I was watching Charlie Chat last night. It looks like Tallahassee HD locals will be on Dish next year.

I was watching Charlie Chat last night. It looks like Tallahassee HD locals will be on Dish next year.

Does Dish carry SciFi in HD? What about CW? If they at least carry SciFi in HD I may have to switch - Comcast says they are still negotiating with SciFi for HD but no date set. Not holding my breath.

Dish does not have SciFi or CW in HD yet .

Comcast says they are still negotiating with SciFi for HD but no date set. Not holding my breath.

Some Comcast systems in the mid west have already added SciFi HD, while others have been sent notices that it will be added in the next 2 months.

This is a list that is kept up to date on the Next HD Channel for Comcast forum:

Currently Available Comcast HDTV:
Sci-Fi HD
Animal Planet HD
Discover HD
The Learning Channel HD
NHL Network HD
USA Network HD
The History Channel HD
CNN HD
TBS HD
NFL Network HD
Food Network HD
HGTV HD
National Geographic HD
A&E HD
Local Sports Net(s)
ESPN HD
ESPN2 HD
TNT HD
HD Theater (ex-Discovery)
MOJO
VSGLF Golf Channel HD / Versus HD
Universal HD
MHD
HBO HD
Cinemax HD
Showtime HD
Starz HD
ABC HD
NBC HD
CBS HD
FOX HD
My Network TV HD
The CW HD
PBS Digital


Either coming soon, or available in limited areas:
Fox Business Channel HD
ESPNews HD
MGM HD (Not yet announced)

Please note that not all HD channels are available in all areas.

I was at the Comcast Head End yesterday and Clay was installing some new equipment that he said was for the 3 or so new HD channels that would go to the end user on Monday.

Do you know what the 3 or so new HD channels will be?

Do you know what the 3 or so new HD channels will be?

Don't remember he said did not pay attention. Sorry.

not seeing any new channels.....too early for April Fools:)

They said at least two next monday: Discovery and USA. Lets hope the third is sci-fi:)

They said at least two next monday: Discovery and USA. Lets hope the third is sci-fi:)

I will call Clay and ask.

I noticed last night before going to bed that the following channels were up and running.
420 USA HD
421 TBS HD
424 Discovery HD !!!
427 SciFi HD!!!

Now bring on some new Battlestar Galactica in HD!

I noticed last night before going to bed that the following channels were up and running.
420 USA HD
421 TBS HD
424 Discovery HD !!!
427 SciFi HD!!!

I am surprised they had room for these channels with all the bandwidth Comcast wastes on hobby channels. :D

we had tbs

Yea, we did. But SciFi HD!!! Now, if TiVo will just catch up in the next month or two so I can move my "season passes" from SD to HD.
<<Think we can get old Twilight Zones in HD???>>

totally stoked about sci-fi, discovery, and usa.....

now we just need Monsters HD and HDNET, and I will be totally happy:)

Yea, we did. But SciFi HD!!! Now, if TiVo will just catch up in the next month or two so I can move my "season passes" from SD to HD.
<<Think we can get old Twilight Zones in HD???>>

Sci-Fi airs new episodes of shows in HD... like "Flash Gordon", "Stargate: Atlantis", etc..., but older episodes of shows are still SD only... with the exception of BSG (there was a mini-marathon shortly before "Razor", and all of them were available in HD). New episodes of "Stargate: Atlantis" and new/old episodes of BSG are better on Sci-Fi HD than UHD as Sci-Fi HD is 5.1, and UHD is not!

For instance, there was a marathon of SG:A on today, and all of them were in SD (even though Universal HD airs them in HD). "Star Trek: Enterprise" is in SD only as HDNet has the exclusive HD rights to broadcast them in HD in the USA (they also have the same rights for reruns of "Smallville" and "Torchwood" as well). Episodes of "Eureka" are also in SD, but should be available in HD for the new season. Back when Sci-Fi HD aired reruns of "Bionic Woman", these were available in HD as well.

Movies are about 50/50. Most all Saturday movie premieres are in HD (or at least all of them I know about), and depending on the year the movies were made, a good portion of them are available in HD. And, of course, big event movies like "Tin Man" and "Battlestar Galactica: Razor" is in HD.

USA HD airs the L&O's in HD, as well as "House", last season of Monk, and the Christmas episode of "Psych", though older episodes of "Monk" and "Pysch" are still in SD. The movies also have a decent ratio of HD showings.

TBS HD SUCKS!!! That's just all you can say about it, other than the baseball playoffs earlier this year, I have yet to see any HD programming on TBS HD!!

~Alan

Now if they could just add CW-HD and FX -HD to Comcast I can enjoy all my favorites in HD!

Well I checked out the new Comcast HD channels last night and find most are showing SD material, even when the original show was in HD (Jag). So is a HD channel that broadcasts less than half its programs in SD really a HD channel?

Anyway, WTLHFOX, please advise your engineer friend that the SciFi channel had severe problems with audio breakup last night - hope that is fixed. And all the new HD channels seem to have black levels set too high (low?) as my usual Standard setting for viewing HD channels had blacks way too dark on the new HD channels, especially SciFi. Hope this is just a matter of calibrating some equipment.

Anyone know what happened to NCIS this week? It was supposed to be a new episode but it was an old rerun. I've looked all over and only found someone claiming that no one is showing new episodes of anything b/c of the writer's strike but since a new episode of The Unit followed Tuesday night's rerun, I don't think that is the answer.

Anyone know what happened to NCIS this week? It was supposed to be a new episode but it was an old rerun. I've looked all over and only found someone claiming that no one is showing new episodes of anything b/c of the writer's strike but since a new episode of The Unit followed Tuesday night's rerun, I don't think that is the answer.

Per information on another the Hot off the Presses thread on this forum, due to the writers strike CBS pulled the new episode at the last minute to save some original programming for later use. How they determine which shows to save and which shows to burn off new material is unknown.

Nothing has changed... WTXL is still running the same power we have always had (although low compared to everyone else) We will not be changing until Feb 2009.

--John

John I'm new to AVS Forums, and I read your post. It's kind of funny because I was looking on the WTXL Website for an email to try and contact an engineer or someone at the station to ask a technical (or at least technical from my perspective as a viewer) question

I live in Tallahassee, only about 12 miles from Metcalf as the crow flies, and have DirecTV and get WTXL HD OTA. (No option for comcast here, we're too far out for them to run cable and not enough density) I receive the OTA signal just fine. I have a radioshack antenna (Model: VU-190 XR) mounted in my attic. The news comes in great, and some of the programming comes in great, but there are many programs that only show a black screen, and nothing is on.

I can switch over the the WTXL Signal off the satelite and everything is fine (only SD though). For example Grey's Anatomy is always black, America's Funniest Home Videos (although not an HD program) is always black. Usually the sports are all there no problem. (This would have been a problem a lot sooner than now if they weren't.) There are many other times and programs when it's a black screen, but I can't seem to figure out why. The news is fine (it looks great and awesome to have HD Local News.) But why is it like this?

It's just strange to be flipping through the channels and just get a black screen and no programming. A while back (a number of months) when this would happen, it wouldn't be a black screen, but would be a looping test of the space shuttle blasting off, and a pretty cool pattern test for tuning HDTVs (I TiVo'd is so I could use it for tweaking my panel), and a sound check (LEFT, CENTER, RIGHT, LEFT SURROUND, RIGHT SURROUND...)

Anyway, I've rambled, but I was hoping you could answer the question. My wife even just yelled at me, wondering why Grey's never get's TiVo'd... maybe after you answer this, I can give her a satisfactory answer. Thanks in advance!

P.S. Also what do you mean, by you won't be changing until Feb. 2009... are you guys moving the antenna or something?

Anyone know what happened to NCIS this week? It was supposed to be a new episode but it was an old rerun. I've looked all over and only found someone claiming that no one is showing new episodes of anything b/c of the writer's strike but since a new episode of The Unit followed Tuesday night's rerun, I don't think that is the answer.

Some Useful sites regarding shows......

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=7523

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=10

I live in Panama City Beach and recently became a comcast digital subscriber... but that may end soon.

When the Mcneil lahrer News Hour went High Def the other day I was happy to see it, new studio, etc, it was great.

Then after seeing it once or twice, it now appears that wfsu is sending the upconverted ntsc signal??? wtf??? it looks like 480si in a slightly wider format?? Originally it was true 1080i in 16x9, using the entire screen and not just part of it...

I try not to watch alot of tv, but if the one or two things you really want to see arent' true hd, why bother?

sorry I'm a little po'd.

I live in Panama City Beach and recently became a comcast digital subscriber... but that may end soon.

When the Mcneil lahrer News Hour went High Def the other day I was happy to see it, new studio, etc, it was great.

Then after seeing it once or twice, it now appears that wfsu is sending the upconverted ntsc signal??? wtf??? it looks like 480si in a slightly wider format?? Originally it was true 1080i in 16x9, using the entire screen and not just part of it...

I try not to watch alot of tv, but if the one or two things you really want to see arent' true hd, why bother?

sorry I'm a little po'd.

Well, I don't blame you for being po'd.
What days was it not right?
It relies on one operator entering the correct thing in the automation. John from 27 can attest that sometimes that can be difficult.
I will check to make sure it happens correctly tonight, and, if I can remember, later. I'll jump on Corky, too.

Later.
I checked and the only time he left it out was on 12/18.
I have made changes that should make it work better from now on.

Well, I don't blame you for being po'd.
What days was it not right?
It relies on one operator entering the correct thing in the automation. John from 27 can attest that sometimes that can be difficult.
I will check to make sure it happens correctly tonight, and, if I can remember, later. I'll jump on Corky, too.

Later.
I checked and the only time he left it out was on 12/18.
I have made changes that should make it work better from now on.

Wow, okay I called them a couple days ago and was told to call back after the holidays etc, so I wasn't really expecting anything... but tonite ... it's looking good again!!! lol thnx really, that may have been about the best thing I got for Christmas :)

Truth is, The News Hour is about the only thing I watch regularly, and I really like seeing it in HD, thnx very much!!

Regards and Happy Holidays,

WTWC-DT Tallahassee NBC (http://www.wtwc40.com/) - 1080i :)
(40.1 NBC HD | 40.2 NBC40) Signal Map (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT620365.html)

WTXL-DT Tallahassee ABC (http://www.wtxl.tv/) - 720p :D
(27.1 ABC HD | 27.2 ABC27) Signal Map (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1135699.html)

WCTV-DT Thomasville CBS (http://www.wctv.tv/) - 1080i :)
(6.1 CBS HD | 6.2 MyNetworkTV) Signal Map (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1079431.html)

WTLH-DT Bainbridge FOX (http://www.fox49.com/) - 720p :)
(49.1 FOX HD | 49.2 The CW Plus) Signal Map (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1155239.html)

WFSU-DT Tallahassee PBS (http://www.wfsu.org/) - 1080i :)
(11.1 WFSU-HD | 11.2 4FSU | 11.3 Create | 11.4 FKN) Signal Map (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT675203.html)

WTLF-DT Tallahassee CW (http://www.fox49.com/) - 480i :(
(24.1 The CW Plus) Signal Map (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT629040.html) | Construction Permit Signal Map (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT993228.html)

Key: HD :) | HD Local News & Programming :D | SD Digital/Low Power Only :(

Local Cable Companies
Comcast (http://www.comcast.com/) - Tallahassee, Quincy, Wakulla, Perry, Live Oak, and Madison
Mediacom (http://www.mediacomcc.com/) - Valdosta, Thomasville, Bainbridge, Havana, Gretna, Greensboro, and Donalsonville
CNS Television (http://www.cns-internet.com/services.hdtvanddvr.shtml) - Cairo, Camilla, Moultrie, Pelham, and Thomasville
Charter Communications (http://www.charter.com/Visitors/Products.aspx?ProductItem=6) - Lake Park

COMCAST TALLAHASSEE HDTV LINEUP
FSN Florida HD 401
ESPN HD 403
ESPN2 HD 404
VS/Golf HD 405
NFL Network HD 406
TNT HD 407
MOJO HD 408
Universal HD 409
A&E HD 410
MHD 411
Discovery HD Theatre 412
National Geographic HD 413
Food Network HD 414
HGTV HD 415
HBO HD 416
Cinemax HD 417
Showtime HD 418
Starz HD 419
USA HD 420
TBS HD 421
CNN HD 423
Discovery HD 424
SciFi HD 427
ABC27 HD 431
NBC40 HD 432
WCTV HD 433
FOX49 HD 434
WFSU HD 440


National Satellite Providers
Dish Network (http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/our_products/dish_hd/index.shtml) - Offers national HD channels along with all events aired on FSN Florida HD & Sun Sports HD in Florida and FSN South HD & SportSouth HD in Georgia. Tallahassee Locals in SD Only, need antenna for HD.
DirecTV (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/secondaryIndex.jsp?assetId=1100083) - Offers national HD channels along with selected events aired on FSN Florida HD & Sun Sports HD in Florida and FSN South HD & SportSouth HD in Georgia. Tallahassee Locals in SD Only, need antenna for HD.

Is anybody with directv having toruble with ESPNHD and other HD on satellite 110? I am trying to find out if my equipment is faulty or if its the service. They wanted me to pay $70 to align my dish which is rock solid in the same place.

I'm not having any problems with ESPNHD on D*. It's most likely an equipment/receiver problem. However, If your dish isn't to hard to get to and you live close to Valdosta I'll be glad to help you realign your dish and I won't charge you $70!!

Is anybody with directv having toruble with ESPNHD and other HD on satellite 110? I am trying to find out if my equipment is faulty or if its the service. They wanted me to pay $70 to align my dish which is rock solid in the same place.

Maybe you check out signing up for Protection, call back in for service, once fixed, cancel your protection. $5.99/month.

I am wondering if anyone knows when History Channel HD, FX HD and Cartoon Network HD are going to be added to the comcast lineup? History channel is part of the A&E family and I know that other comcast markets already have it. I haven't heard anything about FX or Cartoon Network. It would be nice to watch Rescue Me in HD and Sunny...I enjoy Adult Swim on Cartoon Network as well...not sure there is much HD content but I will take all the HD channels I can get.

When directv got the huge HD boost a couple of months ago I tried to convince my wife that we should switch but she thrashed my efforts by saying, "What's the difference? They all get the same channels anyways. Be patient." This coming from a woman who burns her tongue in the car everytime we get fries because she can't wait until we get home. At any rate, I would like to be vindicated for my loyalty to comcast with as many...and who knows maybe more...HD channels than directv.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. And if this has already been addressed this page 100 and I am too lazy to research all of those pages. Thanks.

Well after getting all excited about SciFi on a HD channel on Comcast I am now feeling very let down. From what I have seen SciFi is broadcasting about 90% of their programs in SD - EVEN WHEN THE ORIGINAL SHOW WAS HD! They are letterboxing HD shows inside a 4:3 frame, for crying out loud! Can anyone explain whey they are doing that instead of broadcasting HD programs in real HD? It looks to me as if they are just digitizing their regular analog signal! They do occasionally show a true HD image (full 16:9) but it happens so rarely it just makes the other 90% in SD look that much worse. Some of their original shows are HD, apparently, although whoever masters the DD 5.1 audio on those shows is the worst in the business!

I am wondering if anyone knows when History Channel HD, FX HD and Cartoon Network HD are going to be added to the comcast lineup? History channel is part of the A&E family and I know that other comcast markets already have it. I haven't heard anything about FX or Cartoon Network. It would be nice to watch Rescue Me in HD and Sunny...I enjoy Adult Swim on Cartoon Network as well...not sure there is much HD content but I will take all the HD channels I can get.

When directv got the huge HD boost a couple of months ago I tried to convince my wife that we should switch but she thrashed my efforts by saying, "What's the difference? They all get the same channels anyways. Be patient." This coming from a woman who burns her tongue in the car everytime we get fries because she can't wait until we get home. At any rate, I would like to be vindicated for my loyalty to comcast with as many...and who knows maybe more...HD channels than directv.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated. And if this has already been addressed this page 100 and I am too lazy to research all of those pages. Thanks.

The Cartoon Network is part of the same group as TNT-HD and TBS-HD, so it will come as no surprise to many that it (at this time) is simply a upconverted/stretched SD channel (ala TBS-HD), and I have seen, nor heard of any actual HD programming on it... even though a few shows (like "Courage, The Cowardly Dog" are actually available in HD). Luckily, most of CN's programming is animated, so the stretching isn't very noticable, but when they show live action, it looks as horrible as TBS-HD.

FX-HD is better than Cartoon Network in that it presents non-HD programming in it's original aspect ratio (no stretching) considering a good portion of their programming isn't available in HD (though why they don't offer the episodes of "Malcolm In The Middle" that are available in HD, in HD, I don't know). However, if you like "Nip/Tuck" (I don't), FX-HD is showing it in HD, as well as about half of their movies (I cannot WAIT for "I, Robot" to be re-announced for Blu-ray in a few months after seeing how great it looked on FX-HD), but they unfortunately crop the movies to fill the 16x9 screen (ala HBO-HD). They also appear to be using DD5.1 as well. However, "Sunny" is not filmed in HD, so don't expect to see it. "Rescue Me" is filmed in HD, so when new episodes start airing, it should be available in HD.

History Channel HD... well, again, not all of their programming is in HD, and unfortunately, they also stretch their non-HD programming to fill the 16x9 screen...

~Alan

Well after getting all excited about SciFi on a HD channel on Comcast I am now feeling very let down. From what I have seen SciFi is broadcasting about 90% of their programs in SD - EVEN WHEN THE ORIGINAL SHOW WAS HD! They are letterboxing HD shows inside a 4:3 frame, for crying out loud! Can anyone explain whey they are doing that instead of broadcasting HD programs in real HD? It looks to me as if they are just digitizing their regular analog signal! They do occasionally show a true HD image (full 16:9) but it happens so rarely it just makes the other 90% in SD look that much worse. Some of their original shows are HD, apparently, although whoever masters the DD 5.1 audio on those shows is the worst in the business!

While I do agree that there are some issues with the audio (the LFE is kind of freaky... I had to turn down their subwoofer), I'm curious as to what shows they are airing in SD when the original show was in HD?

The only shows I know of them doing that with are "Enterprise" because HDNet has the HD broadcast rights in the US repeats of "Stargate: Atlantis" in SD when a HD master exists which is odd, but I'm not aware of any more?

Whenever Sci-Fi is airing a SD broadcast (upconverted) it just shows the Sci-Fi logo, but whenever they are airing a HD program, the Sci Fi HD logo pops up. Is the Sci Fi HD logo in the windowbox frame?

~Alan<~~~~~~~~Who's been EXTREMELY happy with Sci-Fi's HD channel...

I ran into the Raycom/ACC 2008 HD schedule (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=966723) today. The link didn't have WTLH as a projected affiliate to air the games.

I guess that leads me to ask the following:
1. What ACC games will FOX49 have from Raycom Sports?
2. Is FOX49 considering adding the capability to pass through live HD programming from sources other than the FOX network? (WTLH is also offered an HD feed of preseason Bucs games from WFLA.)

Thanks and Happy New Year Everyone!

While I do agree that there are some issues with the audio (the LFE is kind of freaky... I had to turn down their subwoofer), I'm curious as to what shows they are airing in SD when the original show was in HD?

The only shows I know of them doing that with are "Enterprise" because HDNet has the HD broadcast rights in the US repeats of "Stargate: Atlantis" in SD when a HD master exists which is odd, but I'm not aware of any more?

Whenever Sci-Fi is airing a SD broadcast (upconverted) it just shows the Sci-Fi logo, but whenever they are airing a HD program, the Sci Fi HD logo pops up. Is the Sci Fi HD logo in the windowbox frame?

~Alan<~~~~~~~~Who's been EXTREMELY happy with Sci-Fi's HD channel...


For one, "Dark Kingdom" was a HD program letterboxed into a 4:3 format (SD) and that is not the only one I have seen. I will make a mental note to mention them in the future. I don't care who has "HD rights" - if you can't get the rights and broadcast it in HD then don't broadcast it period on your so-called "HD" channel. I am sorry, but SciFi is a joke of a HD channel on Comcast, and a huge disappointment so far. As for audio, their original progamming in HD (Flash Gordon for example) has way too much ambient noise into the side and surround channels - sometimes I can barely make out dialogue. It is in the original mix because I have heard the same thing on their analog channel where it is downmixed to DD 2.0.

While I do agree that there are some issues with the audio (the LFE is kind of freaky... I had to turn down their subwoofer), I'm curious as to what shows they are airing in SD when the original show was in HD?

The only shows I know of them doing that with are "Enterprise" because HDNet has the HD broadcast rights in the US repeats of "Stargate: Atlantis" in SD when a HD master exists which is odd, but I'm not aware of any more?

Whenever Sci-Fi is airing a SD broadcast (upconverted) it just shows the Sci-Fi logo, but whenever they are airing a HD program, the Sci Fi HD logo pops up. Is the Sci Fi HD logo in the windowbox frame?

~Alan<~~~~~~~~Who's been EXTREMELY happy with Sci-Fi's HD channel...
Well, when I first watched it right after Comcast put up the SciFi HD, I saw current season Stargate Atlantis episodes that were letterboxed in the 4x3 frame -- I can't zoom HD, so to watch it I see a 16x9 with black all around. NOT HD. I have yet to see anything on the channel that is in HD. It does, however, look better than the SD analog signal on 64.

We have the History Channel and Animal Planet in HD!!!!!

I'm gonna go get a Comcast HD box to go along with my TV on Monday, what non-DVR box is Comcast using just for HD? Think I can get one with HDMI? Do they have the new Motorola DCH boxes yet?

Thanks!

Comcast gave me a DCT6200 last week. No HDMI. Seems to work OK so far.

Thanks! Just plugged my TV straight into the coax and scanned. Got a ton of digital channels, but the order isn't very easy to figure out.

I'm having an issue with FOX49 on both cable and using the rabbit ears.

My TV says it is a 720p signal, but it comes with the 16:9 scrunched up in a 4:3 window which requires me to use the Wide feature to make it look correct.

I'll send them an e-mail to ask them about it.

I noticed this to, but it corrects itself when they take the network...only local programming is affected.

I noticed this to, but it corrects itself when they take the network...only local programming is affected.
Thanks for the quick reply. I sent Mr. Singh a message about it and hopefully they can diagnose it and get it fixed for us.

I've used this TV to watch another FOX affiliate down south (WFTX-DT Cape Coral) and it worked fine, so I hope it is just some setting over at WTLH that needs tweaking. They seem to do like WFTX and keep their logo small and on during HD or upconverted programming.

Channel surfing over to 6.1 and I see no HD from WCTV for this Louisville-Kentucky Basketball game. CBS' website says it should be in HD.

For one, "Dark Kingdom" was a HD program letterboxed into a 4:3 format (SD) and that is not the only one I have seen. I will make a mental note to mention them in the future.

I didn't see that, nor do I know whether a HD master exists, so I can't comment on that... or who has the rights to it.

I don't care who has "HD rights" - if you can't get the rights and broadcast it in HD then don't broadcast it period on your so-called "HD" channel. I am sorry, but SciFi is a joke of a HD channel on Comcast, and a huge disappointment so far.

There are several types of channels available in HD. There is your dedicated HD channels (HDNet, HDNet Movies, UniversalHD, Discovery HD Theater, MGM-HD, etc...), there are your somewhat dedicated HD channels (HGTV-HD and FOOD-HD which combines programming from four different channels into two to broadcast HD 24/7), then there are the simulcast channels like Sci-Fi HD, USA-HD, FX-HD, etc... and then there are channels like TBS-HD, who rarely show HD programming and chooses to STRETCH the shows to where it isn't even worth watching, and then there are some channels like CMT-HD, MTV-HD, and VH1-HD which have no HD programming whatsoever, nor do I know of plans for them to start. For me, getting to see last night's episode of SG:A's space battle was worth it for this channel alone.

As for audio, their original progamming in HD (Flash Gordon for example) has way too much ambient noise into the side and surround channels - sometimes I can barely make out dialogue. It is in the original mix because I have heard the same thing on their analog channel where it is downmixed to DD 2.0.

Their audio does have issues, though it has gotten better since it debuted on Sci-Fi, however, I have no issues with making out the dialogue.

Well, when I first watched it right after Comcast put up the SciFi HD, I saw current season Stargate Atlantis episodes that were letterboxed in the 4x3 frame -- I can't zoom HD, so to watch it I see a 16x9 with black all around. NOT HD. I have yet to see anything on the channel that is in HD. It does, however, look better than the SD analog signal on 64.

I can't comment on Sci-Fi-HD on Comcast, but I recorded several episodes of SG:A yesterday (all in HD). All new episodes of SG:A are aired in HD, some repeats are, all episodes of "Flash Gordon" have been in HD, reruns of BSG have all been in HD (as well as BSG: Razor), reruns of "Eureka" have been windowboxed (black bars all around) and upconverted, but the upcoming season should be in HD, and about half of their movies are in HD, and pretty much all of their Saturday premieres are. I watched a ton of movies in October that I wouldn't have otherwise, simply because they were in HD.

~Alan

WTWC seems to be having issues going from SD commercials to the HD network feed. The game is back to SD again on 40.1 :(

10:47 PM: Back to HD on 40.1 :)

Thanks!

I'm gonna go get a Comcast HD box to go along with my TV on Monday, what non-DVR box is Comcast using just for HD? Think I can get one with HDMI? Do they have the new Motorola DCH boxes yet?

Thanks!

Comcast issued me a Motorola DCH6200 with HDMI in the middle of December. I was originally given one of the old Motorola boxes but asked about HDMI. I was put on a list and told that they would call me when one was available. They actually called about 2 hours later and I swapped out the same day.

Has anyone received a DCH box with the DVR function? I would like to have the 160Gb hard drive.

Anyone else having massive problems with SciFi HD audio on Comcast? The audio is going in and out and popping nearly every 5 seconds.

Comcast issued me a Motorola DCH6200 with HDMI in the middle of December. I was originally given one of the old Motorola boxes but asked about HDMI. I was put on a list and told that they would call me when one was available. They actually called about 2 hours later and I swapped out the same day.

Has anyone received a DCH box with the DVR function? I would like to have the 160Gb hard drive.

Thanks for the info. Just picked up a DCT6200 from a very busy Comcast Tallahassee lobby. Looking pretty good watching the HD channels, gotta work on the cable connection and settings for the SD channels.

Anyone else having massive problems with SciFi HD audio on Comcast? The audio is going in and out and popping nearly every 5 seconds.

Yes, they have had audio problems from the get-go but it does come and go. I don't know why SciFi can't fix it, but then they seem pretty clueless about HD broadcasting anyway. HD episodes of Battlestar and Stargate reruns I see are usually letterboxed in full frame, for pete's sake, and that is their own HD property!

Is WTWC still broadcasting digital HD on VHF channel 2? I am only 18 miles from the tower farm in Metcalf and am getting all the other digital channels no problem, plus analog 6 and 11 without any problem (I've got a roof mounted VHF/UHF antenna).

Are they off the air, or is their digital signal really, really weak? (I get their analog 40 signal no problem, BTW).

Kudos to WFSU for their DTV website: http://wfsu.org/dtv/index.php

I found it informative and it cleared up some questions I had about finding WFSU's products on my Comcast lineup.

In the last few days, I have been able to pick up WALB (Ch. 10.1 and 10.2) in NE Tallahassee. Ch. 31 has come in a couple of times.

I pick them up sometimes. I live near Tom Brown Park.

Nearish Lincoln High, Really cheap indoor oval UHF antenna with gain booster facing NE.

I get the antenna farm stations 6, 27, 49 (why is CW piggy backing on 49?). If I adjust the antenna to face in the direction of WFSU (10), I get it too, but noise 6 dramatically increases. If I take the time to face WALB (10), I get it but lose pretty much everything else except WFSU (WALB, is over 60 miles away).

From my position I can't get 24, buildings are in the way, though I'll lay money without any rotor on the antenna I'd be able to get 6,27, 49, 10, 11 (and possibly 24) simultaneously (mainly to limited success with holding the crappy indoor just right and getting all of them).

I used to be able to get 6, 27, 49, and 10 at the same time (along with quite a few crystal clear analog stations). Some time last week, channel 6 starting acting up and to fix it I had to lose channel 10 (along with a good chunk of those analog stations). Though I do get lost frames on channel 6 1080i broadcasts, their lower res broadcasts give little to no trouble.

gshelley61

Yes, their signal is very weak. They broadcast their HD at 8.75 kW, which is lower than "low power" stations. You can only get them within a few blocks of the antenna.

I know this has been brought up before, but I don't think anybody came to a conclusion about it. Both WTWC and WTLH are using their digital subchannels (6.2 and 49.2 respectively) to broadcast additional programming. Are WTWC and WTXL planning anything for their subchannels? Rebroadcasting the SD signal seems like just a waste. Why bother broadcasting the subchannel at all?

Nearish Lincoln High, Really cheap indoor oval UHF antenna with gain booster facing NE.

I get the antenna farm stations 6, 27, 49 (why is CW piggy backing on 49?). If I adjust the antenna to face in the direction of WFSU (10), I get it too, but noise 6 dramatically increases. If I take the time to face WALB (10), I get it but lose pretty much everything else except WFSU (WALB, is over 60 miles away).

From my position I can't get 24, buildings are in the way, though I'll lay money without any rotor on the antenna I'd be able to get 6,27, 49, 10, 11 (and possibly 24) simultaneously (mainly to limited success with holding the crappy indoor just right and getting all of them).

I used to be able to get 6, 27, 49, and 10 at the same time (along with quite a few crystal clear analog stations). Some time last week, channel 6 starting acting up and to fix it I had to lose channel 10 (along with a good chunk of those analog stations). Though I do get lost frames on channel 6 1080i broadcasts, their lower res broadcasts give little to no trouble.

gshelley61

Yes, their signal is very weak. They broadcast their HD at 8.75 kW, which is lower than "low power" stations. You can only get them within a few blocks of the antenna.


Thanks for the reply. I know WTWC-DT is operating on very low power (which should change once their analog transmitter is shut down).

I've got a $22 Antennacraft low band (ch 2-6) VHF yagi on the way. I'm going to try adding that to my rooftop antenna setup to see if that will help.

Don't laugh, but I'm using one of those cheap A-Neutronic $19 UHF/VHF AV-891 Chinese amplified antennas (with built in rotor!) on a 5 ft. Radio Shack gable mounted mast - it performs surprisingly well on the UHF side of things, that's for sure. It's basically a two bay bow tie UHF antenna with VHF dipole loops attached to the outside of the screen reflectors. I'm able to pick up WALB 10.1 and 10.2 while simultaneously receiving digital channels 6, 11, 27, 49, and 40 (analog). I even get WMBB 13.1 and 13.2 (Panama City) sometimes. I'm on the North side of town (Meridian Rd near the GA border).

That's 55 miles from WALB and 69 miles from WMBB... not bad for a $19 eBay antenna. WMBB was coming in crystal clear last night.

seanatki

I doubt they know what they are doing with their sub-channels at this time. I like that PBS has 4 channels during the day, all with their own programming. At this time, I really don't think broadcasting SD versions of their channels is a waste. When analog goes silent, relying on the convert box to crop and rescale the image is going to give sub-par results. Remember, not everyone can really afford a HDTV, I'd be willing to say that most people who watch OTA aren't in the best economic circumstances and they should have TV that's at least exactly on par with the analog broadcast. After a time, it will work itself out and the studios will figure out what to do with their 3 additional channels.

Does anybody even know what the right to carry rules are for HD broadcasts over cable? Cable has to carry local broadcasting, but does it have to carry ALL of the sub-channels?

cable only has to carry the local primary broadcast channels - the multicast channels are not required to be carried

Well now I think maybe the SD on SciFi may not be by design. I recorded a new Flash episode Friday and it was full HD at the start but had pixelization off and on. Then about half way through it came off commercial in letterbox format (SD) and stayed that way to the end. So maybe SF doesn't have enough bandwidth to keep HD streaming reliably. They are really turning into a joke of a HD network. I just hope they get their crap together before Battlestar starts up anew in March!

Basically i live right next to florida state campus. i just bought a samsung dtb-h260F cause i have a 3 year old 1st gen westinghouse without a built in tuner. I get free comcast cable and i hooked up the samsung box to the cable to in my room. i was able to pick up a few hd channels like fox cbs nbc and 1 other. I was wondering if i buy a indoor antennae would i be able to pick up more hd channels than those? Which indoor anetennae should i get? Do i need a splitter and have the cable and antennea hook up to the settop box since it only has one input?

http://www.hdtvexpert.com/images_b/h260f-2.jpg

Which indoor anetennae should i get? Do i need a splitter and have the cable and antennea hook up to the settop box since it only has one input?

Antenna recommendation: Antennas Direct DB2 or most antennas with 2-bay (or 4-bay if you have the vertical space) bowtie design. The only issue is that these antennas won't pickup WTWC on digital channel 2 now but next year WTWC is going back to channel 40. If you live close enough to the WTWC transmitter you could try getting a cheap rabbit ears antenna and use the "ears" and return the antenna w/receipt if you can't pick up WTWC. Also note that WTWC currently broadcasts their digital signal at low power.

Fortunately, none of the Tallahassee stations appear to go VHF next year once the digital transition is complete so a UHF antenna like the DB2 can be more than a stopgap.

One input: Yes, you'll need an A-B switch when using both OTA and Comcast.

thx for your help i still kinda confused on which indoor antennae to get
here are my antennaeweb stats: hxxp://img44.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=72310_stats_122_851lo.JPG (replace x with t)

So i should be look for anntennae that covers the blue area?

thx for your help i still kinda confused on which indoor antennae to get
here are my antennaeweb stats: hxxp://img44.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=72310_stats_122_851lo.JPG (replace x with t)

So i should be look for anntennae that covers the blue area?
Antennaweb doesn't cover indoor antennas; only outdoors. Their Web site states this somewhere. I prefer TVFool.com myself for checking digital stations. Don't forget that entering coordinates and height from ground level can give more accurate results than just zip code if you are going to use those sites. Also, do you have trees or other terrain between you and the transmitters?

I'll repeat my suggestion of getting a DB2 or similar 2-bay bowtie antenna. The DB2 and the Eagle Aspen DB2 clone that I'm staring at is no more than 28 inches wide and about 16 inches high; these antennas are small enough for indoor use. Again, these antennas are UHF and since you're in Tallahassee you're set for end of the digital transition.

Please do a search on the DB2 antenna either on these forums or on the Internet so you can check if it's appropriate for you. I only have a slightly inferior clone of the DB2 and I could pick up stations 40+ miles fine indoors (surrounded by trees!) here in Valdosta. Of course, it doesn't hurt that most of the Tally digital stations are on moderate-to-full power UHF.

Here's (http://www.antennasdirect.com/images/DB2_large.jpg) a picture of the DB2.

Don't spend to much. DirecTV will soon add the Tallahasse HD channels.

Don't spend to much. DirecTV will soon add the Tallahasse HD channels.
Is he even going to DirecTV? He said in his first post in this thread that he receives free Comcast cable.

Basically i live right next to florida state campus. i just bought a samsung dtb-h260F cause i have a 3 year old 1st gen westinghouse without a built in tuner. I get free comcast cable and i hooked up the samsung box to the cable to in my room. i was able to pick up a few hd channels like fox cbs nbc and 1 other. I was wondering if i buy a indoor antennae would i be able to pick up more hd channels than those? Which indoor anetennae should i get? Do i need a splitter and have the cable and antennea hook up to the settop box since it only has one input?

http://www.hdtvexpert.com/images_b/h260f-2.jpg
I have Comcast Cable as well, but I got the HD box from them.

However, I have my Vizio TV's tuner hooked up to rabbit ears and I get pretty good reception of the following:
WCTV: 6.1 HD, 6.2 SD
WFSU: 11.1 HD, 11.2 SD, 11.3 SD, 11.4 SD
WTXL: 27.1 HD, 27.2 SD
WTWC: 40.1 HD, 40.2 SD
WTLH: 49.1 HD, 49.2 SD

You can get all of these via QAM-in-the-clear on the Comcast Cable service without an HD box.

My suggestion would be, if you keep Comcast service, to just hook it up to your box and use the QAM signals because they are basically the same as you will get OTA. 27.2 is Analog Cable Channel 7, 40.2 is Analog Cable 12, and 49.2 is Analog Cable 6.

If you find that OTA HD is enough, you could have the Comcast hooked up into your TV's NTSC Cable Tuner and the Rabbit Ears hooked up to the Samsung ATSC Tuner Box.

Well now I think maybe the SD on SciFi may not be by design. I recorded a new Flash episode Friday and it was full HD at the start but had pixelization off and on. Then about half way through it came off commercial in letterbox format (SD) and stayed that way to the end. So maybe SF doesn't have enough bandwidth to keep HD streaming reliably. They are really turning into a joke of a HD network. I just hope they get their crap together before Battlestar starts up anew in March!

I'm starting to wonder if you're having a problem with Sci-Fi HD on Comcast, because some of the things you say just seems like you and I aren't watching the same channel (I watch Sci-Fi HD on DirecTV).

Every episode of BSG that Sci-Fi HD has aired since it started has been in HD (this includes "Razor"), and in the last two weeks, Sci-Fi HD has started airing the SG:A reruns in HD now as well...

Their were quite a few HD movies on this weekend as well...

~Alan

Don't spend to much. DirecTV will soon add the Tallahasse HD channels.

Any idea when? I can't wait to get rid of comcast.

Any idea when? I can't wait to get rid of comcast.
I also heard that Tallahasee is getting the D* local hidef channels. I recently moved and had a new installation at which time the "Bruister" supervisor (who was sent out after their first guy couldn't do the job right) said they should be on by the end of February. Quite frankly, I'm not holding my breath. I've heard the same type of promises too many times.

I would like to know of any authoritative source that the local hidef channels are going to be on this year.

Small correction, to the comment about Tallahassee being all-UHF after Feburuary 2009. WABW, the Georgia Public Broadcasting station from Pelham, GA, will be transmitting digital on channel 6 from the WCTV tower (rather than the Pelham tower that analog 14 uses). Channel 5 is their interim channel until the transition, but I don't know if they will actually get that on the air or just wait. This will provide a second PBS signal for the area.

Also, I would take any promises of HD locals from Direct or Dish with a grain of salt, especially if from a dealer. Projected dates have come and gone in the past for channel additions from both services. Also, any HD signal from a local will be further compressed over satellite, and some stations and sub channels are not carried (e.g. PBS, CW, etc.). If you can get them over the air without a significant investment, I would do that.

I have Comcast Cable as well, but I got the HD box from them.

However, I have my Vizio TV's tuner hooked up to rabbit ears and I get pretty good reception of the following:
WCTV: 6.1 HD, 6.2 SD
WFSU: 11.1 HD, 11.2 SD, 11.3 SD, 11.4 SD
WTXL: 27.1 HD, 27.2 SD
WTWC: 40.1 HD, 40.2 SD
WTLH: 49.1 HD, 49.2 SD

You can get all of these via QAM-in-the-clear on the Comcast Cable service without an HD box.

My suggestion would be, if you keep Comcast service, to just hook it up to your box and use the QAM signals because they are basically the same as you will get OTA. 27.2 is Analog Cable Channel 7, 40.2 is Analog Cable 12, and 49.2 is Analog Cable 6.

If you find that OTA HD is enough, you could have the Comcast hooked up into your TV's NTSC Cable Tuner and the Rabbit Ears hooked up to the Samsung ATSC Tuner Box.

First off is there a difference when a tv says it has clear qam versus just regular qam or is it the same thing?
Since i get free comcast cable in my apartment building i dont know how much extra i have to pay to get a box from them and for the hd channels. Right now im picking up 5 hd channels with the samsung setup box i bought through comcast cable. Their all about the 85.1-87.1 range. I think they're fox, pbs, nbc,abc, msnbc. Im also getting Cnn hd on 108.1 but it has no sound. If i get antennea would i be able to pick up more channels than those like the CW-hd and more? I wish i had a set of cheap rabbit ears to try it out.

First off is there a difference when a tv says it has clear qam versus just regular qam or is it the same thing?
Since i get free comcast cable in my apartment building i dont know how much extra i have to pay to get a box from them and for the hd channels. Right now im picking up 5 hd channels with the samsung setup box i bought through comcast cable. Their all about the 85.1-87.1 range. I think they're fox, pbs, nbc,abc, msnbc. Im also getting Cnn hd on 108.1 but it has no sound. If i get antennea would i be able to pick up more channels than those like the CW-hd and more? I wish i had a set of cheap rabbit ears to try it out.A TV with a QAM tuner gets Clear QAM. If it is not clear, the TV would need a CableCard to unscramble the channel.

The box should be $6.99 a month extra.

CW is 49.2 and is not in HD here yet unfortunately. Hopefully one of the WTLH folks can give us an update on that.

I'm starting to wonder if you're having a problem with Sci-Fi HD on Comcast, because some of the things you say just seems like you and I aren't watching the same channel (I watch Sci-Fi HD on DirecTV).

Every episode of BSG that Sci-Fi HD has aired since it started has been in HD (this includes "Razor"), and in the last two weeks, Sci-Fi HD has started airing the SG:A reruns in HD now as well...

Their were quite a few HD movies on this weekend as well...

~Alan

You may be right - there could be a problem with the Comcast feed, but why would it be any different than any other satellite HD feed to Comcast? I do know that Flash on Comcast dropped out of HD late in that episode after some intermittent pixelization earlier in the HD mode. Could it be that SciFi doesn't want to pay for the bandwidth they need to do HD right? Who knows, all I know is I hope they start doing better. Meanwhile, Threshold repeats are broadcast in full HD on Comcast HD ch 420 but in SD on SciFi HD. Why?

First off is there a difference when a tv says it has clear qam versus just regular qam or is it the same thing?
Since i get free comcast cable in my apartment building i dont know how much extra i have to pay to get a box from them and for the hd channels. Right now im picking up 5 hd channels with the samsung setup box i bought through comcast cable. Their all about the 85.1-87.1 range. I think they're fox, pbs, nbc,abc, msnbc. Im also getting Cnn hd on 108.1 but it has no sound. If i get antennea would i be able to pick up more channels than those like the CW-hd and more? I wish i had a set of cheap rabbit ears to try it out.

You don't need a cable box for HD channels, you need a cable box for channels that are encrypted, some of which may be HD. All local stations are broadcast by comcast, via a standard cable set up with no cable box in HD.

If you have a little bit of hobbyist in you, you can build your own DVR with a cable card and record HD channels. You'd be surprised that things you can do these days.

By the way, anyone else having a problem getting 27HD OTA?

By the way, anyone else having a problem getting 27HD OTA?
No problems when I just tried it to watch GMA with the rabbit ears.

Well i just got comcast digital cable for $15 bux a month and my box. But when i run the the cable from the wall to my comcast box to my samsung tuner to my tv. Now i cant see any dtv channels that my samsung tuner was picking up before when i had it connected directly from the wall. Do i need to have the samsung tuner connected from the wall first, or should it not matter wat order i have it connected in?

Well i just got comcast digital cable for $15 bux a month and my box. But when i run the the cable from the wall to my comcast box to my samsung tuner to my tv. Now i cant see any dtv channels that my samsung tuner was picking up before when i had it connected directly from the wall. Do i need to have the samsung tuner connected from the wall first, or should it not matter wat order i have it connected in?

If I understand your situation correctly, I would split the cable and run one line into the Comcast box and then straight into the TV. The STB will act as the tuner for this input. Connect the other cable to the Samsung tuner and run that to another input on your TV. This should allow you to receive the encrypted digital channels through the STB and still be able to change to your tuner input and view the local HD channels.

Well i just got comcast digital cable for $15 bux a month and my box. But when i run the the cable from the wall to my comcast box to my samsung tuner to my tv. Now i cant see any dtv channels that my samsung tuner was picking up before when i had it connected directly from the wall. Do i need to have the samsung tuner connected from the wall first, or should it not matter wat order i have it connected in?


Digital cable doesn't mean HD. I'm willing to bet, you're having pass through problems on the digital cable box. It probably doesn't have a QAM tuner in it or doesn't have any passthrough abilities.
Solutions:
1. Go to radio shack and get a RF switch, they sell those. Two RF connections in, one out, with a selector switch. I've even seen one with a remote.
2. Take the digital cable box back and get one that allows the QAM signal to pass through.

Is anyone else having breakups while watching Comcast's Digital and HD channels? I called them and they are sending someone out. :(

Is anyone else having breakups while watching Comcast's Digital and HD channels? I called them and they are sending someone out. :(

Yeah I've been having some breakups on the HD channels the last day or so.

By the way, anyone else having a problem getting 27HD OTA?

I live way down on the South edge of Sopchoppy, and I've never been able to get WTXL OTA. Neither standard nor HD.

Comparing the local Tallahassee stations OTA and via Comcast, I've got a few comments.

1. WTXL is the best in town when it comes to the overall HD + upconverted programming picture quality and switching. A very nice and professional operation as far as I can tell so far which seems to know how to use its automation systems well. Props for the HD local commercials!

2. WTWC and WCTV pass-through the network HD programming pretty well and their upconverted programming looks very good. However both channels do have issues remembering the flip the switch (mostly for sporting events) between SD and HD for commercials and such. WTWC is too often returning from commercial in SD and not switching back to SD until a minute or so has passed.

3. WTLH is the most inconsistent performer. WTLH's Network HD is controlled through the magic of the FOX Splicer, but the local programming is upconverted in some odd aspect ratio that just looks horrible. It appears to me like WTLH takes analog 49 through rabbit ears, feeds it into the upconverter, and sends it out in the weird aspect ratio where nothing looks right.

4. WFSU's HD channel is a mystery to me as I come from an area where the PBS station (WGCU) has a full-time HD channel 30.1 that does stray from the main channel which is simulcast in SD on 30.2. I understand WFSU doesn't carry the PBS HD channel and that is fine, but why keep 11.1 in HD for programs that are not in HD during primetime? Also, WFSU doesn't seem to air as much HD as other PBS stations who use similar HD simulcasting. Does WFSU have the ability to record, store, and playback PBS HD programs? I'm confused because Nova (a program I'm used to watching in HD) is not on WFSU during primetime and I'm not sure if it is HD or not at 4pm this afternoon.

4. WFSU's HD channel is a mystery to me as I come from an area where the PBS station (WGCU) has a full-time HD channel 30.1 that does stray from the main channel which is simulcast in SD on 30.2. I understand WFSU doesn't carry the PBS HD channel and that is fine, but why keep 11.1 in HD for programs that are not in HD during primetime? Also, WFSU doesn't seem to air as much HD as other PBS stations who use similar HD simulcasting. Does WFSU have the ability to record, store, and playback PBS HD programs? I'm confused because Nova (a program I'm used to watching in HD) is not on WFSU during primetime and I'm not sure if it is HD or not at 4pm this afternoon.


I think those guys are interested in using their bandwidth for more channels rather than for HD. Most people aren't going to care for years, wether or not their favorite programs are in HD, I'm pretty sure the main reason we even see HD content as abundant now is for when stuff recorded now can be re-run years later in HD with no effort.

WCTV is not airing the Michigan-Michigan State game in HD. CBS is providing it in HD.

Edit @ 3:25 PM: WCTV went to HD for the Golf, abruptly went to SD, and is now back in HD. What's going on?

You may be right - there could be a problem with the Comcast feed, but why would it be any different than any other satellite HD feed to Comcast? I do know that Flash on Comcast dropped out of HD late in that episode after some intermittent pixelization earlier in the HD mode. Could it be that SciFi doesn't want to pay for the bandwidth they need to do HD right? Who knows, all I know is I hope they start doing better. Meanwhile, Threshold repeats are broadcast in full HD on Comcast HD ch 420 but in SD on SciFi HD. Why?

Actually, FG dropped out of HD late in the episode on DirecTV as well (though no intermittent pixelization like you mentioned).

My comment was more directed to earlier comments you and PBSEngineer made regarding HD programming.

As far as "Threshold" goes, I'm not sure why UniversalHD is airing it in HD and Sci-Fi HD isn't since they are owned by the same company, but I remember thinking it was weird that USA-HD used to air "Monk" episodes in SD that were available in HD on UniversalHD, but it appears they have since corrected that problem as every "Monk" episode is now available in HD on USA-HD (though the PQ leaves something to be desired even then). For a while, all older seasons of SG:A was broadcast in SD on the HD feed of Sci-Fi, but they've recently begun showing all/most episodes in HD now as well.

I guess it just took them a while to get some of the kinks worked out...

~Alan

Actually, FG dropped out of HD late in the episode on DirecTV as well (though no intermittent pixelization like you mentioned).

My comment was more directed to earlier comments you and PBSEngineer made regarding HD programming.

As far as "Threshold" goes, I'm not sure why UniversalHD is airing it in HD and Sci-Fi HD isn't since they are owned by the same company, but I remember thinking it was weird that USA-HD used to air "Monk" episodes in SD that were available in HD on UniversalHD, but it appears they have since corrected that problem as every "Monk" episode is now available in HD on USA-HD (though the PQ leaves something to be desired even then). For a while, all older seasons of SG:A was broadcast in SD on the HD feed of Sci-Fi, but they've recently begun showing all/most episodes in HD now as well.

I guess it just took them a while to get some of the kinks worked out...

~Alan

I guess we should expect some glitches when new HD channels start up, but deciding to show SD instead of HD (possibly because of bandwidth limitation?) seems like a management/marketing decision, and a short-sighted one IMO. After all, the reason a network moves up to HD is to increase viewership, but just feeding us more SD just ain't gonna do it! I could even live with high bit-rate SD if it was in the WS format - why don't they consider that?

Do you know if u can buy the cable boxes from comcast? i thought the government stated that had to sell them now.

Yea i have hd cable and the resolution is displaying 1920x540 on my tv. Yea most of the show on scifi are in SD.

Do you know if u can buy the cable boxes from comcast? i thought the government stated that had to sell them now.

Yea i have hd cable and the resolution is displaying 1920x540 on my tv. Yea most of the show on scifi are in SD.

You can do better than that if you really want to. You can buy a cable card and put it in a computer. Build you're own DVR. These forums have several sections devoted to that, depending on your taste.

I know this has been brought up before, but I don't think anybody came to a conclusion about it. Both WTWC and WTLH are using their digital subchannels (6.2 and 49.2 respectively) to broadcast additional programming. Are WTWC and WTXL planning anything for their subchannels? Rebroadcasting the SD signal seems like just a waste. Why bother broadcasting the subchannel at all?

Because the equipment had to be purchased and installed to make sure it worked. Plus, it would be much harder to add it later, and make everyone re-map their receiver to get 27.2 after we changed the structure.

Also, for WTXL, many cable head-ins are taking the 27.2 for the standard def on the cable, since it is a little cleaner than the analog. The Corporate guys have not let on to any plan for us after Feb 2009.

Sorry for such a delay in responce, I only log on here about once a month
--JRC

Is anyone else having breakups while watching Comcast's Digital and HD channels? I called them and they are sending someone out. :(

I curious to know how many Comcast viewers watching our SD (ch7) have noticed the audio "pitch shift" up and down.. Especially during music.

Is this happening on other stations? It does not happen OTA or in house, only on Comcast.

--JRC

Comparing the local Tallahassee stations OTA and via Comcast, I've got a few comments.

1. WTXL is the best in town when it comes to the overall HD + upconverted programming picture quality and switching. A very nice and professional operation as far as I can tell so far which seems to know how to use its automation systems well. Props for the HD local commercials!


Wow! I never thought I'd hear that on this forum!! We've come a long way, baby! Thanks Capefish!

--JRC

John I'm new to AVS Forums, and I read your post. It's kind of funny because I was looking on the WTXL Website for an email to try and contact an engineer or someone at the station to ask a technical (or at least technical from my perspective as a viewer) question

I live in Tallahassee, only about 12 miles from Metcalf as the crow flies, and have DirecTV and get WTXL HD OTA. (No option for comcast here, we're too far out for them to run cable and not enough density) I receive the OTA signal just fine. I have a radioshack antenna (Model: VU-190 XR) mounted in my attic. The news comes in great, and some of the programming comes in great, but there are many programs that only show a black screen, and nothing is on.

I can switch over the the WTXL Signal off the satelite and everything is fine (only SD though). For example Grey's Anatomy is always black, America's Funniest Home Videos (although not an HD program) is always black. Usually the sports are all there no problem. (This would have been a problem a lot sooner than now if they weren't.) There are many other times and programs when it's a black screen, but I can't seem to figure out why. The news is fine (it looks great and awesome to have HD Local News.) But why is it like this?

It's just strange to be flipping through the channels and just get a black screen and no programming. A while back (a number of months) when this would happen, it wouldn't be a black screen, but would be a looping test of the space shuttle blasting off, and a pretty cool pattern test for tuning HDTVs (I TiVo'd is so I could use it for tweaking my panel), and a sound check (LEFT, CENTER, RIGHT, LEFT SURROUND, RIGHT SURROUND...)

Anyway, I've rambled, but I was hoping you could answer the question. My wife even just yelled at me, wondering why Grey's never get's TiVo'd... maybe after you answer this, I can give her a satisfactory answer. Thanks in advance!

P.S. Also what do you mean, by you won't be changing until Feb. 2009... are you guys moving the antenna or something?

I find this very interesting... Is there no audio either? What kind of receiver do you have? How long have you had it? I have had a lot of odd problems, but this is the first I have heard of this. I assume that you have a good signal strength when this happens. Let me know more details please. If anyone else has seen this, let me know!

I have been after our web site folks to include an email on our page for months.. No luck. I'll bug them again tomorrow.

As for Feb. 2009, we will be switching back to RF channel 27 (we are on 22 now, re-mapped to 27) and installing a brand new megawatt transmitter, so we will be as strong as WCTV and everyone else pretty much.

Anything we did now to improve our weak temporary channel would be a waste since it is only good for one more year.
--JRC

I hope not too many people were annoyed watching prime time tonight as we tried to make an election update work on the bottom of the screen.. It caused trouble in both SD and HD worlds that would remind many of our viewers of the "early days" when we couldn't keep the audio working or the HD to stay put. Sorry!
--JRC

Wow! I never thought I'd hear that on this forum!! We've come a long way, baby! Thanks Capefish!

--JRCNot a problem, if the bad gets posted then the good should be too.

However, something is up with the WTXL PSIP Info OTA. 27.1 has "WTXL HDTV Program" as the listing and 27.2 has "WTXL SDTV Program" as the listing.

I'm glad you are reading though. I can only verify all HD issues OTA or via Comcast to you minus surround sound issues as I don't have anything but the Virtual Surround offered by my Vizio TV. WTXL's quality on both HD and SD seem to be pretty good to me when I compare it to WINK and WBBH back home. WINK has HD News, but hasn't found a way to make/record promos and newscast replays in HD yet. WBBH can show Jeopardy/Wheel of Fortune in HD, but has only managed to put their news out in SD widescreen only.

As for the sound on Comcast, I have found that the music seems to overpower your other audio on there compared to OTA. Why must Comcast touch the signal so?

I hope not too many people were annoyed watching prime time tonight as we tried to make an election update work on the bottom of the screen.. It caused trouble in both SD and HD worlds that would remind many of our viewers of the "early days" when we couldn't keep the audio working or the HD to stay put. Sorry!
--JRC
I tuned in and was impressed to see it was in HD with the election results below. Is this the same system used for weather warnings on WTXL?

As for Feb. 2009, we will be switching back to RF channel 27 (we are on 22 now, re-mapped to 27) and installing a brand new megawatt transmitter, so we will be as strong as WCTV and everyone else pretty much.

So I take it that work on the transmitter starts on February 2009 and not anytime before, correct?

I hope not too many people were annoyed watching prime time tonight as we tried to make an election update work on the bottom of the screen.. It caused trouble in both SD and HD worlds that would remind many of our viewers of the "early days" when we couldn't keep the audio working or the HD to stay put. Sorry!
--JRC

JRC, thanks for the explanation - saves me having to call you guys today. Watching Tuesday night I was scared to death you guys were going to screw up the new Lost espisodes and that would really piss me off! Now here is a suggestion - until you get the scrolling thing to work just don't use it - please! I think most viewers would rather enjoy their prime time shows in HD and wait until the news shows to get results, or switch to CNN during a commercial break, than put up with what happened Tuesday night. Now if something really important needs to be aired, like a tornado, earthquake, WWIII, or a local Britney Spears sighting, then please feel free! :D

With the digital changeover approaching next year this seems a good time to ask. Does anyone know what Tally Comcast provides for cable customers with QAM tuners but no cable digital converter? Is anyone using a QAM tuner now with Comcast? Can you get local HD channels directly over a QAM tuner without a box? What, if any, other HD channels can you get from Comcast with a QAM tuner without a converter box? Inquiring minds want to know!

With the digital changeover approaching next year this seems a good time to ask. Does anyone know what Tally Comcast provides for cable customers with QAM tuners but no cable digital converter? Is anyone using a QAM tuner now with Comcast? Can you get local HD channels directly over a QAM tuner without a box? What, if any, other HD channels can you get from Comcast with a QAM tuner without a converter box? Inquiring minds want to know!

CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC are all available in HD from comcast with no STB. I am not sure but I beleive PBSHD is also delivered in the clear. I have my cable split with one connection going to the STB/DVR and one straight into the TV. This allows me to view HD programming from the locals when the DVR is recording 2 programs on other channels.

CBS, FOX, NBC and ABC are all available in HD from comcast with no STB. I am not sure but I beleive PBSHD is also delivered in the clear. I have my cable split with one connection going to the STB/DVR and one straight into the TV. This allows me to view HD programming from the locals when the DVR is recording 2 programs on other channels.

Problem when i use a splitter i cant see any picture on the cable box but the sound is there

Problem when i use a splitter i cant see any picture on the cable box but the sound is there

I haven't had any problems like that. In fact I have my cable split into 3 feeds. Third one is used for the broadband internet connection.

Which stb do u have from comcast?

Which stb do u have from comcast?

Motorola DCT-6412. I am using the optical out connection to my receiver for sound.

k i got it to work but i guess the the samsung setup box doesnt work with the cable box like it says it supposed too. i have the Motorola DCT-6416 so i dont know if it allows qam or not.

k i got it to work but i guess the the samsung setup box doesnt work with the cable box like it says it supposed too. i have the Motorola DCT-6416 so i dont know if it allows qam or not.The cable box gets encrypted QAM (pay HD channels) from Comcast to your HDTV. The Samsung box can get over-the-air signals from an antenna or unencrypted QAM (mostly the HD channels and digital channels you can get OTA for free) from Comcast. They don't work together since they are, for most intents and purposes, competing products.

Motorola box: Comcast HD Service
Samsung box: OTA HD Service (whether it be using rabbit ears or via QAM on Comcast)

Plugging the Motorola box into your Comcast Cable gets Comcast HD service to you.
Plugging the Samsung box into your Comcast Cable and doing a search for cable channels should get you the unecrypted QAM channels that Comcast includes. (My informal list: WCTV-DT, WCTV-DT2, WTLH-DT, WTXL-DT, WTWC-DT, WFSU-DT, Music Choice Channels)

1. Has anyone heard any word that is more definite for the arrival of local HD in Tallahassee than "soon"? I see announcements of a market or two being added, but I haven't heard any rumblings about a timetable from DirecTV. We may have to wait for the next satellite launch.

I have been waiting for the new DirecTV SWM switch to be released. It was promised for the 4Q of 2007. However, it has only been released to multiunit installations. Availability to the home market may be months in the future. This unit will allow a single wire to serve 2 tuners in a DVR and provide diplexed OTA. Fishing wire is very difficult in our home. Three wires are now required for each DVR with OTA input.

2. I live off of Bradfordville/Pisgah Church. Comcast is apparently available in the Bradfordville Road area. However, there are no indications of any expansion of coverage. I have sent my online requests to Comcast, but they did not reply. Have they just conceded the growing suburban market to satellite? Does this make any business sense? Any information about Comcast expansion of coverage age would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Although a second choice for TV would be a good thing, I am frantic for a workable alternative to Embarq DSL. DSL's speeds are slower than cable, and their customer service could not be worse. Satellite internet doesn't fill our needs.

I do not know the specifics of agreements between Leon County and Comcast. However, I hope that I can interest the Commissioners in this growing problem. The suburban fringe is growing rapidly, and no cable service is being provided by Comcast. Perhaps it is time to end their monopoly and to try to attract companies who are willing to expand.

The other hope for suburban residents may be fiber optics/IPTV. However, if Embarq remains as the telephone/DSL provider in this area, it will be a long time before any progress is made. I am praying for a merger of Embarq with a larger telecommunications company (e.g. ATT). I believe that such a merger would increase our changes of getting more modern options via fiber optics and the phone company.

As for DTv Tallahassee HD will go up on D10 which is in orbit. The local collection equipment is installed and they are back hauling to the up-link center. I have tried to get a date out of them but they will not commit. One would think it should be soon as they are paying rent for the equipment room and the fiber back haul.

I have a question that probably can not really be answered here, but I am just looking for advice. My son has a nice new HDTV. He just recently signed up for the Comcast Triple play, plus HD access. Since having it installed he is getting feequent pixilation and loss of audio. They came out and replaced his HD box yesterday, and now he has not had any pixelization but continues to have brief dropouts of audio. He has no problem when viewing DVD's or while playing his Playstation through it. Is this prevalent for Comcast customers, or could many of their boxes be faulty. His box is a DCH3200.

I told him I would check to see if this is just something he is expected to live with. I seem to also get this preriodically with DTV, so I do not knwo if it is specific to the broadcast stations or everything.

Thanks,

Joe

I have a question that probably can not really be answered here, but I am just looking for advice. My son has a nice new HDTV. He just recently signed up for the Comcast Triple play, plus HD access. Since having it installed he is getting feequent pixilation and loss of audio. They came out and replaced his HD box yesterday, and now he has not had any pixelization but continues to have brief dropouts of audio. He has no problem when viewing DVD's or while playing his Playstation through it. Is this prevalent for Comcast customers, or could many of their boxes be faulty. His box is a DCH3200.

I told him I would check to see if this is just something he is expected to live with. I seem to also get this preriodically with DTV, so I do not knwo if it is specific to the broadcast stations or everything.

Thanks,

Joe

Dropouts in sound or pixelization occasionally happens on some channels (SciFi Ch 427 for example) more than others, but if he has that problem on all channels he needs to get Comcast back out. He could have a bad tap at the street or in the local area, with too much noise on the line or a weak signal. Check his low numbered analog channels - if they are bad then he definitely has a line problem. You have to keep after Comcast on line problems as they always want to blame your equipment. It took me months for them to find my internet latency problem on the line but they did eventually fix it.

Double post deleted.

Thanks, I do not mind giving them some slack..but from what I read on here you must have to stay on top of them..Yes, they told him up front if they came out and decided it was his TV's fault that they would charge him $27. They did not say it was, they simply replaced the box

Thanks WTLHFOXHD for the update on HD locals! I hope to see "Tallahassee-Thomasville" soon

... Now here is a suggestion - until you get the scrolling thing to work just don't use it - please! I think most viewers would rather enjoy their prime time shows in HD and wait until the news shows to get results, or switch to CNN during a commercial break, than put up with what happened Tuesday night. Now if something really important needs to be aired, like a tornado, earthquake, WWIII, or a local Britney Spears sighting, then please feel free! :D

I COMPLETELY agree. The news department, however, can't stand that WCTV annoyed (er,um, "Informed";)) their viewers first! Us engineers worked on that system for two days to try and make it do more than it was meant to do. Why does primary election results need to be so urgent? I personally can wait for the 11:00 news!

--JRC

I tuned in and was impressed to see it was in HD with the election results below. Is this the same system used for weather warnings on WTXL?

Yes, it is, and using it to update election results was like pulling a bass boat with a Geo Metro! Slow and painful! :D

--JRC

So I take it that work on the transmitter starts on February 2009 and not anytime before, correct?

The Plan:
Since our old analog transmitter is two parts (A and B together make full power) the plan is to take out transmitter B sometime this year and replace it with the new transmitter in analog mode, then do the same with A. That way, we will be at half power analog for about a week, then back to full power. When the Feb date rolls around, going to digital on the new unit will be only take 10 minutes. OTA users will have to re-scan, because we will actually be on RF ch 27 instead of 22.

JRC

... something is up with the WTXL PSIP Info OTA. 27.1 has "WTXL HDTV Program" as the listing and 27.2 has "WTXL SDTV Program" as the listing.

As for the sound on Comcast, I have found that the music seems to overpower your other audio on there compared to OTA. Why must Comcast touch the signal so?

The Psip seems to have been down for quite some time! Oops. I'll get right on it.

As for the Audio, we are aware of that and trying to figure out how to fix it without messing up audio for 5.1 listeners.

--JRC

The Plan:
OTA users will have to re-scan, because we will actually be on RF ch 27 instead of 22.

The hardest thing to get right will probably be the guide data on the HR2X from Directv which doesn't have the OTA scan option. I would imagine that they are programmed to look for WTXL on channel 22 and would need to know to start looking for WTXL on 27 in Feb 2009.

I noticed a HD program about UFOs was showing almost simultaneously on Comcast on the HD History Channel and the HD SciFi channel. But guess which one was showing it in SD? Now someone explain to me why Scifi shows so many HD programs in SD?

why is it that some of my hd chanels don't look hd, specifically fox, a&e, tbs and a few others. hbo cbs looks fine, but the other few look exactly like the sd broadcast. I have a motorola 6412 box on a samsung 4061f. Any help would be appreciated.

These channels are not actually broadcasting in HD they are just stretching the program to "fool" you. FOX and A&E do broadcast some programming in true HD, however, TBS does not. There next scheduled HD broadcast is an MLB baseball game. I wish stations, especially LOCAL stations would not stretch their non-hd material. IF I want to stretch it, I can do so with my TV.

FOX49/WTLH is acting weird. I get different AR results on QAM tuner in my TV vs. the OTA tuner on my HR20...

Cheers,

WTLHFOXHD, are you broadcasting your non-hd programming in Anamorphic widescreen within a 1024x720 frame?

I did a QAM scan of my Comcast Cable this morning and was surprised to find The Weather Channel (83.4 is Tallahassee's version and 83.5 is Wakulla's version) and WCOT-Channel 13 (83.1) being digitally-simulcasted along with many other analog channels.

Here is a small Comcast Tallahassee QAM channel lineup:
WFSU (5): Digital 73.1
WTLF-DT (6): Digital 73.2
WTXL (7): Digital 73.3
WCTV (9): Digital 73.5
WTLH (10): Digital 73.6
WTWC (12): Digital 73.7
WABW (98): Digital 73.11
WGN (2): Digital 75.1
TBN (242): Digital 75.12
HSN (3): Digital 76.1
QVC (11): Digital 76.2
ION (15): Digital 77.1
CSPAN (18): Digital 77.2
4FSU: Digital 78.1
Jewelry Television/Cable Leased Access (16): Digital 78.2
Weatherscan from The Weather Channel (17): Digital 78.3
WVUP (19): Digital 78.4
FAMU (20): Digital 78.5
Comcast Spotlight (21): Digital 78.6
On Demand: Digital Channels 79-82
WCOT (13): Digital 83.1
CSPAN (18): Digital 83.2
The Weather Channel (24-Leon): Digital 83.4
The Weather Channel (24-Wakulla): Digital 83.5
WTWC-DT (432): Digital 85.1
WTXL-DT (431): Digital 85.2
WCTV-DT (433): Digital 86.1
WFSU-DT (440): Digital 86.2
The Florida Channel/WFSU-DT2: Digital 86.3
Create/WFSU-DT3: Digital 86.4
FKN/WFSU-DT4: Digital 86.5
WTLH-DT (434): Digital 87.1
WCTV-DT2 (227): Digital 88.5
NGC-HD (Audio Encrypted): Digital 93.1
Music Choice: Digital Channel 101
GOL TV (Audio Encrypted): Digital Channel 102.9
TBN (242): Digital Channel 106.11
CNN-HD (Audio Encrypted): Digital Channel 108.1

Looks like Digital Simulcast of Analog Channels on Comcast Tallahassee is almost here! That should improve their quality on our HDTVs compared to the analog cable.

I have been told that DirecTV will have the HD locals up this Wed 1/13.

Where did you hear this? I'm ready to make the switch.

I don't know what is wrong, but WTLH has been unable to pass the NASCAR programming today and yesterday in HD. They just have upconverted SD which my TV stretches.

I don't know what is wrong, but WTLH has been unable to pass the NASCAR programming today and yesterday in HD. They just have upconverted SD which my TV stretches.
Have you tried email?

If not, as WTLHFOXHD posted much earlier months ago, he left this email address: wtlhhdproblems@fox49.com for us to use. Hopefully he can send a quick reply. I just sent a quick email to this address.

Have you tried email?

If not, as WTLHFOXHD posted much earlier months ago, he left this email address: wtlhhdproblems@fox49.com for us to use. Hopefully he can send a quick reply. I just sent a quick email to this address.
I've been in contact, I just wanted to make sure it was not my setup. Since no one on the board has posted anything, I was wondering before I sent Mr. Singh a message.

I've been in contact, I just wanted to make sure it was not my setup. Since no one on the board has posted anything, I was wondering before I sent Mr. Singh a message.
It's certainly not your setup. :)

Not your sets. Trying to get them to reset it.

Looks like it is back in HD.

Thanks!!!!!

I have been told that DirecTV will have the HD locals up this Wed 1/13.

Source.. :confused:

Does anyone know why WFSU seems to have trouble passing through PBS HD programs?

For example, African American Lives 2 just aired on WFSU 11.1 and it is a letterbox program, but it was in some sort of odd zoom mode where I have black bars on all sides of my TV.

WFSU can only pass thru HD from PBS when it is on the satellite in HD at the same time that we have it scheduled and then only from 6 pm to 6 am.
Sunday afternoon is playbacks from prime time the week before. It did air in HD when it ran earlier last week.
At night, if it is upconverted from SD, it is in 14 x 9 format. The GM wants to fill the screen -- it is better than stretching it all the way out to 16 x 9.
Send in your money now... It will take over a $150,000 to be able to record HD.
No one makes a device to let us air 1 HD and 3 SDs during the day and have any one of them look at all watchable.

WFSU can only pass thru HD from PBS when it is on the satellite in HD at the same time that we have it scheduled and then only from 6 pm to 6 am.
Sunday afternoon is playbacks from prime time the week before. It did air in HD when it ran earlier last week.
At night, if it is upconverted from SD, it is in 14 x 9 format. The GM wants to fill the screen -- it is better than stretching it all the way out to 16 x 9.
Send in your money now... It will take over a $150,000 to be able to record HD.
No one makes a device to let us air 1 HD and 3 SDs during the day and have any one of them look at all watchable.OK, makes sense. So how would I know what is scheduled for HD? My TV guides all seem to flag everything from 6pm-6am on WFSU 11.1 as HD if they were originally aired in HD.

Is a PBS HD schedule we could use available?

Wats up with FSN i havent seen a magic basketball game in awhile even though on the listing it says its supposed to being airing?

WFSU can only pass thru HD from PBS when it is on the satellite in HD at the same time that we have it scheduled and then only from 6 pm to 6 am.
Sunday afternoon is playbacks from prime time the week before. It did air in HD when it ran earlier last week.
At night, if it is upconverted from SD, it is in 14 x 9 format. The GM wants to fill the screen -- it is better than stretching it all the way out to 16 x 9.
Send in your money now... It will take over a $150,000 to be able to record HD.
No one makes a device to let us air 1 HD and 3 SDs during the day and have any one of them look at all watchable.

Yet I can record two HD channels and watch a previously recorded program in HD on the Motorola 6412 HD DVR! Why won't that work for WFSU? For $150,000 you can borrow mine! LOL!

If only the 64XX had a realtime HD mpeg2 encoder$$$.

anyone else excited about the rumored D* HD locals for Tallahassee that are supposed to start tomorrow? Two weeks ago I installed a Terrestial Digital DB4 in the attic thinking it was going to be a while but I'm hopeful wednesday is the day!

May the force be with us!

anyone else excited about the rumored D* HD locals for Tallahassee that are supposed to start tomorrow? Two weeks ago I installed a Terrestial Digital DB4 in the attic thinking it was going to be a while but I'm hopeful wednesday is the day!

May the force be with us!
--I am cautiously optimistic--

has anyone checked??? No Luck? No announcements on dbstalk.

has anyone checked??? No Luck? No announcements on dbstalk.


I can't say for sure but I don't think you will see anything on this until Sept. D11

Calling JRCStudios: Is there anything you can do about the horrible audio delay on WTXL HD on Comcast Ch 431? It is not my TV as I see very little if any audio delay on other HD Comcast channels. It is really really bad with the WTXL HD local news show, less noticeable on ABC HD network feeds, though still a slight delay. Please monitor the WTXL news shows on Comcast HD and you will see (hear) what I mean. If you can fix it please do. Thanks.

P.S. If you could do something about the frequent pixelization (dropouts, or whatever) that would be nice also. Are you guys having bandwidth issues, or is your signal not being received cleanly at Comcast? Thanks again.

I can't say for sure but I don't think you will see anything on this until Sept. D11

D11 goes up in March.
http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch.htm

I have been told that DirecTV will have the HD locals up this Wed 1/13.
Everyone should cautious about posting information dealing with D* rollouts and in my opinion, not to post at all, unless you are willing to state your source. This allows members to judge the credibility of the information. The latest "official" information I've seen concerning locals in 2008 is posted on D*'s webpage at the following link: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127160&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1084510&highlight=

We are NOT one of the markets listed. In D*'s typical fashion, there is no guarantee that we (Tallahassee) will have locals provided even on the next launch (D11). I'm still hoping that we will get our locals provided on D10. I was told that is the case from a Bruister Company supervisor coupled with the fact that D* has entered into leases, I was caustiously optimistic. However, I'm not holding my breath . . . .:(

Please disregard: Sorry for the inconvenience

So Comcast has FSN Florida HD on Channel 401....but it doesn't have all the events it could.

What we get:
College Football and Basketball (http://www.sunsportstv.com/hdtv_programs.jhtml?method=listSeparate&hdtv_programs.team=FSN%20College%20Football%20and%20Basketba ll) (All events cleared by FSN Florida from FSN HD)
Florida Marlins (http://www.sunsportstv.com/news.jhtml?method=view&news.id=525) (75 HD games due this season, but we not see them all because Comcast only carries 95 FSN games which means we miss 5 games on FSN and 50 games on SUN)
Tampa Bay Rays (http://www.sunsportstv.com/hdtv_programs.jhtml?method=listSeparate&hdtv_programs.team=Tampa%20Bay%20Devil%20Rays) (We should get all the HD games offered by FSN, but last season that was around 35 games)
What we don't get:
Tampa Bay Lightning (http://www.sunsportstv.com/hdtv_programs.jhtml?method=toHdtv) (Comcast doesn't carry Sun Sports HD)
Orlando Magic (http://www.sunsportstv.com/hdtv_programs.jhtml?method=listSeparate&hdtv_programs.team=Orlando%20Magic) (Comcast doesn't carry Sun Sports HD nor do they carry 35 games in SD on FSN Florida)

If you want to see as many games in HD (and SD) as possible for your Comcast dollar, I would suggest sending a note to Comcast (http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Customers/contactus/ContactUs.html) and/or calling Comcast at 574-4000 to let this be known!

On a related note, Channel 401 will have FSN's Doubleheader in HD tonight with Duke-Wake Forest at 7:30 and UCLA-Southern California at 10:00.

Edit @ 7:39 PM: I'm not seeing the ACC Hoops in HD on 401...it is still off-air...but it is in SD on 29.

On a related note, Channel 401 will have FSN's Doubleheader in HD tonight with Duke-Wake Forest at 7:30 and UCLA-Southern California at 10:00.

Edit @ 7:39 PM: I'm not seeing the ACC Hoops in HD on 401...it is still off-air...but it is in SD on 29.

It was a shame to watch that great game in SD.

DIRECTV Launches Local and Broadcast Network Channels in Dothan, Ala.
WHAT: DIRECTV is now delivering local news, weather, sports and prime-time broadcast network programming via satellite in digital-quality picture and sound for viewers in Dothan, Ala.

Local channels and broadcast networks available in the Dothan designated market area include: WDHN/ABC, WTVY/CBS, CW, MNT, WDFX/Fox, and PBS.
Dothan, Ala. Population: 62,713
Tallahassee metropolitan area is estimated at 336,501
No local channels!?
Some one explain this to me?

Aren't these SD locals? I can't believe they would launch HD locals and not mention the word HD in the press release at least once. AFAIK, Tallahassee has SD locals...

DIRECTV Launches Local and Broadcast Network Channels in Dothan, Ala.
WHAT: DIRECTV is now delivering local news, weather, sports and prime-time broadcast network programming via satellite in digital-quality picture and sound for viewers in Dothan, Ala.

Local channels and broadcast networks available in the Dothan designated market area include: WDHN/ABC, WTVY/CBS, CW, MNT, WDFX/Fox, and PBS.
Dothan, Ala. Population: 62,713
Tallahassee metropolitan area is estimated at 336,501
No local channels!?
Some one explain this to me?

That's is only SD Local Channels and Tally has SD Local for quite some time now.

Aren't these SD locals? I can't believe they would launch HD locals and not mention the word HD in the press release at least once. AFAIK, Tallahassee has SD locals...

Your right my bad, Sorry.

A question for those picking up WTXL HD via OTA - are you seeing re-ocurring pixelization on both local and national feeds? I am seeing it on WTXL's Comcast HD channel (431) and seldom on other Comcast HD channels, so I am wondering if the problem is with WTXL HD transmission that Comcast picks up OTA. If it is WTXL, then I again ask jcrstudios if he can address the problem. Thanks all.

I can't believe we are behind Scranton and Wacko on the list for HD locals. Why can't they eliminate all the SD locals and use that space? I mean, we are only a year away from total conversion. Tallahassee is sooooo lame. We need to get some folks to buy HDTV instead of new fishing gear.

Probably the Tallahassee locals are so undependable, D* doesn't want a bunch of phone calls everytime the local guys forget to flip the switch.

Oh well, there is nothing on network TV right now anyway. Thank goodness for Blu-Ray.

Why can't they eliminate all the SD locals and use that space? I mean, we are only a year away from total conversion. Tallahassee is sooooo lame.

Conversion is to Digital TV not HDTV. SD channels will be around for quite awhile after the conversion. Owners of HDTV's are still the minority and a lot of people who do own HDTV's don't understand that they need to provide an HD source to the TV.

I just got a new tv and had a question regarding channels I am able to pick up with the QAM tuner. I have been watching WTXL-DT, 85.2 and WTLH-DT 87.1 and they seem to pause and speed up but it only seems to occur on these 2 channels. Is this a problem with my TV or the broadcast itself?

No mine does it too and only for those channels. 87.1 seems better in primetime and 85.2 gets worse.

No mine does it too and only for those channels. 87.1 seems better in primetime and 85.2 gets worse.

Thanks, I am glad to know it is not my TV. Your right primetime on 87.1 is fine, whereas primetime on 85.2 is unwatchable.

WTLHHDFOX, Is there any chance of you carrying the ACC BB Tourney in HD? I lived in the Columbus, GA DMA last year and was able to watch Raycom's telecast in HD and I'll have to say their PQ was actually very good!

WTLHHDFOX, Is there any chance of you carrying the ACC BB Tourney in HD? I lived in the Columbus, GA DMA last year and was able to watch Raycom's telecast in HD and I'll have to say their PQ was actually very good!

WTLHHDFOX is probably the worst HD station in Tallahassee. Their HD is okay, but PQ of everything not HD is pure crap, and I mean that in the literal sense of the word. The same is for the CW channel in Tallahassee that WTLHFOX also transmits - even though it is a "digital" transmission it looks like crap most of the time, even when the show (Smallville for example) originates in HD. I can only assume they are either too cheap to buy equipment to do the job right or just too stupid, take your pick!

There most likely waiting until they absolutely have to upgrade before spending the money. It seems to be the symptom of most of the stations. I still don't know how im keeping most of these decrepit computers alive.

So after seeing that Comcast was going to charge me $60 to install two CableCARDS in my TivoHD, I have all but made the decision to go with DirecTV.

For those in Tallahassee who have it. How much trouble will I have picking up the OTA HD signals from 7th Avenue near TMH, will I need some crazy antenna or just a set of rabbit ears?

Also, how does the DirecTV DVR compare to the TivoHD? How much of a let down am I in for?

So after seeing that Comcast was going to charge me $60 to install two CableCARDS in my TivoHD, I have all but made the decision to go with DirecTV.


Thats actually not a bad deal.
Some people are being charged over $100 to get it done. From the experiences i've heard its not an easy process. Some people have had success arguing with the company and getting the price reduced.

If you can i've heard of a few people doing a self install. Most companies won't allow this though.

Thats actually not a bad deal.
Some people are being charged over $100 to get it done. From the experiences i've heard its not an easy process. Some people have had success arguing with the company and getting the price reduced.

If you can i've heard of a few people doing a self install. Most companies won't allow this though.

$60 to plug in two cards and make a phone call is not a "deal."

It is ridiculous that Comcast should even attempt to charge for items like this. $30 per card. They can either waive the ridiculous fee, or they can never get money from me.

They chose the latter.

Calling JRCStudios: Is there anything you can do about the horrible audio delay on WTXL HD on Comcast Ch 431? ......

P.S. If you could do something about the frequent pixelization (dropouts, or whatever) that would be nice also. Are you guys having bandwidth issues, or is your signal not being received cleanly at Comcast? Thanks again.


We found the problem with the audio delay, a offset setting got changed somehow.

As for the random pixelization, we are trying to find out what is causing it. It seems that some receivers do it worse than others. It also seems that it doesn't matter OTA or Comcast, so we can't blame comcast. Any and all observations of this problem are welcome. It seems to be mostly during ABC programming and ABC commercials. I think whaterver caused the audio shift settings to go weird might have affected something else too.

--JRC

A question for those picking up WTXL HD via OTA - are you seeing re-ocurring pixelization on both local and national feeds? I am seeing it on WTXL's Comcast HD channel (431) and seldom on other Comcast HD channels, so I am wondering if the problem is with WTXL HD transmission that Comcast picks up OTA. If it is WTXL, then I again ask jcrstudios if he can address the problem. Thanks all.

If you are seeing this on LOCAL programming, please let me know at what time, etc. I have only seen it during national (ABC) programing.
--JRC

As for the random pixelization, we are trying to find out what is causing it. It seems that some receivers do it worse than others. It also seems that it doesn't matter OTA or Comcast, so we can't blame comcast. Any and all observations of this problem are welcome.

JRCStudios, I have a D* Vip622 and have been experiencing the dropouts OTA (national broadcasts, as you say) and would have to switch from the HD OTA to the SD satellite feed some during Lost :-(

Thanks for looking into it!

Robert

I also got OTA HD drpoouts on Lost. I seldom got any dropouts at all on WTXL until now.

I no longer have any of the odd numbers encore channels!

Gone are

151 Encore-W
153 Action-W
155 Mystery-W
157 Love-W
159 Drama-W
161 Western-W

Anyone know anything? This stinks!

Comcast dropped all west/pacific channels except HBOw and Maxw.

So after seeing that Comcast was going to charge me $60 to install two CableCARDS in my TivoHD, I have all but made the decision to go with DirecTV.

For those in Tallahassee who have it. How much trouble will I have picking up the OTA HD signals from 7th Avenue near TMH, will I need some crazy antenna or just a set of rabbit ears?

Also, how does the DirecTV DVR compare to the TivoHD? How much of a let down am I in for?

Since when did they start this? All mine took was a truck roll, which is around 30 bucks. The cards are about 6 bucks a month for both. I did have mine installed a year ago.

WTLHHDFOX is probably the worst HD station in Tallahassee. Their HD is okay, but PQ of everything not HD is pure crap, and I mean that in the literal sense of the word. The same is for the CW channel in Tallahassee that WTLHFOX also transmits - even though it is a "digital" transmission it looks like crap most of the time, even when the show (Smallville for example) originates in HD. I can only assume they are either too cheap to buy equipment to do the job right or just too stupid, take your pick!

My guess is Too Stupid. Thanks guy...........

My guess is Too Stupid. Thanks guy...........

It's a valid question, it came off a bit snarky, but a valid one nonetheless. Why is there such disparity in the signal quality?

It's a valid question, it came off a bit snarky, but a valid one nonetheless. Why is there such disparity in the signal quality?
Valid as the question is, the engineer was addressing dsmith, who was the (very) snarky one, not the actual person who asked the question.

My guess is Too Stupid. Thanks guy...........

I'll take that as a no for ACC BB....

Is anyone else having a problem viewing HD OnDemand programming from Comcast? All other HD channels are fine, but when I request an HD program from OnDemand it is displayed 4:3 and 420i.

I'll take that as a no for ACC BB....


No not at this time. We are asking for the funds to put in the receivers and other items needed to pass the HD feeds like we do with FOX. Sorry about the ACC. But we are trying.

No not at this time. We are asking for the funds to put in the receivers and other items needed to pass the HD feeds like we do with FOX. Sorry about the ACC. But we are trying.
Thank you for the response.

No not at this time. We are asking for the funds to put in the receivers and other items needed to pass the HD feeds like we do with FOX. Sorry about the ACC. But we are trying.

Would you please explain why it is that when WTLHFOX HD broadcasts (which I get on Comcast) drop to SD (non-HD) that what I see on my TV looks like I am watching a 1958 19" Emerson TV receiving OTA signal using rabbitg ears from a weak transmitter? Snow, blurring, awful color, worse resolution than a fifth generation VHS tape recorded in EP, etc. WTXL HD manages to keep a clean SD signal when they drop from HD, why can't WTLHFOX? Are they (management) just cheap bastards? Okay, that last is a given, but what is the technical problem that keeps you from doing better?

dsmith, when viewing SD programming on FOX from Comcast, do you get a normal 4:3 aspect ratio. With my TV set to Normal the picture is all scrunched up, but if I switch to Full, I get a picture with the correct aspect, but it has pillar bars on the side. This is the only SD channel that displays this way. It also seems like lately that sometimes the HD programming will be displayed at 420i and have bars all around the picture, like a WS DVD that is not anamorphic.

Is anyone having a problem getting NBATV or League Pass? Mine went out tuesday and Comcast said everything is ok on their end signal wise. I thought it was the STB but switched it out and no luck.

ack, cinemax HD is gone!#%#%

Is anyone having a problem getting NBATV or League Pass? Mine went out tuesday and Comcast said everything is ok on their end signal wise. I thought it was the STB but switched it out and no luck.

ack, cinemax HD is gone!#%#%

I think I'll go out and kiss my dish! I have Directv and have no proplems with NBATV League Pass or Cinemax HD.

dsmith, when viewing SD programming on FOX from Comcast, do you get a normal 4:3 aspect ratio. With my TV set to Normal the picture is all scrunched up, but if I switch to Full, I get a picture with the correct aspect, but it has pillar bars on the side. This is the only SD channel that displays this way. It also seems like lately that sometimes the HD programming will be displayed at 420i and have bars all around the picture, like a WS DVD that is not anamorphic.

Yeah, I have to change aspect to stretch to see 4:3 on FOX digital, just one more little annoyance they throw at us. My ongoing harangues against WLTHFOX is not direct at member WLTHFOXPRO individually, who I am sure is a great guy, but with the station itself. Apparently they have to get approval from Rupert Murdoch himself before they can spend a few dollars to get the proper equipment properly installed. We are one year away from the end of OTA analog transmissions, so why are they not already working to make themselves a station worth watching on all programs, not just HD? I repeat my question, if WTLX can do it right, why can't everyone? Even WCTV manages to do video right, even though their 2.0 audio is lame. All of the local stations have gone through problems converting to digital and HD, but all have overcome those problems to do a decent job except WTLH and their CW feed. So my question is (to whoever) what is the technical issues they have that prevents them from doing digital right, and what are they doing (if anything) to solve it?

My guess is the main problem is the ownership, which for WTLH is not FOX/News Corp. They are owned by CP Media or according to the FCC NEW AGE MEDIA OF TALLAHASSEE LICENSE, LLC which I would be willing to bet isn't throwing a lot of extra money around.

My guess is the main problem is the ownership, which for WTLH is not FOX/News Corp. They are owned by CP Media or according to the FCC NEW AGE MEDIA OF TALLAHASSEE LICENSE, LLC which I would be willing to bet isn't throwing a lot of extra money around.

A search shows New Age Media is owned by CP Media, LLC of Wilkes Barre, PA, which is owned by Gatehouse Media, Inc., which is owned by......, if you keep going it is probably owned by Murdoch! Who knows? Anyway, WTLH is not locally owned but owned by a large conglomerate that owns dozens of TV stations and newspapers, and all have cross ties to other large conglomerates, of which one could be owned in party by Murdoch! Again, who knows? Such companies do not buy these stations to run them for the public benefit, they buy them as an investment, to sell when the price is right, and putting a couple hundred thousand in to improve the station is not on their agenda. But that is true for all TV stations, no doubt.

Has anyone else receiving HBO via Comcast noticed that channel 311 (HBOZN) has been showing programming from channel 327 (WMAX) since Sunday?

A question for WTLHFOXHD,

Are you the engineer for WTLH and the CW transmitter? If so, can you see if you can fix the problem with audio on the CW (Comcast ch 6)? The only show I currently watch there is "Smallville" and when I turn on my surround system the center channel audio comes from the left channel. It sounds like something needs to be reset or adjusted on your audio feed from CW? I used to be able to enjoy Smallville in surround with a good stereo signal, but the last several weeks that has not been the case. Thanks.

No not at this time. We are asking for the funds to put in the receivers and other items needed to pass the HD feeds like we do with FOX. Sorry about the ACC. But we are trying.

My guess is that if you hadn't picked up the ACC tourney, then here in Tallahassee we would have been able to get it on ESPN in HD. I think it's a pretty good guess that the same people who would watch the ACC tourney will also really want to see it in HD.

So because you picked up the tourney, I get to watch a 3x3 SD picture instead of a 16x9 HD picture. Why oh why did you pick up the tourney knowing you couldn't broadcast it in HD? All you've done is manage to generate a lot of ill will.

Why oh why did you pick up the tourney knowing you couldn't broadcast it in HD? All you've done is manage to generate a lot of ill will.
Not to speak for anyone at WTLH but...because there are non-HD viewers who'll watch it and the station needs all the ratings/viewership it'll get?

Anyway, how many stations in this small market actually have syndicated HD capabilities? WTLH isn't guilty of this by a long shot. As dsmith talked about earlier, lack of funds factors into why these stations are not in an all-HD-when-available wonderland.

In this era of satellite and cable broadcasts, it doesn't make any sense to blackout national broadcasts in favor of local ones. Give the fans the choice. In many cases, the local channel cannot compete in technology and picture quality. Further, there are occasionally different sets of announcers. Let me choose. (I like Dick Vitale!)

WTLH and other local channels should compete for viewers. This competition may push them to accelerate their technology upgrades.

I have read that WRAL in Raleigh will offer ALL of the NCAA tournament games on its digital subchannels. Willl WCTV offer such a choice? If I subscribe to Full Court, will the "local" game be blacked out. That local broadcast will be subject to being switched to the endings of other games. If it is UNC, I want to be able to watch the whole game.

And I thought digital broadcasting would lead to more choices!

In this era of satellite and cable broadcasts, it doesn't make any sense to blackout national broadcasts in favor of local ones. Give the fans the choice. In many cases, the local channel cannot compete in technology and picture quality. Further, there are occasionally different sets of announcers. Let me choose. (I like Dick Vitale!)

WTLH and other local channels should compete for viewers. This competition may push them to accelerate their technology upgrades.

I have read that WRAL in Raleigh will offer ALL of the NCAA tournament games on its digital subchannels. Willl WCTV offer such a choice? If I subscribe to Full Court, will the "local" game be blacked out. That local broadcast will be subject to being switched to the endings of other games. If it is UNC, I want to be able to watch the whole game.

And I thought digital broadcasting would lead to more choices!

Why don't we just get rid of all local channels?
Why do "you" get to choose?
Why should the local stations show the UNC games "just" for "you"?
Why ask why?

Gee, reading this forum makes it seem like someone lost life because WTLH couldn't pass-through the ACC Tourney in HD from Raycom.

WTLH needs another receiver in order to do HD from a source other than FOX. Once they get that receiver, I'm sure you can expect the ACC/Raycom and Buccaneers preseason packages in HD on FOX49.

I would like to remind everyone that FOX does not allow their network HD equipment to be used for non-FOX network programming.

As for WCTV and multicasting, you can get March Madness on Demand from CBSSports.com and it offers every game at no cost. I do hope that 6.1 is in HD all of the time during the tournament and that 6.2 airs an extra game whenever possible.

But I feel that HD coverage + 1 SD alternate choice > 4 SD games at once

If we are going to get on local stations, WCTV really needs to get Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in HD. I visited back home and WBBH has both in HD and they are some of the best programs in HD out there.

Gee, reading this forum makes it seem like someone lost life because WTLH couldn't pass-through the ACC Tourney in HD from Raycom.


Wow Capefish, you sure have an active imagination.

But let's analyze WTLH carrying the game in terms of winners and losers:

Not a winner or loser: People with cable/sat, but no HD. They are getting the same picture either way.

Winner: A guy who doesn't have cable/sat, but who wants to watch the tourney at home.

Loser: A guy who cares enough about sports that he has cable/sat and HD. He gets to watch the game in SD instead of the HD he would have been able to watch it in if WTLH hadn't carried the game. To see it in HD, he would have to drive to where, Jacksonville?

Loser: Any NASCAR fan who that thought he would see racing from Bristol.

Loser: WTLH, because they saw a job that they couldn't do well, but took it on anyway because they thought they could make a few more bucks off of showing it than showing NASCAR.

So the people who care sports are getting the short end of the stick in favor of people who don't even care enough to go to have cable/sat or go to a Sports Bar.

Anybody got a problem with this analysis? I could be missing something and I'll own up to it if you can make a good counter.

Anybody got a problem with this analysis?
You have actual numbers to back it up?

EDIT:
Do you have any actual substantial evidence that the number of people "lost" due to an SD-only broadcast outnumbers the viewers who watch in SD?

Do you know who designed the blackout rules? The local station in question? Raycom? The ACC? If WCTV had the rights there kvetching would still persist because they also don't have HD syndication capability.

How informed of NASCAR fans in the area aware of the ACC championship game taking over part of the Bristol race time slot? Also as I type WTLH switched from the post-game of the ACC championship directly to the race; the race is on the 165th lap. Thankfully this is not an issue for me as I can get WFXL.

Wow Capefish, you sure have an active imagination.

But let's analyze WTLH carrying the game in terms of winners and losers:

Not a winner or loser: People with cable/sat, but no HD. They are getting the same picture either way.

Winner: A guy who doesn't have cable/sat, but who wants to watch the tourney at home.

Loser: A guy who cares enough about sports that he has cable/sat and HD. He gets to watch the game in SD instead of the HD he would have been able to watch it in if WTLH hadn't carried the game. To see it in HD, he would have to drive to where, Jacksonville?

Loser: Any NASCAR fan who that thought he would see racing from Bristol.

Loser: WTLH, because they saw a job that they couldn't do well, but took it on anyway because they thought they could make a few more bucks off of showing it than showing NASCAR.

So the people who care sports are getting the short end of the stick in favor of people who don't even care enough to go to have cable/sat or go to a Sports Bar.

Anybody got a problem with this analysis? I could be missing something and I'll own up to it if you can make a good counter.You make fine points, but you assume that WTLH is the root of all evil. Raycom owns the rights to the game and decided to affiliate with WTLH. If WCTV/WTWC had the ACC package and WTLH had the SEC package, would they be able to pass-through the HD? We all know that WTXL could, but WTXL has a full plate of sports from ABC to air.

Would it be nice if WTLH/Raycom didn't have exclusive rights so ESPN wouldn't be blacked out? Sure

Would it be nice if WTLH got the equipment to do the HD? Sure

Would it be nice if Raycom selected a Tallahassee affiliate that had the HD capability we all prefer? Sure

These are matters for the Atlantic Coast Conference to consider when Raycom's contract is up.

After all is said and done, there is a mean tone in this thread over what? The fact a game cannot be seen in high definition television? If you object to WTLH having the games, contact Raycom and ask them to switch their package to a local station more capable.

WTLH seems to be the only outlet willing to clear the package of ACC football and basketball that Raycom offers. If you want to start a campaign to ask Raycom to switch to another station, I'd be willing to help. Which station though? I prefer the Raycom announcers to ESPN's crew, so this is a local affiliation issue I would like solved.

Edit: I find it a bit unacceptable that WTLH has so many problem with 49.1. Right now the NASCAR race is not in HD since they JIP after the ACC game.

After all is said and done, there is a mean tone in this thread over what?

Wow Capefish, you really do have an active imagination. This time you are imagining a mean tone, when I spent some time breaking this down on its merits, specifically to eliminate the emotional aspect of this topic.

Am I correct in you asserting that WTLH had no choice in picking the ACC tourney up once they signed the Raycom contract? If so, then there are no easy answers here.

Am I also correct in you asserting that the race from Bristol isn't in HD because someone at WTLH is asleep at the wheel? Because right now my NASCAR neighbor is pretty annoyed. He kind of understands missing the start of the race, but totally ticked at having to watch the rest in SD.

Interesting...I just watched the post-race interview on WTLH and it was in HD. Please, someone, don't tell me the switch happened too late? That would suck.

Wow Capefish, you really do have an active imagination. This time you are imagining a mean tone, when I spent some time breaking this down on its merits, specifically to eliminate the emotional aspect of this topic. I'm not talking specifically about you, just the tone used on this board. We have 2 engineers that contribute semi-regularly on here and they get flamed every time. I understand that the local stations have alot of issues with HD, I get annoyed by it too, but that doesn't mean we can't be civil and leave the attacking to a minimum.

Am I correct in you asserting that WTLH had no choice in picking the ACC tourney up once they signed the Raycom contract? If so, then there are no easy answers here.No, my assertion is that the ACC sold the rights to Raycom. Raycom has to try and clear the game on as many ACC markets as possible or they have to let ESPN air the game which costs them that market's advertising. ESPN buys its rights from Raycom so that areas outside the ACC footprint can see the games. Raycom needs to be the one who fixes the issue we have here in Tallahassee if WTLH cannot.

Am I also correct in you asserting that the race from Bristol isn't in HD because someone at WTLH is asleep at the wheel? Because right now my NASCAR neighbor is pretty annoyed. He kind of understands missing the start of the race, but totally ticked at having to watch the rest in SD.Someone may be asleep at the wheel. The last time I sent an e-mail over to WTLH about a NASCAR race it was due to an issue with the FOX Splicer which is necessary for network HD transmission.

I am just as frustrated with WTLH's issues as you are, but remember this is just television.

I'm watching the SEC Championship Game on ESPN2 and the Golf on WTWC instead of the race on WTLH because WTLH is almost unwatchable right now. I've sent a message to WTLH and I hope they can get it fixed. WTLH's engineers are working with old equipment that is failing and they can't get the funding to replace it ASAP.

The race is now in HD on WTLH as of 5:33 PM.

Too bad it is over. Maybe we should start a campaign of sending letters to the folks that run FOX49 and could change the budget so these issues get fixed.

Why don't we just get rid of all local channels?
Why do "you" get to choose?
Why should the local stations show the UNC games "just" for "you"?
Why ask why?

1. Why don't we just get rid of all local channels?

Just end any protection for local channels. Let them compete with national feeds. Allow people to buy whatever channels they want from anywhere. Change the laws and FCC rules and allow the free market to rule.

2. Why do "you" get to choose?

Isn't that part of the point with the digital revolution?

3. Why should the local stations show the UNC games "just" for "you"?

See #2.

4. Why ask why

Why not?


Go Heels! ;-)

I have questions:

Other than WRAL, how many other stations performed the NCAA tourney multicast-o-rama?

How costly is it for the station to do such work?

Where's this idealistic "digital revolution" coming from? All OTA broadcasters must put out a digital signal (i.e. 480i minimum) and end the analog signal on February 17, 2009. Whatever else we get (i.e. HD, syndicated HD, 4 games at once) is basically a bonus in a sense.

Unfortunately, it comes down to the stations spending money or not to receive the extra goodies. A letter-writing campaign is a good idea but there needs to be something more to it that makes it memorable to TPTB.

I don't like sports blackouts either but to convince the FCC to end them there needs to be a very strong nation-wide group committed to this goal at a minimum.

Expressing wishful thinking on the internet is nice and all but any major changes caused by the people needs major work.

I was watching CW(49-02) last night and said the show was available in HD...but I didnt get it in HD. Sorry, Im still a little new to all this stuff.

I was watching CW(49-02) last night and said the show was available in HD...but I didnt get it in HD. Sorry, Im still a little new to all this stuff.

Tribune Media Services which provides guide information for DirecTV, TiVo, and other providers has started putting "HD" tags on WTLH-DT2 (49-2, 49.2, 49-02, 49.02) even though WTLH-DT2 is SD-only. They have been doing this for a while now for WTXL-DT2 (27-2, 27.2, 27-02, 27.02). They have also recently started doing this for WLGA-DT (the CW affiliate in Columbus, GA who is currently SD only as well).

Of course, you could also be referring to the tag at a beginning of a show which says "In HD... Where Available" or something like that... which is played on all channels regardless of whether or not they broadcast in HD... which WTLH-DT2 does not.

~Alan

BTW, DirecTV sent up their newest HD satellite last night...

~Alan

I see. Thanks for clearing that up for me Alan

A little off topic, but has anybody needed to get their HDTV repaired in town? If so, where did you go and how was the service?

WCTV just cut away from CBS' NCAA tournament coverage to air their local news show at 5pm. I don't have any problem with them cutting in for updates on the shooting at FAMU but within 4 minutes, they were doing regular news and airing segments like some guy named Mr. Food showing you how to cook something.

While doing that, they put the NCAA tournament on 6.2 in standard def on a channel most people don't have access to. I just don't get the logic in bumping a big sporting event that CBS pays tons of money instead to air the regular local news with Mr. Food.

A little off topic, but has anybody needed to get their HDTV repaired in town? If so, where did you go and how was the service?
If I knew what town you are near?

WCTV just cut away from CBS' NCAA tournament coverage to air their local news show at 5pm. I don't have any problem with them cutting in for updates on the shooting at FAMU but within 4 minutes, they were doing regular news and airing segments like some guy named Mr. Food showing you how to cook something.

While doing that, they put the NCAA tournament on 6.2 in standard def on a channel most people don't have access to. I just don't get the logic in bumping a big sporting event that CBS pays tons of money instead to air the regular local news with Mr. Food.


WCTV has been the dumbass leader in local TV for decades. They ALWAYS give local news priority over everything on the networks, and they never try to shorten it by leaving out stupid things like that cooking spot. They used to drive me crazy by broadcasting the entire 30 minutes of local news even after CBS news had already started. You have to remember, WCTV is a Thomasville licensed station, and still living in the 20th century of farm reports and wholesale egg prices. They still haven't figured out how DD 5.1 works.

WTLHFOXHD,

The CW audio was working properly again on Smallville last Thursday, so if you deserve credit here it is - kudos! And thanks.

If I knew what town you are near?

I'm in Tallahassee.

Videotech used to repair pro model Panasonic plasmas as well as a lot of pro video cameras and equipment used by local TV stations and such - they were an authorized Panasonic repair facility. They also repaired some consumer equipment. I have not had contact with them in years so not sure if they are still in business. They were located in that little hillside office park on Scotty Lane next to Silver Slipper. You can check with your TV brand for locations of authorized repair facilities for their brands.

Does anyone have a list of the OTA channels for Tallahassee? For some reason my tv just picks up a ton and half the ones don't show anything!

Does anyone have a list of the OTA channels for Tallahassee? For some reason my tv just picks up a ton and half the ones don't show anything!
To the best of my knowledge, these are the digital TV stations:
WCTV (CBS) on 46
WTWC (NBC) on 2 - low power
WTXL (ABC) on 22 - low power
WTLH (FOX) on 50
WFSU (PBS) on 32
WTLF (CW) on 24 - low power

A more complete list (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Tallahassee_TV) is available.

For your problem it would be more helpful to state your location and antenna.

Actually I forgot I actually do have basic cable through my apartment, and I seem to pick up digital channels but I guess they are not considered OTA? Like ABC for me was 85.2 and CBS was 86.4. This was the list I'm looking for I guess.

Actually I forgot I actually do have basic cable through my apartment, and I seem to pick up digital channels but I guess they are not considered OTA? Like ABC for me was 85.2 and CBS was 86.4. This was the list I'm looking for I guess.
That's QAM not OTA. Are you asking for QAM frequencies? Who's your provider?

Basically for QAM, "half the ones not showing" could be video-on-demand channels with no content available at the moment or audio-only music channels or encrypted signals (most likely). You're then left with the broadcast digital TV stations which should be unencrypted by law; any extra channels left unencrypted can be considered a "bonus" until the cable company re-encrypts them.

Someone with the same provider and location as you can share experiences with using QAM for that provider.

Actually I forgot I actually do have basic cable through my apartment, and I seem to pick up digital channels but I guess they are not considered OTA? Like ABC for me was 85.2 and CBS was 86.4. This was the list I'm looking for I guess.http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13064037#post13064037

I made that list when I discovered some digital simulcasting of local channels on Comcast.

I no longer have any of the odd numbers encore channels!

Gone are

151 Encore-W
153 Action-W
155 Mystery-W
157 Love-W
159 Drama-W
161 Western-W

Anyone know anything? This stinks!

No and i was gunna watch Simon Sez for the umpthteen time.

No and i was gunna watch Simon Sez for the umpthteen time.

Comcast Drops Channels to Add HDTV (http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastdrops032008.htm)

~Alan

Comcast Drops Channels to Add HDTV (http://www.tvpredictions.com/comcastdrops032008.htm)

~Alan

Great, so where are all these new HD channels, and what can we look forward to seeing? My guess is the Flower Arrangement HD channel, the Stamp Collecting HD channel, the Basket Weaving HD channel, or my favorite, the Watching Grass Grow HD channel?!!!
:o

Great, so where are all these new HD channels, and what can we look forward to seeing? My guess is the Flower Arrangement HD channel, the Stamp Collecting HD channel, the Basket Weaving HD channel, or my favorite, the Watching Grass Grow HD channel?!!!
:o

Well, Comcast is fixing to add RFD-HD to the Comcast system in Nashville! ;)

I honestly don't know what Comcast is missing anymore (since I don't have it) other than HDNet and HDNet Movies (for some dumb reason)... but there are a few I'm not sure you have.

MGM-HD (cool channel with some interesting mix of films... sadly DD 2.0 instead of 5.1... but what are you going to do!).
Spike-HD (not much on it actually in HD right now)
FX-HD (the reruns aren't in HD, but a lot of the original series are... and about half or more of the movies are in HD)

I don't think you have some of the Discovery channels, some of the news channels, or some of the premium movie channels either. There are also some channels that are about to start up:

ESPNNews HD (starts up this week)
Disney-HD (nobody's sure if this has started up yet... but it's supposed to soon)
ABC Family HD (read what I said about Disney HD)

Do y'all have The Weather Channel HD?

~Alan

Well, Comcast is fixing to add RFD-HD to the Comcast system in Nashville! ;)

I honestly don't know what Comcast is missing anymore (since I don't have it) other than HDNet and HDNet Movies (for some dumb reason)... but there are a few I'm not sure you have.

MGM-HD (cool channel with some interesting mix of films... sadly DD 2.0 instead of 5.1... but what are you going to do!).
Spike-HD (not much on it actually in HD right now)
FX-HD (the reruns aren't in HD, but a lot of the original series are... and about half or more of the movies are in HD)

I don't think you have some of the Discovery channels, some of the news channels, or some of the premium movie channels either. There are also some channels that are about to start up:

ESPNNews HD (starts up this week)
Disney-HD (nobody's sure if this has started up yet... but it's supposed to soon)
ABC Family HD (read what I said about Disney HD)

Do y'all have The Weather Channel HD?

~Alan

I don't think Tally Comcast has any of those in HD, unless they are premium or PPV.

WTLHFOXHD,

The CW audio was working properly again on Smallville last Thursday, so if you deserve credit here it is - kudos! And thanks.


Seems I spoke too soon. Smallville on CW last Thursday was back to bad audio with everything steered hard to the left channel. Is a correct stereo audio feed from the FOX transmitter too much to ask?

Will someone please inform WCTV that DirecTV or Dishnetwork do not offer any SD (or HD) sub-channels, and will not for sometime. Oh, and when will WCTV 6.2 be in HD? Then we will talk.

Due to equiptment and bandwidth limitations, the sub-channels will never be carried in High Definition. As I understand it, only one channel per RF frequency can be carried in full HD. (This refers to OTA transmission/sending additional HD signals to a satellite or cable provider could be done according to where the source originates)

Oh, and when will WCTV 6.2 be in HD?
If 6.2 goes HD then it takes away even more bandwidth from 6.1. WCTV having a subchannel along with 1080i CBS is bad enough; you're asking to make a bad situation even worse. (Yes, I'm aware of the reality that a station has to make money somehow and so we have WCTV2) Unless you're asking 6.2 to be spun off as a separate station but I don't think that is likely.

Besides, are you even aware about how much HD MyNetworkTV has? AFAIK, it has very, very little HD content which is the Movie of the Week. If you had read about "the first all-HD network" in the past then that is very old news as the "all-HD" programming were telenovelas. They didn't perform very well thus they've been dumped a long while ago.

yeah finally they show a magic game on sun sports like the guide says. wats up with showing the game early and late during the season and none of the games during the middle of the year?

yeah finally they show a magic game on sun sports like the guide says. wats up with showing the game early and late during the season and none of the games during the middle of the year?
Contractual obligations with other Magic broadcasters?

yeah finally they show a magic game on sun sports like the guide says. wats up with showing the game early and late during the season and none of the games during the middle of the year?
Comcast Tallahassee didn't buy the rights to air 35 Magic games on FSN Florida: http://www.sunsportstv.com/qanda.jhtml?method=list&qa.section=magic

Comcast Tallahassee only aired the 42 games that are on Sun Sports, but since we don't have Sun Sports HD, SD it was.

Same goes for 55 Marlins games like last night's Mets-Marlins game: http://www.sunsportstv.com/notseeing_marlinsgame.jhtml?method=list

Is Sun Sports available in HD? If so, why would Comcast not add it in HD?

Is Sun Sports available in HD? If so, why would Comcast not add it in HD?

Sun Sports does offer Magic and Lightning games in HD along with Marlins games, but Comcast Tallahassee does not carry it. Other cable systems do in the state, including Comcast in South Florida.

Hey jrcstudios,

If you're still around I'd like to know if there's an issue with ABC HD programming and closed captions? I've tried to extract CCs from episodes of Lost and Eli Stone using ccextractorwin and I'm getting blank subtitle files as if there were no captions present in the stream. Thank you.

Has anyone purchased one of those digital converter boxes yet? How do they work?

Has anyone purchased one of those digital converter boxes yet? How do they work?
There are several threads from other AVS posters sharing their thoughts/impressions/rants about the various boxes in the HD Reception forum (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=25). I have the coupons but I'm waiting until something decent (good luck, me) comes along. Unfortunately coupons do expire in a few months. Also most of the boxes offered now is about $20 or more discounted. The Echostar (separate from Dish Network) TR-40, one of the most anticipated boxes, has been delayed into late Summer.

That's alls I got.

EDIT: From reading a few threads I get the impression that the boxes are simple plug-play-and-tune operations. Don't forget that the government specs for these boxes are designed for people with older TV sets and are not favorable for HD home theater enthusiasts (e.g. no outputs allowing for 720p or 1080i).

I have the coupons but I'm waiting until something decent (good luck, me) comes along. Unfortunately coupons do expire in a few months. Also most of the boxes offered now is about $20 or more discounted. The Echostar (separate from Dish Network) TR-40, one of the most anticipated boxes, has been delayed into late Summer.

DANG!! I have two coupons as well (expires around the first of June), and I was planning on getting the TR-40 as well as I have a 20-inch 4x3 SDTV in my bedroom that I'm planning on selling later this year... and felt it might sell better with a converter...

I might just give away my coupons now to some people I know...

~Alan

Will someone please inform WCTV that DirecTV or Dishnetwork do not offer any SD (or HD) sub-channels, and will not for sometime.

Actually, there are some markets where DirecTV or Dish Network offer SD-LIL in which one of the larger networks is available only on another network affiliate's sub-channel, and they offer them. DirecTV for instance offers WTVY-DT2 and WTVY-DT3 (MyNetworkTV and The CW respectively) in their SD-LIL for the Dothan, AL DMA. WTVY-DT is of course the CBS affiliate for the Dothan, AL DMA and is also owned by Gray (same as WCTV-DT).

~Alan

I don't think Tally Comcast has any of those in HD, unless they are premium or PPV.

DirecTV indeed started offering Disney Channel HD, ESPNNews-HD and Toon Disney HD this past week (still no sign of ABC Family)... and I'm impressed to say that Disney Channel HD and Toon Disney HD are both showing their non-HD programming in it's 4x3 OAR... and even impressed with the fact that unlike Cartoon Network HD which offers no HD programming (which will hopefully change with the upcoming "Clone Wars" cartoon), Toon Disney and Disney Channel HD are actually showing some cartoons in 16x9 HD... as well as some live action movies on Disney Channel HD.

The reason why I spent so much time on the above channels is word that some Comcast systems will apparently be getting the Disney Channel HD channels (as well as ABC Family, AMC-HD, Animal Planet HD, National Geographic Channel, some of the Discovery networks, and other channels that I know Tallahassee already has like Sci-Fi and Food).

I did leave out a couple of more HD channels though:

Nick-HD (not a lot of HD programming right now... mainly some kids shows and specials)

AMC-HD (mentioned above... but I don't have this channel... so I can't comment).

WE-HD (I don't have this channel... so I can't comment)

IFC-HD (I don't have this channel... so I can't comment)

Lifetime Movie Network HD (I don't have this channel... so I can't comment)

Oxygen-HD (I don't have this channel... so I can't comment)

Halllmark Movie Channel HD (DirecTV will have this channel soon... but not yet... so I can't comment)

And of course there are the Voom channels, Wealth-HD, World Fishing Network HD, and many more upcoming HD channels... but those are the main ones right now.

~Alan

The reason why I spent so much time on the above channels is word that some Comcast systems will apparently be getting the Disney Channel HD channels (as well as ABC Family, AMC-HD, Animal Planet HD, National Geographic Channel, some of the Discovery networks, and other channels that I know Tallahassee already has like Sci-Fi and Food).
But wouldn't all those channels come at a price (http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Defends-Low-Quality-HD-Signal-93233)?

But wouldn't all those channels come at a price (http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/Comcast-Defends-Low-Quality-HD-Signal-93233)?

Sadly, yes! Evidently removing West Coast premiums are not enough to keep Comcast from bit-starving their HD channels (has Tallahassee Comcast started SDV yet?)... but between cable and satellite companies further compressing our HD signals and network affiliates "offering" sub-channels, I've learned to just take the good with the bad... but then I'm pretty lucky as I've been pretty pleased with DirecTV's MPEG4 HD channels... though I'm anxious for them to convert their older MPEG2 HD channels to get them better looking... and I'm lucky enough to have a large enough Blu-ray library to still give me that old "WOW" HD experience whenever I want that.

~Alan

New HD channels get us all excited until we realize that they give you up to 90% of their material in SD (either stretched or letterboxed faux "HD") with just a few new prime time programs in true HD. SciFi is one of the biggest disappointments in that regard. WTF! There oughta be a law! HD channels should have to transmit 100% HD (or at least 90% HD) or give up the bandwidth to someone who will!

That rant aside, as one who enjoys the guilty pleasures of Nip-Tuck and Dirt I would like to see FX in (true) HD.

New HD channels get us all excited until we realize that they give you up to 90% of their material in SD (either stretched or letterboxed faux "HD") with just a few new prime time programs in true HD. SciFi is one of the biggest disappointments in that regard. WTF! There oughta be a law! HD channels should have to transmit 100% HD (or at least 90% HD) or give up the bandwidth to someone who will!

That rant aside, as one who enjoys the guilty pleasures of Nip-Tuck and Dirt I would like to see FX in (true) HD.


I don't think you should prevent an HD channel transmitting material that is only available in 4:3 aspect ratio, with sidebars (not stretched!). There's lots of old programming that is only available in 4:3. But I don't think they should be allowed to transmit wide screen material in a 4:3 frame, with sidebars to fill it out to 16:9 (pillarboxed AND letterboxed). That should be banned!

New HD channels get us all excited until we realize that they give you up to 90% of their material in SD (either stretched or letterboxed faux "HD") with just a few new prime time programs in true HD. SciFi is one of the biggest disappointments in that regard. WTF! There oughta be a law! HD channels should have to transmit 100% HD (or at least 90% HD) or give up the bandwidth to someone who will!

That rant aside, as one who enjoys the guilty pleasures of Nip-Tuck and Dirt I would like to see FX in (true) HD.

Check out FoodHD. With the exception of the early morning infomercials, the programming is all HD. Not bad for a hobby channel. :)

New HD channels get us all excited until we realize that they give you up to 90% of their material in SD (either stretched or letterboxed faux "HD") with just a few new prime time programs in true HD. SciFi is one of the biggest disappointments in that regard. WTF! There oughta be a law! HD channels should have to transmit 100% HD (or at least 90% HD) or give up the bandwidth to someone who will!

That rant aside, as one who enjoys the guilty pleasures of Nip-Tuck and Dirt I would like to see FX in (true) HD.

We've been over this MANY times before, but Sci-Fi HD airs a lot less SD than 90%. This past weekend, almost every movie on was available in HD, and we have multiple series being shown in HD from them. There are some series on Sci-Fi which they don't have the HD rights to ("Star Trek: Enterprise", etc.) or shows which are not available in HD ("Stargate: SG-1", "Doctor Who", "The Sarah Jane Adventures", etc...).

Also, not even the networks offer 90% HD programming. In fact, other than UniversalHD, HDNet, HDNet Movies, MGM-HD, Discovery HD Theater, MHD, and the VOOM channels, nobody offers 100% HD (WealthTV might... I don't know anything about them).

I don't think you should prevent an HD channel transmitting material that is only available in 4:3 aspect ratio, with sidebars (not stretched!). There's lots of old programming that is only available in 4:3. But I don't think they should be allowed to transmit wide screen material in a 4:3 frame, with sidebars to fill it out to 16:9 (pillarboxed AND letterboxed). That should be banned!

Agreed! I'm looking forward to the upcoming "Doctor Who" season and the premiere of "The Sarah Jane Adventures" and I'm really not looking forward to seeing them "windowboxed" (the term for what you described). I'm also against "stretched" programming as well (here's looking at you Time Warner & Scripps!). However, I will gladly put up with OAR SD programming most of the time if it allows me to watch my favorite shows.

Check out FoodHD. With the exception of the early morning infomercials, the programming is all HD. Not bad for a hobby channel. :)

Lately, some channels are starting to show more HD programming. TBS-HD for instance has started showing some of the "Everybody Loves Raymond" reruns in HD, as well as "The Office" and some of their original programming. SpikeTV has added a couple of shows as well, including their new show "DEA" (which isn't my type, but I'm impressed with the fact that such a show is actually being filmed in HD), but HGTV-HD and Food-HD have downgraded their quality. HGTV-HD and FOOD-HD started off as 24-hour (not counting infomercials) HD channels combing HGTV & DIY programming into one channel, and Food Network & Fine Living programming into another. However, citing viewer pressure, HGTV-HD and FOOD-HD have changed into simulcast channels... and since a lot of their SD channels' content is not available in HD, they simply stretch the programming of that which isn't in HD. There are threads here on AVS and elsewhere complaining about their decision. It's a dang shame as I don't know why they couldn't just move their schedule around to simulcast (when possible) their programming with their SD channels instead of just doing away with DIY and Fine Living programming (and reverting to stretch-o-vision).

This thread (which started as making comments regarding Comcast Tallahassee has devolved into an off-topic discussion, so I'm going exit out of this conversation, but I do want to bring up one thing before I stop talking about this.

A while back I was flipping through channels when I stumbled on "Angel Eyes" on TNT-HD in "Stretch-O-Vision". In one scene, J.Lo's (famous) large backside became EVEN larger due to "Stretch-O-Vision", and it occured to me how actors and actresses, or other on-air personalities must feel about being stretched. I mean, how would you like it if you're out walking in the Tallahassee (or insert Thomasville/Valdosta or whereever) Mall and a news crew for one of the local affiliate was there and got you in the shot only to later air the segment in "Stretch-O-Vision"... would you be happy?

~Alan

TLC is on #425 and AMC is on #429. I'm currently getting a "Subscription Needed" message when I try to switch to it like it was HBOHD or something, but I expect that to disappear in the next day or two.

I'm not a big TLC fan, but I do like AMC, so I'm hopeful about this, but there are reports that very, very little of AMC-HD's content is actually in HD.

Hey jrcstudios,

If you're still around I'd like to know if there's an issue with ABC HD programming and closed captions? I've tried to extract CCs from episodes of Lost and Eli Stone using ccextractorwin and I'm getting blank subtitle files as if there were no captions present in the stream. Thank you.

Not that I know of... I'll check on it tomorrow. Don't forget we are 720P if that matters for settings purposes.. (I'm not familiar with ccetractorwin)
--JRC

Not that I know of... I'll check on it tomorrow. Don't forget we are 720P if that matters for settings purposes.. (I'm not familiar with ccetractorwin)
--JRC
ccextractor's job is to detect then extract the captions in any ATSC stream; it doesn't do any video processing. BTW, it detected the correct resolution (1280 x 720) but again that's not its purpose. Thank you.

Quote: "Also, not even the networks offer 90% HD programming. In fact, other than UniversalHD, HDNet, HDNet Movies, MGM-HD, Discovery HD Theater, MHD, and the VOOM channels, nobody offers 100% HD (WealthTV might... I don't know anything about them)."

The networks also still broadcast OTA in analog NTSC, which is carried by cable channels in that same format - the HD cable channels do not have that burden. Almost everything on SciFi other tha X Files, Star Trek, and the old Twilight Zone is available in HD, so why can't they show it that way? You say they don't have HD rights - well why not? Why have they not paid for those rights the same as they did for their HD original shows like Battlestar and Flash? Even Battlestar reruns that I was watching all last week was in SD letterboxed. And HD special series like Earthsea is currently showing in SD. I just think SciFi is taking the cheap way out and their viewers be damned. And don't even get me started on those damnable promos that pop up right in the middle of the program itself! SciFi is probably the worst offender of that ungodly act.

Also, jrcstudios, here is an example text file of the closed captions taken from last Saturday on WTXL-DT primetime 8:00-11:08 pm. The captions present are from the WTXL news promos and nothing from the program, the movie Catch Me if You Can. Unzip the enclosed zip file then open the srt file with Notepad or any text editor. Thank you for reading.

Is anyone having any problems picking up channel 40's HD signal on 40.1 and 40.2? My tuner is not finding any signal.

Thanks