Question for sbennett:

What's the status of SCETV retransmitting an HD PBS feed to DirecTV? Will this go live after the analog shut-off (when PBS HD content is folded into SCETV's main .1 feed)? I've read over on DBSTalk.com that a lot of affiliates are being held up by their boards' not having signed-off on the DirecTV retransmission agreement, has ours to your knowledge?

Thanks!

Sorry for taking so long to respond, I haven't been on the forums lately.

To my knowledge there is currently no agreement in place with Direct. I will follow-up with management and post if there is any new information on our standing with satellite.

-Shaun

Thanks Shaun, I appreciate you looking into this.

Has anyone else noticed how much better UNC-TV's HD has been since they moved to just 3 streams? There is far less pixelation and it looks much better (at least on NOVA and Frontline).

Hopefully more stations showing 1080i content will continue to drop additional feeds that starve the bandwidth of the HD streams (WYFF Wx Plus, SCETV post-2009, etc.).

Hopefully more stations showing 1080i content will continue to drop additional feeds that starve the bandwidth of the HD streams (WYFF Wx Plus, SCETV post-2009, etc.).

It's pretty clear WYFF isn't just going to drop Weather Plus. They will add something to fill that space and chances are it will take atleast the same amount of bandwidth (or probably more).

FOX NEWS HD is on DirectTV. Finally i can get rid of Clinton News network on my favs list.

I had 2 sets side by side today, one displaying WYFF HD via OTA, the other via Charter QAM. The Charter display is about 2.5 seconds (me counting, no real measurement) behind the OTA display. I don't really have a problem with it, but what is the reason? Sureley they don't use it to trim profanity ...

I had 2 sets side by side today, one displaying WYFF HD via OTA, the other via Charter QAM. The Charter display is about 2.5 seconds (me counting, no real measurement) behind the OTA display. I don't really have a problem with it, but what is the reason? Sureley they don't use it to trim profanity ...

No, its simple. Kinda like satellite in a sort as well. Once Charter receives the signal, it then has to process back thru there systems at their headend and is then sent out thru the cable lines, which takes a few seconds, causing the delay. Kinda like on Dish or Direct, they receive the signal and have to resend it back in the sky to there sat's in orbit which then send them back down to earth, causing about a 5 second delay.

My follow-up e-mail to FOX Carolina's Chief Engineer, Jim Barnes, this morning regarding this issue (cc'd Susan Hodgins as I did in my intial e-mail):

*****************************************

Good Morning Mr. Barnes,

I'm checking on the status of the issue that I had reported in my e-mail to you on Sept. 28th concerning the contrast issues that have been encountered when viewing FOX Carolina's non-network programming. There are now reports, via AVSForum.com (http://avsforum.com/)'s "Greenville, SC - HDTV" Thread (Source: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=322947 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=322947)), of this issue being viewed on FOX Carolina's OTA signal and on the signal distributed by Time-Warner Cable (in addition to the previous report of this issue via Charter Cable). This was especially true when viewers on AVSForum.com were watching Raycom's SEC Game of the Week on Saturday afternoon (PopWeaverHDTV's Note: accidentally misspelled Sat. in my follow-up e-mail :eek:).

Any information that you can provide on the resolution of this particular issue with FOX Carolina's signal is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time and attention in addressing my follow-up e-mail.


UPDATE!



I've been watching WHNS for the past four days and I HAVE OBSERVED THAT THE ISSUE WE HAVE BEEN SPEAKING OF (poor contrast, insufficient black level and white level, and the odd flesh tone tinting) APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED on all other sources of non network programming that I have viewed!!!

The revised and corrected SD picture is very good now. All aspects the the picture are excellent, and especially noticable is the vibrancy of the picture. It looks very dynamic! Of course we will have to wait and see if the satellite feed for the Raycom games looks just as good. My guess is that it will because independent sat feeds from Meredith (better) and the M&J show (fox syndication net?) look very good now.

MANY THANKS TO POPWEAVER FOR HIS PERSISTANCE WITH WHNS!!!!!

I am hoping that pop gets a reply from Jim Barnes indicating exactly what the provblems or issues were.

I will definitely send an e mail to Mr. Barnes to forward our appreciation for their corrective actions.

It would be nice to have local programming in HD but due to budget contraints this at least makes viewing their non Fox programming more enjoyable.

**************************************************

Regarding the future of WYFF DT 4.2 and Weather Plus.

Well if you look at the design of the software for the local version of Weather Plus all WYFF has to do is program it to insert local radar/forecasts/ect/ inplace of the NBC satellite feeds during those available times so it would seem to be an easy adaptation for locals that want to keep expendutures to a minimum.

If WYFF simple continues with the local version of the WP format they should definitely insert MORE doppler plus radar. As it is there are WAY to many general local forecasts with local personalities repeated through the hour. They are seemingly only updated every few hours or so and they are not helpful at all IMO.

I still think that with NBC buying TWC it is likely that eventually the local affiliates will get some form of TWC Weatherscan local for the OTA 4.2.

My preferece would be a combo of Weatherscan local /MSNBC/CNBC of course.

Has anyone else noticed how much better UNC-TV's HD has been since they moved to just 3 streams? There is far less pixelation and it looks much better (at least on NOVA and Frontline).

I haven't noticed a difference yet.

What I'd like to know is why the decision to remove UNC-HD when they went from 5 to 3 subchannels.

I haven't noticed a difference yet.

What I'd like to know is why the decision to remove UNC-HD when they went from 5 to 3 subchannels.

They now offer HD when available on 33-1. If I recall correctly, there should be a net increase in HD available over the air.

- Trip

UPDATE!

Just received a reply from Jim Barnes of WHNS regarding the SD picture issues with local programming (non Fox network) here is the e mail.


Bill

The basic problem was the old analog (legacy) equipment used in the station to feed signals around the studio and various outlets, such as HD transmitter, analog transmitter, cable fiber feeds, ect.

Our engineers found a Video DA (distribution amplifier) that was out of FCC tolerances feeding the HD transmitter.

The DA did not affect the FOX HD feed which uses another video path to reach the HD transmitter.

Recalibration of this DA brought all signals up to proper FCC standards. You saw the results.

Thanks for letting us know about our signal degradation on the HD upconverted output of our transmitter.

If I can be of any further help let me know, we are definitely in a busy time getting ready for the shut down of analog transmission next February and the moving of our digital signal to channel 21.

Jim Barnes CPBE

Chief Engineer

WHNS-TV

21 Interstate CT.
Greenville SC 29615

MANY THANKS TO POPWEAVER FOR HIS PERSISTANCE WITH WHNS!!!!!

I am hoping that pop gets a reply from Jim Barnes indicating exactly what the provblems or issues were.

I will definitely send an e mail to Mr. Barnes to forward our appreciation for their corrective actions.

I'm glad to have been of some help. However, I've yet to receive an e-mail from Mr. Barnes, so I don't know if my persistence did indeed pay off and contribute to the cause. You might have been solo on that particular flight.

I thought a compliment was due to Doug over at WYFF4. Ive noticed over the past week or two that transitions from non-HD content to HD content has been much improved. The people "behind the wheel" are really on top of things now and all of those little annoyances are gone. I don't know exactly how the problem was fixed, but I'm pleased and thankful.

-Alex

WLOS had a meltdown on one of their video sources during their 5 p.m. newscast. The 5:30 p.m. newscast began a few minutes late with the 5:30 p.m. anchors mentioning the source of the error and that they'd be reading the news without the video. Don't fret, they're still in HD and are making the best of it.

WLOS had a meltdown on one of their video sources during their 5 p.m. newscast. The 5:30 p.m. newscast began a few minutes late with the 5:30 p.m. anchors mentioning the source of the error and that they'd be reading the news without the video. Don't fret, they're still in HD and are making the best of it.

In a way it doesn't seem possible, but it's too coincidental that the WMYA 40-1 audio/video was black from at least 6:30pm (when my VCR was set to record the "WLOS 6:30 News on MY40") until around 8:15pm. I called the WLOS newsroom to report the problem around 7:20 when I attempted to watch the news on my VCR. I was getting an 80% signal but a black screen and no audio; channel 40-2 was fine with WLOS audio/video. Also, the Mt Pisgah WLOS-13-1, 13-2, etc was okay, except the PSIP data was missing program info.

My D* receiver (HR20-700) processed a software update last night, which provides support for 1080p video. Just thought that was interesting, since I didn't know the HR20 would support 1080p. :D

WLOS had a meltdown on one of their video sources during their 5 p.m. newscast. The 5:30 p.m. newscast began a few minutes late with the 5:30 p.m. anchors mentioning the source of the error and that they'd be reading the news without the video. Don't fret, they're still in HD and are making the best of it.


The only thing I noticed during this time was that the channel indicator on my TV showed 56-1 instead of 13-1 for WLOS. Strange.

In a way it doesn't seem possible, but it's too coincidental that the WMYA 40-1 audio/video was black from at least 6:30pm (when my VCR was set to record the "WLOS 6:30 News on MY40") until around 8:15pm. I called the WLOS newsroom to report the problem around 7:20 when I attempted to watch the news on my VCR. I was getting an 80% signal but a black screen and no audio; channel 40-2 was fine with WLOS audio/video. Also, the Mt Pisgah WLOS-13-1, 13-2, etc was okay, except the PSIP data was missing program info.

I found the story of what happened to WLOS yesterday according to a reader on Ashvegas who apparently works at the station (Source:
http://ashvegas.squarespace.com/journal/2008/10/22/wlos-nearly-crippled-by-power-surge.html (http://ashvegas.squarespace.com/journal/2008/10/22/wlos-nearly-crippled-by-power-surge.html) ).

I was doing a little web surfing tonight and found this interesting article concerning the Meredith Corporation, which owns WHNS Fox 21 and a number of other outlets around the country.

http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:klIqvL6kIMoJ:forums.creativecow.net/readpost/105/859157+whns+picture+quality&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=10&gl=us

Fox Sports HD (Charter 798) is now listing Nov 3 Charlotte Bobcats NBA game. According to what I have read, they will be showing 16 Bobcats games in HD. However, the same game is not listed as being on FSN or SportsSouth so it isn't clear whether they will actually show it. I'm guessing they are simulcasting 16 of the 70 something games that are suppose to be shown on FSN/SS. I've tried to contact Charter on this issue of them not showing the games even though everyone else in NC/SC is getting them. None of the preseason games so far have been shown on FSN or SportsSouth, so it is probably just a guide data issue.

I was doing a little web surfing tonight and found this interesting article concerning the Meredith Corporation, which owns WHNS Fox 21 and a number of other outlets around the country.

http://74.125.45.104/search?q=cache:klIqvL6kIMoJ:forums.creativecow.net/readpost/105/859157+whns+picture+quality&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=10&gl=us

Yep, here's where I posted the link from the BroadcastingCable.com Article on May 10th:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13838788&highlight=meredith#post13838788

Here's the direct link: http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6532388.html

Fox Sports HD (Charter 798) is now listing Nov 3 Charlotte Bobcats NBA game. According to what I have read, they will be showing 16 Bobcats games in HD. However, the same game is not listed as being on FSN or SportsSouth so it isn't clear whether they will actually show it. I'm guessing they are simulcasting 16 of the 70 something games that are suppose to be shown on FSN/SS. I've tried to contact Charter on this issue of them not showing the games even though everyone else in NC/SC is getting them. None of the preseason games so far have been shown on FSN or SportsSouth, so it is probably just a guide data issue.

The Asheville EPG doesn't show any Bobcats games airing (only ACC, College Football and Thrashers NHL Hockey and NASCAR "Around the Track" with "Off=Air" in-between). BTW, I did call FSN's Headquarters and then their Atlanta regional office a week or so ago to inquire on the Bobcats games, but they haven't returned my message as of present (no big surprise here).

The Asheville EPG doesn't show any Bobcats games airing (only ACC, College Football and Thrashers NHL Hockey and NASCAR "Around the Track" with "Off=Air" in-between). BTW, I did call FSN's Headquarters and then their Atlanta regional office a week or so ago to inquire on the Bobcats games, but they haven't returned my message as of present (no big surprise here).

Do you mean you don't see any Bobcats games on FSN/SS or FSN HD? I believe the next game set to air is Oct. 30 and it is suppose to be on SportsSouth (not FSN). I was told the Asheville area is suppose to get the games. It's possible the guide data is wrong (the guide shows Thrashers and Predators NHL games in Greenville and they never air).

Do you mean you don't see any Bobcats games on FSN/SS or FSN HD? I believe the next game set to air is Oct. 30 and it is suppose to be on SportsSouth (not FSN). I was told the Asheville area is suppose to get the games. It's possible the guide data is wrong (the guide shows Thrashers and Predators NHL games in Greenville and they never air).

Yeah, the EPG might be incorrect...it shows nothing airing in HD on FSN South/SportSouth HD after 2 a.m. on Tuesday (post-rerun of Boston College at UNC Football Game). FSN South SD has Hurricanes NHL game at 8:30 p.m. on 10/30. SportSouth SD has Thrashers Hockey (I'm assuming) at 7 p.m. Now, FSN South SD does show an NBA game airing at 7 p.m. on 11/3, 11/5 and 11/7 followed by the Bobcats Postgame, so maybe that'll be when it airs on FSN South/SportSouth HD, as well?

Yeah, the EPG might be incorrect...it shows nothing airing in HD on FSN South/SportSouth HD after 2 a.m. on Tuesday (post-rerun of Boston College at UNC Football Game). FSN South SD has Hurricanes NHL game at 8:30 p.m. on 10/30. SportSouth SD has Thrashers Hockey (I'm assuming) at 7 p.m. Now, FSN South SD does show an NBA game airing at 7 p.m. on 11/3, 11/5 and 11/7 followed by the Bobcats Postgame, so maybe that'll be when it airs on FSN South/SportSouth HD, as well?

They are only showing 16 games in HD so most will not be on FSN HD (Nov 3 and Nov 7 are the first few). In my experience, FSN HD has the worst guide data of any channel I have ever seen. Only every 3 or 4 weeks will it actually list the college football games it shows on Saturdays. Sometimes it will go weeks without listing anything even though they do show some events. It does seem Thrashers hockey is trumping Bobcats on SportsSouth. I can't imagine why that is though. At least you are getting the FSN SD games though. Here, I guess they prefer to show re-runs and boxing instead of live NBA games.

They are only showing 16 games in HD so most will not be on FSN HD (Nov 3 and Nov 7 are the first few). In my experience, FSN HD has the worst guide data of any channel I have ever seen. Only every 3 or 4 weeks will it actually list the college football games it shows on Saturdays. Sometimes it will go weeks without listing anything even though they do show some events. It does seem Thrashers hockey is trumping Bobcats on SportsSouth. I can't imagine why that is though. At least you are getting the FSN SD games though. Here, I guess they prefer to show re-runs and boxing instead of live NBA games.

I live in the Anderson, SC area about 50 minutes from Greenville, so we are in the same market.

I've noticed some very strange programming on FSN South as well. I know on one cable system near here that when they are showing live Thrashers, Hawks, or Bobcats games our market has a feed that breaks in and shows either a red screen, or colorbars at gametime. Once in a while they will get a hurricanes game live but not always (many times red screen)... An interesting note, I believe that regionally there is a seperate " fox college sports regional sub feed" to our area that focuses on only college games and it seems that this has something to do with not getting the major sports games most of the time. SO in essence it appears that our market has a Fox Sports SE College Sports feed that overrides the FSN South main feed. I also believe that this override occurs at the CABLE headend, but I could be wrong.

I know it is confusing but I hope this makes sense.

Typically whenever I have had issues with what I am watching I can check this site and see others mentioning the same issues, but I have just caught up on the site and have not seen anyone mention this yet.

Starting this week I have been experiencing a very poor, pixelating and jumpy signal from ESPN HD, 773, on Charter in Asheville. There hasn't been much on this week that it has concerned me with, but I figured the issue would have been resolved by now (though it does seem to have slightly improved throughout the week, maybe?).

I typically record PTI on my DVR everyday and several episodes this week have essentially been unwatchable due to signal quality causing the images to jump and audio to drop out. It hasn't been a big deal since I also record it on my SD DVR. So far ESPN HD is the only channel I have noticed any problems on, but I am trying to isolate whether this somehow is something unique to my signal or whether others have noticed anything as well.

After a weekend of games maybe others will notice problems or maybe it will clear up?

Thanks for any feedback.

Typically whenever I have had issues with what I am watching I can check this site and see others mentioning the same issues, but I have just caught up on the site and have not seen anyone mention this yet.

Starting this week I have been experiencing a very poor, pixelating and jumpy signal from ESPN HD, 773, on Charter in Asheville. There hasn't been much on this week that it has concerned me with, but I figured the issue would have been resolved by now (though it does seem to have slightly improved throughout the week, maybe?).

I typically record PTI on my DVR everyday and several episodes this week have essentially been unwatchable due to signal quality causing the images to jump and audio to drop out. It hasn't been a big deal since I also record it on my SD DVR. So far ESPN HD is the only channel I have noticed any problems on, but I am trying to isolate whether this somehow is something unique to my signal or whether others have noticed anything as well.

After a weekend of games maybe others will notice problems or maybe it will clear up?

Thanks for any feedback.

I've noticed it on a few of the HD Channels today. I've been watching TBS HD and Food Network HD and the sound jumps in and out and the pixelation has been almost unbearable (to where I've switched to SD). I've flipped between the other HD channels and haven't noticed it there, yet.

BTW, it looks like the VT/FSU Game on ABC isn't in HD (by choice of the network, I assume).

chop the trees and get direct tv. 130 HD channels and no problems as you have described.

I had to have my line checked this week because of the pixelation. My signal quality was dropping to 40% at night. They said my signal was too hot. They did fix it mostly. It's still not perfect. Before my TiVo gave a signal of 100% but now its about 81% most of the time. Maybe they did fix my line but the issue is still one with Charter. However, it has been a rough week for the HD channels in my area.

Anyone else not getting the Penn St vs Ohio St game on WLOS 13.1 OTA?

I can get the SD channel through the satellite but do not get anything through the antenna on 13.1, 13.2 or 13.3. I get all the other local channels OTA okay.

I hope you're up now, but at 10:30pm I'm getting 13-1 fine with the OSU/PSU in HD

chop the trees and get direct tv. 130 HD channels and no problems as you have described.

To mix up the sound from the broken record that is playing regarding dumping Charter, I'll sum up my past responses to that particular suggestion with 3 words: shoulda, woulda, can't. :rolleyes:

For what might put a bigger smile on your face, though, it looks like Charter is in further financial trouble after the downturn in the economy:


Friday, October 24, 2008

Downturn could spell the end for Charter

St. Louis Business Journal - by Christopher Tritto

Charter Communications Inc. has strained under its $20.5 billion debt for a long time, but there’s growing concern the company’s pattern of borrowing more money to pay for existing debt has reached its limit.

The company, which has never made a profit since it went public in 1999, mainly because of its huge debt load, has seen its stock price drop to 42 cents a share. It has traded below $1 a share for the past 30 days, which would normally qualify it for a notice of possible delisting by NASDAQ, except that the stock exchange has temporarily waived its rules because of current volatility in the markets.

Now, credit is scarce and what little is available has become more expensive. That’s led some analysts to question Charter’s viability. If the company can’t borrow sufficient money in the next year, controlling shareholder and Chairman Paul Allen may be faced with taking the company private or filing for bankruptcy.

“This downturn might finally spell the end of Charter in its current form,” Morningstar analyst Michael Hodel wrote in an Oct. 10 note to investors.

(Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/10/27/story1.html (http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/10/27/story1.html) )

Or maybe Time Warner can come right in and scoop it up, or at least the Greenville area. It'd make me happier.

Wow, talk about almost a week where there's been no posts regarding HDTV within this DMA. Here's to breaking the streak. I checked the FCC's TV Database Query and here are the Low Power Digital Stations within the DMA that have been applied for/approved (forgive me if I didn't get all of them or added one that's not within the DMA):

North Carolina

FOX Carolina:
W14AS (14) (CP) West Asheville, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=72302
W64BO (15) (CP) Franklin, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=72305
W35AV (30) (CP) Black Mountain, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=72303
W69CN (40) (CP) Bryson City, TN: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=72306
W66BU (44) (CP) Sylva, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=72301
W57BG (47) (CP) Canton/Waynesville, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=72304

UNC-TV:
W68DM (19) (CP) Brevard, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=69220
W52BA (19) (CP) Black Mountain, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=69389
W19DB-D (19) (LIC) Franklin, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168592
W19CR (19) (CP) Tryon, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=69189
W29DE-D (29) (CP) Hayesville, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168593
W31AN (31) (CP) Murphy, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=69154
W60DA (31) (CP) Franklin, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=69058
W28A0 (31) (CP) Spruce Pine, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=69347
W67DV (35) (CP) Burnsville, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=69291
W35CK-D (35) (LIC) Highlands, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168594
NEW (40) (APP) Spruce Pine, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168597
W40CR-D (40) (CP) Bakersville, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168596
W41DI-D (41) (LIC) Bat Cave, Etc., NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168591
W42DF-D (42) (CP) Cashiers, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168590
W46EC-D (46) (CP) Canton, Etc., NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168588
W46AX (46) (CP) Bryson City, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=69123
W23AF (47) (CP) Cullowhee, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=69388
W59AD (49) (CP) Andrews, Etc., NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=69015
W51EE-LD (51) (LIC) Marion, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168595

Other:
W23BQ (23) (CP) Asheville, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=60280
W31AZ (31) (CP) Hendersonville, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=9058
WAEN-LD (48) (CP) Asheville, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=167041
W50CZ (50) (CP) Asheville, NC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=47722

South Carolina

Other:
WSQY-LD (27) (CP) Greenville, SC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=167043
W65DS (28) (CP) Honea Path, SC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=67372
W50CL (50) (CP) Anderson, SC: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=28783

Georgia
GPB:
W22AC (11) (CP) Hartwell & Royston, GA: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=23928

'APP' indicates Application
'CP' indicates Constructions Permit
'LIC' indicates Licensed

The most noticeable thing here is, as best as I can tell, there's no information regarding digital translators for WLOS, WYFF and WSPA.

Revised on 11/2/2008 to include W19CR from Tryon, NC (thanks, jtbell).

I know that WNEG TV 32 (Toccoa GA) was supposed to turn on their digital transmitter about a week ago and I wonder if anyone has been able to pick it up. I'm in Anderson so I should have been able to get at least a occasional signal from them. As of today I have not seen any sign of their digital transmission.

Some details on WNEG TV They have been located in Toccoa, GA and until recently were a satellite affilliate of WSPA TV in Spartenburg SC. Within the last couple of months the station was sold to the University of Georgia, Athens GA. They have dumped their CBS affiliation and will now be operated in the public interest.

If anyone has more details please let us know.

Here's news for Charter Customers regarding price increases for their Great Lakes' Systems:

http://www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/312192

I guess it's something for us to look forward to during Q1 2009. :( (Please don't suggest yet again to cut trees down and go with a dish.)

I thought a compliment was due to Doug over at WYFF4. Ive noticed over the past week or two that transitions from non-HD content to HD content has been much improved. The people "behind the wheel" are really on top of things now and all of those little annoyances are gone. I don't know exactly how the problem was fixed, but I'm pleased and thankful.

-Alex

Alex, Thank you for noticing and posting.


As for the speculation on what's going to happen with Weather Plus, no on knows at this point. It will continue "as is" until NBC pulls the plug on the national feed 12/31/08. What will be on 4-2 on 1/1/09 is uncertain but it's safe to say 4-2 will continue in some form.

Alex, Thank you for noticing and posting.


As for the speculation on what's going to happen with Weather Plus, no on knows at this point. It will continue "as is" until NBC pulls the plug on the national feed 12/31/08. What will be on 4-2 on 1/1/09 is uncertain but it's safe to say 4-2 will continue in some form.

Ditto on cityslicker's comments to you, douglasd5. In addition, the local HD commercials have been great (especially the recent news promos). It makes me keep the clicker on WYFF (which is the goal, correct?). If the commercials are any indication of what we can look forward to, I can't wait for your station's HD Local News to arrive. :)

Maybe WYFF can get an affiliation agreement to air RTN on 4.2 when 1/1/09 arrives. One can only hope!

UNC-TV also has

W19CR (19) (CP) Tryon, NC http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=69189

I'm keeping my eye on W65DS. Although it's license location is Honea Path, the transmitter is actually on Paris Mountain in Greenville. Their analog service contour extends in my direction only about as far as Fountain Inn, but the digital service contour extends all the way to Laurens. I can usually pick up digital signals about 10 miles outside the service contour, so I may be able to pick up this one consistently.

I can get recognizable (although very snowy) analog signals for W19CR and WSQY-LD, so I might be able to get their digital versions occasionally, under favorable weather conditions.

Looks like jtbell is featured on Multichannel.com regarding "Breaking Free" from cable. Take a look: http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6610615.html Congrats!

Since there's not much activity here I thought I'd see if anyone out there might have some ideas about a small issue I'm having with WYCW...

What I have noticed is that every 30 to 32 seconds, there is a brief glitch in the video signal. This occurs like clockwork 24/7. Most of my TV viewing is time shifted via a home-brew PVR (BeyondTV and HDHomerun tuner). The glitch is VERY noticable when viewing via the PVR and still noticable when watching live TV (no PVR) but to a lesser degree. The signal strength as reported by the HDHomerun is 95 to 100%. The HDHomerun confirms the problem by indicating a brief drop in signal strength at this 30 second frequency. WYCW is the only channel I see this problem on.

Any ideas?

Since there's not much activity here I thought I'd see if anyone out there might have some ideas about a small issue I'm having with WYCW...

What I have noticed is that every 30 to 32 seconds, there is a brief glitch in the video signal. This occurs like clockwork 24/7. Most of my TV viewing is time shifted via a home-brew PVR (BeyondTV and HDHomerun tuner). The glitch is VERY noticable when viewing via the PVR and still noticable when watching live TV (no PVR) but to a lesser degree. The signal strength as reported by the HDHomerun is 95 to 100%. The HDHomerun confirms the problem by indicating a brief drop in signal strength at this 30 second frequency. WYCW is the only channel I see this problem on.

Any ideas?

I see the SAME thing and actually did not think it was signal related until I started watching the signal meter very closely. I typically get about 90% here SW of Morganton on my DTVPal. Indeed, when I've observed these glitches there's a very quick (barely 1 second) drop in signal. Otherwise, WYCW's signal is very solid. Sorry I have no solution for you, SnakeDr, but I thought I would chime in to confirm that you're not the only one to see this.

Eric

Thanks for the reply Eric. Given the steady frequency of the glitch, I thought maybe it was some interference in my local area created by some electrical equipment but given your location is quite different form mine, I guess we can rule that out.

Thanks for the reply Eric. Given the steady frequency of the glitch, I thought maybe it was some interference in my local area created by some electrical equipment but given your location is quite different form mine, I guess we can rule that out.

Have you contacted them yet? If you do, let us know what they say.

For the past few weeks on NBC (103.1) on charter qam the closed captions are not working.

Is there any workarounds besides watching it on channel 4?

I noticed on WYFF during the 7:55 a.m. News Update this morning that they've finally brought Jimmy Watt away from the microphone and onto the TV screen. Also, is that a new Traffic Center that he was reporting from with multiple flat panel LCD's in the background?

For the past few weeks on NBC (103.1) on charter qam the closed captions are not working.

Is there any workarounds besides watching it on channel 4?
I checked it yesterday afternoon and found it fine; they must have fixed it.

Have you contacted them yet? If you do, let us know what they say.

I just got off the phone with a WSPA/WYCW engineer. He is not aware of any problems, but he wanted me to poll you guys who are experiencing the WYCW glitch. He wants to know what kind of TV/tuner/converter box you are using and if you have different brands, are you seeing the same problem duplicated (or not) on them. As I stated, I am seeing this on my DTV pal but I also have a Zenith box which I have yet to monitor for this.

Eric

CC still not working for me.

I noticed on WYFF during the 7:55 a.m. News Update this morning that they've finally brought Jimmy Watt away from the microphone and onto the TV screen. Also, is that a new Traffic Center that he was reporting from with multiple flat panel LCD's in the background?

Meaning they could be going HD soon??? ;) :D

Alex, Thank you for noticing and posting.


The issue seems to be back on Conan this week. About mid way through the show, it stays SD coming out of a commercial, then it will eventually switch to HD a few minutes later. I've seen it twice this week already.

I just got off the phone with a WSPA/WYCW engineer. He is not aware of any problems, but he wanted me to poll you guys who are experiencing the WYCW glitch. He wants to know what kind of TV/tuner/converter box you are using and if you have different brands, are you seeing the same problem duplicated (or not) on them. As I stated, I am seeing this on my DTV pal but I also have a Zenith box which I have yet to monitor for this.

Eric

My TV is a Samsung fed by an antenna through an 8 port Electroline amplifier. I hardly notice the glitch when viewing in real-time using this set-up. My PVR has 2 HDHomeRun tuner boxes (4 tuners total) and all 4 tuners (fed by the same antenna/amplifier) show the Symbol Quality drop every 30 seconds which I believe in turn causes the glitch. The video/audio glitch is quite noticable in playback of recorded material.

The attachments are a screenshot of the utility that shows Signal Strength, Signal Quality and Symbol Quality for the HDHomeRun tuners.

123876
123877

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but there is another clear QAM channel on Charter right now.

History Internation on 89.3

So at the moment, we seem to have:

77.2 Soap Network
87.10 Nickelodeon Pacific
89.3 History International
90.1-90.3 Local Weather Channels
90.5 to 90.51 Digital Music
90.105 Inspirational TV
92.12 CSPAN2
93.13 MTVu
103.1 WYFF-DT
103.2 WSPA-DT
103.3 SC PBS-HD
104.1 WHNS-DT
110 -114 On-demand channels

I having been experiencing an audio glitch from WLOS. I have a Directv HD DVR. I have the audio fed to a Kenwood receiver via a fiber optic cable. The glitch is infrequent and only present on WLOS. It sounds like a quick thud and is most noticeable in my sub woofer. I have disconnected the sub woofer and have backed up the DVR to replay the show exactly where the glitch was. I still hear it, but it is not as loud. Has anyone else experienced this?

I having been experiencing an audio glitch from WLOS. I have a Directv HD DVR. I have the audio fed to a Kenwood receiver via a fiber optic cable. The glitch is infrequent and only present on WLOS. It sounds like a quick thud and is most noticeable in my sub woofer. I have disconnected the sub woofer and have backed up the DVR to replay the show exactly where the glitch was. I still hear it, but it is not as loud. Has anyone else experienced this?

I'm getting the same issue with Charter. I have a Moxi box with the audio fed into a Sony receiver with a fiber optic cable.

CC still not working for me.Just turned the TV on this morning to check ... fine ... but let me ask a question. Is this WYFF only, or is it a problem with WSPA (103.2) (and others) also? I have noted that on my downstairs TV, if I have "CC on mute" on, CC1 does not work while listening as well. I PERSONALLY consider this a bug, but perhaps itis intentional. It does this on analog cable as well.

I'm getting the same issue with Charter. I have a Moxi box with the audio fed into a Sony receiver with a fiber optic cable.

I've yet to experience the audio glitch that you and loggerhead have been referring to. I've got a Kenwood Receiver (minus subwoofer) and am currently using the Motorola DCH6200 HD Receiver from Charter. Is it during a specific moment of a TV Show (i.e. return from commercial, going from local to network, etc.)? I'll keep an ear out for it tonight during tonight's primetime.

I've yet to experience the audio glitch that you and loggerhead have been referring to. I've got a Kenwood Receiver (minus subwoofer) and am currently using the Motorola DCH6200 HD Receiver from Charter. Is it during a specific moment of a TV Show (i.e. return from commercial, going from local to network, etc.)? I'll keep an ear out for it tonight during tonight's primetime.

My experiences are always during a network show that I have on the DVR. I have not noticed to see if it happens on a live feed. I have not noticed to see if it happens during a commercial since I am prove to skip through them. It does not seemed to be happening when it returns from a commercial, either.

My experiences are always during a network show that I have on the DVR. I have not noticed to see if it happens on a live feed. I have not noticed to see if it happens during a commercial since I am prove to skip through them. It does not seemed to be happening when it returns from a commercial, either.

I'm recording "Desperatve Housewives" and "Brothers and Sisters" via DVD Recorder (in addition to watching it as it airs) and will see if the glitches appear. Thanks for the details.

I having been experiencing an audio glitch from WLOS. I have a Directv HD DVR. I have the audio fed to a Kenwood receiver via a fiber optic cable. The glitch is infrequent and only present on WLOS. It sounds like a quick thud and is most noticeable in my sub woofer. I have disconnected the sub woofer and have backed up the DVR to replay the show exactly where the glitch was. I still hear it, but it is not as loud. Has anyone else experienced this?

I logged on to see if I was the only one experiencing this. I have Charter being fed to a TivoHD and Yamaha receiver.

I don't currently watch any regular ABC programming but I noticed it first during the Saturday night college football games. The first time I heard it I thought they had setup a crowd mic too close to the band and it was picking up random drum sounds. It kept sounding like the type of drum someone wears in front of them and its hit on the sides. Not sure of the name of it.

This week I heard it again and didn't think it could be a coincidence, but thought it might be. Then I kept hearing it during the NASCAR race today and I don't think there are any drums at the race. :eek:

After listening more closely, sometimes it also sounds like quick scratch on a record. Whatever it is I wish they would fix it, its very annoying.

I'm recording "Desperatve Housewives" and "Brothers and Sisters" via DVD Recorder (in addition to watching it as it airs) and will see if the glitches appear. Thanks for the details.

I watched Desperate Houswives last night, I continued to have the glitches with DirecTv. I switched to the over the air broadcast using my Sony TV's ATSC tuner. The glitches were present here, as well.

I noticed it too Saturday during the football games, on my Yamaha reciever it sounded as if the center channel was momentarily switiching to the L&R then back to center.

I noticed it too Saturday during the football games, on my Yamaha reciever it sounded as if the center channel was momentarily switiching to the L&R then back to center.

I've noticed the same exact thing with DirecTV and my Yamaha receiver. At first I thought it was an issue with the wiring, but then I heard it on the bedroom TV as well... It's a bit annoying at times.

I noticed an audio glitch on WLOS at the beginning of "Wheel of Fortune" (when going from SD to HD for "Wheel..."). I didn't notice the glitches when watching last night's ABC Primetime shows, though. I was on the lookout for it during "World News with Charles Gibson" and failed to notice it. Whatever it is, it sure isn't being consistent on this end.

I'll listen for it on Wednesday and Thursday if I read here that it continues. I hope it gets resolved for all reporting here (OTA, Cable, Dish).

Last night I stumbled onto the last half of UNC-TV's hour-long call-in program about the DTV transition. A panel fielded live questions from viewers about antennas, converter boxes, etc. Someone showed off a Silver Sensor indoor antenna and a 4-bay bowtie outdoor antenna (probably a Channel Master 4221). And it was in HD!

They're going to do it again on January 7.

I noticed an audio glitch on WLOS at the beginning of "Wheel of Fortune" (when going from SD to HD for "Wheel..."). I didn't notice the glitches when watching last night's ABC Primetime shows, though. I was on the lookout for it during "World News with Charles Gibson" and failed to notice it. Whatever it is, it sure isn't being consistent on this end.

I'll listen for it on Wednesday and Thursday if I read here that it continues. I hope it gets resolved for all reporting here (OTA, Cable, Dish).

I'm watching Dancing with the Stars on WLOS and I am still getting the audio glitch. Like GVLSandlapper said in a previous message, it sounds like a quick record scratch. It seems to happen every couple of minutes.

I'm watching Dancing with the Stars on WLOS and I am still getting the audio glitch. Like GVLSandlapper said in a previous message, it sounds like a quick record scratch. It seems to happen every couple of minutes.


I noticed this same audio glitch on D.W.T.S. this week and last week. Did not notice it in previous weeks. Maybe next week will be better

Heard a disturbing story today. An elderly lady who is the aunt of a co-worker was told by a Charter rep that because she only had expanded basic she would need to upgrade her service to continue to receive cable after February due to the DTV transition.

My co-worker asked me if this was true since I get into this type of thing and I told him absolutely not. Just want to check though, I wasn't wrong was I? I'm 99% positive I'm not but I hate to tell someone something incorrect.

Heard a disturbing story today. An elderly lady who is the aunt of a co-worker was told by a Charter rep that because she only had expanded basic she would need to upgrade her service to continue to receive cable after February due to the DTV transition.

My co-worker asked me if this was true since I get into this type of thing and I told him absolutely not. Just want to check though, I wasn't wrong was I? I'm 99% positive I'm not but I hate to tell someone something incorrect.

The Charter rep is blowing a lot of smoke at your co-worker's aunt. If you have Charter's service, you won't need to upgrade your service to continue picking up the expanded basic channels post-DTV Transition. Charter is migrating a channel or two here and there over to the digital side, but that's unrelated to the upcoming DTV Transition. Rather, the migration is more related to Charter wanting to have more bandwidth to offer more HDTV Channels (whether it's a good idea is up for debate).

I'm sure that at some point down the road, Charter will take the plunge and go all-digital with its services. However, that wouldn't be following the time frame of the DTV Transition.

The Charter rep is blowing a lot of smoke at your co-worker's aunt. If you have Charter's service, you won't need to upgrade your service to continue picking up the expanded basic channels post-DTV Transition. Charter is migrating a channel or two here and there over to the digital side, but that's unrelated to the upcoming DTV Transition. Rather, the migration is more related to Charter wanting to have more bandwidth to offer more HDTV Channels (whether it's a good idea is up for debate).

I'm sure that at some point down the road, Charter will take the plunge and go all-digital with its services. However, that wouldn't be following the time frame of the DTV Transition.

That's exactly what I told my co-worker, but then I got nervous I told him something wrong after I got off the phone.

Thanks for reassuring me.

Is this WYFF only, or is it a problem with WSPA (103.2) (and others) also? I have noted that on my downstairs TV, if I have "CC on mute" on, CC1 does not work while listening as well.
CBS works
NBC works
FOX works
ABC works

So I'm a little confused lol. It's working right now for the nightly news, so hopefully the primetime shows will be working again.

EDIT: I'm so confused. The primetime shows are not working for some reason. Right now it is not working on LIFE on NBC 103.1. How would one work and not the other? And I just confirmed that the other channels are working fine right now. The only one not working is 103.1

That you-tube quality on WHNS (via Charter QAM, 104-1) ... what a waste of bandwidth. We're looking at perhaps 320x240.

That you-tube quality on WHNS (via Charter QAM, 104-1) ... what a waste of bandwidth. We're looking at perhaps 320x240.

It may have been the worst picture quality I have ever seen on a digital channel. I saw a lot of snow and it of course wasn't the HD feed. It was almost like WHNS was pulling it in from some rabbit ears.

It may have been the worst picture quality I have ever seen on a digital channel. I saw a lot of snow and it of course wasn't the HD feed. It was almost like WHNS was pulling it in from some rabbit ears.

Actually what you are seeing is (I believe) an OLD ANALOG satellite feed from Raycom that is offered to stations that are not receiving the new HD digital feed, such as the one being used now by WLOS on the other Raycom game today. (Clemson v Duke)

If you noticed today it was VERY windy so my guess is that their analog satellite receiving dish was being blown enough by wind gusts that it is causing the dish to be slightly off its alignment.

What you get is exactly what you have seen. Snow and static as the dish is blown out of alignment occasionally. I'm a little surprised that they didn't have an engineer reset the aligment, because you can see the slight off set ghosting when the snow/static starts in on the pic. They should look into resetting the alignment. It would probably reduce the snow even when it is very windy, and its only off by a slight bit.

I'm really surprised that Raycom is still offering an analog feed at this point via satellite. I rememeber hearing somewhere that within a year or so this feed will end from Raycom.

My guess is that Meredith (WHNS) is trying to conserve its budget by not investing in the new equipment at this point. Maybe they are cash strapped.

Actually what you are seeing is (I believe) an OLD ANALOG satellite feed from Raycom that is offered to stations that are not receiving the new HD digital feed, such as the one being used now by WLOS on the other Raycom game today. (Clemson v Duke)

*clip*

*clip*

I'm really surprised that Raycom is still offering an analog feed at this point via satellite. I rememeber hearing somewhere that within a year or so this feed will end from Raycom.

My guess is that Meredith (WHNS) is trying to conserve its budget by not investing in the new equipment at this point. Maybe they are cash strapped.

When I asked FOX Carolina back in March '08 on their HD Plans, they said that they planned to be all-digital with their facilities by the DTV Transition Date:


We are in the process of rebuilding our control room and internal capabilities, and will be 100% digital before February of 2009, but have not determined the exact date yet.


Then back in September '08, I asked about their going HD with Syndicated Programming (i.e. "Two and a Half Men", "Seinfeld", Raycom Sports Programming, etc.) and got the following response:


At the present time, and for the immediate future, only Fox network programming will be available in HD on WHNS.


My best guess is that, at best, FOX Carolina would do a SD Digital Feed when their facilities for digital have been completed. However, the economy might have forced Meredith to scale some of these plans. It would be a great, welcome surprise if they aired the SEC Basketball Tourney from Raycom in HD in March, though (if they had the proper equipment and hardware installed).

Charter Cable is now airing an ad featuring former WYFF and WHNS Anchor/Reporter Lizz Walker (now Charter's Spokesperson) that promotes an e-mail address if you do not receive a satisfactory response from Charter's Customer Service Center (assuming it's the one reached when calling 1-888-GET-CHARTER). The e-mail address is CharterAssistance*(at)**CharterCom**(dot)*com . Just an FYI for Charter's Customers within this DMA.

Reminder for College Football Fans expecting ACC and SEC on the usual local stations (ABC13/My40 and FOX Carolina, respectively); The following games will air on the local stations during the 12 p.m. block tomorrow (11/22):

Games at 12 p.m.
FOX Carolina (WHNS): ACC Football: N.C. State at North Carolina (I doubt it'll be in HD)
My 40 (WMYA): ACC Football: Clemson at Virginia
ABC13 (WLOS): Big Ten Football: Michigan at Ohio State

Unknown Local TV Clearance for SEC Football: Tennessee at Vanderbilt (Raycom Sports' Website shows FOX Carolina as carrying the game, but I believe the ACC Game Clearance over on FOX Carolina was a last minute decision?). According to LSUFootball.net, the game will be available for viewing via ESPN GamePlan or Yahoo.com (Source: http://www.lsufootball.net/tvschedule.htm ).

Check out silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels for a somewhat full list. I found one channel I get that's not listed there.

Here's my lineup with Charter using a TiVo HD. Some of these channels do not show up on my Olevia TV.

HD Channels:
77.2 WLOS (ABC) 720p
103.1 WYFF (NBC) 1080i
103.2 WSPA (CBS) 1080i
103.3 WNTV (ETV/PBS) 1080i
104.1 FOX 720p

Weather:
90.1 WYFF Weather
90.2 WHNS weather
90.3 WSPA weather

Other:
75.6 SOAPnet
86.5 Playboy TV Latin America
86.8 SCTV [SD]
87.10 Nickelodeon Pacific
89.3 History International
90.105 Inspirational Life
92.12 C-SPAN2
93.12 mtvU

Useless, but shows something:
77.1 Indemand Networks "HDPPV" logo
85.9 Indemand previews. scrambled.
109.1 Charter Ondemand previews

Music:
90.5 Showcase
90.6 R&B Hits
90.7 Electronica
90.8 Rock
90.9 Blugrass
90.10 Sounds of the Seasons
90.11 Kidz Only
90.12 Reggae
90.13 R&B Soul
90.14 Classic R&B
90.15 Hip-hop and R&B
90.16 Dance
90.17 Rap
90.18 Metal
90.19 Alternative
90.20 Adult Alternative
90.21 Classic Rock
90.22 Arena Rock
90.23 Lite Hits
90.24 Hitlist
90.25 '80s
90.26 '70s
90.27 Solid Gold Oldies
90.28 Today's Country
90.29 Classic Country
90.30 Big Band & Swing
90.31 Singers & Standards
90.32 Easy Listening
90.33 Classical Masterpieces
90.34 Light Classical
90.35 Soundscapes
90.36 Smooth Jazz
90.37 Jazz
90.38 Blues
90.39 Gospel
90.40 Contemporary Christian
90.41 Musica Urbana
90.42 Salsa y Merengue
90.43 '90s
90.44 Pop Latino
90.45 Party Favorites
90.46 Showtunes
90.47 Adult Top 40
90.48 Retroactive
90.49 Mexicana
90.50 Rock en espanol
90.51 Americana

Here's my lineup with Charter using a TiVo HD.

[...]

86.5 Playboy TV Latin America



:eek: :D

It looks like the flyers on Charter's New Rates and Channel Lineup are now making their rounds in the area. Beyond the usual price increase and package name changes (no more "Big", "Bigger" or "Biggest" or the "HD Tier" as its currently known), there are no new HD or SD channels listed in the provided channel lineup (effective 1/1/2009). I guess I can call these changes "Dumb", "Dumber" and "Dumbest"? :p

It looks like the flyers on Charter's New Rates and Channel Lineup are now making their rounds in the area. Beyond the usual price increase and package name changes (no more "Big", "Bigger" or "Biggest" or the "HD Tier" as its currently known), there are no new HD or SD channels listed in the provided channel lineup (effective 1/1/2009). I guess I can call these changes "Dumb", "Dumber" and "Dumbest"? :p

I haven't seen the changes for our area yet but other areas are making similar changes. I do think they are making the packages easier to understand as more people move to digital (and obviously raising the rates at the same time). Of course I wouldn't expect any HD changes since Charter adds about 5 a year it seems. They will not even pay FSN to broadcast Bobcats games on FSN, but they have no problem raising our rates. :(

Hey everyone, just wondering if anyone that's getting OTA digital was having trouble with FOX last night. We sat down to watch house and my digital channel of FOX 21 was gone. I ran the search on my TV a couple of times and it still wouldn't tune to it. It wasn't just that it was blocky like a digital signal that wasn't coming in good it just wouldn't come in at all. I think it may be a problem with my TV but if anyone else had this problem please let me know. I'll be checking when I get home to see if the problems still there or not. Thanks everyone.

Hey everyone, just wondering if anyone that's getting OTA digital was having trouble with FOX last night. We sat down to watch house and my digital channel of FOX 21 was gone.

I successfully recorded House (OTA) on 11/25 so I guess you can rule out problems with the transmission.

I, too, recorded House via OTA on Tuesday without any problems.

This is a question mostly aimed at Shaun/SCETV, but also for anyone from UNC-TV that might run across this thread:

Is there any update on the status of getting your HD feeds up on DirecTV? DirecTV put out a press release almost a year ago saying that an agreement had been reached with PBS for LIL transmission, and now that there is transponder availability with the D11 satellite, its unclear what has been holding this up.

Over on DBSTalk, there's mention of some DMAs having their PBS affiliates now up, but it appears to be very slow and unclear whether DirecTV or the local affiliates are holding this up (I'd imagine it's mostly DirecTV). Has DirecTV made any contact with SCETV or UNC-TV regarding carrying their HD feeds?

Here's the link to one of the many PBS HD on DirecTV threads on DBSTalk where there is mention of PBS being turned on in a few DMAs:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=131000&page=3

Thanks in advance!

It looks like Sci-Fi HD, USA HD and MLB Network HD going to begin making the adds around Charter's footprint in December (at least in St. Louis on 12/2):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15152442#post15152442

On 11/6, I inquired and received the following response from my source at Charter regarding any upcoming adds of new HD channels:


Any updates on the progress with SDV and new waves of HD channels (i.e. possible replacement for Braves HD on ch. 772, split of Versus/Golf HD)?


Response from Charter:

We are going to keep Golf HD and drop VS HD. We are adding Nat Geo and FX in December. We have to reserve the Braves channel for next season.


Keep in mind that the split of Golf HD and VS HD will occur nationwide on 12/8. Cable operators will either carry both channels or select one or the other. In Charter's case here, it'll be Golf HD that's to be carried.

{Disclaimer: If NGC HD and/or FX HD aren't added to Charter's Lineup during December, please don't be surprised and/or hold me personally responsible. I haven't received a flyer in the mail as of 11/30 and there's no indication on Charter's Website (using Zip Codes 28801 and 29605) stating these adds are definitely going to occur in our area (Source: http://connect.charter.com/channelchanges/ ) of these two additions.}

I really wish they would keep Versus HD as it provides much more content (college football, hockey, etc). However, in keeping with Charter's recent decisions, I can't say I am surprised.

{Disclaimer: If NGC HD and/or FX HD aren't added to Charter's Lineup during December, please don't be surprised and/or hold me personally responsible. I haven't received a flyer in the mail as of 11/30 and there's no indication on Charter's Website (using Zip Codes 28801 and 29605) stating these adds are definitely going to occur in our area (Source: http://connect.charter.com/channelchanges/ ) of these two additions.}

I don't believe we were notified of the TBS, Weather Channel, etc additions either. It seems they only notify us when they are making changes to channels other than just HD channel additions.

I have my fingers crossed for FXHD - Too bad I couldn't have gotten the last season of The Shield in HD, guess Ill hold out for Rescue Me.

I have my fingers crossed for FXHD - Too bad I couldn't have gotten the last season of The Shield in HD, guess Ill hold out for Rescue Me.

Yahoo! TV Listings is now showing (at least for the Asheville System) that FX HD is going to be located on ch. 732 and NGC HD on ch. 733. Sounds promising for FX HD! :D

Yahoo! TV Listings is now showing (at least for the Asheville System) that FX HD is going to be located on ch. 732 and NGC HD on ch. 733. Sounds promising for FX HD! :D

It's now showing up in the Greenville listings as well. It isn't live yet however so I'm not sure when it will actually be added.

While channel-surfing last night I happened on the World Music Awards which were in HD on WMYT in Charlotte, but in 4:3 SD stretched and upconverted to 16:9 HD on WMYA. Sort of like what WSPA does with SD field footage on its news shows, but using a linear stretch instead of WSPA's variable stretch.

WYFF's switching to HD is getting worse and worse it seems. The Tonight Show and Conan regularly are having entire segments in SD. I noticed Chuck had issues switching to HD after every single commercial break. It is very annoying watching this switch to HD after the program has already started. I hope they can fix this soon as it is frustrating watching any shows on NBC because of this. You can't even count on any of the HD programs appearing in HD anymore.

WYFF's switching to HD is getting worse and worse it seems. The Tonight Show and Conan regularly are having entire segments in SD. I noticed Chuck had issues switching to HD after every single commercial break. It is very annoying watching this switch to HD after the program has already started. I hope they can fix this soon as it is frustrating watching any shows on NBC because of this. You can't even count on any of the HD programs appearing in HD anymore.

I noticed that the other night also when I was watching Law and Order SVU. Conan last night was much better, but I guess we will see about tonight. I sure hope it is good tonight because the office AND 30 rock are on tonight.

I sure hope doug is on top of this issue.

Does anyone else have Northland? I got a letter in the mail today saying they were adding outdoor channel HD. Plus golf HD and Versus HD on seperate channels, but this is expected because the company is splitting those channels up. They didn't mention HGTVHD in the letter, but I noticed it on my guide the other day and it works.

I wonder/hope they are adding more channels that they didn't mention in the letter.....maybe TNT or TBS in HD? Or even Discovery Channel HD?!

evidently the uf/fsu game and the uk/ut games were BOTH blacked out on espn2 on Directv last saturday here in the upstate. Anybody know why? I couldn't find the UT game on during the evening so i don't think it was on a regional broadcast. Anybody got any insight? Should I be upset with Espn2 / D* or both? just wondering...


edit: I don't think they were carried locally. ABC afternoon game was BC and somebody (not UF/FSU). ESPN2 was just plain blacked out. I didn't see another SEC game carried in the pm. I should be piss#d, correct? edit#2 re rrainwater below: I'm familiar with the blackout regime. I'm just wondering where these two games were being shown (what local channels). It's my opinion ESPN2/D* screwed up; I don't think those games were covered locally - I'm pretty darn sure there wasn't another SEC game being televised at 7:30 pm on anything other than ESPN / ESPN2.

Usually that means the games where carried on a local network. Now that they share ESPN and local networks, they will generally black it out on ESPN/ESPN2 if it is on the local network.

evidently the uf/fsu game and the uk/ut games were BOTH blacked out on espn2 on Directv last saturday here in the upstate. Anybody know why? I couldn't find the UT game on during the evening so i don't think it was on a regional broadcast. Anybody got any insight? Should I be upset with Espn2 / D* or both? just wondering...


edit: I don't think they were carried locally. ABC afternoon game was BC and somebody (not UF/FSU). ESPN2 was just plain blacked out. I didn't see another SEC game carried in the pm. I should be piss#d, correct?

This happens every weekend. Check the HDTV Programming forum here for the details.

I think we're close enough that I can tell people this... National Geographic HD and FX HD (along with the SD feed of MLB Network) are set to launch on the 15th.

I had heard rumors that USA HD and Sci-Fi HD were in the works for next year and now seeing that St. Louis is about to get them, I imagine we'll see them as well during 2009, although that's just speculation on my part. (I also expect we'll see channels like AMC HD, Fuse HD and IFC HD next year since they're already active in parts of NC and VA, but again, nothing has been confirmed yet.)

Thank you for the info, CharterJosh. Are you an employee of Charter? If so, which office are you based out of? We welcome any communication from Charter's offices in regards to new waves of HD Channels and welcome you to the 'Greenville, SC - HDTV' Message Board!

Edit at 12:25 p.m.: Yahoo! TV Listings shows MLB Network will be on Ch. 345 (at least on the Asheville System).

Competition is very slowly inching closer to the Upstate with U-verse receiving a certificate to provide Cable TV service in Columbia within a year. (Source: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20081207/NEWS01/812070321/1001/NEWS01)

This is a question mostly aimed at Shaun/SCETV, but also for anyone from UNC-TV that might run across this thread:

Is there any update on the status of getting your HD feeds up on DirecTV?

Sorry it took me so long to respond, I haven't been on the forums lately. The short answer to your question is; I have no updated information.

In February we will be broadcasting our primary channel in HD and I have been unable to discern exactly what will happen at that time. Granted, I am in Engineering so I do not work with carriage contracts or agreements. When I find out more information I will forward it on.

-Shaun

Yeah, I am, I work in the dispatch office at the Simpsonville call center. I've been an AVS reader and have been following this thread for a long time, it's just in the past I usually haven't had much info and when I did, James Doster usually had already beat me to posting it. :) But I figured now is as good a time as any to start being active in the thread.


Thank you for bearing with the comments re:Charter, good and bad. :eek: If you ever get information that can be passed along to Charter customers, please feel free to post. If nothing else, it would be "rumor control".

Hopefully, the U-verse train will be picking up steam in NC to where the extra layers of competition (including D* and E*) will benefit all involved.

Charterjosh..... I think I recognize you from the Tivo Central forum, correct? Oh, and welcome to AVS.

Tonight WLOS showed a Billy Graham Christmas program and bumped "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy" over to WMYA. Those two programs appeared in proper HD, like the preceding "News 13 on My 40." Then at 8:00 came the MyNetworkTV showing of "Olive the Other Reindeer" which was in stretched and upconverted SD, which I've noted WMYA using before. However... during "Olive", local commercials were in 4:3 with pillarbars!

So it looks like the stretch-o-vision is for network programming only. But why not just take the network HD feed? As I've noted before, even network HD programming (e.g. World Music Awards) is first cropped as if for 4:3, then stretched to 16:9.

I don't think "Olive" was produced in HD nor 16:9. It is over 10 years old, before programs started to be produced in HD or 16:9..

Sure, "Olive's" source material is 4:3 SD. But what I saw wasn't upconverted and pillarboxed like such material usually is on an HD channel. It was stretched to 16:9 and then upconverted, in classic "stretch-o-vision."

During the commercial breaks, the commercials in the network feed were also stretched, but the local commercials were pillarboxed. WMYA always pillarboxes SD when it's local or syndicated material. This makes me think there must be something odd about their network setup with MyNetworkTV.

I posted before about seeing the World Music Awards on WMYA. This was a HD production from MyNetworkTV, and was shown as such on WMYT in Charlotte. On WMYA, it was first center-cut to 4:3, then stretched back out to 16:9! And this is despite WMYA's being able to show HD properly with their local news programs (from WLOS) and with football games from Raycom.

I didn't check "Olive" on WMYT because I was recording it from WMYA. (Playing it back as a 4:3 DVD "unstretches" it nicely. :cool:) After it was over, I did turn from WMYA to WMYT during the following program, which was also produced in SD. On WMYA it was stretched like "Olive" was, but on WMYT it was pillarboxed properly.

In reference to WMYA not showing HD and stretching out SD...

Ex. Home Alone tonight is stretched on 40.1, however, the masterfeed that is being sent out at this time of Home Alone is in fact in HD, other markets are getting this in HD, we are not... its coming in HD on my free to air satellite system...so that makes me think something is wrong at WMYA with their equipment that is receiving the HD MYTV network feeds.

In reference to WMYA not showing HD and stretching out SD...

Ex. Home Alone tonight is stretched on 40.1, however, the masterfeed that is being sent out at this time of Home Alone is in fact in HD, other markets are getting this in HD, we are not... its coming in HD on my free to air satellite system...so that makes me think something is wrong at WMYA with their equipment that is receiving the HD MYTV network feeds.

Have you tried contacting WMYA?

Have you tried contacting WMYA?

No, I haven't. But, with my equipment I usually go to my satellite cband system. I was just sharing what I know with you guys and let you all handle it however you would like. I have never had much luck contacting stations. :)

WYFF missed the switch to HD during second half of The Office tonight...they hadn't missed one yet this season. Also, the weather warning info was pretty annoying at the start of the program with both a crawl at the bottom and an advisory listing and map on the upper third. The information could have been conveyed with one or the other. WYFF flipped the switch back to HD again with about 30 seconds remaining.

Hopefully the switching is getting better.

WYFF missed the switch to HD during second half of The Office tonight...they hadn't missed one yet this season. Also, the weather warning info was pretty annoying at the start of the program with both a crawl at the bottom and an advisory listing and map on the upper third. The information could have been conveyed with one or the other. WYFF flipped the switch back to HD again with about 30 seconds remaining.

Hopefully the switching is getting better.

The switching is getting worse. WYFF is now doing it on prime time programming regularly and pretty much every single night on parts of the Tonight Show and Conan are in SD. I can't believe they haven't figure this out by now.

The switching is getting worse. WYFF is now doing it on prime time programming regularly and pretty much every single night on parts of the Tonight Show and Conan are in SD. I can't believe they haven't figure this out by now.Sure you can. The world is full of people who can't get it right. In all likelihood, they don't care. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for them to get it right.

Sure you can. The world is full of people who can't get it right. In all likelihood, they don't care. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for them to get it right.

The other night on SVU it was the same thing. It was a lot better on wednesday's law and order, but tonight......come on! The Office is such a great show...and to watch it like that because of a switch? I was aggravated!

I just got off the phone with the Charter guy (was haggling my internet pricing). When I asked him about HD, he said look for changes in early 09. After the digital transition, that should free up bandwidth for more HD. Premiums like HDnet, HDnet movies, etc. would be moved to their separate little sub-category (most likely pay extra for them), and other mainstream channels (he mentioned TLC and Food) would be a part of the basic package for people with an HD box. HD rates are currently $8/mo., and he said they would drop to somewhere around $5/mo. He did not say anything specific about USA/FX/etc.

I just got off the phone with the Charter guy (was haggling my internet pricing). When I asked him about HD, he said look for changes in early 09. After the digital transition, that should free up bandwidth for more HD. Premiums like HDnet, HDnet movies, etc. would be moved to their separate little sub-category (most likely pay extra for them), and other mainstream channels (he mentioned TLC and Food) would be a part of the basic package for people with an HD box. HD rates are currently $8/mo., and he said they would drop to somewhere around $5/mo. He did not say anything specific about USA/FX/etc.

Clearing up a misconception, the Digital Transition that's taking place on Feb. 17th will have no effect at that time on Charter increasing bandwidth for more HD. Charter will still offer the local stations in analog (via converting the digital signal received back to analog) to ensure that their customers (especially those who only subscribe to the Basic and/or Expanded Basic Tiers) can still receive them after Feb. 17th. If Charter goes all-digital and/or goes to SDV (Switched Digital Video) at some point over the next few years, that'll greatly expand their capability for offering HD. Until that occurs, migrating one or more channels at a time to the digital tier is the best that they can do to expand their HD offerings. CharterJosh, please feel free to comment here if there's anything to correct.

As mentioned here in the past month, a flier has gone out to Charter's customers detailing the grouping of what you're calling premiums, or the "HD Tier" (HD Net, HD Net Movies, etc.), into the "HD Ultra View" and getting the HD channels that you already have in SD at no charge. This includes the "HD Ultra View" decreasing in price from $8 to $5. The prices of Expanded Basic and Basic/Expanded Basic are going up by $2 each (Basic remains the same) along with price increases for what's soon to be no-longer called the "Big, "Bigger" and "Biggest" Packages.

As for USA HD and SciFi HD, so far, we're only hearing what CharterJosh has mentioned here and where Charter has added these channels throughout its footprint. The Charter Guy on the phone might not know any official information regarding our area's HD Plans (especially if it isn't appearing in the database for which they're checking).

Thanks for the confirm and extra info, CharterJosh. It would be nice for Charter to have WMYA and WYCW in HD for the Primetime Shows and local news from their sister stations (since both are presently the HD Local News Outlets). In addition, having ACC Basketball in HD on WMYA during the regular season and when the Tourney isn't on WLOS HD would be the icing on the cake. I'm glad you're on here to keep us informed re:Charter. :)

I have no clue right now what HD additions might come next year, but I think USA and SciFi have a good chance to be among them. I don't know what the holdup is on the last of the locals - WYCW and WMYA - since we already carry their larger sister stations in HD (possibly a lack of bandwidth and demand?) but I think I might start asking around about that.

I sure hope USA HD and Sci Fi HD come soon. Those are the two I have wanted the most and of course it is taking forever to get them. As for WYCW and WMYA, I have to use a antenna with my cablecard TiVos in order to get them. I would love it if they were added so I could remove the antennas.

In reference to WMYA not showing HD and stretching out SD...

Ex. Home Alone tonight is stretched on 40.1, however, the masterfeed that is being sent out at this time of Home Alone is in fact in HD, other markets are getting this in HD, we are not... its coming in HD on my free to air satellite system...so that makes me think something is wrong at WMYA with their equipment that is receiving the HD MYTV network feeds.

REGARDING WMYA

I have noticed that within the past several months that WMYA has not been airing MyNetworkTV HD content in true HD. They WERE several months ago, all seemed to be well. I too believe that there is a problem with the satellite equipment, since the local WLOS news comes through in HD fine.

REGARDING WYFF

I have noticed also that the switching between HD and SD program content has become WORSE of late. I wonder what is going on. If the automated switching isn't getting the job done than the MC should have little or NO problem manually doing the job.

Doug are you out there...what's going on with the switching between content? Seems strange that things are getting worse instead of improving or at least staying the same as they were several months ago.

Oh BTW saw you on the news package, "are you ready (for DTV) challenge"

Wish you guys would do another short news package on the actual HD engineering aspects of DTV what complexities are involved. I know it can't be super involved but maybe some of the highllights including some of the new equipment. I think the general public is VERY interested in the new technology, how about showing us some behind the scenes of the HD operations?

Just saw a WYFF ad with John Cessarich that was in HD, are we getting close to local HD on WYFF? I have been watching WSPA news only since they went HD, and they have better looking gals on WSPA anyways.

Just saw a WYFF ad with John Cessarich that was in HD, are we getting close to local HD on WYFF? I have been watching WSPA news only since they went HD, and they have better looking gals on WSPA anyways.

WYFF has been showing HD ads with Cessarich since at least the Beijing Olympics. There's no correlation between the Cessarich ads and getting close to local HD on WYFF (if it was, we'd have their local news in HD by now). WYFF has been airing a slate of HD Local Ads lately for their newscasts and community service initiatives while WSPA has done squat (WSPA does get kudos for Local News in HD, though). Even WLOS has aired a couple of local ads for their station in HD (more than WSPA).

Loggerhead and others, I believe I've just noticed the audio glitch that you referred to last month on WLOS. It's been awhile since watching ABC or, for that matter, much Network Prime Time. I was watching the movie a few moments ago when a loud scratching noise occurred. I thought my sound system was going haywire or shorting out. I turned it to another channel and didn't experience the issue, but changed it back to WLOS and it happened. It happened at least a couple of times tonight during the movie. Are you folks experiencing this issue still?

Loggerhead and others, I believe I've just noticed the audio glitch that you referred to last month on WLOS. It's been awhile since watching ABC or, for that matter, much Network Prime Time. I was watching the movie a few moments ago when a loud scratching noise occurred. I thought my sound system was going haywire or shorting out. I turned it to another channel and didn't experience the issue, but changed it back to WLOS and it happened. It happened at least a couple of times tonight during the movie. Are you folks experiencing this issue still?

Yes, It is as bad as ever. I hope that someone will correct the problem. It is so annoying.

FX HD (732), NGC HD (733) and MLB (in SD on 345) are up and running as of 6 a.m. on the Asheville System. Check your STB's in the Upstate!!! :D

[I've noticed this problem with WLOS for the last couple of weeks. I thought it was just something in my system also

That ad being on since the olympics shows how much I watch any NBC programming,with D* and it's HD offerings about the only local I watch is the news and the CBS Monday night stuff and the NCIS and CSI shows and the rest of the time HD stuff on D*. I guess that WYFF is just stuck with a crappy network as far as programming goes.

FX HD (732), NGC HD (733) and MLB (in SD on 345) are up and running as of 6 a.m. on the Asheville System. Check your STB's in the Upstate!!! :D

I have them on my Tivo guide but if I try to tune into FXHD it tells me something about my cable card decoder and to contact Charter. Is this channel part of another special package???

The 3 additions mentioned above are viewable in Anderson.

I have them on my Tivo guide but if I try to tune into FXHD it tells me something about my cable card decoder and to contact Charter. Is this channel part of another special package???

You need the sports tier for mlbn and the hd tier for the other two. All three channels are working for me.

FREE HD for Charter QAM customers

Last year around Bowl Time, Charter gave all of us QAM tuner folks a nice surprise: most if not all their HD channels UNscambled! I scanned last night but didn't find anything new via QAM.

Anyone heard about this 'gift' happening again? :D

Josh, I'm concerned when I hear you talking about SDV in the upstate. I sure hope charter gets a game plan together on implementation and the release of dongles for TivoHD customers. I went through nearly 4 weeks of hell dealing with charter trying to get the correct cablecard to me AND get it working. Im talking more than 8 visits, over 12 cards, 2 Tivo's (to prove it wasn't my box), and dozens of phone calls.

Can you provide any input on this topic?

So CharterJosh,

FX and National Geographic may require the HD Tier, I'm not sure. If they do, that should be changing in January if I remember correctly.


Does this mean these channels as well as OTHER HD channels that come with Basic Expanded will be available on a QAM tuner as of Jan. 1?

Edit: Anyone else notice that MLB Network seems to be center-cut from a HD feed? I wonder if this is how we're getting it since I can't imagine we'd be center cutting and downconverting the HD feed that we don't even carry.


Yep, it does look like center-cutting is occurring with MLB SD. Does anyone on D* or E*, if they offer it, notice the same thing?

Actually, you just need Expanded Basic for MLB.

Ah. It is in the same group of channels as the sports tier so I assumed it belonged to it. Since I have the sports tier, I figured that was why i received it.

FX and National Geographic may require the HD Tier, I'm not sure. If they do, that should be changing in January if I remember correctly.

According to the website, both channels come with Expanded Basic. Although they also have already moved some of the HD Tier channels to expanded basic, so I'm not sure if they have really made the switch yet or if this is going to occur at the beginning of the year. They are only listing 4 HD channels on expanded basic so it isn't clear if they are moving any more to that tier either.

I don't understand why, but CableCards are the hardest piece of equipment to add to an account, activate and troubleshoot. I haven't heard anything about SDV tuning adapters yet, but then again I hadn't heard anything official regarding SDV rollouts until about two weeks ago. Even then, my guess on when it might be here is pure speculation, I just know it'll happen eventually. I definitely expect we'll have the tuning adapters though, every other cable company seems to be rolling them out now, I just hope we'll have them when SDV is launched and not months later.


One good thing about Charter not deploying SDV until much later than a lot of other cable companies is the SDV tuning adapter should be well tested. From what I have read, there have been very few issues with activating these adapters and they seem to work without any major issues. I just hope Charter has the ability to deploy these adapters when SDV is launched. Of course allowing customers to install these without a truck roll will be be a miracle, but we can always hope for that too. :)

One good thing about Charter not deploying SDV until much later than a lot of other cable companies is the SDV tuning adapter should be well tested. From what I have read, there have been very few issues with activating these adapters and they seem to work without any major issues. I just hope Charter has the ability to deploy these adapters when SDV is launched. Of course allowing customers to install these without a truck roll will be be a miracle, but we can always hope for that too. :)

Yeah, I don't expect hell to freeze over anytime soon...

It appears that Charter has passed the DTV Ready Test on their Asheville System. No message appeared on the screen when viewing Analog Channel 3 at 6:27 p.m. (as mentioned would happen if the station wasn't DTV Ready). WYFF, WSPA and FOX Carolina's DTV Ready Test will happen at 7:30 p.m. and last until 7:35 p.m.

Update at 7:30 p.m.: WYFF, WSPA and FOX Carolina also passed the DTV Ready Test.

can you guys tune to the new digital channel
WNEG-DIGITAL in the Greenville area
it is now on the air and i can get this channel in Cleveland Ga north east ga area

can you guys tune to the new digital channel
WNEG-DIGITAL in the Greenville area
it is now on the air and i can get this channel in Cleveland Ga north east ga area

What channel?

What channel?

WNEG-TV is an independent television station located in Toccoa, Georgia, serving several counties in the northeastern portion of that state, which are part of the Greenville/Spartanburg/Anderson, S.C./Asheville, N.C. television market. The signal can also be seen in the extreme eastern portions of the Atlanta, Georgia market, including northeast suburbs such as Gainesville and Braselton, as well as Athens. The station broadcasts its analog signal on UHF channel 32, and its digital signal on UHF channel 24. It is owned by the University of Georgia Research Foundation and operated by UGA's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Is WNEG-DT in 480i? Is it mapping to 32-1?

- Trip

Is WNEG-DT in 480i? Is it mapping to 32-1?

- Trip yes it is mapping to 32-1 but i am not sure about 480I since i can only get the channel with my analog to digital converter , maybe somebody else can answer that

According to the service area map (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1242822.html) in the FCC database, WNEG's signal doesn't make it to Greenville proper, unless maybe if you have a top-of-the-line outdoor UHF antenna like the AntennasDirect 91XG. (With mine, I can usually pick up stations up to about 10 miles beyond their service contours.)

People in Clemson and Anderson should be able to get it with a decent antenna.

I recently purchased a small screen LCD HDTV for my upstairs bathroom. I like to watch the local news when getting ready in the morning. I currently have a set of amplified rabitt ears which leads to my question. I am not happy with the digital tv reception. Does anyone have any suggestions for indoor antenna? (I have Directv and an outside antenna for downstairs. I am happy with this arrangement.) I just do not want to run additional wires from another Directv unit, when all I am interested in is WYFF or WSPA. I am in the Fountian Inn city limits.

I have a radio shack amplified indoor antenna....It comes with a remote so you can program the best position for each station. I have Charter so I use it mainly to receive 40 and 62. However it does seem to pickup all the stations quite well. I have found though, if it is windy outside.....forget even trying to watch TV over the air with it.

I have a Radio Shack outdoor antenna amplifier, the one with the electrical box thing in the house that the antenna cable connects to, is there one better than this one like a channel master or winegard? Reason I ask is, over the past few days, maybe even a week, channel 13 WLOS DT hasn't came in at all, I am in Easley and never had any problem with WLOS DT 13 at all until now. I thought my amplifier had went out but thats not the case. I still get all the other locals perfect but 13 seems to have gone away and I have moved the rotor all around but no luck. Does anyone have any suggestions or is something wrong on 13's end or will this all change come Feb when these channels supposedly return to there VHF locations?

Thanks.

I work at WLOS TV. Our engineer told me WLOS will move to 13-1 from 56-1 on Feb 17. Hopefully that will help signal issues in the Upstate.

I have a radio shack amplified indoor antenna....It comes with a remote so you can program the best position for each station. I have Charter so I use it mainly to receive 40 and 62. However it does seem to pickup all the stations quite well. I have found though, if it is windy outside.....forget even trying to watch TV over the air with it.
Chris365

Do you happen to know the model number?

REGARDING WNEG DT 24.1:

I live in the Anderson, SC area so I should be able to receive this without too much difficulity, I have a pretty good outdoor UHF antenna. However, I haven't been able to receive this as yet no matter which way I orient the antenna. Perhaps they are running on low power until Feb 17 09?


REGARDING WYFF 4.2

I noticed that last Wed, Dec. 17th that additional customization of the WeatherPlus software was carried out. WYFF has eliminated the national pictures feed from the content and inserted locally originated maps, radar, and cloud satellite items. If you have been watching you will have noticed that the national personality weather update content is gone as well (Bill Karins and Jeff Raneri, ect)

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ISSUES THOUGH, the regional radar loop seems to not to be functioning (frozen) also occasional issues with all radar loops freezing up, and the national maps are covered over with the precip or warning overlay template (color key precip, storm warnings, ect) that make the maps less useful) Perhaps they could remove the templates or use the "pan/tilt/zoom" feature to solve the issue. I know that other local versions used this feature (WCAU NBC 10) and it looks neat and adds to viewer interest.

I actually LIKE the WeatherPlus service, especially since I don't receive cable or satellite service, and the WSPA version is really poor with a lack of decent radar and cloud satellite content.


It appears to me that since they put in this additional effort at WYFF they may have decided to keep a stand alone version of the service. It certainly seems to be possible. Douglasd5 can you offer any insight on this ?

I live near Five Forks (Woodruff Rd), and I'm gonna buy an antenna sometime soon. After reading some things around the internet, I was thinking about going with the DB2 from antennasdirect.

What's everyone think about that antenna (anyone have experience)? Just curious about your thoughts, but I need to go with an indoor setup. Or if you have other recommendations, that would be great too.

The DB2 is a UHF-only antenna. After February, three of the stations serving Greenville will be on VHF: WSPA (CBS) on 7, WNTV (PBS) on 9, and WLOS (ABC) on 13. Try a pair of good old rabbit ears. If you can get a good picture on analog 7 and 13 now, there's a good chance it will work for digital after the analogs shut down. You can also check out WNTV's digital signal, but its transmitter on Paris Mountain is much closer to you than the other two, so it may not be a good indicator as to how well you'll be able to get 7 and 13.

(WSPA and WLOS are now using channels 53 and 56 respectively for digital, but will use 7 and 13 after analog shutdown. WNTV already uses 9 for digital.)

I live near Five Forks (Woodruff Rd), and I'm gonna buy an antenna sometime soon. After reading some things around the internet, I was thinking about going with the DB2 from antennasdirect.

What's everyone think about that antenna (anyone have experience)? Just curious about your thoughts, but I need to go with an indoor setup. Or if you have other recommendations, that would be great too.

I used a home-made version of the DB2 for about a year and it worked great. I could pull in 13.1 (Asheville - 42 miles away) with no problem. I live in Greer about 3 miles north of Hwy 29. The antenna was mounted in the attic pointed out the north gable of the house. Since channel 7 and 13 are returning to VHF this February, I changed to a different antenna that is designed to work at these lower frequencies. I hope it works as advertised - I'll know this February 17 I guess. Maybe my home-made version would have worked on 7 and 13 too, but I don't want to chance it.

I changed to a different antenna that is designed to work at these lower frequencies. I hope it works as advertised - I'll know this February 17 I guess.What'd you change to? Just curious.

I live near Five Forks (Woodruff Rd), and I'm gonna buy an antenna sometime soon. After reading some things around the internet, I was thinking about going with the DB2 from antennasdirect.

What's everyone think about that antenna (anyone have experience)? Just curious about your thoughts, but I need to go with an indoor setup. Or if you have other recommendations, that would be great too.

I am not far from you about 1.5 miles. I have a Radio Shack (Model VU-90XR) installed in my attic space with booster. I am getting all of the local stations including 13 and 40 with 40 being the weakest signal (usually comes in around 67-70 on the meter). The antenna is pointed slightly NW.

yes it is mapping to 32-1 but i am not sure about 480I since i can only get the channel with my analog to digital converter , maybe somebody else can answer that

WNEG DT is broadcasting in 480 i at this time...

What'd you change to? Just curious.

Channelmaster 4228HD. I purchased it here (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228HD.htm).

I use a deep fringe UHF Yagi with a very long boom and a pre amp and CM rotor and get an excellent signal from 9-1, so I don't envision any problems when 7 and 13 make the switch.

I live 4 miles east of Five Forks, North of Woodruff Rd. I'm using a homemade antenna w/4 cats wiskers. It's made from coat hangers and a 1" x 4". Got it suspended from a rafter in the attic. Even though we are located in a depression near a creek, we pull in all the locals. I have basic cable and use this for OTA recording on my PC. I'll be interested to see what station I get on Feb. 18th.

Does this mean these channels as well as OTHER HD channels that come with Basic Expanded will be available on a QAM tuner as of Jan. 1?
This is one question, that I've been wondering myself. If so, that would be awesome.

...I have basic cable and use this for OTA recording on my PC.

What kind of tuner are you using for your PC recordings?

Snake,

I have a WinTV HVR-950 (Hauppauge). It's a USB hybrid tuner, set-up either analog or digital but not both. It gets pretty warm but I like the resulting recordings.

Other than that Radio Shack amp, can someone suggest a better amp for an antenna?

Other than that Radio Shack amp, can someone suggest a better amp for an antenna?

The Channel Master 7778 is one of the best pre-amps available.

Anybody notice that WLOS tansmits some broken HD signals which have video skip and audio out of sync? This is the best I can describe it.

This has been happening for several months. I first noticed this on commercials and feature program was OK. Then later some feature programs have been broadcast with these anomallies and the comercials were OK.

It is as if they have one piece of malfunctioning equipment and when the signal gets processed by that piece it causes the defects.

Switch to analog or SDTV and the signal is fine. I have noticed this OTA and via Charter Cable.

Anybody notice that WLOS tansmits some broken HD signals which have video skip and audio out of sync? This is the best I can describe it.

This has been happening for several months. I first noticed this on commercials and feature program was OK. Then later some feature programs have been broadcast with these anomallies and the comercials were OK.

It is as if they have one piece of malfunctioning equipment and when the signal gets processed by that piece it causes the defects.

Switch to analog or SDTV and the signal is fine. I have noticed this OTA and via Charter Cable.

Some of the AVS'ers have been reporting other issues with WLOS over the last couple of months. What you're referencing might be related to what's been previously reported. Browse through the thread's more previous history for details.

My Haiku for Charter:

QAM channels scrambled,
古池 の風 や
unlike last bowl season
込む水の音
why no love this year?
富士の風

Pop,
Thanks for your reply!

I did look back 4 or 5 pages prior to posting and found some audio issues discussed, but nothing like the defects I discribed. Perhaps I need to look further back.

Thanks!

Anyone else?

Pop,
Thanks for your reply!

I did look back 4 or 5 pages prior to posting and found some audio issues discussed, but nothing like the defects I discribed. Perhaps I need to look further back.

Thanks!

Anyone else?

I think those are the posts he was referring to.

Anyone checked WYFF-DT 4.1 to see if the remainder of NBC Weather Plus has disappeared? I'm currently in Eastern NC until tomorrow evening and can't check for myself.

Anyone checked WYFF-DT 4.1 to see if the remainder of NBC Weather Plus has disappeared? I'm currently in Eastern NC until tomorrow evening and can't check for myself.
Still there on Charter, not sure about OTA.

WYFF Weather Plus is still there on 4.2 OTA.

I thought that this whole thing with the charter flyers they sent out and increase in prices was so that we would get free HD, for channels that you already subscribe to.

I'm still not picking up ESPN in HD on the HD box that I have.

WYFF Weather Plus is still there on 4.2 OTA.


RE: WYFF WeatherPlus

Although the national feed of WeatherPlus is officially dead (jan 1 09) A number of stations have decided to keep it as a stand alone product, which can easily be done.

I've always liked it. As I have neither cable or sat.

WSPAs weather page doesn't have as good a set of radar and satellite maps. No good national or regional mpas. Also they don't allow the loops, radar to play often enough. They really need to lose the news bar. Mostly worthless stuff there anyway and enlarge the area of the screen that shows the maps. Lastly the short "bumper slides/ w v/o" between radar maps and forecasts are a waste fo time.

I just e mailed a few suggestions over to the chief engineer doug at WYFF about the new customizations they have done to fill in the national NBC feed that is now dead and gone. Got some action too!!!!! They have finally kept the loop maps working (were freezing up constantly) and had them remove the templates over a few regional and national radar maps so that they are more usable. I frequently need to see the general conditions in the PNW, and the color keyed overlays were blocking the entire western 1/3 of their maps.

RE: WLOS , WMYA DT

I have noticed on 13.2 and 40.2 that the voice doesn't sync properly with the pic, it seems to be an on going problem that occasionally gets better eventually become a problem again.

I have been on the phone with several CSR's and am now getting all of the HD channels for free. Having a time getting a DVR, but hopefully that'll be sorted out early next week. The CSR's on the phone are much better than the girls at the local office. They are extremely rude. I have wasted about 80 miles traveling to and from the charter offices this week.

What's with wlos subchannels 13-2 and 13-3?

In anticipation of the analog-->digital switchover I'm working on simplifying my setup by cutting down on the number of remotes needed just to watch digital.
Being that my old dvd/vcr combo was dying a slow death, I just got a JVC DRMV100B (dvd/vcr/tuner) to take it's place and the Insignia NS-DXA1.
Before the Insignia I had a Samsung DTB-H260F that played wlos-dt subchannels fine until one afternoon the audio quit and no matter what I did, it never came back. Switched to the Insignia and got the audio back eventhough there was a very slight offset.
Now with this new tuner built into the JVC, no video or audio eventhough the setup scan picked the channels up and shows a good signal. 13-1 works fine, always has.

Tried everything I could think of.

Help!

I have looked through past posts, and I know it is in here somewhere, but much easier to ask. Why is there no audio on 13.2 ? This has been the case for me for a long time. Just wondering why they would broadcast a picture with no sound...

I have looked through past posts, and I know it is in here somewhere, but much easier to ask. Why is there no audio on 13.2 ? This has been the case for me for a long time. Just wondering why they would broadcast a picture with no sound...

I get audio fine on 13.2. I can't remember ever having a problem.

I don't get audio on 13.2 through my dish receiver and I don't get audio hooked through my tv tuner either.

They might be sending MPEG-2 audio instead of AC3 audio like they should be. That would explain why some people are hearing it and others aren't.

- Trip

I don't get audio on 13.2 through my dish receiver and I don't get audio hooked through my tv tuner either.

What dish are you using? Direct nor Dish rebroadcasts the subs for locals?

What dish are you using? Direct nor Dish rebroadcasts the subs for locals?

If you connect your antenna to the Dish receiver you will get the sub channels. I have tried through the Dish, and straight to the tv tuner and no sound on 13.2, but I can live without it. Just seems like a waste of band- width.

For a time while using the Samsung DTB-H260F i was able to pick up wlos-dt subchannels just fine, the one day, no audio.
Switched to an Insignia NS-DXA1 and was able to get audio once again.
Since then have tried a built-in tuner in a DVD-Recorder and once again, no audio.

The emails I've gotten from wlos they say everything is good on their end. After reading/hearing about multiple people having issue, obviously everything is not good on their end!!!

Anyone using a Windows-based computer to watch it over the air? We can have a look and see if there's anything obviously wrong with it.

- Trip

WLOS 13-1...

Still breaking up, jerking and audio issues OTA. Commercials are perfect, so it can't be the broadcast signal. Sometimes the picture/sound is perfect for a few minutes and then it craps out again.

When will they get this right? I'm growing tired of watching the SD version on cable (since Northland refuses to carry WLOS in HD).

I know it has been brought up many times, but I read a bunch of threads and not one explaination.

If you connect your antenna to the Dish receiver you will get the sub channels. I have tried through the Dish, and straight to the tv tuner and no sound on 13.2, but I can live without it. Just seems like a waste of band- width.

I had forgotten that you could do that! Since the sub channels do not offer anything I care about I do not have OTA hooked up. I have Direct and the pq is very good on all locals.

Re:

"WLOS 13-1...

Still breaking up, jerking and audio issues OTA. Commercials are perfect, so it can't be the broadcast signal. Sometimes the picture/sound is perfect for a few minutes and then it craps out again."

DoctorCAD

I get this on Charter in Simpsonville too.

Yeah, been seeing this for months. It appears to be a piece of faulty equipment at WLOS as the signal will be fine on the feature and bad on the commercials or visa versa. When they switch between the feature and commercials the symptom changes. I don't mind when this affects the commercials but, get the feature programs right!

Wish they would realize that this problem exists AND get it fixed.

John

I was up late last night nursing a bad cold and discovered that WMYA is running Byron Allen's "Comics Unleashed" in HD.

According to TitanTV.com, WMYA is also showing "Law & Order: CI" in HD, but I didn't stay up late enough (2 a.m.) to see for myself.

WYFF broadcasted Regis and Kelly and the third hour of the Today show in HD this morning.

WYFF broadcasted Regis and Kelly and the third hour of the Today show in HD this morning.

I wouldn't count on it being in HD all the time though. WYFF has a habit of forgetting to switch to HD at the right times.

i wouldn't count on it being in hd all the time though. Wyff has a habit of forgetting to switch to hd at the right times.

ouch!

I need some antenna and amp help. I am in Easley SC 29642, I have a Radio Shack VU 190 (I think) antenna, the biggest one they have. I had one of them Radio Shack pre-amps but I think a storm caused it to lose some of its amplification (or whatever you call it) because before the storm I received WYFF, WSPA at 100%, WHNS at 91% and WLOS at 74%, WMYA 82% and WYCW at 100% and WNTV at 81%, usually with the numbers only going down when its windy. I don't live up on a huge hill but I am not down in a hole either. Not many trees or structures around. After this storm, my numbers went to:

WYFF 89%
WSPA 77%
WHNS 77%
WLOS 62% and unwatchable
WHNS 75% and pixelated every so often
WMYA 72% and very pixelated
WYCW 92%
Also before this storm I could pick up the best FM stations for HD radio including the Atlanta stations (which I like better than Greenville) all off the antenna, no problem. After the storm, I could only get these channels at about 3am and my HD radio stations like WSSL won't go into HD mode now.

I do have a rotor and I have tried everything to get my numbers back up. My antenna feeds into my dish network receiver, I use OTA for locals instead of paying dish for only 4 hd locals. I recently purchased a CM 7778 amp because everyone swears they are the best. I installed the amp and my numbers on the tv stations improved to very close to what I had before the storm but my FM radio stations are gone, I only receive a select few of the Greenville stations and nothing out of town like Kiss country 99.9 from Asheville.

Can someone tell me what happened? I need my HD Radio and my HD TV signals but I don't want to have 3 or 4 antennas outside just for this purpose when it worked fine before. I did not change any of the settings inside the preamp because the way the pics on the directions look, it look like it was set to combined and FM Trap IN.

Can someone tell me what went wrong?

it look like it was set to combined and FM Trap IN.

Can someone tell me what went wrong?

FM Trap should be OUT if you want to receive FM radio signals.

CM 7778 Manaul:
FM TRAP (where applicable)

This broadband trap is shipped with the switch in the "IN" position, thus eliminating FM signal. If FM signals are desired, slide the switch to the "out" position. See Figure 2.

FM interference is indicated by a "herringbone" pattern appearing on any VHF channel (2 through 13). If this type of interference is present, be sure that the FM trap switch is in the "IN" position.

Thanks I will get back on the roof and try this. If this doesn't work, what is a good amp to get all the locals for Greenville Spartanburg as well as the best FM reception like I was getting earlier in December before all the rains?

ouch!

I meant that in the nicest possible way. :)

Thanks I will get back on the roof and try this. If this doesn't work, what is a good amp to get all the locals for Greenville Spartanburg as well as the best FM reception like I was getting earlier in December before all the rains?

Don't have a lot of experience with these amps, but this is supposed to be a good one. Changing the switch will fix your FM problem. If an FM signal is too strong (very close to the FM transmitter), it could cause the "herringbone" pattern, but in my opinion it's unlikely.

WYFF broadcasted Regis and Kelly and the third hour of the Today show in HD this morning.

Wow, this explains why Saturday TODAY was in HD this morning. Now bring on the Local News in HD, WYFF!

Yea, WYFF and HD scare me. This week, they ran Law and Order SVU with center channel audio for almost 15 min.! Then Thursday, did the same for My Name is Earl. They can't even pass network audio down!

Yea, WYFF and HD scare me. This week, they ran Law and Order SVU with center channel audio for almost 15 min.! Then Thursday, did the same for My Name is Earl. They can't even pass network audio down!

Whew, I was wondering what happened to "My Name is Earl" on Thursday. I thought the new 24" Samsung that I bought was fritzing on the HD audio.

Yea, WYFF and HD scare me. This week, they ran Law and Order SVU with center channel audio for almost 15 min.! Then Thursday, did the same for My Name is Earl. They can't even pass network audio down!

Hey, 5 out of 6 ain't bad........... :D audio channels that is..........

Seriously, sorry for the problem. But as has been noted here, we are now able to air the third hour of Today and weekend Today in HD. NBC upgraded their receiving and distribution equipment here at the station this week giving us this capability. As is often the case with major upgrades/changes, it was not without its problems. I believe the intermittent center channel audio problem has been resolved.

Thanks for the update Doug. I noticed Saturday Today was in HD this morning and figured some upgrades had been done.

I am still waiting on WYFF news in HD myself. I like them better than the other networks but I don't like the non hd. The HD commercials look great, I hope the news does too, I also wish they'd change their graphics and get a new setup, the 20 year old blue is getting old. I find myself watching WSPA more for the HD news, even though field footage is in SD.

REAGARDING WLOS 13.1 and 13.2


Noticed that after this past weeks strong winds and rain that the signal from 13.1 and 13.2 was very choppy. Definnitely a problem at the transmission site. 100% sure of that. Looks like they had an antenna issue due to the storms, and have finally corrected the basic signal issues.

Regarding 13.2 This has constantly been a problem, often times you will see that the audio lags behind the pic, and when tuning in 13.2 there will be no audio for a second or two then you receive it not correctly in sync with the pic.


REGARDING WYFF 4.1

Great to see additional NBC network feeds in HD.

Question to Doug. Is the third hour of Today on weekdays aired on a one hour delay basis. I am wondering this because I know that NBC feeds the Today show from 7 until 11 am eastern time to affiliates? I was under the impression that WYFF delayed the third hour and has chosen to air it during the 10 am slot instead of airing the live fourth hour fed by nbc.

RE: WYFF 4.2

Doug glad to see that whoever is responsible for WXPlus is making sure the software is working properly. Seemed to be alot of hangs and freezes with it lately. Most likely due to the fact that NBC is no longer supporting it and it is solely the responsibility of WYFF to maintain it locally.

I'm glad WYFF chose to keep it. Are the other hearst-argyle NBC outlets keeping WeatherPlus as well?

REGARDING WYFF 4.1

Great to see additional NBC network feeds in HD.

Question to Doug. Is the third hour of Today on weekdays aired on a one hour delay basis. I am wondering this because I know that NBC feeds the Today show from 7 until 11 am eastern time to affiliates? I was under the impression that WYFF delayed the third hour and has chosen to air it during the 10 am slot instead of airing the live fourth hour fed by nbc.

RE: WYFF 4.2

Doug glad to see that whoever is responsible for WXPlus is making sure the software is working properly. Seemed to be alot of hangs and freezes with it lately. Most likely due to the fact that NBC is no longer supporting it and it is solely the responsibility of WYFF to maintain it locally.

I'm glad WYFF chose to keep it. Are the other hearst-argyle NBC outlets keeping WeatherPlus as well?

The 10am airing of Today is the third hour of the show, but it's the NBC central time zone feed rather than a delayed recording locally. Regis and Kelly is live at 9am and we wanted to take that show live rather than delay it.

The WxPlus software hasn't changed. We just lost the NBC national feed so all content is generated locally. I'll pass this on to our person responsible for WxPlus.

Most Hearst NBC stations are continuing WxPlus as we have. I believe a few went in another direction.

Yes, WGAL in Harrisburg PA picked up This TV and aside from that I think all the Hearst stations that had weather subchannels kept them.

- Trip

REAGARDING WLOS 13.1 and 13.2


Noticed that after this past weeks strong winds and rain that the signal from 13.1 and 13.2 was very choppy. Definnitely a problem at the transmission site. 100% sure of that. Looks like they had an antenna issue due to the storms, and have finally corrected the basic signal issues.



Yep, I noticed the choppiness on their national feeds. It was noticeable during this morning's GMA Weekend and during World News a couple of days last week. Initially, I thought it was my new TV having issues with Charter's QAM for 13.1.

Does anyone know if we can expect Charter to provide Fox Sports South in HD again? With basketball season here it would be nice to be able to watch some of the Clemson games in HD because a large majority of their games are on that channel.

Does anyone know if we can expect Charter to provide Fox Sports South in HD again? With basketball season here it would be nice to be able to watch some of the Clemson games in HD because a large majority of their games are on that channel.

Hmmm...Charter is offering Fox Sports South in HD (at least in Western NC on 798). I'm not sure what channel it would be offered for Upstate SC (others chime in?). Color bars are up nearly all of the time due to not having a full-time HD Schedule, but it's offered by Charter.

Hmmm...Charter is offering Fox Sports South in HD (at least in Western NC on 798). I'm not sure what channel it would be offered for Upstate SC (others chime in?). Color bars are up nearly all of the time due to not having a full-time HD Schedule, but it's offered by Charter.

MMM...it's not on my Tivo guide, let me manually check that channel...

Yep, just checked and its there. I don't know why the Tivo guide data doesn't include it...:confused:

Thanks for the input.

Hmmm...Charter is offering Fox Sports South in HD (at least in Western NC on 798). I'm not sure what channel it would be offered for Upstate SC (others chime in?). Color bars are up nearly all of the time due to not having a full-time HD Schedule, but it's offered by Charter.

The last time I checked they were not showing anything in the next two weeks on that channel. In fact, this year they aren't even showing ACC sunday night basketball games. It is a total waste of a channel and the fact that the guide never lists anything even if something might actually be showing means no one is ever going to watch it.

Couple of subjects:
Has anyone tried the HD Smart Antenna?

WLOS is preparing to test its DT 13 signal and has promised to let us know so we can check reception (and adjust antennas.) It probably will be in early AM hours. I will post whatever info I receive.

Anyone know when DT-7 will test?

I would definitely be interested in knowing about WLOS DT-13 tests. According to the coverage maps in the FCC database, I'm going to be several miles outside the coverage area for DT-13, so I'm somewhat concerned about whether I'll be able to receive it reliably. I can get their current DT-56 reliably, and I'm right on the line on the FCC coverage map.

I would definitely be interested in knowing about WLOS DT-13 tests. According to the coverage maps in the FCC database, I'm going to be several miles outside the coverage area for DT-13, so I'm somewhat concerned about whether I'll be able to receive it reliably. I can get their current DT-56 reliably, and I'm right on the line on the FCC coverage map.I'm curious, technically only, what changes. TVFool data suggests to me the same power, same physical channel, and same location presently and Post Transition. WHNS or WSPA I would understand.

I'm NOT being rude, just assume you have more knowledge than I. Why are we interested? Why are they doing this except as perhaps an elimination of the analog signal.

Here is information from WLOS regarding a test of DT-13.

WLOS will conduct a test of our post-transition configuration this
coming Saturday morning, January 17th from 2:30am to 3:30am. We will
feed our normal programming via channel 13 digital using the identical
PSIP configuration of our current digital delivery and will be
conducting rudimentary reception tests at several locations throughout
the market. Our analog 13 and our temporary digital on channel 56 will
be off the air during this period.

If any of you can monitor this test either live or via time-shift, any
feedback will be much appreciated. Feel free to contact me with any
questions.

Thanks!

--
Rollin Tompkins
Chief Engineer
WLOS/WMYA-TV

[for WLOS] TVFool data suggests to me the same power, same physical channel, and same location presently and Post Transition.

The current batch of TVFool data seems to have a glitch as far as WLOS is concerned. The FCC database lists both a construction permit for digital channel 13, and an application for a power increase on that channel.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=56537

(scroll down a bit to see the digital 13 entries)

The previous batch of TVFool data did show WLOS-DT on channel 13 post-transition, and somewhat further down the list (than the current channel 56 signal) for my location, although still apparently well within reception range.

WLOS will conduct a test of our post-transition configuration this
coming Saturday morning, January 17th from 2:30am to 3:30am.

Thanks for the heads-up! Looks like there are only infomercials during that time block, so I guess not too many people will complain about the normal signals going missing.

I just stumbled on this forum trying to find an answer to the problems with 13.1 WLOS. But first of all, welcome neighbors! A little background - I am in the middle of downgrading our home setup to just OTA. The misses and I found out a couple of months ago that we're expecting a second child and figured we needed to save as much as we could in preparation. I've upgraded my HTPC with a 1600 Hauppauge card and a better video card and also a switch from GBPVR to SageTV though it made me a little sad - I had GBPVR for 3 years. Also in the mix is letting cable internet go - for less than $5 extra a month I can use my 3G phone as an unlimited modem and the speed isn't all that bad - really. At night I plug my phone into the data cable connected to the HTPC which keeps it charged and updates my EPG for SageTV over the night.

Anyways, the reason that landed me here. I too have noticed a problem with 13.1 WLOS and I had a theory before I came here. My wife likes Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters and everytime I have recorded it the video had velocity problems. Not signal, blocking issues - timing problems (speed up/slow down). It was just with these shows that I know of - it could be others. I think the problem is with shows requiring a 3:2 pulldown (i.e. - shows that are originally shot on film) only - other shows don't have this issue . Has anyone else noticed this? BTW - This is not a recording issue, I have experienced this firsthand OTA.

<trimmed by george> The current batch of TVFool data seems to have a glitch as far as WLOS is concerned.Thanks for the explanation. There appear to be other "anomalies" with WLOS. Somewhere I happened across a deep link in www.2150.com, http://www.2150.com/broadcast/default.asp, which allowed viewing radiation patterns. Put your data in and take a look. At any rate, WLOS is not there at all.

George

WLOS-DT 13.1

"Not signal, blocking issues - timing problems (speed up/slow down). It was just with these shows that I know of - it could be others. I think the problem is with shows requiring a 3:2 pulldown (i.e. - shows that are originally shot on film) only - other shows don't have this issue . Has anyone else noticed this? BTW - This is not a recording issue, I have experienced this firsthand OTA."

I had the exact same problems on 13-1 as well. The audio does not seem to sync up with the video ONLY during something shown on film. Shows like Good Morning America or Awards Shows shot in HD video....PERFECT! I bought an LG OTA DVR to record HD and that tuner does not have the problem on the WLOS's HD channel but on 13-2 and 13-3 it does....Kind of the same thing in reverse but in SD.

Later I upgraded my TV to a big screen and go figure......same issue but not as bad. Since I work for WLOS, I have made the Chief Engineer aware of the problem. If you want to describe your issues to him, his e-mail is rthompkins@sbgnet.com.

Hopefully sometime this issue will be taken care of soon, perhaps when WLOS changes their Digital Channel from 56 to 13 in February.

the_int21h

Yeah, speed up/slow down could describe what I have seen. I describe in an earlier post that the defect seem is displayed on the feature program OR the commercials. I, therefore, suggested that the problem resided with a piece of processing equipment at WLOS.

Have you noticed this also?

In either case, I suggest, you e-mail WLOS and discribe the defects that you have seen. I did. The more of us that identify there is an issue, the better the chance they will realize the problem is real. The varying descriptions we provide may help the engineers identify and correct the problem.

So, have you noticed the feature/commercial relationship?

Well, probably the most telling sign of the problem is that I have my HTPC start to record 2 minutes prior when the show starts and it catches the end of Extreme Home Makeover. There is absolutely no problem whatsoever with this program, but like clockwork Desperate Housewives hits the air - visual disarray. I really think it's a problem with 3:2 pulldown (inverse telecine) because I too have seen commercials have this problem and the following & previous commercial be fine. Maybe if a sent a portion of the .ts file to the engineer it could be ironed out.

-Brian

Here is information from WLOS regarding a test of DT-13.

WLOS will conduct a test of our post-transition configuration this
coming Saturday morning, January 17th from 2:30am to 3:30am. We will
feed our normal programming via channel 13 digital using the identical
PSIP configuration of our current digital delivery and will be
conducting rudimentary reception tests at several locations throughout
the market. Our analog 13 and our temporary digital on channel 56 will
be off the air during this period.

If any of you can monitor this test either live or via time-shift, any
feedback will be much appreciated. Feel free to contact me with any
questions.

Thanks!

--
Rollin Tompkins
Chief Engineer
WLOS/WMYA-TV

I'm definately interested in this test as WLOS is the big unknown for me come 2/17. I'll collect some information and post the results here. Thanks for the heads-up.

I tuned into the beginning of the 3rd hour of the Today Show on WYFF today and noticed it wasn't in HD. I only watched the first 5 minutes or so. I guess they have the same switching problems with it that they do with most other HD programs.

I have a couple of Sony HD DVRs for OTA broadcasts that use the TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS) system for their EPG. Currently, TVGOS data is piggybacked onto the analog signals of WNTV-29 and WUNF-33.

Macrovision (the company that bought TVGOS from Gemstar, or as part of Gemstar, don't remember which) has been rolling out a version of TVGOS that piggybacks similarly onto digital TV broadcasts. In most markets, this is supposed to be the CBS station, and in fact Columbia's WLTX-DT seems to be doing it already. I can detect TVGOS packets using the Sony's diagnostic menus, but I haven't tried to force my unit to use them for the guide data.

In some places, the CBS station has declined to do the job and another station has taken it on. I've seen a report from someone in Charlotte who is apparently getting digital TVGOS via WTVI-DT (PBS) and not WBTV-DT (CBS).

Has anyone heard about the status of digital TVGOS in this area? Last Friday I tried the "Contact Us" form on WSPA's web site, asking them to direct my question to the engineering staff, but haven't gotten anything back.

I've checked all the local digital stations using the Sony's diagnostic menus and haven't found any signs of digital TVGOS packets.

Currently, TVGOS data is piggybacked onto the analog signals of WNTV-29 and WUNF-33.

Has anyone heard about the status of digital TVGOS in this area? Last Friday I tried the "Contact Us" form on WSPA's web site, asking them to direct my question to the engineering staff, but haven't gotten anything back.

I can verify that we will not be providing TVGOS data into our digital signal, WNTV-D. After the digital transition is complete, our affilation with Gemstar/Marcovision will be at an end.

-Shaun

I expected that would be the case, since WLTX is taking over TVGOS in Columbia and I figured SCETV has probably been doing it for the whole state under the analog system. One of my Sonys latched onto WNEH (Greenwood) for a while.

Has anyone heard about the status of digital TVGOS in this area? Last Friday I tried the "Contact Us" form on WSPA's web site, asking them to direct my question to the engineering staff, but haven't gotten anything back.


You can see each station's status here: http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=tvgos

WPSA DT still doesn't appear to be sending this info afaik.

You'd be much better off calling and talking to the engineering department directly. When I contact stations, I find e-mails are usually ineffective. I don't waste my time with voicemails either, if I don't talk to a person, I try again later.

- Trip

A promising report of cable competition (other than D* or E*) making its way towards our DMA: A co-worker of mine had an AT&T Tech Truck come by his house yesterday (near the Gravely Branch Road area of Fairview in SE Buncombe County) looking for the junction box (was in his backyard). When pressing the Service Tech about why he needed access to the junction boxes, he was told that they were upgrading all of them in his neighborhood in order to have the capability provide cable service when they begin offering UVerse in the Asheville Metro area. When asked when that would occur, the Service Tech said that Fall 2009 is the current target timeframe for launching the service.

My co-worker has also noticed a considerable number of AT&T Trucks driving in and near his neighborhood within the last week or so, as well. So, it sounds like competition is coming from all directions in Western NC and Upstate SC (the latter from newspaper reports over the last couple of months). :)

Has anyone noticed tonight on NBC that the sound is popping a little bit. It is also semi-delayed. I think it is nbc and not wyff because it only happens on the shows like the office, 30 rock, and nightly news.

I too noticed that the audio feed from NBC was glitchy...seems like somekind of decoder problem or the like. I first noticed it when WYFF was carrying the "breaking news feed" from NBC around 3.30pm regarding that amazing plane crash in the Hudson River NYC... I doubt that it is a WYFF issue because their other programming sounded fine.

I too noticed that the audio feed from NBC was glitchy...seems like somekind of decoder problem or the like. I first noticed it when WYFF was carrying the "breaking news feed" from NBC around 3.30pm regarding that amazing plane crash in the Hudson River NYC... I doubt that it is a WYFF issue because their other programming sounded fine.

Same here....It started at the same time for me. Also, once in a while the picture was glitchy tonight. It seems like it has been happening the past few night especially when watching prime-time, like law and order last night and SVU tuesday night. I also notice it during the tonight show.

WYFF was terrible tonight... nobody did anything to fix it. I guess I'll have to watch HULU for 30 Rock and the Office. This is week two for their audio problems

A promising report of cable competition (other than D* or E*) making its way towards our DMA: A co-worker of mine had an AT&T Tech Truck come by his house yesterday .... {snip}....So, it sounds like competition is coming from all directions in Western NC and Upstate SC (the latter from newspaper reports over the last couple of months). :)

U-verse is definitely on the way. There is a sign in my neighborhood explaining that AT&T is upgrading their network to offer us more tv and internet options. That said, the U-verse thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=700011) over on the programming forum indicates that AT&T does a lot of compression so the pic may not be better than what Charter is offering.

I look forward to the additional competition, but I do wish it was FIOS and all it's bandwidth!

-c

U-verse is definitely on the way. There is a sign in my neighborhood explaining that AT&T is upgrading their network to offer us more tv and internet options. That said, the U-verse thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=700011) over on the programming forum indicates that AT&T does a lot of compression so the pic may not be better than what Charter is offering.

I look forward to the additional competition, but I do wish it was FIOS and all it's bandwidth!

-c

Same activity being reported around Morganton (NC) recently--AT & T techs checking out and doing work on the junction boxes and Uverse is the reason.

The WLOS analog signal on 13 shut down at 2:36 AM, followed by the digital signal on 56 at 2:40. At 2:42 the digital signal appeared on 13. Reception was very poor here, with a Winegard YA-1713 on the roof. The signal level fluctuated wildly on my Zenith DTT901 converter box, and the picture alternately froze, pixelated, and dropped out. I was getting much better reception on WNTV-DT on 9, and even on WOLO-DT on 8 out of Columbia, off the back side of the antenna.

(Reception had been excellent on digital 56 before it shut down, using a Terrestrial Digital 91XG.)

At 2:46, digital 13 went off. Nothing is on either analog 13 or digital 56 right now. Maybe they're tweaking something...

Update @ 2:57... digital 13 is back now. Much better reception now! The DTT901's signal meter is showing about what it was showing before with digital 56, with an occasional brief drop in signal level that might be local impulse noise. No glitches in the picture so far.

Update @ 3:05... I can maintain the signal level on the DTT901's meter while rotating the antenna through about a 60 degree range, and reception is at least fair over much of the compass dial, except at what must be nulls in the YA-1713's antenna pattern.

It just went out again at 3:07.

3:15 - still no signals on either 13 or 56.

DT-13 came back at 3:23. This time I tried a complete channel scan on my Samsung DTB-H260F. Comes in fine, with ten bars out of ten on the Samsung's signal meter. The PSIP program guide data is there (just thought to check it for the first time). 13-2 (WMYA-DT) and 13-3 (WLOS-SD) are there, too.

4:15 - This test is running overtime. I thought it was supposed to end at 3:30.

4:17 - Aha, now DT-13 is gone.

Digital 56 came back at 4:27 and analog 13 came back just now at 4:35. So now we're all done!

I'm pleased with the results. I was a bit worried about DT-13 because the service contour map on the FCC web site shows me as being 10-15 miles outside DT-13's service area, and the Winegard YA-1713 isn't as good on channel 13 as on the other high-VHF channels. Nevertheless, I had very solid reception tonight. Even considering that reception in general has been better than usual tonight, I think there's enough margin to give me reliable reception under normal daytime conditions.

So... bring on the analog shutdown whenever it finally happens. I'm ready! :D

Has anyone noticed tonight on NBC that the sound is popping a little bit. It is also semi-delayed. I think it is nbc and not wyff because it only happens on the shows like the office, 30 rock, and nightly news.

I noticed it especially when they carried the NBC's Coverage of Breaking News about the Airplane Landing on the Hudson River on Thursday Afternoon. Of course, now WYFF's HD isn't even working on Charter (also, FOX Carolina, WSPA, TNT, ESPN2 and occasionally ESPN). I guess there's a major hardware issue going on Charter's end (unrelated to the issue that you're mentioning).

I noticed it especially when they carried the NBC's Coverage of Breaking News about the Airplane Landing on the Hudson River on Thursday Afternoon. Of course, now WYFF's HD isn't even working on Charter (also, FOX Carolina, WSPA, TNT, ESPN2 and occasionally ESPN). I guess there's a major hardware issue going on Charter's end (unrelated to the issue that you're mentioning).

I am glad it wasn't only me, because I thought maybe it was northland cables fault. I did not put it past them because last week when watching the clemson game vs. Alabama the channel went black...I was pretty pissed.

That is really awful that WYFF's HD isn't working on Charter....I hope they get that fixed for you really soon.

Here's a graph from last night's WLOS DT test. This data was collected by an HDHomeRun tuner connected to a Channel Master 4228HD (mounted in my attic) through a Electroline EDA-2800 distribution amplifier. I'm about 43 miles from the transmitter just north of Greer, SC.

Looks like they had a rocky start but from 3:45 until the end (around 4:15) everything looked pretty good so it looks like I'll be in good shape for the switchover.

Looks like they had a rocky start but from 3:45 until the end (around 4:15) everything looked pretty good so it looks like I'll be in good shape for the switchover.

Anytime you put a new RF system like that on air, you bring it up in stages. You never hit with full power the first time so in case there is a problem you don't damage anything seriously like a feed line connection up the tower or an antenna issue or even a transmitter issue.

What is the difference between a CM 7777 and a CM 7778? Does one pick up channels further off than the other or what? I recently purchased a CM 7778 and now I can't tune in the Atlanta OTA or FM stations like I once could. And the same for Charlotte NC. I am in Easley SC and my previous Radio Shack crap job amp picked up these channels before it went out. I just am looking for an amp that will pull in WLOS and the OTA/FM from Atlanta GA/Charlotte NC like I could before. And didn't know if the CM 7777 or another amp besides that crap job from Radio Shack that goes out / replaced during rainstorms.

The 7777 and 7778 appear to be basically the same except that the 7777 has more gain:

http://www.solidsignal.com/tech_help_CM777X.asp

Charter has missed an interest payment on some of its outstanding bonds and has hired bankruptcy advisors.
Here is the Bloomberg story (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=at0a.EkPd3UY&refer=home)

With the current econmic environment, I do not see them pulling out of this. I wonder who will pick up the local systems?

The 7777 and 7778 appear to be basically the same except that the 7777 has more gain:

http://www.solidsignal.com/tech_help_CM777X.asp

Does more gain mean better for getting channels farther away?

Charter has missed an interest payment on some of its outstanding bonds and has hired bankruptcy advisors.
Here is the Bloomberg story (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=at0a.EkPd3UY&refer=home)

With the current econmic environment, I do not see them pulling out of this. I wonder who will pick up the local systems?

I know Time Warner isn't the greatest, but it would be nice if they came in and tookover. I read that article earlier today and I recall and friend of mine that works for Charter and the rumors that was going around last October '08 was that they were filing for Chap 11 in January and that Time Warner was interested in some of their systems. Kinda funny that the rumor is somewhat halfway true, I see chap 11 coming soon for them too...but I blame Charter, not the economy.

The way I have always looked at things is that you can sell anything as long as you got good, quality people to sell it, once you take away the quality people (their customer service)... you won't be able to sell anything.

Anytime you put a new RF system like that on air, you bring it up in stages. You never hit with full power the first time so in case there is a problem you don't damage anything seriously like a feed line connection up the tower or an antenna issue or even a transmitter issue.

Sounds like a good approach. I'm glad to see they getting their ducks in a row to provide a smooth changover next month.

I have dealt with Time Warner at our beach home in Myrtle Beach, they may not be the best at customer service, but it is way better and reliable and informable than Charter has become.

Thanks charterjosh for the info.

A bit to add to the picture and audio hitching that has been noted by others. With OTA reception from the same antenna - on a Hauppauge tuner, there is no hitching; but on an Olevia TV, the hitching is present. I have been thinking that possibly the TV was at fault - though it only has happened on digital 13.

I'm intrigued by the suggestion that it is a pulldown problem (I'll have to look at the content more closely), but I commonly see this sort of an issue when there is too much data for the decoder to handle - though I'm not sure how that would apply.

In any case, it is not a problem for all receivers, apparently.

Also, on a different topic, saw a bulletin during Crusoe last night regarding WYFF's digital transmission, which stated that after the switch on Feb 17 they would not be broadcasting full power until the end of March. Anyone know any more regarding that? (It also stated there was more info on their web site, but I couldn't find it.)

WLOS DT 56.1 56.2

Anyone else noticing the choppy signal they are putting out the past few days? Lots of picture break ups !!!!!!!!!!!! Really unwatchable signal.I haven't changed anything and all other channel seem to be fine.

I wonder if this is related to the nearing transition to VHF Ch13 once again. I'm thinking they may be running the two transmitters (analog and digital) at the same time occasionally.

A bit to add to the picture and audio hitching that has been noted by others. With OTA reception from the same antenna - on a Hauppauge tuner, there is no hitching; but on an Olevia TV, the hitching is present. I have been thinking that possibly the TV was at fault - though it only has happened on digital 13.

I'm intrigued by the suggestion that it is a pulldown problem (I'll have to look at the content more closely), but I commonly see this sort of an issue when there is too much data for the decoder to handle - though I'm not sure how that would apply.

In any case, it is not a problem for all receivers, apparently.

Hitching? I'm confused by what that means. Can you describe what you mean by "hitching"? That's a term I haven't heard before. Do you mean skipping or dropping or something like that?

And I hate jumping on someone making their first post, but you say you're using a Hauppauge receiver with OTA, and I've been searching for someone using such gear with 32-bit Windows (might you be?) in your market. If so, would you be willing to spare a few minutes and give me a hand?

Also, on a different topic, saw a bulletin during Crusoe last night regarding WYFF's digital transmission, which stated that after the switch on Feb 17 they would not be broadcasting full power until the end of March. Anyone know any more regarding that? (It also stated there was more info on their web site, but I couldn't find it.)

They'll flash-cut to channel 36 and operate at 1000 kW from a side-mount antenna (1712'). Then in March, they'll be removing the analog channel 4 antenna and replacing it with a new channel 36 antenna at the top (1954'). So technically, it'll be at 1000 kW either way, but the height will be different, which in such terrain as is found in the area, can make a difference in reception.

- Trip

Hitching is when the picture halts (freezes), not necessarily breaking up, then continues - like a stutter, only a stutter would be faster. On WLOS, it is seconds of good picture, then a halt, good picture, halt, and so forth. I believe it is what josrq is describing in post #5670 of this thread (can't post links yet).

What's the Hauppauge query? I'm running Vista 32bit.

Thanks for the info on WYFF.

Hitching is when the picture halts (freezes), not necessarily breaking up, then continues - like a stutter, only a stutter would be faster. On WLOS, it is seconds of good picture, then a halt, good picture, halt, and so forth. I believe it is what josrq is describing in post #5670 of this thread (can't post links yet).

Ah, I see what you mean. Does it impact the sound, or just the video?

There's a couple of things that can cause issues like that (all at their end), I'm just trying to figure out what it could be. It may be something I don't know, too, but...

What's the Hauppauge query? I'm running Vista 32bit.

There's some software called TSReader. There's a free version. Basically, what it does is it analyzes the streams coming from the station and lets you see what's in it and what the bitrates are, etc. I use this data on my website, but in this case it might be beneficial to see this data for WLOS-DT in case there's something obvious in there that might be wrong with their stream causing the various stuttering and audio issues I've read about here the last few weeks. Would you be willing to give it a try? I'll give you more detailed instructions if you would.

Thanks.

- Trip