What type of antenna do I need in the Taylors area to receive WLOS? Outdoor? I get all other channels in the area with amplified rabbit ears, but I get no signal from ABC.

Thanks

Where in Taylors are you? I'm on the Taylors side of Greer (almost behind Lowe's on Wade Hampton) and I'm getting WLOS with the indoor Terk HDTV Indoor Antenna. I did have to run it up into the attic or I would get drop outs, particularly when cars drove by or someone walked to the door. Since putting it in tha attic, I have not had any problems that I could relate to my equipement.
I'm connected to a Samsung SIR-T451 tuner which is then connected to a Samsung P5085W DLP set.
That being said, in reading on here, it looks like most people around us need a rooftop antenna and / or preamp. I'll let some of the more experienced readers comment on those since I've never used them.
Craig

I posted this in the Sanyo thread, but I figure I would get better results here because honestly I think it might have more to do with reception (both OTA and Charter) than my TV.

I purchased the 30inch version of the Sanyo this weekend at Wal-mart. Overall, I am very happy with this set. Picture quality is good, and it works great with all my game systems. I am, however, having one problem I haven't really seen in this thread from anyone else.

From time to time, I will see some scrambling of HD content. Scrambling, for lack of a better term, when I see a random grouping of boxes in the picture. It usually goes away very quickly, but it's quite annoying. Usually the boxes are white, although I have seen green from time to time. This distortion is similar to when I am watching antenna HD content and I wave my hand over the antenna to block the reception, although this isn’t nearly as bad as that.

I've noticed it while playing HD content through both antenna and my Charter MOXI DVR. I haven't noticed it yet on non-HD content, nor have I noticed it while playing my Xbox/PS2 games in high resolution mode.

Just to describe my setup, I have the cable line split into both the TV and Moxi. The antenna I'm using is a cheap RCA from Wal-mart until my Zenith Silver Sensor comes in from the guy I got it from on Ebay. For signal strength on most channels while doing OTA viewing I'm usually at 3/4 full on the meter.

UScrooge

Sounds like you're doing okay. The "scrambling" that you see is called pixelization, which is very common in digital formats. I see where you said that you splitted your cable line. Than can be fine in some cases. Was this cable feed splitted anywhere else before it gets to the TV? If so, you may be losing a good bit of signal strength before you get to the TV, and might want to consider a amplified distribution amp. This could be why you see pixelization on there since you're losing a good bit of signal. Channel Master makes a very good one that I use for my antenna, and they sell them at Lowe's. Also, make sure you're using RG6 cable and not RG58 or less. You really didn't mention how well the performance is for that RCA antenna you're using. The Silver Sensor is a very good indoor antenna, but nothing beats an outdoor antenna. Don't expect the Silver Sensor to have ten fold performance increases...that just isn't going to happen. I tried one, but my UHF loop did better (it is an RCA too...hmm, we might have the same one). You are not going to see any pixelization playing your XBOX/PS2 or DVDs, because that content is on recorded media, not being broadcast. You may see it on DirecTV/DISH, cable is very rare, and digital OTA, which is common, depending on how good your setup is. My DirecTV dish is fine tuned...I get locked on at 90+ and NEVER see it (unless its coming a flood outside). My digital antenna locks on pretty good for the most part, unless its high winds or rain, or just a really bad night. I'm scratching the surface of this world of DTV content. Where are you located? I'm located 6mi north of Greer, SC. I get all of the locals, but have a 4-Bay antenna located about 15ft off of the ground on a rotor. Good luck, and if you have any questions please post.

UScrooge--
dashaund has given you a lot of good information, and in that he is fairly close to you the information should be applicable. Your post indicated you experienced pixelization from both off air and the Moxi DVR. Is the pixelization recorded in the DVR from Cable? If so, it may be something other than low signal strength. If it is from an off air recording, you could temporarily take the splitter out of the antenna lead-in and go directly to your receiver to see if the pixelization clears up and that would answer your question before investing in a RF amp. As indicated above, I strongly suggest you need to solve the antenna problem and a 4-bay bow-tie CM in the attic (or outside) would probably solve many questions. I suggest a bow tie antenna because it has a broader reception angle and you may find one setting captures all local signals. Otherwise the Silver Sensor or any other Yagi-type design will do just fine but may require rotation to receive some stations. It can solve any multi-path problems that also will cause pixelization.

Good luck

Any recommendations for an antenna? I live off of Jonesville Road in Simpsonville, near dowtown S'ville, such as it is. ;)

Assuming I'm going to need to put one in my attic and run the cable down, any rec's on an installer?

Lynesjc: As a starter, review the recommendations at this website:
http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.asp
Note carefully the antenna orientation for your address. Probably the strongest UHF antenna is the Channel Master 8 bay bow-tie design, selling on the web for about $55. It probably will be an over-kill for you. My choice would be the CM 4-bay, excellent gain and very small so it is easily installed in an attic or somewhere on the roof (best). It costs less than $30 on the web. Installers are getting hard to find. Probably you will get a suggestion from someone closer to your area.

Good Luck.

Jerry,

Thanks. I had looked at AntennaWeb before. The biggest antenna I need, according to the site, is a Medium Directional w/pre-amp.

Found the CM 4-bay you suggested at: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?CAT=&PROD=ANC3021

for $22.49 w/free delivery.

My question is this: The CM 4-bay is rated as a LD, theoretically more powerful than I need, but the range says it's only 45 miles. WLOS is the farthest station away for me at 54.5 miles.

This is seemingly a contradiction. Go ahead anyway?

I would try the CM 4-bay without a preamp because of the distance from WLOS (and NC's PBS) first. The antenna should not capture enough signal to overpower your receiver from the closer stations. You can always add a preamp later, if necessary.
Note that SC's PBS is VHF, channel 9. Also, remember that most likely in a couple of years there will be a one or two of the UHF-DT stations move to VHF, expecially 13.

Is anybody getting WLOS ACC games in HD? My ESPNHD is blacked out! and I'm not picking up WLOS in HD! Using a E* 811 receiver and a CM4228 with Titan preamp and rotor!

Originally posted by Cha2ga
Is anybody getting WLOS ACC games in HD? My ESPNHD is blacked out! and I'm not picking up WLOS in HD! Using a E* 811 receiver and a CM4228 with Titan preamp and rotor!

Jefferson pilot does not do Hd, so the only people who are getting the game in HD are the ones who don't live in this area. Personally, I feel that if JP is not going to have an HD feed then only the SD ESPN broadcast should be blacked out, but that would make too much sense. I realize JP paid for the rights to broadcast in this region but why deprive the tiny HD audience in this region the HD broadcast. Not that it will do any good, but I plan on letting them know that at least a few of us think their policy stinks. I am sure this topic is going on all around the country where ESPN is broadcasting in HD and a regional sports outfit isn't.

Originally posted by Cha2ga
Is anybody getting WLOS ACC games in HD? My ESPNHD is blacked out! and I'm not picking up WLOS in HD! Using a E* 811 receiver and a CM4228 with Titan preamp and rotor!

Alas, being in the local coverage area of JP means no hidef ACC tourney. If they aren't going to show it in hidef, they should at least allow a waiver for ESPNHD. This really sux, what with the Devils in the finals and all...

--Cross

Is anyone else having ABC remaped from 13-1 and 13-2 to 56-1 and 56-2. I know it has been broadcasting on 56, but my tuner (built in Zenith c32v37) has mapped it to 13 until last week. Now it shows as 56. I also get the WB on 14-1 instead of 40-1. Just curious if others are experiencing this same thing.

I have been trying to get ABC-hd(13.1) and Fox-HD(21.1) OTA but i have been unable to get a signal on either one. the weird part is sometimes i can get the regular channel 13 or 21 weak but it is there but i continue to get no signal for 13.1 and 21.1. I'm off pollard road and HWy 14 in simpsonville, i can pull down CBS(7.1) with a signal strength of 89 and i get NBC thru charter but it is frustrating not to see and Nascar in HD till June on CBS and of course it really sadden me to see Jennifer Garner in HD. DO you think i might need a preamp for those channels since towers are in Asheville. I still havent bought a rotor yet since they cost about 90 bucks at Lowes and i'm talking wife into letting me build another computer.

Jon

Getting 0% SS on 13-1 or 56-1 , WLOS-DT appears to be totally off or else they have the same problem they had a few weeks ago. WB40-DT is also messed up I show good SS but get no Video or Audio. Just some more of that "crack" Sinclair engineering in action.

Yes, my Dish 811 remapped 13 to 56. On my Directv Samsung 360, 13-1 and 13-2 are blank, and when I rescanned I dont get either 13 or 56, so 13 digital is gone.---- As I mentioned before, I get Directv HD (and SD) CBS and NBC NY and LA. Directv sent me a card saying I have to lose either my Distants or Locals. " For example, if you live in Los Angeles, and choose to to keep the ABC and NBC stations from New York, you will lose all 25 local Los Angeles stations." So I am dropping my Directv locals, they have changed things so I will only save $3. This obviously rediculous and unfair.:mad:

Originally posted by enoree
Getting 0% SS on 13-1 or 56-1 , WLOS-DT appears to be totally off or else they have the same problem they had a few weeks ago. WB40-DT is also messed up I show good SS but get no Video or Audio. Just some more of that "crack" Sinclair engineering in action.

WLOS-DT is working fine on my Hughes E86 and my US Data receivers. They could be having set top box related issues like WSPA-DT had a couple of weeks ago. Also, WB40-Dt was scheduled to go full power this month, maybe they are down for installation reasons.

All...WLOS DT 13-1 looks ok here, but 13-2 is black.

Originally posted by jeccleston
I have been trying to get ABC-hd(13.1) and Fox-HD(21.1) OTA but i have been unable to get a signal on either one. the weird part is sometimes i can get the regular channel 13 or 21 weak but it is there but i continue to get no signal for 13.1 and 21.1. I'm off pollard road and HWy 14 in simpsonville, i can pull down CBS(7.1) with a signal strength of 89 and i get NBC thru charter but it is frustrating not to see and Nascar in HD till June on CBS and of course it really sadden me to see Jennifer Garner in HD. DO you think i might need a preamp for those channels since towers are in Asheville. I still havent bought a rotor yet since they cost about 90 bucks at Lowes and i'm talking wife into letting me build another computer.

Jon

I got the same rotor they sell at the stores for $90.00 for around $50.00 including shipping from the Lowes web site.

Originally posted by jerry birdwell
All...WLOS DT 13-1 looks ok here, but 13-2 is black.

13-2 is working fine for me.

All...13-2 is back on now.

To those who have reception problems:
A new tech headline this morning: "Winegard Receives (new) Patents for SquareShooter SS-1000, SS-2000"
Winegard has a good reputation in the industry for the performance of its antennas. The new antenna is specifically designed for multi-path urban areas and the beta tests have been favorable. For more information see:
http://www.winegard.com.
Any Beta testers in this area that can give us a report?

so guys, I am moving to asheville and have decided on Directv. I have a couple of questions to those with their service. Do any of you receive any Distant Network feeds(DNS)?FoxHD, CBSHD, or NBCHD? Also, do any of you know when Directv will offer Asheville locals in HD without the antenna? ....Thanks for the help.

Originally posted by Deez04
so guys, I am moving to asheville and have decided on Directv. I have a couple of questions to those with their service. Do any of you receive any Distant Network feeds(DNS)?FoxHD, CBSHD, or NBCHD? Also, do any of you know when Directv will offer Asheville locals in HD without the antenna? ....Thanks for the help.

I am not sure about your first question, but I think we will see our local HD channels on DirecTV in 2006. My guess would be the first half of '06.

Deez04, see my post yesterday. I got waivers for CBS and NBC months ago but I dont think a new subscriber can get Distants.----- Charter has Universal HD on 793 and TNT HD on 797 today.

Why is the charter people in Asheville getting channels we do not get in greenville. DAMN YOU charter. Did anyone in greenville area get waivers or are we unegible because we can get all the channels OTA?

Anderson got the new channels.

Deez04
Asheville-Greenville-Spartanberg-Anderson is a recognized "hyphenate" TV market, and it was fairly early in getting Local-into-Local service. All stations have followed the rules for SHIVA which really are based on the copyright act, with congress granting distant service where it could proven that local Grade B service was not available to a homeowner. Now, the amended satellite Act bases waivers for LIL markets on the DMA, and not signal strength. In the past, CBS Channel 7 was fairly quick to grant a waiver for anyone claiming they could not get their signal...but that has changed. Other stations relied on the Longley-Rice predicted signal at each address, which is recognized by the FCC and the satellite act. You can expect the satellite providers to rapidly expant local HD in the top 10 markets, and if the past experienced with LIL is any indication, we probably are a year or so away from satellite delivered local HD. The satellite providers--certainly Dish--have stopped selling DNS pending the FCC's published reaction to the recent amended SHVERA.
Welcome to the Asheville area.

Fordw
I am told Dish is confused about SHVERA (the revised Satellite Home Viewing Act.) The viewer cannot make the choice of DNS or LIL. It still is a matter of copyright protection and the exclusive rights the affiliates have for delivering networks to the local markets. CBS -- among others -- is attempting to get clarification and to stop Dish telling its customers to make a choice. Part of the confusion is the SHVERA granted "significantly viewed" markets a DNS under certain circumstances which the FCC must clarify.

Jerry, it was Directv that asked me to make a choice and made the statement about the 25 LA locals lost if you choose to keep LA and NY HDs. Again, I have Directv HD (and SD) NY and LA NBC and CBS. As a single retiree I also have Dish, Charter Cable and C-Band, a yard full of dishes. On Dish, they only have CBS HD, on 61.5 sat., NY only. They have a choice of distant stations I qualified some time ago for CBS only and I presently have Denver and Chicago.

TNT is now on 797
Universal is on 793.

I work for Charter, and just found out!

Enjoy

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by IfixitBIG
TNT is now on 797
Universal is on 793.

I work for Charter, and just found out!

Enjoy

I just tried both, and neither worked. Are they up and running yet? If they are, is there something I need to do with my CableCARD to get it to recognize the new channels?

i dumped the hd programming from Charter recently because i wasn't really watching the channels they were offering.

But I did notice that on my Moxi box that there's three new channels listed (none have logos or descriptions). The third, besides 797 and 793, is 787. I'm hoping this means they're also adding another local.

That 787 is CBS!! I hope this is for real...they had TNTHD on a month ago, and it disappeared again until yesterday...

BTW...what IS the Universal Channel? Lots of Law & Order: SVU

That Charter can surprise the heck out me! 787 is CBS! Oh my god! from left field. I just talked to some people from the system Monday, and they said nothing. I'm not going to play poker with them!

A stunned Charter employee,

Originally posted by gjlowe
BTW...what IS the Universal Channel? Lots of Law & Order: SVU

It is the former BravoHD Plus. When NBC and Universal merged, BravoHD Plus was rebranded to UniversalHD and it is plays the HD programs of all of the NBCU cable networks like Discovery HD Theater plays all of the HD programs of the A&E/Discovery channels..

Yep. My speculation was right about another local (and it's about time!). 787 is WSPA.

Still kind of ticked though. I watch almost all of my network programming on ABC (which with Sinclair, hell will freeze over before it gets on Charter in HD) and FOX. I want to see 24 and Alias in HD!

Well, maybe since WSPA and WHNS are owned by the same company, we'll see FOX sometime soon.

Well, maybe since WSPA and WHNS are owned by the same company, we'll see FOX sometime soon.

WSPA is owned by Media General, and WHNS- is owned by Meredith.

Apps1,

Sorry about that. For some reason I thought I read in an earlier post that they were owned by the same company. Oh well, still hope to get FOX sometime soon.

Originally posted by awp
Apps1,

Sorry about that. For some reason I thought I read in an earlier post that they were owned by the same company. Oh well, still hope to get FOX sometime soon.

No problem. As far as Fox goes, go online and get a cheap used OTA tuner, hook up an antenna and your problem will be solved. You will be able to get ABC, and PBS as well. I know I wouldn't want to be dependant on Charter and the locals coming to an agreement.

Are these new channels only of the asheville area or are customers in Greenville getting them also? If greenville does not get the channels, any idea when they will? CBS man that is the only Channel OTA i can get in good why oh why not Fox or ABC. LOL

Jon

Well Charter ASheville does indeed now offer all 3 new HD channels on the channel numbers listed. Oh, Please let CBS do the NCAA Tourney in HD!!!!!!

Originally posted by tommyp007
Well Charter ASheville does indeed now offer all 3 new HD channels on the channel numbers listed. Oh, Please let CBS do the NCAA Tourney in HD!!!!!!


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=509515

I live in Simpsonville, and I have the channels. Someone at work mentioned WSPA did a reader on the deal with Charter, but I didn't see it.

Just in case anyone cares, my CBS is now remapping back to 13-1 (and 13-2) instead of 56-1 (and 56-2). I still seem to be getting 40-1 on 14-1 however.

I'm excited about Charter getting CBS locally. I have a MyHD-130 tuner for my computer which has a QAM tuner, so I should be able to pick this new channel up since it is suppose to be broadcast without encryption. Now I'll have a back up to my OTA HD for NBC and CBS.

]Just in case anyone cares, my CBS is now remapping back to 13-1 (and 13-2) instead of 56-1 (and 56-2). I still seem to be getting 40-1 on 14-1 however.


You mean ABC, right?

Im in the spartanburg market and now I've got HDNet, HDNet Movies, ESPn-HD, Discovery-HD, HBO-HD, Showtime-HD, WYFF, WSPA, Universal-HD and TNT-HD...

IMHO Charter is finally delivering with a first class HD package. I get FOX perfect OTA, now if I could just get ABC somehow I"d be set.

Originally posted by cpalmer2k
I get FOX perfect OTA, now if I could just get ABC somehow I"d be set.

Other way around for me...I get WLOS just fine, but no WHNS. Anyway, I agree that Charter has now surpassed DISH as an HD provider. I am VERY excited that we may have WSPA in time for the tourney!!! However, I noticed a SERIOUS audio synch issue tonight with WSPA. It is unwatchable for regular TV. For sports it's not as big a deal since you don't actually SEE the announcers talking. I hope this gets cleaned up! But Kudos to Charter for getting closer to having all the locals in HD!!! (Wow...I never thought I would be so happy with Charter!)

WSPA-DT has always had a sync problem OTA

Actually once it went to regular HD (like CSI), the synch issues went away. I wonder if that is a problem with their SD content.

I like others are very excited about getting 3 new HD channels from Charter. I'm the first person to bash charter when they mess up but i'm really impressed and happy with Charter. To me 3 more HD channels is a huge step in the right direction for me. I can live with the some of the charter crap for what i see as the best HD package i can get right now. Like others if i can get fox/abc OTA i would be one happy camper. This weekend i think i will move my anntena to see if that helps at all.
Thanks again Charter.

Jon

While this is definately a step in the right direction, I still feel Charter is lagging with the locals.

Quite honestly, I dropped Charter's HD package because I was rarely watching Discovery-HD, HDNet, etc. I primarily watch the main networks and premium channels (for which I am thankful for HBO and Showtime in HD). I would also rarely watch TNT-HD or Universal-HD (this is mostly older movies or re-runs of what I can already see on NBC) so I'm still not opting to get the HD package. So that's nothing to get excited about for me.

I'm definately happy about CBS on HD, but still want my ABC and FOX!!

I haven't messed with a tuner / antenna. Based on what I've heard from my area in Simpsonville, I don't feel like shelling out $150 for a tuner and another $50 for an antenna then have problems setting it up correctly and only end up getting FOX clearly.

Maybe I'm lazy and cheap (already paying extra for my Moxi - which I love), but probably will wait until Charter gets the locals.

I'm stuck at work until this afternoon... how does the tourney look on CBS for anybody watching? Any HD games yet? I think Winthrop is supposed to be in HD tonight

Originally posted by cpalmer2k
I'm stuck at work until this afternoon... how does the tourney look on CBS for anybody watching? Any HD games yet? I think Winthrop is supposed to be in HD tonight

WSPA and WBTV are showing the EKU Kentucky game in SD. WBTV is also showing the HD game. Wisconsin-Mil and Alabama looks pretty good considering they multi-cast.

Until Ron Peeler gets back from serving his country I'm afraid that the management of WSPA won't give a hoot about serving their viewers. For a station that supposedly is full power I get the worst signal of all and it is much closer to me than the rest ( except for WB40) do they not have a clue how to operate their DT facilities? I get a horrible SS and constant drop outs, even WLOS at very low power comes in better, and I am 72 miles from their transmitter. When Ron Peeler was still there the SS was solid and the pic was solid, now it's just crap, THANK GOD for WBTV because their SS is awesome compared to my "local" WSPA. Ever since the station was sold and the new owners tried to dump Jack Roper the quality of this station has gone into the toilet. Its a bean counter enterprise now strictly, and no longer doing any service to the community that pays it's bills, because the advertiser's ARE the community and thus the source
of this sorry bunches income.

Originally posted by enoree
Until Ron Peeler gets back from serving his country I'm afraid that the management of WSPA won't give a hoot about serving their viewers. For a station that supposedly is full power I get the worst signal of all and it is much closer to me than the rest ( except for WB40) do they not have a clue how to operate their DT facilities? I get a horrible SS and constant drop outs, even WLOS at very low power comes in better, and I am 72 miles from their transmitter. When Ron Peeler was still there the SS was solid and the pic was solid, now it's just crap, THANK GOD for WBTV because their SS is awesome compared to my "local" WSPA. Ever since the station was sold and the new owners tried to dump Jack Roper the quality of this station has gone into the toilet. Its a bean counter enterprise now strictly, and no longer doing any service to the community that pays it's bills, because the advertiser's ARE the community and thus the source
of this sorry bunches income.

I agree WSPA has some problems but their SS has always been fine for me. I was comparing the picture quality of WSPA to WBT during the afternoon late game and WSPA was much better than WBT's multi-casted presentation.

jeccleston:
If you are still having problems receving WLOS from Simpsonville, I believe Jerry Garvin, CE at WHNS, lives in that area and I know he has no problem receiving WLOS. Perhaps you should give him a call for suggestions.

I live in Simpsonville too, and although maybe my particular location has a lot to do with it, I have a less than ideal setup and can pick up all my locals perfectly.

Is anyone else had more problems with wlos? I don't get a signal on 13-1 or 13-2 at all. I get all the other locals fine. It doesn't really matter anyway since wlos looks crappy on the 360.

I have a $45 antenna from Radio shack in a window of my basement here in Simpsonville, and I can get WLOS along with all the other stations. Now it is a little "touchy", it Doesn't take much to mess it up, but I do get it. Now if a big truck drives slow by my house, then I have "issues".

In response to our concerns, Edgar Woodfin, Assistant Chief Engineer,
WSPA-TV/DT and WASV-TV/DT, has advised:

"We have had audio drop-outs all day and finally narrowed it down to our PSIP program guide causing the problem. If you don't mind, would you please inform the forum or at least answer any comments concerning a loss of the guide? We will work on it again tomorrow. I don't want to try anything else tonight as causes some receivers to blank out altogether."

Re WSPA: For the past week my WSPA reception has been very good with normal signal strength (100% if the antenna is oriented their direction, 93% where it normally is set for all other locals). This is after about 10 days of erratic signal and dropouts, that may have been weather related.

However, I also want to note that in spite of having to cover for Ron Peeler who is now on temporary active duty in the reserves with no additional help, Mr. Woodfin has been responsive in followup to documented problems with the station's DT transmissions. He was the one who finally solved (for the most part) the continuing sync problems that Peeler was working on when called to active duty.)

Originally posted by enoree
Until Ron Peeler gets back from serving his country I'm afraid that the management of WSPA won't give a hoot about serving their viewers. For a station that supposedly is full power I get the worst signal of all and it is much closer to me than the rest ( except for WB40) do they not have a clue how to operate their DT facilities? I get a horrible SS and constant drop outs, even WLOS at very low power comes in better, and I am 72 miles from their transmitter. When Ron Peeler was still there the SS was solid and the pic was solid, now it's just crap, THANK GOD for WBTV because their SS is awesome compared to my "local" WSPA.

I'm in Lenoir, NC (northern foothills area) and I receive WSPA-DT just fine. In fact, it's been more reliable than WBTV-DT. Just because you're having problems doesn't mean that it's all their fault.

WSPA does give a Hoot! You can help make a decision. See the following message...but we need a decision fast. Meanwhile, I am asking for the 2-channel stereo.

Question from Mr. Woodfin:
"I thought last night the 1/4 second audio drop outs were resolved with the removal of PSIP, but I noticed the problem again during the news this morning. As of 10am we have bypassed the 5.1 and retreated to regular stereo. A different card in our encoder is used for 5.1 and has a problem. We are reluctant to take too much action with our encoder with all the games at stake. Which is the worst of the two evils...to the 'ears' of our viewers: 5.1 with drop out every 5 minutes or constant two channel stereo only? "

end quote

Originally posted by jerry birdwell
Meanwhile, I am asking for the 2-channel stereo.I agree that this is the best compromise until a permanent solution is found.

Originally posted by Adam Tyner
I agree that this is the best compromise until a permanent solution is found.

Stereo.

Hey, someone over on MoxiFAQ.com who lives in Anderson says the Charter channel lineup now also includes PBSHD. Anyone know about this and what channel it is?

My WSPA HD feed of the UNC/Oakland game is just being butchered. I don't know if its just Charter's feed or from CBS or what, but its very digitized, breaking up constantly, and just almost unwatchable....not to mention....its not even 16x9 HD!!!!!!! Grrrrrrr........

Originally posted by tommyp007
My WSPA HD feed of the UNC/Oakland game is just being butchered. I don't know if its just Charter's feed or from CBS or what, but its very digitized, breaking up constantly, and just almost unwatchable....not to mention....its not even 16x9 HD!!!!!!! Grrrrrrr........

It is coming in fine OTA in glorious 4 X 3 SD.

Originally posted by awp
Hey, someone over on MoxiFAQ.com who lives in Anderson says the Charter channel lineup now also includes PBSHD. Anyone know about this and what channel it is?

not showing up in Asheville yet....but I'll keep checking.

Originally posted by Apps1
It is coming in fine OTA in glorious 4 X 3 SD.
Only certain games are available in HD. UNC vs Oakland was upconverted.

The following games should be in HD.

Friday 9:30 PM GA Tech vs GW
Saturday 1:10 PM Gonzaga vs Texas Tech
Saturday 3:40 PM Oklahoma vs Utah
Saturday 8:00 PM Wake Forest vs West Virginia

I get nothing on WSPA-DT as of 5:40 PM, tried 53-1,-2 etc. no signal at all. I don't know what their antenna pattern is but in the lower part of Spartanburg county it is very erratic and almost unwatchable,it has not always been that way, whereas WBTV comes in much stronger and more stable. I have a very deep fringe yagi antenna with a pre-amp and a rotor and 30ft of height, so my antenna is not an issue considering I pick up stations in Columbia and charlotte with ease and even on occasion Augusta. I hope they are not worried about the immediate Downtown Spartanburg area and to heck with the people out in the boonies,something in their setup has changed in the last few months and they need to find out what it was. And by the way they do need to update their web page they are not the only station in this market broadcasting in HD as their web page titled "about us" states.

Originally posted by enoree
I get nothing on WSPA-DT as of 5:40 PM, tried 53-1,-2 etc. no signal at all. I don't know what their antenna pattern is but in the lower part of Spartanburg county it is very erratic and almost unwatchable,it has not always been that way, whereas WBTV comes in much stronger and more stable. I have a very deep fringe yagi antenna with a pre-amp and a rotor and 30ft of height, so my antenna is not an issue considering I pick up stations in Columbia and charlotte with ease and even on occasion Augusta. I hope they are not worried about the immediate Downtown Spartanburg area and to heck with the people out in the boonies,something in their setup has changed in the last few months and they need to find out what it was. And by the way they do need to update their web page they are not the only station in this market broadcasting in HD as their web page titled "about us" states.

WSPA could be overing your pre-amp. Take it out of line and see if your signal improves.

I tried a rescan without off air guides it showed back up but where SS used to be 84-86 its now 62-64 and lots of drop outs, turned on guides rescanned again now its showing up again as 7-1 but still SS in 62-64 range and lots of drop outs. The transmitter is 38 miles from my house whereas WB40 is 16 miles away and I have no problems with them at that close of a distance. I get WLOS-DT from 78 miles away at 86-88 SS and its stable now, WYFF-DT at 92-94. Also I noticed that WRET-DT is now on at 43-1, -2, -3 . The only thing that I can think of as far as WSPA goes is that they are not at full power anymore, I just wonder if they have actually checked at the transmitter site to see if everything is working right.

Currently, I'm getting WSPA-DT very well. I only tried to tune it after seeing your post here. So, I can't say how it may have been earlier but as of right now I'm getting a strong signal. I'm on the eastern side of cowpens. Anyway, I've always had a pretty consistently strong signal from WSPA-DT. So, I thing Foxeng may be on to something when suggesting it may be overdriving your preamp. One thing to try might be temporarily disconnecting power to your preamp and seeing how this affects your signal strength on WSPA-DT. If removing power from the preamp results in an improved signal then It may indeed be that the signal is too strong for your preamp.

One other thing I might add, if you look back in this thread you'll se a week or 2 ago, I also had an issue with WSPA-DT. However, I don't believe that issue had anything to do with signal strength but instead was caused by them doing something different with their transport stream. I say this because I was still getting a strong signal stregth, but my HDTV tuner software was showing the transport stream as having no video or audio data in it. Anyway, that issue seemed to be resolved and I have no trouble now.

Originally posted by NCAA B-BALL
Only certain games are available in HD. UNC vs Oakland was upconverted.

The following games should be in HD.

Friday 9:30 PM GA Tech vs GW
Saturday 1:10 PM Gonzaga vs Texas Tech
Saturday 3:40 PM Oklahoma vs Utah
Saturday 8:00 PM Wake Forest vs West Virginia

Thanks, I know the schedule and was just stating that this game was coming in fine in SD.

I tried what foxeng suggested, disconnected pre amp from line, SS was down in the 30's, put pre amp back on and in the 60's. Since it used to be in the 80's and very solid I would have to say it's something at their end ,since everyone else comes in as usual as far as SS is concerned. People in the more northern parts of the county will probably lock on ok but at 38 miles from transmitter and at "full power" supposedly I should still get a good SS. Maybe WSPA should just give me a waiver so I can get my CBS off of D* instead like WLOS did several years ago.

Now at 12:23 WSPA is coming in back in the 80's , maybe someone did something on their end to bring this about, however the current CBS feed IS in HD because it has blue patterned sidebars on WBTV but just black sidebars on WSPA , I guess WBTV flipped the switch but WSPA hasn't.

hey again. Thanks guys for all your info about Directv and charter. I thought I was going with Directv but now i am unsure since Charter does offer the Hd dvr and seems to be adding more channels. I just wish they would add abc and fox, then it's a no brainer. I have one question more for you guys with Charter, can you hook up your over the air antenna to the charter hd box, any charter hd box?? I was curious since I currently do not have an hd tuner and i am with Time Warner Cable. I just wanted to be able to get fox and abc once NFL starts. Thanks again for any help you can offer!!!

WSPA is having some serious audio issues with their HD feed for the NCAA tournament right now. Anybody know if its a local issue or not. They keep trying to switch to HD feed, but every time they do we get nothing but harsh static for audio (Sat night -- 8:20). Hope they get it fixed soon!

Originally posted by Deez04
hey again. Thanks guys for all your info about Directv and charter. I thought I was going with Directv but now i am unsure since Charter does offer the Hd dvr and seems to be adding more channels. I just wish they would add abc and fox, then it's a no brainer. I have one question more for you guys with Charter, can you hook up your over the air antenna to the charter hd box, any charter hd box?? I was curious since I currently do not have an hd tuner and i am with Time Warner Cable. I just wanted to be able to get fox and abc once NFL starts. Thanks again for any help you can offer!!!

Currently, none of Charters HD boxes offer an OTA input, even the DVR Moxi box. I do give Charter some props for adding the new channels recently, and if the previous poster is correct and PBS may be on the way, that would be great news too. Welcome to Asheville, btw.

"can you hook up your over the air antenna to the charter hd box, any charter hd box?? "

Nope.

Not anymore, at least. One of their older models did.

I don't have HD from Charter, but my Tivo sent me a message about a lineup change that I saw this morning (not sure how long it has been there). Anyway, I don't remember the channel number, but it was an addition for TNTHD. Can anyone with Charter HD verify this? Can anyone with Charter HD in the Greenville area give an updated list of HD channels that are actually working?

Originally posted by crgnjul
Anyway, I don't remember the channel number, but it was an addition for TNTHD. Can anyone with Charter HD verify this?They already have earlier in this thread.

I'm on the other side of the country right now, but I believe the current HD line-up is WYFF-D, WSPA-D, HDNet, HDNet Movies, ESPN-HD, Discovery-HD, HBO-HD, Showtime-HD, Universal-HD, and TNT-HD.

I realize that the 3.2 update gets beat to death on this forum, but was wondering if anyone has heard anything new on when this is coming the the Asheville/Greenville area in the last few weeks?

When I first got my moxi a few months ago, I couldn't imagine how I lived without it before. Now all I can think about is when they are going to fix all the little bugs that encumber the experience that Moxi COULD be...

I have not been able to pick up WLOS for about 2 -2.5 weeks now. I live on the west side of Paris Mountain and have a CM4228 in the attic. I am using the tuner in my TV. I have only had HD since late January, but when I first installed the 4228 I could pick up WLOS just fine. I still receive the NC PBS channels (33.1-33.5) without any trouble, and all the other OTA signals (well except WSPA, but that is a los cause). I get absolutely no signal from WLOS. Several rescans later, now I do not even get WLOS to register as a channel. I do have some large trees around, but they have not started to leaf out yet. Any suggestions?

Originally posted by sitedesign
I have not been able to pick up WLOS for about 2 -2.5 weeks now. I live on the west side of Paris Mountain and have a CM4228 in the attic. I am using the tuner in my TV. I have only had HD since late January, but when I first installed the 4228 I could pick up WLOS just fine. I still receive the NC PBS channels (33.1-33.5) without any trouble, and all the other OTA signals (well except WSPA, but that is a los cause). I get absolutely no signal from WLOS. Several rescans later, now I do not even get WLOS to register as a channel. I do have some large trees around, but they have not started to leaf out yet. Any suggestions?

I would add a CM 7777 pre-amp. I live close to you and get nothing on WLOS without using the pre-amp. I have been receiving WSPA since Dec. 1999 with minimal problems.

I may try the pre-amp. I was just hoping it might be something on their end since I used to get it with no trouble, and now I get nothing. I even tried moving the antenna back out side this weekend, but that did not help.

I am litterally ON the mountain, about 1/3 of the way up. Given that the WSPA tower is northeast of me (antennaweb does not even list WSPA for me due to the mountatin), and I have Paris Mtn on that side, I don't think a pre-amp will even help with WSPA.

Anybody know what game WSPA will give us Friday night at 7PM? As a rabid Wolfpack fan, I'm hoping for NCSU but expecting to get fed Duke as usual. Several other markets nearby are using sister stations to show both games since they both start around 7:15 - 7:30, most notably Charlotte and Raleigh. Any chance of WSPA doing that? I'm guessing no since I don't think they are affiliated with either UPN or WB or Fox. I guess it would be too much to ask for them to show whatever game is being shot in HD on their DT channel. Last week NCSU was in HD while Duke was not.

On a related note, if we only get Duke (and that's what I'm expecting), anybody know a sportsbar that has DirecTV and has the Mega-March Madness package? I didn't pay $60 for all the early games, and to the best of my knowledge, they are not offering a reduced rate for only the Sweet Sixteen. Otherwise I would do that.

from wspa.com

Thursday, March 24
7:25pm Illinois vs. Wis.-Milwaukee
9:40pm Texas Tech vs. West Virginia

Friday, March 25
7:10pm Duke vs. Michigan State
9:50pm North Carolina vs. Villanova

Bonus Coverage
7:00pm NC State vs. Wisconsin
can be seen on our sister station WASV UPN 62.

WYFF-DT reception really is crappy tonite(WED) fades in and out in and out,usually I get about 92-94 rock solid. They need to check their power level out.

I think it's likely something other than their power level -- Charter doesn't get WYFF-D OTA (right?), and it was crapping out all night on cable too.

might of been feed from studio

I took a two-month hiatus from charter and they added 3 new HD channels. Before I end my HD Hunger strike I have a few questions for the forum:

1. Is charter-asheville going to show Braves home games in HD again this year?

2. Since it seems it will be a while for WLOS, PBS, WHNS, what are my chances of getting good signals on a hill in Soth Asheville with an OTA indoor antenna (second floor)? What equipment do you pros recommend (on a budget for a lowly government employee)?

3. Are any of the locals multi-casting? Are there signals that I will miss on charter? My old WRAL in Raleigh was showing all four regional sites. Is UPN62 broadcasting any HD?

Threads merged.

"3. Are any of the locals multi-casting? Are there signals that I will miss on charter? My old WRAL in Raleigh was showing all four regional sites. Is UPN62 broadcasting any HD?"

Yes. WLOS-DT multi-casts ABC and WB. WHNS-DT multi-casts Fox, and local weather radar, and the NC and SC PBS stations multi-cast several channels. Only WYFF-DT and WSPA-DT are currently on Charter. UPN62 is still 4 X 3 and doesn't pass any HD.

WSPA-DT does not multicast but WBT-DT out of Charlotte does and they had the HD game and a different game on their SD feed at times last week-end.

Apps1 - are you able to pick up the Charlotte stations? If so, where are you located in the county and what antenna/amp combination are you using?

Originally posted by sic0048
Apps1 - are you able to pick up the Charlotte stations? If so, where are you located in the county and what antenna/amp combination are you using?

I can only get WBTV-DT. I have an Antennas Direct XG91 antenna mounted on the roof about 25 feet off the ground with a rotor and a CM7777 pre-amp. I am located about 4 miles east of downtown Greenville. I could also pick it up with my CM4221 before I changed to the XG91.

to enoree -

WYFF received a message from NBC at 8:15pm stating that severe weather in the New York area was causing problems with their HD satellite transmission. The master control operator did a crawl to that affect. This is why the problem was also seen on Charter.

Regarding your power levels: Looking at the Wednesday's transmitter log - there is no indication of any problem at our end.

Hope this helps.

All stations are coming in very poorly today, both Charlotte stations usually have good signals but are in the 20's, WYFF is down from 94 to 81,WSPA is in the 40's the only one that is good is WHNS. I'm getting WOLO from Columbia with a good signal, swapped pre-amps between my antennas to see if my A antenna pre-amp was bad, but no difference, it doesn't matter how i rotor my antenna for the locals they are all down on reception today.

Is anyone getting WB40-Dt today it seems to be completely off the air. Tried it from both antennas did full rescan and nothing at all. only thing I can think of is that they are installing equipment to up power.

Has anyone heard anything from WLOS about their big power increase? I believe it was supposed to happen within the next month or two. Maybe it will help those who are having reception issues right now AND those of us who never even got it in the first place.

I also seem to remember someone saying that WLOS was also going to adjust the pattern so Greenville will get better coverage...

Originally posted by StrangeCock
Has anyone heard anything from WLOS about their big power increase? I believe it was supposed to happen within the next month or two. Maybe it will help those who are having reception issues right now AND those of us who never even got it in the first place.

I also seem to remember someone saying that WLOS was also going to adjust the pattern so Greenville will get better coverage...

WLOS and WBSC are scheduled for late May. WBSC was delayed two months from their original March plans. The WLOS antenna pattern will also change at that time.

WBSC was very shakey for me tonight. I caught a little big of Smallville around 8:00pm, and the reception was in and out. First time ever I've had problems with WBSC, but I haven't watched it much over the last week. Right now the only show I watch on it is Smallville.

Walterc

walterc: Re WBSC--
Are you speaking of the WLOSDT2 signal? Or the WBSC-DT signal transmitted from the Anderson area?

The one from the Anderson area. Last night was the first I've ever had problems with this channel.

Walterc

WBSC DT was down earlier in the week, I called up WLOS to ask about it and got only voice mail in engineering, however the operator told me that someone had just called and asked if Jim Carrier was still down at the Simpsonville site, which pretty much answered my question.

Is anyone else's WSPA out of control today? It's all over the map for me...41 to 84...and everything in between.

Maybe it's the wind, but I hope the signal settles down before the games tonight.

Originally posted by StrangeCock
Is anyone else's WSPA out of control today? It's all over the map for me...41 to 84...and everything in between.

Maybe it's the wind, but I hope the signal settles down before the games tonight.

I am having no problems. On windy days like today I have found you need to play around with the orientation to make sure you are pointed directly to the tower you are trying to recieve. Also, if your antenna is an outdoor mount make sure you have it as secure as possible to try to keep it from swaying. Good luck and may the Heels go down in flames.

Re WSPA-DT, I am getting a 100% signal today with occasional dropout, meaning multi-path is probably the culprit. Last night, the signal dropped out frequently for 5-10 seconds from 93-100% and I had to change to a backup Yagi aimed directly at the tower. This is rare, but has happened occasionally in the past three weeks.

I note WSPA still has only stereo (2/0) after several weeks of acknowledging equipment problems. (The network feed is 3/2).

Heh, did WSPA's hd equipment blow up? I got bad lip sync then screen froze, now sd. anyone know whats up?

WSPA has lost their HD feed on Charter in the NCAA Championship game. I hope someone is out of a job tomorrow.

WSPA is completely locking up, and now has lost the HD feed entirely. Poo!

WSPA is DOA but if you can get WBTV it is coming in fine, and with DD 5.1. It looks like WSPA has had an equipment failure. Maybe they can troubleshoot and fix the problem.

Im watching WBTV-DT now, i just like WSPA because they dont multicast :)

Originally posted by jmccurrytech
Im watching WBTV-DT now, i just like WSPA because they dont multicast :)

I am with you on that one. Much less motion artifacts on WSPA when it is working. I will give up the DD 5.1 for the non multi-cast signal any day.

Hey guys, I'm thinking about starting my own CBS affliate. I couldn't do any worse. I had my firewall all setup to record the championship in HD. If UNC loses, I'm blaming WSPA.

Really how hard is it to keep your signal on the air? Imagine if the channel 7 regular feed were off the air. Heads would roll. Pitiful....

heh next think ya know theyll switch to a black & white feed :p

Actually the second half will be a radio only broadcast with woody durham and still photos of the action.

Welcome to the tiffany network....

Originally posted by jmccurrytech
heh next think ya know theyll switch to a black & white feed :p

I see from your profile that you are in Gastonia. I assume you can pick up all the Charlotte stations. The only one I get is WBTV. Do you know if any of the other Charlotte stations are broadcasting at full power? Also, are you able to receive all of the Greenville market channels?

Originally posted by kilbourne
Actually the second half will be a radio only broadcast with woody durham and still photos of the action.

Welcome to the tiffany network....

Now THAT's funny!

They just lost the sound too.

I just going to listen to woody and close my eyes. My imagination has fewer technical difficulties...

I receive the follow greenville dt channels: WSPA, WASV, WYFF, WUNE, WUNF, WHNS, and WRET. I hope to get WLOS when they increase their power

Originally posted by jmccurrytech
heh next think ya know theyll switch to a black & white feed :p

I heard that for the Masters they are going to put up screen shots of the previous days sports page.

Originally posted by jmccurrytech
I receive the follow greenville dt channels: WSPA, WASV, WYFF, WUNE, WUNF, WHNS, and WRET. I hope to get WLOS when they increase their power

Do you know if WSOC is at full power? I would like to be able to pick them up. From what I understand, the big four in the top 100 makets have to be full power by July.

heh i cant even get WSOC-DT :rolleyes:

We are sure it is not a Charter issue... right?
If it is a WSPA thing... WHEW!

Please Help Save Arrested Development
http://getarrested.com/

Ya its WSPA, i get it OTA and its sd

Originally posted by IfixitBIG
We are sure it is not a Charter issue... right?
If it is a WSPA thing... WHEW!

Please Help Save Arrested Development
http://getarrested.com/

Not Charters fault this time.:D

You'd hope a massive failure like this would happen during something like "Yes Dear," but noooooooooooooo...it has to wait until one of the most important sporting events of the year.

All seem to be well again........(holds breath)

WSPA's performance tonight was absolutely disgraceful. In this area of the world having UNC in the NCAA Finals, is almost as big as the Super Bowl. You'd think they'd done whatever it took to make sure that everything was ready to go for tonight.

Walterc

Hey Guys,
I spoke with WSPA engineers this evening and they were having a receiver issue. HD was back up minutes into the 2nd half. Audio is still 2.0

JSmith

I had VOOM installed today and the newer gen OTA box is great, my built in OTA is RCA DTC-100, the VOOM box is a Motorola box. I now get 28 DT channels, with SS from 93-99 I even get WLOS at 99, no instability with it like my DTC-100 had, its really great so far, I even get the Charlotte station in at about 92-93 SS.

If anyone on here is in the Central/Clemson area, are you able to get WLOS OTA? I get WYFF, WSPA, WHNS at 95-99 % SS....any ideas?

Threads merged.

Originally posted by josh7308
If anyone on here is in the Central/Clemson area, are you able to get WLOS OTA? I get WYFF, WSPA, WHNS at 95-99 % SS....any ideas?

What receiver are you using? What antenna? Are you using a pre-amp. If I rmember correctly I think there is a member here from Westminster who gets WLOS.

I'm in Central with a Channel Master 4228 and 7777 preamp with a Hughes E86, and I can't sniff WLOS's signal. I live at the base of several large hills on the lake though, so topography is a problem. I cannot even reliably receive WSPA via OTA. My parents are downtown Clemson and they get a signal strength of 23 with their Hughes for WLOS. I think they could get better, but their antenna is aimed at WSPA and WYFF.

Originally posted by wrighthenry
I'm in Central with a Channel Master 4228 and 7777 preamp with a Hughes E86, and I can't sniff WLOS's signal. I live at the base of several large hills on the lake though, so topography is a problem. I cannot even reliably receive WSPA via OTA. My parents are downtown Clemson and they get a signal strength of 23 with their Hughes for WLOS. I think they could get better, but their antenna is aimed at WSPA and WYFF.

I have the same base basic set-up as you. I can not pick up WLOS without drop outs with my E86 but it comes in great on my US Digital box. The newer boxes have far better OTA cpabilities than the old e86 and RCA DTC100.

I have an integrated digital tuner in a sanyo ht30744 30in widescreen and have an indoor hdtv antenna - philips. (due to our housing agreement..no outside fixtures) 49.3 mi from WLOS

Originally posted by josh7308
I have an integrated digital tuner in a sanyo ht30744 30in widescreen and have an indoor hdtv antenna - philips. (due to our housing agreement..no outside fixtures) 49.3 mi from WLOS

I doubt you will ever get WLOS with an indoor antenna (Maybe when they go full power in May). According to what I have read there are many FCC regulations that protect the rights of people to put up outdoor antennas that trump many homeowners agreements. You may want to check into it. You could also try a CM 7777 pre-amp with your indoor antenna to see if that helps.

josh7308
I suggest you review this website regarding FCC's most recent amendments to your rights to install an antenna.
http://www.nreionline.com/mag/real_estate_fcc_issues_new/

Also, throughout this thread are various references to WLOS' low power DT transmitter, and probably significant for you is the transmission pattern. WLOS-DT has a "D" shapped pattern with fairly rapid drop off to the south of Mt. Pisgah and practically no signal to the west. When the station goes to full DT power, it will also be a non-directional pattern.

Thanks Jerry,

I look forward to learning more as a member of this group....let me know if you guys need anything.
Thanks again for all the help!

Josh Smith

Landrum and Central, SC

Josh7308 and WrightHenry,

I live in Liberty. At first I couldn't get WLOS but now get it pretty reliably although I have to rotate which causes me to loose WSPA. I am getting all of the Greenville and Asheville channels with no more problems other than when the stations screw up. I couldn't get anything but WYFF until I put up the antenna. That gave me WSPA. I then bought the rotator and preamp and can get EVERYTHING! I only use the rotator to watch WLOS. It goes back to the original position for all other channels.
My equipment is pretty basic but the antenna, rotator and preamp are a must:
DishNetwork 811 receiver
Channel Master 4228 antenna
Channel Master 7777 preamp
Channel Master rotator
Antenna mounted @ 28' AGL (above ground level)
Hitachi 57" HDTV
Onkyo HTIB

Hope this helps.

Cha2ga

I have the exact same antenna setup as yours, but unfortunately I still get lousy reception. The antenna literally looks into hills no matter which way I rotate it. I have pretty much accepted that I will have to wait for DirectTV or Charter to offer WLOS for me to receive them.

The Braves HD channel 774 is back on Charter. That brings them up to 11 HD channels.

Originally posted by Oxb
The Braves HD channel 774 is back on Charter. That brings them up to 11 HD channels. That's the truth! I slapped a couple screen shots (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5455159#post5455159) on the 4805 forum. Turner sure knows how to do a clean 1080i feed.

Half a year ago we had 6 HD channels. Right now (or at least when there's a home game on) we're up to 11. :D Reading about Voom's final demise makes me appreciate the slow but generally reliable efforts our local Charter is making.

I agree...I have more HD now than with DISH, and I have a more fully featured PVR product. I can't wait for 3.2 and further on, 4.0 of the Moxi software, but I can't complain about what I AM getting at this point.

Sure is a stark difference viewing the Masters on WBTV instead of WSPA DD5.1 on WBTV and just a step over mono on WSPA. Wish that WSPA would actually make a REAL effort to get their sound issues fixed once and for all.

Originally posted by enoree
Sure is a stark difference viewing the Masters on WBTV instead of WSPA DD5.1 on WBTV and just a step over mono on WSPA. Wish that WSPA would actually make a REAL effort to get their sound issues fixed once and for all.

I agree on the sound but I still tune in to WSPA because their picture is much better on my set than the watered down mutli-cast you get from WBTV.

Same here,

Masters looks great, but sound could be better if they get their 5.1 card fixed. Can't even see WBTV from here. However, Nextel Cup Racing was great on WHNS as well today.

Don't think WBTV was multicasting this week.

Originally posted by enoree
Don't think WBTV was multicasting this week.

I thought they were when I checked yesterday. Anyway, I was basing my comments mainly on my comparisons during the NCAA tournament. When WBT has their two sub-channels going, I will take WSPA and 2.0 every time.

Ive been messing with my antenna, and Ive noticed at night I get WFMY-DT at around 70%, so I now have 3 DT CBS's: WBTV, WSPA, and WFMY

Wonder if Sinclair's recent nationwide agreement with Comcast (http://www.sbgi.net/misc/comcast_agreement.pdf ) will help lead Charter to a similar agreement to provide digital/HDTV signals.

While I applaud Charter's recent HDTV progress, most of my network viewing is on ABC and I wish they would add WLOS.

Are the Braves games available from Charter in HD without their HD package?

I know they are on Channel 774, but I thought last year the games could be picked up with a QAM tuner like you can WYFF and WSPA.

I don't believe so, sitedesign -- I did another QAM scan last week, and the only HD channels I could pick up were WSPA and WYFF.

Guys - wake up! Charter sucks. The move, if you don't want satellite service, is to start lobbying your local governments hard to dump Charter and get a decent cable company in the area. I would rather have a coat hanger out the window than ever again be forced to deal with the people at Charter. Just start hammering your city council or the equivalent to look at alternative cable companies - there are plenty of them out there.

According to just about all the polls and surveys I have ever seen Charter is the bottom feeder among major cable companies. 2 HD locals when all are OTA (except for WASV's lame excuse for a DT signal) is pathetic.

I agree. Charter really sucks. The problem with the entire HDTV cable structure is that they have their hands tied with analog cable still having to be provided, and that eating up a lot of bandwidth, PLUS internet, PLUS SD digital. Until they can dump some of that, which they won't because of the $$$, you won't have a lot of HD content. They can't do like D* and throw a few more birds up in the air. Sure, D* has its issues, but all around it is a much better provider. Once they get the MPEG4 conversion going and those new satellites running, everyone else will have a hard time touching them IF D* maintains their quality AND has pretty good PQ. Charter will have to get in gear if they want to compete. Just drive around the Upstate now and see just how many D*/E* subscribers there are...that tells you just how much Charter sucks!

I would switch back if they were able to provide me with locals in HD over the satellite, but since they don't and I can't get most of it with an antenna/preamp, I am kind of stuck with Charter for the near future. However, I will say that the experience with them in the last 3 months has been 100% better than when I switched them off in 2001.

I agree -- saying that I'm happy with Charter would probably be a stretch, but with an HD-capable DVR and eleven channels on-hand, I'm at least content. My bill's a lot higher than I think it should be, and I'd still like to be able to timeshift more of the locals, but Charter's package overall looks more appealing to me than any of the currently available alternatives.

I get most HD Locals OTA, but I would rather have any cable company other than mine: Northland Cable. HELP!

Northland is the worst. I got lucky that my cable is Charter. I have Charter and D*, and right now I am pleased with Charter. The Moxi is pretty great, and with CBS and TNT added recently, they have a pretty solid HD lineup. Do I want to see all the locals? Of course. At least they have taken steps in the right direction.

Originally posted by Adam Tyner
I agree -- saying that I'm happy with Charter would probably be a stretch, but with an HD-capable DVR and eleven channels on-hand, I'm at least content. My bill's a lot higher than I think it should be, and I'd still like to be able to timeshift more of the locals, but Charter's package overall looks more appealing to me than any of the currently available alternatives.

strong agreement on all points.

My comments certainly don't weigh as much since I don't have their HD package. I have their broadband internet service, and to be honest I'm pretty satisfied once they got their wrinkles worked out. Being in somewhat of a rural area (6mi North of Greer, SC), they sort of forgot about us. I used to have to call them out here once a month for one thing or another. I remember "back in the day" before D* started, the analog cable stunk. I got better reception of my locals with an antenna than I did via them. I won't switch for three reasons: 1) Customer service stinks. They don't know what you're talking about, and you can get three different answers from three different reps on the same question 2) Overpriced. I think the internet is way too high but its either this or dial-up since I can't get DSL at my house 3) I hear all of these equipment issues...that's scary. My Hughes HTL-HD has yet to give me a single problem. And why would I rent a box that doesn't have all of the features turned on? That's too much control from "the man." I'm a long time computer geek, and that's one reason I switched to a Mac, because Windows is like a monopoly, and Charter has that same feel to me. Hope my comments enlighted someone.

I can't get WBSC 40-1 out of Anderson at all for the last few weeks. I've gotten with no problem since last August with no problems. Everything else is fine, but WLOS does have a lower strength level.

Walterc

Walter,
I'm in Central and can't even sniff WBSC with an indoor antenna. I can get WYFF, WSPA, WHNS all fine. But when I point towards WBSC, nothing.

Josh

WBSC was out for a few days a week or so ago ,when i called about it the switchboard lady said Jim Carrier was down in Simpsonville and thats all the info she had. I can receive it again but the power level is way down. Remember that their tower is down near Fork Shoals about 180 degrees opposite from everyone else.

Originally posted by walterc
I can't get WBSC 40-1 out of Anderson at all for the last few weeks. I've gotten with no problem since last August with no problems. Everything else is fine, but WLOS does have a lower strength level.

Walterc

It is probably time for them to change the 'AA' batteries. I know I watched a little HD on 40-1 last friday. I haven't tried lately, but if I remember I will take a look tonight and let you know if I get anything. Hopefully all these problems will go away next month with the upgrades.

I've been having issues getting WBSC as well. I used to could pick it up with a set of rabbit ears (my DB4 is primarily UHF, and doesn't perform well with VHF), but it doesn't even register on my signal bar.

Well guys I thought I was going for sure with Directv when i move up to Ahsville, but now I have learned that I will be staying in Fletcher near Hendersonville, NC. I heard they have Mediacom. Does anyone who uses this forum have Mediacom or know anything about it? Do they have a DVR? High speed internet? I did learn of there HD lineup. here it is...

ESPN HD
Universal HD
Discovery HD
HDNET
HDNET Movies
HBO HD
STARZ HD
SHOWTIME HD
TMC HD

Notice, no local HD channels! I would appreciate any help. I am still about 80% sure on Directv. I guess I am just curious about Mediacom and there service. Any help would be great! Thanks

TMC-HD -- interesting. I don't see that one on cable too often.

I don't know what Mediacom offers in your area specifically, but Mediacom does carry Motorola DVRs (http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/how_to_get.asp) in at least some areas.

Here's their website

http://www.mediacomcc.com/

Hope this helps

I have been unable to pick up WYFF or WSPA on channel 103.1 and 103.2 for the last 3-4 days. Anyone else having this problem? Has Charter stopped passing these signals?

omg, what is up with those sidebars on WHNS? They about put my eyes out! I guess they figured since they got HD, theyll now torch our sets :rolleyes:

Originally posted by jmccurrytech
omg, what is up with those sidebars on WHNS? They about put my eyes out! I guess they figured since they got HD, theyll now torch our sets :rolleyes:

Black sidebars this morning. What are you referring to?

WHNS had bright gray sidebars for a few days, just like WYFF, they apparently got the revelation that gray sidebars are lousy, whereas WYFF doesn't get it yet and continue the gray ones. Black sidebars are much easier on the eyes and don't distract from the program.

Originally posted by enoree
WHNS had bright gray sidebars for a few days, just like WYFF, they apparently got the revelation that gray sidebars are lousy, whereas WYFF doesn't get it yet and continue the gray ones. Black sidebars are much easier on the eyes and don't distract from the program.

Black will cause burn in and gray is better for that reason. It doesn't need to be bright gray. We run gray also but it is a muted gray so it isn't distracting. I can change not only the color but the intensity as well. I am not sure what WHNS is using but I would suppose they too can change the intensity of the color.

http://www.nchdtv.com:8090/captures/WGHP-DT35-1.jpg

I'm watching the Busch race on WHNS, and during the commercials, the gray bars are pretty intense. But then it reverts to black bars (seems like for network commericals)...oh well, at least the race looks good in HD

Bars i dont mind, WYFF's is pretty neutral, but WHNS's about knocked me out of my chair!

Originally posted by josh7308
I'm watching the Busch race on WHNS, and during the commercials, the gray bars are pretty intense. But then it reverts to black bars (seems like for network commericals)...oh well, at least the race looks good in HD

Network doesn't use colored bars.

If anyone watches WHNS-DT a lot, let me know, I've got a couple extra pairs of sunglasses :p

Any scuttlebut as to which HD channels are coming next in the lineup for Charter Asheville?

I heard talk of ESPN2, but would really like to see ABC, FOX, UPN and WB come onboard this year.

If I had to guess:

WHNS (Fox) is the most likely local to be added next.

Cinemax-HD or Starz-HD have appeared in some Charter markets, so it's possible one or both will be added to the lineup here as well.

Originally posted by Adam Tyner
If I had to guess:

WHNS (Fox) is the most likely local to be added next.

Cinemax-HD or Starz-HD have appeared in some Charter markets, so it's possible one or both will be added to the lineup here as well.
World Series in HD. Ya!!!

That would hit the mark. I assume their policy of "free" HD versions of the already paid for premium channels would continue.

Having that many HD movie channels (plus HBO and SHO) with a DVR, I might discontinue my Blockbuster Online service.

Too tired to look through all the recent posts (although I think I've been keeping up with this forum fairly regularly), but I'm surprised no one here mentioned that Charter is upping the cost of the HD Tier to $6.99 starting May 1.

Right now I don't have it, but have considered going back to it after the recent additions. Now, I'm not so sure. I just hope they don't start charging extra for the locals in HD. Think that would really harm their position against satellite anyway so it wouldn't be to their advantage.

Has anybody seen the "coming soon" commercials on WYFF touting 24x7 weather info? Does this mean they're adding a subchannel?

--Cross

I'd imagine it's NBC Weather Plus. At least two other Hearst-Argyle-owned affiliates are already broadcasting the service.

What exactly is NBC Weather Plus? I've heard of it, but never seen it. Is it basically like the doppler we see on WHNS? I guess its more than that or it wouldn't say "Plus."

I haven't seen it in person and there doesn't appear to be an official website (just lots of press releases), but someone in the Davenport, IA local thread posted this screenshot (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=5470476&fullpage=1) a couple weeks ago which should give you an idea what to expect.

Lifted from one press release:

NBC's "Weather Plus" network combines national and local weather programming: an "L-Bar" display wrapped around the screen will carry live local weather data, with the network's programming comprising national weather updates and cut-ins from meteorologists at local affiliates.

Hopefully there will be mostly local reports, would explain why WYFF got new weather person

If you can get WCNC-DT out of Charlotte you can go to their sub channel and see weather plus.

It seems to me that WHNS-DT has changed the sidebars to more of a dark grey, much less bright. yay :)

Awesome, maybe the email I sent them persuaded them a little!

Why do we want these stations to take up bandwidth broadcasting something we can very easily get on the internet at weather.com?

Originally posted by gjlowe
Why do we want these stations to take up bandwidth broadcasting something we can very easily get on the internet at weather.com?

I know it is sometimes more convenient to be able to do a quick check of the weather radar without firing up my PC.

Wyff got Conan last night switched over to HD at the 23 min. mark into the show. This was way after Conan did a 6-7 min bit on this being his first HD show.

Maybe on of the reasons that the public is slow in getting switched over to HD, is because our broadcasters are slow in switching over.

Just a thought

SAVE THE BLUTHS!
J. Burton

May is here...any update on the upgrade WLOS is supposed to undergo this month?

Seriously, I'm ready for some ABC HD, maybe even some WBSC in HD

I have scanned this thread pretty thoroughly, does anyone have reception experience in the Horse Shoe, Mills River, Etowah area? I'm just adding Dish HD and will be adding OTA antenna as well. Antennaweb shows that I 'm mostly in the yellow with one blue and one purple. I was hoping someone in the area could give me some antenna guidance.

Thanks,

"We have decided to change our antenna to a different type to avoid icing
problems that we experienced last winter. The new one is scheduled to ship
June 10. Estimated delivery and installation put our power increase near the
end of June. Beginning next week we will be on further reduced power until
that time."

Basically a one month delay, with reduced power until then.

I see that WLOS is getting a new antenna. That reminds me, whatever happened to their plans to build a new tower? I remember a lot of talk about it a few years ago and something about their lease on Mount Pisgah. Does anyone know what happened?

Great, so I'll have a month (if we're lucky - it will probably be longer) of no signal from WLOS :mad:

I hope there is a good reason why they will be on reduced power. It seems to me that they should just delay the installation until all their parts are in. [sarcasm one] I'm sure WLOS has their reasons from broadcasting a crappy signal for the next month [sarcasm off].

The main thing that puzzles me is why they didn't order an antenna that prevents icing to begin with. The site is located on the highest point east of the Mississippi.

Originally posted by Apps1
"We have decided to change our antenna to a different type to avoid icing
problems that we experienced last winter. The new one is scheduled to ship
June 10. Estimated delivery and installation put our power increase near the
end of June. Beginning next week we will be on further reduced power until
that time."

Basically a one month delay, with reduced power until then.

Also, WB40 power increase should happen the first week in June.

Originally posted by sic0048
Great, so I'll have a month (if we're lucky - it will probably be longer) of no signal from WLOS :mad:

I hope there is a good reason why they will be on reduced power. It seems to me that they should just delay the installation until all their parts are in. [sarcasm one] I'm sure WLOS has their reasons from broadcasting a crappy signal for the next month [sarcasm off].
High-power UHF Transmitters tend to be "modular" with additional RF Amplifier cabinets needed to increase power. When these cabinets are added, there is usually a lot of re-work of the combining network used to add the outputs of the amplifiers together. If the existing transmitter has two, for example, and the station wants to add a third, the high-power combiner may need to be completely disassembled, and re-configured. If this is the case, then it is usually possible to route part of the system directly to the antenna, allowing for operation at reduced power in the interim.
These are generalities, as I do not know the exact configuration of the WLOS transmitter, but I did see many of these systems installed, and am familiar with most of the possible combinations. Believe me when I say that these power upgrades are NOT trivial, either in effort, or in expense.

I know this is not a "want-ad" thread, but since most of you are in this area, I thought this might be a good place to post this. If you feel that this is inappropriate, please excuse the error.

I have a CM4228, slightly used, available, but since I do not have the box, local pickup is the only practical delivery method.

If you are interested, please e-mail me at richard@chalk.ws or phone 864-647-1880.

Thanks

I am thinking of having my DLP calibrated. Does anyone here have a recommendation for a local ISF trained calibrator?

Thanks

There are several in the Upstate. You can do a search for them at this address: http://www.imagingscience.com/isf-trained.cfm

Good luck. Please post your results. I am not quite ready to buy a new TV, but it's in the future and I would also like to get it ISP calibrated when that day comes. It would be nice to hear about your experiences.

EDIT - I hope this helps. I realize you may have already known about the web site and are just looking for personal experiences.

Originally posted by sic0048
There are several in the Upstate. You can do a search for them at this address: http://www.imagingscience.com/isf-trained.cfm

Good luck. Please post your results. I am not quite ready to buy a new TV, but it's in the future and I would also like to get it ISP calibrated when that day comes. It would be nice to hear about your experiences.

EDIT - I hope this helps. I realize you may have already known about the web site and are just looking for personal experiences.

I knew about the link, but I am hoping I can find someone that has used one of these guys.

Thanks

I see that WYFF-DT now has weather plus test screen on 4-2.

Ya I noticed that, my first thought was "oh no a sub channel!" :D

Originally posted by jmccurrytech
Ya I noticed that, my first thought was "oh no a sub channel!" :D

Programming on Weather Plus is scheduled to begin Monday May 9.

We are also in the process of installing a new second generation HD/SD encoder that will improved quality so the HD will not suffer as a result of adding the SD channel. This should be online in about a week.

Doug

To all: Re audio levels.
I think it is time for us to collectively exert pressure on the local DT broadcasters to even out the audio levels among stations, and between programming sources on most stations. I am wearing out my volume control trying to maintain a reasonable listening level. WSPA may be the most unbalanced between local and network originations...but all could stand improvement. This is one issue that may need the FCC's attention, but as an initial effort, please let the stations know of your concerns.

Thanks

Will Charter carry this NBC weather plus?

Originally posted by wrighthenry
Will Charter carry this NBC weather plus?

Charter will be carrying WYFF 4 Weather Plus on their digital tier channel 244.

Doug

If you have any info on HD Fox start date or any other HD--please advise us. Thanks.

Mike

Threads merged.

Weather 4 Plus is actually pretty nice. Between the local forcast and the weather radar on 21-2, I think we have everything covered.

Originally posted by Apps1
I knew about the link, but I am hoping I can find someone that has used one of these guys.

Thanks

Tim Thome at HomeCentric is a super guy.

Anybody else have drop audio drop outs tonight? Specificly during Crossing Jordan? The audio was out of sync for me (only a tiny bit, much less than CBS) but it dropped out completely 4 times.

What to try next?
Below is from antenna web:
* red - uhf WLOS-DT 13.1 ABC ASHEVILLE NC 302° 11.4 56
* red - uhf WUNF-DT 33.1 PBS ASHEVILLE NC 302° 11.4 25
* red - uhf WHNS-DT 21.1 FOX ASHEVILLE NC 213° 13.0 57
* red - uhf WASV-DT 62.1 UPN ASHVILLE NC 176° 8.9 45
* violet - uhf WYFF-DT 4.1 NBC GREENVILLE SC 191° 16.6 59

I decided to start with a CM3016 because I could get it locally and I needed help with FM reception on the stereo as well. I tried the attic first and a temporary outdoor install last night. I can get Fox, UPN and CBS but frequently drop signals. I added an attenuator last night at someone's suggestion but that didn't do the trick. Signal drops off when the attenuator is turned above minimum. Would I be better served with a UHF only (CM4228?) and trying to help my FM reception another way? FM reception is now great but HD leaves a lot to be desired.

If possible I'd like to avoid being highly directional and needing a rotor. We are on a hiilside with lots of trees to contend with.

Thanks,

Steve

Steve: I can't recommend the CM 4 and 8 bay antennas strongly enough. First, with your wide angle needed for receptionm the two antennas are a good choice for receiving the most signals from one setting (once you find it) without rotation of the antenna. Secondly, the two antennas do a very commendable job of capturing the signals. Questions you need to answer: what are the obstructions between you and the transmitters. Multipath can be a serious problem, but the CM can and do reject bounced signals from the back and side of the receiving antenna. Sounds as you are trying an all-band antenna and there is nothing wrong with that in that at least digital channel 9 operates from Greenville. As for FM, there are many ways to solve that problem and probably a simple FM antenna in the attic is the best bet. Cut yourself a FM antenna from twin-lead if one did not come with the receiver.

Keep posting your progress.

Well, even though the towers are faily close to you, it is recommending a medium directional antenna, so I suspect there are some major obstructions. Besides the CM 4 or 8 bay antennas, you might look at the DB4 from antennasdirect.com It is the same basic design and is very popular among AVS. I personally do not have any experience with either, so I cannot comment on which might be best.

Good luck. I hate to speculate, but I would bet you'll have to get a pre-amp to get consistant results.

When I run the numbers on Antenna Web I get nearly all yellow if I don't check off the box for Airports, tall buildings and trees. I do have a lot of tall trees that completely surround my house. Is there any liklihood of success from the attic or am I likely going to need to stay outside with the CM4228?

I would go with outside, as high as possible. Im surrounded by Trees like you, and nothing works indoors. I'd recommend going with at least a 20 ft pole, thats what I did, and it clears the trees, and works very well.

Will amplification help or harm in this situation?

If multipath is some of the problem, amplification will hurt more than help.

I would install an amp as a last resort...after proving that a weak signal is the problem.

PS ...until last fall's hurricanes, my antenna looked through a forest of trees. Now, with seven major trees down, I have more seasonal problems by far. It probably is multipath, that has fairly well cleared up in the past three weeks.
.

Jerry, it is funny that you say that because I seem to get better reception in the summer when all the trees have leaves. I had a much more sporatic signal in the winter. Logic would say the opposite, that it would be clearing when all the trees are bare, but I guess this just proves that YMMV.

The only reason I have stuck with DirecTV for the last 10 years is because of the NFL Sunday Ticket. They are finally jacking up the price higher than I am willing to pay. Last year it was $179.00 for all SD and HD NFL games. This year it will cost me $300.00 for the same Package plus some interactive crap I could care less about.

Anyway, I am now looking at Charter. Does the Charter Moxi HD DVR work as advertised and how does it compare to Tivo? I don't believe it has OTA capability but if it does please let me know. They quoted me the top 70 with HBO/Cinemax/Starz/Encore for $48.99 for 20 months. The HD DVR is an additional $9.99 per mo. Is this the best deal that they have?

Unless DirecTv gives away the farm when I call to cancel it looks like I am Charter bound.

Originally posted by Apps1
Anyway, I am now looking at Charter. Does the Charter Moxi HD DVR work as advertised and how does it compare to Tivo?It's not as full-featured as TiVo, but I don't have any major complaints, and most of the minor but still annoying ones are being addressed in the next software update (hopefully rolling out in the next week or two).

No OTA with the Moxi. The package you're being offered sounds awfully good to me (I'm paying right around $150 a month (!)), although their HD tier is another $6.99 on top of that.

Originally posted by Adam Tyner
It's not as full-featured as TiVo, but I don't have any major complaints, and most of the minor but still annoying ones are being addressed in the next software update (hopefully rolling out in the next week or two).

No OTA with the Moxi. The package you're being offered sounds awfully good to me (I'm paying right around $150 a month (!)), although their HD tier is another $6.99 on top of that.

Thanks for the info. I am curious as to how your bill could be so high. After the 20 month promo the regular price is $68.99. Does the $150.00 include internet?

Originally posted by Apps1
I am curious as to how your bill could be so high.Probably because I kept adding to my original package rather than getting a different package. I have the highest speed Internet access (or at least I used to; my speed has really dropped off recently, although my bill hasn't), the DVR (they charge me $10 for the box and $10 for the service), HD, HBO, Cinemax, that dumb printed guide, and an extra digital box in one of my other rooms. I'll call one of these days and see if I can repackage everything. It's stupid that I'm being charged as much as I am.

Good Luck. I have Internet, HD, and all the movie packages, and I can't get any break at all.

The move from TiVo to Moxi was fine for me. It was a little more of a hassle for my wife. She didn't warm up to the Moxi as fast as I would have liked. I had a TiVo for a few year, and I had to replace it about four time due to various reasons and problems. The Moxi has worked well for me. There are a couple of bugs here and there, but for the most part, it has been great.

A couple of weeks ago my neighbor and I had a tree taken down that was overhanging both our houses. In the process my roof antenna got knocked down, so I bought a new (bigger) one and we installed it last weekend. This got me thinking about the broadcast TV situation in general, because I don't get cable, and because our TV set is 17+ years old and has been hinting that it's going to die sometime soon. (The picture occasionally cuts out briefly for a couple of seconds.)

So I've been studying the current TV market for the past few days. Whew! Analog, HDTV, HDTV-ready, LCD, plasma, CRT, 4:3, widescreen, oh my! I've been aware of the analog/digital transition, but never paid really close attention to it. I was hoping that my old TV would hold out until the analog stations go off the air, so as to let prices on digital TVs drop some more.

It possible that my wife (the crucial factor :-) and I may decide to go the HD route in the next few months. But I got curious as to whether we could actually get digital signals 'way down here in Clinton, even with our new antenna, which produces significantly better results with analog signals than the old one did. (It's a Radio Shack VU-190XR, the largest VHF/UHF antenna that I could get my hands on quickly, together with a rotator.)

So, today while I was in Spartanburg, I picked up a Samsung SIR-T541 HDTV tuner at Circuit City. Based on reading back through this thread a ways, I was prepared for at least some disappointment. I figured WYFF, WLOS and at least one SCETV station would come through, but I was doubtful about WHNS and especially WLOS (which is somewhat important for us, as Jeopardy! fans :-).

Surprise! I can get all three of the ETV stations around us (Greenville, Spartanburg, and Greenwood, with Greenwood coming in the strongest). I can get WHNS without any problem, and I can even get WLOS (83 miles) if I aim the antenna carefully. At least I can get it right now, while the weather is good. I see from postings here that WLOS is supposed to be upgrading their signal soon, which should make things easier.

Nothing from Columbia, though. We've got a lot of trees right behind our property in that direction, whereas the view towards the north and west is pretty clear, and we're on a slight hill facing in that general direction. And the Columbia stations don't have any mountains handy to park their transmitters on.

Even on a 17-year-old analog set, the picture is a lot better than we were getting via the analog signals. Better color, contrast, none of those impulse-noise speckles, etc. If things hold up on most of the stations when the weather turns bad, I'll be a happy camper.

you should get WOLO-DT , I get it fine up here in Enoree. It is on VHF 8 and is on a very tall tower. You might try aiming towards the NE side of Columbia or got to www.antennaweb.org and see where WOLO is in relation to your address. WOLO is an ABC station and does a great job as far as HD goes.

Wow, you're right, thanks! WOLO-DT comes in nice and strong here. I didn't think to check it out because the analog signal is rather weak and noisy. This will do fine for my ABC stuff. And they have Jeopardy! :-)

I'd better start monitoring the Columbia thread, too.

JTbell - welcome to the dark side! Now you REALLY need to get a HD ready TV. You will be absolutely stunned at the difference in picture quality.

I personally have a 4:3 CRT TV. If I was doing it again, I would go widescreen if I could get one for about the same money. I do not have cable, only OTA. At this point, OTA HD is pretty mature in our market (at least prime time), so about 90% of what I watch is HDTV. I'm loosing viewing area since my TV is 4:3 format and all the HD material is 16:9. Now I make up for it when watching SD TV, but that is becoming more infrequent.

If I had cable that I watched a lot, I would still stick with a 4:3 screen. But if you have OTA only then go 16:9 unless the cost is prohibitive.

I agree...the 16:9 ratio is much better nowadays. Almost ALL OTA stations broadcast in 16:9 anyway, and then put the infamous gray bars (which I actually like) on the sides. And if you like watching DVDs, W-O-W! Why even go to the theater anymore? Anyways, I got my Sony WEGA CRT 30" for $899, and that was a year ago. Prices are falling. In a nutshell, it makes no sense to buy a 4:3 HDTV anymore, unless you can't fit the form factor in your room.

Onto another topic, is anyone in the Greenville area getting WLOS right now? I used to get it strong, and I know they are doing some antenna swapping and stuff. I can BARELY pull it in, to the point where it pixelizes in and out. I'm just wondering if its my equipment.

Originally posted by dashaund
Onto another topic, is anyone in the Greenville area getting WLOS right now?I still can, although I have to use a very different orientation with my antenna to do it. Probably a 25-30 degree difference, and even then, my overall signal strength is still quite a bit lower. I'm not experiencing any more dropouts now than I was before.

It's not your equipment, though -- they've temporarily reduced the power.

Originally posted by dashaund
I agree...the 16:9 ratio is much better nowadays. Almost ALL OTA stations broadcast in 16:9 anyway, and then put the infamous gray bars (which I actually like) on the sides. And if you like watching DVDs, W-O-W! Why even go to the theater anymore? Anyways, I got my Sony WEGA CRT 30" for $899, and that was a year ago. Prices are falling. In a nutshell, it makes no sense to buy a 4:3 HDTV anymore, unless you can't fit the form factor in your room.

Onto another topic, is anyone in the Greenville area getting WLOS right now? I used to get it strong, and I know they are doing some antenna swapping and stuff. I can BARELY pull it in, to the point where it pixelizes in and out. I'm just wondering if its my equipment.

I am just curious, but why do you like the gray bars? I find them very distracting. A for why go to the theater anymore, I just checked out the new Star Wars movie at the Camelot in DLP, and it looked like a giant version of the best HD picture my set can produce. I am picking up WLOS-DT just fine.

I checked out Star Wars at the Camelot last night, too.

And just like I have a hard time watching SD now, I'll have a hard time going back to film projection.

The DLP picture at the Camelot is absolutely gorgeous...and the screen is enormous!

Originally posted by jtbell
Wow, you're right, thanks! WOLO-DT comes in nice and strong here.

Thanks for the report there jt..any chance you get WCCB-DT there?

And Hello to Bill/Enoree.. :)

I tried the Charlotte area last night but couldn't find anything. Since then I've realized that it's best to hunt for "new" stations by physical channel number, not nominal channel number. When my Samsung box sees a station for the first time, it picks up the channel mapping so I can go by the logical number after that. When I let the box do its initial auto-scan I had the antenna pointing towards Greenville.

So, armed with a list of physical channel numbers, I went exploring again just now. From the Charlotte area, WBTV comes in very strong, WCNC is pretty good, WJZY and WWWB are OK to so-so, and I haven't found WTVI, WSOC or WCCB (sorry about that Bob).

Then I went back to the Columbia area. Besides WOLO (very good as previously noted) I can also get WACH, WLTX and WIS (OK to so-so). I just realized I overlooked WZRB. I'll try that one tomorrow.

Nothing from Augusta, as far as I can tell, but I'm not too surprised because I'm on a hillside that slopes up in that direction. Or maybe they've just all gone to bed there.

I got a new H10 D* box and also hooked up with E* after my VOOM service went under and got the 811 box, with the 811 I can now get WCCB and WSOC with good SS where the H10 box doesn't lock on to them as good.As far as the locals go I get very high SS with both boxes, a vast improvement from my DTC100 built into my set. All told i now get reliable DT from 3 different markets in addition to the ABC E&W on my D* service,so I guess you could say as far as ABC goes I'm covered up with DT. Also I was able to watch the freeway chase in LA the other day live and see it from Air7HD, which was awesome. I think it will be a VERY long time before we ever see SKY4HD:p