WSPA 7.1 will have it in HD Thurs. and FRi., but only on the DT not on analog.

What time?

[added] Ah, never mind... I found the thread in the HDTV Programming forum that indicates 4-7pm. I tuned it in just in time to catch the tail end of it just now.

Sorry to keep harping on the same subject, "program guide". Got the daylight savings time problem taken care of, Digital Stream had a bug, but we got through it and everything is now correct. However, for a month now my guide for 13.1 lists "What Lies Beneath" at 9 p.m. every Sat. night. Great movie!!!, but not there ever Sat. night.

Anyone else have this problem??? Thanks

Am pleasantly surprised to find The Masters on DTV HD Ch 74 this morning. Still no Gary McCord.

anyone else having problems with WLOS 13.1? Trying to watch the Pistons-Pacers game, but having some serious issues with the signal -- showing 0 strength actually.

13.1 OK here. Good, consistant signal strength.

I'm not picking up the 7.1 signal. Anyone else?

Paris Mountain may very well be your problem. According to a map I made that shows the transmitter locations for the stations that I can receive (or hope to receive :p ) WSPA should be NE or NNE of you. I've forgotten the name of the mountain it sits on, but it looks like it's not far S or SW of Saluda.

The WSPA transmitter sits on Hogback Mountain...

The last time I watched 7.1, the signal strength was low, but watchable. I have a fixed yagi pointed at the transmitter and will check that next time on the roof.

anybody find the braves HD telecast on charter today?

anybody find the braves HD telecast on charter today?

Nope

Do what I did...........Go to BB or CC and get a HDTV tuner card for your PC. Also get a 250 GB Hard drive for storage. Hook this to your sat rec'vr ,sign up for Titan TV (for scheduling, not required) and record HD directly to your hard drive. This is exactly how Tivo works but without the fee. At this point there is not a DVD recorder for your PC that does HD, but the technology is right around the corner. If you buy the hard drive that is external (usb 2.0 hookup), you have the removable media. Bulky (about 4 lbs) but it works great.

I'm not sure this will work, what HD card are you using that will allow you to record whats coming out of a SAT reciever? The HD cards sold today only work with OTA HD and a few can decode unscambled cable HD signals. I run one at home and record most things in HD unless forced to use a non HD channel. The space part is right, HD takes about 9 gigs per hour.

Any other D* customers having trouble with the 119 sat?

I think the leaves coming in on the trees behind my house is causing reception problems.

Anybody know a good tree trimmer?

I'm not sure this will work, what HD card are you using that will allow you to record whats coming out of a SAT reciever? The HD cards sold today only work with OTA HD and a few can decode unscambled cable HD signals. I run one at home and record most things in HD unless forced to use a non HD channel. The space part is right, HD takes about 9 gigs per hour.

ATI HDTV WONDER Remote Control Edition - TV tuner / video input adapter - PCI

This is the card that I use. Sat plugs right into the input.

I have Charter's HDTV service but I do not have a built in QAM tuner. For those that do, are WYFF, WSPA and PBS in the clear?

It's been a couple of months since the last time I checked, but those three channels came in fine over my TV's QAM tuner. No other HD surprises, unfortunately.

Thank you.

Now I can see about getting my mother a new television viewing device.

It appears from reports in other sources that now Charter has officially dropped the Braves-HD channel on a permanent basis. No more HD baseball for us :-(. The Atlanta Charter HQ is blaming it on the sale of Turner South, but Comcast is still showing them.

I have Charter's HDTV service but I do not have a built in QAM tuner. For those that do, are WYFF, WSPA and PBS in the clear?

They are in Greenville. The last I checked, they were in Waynesville. I assume the same would hold true for Asheville.

Hey guys,
I am planning to purchase a new HDTV and will most likely keep my DirecTV service. I am a high-def first-timer, and have been trying to research equipment, programming, etc. without much luck. I will be living near Furman (29617).

Anyone have suggestions as to services to use (DirecTV vs. Charter and others) as well as equipment to buy (OTA antenna, etc.) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Hey guys,
I am planning to purchase a new HDTV and will most likely keep my DirecTV service. I am a high-def first-timer, and have been trying to research equipment, programming, etc. without much luck. I will be living near Furman (29617).

Anyone have suggestions as to services to use (DirecTV vs. Charter and others) as well as equipment to buy (OTA antenna, etc.) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

D* still doesn't have hidef locals for our area, but the hope is that we'll have them by the end of the 3rd quarter. Charter carries WSPA, WYFF and PBS. D* has ESPN 2. I think that sums up the differences (cable subscribers correct me if I've missed something, please). I should add that cable doesn't have an easy way of integrating OTA channels into the lineup you get from them. The satellite systems integrate OTA channels rather seamlessly.

You should put your address in antennaweb.org to check what kind of antenna you'll need. I suspect unless you'll have Paris Mtn between you and the transmitters, you should get a pretty good signal from the mountains in the Furman area. Anyone on here live in that area?

--Cross

We are scheduled to have Dielectric on site April 18th to replace our Combiner, which is a big reason we have to run at lower power right now. They will also sweep our transmission line after the install, which should determine if we have a problem there causing our transmitter to not operate at full power. I will know more then, and maybe we will be ready to pump it up.

Our generator is, hopefully, going to be carried back up on Pisgah the week of April 10th. I say hopefully because we have not heard a firm date yet, but April 10th has been floating around. Of course weather has everything to do with this too.

I'll relay more info as soon as I hear.

bstratton,

Any updates?

I did notice that my signal strength was up slightly last night. Probably, just the result of the leaves coming out.

Thanks.

D* still doesn't have hidef locals for our area, but the hope is that we'll have them by the end of the 3rd quarter. Charter carries WSPA, WYFF and PBS. D* has ESPN 2. I think that sums up the differences (cable subscribers correct me if I've missed something, please). I should add that cable doesn't have an easy way of integrating OTA channels into the lineup you get from them. The satellite systems integrate OTA channels rather seamlessly.

You should put your address in antennaweb.org to check what kind of antenna you'll need. I suspect unless you'll have Paris Mtn between you and the transmitters, you should get a pretty good signal from the mountains in the Furman area. Anyone on here live in that area?

--Cross
Charter in Greenville has HDNet, HDNet Movies, ESPN HD, DiscoveryHD, HBO HD, Cinemax HD, Showtime HD, WYFF HD, WSPA HD, Universal HD and TNT HD.

...and one of the PBS stations, although I forget which one off-hand.

...and one of the PBS stations, although I forget which one off-hand.

Oh yea, it is the PBS national HD

Charter in Greenville has HDNet, HDNet Movies, ESPN HD, DiscoveryHD, HBO HD, Cinemax HD, Showtime HD, WYFF HD, WSPA HD, Universal HD and TNT HD.

D* does not have Cinemax HD yet, so Charter has the leg up there. I think PBSHD will come with the local HD package when that comes.

--Cross

bstratton,

Any updates?

I did notice that my signal strength was up slightly last night. Probably, just the result of the leaves coming out.

Thanks.

As a matter of fact, yes! Yesterday we installed our new Combiner and Splitter. The original ones would heat up excessively as we applied more power, to the point of possible transmission line damage. This is one reason we have been running at a lower power for many months. With the new items, we 'can' run at full power, if our transmitter will allow it. After a sweep of the transmission line, it was found to be in good shape. As soon as we get Acrodyne back in, we will find out if we will be able to make full power with what we have. I don't know when this might be, but we are hoping very soon.

The generator is another reason we have been running at lower power during the daytime for the past couple of months. We heard today that it should be making the trip back to Pisgah sometime next week, if all goes well with the load test this week.

We left our digital transmitter running at 100% power overnight, but can't really see any real gain in signal strength here in the studio. Can some of you check your receivers and let me know if you see any changes? Better or worse?

Thanks!

We left our digital transmitter running at 100% power overnight, but can't really see any real gain in signal strength here in the studio. Can some of you check your receivers and let me know if you see any changes? Better or worse?

Thanks!

Yes, there is a definite improvement. At my location in north Asheville, I could not reliably receive the digital signal in the daytime. It is coming in fine this am, even with all of the wet trees.

They are in Greenville. The last I checked, they were in Waynesville. I assume the same would hold true for Asheville.


And after hooking it up last night, I can confirm that the locals are in the clear in AVL.

x x x x
Can some of you check your receivers and let me know if you see any changes? Better or worse?

Thanks!
My Samsung signal is 93% for 13-x this morning, and is very stable. My usual signal is 77%, very stable and reliable.

It has been stable for several months, but coincidentally I lost WUNF from my UHF 4-Bay antenna at the time your signal increased several months ago and now have to switch to a large array in the attic for 33-x; and that is a much weaker signal than I have received over the past three years. 33-x was my most reliable DT signal until recently. One factor is that I increased the hight by about 14" to install a rotor. I now receive a reliable 77% signal from SCETV in RockHill, SC!

My reciever is now attempting to lock on WLOS, but it still is not strong enough for a lock. WUNF is still clearly stronger. I am watching WUNF DT right now. There has not been a viewable signal here since around July 20th. It would seem that the transmitter is still not performing to specifications. I have watched analog WLOS since Mr. Bill was still on the air when I was a kid and I easily fall within the coverage area.

My WLOS-DT signal seems to be stable now, and it was VERY iffy for awhile, so I would say there is a definite improvement, though I didn't check signal strength readings.

For the record, we are still not to our liscensed Full Power. We hope to be there after Acrodyne shows up to sweep the transmitter and verify we are within regulations on our signal. Running at 100% now is more like 80% of our liscensed output. If I remember right, we were around 23kw out of the transmitter last night when we left Pisgah... and we should be at 30kw to be "full power".

Thanks for the replies, and please keep them coming.

Hello,

I noticed a marked improvement in my signal last night. I have a Samsung DTV Receiver and have a signal strength of 69% now. My signal for the last few months has been no beter than 30%. So this is much more stable.

Thanks for the effort and the update!!

Larry

[QUOTE=bstratton1]For the record, we are still not to our licensed Full Power.

My signal has improved from 65 a couple of days ago to 77 today, and that makes a world of difference. However, I "tuned in" around 6 this p. m. and had several audio dropouts. But at this moment, they have gone away. Thanks for the information you share with us. Stay at 77 and I may not need the dish hd package. Thanks!!!

For the record, we are still not to our liscensed Full Power. We hope to be there after Acrodyne shows up to sweep the transmitter and verify we are within regulations on our signal. Running at 100% now is more like 80% of our liscensed output. If I remember right, we were around 23kw out of the transmitter last night when we left Pisgah... and we should be at 30kw to be "full power".

Thanks for the replies, and please keep them coming.

bstratton,

THANKS! Signal strength is 70%! Previously, I could only get 30%. I am in Clemson. Keep it up...

[QUOTE=bstratton1]For the record, we are still not to our licensed Full Power.

The 13.1 signal is very strange tonight. My signal meter is LOCKED a 77, no variation at all, yet the audio drops have increased. Also there is a video dropout that appears to be more electrical than signal loss. This occurs horizonal at mid way of the screen and only lasts for a second, as does the audio interrupts.
I am not experiencing this problem with the other channels.

bstratton,

Whatever you guys did...it worked. This is my first steady WLOS signal in months, and the strongest signal I've ever gotten.

Just a reminder too, we will still have to back down our power during daytime hours until our generator gets put back on the mountain. This should be sometime next week, but may take another week to get it in service again.

Glad it has improved for most of you. DonF, let me know if you continue to have the audio dropout and video glitches.

13DT was dead rock solid last night.

My RF EE buddy told me that when all else fails, run more power.

Why is WSAV transmitting in analog on 7.3? Will this continue in analog? Unfortunately, I can't receive 62.1 in Morganton, NC. Also, did any of you D* customers get a blackout for the ESPN2 game last night during the Baltimore/Cleveland MLB game? Couldn't figure out why that game would be blacked out in this area. We are supposed to get our local channels in HD soon (or so they say) for the Charlotte stations. Because of the South Mountains I am unable to pick up any Charlotte station except WCNC in HD. According to Charlotte local news, everything in the world seems to effect Charlotte in some way or another. I prefer watching stations in the Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville areas so I can keep abreast of Furman and USC athletics, and also that I consider that area home since I grew up in the upstate SC. In my opinion, television in the GSP/Asheville area is so much better than anything Charlotte has to offer.

bstratton,

I have been monitoring my signal from WLOS-DT for the last several days and I have noticed a marked improvement in signal strength, that is until this morning. I am in Ellenboro (Rutherford County) and the signal strength on my Dish 622 was up around 80% the last couple of days. Before it would max out at 72-74, which is what it is back at this morning. I wondered if it was just atmospheric conditions, but the signal strength stayed at or above 80 for at least 36 hours. I'll check again tonight and let you know if it goes back up. But I am confident that the work you guys are doing is definitely working, and I and other viewers are very much appreciative. :)

Heels98,

We did run our power up overnight from 4/18 ~ 4/19. This was to verify our new Combiner and Splitter were functioning properly. Last night after the 11PM news, the power was to be backed down again until the evening news. This will be done every weekday for the next week or two... until we get our backup power (generator) installed on Pisgah.

Heels98,

We did run our power up overnight from 4/18 ~ 4/19. This was to verify our new Combiner and Splitter were functioning properly. Last night after the 11PM news, the power was to be backed down again until the evening news. This will be done every weekday for the next week or two... until we get our backup power (generator) installed on Pisgah.


Excellent. That was exactly when I saw the change. Thanks for the reply and for the tedious work on that most difficult of locations (Pisgah.) BTW, my antenna is a UHF-only yagi type, about $25 from Radio Shack, mounted in the attic of my one-story home with no amplification, so it is possible to get good reception, despite all the negative feedback we read here from others. My neighbor is also my Dish installer, and he couldn't believe I got such a solid signal without a pre-amp.

bstratton1

Your signal strength kind-of went south today here in Toccoa. At 4 p.m. I was showing about 45 on the meter. It had moved up to 60 around 7 p.m. but has dropped back to 45 at 8:15. The picture is holding, but I continue to get audio dropouts every few seconds, and the video glitchces also continue every 30 seconds or so. The audio problem has a "pop" to it, as if an electrical switch is being turned on and off. Thanks for your efforts.

Is anyone else having the problems I have described?

Anybody else not getting a signal at all from WLOS this afternoon? Usually I have a solid signal, but when I check the signal strength on my DirecTivo, the signal strength on 56 is 0! Anyone know what is going on?

Anybody else not getting a signal at all from WLOS this afternoon? Usually I have a solid signal, but when I check the signal strength on my DirecTivo, the signal strength on 56 is 0! Anyone know what is going on?

Not sure what's going on either, but I don't have a signal either. I suspect that they're working on something (generator maybe?) and had to cut the signal for awhile.

Not sure what's going on either, but I don't have a signal either. I suspect that they're working on something (generator maybe?) and had to cut the signal for awhile.

WLOS-DT is MIA for me as well. No NBA HD. I would hope this was not a planned outage. If it is the timing stinks.

Right, no signal here as well. A drag since the Lakers/Sun game was a great one, too.

None here either, including 13-2, so I would guess it is something with their tower or generator on Pisgah...

ATI HDTV WONDER Remote Control Edition - TV tuner / video input adapter - PCI

This is the card that I use. Sat plugs right into the input.

Thanks for the responce, I must say I am intreged by your setup. I don't know how it works, but that doesn't matter. I will look into Titan TV, for now I use Beyond TV from snapstream. Its a one time fee (70.00 I think) for the software which does guide, record scheduling both by time and by show, recording compression and my favoite commerical skip. Guide data is free and works for multiple tuners. Somebody built an 11 tuner recorder with 4 or 5 HD tuners and the rest SD and I believe around a terrabyte of storage.

The commercial skip is not real time, it has to post process the video to mark the beginning and end of each comerical break. Since we almost always watch our shows a day or two later it does not matter, when we watch, one button moves to the end of the current commerical break. I'll never go back and I can see why Phillips thinks they can sell a tuner for settop boxes with a commerical skip inhibitor. I would say the commerical skip feature alone is worth about 70, at least for my wife and I.

WLOS-DT is back up as of 10pm. My signal strength is the same as before on my Dish 622. Anybody know what was going on?

They were back on the air by at least 5:30. I watched some of the evening news around that time.

bstratton1,

Have you guys backed off the power? My signal strength this week during prime time is back to the old days.... 0 - 30%. At that strength I receive too many dropouts to watch....

Thanks.

Yes, we have backed the power down again. The generator is back on the mountain as of yesterday (4/26) and we are hoping to have it wired and back in service by this evening! If this happens as planned, we should be running our digital back up to around 70-80% power. We are still waiting to hear about Ai coming in to proof our transmitter again, but until they do we can't go to 100%. The power increase you noticed last week was with our transmitter at around 70-80%.

As for the loss of signal this past weekend... I was out of town, but I know we had some technical problems at Pisgah that could have been the reason. I'll try to find out for sure.

Yes, we have backed the power down again. The generator is back on the mountain as of yesterday (4/26) and we are hoping to have it wired and back in service by this evening! If this happens as planned, we should be running our digital back up to around 70-80% power. We are still waiting to hear about Ai coming in to proof our transmitter again, but until they do we can't go to 100%. The power increase you noticed last week was with our transmitter at around 70-80%.

As for the loss of signal this past weekend... I was out of town, but I know we had some technical problems at Pisgah that could have been the reason. I'll try to find out for sure.

Thanks for your reply.

When the transmitter runs 70-80%, like it did last week, it dramatically increases my signal. It will be great when you can run at 100%, however 70-80% at least gives me a signal I can receive and watch. Keep up the good work.

Here are my signals. ch 4.1 98%, ch 7.1 97%, ch 21.1 88%, ch 62.1 62%, all exceptable, ch 13.1 48%. really, really bad. It seems WLOS-TV will continue to make excuses about their inability to serve the local televison market. If I felt the fcc or WLOS gave a crap, I would complain, but they don't. I'll bet if ch. 4's transmitter was on the moon, their signal would be better than 13's on the dreaded mt. pisgah... You might say I am not very happy.... I just don't understand why all the other channels in our market, are able to produce a signal that we can actually watch, and 13 can not.

Here are my signals. ch 4.1 98%, ch 7.1 97%, ch 21.1 88%, ch 62.1 62%, all exceptable, ch 13.1 48%. really, really bad. It seems WLOS-TV will continue to make excuses about their inability to serve the local televison market. If I felt the fcc or WLOS gave a crap, I would complain, but they don't. I'll bet if ch. 4's transmitter was on the moon, their signal would be better than 13's on the dreaded mt. pisgah... You might say I am not very happy.... I just don't understand why all the other channels in our market, are able to produce a signal that we can actually watch, and 13 can not.


I pick up 13-1 even at low power with no problems. I guess it is all about location. You are located on the market fringe, and I am in Greenville. What receiver, antenna and pre-amp are you using? Hopefully, your problems will be solved soon. Can you pick up any Atlanta channels?

bstratton1 : Are you still putting out a directional DT signal with most of the power to the east?

[QUOTE=Apps1]I pick up 13-1 even at low power with no problems.
thanks for your reply.

Much of my frustration comes from the FCC. That wonderful government agency decided many years ago that my county and several other counties that border the Carolinas, are in the Greenville market area. To make a long story short, when we subscribe to cable or satellite we must be fed the Carolina stations. I understand that the Carolina signals are stronger than the Atlanta stations, and the larger your market the more you can charge for your air time, thus the Greenville stations will fight to the death to keep us under their control. However I live, work, pay taxes, vote in Georgia, I am interested in Georgia weather, sports, news etc. In 2006 I should be able to receive the Georgia stations via whatever it takes. I have made contact with my reps in D.C. but they all say I need to talk with someone else. The Atlanta signals are available here via satellite with no problems, except it's against the law.
So I should be served by WLOS and I am still waiting. ( I can get fox, and cbs ota from Atlanta, antenna cm 4248 with cm 7777 amp.)

Well, well, well

WHNS-DT has shown up on Charter in Asheville on channel 786.

It is off and on here in Greenville as well at 786

Looking good, Charter. Nice pick-up. And just in time for The Jack Bauer Power Hour!

Come on WLOS, they're saving a spot just for you...
784 - NBC
785 - ?
786 - FOX
787 - CBS

Very nice! It doesn't appear with guide info yet, so I can't record it, but yes...I too am going to watch 24 in HD for the first time ever tonight! I had been watching the downrez'd rips found online, but now I can watch the real thing!

good job by Charter, now I can just disconnect my OTA antenna all together. I can't pick up WLOS-DT at all even with their recent power increase, and all the other locals are now on Charter..

If they would only bring the Braves back, or add ESPN2-HD

Looking good, Charter. Nice pick-up. And just in time for The Jack Bauer Power Hour!

Come on WLOS, they're saving a spot just for you...
784 - NBC
785 - ?
786 - FOX
787 - CBS

FYI...if you have a QAM tuner, Charter has WHNS on 77-5

I pick up 13-1 even at low power with no problems. I guess it is all about location. You are located on the market fringe, and I am in Greenville. What receiver, antenna and pre-amp are you using? Hopefully, your problems will be solved soon. Can you pick up any Atlanta channels?

Apps1,
Where are you located in Greenville?? What kind of set-up do you use?? I am right out the back gate at Furman, and just trying to figure out the best way to get local networks in HD. Thanks for the help.
jb

Apps1,
Where are you located in Greenville?? What kind of set-up do you use?? I am right out the back gate at Furman, and just trying to figure out the best way to get local networks in HD. Thanks for the help.
jb

I am in Botany Woods sub-division, which is about 5 miles from downtown just off of Wade Hampton Blvd. I have the Hughes HD tivo unit, with an Antennas Direct XG91 and a CM7777 pre-amp. I have several extra antenna. If you want to try one just send me a PM.

[QUOTE=Oxb]I got a thing from Charter in the mail today with their channel lineup and prices in it. The HD channels are listed as they are today. No Braves channel, no ESPN2, no WHNS. Since my yard was filled with ice yesterday I thought that something might have frozen over and WLOS could have been there.

I would be curious to know if there are any channels on the new lineup for PBS Digital stations such as SCETV or UNCTV. If you could look and let me know it would be very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

[QUOTE=Oxb]I got a thing from Charter in the mail today with their channel lineup and prices in it. The HD channels are listed as they are today. No Braves channel, no ESPN2, no WHNS. Since my yard was filled with ice yesterday I thought that something might have frozen over and WLOS could have been there.

I would be curious to know if there are any channels on the new lineup for PBS Digital stations such as SCETV or UNCTV. If you could look and let me know it would be very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Okay, I found it. I have the Asheville listing and the listings do include:

130 UNC-KD
131 UNC-ED
132 UNC-NC

and

788 PBS HD (that is UNC HD, but it is listed as PBS)

Hi again
Could someone list the QAM Channels for Charter in Greenville. I just found out that I have the charter feed!! :cool: Thanks

If Charter gets ABC and ESPN 2 in HD by the time the Series 3 HD Tivo comes out, I might seriously consider telling D* to take a hike with their fisher price toy mpeg 4 dvr.

I never thought I'd seriously consider going back to cable.

Does anyone out there have both and can you comment on Charter's relative hd picture quality?

Does it look like full-bandwidth mpeg 2?

Also, does Charter have any plans to simulcast their analogs as digital?

D* still wins on SD PQ by a mile IMHO.

I can't tell you the bitrate or compression quality, but with my own eyes, the HD content looks pretty darn good. I do not believe they downrez like D* However, the only thing I have to compare with OTA is PBS, and for that the HD looks pretty comparable to the OTA version. The HD premium stuff, like ESPN HD and Showtime HD look marvellous!

I can't tell you the bitrate or compression quality, but with my own eyes, the HD content looks pretty darn good. I do not believe they downrez like D* However, the only thing I have to compare with OTA is PBS, and for that the HD looks pretty comparable to the OTA version. The HD premium stuff, like ESPN HD and Showtime HD look marvellous!
MY HDtv allows me to have 2 feeds side by side. Before i switched off D* I compared side by side. Analog is a little grainy, but that is expected on Charter. Digital and HD all look really good. So far I have had Charter 2.5 weeks (back again after 6 years on D*) and have no complaints.

[QUOTE=Wayne Estabrook]

Okay, I found it. I have the Asheville listing and the listings do include:

130 UNC-KD
131 UNC-ED
132 UNC-NC

and

788 PBS HD (that is UNC HD, but it is listed as PBS)


Thanks !

Much of my frustration comes from the FCC. That wonderful government agency decided many years ago that my county and several other counties that border the Carolinas, are in the Greenville market area.

The FCC does not specify what counties make up a particular television market. The television viewers in the county decide that by their viewing which is measured by Nielsen Media Research. So a majority of viewers in Stephens County watch stations in the Greenville, Spartanburg, Asheville, Anderson market. If you can get a majority of television viewers in Stephens County to watch the Atlanta stations, then Stephens County will be assigned to the Atlanta market and your problem will be solved.

Doug

Doug- Will your High Definition Doppler really be in HD any time soon? Thanks

Well........ the use of the letters "HD" in the context of our live radar is for "higher definition" since we added the ability to display weather in three dimensions (3D) graphically. The vidoe output of the weather graphics computer system is not native High Definition video yet.

It's a marketing thing.

Doug

Doug

The latest from DTV:
We currently do not carry local HD programming in Greenville SC however. We're already serving select cities and hope to add others by the end of this year. We will be adding more cities soon after these and gradually expanding our coverage over the next two years, as we deploy new satellites that use state-of-the-art MPEG-4 technology.

More details will be available when we launch the local HD service in your area, so watch your local TV, radio or mailbox for upcoming announcements or visit DIRECTV.com.

Now according to Phillip Swann of TVPredictions.com, Direct TV is out of space until the new "birds" go on line later this year. Also, somewhere (maybe the direct tv site) I saw a list of stations to come on line late this year, and I did not see Greenville, SC. That really surprised me, with as many dishes in this market, I was sure that we would be in the top 20.

Channel 799 has appeared on Charter. Something called HDMEV?

I'm guessing it's a special events channel... that's where they used to show the HBO boxing PPV's

Maybe it means HD Movies and Events?

The FCC does not specify what counties make up a particular television market. The television viewers in the county decide that by their viewing which is measured by Nielsen Media Research. Doug

Doug.. There is only one car in the race in Stephens County. Our local cable, and both satellite systems are required to feed us the Carolina stations, there fore we CHOOSE Greenville, because there is NO other choice. They say its the fcc rule. The ota Carolina signals are stronger than Georgia signals, thus we are in your market. Just 10 miles north of us in Hambersham county, the Atlanta stations are provided. This is 2006, we should have the right to watch Georgia if we choose. About 5 years ago I was choosen to keep a Nielsen book. Not once did I "check" a Carolina station, always checking "other" and entering an Atlanta ch. #. A Nielsen book represents many thousands of homes, and we have only a few thousand here in Stephens County. They must have not counted mine. If you were fed the Raliegh stations rather than Greenville, you too would probably complain. It's not that I don't like you guys to the east, I just I live in Georgia, and would like to be able to view Georgia news, weather and sports. I don't think thats asking too much.

Doug.. There is only one car in the race in Stephens County. Our local cable, and both satellite systems are required to feed us the Carolina stations, there fore we CHOOSE Greenville, because there is NO other choice. They say its the fcc rule. The ota Carolina signals are stronger than Georgia signals, thus we are in your market. Just 10 miles north of us in Hambersham county, the Atlanta stations are provided. This is 2006, we should have the right to watch Georgia if we choose. About 5 years ago I was choosen to keep a Nielsen book. Not once did I "check" a Carolina station, always checking "other" and entering an Atlanta ch. #. A Nielsen book represents many thousands of homes, and we have only a few thousand here in Stephens County. They must have not counted mine. If you were fed the Raliegh stations rather than Greenville, you too would probably complain. It's not that I don't like you guys to the east, I just I live in Georgia, and would like to be able to view Georgia news, weather and sports. I don't think thats asking too much.

Legacy issues certainly present a problem with modern technology. Under the current rules it is more difficult for counties to change markets. I realize everyone want the "freedom of choice" but factors such as copyright and franchise rights can't be thrown out the window either. If you paid for the exclusive distribution rights for a product in Toccoa, you wouldn't be too happy if someone else came to Toccoa selling the same product.

Channel 799 has appeared on Charter. Something called HDMEV?

Upon Further review I'm betting this is for the DeLaHoya vs. Mayorga Boxing match on HBO tomororw night (5/6)

Fox HD on Charter makes me wanna dance!

Legacy issues certainly present a problem with modern technology. Under the current rules it is more difficult for counties to change markets. I realize everyone want the "freedom of choice" but factors such as copyright and franchise rights can't be thrown out the window either. If you paid for the exclusive distribution rights for a product in Toccoa, you wouldn't be too happy if someone else came to Toccoa selling the same product.

I promised my shelf I would not beat a dead horse to death, but I must respond one more time. The "product" is not the same, one offers Carolina news, sports & weather, the other offers Georgia news, sports & weather. No franchise infringement. Now "if a tree fell in the forest and there was no one there to hear it, would it make a noise". I say there would be no sound. (kind of like 13's signal)

The FCC has issued the tentative DTV channel designations for stations participating in the second round of the DTV channel election process. The documents are listed at http://www.fcc.gov/dtv/ under 5/5/06.

According to the list, WYFF will get ch 36. It had requested either 36 or 49 in its second round application.

As background for anyone who needs it... WYFF-DT is currently on ch 59, but it can't stay there because no TV stations will be allowed to operate on ch 52-69 after the analog shutdown in 2009. WYFF presumably didn't want to move its DT signal to its "old" ch 4 because impulse noise is more common on ch 2-6 and has particularly bad effects on DTV reception.

Similarly, WSPA-DT (ch 53), WLOS-DT (ch 56) and WHNS-DT (ch 57) will have to move, but they will (at least tentatively) move to their "old" ch 7, 13 and 21 respectively.

If DT-13 is as prone to multipath as Analog 13, many of us will just have to rely on LIL and say goodbye to OTA. Too bad; its been fun. My experience with DT 9 from Greenville is probably a good indication of problems VHF-DT can expect, with co-channel/adjacent channel RFI and multipath the norm.

Raleigh NBC has been peppered with black spots during the past couple of weeks, confusing viewers and engineers alike. Finally, the problem was found and detailed in this interesting post:
<Quote>
NBC17ENG
Chief Engineer NBC17


Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Wendell, NC
Posts: 105 Found it last night. It was the Neilson encoder screwing it up prior to my encoder. They add data to the video and audio for ratings collection. It picked last night to get worse, but at least bad enough for us to catch it in the act. <end quote>

It seems as though WLOS is broadcasting a third channel tonight called "TheTube" at 13-3. It is in 480i, doesn't seem to have sound, and it isn't a rebroadcast of the other two channels. Anyone recognize the channel? It seems to be some sort of music channel.

Mr. Birdwell,

In my experience, the analog UHF channels (21,33 and 62) have much worse multipath than analog 13. I actually get WASV 62 better pointing my antenna north instead of south which would be the proper direction. That is pretty extreme multipath.

It seems as though WLOS is broadcasting a third channel tonight called "TheTube" at 13-3. It is in 480i, doesn't seem to have sound, and it isn't a rebroadcast of the other two channels. Anyone recognize the channel? It seems to be some sort of music channel.

The Tube is a music channel that Sinclair has contracted with on a large number of their stations as additional digital channels.

"TheTube" at 13-3.

Ugh, you're right, there it is. :( WACH-DT in Columbia also has it, but at least it's their only "extra" subchannel. Ironically, while I had it on just now, it showed a self-promo in the form of a viewer testimonial that started, "This is definitely what my wife and I have been looking for."

I thought ABC was working on an all-news subchannel. Does that mean we're going to get a 13-4 sometime in the future? Hopefully by then DT-14 (40) will be strong enough that Sinclair won't need to simulcast it on 13-2.

Speaking of DT-14, even though it's only about 25 miles away from me, its picture constantly breaks up on me. I wonder whether that means they're not at their full 310 kW yet, or my current antenna simply does a crappy job on ch 14.

Does anyone in Anderson SC have charter with HD DVR?? Is this service available here? My DirecTivo is so flaky I'd love to dump it.
I'm on my third repacement unit, and this one doesn't even get 7-1 well enough to record it. Pretty much 4-1 is the only OTA I can get in the 90's signal strength. I am using CM777 on a CM4228. I really thought I would get everything after buying all this junk.

I have a Charter HD DVR in Clemson. Works great.

onslowtn --

That could be a result of your antenna reception pattern. After dealing with VHF multipath for the past 60 years, I'll take UHF )(Digital) over analog V anyday.

By the way, how are your judging the UHF multipath? Have you taken a close look with a spectrum analyser?

WHNS-DT: Wish you would tame down your audio level for local inserts...I sometimes have to reduce your level 26db to stay in the room. Many news promos are to the point of distortion.

JB ,

I really do not have the capability to analyse the spectrum. I do have a long range yagi and a multibay UHF antenna and the ghosting is apparent on UHF channels here on the TN side of the mountains. I am sure WLOS has some multipath as well, but it does not show up in strong way in the picture.

Multipath -- You refer to UHF analog ghosts, not DT I assume. The only way I know of for you to detect ghost/multipath on DT transmissions is picture or sound interruption. At any rate, I am somwhat concerned about the coming switch to VHF-DT by many stations, increasing the possible co-channel and occasional skip DX reception and the fact that the lower frequencies bounch around a lot. Hope I am wrong. I still look for improved UHF-DT tuners with true capability of locking on to the strongest multipath signal, etc.

Speaking of DT-14 (40), even though it's only about 25 miles away from me, its picture constantly breaks up on me. I wonder whether that means they're not at their full 310 kW yet, or my current antenna simply does a crappy job on ch 14.

I happened to tune it in just now, and it's coming in beautifully, 95%+ on my meter over a good range of angles. So it must have been that they were still on reduced power and have just bumped it up.

Now let's see if they have anything worth watching when the WB expires and the MyNetworkTV affiliation takes effect this fall. :p

I have a Charter HD DVR in Clemson. Works great.

When did Charter come to Clemson? I thought Northland (almost a) Cable Co. was the ony one.

I have lost 21.1..... anyone else?

I have lost 21.1..... anyone else?
It's out on Charter too.

I have lost 21.1..... anyone else?
Charter Ashe is out too

It's out on Charter too.

Thanks for the reply, bet they are making some improvements on dt.

Thanks for the reply, bet they are making some improvements on dt.
Cool.............what improvements????????

When did Charter come to Clemson? I thought Northland (almost a) Cable Co. was the ony one.

We also have nOrthland here as well. Oh the pain, it's almost as bad as loosing to the gAmecaocks. Tigers all the way.... except for an occasional sat afternoon .....Go Dawgs...

I have lost 21.1..... anyone else?

I hear they had a transmitter failure.

I hear they had a transmitter failure.

dose "THEY" mean you are not our connection with 21 any more???? Hope not..

Yep, I lost it too.

dose "THEY" mean you are not our connection with 21 any more???? Hope not..I don't believe he ever was, directly. I could be misremembering, but I believe foxeng is associated with WGHP in NC. I'm pretty sure it's a NC affiliate, at least. He still seems to be in the loop as to what's going on in the region, and he's kind enough to share what he knows.

When did Charter come to Clemson? I thought Northland (almost a) Cable Co. was the ony one.


Technically, I am in Central, but I am just outside of Clemson (towards Daniel High). My parents are downtown, and they are on Northland.

dose "THEY" mean you are not our connection with 21 any more???? Hope not..

Well I have never worked for WHNS, so technically, I was "never the connection" to start with. ;) Being in the biz though, you hear things and such and that is as far as I need to take it at the moment.

I don't believe he ever was, directly. I could be misremembering, but I believe foxeng is associated with WGHP in NC. I'm pretty sure it's a NC affiliate, at least. He still seems to be in the loop as to what's going on in the region, and he's kind enough to share what he knows.

You are correct. I do work for WGHP in the Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem market. Broadcasting is such a small community, the saying is "your competitor today will be your employer tomorrow" and there is much truth in that.

FOX HD back on the air................Jack is back

FOX HD back on the air................Jack is back

Crisis averted.

For the record, we are still not to our liscensed Full Power. We hope to be there after Acrodyne shows up to sweep the transmitter and verify we are within regulations on our signal. Running at 100% now is more like 80% of our liscensed output. If I remember right, we were around 23kw out of the transmitter last night when we left Pisgah... and we should be at 30kw to be "full power".

Thanks for the replies, and please keep them coming.

Have you guys made some recent changes. I could never pull in WLOS until this weekend (signal strength of 0). I re-searched and found it with a high strength. I figured I was going to have to put in a bigger antenna but now I am doing just fine. Thanks for working out all the bugs.

jamie

OK, so I just ordered the 50" SXRD from Jeff Lynch(will be here Friday!), and immediately called Charter to setup HD programming. The woman I spoke with (in the Simpsonville call center) said that FOX-HD won't be available until June 1 in this market.

From the comments I am hearing, I take it she had absolutely no clue what she was talking about.

Please tell me I'll be able to watch the 24 finale in HD Monday night!

Please tell me I'll be able to watch the 24 finale in HD Monday night!

We've been watching 24 in glorious HD through Charter for about 3 weeks now.

I wish WHNS would keep their HD bug off the screen every night like they did tonight. It was nice to watch House without their annoyingly bright logo in the corner.

I wish WHNS would keep their HD bug off the screen every night like they did tonight. It was nice to watch House without their annoyingly bright logo in the corner.

Bugs during network programming are not controlled by the station, but by the network. The white FOX bug and the local station bug are storied on the splicer and network decides which bug is to be used and when. During non network programming, the station has control.

What's the latest update on WLOS and their power situation? The 70-80% they were operating at for their last update still isn't cutting it for me. It's going to have to go 100% before I have a prayer of picking it up.

What's the latest update on WLOS and their power situation? The 70-80% they were operating at for their last update still isn't cutting it for me. It's going to have to go 100% before I have a prayer of picking it up.

We are still at 25Kw when we should be at 30Kw. We proofed the transmitter again last week and it does seem to be alot better now after the work was performed on it about a month ago. Hopefully, we are going to try to go up to our full power in the next week or so. We are installing some new equipment at our studio, as well as moving a bureau this week and into next... so the timeframe is not yet set.

If you are getting our signal now, but low signal strength, the increase in power might help you... but anything worse than that and I doubt the extra boost is going to help you enough. Where in SC are you located?

I'm located in Cherokee County... in your "Fringe" area for your DT signal pattern. At the moment I get a two bar signal that fluctuates, but at other times of the day/night it drops off to one bar and is too weak to pick up at all.

I was hoping the extra power would boost it enough to recieve it at least, especially with ABC adding Saturday Night College Football next year

Hey all,

I am new to this forum but have been a member of audioholics for a while now. I have a question for all you folks that in in western North Carolina. I live in Sylva, NC 28779 and have looked up my address on antenaweb and it says that I cannot get off the air HD channels in my area. However, I can get signal from all of the SD towers in asheville, greenville and knoxville. I am 25 miles from WLOS tower and 40 miles from WYFF. Is thier anything to do to get Off the air HD in my area.

Thanks


Naves

Hey all,

I am new to this forum but have been a member of audioholics for a while now. I have a question for all you folks that in in western North Carolina. I live in Sylva, NC 28779 and have looked up my address on antenaweb and it says that I cannot get off the air HD channels in my area. However, I can get signal from all of the SD towers in asheville, greenville and knoxville. I am 25 miles from WLOS tower and 40 miles from WYFF. Is thier anything to do to get Off the air HD in my area.

Thanks


Naves

Buy an OTA HD receiver, a long range UHF antenna, a pre-amp, and a rotor and see what happens. Hopefully you dont have a mountain between your location and the towers. I think you may be suprised at your results. Good luck.

I have a samsung hlr-5667w it has the so I dont need the receiver. Now can I get an antenna from radio shack you that would work?

Thanks


Jason

[QUOTE=Naves]I have a samsung hlr-5667w it has the so I dont need the receiver. Now can I get an antenna from radio shack you that would work?

Thanks


] Ask your local RS if they carry Channel Master, many do, and I believe you would be happier. Also keep in mind that some of the "locals" will return to their vhf channel number with their hd signal, when standard is gone. So those of us who depend on ota will need a vhf antenna in addition to the uhf we currently use.

We are still at 25Kw when we should be at 30Kw.

The FCC database lists you as authorized to run at 1000 kW on ch 56. :confused:

It does list you at about 30 kW for your proposed digital signal on ch 13, after analog shutdown.

The FCC database lists you as authorized to run at 1000 kW on ch 56. :confused:

It does list you at about 30 kW for your proposed digital signal on ch 13, after analog shutdown.

I believe Mr. Stratton is talking about actual transmitter output, while the FCC listings are for "effective radiated power" which is [transmitter power - transmission line loss x antenna gain]. A typical non-directional transmitting antenna has a gain of about 28-30, while a directional may be as high as 60. If the transmitter is at 30 KW, you need a net gain (gain minus losses) of 33 to reach 1000 KW ERP.

Richard

The FCC database lists you as authorized to run at 1000 kW on ch 56. :confused:

It does list you at about 30 kW for your proposed digital signal on ch 13, after analog shutdown.


If WLOS is hoping to achieve 30 kw at max on the uhf ch. what would the other three be shooting for? I believe ch. 4 dt is 1000 kw erp. Why such a big difference between the two station's power output?

If WLOS is hoping to achieve 30 kw at max on the uhf ch. what would the other three be shooting for? I believe ch. 4 dt is 1000 kw erp. Why such a big difference between the two station's power output?

This has to do with the difference in coverage on VHF (13) vs UHF. In the analog world, the max on ch 7-13 was 316 KW, and the max on UHF was 5,000 KW.

Since Ch. 4 is intending to stay on UHF, they will have a higher permitted power level.

The next obvious question is, why only 1,000 Digital, if they were at 5,000 analog? Two reasons:

1: In analog, the power was peak power at the Sync. pulse, while on Digital it is average.

2: The receiveability of the DTV signal was determined to be about 12 dB better than on analog.

Combining these gives power levels intended to replicate the coverage of the old analog system

If my understanding is correct, WLOS will broadcast their dt signal on uhf 56, at 30 kw (maybe) for the next two years, or until standard is gone. During this time, this means their signal will continue to have constant audio and video dropouts in my area because they are under-powered on uhf. Is this an fcc mandate, or a Sinclair decision?

Re WLOS-DT:
A significant factor in the WLOS coverage is the station's radiation pattern which has been very directional since it signed on its DT. I was under the impression it would become more non-directional with its new equipment, but that has never been confirmed. For reception, except to the east of Pisgah, the pattern can be more important than a few kilowatts of power.

I can email a copy of the WLOS pattern to those interested.

If my understanding is correct, WLOS will broadcast their dt signal on uhf 56, at 30 kw (maybe) for the next two years, or until standard is gone.

You have to remember that the number the FCC is concerned about is the ERP number or Effective Ratiated Power. According to the FCC database, that number is 1000 kw (or 1 million watts). In order to reach that 1000 kw number, it takes 30 kw of power from the transmitter (TPO or transmitter power output). The antenna through phasing and shaping the signal can create a signal that looks like to your receiver it is being produced by a 1 million watt transmitter. Hence the name "EFFECTIVE."

So the answer to your question is yes, WLOS will be broadcasting 30kw from their transmtter on channel 56 until they move back to channel 13 for digital. What that means in with 30kw of transmitter power (TPO), they will be making 1 million watts out of the antenna (ERP).

Re WLOS-DT:
A significant factor in the WLOS coverage is the station's radiation pattern which has been very directional since it signed on its DT. I was under the impression it would become more non-directional with its new equipment, but that has never been confirmed. For reception, except to the east of Pisgah, the pattern can be more important than a few kilowatts of power.

I can email a copy of the WLOS pattern to those interested.

This is what is on file with the FCC for their 1 million watt pattern on channel 56.

http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DS617446.gif

This is their channel 13 digital pattern. It is slightly different than their current channel 13 analog pattern.

http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DT1077708.gif

Bugs during network programming are not controlled by the station, but by the network. The white FOX bug and the local station bug are storied on the splicer and network decides which bug is to be used and when. During non network programming, the station has control.
Ah, I didn't realize the network controlled it. It'd be nice if they just used the white FOX bug like they do on the SD feed.

While flipping through my DTV receiver's program guide, I noticed that 62-1 and 7-3 are now coming up as WYCW-DT and WYCW-SD respectively, instead of WASV-DT and WASV-SD. Since it was near the half hour, I waited for the station break to see what the new logo would look like. But I didn't see a new logo! Instead, I saw the old WASV 62 logo, or one of them anyway, accompanied by the text WYCW-TV/DT in small print at the bottom. Looks like they're starting to market their new CW network affiliation.

I wonder if WBSC is going to get new call letters too. WWWB in Charlotte has already changed to WMYT.

This is what is on file with the FCC for their 1 million watt pattern on channel 56.

No, that's from their temporary permit for 14.9 kW. Here's the map for 1000 kW:

http://www.fcc.gov/ftp/Bureaus/MB/Databases/fm_tv_service_areas/maps/DT418566.gif

On this map, I'm right at the edge of the service contour, but on the one for 14.9 kW, I'm thirty miles outside. :eek:

On their proposed ch 13 map, I'm about 10 miles outside, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

At least I still have WOLO-DT in Columbia. Even though Laurens County isn't part of their market area, I'm a few miles inside their service contour. I get a pretty good signal from them, except that impulse noise is a problem sometimes.

[QUOTE=jtbell]
At least I still have WOLO-DT in Columbia. Even though Laurens County isn't part of their market area.

Since Clinton is not in the WOLO dma, you must be in the WLOS dma? If so, looks as though you guys may be out of luck.

I am just inside the current ch 56 full power contour, and the same with the proposed 13 hd signal when the time comes. Lots of drop outs.

Are these maps ever confirmed in the field, or just pure "should be" ?

How is your 13.1 signal these days???

Since Clinton is not in the WOLO dma, you must be in the WLOS dma?

As far as I know, Laurens County is part of the Greenville / Spartanburg / Asheville / Anderson DMA, and WLOS is the ABC affiliate that serves that DMA. It's a bit weird because I've visited Asheville (as opposed to just driving through on my way up north) maybe three times in the twenty years I've lived here, so their local commercials are useless to me. I do watch WLOS local news sometimes, just for the scenery. :) For real news, I usually use WYFF or WOLO depending on whether I'm in the mood for Greenville or Columbia news. I visit both places regularly.

I get a very good signal from WLOS on ch 56. It's not as strong overall as WOLO's signal, but it's strong enough, and steady, and isn't affected by impulse noise like WOLO's VHF signal. With impulse noise, I get occasional-to-frequent brief glitches, usually localized to small areas of the picture. It varies from day to day depending on the weather. In wet weather I get no impulse noise, but on warm dry days I can get lots of it.

Impulse noise??? I've looked at several sites to explain "impulse noise" as I seek a solution to my problems with 13.1. My signal is fairly good, around 75, but constant glitches both video and audio, both seem electrical , no pixel drop out, just a small tear in a portion of the picture, audio has a pop .....but I'm no engineer. I looking at the Monster htfs 500 to correct. Anyone else using a power conditioner???? Any suggestions?

Impulse noise??? I've looked at several sites to explain "impulse noise" as I seek a solution to my problems with 13.1. My signal is fairly good, around 75, but constant glitches both video and audio, both seem electrical , no pixel drop out, just a small tear in a portion of the picture, audio has a pop .....but I'm no engineer. I looking at the Monster htfs 500 to correct. Anyone else using a power conditioner???? Any suggestions?

Don, Impulse Noise may reach your system either by way of the power line, or directly from the antenna. The most common source is a cracked or broken insulator on a power line. If you tune to an analog channel, you should see it in the picture. If it shows up as a line across the screen, crawling slowly upward, then it is power-line related. If it is random, it most likely comes from a brush-type motor somewhere in your area.

Normally, impulse noise is worst on the low VHF channels (2-6) which is why most stations do not want to use those channels for DTV. Seeing it on UHF is very rare.

As far as power conditioning is concerned, there are some good units out there, but I would recommend something different....

Be on the lookout for a Liebert Uninterruptible Power Supply in the GXT series. I have a 2 KW one, which powers three HD-TiVos, a 61" RP HDTV, all the audio components, and two computers. The beauty of these is that the output is always coming from the UPS, and never from the power line. The line only provides DC to keep the batteries charged, so there is complete isolation from any line problems.

In over a year, I have never had a TiVo lockup, reboot, or any other problems, which is in stark contrast to most other TiVo users. If the power goes off, I just shut off the TV and audio, and let the TiVos run. Usually the power is back quickly, and I don't even lose the recordings.

I got mine on eBay for about $60 plus shipping (another $50 - these are heavy) and bought new batteries for it, about another $60, but it has been a great investment!!

If you look on eBay for item 9729660116 you will see a similar unit for sale now. It is a 1 KW.

Regards,

Was WLOS out tonight??? On the season finale of LOST?????? For shame!

Was WLOS out tonight??? On the season finale of LOST?????? For shame!

It was fine here...just finished watching it.. (and deleted it - - sorry!!)

I don't get it. WUNF was coming in fine, and WLOS, which has been rock solid for weeks now, did not come in at all! Of all the nights for this to happen...I was pi**ed!!! I just don't understand it.

I had no trouble tuning WLOS last night for LOST with my HDTV (Zenith c32v37), but my HTPC with MCE running two digital tuners could not tune into WLOS (signal strengh should have been adequate - around 75% with little fluctuation according to my TV's strength meter). It would pick up the other stations, but not WLOS which means I could not record it :(. So perhaps there was something wrong with the transmission that effected some tuners, but not all.

Does anyone know or heard if Charter will be getting ESPN2 in HD anytime soon. It pisses me off that the semifinals in NCAA lax in going to be in HD on ESPN@ but i cant watch it.

My tuner is a MCE PC card as well! Maybe it was a crappy MS thing?!

Speaking of Charter, I have been having problems with my Moxi, so I called Charter care to see what was up. They said it may be a week or more before a tech could get out, so I was told to take it on down to the local office for a switchout. Of course, when I got there I was told they were out, and I drove from Weaverville to Arden for nothing. The interesting thing is that the ldy said they only had a few left for swap outs, as they are no longer offering them for new customers. I wonder if there is a new box on the horizon, or if she was totally wrong.

Speaking of Charter, I have been having problems with my Moxi, so I called Charter care to see what was up. They said it may be a week or more before a tech could get out, so I was told to take it on down to the local office for a switchout. Of course, when I got there I was told they were out, and I drove from Weaverville to Arden for nothing. The interesting thing is that the ldy said they only had a few left for swap outs, as they are no longer offering them for new customers. I wonder if there is a new box on the horizon, or if she was totally wrong.

At least you have Moxi. My wife and I moved and turned in our Moxi since we were going to be between places while our house was being built. House was done, called Charter, got put on a waiting list, and now almost 4 months later...still waiting. I've called and they've said they have no idea when they'll be in.

Went to HH Gregg yesterday out of boredom and the guy there told me that some high-up from Charter came in to buy a speaker set. Apparently during their conversation, the Charter gentleman said that they have the new boxes, but won't distribute yet.

Anyone else have any insider info about when I might be able to get it(or confirmation that they have HDMI)? Hey, at least it's mostly re-runs until September. If I don't have it by then, then I'll flip out.

E* or D* has DVR's in stock for immediate delivery and much more HD content and ALL of the locals via OTA, Charter is just a pig at the trough. And one of the worst rated cablecos by JD Power for customer service.

E* or D* has DVR's in stock for immediate delivery and much more HD content and ALL of the locals via OTA, Charter is just a pig at the trough. And one of the worst rated cablecos by JD Power for customer service.

Enoree's opinion does not necessarily reflect the views of the rest of us in this group ;-). I'm a Charter customer and am more than happy with the service and selection.

Charter has right now HDNet, HDNet Movies, ESPN-HD, Discovery-HD, HBO-HD, SHO-HD, Cinemax-HD, UniversalHD, TNT-HD, and the locals (whereas D* still has not even announced inclusion of HD locals in our market).

The only channel D* offers that Charter doesn't is ESPN2-HD, and they don't have Cinemax. D* or E*'s DVR might be better, but D* also "scales down" their HD channel resolutions (see the HD Lite threads in the Programming forum) so you're not getting the same quality.

I've looked at switchingy many times but after seeing D*'s HD quality in person I always stick with cable.

E* or D* has DVR's in stock for immediate delivery and much more HD content and ALL of the locals via OTA, Charter is x x x.

Tell me more! D* will not release the MPG4 HD DVRs "until later this summer" for use in this area...although my present receiver needs replacing.

I got rid of D* for E* in April and all new E* boxes are mpeg4, and don't think that Charter doesn't down rez, cable only has so much bandwidth.

Fortunately I am 2.5 miles from the nearest cable (thus not tempted), and have been very satisfied with D* for the past 10 years, until now. D* wants to "sell" me a MPG2 receiver now to replace my erratic Samsung, with no compensation when the MPG4 is delivered. Although they will release the new HD recorder in the area well in advance of LIL HD (they say).

Enoree's opinion does not necessarily reflect the views of the rest of us in this group ;-). I'm a Charter customer and am more than happy with the service and selection.
Yeah, I'm happy with Charter too. Now if they can get WYCW in HD by the start of the fall TV season, I'll be really happy.

Been using the DTV H20 for several weeks with no problems. Cost $100 at Best Buy.

It was my understanding that WLOS would have gone full power by now. I am getting WUNF great this morning and my receiver will attempt to lock on WLOS, but never does. Mr. Stratton, what is the delay?
I noticed on the FCC website that WLOS interference conflict with the Chattanooga station has been resolved and the FCC has approved the move back to 13 for DT. Which I think is good news given the problems on ch. 56.

onslowtn, we are currently at approx. 83% power. Our transmitter could be ran higher, but would not be within regulation. There are certain signal attributes that must be met in order to be 'regulation' and we are still fighting this problem. It is looking like major system changes are all that can fix the problem, but since we are currently on a channel 56 transmitter, I doubt there will be much further $$ put into it at this time. We will be getting a ch 13 digital transmitter to replace the one we have now, but when this will happen, we don't know for sure.

I guess I understand what you mean, but I can't imagine that WLOS would be causing any interference on another channel 56 given the reception difficulties in a coverage area in theory is supposed to reach the Virginia border at one point. Obviously, the effective coverage area is much less than that. I hope that that the 13 DT transmitter will arrive well in advance of the analog shutoff deadline. I know you have been operating with Special Temporary Authority at less that full power. Could you ask for a STA to operate out of "regulation"?

The reason we are leaving channel 56 is not due to interference, but because the FCC is not going to allow anyone to use that chunk of freq. for tv broadcast. Anyone in the range of channel 52 thru 64 or so (don't quote me on those particular channels as I am not sure exactly what they are) will have to move. I too hope we get our 13 DTV transmitter soon, but I'm just not in that loop right now to know.

If we were to operate at full power with our signal incorrect, it could splatter out into other areas and cause lots of problems with interference and such. So I don't think that will happen.

So This Mean That Untill Wlos Gets That New Transmitter,we In The Gvl,sptg,and Areas Will Not Get Htv Via Directv Satelite.
Boy That Smells To High Heaven And Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So This Mean That Untill Wlos Gets That New Transmitter,we In The Gvl,sptg,and Areas Will Not Get Htv Via Directv Satelite.
Boy That Smells To High Heaven And Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What makes you come to that conclusion? I would not think that it would have anything to do with getting a new transmitter. I havn't been sitting back waiting for D*, and I have been receiving all the HD locals as they became available starting with WSPA back in 2000. Get an antenna and go with the flow.

Actually, we have given D* and E* permission to transmit our DTV signals through their service. It is their choice to offer it or not. Whether we are using the Ch56 or Ch13 DTV transmitter, it don't matter as far as that goes. So if you can't get our DTV signal on D* or E*, then call them and ask why.

Well Some Of Us Do Not Have It As Good As You Do.
I To Have A Widguard Pr7032 Antenna Turn To 347-degrees(wlos Tower)
Can,t Get The Signal.some Of Us Need The Satelite If We Are Ever
To See Wlos(abc)signal.
We Are 35th In The Dma,and Still Not On Line,and They Want Say When We Will Be On Line.
Could It Be That Wlos Dozen,t Have Their Act Together?
Ice Storm,generator,new Dtv Transmitter,can Not Go Full Power,etc.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I Belive I Saw On Nielsen Media Research Local Universe List That They
Are Up To The 53rd Dma To Come On Line.
Skipped Right Over Greenville,spartanburg,asheville Dma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well Some Of Us Do Not Have It As Good As You Do.
I To Have A Widguard Pr7032 Antenna Turn To 347-degrees(wlos Tower)
Can,t Get The Signal.some Of Us Need The Satelite If We Are Ever
To See Wlos(abc)signal.
We Are 35th In The Dma,and Still Not On Line,and They Want Say When We Will Be On Line.
Could It Be That Wlos Dozen,t Have Their Act Together?
Ice Storm,generator,new Dtv Transmitter,can Not Go Full Power,etc.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I Belive I Saw On Nielsen Media Research Local Universe List That They
Are Up To The 53rd Dma To Come On Line.
Skipped Right Over Greenville,spartanburg,asheville Dma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


What is your location, and are you using a pre-amp? Do you receive all of the other channels in our area without a problem?

Well Some Of Us Do Not Have It As Good As You Do.
I To Have A Widguard Pr7032 Antenna Turn To 347-degrees(wlos Tower)
Can,t Get The Signal.some Of Us Need The Satelite If We Are Ever
To See Wlos(abc)signal.
We Are 35th In The Dma,and Still Not On Line,and They Want Say When We Will Be On Line.
Could It Be That Wlos Dozen,t Have Their Act Together?
Ice Storm,generator,new Dtv Transmitter,can Not Go Full Power,etc.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I Belive I Saw On Nielsen Media Research Local Universe List That They
Are Up To The 53rd Dma To Come On Line.
Skipped Right Over Greenville,spartanburg,asheville Dma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe you guys are giving Bill such a load of s***. Bill has been very gracious in coming on this forum, and attempting to keep us apprised of the status of their situation, and you respond with criticism and insults.

You all need to remember that the analog TV system has been around since 1952, and took about 40 years to get it working really well. DTV has been around less than 10 years, and you expect perfection.

If the Channel 56 transmitter is at 83%, then the difference in getting it to 100% is only a little more than 1 dB, which would probably affect their coverage by about 500 yards!!! The FCC does not even require a station to notify them if they are above 80%. The difference is virtually unmeasurable.

The differences between transmitters for analog and digital are anything but trivial! In analog, performace characteristics such as linearity and group delay contribute to picture quality. In Digital, they impact coverage. Also, since the DTV signal is uniformly spread across the channel, and since adjacent channels are being used in the same locale, any out-of-channel radiation can interfere with another station in the same market, causing a reduction in the effective coverage of the other station.

If WLOS is having a little trouble making 100% power, the problem is likely one for the transmitter manufacturer to solve, not the station, and they can be tough. I know - I used to work for a manufacturer. Also realize that the manufacturers are spread pretty thin, while trying to resolve issues dealing with an infant system, and specifications most engineers don't understand, and cannot afford the equipment to measure correctly. Bill is relating the situation. Don't shoot the messenger!!

Finally, the Satellite companies do not have any technical reasons they cannot receive the signals, since they can choose their receiving location. This does not mean that they do not have problems with transmitting them in a given neighborhood. Remember that there are several satellites involved, and each has regional spot beams. It could well be that there are no available channels left in the spot beams which cover this region, and that they will have to wait until another bird is up.

I'm not claiming this to be true, but only illustrating that there are probably issues we don't know about, and it is certainly not the problem of the stations.

Let's all appreciate Bill's contributions and updates, and stop trying to chase him away.

Ditto on the above post.

USA Today on the current state of HD via cable.
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/services/2006-06-04-cable-hdtv_x.htm

Ditto on the above post.

Amen from me also. We are VERY fortunate to have access to actual information rather than sitting around speculating about what is going on. Don't blow this privilege.

I know that we all get frustrated at times, but the same goes for the engineering guys behind the scenes.

Folks,
I live in Easley, SC, between Greenville and Clemson.
Is it possible for me to get HD using an indoor antenna?
If it is, what would you recommend.
Thanks

Folks,
I live in Easley, x x x you recommend.
Thanks

Several factors come into play. First check your your location here:
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Welcome.aspx
Structure construction, type of walls, side of the house, signal strength are some of the questions that come into play. If the above website indicates you get good reception (a small antenna is needed) then you probably will be able to receive at least some of the stations with an indoor antenna. However, the UHF antenna that is needed is small (except for Greenville's Ch 9-PBS) and is easily mounted outside, and probably will give you the most stable reception.

Thanks, Jerry.
I read in one of your posts that you have an antenna mounted in your attic.
Does an attic-mounted antenna have the same grounding requirements as one mounted outside the house?
The possibility of lightning striking an outdoor antenna scares the heck out of my wife.

Tom-

I'm located in Seneca. I have the TERK TV-5 antenna in my attic. It is just sitting between the trusses. It is amplified. I have it plugged into a power outlet near my attic access door.

I've been using this setup since February when I installed the DTV HR-250. I've had to tweak the location of the antenna in the attic a few times; however, it is very easy to do - I just move it up/over to another truss location. It is a little tricky to "point" or aim - not really sure which is the front or back since it is a double loop. I've just tried different locations/directions.

I currently have great reception of HD/digital ABC, NCB, CBS, FOX and UNC-PBS (I haven't been able to get SCETV-PBS - I think it is because the TERK5 is mainly a UHF antenna).

21.1 and .2 FOX 94%
13.1 and .2 ABC 90%
4.1 and .2 NBC 85%
7.1 and 7.2 CBS 72% (I know it is the lowest signal strength - but very solid and I think CBS has the best HD PQ)
33.1 and others PBS (I'm not sure what the % is)

I'm not sure if I'm just having extremely good luck with this antenna or what? I know it is not a "high-end" antenna (you can find it at Circuit City or Best Buy). I decided to try it first - and it has worked great for now...and I hope longer?

Just got back into town after about a week in Virginia... Hats off to WBSC. Whom (or who) ever is in charge, I have a great picture, and very stable signal, even though the meter strength is less than 70. It's great to add another hd to our area. Thanks

Thanks, Curt.

Hey Stratton,

Can you confirm WLOS will be transmitting the World Cup matches this weekend in HD?

Thanks, Jerry.
I read in x x x The possibility of lightning striking an outdoor antenna scares the heck out of my wife.
In that a nearby lightening strike can induce voltage into the antenna and leadin, I would suggest that an antenna should always be grounded if possible....or that a leadin grounding block be incorporated somewhere. (Probably, the electrical system would take the brunt of a direct strike into a house/attic. And, I would never place an antenna on or near a house without a good ground!

Hey Stratton,

Can you confirm WLOS will be transmitting the World Cup matches this weekend in HD?


Yes. Here is a quote from ABC ANet site....

All telecasts will be broadcast in High Definition Television (HDTV) / Stereo Audio. ABC’s coverage of the “2006 FIFA World Cup Presented by Adidas” will not be broadcast In SAP.

I looked at the schedule, and it appears there will be 2 games tomorrow, one starting @ 9am, the other around noon or so. Then another one will be on Sunday. Next weekend is a soccer fan's dream weekend.

Is the Tube -music video channel at 13.3 having audio problems? I hope this is temporary. Does anyone from the broadcaster have any details? I would love a music channel since MTV forgot about us listeners. Thanks, robby c

The Tube is still in the trial stages here. We got it on air last Friday trying to beat our deadline, but we still have some tweaking to do on it yet. What kind of audio problems did you notice on it? I have no way to monitor it away from the studio, so any input would be great.

The Tube is still in the trial stages x x x , so any input would be great.

Although I have watched TheTube in relatively short sessions, the stereo audio (2/0) has been consistent and good. The video is more difficult to judge, in that the source programming is often dated and originated at far below today's standards. However, degrading video artifacts do show up in the best quality video originations, whereas the WLOS-HD VQ is among the best.

We, as you probably know Jerry, are stuck with a fixed bandwidth. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 19Megs for a channel. The HD sub channel uses the most, obviously, and the SD sub channels use less. But what is happening is we now have to divide the 19Megs up between 3 channels vs only 2 before. So in order to post 13-3, we had to steal some bandwidth from -1 and -2 sub channels. We are still tinkering with the settings to find the best middle ground, but with 3 video intensive sub channels it makes it difficult.

On that note, we are due to receive a software upgrade for our encoders that will help with this some. Its a stat mux application that will constantly redistribute bandwidth where it's needed most at any given instant. I have seen this work at another station I was at prior to coming here, and it does a fair job of it... but it doesn't work miracles.

Yes. Here is a quote from ABC ANet site....



I looked at the schedule, and it appears there will be 2 games tomorrow, one starting @ 9am, the other around noon or so. Then another one will be on Sunday. Next weekend is a soccer fan's dream weekend.

Thanks for the response. I was concerned b/c some stations were pre-empting.

My sound level is low just on 13.3. NO TROUBLE WITH WLOS OR WB. I have an LG-3510 STB and CM7777 from VHF/UHF mounted on roof here on the west side of Spartanburg near I-26. Some video's have zero sound and some are half of WLOS. The picture quality seems to be as good as 13.1 and 13.2. I have the same problem in the den with ACCURIAN 6000. I am getting 80% strength with SNR 26 on 13.1,13.2 and 13.3. The strength is usually 88%. thanks ROBBY C

[QUOTE=bstratton1]We, as you probably know Jerry, are stuck with a fixed bandwidth.

Boy... how... de. Bill, does a fixed bandwidth mean "My plate is full"? I'm sure Jerry knows the answer, along will Chalk and Bell. My question... does 13.3 take away from the quality of .1 & .2 and if it does why broadcast it? I have a feeling it may have something to do with $$$$.
Thanks for your input.

bstratton1-- Please don't take more BW away from 13.1! I can live with 13.3 as is, in that the videos were analog origination to begin with and not always with quality equipment. (I aired some 3 hours a day of these videos, 6 days a week, at a station startup in the early 80s...so I know what to expect.)

To answer other questions that have come up, we can expect more and more sub-channels to take away from the HD presentations ... in the interest of adding to the revenue stream. A major article in the WSJ this week detailed recent revenue losses for the broadcast stations, and pointed out most are looking to secondary DT channels to help recover. Fortunately, encoder improvements that allocate bandwidth on a demand basis--and perhaps better compression--will eventually solve some of the problem.

[QUOTE=jerry birdwell]bstratton1-- Please don't take more BW away from 13.1!

If I am watching 13.1, and the encoder decides that 13.3 needs more bandwidth and does it's job, will the 13.1 signal decrease?

At least WLOS didn't give us yet another weather subchannel. With the weather radar on 21.2, NBC Weather Plus on 4.2 and WSPA's Weather Plus clone on 7.2, we're well covered in that area.

But I thought I read somewhere that ABC is working on a 24/7 news channel for its affiliates. Or was it CBS? If we're going to have subchannels anyway, I'd love to see one of those.

With analog TV, the two things I really missed by not having cable at home, after watching it in motels while traveling, were (a) the Weather Channel and (b) CNN Headline News, at least when they're in news-show mode and not talk-show mode (Nancy Grace, ewww! :p ). With digital TV, I now have a substitute for (a) but not yet for (b).

As of right now we are protecting 13.1 as much as we can. I'm an HD viewer too, and would not like to see the HD quality go down in order to put another sub channel up. But there is an old saying of "trying to put 10lbs of junk in a 5lb bag". Thats what broadcasters are up against right now, until better technology allows us to expand our resources.

With the Stat Mux application I mentioned, it will not lower or increase your signal strength at all. It simply allocates bandwidth where it is needed most. I know on the Harris Encoder at another station, we could also put priorty ratings on each sub channel. The human eye should never see it work since its job is to make the video/audio less flawed by giving the sub channel a touch more bandwidth if it can. As I stated before, it works pretty well.. but don't expect any miracles.

The low level audio I will look into. I know we have an audio "issue" with The Tube now in that all the audio is coming in very low. I don't understand why some videos are worse than others... unless the difference is in a newer video vs an older one and there is something going on with the dolby 5.1 or stereo. I'll check into it though. Thanks for the input!

thanks bstratton1 for the info. i was just trying to give positive feedback on a new offering. I agree 100% that WLOS HD should get top priority. I am thrilled by the possibilities of multicasting. Thanks also to Jerry for all the work you do with this website. robby c from spartanburg

The low level audio I will look into. I know we have an audio "issue" with The Tube now in that all the audio is coming in very low. I don't understand why some videos are worse than others... unless the difference is in a newer video vs an older one and there is something going on with the dolby 5.1 or stereo. I'll check into it though. Thanks for the input!

I have checked out 13.3 The Tube a little and so far I like the channel. My issue with the audio is that the voices and other sounds from the center channel are coming from the back surround setup in my 6.1 setup. The front LR channels seem to be working fine, however. Audio level does not seem low from my Dish 622.

I got rid of D* for E* in April and all new E* boxes are mpeg4, and don't think that Charter doesn't down rez, cable only has so much bandwidth.

Jerry & Enoree, can you guys help me out with something? I've got HD through DISH (which I assume is E*), but only have one DVR receiver (951?) in the living room.

I've got the go ahead to get an LCD in the back room, so I'll need another reciever. I'd like to get one that I can get ESPN-2 in HD. Does that require the MPEG4 reciever from DISH? Are they selling those yet? Are they offering upgrade deals on old receivers?

I can't help you with the Dish plans for MPG4, but I am sure others are on top of this.

When is Charter going to get WLOS HD. Are they still fighting with Sinclair?

I think that would be correct Jeff. However, I am not in a position to be in the "know" of it.

Dish is doing MPEG4, although for some channels it is just a MPEG4 flag. They have an upgrade path on their website for current and new customers. The HD packs are Bronze, Silver,Gold and Platinum. or basically the Top60, Top120, and Top180 with HD. They currently offer 25HD's with Bronze and Silver, 26 with Gold and 29 with Platinum. They will add the local HD's this fall and another group of national HD's plus HD regional sports nets. It will be a long time before Charter can match this.

This afternoon I flipped past channel 40 during a station break and saw "WMYA-TV/DT Anderson Greenville Spartanburg" in small print at the bottom of an ad. Sure enough, Sinclair's Web site http://www.sbgi.net/ now lists the station as "WMYA (formerly WBSC)." No change in PSIP or the broadcast "WB40" logos yet.

It looks like Sinclair is changing those station names that include "WB". Other examples are KVWB --> KVMY in Las Vegas and KMWB --> WUCW in Minneapolis.

enoree -- Nowhere did I find on the Dish website a clear statement that the DVR offered by dish is MPG4 and that it will be used for LIL. Additional info that I would like is the Satellite positions for LIL. My current DirecTV is through a fairly narrow "window" between trees and a mountain that rises just to the north of the opening. It was selected to serve a Directv port built into the side of the house, but I am not sure it will accomodate Dish. Got any info? Will they release a DVR with MPG4 prior to LIL? Thanks.

Thanks

The new HD DVR IS MPEG4, it's the 622. http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=65712 will let you know the orbital locations and new dishes for them. The VOOM HD is also on the 61.5 bird too.

Haven't looked at 13 digital in a couple of days, but tonight their signal is in the upper 80's and steady. Hope it's not the weather. Has 13 improved for anyone else?

Three hours later:::

Never mind. Must have been a cloud. Signal is now below 70 with dropouts.

Jerry I need some advice. I live in Easley, SC kind of in a valley with a lot of trees. I just bought a Radio Shack XR190 antenna. Installed on a gable mount @10 ft. above rooftop. I Have a Hughes H10 HD reciever. I pointed to WYFF channel 4 and got a good signal (75%) on 4.1 & 4.2. Also got a good signal on 7.1, 7.2, 7.3. I got a weak signal on Fox 21 (anolog) but no 21.1 and could not pickup 13 at all so I bought a Channel Master rotor and installed. This let me get a 90% signal on both 4 & 7 with a little improvement on 21. My question is will an amplifier help my signal for 21 & 21.1 & finding 13 or will I just be wasting my money. Also is 21's signal weak? They are the only station that gave me a waiver to recieve FOX NY HD with D*.

Jerry I need some advice. I live in Easley, x x x Also is 21's signal weak? They are the only station that gave me a waiver to recieve FOX NY HD with D*.
If you were granted a waiver by WHNS it was based on your home address showing as "underserved"* by Fox and your ability to receive less than a grade B signal (SHVERA rules). It is not a perfect measurement, but comes close. However, I still think you should check in with Antenna Web for an evaluation of your ability to receive local stations.
If weak signals are your problem and trees plus your terrain would cause that, a good RF amp would probably help. I certainly suggest a CM which is designed to handle a wide range of signal strengths without overload.
Still...you must recognize that the RF Amp also is subject to overload by many VHF and UHF transmissions, including local public service and FM stations. All DT stations but Channel DT-9 (PBS) in Greenville, are currently UHF but that will change in a couple of years.
Finally, it seems that the local area has been better served by a UHF only antenna such as the 4 or 8 bay CM, and that could be a potential solution for you.
*--Signal estimates are just that...predicted signal strength by a FCC approved technology that is provided by an independent source (Proximity TV). Fortunately DT signals are being received fairly reliably by many using a reflection...so search a full 360 degrees for missing signals.
Hopefully you will get other advice from someone in your immediate area.

Good Luck.

My tuner is able to get a hint of a signal on WYCW DT for the first time. I hope this is not the full power strength.

WYCW-DT is its normal 100% for me. However, if your desire is to watch the station, try WSPA's 7-3.

I have always been able to get analog WYCW 62 better by pointing the antenna north toward Virginia. The DTV experts say that digital is more directional and this type of thing will not happen with digital reception. After having no luck getting WYCW DT from the proper direction (S-SE), I tried aiming my antenna north at Virginia and got a good DT signal at around 55-60%. This backwards phenomenon only happens with WYCW and it may sound insane, but it works. I now get 62 programming and the 7 Weather channel on 62-2 with the antenna aimed at VA.

Depending on the antenna, you may have a lobe on the back side...but normally it will have less gain than the front. But more likely, you are receiving a reflected signal from some object in the direction of the greatest reception. Could be a water tank, hillside, building...many things. I receive good reflected signals from some of the local stations but the reflection is not as stable as the primary signal. Some of the DT RF experts may have better information.

I live near Anderson and get frequent dropouts on 13, and occasionally 7. 21 does not come in at all. I am using a DirecTivo tuner (not very good) and CM 8 bay bowtie with preamp. Will turning on the VHF trap help my signal? I hate to pull the mast back down to switch it if not (that thing is heavy.) My antenna is currently just above roof peak level.

In my opinion, the use of the VHF portion of the amplifier, or not, should make little difference in that you have a UHF only antenna with very little low frequency pickup. I assume the preamp is a CM. What model? Are you feeding the VHF input a signal? Do you have any type of obstruction between you and the two problem stations. As I recall, most of the Anderson area has a good clear line of site to Pisgah. I am not sure about your line of sight to Hogback. What does Antenna web reveal about your antenna location?

In my opinion, the use of the VHF portion of the amplifier, or not, should make little difference in that you have a UHF only antenna with very little low frequency pickup. I assume the preamp is a CM. What model? Are you feeding the VHF input a signal? Do you have any type of obstruction between you and the two problem stations. As I recall, most of the Anderson area has a good clear line of site to Pisgah. I am not sure about your line of sight to Hogback. What does Antenna web reveal about your antenna location?

If no FM stations are desired to be received the FM Trap should be turned on to keep close FM signals from overloading the amplifier either through the antenna/lead or direct ingress into the amplifier and causing the amplifier from masking weaker signals in the UHF range (called front end overload). The FM trap doesn't effect the VHF TV range, just between 88 and 108 MHz. You may also be feeding too much signal into the TV receiver (TV or STB) and you will need to reduce the signal a little from overloading the receiver STB.

In my own case, I am about 10 miles from the closest FM transmitter and with the FM trap off, some of the TV stations are not as strong as they should be. I turn the trap on and those stations increase strength a little. The closest TV transmitter is 26 miles. I also do not use much over 15db of amplification so not to overload my STB. I originally had a Wineguard 25db amp in line and had terrible results. I decreased the gain of the amplifier to 15 db, took away the front end overload of the amplifier and I receive signals 90 miles away. More is not always better and one size doesn't always fit.

. I also do not use much over 15db of amplification so not to overload my STB. I originally had a Wineguard 25db amp in line and had terrible results. I decreased the gain of the amplifier to 15 db, took away the front end overload of the amplifier and I receive signals 90 miles away. More is not always better and one size doesn't always fit.

I'm sure I do not suffer from overload, my signals range from 13.1=75 (68 miles away) up to 4.1 = 97 (56 miles away), but if a person should have more signal than the system can handle, what would be an indication?

This isn't the first time people have brought this up, but I've been on the waiting list for Moxi through Charter FOREVER. I heard through the grapevine that Charter got 3,000 new Moxi boxes in today. I called and after about 4 call transfers and 30 minutes, it'll finally be here 7/10.

If you're also on the waiting list, here's some advice:

1. Make sure you get through to the Simpsonville call center. No one else had any idea what in world I was talking about, or what code to use in the system.

2. Don't expect any information. The guy I talked to had no idea they were even in, let alone have any information or details about the boxes themselves.

Don F. - it is not necessarily the signal of the desired stations that cause the problem...but also the signal of public service radios, FM stations, and other rf sources, that degrade the DT signals that you are trying to receive. The only sure way to check is to take the RF amp out of the line (not just turn it off) to see if there is an improvement in performance. Don't just judge from the "signal level" the receiver indicates, but check for less pixelization, etc.

I haven't had cable for a while, but what exactly is a Moxi box?

I'm sure I do not suffer from overload, my signals range from 13.1=75 (68 miles away) up to 4.1 = 97 (56 miles away), but if a person should have more signal than the system can handle, what would be an indication?

Poor signal strength and when you remove the amplifier, the signal returns.

Moxi is the DVR software on the Motorola BMC-9012 and BMC-9022D boxes distributed by Charter. There are several threads about he Moxi boxes on AVSForums. You can check out more about them at Digeo's website (the company that makes the software). http://www.digeo.com

Is it just me, or is 7.1 gone? No signal for the last 24 hrs.

Is it just me, or is 7.1 gone? No signal for the last 24 hrs.


No problems here. The signal is fine.

No problems here. The signal is fine.

Thanks, I did another scan and got them.

I discovered last night that if I plug in charter directly to my tv that I pick up some hd channels that are unscrambled. Is there anywhere that I can find a listing of these channels?

I started writing down the ones I could tell, but I could not tell some of them.

Also, is it kind of weird that I get espn2 and not espn?

The reason that I posted in this thread is because I am in Anderson.

Edit:

I went through and came up with my own HD list:
77.1 – FOX
77.3 – Gala (Spanish)
77.4 – GAC (Great American Country)
78.2 – WYFF4 Weather
78.7 – WHNS12 Weather
78.8 – WSPA7 Weather
79.41 – no signal
80.42 – no signal
86.8 – SC
93.1 – Toon Disney
93.2 – Soap Star
93.3 – National Geographic
93.6 – ESPN2
93.8 – SciFi
94.2 – UniversalHD
103.1 – NBC
103.2 – CBS
103.3 – PBS
104.6 – inDemand PPV
109.1 – inDemand PPV
109.2 –
109.6 – no signal
109.7 –
109.8 – no signal

So I could not find ABC and I think that the espn2 is not actually the hd version, the quality is not very good.

I wish I could check for overload by just unplugging the pre-amp, but no signal passes that way. Yes Mr. Birdwell it is the CM preamp you recommended months ago, forget the number.
Antenna web states NBC is green, which I get great. 13 and 21 are red in the 58 and 42 mile ranges, and 7.1 is blue at 49 miles. I cut down a row of trees near my mast and I get low 80s pretty consistantly, but it seems I need 90s to avoid drops. The tuner in the directivo isnt very good. I will pull the mast down again and engage the trap when I get a chance.

I am finally taking the plunge. In preparation, can anyone give me any advice or experience on the use of HD antennas in the Simpsonville/Greenville area? I am planning on getting the Terk 55 with the line amplifier. I will either mount it on top of my entertainment center or in the attic.

I was wondering if anyone had that set up or could reccommend one that would pull in the channels!

Thanks in advance.

Five, what kind of HDTV do you have?

I have a Sony KD-30XS955 (http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/ISEO-rgbtcspd/ProdView.asp?i=158KD30XS9) that I got because of the good reviews on this site (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=446406).

I discovered last night that if I plug in charter directly to my tv that I pick up some hd channels that are unscrambled. Is there anywhere that I can find a listing of these channels?

I started writing down the ones I could tell, but I could not tell some of them.

Also, is it kind of weird that I get espn2 and not espn?

The reason that I posted in this thread is because I am in Anderson.

Edit:

I went through and came up with my own HD list:


So I could not find ABC and I think that the espn2 is not actually the hd version, the quality is not very good.

I actually have the 50" Sony SXRD and I was confused by the same exact thing when I first hooked it up. I ran a bi-directional splitter so I could use PIP (or whatever Sony calls it), and I was a little surprised when I was able to pick up the HDs directly through the coax. I guess I just wasn't expecting to be able to. The funny thing about PPV channels is that you can watch the movies, but the signal freezes up after about 25 minutes (or at least mine does).

I also get all the Music Choice channels directly through coax.

x x x I am planning on getting the Terk 55 with the line amplifier. I will either mount it on top of my entertainment center or in the attic.

I was wondering if anyone had that set up or could reccommend one that would pull in the channels! Thanks in advance.
Re Turk antenna, suggest you make arrangements to return it if it does not perform as expected. The attic would be better location but it may be a headache to re-aim to receive some stations. As mentioned many times on this forum, the CM 4 and 8 element bowtie antennas have proven best in most locations and usually have a broad enough pattern to received most local stations from one setting, although a rotor is sometimes needed.

fenderbender I have the Terk55. It works okay for analogue but poor for digital. It will not pull in WLOS ch13 even if mounted on the roof. Its now in spare bedroom. Get one of the CM uhf antennas.BTW has anyone in the upstate had success with the 4221 with the CM7777? I am thinking of replacing an old vhf/uhf that was on my roof when i bought this house in the Westgate side of Spartanburg. My cuurrent ant is pointed directly at wlos. I have a LG3510 that pulls all locals plus WBT,WB,and UPN from Charlotte. Is the 4221 with 7777 amp strong enough to also get NBC from Charlotte? thanks ROBBY C

Bobby c & FenderBender, I am further away from the dt channels you wish to receive. I get excellent recepiton on 4, 7, & 21, with a cm 4248 w/ cm 7777 preamp, 13 is just o.k. The 4221 & 4228 also get great reviews on this forum when mounted on the roof. However, none are "wife approved". According to the info I came up with, the 4248 is not as directional as the bow-ties, but it is a large antenna. Good luck

Wanted to post for anyone that had been following my comments regarding the audio synch issues I was having with WLOS.

I have recently switched HDtuners from the Samsung to the LG3410a. The synch issue seems to have gone away. Someone did mention that it was likely the tuner, and they were right.

I'm now receiving all major networks 100% of the time over the last several months.

I x x x and came up with my own HD list:


x x x .
[QUOTE]

Not all of these, if any, are HD.

Can someone tell me what I need to do to help my dad try and get a waiver for his locals. I'm helping him do it, but I don't know where to start.

Thanks again for the responses. I decided to hold off on the Terk. The bow tie model was not available when I was at CC. I did go ahead and get the TV.

Went with the Panny 37". Nice TV and works well with my Panny DVD recorder that upconverts to 1080i and has an HDMI output.

I am also going to try and split my signal and try to pick up some digital channels with a straight feed from the cable source.

Can someone tell me what I need to do to help my dad try and get a waiver for his locals. I'm helping him do it, but I don't know where to start.
I think both Dish & DirecTV now have to submit the request themselves. Which market does he live in? Are his locals not currently available?

I discovered last night that if I plug in charter directly to my tv that I pick up some hd channels that are unscrambled. Is there anywhere that I can find a listing of these channels?

I started writing down the ones I could tell, but I could not tell some of them.

Also, is it kind of weird that I get espn2 and not espn?

The reason that I posted in this thread is because I am in Anderson.

Edit:

I went through and came up with my own HD list:


So I could not find ABC and I think that the espn2 is not actually the hd version, the quality is not very good.


Just speculating here....could some of these channels like NGC and SciFi be a precursor to digital multicast for Charter? I have read where they are doing this in several markets.

John, yeah I am pretty sure that is what it is. (Off topic, but are you Chris Coffeys brother?)

Jerry, some of it is hd, it's pretty easy to tell right out if it is. As to the list I made I just went by my tv telling me if it was 720p, 1080i, etc.

Some of the content is so-so and some of it is definetly hd.

John, yeah I am pretty sure that is what it is. (Off topic, but are you Chris Coffeys brother?)

Jerry, some of it is hd, it's pretty easy to tell right out if it is. As to the list I made I just went by my tv telling me if it was 720p, 1080i, etc.

Some of the content is so-so and some of it is definetly hd.

I completely agree, some of it is definitely HD. PBS for example, no question that is HD. I also noticed two changes I have to your list: 109.6(480i) was showing some animated fish show that I've never seen before, and 109.8(480i) was some C grade movie with a lot of swearing and some guy named Rico. Oddly enough 109.3(480i) was showing Anchorman, and 109.5(480i) was showing The Incredibles, yet no station on Charter's lineup was showing those movies at that time when I switched back to my cable box and checked the guide.

I actually went back through your list and made note to what my tv is telling me the output resolution is:

77.1 – FOX - 720p
77.3 – Gala (Spanish) - 480i
77.4 – GAC (Great American Country) - 480i
78.2 – WYFF4 Weather - 480i
78.7 – WHNS12 Weather - 480i
78.8 – WSPA7 Weather - 480i
86.8 – SC - 480i
93.1 – Toon Disney - 480i
93.2 – Soap Star - 480i
93.3 – National Geographic - 480i
93.6 – ESPN2 - 480i
93.8 – SciFi - 480i
94.2 – UniversalHD - 1080i
103.1 – NBC - 1080i
103.2 – CBS - 1080i
103.3 – PBS - 1080i
104.6 – inDemand PPV - 480i
109.1 – inDemand PPV - 480i
109.6 – 480i
109.8 – 480i

Obviously some of these are HD, but many are not. I agree with the digital multicast thought, but I am still a little confused by being able to receive unscrambled PPV, even if only for 25 minutes at a time.

Can someone tell me what I need to do to help my dad try and get a waiver for his locals. I'm helping him do it, but I don't know where to start.
Coffey is correct, under rules of the Satellite Home Viewing Act (as amended), the satellite providers must submit requests for waivers to your local broadcasters. Waivers are granted where the viewer's home address is PREDICTED to receive less than a grade B signal using a coventional roof-top antenna. This is known as an "underserved" home. However, broadcasters now consider a home that has satellite-delivered local signals available (analog or digital/HD) to be "served" and thus will not grant the waiver request. Unfortunately, a poor quality signal in a Grade B or better area will not be deemed reason to grant a waiver. (The Act is based on copyright laws and programming rights are sold on a market to market basis. Sports franchises are very vocal about copyright enforcement!)

John, yeah I am pretty sure that is what it is. (Off topic, but are you Chris Coffeys brother?)

Jerry, some of it is hd, it's pretty easy to tell right out if it is. As to the list I made I just went by my tv telling me if it was 720p, 1080i, etc.

Some of the content is so-so and some of it is definetly hd.

Your TV has a QAM capable digital tuner in it which allows it to deal with QAM type digital transmissions that Charter uses. In most cases these are the same charter channels that the HD boxes decode and the oddballs are either PPV or stuff that charter is playing with (I'm guessing on the last part). It is the same data that your charter box sees and decodes, the box just renames it to fit into the program guide.

If you do a search on QAM tuners you can find a lot of stuff on AVS forum in general and on the internet.

I found one article that said that the FCC had asked the cable operators to keep the HD feeds of the basic cable type channels in an unscrambled format to promote proliferation of digital tuners in new TVs. I don't remember if that was speculation or a real request.

Most of you who have TV's with Digital tuners can probably pull in these channels. The quality is a step down from what the local stations broadcast over the air but on almost certainly on par with what a charter HD box puts out. That is unless you TVs digital tuner is far better than charters (a possibility).

One last thing, this stuff is on even if you don't have digital, HD or even extended basic cable. I have basic and internet through charter and have looked at these channels before. Charter blocks me from seeing anything above TBS in the extended basic region but I can get these stations.

I have finally sorted out my OTA reception issues.

As Jerry suggested, a CM 4221 (4-bay, bowtie) worked perfectly. I had it installed in my attic and with the 7775 pre-amp (which made all the difference) it works great for the big 4. At least until they go VHF....don't know what I'll do then.

NBC is rock solid in the mid 90's. ABC (surprisingly) is rock solid at 90. FOX and CBS are in the mid- to high- 80's with no flux. As for PBS, I get the NC version fine.

Does WLOS simulcast the WB (40) on 13-2 b/c so many of us have optimized our setup for UHF?

If anyone needs help installing an OTA rig, I would highly recommend Chris Alston – VIP South East. PM me for his #.

ohn, yeah I am pretty sure that is what it is. (Off topic, but are you Chris Coffeys brother?)


Hey..not sure exactly sure how to handle a PM, but I only have one sisiter. (Would've been fun to have had brothers though). :D

-John

Hold on to your antenna guys. Visited a friend in an ajoining county that receives the Atlanta locals from Dish, he also gets some of the same stations ota. There is a difference, ota has better detail and sharpness. So if we ever get locals via sat you may prefer ota. Having both signals will be a plus. Maybe soon....

jerry or lynesic -
I also live in Simpsonville and was considering the same attic installation. Why did you choose the CM 7775 instead of the CM 7777? From what I have found the specifications are the same except the 7775 is UHF only. I might want to add a separate VHF antenna later and the CM 7777 will be able to handle.

Also, any local source for these products?
Thanks for your help.

Does WLOS simulcast the WB (40) on 13-2 b/c so many of us have optimized our setup for UHF? Yes.

jerry or lynesic -
I also live in Simpsonville and was considering the same attic installation. Why did you choose the CM 7775 instead of the CM 7777? From what I have found the specifications are the same except the 7775 is UHF only. I might want to add a separate VHF antenna later and the CM 7777 will be able to handle.

Also, any local source for these products?
Thanks for your help.

I use a CM7777 because I have a cut to frequency Ch 9 Yagi for Greenville's SCETV and need the V amplification for reliable reception. So, I agree that future needs may very well include the lower frequencies. However, I don't think I could get away with inserting a broad-band VHF antenna's signals into the CM7777 because of direct line-of-sight reception from several FM and TV stations. Remember, you can always insert the VHF signals into the leadin after the CM 7775 UHF amplifier if no amplification is needed. If doing so, be sure the coupler will pass the power to the CM7777, and block it from the VHF antenna.

Today I had an appointment with charter to install a cablecard in my tv scheduled between 8-12. I left my phone upstairs when I got up at 7:30 and when I went upstairs at 8:05 I had two missed calls and a new voicemail. The voicemail said that since I missed my precall I would have to reschedule.

I set this appointment up over a week ago. (And used a holiday at work to have today off.) At this point I am semi-furious but not steaming. When I call to see if they can still get the technician over today, they told me that the technician had already been to my house and they couldn't come back. I would have to reschedule and the earliest date is another week.

So it seems that the technician pulled up into my drive away at 8 am called my phone, no answer, and left. Without ringing the doorbell. There were three cars outside the house!

If I had any other options I would cancel charter today. I have too many trees to go the dish route and charter is the only cable company in the area.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Charter! They're the reason why many of us have spent a small fortune on hardware from D* and E*, not to mention antennas, pre-amps, etc. When one of us dies falling off a roof or falling thru insulation in an attic, Charter will be easy to blame.

Was at Stan's Electronics (one of the largest DTV retailers in Henderson County) today buying an 8 bay UHF antenna and the owner said HD locals are sheduled for next May or June.

Another reason HD is good:

We are watching ice skating on ESPN2 (one of the weaker transponders) on DTV and by turning the audio level on the center channel to zero, we can no longer hear the moronic commentators, but the music comes through beautifully on the other five speakers. Got to love it.

I've lost 29-3. Anyone picking it up?