haven - New Haven - strong signal
WCTX-DT - UPN New Haven - New Haven - no signal
WVIT-DT - NBC Hartford - Rattlesnake Mountain - ?
WTIC-DT - FOX Hardford - Rattlesnake Mountain - ?
WTXX-DT - WB Hartford - ? - ?
WFSB-DT - CBS Hartford - ? - ?

NY:
WCBS-DT - CBS NY - Empire State Building - good signal
WNYW-DT - FOX NY - Empire State Building - good signal
WWOR-DT - UPN NY - Empire State Building - good signal (but this crappy station is on a subchannel so no HD)
WABC-DT - ABC NY - 4 Times Square - very weak signal
WNBC-DT - NBC NY - Rockefeller Building - no signal

I have a little powered RCA indoor antenna I am able to receive WVIT in Shelton. Nothing from WTIC and WFSB. I do receive the 2 Hew Haven channels and the PBS channel (59) without any problems.

Some nice info here. I'm surprised by all the CT/Western Mass people here on the board. Took a while to thumb through this thread, but it was worth the time, thanks.

Ever since I found out that DirectTV's HighDef package did not include the local channels (IMO, installing an antenna does not count) I have had buyer's remorse. I'm thinking of switching to VOOM.

Does anyone have any experience with VOOM??

FWIW - I live in Enfield.

Originally posted by JasonBourne
Ever since I found out that DirectTV's HighDef package did not include the local channels (IMO, installing an antenna does not count) I have had buyer's remorse. I'm thinking of switching to VOOM.

Does anyone have any experience with VOOM??

FWIW - I live in Enfield.

I'm sticking with DirecTV/OTA for Hi-Def.

VOOM doesn't provide ANY locals. Not even standard definition. They give you some kind of antenna (don't know what kind). Also, while they had a few more HD channels than DirecTV there were a lot fewer regular channels.

Second, they don't provide a DVR. HD DirecTiVos just started shipping. HD DirecTiVo was the only reason I bothered upgrading my home theater to Hi-Def recently.

I also thought it was DirecTV's stated intention to at least double their HD offerings this year. If that really happens it will be a no-brainer.

Since my HT plans are to
1.) upgrade my DVD player this year and maybe get a ISF calibration done on my TV
2.) buy a DVR next year

VOOM's lack of a DVR is not that important to me. The lack of local channels is, though.

Thanks for the imput.
s

A little off-topic, but anyone in here know anything about NESN-HD being added to Tele-Media (Adelphia) in the Waterbury area? I heard about it first on another thread on here, and from one Adelphia rep. I call them, and the most they can say is "I'd imagine it will eventually be added to your lineup." If anyone here has any information, it would be greatly appreciated.

Originally posted by JasonBourne
Ever since I found out that DirectTV's HighDef package did not include the local channels (IMO, installing an antenna does not count) I have had buyer's remorse. I'm thinking of switching to VOOM.

Does anyone have any experience with VOOM??

FWIW - I live in Enfield. I monitor the western MA and (now two) CT threads ... there have been a couple of people who have posted that have VOOM. VOOM's STB handles their satellite feed and also receives OTA signals. As someone else has pointed out, VOOM doesn't have any locals on its bird - locals are (only) available with OTA reception.

I have not spoken to them, but my neighbours just got a VOOM dish installed. (It points almost due south.) I had read that some installs also have a OTA antenna - but I don't see anything on the house next door's install (unless its clipped to or an integral part of the dish and not obvious).

In Enfield - depending on where you live - you should be able to pick up quite a few OTA HD stations. Additionally, you may be served by COX ... and they've got some of the local affiliates in HD as well.

I dropped Cox in order to get DirectTV. The Cox's CSR was so unsure about when they would get the local channels and ESPN-HD that I left Cox. Of course, I made the mistake of not reading all the way through DirectTV local channels' disclaimer. Cox is offering for HD channels (ESPN, the local NBC affliate, INHD1, INHD1, and Discovery).

RPMcCormick:

Did the radar view on 22-2 used to include parts of Hartford? I thought it did and recently checked it out and it no longer does. Not a complaint, just wondering if I'm going crazy.

Thanks,
Shizno

Originally posted by shizno
Did the radar view on 22-2 used to include parts of Hartford? I thought it did and recently checked it out and it no longer does. Not a complaint, just wondering if I'm going crazy.I believe that the default view for 22.2's radar is basically just the western Mass area. But: what you see on that sub channel is actually the output of the computer that actually draws the radar map. So, when a meteorologist is working on the system you may see it zoomed out for a wider view ... or you may even see it zoomed in to quasi-street level views. So its possible that in the past you've seen it covering a greater area including Hartford.

And another question that's been asked off and on: the sweep sometimes goes clockwise and sometimes anti-clockwise ... depending on which way they have the motor rotating!

Originally posted by RPMcCormick

And another question that's been asked off and on: the sweep sometimes goes clockwise and sometimes anti-clockwise ... depending on which way they have the motor rotating!

You know, that has really been bothering me.. Thanks for the explanation, I thought I was going nuts. My boat radar only went one way.. :)

I was questioning my memory as they say it's the second thing to go.

Originally posted by JasonBourne
I dropped Cox in order to get DirectTV. The Cox's CSR was so unsure about when they would get the local channels and ESPN-HD that I left Cox. Of course, I made the mistake of not reading all the way through DirectTV local channels' disclaimer. Cox is offering for HD channels (ESPN, the local NBC affliate, INHD1, INHD1, and Discovery).

Cox also has the local CBS affiliate, WFSB.

Someone should have told that to the CSR rep that I talked to this morning;)

Is there something different about NBC-30? I can get the rest of the locals with no problem, but I just can't get a clean lock on 30 with either the Voom box or my internal tuner on my Hitachi. I've got a Wineguard 7084P and a CM7777 amp. 8 is superb (of course, since it's VHF). 3 is no problem, I am in the 60s for strength. 61 is fairly decent, with the occasional drop. But 30... 30 fluctuates wildly on signal strength, bouncing all the way between 1 and 55. It's a nice clear day, only a very little breeze. I'm shooting through some trees, but I can't believe how bad 30 is compared to the rest :(. This might doom Voom for me. I need NBC.

-MP

Originally posted by madpoet
Is there something different about NBC-30? I can get the rest of the locals with no problem, but I just can't get a clean lock on 30 with either the Voom box or my internal tuner on my Hitachi. I've got a Wineguard 7084P and a CM7777 amp. 8 is superb (of course, since it's VHF). 3 is no problem, I am in the 60s for strength. 61 is fairly decent, with the occasional drop. But 30... 30 fluctuates wildly on signal strength, bouncing all the way between 1 and 55. It's a nice clear day, only a very little breeze. I'm shooting through some trees, but I can't believe how bad 30 is compared to the rest :(. This might doom Voom for me. I need NBC.What you describe could be a multi-path problem ... signals arriving at your antenna from the transmitter at different times. In the analogue world that results in ghosting - but in the digital world you get jitter and drop-outs. You could try moving your rotatable antenna a few degrees off the maximum peak signal direction and see if that helps.

Not sure where you're at ... how is the WTIC-DT signal in comparison? Both stations transmitters are fairly close to each other ... Are you able to get WWLP-DT on VHF channel 11? Provin Mountain - about 10 miles west of Springfield MA and a few miles north of the CT-MA border.

Tried the antenna rotation, and it's not helping unfortunately. WTIC-DT is excellent, coming in somewhere around the mid 50s constantly. I'll have to try WWLP. Voom doesn't give me it as a local, so I'll have to use my tuner.

Thanks,
MP

My Dish 811 receiver also has been having trouble acquiring WVIT-DT for the past couple weeks. When it signed on during the first week in March, the station was peaking at 91% signal strength, the highest of any local channel for my location. Recently the signal strength has been fluctuating mostly between 0-49%.

I've been having the same problem with Springfield PBS affiliate WGBY-DT since early this year. This station used to come in at around 76% signal strength.

In comparison, WTIC-DT comes in at a consistent 88-89% and WWLP-DT registers at 78-79%.

Although my antenna is in a fixed position (clip-on antenna on a satellite dish on the roof of a three-story apartment complex), Channels 30-01 and 58-01 were previously received with great picture quality.

No problem with WVIT here. I am getting 90% signal strength, the same as WTIC.

I have a CM 3020 rooftop, CM 7777 amp and rotator and Hughes HTL-HD receiver (DTV). I get WTNH and WCTX no problem. Can't get anything with WTIC or WFSB (Both out of Hartford). WVID is in and out, can't seem to get a good lock on it. The interesting thing about this one is I don't get anything on WVID when I have the amp hooked up.

Does anyone else south of Hartford have as much trouble as I do? I am only 33 miles from where WFSB broadcasts.

Since my receiver does not have a signal strengh meter built in (Can't for the life of me understand why!), is there something out there to check to see if I can even get a blip?

I receive WVIT, WTNH, WTIC, WCTX (takes a few seconds to lock on thought), WTXX, WEDN and WHPX all with two fixed antenna combined into a CM7777. Yesterday WVIT was coming in strong at 69% on a dish 6000u. WTIC was 78%.

Had a problem last weekend receiving WVIT, re-aimed the antennae and all is well again. As an aside after I re-aimed the receiver picked up a digital station that I have no idea of what it is (the 6000u showed it as 47-1). There was no picture but it was a steady lock at 70%. Thought it might be WWLP but after further research, it isn't. Anyone know what this station is?

Originally posted by rmcgirr83
... I re-aimed the receiver picked up a digital station that I have no idea of what it is (the 6000u showed it as 47-1). There was no picture but it was a steady lock at 70%. Thought it might be WWLP but after further research, it isn't. Anyone know what this station is? WWLP-DT would show up as 22.1 or 22.2 and is on the frequencies of VHF channel 11. When I saw the 47 I thought of WYDN-DT in Worcester ... but I would sincerely doubt based on your location that's possible!

For those folks who like doing this kind of investigation, here is a good link:

FCC TVQ TV Database Query
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html

The way ATSC (digital TV) usually works is that the station transmits on a channel assigned by the FCC - but information in the digital stream identifies the station using numbers that you are familiar with. As noted above, WWLP is on analogue channel 22 ... when you receive WWLP-DT, which is transmitting on the frequencies used by VHF channel 11, your box should display 22.1, 22.2, etc.

Additional information that would help in figuring out what you're receiving would include: what direction is your antenna pointed in? Is it really a digital station (some boxes receive both analogue and digital and display them intermixed).

Using the FCC link above I did a search for all channel 47's. Hartford has a WUTH-CA on channel 47. This is a translator owned by Entravision, which typically programs its stations with Spanish language content. They have a construction permit to move to channel 28. These appear to be standard NTSC analogue stations. Maybe they had 47 analogue up and running without any programming, e.g., "in black"?

No 47's noted in New York - at least anywhere near us. None in Rhode Island. In Massachusetts, there's WYDN-DT on 47 but their analogue channel is WYDN 48.

It may be possible that if a box locks on to a digital signal - but in the data stream there is no PSIP or programming information - the box then may just display the equiv analogue channel number (as it wouldn't know the corresponding digital channel).

Anyone else got any ideas? (Or see this station?)

I'm pretty sure it is a digital station as the channels show up as 47-1, 47-2, etc. upto 47-5. the antennae are pointing, using a compass, at 10 degrees for the SqS and 318 degrees for the RS 190-VU.

Just curious as I couldn't locate anything within a 150 mile radius of me. If it is Entravision, thanks but I'll pass.

So maybe I am gettting the worcester station. That's pretty cool even if I can't see any pic.

Originally posted by JasonBourne
Ever since I found out that DirectTV's HighDef package did not include the local channels (IMO, installing an antenna does not count) I have had buyer's remorse. I'm thinking of switching to VOOM.

Does anyone have any experience with VOOM??

FWIW - I live in Enfield.


I live in east longmeadow, MA just north of you and get WTNH, WVIT (NBC-hartford), WWLP (NBC-springfield), WTIC (Fox-hartford), WB 20-1 hartford, WTNH (abc-hartford) fine OTA. WFSB does not come in, but they hopefully will go to full power some time this century and then it should be no problem. I have a radio shack 12' boom antenna about on a 12 foot mast and a rotor on it. I have a radio shack antenna amplifier (which is supposed to be cruddy) as well.

Originally posted by rmcgirr83
I'm pretty sure it is a digital station as the channels show up as 47-1, 47-2, etc. upto 47-5. the antennae are pointing, using a compass, at 10 degrees for the SqS and 318 degrees for the RS 190-VU. ... So maybe I am gettting the worcester station. That's pretty cool even if I can't see any pic. I'll see if I can get a rough map uploaded with this post ... WYDN-TV is on channel 48 (Daystar TV). 99 Asnebumskit Rd, Paxton MA.

http://www.daystar.com

These guys are also on DirecTV 369 and Echstar/Dish 9408.

Doesn't make sense that they would have so many sub channels ... I would expect that from a PBS network station! I searched the CPTV site but couldn't find any information on what they're doing ...

Are you getting anything on WEDN-DT broadcasting on channel 45? (I would assume they'd be 53.1, 53.2, etc.) That should be up on Bozrah CT. I'm not sure what's up with CPTV: they've got an application to move the 45 for WEDH-DT and move WEDN-DT to 32 - or even channel 9. WEDW is on 49 (WEDW-DT on 52) ...

Wonder if its somehow your box displaying the wrong channel number, either by picking an analogue number ... or even worse - some broadcaster is transmitting an ATSC signal with the wrong information!

The map I'm going to try to post has a circle with a radius of 90 miles and two azimuth yellow lines, one up to Provin Mountain (WWLP) at about 56 miles and the other to Asnebumskit Hill in Paxton (WYDN).

Keep us updated!

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
Are you getting anything on WEDN-DT broadcasting on channel 45? (I would assume they'd be 53.1, 53.2, etc.) That should be up on Bozrah CT. I'm not sure what's up with CPTV: they've got an application to move the 45 for WEDH-DT and move WEDN-DT to 32 - or even channel 9. WEDW is on 49 (WEDW-DT on 52) ...

Get all stations in CT with the exception of WFSB. EDN comes in very strong at ~85-87%. Then again I am in trees about 8 miles away as the crow flies and yes your assumption is correct as WEDN shows as 53-1, 53-2 etc.

Wonder if its somehow your box displaying the wrong channel number, either by picking an analogue number ... or even worse - some broadcaster is transmitting an ATSC signal with the wrong information!

The map I'm going to try to post has a circle with a radius of 90 miles and two azimuth yellow lines, one up to Provin Mountain (WWLP) at about 56 miles and the other to Asnebumskit Hill in Paxton (WYDN).

Keep us updated!

According to the map those directions are in the "beam width" of the SqS, still have not been able to determine what channel this is. It is strange.

I'll do another scan tonight on the 6000 as I had deleted it off the first scan (couldn't see a pic, that would have annoyed my better half) ;).

Thanks for the map, I have seen that map before and was curious as to the direction of magnetic north? That way I can map exactly at where my antennae are pointed and may be better to tell the overlap of the two if any. I am located further up in east lyme by route 85 (I can see the tower for WHPX, <1mile away).

Originally posted by rmcgirr83
Get all stations in CT with the exception of WFSB. EDN comes in very strong at ~85-87%. (snip)Ayup - indeed its strange! The map: pretty simple. Its just Microsoft MapPoint 2004 - it has a lot more detail but the AVS forums limit images to both their HxV size as well as the size in kb. So I had to compress it in Photoshop. I just drew two yellow lines with one of the MapPoint tools - and those lines are pretty much the headings of your antenna.

I'd have to check a reference source ... but I think the difference between magnetic and true north is something between 11 and 13 degrees? I can look later if you want to know. With the kinds of systems we're working with the beamwidths of the antennas shouldn't matter that much.

I do have another topographic mapping program that I could plot things with ... but I don't think you're going to find that its that specific ... after all, we're not dealing with microwaves here!

If you have a loop antenna ... or the ability to disconnect one of your two antennas ... be interesting to see if that helps track down what direction this signal is coming from. Maybe some of the other folks participating in this forum that may live in your vicinity could also check into this.

Originally posted by rmcgirr83
Get all stations in CT with the exception of WFSB. EDN comes in very strong at ~85-87%. (snip)Ayup - indeed its strange! The map: pretty simple. Its just Microsoft MapPoint 2004 - it has a lot more detail but the AVS forums limit images to both their HxV size as well as the size in kb. So I had to compress it in Photoshop. I just drew two yellow lines with one of the MapPoint tools - and those lines are pretty much the headings of your antenna.

I'd have to check a reference source ... but I think the difference between magnetic and true north is something between 11 and 13 degrees? I can look later if you want to know. With the kinds of systems we're working with the beamwidths of the antennas shouldn't matter that much.

I do have another topographic mapping program that I could plot things with ... but I don't think you're going to find that its that specific ... after all, we're not dealing with microwaves here!

If you have a loop antenna ... or the ability to disconnect one of your two antennas ... be interesting to see if that helps track down what direction this signal is coming from. Maybe some of the other folks participating in this forum that may live in your vicinity could also check into this.

Originally posted by RPMcCormick
I'd have to check a reference source ... but I think the difference between magnetic and true north is something between 11 and 13 degrees? I can look later if you want to know. With the kinds of systems we're working with the beamwidths of the antennas shouldn't matter that much.

Magnetic variation in this area (SE CT) is 15 degrees West.