Well let me get 3 posts in =)

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d23c5b196c6d1bf

Any help would be appreciated

If Im reading this right I should be about to get about 6 different channels..If I can pull in the channel I should be able to pull it in HD right??....My main channel I want is ABC....So I if the Seminoles play I can catch it

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d23c5b196c6d1bf

Any help would be appreciated

If Im reading this right I should be about to get about 6 different channels..If I can pull in the channel I should be able to pull it in HD right??....My main channel I want is ABC....So I if the Seminoles play I can catch it

You live closer to two Dothan, AL (30-35 mi.) stations than Tallahasse-Thomasville stations (over 70 mi.); one of the Dothan stations is ABC on channel 21.

According to ESPN's schedule (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3901962), FSU will not play on ABC at all this season. Also, there's one Panama City market station (FOX) that is about 33 miles but you'd have to the turn the antenna southwest to get it.

Unless you're adventurous and want a large outdoor fringe antenna installed, you'll need an UHF antenna with 35 mile range or better that will cover the two stations listed closest to you.

You may get much better assistance at the Dothan thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16924586); also TV Fool has a FAQ posted (http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57#how_to_read) about how to read their charts.

You live closer to two Dothan, AL (30-35 mi.) stations than Tallahasse-Thomasville stations (over 70 mi.); one of the Dothan stations is ABC on channel 21.

According to ESPN's schedule (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3901962), FSU will not play on ABC at all this season. Also, there's one Panama City market station (FOX) that is about 33 miles but you'd have to the turn the antenna southwest to get it.

Unless you're adventurous and want a large outdoor fringe antenna installed, you'll need an UHF antenna with 35 mile range or better that will cover the two stations listed closest to you.

You may get much better assistance at the Dothan thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16924586); also TV Fool has a FAQ posted (http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=57#how_to_read) about how to read their charts.

Hope you are wrong about FSU on ABC. If they do things as they did in the past they will wait until the season starts to assign most of the games they will televise. Of course they schedule certain big games in advance, but the entire TV game schedule will often fill out once the season progresses and they see who looks more marketable. Some games are scheduled as late as the Monday prior (to the game). At least we now get ESPNU on Comcast, and ESPN360 on Comcast ISP.

Hope you are wrong about FSU on ABC. If they do things as they did in the past they will wait until the season starts to assign most of the games they will televise.
One of the scheduled ESPN games is the usual Labor Day opener against Miami; the other is a Thursday night game.

Do they normally re-schedule Thursday night games to Saturday nights? I've never noticed that.

Does anyone know if fox49 will once again be broadcasting Raycom HD games in SD like they have the past few years?

I keep hoping this is the year fox49 finally gets the equipment to show them in HD.

Also, ClarenceD, could you reword "Do they normally re-schedule Thursday night games to Saturday nights? I've never noticed that." for clarity or give an example, because I'm not sure at all what you mean.

Comcast has added ESPNU HD on Channel 396. Looks great!

Capefsih, you are the man! I never would have stumbled on a channel in the 300's.

How did you find it?

Capefsih, you are the man! I never would have stumbled on a channel in the 300's.

How did you find it?

By accident. Finished with the Marlins game on 401 and hit channel down instead of channel up. I thought it was ESPN HD until I saw the ESPNU HD logo.

One of the scheduled ESPN games is the usual Labor Day opener against Miami; the other is a Thursday night game.

Do they normally re-schedule Thursday night games to Saturday nights? I've never noticed that.

No, Thursday night games are set before the season starts because of the issues of scheduling travel, missed classes, etc., not to mention the problems of holding a game on campus in the middle of the week. And of course many big games of interest and traditional rivalries are also scheduled at the start. But as the season shakes out the networks and ESPN all have options to pick up games, many just for regional broadcasts, that are not already scheduled if they think they will appeal to viewers. And of course the independents like Jefferson Pilot, Raycom, et al can pick up what is left over.

I know this has nothing to do with Local HD in Tallahassee, but didn't know where else to go. I apologize in advance.

I'd like to calibrate my plasma TV and according to imagingscience.com there are only two ISF Certified opitions in Tallahassee: Geek Squad and Smart Systems Home Automation Corp. Has anyone used either of these services? I'm particularly interest in Smart Systems Home Automation Corp.

Thanks!

I know this has nothing to do with Local HD in Tallahassee, but didn't know where else to go. I apologize in advance.

I'd like to calibrate my plasma TV and according to imagingscience.com there are only two ISF Certified opitions in Tallahassee: Geek Squad and Smart Systems Home Automation Corp. Has anyone used either of these services? I'm particularly interest in Smart Systems Home Automation Corp.

Thanks!

I don't know, but I would verify their ISF certification, either on-line or ask to see the actual certificate (especially the Geek Squad).

Well, now I see the football fans at FSU are riled that the FSU-BYU game will NOT be on DirecTV as anticipated. Seems the game rights are contracted to somebody named Versus, who happens to be owned by Comcast, and DirecTV refused to pay what they considered an exorbitant fee to renew with Comcast for the rights, which expired 8/31/09. So now the question is will Comcast customers get the game free or as PPV? I'm guessing the latter.

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=16&f=2947&t=4673599

Well, now I see the football fans at FSU are riled that the FSU-BYU game will NOT be on DirecTV as anticipated. Seems the game rights are contracted to somebody named Versus, who happens to be owned by Comcast, and DirecTV refused to pay what they considered an exorbitant fee to renew with Comcast for the rights, which expired 8/31/09. So now the question is will Comcast customers get the game free or as PPV? I'm guessing the latter.

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=16&f=2947&t=4673599

Comcast and Dish Network should be able to see the game in HD on Versus HD. All Comcast subscribers in Tallahassee that get ESPN also get Versus in the same Digital Basic package. With Dish you have a free preview of Versus coming due to DirecTV dropping it.

The Big XII holds the rights to this game as they are the home team conference. Big XII rights are held be ABC for broadcast and Fox Sports Net for cable. Since FSN cannot air all the games, they sell some to ESPN and Versus. This one ended up with Versus.

"Do they normally re-schedule Thursday night games to Saturday nights? I've never noticed that."

No, Thursday night games are a separate package that cannot change to Saturdays. The ACC gets a lot of exposure for those games. As mentioned, a lot goes into planning for those games. UNC is only able to host the game due to Fall Break. The impact on the on-campus medical center is huge. Parking can be a nightmare during normal workdays at UNC. Adding 60,000 fans to the mix is a big, big deal. UNC once moved a Thursday night game to Charlotte to avoid thiat situation.

Yesterday, while jumping ahead in the guide on my DirecTV HD-DVR to set up some Series Links, I noticed that WCTV-DT2 (6-2) was showing the same programming as WALB-DT2... that of This TV.

Looking ahead at Zap2it.com, they show the same programming WCTV-DT2 usually airs. Is this a DirecTV glitch or has WCTV-DT2 switched affiliations?

~Alan

A number of Gray's subchannels have picked up This TV for about 18 hours per day with My Network TV and select syndication taking up the other six hours. Could that be the case with WCTV?

- Trip

A number of Gray's subchannels have picked up MyNet for about 18 hours per day with My Network TV and select syndication taking up the other six hours. Could that be the case with WCTV?

I'll double check later, but I think that is indeed the case.

~Alan

Comcast and Dish Network should be able to see the game in HD on Versus HD. All Comcast subscribers in Tallahassee that get ESPN also get Versus in the same Digital Basic package. With Dish you have a free preview of Versus coming due to DirecTV dropping it.

The Big XII holds the rights to this game as they are the home team conference. Big XII rights are held be ABC for broadcast and Fox Sports Net for cable. Since FSN cannot air all the games, they sell some to ESPN and Versus. This one ended up with Versus.

Sorry, but no - BYU is not in the Big 12 - they are in the Mountain West Conference. You may be right about how Versus got the game, however.

It appears that we should have a new channel today, NFL RedZone (http://redzonetv.nfl.com/2009/08/27/nfl-redzone-is-here/).

But I've scanned the Comcast channels here in Tallahassee and don't see anything. Anybody have any ideas?

Check Comcast channel 741.

Sorry, but no - BYU is not in the Big 12 - they are in the Mountain West Conference. You may be right about how Versus got the game, however.

Sorry, had a mindless moment placing BYU in the Big XII. The Big XII and Pac 10 also have games on Versus. The Duke-Kansas game will be on Versus before ours in the afternoon as part of the Big XII contract.

The MountainWest Conference has contracts with Comcast and CBS for games to air on CBS College Sports, Versus, and The Mtn.

"Check Comcast channel 741."

I checked 741. Tuning in, I got a "Not Authorized". I don't have the Comcast sports tier, but really didn't think I needed it for this. Nothing in the Comcast program guide either. In fact it didn't even show what was assigned to 741.

So Capefish, are you on Tallahassee Comcast? If so do you have the sports tier? I'm guessing your program guide doesn't show anything either.

Yesterday, while jumping ahead in the guide on my DirecTV HD-DVR to set up some Series Links, I noticed that WCTV-DT2 (6-2) was showing the same programming as WALB-DT2... that of This TV.

Looking ahead at Zap2it.com, they show the same programming WCTV-DT2 usually airs. Is this a DirecTV glitch or has WCTV-DT2 switched affiliations?

~Alan

Well at my house, "This TV" comes in on OTA Walb-D2 (10.2) But on Valdosta Mediacom channel 26 guide shows "This TV" as the channel and the guide schedule info however the picture (video and audio) is that of WALB ?? 24/7 Weather channel. Go figure???????????:(

Well at my house, "This TV" comes in on OTA Walb-D2 (10.2)

Now I'm seeing ThisTV content on WCTV2.

But on Valdosta Mediacom channel 26 guide shows "This TV" as the channel and the guide schedule info however the picture (video and audio) is that of WALB ?? 24/7 Weather channel.
Zap2It has this error listed for several months. A Tribune-related mishap?

"Check Comcast channel 741."

I checked 741. Tuning in, I got a "Not Authorized". I don't have the Comcast sports tier, but really didn't think I needed it for this. Nothing in the Comcast program guide either. In fact it didn't even show what was assigned to 741.

So Capefish, are you on Tallahassee Comcast? If so do you have the sports tier? I'm guessing your program guide doesn't show anything either.
I have the Sports Pack on Comcast Tallahassee, Channel 741 has no data shown in the guide, and is now a slide saying to tune in on Sundays at 1PM for the RedZone Channel.

Is anyone having trouble with FOX on Comcast? Up until this weekend I've been able to tune FOX in on 87-1, but now there's some ESPN Radio stuff going on. Anyone have any idea what channel FOX is now on? Thanks.

Is anyone having trouble with FOX on Comcast? Up until this weekend I've been able to tune FOX in on 87-1, but now there's some ESPN Radio stuff going on. Anyone have any idea what channel FOX is now on? Thanks.

It is on 104 or 106. Don't remember the sub-channel number.

This past Saturday very early in the afternoon I'm flipping channels, watching about six football games at one time. And it was mainly great except for one thing.

Here it is, another fall, and Fox49 is still carrying the noon Raycom ACC game (UNC at UConn) in SD. Meanwhile, WCTV is carrying the noon SEC (Troy at UF) network game in HD.

sigh.

So is this a case of WCTV scraping together the money to get the proper equipment, but Fox49 still being unable to do so?

This past Saturday very early in the afternoon I'm flipping channels, watching about six football games at one time. And it was mainly great except for one thing.

Here it is, another fall, and Fox49 is still carrying the noon Raycom ACC game (UNC at UConn) in SD. Meanwhile, WCTV is carrying the noon SEC (Troy at UF) network game in HD.

sigh.

So is this a case of WCTV scraping together the money to get the proper equipment, but Fox49 still being unable to do so?

I thought the same thing too initially, but I'm not so sure that SEC game of the week was really in HD on WCTV. Upon further inspection it looked like they had zoomed in on the picture, and we were getting a 16:9 SD picture. Maybe I'm crazy, but that's what it looked like to me, and not HD.

It is on 104 or 106. Don't remember the sub-channel number.

Thanks Texadillo.

106.4 in case anyone else reads this.

Well at my house, "This TV" comes in on OTA Walb-D2 (10.2) But on Valdosta Mediacom channel 26 guide shows "This TV" as the channel and the guide schedule info however the picture (video and audio) is that of WALB ?? 24/7 Weather channel. Go figure???????????:(

Well now today(9-18) I notice Mediacom has corrected channel 26 guide to read WALB 24/7 weather to agree with the actual video and audio on the screen. Also OTA changes ( at least for now) This TV which was on both 6.2 and 10.2 has been dropped from 6.2. Could someone who actually has the ability to make these changes be viewing this Forum??? :eek:

I thought the same thing too initially, but I'm not so sure that SEC game of the week was really in HD on WCTV. Upon further inspection it looked like they had zoomed in on the picture, and we were getting a 16:9 SD picture. Maybe I'm crazy, but that's what it looked like to me, and not HD.

The GAME was in HD, but maybe not on WCTV. It would not be normal procedure to zoom-and-crop SD (I highly doubt it was), and would be totally asinine to do so, but if you couldn't see the scorebox or the Bottom Line, then it was zoomed-and-cropped. If that was the case, then the folks on non-HD cable and satellite would've been ringing the phones off the hooks, since they would be getting a zoomed, cropped, and chopped picture (missing a third of it horizontally and vertically). Then the WCTV master control operator would be spanked for playing with the buttons!

Well "This TV" channel is back on WCTV-dt2 OTA when checked at 2:00PM. :confused:

Well "This TV" channel is back on WCTV-dt2 OTA when checked at 2:00PM. :confused:

WCTV2 airs This TV during the day then changes to My Network at night.

The GAME was in HD, but maybe not on WCTV.
Could it also be some sort of image quality degradation somewhere in the ESPN syndie (SEC Network) -> WCTV -> consumer chain?

ESPN's syndicated games are most likely 720p; WCTV (is supposed to) upconvert to 1080i then the WCTV's signal is received and displayed by the consumer's equipment.

It would be very strange if WCTV downconverts the signal to 480i at 16:9 ratio.

Also WALB broadcasts these games in HD; I'm looking into recording portions of the next SEC Network from WALB and WCTV and making comparisons.

ESPN's syndicated games are most likely 720p; WCTV (is supposed to) upconvert to 1080i then the WCTV's signal is received and displayed by the consumer's equipment.

True. 720p so they can cut to those games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and use for highlights/archive. WCTV should be receiving the signal on an HD receiver/decoder, which uses its built-in cross-converter to output the 720p program in 1080i, sending 1080i through WCTV's master-control/transmission chain, to OTA, DBS, and CATV.

It would be very strange if WCTV downconverts the signal to 480i at 16:9 ratio.

Yes, VERY strange. But then aspects of DTV/HDTV still confound some broadcasters (and producers). DTV will be shaky for several years.

True. 720p so they can cut to those games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and use for highlights/archive. WCTV should be receiving the signal on an HD receiver/decoder, which uses its built-in cross-converter to output the 720p program in 1080i, sending 1080i through WCTV's master-control/transmission chain, to OTA, DBS, and CATV.



Yes, VERY strange. But then aspects of DTV/HDTV still confound some broadcasters (and producers). DTV will be shaky for several years.

FWIW the top and bottom lines were half hidden for that broadcast, which is why I assume some sort of zooming. It'll be interesting to see what Alabama / North Texas is like today.

FWIW the top and bottom lines were half hidden for that broadcast, which is why I assume some sort of zooming. It'll be interesting to see what Alabama / North Texas is like today.

Looks much better today!

Meanwhile, over on Fox49, they are still showing the Raycom game in SD. This is just sad.

Retro Television Network
Ok lets see who will be first to add Retro Television Network to the tallahassee fl market since wctv2 added this tv. Think this was a bad move being walb2 already had this tv. Retro Television Network shows good old shows you grew up with

Retro Television Network
Ok lets see who will be first to add Retro Television Network to the tallahassee fl market since wctv2 added this tv. Think this was a bad move being walb2 already had this tv. Retro Television Network shows good old shows you grew up with
Supposedly, RTN had already made a deal with WTLH's parent, New Age Media, but WTLH hasn't added it.

IMO unless WTWC is somehow able to replace their SD mirror with it, one subchannel amongst the Big Four's market affiliates is enough.

Supposedly, RTN had already made a deal with WTLH's parent, New Age Media, but WTLH hasn't added it.

IMO unless WTWC is somehow able to replace their SD mirror with it, one subchannel amongst the Big Four's market affiliates is enough.

I probably shouldn't type this, as I don't want to give WCTV any ideas, but Gray isn't averse to doing two sub-channels... :(

I'm curious where WTLH would add it? In addition to The CW (as WTLH-DT3), or replace The CW? As far as WTLH-DT2 goes, I rarely watch it (Most of the CW programming I care about comes out on Blu-ray), so I just wait, but I do like having it there.

If a channel were to do two sub-channels, a 720p network like FOX or ABC would be preferable...

~Alan

I probably shouldn't type this, as I don't want to give WCTV any ideas, but Gray isn't averse to doing two sub-channels... :(

I'm curious where WTLH would add it? In addition to The CW (as WTLH-DT3), or replace The CW? As far as WTLH-DT2 goes, I rarely watch it (Most of the CW programming I care about comes out on Blu-ray), so I just wait, but I do like having it there.

If a channel were to do two sub-channels, a 720p network like FOX or ABC would be preferable...

~Alan

Even though the show I want to watch originates in HD, the CW channel on Comcast from WTLH is almost unwatchable and the audio sucks big time (probably the only station in the US broadcasting in mono). It is so bad I have decided to forego watching Smallville this season and I will just wait and buy it on DVD. Either WTLH has the worst engineers in the area or they just don't give a crap about whatever they broadcast on the CW sub-channel.

Anyone else having issues with their WTXL HD? I'm on Directv and the picture is all out of whack. The feed is jumpy and keeps changing colors like you are on an LSD trip. No other channel is doing it so I assume WTXL is just being stupid.

So much for enjoying the Miami vs. Virginia Tech game :mad:

Anyone else having issues with their WTXL HD? I'm on Directv and the picture is all out of whack. The feed is jumpy and keeps changing colors like you are on an LSD trip. No other channel is doing it so I assume WTXL is just being stupid.

So much for enjoying the Miami vs. Virginia Tech game :mad:

OTA is good , so it must have something with the feed going to DirecTV.
I'm getting the same whack on DirecTV. @3.37

OTA is good , so it must have something with the feed going to DirecTV.
I'm getting the same whack on DirecTV. @3.37

Thanks for the info. They fixed it about halfway through the 2nd quarter. Thank goodness!

I noticed the same color issues that you did on Saturday. It was a problem with DirecTV - I also have the lowest Comcast cable tier, so I could view WTXL-HD via QAM, and it had no problems. I had also been having serious DVR problems since last Tuesday's software push. I just had a technician over to check it out. He looked at the performance for about 5 or 10 minutes and said, "I'm gonna change the box out." (exactly what I was hoping for btw). I ended up with several components changed out. I still have a BRRRIIPPP problem (which I think a lot of us have), but I'm hoping the major problems I've been seeing will be cleared up by this.

I noticed the same color issues that you did on Saturday. It was a problem with DirecTV - I also have the lowest Comcast cable tier, so I could view WTXL-HD via QAM, and it had no problems. I had also been having serious DVR problems since last Tuesday's software push. I just had a technician over to check it out. He looked at the performance for about 5 or 10 minutes and said, "I'm gonna change the box out." (exactly what I was hoping for btw). I ended up with several components changed out. I still have a BRRRIIPPP problem (which I think a lot of us have), but I'm hoping the major problems I've been seeing will be cleared up by this.

Ya I've been having the same BRRIPPP problem.. using the latest CE firmware.

I noticed the same color issues that you did on Saturday. It was a problem with DirecTV - I also have the lowest Comcast cable tier, so I could view WTXL-HD via QAM, and it had no problems. I had also been having serious DVR problems since last Tuesday's software push. I just had a technician over to check it out. He looked at the performance for about 5 or 10 minutes and said, "I'm gonna change the box out." (exactly what I was hoping for btw). I ended up with several components changed out. I still have a BRRRIIPPP problem (which I think a lot of us have), but I'm hoping the major problems I've been seeing will be cleared up by this.

This seems to be a fairly widespread problem. The Directv forums have a ton of posts about it. This is the best summary I could find:

"The issue is apparently caused by problems with the Dolby Digital audio signal coming from the stations, screwing up DirecTV's encoders that convert from the MPEG-2 compression system used by the local stations, to the MPEG-4 compression system used by DirecTV. It's particularly noticeable on network programming - with most local stations if you watch locally-sourced programs like the news it never seems to happen. This indicates it's something to do with the equipment the station has to merge the network feed with its own programming. Most local stations it seems don't have anyone on staff who really understands digital audio, and so it's difficult for them to find/fix the problems. It can be done though - here in DFW the CBS signal was almost unwatchable in November last year but a tech at the station worked through the problems and now they have almost gone away.
This takes far more than "just a phone call" from DirecTV to fix."

I first noticed it in Crawfordville last week, which is odd since I've had Directv since July. So something must have changed that has caused this problem in the area. The problem is most apparent on WTLH (FOX) and WCTV (CBS). I've seen it once or twice on WTXL (ABC) and have not seen it once on WTWC (NBC). I also have not seen the problem on any of the non-local HD stations.

From what I could gather from the Directv forums it seems this is a problem that needs to be fixed by the local station. Do we know if any of the local stations are aware of the problem here?

I love reading your comments they make my day. Thanks.

Actually I was hoping to irritate you (or whoever it takes) enough that you/they would try and fix the problem, or at least offer a good explanation as to why you/they cannot. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and all that. If you can't do anything about the problem would you at least pass it on to higher ups that their viewers (one at least) is complaining? Thanks.

wctv2
So will wctv2 be This Tv Or Mytv Network or both. Also still waiting on someone to add Retro Tv. Still say This Tv was a bad move since walb already airs it and the two markets over lap. Are we will running scared ? Guess time will tell

wctv2
So will wctv2 be This Tv Or Mytv Network or both. Also still waiting on someone to add Retro Tv. Still say This Tv was a bad move since walb already airs it and the two markets over lap. Are we will running scared ? Guess time will tell
ThisTV on WCTV2 wasn't a "WCTV" decision as much as a "WCTV's parent company" decision. WALB and WCTV are indeed in different markets thus ThisTV is likely on a exclusive "one station per market" basis, like many other syndicated programs carried in both markets (e.g. Oprah at 4 pm). This means you won't see WSWG carry ThisTV.

Running scared...from what? Personally I say "No Thanks" to Retro as its programming should be already available on DVD and possibly some video sites like YouTube.

They over lap ota in the south ga market and a little in the north Fl area.

They over lap ota in the south ga market and a little in the north Fl area.
Tallahassee and Albany markets are still distinct markets such that many syndicated programs appear in stations in both markets.

Overlapping coverage does not nullify that; even so, the southern GA counties that are in the Tally market are secondary to the counties within Albany market. Example: Oprah airs at 4 pm on WCTV and WALB.

Also, not everyone in either market can receive all stations from the other. I live too far away to get signals from WTLF, WFSU, and WSST.

With many thanks to WTLHFOXHD, I now have TSReader data for all the stations in Tallahassee except for WTLF. :)

- Trip

I get the wtlh dt2 cw over the air, and the picture was so dark that even when I turned the brightness all the way up it was still unwatchable especially when the scenes in smallville were at night or indoors. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

Simple Question WCTV DT2
Are they This TV or MY TV network ? Do the plan to run both networks or what is going on with them ?

martymtiger: IIRC, they now run This TV during the day and MNTV in prime time.

Looks like Comcast Tallahassee has added Sun Sports HD on Channel 402. They have had FS Florida HD running 24/7 on Channel 401 lately. Hopefully this means we will get more HD sports from Comcast including all the Magic and Marlins games we have been missing.

I have a question for those with both Comcast and DirecTV - Is there any difference in picture quality between the two providers on the non-local channels? There are finally installing Comcast in our neighborhood.

I have read that DirecTV offers a better HD picture. However, I just wanted to check this out. Analog cable TV used to have awful picture quality.

Thanks!

I have a question for those with both Comcast and DirecTV - Is there any difference in picture quality between the two providers on the non-local channels? There are finally installing Comcast in our neighborhood.

I have read that DirecTV offers a better HD picture. However, I just wanted to check this out. Analog cable TV used to have awful picture quality.

Thanks!

Remember your ABC's

Anybody
But
Cable

Yes picture quaility is better on DirecTV. But, you must have the right stuff.
If you want the "best" picture you must use HDMI cable.
Also don't fall for the bundle pack (you lose one, you lose all) if something happens to the cable line. Just ask those with Mediacom in Valdosta.

Remember your ABC's

Anybody
But
Cable

Yes picture quaility is better on DirecTV. But, you must have the right stuff.
If you want the "best" picture you must use HDMI cable.
Also don't fall for the bundle pack (you lose one, you lose all) if something happens to the cable line. Just ask those with Mediacom in Valdosta.
I've had the Comcast service for more than 8 years and its HDTV since it was available in Tallahassee and DirecTV for almost a month and in my opinion standard definition still looks awful in DirecTV, some channels looks slightly better but in general the pic quality is bad in big screens (46" & 61").
For HDTV is more like a mix, some HDTV channels looked better in Comcast and some better with DirecTV, the compression is a growing issue since both are competing based on the number of channels and not quality. I still remember the ultra-compressed channels with Comcast such as Versus and ScyFy. With DirecTV, I felt I little disappointed with HDNet since I only read good things in these forums about its impressive pic quality but I noticed some of compression artifacts, blu-ray still is much better than broadcast HDTV with any of these two provider.
Hope this helps.

Remember your ABC's

Anybody
But
Cable

Yes picture quaility is better on DirecTV. But, you must have the right stuff.
If you want the "best" picture you must use HDMI cable.
Also don't fall for the bundle pack (you lose one, you lose all) if something happens to the cable line. Just ask those with Mediacom in Valdosta.

It is easy to slam the cable companies, and I have done it myself, but having used Tally Comcast for almost 20 years I have to admit that both service and PQ has improved by leaps and bounds, mostly due to the initiation of digital TV, and my internet service is now reliable and extremely fast. My biggest complaint with Comcast is mainly one of cost, cost, cost. They have almost no competition and they take full advantage to regularly raise rates well above the rate of inflation. Even that would be not be so bad if I could choose the channels I pay for, instead of being forced to pay for useless (to me) channels, including many that are eating up HD bandwidth. I have considered trying satellite TV, but apart from the fact that I have so many trees around on my lot I am not sure I could even get service, the hassle of even testing it makes me hesitant. And I still would want to keep Comcast ISP service, which would go up in price if I drop TV.

Thanks for the info on Comcast vs. DirecTV. The crew is making progress laying cable in the neighborhood. My old RCA UltimateTV box is starting to have problems. Thus, I will have to either upgrade to a HD DirecTV dish and box or get cable.

Thanks again!

Is this Tallahassee HD forum dead or is everyone here now just completely happy with their local HD?

Is this Tallahassee HD forum dead or is everyone here now just completely happy with their local HD?

I'm not happy. Fox49 pretty much stinks at being the local broadcaster of the noon Raycom ACC games due to their inability to show those games in HD.

But I've complained before, both in this forum and to the station. No need to do it again any time soon.

Plus I was in Nashville this weekend and saw several channels in HD there on Comcast that we don't get here on Comcast, like G4 and Comedy Central.

And Saturday's game also had horrendous video work -- obvious even through the noisy, poor picture on Fox49.

With many thanks to WTLHFOXHD, I now have TSReader data for all the stations in Tallahassee except for WTLF. :)

I'm fascinated by the data on WTWC-DT. A few Thursdays ago when we had some storms, I switched to recording them on WTWC-DT, and was disappointed in the PQ difference compared to WALB-DT, but your data shows only a small difference in bandwidth between the two.

~Alan

I'm fascinated by the data on WTWC-DT. A few Thursdays ago when we had some storms, I switched to recording them on WTWC-DT, and was disappointed in the PQ difference compared to WALB-DT, but your data shows only a small difference in bandwidth between the two.

~Alan

I get the impression that Sinclair is using older encoders that just don't compress as well as some of the newer ones.

I also do not know if WALB was using a variable bitrate encoder or a constant bitrate encoder (which I'm almost 100% certain Sinclair is using across the country). If WALB is variable, it could be spiking as high as 17 Mbps during high-motion scenes.

- Trip

Is this Tallahassee HD forum dead or is everyone here now just completely happy with their local HD?
I'm just wondering why there's no HD PBS feed from WFSU on DirecTV. The local channel packages in other places includes their local
PBS station but not here. Anyone have an answer?

I'm just wondering why there's no HD PBS feed from WFSU on DirecTV. The local channel packages in other places includes their local
PBS station but not here. Anyone have an answer?

I don't know the answer to that, but Georgia PBS (Valdosta or Albany?) usually carries the same programs in HD, and they are carried on Tallahassee Comcast as a local HD station, so why can't you get them?

I'm just wondering why there's no HD PBS feed from WFSU on DirecTV. The local channel packages in other places includes their local
PBS station but not here. Anyone have an answer?

I believe WFSU HD is uplinked in test mode. So, who knows when they could flip the switch. Do you think they might be holding back since WFSU isn't full time HD?

I don't know the answer to that, but Georgia PBS (Valdosta or Albany?) usually carries the same programs in HD, and they are carried on Tallahassee Comcast as a local HD station, so why can't you get them?

I don't have Comcast service. I have DirecTV which only has one SD PBS channel, WFSU.

I don't have Comcast service. I have DirecTV which only has one SD PBS channel, WFSU.

Have you tried using an OTA antenna/tuner to pick up the Georgia PBS station in Albany or Valdosta?

Have you tried using an OTA antenna/tuner to pick up the Georgia PBS station in Albany or Valdosta?
The PBS station in "Valdosta", WXGA, is actually transmitting from near Waycross, which is about 50 miles east of Valdosta.

The other PBS station, WABW, transmits from Pelham.

Have you tried using an OTA antenna/tuner to pick up the Georgia PBS station in Albany or Valdosta?

No, I haven't. I'm not interesting in installing an antenna to pick up a signal from one station. It ought to be included in the local channel package for Tallahassee as it is for most of the other LIL packs on DirecTV. I just thought someone might know why it isn't. Thanks for the suggestion anyway.

The PBS station in "Valdosta", WXGA, is actually transmitting from near Waycross, which is about 50 miles east of Valdosta.

The other PBS station, WABW, transmits from Pelham.

Thanks, I was not sure exactly where they were located. Years ago when I lived in Atlanta I was so impressed with the statewide Georgia PBS network compared to the independent PBS stations in Florida. Georgia does PBS much better than Florida.

Can someone tell me why WTLH can't re-broadcast the Raycom sports events in HD like most every other Raycom affiliate seemingly can?

Is there any hopes that this can be fixed since college basketball season is upon us?

Can someone tell me why WTLH can't re-broadcast the Raycom sports events in HD like most every other Raycom affiliate seemingly can?

Is there any hopes that this can be fixed since college basketball season is upon us?

Maybe because it would cost them an extra $25 for the HD rights and they don't want to pay it. LOL! :D

I get the impression that Sinclair is using older encoders that just don't compress as well as some of the newer ones.

I also do not know if WALB was using a variable bitrate encoder or a constant bitrate encoder (which I'm almost 100% certain Sinclair is using across the country). If WALB is variable, it could be spiking as high as 17 Mbps during high-motion scenes.

That would certainly explain it. WALB-DT's PQ doesn't look as good as it did back when they didn't have any sub-channels, BUT it looks considerably better than WTWC-DT.

I'm just wondering why there's no HD PBS feed from WFSU on DirecTV. The local channel packages in other places includes their local PBS station but not here. Anyone have an answer?

Back when DirecTV first started offering HD locals, they only offered the main four (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC). A year or two later, DirecTV reached a deal with PBS to offer PBS in HD, and DirecTV started adding PBS-HD to individual markets on a case by case basis.

When DirecTV first started offering HD-LIL in Tallahassee, they uplinked all four networks, AND WFSU, but as we all know, only three channels were offered at the start. DirecTV has since come to a deal with WTXL-DT and it's now available. I do not have Excel here at work, so I can't check to see if WFSU is still uplinked until I get home later tonight, but odds are good that it is still uplinked.

At this time, DirecTV offers PBS-HD in 85 of the 132 DMAs it serves. For instance, in the state of Georgia, DirecTV offers HD-LIL to four markets (note that the four DMAs referred to are Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, and Savannah, and the list does not count Dothan, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, etc). Of those four DMAs, three of them have PBS. Augusta & Savannah have a PBS from SC, and Atlanta has an independent PBS, WPBA. GPB is not available ANYWHERE in Georgia.

Of course, it beats the amount of DMAs in which Dish Network offers PBS in HD....

Do you think they might be holding back since WFSU isn't full time HD?

No, it's most likely something else.

Thanks, I was not sure exactly where they were located. Years ago when I lived in Atlanta I was so impressed with the statewide Georgia PBS network compared to the independent PBS stations in Florida. Georgia does PBS much better than Florida.

Ironic! I'd prefer WFSU over WACS any day...

~Alan

At this time, DirecTV offers PBS-HD in 85 of the 132 DMAs it serves. For instance, in the state of Georgia, DirecTV offers HD-LIL to four markets (note that the four DMAs referred to are Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, and Savannah, and the list does not count Dothan, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, etc). Of those four DMAs, only two have PBS (Augusta & Savannah), and it's a PBS from SC. GPB is not available ANYWHERE in Georgia.

Though Atlanta doesn't receive GPB in HD, they do get WPBA. Hopefully they'll begin offering GPB HD soon as they have it uplinked for all four of those markets.

Though Atlanta doesn't receive GPB in HD, they do get WPBA. Hopefully they'll begin offering GPB HD soon as they have it uplinked for all four of those markets.

DOH!! I knew that... I've been dealing with a hurt back the last couple of days, and my memory apparently took a hit for it.

I went back and edited my post.

~Alan

Does anyone know of an updated QAM channel map for tallahassee comcast? I have an HD set connected with no box and pick up various channels like cspan on 77.12 and ABC on 106.4. I know of a few others, but my TV won't scan for channels automatically in this range, and manually checking through hundreds of empty subchannels is really annoying.

Is anybody have any issues with OnDemand? I used it on Sunday, but since yesterday I have been getting an E5080 with a message that says unable to display video. This error occurs on all 3 of my boxes. I can't seem to find anything on this error. I called Comcast and did the whole unplug thing along with them sending some signal but no luck. Thanks.

Is anybody have any issues with OnDemand? I used it on Sunday, but since yesterday I have been getting an E5080 with a message that says unable to display video. This error occurs on all 3 of my boxes. I can't seem to find anything on this error. I called Comcast and did the whole unplug thing along with them sending some signal but no luck. Thanks.

Used OnDemand last night. No problems.

Does anyone know of an updated QAM channel map for tallahassee comcast? I have an HD set connected with no box and pick up various channels like cspan on 77.12 and ABC on 106.4. I know of a few others, but my TV won't scan for channels automatically in this range, and manually checking through hundreds of empty subchannels is really annoying.


106-4 WTXLDT
115-1 WTLHDT
86-1 WCTVDT
106-1 WABWDT
115-2 WTWCDT
http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineup_web/US:32312#lineup_1126993

Used OnDemand last night. No problems.


Thanks for checking.

It seems to be working again. I did not do anything to the other boxes but they are good too.

Senate Passes Satellite Reauthorization Bill
Bill still has to be reconciled with House version before end of year
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/19/2009 11:25:48 AM
The Senate Commerce Committee wasted no time Thursday passing the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA), its version of the satellite reauthorization bill.

That came by voice vote as part of a package of bills that were fast-tracked through the process so legislators could meet other commitments.

The bill extends satellite operators' license to carry distant out-of-market network TV station signals for viewers who can't received a viewable signal from their in-market station.

The bill updates the language to reflect the switch to digital TV, like the Senate Judiciary version requires the FCC to study whether the license should be phased out in favor of marketplace negotiations.

It does not mandate or incentivize local service in smaller markets where local stations aren't delivered, but Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-Va.) said that was not the end of the story. "I have heard from colleagues about their desire to incentivize satellite carriers to provide more local programming in rural markets and I agree with that. As we merge the Commerce Committee bill with the judiciary's part of the reauthorization, I will make this one of my highest priorities."

The Judiciary version does not have a local-into-local incentive, though a House version does.

As reported by B&C, Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) backed off from her amendment that would have mandated that DISH and DirecTV deliver local-into-local signals to all 210 markets within three years. Instead, the bill contains a mandate to the FCC to conduct a study of whether the lack of service to the remaining 30 or so markets is a matter of satellite capacity or economics.

But McCaskill said the issue should not be forgotten, and Rockefeller said it would not be. "This matter really is important. It is just stunning that all of a sudden you start hearing from people that are getting ABC out of New York in West Virgina and they're not getting anything local, and it is extremely frustrating." He likened it to the fear Congress had with DTV that screens would go black, adding that some did. "This is something we need to correct, and be hard-nosed about it and push."

Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) withdrew an amendment that would have allowed satellite operators to deliver New Mexico stations to viewers who are currently only receiving out-of-state versions of those affiliates because of the way the Nielsen market is structured.

That mirrored the withdrawal of similar bills by his colleagues in the Judiciary committee with issues in their particular states. A handful of states were taken care of in a previous incarnation of the bill's reauthorization, which has led others to seek similar carve-outs.

The bill must still be reconciled with a Senate Judiciary version that includes a provision fixing so-called short markets, where a market lacks one or more network affiliate. Then, that must be voted on in the full Senate, then conference with a House version, which must be reconciled between Commerce and Judiciary versions there and voted in the full House.

That all needs to happen by the end of the year or the license expires.

While the bill does not deal with local-into-local, split markets--Udall's issue--or short markets, it does contain an amendment that could threaten a local-into-local deal struck by Echostar in the House version.

The satellite operator agreed to deliver to all 210 markets in exchange for being allowed back into the distant network signal delivery business, unless other bandwidth obligations arose.

The Senate Commerce bill has a provision essentially cutting in half the current FCC timetable--from four years to two--for satellite operators to deliver noncommercial stations' HD signals.

DISH commented in a statement that it "continues to have concerns about the practical and constitutional problems associated with the PBS HD mandate."

Not surprisingly, the Association of Public Television Stations say it differently, applauding the provision.

"APTS is pleased with the firm action taken today by the Senate Commerce Committee to end the discriminatory behavior by DISH Network against local public television stations. There is no justification for DISH Network continuing to deny its subscribers the extraordinary brilliance and clarity of public television's high definition broadcasts in local markets all across America," said APTS President/CEO Larry Sidman in a statement.

But he also said APTS would still try to negotiate a private carriage deal, as it has done with DirecTV and cable operators.

The bill also includes an incentive, but not a requirement, that satellite operators carry state public affairs networks--essentially C-SPAN's for state governments.

So does this allow us to get walb/wfxl in all the south ga dma including cairo/thomasville area

Senate Passes Satellite Reauthorization Bill
Bill still has to be reconciled with House version before end of year
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/19/2009 11:25:48 AM
The Senate Commerce Committee wasted no time Thursday passing the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA), its version of the satellite reauthorization bill.

While the bill does not deal with local-into-local, split markets--Udall's issue--or short markets, it does contain an amendment that could threaten a local-into-local deal struck by Echostar in the House version.


So does this allow us to get walb/wfxl in all the south ga dma including cairo/thomasville area

Nope As long as Cairo/Thomasville and Valdosta are in the Tallahassee DMA it will not happen.

Also some can get WALB over the air.

Can someone tell me why WTLH can't re-broadcast the Raycom sports events in HD like most every other Raycom affiliate seemingly can?

Is there any hopes that this can be fixed since college basketball season is upon us?

I took the time to send a nicely worded inquiry about this to WTLH - Fox49 two months ago and never got a response.

I talked to the Fox engineer last week. He said it is a matter of money. Maybe if you call the GM, something could be done. They are currently in budget talks with the corporate owners. They need to hear the needs of the viewers.

I talked to the Fox engineer last week. He said it is a matter of money. Maybe if you call the GM, something could be done. They are currently in budget talks with the corporate owners. They need to hear the needs of the viewers.

A nice article on the topic in the Tallahassee Democrat in mid-October would have done the trick if FSU's football team were playing well. But given how the team was playing, nobody besides us hardcore HD guys would care.