That's amazing, to me, that with the WLOS tower being on top of Mt. Pisgah, which is basically the top of the mountain to which Brevard is in the Valley (I've HIKED to the tower, before, and LOVE that drive up through the Pisgah National Forest to the Parkway, so I'm very aware of where Brevard is in relation to that tower). Even though it IS in a valley in relation to the tower, it just amazes me that anyone down there with anything approaching a serious antenna configuration would be getting a "fringe" signal with dropout -- and even more amazing that WLOS would continue to take this attitude.

I don't know what's wrong with that station. They're great in some ways (have a wonderful local news team, for instance -- best of the three locals, and if they covered more news in the Spartanburg area, that's who I'd watch), but I think the company that owns them just isn't willing to spend what it takes for maintenance and upgrades. If you ask me, the FCC should offer the license to another company, as they certainly don't seem to be "acting in the public interest," but maybe nobody else wants to spend the money, either?
Jeff

My problem halfway between Brevard and Rosman is that I have a close hill blocking direct line of site to Mt. Pisgah. Hopefully a full power transmission via an appropriate antenna will help. I don't know the meaning of digital antenna (antennae know not the modulation scheme), but it may somehow be power or pattern related.

I still think WLOS could have posted a clearer message that would meet FCC reqmts!

I think it's perfectly reasonable to consider alternate locations for the tower. I don't see any mention of lawsuits, only requests and foot dragging by the Forest Service . Sinclair could have compromised long ago. I like to watch TV, but the Blue Ridge Parkway is a jewel and much more important than some TV station. I don't see why there can't be a reasonable solution.

mDave, I don't PRETEND to know all the ins and outs, history, politics or various business interests involved in this, but I DO agree with you about the Blue Ridge Parkway and the fact that Sinclair likely COULD have found a reasonable alternative site a long time ago...

On the flip side, with all the environmental impact requirements compounded by the inevitable NIMBY syndrome just about ANYWHERE you want to put something like a HUGE TV antenna, it's entirely possible they DID pursue other options and couldn't find any reasonable alternatives -- especially when the Forest Service had already granted permission where they already are. Again, I don't know all the ins and outs, but based on that location there might be a way they can compromise and simply REPLACE the existing antenna without INCREASING their current footprint and defacing any more of the mountain (or at least not much more) in the process. Of course they may have to completely remove the current antenna and rebuild from scratch to do that, which would put WLOS AND everyone else who "piggybacks" off their tower off the air for many months. I'm betting that's NOT a viable business option for Sinclair.

In the meantime, a great many people who DON'T have cable or satellite can't get ABC, and many can't even get their local news coverage if they happen to live in a valley, like Eddie T. I have to wonder how many similar situations to this there are in mountainous areas throughout America.

Then again, some of us watch the network affiliates primarily for what NETWORK feeds they carry (I know most of you are sports nuts, so this will go against your grain) and when some of us turn ABC on in the middle of the week in the middle of the winter to watch a highly-rated show such as "Lost" only to discover it's been pre-empted by "The Raycon Network's covereage of ACC Basketball," yet because of FCC rules we're legally FORBIDDEN from getting DIRECT network feeds, well, let's just say FURIOUS is a bit of an UNDERSTATEMENT. One time when that happened, WLOS FINALLY got around to posting messages that "Lost" would be "played in its entirety" at something like 2 a.m. -- possibly in response to my SCATHING email to them, which I'm sure wasn't the only one... They weren't running those footers on the screen BEFORE I sent my email, though, so maybe I had some impact.

Their general manager emailed me back about the Raycon deal, telling me they had a contract and HAD to play all those games to their finish. And I guess if you're a fan of ACC basketball, that's a good thing for you! They could have had those running footers up sooner, though, but WLOS seems to do everything AFTER THE FACT, just like they now appear to be fumbling about fixing their digital antenna issue.

Oh well, perhaps when their signal fails completely the Charlotte and Columbia and Augusta stations will all be given permission to boost their signals and each reach part of our area.
Jeff

My WSPA signal (Brevard, NC area) improved from no bars to two bars with the new tower. Antenna pointing is considerably less critical, maybe 10 degrees off center before pixelation.

I am using a UHF/VHF combiner and amplifier so the two bar increase is relative. Maybe when sunny weather returns I'll try it without the combiner and amp to see how many bars I get. The antenna is a small 1985 vintage Radio Shack RV antenna with amplifier removed, the feed element is approx Ch 7 length.

OK, new guy here. I've tried to follow these posts, but got a little lost.

I live in Simpsonville, SC. I have a "Silver Surfer" antenna and get Ch 4, 40 and a few other higher numbers with about 90% rating. The antenna is inside the house. I was able to get all the local (digital) stations pretty well with that antenna prior to the change over. Had to sometimes turn the antenna though.

So for me to get 7, 13 and 21 now, I will need a VHF/UHF antenna correct?

I was looking at the RCA ANT751 which covers both.

What are you all using in this area, or what are your suggestions?

Thanks!

I wouldn't know they might put the weather channel on 62.2 since Reto Tv is going on 7.2 soon
we may have wait and see on what they do.

unless Charlie Wofford reply and tell what plans is for 62.2 after 7.1 is back at full power.

Current plans are for 62.2 to continue to broadcast ch 7 until we get some feedback on the coverage for the new 7 antenna. The new antenna went online around 3am this morning 9/10/09.

Current plans are for 62.2 to continue to broadcast ch 7 until we get some feedback on the coverage for the new 7 antenna. The new antenna went online around 3am this morning 9/10/09.

Please leave ch 7 on 62.2 then. I rescanned this morning and there is still not even a sniff of ch 7 in north Asheville. Not that I really expected it. Having it on 62.2 has been a nice addition.

I have not seen anyone mention U-verse sightings in the Asheville area. I had an AT&T tech here today to check on a DSL problem. I asked him in what areas U-verse had gone live. He told me that they had in Arden, Fletcher, and Oteen. He also said that it was just coming on in the Fairview area. So far it has gone in in areas with newer infrastructure. No telling when it may be an option in the older well established areas like north Asheville where I live. I will not be holding my breath.

I read on the WSPA site, that they are now at full power. I am viewing the Carolina stations with a cm 4228 (uhf only) and see no increase in signal strength on 7 today. 7 remains in the mid 70s, with all others including 13, from 90 to 100%.
Has 7's signal improved for anyone else?
On the question of 13's coverage, I am 68 miles out, using a UHF antenna (no preamp) with a signal strength of 90 or better.

I read on the WSPA site, that they are now at full power. I am viewing the Carolina stations with a cm 4228 (uhf only) and see no increase in signal strength on 7 today. 7 remains in the mid 70s, with all others including 13, from 90 to 100%.
Has 7's signal improved for anyone else?
On the question of 13's coverage, I am 68 miles out, using a UHF antenna (no preamp) with a signal strength of 90 or better.

I'm using an indoor Phillips antenna, and live in Boiling Springs just north of Spartanburg, my signal has gone up from 40% to 100% for channel 7 as of the new setup.

OK, new guy here. I've tried to follow these posts, but got a little lost.

I live in Simpsonville, SC. I have a "Silver Surfer" antenna and get Ch 4, 40 and a few other higher numbers with about 90% rating. The antenna is inside the house. I was able to get all the local (digital) stations pretty well with that antenna prior to the change over. Had to sometimes turn the antenna though.

So for me to get 7, 13 and 21 now, I will need a VHF/UHF antenna correct?

I was looking at the RCA ANT751 which covers both.

What are you all using in this area, or what are your suggestions?

Thanks!

I don't know that you'd need that. I have the same antenna, and get most of the locals (4, 7, 13, 21, 33, 49-PBS, 62) with that antenna, plus channel 3 out of Charlotte.

I was getting WSPA at pretty much "full strength" on my signal meter, at 53 miles, even before the power boost, but I had to aim my roof antenna within about 20 degrees to prevent breakups (apart from thunderstorms and electrical noise). Now I can get a pretty stable signal even when I'm aimed towards Charlotte, about 60 degrees away. This is with a Winegard YA-1713 which has a fairly narrow beamwidth.

I'm using an indoor Phillips antenna, and live in Boiling Springs just north of Spartanburg, my signal has gone up from 40% to 100% for channel 7 as of the new setup.

As my previous posts indicated, I am not a fan of VHF-DT, yet WSPA is now in the 90% range after many weeks of no signal or very poor at best. It was by far my best UHF-DT signal before the "big switch."

WLOS (13) continues to be my most unreliable local HD signal, whereas it was very strong as a UHF-DT station.

Incidentally I had to re-make a a VHF Yagi to WSPA's wave length to occasionally receive the station prior to the new tower.

Have the various UNC-TV translators been converted to digital? It would appear so from the FCC records. I could get a snowy analog W19CR from Tryon in Spartanburg.

Also, I noticed that the Black Mountain and Brevard translators are moving to 19. On paper, the coverage appears to overlap. Any chance they are planning to synchronize all three?

As far as I know, most of them are converted to digital. I've gotten positive reports about a few of them.

And just because the coverage contours overlap doesn't mean the signals overlap. I've spoken with some people at UNC and they made it very clear that the signals really don't do very well in the mountains.

- Trip

A few weeks ago I saw a faint UNC-TV analog signal on ch 24 from W24AU in Cashiers. I haven't tried to look for it again lately. My Zenith DTT901 converter box tells me it's getting a weak signal on ch 19 which is probably the digital translators in Brevard (W19DD-D) and Tryon (W19CR-D) interfering with each other so I can't decode either of them.

I get a good digital signal from UNC-TV's ch 46 translator in Bryson City at the lake house in Almond, NC. It is the only digital signal that I can get there. The other translators are all still analog.

Current plans are for 62.2 to continue to broadcast ch 7 until we get some feedback on the coverage for the new 7 antenna. The new antenna went online around 3am this morning 9/10/09.
Signal in Fort Mill is 54%. Still seeing some pixalation but I expect that from this far out.

I live 3 miles NE of the channel 62 transmitter in Henderson County, and I still can't pick up channel 7. I was able to get it from the old tower.

Just a cheap indoor antenna for me. Can get 4, 13, 21, 33, and 62 off of it. I do have Directv, so its no big deal, but it would be nice to get channel 7 OTA.

WSPA's signal now almost overcomes the electrical noise from my wife's breadmaking machine, which completely destroys WLOS, as well as WIS (10) and WOLO (8) out of Columbia. The noise even messes up most of my UHF channels, but not as badly as the VHFs.

Fortunately the machine will be finished before the Michigan - Notre Dame game starts on WLOS at 3:30. Go Blue! :cool:

Looks like WSPA/WYCW is still working out some kinks with SEC Football. During the Floriday/Troy St game today it just switched to SD.

D* D12 sat to be launched "mid November"

up to 80 HD channels
D10 70 channels 100%
D11 70 channels 90+%

Signal in Fort Mill is 54%. Still seeing some pixalation but I expect that from this far out.

Roughly the same signal strength I have here in Cramerton/Gaston county. It is definitely nowhere near as reliable as the old tower setup. I have mostly pixelation now and not viewable to any useful extent. With the old tower, I had better than 75% signal with almost no pixelation at any time.

I'm in Bessemer City near Kings Mtn, getting 67% on WSPA, 75% on WYCW, 64% on WLOS.

Please leave ch 7 on 62.2 then. I rescanned this morning and there is still not even a sniff of ch 7 in north Asheville. Not that I really expected it. Having it on 62.2 has been a nice addition.
Same here...I have no trace of 7 in south Asheville, so 62.2 is my only antenna option for CBS.

I don't understand why any station should be on VHF. I know it doesn't take as much power, but geez VHF is touchy!!!.

I don't understand why any station should be on VHF. I know it doesn't take as much power, but geez VHF is touchy!!!.

IF enough WSPA viewers have this problem -- as other stations across the country did when making the digital transition from UHF to VHF -- it would seem that WSPA and Media General already have an arrangement in place to help viewers that most stations with the same problem do not have. Channel 7 -- the now inferior signal -- could take the CW affiliation and the present WYCW "62" -- with the more stable UHF signal -- could become the CBS affiliate, which boasts a much larger audience than the CW. This would be no different than instances where TV markets have been "shaken up" by network affiliation changes -- some markets have even had swaps among several stations.

I was getting WSPA at pretty much "full strength" on my signal meter, at 53 miles, even before the power boost, but I had to aim my roof antenna within about 20 degrees to prevent breakups (apart from thunderstorms and electrical noise). Now I can get a pretty stable signal even when I'm aimed towards Charlotte, about 60 degrees away. This is with a 91XG which has a rather narrow beamwidth.
I have the 91XG but am using it only for WYFF at present with a UHF/VHF combiner prior to an amplifier. I have WSPA on an old Radio Shack RV antenna (amp removed) going into the VHF port. I will remove the combiner and try the 91XG for WSPA, if it works for me it will save me the combiner loss (1 to 2 bars).

I was getting WSPA at pretty much "full strength" on my signal meter, at 53 miles, even before the power boost, but I had to aim my roof antenna within about 20 degrees to prevent breakups (apart from thunderstorms and electrical noise). Now I can get a pretty stable signal even when I'm aimed towards Charlotte, about 60 degrees away. This is with a 91XG which has a rather narrow beamwidth.

Oops, I should have said the YA-1713, not the 91XG which is for UHF only! :o I'll go back and edit that.

I think the beamwidth is wider on the YA-1713. Still, at 60 degrees off line, I can't get 13 at all, and 9 (29.1) is either missing or barely there with lots of breakups, but 7 comes in pretty well.

It was easy to try, but the 91XG didn't work for WSPA. I had wanted to try the Radio Shack without the combiner anyway so no the effort was worth it. I got another 1 to 2 bars on the Radio Shack with no combiner. Disappointingly removing the diplexer didn't seem to help WYFF, it came in with no bars on both the Radio Shack and the 91XG.

I'll just have to wait for WLOS to do its thing before I finalize with switches, diplexers or rotor.

Does anyone know why WLOS needs a new antenna? Seem to me its old analog antenna should work OK unless its a higher power or gain issue.

Signal in Fort Mill is 54%. Still seeing some pixalation but I expect that from this far out.
I noticed that WSPA's power is at 25.7 KW. Could be the same issue some of the other VHF's are having and hopefully will be resolved with a power increase allowance from the FCC (WGHP in High Point NC has a similar issue with VHF 8). WOLO on VHF 8 in Columbia is at 43.7 KW and is very strong in Fort Mill.

At ~100 miles from the Greenville/Asheville towers, I'm now able to consistently watch all of those stations from here in Statesville, NC.

This past Friday I removed a 2-way splitter from the line and my signal went up significantly. I now get all the stations at a strength of between 40% and 90%. The only time the strength isn't that strong is for a few hours in the afternoon. From strongest to weakest:

WLOS, WSPA, WUNF, WYCW, and WYFF

(WHNS doesn't come in because of an analog ch21 only five miles away.)

I'm not real clear on SNR, but I know more is better! SNR numbers on various stations rose by about 4, and that was enough to push many more stations over the decoding threshold.

My setup:
Winegard HD-9032 UHF antenna
Winegard WA-1713 VHF antenna
Channel Master CM 7777 preamp
antennas at 26 and 22 ft above ground

In Asheville about 4 miles out on Leicester road, I wondered what channels can be received with rabbit ears. Also what antennas are used to get better reception and a few more channels. From previous posts I see some are receiving 4.1, 7.1, 13.1, 62.1, 33.1, 29.1, and 21.1. Are there any analog channels available from the University etc? I'll probably try to help him set up an attic antenna in his townhouse when I visit.

I have been experiencing an odd WLOS audio problem for a few weeks -- ONLY during the early morning news, I am getting no WLOS audio from Mt Pisgah, from 13.1 or 13.3. However, I am getting WLOS audio from the Anderson transmitter. WMYA's audio is fine from both transmitters. The picture and signal are right around 90% from Mt Pisgah. Also, this is ocurring on different manufacturers' converter boxes I have. Later in the day when I return home from work, this audio problem is gone. I called WLOS's engineering dept today and they are not aware of any problems, but said they would check into it. They also said they have folks monitoring the Mt Pisgah off-air signal during the morning news. So, is anyone else experiencing this?

In Asheville about 4 miles out on Leicester road, I wondered what channels can be received with rabbit ears. Also what antennas are used to get better reception and a few more channels. From previous posts I see some are receiving 4.1, 7.1, 13.1, 62.1, 33.1, 29.1, and 21.1. Are there any analog channels available from the University etc? I'll probably try to help him set up an attic antenna in his townhouse when I visit.

Try these sites to give you an idea of potential reception:

http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/

These results are not perfect -- both indicate a couple of strong stations where I get nothing at all and I get a few stations very well that rank "weak" on these sites. Still, it gives you some ideas.

I have been experiencing an odd WLOS audio problem for a few weeks -- ONLY during the early morning news, I am getting no WLOS audio from Mt Pisgah, from 13.1 or 13.3. However, I am getting WLOS audio from the Anderson transmitter. WMYA's audio is fine from both transmitters. The picture and signal are right around 90% from Mt Pisgah. Also, this is ocurring on different manufacturers' converter boxes I have. Later in the day when I return home from work, this audio problem is gone. I called WLOS's engineering dept today and they are not aware of any problems, but said they would check into it. They also said they have folks monitoring the Mt Pisgah off-air signal during the morning news. So, is anyone else experiencing this?

Probably not the same thing since I'm not watching it OTA, but I've had an issue with WLOS-DT (the HD signal) on D* where the picture breaks up and the audio drops for about 2-3 seconds. It reminds me of an episode of "Max Headroom", but it's "Bonnie Hunt". As a matter of fact, I'm watching today's episode of "Bonnie Hunt" on DVR and it's happened about 5 times in the last week or so. I've noticed it when I watch something on DVR and when I'm watching a show at its regular time (i.e. NEWS13 Early Edition/NEWS13 This Morning).

I live 3 miles NE of the channel 62 transmitter in Henderson County, and I still can't pick up channel 7. I was able to get it from the old tower.

Just a cheap indoor antenna for me. Can get 4, 13, 21, 33, and 62 off of it. I do have Directv, so its no big deal, but it would be nice to get channel 7 OTA.

Well....did another scan this afternoon, and 7-1 and 7-2 are both coming in now.

Still no signal in Greenwood, SC At least not on my attic antenna.

Guess its time to upgrade.

Anybody got a 40' ladder?

I have been experiencing an odd WLOS audio problem for a few weeks -- ONLY during the early morning news, I am getting no WLOS audio from Mt Pisgah, from 13.1 or 13.3. However, I am getting WLOS audio from the Anderson transmitter. WMYA's audio is fine from both transmitters. The picture and signal are right around 90% from Mt Pisgah. Also, this is ocurring on different manufacturers' converter boxes I have. Later in the day when I return home from work, this audio problem is gone. I called WLOS's engineering dept today and they are not aware of any problems, but said they would check into it. They also said they have folks monitoring the Mt Pisgah off-air signal during the morning news. So, is anyone else experiencing this?

I figured out my own problem -- I did a re-scan -- actually a "hard" re-scan where I unplugged the power supply and antenna input. I re-plugged power supply ONLY and did a scan where I came up with "no channels". I unplugged power supply again, re-attached the antenna input, and then power supply. Scanned a 2nd time (final scan) and got audio back on WLOS from Mt Pisgah.

Now, when glitches like this occur how in the world are most folks -- especially the elderly -- supposed to know they are to jump through these hoops to "refresh" their converter boxes or at least try this as a troubleshooting option?

Well....did another scan this afternoon, and 7-1 and 7-2 are both coming in now.

Well....spoke too soon I guess. Was unable to pick them up late yesterday evening or this morning.

Anyone in Greenville area getting UNC 33.1-33.3 via OTA. If so, could you post the details of your antenna. This is the only channel I am having difficulty in getting at all. Thanks

Anyone in Greenville area getting UNC 33.1-33.3 via OTA. If so, could you post the details of your antenna. This is the only channel I am having difficulty in getting at all. Thanks

I have a Channel Master 4228HD and pull 33.x in around the 75-80% range. I could probably pull it in even more if I made some adjustments.

I have a Channel Master 4228HD and pull 33.x in around the 75-80% range. I could probably pull it in even more if I made some adjustments.

Thanks. I had a CM 4221 that pulled in UNC but it stopped about 6 months ago. I did not want to have another UHF antenna in view of Channel 7, 13 and ETV being VHF stations and hence got an Antennacraft VHF/UHF combo. It gets all those stations easily but not UNC. I might have to bite the bullet and buy a Winegar 7696 but I am afraid that the rear elements will hit the wall of the house when the antenna is mounted on the back porch.

Having problems with VHF-DT? I have gone through several antenna changes, and although I have slightly improved the VHF-DT reception it sucks compared to the original UHF assignments. See this and many other comments regarding problems receiving VHF and its known DT problems: http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/08/18/a-few-broadcasters-are-moving-back-to-uhf/.

PS: I have expressed my concerns to local VHF-DT broadcasters, but don't see much response.

[/I]

Charter added Peachtree (Braves Only) on 96 today. Why they would do this is beyond me since all Peachtree Braves games are already on CSS. I really wonder about Charter sometimes. So now the Braves will be on 3 channels when they are on Peachtree. But now they are taking up more of the room for available channels by adding a analog channel that is a duplicate of what we already have.

PS: I have expressed my concerns to local VHF-DT broadcasters, but don't see much response.You're not the only one. Check out THIS (http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct2=us%2F0_0_s_0_0_t&usg=AFQjCNFrR1uduNJi6MeeGaAT6yI2OhiXsA&cid=1314973467&ei=GVG1SrngO46O8QTF7PFk&rt=SEARCH&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhostednews%2Fap%2Farticle% 2FALeqM5hKKr1wyE9-C5yQQNb4qz0lg8kHWgD9APUCBO4)story.

According to discussion in the following thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17212446#post17212446

(scan forward a bit to see posts leading up to the one I linked to)

the PBS station in Atlanta (WCGL) has turned off its TVGOS signal for now because it apparently prevents Apex converter boxes (the ones that Best Buy sells) from receiving WGCL at all. Apparently Rovicorp (ex Macrovision) has found the problem in other broadcast areas.

Does anybody here use an Apex box, or know someone who does? Does it work with SCETV stations? All the SCETV stations now carry TVGOS, as per information that Shaun Bennett has posted here, and my own experience with ch 29.1, 38.1, 35.1 and 49.1. If there's a problem here, too, it should be pretty obvious.

You're not the only one. Check out THIS (http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct2=us%2F0_0_s_0_0_t&usg=AFQjCNFrR1uduNJi6MeeGaAT6yI2OhiXsA&cid=1314973467&ei=GVG1SrngO46O8QTF7PFk&rt=SEARCH&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhostednews%2Fap%2Farticle% 2FALeqM5hKKr1wyE9-C5yQQNb4qz0lg8kHWgD9APUCBO4)story.

GEESH! Everyone in the FCC who was in charge of this digital transition and the way it was handled should be brought up on charges of CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE!

The very fact that most stations were allowed to broadcast digital in UHF PRIOR to the transition when the FCC was REQUIRING most of them to transition to VHF AFTER the transition -- and apparently MOST engineers with half a brain about them KNEW these sort of problems COULD crop up -- shows a complete lack of competence and care by the FCC (which sadly appears to be pretty much par for the course for many federal agencies).

I had read all along that a big part of the reason for the digital transition was that it would free up a lot of needed bandwidth for emergency communications and more cellular communications -- both of which make sense. BUT that certainly doesn't mean due dilligence shouldn't have been taken to ensure signal strength wasn't negatively affected by doing something ridiculous like moving signals to frequencies where even three and four times as much broadcast power won't make them viewable with the antennas sold for the purpose.

But OHHHHH, the FCC is STILL "on the case" of fleeting nudity in scenes from "NYPD Blue" a dozen years or so ago -- way too busy "investigating" and handing out fines for stuff like that to bother to "investigate" whether its mandate to re-assign broadcast frequencies would actually WORK!

And I'm one of those people who actually BELIEVES the federal government needs to be involved in things like this. They just need to DO THEIR JOB, which they seem quite unable to do far too often!
Jeff

And I'm one of those people who actually BELIEVES the federal government needs to be involved in things like this. They just need to DO THEIR JOB, which they seem quite unable to do far too often!
Jeff

Given the amazing influence that the frequency spectrum has on the future of technology, it's quite unfortunate that of all the Government agencies, it had to be the FCC that ended up being 'entrusted' with its protection. Ask any amateur radio operator about malicious interference and rule part breaches. The FCC is useless.

When is RTV TV going to go Live in Greenville? Even thought my WSPA is still spotty I would love to get RTV when I do get it.

For a few days last week 7 was great and then nothing... then ok.. then nothing... I havent changed anything so I assume they are still tweeking things.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a 32 inch LCD TV that would have good reception sensitivity? Something equal or better than the Zenith or Channel Master Set top boxes?

Sure would be nice to watch House in HD, instead of the postage stamp they are broadcasting.
Seems they can't do HD and weather warnings at the same time.

No Fox station can.

- Trip

CBS is broadcasting in SD as well.

I hate this. Time for someone to figure out how to avoid that one.

If the weather is bad I have to watch all my season premieres in SD?

WHNS, WSPA...

Take a clue from WYFF. I'm watching Heroes in HD right now.

Sure would be nice to watch House in HD, instead of the postage stamp they are broadcasting.
Seems they can't do HD and weather warnings at the same time.

Only the first few minutes were in SD for me. WHNS took the weather warnings off during the rest of the episode. They didn't have to, but I applaud them for doing it. It isn't like no one knows its raining and flooding in the mountains.

WHNS, WSPA...

Take a clue from WYFF. I'm watching Heroes in HD right now.

WPSA has been running the blue weather ticker on top of HD content for days now without issue. I didn't watch tonight on WSPA but I can't imagine why they would suddenly switch to SD. Even the NFL game yesterday was shown in HD along with the ticker.

When it comes to special alerts, unfortunately only WYFF superimposes the image nicely without squeezing the HD pic. WSPA pushes down the picture to display the alert, so the bottom of the pic goes into the ether. WHNS' issues have been documented. Anybody know WLOS's capabilities in this area?

Normally I'd be ticked, but in this case, we are talking about a pretty significant weather event, so I don't begrudge their need to get the info out regardless of the effect on the picture.

-c

During Sunday night's showing of "King Kong," WLOS ran several widescreen red weather banners across the upper part of the screen while leaving the picture in HD. They also use widescreen light blue banners across the lower part of the screen for their notifications about the delay in constructing their final digital antenna facilities. I've seen those often during local news, "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."

During Sunday night's showing of "King Kong," WLOS ran several widescreen red weather banners across the upper part of the screen while leaving the picture in HD. They also use widescreen light blue banners across the lower part of the screen for their notifications about the delay in constructing their final digital antenna facilities. I've seen those often during local news, "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."

WHNS doesn't have that luxory because of the splicer that Fox uses. They can't superimpose an image except for the Fox Carolina bug without switching to SD.

I dont know if those weather warnings are a requirement, but it seems to me a subchannel would be a better option than to put more screen junk up

I dont know if those weather warnings are a requirement, but it seems to me a subchannel would be a better option than to put more screen junk up

Typically, it's a "no-win" situation for broadcasters when it comes to running weather bulletin crawls or even "breaking in" for important weather information. In many (but not ALL) cases, these weather situations affect a small part of the viewing audience. However, stations are licensed by the FCC to operate in the public interest -- so if ONE street with 20 houses gets mowed down by a tornado in Polk County and the sun is shining with just a few clouds in the rest of the viewing area, well it's just not going to be a good thing when the National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning for that portion of Polk County and the station knowingly decided NOT to run the crawl because it was affecting such a small area. However, I think every home should have a tone alert NOAA weather radio because residents shouldn't solely rely on a TV station for such weather bulletins -- but what do I know.

As far as running such crawls or weather info on a sub-channel, remember that these sub channels are not available on DirecTV or DISH Network and few cable companies carry them. So, they're mostly restricted to OTA availability.

Eric

FCC requires that ALL streams of a station MUST have current weather information provided, including visual information for the hard of hearing, when life or property is in danger.

You may not like it, but those are the rules the broadcasters must operate under.

When WHNS first started doing news, WSPA was handling ALL their news production -- even in the same studio. That was a good dozen or so years ago, so I have no idea if it's still true, although I DO that that even as recently as a year or two ago the WHNS main anchorwoman would ALSO do "reporter duty" and sometimes fill-in anchor duty on WSPA (Connie LeGrand).

That's my best guess as to why BOTH are having the same issue.

WSPA stopped producing WHNS' newscasts at 10 p.m. during the Summer of 1999. Meredith Broadcasting, WHNS' owner, decided to have their own news operation and hired Connie LeGrand from WSPA as its (WHNS') co-anchor. Connie left WHNS and went away to anchor on SPEED for a couple of years. She returned to WSPA about 1-2 years ago to co-anchor their 5:30 p.m. newscast and, more recently, their 7 p.m. newscast. The issues here about WSPA's and WHNS' weather crawl issues aren't related to their previous news sharing agreements (they have no current news sharing agreement, have separate ownership and don't share weather crawl display systems).

FCC requires that ALL streams of a station MUST have current weather information provided, including visual information for the hard of hearing, when life or property is in danger.

You may not like it, but those are the rules the broadcasters must operate under.


Does Fox have any plans to make changes that will allow local stations to insert weather info without switching to SD? Due to the black out of my NFL Sunday ticket channel I was forced to watch WHNS and the switching back and forth was annoying.

Does Fox have any plans to make changes that will allow local stations to insert weather info without switching to SD? Due to the black out of my NFL Sunday ticket channel I was forced to watch WHNS and the switching back and forth was annoying.

It was supposed to have been available this fall as the new v2 splicers are installed but they are saying it will be sometime mid to late 2010 at the earliest and it is only for EAS, not crawls.

I deleted my post above from which you quoted, popweaver, since I was obviously unaware of quite a bit, lol.

As for those screen crawls, I don't really mind them so much -- even if they're changing resolution from HD to SD (although I think it's totally ridiculous some networks and/or stations don't have that sort of situation resolved by this point!). What really PEEVES me is when the idiotic, hyperventillating weather reporters who CLAIM to be meteorologists feel they need to also BREAK IN during the middle of the show in addition to the screen crawls. The screen crawls should be enough.

foxeng, I know you work there, so I don't expect a reply, but FIRST, her real name CAN'T be "Kendra Kent," and SECOND, that's the least on-air "talent" I think I've EVER seen in THIS market (at least since John Gallo left WSPA to pursue his dream of starring in soap operas, lol, and read a poem he wrote on his last broadcast!)

"Diane Derby" is an almost equal example on WSPA -- of both an unbelievable name and a very limited broadcasting talent -- both remind me of the line from John Henley's song... "There's the bubble-headed bleached-blonde who comes on at five. She can tell you 'bout the plane crash with a gleam in her eye..." Except neither of those two can get through a paragraph without stumbling over a few words, lol.

There are a few guys who could use a refresher course in, ummm, pretty much everything, as well. Those two gals just stand out so well.
Jeff

foxeng, I know you work there, so I don't expect a reply, but FIRST, her real name CAN'T be "Kendra Kent," and SECOND, that's the least on-air "talent" I think I've EVER seen in THIS market (at least since John Gallo left WSPA to pursue his dream of starring in soap operas, lol, and read a poem he wrote on his last broadcast!)

Actually I do not currently and have never work at WHNS or any station in that market. I work for FOX affiliate WGHP in High Point/Greensboro/Winston-Salem. But I know some people at all the stations there. WYFF's new weekend anchor Angela Rodriguez just came from my station, We called her "A-Rod."

Actually I do not currently and have never work at WHNS or any station in that market. I work for FOX affiliate WGHP in High Point/Greensboro/Winston-Salem. But I know some people at all the stations there. WYFF's new weekend anchor Angela Rodriguez just came from my station, We called her "A-Rod."

I saw her the other day. I am sure she will be missed. :)

I saw her the other day. I am sure she will be missed. :)

I too noticed her and asked myself if she was new because I didn't remember ever seeing her. Glad she's here, hope she stays awhile. :D

I saw her the other day. I am sure she will be missed. :)

In some ways, yes! :D

Hmmmm, I might just have to check out WHNS's weekend news, lol -- certainly would be a refreshing break from Diane Derby -- then again, they had her on during the WEEK the other night, along with one of their male second-string anchors (but he's WAY better than she is -- for one thing, he doesn't talk through his nose).

It's not really HER fault, though... It's the station manager or news director who has no better sense than to put her on the air. I mean, ANYBODY could APPLY for that job -- ANYBODY could even get the degreed "credentials" for the job... Let's say Courtney Love has the "credentials" and applies, does that mean you'd put her on as a news anchor? What if she's not a known celebrity, but has the same hairstyle, tattoos, personality, voice, and so forth? Same with Lindsay Lohan... or insert any other ridiculous choice you can think of (I thought of several who are no longer living, so I didn't list them).

Last time I checked (many moons ago) this was the nation's 35th-largest TV market. Not sure where it stands now, but I'm pretty sure it's still up there somewhere -- maybe even higher since New Orleans was one of its close competitors, and that was BEFORE Katrina. I just think this market deserves better than some of these second-stringers. Some of them are VERY good. Some, laughable.
Jeff

Hmmmm, I might just have to check out WHNS's weekend news


The new girl is on WYFF.

Last time I checked (many moons ago) this was the nation's 35th-largest TV market. Not sure where it stands now

Put it into perspective

31. Salt Lake City
32. Kansas City
33. Cincinnati
34. Columbus, OH
35. Milwaukee
36. Greenville/Spartanburg
37. San Antonio

Put it into perspective

31. Salt Lake City
32. Kansas City
33. Cincinnati
34. Columbus, OH
35. Milwaukee
36. Greenville/Spartanburg
37. San Antonio

And to put THAT into perspective, San Antonio is America's 10th largest city (but it must not have a very large suburban area or many other cities around it to give it a wide viewing area like we have) -- it's WAY larger, by official city-limits population, than ANY of those in 31-35, as well.

When is RTV TV going to go Live in Greenville? Even thought my WSPA is still spotty I would love to get RTV when I do get it.

For a few days last week 7 was great and then nothing... then ok.. then nothing... I havent changed anything so I assume they are still tweeking things.


I got an email today that they going try get RTV Up sometime Next week so it might still be some issue with it when they try. so keep an eyes out for it!

I got an email today that they going try get RTV Up sometime Next week so it might still be some issue with it when they try. so keep an eyes out for it!

Cool, so we get a few more days of good quality CBS until it turns to crap. Can't wait to watch sports next weekend on CBS. :(

Cool, so we get a few more days of good quality CBS until it turns to crap. Can't wait to watch sports next weekend on CBS. :(

RTV is replacing the weather subchannel, isn't it? If so, the quality won't get any worse.

RTV is replacing the weather subchannel, isn't it? If so, the quality won't get any worse.


Yes RTV will be on 7.2 replace the weather sub channel.

Everyone else getting erratic guide data the last couple of weeks?

Some nights, everything downloads fine.
Many nights, nothing.

I've been getting TVGOS data pretty consistently, although I haven't kept detailed records to refer to for specifics. Last week I didn't get any new listings on (I think) Wednesday and Thursday nights, but of course this only affected the 7th and 8th days of the guide.

I can usually get a decent signal from at least two different SCETV stations at once (out of 29, 38, 35 and 49, depending on which way my antenna is pointing), so that does give me some redundancy in case the TVGOS inserter goes down on one of them.

RTV is replacing the weather subchannel, isn't it? If so, the quality won't get any worse.

How do you know that? I would not be surprised if they allocate more bandwidth for the channel.

I was listening to Access America Radio on Galaxy 19 satellite and got this info about Henry Luken who owns RTV, the host was reading from a BusinessTN article:

Henry Luken, who bought RTV (formerly RTN) out of Equity Media’s bankruptcy, is looking to start three more networks targeted for multicast carriage, one is a second version of RTV, which runs old sitcoms like “McHale’s Navy,” “Leave it to Beaver,” and “I Spy.” Another net, PBJ, would cater to children, and a third, Tuff TV, would carry sports programming.

Luken believes he’ll be able to “pull budget-minded viewers away from paid content” with new over-the-air fare. “A year from now, you should have 25 to 30 different sets of content on the air in a market the size of Chattanooga,” he said. “There’s an awful lot of people who could watch 25 channels and be perfectly happy, instead of paying 60 bucks a month for basic cable.”

He said he hopes to launch as many as 10 networks from RTV’s facilities.

Is 13 still a work in progress or have they achieved full power and height?

From our location on Saluda Lake near Easley Water Plant we snagged their former UHF quite well with a 91 XG UHF antenna. Now their VHF gives zilch on a new Clear Stream C4 VHF-HI/UHF antenna.

The C4 is a suitable topic for another thread, but at least it scoring near 100 on channel 7 from this location.

Pertinent to an earlier thread re: 33.1; the 91XG pulls them in at nearly 100. Wish WLOS had stayed UHF.

Ed

WLOS is still using their temporary digital facility. They're running crawls and PSAs reminding viewers that they haven't completed their final post-transition facility yet. All they're saying for a timeline is "later this year."

From previous posts here (scroll back a few pages), it looks like the problem may be legal challenges to erecting a new transmitter tower.

A TV engineer told me the other day that the 1950ish-era tower atop Mt Pisgah will remain. Some earlier posts in this thread documented the controversy between some "non-tower-hugging" activists and US Forest Service officials who have leased the site to WLOS. Apparently, that has been settled by using the exsiting tower, as opposed to building a new one. The current tower is being reinforced to support the weight of WLOS's digital antenna. So, that process is moving along and WLOS will hopefully be up to full power soon. Also, some earlier posts referenced the weaker signal of WUNF in the upstate. I was told that WUNF has made no changes, but it is possible that an Atlanta station may be causing some co-channel interference. WUNF transmits on channel 25 as does an Atlanta station. That was this engineer's only theory as to those experiencing some WUNF signal issues since the June transition.

Eric

Likely WALT in Atlanta is the problem.... I am in extreme N E Ga. WALT ch 36 dt 25 is in and out here, just enough to screw things up in the area. Of course on the deep fringe there is alot of in and outs that cause screw ups... just the nature of the beast... Digital is one small step for mankind....
I meant for man....

Ed, I tried a C4 at my location... it was not good. An old 4228 uhf beat the heck out of the C4 receiving ch 13.

WSPA has just filed to convert most or all of their translator network to digital on UHF, including the signal in Greenville. (W10AJ would operate on channel 49 at 10 kW)

EDIT: It gets better! It looks to be located on the same mountain as WNTV and WGGS!

EDIT2: Add in one that will displace to channel 32 in Asheville and one to channel 43 in Weaverville but will also cover Asheville it looks like.

EDIT3: W08BP-D: http://coverage.rabbitears.info/w08bp-d.html It's run with a generic antenna and not the one specified, but it should be close.

I'll look at it more tomorrow afternoon.

- Trip

WSPA has just filed to convert most or all of their translator network to digital on UHF, including the signal in Greenville. (W10AJ would operate on channel 49 at 10 kW)

EDIT: It gets better! It looks to be located on the same mountain as WNTV and WGGS!

That's Paris Mountain, just north of the city. Just last Sunday I happened to drive the scenic road that goes up and over it (lots of expensive houses). At one point near the top you get a nice clear view of all the transmitters straight ahead as you look out the windshield. There's also at least one radio station up there.

Wow, compare the analog and digital service contour maps! It looks like I'd have a pretty good chance of picking up the digital signal at least sometimes. The southeast contour extends about as far as WUNF (Asheville) does, for which I have decent reception in the evening and at night (a bit flaky during the day). And there's no "competition" on ch 49.

W10AJ analog (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=TX301502.html)

W10AJ digital (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1332476.html)

Either something is very wrong with my map, or W10AJ needs to be higher up: http://coverage.rabbitears.info/w10aj-d.html

- Trip

It looks like Charter has added QVC to 711. That means we now get QVC on 11, 710, and 711. Could Charter really do anything that makes sense? Maybe next, they will add QVC to every tier.

It looks like Charter has added QVC to 711. That means we now get QVC on 11, 710, and 711. Could Charter really do anything that makes sense? Maybe next, they will add QVC to every tier.

We're moving the one on 710 to 711 but it will be on both until November 10, at that point it will only be on 11 and 711.

I notice last night that WHNS Fox 21 has add the Weather Radio Audio to it weather Radar channel 21.2

I noticed that the Weather Channel HD on DirecTV now has Local on the 8's. Up to now, only the SD version had it.

Anyone else having issues with HD channels? Since last Tuesday most of my HD channels are glitchy/pixelating almost every 10-15 seconds. Sometimes it gets better, sometimes its unwatchable.

Nothing has changed in my setup, just wondering if it's a problem for others in Greenville/Spartanburg or maybe just my neighborhood.

Anyone else having issues with HD channels? Since last Tuesday most of my HD channels are glitchy/pixelating almost every 10-15 seconds. Sometimes it gets better, sometimes its unwatchable.

Nothing has changed in my setup, just wondering if it's a problem for others in Greenville/Spartanburg or maybe just my neighborhood.

Which provider are you inquiring about?

Anyone else having issues with HD channels? Since last Tuesday most of my HD channels are glitchy/pixelating almost every 10-15 seconds. Sometimes it gets better, sometimes its unwatchable.

Nothing has changed in my setup, just wondering if it's a problem for others in Greenville/Spartanburg or maybe just my neighborhood.

If you're talking about OTA I can tell you that I have not noticed any recent changes in reception issues.

If you're talking about OTA I can tell you that I have not noticed any recent changes in reception issues.

No, unfortunately I'm referring to Charter. Thanks for the reply, though.

LMControl,

All is well in east Greenville Co. (Simponville) on Charter using TV tuner.

The weather is giving me unusually good signals from the west tonight. Not only am I seeing WPCH 17-1 out of Atlanta on RF 20, I'm seeing WNEG 32-1 in Toccoa on RF 24 for the very first time. Their clock reads 5:58 PM right now, and their program guide says "WNEG-DT, Event 58" which looks like some kind of hunting program.

On Charter this morning, I noticed 811 FOXHDSS was showing content. Is 811 now full time? Or was it just a glitch (I have known them to do this before).

The weather is giving me unusually good signals from the west tonight. Not only am I seeing WPCH 17-1 out of Atlanta on RF 20, I'm seeing WNEG 32-1 in Toccoa on RF 24 for the very first time. Their clock reads 5:58 PM right now, and their program guide says "WNEG-DT, Event 58" which looks like some kind of hunting program.


Last night i got Fox 8 WGHP out of Greenboro/High Point NC about Mid Night. on RF 35

On Charter this morning, I noticed 811 FOXHDSS was showing content. Is 811 now full time? Or was it just a glitch (I have known them to do this before).

Today, Charter changed the channel to FOXHDSO with Tribune so it seems something is up. However, it still shows no program information except for the few College Football games this weekend.

Last night i got Fox 8 WGHP out of Greenboro/High Point NC about Mid Night. on RF 35

Congrats! Our little ole 35 doesn't do too bad!

Congrats! Our little ole 35 doesn't do too bad!

Thanks Foxeng,

Btw i notice WGHP didn`t have a sub channel 8.2
I pick it up with a Philips MANT-410 Amplified Indoor Antenna

I was getting some activity on my signal meter for RF 35 last night, too, but not enough to decode a picture. I did get WXII on RF 31, with its "This TV" subchannel. I've gotten WGHP on 35 before, though, as well as most of the other Greensboro area stations at one time or another.

On Charter this morning, I noticed 811 FOXHDSS was showing content. Is 811 now full time? Or was it just a glitch (I have known them to do this before).

I heard some of the Raleigh(?) folks talking about it going 24/7 with HD via TWC. Maybe it isn't just a glitch...Here's the post: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17290065#post17290065

I heard some of the Raleigh(?) folks talking about it going 24/7 with HD via TWC. Maybe it isn't just a glitch...Here's the post: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17290065#post17290065

They were actually showing content in HD this afternoon (some type of poker). The rest of the time they had the sidebars with SportsSouth HD in them. If it is full-time it will be good news even if the sports aren't in HD, we will get them in digital. Plus, we will no longer have to switch from the SD channel to the HD to see if a particular program is in HD.

I was also getting great reception last night in Statesville, NC. I found WNEH 38.1 last night for the first time. It's SW at about 130 miles. Then, I turned the antenna to the east and was able to watch WRAL 5.1 and some other Raleigh stations, also at 130 miles. That's a 260 mile spread!

I heard some of the Raleigh(?) folks talking about it going 24/7 with HD via TWC. Maybe it isn't just a glitch...Here's the post: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17290065#post17290065

Both Fox Sports South and SportSouth are in HD 24/7 on AT&T UVerse now. The Sportsouth HD has sidebars that say Sportsouth HD during Non-HD shows/commercials, so does FSNSouth.

Looks like WSPA is getting ready to put Retro TV on the air. When I tune to 7.2, I still get their weather channel, but the station ID string in the PSIP data now reads RTN instead of WSPA-WX or whatever it used to be.

Btw i notice WGHP didn`t have a sub channel 8.2
I pick it up with a Philips MANT-410 Amplified Indoor Antenna

That is true. We only have one channel, 8-1.

Looks like WSPA is getting ready to put Retro TV on the air. When I tune to 7.2, I still get their weather channel, but the station ID string in the PSIP data now reads RTN instead of WSPA-WX or whatever it used to be.

I am actually getting programming data on 7.2 as of yesterday, via the DirecTV OTA guide. It shouldn't be too much longer, hopefully.

I am actually getting programming data on 7.2 as of yesterday, via the DirecTV OTA guide. It shouldn't be too much longer, hopefully.

I emailed the WSPA GM and he said it will start Monday October 12,2009

When the hell is UNC PBS going to fix their TVGOS data. Im still getting the Kids station and the other mixed up.

I emailed the WSPA GM and he said it will start Monday October 12,2009

RTV will start later today or first thing Wed. morning. For those who are worried about bandwidth, 7.1 will not reduce its current bandwidth. Unfortunately RTV will not have a correct PSIP guide untill we get the PSIP equipment upgraded.

Charlie

Unfortunately RTV will not have a correct PSIP guide untill we get the PSIP equipment upgraded.

Will the schedule be the same as on WJBF's RTN subchannel? If so, I can re-map its TV Guide On Screen listings to point to 7.2 for now, until TV Guide gets around to adding 7.2.

RTV will start later today or first thing Wed. morning. For those who are worried about bandwidth, 7.1 will not reduce its current bandwidth. Unfortunately RTV will not have a correct PSIP guide untill we get the PSIP equipment upgraded.

Charlie

Look like it been switch over to RTV at 2:00pm

Ill go ahead and say it, KILL THE STRETCH PLEASE!!!

Will the schedule be the same as on WJBF's RTN subchannel? If so, I can re-map its TV Guide On Screen listings to point to 7.2 for now, until TV Guide gets around to adding 7.2.


WSPA's RTV schedule is different from WJBF. You can find the schedule at
http://www.myretrotv.com/prog_schedules/WSPA.pdf but that doesn't help you any for the on screen guide.

Tribune seems to be showing the correct guide info for 7.2 although none of the shows have episode information.

Look like it been switch over to RTV at 2:00pmAnd for those of us with Charter in "Greer", 90.3 ...

RTV will start later today or first thing Wed. morning. For those who are worried about bandwidth, 7.1 will not reduce its current bandwidth. Unfortunately RTV will not have a correct PSIP guide untill we get the PSIP equipment upgraded.

Charlie

I guess we won't be able to get RTV 7.2 on DirecTV any time soon?

I guess we won't be able to get RTV 7.2 on DirecTV any time soon?

If you have an HD-DVR (HR-20 series) from DirecTV, and an antenna hooked into the DVR, you can tune through the OTA antenna setup on the DirecTV screens. Guide information is there, but it is wrong, from what I can tell, thus far.

Guide information is there, but it is wrong, from what I can tell, thus far.

The Tribune program data is incorrect it is even incorrect on it zap2it.com.

for correct program info you can get from wspa website
http://www2.wspa.com/spa/entertainment/television

i know this won't help you with your Directv onscreen guide data

I already set up some series recordings for 7.2 on my D* DVR. The ones I wanted to record were correct in the guide a few days out, so it's not all bad.

I think it's pretty well done over all. I like that they still show the weather on commercials. I'm not crazy about the stretch-o-vision, but I can compensate changing some settings on my tv.

If you have an HD-DVR (HR-20 series) from DirecTV, and an antenna hooked into the DVR, you can tune through the OTA antenna setup on the DirecTV screens. Guide information is there, but it is wrong, from what I can tell, thus far.

In the mountains, we can't get 7.2 at all (at least in North Buncombe Co.). If I could, I would have pursued the OTA option and, thus, the inquiry about DirecTV carrying RTV on 7.2.

WSPA filed to flash-cut their analog translator in Weaverville to digital on UHF. Once that happens, perhaps you will be able to receive it...

- Trip

WSPA filed to flash-cut their analog translator in Weaverville to digital on UHF. Once that happens, perhaps you will be able to receive it...

- Trip

We'll see...the analog is atrocious (mind you, it is a rabbit-ears antenna that I've been using). I can't install an outdoor antenna onto my apartment building to increase my chances, though. At least, I was able to move to an apartment where I could have a dish.

Can anybody get WYCW DT 3 62.3 That is the WSPA 24x7 Weather channel per Amy Wood's The Rabbit Blog

I don't see any 62.3 here. The Zenith converter box that I use for channel-surfing adds new subchannels automatically, so if 62.3 existed I'd see it for sure.

I don't see any 62.3 here. The Zenith converter box that I use for channel-surfing adds new subchannels automatically, so if 62.3 existed I'd see it for sure.

ok they Might haven`t turn it on yet might be waiting till they get the PSIP equiptment upgraded.

Can anybody get WYCW DT 3 62.3 That is the WSPA 24x7 Weather channel per Amy Wood's The Rabbit Blog

So, I guess this means that the current WYCW setup is going to continue, PLUS adding an additional stream for the WSPA 24/7 weather?

It will look like this?

62.1 - WYCW
62.2 - WSPA
62.3 - Weather

I did a rescan yesterday and never saw "62.3" pop in.

So, I guess this means that the current WYCW setup is going to continue, PLUS adding an additional stream for the WSPA 24/7 weather?

It will look like this?

62.1 - WYCW
62.2 - WSPA
62.3 - Weather

I did a rescan yesterday and never saw "62.3" pop in.

That is exactly how the sub channels will look. 62.3 will not be active untill later next week. Charlie

I love RTV. Its all the shows I watched as a child.
How many more stations can 7 and 62 add as subs? If the RTV owners plan to add 3 or 4 more stations to his network I would love it. Now if I could just find a great indoor for my downstairs tv so I can get RTV in the livingroom.

I love RTV. Its all the shows I watched as a child.
How much many more stations can 7 and 62 add as subs? If the RTV owners plan to add 3 or 4 more stations to his network I would love it. Now if I could just find a great indoor for my downstairs tv so I can get RTV in the livingroom.

If 7 adds anymore stations as subchannels, then watching the main HD channel will be pointless since the quality will be terrible.

I love RTV. Its all the shows I watched as a child.

I also like RTV it shows i haven't seen in years since they last air on cable Tvland channel. also on RTN you might see some missing scenes that you didn`t see when they air on Tvland.

If 7 adds anymore stations as subchannels, then watching the main HD channel will be pointless since the quality will be terrible.

What if they add them to 62?

What if they add them to 62?

Then the appropriate statement will be:

If 62 adds anymore stations as subchannels, then watching the main HD channel will be pointless since the quality will be terrible.

- Trip

What if they add them to 62?

They are already doing it. They are adding the weather sub channel there this week I suppose.

It's a no win situation for the broadcaster. I've gotten just as many complaints that we removed the weather channel as I have thanks that we added RTN. Everyone is hungry for more channels but the reduced bandwidth gives them heartburn.

First we were going to remove 62.2 WSPA-SD but once we polled viewers we decided to leave it. So the only choice is to add a third SD subchannel to WYCW or WSPA. We decided to add it to WYCW in order to keep WSPA HD at its current bandwidth.

Once those WSPA translators go on the air, might it be possible to eliminate the simulcast on 62-2?

- Trip

It's a no win situation for the broadcaster. I've gotten just as many complaints that we removed the weather channel as I have thanks that we added RTN. Everyone is hungry for more channels but the reduced bandwidth gives them heartburn.

First we were going to remove 62.2 WSPA-SD but once we polled viewers we decided to leave it. So the only choice is to add a third SD subchannel to WYCW or WSPA. We decided to add it to WYCW in order to keep WSPA HD at its current bandwidth.

I don't envy the tight rope that your stations must be walking trying to please all of your viewers re: HD and bandwidth. Thank you for the info that you've provided here and for your work with WSPA and WYCW's signals!

I don't envy the tight rope that your stations must be walking trying to please all of your viewers re: HD and bandwidth. Thank you for the info that you've provided here and for your work with WSPA and WYCW's signals!

Ditto here, too! I hate to see people being given a hard time when they are just doing their job.

hopefully D12 will launch as early as 10/17/09 .

Lots of stuff coming OTA from Georgia this morning!

Toccoa:
WNEG 32.1 (RF 24)

Atlanta:
WAGA 5.1 FOX (27, overriding WCCB Charlotte)
WGTV 8.1 GPB (8, overriding WOLO Columbia)
WXIA 11.1 NBC (10, overriding WIS Columbia)
WPCH 17.1 (20)
WUVG 34.1 Univision (48, overriding WACH Columbia)
WATL 36.1 MyN (25, overriding WUNF Asheville)
WGCL 46.1 CBS (19)
WHSG 63.1 TBN (44)
WPXA 14.1 ion (51)

All of the Atlanta stations are "firsts" for me except WPCH and WGCL.

Augusta: (in addition to the not-too-uncommon WRDW, WJBF, and WAGT)
WCES 20.1 GPB (6)
This last one is with a ch 7-13 antenna. :eek: First time I've ever seen it on ch 6, although I did see it once on 2 last year. For some reason it comes in better with the antenna aimed backwards, towards Charlotte.

Hi J T... I think we have the same set up antenna & preamp wise. Friday morning I could not get one Atlanta station, usually 5, 17,46, & 69 are always there. Like you they were all back this morning, and with recent improvements, ch 2's signal has join the others at night, I think they are on dt 39. Mother nature apparently has control of the atomosphere.
As for the WCES dt 6... I thought I was receiving their signal over a 4228 aimed at Spartanburg, WOW wouldn't that be somthing. But that is not the case, GPB recently activated their low power transmitters in Toccoa dt8 & Hartwell dt11 with Hartwell picking up the WCES signal from Wrens, and Toccoa is picking it up from Hartwell, and sending it our way. According to their map, their Hartwell signal will reach Anderson. I don't know why they all show ch 20. That may be where your reception is coming from, or maybe not. For the Atlanta signals I use the xg91/1713/cm7777 preamp.

Even tried to re-scan, but not picking up:

77.1
77.2
104.1

What happened to MY tv, ABC and FOX in HD?!

Now they are saying D12 wont launch until end of year
so D* probably won't load up with channels in HD until March

Has anyone heard when WYFF will put the local news in HD
maybe channel 21 will have it first
pretty sad.
Id like to watch them since I live in Greenville

As for the WCES dt 6... I thought I was receiving their signal over a 4228 aimed at Spartanburg, WOW wouldn't that be somthing. But that is not the case, GPB recently activated their low power transmitters in Toccoa dt8 & Hartwell dt11 with Hartwell picking up the WCES signal from Wrens, and Toccoa is picking it up from Hartwell, and sending it our way. According to their map, their Hartwell signal will reach Anderson. I don't know why they all show ch 20. That may be where your reception is coming from, or maybe not.

For channel surfing, I use a Zenith DTT901 converter box because it has a manual channel-add mode that lets you click through the RF channels in sequence, regardless of the virtual channel number, while watching a signal meter. The meter regularly shows a trace of a signal on 6 (not nearly enough to decode a picture) when I aim towards either Augusta or Charlotte. This morning while searching for Atlanta channels I landed on 6, and bingo, a picture came up on 20-1. (and 20-2 and 20-3 of course)

(Added) I got called to dinner before I had a chance to think about this post carefully. I now realize that some people may be confused because the on-screen display shown in the attached screenshot doesn't look like the one on the DTT901.

That screenshot is actually from a Samsung DTB-H260F HD tuner. Its component-video output feeds a Hauppauge HD PVR which digitizes analog HD signals into MPEG-4 streams that are captured by my MacBook using EyeTV software. I export frames from the resulting MP4 files and convert them to JPEG in Photoshop. I started doing this just last week and plan to update my Web page with new screenshots eventually. I'm starting with the Atlanta stuff because it's new.

Cwofford, any chance WSPA could cut off the subchannels during the NFL games?

Has anyone heard when WYFF will put the local news in HD
maybe channel 21 will have it first
pretty sad.
Id like to watch them since I live in Greenville

I was just wondering this myself the other day...

With charter:

is anyone else getting torn/pixelated HD video? It's happening on both my cable box and straight into qam tuners. It was by far the worst on CBS yesterday during the games. The SD channels were fine.

With charter:

is anyone else getting torn/pixelated HD video? It's happening on both my cable box and straight into qam tuners. It was by far the worst on CBS yesterday during the games. The SD channels were fine.

I noticed the same thing during the UF vs LSU game last night on 103.2 (CBS QAM on CHARTER).

I thought it was my network (I record on my PC and stream to an xbox in one room or a Linksys media ctr in another).

With charter:

is anyone else getting torn/pixelated HD video? It's happening on both my cable box and straight into qam tuners. It was by far the worst on CBS yesterday during the games. The SD channels were fine.
me too - was also happening during SNL last nite.....I have a service call on Wed....

So glad to hear that wasn't only me. I worried I was developing the dreaded "intermittent signal problems"

WSPA HD (CBS) is almost unwatchable today. Pixelation/artifacts every 5-7 seconds on the 1 PM NFL game. Looks like LSU/Florida last night was about the same. Honestly, what is the deal? Sub-channels are eating up available bandwidth?

Thanks for trying to add more channels, but please don't do so if you have to sacrifice bandwidth for what is normally a great/often watched HD channel.

WSPA HD (CBS) is almost unwatchable today. Pixelation/artifacts every 5-7 seconds on the 1 PM NFL game. Looks like LSU/Florida last night was about the same. Honestly, what is the deal? Sub-channels are eating up available bandwidth?

Thanks for trying to add more channels, but please don't do so if you have to sacrifice bandwidth for what is normally a great/often watched HD channel.

It really is almost unwatchable it's so distracting. Is this a WSPA problem or a Charter problem?

I don't know enough about the situation. I'd love to get some contact info for whoever is responsible. I'd send an email in a heart-beat. The people who make decisions about what to add and what sacrifices are tolerable obviously don't know or don't care about bandwidth required for HD programming.

It hasn't been this way long (last weekend was just fine), so I hope there's enough public outcry that it's changed back or alternate solutions are sought.

EDIT:
(QAM)
ETV (1080i) has a bit, but not as bad as CBS
WYCW (1080i) is good
WMYA (720p) is good
NBC (1080i) is pixelated
Fox (720p) is good
ABC (720p) is good
____________________
non-QAM
Food (1080i) is good

EDIT2: I am live-chatting with a charter rep now.
After unplugging and re-plugging my box:
TTD Marlyn : I have already sent a signal to your cable box. Please wait for at least 5-10 minutes for the box to totally refreshes itself, and for the signal to fully work.
TTD Marlyn : If the problem is still the same, I would advise you to schedule a technician.
TTD Marlyn : Is there anything else I can help you with today?
--Fowler: Thank you- but the problem exists with other customers in my area
-- Fowler: I am 99% positive the issue is not with my equipment
-- Fowler: Is there any way you can forward the potential problem to the charter affiliate in my area?
TTD Marlyn : There may be a technical problem with the Network.
-- Fowler: at least let them check it out at the source
TTD Marlyn : There is nothing we can do if the problem is on the Network. All we have to do is patiently wait for them to resolved their technical issue.

I don't know enough about the situation. I'd love to get some contact info for whoever is responsible. I'd send an email in a heart-beat. The people who make decisions about what to add and what sacrifices are tolerable obviously don't know or don't care about bandwidth required for HD programming.

It hasn't been this way long (last weekend was just fine), so I hope there's enough public outcry that it's changed back or alternate solutions are sought.

I have a service call for Tuesday but I am surprised I am not the only one since it is a signal issue. On my TiVo I can see the RS Corrected errors rising by the thousands. In general when this happens it is because the signal quality is bad at my house. I find it odd that others are experiencing this too. It seems it is only affected on some channels though (WHNSDT isn't affected except for dropouts every 10 minutes or so).

I have a service call for Tuesday but I am surprised I am not the only one since it is a signal issue. On my TiVo I can see the RS Corrected errors rising by the thousands. In general when this happens it is because the signal quality is bad at my house. I find it odd that others are experiencing this too. It seems it is only affected on some channels though (WHNSDT isn't affected except for dropouts every 10 minutes or so).

I was hesitant to speak up because of the nature of the problem I thought it was only me as well. FOX was completely fine for the entire Panthers game, but I turn it over to CBS for the Patriots game and all these issues are arising. I was also seeing this on ESPN2HD last night. I'm uploading a video to demonstrate what I'm seeing.

WSPA HD (CBS) is almost unwatchable today. Pixelation/artifacts every 5-7 seconds on the 1 PM NFL game. Looks like LSU/Florida last night was about the same. Honestly, what is the deal? Sub-channels are eating up available bandwidth?

Thanks for trying to add more channels, but please don't do so if you have to sacrifice bandwidth for what is normally a great/often watched HD channel.

...but non-sports fans (like me) like the alternative sub-channels like RTV. I guess the world end if there were no more sports. :rolleyes:

It isn't a bandwidth problem. This issue started late Friday or early Saturday. WPSADT2 changing to RTV didn't cause this. It certainly only affects certain channels (most of them). Even though WHNSDT does't have the constant pixelation, the video completely drops out for a few seconds every 5-10 minutes. ESPN(2) HD, HDNet, etc all have the same constant pixelation problem.

Watch all the tears in the screen and how much the audio stutters. It gets really aggravating after a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrIkPZRj8lA

...but non-sports fans (like me) like the alternative sub-channels like RTV. I guess the world end if there were no more sports. :rolleyes:

CBS shows more than just sports. Trust me, if you go to tune in to 60 minutes tonight and its doing this you're going to be annoyed.

I don't know enough about the situation. I'd love to get some contact info for whoever is responsible.

The best thing you can do at this point is to call Charter and report the problem. Of course they will spend a lot of time trying to get you to reboot your cable boxes because they might be "frozen". But after all of that, maybe they will get enough calls to realize there is a real problem.

...but non-sports fans (like me) like the alternative sub-channels like RTV. I guess the world end if there were no more sports. :rolleyes:
Please forgive my selfishness/close-minded stance. The world wouldn't end, but I think I'm entitled to vent/complain if I'm paying for HD cable and they're making changes that render it worthless.

Please forgive my selfishness/close-minded stance. The world wouldn't end, but I think I'm entitled to vent/complain if I'm paying for HD cable and they're making changes that make it worthless.

The two channels (WSPADT and RTV) aren't on the same qam channel on Charter so they can't reduce the bandwidth of the other channels (and considering they stated that they didn't change the bandwidth requirements on WSPADT when they added RTV, then the change to RTV made zero difference to their OTA or Charter signal). The issue here is causing problems with lots of channels. There is most likely some hardware problem at Charter causing this. The real fun part will be finding someone at Charter who recognizes the problem.

Anyone else been in touch with Charter in some format? I'm guessing the more people who speak up, the more likely they are to address the issue.

Anyone else been in touch with Charter in some format? I'm guessing the more people who speak up, the more likely they are to address the issue.

Its so frustrating talking to them that I haven't bothered. I may try to send an email or something though.

NBC is just as bad tonight...

NBC is just as bad tonight...

Along with HDNet, HDNet Movies, ESPN HD, HD Theatre, and I'm sure others.

Showtime is effected.

I know none of us has called but I can't imagine Charter isn't getting tons of calls about this...

Has anyone tried emailing "UMatter2Charter"?

Based on the grammar in that online tech support fowlerbt posted, he wasn't even speaking with someone who speaks English as a first language, much less anyone likely to have any chance of actually COMPREHENDING what his actual issue is! She was reading from a script. If it's not "in the script," it doesn't exist.
Jeff

I sent a private message to Umatter2charter yesterday.

I know none of us has called but I can't imagine Charter isn't getting tons of calls about this...

I called yesterday and reported it and they said there were no known issues in the area.

I don't know enough about the situation. I'd love to get some contact info for whoever is responsible. I'd send an email in a heart-beat. The people who make decisions about what to add and what sacrifices are tolerable obviously don't know or don't care about bandwidth required for HD programming.

The problems with pixelation aka macroblocking and mosaicking on Charter HD channels is a signal problem on Charter's system and not due to bandwidth limiting by the stations.

WYFF and WSPA are 103.1 and 103.2 which are two program streams on channel 103 which is 669Mhz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_cable_television_frequencies) on Charter's system. WYFF and WSPA provide direct HD feeds to Charter (ASI format). Charter then takes these ASI signals and mulitplexes them on a QAM channel, in this case channel 103. Most cable and satellite systems (broadcasters too) use statistical multiplexing to increase bandwidth efficiency. The system dynamically assigns bandwidth as needed. Fast motion requires more bandwidth, still images require very little bandwidth. So cable and satellite systems can reduce the quality of the digital signals they receive (bandwidth limit) in their multiplexing schemes. Also, 669 Mhz is about the same frequency as UHF television channel 49. High frequency loss in the cable system can result in marginal signals on these high frequencies while the lower frequencies will have sufficient signal level when they reach your home. Marginal signal levels (OTA or on a cable system) result it macroblocking and dropout. A bad line amp or a poorly equalized line can cause problems with the higher frequencies. If the usual box resetting doesn't clear the problem, the CSR will always blame the local affiliate which is seldom at fault.

Charter has an extensive distribution system to maintain. I'm sure it's not easy. But once we hand our HD stream to them, we obviously no longer have any control over it and there's a lot that can happen to it.

Has anyone heard when WYFF will put the local news in HD
maybe channel 21 will have it first
pretty sad.
Id like to watch them since I live in GreenvilleIt amazes me that WYFF, supposedly a market leader, still doesn't broadcast their local news in HD.

It amazes me that WYFF, supposedly a market leader, still doesn't broadcast their local news in HD.

You're not the only one.

There is no question that we are conspicuously deficient in filling a 16x9 display during newscasts. Be assured, we are working to correct this deficiency. No launch date quite yet though.

You're not the only one.

There is no question that we are conspicuously deficient in filling a 16x9 display during newscasts. Be assured, we are working to correct this deficiency. No launch date quite yet though.

You do have good HD commercials for the newscasts though :)

I was hesitant to speak up because of the nature of the problem I thought it was only me as well. FOX was completely fine for the entire Panthers game, but I turn it over to CBS for the Patriots game and all these issues are arising. I was also seeing this on ESPN2HD last night. I'm uploading a video to demonstrate what I'm seeing.

Just wanted to say I have also been having problems since I hooked my antenna up on Friday. All other locals are fine, but the CBS channel (WSPA?) is awful. Lots of audio drops, and pixellation to the point of being unwatchable. I thought it was something with my antenna, but after reading these posts here, I can see it's something else. It doesn't sound like a Charter issue (at least for this channel), since as I said, I'm using OTA input into a TiVO HD.

Just wanted to say I have also been having problems since I hooked my antenna up on Friday. All other locals are fine, but the CBS channel (WSPA?) is awful. Lots of audio drops, and pixellation to the point of being unwatchable. I thought it was something with my antenna, but after reading these posts here, I can see it's something else. It doesn't sound like a Charter issue (at least for this channel), since as I said, I'm using OTA input into a TiVO HD.

I am having no issues OTA with WPSA. It sounds like a issue with your antenna setup. The issues with macroblocking here are consistent across many channels on Charter. But with OTA, I am not seeing any of these issue with WSPADT.

To all you people that are still getting your crappy signals from Charter, please call D* or Dish. None of us are having these problems that you are discussing. Dump the Charter come into the 21st century with D* or Dish.

To all you people that are still getting your crappy signals from Charter, please call D* or Dish. None of us are having these problems that you are discussing. Dump the Charter come into the 21st century with D* or Dish.

As soon as D* offers Tivo again Ill be the first to switch.

As soon as D* offers Tivo again Ill be the first to switch.

I have tivo with D*

I am having no issues OTA with WPSA. It sounds like a issue with your antenna setup. The issues with macroblocking here are consistent across many channels on Charter. But with OTA, I am not seeing any of these issue with WSPADT.

Ok, thanks. I guess I'll tinker with it some more to see what's up.

Hope I'm not speaking too soon, but just checked NBC, CBS, and Showtime for over a minute each and none of them had any pixelation/tears. Perhaps it happened over the weekend and there just weren't many people there/at the helm to diagnose and repair.

I have tivo with D*

Maybe the old school one, but they don't yet offer the new Tivo to new customers. And so we're not confusing each other when I say Tivo, I mean Tivo, not their generic DVR.

Hope I'm not speaking too soon, but just checked NBC, CBS, and Showtime for over a minute each and none of them had any pixelation/tears. Perhaps it happened over the weekend and there just weren't many people there/at the helm to diagnose and repair.

Yep, this weekend my Tivo diagnostics was giving out all kind of crazy numbers due to the way things were going but everything looks ok now. Hoepfully it stays that way for Monday Night Football.

Good afternoon everyone,
Anyone whom is still expericing these problems please PM me the following:

Name:
Phone Number on Account:
Contact Number:
Best Time To Call:
Email:
Address:

It's been a week and Charter still isn't showing any guide information for 811 (FOXHDSO). I get the feeling this isn't going to be fixed anytime soon.

It's been a week and Charter still isn't showing any guide information for 811 (FOXHDSO). I get the feeling this isn't going to be fixed anytime soon.
My cable box has the info. Charter.net does not. I suppose that's what you mean?

My cable box has the info. Charter.net does not. I suppose that's what you mean?

My TiVos don't (as they get guide data from Tribune). I assume all Moxi boxes deployed by Charter do not either since they use the same guide data provider as TiVos.

Good afternoon everyone,
Anyone whom is still experiencing these problems please PM me the following:I'm just curious ... this (weekend for me) problem seems to have been resolved. What has me curious, as an electronics engineer, is what was wrong. My Sony TV shows S:N ratio, something they call AGC, and ... errors ...

My numbers were GREAT for signal:noise and AGC ... with errors bouncing from 0 to 40-50. When I've had problems in the past, it was a weak signal with noise. It looks like the strong clean signal was transmitting a "defective" digital signal.

Would this come from a bad link somewhere, then it getting amplified back up to the excellent signal I have? I read the douglasd5 message that Charter here gets a digital signal in ASI format, and tried the OTA signal which was clean.

I'm asking out of curiosity; as an engineer, I don't expect everything to work all the time and just want to understand the modes of failure.

I emailed the WSPA GM and he said it will start Monday October 12,2009

Wow...the Retro channel is the best thing that has happened to the HDTV development...shows what a great visual improvement we now enjoy. The only regret I now have is that the FCC caved and allowed VHF HD which has proven very unreliable for me.

I end up watching the Ateam instead of other new shows a few nights a week. I love RTV too.

Is RTV on Charter?

Is RTV on Charter?

it on charter 90.3 QAM and Channel 138 channel where WSPA Weather channel used to be on charter.

it on charter 90.3 QAM and Channel 183 channel where WSPA Weather channel used to be on charter.

138 in AVL. Now, this is a subchannel I can get behind. :)

138 in AVL. Now, this is a subchannel I can get behind. :)

thanks for the correction i just type it wrong.

My name is Spencer, I'm 23 (turning 24 next month) and I reside in the GSP Market DMA #36. From the late 1980s/early 1990s to July 2004, we've been Greenwood Cablevision/InterMedia/Northland Cable subscribers which they dumped CMT, Disney Channel (until 2008), ABC Family, MSNBC, GSN (Game Show Network, on their digital cable lineup), and TV Guide Network. From July 2004-January 21, 2009, we've been Dish Network subscribers, and from January 21, 2009-present, we are DirecTV subscribers after I've bought my first HDTV and of course we get the Greenville, SC locals on DirecTV.

Unfortunately I have some complaints about GSP TV eventhough. No MyNetworkTV in High-Def on DirecTV. The local NBC affiliate (WYFF 4) does not carry the fourth hour of "Today" (The hour in which Kathie Lee Gifford host), I think it's due to local program obligations, so they air Rachel Ray instead.

I wished that WYFF and WHNS do their newscasts in high definition just like WSPA/WYCW and WLOS/WMYA. Also I wished they add WNEG 32 on DirecTV.

I've received an e-mail from DirecTV, they said they don't have MyNetworkTV (WMYA 40) in HD at this time, and unfortuatlely, WNTV 29 chosed not to participate in HD on DirecTV, shame on you WNTV!!! 29 :mad:

I've received an e-mail from DirecTV, they said they don't have MyNetworkTV (WMYA 40) in HD at this time, and unfortuatlely, WNTV 29 chosed not to participate in HD on DirecTV, shame on you WNTV!!! 29 :mad:

You should be able to get the NC PBS out of Asheville in HD on DirecTV, in fact two channels of it (regular and kids). As far as the SC PBS stations, I get WRET 49-1, 49-2 and 49-3 (I think out of Spartanburg) via an indoor antenna which I can tune through my DirecTV HR20 DVR. You may be able to pull in WNTV that way, or possibly even WRET depending on how strong that signal is.

Even though the signal strength was 98-100 % for OTA CBS there was marked pixelation of this subchannel at around 11 PM yesterday though the main channel came on without any problems.

You may be able to pull in WNTV that way, or possibly even WRET depending on how strong that signal is.

Since SpencerKarter85 is in Greenwood, the first SCETV station he should look for if he tries OTA is WNEH on 38-1, 38-2 and 38-3. Its transmitter is directly north of the center of Greenwood, about 12 miles away. He should have a very good chance of picking it up with a simple indoor loop-type UHF antenna, about $12 from Wal-mart or Radio Shack.

With that antenna, he can probably also get WMYA 40-1 and 40-2, which is also to the north at about 30 miles.

Those are the only two stations we can get reliably on our "breakfast TV," with WNEH at 18 miles and WMYA at 26.

Since SpencerKarter85 is in Greenwood, the first SCETV station he should look for if he tries OTA is WNEH on 38-1, 38-2 and 38-3. Its transmitter is directly north of the center of Greenwood, about 12 miles away. He should have a very good chance of picking it up with a simple indoor loop-type UHF antenna, about $12 from Wal-mart or Radio Shack.

With that antenna, he can probably also get WMYA 40-1 and 40-2, which is also to the north at about 30 miles.

Those are the only two stations we can get on our "breakfast TV," with WNEH at 18 miles and WMYA at 26.

Yea, I'm in Greenwood as well, but down in a hole. I can easily get WNEH 38.1, .2 and .3 with my attic mounted antenna. I can get 40.1 and 40.2 about 80% of the time, 4.1 and 4.2 about 50%, 62.1 and 62.2, 21.1 and 21.2 about 25% of the time and since the digital cut-off/antenna fiasco, 7.1 and 7.2, 13.1, .2 and .3 0% of the time.

I need a much better antenna and placement. (also a tree cutting service)

I have Direct, so I do get all of these except for WNEH on the sat.

I've received an e-mail from DirecTV, they said they don't have MyNetworkTV (WMYA 40) in HD at this time, and unfortuatlely, WNTV 29 chosed not to participate in HD on DirecTV, shame on you WNTV!!! 29 :mad:Like others have said, UNC 33 is in HD on DirecTV. Your only option for the other's is an antenna. Depending on your receiver, you can get OTA directly (HR20/H20) or via an AM21 module (HR22, 23). I get 29.1 with rabbit ears in Greenville. I too am disappointed that WNTV "chose not to participate".

Like others have said, UNC 33 is in HD on DirecTV. Your only option for the other's is an antenna. Depending on your receiver, you can get OTA directly (HR20/H20) or via an AM21 module (HR22, 23). I get 29.1 with rabbit ears in Greenville. I too am disappointed that WNTV "chose not to participate".

I'm not really sure what "chose not to participate" means. DISH isn't offering any of the public TV stations in HD, either. That was one of the few things I DID get in HD on Charter, although it wasn't the local public TV (29), but one of the neighboring feeds from NC -- more "nationally oriented," I think.

I think what they mean by that is that the stations didn't PAY the satellite service to carry their signals... Considering those are public-access channels that turn NO profit and therefore barely operate to begin with, if "chose not to participate" means DISH and DirecTV expected "pay to play," I think that STINKS!
Jeff

I think what they mean by that is that the stations didn't PAY the satellite service to carry their signals... Considering those are public-access channels that turn NO profit and therefore barely operate to begin with, if "chose not to participate" means DISH and DirecTV expected "pay to play," I think that STINKS!
JeffIn that case, they made the right choice. Shame on Dish and DirecTV.

I could be wrong about that, Dave, but I have a sneaking suspicion I'm not. I mean, their signal is already out there for anyone who has an antenna that will pick it up, so what ELSE can explain why it's not available on DISH and DirecTV???

My house is near the bottom of a hill, and we could never even get Channel 13 clearly with an antenna and the TOP end of our lot, with a 30-foot mast, so cable was pretty much a MUST for us all these years unless we wanted so-so Channel 7 and 4, iffy Channel 13 and occasional 29 or 49 (last time we had only antenna, none of the others were in existence). I could probably erect a 50-foot tower, or something, and put a $500 antenna on top of it and do better, but GEESH -- one good ice storm or wind storm and it would likely be toast, anyway.
Jeff

Earlier tonight, while I was watching Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on WYFF 4. Right in the middle of Fallon's interview with Gerard Butler, it was interrupted with a statewide emergency broadcast system. This is the first time I see an Emergency Alert System late at night.

In that case, they made the right choice. Shame on Dish and DirecTV.

Actually it's the opposite. Local channels charge dish, direct and cable for the right to re-broadcast their channels. Local channels are must carry channels and the locals hold the companies hostage. That's why you see messages that you will lose channel so and so and of course the local station has a commercial telling you to change services so you can continue watching. I don't know if HD subchannels are must carry as long as the have the main channel.

Wow...the Retro channel is the best thing that has happened to the HDTV development...shows what a great visual improvement we now enjoy. The only regret I now have is that the FCC caved and allowed VHF HD which has proven very unreliable for me.

As usual we are way behind the curve. WSB-TV (Atlanta) has had it as a sub channel for almost a year back when it was an Equity station

Been reading this for a year, finally decided to register. Got a quick question. Anyone live in my area that can tell me what distant stations they receive? I'm reading about people getting Augusta, Columbia, etc and I do no where that good.

Have HDTV television, basic rat shack outside antenna with amplifier and rotor. Approximately 10 feet above my roof. I get all locals, WBT sometimes, rarely in the winter. I get 46 and 55 from Charlotte early in the summer but other wise only during band openings. Have never received Augusta, Columbia or anything in Georgia. One time during a band opening I got Wilmington but that lasted only about 20 minutes.

Local channels charge dish, direct and cable for the right to re-broadcast their channels. Local channels are must carry channels and the locals hold the companies hostage.

Actually, under FCC rules, a local station must choose to be in one of two categories. If a station chooses "must carry" status, then cable companies must carry it, but it cannot charge the cable companies for it. Otherwise, a station can negotiate with cable companies for carriage, and ask for compensation, but the cable companies can refuse to pay the requested compensation and not carry the channel.

The rules may be different for satellite. PBS stations in general are "must carry" stations for cable, but from the comments in this thread, DirecTV doesn't carry SCETV. Maybe it's because in this area, they can choose to carry either UNC-TV (WUNF in Asheville) or SCETV (WNTV in Greenville). Does DirecTV carry SCETV in other parts of South Carolina?

Anyone live in my area that can tell me what distant stations they receive?

Local terrain makes a big difference in fringe reception. To get an idea of what might be possible for you, go to tvfool.com and use the MAPS option. Start by entering your address, then drag the marker around on the map until it's right on your house's location. The most important figure in their data is the "NM" (Noise Margin) column. Without going to extreme measures like a 50-foot tower or "stacking" (combining multiple antennas of the same type), but using the best antenna(s) available otherwise, the lower limit for consistent regular reception for most people is around 0 NM or maybe -5 NM. Below that all you can hope for is occasional reception when unusual weather conditions scatter or reflect distant signals into your area.

On my TVFool chart, the lowest station I can receive reliably is WRLK (SCETV in Columbia) at NM 4.7. Then comes WNSC (SCETV in Rock Hill) at 1.9 which I can usually see at night, but not very reliably. Below that are stations that come in only occasionally at night. But trees in my neighborhood block my view of the horizon in most directions.

Earlier tonight, while I was watching Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on WYFF 4. Right in the middle of Fallon's interview with Gerard Butler, it was interrupted with a statewide emergency broadcast system. This is the first time I see an Emergency Alert System late at night.

By law stations must alternate between day and night airings of monthly tests. Weekly's can be done anytime of the day or night as one as one is done each week and NOT at the times. Odd numbered months are done during the day, even numbered months at night.

With RTV doing so well is there any plans for Greenville to get more stations from Henry Luken?
http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/87504

He states he wants 30 plus stations OTA in that article. If thats the case Im there 100%.

Will Wyff add another sub that is not just weather? The only weather station I ever watch is 4 since it runs weather news cast. 21 is better now but come on its just a map and weather radio (big improvement from that annoying sound it use to have) but still not more than a 30 second watch. That station could use a format change. Most of the other weather stations could go as far as im concerned. Whats your oppinions?

Luken should fix the myriad of problems with his existing networks before launching new ones.

- Trip

The purveyor of Retro TV Network is planning to launch more diginets. Henry Luken, who bought RTV (formerly RTN) out of Equity Media’s bankruptcy, is looking to start three more networks targeted for multicast carriage, according to an interview in BusinessTN. One is a second version of RTV, which runs old sitcoms like “McHale’s Navy,” “Leave it to Beaver,” and “I Spy.” Another net, PBJ, would cater to children, and a third, Tuff TV, would carry sports programming.
http://zikkir.com/it/12763

This would be great for the Greenville SPTBGR markets! Im not sure about VA but in Greenville RTV is a strong addition to the OTA market.

This would be great for the Greenville SPTBGR markets! Im not sure about VA but in Greenville RTV is a strong addition to the OTA market.

Just remember that almost anything that goes wrong with RTV, the problem is in Chattanooga, not at WSPA, so no amount of complaining can fix it. For example, the nationwide lip-sync problem that lasted for weeks on and off.

- Trip

Im just glad WSPA got a strong signal with the new tower. I still cant get it on my first floor but I can in the playroom were I watch most of my tv.

Now if WLOS would fix their freaking tower. That station is unwatchable most of the time.

The purveyor of Retro TV Network is planning to launch more diginets. Henry Luken, who bought RTV (formerly RTN) out of Equity Media’s bankruptcy, is looking to start three more networks targeted for multicast carriage, according to an interview in BusinessTN. One is a second version of RTV, which runs old sitcoms like “McHale’s Navy,” “Leave it to Beaver,” and “I Spy.” Another net, PBJ, would cater to children, and a third, Tuff TV, would carry sports programming.
http://zikkir.com/it/12763

This would be great for the Greenville SPTBGR markets! Im not sure about VA but in Greenville RTV is a strong addition to the OTA market.


RTV would be a Great Replacement for those stations that had mynetwork tv since it is nolonger call it self a network.

WSPA Meteorologist Dan Bickford posted a blog today about the status of WSPA's weather sub-channel:

http://www2.wspa.com/spa/social_networking/blogs/dan_bickford/article/where_oh_where_has_24-7_weather_gone/28231/#

... from the comments in this thread, DirecTV doesn't carry SCETV. Maybe it's because in this area, they can choose to carry either UNC-TV (WUNF in Asheville) or SCETV (WNTV in Greenville). Does DirecTV carry SCETV in other parts of South Carolina?In the upstate they carry both WUNF and SCETV. However only WUNF is in HD. Same story on U-verse. Dish carries both in SD only. I assume only charter carries SCETV HD. So I don't understand why other providers don't, unless there is some technical or cost reason.

With RTV doing so well is there any plans for Greenville to get more stations from Henry Luken?
http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/87504

He states he wants 30 plus stations OTA in that article. If thats the case Im there 100%.

Will Wyff add another sub that is not just weather? The only weather station I ever watch is 4 since it runs weather news cast. 21 is better now but come on its just a map and weather radio (big improvement from that annoying sound it use to have) but still not more than a 30 second watch. That station could use a format change. Most of the other weather stations could go as far as im concerned. Whats your oppinions?

First WYFF needs to do the evening news in something other than stretch o vision

First WYFF needs to do the evening news in something other than stretch o vision

When did that start? I haven't seen WYFF stretching local news before.

First WYFF needs to do the evening news in something other than stretch o vision

Are you perhaps confusing them with WSPA?

Maybe I have the phrases backwards. I can watch Jay Leno with my setting on normal and I have a full screen. Same with channel 7 news. But when channel 4 news comes on in the normal setting I get reduced picture and bars on each side. Have to set picture to stretch to get a full screen. One of the reasons I quit watching 4

WYFF broadcasts their content in the original aspect ratio. If you're changing your tv to "stretch" the picture, then you are adding in the "stretch-o-vision." If you leave it in the normal 4x3, you won't see stretching, but you will have the black bars. Hopefully WYFF will be able to do local news in normal HD soon. Even then, I hope they leave any 4x3 content in 4x3.

-c

Many syndicated programming is still not available in HD to stations so those stations will continue to have the bars on the side to keep the aspect ratio correct. You can't broadcast what you can't get. In my own stations case, we have a grand total of FOUR syndicated programs again in HD. The rest are still 4:3 SD including big hits like House are only available off net in SD 4:3. The only off net programs my station has that are not in SD are Dr Oz, Seinfeld, weekend runs of Bones and Grey's Anatomy. That is IT. All. Fini.

As far as HD news goes, it costs a station on average $2 million to convert. In this economy you don't just throw that kind of money around just because you want to. Broadcasting has really taken it hard during this recession, much harder than the past ones. Advertising nationwide is down 40%. Many jobs have been lost in the last 12 months in the biz that won't be coming back. All stations, are hurting. So you might want to cut these stations some slack.

Many syndicated programming is still not available in HD to stations so those stations will continue to have the bars on the side to keep the aspect ratio correct. You can't broadcast what you can't get. In my own stations case, we have a grand total of FOUR syndicated programs again in HD. The rest are still 4:3 SD including big hits like House are only available off net in SD 4:3. The only off net programs my station has that are not in SD are Dr Oz, Seinfeld, weekend runs of Bones and Grey's Anatomy. That is IT. All. Fini.

As far as HD news goes, it costs a station on average $2 million to convert. In this economy you don't just throw that kind of money around just because you want to. Broadcasting has really taken it hard during this recession, much harder than the past ones. Advertising nationwide is down 40%. Many jobs have been lost in the last 12 months in the biz that won't be coming back. All stations, are hurting. So you might want to cut these stations some slack.

foxeng, I think the only TRULY "nitwit" thing I've ever seen you say is when you describe yourself as a "nitwit," and I know that's pure self-deprecating sarcasm.

While I know you and I have gone at it a bit in the past, it was mostly due to me posting angry comments that were also probably uninformed and out of line.

Based on what little I know about the television industry, I heartily agree with you, although I still feel that a lot of the mega-corporations that have bought up most of the local stations have done nothing but HURT local TV -- both the stations AND their viewers, that's truly BESIDE the point in both the current economy, and in the overall advertising business, in which conditions continue to become so complicated that only the truly lucky, those with the absolute best business models, and those with the highest profit margins are able to continue to survive without making MAJOR changes.

As I may have mentioned before, in the mid-90s I founded, published, edited and co-owned a free weekly newspaper here in Spartanburg that survived entirely off advertising revenues, just as do all commercial TV and radio stations. While we tried everything possible over our 3.5 year existence, we didn't make it, and this was as the internet was just beginning, BEFORE it became the viable, STRONG competition for advertising it is today.

While I despise much of what commercial TV does, at the same time I sympathize with the position both the local stations and the networks are in. It truly won't surprise me if 10, 15 years from now, ALL remaining network programs are cable/satellite-ONLY (or live-streamed via whatever the internet morphs into), and any local stations that have managed to survive carry nothing but syndicated programming and infomercials.

Things change, and sometimes they change very quickly. Newspapers are hurting even worse than most TV stations are. A lot of BIG newspapers more than 100 years old have gone completely OUT OF BUSINESS except for "online editions." It's a far different world than most of us grew up in, for better or for worse.
Jeff

Well Jeff to take this one step further, in my market, it is so bad that the Gannett (the USA Today company) owned station has sacked the entire sports department, laid off big names in FRONT of the camera and others have been forced to retire in a bid to same money. In my own stations case, we have had layoffs and furloughs and salary cuts to keep the same level of service which means we are working more for less. Asking rhetorically, have you had to take a pay cut to keep your job? That is becoming the norm in the biz nationwide and it isn't just in North/South Carolina. Some markets and stations are worse than others. Just depends on where you are. You add the cost of the digital transition into all this and money has been flying out the door when it really didn't need to be. Yeah, some companies have done some dumb things, but this is affecting ALL stations, even the ones who did the right things.

In the past, the car industry pretty much held up the biz, but with the car companies, national that is about 30-35% of all TV business gone. Dealers and the manufacturers just aren't buying and if they are, they are not at the levels they were. That hurts. Strange time we live in.

I very much agree with your last paragraph, as well. Both auto AND banking ads WERE a BIG part of advertising revenue at both the local and national level, and both of those sectors have been hard hit through their own stupidity and greed, combined with the sad economic realities of a global economy.

Most economists say that LONGTERM the global economy will be better for everyone -- even Americans, but that in the short term it's going to hurt a lot of people -- especially those who have been used to "living off the fat of the lamb," and I think MUCH of the American advertising industry and the businesses that depend upon advertising is the next domino to fall in that group. I neglected to mention that a lot of major magazines have also quit publishing, and some of my faves (like Discover Magazine) I continue to subscribe to remain as expensive as ever for a subscription, but are smaller and smaller, because the SIZE is dependent on how many ads they can sell. :(
Jeff

...I think MUCH of the American advertising industry and the businesses that depend upon advertising is the next domino to fall in that group. I neglected to mention that a lot of major magazines have also quit publishing, and some of my faves (like Discover Magazine) I continue to subscribe to remain as expensive as ever for a subscription, but are smaller and smaller, because the SIZE is dependent on how many ads they can sell. :(
JeffI know this is slightly off topic, but I am always amazed that companies cut advertising in order to balance budgets. I used to work for an advertising agency, and saw it first hand. 6.5 years ago, I left to pursue a career in real estate (obviously another hard hit area). I increased advertising last December, and again in May. 2009 has been my best year ever. - Cameron Keegan

I know this is slightly off topic, but I am always amazed that companies cut advertising in order to balance budgets. I used to work for an advertising agency, and saw it first hand. 6.5 years ago, I left to pursue a career in real estate (obviously another hard hit area). I increased advertising last December, and again in May. 2009 has been my best year ever. - Cameron Keegan

Yes, that's usually the beginning of a downward spiral that ends in closing or bankruptcy, ckeegan, but the companies that are cutting advertising at that point are either short-sighted or just so strapped for cash they have no other option. Undercapitalization is probably the biggest mistakes most businesses make -- including the weekly paper I started. We started on a shoestring... BIG MISTAKE!
Jeff

I have to assume WYFF is history for me, a casualty of the DTV conversion. I could get it with careful pointing of my amplified Antennas Direct 91XG but the change to real Ch 36 and whatever antenna repositioning was done ended it for me. I have tried it on a number of occasions and can occasionally get a signal, but not solid enough to watch. I am located between Brevard and Rosman, NC.

Given that you are relatively close to their transmitter, maybe you have too much signal or are experiencing multipath.

It looks like Charter still isn't going to show Bobcats games on FSN Carolinas again this year. Even though almost every other carrier in the Carolinas is now paying to show the Bobcats, Charter still shows how little they care about their customers. It is almost comical that they have an account here called "Umatter2Charter", when clearly that isn't the case.

It looks like Charter still isn't going to show Bobcats games on FSN Carolinas again this year. Even though almost every other carrier in the Carolinas is now paying to show the Bobcats, Charter still shows how little they care about their customers. It is almost comical that they have an account here called "Umatter2Charter", when clearly that isn't the case.

You definitely matter. I'm taking a look at this for you now.

Lovin' the HD Promos for the Syndicated Shows on WYFF. I saw one of them for "Oprah" during yesterday's "Ellen" (via DVR).

Any word on U-verse expansion in Spartanburg? So far it is only in Converse Heights and certain other areas. I live close to Converse Heights but it's not on my street yet and I'm itching to get Charter out of my house forever.

Lovin' the HD Promos for the Syndicated Shows on WYFF. I saw one of them for "Oprah" during yesterday's "Ellen" (via DVR).

Glad you noticed. We're trying to do as much HD as possible so it seemed like a good idea to do HD promos for the syndicated shows that are HD. Now if the newscasts could only be in HD............

Unnecessary comments removed.

Glad you noticed. We're trying to do as much HD as possible so it seemed like a good idea to do HD promos for the syndicated shows that are HD. Now if the newscasts could only be in HD............

Doug, is there any info you can provide about when HD newscasts will be coming to WYFF? I know you've been asked before but I keep hoping to hear something somewhat specific.

Doug, is there any info you can provide about when HD newscasts will be coming to WYFF? I know you've been asked before but I keep hoping to hear something somewhat specific.

I have made the switch to channel 7 just because the news is in HD, but I like channel 4 news, I just don't like the non-hd, so I'd like to know as well so I can switch back to channel 4 news.

WNTV has a construction permit to go up to something like 102,000 watts. Has this power increase been initiated. What areas will be added by this power boost?

WNTV service contour at 65 kW (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1023067.html)

WNTV service contour at 102.3 kW (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1262084.html)

I don't know if the increase has actually taken place yet. I suspect it's mainly for improving the signal for viewers that were already inside the contour, to overcome the usual difficulties with digital VHF reception.

What puzzles me about WNTV is that although they are stronger and closer to me than WOLO (8) and WIS (10) in Columbia, their signal isn't as good quality. Maybe it's a local multipath issue caused by diffraction around the huge magnolia in my front yard, which is pretty much along the line towards Greenville.

You definitely matter. I'm taking a look at this for you now.

I suspect you will find out what we already know. Charter isn't planning on paying to show Bobcats games on FSN. For some reason they have no issues with Thrashers and Hurricanes hockey. Yet, the NBA is too much for Charter to take on. Charter isn't even doing this for areas in NC. Luckily AT&T U-verse is moving into the area already. I haven't found anyone who says they are planning on staying with Charter once U-verse is in our neighborhood.

I suspect you will find out what we already know. Charter isn't planning on paying to show Bobcats games on FSN. For some reason they have no issues with Thrashers and Hurricanes hockey. Yet, the NBA is too much for Charter to take on. Charter isn't even doing this for areas in NC. Luckily AT&T U-verse is moving into the area already. I haven't found anyone who says they are planning on staying with Charter once U-verse is in our neighborhood.

The NBA rules are possibly a bit different than the NHL. If you are more than 75 miles outside of the core market, then although the team can claim your area, providers have to pay extra $$ to bring you their games. This wasn't an issue when we got the Bobcats games on channel 40, but became an issue with the move to FSN last year.

In fact unless the provider ponies up the extra dough (D* didn't last year for the Bobcats), we're unlikely to say any games since even NBA network games would be blacked out due to the team being "local." Only chance is if they get a national game on TNT, ESPN, or ABC. How likely is that?

-c