Welcome to the Greenville Washington New Bern NC local market forum.

Over the air Channels available by antenna/digital cable/satellite


*** UPDATED 11/17/11

WUND-DT 2.1 UNC TV HD 1080i
WUND-DT 2.2 UNC KD
WUND-DT 2.3 UNC EX

WITN-DT 7.1 NBC HD 1080i
WITN-DT 7.2 My Network TV / Me Tv
WITN-DT 7.3 Live Doppler 7 Radar

WFXI-DT 8.1 FOX HD 720p HD NEWS as of 6/27/10
WFXI-DT 8.2 Bounce

WNCT-DT 9.1 CBS HD 1080i
WNCT-DT 9.2 THE CW

WCTI-DT 12.1 ABC HD 720p HD NEWS as of 6/27/10
WCTI-DT 12.2 Live Well Network
WCTI-DT 12.3 THIS

WYDO-DT 14.1 FOX HD 720p HD NEWS as of 6/27/10
WYDO-DT 14.2 Bounce

WUNM-DT 19.1 UNC EX
WUNM-DT 19.2 UNC TV HD 1080i
WUNM-DT 19.3 UNC KD

WUNK-DT 25.1 UNC TV HD 1080i
WUNK-DT 25.2 UNC KD
WUNK-DT 25.3 UNC EX

WEPX-DT 38.1 ION HD 720p
WEPX-DT 38.2 QUBO
WEPX-DT 38.3 ION LIFE



Eastern NC channels on Satellite (SDTV) & (HDTV)

Directv SD locals launched 10/9/04 HD locals launched 1/7/09
WITN NBC HD
WNCT CBS HD
WCTI ABC HD
WYDO FOX HD
WNCT-DT2 THE CW SD
WUNK UNC SD/HD
WUNK UNC EX SD
THE CW (WASHINGTON DC) SD

DISH NETWORK
WITN NBC SD/HD
WFXI FOX SD/HD
WNCT CBS SD/HD
WNCT-DT2 THE CW
WCTI ABC SD/HD
WCTI-DT3 This TV
WUNM-UNC

Can you get any of the Norfolk VA stations. It is the market just to the North of you...

What are the DTV channels on in your market?

I did recieve 3-1
and 13-1 early this morning around 6am, wierd thing is that my antenna is pointed in the oposite direction.

jamielee,

Glad to see someone else is reading the forum in our market. I wonder if Foxeng has any insight on the status of FOX8 and 14 going digital/HD?

I'm new to the board and am ready to purchase a hdtv receiver and antenna. I need some recommendations for my area. I'm mainly looking to receive my locals, but also stations from the Raleigh area. I live in Southwest Greenville.

Currently, I receive analog signals from WRAL, WNCN, WRDC, WRAZ and sometimes WLFL and WTVD. Is it true that digital signals travel better than analog. I really want to be able to pick up the RDU market. I figure I'll be able to pick up the Greenville, New Bern, Washington stations anyway.

Any info you can give me would be appreciated. I don't mind an antenna on the roof if I have to, although I would prefer not to go through all that. If you can help me out, I'd appreciate it.

easternncnewswat,
You should be able to receive the RDU market from Greenville.
If you go to titantv.com or antennaweb.org you can put in your location and it shows you the stations you can recieve, and a directional map.
I live 8 miles east/ne of washington i recieve RDU market starting around 7pm-9am, during the day i loose it. however I believe in Gville youll be able to recieve it all day, go to Circuit city, they have a HDTV on a end cap across from the DIRECTV section with a digital ota box set up, the RDU channels are playing.
heres a list of locals
RDU
5.1 WRAL HD CBS
5.2 WRAL NEWSCHANNEL

11.1 WTVD HD ABC
11.2 WTVD SD
11.3 WTVD RADAR

17.1 WNCN HD NBC
17.2 WNCN SD

22.1 UPN HD
22.2 UPN SD

30.1 SHOP AT HOME SD

47.1 PAX SD
47.2 PAX WEST
47.3 FAITH
47.4 WORSHIP

50.1 WRAZ FOX HD
50.2 WRAZ SD
50.3 WRAL5 WEATHER

WASH GREENVILLE NEW BERN

2.1 UNC TV
2.2 UNC HD (8P-11P)
2.3 UNC KIDS
2.4 UNC EDUCATION
2.5 UNC NC
(19 1-5 AND 25 1-5 ALSO BUT ARE THE SAME)

7.1 WITN HD NBC

9.1 WNCT HD CBS

35 1-4 PAX

48.1 WCTI HD ABC
48.2 WCTI SD UPN

FOX 8/14 COMING IN SEPT 04
NOTE I HAVE A CHANNEL MASTER 3020 100 MILE VHF/ 60 MILE UHF ANTENNA TURNED TOWARDS RALIEGH, I GET ALL BUT NEW BERN 48.1/2 AND PAX 35. I HAVE ADDED A 70 MILE UHF ONLY ANTENNA TO GET THESE CHANNELS, PICKED IT UP AT RADIO SHACK FOR $23. ITS SMALL AND MOUNTS BELOW THE LARGE ANTENNA, ALSO HAVE A PREAMP INSTALLED.

NOTE FOX IS SLATED FOR SEPT 1 2004

Heres what is on SUDDENLINK cable,
washington
WNCT HD
WCTI HD
WITN HD
ESPN HD
DISCOVERY HD
HBO HD
SHOWTIME HD

greeville add
WRAL HD
WRAL NEWS CHANNEL SD

Originally posted by 2Scoops
jamielee,

Glad to see someone else is reading the forum in our market. I wonder if Foxeng has any insight on the status of FOX8 and 14 going digital/HD?

According to the FCC website, they have asked for another extension sighting financial reasons and putting the specifics behind confidentiality.

Well more DT channels coming in now...
Thursday night around 12am I scanned thru the add channels list check to see if I could pull in any more digital channels and heres what I found.

2-1 WFMYHD GREENSBORO NC 160 miles away west
2-2 WFMYSD
2-3 WFMYSD2

3-1 WTKRHD HAMPTON ROADS VIRGINIA 105 miles away north east
3-2 WTKR WX

3-1 WWAYSD WILLIMINGTON NC
3-2 WWAYHD

4-1 UNCTV CHAPEL HILL NC
4-2 UNCHD
4-3 UNCKD
4-4 UNCED
4-5 UNCNC

6-1 WECTHD WILLIMINGTON NC southeast

10-1 WISDT COLUMBIA SC 248 miles away south west
10-2 WISDT
10-3 WISDT

15-1 WPDEDT MYRTLE BEACH SC 169 miles awy south east

28-1 WRDC HD RALIEGH NC

39-1 UNCTV ROANOKE RAPIDS NC north west
39-2 UNCHD
39-3 UNCKD
39-4 UNCED
39-5 UNCNC

62-1 WFPX PAX RALIEGH NC west
62-2 PAXWEST
62-3 FAITH
62-4 WORSHIP

I cant believe i was seeing columbia sc and greensboro that far away.
Its wierd how tv signals pick up in the night time hours.
Odd thinks is that some channels were the same channel numbers and were showing up not causing any problems just showing in guide as
3-1 wtkr
3-2 wtkr
3-1 wway
3-2 wway

only problem i encountered was
10-1
10-2
10-3 wisdt columbia sc which shares the 10 DT channel with my local CBS
10-1(WNCT greenville NC) it would shut down the reciever and then come back on on off a few times how ever the 10-1 WNCT is remapped to the analog channel 9-1.

My channel master 3020 100 mile vhf 35 uhf antenna is only about 15 ft up in the air, I have a channel master pre amp on it as well, I could only imagine if I could get the antenna up in the aire higher what it might do.
A transmitter site supervisor at WRALDT in Raliegh told the CM 3020 was a great antenna, also I have a 70 mile UHF radio shack antenna aimed towards the SE 9coastal NC SC areas to recieve jacksonville NC and New Bern NC signals. the willimington and MB signals must be coming off of that.

Radio Shacks has a VHF UHF antenna that says its 190 vhf 100 uhf miles range, has anyone tried this antenna. I wonder if it really goes that far on a regular basis?

.

Originally posted by jamielee
2-1 WFMYHD GREENSBORO NC 160 miles away (channel 51)
2-2 WFMYSD
2-3 WFMYSD2

3-1 WTKRHD HAMPTON ROADS VIRGINIA 105 miles away (channel 40)
3-2 WTKR WX

3-1 WWAYSD WILLIMINGTON NC (channel 44)
3-2 WWAYHD

4-1 UNCTV CHAPEL HILL NC (channel 59)
4-2 UNCHD
4-3 UNCKD
4-4 UNCED
4-5 UNCNC

6-1 WECTHD WILLIMINGTON NC (channel 46)

10-1 WISDT COLUMBIA SC 248 miles away (channel 41)
10-2 WISDT
10-3 WISDT

15-1 WPDEDT MYRTLE BEACH SC 169 miles awy (channel 16)

28-1 WRDC HD RALIEGH NC (channel 27)

39-1 UNCTV ROANOKE RAPIDS NC (channel 29)
39-2 UNCHD
39-3 UNCKD
39-4 UNCED
39-5 UNCNC

62-1 WFPX PAX RALIEGH NC (channel 36)
62-2 PAXWEST
62-3 FAITH
62-4 WORSHIP

jamielee - that RadioShack antenna isn't any better and is, in fact, not as good as your 3020 , IMHO. It definately lacks in upper UHF response in my experiance.

I emailed the engineer at WNCT 9 and ask why was there local content fuzzy, and the national HD was clear. he said they were up converting the analog signal. I wish the locals WCTI WITN WNCT would go all hd like WRAL in Ral.
Also he said DIRECTV is in the station right now installing local recieve equipment.
Also the engineer at WCTI said they have been chosen by DISH NETWORK as the host site for there local recevie facility. WNCT said expect service within 60 days.

Originally posted by jamielee
I emailed the engineer at WNCT 9 and ask why was there local content fuzzy, and the national HD was clear. he said they were up converting the analog signal. I wish the locals WCTI WITN WNCT would go all hd like WRAL in Ral.
Also he said DIRECTV is in the station right now installing local recieve equipment.
Also the engineer at WCTI said they have been chosen by DISH NETWORK as the host site for there local recevie facility. WNCT said expect service within 60 days.

It looks like D* would update their website and customer service people. I just canceled my service and switched over to cable for the HD locals. When I enter my zip code on their site for local service it says they have no plans at this time, and I spoke with a customer service person when I canceled my service and she said they didn't have any plans for local service in our area. Did the engineer mention if the local feed would be HD??

He didnt, I would think it will be standard.
If you go to directvs local recieve facility page it has Greenville NC listed and WNCTs address as that site. Vicki Storm WNCT Gen Mgr has also emailed me this info about DTV.

Thanks for all the information to my original post.

I went out today and got myself a Samsung SIR T351 from Circuit City to start receiving digital signals; I don't have an HDTV, but I'm cool with that for now! LOL

My reception, thus far, has been pretty good. I receive with a RCA Indoor Amplified Antenna (rabbit ears):

WRAL 5.1 and 5.2
WITN 7.1
WNCT 10.1
WTVD 11.1, 11.2, and 11.3
WNCN 17.1 and 17.2
PBS 25.1, 25.2, 25.3, 25.4, and 25.5
WRAZ 50.1, 50.2, and 50.3

Try as I might, I've been unable to receive WCTI 48.1 and 48.2, WRDC, WLFL, and some assorted others. However, I'm stoked by the experience so far. I never expected to get reception this good with plain old rabbit ears. What's up with WCTI though? Whether analog or digital, their signal ain't hitting on much. I'm glad I mentioned that when I held the Nielsen diary back in February. For all the good that did! LOL

Funny thing is, the guy in Circuit City sold me this god awful looking Terk antenna (again, rabbit ears) specially designed to receive hdtv signals. Just have to say, that thing is a piece of junk... Glad it's got a 30 day return policy, cause it's going back to the store pronto! What a waste of money and metal! LOL

You guys have been really helpful with all the info! Here's hoping the price of the receivers continues to drop and more content comes available! Thanx!

Ive picked up 2 samsungs at best buy for $89, had to take one back it was making noises. 48 WCTI is in the south west range where WNCT WITN and WRAL is west. I had to add a 2nd uhf antenna to recieve the southern stations.

Saturday afternoon, Is anyone else not recieving a signal from PBS 19 1-5
from Jacksonville?

WNCT 9 has not been showing HD since Saturday, emailed the stations engineer and he said that the weekend the person on duty didnt switch over to hd, also told him that the sound was very bad, well the HD signal is still not being sent today, so I guess the person throwing the switch must be on vacation.

Got a email back from V. Storm GM at ch 9 , she said jer signal was fine last night, I told her WRAL was airing the HD CBS signal, WNCT was airing 4x3 signal. Well today The young and the restless aired in 16x9 HD finally.

Originally posted by jamielee
Got a email back from V. Storm GM at ch 9 , she said jer signal was fine last night, I told her WRAL was airing the HD CBS signal, WNCT was airing 4x3 signal. Well today The young and the restless aired in 16x9 HD finally.


I haven't seen HD in about a week or more. I thought it might be Cox cable. I don't have HD tonight on WNCT or WCTI.

WNCT is airing SD right now, 10:20p

I'm glad to see that as of tonight, 6/15, WNCT seems to be broadcasting HDTV again. For the past 2 days, that I've flipped over to them, they've had the 4:3 format on everything. Couldn't even watch the local news last night cause there was no sound until David Letterman was on. They sure seem to be having major problems in their production department. Hmmm...

Does anyone else have frequent dropouts on WCTI 48.1 and 48.2? I know I just have an amplified indoor antenna, but their signal seems go intermittant all the time.

It's pretty bad, or good at least in my case, that I can receive WRAL, WRAZ, WTVD, and WNCN with no problems whatsoever. I really don't get how their signals travel so well compared to the stations in this area. Likewise, the audio from "our" locals is terrible especially when they go over to the local side. I wish more of their engineers and folks were checking out these message boards like in Norfolk and RDU threads.

Overall, i'm still stoked to be getting the digital signals, but I'm ready for some local news and/or weather channels as well. And more stability with the local signals as well. Looking forward to seeing how the local Fox turns out when they come on air.

Thursday night they once again aired 4x3, im getting sick of it. Ive emailed the engineer and not getting any response. its getting old.

Originally posted by jamielee
Thursday night they once again aired 4x3, im getting sick of it. Ive emailed the engineer and not getting any response. its getting old.

I think it would be a good idea to send Ms Storm, the general manager, an email and copy the engineer when this happens. Each one of us this board should send an email. If only one person is sending it then I don't think they really care.

The last response I got back was the control board operator forgot(??) to switch over to digital.

I also made the suggestion that the engineer join this thread and let us know if they were having a problem or could get some feedback from us on how to eliminate this problem. Maybe they could give us a number or email so that we could remind them to switch over to HD.;)

I was kind of ******, but I was fed up with the problem too! The reply precedes the original letter to Ms. Storm...


Mr. (name ommitted)

I apologize for the inconvenience this causes for you and your family. I too have a HDTV and it frustrates me as well. I can tell you we have been experiencing some degree of problems with our equipment assigned to "throw the switch" automatically and for whatever reason it is not doing it regularly. It is not a "bother" to have the MCO switch to High Def, it is just that with the other things they are responsible for they do not always see it right away and sometimes not until someone calls. The numerous late afternoon and late night thunderstorms have also caused us problems, particularly with audio. We are working to get all of these "bugs" worked out of the system but as with anything new, it will take some time. I would ask that you continue to let us know when you experience problems and we promise to continue to eliminate the problems as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to move Eastern North Carolina into a new era of technology!

Sincerely,
Vickie Storm, VP/GM

-----Original Message-----
From: (name ommitted)
Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2004 11:31 PM
To: Storm, Vickie E.
Subject: HDTV Signal


Ms Storm,



Can someone at WNCT be bothered to throw the switch so your station broadcasts an HDTV signal. This happens day after day that the signal does not go out 16:9; it is currently broadcasting at 4:3. This is very frustrating for the viewer. Likewise, Monday night, I could not watch Eyewitness News 9 because there was no audio on your station until the Late Show with David Letterman came on. Thank you for any assistance you can render in resolving this issue.



Cordially,



G. Crocker

Well its Monday night and WNCT DT has started the week out with no HD, the 4x3 sd. When will WNCT get this fixed? I agree about everyone getting together and email the station. Im going to send one tonight.

Directv issued a press release on this markets local channel service. Says later this year it will launch service from the canadian orbital slot 72.5. Will require a 2nd 18" dish at no charge.

Anyone else noticed the local portion on WNCT, it has only being having left channel audio.

Anyone loose WNCT DT tonight???

Keep on doing it jamielee. You'll start picking up some other folks soon.

I keep an I on your thread because my brother-in-law lives down in Havelock. I need to get him into OTA reception.

I wish some other folks would start to pick up on this. It must because this market is small vs a NY or LA area.

Originally posted by jamielee
I wish some other folks would start to pick up on this. It must because this market is small vs a NY or LA area.

I'm having a problem receiving WNCT'S digital signal. I talk with an engineer today, Michael Woolard, and he told me they were not having any problems. Anyone else having a problem receiving their signal?

Im glad Im not the only one. Ive been told by the engineers the same thing. Out for 3 days.

No signal from WNCT here in Winterville also. This is pathetic that this station can't get it's s*** together...

Just sent an e-mail to the chief engineer of WNCT and carbon copied to Vickie Storm to see if we get any response. Outlined that engineering is saying there is no problem. Maybe something will happen here. I'm truly getting tired of WNCT dropping the ball on this front all the time.

I mostly watch WRAL anyway, but in certain cases I have no choice. This is one of those cases.

Btw, anybody have any idea when Fox 8/14 comes on air? Likewise, I'm curious if anybody knows if WLFL/WRDC in Raleigh will go full power cause I only pick up their signals intermittantly.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Was on Sept 1 now been changed to December 1
Go to www.titantv.com
great HDTV site


Ive emailed Vicki Storm with no reply for 2 days, no reply yesterday from the engineer either.

One thing came out of this, Ire did my wiring on my antennas, I have a VHF/UHF 3020 towards Raleigh, Greenville and a UHF ant towards New Bern JAX, last night I was picking up CBS 5 from Charleston SC, only can get late at night , but HD quality was great
Also go WWAY and WPDE from Willmington Myrtle Beach

Its bad when you can get stations over 100 miles away and can not even get one from 25 miles.

Got a email back for V Storm this morning.

As Bertie told you we cannot see any problems with the signal but after recieving your email and a couple of others we are looking into the possible problems. We cant see any problem at our station monitoring system or at the actual transmitter but there must be some problem as you are not the only one who cannot receive the signal. At my home in Kinston, I can get the signal but there is a lot of fallout for a few seconds, then it will be fine, then fall out again. We dont know why but we ARE working on it! Hopefully the problem will be identified and corrected very soon.
Thank you for letting us Know!
Vickie Storm-Jones, VP/GM

Well as of right now im getting my signal on 9-1, maybe its fixed, or could be the rain, last night when the rain started the signal was starting to come in and out, then when the rain stopped in went away. Ill have to check it later.
May be the rain washed the bird Sh*t off the transmitter.

Checked signal on WNCT 9.1 and is still working at 4:20pm, maybe it has been corrected.

Here in Winterville, during the 6 o'clock news, I was able to receive the signal. This is the first chance I've had to reply all day. Also, was able to catch Y&R at 12:30 and the noon news. Haven't been able to check as of right now; currently watching satellite.

One thing is for sure, the more people that e-mail or complain in person, the more they are starting to investigate issues. We should definately continue the "campaign."

I agree maybe we can keep this thread going strong.

In Greenville can you recieve Raliegh channels ota?
I get them around 6p till 9a then loose the signal.
I also get some stations from Willmington and Mrytle Beach and Greensboro some times.
Wednesday night I picked up WCSC DT5 from Charlston SC. And 2 nights Ive recieved a channel from Columbia. I have a preamp on my 100 mile antenna.
Igenerally only get this market and RDU.

I am in SW Greenville in a duplex subdivision out behind PCC. I went out and got my receiver a few months ago and have been very pleased for the most part. It's a basic Samsung 351, I think, and does the job that I want it to. Currently, I have Dish Satellite with the East/West Coast feeds and Superstation package so I don't really have a need for OTA or HDTV. I don't have an HDTV just yet, but I wanted the locals and especially WRAL since they have long been on the HDTV bandwagon.

I only use a amplified RCA indoor tv antenna and I receive WRAL, WRAZ, WTVD, WNCN full time. Likewise, I receive WITN, WCTI and their UPN subchannel, and (sometimes) WNCT as well as WUNM? (Greenville PBS). *LOL* J/K, I receive WNCT more often than not, but when their signal goes out or strange, it takes forever for them to get it fixed. But enough of that...

I also receive WLFL less often than more especially lately. Originally, I could receive it from 6 p.m. onward. I just recently picked up WRDC for the first time, but haven't been able to lock it in. I also receive WRAY (home shopping or something) from Wilson. Occasionally, I'll get WUNC from Chapel Hill. Once, I received WWAY from Wilmington.

I really would like to get an outdoor antenna or at least mount it in the attic to see if I can do more, but right now, I'm cash poor so still working on that. *LOL*

I'd really like to see our locals do more in the way of digital subchannels and from what I understand, WNCT has been tossing that ball around. It'll be interesting to see, around here, who jumps on that bandwagon and tries to follow WRAL. You know, NBC recently made an announcement that they are trying to launch digital weather stations on all their affiliates. I'm not sure if WITN or Gray Broadcasting is taking part in this. I'd love to see WCTI do it anyway. They've got the best maps (weather wise) anyway! *LOL* I'm curious to see when WFXI/WYDO comes online. And they need to eighty six that crappy news desk too. Ah, what am I talking about, I watch WRAZ anyway.

Back to my dish issue, which is a totally different subject, eventually my East/West is going to end. And I don't want to pay for the locals on satellite when I can get them for free ota.

Feel free to drop a line sometime, I'd love to see this thread take off in a big way!

Speaking of WNCT. ITS OFF AGAIN.
Just flipping thru the channels and got to WNCT. Makes me mad.

I have a Samsung ota HD reciever with a 32" samsung flat screen 1080i HDTV. waiting for the HD DTV tivos to come down from $999.

Walmart has a 27" HDTV with tuner built in for about $750, cant believe how the HD prices are dropping.

Well Saturday around 10am NO SIGNAL!!!

Yeah, that is the tv I have been keeping my eye on. I work at Wally World so I'm looking for my employee discount to help me out especially at Christmas when I get an additional 10% off. I'm hoping by then it drops to at least $500 so I can get it for $400 or so. I want an HDTV! *LOL*

11:30 and here in Winterville, there is no signal from WNCT.

Checked the signal at 4:45pm its on.

I checked around 4:15 and it was on, but then went down again around 4:30. Whatever the problem is it's not isolated to just a few viewers. Anyone who get's ota HDTV or DTV from that station is having the problem. I actually helped an older gentleman today with the purchase of an antenna and didn't think to mention the current problem with WNCT to him. I hope he doesn't get home with that antenna and think there is a problem with it because the problem is definitely with WNCT.

Spoke with Mike Weeks ch 7 GM today, asked me about the signal problems, he said he didnt know what the problem was but he would get his chief eng to talk with Bertie Cartwright engr at WNCT to find out what was going on.

Well so far we've made it thru 1 day with a signal. Even getting a HD 16x9 picture tonight.

Maybe theyve found the problem.

Got an e-mail from WNCT's Bertie Cartwright saying a piece of equipment was replaced and that should be the resolution to the problem. Hope it works out and we can get some good signal for a change. No probs here.

Yea got the same email, you beat me to the post.

Well, after this recent issue with WNCT, and this is not a bash Channel 9 thread today, I had a similar run in with another station today. Today, I woke up or realized that WRAL and WRAZ were both down. Funny thing was, I was getting full signal but no audio/video. After fiddling around for a bit, I sent an e-mail to WRAL regarding the "outtage." Turns out, earlier in the day, a construction crew had cut their fiber cable and measures were in place to get the signal in place by the evening. The earliest I had a chance to check was 6:45, but the signal was back. I guess the moral of the story is that within an hour of getting in touch with WRAL, I received an e-mail from WRAL acknowledging there was problem. This was/is because one of WRAL engineers chats in the RDU thread and takes call in's/e-mail seriously. I was totally impressed with their "customer service" skills if you will. BTW, has anyone had a chance to check out WTVD 11.2. It's now running ABC News Now, a digital cable news network. Is this permenant? Or is it just for the convention?

Its not a cable net its off ABC.com.

Anybody in the Washington or Greenville area recieve PAX DT 35 out of Jacksonville?

I used to have Voom with my own OTA antenna and received 7,9,12,19 and 35.
I do not think that Pax was Digital then.

I am waiting on an update kit for my Digital Receiver. I was doing an autoscan and it got to channel 48 and found 9 channels but froze up.

I can only guess which nine. I think it is the following.

WNCT WITN WCTI WECT WWAY WPXU WUNJ WNCN WRAL

I live in Pender County, near Wallace.

heres a great site

www.checkhd.com

Local DBS service now available on Dishnetwork-
WITN
WNCT
UNC
WFXI
WCTI not available

Great night for pick up DT from long range last night,
got WTOC from Savananh GA, NO LIE!!! Spotty
Also got Charleston SC locals and Willimingtons.

Originally posted by jamielee
Local DBS service now available on Dishnetwork-
WITN
WNCT
UNC
WFXI
WCTI not available

I just ordered the DishNetwork. Though I do think it strange that I am in the Greenville/New Bern/Washington market. I am nearly 80 miles from there and only 36 from Wilmington.

I talked with sales and they thought it also strange that WCTI was not on it yet. She said they were continuing to add stations.

The GM at WCTI said the attourneys for both are still tring to get a agreement made. I read on another site that its over the digital sub channel 48-2 UPN.
Its strange because WCTI is the host site for the local recieve station for the Dish Network locals.

Ill be glad when Directv finally adds the locals. Also told that they will offer PAX WEPX 38.
I assume Directv is still waiting FCC approval to move a sat to the 72.5 canadian dbs slot. Thats where WS GRV NBR locals will be for DTV.

I assume you know that the locals on DISH for us requires a Super Dish for the 105 location.

You beat me to the punch... I suspected that the carriage agreement with WCTI was contingent upon UPN 48. From what I understand, Dish isn't serving up the digital subchannels just yet. And from Dish's perspective, they are going to say, look we offer a superstation package. It's not like anything on UPN 48 is relevant locally. They only offer a rebroadcast of the 6 o'clock news with a live weather cut in at 10. I think, personally, that is lame. If you're going to do news at 10- do it. Don't go the cheap route. I think it's that mentality that's lead WCTI's, news wise anyway, ratings into the gutter.

Anyway, I won't be picking up the local channels on Dish. I have East/West feeds on Dish that cover my big 4 nets. Of course, there's always a chance I'll loose those eventually, but for now, I'm all set. Plus, with the HD receiver, I'm not going to worry about paying for them on the Dish.

The upn will be good for directv because they dont have UPN

Anyone notice the real low audio when WNCT is airing local programs.
You have to turn the volume up double to hear it.
Also is you're watching WNCT at 10-11pm when the last CBS show is going off, every night like clock work about 30 secs before the news starts you'll hear the sound volume drop, its like someone is flipping a switch. It usually does it during the credits of the 10pm show.

Anyone heard a update on FOX DT? Last I saw was Dec. 1st
Also on www.unctv.org
they have a great video on Digital tv, tells all about it, has WRAL and other stations in it.Click on WATCH AND LISTEN WEBCAST-then UNCTV and DTV. Then hit DTV a users guide.

WNCT, definitely has a volume problem when they switch back to local. A few months back it was the oposite. The volume would blow you out of the room. I'm going to email Mr. Cartwright and see what happens.

post response

I've noticed that audio problem with WNCT also... Anybody experiencing a problem with WITN and WNCT tonight? Has something happened to the transmitter? I'm getting black screen and signal from 7, but no signal at all from 9. Anybody seeing anything similar?

Just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Ken Hughes I'm the Chief Engineer at WCTI. I have been following the fourms here for several years. I try to check this thread most every day for any problems. I have just purchased a HDTV and the HD Tivo. So now I can keep a better eye on our HD signal and fix problems as I see them.

Ken

Ken, are you handling the engineering of the UPN signal as well? Are both of these at full power now?

Welcome Ken... It's nice to know that an engineer for one of our local stations is taking the proactive route and following this forum for any signal problems or issues. As you are probably already aware from following this thread, we've had some issues with some of the stations taking our concerns seriously. It's nice to know you are here keeping an eye out for 12. I live in SW Greenville and sometimes have a problem receiving the 12/48 signal. However, I think I've found that sweet spot in my home and now receive your station's signal more often than not. Thanx for your hard work and welcome again!

Upn is broadcast with the same transmitter that does wcti digital. Yes we are at full power. I can't really speak for the other stations. I know the engineers at the other stations do everything in there power to make sure everything is working properly. There is a lot of new equipment that we have to learn and I have an advantage in that we have been up on our digital since Dec of 1999 So I 've got most of the bugs worked out. Our analog is still where local stations make there money and if a problem occurs I have instructed my operators and techs to get analog back up first and then worry about the digital. (We have to make money so I can get the new equipment)

Ken

I have noticed today and last night there has been some breakup on digital. At my house it effected all stations. I believe that it is caused by ducting and in the case of 48 we are getting interference from the analog 48 in Winston Salem

Ken

Ken, how come WCTI DT does not list the station name on the program description. I know on some of the Directv OTA HD recievers it does becasue they pull channel information in from the DTV system, But I have a HDTV OTA recvr and only thing that shows is 48-1 or 48-2
all other stations show
7-1 WITN DT
9-1 WNCT DT
so on.
Also any chance of titles be added, ch 9 did at one time, WRAL does offer titles and UNC.

And finally any chance of ABC NOW coming to 48-3?

The reason our ID is not showing we are not transmitting Psip data yet. That will change in the near future I hope as well as adding Dolby 5.1 audio.
As far as ABC now I am already doing 2 stations WCTI and UPN to add another would reduce the quality of the others but as compression technology keeps getting better that could change.

Ken

Directv subs-
FCC approved DTV to move a sat to the canadian 72.5 orbital slot, The Wash Greenville New Bern market will be one of the 24 new markets going up on this sat, will be available by end of Sept early Oct.
We will need a 2nd dish to recieve the 72.5 sat. A 18 inch dish will be furnished and installed free of charge.

The program info for the HD channel seems to be mirroring the SD channel on all the sources I can find. The HD programming is very different than the SD for the Olympics. I have a HD DVR through Cox, so this is rather annoying, trying to get the programs recorded without having them in the PG.

Go to www.nbcolympics.com
this gives a schedule for all the NBC nets even NBC HD. Today is a loop of the opening ceremonies.
Are you in the Washington Greenville Cox area, they have HD DVRs out now.

Yes, I have the HD DVR. My problem is that the only way to get the programs recorded would be to setup manual recordings. None of the program guide information is correct on the digital channel. With a DVR, there are numerous reasons the PG info being correct is vitally important.

Without the information in the PG being correct, it will take 3-4 times as long to setup the recording of each segment on the HD channel. This is a bit much after the already overly delayed HD transmission of the segments.

Originally posted by jamielee
Local DBS service now available on Dishnetwork-
WITN
WNCT
UNC
WFXI
WCTI not available

Will these all be SD on Dish and DirecTV?

YES, I read that DTV will carry Pax as well.

I talked with Ed Schmidt today at our local FOX affiliate and asked him about getting a waiver for Directv's HD FOX feed when it comes aniline. The time frame according to what I have read is the end of the year before they will be doing digital signals and that is if it stays on schedule. They have been given several extensions.

His response was: "we will not give out any waivers for the HD feed". I think this shows that HD is not priority for this local affiliate. He told me they were already on Directv(which is not the case, they are on DISH). I explained to him that the locals signal was not HD.

I would like to get some idea's on how we could maybe get WFXI's attention a little more on getting the HD ball rolling. After talking with Mr. Schmidt my guess is that we might even see another extension.

2Scoops

I emailed Ch 7 and 9 gen mgrs today and asked if they were going to do amy multicasting and they both said plans were in the works. Ch 9 said no time table as of yet but probally in 2005 and 7 says soon.

Ken12
I see that Dish Network has now added WCTI ABC. I do not see UPN 48. I thought this was going up as well.
Directv is launching locals here next month. Do you know if WCTI 12 and UPN 48 will be on Directv?

We will be on directv also hoping it will be on by the end of OCT. I haven't seen the contracts yet but was told that UPN will be on both systems also may take dish a little while to turn it on.

Ken

UPN should be on dish now I have no way to confirm it. Any dish users getting it?

Ken

No way here to confirm because I have Directv, but still not listed on Dishs web site.

I'm in Ayden and hate that I can't pull in WCTI. Has anyone had luck using an indoor antenna to pull in that station from the Greenville area? Right now, I've tried a Terk HDTVi and a Terk TV55. My opinion of the Terks is quite low, but I got them at a steal. I am able to pick up WITN and WNCT perfectly; WUNK comes in 50% of the time. WCTI from here looks to be only six degrees off of the direction of the WNCT and WITN shared tower.

Any suggestions?

Greenville is a bit far for reliable indoor reception for WCTI. In my testing of indoor antennas the turks were the worst preformers. I used the radio shack double bow tie it gave me better signal strength than the 2 indoor terks I tried and it was better than the dish mounted terk. And the radio shack are way cheaper. I 've heard of people using the radioshack in the attic and it worked pretty good. I personally like the chanell master uhf antennas.

Ken

Ken

agregjones,

i've had pretty good luck pulling wcti 12 and upn 48 ota with an indoor rca 45 db amplified antenna. I bought it from Wal Mart last year and, as I work there, I have noticed we still have plenty in stock. They run about 20 bucks. Likewise, I pull 7, 9, 5, 11, 17, 25, 30, 50, and occasionally 22. I won't lie to you, reception of 12 and 48 is precarious. I have only found one spot in the house that works for me. That is on the floor in front of a window facing southeast. I'm not sure what the deal is with 12's reception pattern. When I held the Nielsen diary back in February, I made notation of 12's lousy analog reception here near Frog Level. Not too many months ago, they mentioned on the air during the news that they were adjusting analog signal to improve reception up here. To date, it has made no difference in my household. I really wish 12 would either boost their signal or reorient it to give better signal to the northern counties, but I suppose that would interfere with the signal from the affiliate in the triad. Just supposition on my part though. Anyways, maybe Ken12 can give you better guidance than me on this issue.

Regarding the local affiliates on Dish, I can't tell as I have distant nets from NY and LA. According to Dish website, UPN 48 is not a carried affiliate for this market.

agregjones,

Although, I was talking a lot about analog signal, I receive the digital OTA signals from 12/48 and the other channels I mentioned. Just wanted to clarify just in case my post was misleading.

Periodically I do do make adjustments of our signal usually late night as I have to go off the air to do it. But I have always transmitted 100% power and my adjustments do not have to do with reception issues but with PQ issues. It has been my experience with indoor antennas that you can get a good picture sometimes but unless the transmitter is very close the picture will be unreliable on analog that will cause ghosting or a noisy pic. but on digital that can cause no picture.

Ken

Ken12,

Thanx for the clarification... I always wondered about strength of signal as compared to signal orientation. Glad to know how that actually works. I'm sure if I had an outdoor antenna, I would get better signal quality (analog wise). Now that I have the digital receiver though, I'm pretty much done with analog. The only time I really have any breakup of 12/48 signal is usually very late at night; usually around 2-4 in the morning. Otherwise, I have a solid picture unless my indoor gets knocked around somehow.

Anyone confirmed UPN 48 on Dishnetwork yet?

Anyone else picking up 7.2? It's coming up on my stb as WITN Radar SD. Right now, they are simulcasting regular programming from WITN 7 analog. I guess the radar will come online later. Or does anybody know if they're going to do an additional subchannel?

I'm picking up WITN's SD Feed on subchannel 7-2. I've not had a tuner for too long, but have never seen this. It is obviously not very bandwidth-heavy, not to compete with the high-bandwidth Olympic feed on the main channel. I applaud them for this decision not to draw too much off of the Olympic HD coverage and still provide a way for those of use with digital tuners a chance to see the primetime programming.

Normally, I'm not that big a fan of subchannels, since they degrade the picture quality of the signals. The exception would be the current situation with NBC (24 hours of HD coverage separate from the primetime lineup, local coverage). Another good example was the coverage of the NCAA basketball tournament on subchannels to show all games concurrently.

In the case of WCTI and the UPN subchannel, I would bet that the UPN subchannel is not getting nearly as much bandwidth as the main one.

I agree with you on the use of bandwith to create subchannels. As long as the broadcaster doesn't steal too much from the main HD channel, I feel they are alright. I think WRAL and Capitol Broadcasting has done a pretty good job with both CBS 5 and FOX 50. When I look at their subchannels, they still look better than regular analog and the HD channels are fantastic and very little pixelation. I hope our local broadcasters can find that happen medium as well. I do like the idea of being able to catch the news when it's convienent for me since I'm not always at home during "regular" news broadcasting times. That's why I'd like to see our locals give us a news/weather subchannel. I'm hoping that's the route WITN is going with. I agree with you about UPN 48. The picture is pretty good for a subchannel, but not the cleanest picture I've ever seen.

BTW Greg,

Did you have any luck receiving WCTI DT 12/48 with an indoor antenna? Or are you going the other route with an outdoor antenna. I know just the other day you mentioned not having very good reception. Now, you mentioned the pic on UPN 48. Does this mean you're getting the signal now?

I can get the analog signal of WCTI fairly well, but get no pic on the digital signal. My receiver sometimes locks onto the signal when searching but never gives a picture for it. Right now, I am using (alternatively) a Terk HDTVi and an RCA 48db amplified indoor antenna. Both get phenomenal signals for WITN and WNCT but nothing else digital. Most of the area analog signals are picked up fairly well but I am hoping to stay with all digital signals.

My next trial was going to be with a Radio Shack 15-2160 or VU-75 XR. I would rather attic mount them but will put up a mast if I have to. I even toyed with the idea of two 15-2160's (with identical cable runs, I know); one pointed at Raleigh and one pointed to New Bern (which from here is the six degrees off the WITN and WNCT tower).

Good luck man. I myself want to get an antenna to mount in my attic with an amplifier. I know I'll never get as good a reception as if it was roof mounted but I've been pretty impressed with what I've gotten with my indoor antenna, so I think an attic install is the way to go for me. See what else if anything I can pull. I'm really crossing my fingers for 22 and 28 out of rdu and maybe some stuff from Wilmington and Norfolk. I've already gotten WWAY out of Wilmington with my indoor antenna, so with an attic mount, I don't think it's too far out of the realm of possibilities.

FYI for everyone:

This came from NBC17ENG on the RDU thread-

NBC lost their HD feed from the truck in Athens shortly after 5:00 PM tjhis afternoon. We switched to our News until they can get the signal back up. Presently New York is uplinking some SD filler, but they are dead in the water with HD for a little while. It will be interesting to see how many spare parts they took over there.
We'll punch up the HD feed as soon as it becomes available.

This is unrelated to WITN beginning their multicasting. Just so everyone knows.

I just spoke to Mike Weeks last week GM of WITN about doing a sub channel like a radar or SD of WITN, he said it was coming . Also emailed WNCT and they said sub channel planned some time in 2005

Jamielee,

I remember reading your post about talking to the folks at 7 and 9 about multicasting. That's why I got such a kick today when 7.2 came on the air. I was trying like hell to get on here and post about it. It's wild that they did it so soon after you talked to them. That was the first time I've seen a channel come on the air. The main HD channel was breaking up as they were pulling bandwith to create the new channel. I guess this is how it works anyway. At first the picture was real distorted like Realplayer used to be when internet was only 28.8 or 33.6, but over about 20 minutes it became a clear picture and the audio was added. At first they simulcasted the analog feed of Maury and 7 news at 5, 5:30, and 6. Then about 15 minutes in to the 6 o'clock news, it went to the radar. It was really interesting to watch it happen.

Whatever you're saying when you're talking to these folks, keep it up. You are definitely getting some results!

Yea Mike comes into where I work and I started talking to him one day about HD and told him I had it and we talked for about 15 mins, now when he comes in we talk and email. Hes a real good guy, very interesting to talk to.

I emailed him tonight to thank him about the new channel, also asked was this a 24/7 radar or would some news or other shows air.

let you know.


Seems like our little thread is starting to grow a little.

Yeah, the thread here is starting to grow it seems.

I'm glad you asked whether this new subchannel will be only the radar or a combo news/weather channel. If you remember one of my early posts, NBC at the NAB convention this year announced plans for all of it's affiliates to have local weather channels. I wonder if what we're seeing now is the preliminary stages of what is to come.

I know Phillip Williams over at WNCT and have mentioned to him the idea of subchannels. This was at least a couple of months ago. He said, as you've confirmed, that they've been tossing that ball around. At that time, there were no firm plans for anything.

My understanding of Media General, which owns 9, is that they are kind of tight on the purse strings. So, I'm not surprised that it won't be until 2005 or later that they begin the multicasting. But then again, who knows?

I sure didn't expect WITN to pop up a new channel today around 4:30! *lol*

I asked mike about the NBC weather ch he said NBC wanted a high amount of money for this and it was something they could do there self.

Got a email from Mike about Ch 7.2

Glad you liked it. We put it on to make sure we had the technical know how. Will take it down later today as our permanent method of putting 24/7 on the air will go through a different technical method. Now that we can do it we will do more.

We are looking at adding a 24/7 channel. Hope to do so by the 1st of the year... local weather channel on HD as well as cable. SSHHHHH, dont tell my competitors.
Mike D. Weeks

_________________________________________________________

So look for 7.2 to go off later today.

Jamielee,

You get all the inside info... COOL! If I'm reading this right, I would assume the radar channel will be taken down until the first of the year when they add their 24/7 channel? Or am I misreading this? Or are they taking down 7.2 to build it into a full fledged weather channel like WRAL 5.2? I wonder how long that will take and when 7.2 will be back online? Interesting information though...

Im thinking 7.2 was a test and some sort of news/wx channel will come in January.

I wonder when WNCT DT will fix the very low audio on the local portions of Ch 9.1?

I hope WNCT does something soon to fix their local audio portion. It's god awful! I can't change the channels without getting blown out of the room by the other dt stations on my stb. I have to increase the volume on 9 just to hear the local portions, then get blown out of the room when they go back to network.

Likewise, the video content on their local side seems very murky. Is this just me or do other people see it as well. WCTI and WITN do not look this way on my system.

Is Dec 1st the projected date for our local Fox to come online or has that changed as well?

Last I heard still Dec 1st.
Also when WNCT news is on is the picture kinda ghosty. When looking at the anchor look to the right side of the screen beside there head.

Jamielee,

We seem to be pretty good at disecting these stations and their subchannels, etc. I guess that's pretty good for a laugh if nothing else. *lol*

I'm kinda curious now to have Ken12 pop in here with commentary on WITN's radar... I wish they would just leave it up until they're ready to bring the 24/7 online. I mean, I know it's just a radar, but something like that can't consume all that much bandwith. I mean, the WITN main HD channel still looks fantastic even yesterday when they were simulcasting the analog feed. I suppose it's a matter of economics, etc.

Back to Ken12 though, I wonder if there is any possible way for him to siphon off a tiny amount of bandwith to give a Skytrak 12 radar. I mean, especially since WITN is going to drop their's later today. I know he's concerned about compression and messing up the HD channel or the SD UPN, but I'd love to see WCTI experiment with it as well.

Since WNCT seems to pay very little attention to the forum and HD inroads, at least as far as we know, I'd like to see the other locals play around with the idea. Honestly, I've never given WITN very much credit as a serious tech competitor around Eastern NC, but they are definitely in the midst of making a run at pushing forward with HD and multicasting. Since WCTI was on the air first around here with digital, I wonder if they're paying attention to 7.2 coming online- if only for one day. Likewise, I've e-mailed Skip a couple of times about getting a local Weatherbug for branded by WCTI for our area. And boom, WITN beats them to the punch there with WITN First Alert for computer users.

To be honest, I'm a tv junkie for sure, I like seeing the locals here expanding their reach and giving their viewers more. I remember Ken12 saying recently that analog is where they make their money and that couldn't be more true, but I definitely think HD is catching on in this area. The time is now to move ahead.

Btw, Ken12, if you do pop into this conversation, are you guys being affected much by the transfer of ownership of WCTI. I remember reading not too long ago that another station group was looking at purchasing WCTI. Is that tying your hands at exploring other options for multicasting? Is there any possibility you might spin off UPN 48 into their own frequency assignment and WCTI will stand alone. This might give you the opportunity to do some of that multicasting that you've maybe been considering. I'm sure there is plenty of red tape and money issues that go along with something like this, but as a viewer, I'm actively interested in this subject. Obviously, since I post as frequently as possible. And so do others... Hit us up and give us the skinny on anything you can.

One final question for anyone who might be exploring our forum, any word on the greenville pax coming online. Jamielee, you've let us know that Fox won't be until Dec 1st barring anything unforseen. Have you heard anything about Pax? Likewise, what's up with our local WB? I know it's a cable only system presently. Any chance they might broadcast OTA?

Btw, these are just some musings... I don't expect you to be like NOVA and have all the answers! *LOL*

Pax is probally going to be digital 2007 do not even have a ch assigment yet. Back to multicasting, WTVD11 and WRAZ50 have 1Hd and 2SD running HD channels look great and 1ST SD is not bad , 2SD is compressed a bit but for a rad channel or news its okay!!!
KEN12 think about this, Add a 3rd ch, you could air Skip all day, give a expanded Friday night Football show. Even add ABC NOW

Just checked the FCC site PAX out of Greenville has a petition for a digital slot in, Ch 51. I guess next thing is a construction permit then digital programming. Still a few years away.

FCC link
www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/audio/tvq.html
you can then type in a call sign (WITN) etc and see info on it, also has area maps, shows you where the transmitters are.
Once you type in the station letters hit enter , youll see the name of the station in purple on the left. it will show station type TV DT or others, the the channel #s, STATUS Licensed or construction etc.
click on the purple station id call sign, it will bring up all the info on the station and towers and show the maps.

Jamielee,

Thanx for that link to the FCC database... I found it once before and haven't been able to find it since. I guess I should have saved it as a favorite.

Isn't that odd about Pax for Greenville though when the Jacksonville station is already up and running? I can't pick it up, but considering both stations are affiliates for Pax, you'd think they'd have their stations up and running at the same time. Weird.

I second your motion for Ken12 to give us one more with news, sports, and weather rotation. Run ABC News Now with weather and/or sports cut ins. Local news updates at the top and bottom of the hour. Just an idea anyway... *LOL* Or just give us a radar with weather, sports, news cut ins. I'll anchor it; I live right down from the Greenville studio! *LOL*

I have experimented with adding a third channel (weather and news) and it can be done but not without giving up quality on UPN which I don't want to do and we will not reduce the quality of the HD. That being said the compression technology is getting better all the time and a new option called Statmux which dynamically alocates bandwidth based on content may make that possible.

The ownership transfer is complete here. I don't think there will be much of a change at all. There has been no change in management.

Buying equipment for HD is a little slow for us the stuff is still quite expensive. Just to get on the air with digital was over 2 million. That didn't even count the upgrade to HD. We are still havening to maintain all the analog equipment and replace it as needed. When I buy new I try to make sure it has some type of upgrade path to digital. But I will continue to push for new and better equipment to move us into the future.

What everybody needs to do is promote the hell out of HD. I think that when somebody watches a program or 2 in HD the will never want to go back to sd. I think just seeing it in stores is not enough. I've only had my set a couple of weeks and wouldn't even think of buying an HD set until I could get a HD TIVO. Now that I have it I'll never go back.

Ken

Ken,

As you can see we have been very busy over the past couple of days discussing the in's and out's of all of this. However, it's nice to get your perspective as you are actually in the trenches doing it every day. I had no idea the transfer of ownership was complete there at WCTI. Likewise, you blew my mind quoting the figure it took to get on the air digitally. I can definitely understand the money constraints. I had read that is why most stations are not producing their local news in hd yet as the equipment prices are off the chart.

It's cool to know that you've at least been experimenting with adding a second subchannel. I hope the Statmux can do what you and other broadcasters are looking to do. I know you mentioned that you know other engineers here in this market, but how about RDU. Is it your opinion that they are already using Statmux and that is why they are able to allocate the bandwith for 3 channels? Could this be why the UNC Network is able to split into 5 channels? I realize their first subchannel is turned off during the day for the other 4 and the other 3 are turned off at night for the second HD channel. I always thought that PBS operated either in or near the red; that's why they always have the pledge drives. How do you think they're doing it?

I agree with you that everybody needs to promote HD. I think major retailers such as Wal Mart are finally getting out there and selling it. I think this will allow the average consumer the opportunity to purchase either a stb or hdtv.

For my part, I don't have an hdtv; I'm using a regular analog tv. I love the HDTV set top box. The only drawback is not being able to see a full picture unless the show is produced in HDTV or unless I'm watching an SD channel. I think this might inhibit some folks from making the leap to HDTV. For instance, my roomate really dislikes watching the little square box when it's in letterbox format or the pillar box when the program isn't hd. I think this may be a turn off for some people. For my part, it doesn't really bother me as the picture is still vastly superior to analog or even my dishnetwork satellite. I thought Dish was the bomb when I got it back in 97, but now that I'm watching super sdtv, I'm hooked. *lol*

Ken when will Psip be on WCTI, 12 does not even have the station call letters up?

How far out in the future before WCTI will be all HD like WRAL 5 is. They air everything local in 16x9 HD?

I don't see us producing our news in HD for quite a few years to come.

I do not know the engineers up in Raleigh although I'm quite jealous of their budget.

I have found I can reduce the bandwidth on UPN by a meg or 2 and the picture still looks good on most programing but sports looks pretty ******.

pbs I think does 4 or 5 sd signals at one time on their digital and when they go HD they shut all the others down but 1. I don't know how they are for money but I do know they have a lot more money than we do.

I would like to extend an invitation to everyone here if you would like to pick a date I would glad to give everyone a tour of the station and our transmitter site so you can see what the other side looks like

Ken

As far as PSIP goes I am trying to get it in the budget for this year but it may be next year. Again it is expensive(aprox 15,000 just for Psip) and we have to weigh it in with our other needs.


Ken

I, for one, would be glad to see the other side Ken. I and the Director of Business Systems for a training company. Suffice it to say that I enjoy technology. I would love to get a better understanding of how it works on the other end.

Ken,

That would be very cool to take a tour of the facilities to see what it is like on the other side. Back in high school, I convinced our Journalism teacher to get us a tour of WRAL as we were going to a journalism conference in Raleigh. Very cool seeing the production side of things and master control. Didn't get to check out the transmitter, etc. but cool nonetheless.

A few months ago, I interviewed for a production position at WNCT and got to see their side of things. Ended up not taking the job as the pay scale left a lot to be desired. I figured people working in that end of the business would be paid a lot better considering they are responsible for actually making sure stuff gets on the air. Boy, was I surprised!

We will see how much more interest we get and then see if we can come up with a date that is good for every one. But someway anyone that wants to see the station will get the opportunity.

Ken

Originally posted by easternncnewswat
Isn't that odd about Pax for Greenville though when the Jacksonville station is already up and running? I can't pick it up, but considering both stations are affiliates for Pax, you'd think they'd have their stations up and running at the same time. Weird.

The thing is, WPXU used to be part of the Fox8/14 network as WFXZ-35 IIRC. Pax bought it, but the station had virtually no coverage of Greenville, the target. So, Paxson got a permit for channel 38 in Greenville AFTER the digitals were assigned (that's why WEPX-TV is so close to WUVC-DT), and so WEPX-TV has no digital assignment.

- Trip

anyone confirmed UPN 48 on Dish network?

I have found out that our contract with dish says they have 60 days to get UPN up on satellite. So look for it soon. I also understand that our contract with directv has been completed and signed and that they will be carrying both abc and upn

Ken

I will be moving my DirecTV dish to accommodate the 72.5 satellite and improve my reception on Sat C. I'd like to go with an OTA and dish roof installation at the same time. This presents a few concerns.

The ridgeline to my home runs almost north-south. With the signals I most want being between 170 and 176 degrees (WITN,WNCT,WCTI), I should be ok on that front. Ideally, I'd like to point another UHF antenna towards Raleigh (292 degrees) to lock in those signals as well.

My question is if anyone has any ideas how to accomplish this as well as possible. If I am going to have a dish mounted, I'd rather use the same mast for all three.

Where's a good local spot for antenna masts, etc.? Are there good local antenna installers in case I decide I don't want to do it all myself?

Anyone experiencing any problems with reception from WNCT DT?

Just the same audio issues.

Horrible reception tonight here, WITN came back around 8:40 pm but WNCT is still at 0 here.

Didnt notice a outtage here. Only problem I had was that WITN was not airing the 16x9 feed of Hawaii for the first few minutes.

Looks like maybe ch 7 is going to leave up the Live Doppler 7 ch.
Mike from 7 said it was a test and it would come back down the 2nd day, but its still up.

Last night I had a few new channels trying to come in . One I have never seen. It was a digital on channel 8. Never locked in so the call sign info never showed on my recvr.
Also locked in to ch 62.1-.4 PAX
Picked up WWAY WPDE out of the Willmington area for the last few nights.

nyone have any idea what the digital 8 may be?

Just called FOX 8/14 asked when the signal would go digital. they said mid Oct at LOW power on WYDO14(DT21). I asked would the Washington area be able to get it he said I doubt it. I then asked when would they increase power, he said I dont know.

There has been quite a bit of skip the last couple of days allowing distant stations to come in. This is both good and bad it gives you more stations temporarily but it can also interfere wit your locals which I suspect is the problem some of you are having with 7 and 9 recently.

Ken

Ken believe it or not last month Ipicked up a station out of Savannah GA .
The same night I received station out of Charelston SC. The longest station west i recieved on several occasions has been out of Columbia SC and Greensboro NC. All digital.
The stations from the north I recieved was from Richmond and Norfolk.
The stations I receieve on a regular basis is...

WRAL
WTVD
WNCN
WB22 Ral
WRAZ
WRAY
These only work at night and sometimes on cloudy days.
The stations in this market (DT)
UNCTV Columbia
UNCTV Greenville
UNCTV JAX
WITN 7.1 7.2
WNCT 9.1
WCTI 48.1 48.2

Ken How come WCTI uses the new Digital number 48 and the rest remaps to the analog number?

Because we adopted dtv early and PSIP was not part of my original instalation and that is what rebrands the channel number. The good news is that I have it in my capital budget for this year now If all goes well we will have it installed and operational before the end of the year

Ken

Anybody out there had a chance to catch ABC News Now on WTVD 11.2? They've been simulcasting WPLG out of Miami for about 22 hours now and have just switched to WPBF up in West Palm Beach. It's been really interesting watching the hurricane coverage from the local's point of view. I hope to see them carry the coverage down the line of their ABC affiliates as the storm moves across Florida. Glad I'm getting to see this; haven't seen anything like this (wall to wall coverage on a news network) since Andrew came through way back when. Kudos to ABC News Now!

This should pi** Jamilee off... j/k! WNCT isn't passing HD tonight. Wonder what the problem is this time? Since, of course, there is always some problem with why WNCT can't pass HD. Glad our other locals pass HD when it's sent down! *lol*

Tropho seems to be pretty good tonight. Getting a good constant signal from WLFL in RDU as well as WUNC in Chapel Hill. Now, just wish I could get WRDC out of RDU. Has anybody heard or read anything about Sinclair bumping their digitals up to full power status. I see on the FCC website that Sinclair's 2 stations in RDU have a temporary low power output extension that is due to expire in December. Does this mean they have to broadcast full power after that or can they just get another extension?

Looking forward to October and WYDO coming on air even at low power. Just cause this area needs another local to come online and see what kind of issues it brings! *lol*

Originally posted by easternncnewswat
Has anybody heard or read anything about Sinclair bumping their digitals up to full power status.

Sinclair is on record, and I have heard through back channel sources as late as 2 weeks ago, that Sinclair has already starting going full power on all their stations and want to be finished by next summer at the latest with all of them.

Cool! Thanx for the info, Foxeng. I didn't expect a reply so quickly.

No doesnt Pi** me off, after so moany times of the same thing happening toy get use to it.
And tropho ducting is igh today, Im getting all RDU stations and Pax out of Roanoke Rapids, even for a very short time WRDC 28.1

59 is trying to come in, do not know what it is.
Weird thing about no HD on WNCT yesterday, it had a NEW YORK TX HD slide up, like it was not getting HD from NEW YORK. But over on WRAL it had HD.

Originally posted by jamielee
59 is trying to come in, do not know what it is.
Weird thing about no HD on WNCT yesterday, it had a NEW YORK TX HD slide up, like it was not getting HD from NEW YORK. But over on WRAL it had HD.

WUNC-DT in Chapel Hill is channel 59.

- Trip

Directv announced its launching 4 new sats with 2 going up next year and 2 more in 2007, these sats will enable DTV to offer up to 1650 HD channels.
1500 local HD channels, and 150 national HD channels.
says theyll be able to offer most of the countries HD locals.

Cant wait!

Originally posted by jamielee
Directv announced its launching 4 new sats with 2 going up next year and 2 more in 2007, these sats will enable DTV to offer up to 1650 HD channels.
1500 local HD channels, and 150 national HD channels.
says theyll be able to offer most of the countries HD locals.

Cant wait!

Hmm, there's something like 1740 analog stations right now, and many of the religious/PAX stations have no intention of doing HD, so...

- Trip

Jamielee,

Question for you... Have you recently been receiving a signal from WLFL in RDU better than previously. I know you have mentioned you usually cannot receive RDU until the early evening. I have been receiving a much better signal from this station over the last week. I'm trying to determine if this is atmospheric or possibly related to them going full power. FoxENG replied in an earlier post that Sinclair was trying to get their DT stations up to full power by next summer at the latest. I'm wondering if this is going on here. I've looked at the FCC website, but haven't found any updated info on what they are currently broadcasting at.

Interesting news about Directv and the launch of these new satellites. I have read that Dish is trying to get a new sat up for broadband services and HD channels as well. Time will tell, I suppose. With these two, it's like a tit for tat. Hopefully, we'll all benefit!

I'm trying to put together a guide for antennas/mast height for DTV reception in the area. I'd love to hear what's working for you.

I'm using a cheap $23 UHF antenna from Radio Shack only about 30-35 feet up with great success, thinking about adding another of these cheap models pointing towards Raleigh.

Im getting WB22 about the same as always, not every night like I do 5 11 17, UPN 28.1 I could never lock in, this week Ive locked it in 2 nights, still digitizing but signal is getting here in Washington should be getting it in G'ville.

agregjones,

Im using a $23 radioshack UHF aimed towards New Bern to get WCTI and UNC Jacksonville
Im using a Channel Master 3020 UHF/VHF towards Greenville RDU,with a channel master preamp. CM VHF/UHF is on top at 20' level then about 3' lower is RS UHF towards JAX.NEW BERN.
UHF often on good DUCTING nights can pull in Willmington and Myrtle Beach, Chareston and have 1 time got WTOC from Savannah Ga. NO LIE!!!

With the CHMSTR 3020 Ive pulled in Columbia SC 2 times and Greensboro
I strongly reccommend the Ch mstr preamp it really adds reception.
You can get it at Lowes about $40-50.

Hello everyone, I'm David from Grimesland and I use a Channel Master 3020 roof mounted. I use the MyHD card as my HDTV tuner and I have a Mitsubishi X250 projector. I receive the following channels.

WITN 7.1
WNCT 10
WUNK 25.1, 25.2, 25.3, 25.4, 25.5
WCTI 48.1

WCTI is spotty and weak during the day and a little better at night. I'm upgrading to the Radio Shack VU-190XR in hopes of better WCTI reception and I hope to be able to receive WRAL and WRAZ digital broadcasts since I can't receive them on my CM3020 at this time. I haven't experimented much with trying different times of the day to pick up more channels but I will look into it and keep a log. I really want to be able to get FOX digital for the Panthers football games this season and I would like to improve my WCTI reception for Monday night football. Nothing worse and the channel breaking up with a house full of football buddies.


Also, does anyone have Adelphia cable in my area. Grimesland gets Adelphi instead of Cox. I called Adelphia customer service and didn't get much of a responce concerning HDTV in my area. They weren't able to tell me if ANY of the locals were rebroadcast in HD or not.

Adelphia does not currently have HD, they are currently working on getting HD, according to the website. So being Grimesland is a small system dont look for it anytime soon.
You should be able to get RDU signals 5 11 17 22 47 50. I get them at night about 10 miles east of Washington.
You may need to add a Channel master pre amp. This really helped my signal. If youre trying to get NEW BERN and RDU with the CM3020 dont count on it, I had to get a Radio shack UHF only ant to aim towards New Bern, Have my CM3020 at top of mast and RS uhf, below it about 4'.
Get up to the antenna with a compass aim the CM3020 to 287 degrees
aim the uhf 203 degrees. You should be able to get them, maybe not 24 hrs but at night but I think Grimesland and Greenville can get the RDUs all the time.
You may have to slowly adjust the antenna, the RDU signals maybe lost at a small amout of adjustment .
I adjusted mine for about the 1st month just trying to get the best signal.
You maybe able to get some Roanoke Rapid locals I get the mfrom time to time. 62.1 -62.4 PAX. PAX WEST. FAITH. WORHSHIP
Doesnt COX go thru Grimesland, my sister in law lives in Simpson and Adelphia and COX available to her?

I live on Foster road across from Lake Kristi. I know Adelphia offers cable and high speed internet out here but I'm not sure about Cox. I'll have to call them again.

I have my Channel master 3020 on a remote control electronic rotor so I can just point it whereever I want. It works pretty well but I want to be able to get WRAL, WRAZ, and a better signal from WCTI.

Go to Lowes and purchase a channel master 3041 out door preamp,
item # 56326 $59.94, this should really boost your signals.
Also aim the antenna with the figures I already posted.

Ken12,

You recently posted that you have PSIP in your capital budget for this year and if all goes well you'll have it installed and operational before the end of the year. If this happens, will 48.1 become 12.1 and 48.2 become 12.2 or will UPN 48 become a standalone channel? Just curious as I've been wondering since you first mentioned this. Likewise, will you be uploading program info as well so that it will show in our programming guides? Thanx for any info you can share.

Sorry about the game problem The HD receiver for ABC locked up It came back up after leaving it unplugged for about 5 min. I only have the one right now so no backup.

Actually it 48-1 and 48-3 yes they will become 12-1 and 12-3 That could change though they could be made whatever management wants. It will have the capability and I plan to push to keep the guide data updated but again that is up to management.

Again sorry about the problem with football.
Ken

Thanx for the info, Ken12. I noticed the problem with MNF at the top of the show. I thought it was strange... I had been flipping back between WCTI and WTVD cause the O&O in Raleigh was running a pre game show instead of the Benefactor. I thought that was kind of odd that an O&O would preempt the network programming. Anyways, once the game came back on WCTI, that's where I stayed.

Funny thing about the channel mapping though. My Toshiba 351 maps WCTI as 48.1 and 48.2. I've always seen on Titantv, ect. that it was actually the way you stated it ; 48.1 and 48.3. Must be some glitch with my stb.

Thanx for responding though. Nice to know you're here to give us updates and such.

Ken,

One last thing and I'll stopped bugging you tonight. *LOL*

Since you're in the business, maybe you can answer a question I've been wondering about. As I've stated before, I currently have Dish Network for my programming needs. I moved from Kitty Hawk where I was unable to receive any analog broadcasts ota, thus I have the East/West feeds from New York and LA. Now, it's pretty obvious to you that even though I have these, I still turn to my locals for programming as well. With multicasting becoming more prolific, what do you think the chances are that various affiliates might start offering an East/West or time shifted programming schedules to their viewers via subchannels. Have you ever heard this discussed or mentioned. I know right now that HD viewership is not where the money is for stations right now, but maybe in the future. The reason I mention this is last week, I noticed that WLFL and WNCN in RDU, for some reason, were showing some of their prime time shows after 11. Pretty odd to say the least. Do you think that was a glitch or just some experimenting going on? Sorry for all the questions, ramblings and musings. Just like to toss these balls around once in a while and get an insider pov.

the only multicasted channel Ive seen like this is Pax. They have 4 chs

PAX**
PAX WEST**

FAITH
WORSHIP

Cool. Thanx for the head's up, Jamielee. I can't receive a PAX anyway so I didn't know this. It would be nice to see the big 5 do this since not everyone works a regular 8-5 job. That's why I love my East/West. If I miss something in prime time, I can always catch it later on.

FYI, the RDU thread has had some info regarding WLFL/WRDC that you might find interesting. At the very least, the engineer up their says they should be at full power within a year, which we had heard before anyway. He, however, gives some interesting tech info on why we've been getting a better signal on WLFL and no signal on WRDC for the most part.

I have started a new forum specific to the Greenville Area. I have a Local TV area there and hope to build it up a bit. My emphasis is to get the information out to people that wouldn't necessarily look here.

The more people that use HD in the area, the better off everyone will be. My hope is that someone interested in local events, restaurants, etc. will see some of the info there and get involved in local HD.

I'll be posting a link to this thread there and would appreciate any attention any of you saw fit to give it.

http://www.aroundgreenville.com

Anyone else on DirecTV? The majority of the speculation points to a 9/28 turnup for locals from them. Anyone heard anything more recently? The CSR's have no idea what the schedule is.

Anyone tried a DB4 or DB8 from antennasdirect.com? I'm thinking the multidirectional attributes might help out with WCTI, since I have some skinny pine trees in its path.

I was looking at their website today and thinking about trying out one of their antennas. I'm really just thinking an outdoor antenna period. I'm getting tired of the dropouts from our locals with my indoor antenna. I get RDU stations fine with few to no dropouts. The locals around here drop all the time. Guess that it's atmospheric cause from what I understand, our locals that are on air are full power except for WNCT.

Is the Greenville forum still here, not heard much lately.
My HD has been out of service for about 2 weeks now, will be back tommorow from Samsung, cant wait, miss my HD!

Still here. I post more often on my own site, but check here frequently.

I think I am going to go ahead with the DB8 pointed towards Raleigh. I think with that and a preamp I should be in good shape. If I need to, I will point the Radio Shack Special towards the tower for 7 and 9, though I feel I'll be able to pick them up even from the back of the antenna.

Bad news from the Fox local. They plan to turn up digital in Morehead but not Greenville. According to them, it's not a delay, but no plan at all to go to a digital signal in the Greenville area.

Originally posted by easternncnewswat
I was looking at their website today and thinking about trying out one of their antennas. I'm really just thinking an outdoor antenna period. I'm getting tired of the dropouts from our locals with my indoor antenna. I get RDU stations fine with few to no dropouts. The locals around here drop all the time. Guess that it's atmospheric cause from what I understand, our locals that are on air are full power except for WNCT.

Be glad, you were getting more with an indoor than I was with an outdoor mounted on my chimney. I've not gotten any Raleigh stations OTA.

thats strange when I called them they said Greenville.

I emailed the engineer at Fox8/Fox14 and got the response below:

We will be placing the low power on air to cover Morehead City. We do not have plans at this time to go DTV in Gville.

I was hopeful since I'm only 4 miles from the Greenville area tower for the Fox station.

Well, that's a total bummer for those of us around the Greenville area that wanted to pick up our local FOX. I've been hoping to click over to 21 and pick up WYDO. I guess it'll be a long shot picking up Morehead City at low power from here.

BTW, does anyone know how WNCT ended up as one of only 34 stations in the country with a VHF frequency assignment? It is rather annoying, to say the least, to have to worry about picking up a VHF signal when every other possible DTV signal is UHF. They are going to end up relegated to playing second fiddle to WRAL, again.

But rejoice, WNCT is full power at an amazing 35 kW.

Did FOX Morehead City give any idea what kw power they will be operating at?

greg over at your forum somethings wrong, when you try to post a reply it gives you a error message.

All should be well again now. I made some mods to make it more google-friendly.

Let me know if anyone has any other probems.

Originally posted by easternncnewswat
Did FOX Morehead City give any idea what kw power they will be operating at?

Selfishly, I didn't ask. The likelihood that I would be able to pick it up even at full power is not high. That is on the part of the compass blocked by trees for me.

I'll be glad to ask though.

Thanx... I was just wondering since I'm able to pick up WLFL at 9kw and 71 miles away. According to antennaweb.org, WFXI is 76 miles away. So, I'm thinking it might not be too out of the realm of possibility to pick it up depending on orientation and output. Thanx for any info you can give. Who knows, maybe we'll get WYDO anyway and the people at FOX are confused.

Originally posted by agregjones
But rejoice, WNCT is full power at an amazing 35 kW.

On channel 10, 35kW at approx 2000 ft is equal to 1 million watts at the same height on UHF.

Originally posted by easternncnewswat
Thanx... I was just wondering since I'm able to pick up WLFL at 9kw and 71 miles away. According to antennaweb.org, WFXI is 76 miles away. So, I'm thinking it might not be too out of the realm of possibility to pick it up depending on orientation and output. Thanx for any info you can give. Who knows, maybe we'll get WYDO anyway and the people at FOX are confused.

WLFL is on a 2000 ft tower, WFXI isn't on a 2000 ft tower. That is your difference.

Yeah, I was just looking at the FCC website trying to determine some of that info. But thanx, you're right about that... Forget about the height factor. Well, I guess I can hope anyway. Guess I'll see when WFXI/WYDO goes live on whichever stick it is.

Just got a email from Don Fisher at FOX

we hope to have a city grade signalfor WFXI by the end of the year, but we do not have a time frame for WYDO at this point. Please call me anytime for updates.
Don Fisher
VP, Gen Mgr
FOX8/14

The email I got earlier was from Ed Schmidt, whose email is listed under Engineering on their website.

Just got my HD reciever back from repair. Still having a problem with UNCHD.
Anyone having a problem with there reciever get locked on UNCHD, Before I was watching UNCHD and the system went off and I could not get it to power up. Also in the past if I pulled up the guide on UNCHD the picture froze up and the system shut off.
Well today once I got the reciever hooked back up and went to UNCHD 2.2 19.2 25.2 I get on the channel and the system locks, cant get into the menu or change the channel, I have to unplug the power then I can get to another channel.

jamielee,

I'm getting no signal from 25.2 but am experiencing no lock ups. What you're describing seems like something that happened when I hit 22.1 the other day. It was like the box shut down and powered back up.

The stuff about WFXI is annoying though... Do people at the beach watch tv? Especially HDTV? *lol*

J/k... I'm being selfish!

To me, our Fox affiliate sucks. They have acted as if they could care less about DTV much less HD. I think it will be a long time before we see HD from those guys. I think our only chance is getting on the national feed on D* .

I believe that you have to be in an O & O location to get that unless your out of the DMA market. Maybe FoxEng can comment on our situation regarding WFXI/WYDO.

I can't understand why they have to have two stations. It looks like could go with one. To me it would be cheaper to maintain and maybe they would have some capital to put in improvements for HD.

They seem to be about 25 years behind times. Hell, there SD signal sucks!

Originally posted by 2Scoops
To me, our Fox affiliate sucks. They have acted as if they could care less about DTV much less HD. I think it will be a long time before we see HD from those guys. I think our only chance is getting on the national feed on D* .

I believe that you have to be in an O & O location to get that unless your out of the DMA market. Maybe FoxEng can comment on our situation regarding WFXI/WYDO.

I would imagine that it is slim to none chance of getting the national FOX HD feed on D* unless you have a FOX waiver already.

Yeah, our local FOX just enforced their contract with DISH to have my East/West feed of WNYW/KTTV turned off within the next two weeks. I'm glad I can receive WRAZ because Jamielee is right; even WFXI/WYDO signal and picture quality is gawd awful. Neither this, nor cutting off my satellite signal inclines me to watch their local programming. Oh, that's right, WFXI/WYDO doesn't have digital service yet. Yet another reason not to watch!

Called Samsung back about my Samsung OTA box locking up when it gets to a multicast channel thats off the air. EXAMPLE= When i go to UNCHD when its off the air, my box locks up and the only way off the channel is to unplug the antenna, dose the same at night when UNCKD UNCED UNCNC is off air. They said when they repaired my unit last week that they updated the firmware and that UNC tv is the problem, I called the engineer at UNC and he said he's had 2 calls about the receivers locking up. He said he would check with the engineers and look into the problem, it may be a PSIP problem. He also wanted to know what stations I could get told him JAX, GVILLE, COLUMB. He said thats outstanding, he said that Columbia is the most powerfull and largest tower in the UNCTV system and Jacksonville was the smallest and weakest.
He also said they are tring to work with COX communications to get them a signal so they can get a 24hr HD channel like Time Warner has. They are trying to figure out how to get them the signal.

Directv locals- Oct 19 @ 72.5

Originally posted by jamielee
He also said they are tring to work with COX communications to get them a signal so they can get a 24hr HD channel like Time Warner has. They are trying to figure out how to get them the signal.

I heard a rumor from someone at Cox that PBS HD should be up by Jan 1.

Ken12,

Is there some reason the audio is coming off as scratchy and hollow on UPN 48? I've noticed this over the last week or so. Occassionally, I will notice this on the newscasts on 48.1... It's almost like someone is too close to the microphone when they are speaking. Just an FYI for you.

COX HD CUSTOMERS and DIGITAL CABLE

OCT 14th
DIGITAL CABLE SUBS(ALL)

UNC digital channels available to all dig cable subs free
UNC KIDS
UNC ED
UNC NC
UNC TV

NAT GEO CHANNEL (VARIETY TIER)

COX HD SUBS free
UNC HD CH715
INHD CH722
INHD2 CH723

COX Digital subs NEW CHANNELS LAUNCH tommorow.

National Geographic Channel (variety tier)
FREE TO ALL
UNC TV sd
UNC KIDS sd
UNC EDUCATION sd
UNC NORTH CAROLINA sd

HIGH DEFINITION FREE TO ALL
UNC HD
INHD
INHD2

Ken12,
I got my locals from Directv today, but to my surprise NO UPN 48, do you know if Directv is going to get 48???

Locals are clear, awesome picture,
heres the line up
7 WITN
9 WNCT
12 WCTI
14WYDO
25 UNC

UPN will be there I had to order a receiver for them It shold be in today.

I signed up for the locals myself they told me they will be out saturday to do the install. Not only do they have to add a dish for me but they have to replace 3 out of 5 of my recieivers. 1 HD 1 dtivo and one standard.

Ken

So you ordered a receiver for DIRECTV to enable them to transmit the UPN signal to them.
So UPN 48 will be on DIRECTV soon?

I had a 18x24 dish that got 101 110 119, I unhooked 110 119 and hooked my 2nd 18" dish to the sat b inputs and got 72.5, called DTV yesterday and they are coming out Wed 8-12n to bring me my new multiswitch 6X8 so I can hook my 110/119 back up.
I cant believe how great the picture quality is.

Ken, your directv tivo, is it a generation1, I know all 2nd generation tivos are ready. I have a Hughes HDVR2.

Also any update on the psip on the digitalHD?

Thanks Ken nice to have someone on the inside to chat with!
Jamie

My tivo that I have to replace is a Sony Sat T60 whic is a series one. They also had to replace a RCA DTC100 hd reciever. My HD Tivo is fine

As far as PSIP I am still hoping to have it by the end of the year.

Ken

Ken can you confirm that 48 is going to be on Directv? and maybe a date.

Those of you with a dtv dvr, a new software release is out 3.1.1e, this is a fix for some bugs with the 3.1.1d release about 2 weeks ago.
Some new logos were also added...

GAC PBS YOU DAYSTAR PBS/NBC(color changes)

,

I remember that on past new local launches that DIRECTV offered a 2 month free preview. Well I called them and they didnt show it for our locals, But the CSR gave me 2 months of credit.

Originally posted by Ken12
My tivo that I have to replace is a Sony Sat T60 whic is a series one. They also had to replace a RCA DTC100 hd reciever. My HD Tivo is fine


So they'll replace my SAT-T60?:D

If the reciever is not compatiable with the new 72.5w set up it will be updated to a new model.

Ken
Do you have a date for UPN on DTV yet?

Also how did your install go? Any problems?

go to www.witntv.com and go to the HDTV Update section and theres a good video showing Ch 7 and 9s HDTV antenna being raised to the top of the 2000ft tower, and the lowering of the old analog antenna. and inside the transmitter building.

Does anyone here have COX HD, is the UNCHD channel 24hrs on there like time warner is or is it 8-11p like OTA?

UPN will be on directv they have the equipment as soon as they turn it on it will be their. They tell us no more than they tell you. I hope it will be soon

Ken

Ken How was your install for the locals?
I had a problem with the 6x8 switch they had to come out again today and still didnt replace it, said it was not the switch. They really done a bad job and left wires hanging and didnt put the screws back in the LNBS and hung the multiswitch 1/2 off the pole. Called DTV and they said that they would give me a $100 credit/ I took it and went and bought me a 6x8 from best buy.
When speaking with the csr he said that the UPN equipment has been installed and they a negotiating a contract. Should be soon.

My install was fine because I told him exactly what to do, He was in and out within the hour.

The UPN contract wiith DirecTV has been completed for months. Yhe had all equipment installed on Mon. A rep called me at the station yesterday getting info on hours of broadcast and emergency contacts. I'll bet you will see the signal before the weekend.

Ken

COOL!!!
Yea my install last week was great! real professional. when the no teeth guys come yesterday to supposedly to replace the 6x8 they cut all the wires off and didnt even mount the switch, they left it hanging by the coax wires, didnt run the 4 wires from the multisat down the tube they hung down they didnt even mount them to the pole, I went out yesterday and redid the enitire set up myself, all I wanted was a new 6x8 no for them to touch the set up. Well I got my $100 credit, a new 18x20 dish with built in switch to replace my old 18x24 dish, a 2nd new 18" dish, last week a new 18x20 dish. A $ 99 6x8 switch that the guy sold me off the truck for $40, he said hurry up and take it before the other tech sees it, can you imagine the internal theft!!!

Thanks KEN for all the info. Sorry to bug you about UPN but I cant wait.

Well hello guys, just thought i would stop in & say hello,it's good to see local home boys in here....lol , i been reading these AVS Forums for a while now & it's the best on the net for sure,sometimes it's like going back to school,i don't post a whole lot but do alot of reading:D very good info here, now i feel like im right at home with all you locals here:D glad to cya guys.....:)

UPN 48 is now on Directv. Its on channel 13, does not even list the station name in the description, Only UPN TV services. I dont know why they have it on 13 and not 48. but Im glad its on.

Ken
Theres alot of picture freezing on the DTV feed, I switch to the OTA feed and its good, looks like dtv needs to re work there antenna in Greenville.
Any chance you can get them to put 48 on 48 and not 13?

barely...

Has anyone else seen NBC Weather Plus on 17.2? So far, it looks like pretty standard fare for a weather channel, not as locally focused as WRAL Weather Center channel on 50.3. My understanding is that it will enventually evolve into a split national/local focus. Also, I thought it was not supposed to debut until next week. Wonder if we are getting a sneak preview right now. Currently WNCN is overlaying the audio from 17.1 over any audio that NBC Weather Plus carries; it must have it's own audio, it has it's own commercials. LOL. Anyway, looks like a viable alternative to The Weather Channel.

Removed as of 12:35; must have been testing it out.

I wish Directv would fix the UPN signal, its terrible, Everytime theres a part you really want to see, it freezes up.

Ken
Contact Nicole Martin at Directv, shes looking into the signal issue on UPN.
email nmartin@directv.com
she's works for Eddy Hardtiensteins office.
She said theyve check the broadcast center on there end and they are getting a clean signal. Shell monitor and look in to the issues.

UNCTV is now airing 3digital channels prime time.

UNCTV
UNCHD
and now UNCKD all at once.

UPDATE ON UPN/DIRECTV
Nicole from DTV called back and said she got a call from the broadcast center engineers and they are seeing the problems and are dispatching a crew to Greenville to work on the problem. She said she would call back 11/29 to check on it with me.

Directv just added a WB feed to our locals.
Its WBZL 39 out of Miami FL
Its on local ch #15
its coming off of 101w not the 72.5 like the other locals.

We just installed a new receiver up in Greenville for UPN we will see if that fixes the problem with UPN on Directv. I have also got my psip generator in I am planing on installing it the first week in Dec if nothing goes wrong I'll let you know when I have it installed

Ken

Ken12,

That's awesome news about your PSIP generator coming in. I hope everything goes well with the installation! I was just explaining last night why there was no info showing up for your digital channels to a friend. I tried to explain, like you said, about the cost of the equipment and what it would do when installed. Scrolling through my guide, he was surprised that right now, only WRAL, WTVD (ABC News Now anyway), and UNC TV are the only one's listing programming information. I explained that although that may not happen initially, the equipment you were getting would at least rebrand your station id, etc.

Anyway, thanks for sharing the info and keeping us updated on other aspects of WCTI's digital broadcasting!

Ken I was out of town from Wed-Sun but got home and watched SmackDown! from Thursday night, still had the problem, not as bad but did see the green lines atleast one time. Also watched some Sunday night and saw some a few times.
Monday morning saw it freeze one time.

Nicole Martin from Directv is supposed to call me today to check on the signal issues.

Just noticed over at titantv that FOX is now listed as launching DEC 2005, another year.

Jamielee is that fox 8 or 14? Last I checked titan it was 14 that said 2005.
I don't have a lot of good things to say about that station, since I can hardly pick 8 up. For a couple of years I got absolutly nothing but snow on 8. During most of that time I had a 4 bay UHF antenna pointing at 14. Well that signal after the first year disappeared too. The station has had more problems than all others put together. I can get WRAL a lot better and am 90 miles from their tower. It is analog of course because I have not decided what DST I want. People say they have problems with them breaking a lot?... I am in Jacksonville in case you are wondering!
Well after a hurricane destroyed the channel master 4 bay, I got a Yagi UHF from Radio Shack. I have it pointed toward the FOX 26 tower in Brunswick County, South of Wilmington (60 miles). They are on low power digital right now, so no luck of fox digital at all for me. Anyway my VHF and UHF combo are pointing between WRAL tower and WNCT tower.

Ken12, WCTI 12 analog has incredible color and comes in VERY sharp! (I just wish it was a stereo signal)I think those people up to the north that were complaining probably have a bad cable run or a bad matching transforer. When I first got my VHF/UHF antenna, it came with a bad Matching transformer and 12 was terribly ghosty! Well I worked my way from inside to the antenna and that was the last thing (of course) that I checked! I was angry, but at least it was fixed! I get channels 3,5,6,7,8,9,12,19,22,26,35,38,39 regularly. Some are weak... 5,6,8,26,39

I am going to get the directv local dish very soon! Can't wait because I want UPN, and WB!!

As of Monday still having the picture and audio problems.

Must be something at WNCT thats causing interference.

Ken Im taking it that youve seen the DIRECTV LRF tell us everything involved to get the signal and then send it to directv.
I think you also said DISH is housed in your station.

There are a lot of trees around WNCT. I figured the antenna would be pointed away from them but maybe it is pointing the wrong way? I can't remember if there are a lot of trees across from the station or not. Is it a channel master antenna Ken? Like you said their UHF are the best.
According to the FCC data I saw WCTI DT is almost out of the grade A signal area around WNCT.

Anyone had experience with one of these? Bad tree placement has me thinking of pointing my OTA towards Raleigh. Channels 7 and 9 are fine but 12 is just in a bad spot for tall pine trees for me here in Ayden.

This is a little wacky, but I've been experimenting around lately and I've found this to work... Previously, I used a RCA Indoor amplified antenna to receive my HD signals. I received the following and assorted subchannels: 5, 7, 9, 11, 17, 22, 25, 30, 48 (12), and 50. Due to multipath, I had to always adjust the antenna; you know the deal, gain one, lose two.

Since then, I hooked my coax cable to a spare Dish 500 that I had laying around. I have that in the house in my "sweet spot" and receive the above channels all the time. Previously, 22 and 48 were especially problematic for me. Now I'm receiving them with no problems.

I've heard about the square shooter antenna, agregjones. Maybe you ought to try that one out. Or if you've got a spare dish laying around, give that a try.

Looking forward to the first week of December and crossing my fingers that Ken12's installation goes well for 48 (12) and it's subchannel. And let's hope Titantv is wrong and Fox 8 or 14 goes live Dec 1, 2004 instead of 2005! *LOL*

Since everyone is having trouble with 48 up in the Greenville area, the only explanation I can come up with is it's not any problem with your antennas. The signal is directional-pointing mainly toward the South.
People down in Wilmington pick it up fairly good. I even know that someone on the other side of Lumberton gets it every so often!
People to the north get a back side of the signal, while people to the sides get the strongest as well as areas directly south.

Well, back when I held a Nielsen ratings diary back during February sweeps, I made notation that the analog signal was not very good up here in my area of Greenville/Winterville. A short time after that, they made mention during the 11 o'clock news that they were going off air to make some adjustments to provide areas to the north with a better signal. I certainly don't fault the engineering crew at WCTI cause it's obvious from Ken12's comments here that they work their butts off to give us good signal, etc as well as the fact that they are mandated to follow FCC guidelines so as not to interfere with probably 12 up in the Triad.

Having said that, I just recently lost my East/West ABC and FOX from Dish Network and with an indoor antenna, WCTI analog is not worth watching. Anytime I do watch ABC it's on the HD system. Usually WCTI DT, but I get far better reception/signal strength from WTVD DT in RDU. As for FOX, WRAZ is the only option! WYDO is here in the Gville area, but the reception from them seems to be crappy across the board. And at this point, it looks like they'll never get a digital signal on the air. Either that or we'll be using something far more advanced that HDTV! *LOL*

BTW, I know everyone hates subchannels, but I really want a WCTI Weather Center channel. Yet another thing I mentioned when holding the Nielsen diary, WCTI has the best maps! Hint, hint, Ken12...

I know I'm going to get dogged for requesting a new subchannel! *LOL*

Yea analog 12 here in Washington is a little wavy. I get a good signal on 12DT. Not as strong as 7,9,19,25.(DT)

I have a uhf radio shack aimed towards New Bern/JAX and a channel master 3020 aimed at Greenville/ RDU with a channel master preamp.
If i just use cm3020 towards GVL/RDU I have reception issues on 12/19.
I have the UHF down below the 3020 about 4ft.

Have gotten stations as far south as Savannah GA(DT) 2 times
and south west as Columbia SC and west as Greensboro, and north Nolfolk, Virginia Beach.

Originally posted by easternncnewswat
This is a little wacky, but I've been experimenting around lately and I've found this to work... Previously, I used a RCA Indoor amplified antenna to receive my HD signals. I received the following and assorted subchannels: 5, 7, 9, 11, 17, 22, 25, 30, 48 (12), and 50. Due to multipath, I had to always adjust the antenna; you know the deal, gain one, lose two.

Since then, I hooked my coax cable to a spare Dish 500 that I had laying around. I have that in the house in my "sweet spot" and receive the above channels all the time. Previously, 22 and 48 were especially problematic for me. Now I'm receiving them with no problems.

Do you hook the coax to the lnbs???

Does the dish really pull in antenna signals?

I took off the lnbf, stripped a coax cable, laced it through the four holes where the lnbf was attached, have a coax joined by a combiner to my stb and get great reception. I've tried using the coax cable just hooked to my stb and get nothing so it must be hooking it to the dish that pulls the signal. Like I said, a little wacky, but hey, it works for me! *LOL* Better than any antenna I've tried. Granted, I haven't tried an outdoor but it's not really an option for me even though I know I can mount one. Just don't want the hassle.

was the coax inside the arm or outside the top of the arm?

There is a difference in coverage area for WCTI DT and WCTI analog.
The analog coverage is like an umbrella, its coverage area is about 76 miles while the digital coverage is directional.
This site would not let me link you the site that shows the maps so just search for it and you should find it.

Hey that dish idea sounds interesting! I wish I had a dish laying around...
It would be a good reflector behind a UHF antenna too.

I took the arm off, but I've thought about adding it on to see what that would do. I'm glad you brought that up. I'll give that a try sometime soon and let you know what, if anything, that does to up my reception.

is the coax stuck out the top of the LNB arm that the LNB fits into or inside the arm that the lnb sits into?

The ducting is supposed to be moderate across NC tonight.

Neither... After stripping a coax, I threaded that through the sockets where the lnbf arm would attach to the dish. From that point, I added a coax to the threaded wire via a connector. No arm and no lnbf are attached to my dish. I'll have to take a pic of it and post it so you guys can see it. The dish actually sits on the floor or rather a box on the floor (in position) so I can get my signals.

easternncnewswat,
When you really get it working, take it outside and put it as high as you can and see what it will do, if it works better than an antenna you might want to patent it!
I'll buy one!

LMAO, jsp! That's exactly what my roomate said last night! He said to sell 'em on Ebay.

Does it work for VHF too?

Haven't given analog much thought since I've been using digital. It does pick up WNCT's vhf digital signal.

Ken
With the new psip will we get titles or just a station ID?
Will ABC/UPN move to 12.1 / 12.2?
What date do you expect to have it up?

How is the directv UPN signal doing today with the wind blowing?

I have not really watched it today, Ill monitor it and get back in a few.