Since the Tallahassee postings have been infrequent under many old headings, I have taken the liberty of starting a new thread. I have put 2004 in the subject line rather than certain months. Both AntennaWeb and TitanTV are listing WCTV DT-46 (analog 6) as being on the air. I believe this is probably an error as I am not receiving any signal from WCTV digital wise. Would anyone in the Tallahassee/Thomasville area have any updates to report concerning WCTV or other stations in the DMA? Thank you.

Is anyone out there getting a WCTV digital signal? I am hopeful that the titantv inclusion means something is on the way. I sent WCTV an email this morning and will post their response when i get it. --Andy

Well, that was quick... WCTV's reply to my question regardind the timeline for HD launch was..

"We are in high hopes of going to HDTV by the end of June." --Andy

I posted a link to this thread on one of the other Tallahassee threads. If anyone has information on the status of the other stations it might be good to get it summarized in this thread. The following is based on my understanding of previous posts.

PBS- CH32 is currently at full power and antenna height
NBC-CH2 is currently at full power and antenna height

ABC- CH22 is currently at low power and low on the antenna

CBS-CH46 is not broadcasting but is expected to start by the end of June (see post above)

Channel 24 (UPN I think) is broadcasting. I do not know if they are at full power or not. I have not been able to get more than a blip at my locale (Lafeyette Oaks).

I don't know the status of FOX

Anyone have corrections or updates?

SWEET! We should also maybe list whether or not they are broadcasting in HD. Now I might actually have something to record on my HDTivo. Good news!

HDTivo - so they are shipping. What I want/need/have to have is a HDTivo that is not tied to direct TV

I recently got a DishNetwork 921 HD DVR. Can't imagine watching TV without it. Now I just need to get an OTR antenna so I can see PBSengineer's feed in all its glory (and the others when they finally get around to it).

I live very near the CH40 station. Maybe I'll volunteer to let them come by to evaluate their HD signal.;)

Originally posted by bec
Channel 24 (UPN I think) is broadcasting. I do not know if they are at full power or not. I have not been able to get more than a blip at my locale (Lafeyette Oaks).


BEC,

What type of STB are you using? I recently upgraded from the Hughes E86 to the Samsung SIR-T360 and it makes a big difference. With the E86, I had to use a rotor to get all the digitals and I still had major droputs with UPN no matter how I pointed the antenna. Now I'm getting all the digital channels without using the rotor and UPN just has the occasional dropout. My signal meter reads around 45% on UPN. The Samsung definitely locks in to low power signals better than the Hughes.

BTW, I live in Northshire (off Roberts Road) which is approximately 5 miles north from you (as the crow flies).

Originally posted by FaxMan
I live very near the CH40 station. Maybe I'll volunteer to let them come by to evaluate their HD signal.;)

Faxman,

I know that you live near WCTV's new station (under construction). Perhaps, you could stop by the site every day and encourage the construction workers to finish the job! ;)

Originally posted by sfoltz
BEC,

What type of STB are you using? I recently upgraded from the Hughes E86 to the Samsung SIR-T360 and it makes a big difference. With the E86, I had to use a rotor to get all the digitals and I still had major droputs with UPN no matter how I pointed the antenna. Now I'm getting all the digital channels without using the rotor and UPN just has the occasional dropout. My signal meter reads around 45% on UPN. The Samsung definitely locks in to low power signals better than the Hughes.

BTW, I live in Northshire (off Roberts Road) which is approximately 5 miles north from you (as the crow flies).

I have a Mitsubishi SRHD5. I believe it is a early generation STB made by Hughs. I have a Channel Master 4228 with attached pre-amp. I took off the back screen to make it bi-directional. I have a HDTIVO on order and hope it will be able to pull in the signals better. Signal strength is about 15 for ABC ch 22 and am optimistic the channel will come in fine when they turn the juice up and raise the height.

The Tallahassee Democrat had an arcticle about Sat vs. Cable this moring. Nothing really new but here is the link.

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/8653156.htm

BEC,

The Mits. is a clone of my old E86. You may want to try the "$99.00 upgrade deal" via D*'s customer retention. See the lengthy thread in the HDTV hardware forum. I threatened to go to Comcast and got the deal, plus more.

Originally posted by sfoltz
BEC,

The Mits. is a clone of my old E86. You may want to try the "$99.00 upgrade deal" via D*'s customer retention. See the lengthy thread in the HDTV hardware forum. I threatened to go to Comcast and got the deal, plus more.

I have the hd tivo on order so will probably wait it out. I moved the antenna higher today and can now get get 22 reliably. It did not help with 24 which barely shows on the meter. My lot is at a low elevation and is surrounded by trees.

You'll love the HDTivo. I switched from Ultimate TV so I cannot compare this model to the workings of other Tivos but I love it.

Does anyone have any info on the ABC station's progress toward full HDTV goodness? I emailed the station manager and got no reply. It is going to be a sad fall season if ABC cannot get MNF up in HD! I absolutely hate Sinclair (and I hadn't even heard of them until moving to Tallahasse last fall.)

David

The notice I received in the mail from Comcast included not only the latest rate hikes, surprise surprise, but also mentioned that Comcast would be adding "several new channels in the next two weeks" does anybody know what those channels are? I'm hoping they include CBS HD, DiscoveryHD, and ABC HD, I know it's a long shot...

Just received an email from WTWC saying they are waiting on delivery of one compnent before they go HD. He estimated July as the month they would begin passing the HD signal.

Good news. Saw their sign the other day saying HD was coming soon. Now, if we can just get ABC then we're in business.

What signals are you able to get locally in Tallahassee?

Has anyone seen a 1080i show broadcast from a station other than PBS?

I'm excited to hear, I'll go out and buy a OTA receiver today if that's the case -- what kind of antenna's would work best in the Southwood area?

TIA,

Dantz

:)

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

Dantz, you in Southwood? There are at least 3 others in here on HD that I know of. 2 on Direct and 1 on Dish.

I am also HD in southwood, but with Voom.

Wow, Voom in the wood. I'm on Mulberry Park with the "For Sale" sign in front of it, 4th down from 4 Oaks. Southwood is finally coming along.

So, what channels are you guys getting 1080i broadcasts OTA on in Tally-land? Anything NBC? ABC? CBS? UPN? :)

TIA

PBS is the only OTA HD channel that I am aware of. CBS has a "HDTV Coming Soon" sign at their studios and I don't know about the rest.

:( That's too bad - yeah, I'm out in Southwood - seems like everyone is moving there or out to Killearn.

I just wish we could get some OTA broadcasts, I want my SuperBowl!!

:)

What channel is the Superbowl on?

Superbowl is usually on CBS I think

You can get that now with either Direct or Dish, I know folks here in the Wood who have CBSHD. They just had to be creative with their service address.

No, no you guys have it wrong, re: Superbowl. It was on CBS this year. The Super Bowl from Jacksonville will be on Fox in Feb of 2005. I think that Fox's director or programming was here in April meeting with NFL officials and the Jacksonville Superbowl committee to discuss how Fox will handle the broadcast and what acts may perform at the halftime show.

Also, Fox corporate began in March, sending out contractors to install the hd equipment that Fox will use to broadcast hd in Sept. The equipment consist of a splicer and other relevant equipment. All Fox affils that are broadcasting a digital signal will get this splicer. The installs should be completed by late August and we will be getting glorious hd from Fox for their fall shows and the Superbowl. You can read more about this splicer technology and by doing a search for Fox and splicer over in the programming forum.

One last note, in Sept Fox will broadcast up to 6 NFL games per week in hd. Some weeks Fox will broadcast 7 and some weeks they will broadcast 5 b/c that is all of the games they will have. So no matter where you live, you will at least get to see one hd football game on Sunday as opposed to CBS, where it all depends on what NFL market you are in.

Thanks. It will probably be the same situation for us in Tallahassee. Like CBS, unless the local affiliate goes HD, we will not be able to watch it on satellite since our market is not an Owned & Operated market. Hopefully, our local will go HD and I won't have to go to someone else's house who "lives" in Jacksonville.

Got my Direct TV locals today. Only SD, but much better than my crappy cable locals which I will cancel tomorrow. Hopefully we can get the CBS, and ABC guys to start broadcasting OTA HD soon!

Kenny

Hey, just wanted to post a response to the WCTV launch of HD.....

"Our Engineers are running behind, but are working hard to finish up. I
don't want to give out a date and be wrong, so I will tell you that we
are in hopes to have HDTV soon."

--Andy

Re Comcast in Tally, it is my understanding that they refuse to rebroadcast local digital signals because local stations want extra compensation. So all local channels on Comcast are analog, and that's why we still get that crappy PQ from WCTV, and will continue to do so even after they go HD.

The question I have is does Dish give you local channels from the analog or digitial signals?

The dish signal is obviously a digital signal but they do not rebroadcast local HD. They currently (Directv) broadcast CBSHD out of New York and LA for qualified subscribers. I don't know that Comcast broadcasting a digital signal at 480i would be any better than an analog 480i picture.

The Dish network locals are very high quality with two exceptions. It seems that the feed on Fox can be dark from time to time (notice it most on x-files reruns) and the sound on NBC is bad (notice that most on West Wing). They will not be broadcasting any HD feeds of locals. Dish Network also has the CBS HD, but I cannot get it. I do get feeds of Fox and ABC from LA though not HD. I have not upgraded my Dish receiver to HD yet because I am waiting until I can afford their HD PVR.

Voom installed an OTA antenna for me, and they have an integrated OTA tuner in their receiver.

Derek - can you PM me about your place being for sale? I am looking to buy one...

I'm not sure if this is old news or not since I don't watch much network t.v., but NBC 40-2 has Wimbledon in the correct aspect ratio (16:9) with no side bars. Previously, all the content I saw was in 4:3 with bars.

I still think its an upconvert because the picture is not as sharp as HDNet, ESPNHD (when its actually broadcasting HD), etc. I also checked Titan TV's site and it does not list Wimbledon as being in HD. But this may be the start of true HD content on NBC.

Durning the 6 O'clock news last night WCTV CH 6 was running a promo saying the HDTV is coming soon. Didn't give a date though.

Fred

Now if we can only get ABC for MNF we'll be set!

WCTV reports via e-mail that they are hoping to begin digital broadcasting by the end of this week or early next week. The original plan was to be up last Saturday (July 3rd), but was delayed due to "unforseen problems." Let us hope everything goes well. Digital channel will be 46 (analog 6-CBS).

WTWC is advertizing the Olympics will be in HD and Dolby 5.1. Now we just need WTXL to get on the bandwagon for college football this fall.

Just checking the digital channels tonight and found that WCTV (CBS) is on the air in HiDef! The sound has been on and off, and they have been playing with the format a little, so it is obvious that they are still testing, but this is great news!

FYI, I am in Goose Creek off Buck Lake Rd. and I got a 82 signal strength on the HD Tivo using indoor amplified rabbit ears.

Who would've thunk it....Tally is actually stepping into the 21st century!

GREAT NEWS! Wish NBC and ABC would follow suit. Great news.

Saw 46 up last night, upconverted ch 6 was 4x3 HD. When the net had HD, they had no audio but the video looked nice. At one point they disolved (!) to upconverted so they could run a weather crawl. Audio came back for that portion. It's odd to see the sides disolve out then back in. Now if they fix the audio.
This am they are still 4x3 HD. So I guess the plan is to upconvert to HD except when CBS has real HD. Much better.
Good signal.

I do wish that ch 40 would figure out what they are doing. Seems to drift between upconverted and HD with the audio from who knows where this week.

Does anyone know what the WB network in Tallahasse is doing re digital broadcasts? Ironically, the WB cable signal is the best non-digital on Comcast. If I could get all the local channels/networks OTA I could finally dump Comcast (hurray).

The other question is audio. Are the digital stations broadcasting 5.1 or 2.0?

Watched the primetime lineup in HD last night from CBS...I can't believe we actually have over the air HD in Tally! It looked very good....although it appeared a little darker than the standard broadcast. Also, the sound was kind of weird, almost like the mic was in a closet. I don't know if either of these things are normal or if they are still tweeking.

Something I though was interesting was that there are real credits at the end of the show, complete with a theme song. When you watch on the SD channel, they have shifted the shortened credits to the side of the screen and are usually showing a commercial on the main part of the screen. It's nice to see the old fashioned readable credits again.

I am already drooling over the thought of SEC football this fall in HD...GO GATORS! :)

Let me be the first to say congrats to Tally on getting your second hd station (a popular one at that). As a former resident of Tally (college years) it is refreshing to see that that city is beginning to make quality of life (read your CBS affil doing hd) strides for its citizens. We've (Jacksonville) CBS in hd for over 2 years now and even though you get used to it, it never gets old when there is a good quality show on.

Now all Tally has to do is get a Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Maggionos(?), Copelands, Buca Di Pepo, Brio Tuscan Grill and a upscale mall and it will have come into the 21st century. As of now folks from Tally have to go to Orlando for some of that, but when St. Johns Town Center opens here in March 05 they can come here.

Oh well, at least you some of your stations are doing hd! :)

With your "upscale mall," you can also keep your bumper to bumper interstate traffic, endless road construction, and polluted river. And I still think Jville is the coolest "bigger" city in Florida.

Folks...Please take a moment to pen a quick email to WCTV thanking them for getting HD up & running. I know I have been pestering them frequently with emails, so I am sure they would enjoy a little love in return!--Andy

http://www.wctv6.com/station/contact

I just noticed channel 182 on Comcast is WCTV...in HD!!!


Edit:

And 172 Discovery HD!!!

I'm in Wakulla County and we don't have either of these channels yet. Hopefully the will turn them on tonight.

Originally posted by OptimusKryme
I just noticed channel 182 on Comcast is WCTV...in HD!!!


Edit:

And 172 Discovery HD!!!

Just noticed CBS HD tonight myself. On www.TitanTV.com last week they showed that 172 would be Discovery HD.

I have a question for those with comcast. Is the CBS not properly formatted, I am having stuff cut off at the top and bottom. Also regarding some of the other channel specifically the wfsud,wfsuk and the other two around those are they ever in 1080? One last thing being totally new to this should regular movies on HBO look better than the cable broadcast, because mine do not. Finally when does Discovery HD start

HI, Just a question...Why does Titan TV show WTXL-DT ABC having HD programing? Did I miss something, are they broadcasting in Hi-Def? Could I actually get to see the Monday Night Game on August 9th in HD???
I would just check myself, but my indoor antenna only gives me PBS and NBC, but I would install an outdoor antenna in the dark if this is true!

BTW, is there anyone from Havana, FL in this forum? My wife jokes that we're the only ones with broadband on our street, so just wondering if anyone else around here is into DTV.

Originally posted by 1998Nole
I have a question for those with comcast. Is the CBS not properly formatted, I am having stuff cut off at the top and bottom. Also regarding some of the other channel specifically the wfsud,wfsuk and the other two around those are they ever in 1080? One last thing being totally new to this should regular movies on HBO look better than the cable broadcast, because mine do not. Finally when does Discovery HD start


Yes, CBS seems to be cutting some stuff off but not everything. Since I only noticed the channel last night my viewing of the station has been very limited.

It's hard to know what res the show is in unless you have the cable box with firewire since the cable box doesn't makes you pick your output res for the component connection. I have noticed that ch.178 was showing something in 1080P 60FPS while I was trying to capture from the firewire port.

As for the movies most of them look better on my setup but some of the movies seem to have an issue when they got converted to HD.

Thanks, for the response. Do you know anything about the channels after PBS? What is there purpose it have not seen anything on there that would be considered HD my tv always say 480i for them. Last newbie question do some movies on on HBO, Show, Max cut off the sides and show as 4:3?

Originally posted by 1998Nole
Thanks, for the response. Do you know anything about the channels after PBS? What is there purpose it have not seen anything on there that would be considered HD my tv always say 480i for them. Last newbie question do some movies on on HBO, Show, Max cut off the sides and show as 4:3?


PBS is strange, maybe PBSEngineer (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=65904) can explain this better. Since most of the stuff they show is not in HD they air it non up-converted, checking the guide data on TitianTV.com I noticed that tonight at 7pm and 10pm this show "American Family---Journey of Dreams The Farewell" will be in HD.

As for the movie channels, I have not noticed any movies in 4:3 but I have noticed that a lot of the shows just for the channel will be in 4:3.

Check this site out http://www.cjhengineering.com/5100faq.htm it is a Motorola High Definition STB FAQ that someone has put online.

Originally posted by Attack
[B]As for the movie channels, I have not noticed any movies in 4:3 but I have noticed that a lot of the shows just for the channel will be in 4:3.



Attack, thank you for helping me out. I appreciate it.
This moring the Abyss on MAXHD was 4:3, but the movie after it was not must be only certain movies.

I will have to check that site and also titantv.

It also seems CBS has no sound today.

Anyone got an answer for my question about ABC?.....

Well, PBS - we are HD 6 pm to 6 am. Mostly that's our analog channel upconverted to HD (stretched to 16x9) 191, 192 & 193 on cable are our multiplex 6 am to 6 pm and are always 480i. American Family is real HD, Nature is shot widescreen and upconverted. Nova varies. Check out Soundstage at midnight Saturday - true HD with 5.1 surround.

CBS seems to be 14x9 upconverted and cropped top and bottem when they are not broadcasting an HD from CBS.

Comcast tells me that 172 (Discovery HD) is supposed to be turned on today (Monday)

Originally posted by AFH
Let me be the first to say congrats to Tally on getting your second hd station (a popular one at that). As a former resident of Tally (college years) it is refreshing to see that that city is beginning to make quality of life (read your CBS affil doing hd) strides for its citizens. We've (Jacksonville) CBS in hd for over 2 years now and even though you get used to it, it never gets old when there is a good quality show on.

Now all Tally has to do is get a Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Maggionos(?), Copelands, Buca Di Pepo, Brio Tuscan Grill and a upscale mall and it will have come into the 21st century. As of now folks from Tally have to go to Orlando for some of that, but when St. Johns Town Center opens here in March 05 they can come here.

Oh well, at least you some of your stations are doing hd! :)

Antonio,

Thanks for leaving Tallahassee. You and Jacksonville deserve each other.

PBSEngineer.......
Why does TitanTv.com always show something different on FSUDT than what is actually playing on FSUDT?? Were can I go to get the actual lineup for what is on?

Reception question.
Titan Tv says that with the large antenna craft antenna that I will be able to get "good" reception of Panama Citys ABC affiliate, which is in HI-Def. The station tower is 60.2 miles from me as I live in Havana, FL. If I used a high quality UHF only attenna such a channel master 4 bay or winegard equivelent, what is the chances of me actually receiving this signal? Is it worth my while, or am I just pipe dreaming?

Hmm, I just signed up for Titan TV. You are correct, there is no relationship to what we are actually airing. I do not know why.
But.
Digital 11-1 is always the same as 11-0 (the analog channel 11) HD at night
Digital 11-2 is the Florida Channel 6a to 6p; off at night
Digital 11-3 is PBS Kids 6a to 6p; off at night
Digital 11-4 is The Florida Knowlege Network 6a to 6p; off at night.
Complain to Titan TV

WTWC HDTV
WTWC will be testing NBC HDTV tonight.

NBC's last action star is not in high def tonight. will try at 10pm

Originally posted by D.J. McSorley
WTWC HDTV
WTWC will be testing NBC HDTV tonight.

Does this mean WTWC is about to do HDTV?

I ask again - does anyone know what WB is planning for digital?

I believe The WB in Tallahassee is cable only.

Originally posted by Hammerheadfred
I believe The WB in Tallahassee is cable only.

I thought they were piggybacking with the local UPN station. Now that I think of it, I seem to recall someone at Comcast telling me that UPN/WB is an all-digital (SD) station (no analog signal) which would explain the great PQ on that channel. Has anyone tried picking up their OTA signal on a digital tuner? Today I read that WB will broadcast most of its prime time shows in HD this fall, and I would love to see Smallville in HD if the local station would carry it in that format OTA.

UPN - digital ch 24 comes in pretty good. BUT, unlike the signal to Comcast, the audio is mono with a bad hum. Transmitter is in Midway - aim west.

Has anyone heard about WTWC 40 going HD. They had been advertising that they would be showing the Olympics in HD and they start this week.

They are spotty, but yes ch 40-2 (dtv ch2) is HD. Mostly upconverted and stretched but sometimes, when the show is HD on net, they pass it through. Probably will have it together by the olympics.

BTW, is anyone else annoyed by ch 6's loud local commercials on the HD?

Originally posted by dsmith901
Now that I think of it, I seem to recall someone at Comcast telling me that UPN/WB is an all-digital (SD) station (no analog signal) which would explain the great PQ on that channel. Has anyone tried picking up their OTA signal on a digital tuner? Today I read that WB will broadcast most of its prime time shows in HD this fall, and I would love to see Smallville in HD if the local station would carry it in that format OTA.

I receive the UPN signal OTA and its not in hidef. AFAIK, UPN is not carrying WB programming.

Originally posted by mahicks
Reception question.
Titan Tv says that with the large antenna craft antenna that I will be able to get "good" reception of Panama Citys ABC affiliate, which is in HI-Def. The station tower is 60.2 miles from me as I live in Havana, FL. If I used a high quality UHF only attenna such a channel master 4 bay or winegard equivelent, what is the chances of me actually receiving this signal? Is it worth my while, or am I just pipe dreaming?

There are too many factors dependent on your location to know. If you have a lot of tall trees around you, this will greatly inhibit your reception. If you can test the antenna and return it, I'd go for it.

PBSengineer,

Did you get my PM?

Thanks

Just talked with Comcast and they said they are in negoiations with WTWC to carry NBC in HD. They hoped to have something in place by the Olympics start.

Originally posted by Hammerheadfred
Just talked with Comcast and they said they are in negoiations with WTWC to carry NBC in HD. They hoped to have something in place by the Olympics start.

That is good to hear. The olympics start this weekend though, so they better speed up those talks. Lets hope they pull it off.

I wonder what the timelines for FOx and ABC are.

Direct is adding NBCHD in time for the Olympics as well. Great news if you've "moved" to Jacksonville or some other eligible place.

Thanks!

I'm going to get the channel Master 4 bay...I guess I will have to get a VHF antenna too just receive NBC..That sucks because I cannot receive them with a indoor antenna

Originally posted by sfoltz
I receive the UPN signal OTA and its not in hidef. AFAIK, UPN is not carrying WB programming.

When I say piggybacking I mean multicasting - both programs carried in the same bandwidth from the UPN transmitter. Otherwise, how is Comcast getting WB? BTW, WB audio is great, with full surround encoding.

UPN is Pegasus in Midway ch 24 digital (no analog) NOT multicast.
WB is switched at ch40 studios along with ch 27. I imagine that it is then fed to
Comcast via fiber.
Surely you mean that WB HD has great audio, not WB on Comcast.

Originally posted by PBSengineer
UPN is Pegasus in Midway ch 24 digital (no analog) NOT multicast.
WB is switched at ch40 studios along with ch 27. I imagine that it is then fed to
Comcast via fiber.
Surely you mean that WB HD has great audio, not WB on Comcast.

Thanks for the info. So you are saying WB is not available OTA in Tally?

Re the audio, I did mean WB on Comcast - "great" being a relative term for audio off Comcast, most of which sucks big time. I find WB audio and video on Smallville and Charmed to be nearly DVD quality on my 31" CRT, though most of their other shows are not as good.

anyone got an update on NBC?? Have they got their act together and broadcasting HDTV? I only ask because they will be the final factor into rushing into my channelmaster antenna install. I got a 4bay channel master, a 30 ft extendable mast, a couple of mounting brackets and a bunch of wire just waiting to be installed by yours truely without falling off of my roof!

WTWC has been broadcasting HDTV since last thur. Tonight wtwc has Olympics in HDTV. The HDTV feed from NBC is different from the analog feed. There won't be any events in true HDTV until Sunday am.

In regard to WTWC and Comcast I called both today. Comcast seemed confused by what I was asking, and WTWC said the ball was pretty much in Comcast's court now.

Alright tally folks... I am using a Hughes E-86 to receive OTA hd. With this set-up, I am constantly (every couple of minutes) dropping audio and less frequently losing portions of the picture for CBS and NBC. When I check signal strength using the hughes set-up menu, both stations show full "100" signals. I have a RS VU-75XR mounted in my attic. Anyone else using the Hughes and experiencing this? If not, anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for any advice.--Andy

Originally posted by Ellisfsu
Alright tally folks... I am using a Hughes E-86 to receive OTA hd. With this set-up, I am constantly (every couple of minutes) dropping audio and less frequently losing portions of the picture for CBS and NBC. When I check signal strength using the hughes set-up menu, both stations show full "100" signals. I have a RS VU-75XR mounted in my attic. Anyone else using the Hughes and experiencing this? If not, anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for any advice.--Andy

I had similar problems Sat on NBC with breakups every 2-5 sec. Signal strength was in the 90's. CBS came in steady all night with signal strength in the low 80's. Tonight NBC is fairly steady with only a few breakups. Using a HD TIVO. Location is Lafayette Oaks. Bruce

Thanks for the reply. So there is a chance that what I was seeing/hearing was a station problem? I was thinking it may be multi-path problems with the attic mount. Someone else also suggested that the signal was too strong and overloading the receiver. I'll play around and let you know what I find, as this may be info that can help you.

WTWC-DT is ch 2. This is a bad channel for digital because it is low enough in freq. to have all kinds of interference break it up. Heck, when I turn on or off a light in the house, the signal pauses - mostly audio, but also a lot of blocking in the video. This is a problem with all the lower VHF channels; most bad on 2, 3 & 6. On analog, it's like a pop in the audio or a one line streak in the video.

Welcome to the digital age.

Originally posted by PBSengineer
WTWC-DT is ch 2. This is a bad channel for digital because it is low enough in freq. to have all kinds of interference break it up. Heck, when I turn on or off a light in the house, the signal pauses - mostly audio, but also a lot of blocking in the video. This is a problem with all the lower VHF channels; most bad on 2, 3 & 6. On analog, it's like a pop in the audio or a one line streak in the video.

Welcome to the digital age.

Have you tried a balanced isolation transformer on the TV and HDTV tuner? If it is an electrical system problem that may help.

Originally posted by dsmith901
Have you tried a balanced isolation transformer on the TV and HDTV tuner? If it is an electrical system problem that may help.

No, I haven't tried that. The interference is rf - you can see pops on ch 2 off air on analog (if there was a ch2 analog-in the snow on an analog tv here) black lines streak the picture. In digital, this causes the receiver to lose lock for an instant, then lock back up. This causes the stream to pause. Different receivers handle that differently. Mine freezes for a second. My Outlaw pre-amp has to re-aquire the audio and lock back up - 5 seconds of silence. I don't beleive a transfromer would help.
What causes it - a badly tuned car driving down the street; the neighbor's ac, your ac, switch noise, might near anything. Listen to an am radio.

Comcast called last night and said they now have DVRs. Picked mine up this morning. It's the single tuner Moto DCT6208. I was hoping for the 6412 dual turner.

Asked about NBC HD and they said they are still negoiating with WTWC.

How much extra is it for the DVR? How many hours can be recorded? I am not familiar with Comcast's DVR's, any info you could provide would be appreciated.

How did you actually get Comcast to call you.

Originally posted by 1998Nole
How much extra is it for the DVR? How many hours can be recorded? I am not familiar with Comcast's DVR's, any info you could provide would be appreciated.

How did you actually get Comcast to call you.

I called them today, I only got the pricing info: $9.95 more a month per DVR. I will find out more tomorrow as I am only going to replace one of my digital cable boxes with the DVR until I know more about it.

Originally posted by PBSengineer
No, I haven't tried that. The interference is rf - you can see pops on ch 2 off air on analog (if there was a ch2 analog-in the snow on an analog tv here) black lines streak the picture. In digital, this causes the receiver to lose lock for an instant, then lock back up. This causes the stream to pause. Different receivers handle that differently. Mine freezes for a second. My Outlaw pre-amp has to re-aquire the audio and lock back up - 5 seconds of silence. I don't beleive a transfromer would help.
What causes it - a badly tuned car driving down the street; the neighbor's ac, your ac, switch noise, might near anything. Listen to an am radio.

Could the antenna be part of the problem?

I just got Comcast hooked up today (switched from dish network while I am in a townhouse for a few months). I got the HD receiver, which seems to work pretty good. It does not correct for the aspect ratio of my widescreen which is kind of annoying, but the PQ seems pretty good.

To my surprise they called me tonight to tell me that I could now get the DVR which I had inquired about before, but that I need to bring in my box to swap out. I told them that I did not have digital cable box, but instead I had the HD box. They said, "Our DVR replaces the HD receiver, and receives and records HD."

!!! Did we expect this? Two different comcast reps told me that that the new box records 6-8 hours of HD, 40-60 hours of digital and 25 hours of analog. Do they have other DVR options? I am not sure what the total offering is...

I am picking it up on Thursday morning and will report back...

I called the other day and I am number 75 or so on the waiting list. Havibg the HD already I was told I should get one sooner as they are trying to get those who have HD first.

They told me the same thing on the number of hours it can record. I want to know if you can set up like a TIVO where you can set it to record a show each time it is on.

Well, I got the new HD DVR from Comcast, and it works as advertised. It might not be the best DVR out there, but for $5 per month extra (on top of the $5 for the HD non-dvr box), it is certainly the best value. (not 100% sure on pricing until I see the first bill).

Also, though it did not seem to get mentioned in TLH at all, other forums on AVS have talked about it (search for model DCT6208).

It can be set up to record a show each time it is on, as long as it is on the same time and channel. You can set a program to record at 6:30p on Ch10 once, every day, every weekday, or once a week.

The HD functionality is almost boring in the sense that it works exactly the same as the non-HD functions. There is nothing special about it, and it just works (which is fine for me).

The HD recordings include the DD5.1 audio, and look just like live tv. It buffers the last 15 minutes of an HD program you are watching, and the last hour of digital cable. There is no skip 30 seconds button like my Dish PVR had, and I will miss that. It has basically the same controls as Tivo, but the menus/software and interface is not as polished.

When I picked it up there was a list with about 8-9 names per day that they had at the desk. I was the first one to sign the sheet, but I don't know if they had more than one sheet. The box looks identical to the regular HD box, but you can see that it has a hard drive in it.

Post any other questions that you have and I will do my best, and I hope those of you that are on the list get one soon.

Has anyone been able yet to pick up a clean HD signal OTA from WTWC, without the earlier reported problems?

Originally posted by dsmith901
Has anyone been able yet to pick up a clean HD signal OTA from WTWC, without the earlier reported problems?

Yes, my signal has been very clean with a Megawave indoor antenna.

According to antennaweb.org, I am only 1.4 miles from the tower. :D

Edit.... I misread the call sign. My best signal is from WCTV which is 1.4 miles away. I got a relatively good signal also from WTWC (16 miles) during the Olympics, but I think I get a lot of interference from the surrounding trees.

Talked to Comcast the other day. They said they are still negoiating with WTWC about carrying NBC HD. Said WTWC wanted paid extra for HD and Comcast said they are holding out for the same deal they got with WCTV where there was no extra charge for HD.

Also found out the NFL TV with coming soon to Comcast and they are trying to get Fox Sports Net like the sats have it where you paid $5 for all the regional channels.

Originally posted by dsmith901
Has anyone been able yet to pick up a clean HD signal OTA from WTWC, without the earlier reported problems?

I get it fine. I use an "old-fashioned" VHF/UHF antenna with a Channel Master rotator. I can usually get a 100 signal rate on both my Hughes E86 and Samsung 360.

Does anybody know if the local stations transmit PSIP Information with their digital broadcasts?

(It is basically their programming information that can be used with receivers that support electronic program guides)

=FaxMan

Originally posted by FaxMan
Does anybody know if the local stations transmit PSIP Information with their digital broadcasts?

(It is basically their programming information that can be used with receivers that support electronic program guides)

=FaxMan

PBS does, but no one else so far. BUT The FCC has just issued their 2nd DTV report and order and in there they order that all stations must broadcast PSIP. So it should happen any day now :D

Originally posted by PBSengineer
PBS does, but no one else so far. BUT The FCC has just issued their 2nd DTV report and order and in there they order that all stations must broadcast PSIP. So it should happen any day now :D

Except for 46-1 that always says "Regular Schedule," I've been getting PSIP on all digital stations for some time now (I'm not sure when it first started). However during the day, PBS's info. just repeats what is on 11-1 for the other three stations.

New here, hello.

Does anyone have any updated info on ABC or Fox getting the HD signal? Going to be awful to watch the Bucs and MNF without the HD signal.

Bought my new TV and got the Comcast signal a few weeks ago, only to be disappointed with a meager 5 HD channels. Pretty pathetic on Comcast's part.

Originally posted by sfoltz
Except for 46-1 that always says "Regular Schedule," I've been getting PSIP on all digital stations for some time now (I'm not sure when it first started). However during the day, PBS's info. just repeats what is on 11-1 for the other three stations.
Not sure why that is. We put PGM info for 11-1, 11-2, & 11-3 in the PSIP. (11-4 comes from Dept of Education and they give us no info to put in there) I just checked again and my Samsung T-165 gets info for 11-1 , 2 & 3. What do you use for a receiver?

I called ABC/NBC on Friday and was told that "there are no plans for ABC to broadcast in HD". When I mentioned that federal law requires a plan for at least going digital the receptionist offered to connect me to engineering. The main contact is Dennis and he is listed on the local ABC website as the engineering contact if you want to get in touch with him. He did not pick up when I called...

They also offered no update on the NBC HD on Comcast.

Originally posted by PBSengineer
Not sure why that is. We put PGM info for 11-1, 11-2, & 11-3 in the PSIP. (11-4 comes from Dept of Education and they give us no info to put in there) I just checked again and my Samsung T-165 gets info for 11-1 , 2 & 3. What do you use for a receiver?
I use both a Samsung SIR-TS360 and a Hughes E86. I just checked (10:10 am, Sunday) and all the PBS channels (11-1, 11-2, 11-3 & 11-4) have the "McLaughlin Group" listed in both receivers' guides.

Originally posted by thetoolman
I called ABC/NBC on Friday and was told that "there are no plans for ABC to broadcast in HD". When I mentioned that federal law requires a plan for at least going digital the receptionist offered to connect me to engineering.

WTXL is already being digitally broadcasted so it meets the Federal requirement (not sure if its full power yet). Since our ABC affiliate is a Sinclair station, the best source to contact as to when it may of hidef is forum member "MisterDTV" who recently posted a list of Sinclair stations now broadcasting in hidef in this thread: Sinclair HDTV List (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=444257)

Originally posted by Capella
New here, hello.

Does anyone have any updated info on ABC or Fox getting the HD signal? Going to be awful to watch the Bucs and MNF without the HD signal.

Bought my new TV and got the Comcast signal a few weeks ago, only to be disappointed with a meager 5 HD channels. Pretty pathetic on Comcast's part.

According to the local Fox affiliate, they are scheduled to begin broadcasting in HD in December, but it will likely be low power to cover basically Bainbridge probably not strong enough for Tallahassee. They are working on a timeline for full power buildout, but don't have it yet.

I have no idea if Comcast is planning to carry it.

IS comcast obligated to carry the local fox and abc on in HD or can they get it from somewhere else.

BTW I got the DVR and overall it is pretty good, lacks some features but it is a heck of al lot better than a VCR.

I'm pretty sure that the local affiliates hold all of the cards. They alone can decide if any other provider (i.e. Comcast or Satellite) can carry the network signal to which they have territorial rights. Guess which way they usually decide?

Hopefully the Satellite sponsored initiatives that will allow distant network HD programming to be provided if the local affiliate doesn't offer it will prevail.

(see www.iwantmyhdtv.com)

Iv'e been out of town all week. NBC 40-1 and 40-2 are not working this morning. Anyone know whats going on? I hope it is just temporary.
thanks,
Kenny Council

PBSengineer,

I hope you can answer this for me. Are channels 190&192 on comcast experiencing problems? All weekend and today the picture was almost impossible to see due pixelization, the sound was also breaking up occasionally. Also do you know why sometimes channel 192 during the day is not pbs kids but FKN?

Thanks

Thanks for the heads up. Truly bad pixulation on all four sub channels (actually 11-2 was gone) I have called Comcast and they assure me that they will fix the problem. If I had to guess, the gusts from Ivan probably blew their antenna around a bit.

WTWC is now broadcasting DD 5.1 on 40-1

PBSengineer,

Thanks for looking into that, PBS kids is one of my son's favorite channels. As of tonight it looked like it was back to normal. Thanks Again.

Hello from a new member of the Tallahassee HDTV ranks!

So far I'm just OTA. But I'm only able to get CBS (of the major networks - I can get PBS as well). It seems like you guys are able to get NBC with no problem - I can't get anything at all. (I'm by Cap. Cir. NE and East Park).

Unfortunately, my TV (with built-in tuner) won't lock onto a channel unless it's picking up a decent signal, so if it doesn't lock in on the channel scan, I get nothing.

Is it just my setup, or is NBC possibly having some down time right now? And what channel does it come in on? I can't figure out if it should be 2 or 40.

Thanks!

Is anybody using the Comcast HDTV PVR? If so, please give details as to performance, cost, connections, etc. Thanks.

I have been using it since they released it at the end of August. It is a great value for $10 a month.

It records an average of 10-12 shows, consisting of 1/2 hour analog programs, hour long HD programs, and an occasional movie.

The interface is one of the most basic that I have seen. I can only assume that they will be adding to the software over time. But again, it is only $10 a month.

The HD recording works exactly the same as any other channel. It just works.

The reliability has seemed to be good, but it does use timer based recording. So these are the hardest couple of months when the schedules of all the shows are out of whack.

The recording options are pretty flexible, in that it lets you save a certain number of episodes of something you record every day (max of 5, for instance, then it deletes the oldest). You can set the priority it uses to delete recorded shows in favor of new ones (or to not delete).

The box looks exactly the same as the HD receiver from Comcast. The only difference is that it has a hard drive and a few extra options on the menus. The remote has PVR control buttons as well, but otherwise looks the same. It connects the same way as the regular non-PVR box (1 coax). It only has one tuner, thought Motorola has a two-tuner model in the works. Not sure about Comcast's plans here.

I get dolby 5.1 in the recordings when available. InHD, HBOHD, PBSHD, etc.

The menus are all low resolution, which is cerainly the most annoying feature. And Comcast takes up 1/3 of the screen for ads, so you can hardly use the guide in the normal view. There is just not enough pixels left for the names of the show.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

I am using it, from what I understand it is not as good as TIVO in functionality but for me performs flawlessly. It is 9.95 a month which in the bill description it says free HD. I am component input and Coax for audio. It is one tuner but Comcast says a 2 tuner should be out in January.

Originally posted by popechild
Hello from a new member of the Tallahassee HDTV ranks!

So far I'm just OTA. But I'm only able to get CBS (of the major networks - I can get PBS as well). It seems like you guys are able to get NBC with no problem - I can't get anything at all. (I'm by Cap. Cir. NE and East Park).

Unfortunately, my TV (with built-in tuner) won't lock onto a channel unless it's picking up a decent signal, so if it doesn't lock in on the channel scan, I get nothing.

Is it just my setup, or is NBC possibly having some down time right now? And what channel does it come in on? I can't figure out if it should be 2 or 40.

Thanks!

Just got my Vhf antenna back up. NBC channel 2 is coming in fine. Your TV will probably need to be tuned to 40-1 for picture. Good luck, Bruce

Hi everyone;

I just recieved Comcast's Dual Tuner HD DVR. It seems to work well, but I noticed that Comcast is only offering one network station, CBS in HD. There are also 5 other HD channels plus each Movie channel also has one HD chanel associated with it.

What type of antenna would I need to purchase to get NBC and Fox ? Does anyone know if they will be offered with Comcast anytime soon ?

Also, currently I have a set of Component video cables .. I think that is what thy are called, (3 RCA cables for video) hooked up between the DVR and the tv. Would getting a DVI cable make any difference ? It is on a rear projection hdtv. The Tv has DVI input and the DVR has DVI outputs. At $60 in Bestbuy, they are quite expensive.

Thanks for the info guys.

-Art

Dogbert,

The DVI cable will 'probably' make a difference, but you don't need to spend that much. You can find them for less than 1/2 that via the Internet or even e-bay. Others may argue, but I think that the conventional wisdom is that there is not much difference in DVI cable quality. It just works or doesn't.

Regarding the antenna, it depends upon where you are and what you are surrounded by. You can go to www.antennaweb.org from some information. I found an indoor antenna there that picks up PBS, NBC and CBS for me. (www.megawave.com -the amplified version)

You won't get Fox because the local affiliate doesn't broadcast in it yet. Perhaps by the end of the year, but at very low power. Unless you live in Bainbridge or Comcast carries the feed, you'll probably be SOL as will those of us that use Satellite.

John

Just an update, because I got bored and called around.
The receptionist at Ch 27 tells me that the plans are for ABC to be in HD 1st qtr '05
NBC HD on Comcast is a fight between Sinclair's main office and Comcast. No one here in Tallytown knows what is going on. (the guy in customer service knows even less)

In the mean time, I have become hooked on just about every show that CBS has, as I got bored with standard definition (except West Wing).

It's too bad that they are having so much trouble getting their act together.

Has anyone talked to Fox, WB, UPN?

Originally posted by PBSengineer
NBC HD on Comcast is a fight between Sinclair's main office and Comcast. No one here in Tallytown knows what is going on. (the guy in customer service knows even less)


Sinclair does this in every market. The only thing I know we can do is to start call/writing to the advertisers, but what do we tell them that will put pressure on Sinclair?

Originally posted by dogbert25
Hi everyone;

I just recieved Comcast's Dual Tuner HD DVR. It seems to work well, but I noticed that Comcast is only offering one network station, CBS in HD. There are also 5 other HD channels plus each Movie channel also has one HD chanel associated with it.


-Art

I called on the dual tuner, but they told me they do not have remote for them yet. Is it a pain to work the dual tuner without the right remote?

I too have become hooked on CBS show because of the HD, the only show I really watch in SD is Scrubs.

It really sucks what sinclair is doing just let comcast broadcast it, it not like they are getting money from those who are getting it OTA. I am really hoiping FOX starts HD in December since most of there show come back around January.

I just got an email from the engineer at the Fox affiliate, and they are scheduled to broadcast in HD beginning in mid December. Also, he indicated that providing the signal through Comcast wouldn't be a problem.

Can anyone confirm if ABC (WTXL) will start a HD signal in early 2005?
Since they have an outsourcing agreement with Sinclair, (though they are not owned by Sinclair), will there be a problem getting their HD signal through comcast?

NeonDeion

Anything new on ABC, Fox, and NBC?

I saw that comcast is supposed to start offering video on demand locally in December - a CSR said that they will have the capability to offer HD programming on demand, but that it would be up to the content providers (networks) to offer the HD content. I assume that HBO will be one of the on-demand providers, so that will be interesting to see.

Also, if anyone has the single-tuner hd dvr from comcast, I would highly recommend exchanging it for the dual tuner. Besides the obvious benefit of two tuners, the interface is much better, and the feature set is much more complete (approaching TiVo).

They offered no updates on any of the other networks, other than that they will work with them as they begin to broadcast in HD.

I picked up the Dual Tuner friday, it is great. The new I-Guide is such a better interface. I just wish they would add some addtional HD channels I know that they are out there. What does it take for them to add more?

I already have VOD...the programs aren't that great yet, no movies at all.

Well, thanks to BadMojo's tip, I found that I actually have VOD already as well. I was convinced by Comcast's marketing that I would not have it until next month.

There is a HD category, but no programs yet. That is reassuring at least. Regardless, the selection is much better than it was last month!

Where is VOD?

When i push the remote button is says service is not available. I also do not have a menu option for it.

I get a new menu when I push the VOD button with the program categories. I can also get to it from the main menu.

I thought maybe it was the box, but you said you got the new one. Maybe it takes a day or two to register. I noticed that when I had a new box I got all the movie channels for the first 36 hours or so (including all the HD movie channels).

They could be rolling it out by area, not sure.

I had all of the channels for about 3 hours, then the box shut down and did a DL. I will have to check in the A.M. for VOD.

Call Comcast if you dont have it and tell them and they will start the download immediately. Thats what happened for my new dual tuner.

Yes, I had all the channels for a few hours. They started the DL and I lost them naturally. However, the DL was only to take channels away, not to add VOD.

Just called comcast, they said VOD is being rolled out in waves, all in Tallhassee should be live by 12/12.

I then inquired about new HD channels the woman stated NBC is going to be added soon though no exact date. I hope when FOX goes HD it dows not take long for comcast to add them.


Overall the dual tuner DVR is great no complaints.

Wow, finally some good news coming through for HDTV in Tally.

NBC is a sinclair broadcasting group owned and operated station, and to my knowledge they have not made any agreements anywhere in the nation to provide HD signals to cable providers. Perhaps she said ABC? That is supposed to go HD in early 2005, but Sinclair manages that station as well.

The Fox affiliate is supposed to be up in HD in December, and there should be no issues with getting them on Comcast.

Neon

The woman I spoke with said NBC, call and see what they tell you.

Is anyone using the Comcast dual tuner HD DVR with a Panasonic Viera ED plasma? If so, what connections and settings are you using and what problems have you encountered? A long thread in the HDTV-HDTV Recorder forum talks about problems with 5.1 DD output when using HDMI/DVI connector, or the HDCP "handshake" causing problems. Also, what setting do you use to allow the Panny to stretch non-HD signals - passthrough? Thanks.

Dsmith

The guy I just spoke with at Comcast had no information regarding NBC, ABC or Fox coming on line.

He was clueless.

Neon

Yeah they are clueless there. I had to tell THEM that they had just signed a deal to broadcast NFL Network (and provide a web page)

Does anyone know who I could call in the Tallahassee area to get an HDTV antenna installed for Christmas for him? We live in Havana and he tells me that an indoor antenna will not work and I don't want him climbing around on the roof of our house! :-)

Does anyone know who I could call in the Tallahassee area to get an HDTV antenna installed for Christmas for him? We live in Havana and he tells me that an indoor antenna will not work and I don't want him climbing around on the roof of our house! :-)

Does anyone know who I could call in the Tallahassee area to get an HDTV antenna installed for Christmas for him? We live in Havana and he tells me that an indoor antenna will not work and I don't want him climbing around on the roof of our house! :-)

You've got a PM.

Thank You Derek :-}

Any updates guys? Fox, NBC, ABC?

Anyone using Voom in Tally? If so, how do you like it.

I had voom for a few months. I had all the movie channels, and there was almost always something good on in HD. Most of the "originals" channels were worthless. The only one that I watched was the one with concerts.

They certainly have more channels in HD (other than originals) than comcast - TNT HD, Bravo HD, plus ESPN.

The problem was that I still had to have another service because they lacked some important channels in SD. Check the lineup before you switch.

Overall the equipment was decent, though there was no DVR yet. They install an OTA antenna for you, but I could only pick up PBS.

I cancelled it because I moved and switched from Dish Network and Voom to Comcast with HD and the PVR on a 6 month special. I am saving about $140 a month right now, at least until the special ends. I was planning on looking at Voom again when we move in February.

Let me know if you have any specific questions...

I spoke with an engineer at Ch 27 (ABC) Monday about their audio problem (which miraculously then went away, at least for now) and I asked about HDTV. He said the HD transmitter has been ordered, should be installed in January and they should be broadcasting full power in February. I just hope Comcast picks them up right away and don't get the BS that Sinclair is giving them.

Toolman,

Thanks for the Voom comments. But now I read that Voom has problems that for me make it a poor choice. The reasons you gave for leaving are apparently costing them lots of customers.

Not sure if you have read about it anywhere, but the Sinclair issue with cable/HD seems to be a pretty big sticking issue. I also hope they can get on Comcast quickly, but do not have very high hopes.

This article about the cable system in Sacramento mentiond it:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/lifestyle/story/8147134p-9078853c.html

On other good news, Comcast has added some HD content to the On Demand system. I watched Envy (ben stiller, jack black) in HD for free yesterday. They also have some pay options. Not a lot yet, but 4 more than there were two weeks ago. At least I can confirm that the HD onDemand option works.

Question for you guys...

I had a Sanyo hdtv with built-in tuner until i recently upgraded to a plasma with no built-in tuner. since i don't have any dish or comcast hd service right now, i picked up a samsung (351?) ota tuner from circuit city to see what hd looks like on the plasma. for some reason, i'm getting cbs hd with black pillar bars on the sides - any ideas why?

my tv and the receiver seem to both use grey bars, and the picture doesn't look squeezed - it just looks like the sides have been masked off. i can't find a setting on the tv or receiver that will change it. has cbs started pillarboxing their image, or am i missing something? the stuff i was looking at was last night (monday) - including cbs miami...

thanks!

WCTV only uses 16 x 9 when they are actually doing HD. When CBS is not in HD or the station is local (they produce no HD content locally) they keep the 4 x 3 ratio to keep from showing fat people. Even when they are doing HD, the commercials are back to 4 x 3. CSI, which is real HD, looks great. (sometimes, the board op does forget to switch to the actual HD show which seems to be what happened Monday - weekend changes seem to occur sometime into the program -- but hey, this is all new stuff)
WTWC stretches everything to 16x 9 if it is not HD.
WFSU semi-stretches to 14 x 9 if not HD.
WTXL doesn't yet do HD - their very, very very low power digital is just SD.
ch 24 - SD - mono! audio (complete with hum)
Fox - tba

Enjoy your plasma!

Thanks PBSE. I had wondered if switching between 16x9 and 4x3 was a manual thing as I had observed programs starting one way, then changing (most of the time).

If we're watching something that we know should be 16x9 would you advise us giving the appropriate station a call to remind them to switch?

I wish WTWC would stretch E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. Do you think if enough of us started riding them about it they might consider changing?

(I know that they broadcast 3 x 4 on 40-2, but the quality is far inferior)

Originally posted by FaxMan
Thanks PBSE. I had wondered if switching between 16x9 and 4x3 was a manual thing as I had observed programs starting one way, then changing (most of the time).
Seems that the operator values the analog more than the digital - we'll have to put up with that for a while longer.
If we're watching something that we know should be 16x9 would you advise us giving the appropriate station a call to remind them to switch?
You can try, but no one is on the main phone line during prime time and no one publishes their direct line to the control room.
I wish WTWC would stretch E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. Do you think if enough of us started riding them about it they might consider changing?

(I know that they broadcast 3 x 4 on 40-2, but the quality is far inferior)
40-2 is SD (480i) rebroadcast of their analog. This was actually up first before they did any HD. (like WTXL now)

I don't want enything stretched by the broadcasters, I prefer to do that on my TV. However, the FCC should require all digital broadcasts be 16X9, not just HD. It will be monumentally stupid if, after everyone has a WS digital TV, we are all still looking at sidebars on SD shows. But then no one ever accused the FCC of being very smart.

Mistake in my post.

I wish WTWC would NOT stretch SD content on 40-1. That's what I'd like to lobby for.

Give me the SD content in original aspect ratio and let me decide what to do with it.

Anybody have a good contact there that might listen if enough of us spoke?


dsmith901. Wouldn't it have to be the programming producers that would have to create their programming in 16x9? I don't think that we'll be without sidebars for quite some time. Perhaps most if not all new programming will be created in 16x9, but re-runs of previously produced programming will still be 4x3.

Originally posted by FaxMan
Mistake in my post.

I wish WTWC would NOT stretch SD content on 40-1. That's what I'd like to lobby for.

Give me the SD content in original aspect ratio and let me decide what to do with it.

Anybody have a good contact there that might listen if enough of us spoke?


dsmith901. Wouldn't it have to be the programming producers that would have to create their programming in 16x9? I don't think that we'll be without sidebars for quite some time. Perhaps most if not all new programming will be created in 16x9, but re-runs of previously produced programming will still be 4x3.

You are right about the old 4:3 programs - but broadcasters are still producing new programs in that format today - even knowing they will be digitally broadcast. Right now only those intended for HD are created in the WS format. If that continues into the future, and assuming only about 1/3 of new digital programming will be broadcast in HD, that means the other 2/3 will come to us with sidebars! Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb!!!!!

News?

Fox was supposed to happen this month?

and then ABC

Yeah I thought Fox was supposed to happen too. I hope it goes digital and HD in time for the Super Bowl. I sent a couple of emails to them asking but have not gotten a response. These days thats the norm though, nobody ever responds to email :-(

You know I just don't understand this. Other Comcast cities are able to get the job done on getting all the HD channels! What in the blazes is wrong with ours?

It's all COMCAST!

Mojo, I'm in worse shape than you, living in Havana. We don't get comcast only mediacom and I have no idea when they plan to offer any type of HD programing.

Sorry, that really stinks.

I sent e-mails to ABC, NBC, and FOX asking about HD rollout...already have a reply from ABC...

"WTXL should be broadcasting in HDTV by late January/early February 2005. We are currently at reduced power for our digital output. Comcast would probably have to answer your question about when they would expect to place WTXL/HD on their HD Tier. "

I am fairly sure that the holdup getting NBC/ABC on Comcast is not really a Comcast issue. There is a known concern regarding Sinclair broadcasting (owners of both stations) and their stance on allowing cable systems to rebroadcast HD signals with no additional charge. Sinclair maintains that they should be entitled to more money, and Comcast says "no one else charges us anything, so why should we pay you".

I have heard about this in multiple markets, but I do not know if either side has made any progress toward a solution.

BTW - Sinclair is a the major sponsor of this website...http://www.myfreehdtv.org/

It's a very weird dichotomy...

The local broadcaster basically owns the eyeballs within its broadcast area. Their main source of advertising revenue is 'renting' those eyeballs to advertisers. They hold on to that ownership with iron fists. Just try to get a waiver to receive an out of market network signal via satellite. If you want to go to the trouble of putting up an antenna, they will give you their broadcast for free.

But...

They want to charge the cable companies for increasing the number of eyeballs that they can 'rent' to advertisers.


By a show of hands... If you were deciding between two shows to watch on different networks, which would your eyeballs lean toward... the one you could watch in HD or the one you could watch in Analog?


I, for one would happily rent my eyeballs back from a network if they would allow me to watch a national HD feed. (not saying its right, but it's just the way things are)

Man, I can't wait to see Jennifer Garner (Alias) in HD! It would be nice to see the SuperBowl also. HD on ESPN is outstanding.

I just spoke to the engineer at WTLH (Fox). He says that are now broadcasting in digital/HD, but at very low power. he is trying to work with the cable company to get the signal to them over Fiber-optic, but doesn't know if that will work.



After I hung up with him, I didn't know if he was talking about Tallahassee's cable company (Comcast) or Bainbridge's cable company, since the affiliate is in Bainbridge. (Maybe Comcast of Tallahassee provides service for both).

If anyone wants to follow up, his # is 850-576-4990. That is a switchboard, ask for engineering.

NeonDeion

Low Power? I wonder how low exactly. I live in Havana. I haven't attempted a channel scan or moved my antenna. Do you think it would be worth a try? Did they give a time line to higher power?

Originally posted by NeonDeion
I just spoke to the engineer at WTLH (Fox). He says that are now broadcasting in digital/HD, but at very low power. he is trying to work with the cable company to get the signal to them over Fiber-optic, but doesn't know if that will work.

After I hung up with him, I didn't know if he was talking about Tallahassee's cable company (Comcast) or Bainbridge's cable company, since the affiliate is in Bainbridge. (Maybe Comcast of Tallahassee provides service for both).

If anyone wants to follow up, his # is 850-576-4990. That is a switchboard, ask for engineering.

NeonDeion

Don't bother with OTA. FCC indicates it's 72' 1.66 kW from a tower right next to Bainbridge.

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=23486

Ah, reminds me why I DON'T like Pegasus.

- Trip

Kinda OT...................Is it just me or is email now USELESS. Nobody, I mean NOBODY responds to email anymore. ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, Sweet Spot Audio, US Digital...These are just a small list of companies I have emailed almost everyday for a month and got ZERO RESPONSE. Most of the TV Stations I emailed, I just had a few questions. The other companies, hell, I wanted to spend alot of money with them!

Kind of funny on the timing. Today, I sent an email to WTXL Ch.27 engineering an email and quickly got this reply:

"We do not have plans for increasing power yet, But we are currently
installing equipment to pass through the ABC HD."

A couple of days ago I could not get any signal from WTXL and I'm now wondering if it was because they were working on the install and temporarily stopped transmitting a digital signal. I normally get a 40 to 50 signal on my Hughes E86.

Originally posted by mahicks
Kinda OT...................Is it just me or is email now USELESS. Nobody, I mean NOBODY responds to email anymore. ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, Sweet Spot Audio, US Digital...These are just a small list of companies I have emailed almost everyday for a month and got ZERO RESPONSE. Most of the TV Stations I emailed, I just had a few questions. The other companies, hell, I wanted to spend alot of money with them!

I've found Sweet Spot AV very responsive. I never use email with him so maybe his email is down. He just finished a HAI smarthome system with touchscreens and a whole house AV system for me that went really well.

LOL....maby I should get someone to check to see if my email is getting to them! LOL..

Originally posted by mahicks
Kinda OT...................Is it just me or is email now USELESS. Nobody, I mean NOBODY responds to email anymore. ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, Sweet Spot Audio, US Digital...These are just a small list of companies I have emailed almost everyday for a month and got ZERO RESPONSE. Most of the TV Stations I emailed, I just had a few questions. The other companies, hell, I wanted to spend alot of money with them!


In order to get a reply I have to spam their inbox with my repeated message like 6 or 7 times in a row. No one answers email much like no responds to voicemail. Make sure you get a live person everytime.

I need to know if the Superbowl will be up by Feb6 in Tallahasee? These guys are slow. Jax,Orlando,Tampa all have HD in ABC,Fox, and Tnt what is the deal with Tallahassee

I need to know if the Superbowl will be up by Feb6 in Tallahasee? These guys are slow. Jax,Orlando,Tampa all have HD in ABC,Fox, and Tnt what is the deal with Tallahassee

Thats the real question isn't it? What is the deal with Tallahassee. What Do Jax, Orlando, and Tampa have that we don't?

Comcast that can get the job done apparently. Ours is unacceptable.

Originally posted by BadMojo11
Thats the real question isn't it? What is the deal with Tallahassee. What Do Jax, Orlando, and Tampa have that we don't?

Comcast that can get the job done apparently. Ours is unacceptable.

I've read the last two commments and it's really hard for me to understand why you do not know the answer to the question you asked above. I lived and went to college in Tally from 1996-2000. I lived in Jacksonville and Miami as well after I got out of college. It's very plain to see what the differences are between Tally and the cities you mentioned. For starters the Tally metro area contains about 270,000 people as opposed to Jax: 1.32 mill, O-Town: 1.65 mill, Tampa: 2.1 mill, Miami/Ft Laud/WPB: 4.8 mill. Next according to this link Nielsen DMAs (http://www.nielsenmedia.com/) : Tally is the 109th largest DMA, while Fort Myers-Naples is 68, Jacksonville is 52, Orlando is 20, Miami/FT Laud is 17th, WPB is 39th and Tampa-St Pete is 13th.

Starting with Jax and going up you are easily looking at over half the tv homes in the US. Those cities are much larger tv markets than Tally and there their station owners devote more money to them b/c they are operating in Florida's largest markets/metro areas. That is why all of the stations operating in those markets are doing hd and been do so since at least January 2002 (excluding Fort Myers; didn't start until later). Hd requires stations to spend alot of money and stations in small markets like Tally cannot do it as quickly as the larger markets. Now it does help that Fox corporate provided all of the hd equipment to its affils, so that does help to defray the costs of entry but the other affils do not use the same type of equipment, well PBS does to an extent.

Just look at the recent announcement that Directv will do hd lil 12 top markets during the summer of 05. Tampa is on that list. It will not be long before they get to the top 60 markets. Tallahassee doesn't even figure into that equation right b/c it is not a top television market. That is the bottom line. There are probably more hd viewers on one side of town in Jacksonville then there is in the whole Tally market. That is just the facts. When Tally gets larger then things will change.

Look there are restaurants (Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Magginos, Bucca De Peppo, Champps, Roy's, Bahama Breeze) and stores in some Florida cities that Tally does not have and will not have b/c the population/money isn't there. That same line of thought can be applied to the hd have-nots such as Tally and the hd haves.

Originally posted by AFH
I've read the last two commments and it's really hard for me to understand why you do not know the answer to the question you asked above. I lived and went to college in Tally from 1996-2000. I lived in Jacksonville and Miami as well after I got out of college. It's very plain to see what the differences are between Tally and the cities you mentioned. For starters the Tally metro area contains about 270,000 people as opposed to Jax: 1.32 mill, O-Town: 1.65 mill, Tampa: 2.1 mill, Miami/Ft Laud/WPB: 4.8 mill. Next according to this link Nielsen DMAs (http://www.nielsenmedia.com/) : Tally is the 109th largest DMA, while Fort Myers-Naples is 68, Jacksonville is 52, Orlando is 20, Miami/FT Laud is 17th, WPB is 39th and Tampa-St Pete is 13th.

Starting with Jax and going up you are easily looking at over half the tv homes in the US. Those cities are much larger tv markets than Tally and there their station owners devote more money to them b/c they are operating in Florida's largest markets/metro areas. That is why all of the stations operating in those markets are doing hd and been do so since at least January 2002 (excluding Fort Myers; didn't start until later). Hd requires stations to spend alot of money and stations in small markets like Tally cannot do it as quickly as the larger markets. Now it does help that Fox corporate provided all of the hd equipment to its affils, so that does help to defray the costs of entry but the other affils do not use the same type of equipment, well PBS does to an extent.

Just look at the recent announcement that Directv will do hd lil 12 top markets during the summer of 05. Tampa is on that list. It will not be long before they get to the top 60 markets. Tallahassee doesn't even figure into that equation right b/c it is not a top television market. That is the bottom line. There are probably more hd viewers on one side of town in Jacksonville then there is in the whole Tally market. That is just the facts. When Tally gets larger then things will change.

Look there are restaurants (Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Magginos, Bucca De Peppo, Champps, Roy's, Bahama Breeze) and stores in some Florida cities that Tally does not have and will not have b/c the population/money isn't there. That same line of thought can be applied to the hd have-nots such as Tally and the hd haves.

Not that I dispute your point Antonio (I'm originally from SE Fla and am well aware of the differences), but what is it that keeps you responding to this Tally thread? We must have something here that keeps your interest. From your forum tag I guess it may be the coeds?:D

Originally posted by sfoltz
Not that I dispute your point Antonio (I'm originally from SE Fla and am well aware of the differences), but what is it that keeps you responding to this Tally thread? We must have something here that keeps your interest. From your forum tag I guess it may be the coeds?:D

Just trying to lend some friendly advise! ;)

Originally posted by NeonDeion
I just spoke to the engineer at WTLH (Fox). He says that are now broadcasting in digital/HD, but at very low power. he is trying to work with the cable company to get the signal to them over Fiber-optic, but doesn't know if that will work.



After I hung up with him, I didn't know if he was talking about Tallahassee's cable company (Comcast) or Bainbridge's cable company, since the affiliate is in Bainbridge. (Maybe Comcast of Tallahassee provides service for both).

If anyone wants to follow up, his # is 850-576-4990. That is a switchboard, ask for engineering.

NeonDeion

Would it be better to get Direct Tv in this area? Comcast and local Tv around Tallahassee are slacking...bad

if the local affiliate isn't trasmitting in HD, then satellite coverage won't make a difference, since satellite's provision of local channels is from the same affiliate.

Comcast works quite well in Tallahassee. It is the local stations that are owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcasting, that are the real problem.

Neon

Originally posted by NeonDeion
if the local affiliate isn't trasmitting in HD, then satellite coverage won't make a difference, since satellite's provision of local channels is from the same affiliate.

Comcast works quite well in Tallahassee. It is the local stations that are owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcasting, that are the real problem.

Neon



I see no FOX listed as a Sinclair issue. Also note NBC is said to be HDTV ready, ABC is not.

www.sbgi.net/business/markets/tallahassee.shtml

I got this reply from CH. 27's engineering dept. in response to my inquiry on HDTV live date: "It's looking like the week of the 24th but it depends if all the equipment comes in by then. Still a few items we're waiting on." I'm not holding my breath, but maybe there's light at the end of the tunnel. for at least OTA ABC hidef.

As to Fox, I guess I'm one of the few getting the hidef feeds from DirecTV. Sooner or later I'm expecting them to be shut off.

I called Comcast today about any future HD channels. This first person I talked to was in Philly and couldn't tell me anything then transfered me back to Tallahassee and that person didn't even know what HD was.

I was wondering if someone with better contacts has any updates.

Thanks,

Fred

Fox is not a sinclair issue. They just started broadcasting, at low power, and are trying to provide their signal to comcast via fiber optic cable. It is not a question of finances between the affiliate and comcast, unlike the NBC and ABC affiliates which are owned or operated by Sinclair.

Sinclair Broadcasting is the devil. For some odd reason, their business model is based on trying to limit the # of persons who will watch their stations.

Neon

Does anyone know when Fox will be providing a signal that someone might actually be able to pick up over the air?

Just a quick survey:
1. Where do you live?
2. Whats your antenna setup?
3. What channels do you consistently receive?

1. I live in Havana.
2. Terk HDTVS (squareshooter) at 10'
3. PBS and CBS

Originally posted by NeonDeion
For some odd reason, their business model is based on trying to limit the # of persons who will watch their stations.
Neon LOL

Originally posted by mahicks
Just a quick survey:
1. Where do you live?
2. Whats your antenna setup?
3. What channels do you consistently receive?

1. Tallahassee, Northshire Subdivision
2. Do not know the brand of antenna (a neighbor gave it to me), but its an old-fashioned VHF/UHF model. I use it with a Channel Master rotor. I have it mounted above my chimney.
3. ABC (usually solid, but not in hi-def yet), CBS (solid), PBS (solid), NBC (solid), UPN (usually some glitches, also not in hi-def).

Of course I have to use the rotor to pull in all the channels.

I live in Goose Creek off Buck Lake Rd. (near Pedrick/Buck Lake Elementary). I am using the Terk TV44 antenna that clips onto the DirecTV dish. I get CBS strong most of the time, NBC strong and ABC strong. I don't PBS or UPN...I am probably going to get a better antenna and mount it in the attic to see if I can do better.

My parents live in Moore Pond off Ox Bottom and they are also using the Terk TV44 clip on antenna and they get NBC strong and CBS sometimes....their problem (at least with CBS) is that their signal is too strong. I had to put an attenuator to get CBS to come in.

Both of us are using the HD DirecTivo. My parents also have a Samsung SIR-TS160 and a Sony HD-200 and they both get CBS much stronger.

Man...I can't wait for ABC and Fox to go on-line HD OTA! Who would have ever thought Tallahassee would have all its networks in HD anytime soon?

Originally posted by NeonDeion
Fox is not a sinclair issue. They just started broadcasting, at low power, and are trying to provide their signal to comcast via fiber optic cable. It is not a question of finances between the affiliate and comcast, unlike the NBC and ABC affiliates which are owned or operated by Sinclair.

Sinclair Broadcasting is the devil. For some odd reason, their business model is based on trying to limit the # of persons who will watch their stations.

Neon

I've emailed again to see what the deal was. I have yet to get a response if they are digital right now why can't they be up by the Superbowl?

The issue with the FOX affiliate is providing their signal to comcast. Comcast picks up the CBS signal OTA, but the Fox signal is pretty weak to begin with, and is not coming from Tallahassee, but from Bainbridge, GA. So, they are trying to set up a system where comcast gets the signal via fiber optic cable. When I last talked to the engineer at WTLH about 2 weeks ago, he was still waiting to hear from comcast if they could do that.
He wasn't optimistic it could be done for the Super bowl, but didn't rule it out either.

I will try to follow up.

Neon

Originally posted by mahicks
Does anyone know when Fox will be providing a signal that someone might actually be able to pick up over the air?

The most specific response I could get from FOX is...

'The high power build-out will be in Metcalf and must be complete by June 2006. I hope our company will forge ahead before then'

I talked to the engineer at WTLH (Fox affiliate). He is still waiting on comcast to get back to them regarding the fiber optic cable. WTLH's OTA signal is too weak for comcast to pick up.

There is some good news. The ABC affiliate will be up and broadcasting in HD by the end of the first quarter. And even though they are operated by Sinclair, they are not owned by Sinclair AND WILL BE PROVIDING THEIR SIGNAL TO COMCAST!!!!

Neon

Originally posted by mahicks
Just a quick survey:
1. Where do you live?
2. Whats your antenna setup?
3. What channels do you consistently receive?



1. Killearn Lakes
2. Megawave amplified set-top antenna.
3. Consistently receive PBS, NBC, CBS (spotty at times because either the signal may be a little to strong in my area)

Receiving DTV via E* 921HD-PVR

Originally posted by NeonDeion
I talked to the engineer at WTLH (Fox affiliate). He is still waiting on comcast to get back to them regarding the fiber optic cable. WTLH's OTA signal is too weak for comcast to pick up.

There is some good news. The ABC affiliate will be up and broadcasting in HD by the end of the first quarter. And even though they are operated by Sinclair, they are not owned by Sinclair AND WILL BE PROVIDING THEIR SIGNAL TO COMCAST!!!!

Neon

This is good news, I just wish they would do it by February - a sweeps month. Maybe ABC being HD on comcast will put pressure on NBC to do the same. If not, no problem for me since I hardly ever watch NBC anyway. But I am eager to see "Lost" and "Alias" in HD. Now if we can just get WB and UPN to go HD.

What is stopping ESPN2HD?

I don't know what is holding it up, but it is not a Tallahassee issue. As far as I know, ESPN2HD is not anywhere on cable or satellite.

Neon

Does anyone pickup UPN or ABC consistantly? If so what are you using to get it?

I just obtained a OTA Samsung Receiver and indoor antenna. All I can get are PBS and CBS in my apartment near Southwood. The best I can do is amplified indoor.

From what I understand, I cannot use this receiver to view the HDTV over Comcast cable. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think you have to get digital cable to be able to see these HDTV channels? If anyone has it, would that person care to elaborate?

I can't wait to see my first HDTV NFL game tomorrow!

This is the email repsonse I got.

We currently run a low power for Bainbridge, which is our city of service.
The cost of adding the additional full power transmitter for HD is
formidable, but will be accomplished by mid 2006. All 3 markets you name
are bigger and they were mandated by the FCC to be ready by June of this
year and that's why they are already up. So to answer your question, I'm
sorry to say we will not be HD here in Tallahassee by Super Bowl Sunday. We
are working with Comcast to add HD to the cable system in the near future.
Thanks for your interest and again sorry it's taking so long....Mike Brown,
CE...


MID '06 that is another complete football season gone! Tallahassee is garbage and very very slow responding to anything technological:mad:

This is the email repsonse I got.

We currently run a low power for Bainbridge, which is our city of service.
The cost of adding the additional full power transmitter for HD is
formidable, but will be accomplished by mid 2006. All 3 markets you name
are bigger and they were mandated by the FCC to be ready by June of this
year and that's why they are already up. So to answer your question, I'm
sorry to say we will not be HD here in Tallahassee by Super Bowl Sunday. We
are working with Comcast to add HD to the cable system in the near future.
Thanks for your interest and again sorry it's taking so long....Mike Brown,
CE...


MID '06 that is another complete football season gone! Tallahassee is garbage and very very slow responding to anything technological:mad:

This is the email repsonse I got.

We currently run a low power for Bainbridge, which is our city of service.
The cost of adding the additional full power transmitter for HD is
formidable, but will be accomplished by mid 2006. All 3 markets you name
are bigger and they were mandated by the FCC to be ready by June of this
year and that's why they are already up. So to answer your question, I'm
sorry to say we will not be HD here in Tallahassee by Super Bowl Sunday. We
are working with Comcast to add HD to the cable system in the near future.
Thanks for your interest and again sorry it's taking so long....Mike Brown,
CE...


MID '06 that is another complete football season gone! Tallahassee is garbage and very very slow responding to anything technological:mad:

Hey, at least FOX is working with Comcast to provide a solution. I suspect you will see FOX on comcast by this summer.

Neon

Originally posted by mahicks
Does anyone pickup UPN or ABC consistantly? If so what are you using to get it?
As posted above, I get ABC with an old-fashioned vhf/uhf antenna that is mounted on the chimney. I also use a rotor. The local OTA ABC is a bit sharper than DirecTV so I most often watch it when using my projector. Right now I'm watching the Rockets-Heat game and its been solid (but only registering a "55" on the signal meter of my Hughes E86).

UPN occasionally comes in solid, but since I get it through DirecTV and the local is not in hidef, I usually don't bother with it.

Are you getting the HD feed from the ABC affiliate over the air? Or are you just talking about the SD feed?

As I posted earlier, they are supposed to be transmitting in HD before the end of March in 2005, but I had heard that it may be much earlier than that.

Thanks,
Neon

Unfortunately, its only standard definition. The engineer that e-mailed me said he was waiting on one piece of equipment. Unless, beaten to to it, I will post here when it goes hi-def.

Is it hopeless? Are we all destined to watch the Super Bowl in awful SD?

Will we gouge out our eyeballs in anguish?

BadMojo,

I think your correct. Since I only live 17 miles from the current Bainbridge tower, you think I'd get a "blip" from my receiver. Well, I don't even get that. Oh well, I guess I'll just gripe and say "Gheesh, You'd think we'd get better DTV and HDTV from the *&&%&^%$%$*&* freeking capitol of the D@MN state!!."

I moved here after Thanksgiving and signed up for Comcast. It's a little disappointing in the HD department. The Superbowl thing is very hard to take too. But, at least it looks as though there may be a little hope on the horizon. Thanks to all for your posts that have helped me get up to date on the progress.

Looks like ABC is going live with HDTV in Tallahassee. I have 27-1 locked in a 16:9 aspect ratio (picture is squashed) and now have a 27-2 that is in 4:3. Its interesting to note that 27-1 has its call letters as WTXLDT and 27-2 is WTXL SD (standard definition I guess). It seems that our local ABC station is going the same route as NBC.

Originally posted by BadMojo11
Is it hopeless? Are we all destined to watch the Super Bowl in awful SD?

Will we gouge out our eyeballs in anguish?
So am I the ONLY one in Tallahassee that will legally get the Superbowl in hidef? There must be others that have the national Fox feeds from D*?!

Scott, could you please put your address on your profile so I can come to your house and watch in with you? LOL...I could bring the wife and kids, it could be a great outing..LOL...

Yes I think your the only one! I envy you.....I worship you! LOL.

Also Scott, Have you noticed if the signal strength has increased? Maby they got their more powerful transmitter up and running so I can get it in Havana??

Also Scott,
As far as ABC goes.
Have you noticed if the signal strength has increased? Maby they got their more powerful transmitter up and running so I can get it in Havana??

You guys are welcome to come to my HD Super Bowl Party.

Originally posted by mahicks
Also Scott,
As far as ABC goes.
Have you noticed if the signal strength has increased? Maby they got their more powerful transmitter up and running so I can get it in Havana??
Unfortunately, the power has not been increased and the WTXL engineer did not know when it would be. I e-mailed him tonight and will ask him again if he replies.

Originally posted by DerekFSU
You guys are welcome to come to my HD Super Bowl Party.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5117063#post5117063

Very gracious of you. So how are you getting the feed? Are you grandfathered in like me or are you a "Canadian" or have you "moved?"

Who cares how he gets the feed? (Although I believe I read that he "lives" in J-ville or something.) He's got the Superbowl in HD!! I actually haven't met one new person since I moved here before Christmas but I think I'd like to start with Derek. My brother (huge FSU fan/alum and brains behind footballhotseat.com) and I were just talking about going to Clearwater for the game.

Slightly off topic, but being new in Tally I was hoping somebody could tell me where to get a second TV. I put the Hitachi 51" in the living room and want a 42-47" for the corner of the family room. I was disappointed with the selection of budget priced selections from the big-box stores. I was actually thinking of paying for shipping on a Toshiba from a refurb place. Do you think I missed anyplace local? Thanks!

$2k gets you a 42 Panny 7uy plasma.

Anyone who wants to join us for the game is more than welcome. PM me your email and I'll send you the info.

Originally posted by kaneboats
Slightly off topic, but being new in Tally I was hoping somebody could tell me where to get a second TV. I put the Hitachi 51" in the living room and want a 42-47" for the corner of the family room. I was disappointed with the selection of budget priced selections from the big-box stores. I was actually thinking of paying for shipping on a Toshiba from a refurb place. Do you think I missed anyplace local? Thanks!


How much are you willing to spend? I have 38 inch Loewe Aconda that has two year warranty. Plenty of reviews on this site.

www.loewe.us.com

Thanks for the suggestion but I found a Hitachi 46F500 cheap in Bainbridge last night that was too good to pass up. I can't seem to get away from the RPTV's. Let the tweaking begin- again.

Last night I was told someone in Tally picked up ABC in Hi-def on their OTA tuner, presumably during a test. The source was not 100% reliable, but has anyone here seen their HD signal yet?

See post #219 in this thread.
(I haven't tried yet)

Originally posted by dsmith901
Last night I was told someone in Tally picked up ABC in Hi-def on their OTA tuner, presumably during a test. The source was not 100% reliable, but has anyone here seen their HD signal yet?
Its been live since Feb. 3 and its in hidef. I get it reliably with an old fashioned vhf-uhf antenna with a rotor that is mounted on my chimney. I haven't watched any shows completely through, but when I had it on it seemed stable.

I received this e-mal from the station's engineer the evening of the 3rd:

"Yes, we just got our last piece of gear we were waiting for today. We started today upconverting our local programming and tomorrow night we will have HDTV from ABC. I check AVS occaionaly and noticed that people seen it right away. Thanks for your input. I've acctually had viewers request the aspect both ways on WTWC."

This was in response to my e-mail stating I would like to have OAR (i.e., 4:3 material would have side bars) on the hidef channel.

Originally posted by FaxMan
See post #219 in this thread.
(I haven't tried yet)

John, you beat me to it!

Yes, I checked it out and ch-22 is on with real HD, just low power which causes my reception to come and go enough to make it hard to watch.
I also noticed that WCTV has finally changed their PSIP to show 6-1 instead of 46-1 like it had been doing.
BUT. I seem to no longer be able to get WTWC-40 HD. I don't show any signal at all. Is that just me (meaning I have to climb up on the roof) or is it gone now?

Originally posted by PBSengineer
I seem to no longer be able to get WTWC-40 HD. I don't show any signal at all. Is that just me (meaning I have to climb up on the roof) or is it gone now?
I'm still getting the HD feed at a "100" on the meter. For some reason, I recently had to do a rescan to get the channel in on my Hughes receiver. My Samsung seems not to "lose" channels like my Hughes occasionaly does. What receiver are you using?

I have some news for you about WTWC. I know how much everyone LOVES their huge antennas for channel 2, LOL.

Sinclair has elected to move WTWC back to 40 when the digital conversion is over.

- Trip

Originally posted by sfoltz
I'm still getting the HD feed at a "100" on the meter. For some reason, I recently had to do a rescan to get the channel in on my Hughes receiver. My Samsung seems not to "lose" channels like my Hughes occasionaly does. What receiver are you using?

Twas my problem: let's just say that there were cats involved. I can receive WTWC-DT again. Now if FOX & ABC would just increase their power.

Originally posted by Trip in VA
I have some news for you about WTWC. I know how much everyone LOVES their huge antennas for channel 2, LOL.

Sinclair has elected to move WTWC back to 40 when the digital conversion is over.

- Trip

WooHooo! No VHF in Tallahassee!

I can probably live with my less than perfect set-top rather than investing in a big low-band VHF.

Am I correct that this should happen sometime mid 2006?

So when will ABC be HD on Comcast?

Originally posted by FaxMan
WooHooo! No VHF in Tallahassee!

I can probably live with my less than perfect set-top rather than investing in a big low-band VHF.

Am I correct that this should happen sometime mid 2006?

Thank you. I needed a good laugh. Heh, heh.
According to the original plan, all stations would turn back one channel and be only digital at the end of 2006 OR when 85% of the their audience can receive digital signals (Comcast counts). But - a BIG but - the NAB has lobbied successfully to push this back to maybe 2009 or further.
Bear in mind that all TV stations were supposed to be broadcasting digital by May 1, 2003.

I read with interest the posts from ABC's local engineers. I would also like to chime in favor of OAR. PBS is often unwatchable to me with their stretch and squeeze non-HD content. CBS has done a great job of using OAR. Just remind your execs that CBS has been snatching viewers in this valuable demographics, AV Junkies, by going HD and offering the broadcast for free on Comcast. Besides I can't wait to watch Lost in HD, and when college football starts - I'll be able to convert everyone I know to jump on the HD bandwagon! Thanks for all your efforts.

Brian

All of the final channel elections are in! Here's the info:

WCTV-46
WFSU-32
WTLF-24
WTXL-27
WTWC-40
WTLH-49
WFXU-48

- Trip

I spoke with the station manager at ABC (WTXL) on Friday.
They just started HD transmission this week, at low power.

They have not yet approached comcast about getting them the HD signal, and beginning negotiations, but that should happen soon. He was optimistic they would reach an agreement.

He did not know if Comcast would be able to pick up their current signal, given its low power. Do any of the engineers in this thread have the answer to that question?

I know Comcast cannot pick up Fox's signal (also low power), and Fox has approached Comcast about running some fiber optic lines to get them the signal. Last I heard, Comcast had not yet responded to Fox on that matter. If Comcast cannot pick up the ABC signal, then they may need to go fiber optic on that route as well.

Anyone with better info?

Neon

Originally posted by NeonDeion
I spoke with the station manager at ABC (WTXL) on Friday.
They just started HD transmission this week, at low power.

They have not yet approached comcast about getting them the HD signal, and beginning negotiations, but that should happen soon. He was optimistic they would reach an agreement.

He did not know if Comcast would be able to pick up their current signal, given its low power. Do any of the engineers in this thread have the answer to that question?

I know Comcast cannot pick up Fox's signal (also low power), and Fox has approached Comcast about running some fiber optic lines to get them the signal. Last I heard, Comcast had not yet responded to Fox on that matter. If Comcast cannot pick up the ABC signal, then they may need to go fiber optic on that route as well.

Anyone with better info?

Neon

Comcast needs to get on the damn ball! They are running a monopoly here in Tally, If time warner and others were here they would be moving much faster than this.:mad:

I don't understand how any of this relates to comcast not doing something. The conversion to digital/HDTV is something that the broadcasters do, not the stations.

The provision of the HDTV signal from the NBC affiliate is a sinclair issue, not a comcast issue.

The fact that FOX and ABC are trasmitting at very low power is not comcast's fault. Assuming they work with the stations to set up fiber optics, I don't see what the issue is.

I've been quite pleased with what comcast has done so far. Moreover, I think the broadcasters in Tallahassee have been quite progressive in their conversion to digital/HD, given our market size.

Neon

I agree this is not a comcast problem Neon. But I totally disagree with you on the Networks. Tallahassee/Thomasville is a top 200 market. If you look at all the other top 250 markets, you will see that they have much higher power, more complete coverage of the networks, and most have been up MUCH longer than those here. In a nutshell, I feel the progress is piss poor, but I don't blame the networks....There is ALOT of other things about Tallahassee that I find to be piss poor and behind the times LOL :-)

I was not talking just Fox or Abc/ NBC. Or maybe I am in that Comcast has not provided a response to Fox getting anything over Fiber optics. Like I said before if there were other cable companies competing in this market, comcast would double their efforts in getting something done. I feel like they move slow just because they can.

What about Comcast carrying your normal cable in HD? TNT,UPN,Espn2 etc? Who gets the blame in that?

I think David is correct that Comcast would do more if there was competition. My inlaws live in Panama City and I know it got digital cable way before Tallahassee (I haven't checked into PC's hdtv) and its a much smaller market. What's the difference? There's another cable alternative.

I also have a "personal grudge" against Comcast. My neighborhood, Northshire, was finally wired for cable. I even have a cable box at the front of my property that only serves my lot. However, when I tried to get a hookup, Comcast says I'm unserviceable because I live too far off the road and its too expensive to hook up (I live approx. 400 ft. off the road). I tried a second time and offered to run the rg6 line myself and was turned down. Both times I asked for service, I asked that I be contacted when the rep came out. Both times I found out the rep was there by finding a tag on my door that said unserviceable. Now I'm listed in the Comcast computer as "unserviceable" and cannot get an explanation of why the box was installed on an improved property, but won't hook me up. Its really sad. :mad: