I don't see a good Sacramento thread. I am setting up my HR10-250 (High Definition Tivo) next week and would love to hear some reports. I am actually in Roseville (95678) about 35 miles from the towers (all located in the same direction). I live in a very suburban neighborhood with CC&R's that prohibit rooftop antenna's (I know, I could fight that if I want...). I opted for the Winestar Squareshooter (which should be fairly unobtrusive). I will mount it on the roof of my two story house right above the living room so the cable will only run about 20 ft. Do you guys think I will still need an amplifier?

You should be fine. I live in Modesto, have a small antenna and my signal strenght is always 100 percent.

Originally posted by bralli
I am actually in Roseville (95678) about 35 miles from the towers (all located in the same direction). I live in a very suburban neighborhood with CC&R's that prohibit rooftop antenna's (I know, I could fight that if I want...).

I'm off of Pleasant Grove in Roseville (also 95678)...right on the Rocklin border. I have my TV on the second floor, and just have a RadioShack double bow-tie sitting on top of the TV. Picks up all the locals with no problems.

So, with your stated setup, you should be OK. You probably wouldn't even need to get a roof mounted antenna...something in the attic should do fine...or an indoor if you are on the second story would probably work.

Andrew

OK, you are right down the street from me. I am off of Highland Park. So me stressing about whether or not I need an amp for my Squareshooter sounds like a non-issue...

Hi Guys,

I would sure like to see a consolidated Sacramento thread.

We will be making some changes to our PSIP (virtual channel among other things) system over the next day or two. You may have to do a channel scan/search to find us on channel 31 instead of channel 21.

Bob Hess
Director of Engineering
KMAX

I am also located off of Pleasant Grove but over in 95747. Using the ChannelMaster 4221, I have no signal strength problems. I occasionally have reception (and other) problems with KQCA. I started another thread about that this morning, but it would be nice to consolidate everything in one place.

Amazing, I'm also in the Pleasant Grove/Roseville Pkwy area. Seems like an HDTV hotbed in this area. I use the CM4228 without an amp with no touble.
Good news about KMAX. Whenever my HR10-250 shows up, I can actually record Enterprise. Speaking of the HD TIVO, is KOVR going to get their guide data straight so that matches all the time?

Originally posted by Bob Hess
[B]Hi Guys,

I would sure like to see a consolidated Sacramento thread.

/B]
I second that..think this will do it?
:-}

I posted this in HD Programming first, but it seems to be a local issue. The last two weeks that I have watched "Joan of Arcadia" on KOVR, there has been a 5 minute interval where I saw nothing. On 5/7, this occurred at the end of the commercials around 8:42 and lasted until 8:48. I was recording the show with a MyHD-120 so I don't know if people saw this watching live. As usual, I think the MyHD-120 is OK because it has been a solid performer until now.

It's called IMCS (Incompetent Master Control Syndrome), and all stations suffer from it to varying degrees :)

They are getting really lazy with the switch, especially when they are dubbing their local SBG infomercials and employment ads over the national CBS HD Promo :mad:

But, Hannibal looks really good tonight in HD and 5.1
Hammer

RE: KMAX

KMAX? What is KMAX? Daily Channel searches here in Modesto find no such animal.

KMAX-DT the UPN network, channel 21.1 (remaps to 31.1). It's still running at low power so you may not be able to pick it up in Modesto. It's fine here in Stockton but I'm still looking forward to their upcoming change to full power in a few more days.

Originally posted by JHL
I posted this in HD Programming first, but it seems to be a local issue. The last two weeks that I have watched "Joan of Arcadia" on KOVR, there has been a 5 minute interval where I saw nothing. On 5/7, this occurred at the end of the commercials around 8:42 and lasted until 8:48. I was recording the show with a MyHD-120 so I don't know if people saw this watching live. As usual, I think the MyHD-120 is OK because it has been a solid performer until now.

Same here on KOVR. I have an MDP-100 but I was watching Joan of Arcadia live on Friday night. Two weeks in a row now I've had to turn my antenna and watch a snowy representation on San Francisco's analog channel 7 until the KOVR guy gets off the pot. Now we both know we're not alone. ;)

Originally posted by Garrett Adams
KMAX-DT the UPN network, channel 21.1 (remaps to 31.1). It's still running at low power so you may not be able to pick it up in Modesto. It's fine here in Stockton but I'm still looking forward to their upcoming change to full power in a few more days.

That explains it why I can't get reliable signal on 21.1. I am using the silver sensor indoor antenna, getting every station except some drop-off on 21.1.

BTW, if you are on Comcast, they have the following HD channels as of today:

ABCDT
NBCDT
ESPNHD
InHD1
InHD2
HBOHD
SHOHD
StarzHD
CinemaxHD

Now KQCA is acting up again. I tried watching "Everwood" and "Gilmore Girls" this week and had a lot of problems. There were video and audio dropouts about once/minute. It almost made the shows unwatchable. Fortunately there are very few new episodes left (if any) so I don't need an immediate solution.

Interesting, I've been having the same thing on KQCA , it seemed to clear up most of the way through One Tree Hill last night. I just figured that somthing is wrong with my setup, but I'll be troubleshooting more tonight. (And trying other channels)

-Steve W

OK, I FINALLY got my HD Tivo unit last night.

To reiterate. 95678 zip code, off of Pleasant Grove near 65. I have a Squareshooter mounted on the roof of a two story house. Because I was rushing to mount it in hurricaine winds last night on a rickety ladder it is pointed to the SE (should be SW). I decided to go ahead and run the antenna through the multiswitch. I was too lazy to run to Lowes, so I just used a cheap 25' coax cable (not RG6) running to a Terk 5x8 multiswitch and then about 100' of RG-6 to the television and through the diplexer. Pretty much everything is coming in rock solid (over 90%). KMAX is not coming in and one of the networks (FOX?) is coming in at about 65%; fluctuating down to 40% occasionally. Overall, no problems. I'll go ahead and buy a better coax cable to connect the antenna to the multiswitch and one of these days I will point it in the right direction (will require remounting).

Can some of you guys explain how the Sacramento stations broadcast HD? Around 8:00 I was excited to watch my first HD broadcasts and tuned into CSI on KOVR 13-2. Although it said HD on the guide, it was a SD broadcast. At 10:00 I was finally about to watch CSI in HD on 13-1.

The HD signals are all on 10-1,13-1,58-1 and 35-1. Anything on 13-2 will be the SD broadcast. Also keep in mind that the schedule is 1 hour ahead on KOVR 13, but only for the SD broadcast. Fortunately the other channels are broadcast in the "standard" timeslots.

So for example, if you want to watch CSI on Thursday nights, it is on at 8PM on 13-2 and 9PM on 13-1. The channel guide in my STB is always correct for 13-2, but I have learned to ignore the information when watching HDTV.

I recommend using www.titantv.com for more accurate information about when the HD broadcasts are active.

Off subject a little but does anyone in Modesto area have HD Comcast? I have D* and am curious to know what Comcast is offering in the HD area.

Go Kings!

Originally posted by DIO
Off subject a little but does anyone in Modesto area have HD Comcast? I have D* and am curious to know what Comcast is offering in the HD area.

Go Kings!

You might want to do a search on "Modesto".

Primetime HD programming are available on NBC 3.1 (35.1), PBS 6.1 (53.1), ABC 10.1 (61.1), CBS 13.1 (25.1), UPN 31.1 (21.1) and WB 58.1 (46.1). Fox 40.1 (55.1) will start HDs later this year.

Originally posted by stevedw
Interesting, I've been having the same thing on KQCA , it seemed to clear up most of the way through One Tree Hill last night. I just figured that somthing is wrong with my setup, but I'll be troubleshooting more tonight. (And trying other channels)

-Steve W

Yeah, KQCA @#$@# ruined the season finale of Smallville for me.

What REALLY stunk was, I JUST got my HDTIVO set up, and it recorded the OTA HD signal of Smallville (which was the one that was dropping out).
If I had left it on the satellite delivery of the SD channel, I could at least have watched the finale!

Go Here (http://www.thekcrachannel.com/news/1675042/detail.html) To let them know you have a problem with the signal!

Just an FYI, I bought a Channel Master 3041DSB pre-amp at Lowes. I was going to order a CM7777 but I wanted to convenience of being able to buy and possibly return locally. From what I've read, this is the "Spartan" line and this particular unit is supposedly equivalent to the CM7778.

I'd like to report that this unit worked great. It boosted a fluctuating Fox to 95% and 20% KMAX to 90%. Everything else was already pretty solid and now all report nearly 100%.

I just sold my house in Roseville (Baseline/Junction area) and am relocating to Foresthill (just think "Auburn"/zip 95631). I put off buying any gear to pull in OTA signals because I know my stay in Roseville was temporary. I had Comcast HD which was terrible. I had choppy picture and audio dropouts. Anyway, my question is that what is an acceptable distance to a broadcast tower to be able to successfully pull in a particular channel? Antennaweb says that the major broadcast towers are about 60 miles away from my new house in Foresthill, at roughly 200 degrees on the compass. Is 60 miles considered too far, especially since I am in a rural area with lost of trees, etc? Or is it do-able? I was considering directv or dish but wasn't impressed with their HD channel lineups. Then I saw that for an extra fifty bucks directv will install a directional antenna...any thoughts as to my best course of action?? Sorry if this is off-topic or if this post belongs elsewhere.

Jeff

Yeah, KQCA @#$@# ruined the season finale of Smallville for me.

Me as well. I watched Enterprise and recorded Smallville to both a MyHD card and a FusionHDTV3 QAM for anal insurance since it was the season finale. Both recordings had the terrible audio and video drops/glitches. In fact it was the worst I had ever seen on KQCA. I watched it but it was agony.

They must relegate the good equipment to KCRA and use Radio Shack gear on KQCA. Either that or their headend is connected to their transmitter by two tin cans and a string.

I can also report that KQCA's video+audio dropouts during the last Smallville made the show unwatchable. Basically 1 second of dropout for every 10 seconds of good signal. My signal meter reports a steady 80+% signal while these dropouts are occuring. Luckily, I had my HD Tivo record the show via satellite and OTA at the same time, so I had an OK SD resolution copy. I just checked KQCA tonight and there was *no* signal so perhaps they are fixing their problems...

Also, I'd like to report that KVIE-DT2's guide data for the 'Nightly Business Report' is always incorrect (as seen via directv's guide, or zap2it.com, or titantv.com). The program data indicates that the show airs weekdays at 6:30pm PDT, but in fact the show airs at 5:30pm PDT. I reported this problem to zap2it and KVIE but got no response.

Originally posted by jl1252
I just sold my house in Roseville (Baseline/Junction area) and am relocating to Foresthill (just think "Auburn"/zip 95631). I put off buying any gear to pull in OTA signals because I know my stay in Roseville was temporary. I had Comcast HD which was terrible. I had choppy picture and audio dropouts. Anyway, my question is that what is an acceptable distance to a broadcast tower to be able to successfully pull in a particular channel? Antennaweb says that the major broadcast towers are about 60 miles away from my new house in Foresthill, at roughly 200 degrees on the compass. Is 60 miles considered too far, especially since I am in a rural area with lost of trees, etc? Or is it do-able? I was considering directv or dish but wasn't impressed with their HD channel lineups. Then I saw that for an extra fifty bucks directv will install a directional antenna...any thoughts as to my best course of action?? Sorry if this is off-topic or if this post belongs elsewhere.

Jeff

Depending on the location of your house in Foresthill, you will possibly get a windfall of OTA HD channels. I had relatives up there for many years, and the SF channels came in nice and clear. If you sit on top of a hill or to the west side, with a clear view west, you should be able to get Sutro as well as Sacramento nets. If you are on the east side of a hill, or there's a hill blocking your western exposure, good luck getting anything at all...

Grrr, my last post did was erased. Here's a quick recap.

Location: Folsom, bottom floor of 3 level apt.

Equipment: Zentih HDV420 + Zenith SS w/ inline amplifier from Rat Shack sitting atop the old dusty TV replaced by a HD Projector.

About 3/4 of the available Sac HD channels that do come in have a 70-90% signal strength. The other channels get a partial signal (no sound or pic) when playing around with the antenna outside. Will have more to report once I have more time to properly set it up.

Anyone having a problem with KQCA 58-1? I do not get a picture at all, no sound, nothing, just "searching for signal." All the other Sac channels are OK.

I am also not getting 58-1 at this time. All others are OK.

R. Boyce, thanks. Now I know it is not my equipment.

Yeah, 58.1 has no signal yesterday, 21.1 is still in low power I can't get a reliable lock, all others are good. KVIE 53.1 however keeps swtiching between 53.1 and 6.1 on my 811 receiver therefore get removed from my favorite list all the time, my DTC100 locks it on 53.1 no problem so I assume its the 811/KVIE issue.

On the Comcast cable side, they just added about 15 foreign language channels in their digital tier, who said they didn't have bandwidth for more HDs? Of course those foreign channels probably sell for $15 each. Judging from the fuzzy pictures they probably had squeezed 20 of them on a single 6mhz band so it was a no brainer.

Yeah, what's up with KMAX anyway? First it was waiting for FCC approval, which it received, I understand. Then it was installation of equipment which would take a few weeks and be done by May 1. (Which is strange because it HAD operated at high power for test periods.) Then it was a few minor PSIP adjustments which would take 2-3 days. As I recall that was weeks ago. Time for KMAX to level with prospective viewers in Modesto, Tracy, and other areas.

Originally posted by clevfandad
Yeah, what's up with KMAX anyway? First it was waiting for FCC approval, which it received, I understand. Then it was installation of equipment which would take a few weeks and be done by May 1. (Which is strange because it HAD operated at high power for test periods.) Then it was a few minor PSIP adjustments which would take 2-3 days. As I recall that was weeks ago. Time for KMAX to level with prospective viewers in Modesto, Tracy, and other areas.
1. We did have a PSIP problem. We replaced our first generation PSIP equipment and all is now well.

2. We did - for about a week - test our transmitter into the master antenna on the KCRA tower. All was well.

3. We applied for, and were granted, a power increase to 850 KW.

4. To operate at this power level requires negotiation with the owner of the master antenna. This is in progress.

5. To operate at this power requires that the transmitter be slightly modified and certified at the new power. This is in progress.

Bottom line: It should not take much longer to get this transmitter on the air. Any specific questions, just email me - bhess at cbs.com. And include your name so I can address a real person!

Bob Hess
Director of Engineering

Thanks for the info Bob. Hurry up with those changes before your new lineup with all those CSI shows start. ;)

Thank you Bob, we appreciate your posts and keeping us apprised.

What's the deal with KCQA 58? That's two nights now that I have missed the best show, EVER, WB Superstars. ;)

Does anyone know anything? :confused:

Bob, I just realized you are at CBS, any word on if KOVR 13.1 will be on Comcast soon? Thanks.

Originally posted by jacmyoung
Bob, I just realized you are at CBS, any word on if KOVR 13.1 will be on Comcast soon? Thanks.
I work for CBS. KOVR is not owned by CBS so I don't have a clue.

"Bob, I just realized you are at CBS, any word on if KOVR 13.1 will be on Comcast soon? Thanks."

Never.

Or until someone makes a plot to take over Sinclair.

Originally posted by Slinky11
Or until someone makes a plot to take over Sinclair. Or whenever the analog contract between Sinclair and Comcast for KOVR expires.

Comcast won't sign another analog contract for KOVR (or any other Sinclair owned station) unless Sinclair agrees to also give the digital signal to Comcast.

If Sinclair refuses, the analog signal will disappear from Comcast and after a few months of zero advertising revenue, Sinclair will come begging for Comcast to take it back, analog and digital together.

There was a rumor posted by R.E. Graswich a week or so ago that the CBS affiliation for Sacramento may be changed to Channel 31 (which is a Viacom-owned station), which would be interesting for anyone in the Sacramento-area interested in HDTV.

I can't post links, but if you go to sacbee.com you should see it on his 05/19/04 column.

You mean changed to KMAX current location? Then Bob will have a say in this:)

When would the analog contract with Sinclair end Sonoma?

I'm new to HDTV. Tonight and last night, the sound on KVIE 6-1 has been intermittent. Is this a problem with the station, or my new HD-Tivo? The picture is solid.

I'm experiencing the same problem, with a non-HD TiVo receiver, so I think it's gotta be them.

--Bill R.

Wednesday night, I was finding that the sound on 6-1 was intermittent, as well, but if I tuned into 53-1, everything was fine. This is with a built-in HD receiver.

I've also lost KQCA for a few days (I'm not even getting the SD version on 3-2)

Tracey

The KVIE 6.1 no audio problem is one that occurs intermittently. As stated, whenever that happens switching to 53.1 is a temporary workaround.

I think such problems are related to their tinkering with their hardware or PSIP generator.

KVIE?? Live in Modesto. 49 miles from tower. Both HD and SD have been breaking up. Sound breaks up and pictures freezes or signal is lost. Signal varies from 49% to 65% while KOVR is in the 90% range.

Is KVIE on only reduced power?

On my HD PC card KVIE-DT is 81% which is close to the DT channels of ABC, CBS, and a tad higher than FOX.

Here is that item from the Graswich column in the Sac Bee (5/19/2004), mentioned by sacshack above:

TV musical chairs: Hot rumor in TV land has Channel 31 negotiating to grab the local CBS affiliation from Channel 13. The move would bring CBS and its Sacramento affiliate together under the Viacom corporate umbrella - Viacom owns CBS and Channel 31. It would also leave beleaguered Channel 13 a shadow of its once proud self. "I don't know anything," said Channel 31 boss Tom Tucker. "That rumor surfaces from time to time." No telling what would happen to the crews of "Good Day Sacramento" and its cousin, "Good Evening Sacramento." This column volunteers to help Mark S. Allen find a new gig, should the need arise. ...

If it happened, CBS HD would immediately come to Comcast (assuming the technical side is ready) as Viacom already has an HD agreement with Comcast.

I don't quite understand that. What would happen to the UPN Network and programming? Sacramento would just not have a UPN station?

hammerdwn,

The stations would swap network affiliations. Everything else (call letters, channel numbers, employees, locally produced shows, etc.) would remain the same. So instead of Sinclair owning your local CBS, Viacom would own it, and vice versa for the local UPN station. (To watch a CBS show via analog OTA, you would tune to 31 instead of 13.)

Anyone in Davis get channel 58-1? I can get 31-1 (though I have to tune to 21 to do so (don't get redirected from 31).

Originally posted by ebandman
Anyone in Davis get channel 58-1? I can get 31-1 (though I have to tune to 21 to do so (don't get redirected from 31). 58-1 is showing no signal for me at the moment (in Davis)

I have noticed (in Sacramento) that it hasn't had anything showing on 58-1 for the past week even though I am getting a strong signal.

UPN appears in full power now and is redirected to 31.1.

Originally posted by jacmyoung
UPN appears in full power now and is redirected to 31.1.

Good, then we can expect the guide data to not be far behind?

Is the UPN Transmitter at a significantly different location to the others (ie. NOT Walnut Grove) I can receive all the others (well, no picture on 58, but 100% signal) very well in Tracy, but still can't see 31. When did it go online at full power?

Tracey

Tracey,

KMAX's transmitter *is* in Walnut Grove, so directionality should not be an issue. The signal strength meter on my tuner (here in South Sacramento) indicates KMAX-DT at about the same strength as the other stations. But that doesn't necessarily mean they're at full power -- I've always had a pretty solid signal from them, due to my proximity to the transmitter.

--Bill R.

I don't think KMAX is at full power yet. I am still getting the same 80% signal that I have been getting for a long time, compared to all other stations at 95%.

I'm sure Bob will confirm when they go full power.

Your right hammer, I shouldn't assume it went full power. It did have the correct channel number since yesterday and on my 811, the signal has finally gone from the dreaded 49% to 72% so I can now watch UPN.

Though is there anything HD on UPN?

Sure, KMAX is HD whenever UPN national feed is HD... ie. Enterprise

FYI

At this time there is a SMUD power failure in the Walnut grove area and a number of the DTV stations are down. They have backup generators for the analogs.

Help...I have lost all but 31-1 and 40-1 on my HDTivo. I powered down the unit started over and still no good. I have checked my antenna and all seems OK. Anyone else having this problem?

see above

Rory, thanks...I should have read above, but I was in a panic.

I am still getting fox 40.1 but nothing else.....& I am in Cameron Park behind a hill.

I guess I should apoligize for the "SMUD" outage....Sorry People!!

Joe

Eyewitness report from our transmitter guy -- somebody wiped out and took out a pole on Twin Cities Rd. -- started a grass fire and all kinds of mayhem. It might be awhile ...

--Bill R..

Woodcreek Oaks in between Pleasant Grove and Blue Oaks here!

I have a single-story house and I want to get set up before my HDTivo arrives. Those of you using the CM antennas, are they roof-mounts or did you place them in the attic (and if so, did you need an amp)? I'd really like to go attic mount, and from everything I'm hearing reception should probably be fine - but I just want to make sure.

2nd question - is there any reason so many people in our area are using the CM's? I thought they are multi-directional; however, all the antennas are in the same general area. Would it be better to use a more dedicated directional antenna?

I'm so confused right now about what to buy.

I'm in Brentwood, in a 2-story and I have a CM 4??? antenna (4 bowtie). It's in the attic and my reception is fine. The only thing I don't get is UPN, but that's because it's low-power.

Hope this helps.

hm

Originally posted by dmastro
Woodcreek Oaks in between Pleasant Grove and Blue Oaks here!

I have a single-story house and I want to get set up before my HDTivo arrives. Those of you using the CM antennas, are they roof-mounts or did you place them in the attic (and if so, did you need an amp)? I'd really like to go attic mount, and from everything I'm hearing reception should probably be fine - but I just want to make sure.

2nd question - is there any reason so many people in our area are using the CM's? I thought they are multi-directional; however, all the antennas are in the same general area. Would it be better to use a more dedicated directional antenna?

I'm so confused right now about what to buy.

Didn't even realize the DT went down last night. I was watching Ike on A&E.

Watched the pilot of Summerland on OTA 58.1 tonite and was pretty impressed with the quality of the broadcast. Even the upconverted commercials seemed better than what I've been seeing on the NBC, CBS, and ABC networks.

dmastro--
I'm in Woodland with the four-bowtie CM 4221 (aka 3021) mounted in the attic of a single story house. All my signals from Walnut Grove are in the 90-95 range, including KMAX broadcasting at less than full power. I'm also getting Channels 14 and 19 (the later at about 80) in Spanish. 19-1 is from Modesto, and 60 miles away. I'm not sure where 14-1 originates.

19-1 is Univision, their station facility is on Arden Way I believe, are you sure they transmit from Modesto?

Originally posted by ebandman
Watched the pilot of Summerland on OTA 58.1 tonite and was pretty impressed with the quality of the broadcast...

I thought 58-1 has been down! For a while the signal was 0% (even before all the stations went down from power outage). Now my 6000 gets 96% signal but no picture or sound, and my Fusion has the same.

Is anyone else able to get picture and sound on 58-1?

Hammer

Originally posted by dmastro
Woodcreek Oaks in between Pleasant Grove and Blue Oaks here!

I have a single-story house and I want to get set up before my HDTivo arrives. Those of you using the CM antennas, are they roof-mounts or did you place them in the attic (and if so, did you need an amp)? I'd really like to go attic mount, and from everything I'm hearing reception should probably be fine - but I just want to make sure.

2nd question - is there any reason so many people in our area are using the CM's? I thought they are multi-directional; however, all the antennas are in the same general area. Would it be better to use a more dedicated directional antenna?

I'm so confused right now about what to buy.

I'm off of Washington Blvd and Roseville Parkway. I'm using the 4228 mounted on the chimney of my two story house. I get a great signal on all channels. I've been thinking of mounting in the attic but wasn't sure if I would get a decent reception.

Originally posted by hammerdwn
I thought 58-1 has been down! For a while the signal was 0% (even before all the stations went down from power outage). Now my 6000 gets 96% signal but no picture or sound, and my Fusion has the same.

Is anyone else able to get picture and sound on 58-1?

Hammer

I have exactly the same symptoms, Hammer. My built-in receiver has a very strong signal, but no picture or sound - my Fusion reports 100%, but nothing to show (or hear) for that 100%!

Tracey

Ok good it wasn't just my setup. I sent emails off last night asking what the deal is... no response yet.
jbalkan@hearst.com
kcraengineering@thekcrachannel.com

Hammer

jacmyoung,

I was relying on antennaweb.org, which puts digital Channel 18 (19-1) in Modesto, sixty miles away. It makes much more sense that I'm able to pick up a signal from the Arden area. The signal is analog channel 19.

Originally posted by tlrowley
I have exactly the same symptoms, Hammer. My built-in receiver has a very strong signal, but no picture or sound - my Fusion reports 100%, but nothing to show (or hear) for that 100%!

Tracey

When I check 58.1 now (11 AM) I also get a strong signal with no picture or sound, so I would assume only when they are getting a WB network feed do we get a picture and sound. Interesting.....

Channel 18 and 19 broadcast from somewhere east of Modesto. They have a directional transmitting antenna putting most of their signal up this way. Their master control is on Arden way in Sacramento.

That's interesting. 60 miles from the transmitter. I'm also receiving 14-1, KDTV, the SF Univision station. Any idea where it's transmitter is located?

58-1 is still a full strength, empty signal. However Channel 58's programming is showing at 58-2, while it's PSIP appears on 3-2, which has the same channel 3 programming as 3-1 (with the proper PSIP). [I'm assuming the PSIP is generating the information the Directv HD-Tivo is displaying.

And 6-1 continues to operate without sound, although by receiver "sees" a DD signal. Is anyone getting sound on 6-1?

Originally posted by Bill Shakespeare
And 6-1 continues to operate without sound, although by receiver "sees" a DD signal. Is anyone getting sound on 6-1?
I just started seeing this with my hd-tivo. A week or so ago HD programming on 6-1 was coming in just fine. Now 6-1 is OK for SD programming, but HD programming is mostly without sound. Once a minute or two I'll hear about a half a second of sound. Rewinding reproduces the sound at the same point. Problem occurs regardless of whether I use spdif or analog rca audio connections to my receiver. Problem occurs even when programming is pro-logic, not dolby digital (actually I haven't tested with a dolby digital PBS broadcast).

If I tune into the same shows with a MYHD HD tuner, then the audio plays back just fine. I have in the past (maybe 3 months ago) experienced 6-1 shows where there is no audio via the MYHD tuner. Seems like KVIE sometimes is doing sub-standard (or is it super-standard?) things with their HD stream.

Originally posted by Bill Shakespeare
dmastro--
I'm in Woodland with the four-bowtie CM 4221 (aka 3021) mounted in the attic of a single story house. All my signals from Walnut Grove are in the 90-95 range, including KMAX broadcasting at less than full power. I'm also getting Channels 14 and 19 (the later at about 80) in Spanish. 19-1 is from Modesto, and 60 miles away. I'm not sure where 14-1 originates.

I belive 14 is Univision as well{like 19} that comes from the San Fran area.

Any other San Fran stations you can pick up?

Late night I can get ghostly to snowy and sometimes almost watchable for the curious of all the San frans with a Sensar 100. Thinking up going to a better set up{ something like yours} if anyone has good success, in Sac{ 95831} with those bay area broadcasts. I am just moving from Sonoma County, so, the heart longs for familiar, i guess. :rolleyes:

MyGrain--

The antenna is pointed at Walnut Grove. Perhaps I could receive other SF channels, but it would take a rotation of the antenna. I'm not crawling (literally) back to it until the local stations migrate their digital signals to the VHF frequencies in a couple of years.

Although, I must admit I'm curious about SF reception...
Maybe if something really special was only available that way, I might be back in the attic (there's only one duct I have to low crawl under, the rest is knees on the rafters).

Originally posted by Bill Shakespeare
MyGrain--

The antenna is pointed at Walnut Grove. Perhaps I could receive other SF channels, but it would take a rotation of the antenna. I'm not crawling (literally) back to it until the local stations migrate their digital signals to the VHF frequencies in a couple of years.

Although, I must admit I'm curious about SF reception...
Maybe if something really special was only available that way, I might be back in the attic (there's only one duct I have to low crawl under, the rest is knees on the rafters).

I see. Hrmm..learning more and more. When/if I upgrade the antenna situation I may include pre-amp and roter. Giants games on KTVU 2, Kron 4 morning news, Raider pre games on KICU 36. Stuff I'll miss..maybe. :)

Thanks for the reply, by the way!

..Scott

No you will not. Sometimes we get SF signals in the summer, only due to special weather conditions. Some of us had tried NASA grade antenna on the roof but the law of physics simply does not let us get reliable signals from 90 miles away.

Just to echo my earlier post, this was in J. Freedom DuLac's Media Savvy section in today's Bee:


In the curious calculus of the television business, one local station's upper-management change can send people reeling inside two different broadcast buildings.
Consider the reaction to the news last week that a former CNBC suit, Bruno Cohen, was replacing Tom Tucker as vice president and general manager at Sacramento's UPN-31 (KMAX).

The announcement put the folks at KMAX on edge - where they're likely to remain beyond Cohen's June 17 start date.

"We're all anxious," a station source says. "Nobody knows what's going to happen."

Apparently, that's also the case at Channel 13 (KOVR), where the KMAX management change has given new life to two old rumors:

That media giant Viacom might move its CBS affiliation in Sacramento to KMAX, which is currently a UPN affiliate, and that Viacom is also trying to acquire KOVR outright. (Viacom owns the UPN and CBS networks, along with 39 TV stations - including KMAX.)

"You wouldn't believe how nervous everybody is," says one KOVR insider. "People are crazed."

Another station source says the Viacom chatter dominates discussion. "People here are all freaked out," the source says.

But if Cohen's installment in the executive suite at KMAX is a sign of significant change to come in Sacramento, the Viacom suits aren't saying. At least not publicly.

Privately, a company source indicates that "there's nothing too hot and heavy right now" on either the affiliation or ownership front.

Yet, when asked in a phone interview to address the persistent Sacramento rumors, Dennis Swanson - the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Viacom's Television Stations Group division - says only this:

"Those are hypothetical questions, and a long time ago, I made myself a promise not to answer hypothetical questions. Obviously, the rumor mill is at work. But what we're focused on right now is KMAX - which we own, which is a UPN station and where an experienced manager, Bruno Cohen, is coming in.

"We think there is the potential to grow the station, and we think there's a potential for greater involvement out of that station vis-a-vis our other stations in California. That's really where our focus is."

Besides KMAX, Viacom has four other California stations - two each in Los Angeles and San Francisco, where it owns and operates the CBS and UPN affiliates.

The company currently has eight such "duopolies" across the country, and it's widely known that Viacom previously tried for a ninth, talking with KOVR's corporate owner, Sinclair Broadcast Group, about selling or trading its Sacramento property.

Negotiations are said to have stalled over Sinclair's asking price, said to be in the $400 million to $450 million range. (Sinclair spokesman Mark Hyman was unavailable for comment.)

Even if nothing happens on the ownership front - an issue that's complicated by federal regulations that would prohibit Viacom from taking on KOVR without trimming its station roster elsewhere - it's still possible change could come at KOVR.

The station's affiliation deal with CBS is set to expire early next year. There's speculation it may not be renewed by CBS parent Viacom, which could then move CBS to KMAX.

As the rumor mill grinds on, KMAX staggers forward and awaits the arrival of its new boss.

Though Swanson says change at the top was made because KMAX "had plateaued," he does not foresee a staffing shakeup.

"I think we just need to take what's there and grow beyond that," Swanson says. "That's really what the charge to Bruno is. He'll go in there and he'll make those evaluations on the people who work for him. But I wouldn't think that there's any need for wholesale change in the station."

That's also true of the station's local news programming: the infotainment-style shows "Good Day Sacramento" and "Good Evening Sacramento."

No traditional news, Swanson says. And no chance that the end is near for "Good Evening Sacramento," which has struggled to find its identity - and audience - since its launch last summer.

"It's an experiment that's worth continuing and working with," Swanson says. "I think it will be a challenge for Bruno to work with the folks there and see if we can't move the show to a higher level. But that we're doing a live evening hour in Sacramento is a good thing."

Not so good, though, are the frayed nerves at KMAX. Not that Swanson is surprised.

"When change occurs, there's always some uncertainty and discombobulation," he says. "Hopefully, everybody will calm down and do their jobs. If they do a good job, they won't have anything to worry about."


It looks like CBS HDTV over Comcast may be coming to Sacramento soon...

If so, it will also be availlable to Dish and DirecTV subs.

jacmyoung-
Dbs subscribers already receive CBS HDTV from 13-1 over the air with antennas. Comcast apparently hasn't been able to agree with the Sinclair Group over the financial arrangements that would permit it to carry the HDTV signal on local cable. Comcast and Viacom would probably settle the issue quickly, allowing cable subscribers to receive the digital signal.

Did I get that right?

I was referring to the CBS HD national feeds carried by Dish and DirecTV. Yes we should all have CBS with OTA reception capability.

The DBS national CBS HD feeds were a bonus during the last NFL season when they carried some additional HD football games than KOVR was showing.

I didn't think anyone in the Sacramento area would qualify for the national CBS feed from D*.

Can we receive that from D*?

I thought I heard of some people getting/doing this....I know, I shouldn't post flaky info....but I do believe it has been done. Don't know what affiliate they get. I want to say it was East coast.

Originally posted by Bill Shakespeare
I didn't think anyone in the Sacramento area would qualify for the national CBS feed from D*.

Can we receive that from D*?

You will if Viacom owns our local CBS affiliate which was why my post earlier.

Hello all,

OK, so I finally tracked down an in-stock HD Tivo, and it will be here Mon or Tues next week, so I obviously need to get my OTA antenna installed.

I've decided on the CM 4228 after all the positive reviews. Here are the questions I have:

1. Where did you buy yours locally? I want to install it this weekend.
2. Those who attic-mounted it, how did you install it up there? Run a section of pipe between trusses?
3. I assume I can hook up an old TV to test the OTA reception? Or does Standard signal reception not necessarily guarantee HD signal reception?

Thanks for all the continued help.

Dmastro--
I bought my 4221 at:

Popkey Distributing
2110 5th Street
Sacramento 448-8848

The antenna was $26, although someone recently posted that they're currently charging more. It's an old style shop for technicians and repairmen, mostly. The clerk told me that if the 4221 was not sufficient, I could exchange it for a credit towards the 4228. You may want to start smaller. It's certainly easier in the attic with the smaller model. Although going up to remove and replace it, if necessary, may not be worth the savings in space and money.

I used pvc, rather than pipe, secured vertically to a beam for mounting.

Use www.antennaweb.org to determine the compass bearing from your house to Walnut Grove, and use a compass in the attic,or take a small UHF set with you into the attic.

Originally posted by dmastro

OK, so I finally tracked down an in-stock HD Tivo, and it will be here Mon or Tues next week, so I obviously need to get my OTA antenna installed.



Where did you find a in-stock HD Tivo???? My fingers are getting tired surfing for one.

Tracey

Originally posted by tlrowley
Where did you find a in-stock HD Tivo???? My fingers are getting tired surfing for one.

Tracey


I've been following several of the threads in the sister forum, tivocommunity.com. They have many discussions going right now about the status of pre-orders and when retailers get them in stock.

Someone posted in one of the threads I subscribe to yesterday, indicating the circuitcity.com had them available. I was quick enough to get in before they sold out again.

It really is difficult to track them down right now, but don't give up hope if you're willing to keep checking the boards. I've had a pre-order since early March (to be cancelled now) and been checking online every day for almost a month.

Lucky you - I was too late. Of course, there's always the "Buy it Now" option at ebay - if I didn't think $1750 was too much!!!!!

Sorry to have hi-jacked the thread - back to Sacramento reception, 58.1 is still wonky - has anyone received a response to their e-mail?

Tracey

Bill,

Thank you! Just got off the phone with Popkey. Billy over there couldn't be more cordial, and I'm heading over to pick up an antenna this afternoon. He assured me that if I can't get strong enough signal, he'd be happy to exchange for something else.

Ouch, that's expensive!! For $1,750 you could come pick mine up and I'd wait another month for my pre-order to arrive... ;)

Have you considered keeping the pre-order, or do you think it will be too late to hold the value it has now in the current market?

I really don't want to profit on the unit, so I hadn't thought about keeping it. I figure we're all in the same boat, and I'd want someone to cancel their order - rather than ebay it - so I could get one that much quicker.

The audio on 6-1 has seemed normal on HD broadcasts for the past several nights. After nearly a week of no audio, I was beginning to wonder if the fault was in the HD-Tivo. While, apparently it's an issue with that receiver (since other receivers were getting an audio signal when it was not), the correction for the problem was something KVIE could manage.

58-1 still has no signal. 58-2 has programs with no description, and 3-2 still shows a description for 58's programs (but is broadcasting, appropriately, Channel 3's programming).

I looked at KVIE-HD last night and one program had no audio at all and the next one had left channel only. The second program which was wide screen, not HD, had serious pixelization problems also.

KQCA seems to be broadcasting only a black picture on 58-1 for some reason.

Looks like we have KQCA 58-1 back in action!

Why is ABC not doing 5.1 audio for the NBA Final?

Hammer

Finally, I can start watching WB Superstars again! :D :D

The feed from ABC for the NBA final (game 1 at least) was only two channels. There was no audio on the ABC feed for the anything except right and left front. KXTV aired the game with the Dolby encoder in the 2.0 mode.

ESPN and ABC (when it uses an ESPN feed) use "circle surround," requiring a new decoder, rather than DD 5.1. There is a longish thread http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=290975
extolling the virtues and decrying the stupidity of this separate path that ABC is walking. (Will Fox follow suit after following ABC's use of 720p?)

58-1 down again...

Hammer

Getting no picture on 58.1 and what is apparently the descriptive audio channel from my left speaker and nothing from the right on 6.1.

so is Fox switching from Fox enhanced widescreen to 720p...officially....has that been stated ? In time for NFL I hope ?

Originally posted by mister C
so is Fox switching from Fox enhanced widescreen to 720p...officially....has that been stated ? In time for NFL I hope ?

Do a search in the HDTV Programming Forum. They will switch by the beginning of the fall season to 720p HDTV. This includes football.

geez...now i really got to get that antenna up in the attic ! can't miss out on Terry Bradshaw in 720p....or Gilian for that matter.

What's up with KVIE? Last week 6-1 had sound with no audio (for my HD-Tivo). Then the audio came back by the weekend, although last night I was getting the descriptive video service and left channel audio only. Tonight, the audio seems good, but there is NO picture!

It seems the KVIE engineers cannot walk and chew gum at the same time.

Wow - I just did a full circuit of the Sacramento stations and they were all working - at the same time - I think that's a first!! (Not counting KMAX, of course) I wonder how long that will last? Anyone want to start a pool?

Tracey

Hey guys,

I got my HDTivo a couple of weeks ago and I'm dieing to try out some HD locals. I don't have an antenna yet so I'd like to know what you guys in my area (Turlock/Modesto) recommend.

I have a 2 story house with a cement tile roof so I need something that can be mounted (easily I hope) to the eave like the *D dish.

Secondly can anyone recommend a reasonably priced, reliable company in the area that will take do an install and setup if the antenna needs more installation that is easy for a newbie.

Dare I say *bump*

Hey Beth, I'm not sure what the geography is like in your area or what lies between your house and the antennas, but before I spent a bunch of change on an external antenna, I'd at least TRY a Zenith Silver sensor. Buy it from Best Buy or something so you can take it back if it doesn't work.

If you don't know about this little gem, it's a remarkably strong indoor antenna. I have one on top of my bookcase next to my tv, and I pick up all of the locals (when they're working @#$@#) no problem.

I live in Mather, which is just south-east of downtown sacramento, and I think I'm approx 40 miles away from the antennas?

Life would be so much easier if I could just get my HD locals from *D.

That antenna is so cheap it's worth trying out, thanks for the suggestion. In fact it would be nice if I can place it on a self behind the TV which sits in a corner since then it won't be obvious and I don't have to worry about adding wiring to the outside of the house since we want to sell in the next year and one of the features is the house is prewired (we didn't think we needed more than 2 runs for the tivo..drat!)

I can second the recommendation for the Silver Sensor. I'm using it in Tracy, which, according to antennaweb.org, is about 40 miles, too. It's certainly worth a try (you could probably return it if it didn't work). We bought an amplifier to go with it, and never even took it out of the box - didn't need it.

Of course, you're going to be further than that - or are there repeaters closer to Modesto?

Tracey

I don't know. I am totally new to OTA antennas and haven't had much time to research yet. I'm not sure I can get a good enough signal to make it worth buying an outdoor antenna and having it installed. I want to make sure I get a better picture than I have with my *D SD locals.

Have you looked at antennaweb.org ? You put in your address (or just zip code) and it tells you what channels you should get (digital and analog) and the sort of antenna (color-coded) you would need to have. It's the best place to start looking. It tends to be on the conservative side - I can receive signals with a much smaller antenna than they recommend.

Tracey

I think Modesto is about on the edge as far as distance goes. I've seen messages here indicating some are receiving the signals.

You said, "Turlock/Modesto" though. If you are closer to Turlock and don't have a two or three story house you may need a higher mast antenna. And that might not be be sufficient for reliable reception.

I'm in the North end of turlock (part of the new development). I have a 2 story house.

Antennaweb.org gave me a page full of channels:

green - uhf KUVS 19 UNI MODESTO CA 354° 41.6 19
lt green - uhf KNSO 51 TEL MERCED CA 74° 45.2 51
* lt green - uhf KUVS-DT 19.1 UNI MODESTO CA 354° 41.6 18
lt green - uhf KTNC 42 AZA CONCORD CA 279° 62.6 42
lt green - uhf KFTL 64 SAH STOCKTON CA 279° 62.7 64
* lt green - uhf KFTL-DT 62 SAH STOCKTON CA TBD 278° 63.3 62
blue - uhf KFTV 21 UNI HANFORD CA 96° 84.1 21
blue - uhf KCSO-LP 33 TEL SACRAMENTO CA 354° 41.7 33
blue - uhf KAIL 53 UPN FRESNO CA 96° 84.0 53
blue - uhf KAZV-LP 14 A1 MODESTO CA 249° 27.5 14
blue - uhf KFSN 30 ABC FRESNO CA 96° 84.4 30
blue - uhf KACA-LP 61 DAY MODESTO CA 299° 11.6 61
blue - uhf KEXT-CA 27 TFA MODESTO CA 249° 27.5 27
blue - uhf KTXL 40 FOX SACRAMENTO CA 310° 62.8 40
blue - uhf KGPE 47 CBS FRESNO CA 96° 84.4 47
blue - uhf KFRE 59 WB SANGER CA 96° 83.9 59
blue - uhf KMAX 31 UPN SACRAMENTO CA 311° 61.9 31
blue - uhf KQCA 58 WB STOCKTON CA 309° 60.8 58
violet - vhf KQED 9 PBS SAN FRANCISCO CA 266° 89.0 9
violet - uhf KTFF-LP 68 TFA FRESNO CA 96° 83.9 68
violet - uhf KMPH 26 FOX FRESNO CA 103° 123.7 26
violet - uhf KMPH-CA 17 FOX Merced CA 74° 45.1 17
violet - vhf KVIE 6 PBS SACRAMENTO CA 310° 62.8 6
violet - uhf KVPT 18 PBS FRESNO CA 106° 101.8 18
* violet - uhf KSPX-DT 48 PAX SACRAMENTO CA TBD 310° 62.8 48
violet - uhf KTFF 61 TFA PORTERVILLE CA 112° 140.2 61
* violet - vhf KNSO-DT 5.1 TEL Merced CA 96° 84.1 5
violet - vhf KNTV 11 NBC SAN JOSE CA 227° 61.5 11
violet - uhf KNXT 49 REL VISALIA CA 112° 140.2 49
violet - vhf KOVR 13 CBS STOCKTON CA 309° 60.8 13
* violet - uhf KOVR-DT 13.1 CBS Stockton CA 309° 60.8 25
violet - vhf KPIX 5 CBS SAN FRANCISCO CA 266° 89.0 5
violet - uhf KJEO-LP 32 UAT FRESNO CA 96° 84.4 32
violet - uhf KBWB 20 WB SAN FRANCISCO CA 266° 89.0 20
violet - uhf KGMC 43 IND CLOVIS CA 106° 101.7 43
violet - vhf KGO 7 ABC SAN FRANCISCO CA 266° 89.0 7
violet - uhf KSEE 24 NBC FRESNO CA 106° 101.8 24
* violet - uhf KSEE-DT 24.1 NBC FRESNO CA 96° 84.1 16
violet - uhf KION 46 CBS MONTEREY CA 197° 80.4 46
violet - vhf KRON 4 IND SAN FRANCISCO CA 266° 89.0 4
violet - vhf KSBW 8 NBC SALINAS CA 199° 63.9 8
violet - vhf KXTV 10 ABC SACRAMENTO CA 309° 60.8 10
violet - vhf KTVU 2 FOX OAKLAND CA 266° 89.0 2
* violet - uhf KGPE-DT 47.1 CBS FRESNO CA 96° 84.4 34
violet - vhf KCRA 3 NBC SACRAMENTO CA 311° 61.9 3
* violet - uhf KTNC-DT 63.1 AZA CONCORD CA 279° 62.6 63
violet - uhf K27GZ 27 TBN MARIPOSA CA 74° 45.2 27

Looks like most everyone except Sacramento is getting Mission Impossible 2 in HD :mad:

Hammer

Just set up my antenna tonight - Winegard PR-8800 in the attic. Strong signal for the lower channels (90's), higher channels could use a little tweaking (upper 60's). But altogether not bad for just eyeballing the antenna - I'll dial it in when the wife can watch the signal meter.

Anyway, on to the question... I threw on 10-1 to watch the Lakers lose, and it looks like it's being broadcast in 2-channel digital, not 5.1. Is that correct, or do I have some sort of tuner setup issue?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Copied from a post by Ken H.


Tech Notes:
- Native HD format is 720p.
- ABC is using the ESPN HD production team / equipment for the broadcasts.
- HD video and graphics is framed for the 4:3 analog broadcast.
- Audio is DD 2.0 with Circle Surround. Use any analog surround processing; Pro Logic, Pro Logic II, Circle Surround, CSII, Logic 7, etc.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the betamax of surround formats! "Superior" technology but noone supports it (natively). I wish ABC/ESPN would just use one of the standard adopted formats.

Was channel 58 down last night? I just set up my OTA antenna, and it was the only station I had 0 signal on. The rest of the locals had a signal strength of minimum 75 of 100.

I could not get channel 58 a little after 9 PM Tues. night in Rocklin.

That sounds like just about the time I was trying too...

This morning I noticed that 31-1 occupied two positions, one without the schedule (what I've been watching), and one with the program schedule. Looks like they're finally at full power.

Oh, and 58 was still off the air this morning.

No I still don't have a lock on 31-1 with my 811 (49%) but my DTC100 locked on it ok. 58-1 was back last night.

It's 7:50pm on Thursday - I have no audio on 6.1 (the Fleetwood Mac Soundstage) but the audio is working on 53.1 - this is on my built-in HD receiver - my problem or theirs?

Tracey

Okay I am very new to the whole HDTV thing. I currently have comcrap(sorry to any comcast employees but only 2 local channels in HD isn't cool) but been thinking about going to either DISH or DirecTV. My question is though with them is that they just pull the HD signal via OTA so would I get more channels than what I have with Comcast. I live in Manteca and no my HDTV doesn't have a builtin tuner so I would have to go with a Satellite or Cable route.

Here is my information from anntenaweb.

* yellow - uhf KVIE-DT 6.1 PBS Sacramento CA 320° 36.2 53
* yellow - uhf KQCA-DT 58.1 WB STOCKTON CA 323° 35.0 46
* yellow - uhf KSPX-DT 48 PAX SACRAMENTO CA TBD 319° 36.1 48
* yellow - uhf KOVR-DT 13.1 CBS Stockton CA 319° 34.1 25
* yellow - uhf KCRA-DT 3.1 NBC Sacramento CA 319° 34.5 35
* green - uhf KXTV-DT 10.1 ABC Sacramento CA 319° 34.1 61
* green - uhf KTXL-DT 40.1 FOX Sacramento CA 320° 36.2 55
* red - uhf KFTL-DT 62 SAH STOCKTON CA TBD 264° 38.2 62
* red - uhf KUVS-DT 19.1 UNI MODESTO CA 35° 35.3 18
* violet - uhf KTNC-DT 63.1 AZA CONCORD CA 265° 37.2 63
* violet - uhf KMAX-DT 31.1 UPN SACRAMENTO CA 321° 35.4 21

So I guess my question is should I stay with Comcast and slowly wait for more local channels to appear or go satellite and get them now. Then if it is satellite what should I look at in order to get the best picture. I have talked to a place in Tracy that offered DISH but all they cared about is the sale. So any advice would be great.

Thanks

Eric

Hey Eric,

You should have no trouble pulling in the Sacramento stations in Manteca, I'm in Tracy (far east side) and I get great reception with just a Silver Sensor.

As far as satellite/cable goes, I haven't had cable so I can't really comment on that. I'm currently a Dishnetwork customer - until tomorrow. I'm having Directv installed. I just felt that D* had better HD support (ie the HD-tivo). I know that E* has an HD-pvr, but I had one of the SD pvr's from them and it simply didn't compare to my Replaytv. I have an HD-tivo on order from Good Guys in Modesto, and I ordered one from circuitcity.com today, that apparently has shipped - yea!!!

I've just read too many complaints about the dishnetwork hd boxes, so I was too nervous to go with them. The lack of OTA listings in the guide for those boxes was a real deal breaker for me. I'm a little sad to leave Dish, I've had them for 8 years, and I will miss the superstations.

One advantage to going with cable, though, would be no commitment. With either satellite you're tied up for a year. Comcast doesn't offer HD in my neighborhood yet, though, so that wasn't an option for me.

HTH,
Tracey
(yes, Tracey lives in Tracy - get your jokes in now :p )

Can anyone else that may have DTV or DISH speak up about this? Comcast is just lacking so bad in local channels. If I could get a definate answer from Comcast about more local HD channels I would be happy but NBC and ABC are not cutting it.

Eric, I have DTV with the HD-Tivo and just love it. I have no problems receiving OTA channels from Sacramento here in Vacaville. There are a lot of rumors about DTV's HD package. DTV has announced that sometime this year they will double or triple the number of HD channels they currently have, which I believe is 6. Some people who claim to be in the know have indicated that DTV will announce some additions within the coming weeks, lets hope so.

KVIE has a program called "Sound Stage" on 6-1 at this time. The only problem with it is NO SOUND. Earlier they had something on that had only descriptive audio coming from the left channel and nothing on the right. Am I the only one having these problems with 6-1?

Rory,

If you look back through the thread, you'll see I've made similar complaints. I wasn't watching earlier tonight, and at 11:30 p.m., the sound is ok, but I've had no sound and descriptive video from the left channel (although usually with the regular audio in the center) on several occasions. I'm using an HD-Tivo.

B.S.

I've noticed bad audio on 6.1 lately, only to change to 53.1 and find it correct there. I don't know how easy that is to do on an HD-Tivo - I don't have mine yet - it's supposed to be here on Thursday - yea! Of course, if it's a recording and not live, you're going to really be out of luck.

Tracey

Originally posted by Bill Shakespeare
jacmyoung-
Dbs subscribers already receive CBS HDTV from 13-1 over the air with antennas. Comcast apparently hasn't been able to agree with the Sinclair Group over the financial arrangements that would permit it to carry the HDTV signal on local cable. Comcast and Viacom would probably settle the issue quickly, allowing cable subscribers to receive the digital signal.

Did I get that right?

I don't get it. If Viacom and ComCast are a done deal as far as HDTV goes, why don't we have UPN(KMAX) on ComCast HDTV lineup now?

Currently with Comcast HD... bummed I can't get Enterprise in HD. I have no OTA experience in Pollock Pines other than FM. A 36 inch wire stuck in the back of my receiver gets all Sac FM stations clear as a bell, and some Bay Area stations to boot.

Am I dreaming thinking I can loose the Comcast box and get HD over the air?

Anyone here from Pollock Pines?

Rory,
I recorded sound stage a couple times over the weekend on my HD-tivo and I didn't get audio any time. Hopefully they will get it right while they are still showing reruns. Why did it have to happen when Fleetwood Mac was on sound stage?

Originally posted by theclaus
Can anyone else that may have DTV or DISH speak up about this? Comcast is just lacking so bad in local channels. If I could get a definate answer from Comcast about more local HD channels I would be happy but NBC and ABC are not cutting it.

Don't hold your breath for any additional locals until at least the later part of this year. They were supposed to (according to a higher-up at Comcast) add KVIE and likely KOVR during the first quarter this year, and the last I heard about KVIE is "looks like late third quarter or so". Still no word on KOVR.

s.bradford:

Can you or any of your neighbors get the Sacramento analog UHF TV stations? If the UHF analogs are receivable it is likely that you can get the DTV stations which broadcast from the same towers. The Sacramento FM stations may not be much of an indicator because they broadcast from different locations than the TV stations which are near Walnut Grove.

Thanks Rory. But I fear an antennae on a roof is a rare beast these days... in any neighborhood. I was hoping to find someone here that has tried in Pollock Pines, Camino, or even Placerville.

You can always bring a small TV and a $20 antenna outside to try. Just don't try this during thunderstorms:)

In any case KMAX 13.1 is on low power many of us don't get to see it on this side of the hills.

Ok as I expected KVOR and KGPE denied our waivers. Direct TV send an "analog" waiver and per the CS that's all they will send. Now I already get my KVOR analog locals from *D so all I want to get a HD feed.

KVOR is 60 miles away per webantenna.org and KGPE is 80 miles away so the odds of me getting a decent reliable feed is not likely (others in the area have not been able).

What are my chances of getting the station engineers to ok a waiver so I can get the LA HD? I still want and will watch my KVOR analog that I get from *D already so at least KVOR doesn't loose anything by giving me a waiver and since I don't watch KGPE and they are so far away the odds of getting my viewership is nil to nonexistant. IF *D carries KVOR HD then I'd of course change to that from the LA feed.

Any thoughts? And if you think I stand a chance of swaying them to my POV does anyone have direct contact information for either station?

Originally posted by nightowl
...Still no word on KOVR.

If there is anything to the prior reported rumor Comcast might also be waiting to see how the affiliation situation resolves itself.

Hi All,

I'm in Davis (95616) and i get every channel except for UPN 31. i get the analog station just fine. antennaweb has it listed as a blue uhf. if I get a silver sensor will i be able to see UPN?

Also, how exactly does the degrees thing work on antenna wed. is it just say 130 degrees from north?

Yep. If you've got a compass, it's a bearing of 130 degrees, but if you don't it's basically southeast.

I'm using an attic mounted antenna in Woodland. Davis is 10 miles closer to the towers, so you may get by with the Silver Sensor.

Originally posted by Bill Shakespeare
Yep. If you've got a compass, it's a bearing of 130 degrees, but if you don't it's basically southeast.

I'm using an attic mounted antenna in Woodland. Davis is 10 miles closer to the towers, so you may get by with the Silver Sensor.

cool. im in an apt complex, so i dont think they would let me drill into their roof, heh. i'll pick up the silver sensor and give it a hot.

I get analog 31 here in Tracy, but still can't pick up 31-1. Has anyone heard anything more about them going to full power?

Tracey

antennaweb says 31 is about as far away from me as the other stations. odd i can't pick it up. hopefully the silver sensor will fix it.

Digital 31 is not at full power yet. If you get the other stations, you will likely be able to get 31 when it goes to full power - or so I've been told. I was able to receive if for about 5 minutes a few months ago, during one of their tests!

Tracey

Originally posted by tlrowley
Digital 31 is not at full power yet. If you get the other stations, you will likely be able to get 31 when it goes to full power - or so I've been told. I was able to receive if for about 5 minutes a few months ago, during one of their tests!

Tracey

haha. well im moving after the summer anyway. just graduated :) so hopefully the silver sensor will be enough for me to pick up UPN for the time being.

I think many of us have been having various problems with KVIE, especially, for me, the audio. I e-mailed them last night, and received this response:

Apparently the primary and secondary audio services on KVIE-DT (6-1) are being reversed somehow when in our PBS-HD during primetime. I suspect that the PSIP information is incorrectly instructing the viewer's receivers to decode the secondary audio service, which may or may not contain program material depending on the show. Some viewer's have mentioned that if they switch their receiver's audio to decode the secondary audio service the stereo program could then be decoded correctly.
We had a similar problem a while back and I believe it was due to a corrupted PSIP database and re-building the PSIP tables resolved the problem at that time. Although the configuration appears to be correct, I've deleted and reconstructed all of the PSIP tables that define the audio channel allocations for KVIE-DT in hopes that the newly created metadata will correct the situation. If so I'll issue a bug report to the authors of our PSIP software.

Here's hoping we have a solution that sticks!

I also suggested that they might want to have someone monitor this thread, as some of the other stations do.

Tracey

Originally posted by mrchan
antennaweb says 31 is about as far away from me as the other stations. odd i can't pick it up. hopefully the silver sensor will fix it.
If you can receive the other Sacramento stations from your location, you will be able to receive KMAX, Channel 31-1 when we are operating on our new antenna. We're still on the temporary directional antenna. I cannot give a date but it should not be much longer.

Bob Hess
Director of Engineering
KMAX

Originally posted by Bob Hess
If you can receive the other Sacramento stations from your location, you will be able to receive KMAX, Channel 31-1 when we are operating on our new antenna. We're still on the temporary directional antenna. I cannot give a date but it should not be much longer.

Bob Hess
Director of Engineering
KMAX

thanks for the info.

KMAX is now showing GRAY bars on the sides of the picture. I guess I don't mind it, but the edges between the video and gray bars do not meet. So there is a small black line between the video and gray bar. If they are going to put up gray bars they should match up the edges better:D

Hammer

Originally posted by hammerdwn
KMAX is now showing GRAY bars on the sides of the picture. I guess I don't mind it, but the edges between the video and gray bars do not meet. So there is a small black line between the video and gray bar. If they are going to put up gray bars they should match up the edges better:D

Hammer
Yep, we're aware of it. Working on it.

- Bob

cool, let me know when 31 becomes full strength then i can drop my locals from my dishnetwork bill.

KVIE's HD signal seems to be working properly now. No descriptive audio, no left channel only.

Channel 31 KMAX seemed to have more power last night. I got a signal level 2 with Samsung TRS-150 & a real picture for a change in Rocklin.

bought a silver sensor, got it pointed in approximately the right directions, still no 31 from Davis tho.

Hey guys, nice to see a Sacramento thread! I live near Arden Fair Mall and need an antenna. I have directv now, but I want local HDTV. Any recommendations on a good antenna setup? I tried an indoor type and got horible reception. My house is a rental so I can't setup anything permanant. Are those antennas that attach to a Sat dish any good? Or should i get something I can mount to the fireplace?

Whats worked for you all?

Johnny

I live off of west el camino between 5 and 80 and The silver sensor works well for me.I do have it on the second floor in a closet closest to the southern wall.
I pick up all locals well except for 31 which should be getting better soon.

For those using Voom and were missing KMAX 31, it's mapped now.

Is anyone else having problems getting channel 3-1 (KCRA) right now?

Funny you should mention that - I just Tivo'd almost 2 hours of black screen instead of tennis - oh well. So, no, it's not your setup!

Tracey

Originally posted by tlrowley
... I just Tivo'd almost 2 hours of black screen instead of tennis - oh well.

Oh no! That sucks. :(

Edit- just sent email to the KCRA engineering dept about it (*maybe* they'll respond this time, I've sent email about KQCA 58 problems before and they are ignored).

Over on the SatGuys forum (Voom local area) Vicki posted earlier that she contacted them and they said they were not having any problems.

No KCRA-DT here for me either. I just installed a shiny new HD TiVo last night and it was working fine then -- this morning, nothing there. Since all other channels are fine, I assumed it was them ...

--Bill R.

kcra was out for me also this morning, seems to be working now tho.


Johnny

Originally posted by tlrowley
Funny you should mention that - I just Tivo'd almost 2 hours of black screen instead of tennis - oh well. So, no, it's not your setup!

Tracey


Tracey, are you on VOOM? I originally had sound on 3-1 this morning, but no picture. Now I don't even have the sound. I CAN, however, get picture and sound on a TV that is not hooked up to VOOM, and my neighbor (on Dish) is getting Channel 3.

Wonder what's up with this?

Vicki

Yep, looks like KCRA-DT is back up.

Thanks!!

Vicki, is the other TV using analog OTA or cable? That signal was still okay.

Originally posted by drunkpenguin
kcra was out for me also this morning, seems to be working now tho.


Johnny

When I saw you post, I ran back in the other room, and yep, it's back up for me, too.

It's just weird that I've been able to get it all day on the set not hooked up to VOOM, so I guess it was one of those VOOMbugs!

Thanks, all.

Vicki :D

Originally posted by deeann
Yep, looks like KCRA-DT is back up.

Thanks!!

Vicki, is the other TV using analog OTA or cable? That signal was still okay.

Deeann, I guess so--after the installer set things up I played with the connections until I got local channels on the two sets that don't have an STB. I put in a splitter and hooked up to my prior cable coax and get local reception (poor, but passable) on those two sets now. But if the VOOM antenna is a digital antenna, shouldn't the signal come through as digital, even if it runs through the cable coax lines?

I'm not fully up to speed on all this, as you can tell! Thanks for the tip to come here!

Vicki :confused:

Vicki, looks like it mighta been region wide (not just a Voom problem, we still had our mapping fine, just no signal).

Oh yeah- welcome to AVS! (for those who haven't met Vicki yet, she posts over at SatGuys)

I've split mine also (but to a VCR instead). The antenna will pick up both the digital and analog signals (which is handy when the digital goes down, though (as you've noticed also) the analog reception isn't always that great).

Don't worry- you'll get up to speed with all this stuff pretty fast :D

Anybody else looked at KQCA (58-1) lately? All I'm getting is a screen full of green blocks, with audio from programs that are not airing on KQCA analog. Right now for example, at 12:25 on a Saturday afternoon, I am hearing an episode of Will & Grace. Checked it on two different receivers -- same thing on both.

Call me crazy, but it seems like they have somehow managed to put their Warner Bros. syndication receiver into their DTV transmitter! Will & Grace just ended, and now it's sitting in black ... after a minute or so, the end credits ran (I can hear 'em, but not see 'em) ... and now it's gone to bars and tone ... and another episode of Will & Grace. It's been like this for at least 12 hours!

--Bill R.

Same here on KQCA (58-1). I noticed it yesterday as well during the afternoon. Sometime in the 10:00 pm hour block I surfed to 58.1 to check and there was a HD network show playing and all looked well.

Earlier in the week the KCRA DT signal went out during Conan. I'm wondering whether they are swapping gear between the two channels as a result.

Hey I got a question for football fans (mainly raider fans). Since the nfl blocks out many local games, is there a TV station close enough to Sac that I might be able to reach with my antenna that would not be blacked out? I heard chico gets the games, anybody know?


Johnny

Originally posted by Garrett Adams
I'm wondering whether they are swapping gear between the two channels as a result.

I don't know what they're doing, but whatever it is, it's not good! Maybe they just patched their WB HD receiver into the transmitter (which is why you saw HD last night), and now it's just spewing out SD syndication programming (for shows they don't own the rights to broadcast ...)

--Bill R.

Deleted 'cos of stupidity......

Still the same junk on KQCA-DT as of midnight. I wonder why they just don't turn off the transmitter and save some money ...

68 miles from Oak Grove...Using a roof top yagi at the apex of my single stroy roofline boosting w/a 24 db amp combing both SAT and OTA signals then splitting w/in the Voom receiver.

OTA:

3.1
6.1, 6.2, 6.3 (6.4 is not listed; all 6.x DTV signals have some slight problems early AM and late PM when sun is present, small window)
10.1, 10.2
13.1, 13.2
19.1 (19.2 listed but no programming)
31.1 (listed but unable to receive due to LP)
40.1, 40.2
58.1 (seems to be having rather consistent problems recently)

Voom (DVI):

HBOHD E/W
MAXHD E/W
SHOHD E/W
TMCHD E
STARZHD E/W
ENCOREHD E
ESPN E/W
DISCHD E
BRAVOHD E
TNTHD E
NFLHD E

plus 21 Voom originated HD channels

plus 80+ SD

Up and running since Feb 04 w/ Toshiba 46H83 HD Monitor, P DVD, 5.1

Correction:

ESPNHD E Only

OK, it is now Monday at 11am and KQCA-DT is *still* transmitting the raw output of their WB syndication satellite receiver (with unviewable video, but perfect audio). I don't get it ...

-- Bill R.

I would have to guess they do not know what they have on the air. ???

if they don't know somebody needs to be fired!


Johnny

I'm not sure how they could *not* know -- I've been in their control room -- they've got monitoring for both KCRA-DT and KQCA-DT. Unless that's all broken, it would be impossible for anybody to be in there for three days and not notice.

I'm marking this one down as perhaps the strangest, and lengthiest on-air blunder I've seen (and I've see a LOT!) :D

--Bill R.

So they are leaving it on the air, spending I would guess at least $300 a day, just so they can say they were on? Very strange. I will give them credit for good signal strength anyway. The programing does leave a lot to be desired though.

Hmmm, I gotta say, I am more inclined to tune into THIS than I am to their regular programming!

--Bill R.

since yesterday June 6th, I havent had any sound on KQCA 58. you guys having the same problem?

I haven't checked their audio for a couple of days, but I can confirm as of this moment it's dead on my end as well.

KQCA went to black on Monday afternoon at around 4:30 (as opposed to sending out the green screen and audio from the WB receiver). Video popped back on sometime on Tuesday, but no audio. Not sure what is going on over there, but if I were them, I'd just turn off the power.

thanks for the info guys. hope it picks back up soon.

On another note, I just noticed tonight that KXTV has removed the "stretch" from their 4x3 programming -- it's now truly 4x3 and looks good. I applaud them for that!

Now, I'm not sure about those gray side-panels on KMAX. That *doesn't* look good to me.

--Bill R.

Bill R.,

I've watched very little SD on the digital channels, but I don't remember KXTV being "stretched" previously (like ESPN-HD). What changed for you?

Bill S.,

KXTV had been stretched just a little bit for several years when they were upconverting -- not a lot, but enough to make people look too "wide." Yesterday they removed the stretch, so it is a perfect 4x3. I've got a couple of friends in Engineering over there, and I have been pestering them to do this for some time. I guess they finally decided they'd heard enough out of me. :D

--Bill R.

Originally posted by drunkpenguin
Hey I got a question for football fans (mainly raider fans). Since the nfl blocks out many local games, is there a TV station close enough to Sac that I might be able to reach with my antenna that would not be blacked out? I heard chico gets the games, anybody know?


Johnny

I get 12..CBS I think, in fuzzy mess for the most part. Who knows, with a bigger ant. Mines a non amped wingard sensar 1000, in the "pocket" area.

Raider fan as well, and season ticket holder....til now. So, I too, am wondering about such.

Originally posted by mrchan
since yesterday June 6th, I havent had any sound on KQCA 58. you guys having the same problem?

Marty? That you?!

How's the Delorean holding up these days?

;-}

When I checked today at 4:45 pm KQCA-DT 58.1 had both audio and video.

Originally posted by videojanitor
Bill S.,

KXTV had been stretched just a little bit for several years when they were upconverting -- not a lot, but enough to make people look too "wide."

it was a 14x9 stretch (vs the 16x9 full-screen). Now, I can finally watch KXTV-DT for 4x3 programming :)

Troy

All of KVIE's digital signals were off the air earlier this morning.

About multiple digital signals, is there any reason to keep a station's extra digital channels in my channel list? Except for KOVR, with its digital and analog weeknight programming at different times, and KVIE, are the multiple signals each station transmits duplicates of each other?

I've been wondering this too. Sometimes it seems they have different programming, and other times they are the same. Is there a list somewhere for which channels show what?


Johnny

Originally posted by Bill Shakespeare
About multiple digital signals, is there any reason to keep a station's extra digital channels in my channel list? Except for KOVR, with its digital and analog weeknight programming at different times, and KVIE, are the multiple signals each station transmits duplicates of each other?

For the most part you can probably delete them, at least in this market. 10-2 usually had the "weather radar," but it's gone for the summer; 13-2 is just a (very soft) SD version of KOVR analog (used by some cable companies I'm told); 40-2 is the same as 40-1 as far as the video goes, but it carries SAP audio (when available on the program).

--Bill R.

I use a silver sensor in my upstairs closet and pick up the sac locals fine except for 31.

Last night I ran a channel check and picked up many more stations,most watchable.

I received 4.1 4.2 7.1 7.2 7.3 38.1 43.1 43.2,I'm guessing these stations are from the bay area.I cant pick them up this morning.

Anyone around downtown sac,I'm in 95833,picking up these stations on a consistent basis?
I may add an amp or reposition my antenna if I could get these station reliably.

Any recommendations,I really don't want to use an outside antenna,the attic may be OK.I think there is coax already up there.

Originally posted by shred
I use a silver sensor in my upstairs closet and pick up the sac locals fine except for 31.

Last night I ran a channel check and picked up many more stations,most watchable.

I received 4.1 4.2 7.1 7.2 7.3 38.1 43.1 43.2,I'm guessing these stations are from the bay area.I cant pick them up this morning.

Anyone around downtown sac,I'm in 95833,picking up these stations on a consistent basis?
I may add an amp or reposition my antenna if I could get these station reliably.

Any recommendations,I really don't want to use an outside antenna,the attic may be OK.I think there is coax already up there.

I was in the bay area last night, and can tell you that there was a lot of fog through the bay and up to about Richmond. That is likely the reason you were receiving the stations. The signal travels a little farther when it's warm outside and the fog is a little heavier. You likely won't get those reliably, but during the summertime it's fun to play with them a bit!

I watched a little of the Busch race yesterday, and all of the Cup race today on 3-1. Both were in 4x3.

There's a thread in the programming section stating that NBC was sending out a 16 x 9 signal to stations around the country.

What happened to KCRA?

well i still seem to pick up the 4 and 7 channels in fact last night hdnet was on one and now 4-2 has some hd music on.sure would be nice to get thes stations year round.

ne one pick up tehse bay area stations all the time?seems i get them most of the time now.

Ok im picking up the bay area stations most of the time but seem to have lost kvie 6 and its sub channels.Is it just me or is there digital signal gone?

No KVIE here, either.

Tracey

cool,thanks I was thinking my new stb was f'n up.

yeah, no KVIE either. Sup with that? No funds or something? Hope that its still up. Bout the bay area thing. Yeah, I was picking up the ABC for the bay area, which is 7. I think the Digital channel was 30. I also picked up these other ones too, don't know any info on them, but they included like 4 subs channels, not including the main digital ones. Within one of those subchannel was a radar map of the east coast. Very similar to KXTV 10 weather radar, which is now off now. Weird. Anyways, I'm using Hughes E86 to pick up locals no DirecTV though. I'm using an AMP RCA ant with 45 dba. I can't wait until FOX HD, whats going on with that? I know our fox is broadcasting in 1080i, but are they ready for 720p this fall. The all star game was 480p correct? It was okay quality. Honestly guys, why 720p? sports looks soooooooo much better in 1080i anytime. ESPN and FOX messed up big time. Wellz, I just want to see our KINGS in 1080i, wellz, they are on channel 10..errr...hope its not going to be 720p. I had a chance to see the kings in 1080i vs Dallas last season, it was SWEET!!!! More please =) Later.

Originally posted by wunautica
I know our fox is broadcasting in 1080i, but are they ready for 720p this fall. The all star game was 480p correct? It was okay quality.

If you're talking about KTXL, they are sending 720p, not 1080i -- FOX HD gear is installed at their location, and they are ready to pass along FOX HD programming as soon as it is made available.

The MLB All-Star game was indeed 480p (upconverted to 720p in this market), but it was from an *NTSC* source, so the quality fell short of what one normally sees on a FOX "widescreen" presentation.

--Bill R.

Unless something has changed since last year, KTXL has been sending out 480p not 720p, I know that since I have captured many frames on my computer and they were 480p.

The source video may be 480p, but it is upconverted to 720p for transmission. It had been upconverted to 1080i for several years, but just changed to 720p a few months ago, to get in line with what FOX will be feeding.

--Bill R.

No it was transmitted in 480p since its inception, I have the captured clips as proof. We are talking Sacramento FOX affiliate right? Can't say if any changes were made last year since I no longer use my PC to watch it.

Yep, Sacramento, KTXL. Not sure what to tell you. My various STBs all indicate the format of the transmission -- KTXL started out as 480p, then it changed to 1080i a few years ago, and then to 720p a few months ago. There were several people in this forum who commented that they noticed when it changed from 1080i to 720p.

If your results are different, then we'll have to "agree to disagree" on this one.

--Bill R.

I pinged KVIE to see what was up (or down, as the case might be) and received the following response

"We've had arcing in a tube cavity, and haven't been able to diagnose the problem with our test equipment. The transmitter is still under warranty and so a manufacturer's tech is arriving tonight. Hope to be up by this time tomorrow."

So, with any luck, we'll see them up again soon.

Tracey

I was able to get programming on Saturday night for a few hours. Thought it was fixed. ON Sunday and this morning I got searching for signal. Is it still down for everyone or do I need bigger antenna? I am in Modesto and get all other channels perfectly but 31.

I have been unable to receive KVIE-DT for quite some time now.....as of last night it was still out for me.....& I usually get full strength

Joe

I was getting KVIE last night, around 9pm. First time I had seen a signal in several days. Not sure if it is on today, but can check when I get home. They may still be fixing things which would explain why the signal would come and go.

I should check my recording of Mystery, from early this a.m....

I'll either spoil the ending, if I'm not careful, or watch it without checking, only to discover the ending is missing.

Was Mystery actually on (barring signal problems)? My HDTivo said it was, but the KVIE website said differently. From 6pm to 6am, KVIE says they carry the national PBS HD feed, and that doesn't include Mystery. It appears the Tivo guide get it right from 6pm to midnight, but from then until 6am it just says that 6-1 is the same as analog 6. That's not what the KVIE website says. I recorded off the analog satellite just to be sure.

Tracey

I live in the foothills and most of the Bay Area HDs come in, but not consistent enough to watch. Signal strength and multipath vary all over the place. There are at least 18 of them, and it's fun to see who is coming in when.
As far as the Fox and ESPN decisions to use 720p over 1080i, their engineering departments thought long and hard before making a choice. Yes, the detail is a bit less with 720p, but due to their heavy sports programming with lots of fast action, 720p has a decided edge. Progressive scan is 60 frames per second whereas 1080i interlaces identical frames, yielding only 30 frames per second. So with little or no motion, the 1080i picure is superior, but when the action starts, the 720p format takes over.
Also, for some reason, on OTA transmissions, the STBs lock up much quicker on 720p than they do on 1080i.

Originally posted by Beth
I don't know. I am totally new to OTA antennas and haven't had much time to research yet. I'm not sure I can get a good enough signal to make it worth buying an outdoor antenna and having it installed. I want to make sure I get a better picture than I have with my *D SD locals.

Hi,
Get yourself a Winguard CH7084 VHF/UHF antenna with one of their preamps. I'd go with one that has good gain in the UHF band and little or no gain on VHF. Put it on your roof with a 10-foot mast and a rotator so you can look at the Bay Area as well. There are nearly 20 stations over there running digital transmitters. Don't worry if the corresponding analog channel is lousy. Here in Nevada City, there are days when I can't even pick up the analog channel and the digital one is nearly full scale!
Don't listen to those who advocate a small indoor antenna. NOTHING can compare with a directive outdoor antenna up in the clear.
The digital tuner you use is also important. Pick one that has a 4th generation or later chipset. I have a Zenith HD520 and a Hughes HTL-HD. Both have DirecTV tuners built in.
Good luck and have fun!
Carl

Originally posted by Bob Hess
Hi Guys,

I would sure like to see a consolidated Sacramento thread.

We will be making some changes to our PSIP (virtual channel among other things) system over the next day or two. You may have to do a channel scan/search to find us on channel 31 instead of channel 21.

Bob Hess
Director of Engineering
KMAX

Hi Bob,
I talked to Jack D at the SBE luncheon to find out what he did to improve his DTV channel. He hasn't gone to full power yet but said they had a box in the line that was providing a GPS lock and it had lots of jitter. He removed it a couple of months ago and since then, his signals are solid here. Apparently, a good lock has more to do with C-to-N than just strong RCL. The bar graph on my STBs jumped up into the "Normal" and "Good" range when he pulled the GPS box out.
Your signal is rarely more than half way up the "Bad" portion of my SAT-HD520 and HTL-HD STBs. but with your low power, it is understandable. Let me know when you make a change and I'll give you a report.
Carl G

Originally posted by tlrowley
Was Mystery actually on (barring signal problems)? My HDTivo said it was, but the KVIE website said differently. From 6pm to 6am, KVIE says they carry the national PBS HD feed, and that doesn't include Mystery. It appears the Tivo guide get it right from 6pm to midnight, but from then until 6am it just says that 6-1 is the same as analog 6. That's not what the KVIE website says. I recorded off the analog satellite just to be sure.

Tracey

You were right. My Tivo thought it was recording Mystery, but actually recorded "An American Family." Rats. I've learned to check KVIE's website for late night digital scheduling.

Originally posted by carl033
I live in the foothills and most of the Bay Area HDs come in, but not consistent enough to watch. Signal strength and multipath vary all over the place. There are at least 18 of them, and it's fun to see who is coming in when.
As far as the Fox and ESPN decisions to use 720p over 1080i, their engineering departments thought long and hard before making a choice. Yes, the detail is a bit less with 720p, but due to their heavy sports programming with lots of fast action, 720p has a decided edge. Progressive scan is 60 frames per second whereas 1080i interlaces identical frames, yielding only 30 frames per second. So with little or no motion, the 1080i picure is superior, but when the action starts, the 720p format takes over.
Also, for some reason, on OTA transmissions, the STBs lock up much quicker on 720p than they do on 1080i.

Almost all well-produced 1080i live sports events on HDNet and InHD beat the ESPNHD shows. Interlaced image is not a major issue even in fast moving sports, not giving the show enough bandwidth to transmit is the problem.

Okay... I've read this entire thread looking for some info on what types of antennas are working best for people in Sac area...

I live in West Sac (Southport area) and am about 20 miles from most of the towers... I have a two-story house, and don't want an obtrusive outdoor mounted antenna. AntennaWeb states that I can get away with a small-multidirectional (yellow) antenna.

I've read several posts that the Silver Sensor is a good solution. But I am also wondering about the Terk tv-44. I have read bad things about it, but mainly from people who are further away from the broadcast towers...

Does anyone here have some experience with these, or other recomendations? Also, since I am waiting for my HDTivo to arrive still, what is the easiest way to test signal strength so I can have this all set-up/ready to go for my HDTivo (whenever it finally arrives...)

The jury is still out on this issue. As most of the HD comes via satellite, the amount of bandwidth (and bits) they allocate to a program will determine the overall quality. Unfortunately, we have no control over D* or E*.
A good test will be in the fall when football in HD is broadcast on Fox and CBS. We'll be able to do an A-B comparison between the satellite-delivered feeds and the OTA signals.

Originally posted by JayDog_2
Okay... I've read this entire thread looking for some info on what types of antennas are working best for people in Sac area...

I live in West Sac (Southport area) and am about 20 miles from most of the towers... I have a two-story house, and don't want an obtrusive outdoor mounted antenna. AntennaWeb states that I can get away with a small-multidirectional (yellow) antenna.

I've read several posts that the Silver Sensor is a good solution. But I am also wondering about the Terk tv-44. I have read bad things about it, but mainly from people who are further away from the broadcast towers...

Does anyone here have some experience with these, or other recomendations? Also, since I am waiting for my HDTivo to arrive still, what is the easiest way to test signal strength so I can have this all set-up/ready to go for my HDTivo (whenever it finally arrives...)

If you have an OTA STB, there is a signal strength indicator of some kind. I suspect a small UHF antenna from Radio Shack, Channel Master or Winegard that you can mount in your attic will outperform the mini antennas with little or no directivity.

Originally posted by carl033
If you have an OTA STB, there is a signal strength indicator of some kind. I suspect a small UHF antenna from Radio Shack, Channel Master or Winegard that you can mount in your attic will outperform the mini antennas with little or no directivity.

I'm still learning the shorthand here... STB? :)

I guess I don't have one, since I don't know what it is... heh

You can get some (poor) idea of signal availability and strength by watching OTA UHF broadcasts. If you're receiving them clearly, you should have no trouble with HD, which is also UHF. If the standard UHF is poor (and it won't be in W.Sac.), you still might have acceptable HD.

I'm in Woodland, in a single story house, and have a Channel Master 4221 (also known as 3021) mounted in my attic. My reception of all the Sacramento HD stations is excellent with my HD-Tivo. You might check out the antenna store on Fifth Street in downtown Sac. (Check the Yellow Pages under "antennas." It's the only one on Fifth.)

OTA=over the air
STB=set top box

JayDog, I live near Arden Mall. I tried one of the terk antennas and it did not work for me at all. I did not try that perticular model tho. I ended up buying a channel master 3010 from lowes for 60 bucks. This thing worked perfectly. My house is only 1 story and I mounteed on the the roof about 4 ft high. Nice thing about this antenna is it doesnt really look like an antenna. I get about 65% signal strength with digital channels. They look clearer than my SAT channels.


Johnny

Originally posted by Bill Shakespeare
You can get some (poor) idea of signal availability and strength by watching OTA UHF broadcasts. If you're receiving them clearly, you should have no trouble with HD, which is also UHF. If the standard UHF is poor (and it won't be in W.Sac.), you still might have acceptable HD.

I'm in Woodland, in a single story house, and have a Channel Master 4221 (also known as 3021) mounted in my attic. My reception of all the Sacramento HD stations is excellent with my HD-Tivo. You might check out the antenna store on Fifth Street in downtown Sac. (Check the Yellow Pages under "antennas." It's the only one on Fifth.)

OTA=over the air
STB=set top box

Thanks, I think I go down there at lunch today, and see what they've got.... Popkey Distributing right?

Originally posted by drunkpenguin
JayDog, I live near Arden Mall. I tried one of the terk antennas and it did not work for me at all. I did not try that perticular model tho. I ended up buying a channel master 3010 from lowes for 60 bucks. This thing worked perfectly. My house is only 1 story and I mounteed on the the roof about 4 ft high. Nice thing about this antenna is it doesnt really look like an antenna. I get about 65% signal strength with digital channels. They look clearer than my SAT channels.


Johnny

I am suprised to hear that considering your location (which is REALLY close to the broadcast area) that even with the CM3010 you're getting only around 65%.

I have a sister-in-law that lives off of Ethan way near the arden mall... As far as I know they have a 'clip-on' type antenna with there non-tivo HD receiver and have no problem (or at least none that they've told me about... ) I think I'll have to visit them soon and take a look at there set-up/signal strenghts....

-Jason

well, i live in a 60 yr old neighborhood full of very large trees, so thats probably the problem with me. luckily theres a small clearing where I put the antenna so the channels are coming through. I have been told with digital channels 65% looks just as good as 100% and I think they are right because the pic quality is outstanding.

Johnny

It's about noon on Tuesday (July 20th), can anyone verify if KVIE is off the air again, please? I've just relocated my antenna, and I'm receiving everything else (insert UPN disclaimer here) but nothing on KVIE. It's really tempting to blame them, they've been down more than up lately, but I would really appreciate some confirmation.

Thanks,
Tracey

12:34, all kvie channels seem to be out.


Johnny

Thanks, Johnny, I guess it's a rather disconcerting coincidence!

Tracey

Originally posted by JayDog_2
I'm still learning the shorthand here... STB? :)

I guess I don't have one, since I don't know what it is... heh

Sorry about the alphabet soup. OTA stands for over-the-air and STB is set-top-box. In case you don't have a box yet that decodes the digital channels, there may be someone you know who does. Last week, I brought one of my decoder boxes to a firend's house and hooked it to his existing outdoor antenna. Even though he didn't have a digital TV yet, I fed the analog output to one of his TVs. Several of the analog UHF channels from San Francisco were unuseable, yet their digital channel was perfect with lots of margin.

Carl

Originally posted by carl033
Hi Bob,
I talked to Jack D at the SBE luncheon to find out what he did to improve his DTV channel. He hasn't gone to full power yet but said they had a box in the line that was providing a GPS lock and it had lots of jitter. He removed it a couple of months ago and since then, his signals are solid here. Apparently, a good lock has more to do with C-to-N than just strong RCL. The bar graph on my STBs jumped up into the "Normal" and "Good" range when he pulled the GPS box out.
Your signal is rarely more than half way up the "Bad" portion of my SAT-HD520 and HTL-HD STBs. but with your low power, it is understandable. Let me know when you make a change and I'll give you a report.
Carl G
Carl,

For a number of technical reasons, our power increase has been delayed. It is looking like late August. I will update this thread when I have more concrete information.

Bob

Originally posted by carl033
Sorry about the alphabet soup. OTA stands for over-the-air and STB is set-top-box. In case you don't have a box yet that decodes the digital channels, there may be someone you know who does. Last week, I brought one of my decoder boxes to a firend's house and hooked it to his existing outdoor antenna. Even though he didn't have a digital TV yet, I fed the analog output to one of his TVs. Several of the analog UHF channels from San Francisco were unuseable, yet their digital channel was perfect with lots of margin.

Carl

So am I to understand that I can run the OTA directly into my Digital TV ( I have a Sony XBR36-800), and check reception using the TV's built in tuner? I understand it wouldn't display the HD signals... but I wouldn't need a separate STB?

You can't run it directly unless your TV has a digital tuner, which I don't think it yours does. Your HDTiVo will be the STB and until you get that, there is no easy to tell what your signal strength will be. Although you can get an idea by hooking up your antenna to any TV (including your Sony) and seeing what channels 31, 40 and 58 look like. If they come in pretty well you will most likely be good to go.

I agree with forecheck that the reference analog channel will be a good guide for the Sacramento channels. Your TV has a built-in analog channel tuner but you will need a digital set-top-box to get HD over the air. I have the 32-inch equivalent of your Sony (KV-32HV600) and feed it with a Hughes HTL-HD via the DVI input. HD looks fantastic but a 16:9 aspect ratio on the 32" 4:3 screen gives me a picture that is only 25.5 X 14.5 inches. You're starting from a 36" 4:3 so your widescreen HD will be 28.7 X 16.3 inches.