Hi all I just got that Samsung 260 receiver, hooked it up to a transformer from my Sega Genesis, a three foot antenna i took from my old radio, and a three foot piece of copper wire. I can get 20 channels! The only problem is I have major major trouble getting channel 8.... I was finally able to get it by shortening the radio antenna, poitning it a certain way, and standing in a certain spot in the room, and it still was pretty lousy... but at least I could watch the Office (with tons of dropouts). I live in 33615, and it basically agrees with the antennaweb list, with channel 8 being listed close to the bottom. What should I do to get channel 8? Also channel 66 comes in loud and clear on analog but I cant seem to pick up the digital signal. Will one of those 30 dollar antennas from walmart do anything more than my ghetto rig? Outdoor antenna isnt an option, but I do have a tiny screened patio facing north that I might be able to put something in. My ghetto antenna is in the window sill which faces south and is pointing straight east and west.

Drinklime, if you look on a map of the area you may find that you are in the shadow of the downtown buildings from the Boyette antenna farms. There is a bad ghost area that extends from downtown to the WNW where multipath is a problem. Sometimes you can get better reception with a lower antenna that will receive lower levels of the reflected signals. Try connecting the antenna to an analog TV and see if there are any ghosts on ch 8. If so, tune your antenna for the minimum ghost and then try the digital signal. Remove any pre-amps for the test, since ch 8 is very powerful.
If you absolutely had to get ch 8, depending on the # of ghosts, then maybe you could get a highly directional antenna and aim it at a reflected signal away from downtown and towards the stadium/airport/westshore directions.

Hooked my 260; 25 channels. no 8, 10 or 13. tried several different heights. My biggest problem is when using component cables the picture has the pinkish overlay from the menu. Is this unit defective? The picture using s-video is perfect and using rca is perfect.

I bought a inline amplifier and it cancelled all reception hooked up both ways.

Oh wow, I just hooked up the 260 to the coax, and I get most of the OTA channels over QAM... the only problem is the 260 only lets you enter 3 digits for the subchannel, when some have 5 digits, so I cant add certain channels. Also the 260 ended up adding about 200 channels although most were blank. I think this QAM gets me all what I was wanting from OTA... now the question is, for QAM, do I really benefit from having this Samsung or should I get something cheaper? What else is there for QAM reception?

Outdoor antenna isnt an option, but I do have a tiny screened patio facing north that I might be able to put something in. My ghetto antenna is in the window sill which faces south and is pointing straight east and west.What is your limitation on outdoor antennas?

My biggest problem is when using component cables the picture has the pinkish overlay from the menu. Is this unit defective? The picture using s-video is perfect and using rca is perfect. That clearly isn't right...my first guess is that you've got the YPbPr component video output from the STB connected to an RGB input on your display. My second guess would be to check and see if your display has separate video controls for the component input(s) and that perhaps you've got the hue / tint set wrong on this particular input.

I bought a inline amplifier and it cancelled all reception hooked up both ways.Unless you are suffering from signal overload that doesn't sound right either.

Any updated information on when Pinellas county will start getting FIOS?

I'm in St. Petersburg, North of Central Avenue. Roughly 22nd avenue and 49th street North.

Thanks!

Even though there is some fiber already in the ground in North and Central Pinellas FiOS deployment in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and other cities has been hampered by the lack of franchises - some municipalities are more willing that others to let in new providers (can you say "bureaucrat"?).

Now that Governor Crist has signed the Consumer Choice Act of 2007 (effective May 18, 2007) things should speed up a bit.

Let this be a lesson to the bureaucrats in the cities and to the oligopoly cable companies. Competition is a wonderful thing.

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=35045&

OK, this is an odd one (at least for me). I have Brighthouse with a Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR hooked via HDMI to a Samsung 61" display. All of my HD channels appear correctly except occasionally TNT. Most TNT programing displays properly in full 16:9 ratio; however, shows will often come across in HD but in a 4:3 ratio that is stretched across the full 16:9 screen. I have to switch my display to 4:3 for proper display. This never happens with any of the other channels, other signals broadcast in 4:3 ratio (such as many commercials and older movies) display properly and I never have to switch the TV from 16:9 to 4:3.

Interestingly enough, the TNT logo ("TNT" in the center of a circle) which is always on the screen displays properly (the circle is a true circle) with my TV set to 16:9 but the picture is stretched. When I switch my TV to 4:3 the picture is correct but the TNT logo is compressed. Also, I've noticed a bit of "waviness" to the picture where it appears the picture is not consistent from side to side. If the camera pans across an object the object will slightly widen or narrow at certain spots on the screen sort of like the Panorama setting in which the sides are stretched but the center of the picture is not. This is not as extreme as the Panorama setting but is noticible.

So, if the broadcast signal is 16:9 why is the picture stretched from 4:3 and why is this only on TNT? Why would newer HD broadcasts be 4:3 and why do they display as stretched? Anyone else seeing this with BH TNT broadcasts?

I just lost many of the local channels over QAM through brighthouse. Anyone know what's going on?

---------------

hmm, its been a few hours, but theyre back now. I cant figure out if its my Samsung H260F or brighthouse.

What's up with channel 10-HD on DirecTV? Has said "Sorry..." for the last two days. It would be "nice" to get it. Anyone know why they are so sorry?

What's up with channel 10-HD on DirecTV? Has said "Sorry..." for the last two days. It would be "nice" to get it. Anyone know why they are so sorry?

Mine says:

No need to call us -

Your station is working to restore their signal as soon as possible
This TV station is having technical difficulties

I am receiving the analog Ch 10 tho. I scanned it on my tv tuners and they wouldnt pick it up either So its definitely coming from the station.

Mine says:

No need to call us -

Your station is working to restore their signal as soon as possible
This TV station is having technical difficulties

I am receiving the analog Ch 10 tho. I scanned it on my tv tuners and they wouldnt pick it up either So its definitely coming from the station.

Yep. That's what mine says too actually...

So, what gives? Did Channel 10-HD blow a fuse? Did someone fall asleep at the switch? Did they forget to pay their power bill? Or, what?

Since there is "no need to call us" --- what do we do? Just do without until they correct their "technical difficulties"? At least they are "working to restore their signal as soon as possible". Most unimpressive!

What fun... Select a "Now Playing" recording on Channel 10 and watch an hour long display of "No need to call us". I already know how the program will end... This puts a whole new meaning on Re-Runs.

Does anyone know what's up with this? I noticed it a few days ago... I'd say it's more than just a difficulty, more like a complete failure? Of course, as you correctly pointed out, their analog signal is working. So, it's just us HD customers who are affected... Let's see, I pay extra to get HD but...

So much for the old "The Show Must Go On". Perhaps the difficulties will be corrected by this fall?

:mad:

Cable is in the ground here in Dunedin 34698. We are waiting for FiOS availability. Cable installers said it would be available in weeks. However, report in The Tampa Trib in early May indicates it could be fall before contracts with municipalities give the official go-ahead. So it is a matter of time. Best way to know is to grab the agenda from your local municipalities meetings and see when they are bringing FiOS contracts to the table. It will be in a public meeting. You can also call your mayor/commissioners once a week to find out if the item is agenda-ed yet. I would do that. Faster, and it makes them earn their money....

Here is a snippet from the May 11 Trib article:

"Verizon's project in Pinellas will expand quickly, Verizon spokesman Bob Elek said.

In the first eight months, Verizon told county officials to expect about 300 miles of trench digging to serve 5,000 households, starting at the northern-most portion of Pinellas: in Tarpon Springs, Dunedin and Countryside. Verizon chose that area because it is already building a fiber-optic network in Pasco County that stretches south across the border into Pinellas.

Plans are still in development, but the peak of construction could come in August. Work will last several years, with hundreds of workers digging trenches for fiber-optic lines.

Generally, residents can expect that once Verizon installs the orange conduits, the company could start offering cable TV service in 120 to 180 days. However, that schedule can vary widely because Verizon needs permission from local governments to sell cable TV service. Authorization has taken a year or more in some cities. "

Who can give a good suggestion on finding an antenna installer who can put up a stable, secure, high-wind-resistant (get the picture) OTA antenna in ZIP Code 34698 (Dunedin)? We are willing to pay a quality installer who will warrant and maintain his work. Waiting for FiOS and tired of the indoor antenna adjustments...... TIA

(excerpted) "Generally, residents can expect that once Verizon installs the orange conduits, the company could start offering cable TV service in 120 to 180 days. However, that schedule can vary widely because Verizon needs permission from local governments to sell cable TV service. Authorization has taken a year or more in some cities. "The quoted article is out of date.

Verizon needs local municipality permits for right-of-way construction and there are a few other small details to be worked out, but "permission from local governments to sell cable TV service" is no longer required. Thanks to the legislature and Gov. Crist.

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0529er.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0529&Session=2007

Yep. That's what mine says too actually...

So, what gives? Did Channel 10-HD blow a fuse? Did someone fall asleep at the switch? Did they forget to pay their power bill? Or, what?

Since there is "no need to call us" --- what do we do? Just do without until they correct their "technical difficulties"? At least they are "working to restore their signal as soon as possible". Most unimpressive!

What fun... Select a "Now Playing" recording on Channel 10 and watch an hour long display of "No need to call us". I already know how the program will end... This puts a whole new meaning on Re-Runs.

Does anyone know what's up with this? I noticed it a few days ago... I'd say it's more than just a difficulty, more like a complete failure? Of course, as you correctly pointed out, their analog signal is working. So, it's just us HD customers who are affected... Let's see, I pay extra to get HD but...

So much for the old "The Show Must Go On". Perhaps the difficulties will be corrected by this fall?

:mad:

Planned outage.

http://www.tampahdtv.com/tpahd-vb/showthread.php?t=23265

Planned outage.

http://www.tampahdtv.com/tpahd-vb/showthread.php?t=23265

Thanks for that info Bschneider. Not that it makes all right with the world... :)

So, maybe they will be back on-the-air on the 6th? Strange that only OTA and satellite broadcasts are interrupted while cable is unaffected... My tough luck, and yet another reason to wish that Verizon would run their FIOS the 100 yards from the street to my house. Maybe someday... when pigs fly?

Thanks again.

Strange that only OTA and satellite broadcasts are interrupted while cable is unaffected... My tough luck, and yet another reason to wish that Verizon would run their FIOS the 100 yards from the street to my house. Maybe someday... when pigs fly?

It just so happens that Satellite gets it signal OTA too, in fact I am surprised BHN isn't affected. I knew they were talking about getting a direct feed, obviously they got one.

In some markets DirecTV gets feeds directly from the stations and in Tampa they do for SD channels, but for whatever reason in Tampa DirecTV gets their HD feeds via OTA. Of course the crappy part is they are forced to re-encode channels 10's already over compressed OTA singal instead of compressing the original high bit rate singal straight from the source.

I actually asked the CTO of DirecTV about this in an Interview, he didn't really answer the question though.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/01/11/the-engadget-hd-interview-directvs-cto-re-hd-lite/

It just so happens that Satellite gets it signal OTA too, in fact I am surprised BHN isn't affected. I knew they were talking about getting a direct feed, obviously they got one.

In some markets DirecTV gets feeds directly from the stations and in Tampa they do for SD channels, but for whatever reason in Tampa DirecTV gets their HD feeds via OTA. Of course the crappy part is they are forced to re-encode channels 10's already over compressed OTA singal instead of compressing the original high bit rate singal straight from the source.

I actually asked the CTO of DirecTV about this in an Interview, he didn't really answer the question though.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/01/11/the-engadget-hd-interview-directvs-cto-re-hd-lite/


Very interesting? Contrary to some posters, I thought the questions you asked were on point. I am rather surprised that Rômulo Pontual (Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of DirecTV) granted you the interview in the first place... He must have believed he could fool all of the people all of the time? I do enjoy seeing how people dodge questions and how effective they are at obfuscation. This guy was pretty good at both...

I won't beat the dead horse (DirecTV) much. The current situation speaks for itself? Cable subscribers are watching Channel 10... DirecTV subscribers (myself included) are not. I can state unequivocably that the picture quality of the "No need to call us" screen is not very good. In fact it gets quite tiresome after a few days? :rolleyes:

Anybody know what the construction at Channel 10 involves? Channel 10 seems to be taking a quite a leisurely approach to it?

I'll just keep waiting (impatiently) to be hooked up to FIOS. It will be so gratifying to cease doing business with D*.

Anybody know what the construction at Channel 10 involves? Channel 10 seems to be taking a quite a leisurely approach to it.Yes, they do. WTSP-DT built a new 1500' tower in Holiday. You'd think they could have completed the new tower and then in a couple of days moved the digital antenna and RF gear. Maybe they wanted to re-use a bunch of their old hardware.

Anyway, here's some video of the new tower construction.

mms://wm.wtsp.gannett.edgestreams.net/news/200706/06/new antenna.wmv

I'll just keep waiting (impatiently) to be hooked up to FIOS. It will be so gratifying to cease doing business with D*.

Hi All,

I could use some advice on switching services.

Back in September 2006 I received an email solicitation from an on-line retailer to purchase the new DIRECTV HD-DVR. Currently I'm on my third HD TiVo. (The first two had bad hard drives.) Although its HDMI connection failed, the third HD TiVo has been holding up and providing good service on component video....knock wood, so I'm rather satisfied with it. I also have an old RCA HD DirecTV receiver and a standard definition RCA DirecTV receiver.

Have the new DirecTV MPEG4 DVRs worked out all their early problems?

Do they compare favorably with the HD TiVos?

I live in Sarasota, Florida and I'm interested in getting "local" HD stations (which I understand is the Tampa market). However, so far I haven't gone to the trouble of getting an outside OTA antenna to use with my current DirecTV receivers, mostly because I don't want to deal with the monstrously large antenna that would be necessary to pull in those distant Tampa stations.

Am I correct that the new HD DVR with the new dish would provide Sarasota with local (i.e. Tampa) HD stations without the need for an outside OTA antenna?

I know that MPEG4 will eventually replace MPEG2 and therefore my current HD tuners will at some unknown time in the future have to be upgraded. However, with the possible exception of local HD stations, and perhaps the ability to store more hours of MPEG4 content (50 hours versus 30 hours) I'm not aware of any obvious advantages of switching to the new HD DVR. Am I missing any other important considerations?

Would I have to immediately switch all my DirecTV receivers to new MPEG4 receivers if I replaced my HD TiVo in my home theater with a new HD DVR and had the new dish installed? I also have an old HDTV in my family room. It has RGBHV type high definition inputs, a type of VGA connection. Current HD receivers including the new DirecTV HD DVR don't provide suitable connections, so I would have to purchase some sort of transcoder to go from component video to VGA and hoped it would work.

Recently Verizon installed FiOS in our subdivision, but it hasn't been activated yet. Their new HD DVR seems to be having its share of problems as they rollout the new service. Can anyone share their experiences in switching from DirecTV to FiOS TV?

Verizon interests me because they are "promising" new interesting services, such as distributing HD programming recorded on an HD DVR to other HD receivers on a home network, and higher quality signals. Also I would be able to upgrade my Verizon DSL Internet service, and I believe I would receive a discount in switching my Verizon land line to a FiOS bundle of services.

The downside of going with Verizon is the crudeness of their new HD DVR, ongoing rollout problems, and the fact I would have to junk my DirecTV receivers and buy a transcoder to attach my old HDTV.

Is Verizon currently offering more HD stations than DirecTV?

In summary, should I:


Stay with my current DirecTV setup, until Verizon gets the bugs out of their rollout of FiOS TV and then switch to a bundle of Verizon services?
Stay with my current DirecTV setup, until DirecTV makes good on their promises to have more than 100 HD stations, and then switch to the new HD DVR?
Switch to Verizon now as soon as they activate our subdivison?
Switch to the new DirecTV DVR now?
Other?


Sorry for all the questions, but I could use some advice from folks who have "been there, done that".

Thanks.

Larry

PS:
Ben: Very interesting interview, but it doesn't really leave us DirecTV subscribers with the "warm fuzzies", does it? DirecTV's recent advertisements about "having more stations" is also borderline deceptive.

I am rather surprised that Rômulo Pontual (Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of DirecTV) granted you the interview in the first place... H

Actually I caught him after the DirecTV press conference and started asking him questions. I was very lucky that he continued to answer my questions. There was a line of people complaining about the HR20 waiting to talk to him, so maybe he figured I was asking easier questions then they were. I'll try to find him again next year if I can, he should be much happier to talk if their new birds go up without a hitch and all that great HD starts flowing.

Larry,
While I think DirecTV is jumping the gun on their commercials, there is little doubt that if things go as planned for them they will deliver on their promises. That being said, I am not so sure about the HR20. I was recently in the same boat as you and I went the Series3 route. I have two of them with BHN now and as soon as Verizon lights up the FIOS in my neighborhood I plan to give it a try. But come football season I know I will be itching for the NFL ST, so I will probably get a HR20 (if for only 4 months) and write up a full comparison between the HR20 and the Series3, heck I might even get a SA8300 or Moto too to compare.

Larry,
While I think DirecTV is jumping the gun on their commercials, there is little doubt that if things go as planned for them they will deliver on their promises. That being said, I am not so sure about the HR20. I was recently in the same boat as you and I went the Series3 route. I have two of them with BHN now and as soon as Verizon lights up the FIOS in my neighborhood I plan to give it a try. But come football season I know I will be itching for the NFL ST, so I will probably get a HR20 (if for only 4 months) and write up a full comparison between the HR20 and the Series3, heck I might even get a SA8300 or Moto too to compare.

Hi Ben,

I look forward to reading your comparisons.

In addition to comparing the operation of hardware, subscribers are also facing the initial growing pains of new delivery systems. In other words, as my previous posting suggests, some of us might choose to wait out both the initial hardware problems associated with new HD DVRs AND the overall problems associated with rolling out new delivery systems. Timing is everything. ;)

Although I've generally been an early adopter on all things HD, when they only effect my home theater. I'm inclined to take more of a wait and see approach when it comes to inflicting the warts of new HD implimentations on my wife and every TV in the house. :o

Larry

Larry,
I can tell you that my Series3 is rock solid, today. One interesting thing to note is that I don't recieve ch 694 (versus/golf) and the fact that no one else with CableCARD seems to either, leads me to believe they may be trying out a little SDV -- or BHN can't figure out their CC infrastructure.

Either way I can't imagine watching any TV without a DVR, I rather wait till the shows were released on Blu-ray, than to watch them live with commercials.

Larry,
I can tell you that my Series3 is rock solid, today. One interesting thing to note is that I don't recieve ch 694 (versus/golf) and the fact that no one else with CableCARD seems to either, leads me to believe they may be trying out a little SDV -- or BHN can't figure out their CC infrastructure.

Either way I can't imagine watching any TV without a DVR, I rather wait till the shows were released on Blu-ray, than to watch them live with commercials.

Hi Ben,

I'm a big fan of TiVo, but am I correct that the HD Series3 is not available for satellite? I know the DirecTV TiVo has access to the raw digital signal so there are no additinal conversions needed in delivering the image. Do the Series3 standalone DVRs add any additional processing that could theoretically impact the image quality?

Thanks.

Larry

Hi All,

I could use some advice on switching services.

Back in September 2006 I received an email solicitation from an on-line retailer to purchase the new DIRECTV HD-DVR. Currently I'm on my third HD TiVo. (The first two had bad hard drives.) Although its HDMI connection failed, the third HD TiVo has been holding up and providing good service on component video....knock wood, so I'm rather satisfied with it. I also have an old RCA HD DirecTV receiver and a standard definition RCA DirecTV receiver.

Have the new DirecTV MPEG4 DVRs worked out all their early problems?

Do they compare favorably with the HD TiVos?

I live in Sarasota, Florida and I'm interested in getting "local" HD stations (which I understand is the Tampa market). However, so far I haven't gone to the trouble of getting an outside OTA antenna to use with my current DirecTV receivers, mostly because I don't want to deal with the monstrously large antenna that would be necessary to pull in those distant Tampa stations.

Am I correct that the new HD DVR with the new dish would provide Sarasota with local (i.e. Tampa) HD stations without the need for an outside OTA antenna?

I know that MPEG4 will eventually replace MPEG2 and therefore my current HD tuners will at some unknown time in the future have to be upgraded. However, with the possible exception of local HD stations, and perhaps the ability to store more hours of MPEG4 content (50 hours versus 30 hours) I'm not aware of any obvious advantages of switching to the new HD DVR. Am I missing any other important considerations?

Would I have to immediately switch all my DirecTV receivers to new MPEG4 receivers if I replaced my HD TiVo in my home theater with a new HD DVR and had the new dish installed? I also have an old HDTV in my family room. It has RGBHV type high definition inputs, a type of VGA connection. Current HD receivers including the new DirecTV HD DVR don't provide suitable connections, so I would have to purchase some sort of transcoder to go from component video to VGA and hoped it would work.

Recently Verizon installed FiOS in our subdivision, but it hasn't been activated yet. Their new HD DVR seems to be having its share of problems as they rollout the new service. Can anyone share their experiences in switching from DirecTV to FiOS TV?

Verizon interests me because they are "promising" new interesting services, such as distributing HD programming recorded on an HD DVR to other HD receivers on a home network, and higher quality signals. Also I would be able to upgrade my Verizon DSL Internet service, and I believe I would receive a discount in switching my Verizon land line to a FiOS bundle of services.

The downside of going with Verizon is the crudeness of their new HD DVR, ongoing rollout problems, and the fact I would have to junk my DirecTV receivers and buy a transcoder to attach my old HDTV.

Is Verizon currently offering more HD stations than DirecTV?

In summary, should I:


Stay with my current DirecTV setup, until Verizon gets the bugs out of their rollout of FiOS TV and then switch to a bundle of Verizon services?
Stay with my current DirecTV setup, until DirecTV makes good on their promises to have more than 100 HD stations, and then switch to the new HD DVR?
Switch to Verizon now as soon as they activate our subdivison?
Switch to the new DirecTV DVR now?
Other?


Sorry for all the questions, but I could use some advice from folks who have "been there, done that".

Thanks.

Larry

PS:
Ben: Very interesting interview, but it doesn't really leave us DirecTV subscribers with the "warm fuzzies", does it? DirecTV's recent advertisements about "having more stations" is also borderline deceptive.

Hi All,

Anyone out there with an opinion on the direction to go?

How about you TechoFobe?

What are the factors that leads you to believe that Verizon FiOS would be better than DirecTV, especially since Verizon is bound to have lots of growing pains in rolling out a totally new service?

Thanks.

Larry

You're right it won't work with DirecTV, but it does work with FIOS.

You're right it won't work with DirecTV, but it does work with FIOS.

Hi Ben,

Does the Series3 on FiOs work similiarly to a DirecTV TiVo in that no additional analog to digital conversions are performed that might adversely affect the image?

Is the Series3 a substitute for a Verizon DVR, or is it used in addition to a Verizon set top box?

Larry

Hi All,

Anyone out there with an opinion on the direction to go?

How about you TechoFobe?

What are the factors that leads you to believe that Verizon FiOS would be better than DirecTV, especially since Verizon is bound to have lots of growing pains in rolling out a totally new service?

Thanks.

Larry

Larry,

I am anything but an expert on the subject of FIOS vs. DirecTV. But, having said that --- I do have some very strong opinions regarding DirecTV's HD services. I am not impressed with it at all. Sure, it is about as good as HD on regular old cable? Maybe???

A friend of mine has FIOS and it rocks. Definitely do not take my word for it -- try instead to find someone who has it and check it out for yourself. Perhaps the best way for me to explain how good I think it looks is to say that I will switch from D* to FIOS at the first opportunity I get.

Maybe your experience and satisfaction with the quality of D* HD differs from mine?

I guess it's really all in the eye of the beholder... :) Oh yeah, remember: [b[YMMV[/b] (your mileage may vary).

Ed

Larry,

I am anything but an expert on the subject of FIOS vs. DirecTV. But, having said that --- I do have some very strong opinions regarding DirecTV's HD services. I am not impressed with it at all. Sure, it is about as good as HD on regular old cable? Maybe???

A friend of mine has FIOS and it rocks. Definitely do not take my word for it -- try instead to find someone who has it and check it out for yourself. Perhaps the best way for me to explain how good I think it looks is to say that I will switch from D* to FIOS at the first opportunity I get.

Maybe your experience and satisfaction with the quality of D* HD differs from mine?

I guess it's really all in the eye of the beholder... :) Oh yeah, remember: [b[YMMV[/b] (your mileage may vary).

Ed

Hi Ed,

Thanks very much for the response.

While I currently have no basis of comparision, I'm inclined to believe that FiOS TV would have a higher quality signal due to its fiber optic system. However, as I mentioned earlier, I'm equally concerned about initial problems with their HD DVR or in rolling out the service. I'm inclined to eventually try the Verizon bundle of services, after its initial growing pains are resolved. Of course the big question is, "Is the service ready for primetime now, or should I wait a year or so?"

Have you or your friend reached any conclusions regarding how the HD DVR compares with an HD TiVo or a DirecTV HD DVR? How about the overall quality of the service? Do you know if your friend's service was installed with minimal fuss and repeat visits from technicians?

Thanks again.

Larry

Do FIOS STB's have IEEE1394 (Firewire) outputs (like SA3250hd) for recording with a DVHS deck ?

:confused:

Do FIOS STB's have IEEE1394 (Firewire) outputs (like SA3250hd) for recording with a DVHS deck ?

:confused:

Hi Jim,

Apparently it does have IEEE 1394 for connection to HD displays.

User Guide QIP6200/QIP64xx Series Set-Top Terminals (http://onlinehelp.verizon.net/consumer/bin/pdf/fios/qip6xxxuserguide.pdf)

I don't know whether you can use it for recording.

Larry

I guess it's really all in the eye of the beholder... :) Oh yeah, remember: [b[YMMV[/b] (your mileage may vary).

Ed

Hi Ed,

I found this recent and helpful review by a reviewer located in Sarasota of all places! :D

Verizon FiOS TV (http://www.defefx.com/verizon-fios-tv/)

Larry

Yes the Series3 works just like the HR10-250, but with CableCARDs and much much faster UI.
It does replace the cable box which is great.

As for DirecTV vs FIOS. DirecTV is not in a very good place right now, but they have been focusing on HD locals for the past few years and next month they are launching a new bird for HD national channels with another to launch by the end of the year. When they have these operational they will have more than enough bandwidth to compete with anyone including FIOS. Using MPEG4 the quality should be very good and the selection second to none.

I doubt they will deliver 100 National HD channels as promised, but I do think they will be the number one HD provider. Unfortunately if they don't start offering TiVo I will probably stick with my Series3 and BHN or FIOS. I hate to say it, but there is already far more HD than I can watch and their isn't much content that would make me look past a POS STB.

Having the second job that I do, there is no way I can go without having DirecTV when their new birds go live, but after the newness is up, I'll probably be paying the cancelation fee.

Do FIOS STB's have IEEE1394 (Firewire) outputs (like SA3250hd) for recording with a DVHS deck ?

:confused:

Just like BHN, FIOS is required to provide you with a STB with a functional 1394 port per an FCC regulation. But I would suspect that also like BHN they won't give you a STB that you actually want.

Yes the Series3 works just like the HR10-250, but with CableCARDs and much much faster UI.
It does replace the cable box which is great.

As for DirecTV vs FIOS. DirecTV is not in a very good place right now, but they have been focusing on HD locals for the past few years and next month they are launching a new bird for HD national channels with another to launch by the end of the year. When they have these operational they will have more than enough bandwidth to compete with anyone including FIOS. Using MPEG4 the quality should be very good and the selection second to none.

Hi Ben,

Thanks for the information.

Obviously, DirecTV will never realize the economic benefits of switching to MPEG4 if they maintain dual protocols indefinately. Do you have an opinion on when they will phase out MPEG2 programming? When that happens do you expect them to replace subscribers' old receivers, or will we be stuck?


I doubt they will deliver 100 National HD channels as promised, but I do think they will be the number one HD provider. Unfortunately if they don't start offering TiVo I will probably stick with my Series3 and BHN or FIOS. I hate to say it, but there is already far more HD than I can watch and their isn't much content that would make me look past a POS STB.

Having the second job that I do, there is no way I can go without having DirecTV when their new birds go live, but after the newness is up, I'll probably be paying the cancelation fee.

I can't say I was happy when DirecTV discontinued the HD TiVo in favor of their own HD DVR. Do you know of any recent developments, similiar to what is happening in the cable industry, that might suggest that they might accommodate TiVo devices in the future?

Thanks.

Larry

i know someone the the series 3 and two cable cards ($3-4/each/month) on fios and they are very happy...in my mind fios blows bright house away in terms of pq...i switched about 8 months ago and i'm very happy...i don't have any of the pq issues that i used to have with bright house, but i have to add that verizon found a wiring issue with my existing cable and had to rerun a main line so i don't know if bh could have looked better. i do know that i had three bh service calls related to pq and they never found that wiring issue. my locals always had breakups and macroblocking on bh, i don't get that now...fios in demand service is not as good as bh now. they are however, planning a major upgrade for their stb in the near future accoring to what i have read on the fios forums...there is a lot of good info in those so i would read up on it there. in addion their hd lineup is better for me than what bh had the last time i checked.

Obviously, DirecTV will never realize the economic benefits of switching to MPEG4 if they maintain dual protocols indefinately. Do you have an opinion on when they will phase out MPEG2 programming? When that happens do you expect them to replace subscribers' old receivers, or will we be stuck?
DirecTV has actually come out and said that when they retire mpeg2 they will provide an upgrade path for existing customers. Considering the MPEG2 birds still work, I doubt they will want to shut them down till they've squeezed every penny out of them. Also they are using new programming to entice subscribers to pay to upgrade now, so they are going to ride that as long as they can as well. These factors combined with how long it took them to phase out the "hackable" access cards makes me think MPEG2 will be around for a very long time, but if you aren't happy only getting 10 HD Lite channels instead of 100 real HD, you'll probably want to upgrade.



I can't say I was happy when DirecTV discontinued the HD TiVo in favor of their own HD DVR. Do you know of any recent developments, similar to what is happening in the cable industry, that might suggest that they might accommodate TiVo devices in the future?


I don't think anyone is happy, but it was business. News Corp owned both companies and that is what big companies do. The TiVo CEO just said a few weeks ago that he expects DirecTV's new owners (Liberty) to be much more open to bringing TiVo back into the game. Unfortunately with DirecTVs current position, odds are if it does happen, it will just be a HR20 with TiVo software. This might be OK, but it might not be the software that people are disappointed with. Personally I think the worst decision DirecTV ever made was to switch their STB policy to all "DirecTV branded" boxes.

DirecTV has actually come out and said that when they retire mpeg2 they will provide an upgrade path for existing customers. Considering the MPEG2 birds still work, I doubt they will want to shut them down till they've squeezed every penny out of them. Also they are using new programming to entice subscribers to pay to upgrade now, so they are going to ride that as long as they can as well. These factors combined with how long it took them to phase out the "hackable" access cards makes me think MPEG2 will be around for a very long time, but if you aren't happy only getting 10 HD Lite channels instead of 100 real HD, you'll probably want to upgrade.

Hi Ben,

Thanks.

The reason I'm asking about the continuing viability of MPEG2 is to get a idea of how long I might be able to remain status quo with regard to my old HDTV and avoid buying a transcoder. Apparently I'm not dealing with an "all or nothing" proposition. I could partially upgrade.

If I choose to remain with DirecTV, 10 HD Lite channels might be fine for my old HDTV for the foreseeable future. By the time MPEG2 is phased out that old set might be just about worn out and ready for replacement. On the other hand, I could upgrade to the new HD DVR and new dish when the 100 real HD channels become available and enjoy them on a 120" screen.

All in all I'm still leaning toward switching to Verizon, but its helpful to know that I don't have to replace all my receivers should I choose to remain with DirecTV and upgrade.

Larry

Hi,

I've just discovered the HDHomeRun box... I have a Windows Media Center PC, and am somewhat confident that I could get the HDHR and my MCE box to communicate. What I'm curious about is if it's even worth it. Are there any QAM channels in the Sarasota area that I would enjoy? AND, what exactly is QAM... I thought it was "free" digital television service, but then I've seen info online that says it's "free" HD service... HELP!!!

Any advice/info/humorous guidance would be MUCH appreciated!!!

Thanks,

John

QAM is the modulation method used on current cable systems (vs. ATSC which is the modulation method used over the air - which the HDHomeRun will also tune) and the channels you can find will include the OTA channels your cable company provides as well as advertising channels and some pay-per-view channels which move around alot...

:cool:

You really don't know what your going to find when you scan for QAM channels. My friend and I both have an HDHR, I live near downtown Tampa and he lives near Wesly Chapel. We both get the major networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, PBS and NBC), but he also gets ESPNHD, but I don't. We're both on BHN, so it depends where you are.

You really don't know what your going to find when you scan for QAM channels. My friend and I both have an HDHR, I live near downtown Tampa and he lives near Wesly Chapel. We both get the major networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, PBS and NBC), but he also gets ESPNHD, but I don't. We're both on BHN, so it depends where you are.

I'm in Sarasota and I have an HD Homerun. It depends, first, which cable provider you have. I have Fios, and I can tell you that you'll get 8 digital stations from Tampa. You'll also get channel 8 and channel 10's Weather Plus, several of the PBS SD subchannels and some music choice. That's it. Essentially, it will receive digital unecrypted channels only.

Before going to Fios, I had Comcast, and with them I would get 6 digital stations from Tampa, the two weather plus channels, and maybe some of the PBS subchannels. I don't recall music.

What I've described above is QAM. On the ATSC side, you'll receive whatever digital channels your antenna is capable of receiving.

I'm in Sarasota and I have an HD Homerun. It depends, first, which cable provider you have. I have Fios, and I can tell you that you'll get 8 digital stations from Tampa. You'll also get channel 8 and channel 10's Weather Plus, several of the PBS SD subchannels and some music choice. That's it. Essentially, it will receive digital unecrypted channels only.

Before going to Fios, I had Comcast, and with them I would get 6 digital stations from Tampa, the two weather plus channels, and maybe some of the PBS subchannels. I don't recall music.

What I've described above is QAM. On the ATSC side, you'll receive whatever digital channels your antenna is capable of receiving.

Hi Ron,

Would you mind sharing your impressions of the Sarasota FiOS TV and Internet service you are receiving?

Thanks.

Larry

Hi Ron,

Would you mind sharing your impressions of the Sarasota FiOS TV and Internet service you are receiving?

Thanks.

Larry

Larry:

It leaves Comcast way behind in the dust. Crystal clear video on all channels, including the analog tier (local channels). I vividly remember watching the news on 13 and seeing herring bone patterns from my Comcast days. None of that with Fios.

I have a Tivo S3, and initially there were some issues with pixelization on some of the HD channels. But it's been resolved now. I suspect that Verizon has improved the quality of their HD signal, somehow. The pixelization I'm referring to, was only evident on the S3 Tivo, and not through the Fios HD STB. But I'm also doing HD recording using the Nextcom R5000. Those recordings produce a log, and when I was having the pixelization issues, the log would show time correction errors. Those errors no longer appear. I also inserted an 8db amplifier on the line which feeds my S3 Tivo, and I don't dare remove it, but I'm also not convinced that it's helping any longer.

As for the internet service, it's no better or worse than Comcast. I have 5/2. I just couldn't justify an additional $10 per month for a faster download speed.

In summary, look for a deal, make the switch, and you'll be quite happy.

Can anyone tell me if the DirecTV HD local channels beamed to Tampa can be successfully received in Sarasota(Longboat Key)? In other words are the spot beams large enough to include Sarasota?

Thanks - Earl P

DirecTV's recent advertisements about "having more stations" is also borderline deceptive.

Larry,
While I think DirecTV is jumping the gun on their commercials, there is little doubt that if things go as planned for them they will deliver on their promises.

Hi Ben,

I see you've further researched this issue. From this have you reached a less optimistic viewpoint regarding DirecTV delivering anywhere near 100+ meaningfully distinct HD programming channels, especially if the subscriber isn't a big sports fan?

Wall Street analyst mock DirecTV's HD claims
Posted Jun 12th 2007 7:01PM by Ben Drawbaugh (http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/06/12/wall-street-analyst-mock-directvs-hd-claims/)

Larry

Can anyone tell me if the DirecTV HD local channels beamed to Tampa can be successfully received in Sarasota(Longboat Key)? In other words are the spot beams large enough to include Sarasota?

Thanks - Earl P

Yes they work in most of Florida.

Hi Ben,

I see you've further researched this issue. From this have you reached a less optimistic viewpoint regarding DirecTV delivering anywhere near 100+ meaningfully distinct HD programming channels, especially if the subscriber isn't a big sports fan?

Wall Street analyst mock DirecTV's HD claims
Posted Jun 12th 2007 7:01PM by Ben Drawbaugh (http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/06/12/wall-street-analyst-mock-directvs-hd-claims/)

Larry


You don't think?
I think DirecTV will be the HD leader when their new birds are operational, but I do not think they will have 100 national HD channels -- atleast by my count.

I believe they will have closer to 50, cause I don't count the sports packages, regional or PPV channels.

The reason I give them a hard time, is cause at the press conference they refused to admit how they were coming up with this number and in the end it was exactly like everyone there suspected (and accused them of).

Thanks, Ben --- Does that mean you can also get Orlando and Fort Myers HD locals?

Thanks, Ben --- Does that mean you can also get Orlando and Fort Myers HD locals?

No, they will only let you watch the locals for the market you live in. So if you want orlando your billing address would have to be there.

It's not that they really care, but every channel pays dearly for the rights to that market and they don't want you watching another markets feed. So the NAB leans on the gov very hard to enforce these rights.

No, they will only let you watch the locals for the market you live in. So if you want orlando your billing address would have to be there.



Not your billing address but your service address.

Not your billing address but your service address.

Semantics ;)

i see this when coming out of commercials when watching a program that is 5.1 audio on CBS...but, this could just my receiver.

I noticed this when I used to record CBS HD programming using an OTA antenna. Now I'm getting the same thing using FIOS.

My keen engineer troubleshooting skills indicate that the common denominator is CBS HD. Anyone got a solution?

Are the commercials local inserts, or are they originating at the network?

If the former then I would complain to the local station; otherwise it is a network issue.

In the case of local inserts I've found the most effective complaint route to be via the local advertiser. I tell them that neither myself nor any of my family or friends will buy from them until they get the station to fix the audio problem that "they have caused". Usually they can get the station's attention.

What is up with the audio on WTOG, 44? It's like some simulated surround sound that sounds terrible. Has anyone here ever questioned them on it?

Is there some place that a roll-out map of FIOS can be found? The availability search on the website is frustrating at best. It tells me that a Verizon number already exists at the address I have input, when there is no land line in my unit!

i used the search by address function on the website to see how close it was to my house...that was a really fun way to waste time.

I don't need to search anything to find out about VIOS coming to my neighborhood because I watched it being buried. But, as it so happens (?) apparently the fcat that I live on a sidestreet and my house is about 150 yards away --- they will not hook me up. Anybody know the reasoning behind this? Maybe I am a bit paranoid, but I think that it is a vast conspiracy to torture me for having been a DirecTV customer for so many years. As if I need to be tortured further... I mean, DirecTV has done a magnificent job of that already. :)

I wonder what the break-point is for distance from the main fiber optics line... Maybe 149 yards?

Do you think if I offered to dig the trench for them it would make any difference?

Do you think if I offered to dig the trench for them it would make any difference?

Probably.

Probably.
The $64,000 question: What number do I call to get a Verizon (human) employee who knows about FIOS?

The $64,000 question: What number do I call to get a Verizon (human) employee who knows about FIOS?

Call 800-483-4000, which is their general number for ordering services. Their hours are M-F, 8AM to 6PM. Getting through their voice prompts is brutal, and annoying as hell. When the digital voice keeps trying to give you a meaningful answer, just keep responding with the word "agent" and eventually you get to speak with a human.

Good luck.

When the digital voice keeps trying to give you a meaningful answer, just keep responding with the word "agent" and eventually you get to speak with a human.I don't know if it makes any difference, but gethuman.com says:

Verizon FiOS 888‑553‑1555 Say "operator" at each prompt, ignoring messages.

I don't know if it makes any difference, but gethuman.com says:

Verizon FiOS 888‑553‑1555 Say "operator" at each prompt, ignoring messages.
Thanks for the "gethuman" tip LeapFroggie! I just added it to my favorites bookmarks. And here I thought I was the only one that... :)

And thanks for the suggestion Ron! Will try calling Monday.

Ed

I was out of the country for several weeks, so may have missed some posts relative to this. But I can't find WEDU-HD broadcasts any longer. The guide does not line up with the programming, either. Used to be on PSIP 3-5, apparently moved to 3-1, but all that's on is SD material. Even VZ Fios' delivery of WEDU-HD is SD and not in accordance with the guide. So I've checked both OTA as well as Fios, and can't locate PBS HD broadcasts.

Can anyone enlighten me?

Ron,
Brian from the other forum informed us that 3-5 is no more. PBS national raised the price (presumably to wean affiliates off of it).

That's the bad news, the good news is that the same HD programming that was played over and over again on 3-5 is mixed in on 3-1 (BHN 603) and the rest is all upconverted to 1080i. So basically PBS switched from the DiscoveryHD model to the CBS HD model.

For whatever reason sometimes the widescreen or HD content on 3-1 (as indicated in the guide) is not presented as such, but I suppose this happens sometimes on the other OTA affiliates too.

Don't know if this was the first ever game, or I've just been unaware, but last night I caught some of the Devil Rays/Red Sox game on 66.1. Much to my surprise, it was in HD and the announcers even mentioned several times that the game was being broadcast in HD. Even has a little "HD" in the lower right corner.

Was this the first ever true HD broadcast on 66.1? Do they have any other content that can be broadcast in HD rather than stretch?

I know today's Devil Rays game is in HD on FSN-FL, so obviously the eqt. was in place for the HD OTA broadcast.

Just a heads-up WFTS's ABC Action News started to broadcast HD news yesterday.

Just a heads-up WFTS's ABC Action News started to broadcast HD news yesterday.Please wake me up when they start to broadcast HD field video and HD inserts in addition to HD studio head shots. THEN they'll have HD news.

Amen to that. Even the cheapest $1000 consumer HD camera looks better than SD. Why they can't see that, I don't know.

It only if was that easy. It takes alot more than just an HD camera to produce HD news. The trucks would have to be upgraded with HD editing equipment, higher throughput transmission equipment, HD recording equipment at the station etc. Plus they aren't going to settle for $1k consumer HD cameras, they're going to spend alot more than that. They use these things every day, not once a year at a child's birthday party.

Each local affiliate has spent millions upgrading their infrastructure, not sure about anyone else, but I appreciate it.

Does anyone in the Tampa Bay Area know if Verizon has the M cable card. Not really sure of it's capability, but my understanding is that it would allow dual tuning on the Tivo S3 and perhaps allow two way communication.

Please educate me.

Just had a few CableCARDs installed with FIOS on Saturday, the installers said they'd never heard of an M-Card, even after I explained what they were. I didn't press very hard because the S3 won't take advantage of the multi-stream functionality. The new TiVo HD can, and the S3 is supposed to get an software update soon.

As for two-way communications, currently there is no way for any TiVo (or anyone else) to use the two-way functionality of CableCARDs. The specification that does allow two-way support requires the STB to use OCAP (OpenCable Application Platform) and will not allow TiVo's native software to transmit on cable's network. TiVo's OCAP software for the Comcast TiVo might work, but like that software it would need to be distributed by Comcast not TiVo.

TiVo and the cable industry claim they're working on a work around, but they haven't announced any details or a time-line.

Ben, thanks for the explantion and information.

Ben:

Is all working for you with the S3 and the Fios cable cards? Any pixelization that you can see on any of the channels? Can you particulary looks at CNN and CNN Headline (80 and 81). They both just started breaking up on my, and they're on the same frequency. I used to have problems with HD channels, but they've cleared up. My amplifier is of no help for the CNN problem.

Normally I only watch HD, but I tuned both my TiVos to ch 80 and 81. I didn't see any pixelation on either for the minute or two I watched.

My house is brand new so all the coax is brand new and I only have a few brand new splitters. But I would bet the pixelation is caused from a coax problem.

At this point I am not having any problems with either of my S3s with FIOS CableCARDs. One of my S3s was purchased the day they were available and the other one was just replaced a few weeks ago. Both are in the same rack and connected to the same splitter.

Does anybody know if fios will ever wire apartments? I am in riverview at the corner of 301 and Bloomingdale "major area." Fios is all around me but not in my apartments. Im between tears and violence as Fios isnt in my apartments and BHN wont add nfl network!!!!

This is request to Ben, or anyone else in the Fios Tampa Bay area. If you have the Tivo S3, Fios and Fios cable cards, can you please check channels 80 and 81 (CNN and CNNH), but keep it on for at least 5 minutes. I'm looking for pixelization on these channels. For me, it doesn't happen when I initially tune to those channels, but after watching for a bit, it then starts to break up. I'm pretty sure it's a cable card problem, but I need confirmation of that. I really can't believe it's my cables, because they're all new runs, and I've even tried some switchouts of one run to another, with no difference.

Ben, thanks for your response, but I suspect you probably were not tuned to those channels for more than a few seconds. Correct me if I'm wrong.


Thanks,

I'm out of town for the next week, I'll try to do it this weekend.

...If you have the Tivo S3, Fios and Fios cable cards, can you please check channels 80 and 81 (CNN and CNNH), but keep it on for at least 5 minutes....

Thanks,

Was watching Anderson Copper last night for about 15 minutes (ch 80 between 10:05 and 10:20pm) and everything was fine. Didn't try ch 81.

Was watching Anderson Copper last night for about 15 minutes (ch 80 between 10:05 and 10:20pm) and everything was fine. Didn't try ch 81.

So that would lead me to believe that the problem lies in either my cable cards or the local (Sarasota) distribution center.

Anyone in Sarasota with Fios and a Tivo S3? If so, can you please check out channels 80 and 81?

Thanks for checking.

Does anyone have a listing of qam channels that knology provides?
Did you ever get an answer to this question?

It only if was that easy. It takes alot more than just an HD camera to produce HD news. ...Each local affiliate has spent millions upgrading their infrastructure, not sure about anyone else, but I appreciate it.I'd appreciate it even more if the station could transmit weather graphics that didn't look like they were being viewed through a ill-fitting pair of glasses. Anna's "7 day forecast" and "Doppler Radar" inserts last night were unwatchable on 628.

What time were you watching?
I watched last night at 6pm and as usual, the weather is the best looking segment.

It was Monday evening; I don't recall the exact time but probably around 5:30 or so. Anna Allen was doing what seemed like a regular weather segment; the graphics were crystal clear in the 'frame boundary' but the map of the state with Doppler display and the 7-day forecast were badly out of focus in the 'inset' area of the frame.

I didn't watch last night but if it is OK now then great.

Anna Allen is on channel 10 WTSP not channel 28, that would explain it, they don't do HD newscasts. Right now only channel 28's news is in HD, everyone else just up-converts. This is supposed to change soon, but ch10 looks like they'll be last at this point.

If I watched more local news I would probably have figured out I wasn't watching WFTS; duh. Although I sure THOUGHT I was tuned to BHN 628. Maybe not.

Anyway now I know why the video in question looked so bad....thanks.

wfla is advertising that they will have local news in hd starting tomorrow

wfla is advertising that they will have local news in hd starting tomorrow

It will be interesting to see if their field reports are in HD, or in 4:3 like 28.

I'd suspect most will be SD (in 4:3). I doubt if all the cameras they use in the field are HD, and even if they are, they get clips from many other sources.

According to this article, only the studio shots and weather will be HD.


The digital cameras used for remote live shots will be replaced with high-definition cameras in the next few years, Hill says.


http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/aug/30/wfla-2nd-tv-station-bay-area-go-hd/?news-breaking

I'm glad they don't let all the negative comments stop them from producing more HD. Some people would rather they wait a few years to make it all HD, than to produce what they can now and upconvert the rest.

I just purchased my first HDTV (50" Vizio plasma) on Saturday and I love it. I was watching golf on WFLA (8.1 HD OTA) and it seemed like the audio was about 1/8 second faster than the video. I could only tell when they showed a full swing golf shot and I heard the thwap an instant before the club made contact. I watched the rerun of Heroes (which rocked BTW) and the audio appeared to be synced w/ the video.

Anybody else get this? Could it be a broadcast issue or even a problem with my TV's tuner?

I believe it was a problem with the broadcast. I was watching OTA as well, but switched over to DirecTV's feed when WFLA insisted on showing the weather warnings, which means they had to switch to the SD feed. I seem to remember it happening on both.

On the NBC NFL game Thursday night, did anyone else notice moments when the picture looked soft? I was watching WFLA from Tampa via OTA on my 622, so I can't blame Dish. There were moments just as they put a on screen graphic up that the image looked almost SD, then it would come back. I was wondering if anyone else noticed.

On the NBC NFL game Thursday night, did anyone else notice moments when the picture looked soft? I was watching WFLA from Tampa via OTA on my 622, so I can't blame Dish. There were moments just as they put a on screen graphic up that the image looked almost SD, then it would come back. I was wondering if anyone else noticed.

Our NBC station (WFLA) has been doing that for a long time. It is blurry for a second and then clears up during camera changes. I think someone said it was crappy decoders but I am no expert. I only know it is very annoying...

Now that PBS added another sub channel they don't show HD programming anymore? Is this correct? I miss soundstage and Austin City Limits in HD (even though the sound was/is F'ed Up).

In case no one is aware, I just returned to town last week and found FiOS is available in Dunedin. Our specific location is south of Curlew, north of Main street, west of US 19, east of CR 1. TV only with tax runs around $65 for one HDTV and one analog TV; that includes 20-some-odd HD channels (ESPN, FoodTV, MTV, Tampa-area HD; non HD digital broadcasts of Foxnews et. al. and some movie, NatGeo type stuff and standard entertainment fare).... see http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm

OK, whole packages start around $100 to include phone, long distance and blistering internet. The sod has grown over the initial install holes nicely; when the contractor shows up, they run fiber optic to the house, according to the installer. That's it for now..........

Anyone have a list of unencrypted hd channels for brighthouse? Hooked up outdoor tv and scanned, found all but ch8. Re scanned then all but 8 and 10...lost ch10 and could not get it back. Is 8 sent over cable unscrambled?

Edit:608,610

8 is not scrambled over cable.
The list is different depending on your area and they move occasionally.

Ch 8 is a mid VHF so it can be difficult to receive with a UHF only antenna. Ch 10 is really broadcast on ch24 and is in the oposite direction as the rest of the channels so you may need to adjust your antenna to pick it up. I use two antennas, one vhf/uhf combo pointed towards riverview and one UHF only pointed towards holiday.

Maybe I wasn't clear , I'm trying to get local hi-def channels over brighthouse cable in south Tampa for my outdoor/pool tv without renting a box. I scanned and can get 613 and 628 but not 610 or 608. Any one get them with a QAM tuner?

Thanks.

8 is not scrambled over cable.
The list is different depending on your area and they move occasionally.

Ch 8 is a mid VHF so it can be difficult to receive with a UHF only antenna. Ch 10 is really broadcast on ch24 and is in the oposite direction as the rest of the channels so you may need to adjust your antenna to pick it up. I use two antennas, one vhf/uhf combo pointed towards riverview and one UHF only pointed towards holiday.

im in 34684 cant seem to get 44 to get a good signal, comes and goes, have a large vhf uhf in my attic, i think i might just need another antenna as well, would like to get pbs as well but i do .... its strange how i can get 8 which is harder to get and cant get 44

i want to get my second antenna that wont be effected by the changes in '09, will just a uhf work??? combined with my vhf uhf???

thanks

pearlt1

Are you trying to get Hi Def channels or S D channels?

Maybe this site will help.

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

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

44 can be hit or miss for me in Tampa, but I too have my antennas in my attic. I have a uhf/vhf for channels in Riverview and one uhf for ch10 in Holiday.

Can anyone recommend a place either near Saint Petersburg or Clearwater that sell Channel Master 4228 or 4221, and how much do you think is the price for one of these.
I want to try something better beside my POS old antenna.

Can anyone recommend a place either near Saint Petersburg or Clearwater that sell Channel Master 4228 or 4221, and how much do you think is the price for one of these.
Dow Electronics in Tampa has them but they sell to dealers only; if you can find someone who has an account there you can try them. Otherwise try Pyramid Sound and Light in NPR.. they may have them or be able to get one for you. (727) 847-6774

Or get one online from Warren Electronics - about $50 for the 4228, $25 for the 4221, plus shipping.
http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4228.htm
http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/4221.htm

My QAM tuner when scanned I got 610, 613 & 628. However 608 (NBC) does not come in. I have Brighthouse up in Citrus county.

Is anybody using QAM with brighthouse getting 608(HD NBC)?

MLB playoff games look FANTASTIC on TBS HD (BHN). I don't even enjoy baseball and I found myself watching the Phillies v. Rockies game for about an hour!

This came as a surprise to me since most of their other broadcast programming has been sub-par.

My QAM tuner when scanned I got 610, 613 & 628. However 608 (NBC) does not come in. I have Brighthouse up in Citrus county.

Is anybody using QAM with brighthouse getting 608(HD NBC)?

NBC is 91-5 (in hillsborough)

Here is a list I found online:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=199829&postcount=33

Am I the only one with this problem? I have Brighthouse Internet service. When I got it the installer said the signal was too strong, so he attached a bunch of splitters.I got a Panasonic PX75U and attached a coax to the splitter, and I can get all of the free QAM channels. It works great except for one problem. Whenever the screen is mostly black, like at the end of a commercial with just text, the sound gets screwed up. On the TV speakers and analog output, the sound would get very choppy. On the optical output, the sound just cuts in and out.

What on earth could be causing this? I actually exchanged the TV for another for a different reason, but both units seemed to do the same thing. Could it be the splitter? I've never had any other problems with the audio or video. I also havent noticed the problem with any other sources.

I just put a hdtv tuner card in my computer, hooked it to my comcast feed (no comcast tuner involved), and found 25 digital stations. My challenge is trying to figure out a) why did I find so many and b) what channels are they.

Many are 480i, there are a few 1080i and some scattered 720p.

Is 480i considered HDTV or is that just digital TV?

Is 480i considered HDTV or is that just digital TV?480i is "standard definition" video. Generally 720p and above is considered "high definition".

Thanks,

I had Brighthouse come and they put an amplifier and this fixed the problem. I guess because of the splitter the signal was too low and when i scan the chanels it did not pick up all the cahanels. Now I get 3-PBS and NBC on 91 and CNBC on 115.

Can anyone recommend a place either near Saint Petersburg or Clearwater that sell Channel Master 4228 or 4221, and how much do you think is the price for one of these.
I want to try something better beside my POS old antenna.

Check Chesters on Missouri, 2 blocks north of W. Bay, next to carpet mart.

NBC is 91-5 (in hillsborough)

Here is a list I found online:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?p=199829&postcount=33

I went to that link and don't see it as 91-5.

Have you gotten it on your tv? I get ch 13 as 613 over cable and once, the first time I scanned I got 610,never again. I also get 628 and 616/usf channels.

I just installed an avermedia HDTV tuner in my PC and connected it directly to my Comcast feed. Here are the HD channels (720p and higher) that I found.

1080i

NBC
CBS
PBS - WGCU
ABC
CW44

720p

WTOG
My TV
Fox
Tennis Channel

If you buy a TV with an ATSC/QAM tuner and just connect it to Comcast without any box, you should be able to see all of these without signing up for HD service. You will, of course, continue to get the unscrambled analog channels that you could always get without a box.

Now just for the record...I also found a number of 480i digital signals which you will also receive for free and will look much better than the same channels in analog.

WUSF, Channel 8 (?), WTSP, More TV, and a couple of channels I didn't care much about or recognize. Also two spanish stations and two all day advertising stations.

I went to that link and don't see it as 91-5.

Have you gotten it on your tv? I get ch 13 as 613 over cable and once, the first time I scanned I got 610,never again. I also get 628 and 616/usf channels.

It depends on the tuner. They all act funny. On my last tuner, it was the number on that link. Except you couldnt type that number in. It only took the first few digits. So I would type 91 and then it would figure out all the subchannels and you could channel up and down to get to them.

On my new tuner it comes in as 91-5. On my old TV, the other stations started out as 70's and 90's then one day they showed up as 600's. Then they would randomly disappear, and I would have to type the 70 number and then they would reappear and switch back to their 600 number. Its wacky.

But yea, type in 91 and channel up and down and NBC should be somewhere around there. Works for me in Town N Country (Panasonic) and a friend of mine in South Tampa (Sharp).

Dont know if anyone mentioned it before but WFLA's 5.1 audio is busted.


-We have an audio problem and the Dolby 5.1 processor is out of service. We hope to have it repaired soon. Thanks for watching News Channel 8.


Mark Schaefer
Dir. of Engineering
WFLA TV/DT
V 813 225-2709
F 813 275-8809

Thanks for the reply , drinklime

Hey gang,

We just moved from Tampa to St. Pete. Back in Tampa, I had everything set up ok, but now, with the new equipment, I'm having some problems.

Used to have the PACE HD box, and I went into the setup, and selected the box to output 720p and 1080i. Then I set my TV to auto stretch the SD channels and everything was peachy.

Now, in St. Pete, we have the SA 8300HDC box and the 4:3 SD auto-stretch on the Pio plasma isn't working anymore. Anyone know why that is or how to fix it? I can play with the # key on the remote, but that gets to be a pain when switching in between SD and HD content. Not to mention a PITA for the wife.

Thanks!
Aaron

Hey gang,

We just moved from Tampa to St. Pete. Back in Tampa, I had everything set up ok, but now, with the new equipment, I'm having some problems.

Used to have the PACE HD box, and I went into the setup, and selected the box to output 720p and 1080i. Then I set my TV to auto stretch the SD channels and everything was peachy.

Now, in St. Pete, we have the SA 8300HDC box and the 4:3 SD auto-stretch on the Pio plasma isn't working anymore. Anyone know why that is or how to fix it? I can play with the # key on the remote, but that gets to be a pain when switching in between SD and HD content. Not to mention a PITA for the wife.

Thanks!
Aaron

In the SA 8300 menu go to "set: picture format" and select "pass-through". That has worked for me. If that doesn't work there is some preliminary stuff to do to set things up, but I'm thinking you have already done that.

\Then I set my TV to auto stretch the SD channels and everything was peachy.How does your "auto stretch" mode prevent the people on the screen from looking so fat?

How does your "auto stretch" mode prevent the people on the screen from looking so fat?

I guess the stretch in my TV is better than your's? :confused: No idea, sorry. My stretch'd 4:3 looks fine and certainly better than watching with black bars, no doubt.

On your TV's remote hit the display button, in the bottom of the box on the top right it should say "Auto" in green. If it doesn't verify you have it turned on by hitting the menu button then choose options, "Auto size" should be set to Wide-Zoom. Sometimes even when my TV has this option on, it doesn't activate, usually I switch the aspect with the "Screen Size" button and then switch to a channel with a different resolution (requires pass-through to be set on the STB).

Also make sure the box is set to "pass-through" as tomcran suggests. It takes a little longer to change channels, but it should look better.

As for the stretch on the Pioneer plasmas. I don't think it's that great, in fact it stretches too much and crops some of the image off the right and left. I leave this setting on because I don't watch 4x3 and my wife doesn't care. So I figure in the best interest of burn-in I'll leave it on.

Thanks guys, I'm all set. My STB doesn't have the pass-thru option, but does have "AUTO DVI/HDMI" so that's what I'm using.

I did ask this question too, on the Pioneer board, and it seems the instructions for the PACE (the "old" box) are the same as the new. I used these again and I'm back up and running.

As far as stretching, I guess I've gotten use to it over the past 5-6 years. Just doesn't bother me, where as watching SD with the black bars is un-doable, personally.

Here's the instructions I found:

"With Pace box off,hold guide+info....Use B for advanced and select 480i standard,&1080i.....Turn box on and hit settings on remote,there are 2 screens...on first scroll to picture size and select normal...hit settings again and scroll down or up to Set: picture format=pass thru and TV Type=wide screen..There are quite a few tweaks in the settings menus.......This should work for you "

Here's the instructions I found:

"With Pace box off,hold guide+info....Use B for advanced and select 480i standard,&1080i.....Turn box on and hit settings on remote,there are 2 screens...on first scroll to picture size and select normal...hit settings again and scroll down or up to Set: picture format=pass thru and TV Type=wide screen..There are quite a few tweaks in the settings menus.......This should work for you "

Yes, that was the next thing I was going to suggest if the selection of pass-through didn't work. I'd thought maybe you'd already done that since I thought that was the kind of thing you were referring to in regard to your Pace box, and so you knew you needed to do it with the SA box. Glad you got it resolved.

Yeah, I didn't do it, just cause I thought it was specific to the PACE box. Apparently not. Is that a BHN firmware thing that will be applicable to all of their STB's?

Wooo hooooo! More HD channels on BHN!

721 - Discovery HD simulcast 1080i
722 - Science HD 1080i
723 - Animal Planet HD 1080i
724 - TLC HD 1080i
726 - TBS HD (launched a while ago) 1080i
728 - History HD 720p
731 - Food Network HD 1080i
732 - HGTV HD (think we had that one for a while too, no?) 1080i


Fantastic! I've been dying for History & Animal Planet in HD.....now get that deal done with the NFL already!

I'm picking up digital and HD channels over the free air ( I have an antenna, remember them). I live in Lakeland, FL and I get about 25 channels. Problem: How do I find out what's on,when and what channel? I'm new at this so don't overwhelm me with the latest jargon. Tx

I'm picking up digital and HD channels over the free air ( I have an antenna, remember them). I live in Lakeland, FL and I get about 25 channels. Problem: How do I find out what's on,when and what channel? http://www.tvguide.com/Listings/default.aspx

Wooo hooooo! More HD channels on BHN!

721 - Discovery HD simulcast 1080i
722 - Science HD 1080i
723 - Animal Planet HD 1080i
724 - TLC HD 1080i
726 - TBS HD (launched a while ago) 1080i
728 - History HD 720p
731 - Food Network HD 1080i
732 - HGTV HD (think we had that one for a while too, no?) 1080i


Fantastic! I've been dying for History & Animal Planet in HD.....now get that deal done with the NFL already!

Is there something I need to do to pick these up? I've rebooted the box but they still aren't showing up.

Hello Henry,
I also live in Lakeland, I use http://www.titantv.com/quickguide/quickguide.aspx
and just enter our zipcode.

Is there something I need to do to pick these up? I've rebooted the box but they still aren't showing up.

You must pay for the hd package.

You must pay for the hd package.

Yeah, I subscribe to that already. But I'm still showing the duplicated channels and not the new ones.

So apparently Verizon pushed the interface update last night. I'm assuming it was to everyone in Tampa and not just me.

The good: The menus are more responsive and everything looks better.

The bad: Formerly the highlight (selection thing??) in the guide would move up and down as you scrolled through the programs. Now the highlighted program is always centered. Maybe I'm just not used to it, but it's really annoying. Overall, things just seem more cluttered and that's probably because (from what I can find) there is no widescreen mode for the menu/guide, which would make things seem less squished together.

To sum up: Pretty and snappier menus, but no real new functionality (in some cases, worse).

On the whole I'll take it as the sluggish menus had always frustrated me.

Now if only they'd start adding more HD channels...

My step-father just went went back to BHN from FIOS due to several issues, but after FIOS pushed out the interface I think we're starting to see one of the issues....When you tape a show it tapes roughly 2 minutes before and 2 minutes after the show. Now it is taping 4-5 minutes before the show and cutting off before the credits roll. Big problem.

I just installed an avermedia HDTV tuner in my PC and connected it directly to my Comcast feed. Here are the HD channels (720p and higher) that I found.

1080i

NBC
CBS
PBS - WGCU
ABC
CW44

720p

WTOG
My TV
Fox
Tennis Channel

If you buy a TV with an ATSC/QAM tuner and just connect it to Comcast without any box, you should be able to see all of these without signing up for HD service. You will, of course, continue to get the unscrambled analog channels that you could always get without a box.

Now just for the record...I also found a number of 480i digital signals which you will also receive for free and will look much better than the same channels in analog.

WUSF, Channel 8 (?), WTSP, More TV, and a couple of channels I didn't care much about or recognize. Also two spanish stations and two all day advertising stations.

What are the Qam channel #'s associated with each of these channels - Thanks

So apparently Verizon pushed the interface update last night. I'm assuming it was to everyone in Tampa and not just me.

The good: The menus are more responsive and everything looks better.

The bad: Formerly the highlight (selection thing??) in the guide would move up and down as you scrolled through the programs. Now the highlighted program is always centered. Maybe I'm just not used to it, but it's really annoying. Overall, things just seem more cluttered and that's probably because (from what I can find) there is no widescreen mode for the menu/guide, which would make things seem less squished together.

To sum up: Pretty and snappier menus, but no real new functionality (in some cases, worse).

On the whole I'll take it as the sluggish menus had always frustrated me.

Now if only they'd start adding more HD channels...

Hate to quote myself, but some additional things after a week's use of the new fios interface:

I take back what I said about it being snappier. I don't know why it seemed so when I first started using it, but it's back to being sluggish.

With the old interface you would be prompted to delete something once you had finished watching it. No longer. Very annoying. You have to go back into the recordings and delete it manually.

When fast forwarding it assumes you're done with the program when it reaches about 2 minutes left in the recording, and it backs you out to your recorded list. The only way to watch the last couple minutes is at normal playing speed. Too bad if part of that is a commercial. How f-ing annoying is that?

The hard drive (space used) meter used to be in the corner of the recordings menu. Now it has it's own screen within the DVR section of the menus. Craptastic.

To use an internet meme, Verizon am fail. Congratulations on making me want to go back to Bright House.

i seem to have lost the qam signal for WTVT and WFTS... anyone else?

Yes me too, this past week.

I live in southern Pasco County, and I have cable service through BHN. I was wondering if anyone here has had any problems with recording programs on the HD channels in the past week or so?

I have had a ton of problems with shows not recording when the box says that it is, or it will stop recording part of the way through it. For example last night my wife and I were recording House and The Biggest Loser and House didn't record at all, and the Biggest Loser stopped with 30 minutes left. The record light was on and then at around 9:30 it went out. When I went to the list it said House was recording, but when I selected it there was nothing.

Another issue that I have had is that a show (Wheel of Fortune) that I have set to record all episodes at anytime was stopped recording in the past week. Again it says that it is recording the epsiode, but when you watch it there is nothing there and it just takes you to the screen telling you to press the List button to get back to a list of items. I have tested it the past two days, and I can record it on the nonHD channel and it works OK, but the HD ABC Channel #628 isn't recording.

I have also tested House and Wheel of Fortune on my other 8300HD DVR in the bedroom and the same thing happened there last night. I thought that it just may be a bad box in our family room, but the exact same thing happened on our other one, so I don't think that it is the one box. Other shows are still recording fine, but there have been more errors during various recordings recently.

Sorry for my long first post in this thread, but I am starting to get frustrated. I am trying to get some suggestions here because the support at BHN is not very good (as I am sure that most of you know) and whenever I call them I seem to know more about their equipment than they do.

Before I forget I have rebooted both DVRs multiple times in the past couple of days, and I am still having problems.

this SA outage is getting very frustrating.......Been getting a Box not Authorized all day.

and the outage continues today........come on BHN.

I'm in Pinellas (Largo) and just got three 8300HDC boxes installed this past Thursday with so many problems. My boxes still don't have two-way communication so none of the VOD content will work. Beyond that I lost all my premium channels (not authorized message) for about a day. I got the premiums back and lost all my HD channels during primetime last night. After that I got the HD channels back but lost all analog (2-99 that are digital with a box) and digital channels (100-167 I think) as well. Now when I woke up this morning I now have all channels back and working except for the VOD channels. I can browse all VOD listings just fine but when I try to play anything back I get the confirmation screen that says your program will start shortly and it just stays on this screen for minutes doing nothing.

Hey the bright side is that things are starting to get better now as I have all my channels back or at least for the time being.

I get choppy audio mainly on Fox and CBS HD channels on Bright House. I have the 8300HDC DVR HD cable box connected with a HDMI cable to my Sharp Aquos 42D64U. I almost always watch shows that have been recorded on the DVR so not sure if it is the same on live TV. The choppy audio almost wants me to watch SD channels at times. I tried to search already for the answer but just found similar questions but no answers.

I've been searching the forums for a local Comcast thread . I live in Sebring and I am not sure which DMA I belong to. Sarasota seems to be the closest.

I just got my new Panasonic 50 in 75u and I was suppose to get Dish but my landlord would allow me to drill holes on my apt. And I didn't realize that Dish had to have two satellite dish in order to get HD. This would have to be pointed in differnt locations and they couldn't get LOS for the HD which is why I had no other choice but to get comcast. The apt is already wired with comcast basic so it would be easier to install.

What I don't like about Cable is the limited HD lineup. I hope they improve on this.

...I was suppose to get Dish but my landlord would allow me to drill holes on my apt. Is the drilling on an "exclusive use" area such as a balcony? If so, you have the right to install the antenna there. If not, then the landlord is correct.

Reference:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

"Q: If I live in a condominium or an apartment building, does this rule apply to me?

A: The rule applies to antenna users who live in a multiple dwelling unit building, such as a condominium or apartment building, if the antenna user has an exclusive use area in which to install the antenna. "Exclusive use" means an area of the property that only you, and persons you permit, may enter and use to the exclusion of other residents. For example, your condominium or apartment may include a balcony, terrace, deck or patio that only you can use, and the rule applies to these areas. The rule does not apply to common areas, such as the roof, the hallways, the walkways or the exterior walls of a condominium or apartment building. Restrictions on antennas installed in these common areas are not covered by the Commission's rule. For example, the rule would not apply to restrictions that prevent drilling through the exterior wall of a condominium or rental unit and thus restrictions may prohibit installation that requires such drilling."

Is the drilling on an "exclusive use" area such as a balcony? If so, you have the right to install the antenna there. If not, then the landlord is correct.

Reference:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

"Q: If I live in a condominium or an apartment building, does this rule apply to me?

A: The rule applies to antenna users who live in a multiple dwelling unit building, such as a condominium or apartment building, if the antenna user has an exclusive use area in which to install the antenna. "Exclusive use" means an area of the property that only you, and persons you permit, may enter and use to the exclusion of other residents. For example, your condominium or apartment may include a balcony, terrace, deck or patio that only you can use, and the rule applies to these areas. The rule does not apply to common areas, such as the roof, the hallways, the walkways or the exterior walls of a condominium or apartment building. Restrictions on antennas installed in these common areas are not covered by the Commission's rule. For example, the rule would not apply to restrictions that prevent drilling through the exterior wall of a condominium or rental unit and thus restrictions may prohibit installation that requires such drilling."

They were planning to drill a hole through the exterior wall coz I live in a 2 story apt and they can't fish the cable from the top of the roof. They couldn't get the HD dish line of sight anyway so that was a deal breaker for me.

Sounds like the landlord was correct.

If the landlord is cooperative maybe you could exchange your apartment for one with line of site to Dish's birds from a window or balcony.

Sounds like the landlord was correct.

If the landlord is cooperative maybe you could exchange your apartment for one with line of site to Dish's birds from a window or balcony.

It would be too much of a trouble moving.

Since I am going with comcast,which comcast DMA do I belong to,I live in Sebring btw.. Why does channel lineups differ from city to city?

I will be getting my Digital HD today and I hope I get Mojo/InHD here in Sebring .I don't see it on there website..

which comcast DMA do I belong to,I live in Sebring btw.. http://www.google.com/search?&q=comcast+sebring+DMA&btnG=Search

bummer,the only HD that my local comcast have is the same channels that I am getting with their regular cable.. Is this for real? what i am only paying for is the set top box .. this sucks!

I also don't have VOD..

:-(

where can I complain about this? is there somebody that I can email?

I have a quick question (maybe); does running your coax through a power strip that has a filter to prevent surges affect your HD signal/performance? I know with coax it was not uncommon to get a spike/surge over the cable but if you are running coax to your cable box and then HDMI to your TV is that safer or would HDMI transmit a surge just like coax? I am not too concerned over the cable box being zapped, just my TV. Since this is the Tampa I am sure there are a lot of people that know about surges. Also if I should be running a coax filter, any recommendations besides a pricey Monster Cable surge strip? Thanks for any advice.

ANY wired connection (coax, HDMI, S-video, etc.) with the exception of TOSlink (fiberoptic), can theoretically pass a surge. However, running coax through a surge protector CAN degrade the signal, especially if it's marginal to begin with. After my recent Fios installation, my primary STB kept cutting off, requiring a service call. The Tech measured my coax signal and said it was marginal, due to running it through a Panamax surge protector. He bypassed the surge protector, and the STB has worked flawlessly since, but with a new $4000+ LCD HDTV, I don't want to take a chance. I've just ordered a decent line tester (the Test-Um TP300... http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/testum/testver/tp300.htm), and will test some of the many surge protectors I have lying around the house to find which one degreades the signal least. I'm hoping at least ONE of them will work.

Thanks for the info sleepysmurf, actually looking the Monster HTS800 power strip, on Amazon it is fairly cheap compared to Circuit City. I am just looking for something to help prevent damages from surges that isn't going to cost a lot. I find the lifetime equipment protection reassuring but not sure what it entails with repair, replacement, etc.

I've just ordered a decent line tester (the Test-Um TP300... http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/testum/testver/tp300.htm), and will test some of the many surge protectors I have lying around the house to find which one degreades the signal least.That little continuity tester won't be of much practical use in testing the insertion loss of the surge protectors. You need something more like this:

http://www.tempo-textron.com/prod_detail.cfm?cat=950&subcat=951&pid=10364

If your signal is so marginal that the typical 1-3 db insertion loss of a surge protector causes dropouts, you've got another issue. Could be an incorrect tap, a bad house drop, too many splitters, or bad wiring. In any case, time for another service call - this time ask for a tech that has, and knows how to use, their test equipment.

Looking for suggestions in the Beach Park area to receive OTA. Either inside or attic.

Thanks in advance.

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

IE only.

IE only.

Has always worked in Firefox for me.

My bad - I had AdBlock Plus running in Firefox. Seems to work OK with the ad killer disabled.

What happened to Fox News Channel ?????????????

:mad:

What happened to Fox News Channel ?????????????

:mad:

If you're talking about the line up change, yes, I noticed that today in Pinellas, too. Went to Fox on 67, and got the Golf channel. Thing is, they seemed to mirror the lineup for Hillsborough, which is great for me, cause we just moved from there.

Thing is, they seemed to mirror the lineup for Hillsborough, which is great for me, cause we just moved from there.This consistency of programming across the Bay area is the publicly stated reason for BHN's change in channel lineup. I suspect the change has it roots in a longer term plan to consolidate the engineering and distribution of programming in a more central location, perhaps Tampa or Orlando. Economy of scale, you know.

I live in Lakeland and have just purchased my first HDTV. I’m using a directional antenna with a rotor. My initial channel scan only picked up about two thirds of the channels. I purchased an RF amplifier from Wal-Mart and now I think I’m getting all the available channels from Tampa, but I’m not certain. Here’s what I’m getting: 3-1 to 3-4, 8-1 to 8-2, 10-1 to 10-2, 13-1, 16-1 to 16-4, 22-1 to 22-2, 28-1 to 28-2, 32-1, 38-1 to 38-2, 44-1, 50-1, 56-1 to 56-4, 62-1, and 66-1 to 66-4. Are these all the digital channels in the Tampa area, or are there more?

That's pretty much it, but your best bet is to check antennaweb.org
It will list all the stations with their distance, direction and current channel assignment. I say current because a few channels are moving after the analog get shut off in about 13 months.

i had a verizon contractor come to my house to sell me the verizon triple play the other day and since i already had it she told me if i refer anyone i can get a $100. everyone i know has already signed up...if any of my avs friends are interested in signing up for fios send me a PM.

I'm having a bi*ch of a time punching out my new RG6 Quad shield runs. I seem to have no problem stripping the wire, but man, getting the connectors on is not as easy as it seems. I have both a crimp and compression kit and I'm having the same problems (yes, using RG6Q connectors).

Anyone in the NE St. Pete area care to lend a helping hand and show me what's up? :D

Thanks!
Aaron

I am thinking about moving from DirecTV (since they can't get the ball rolling regarding their tuner cards for media center)

I guess I sit here and wonder though if my move would be any better... does DirecTV encrypt all of non-local channels?

I have been looking at SAGETV as a replacement for Vista Media Center (if things don't turn around soon), there appears to be solutions for getting the programming into your TV...

Any info would be appreciated... getting a bit tired of watching HD via S-Video.

Hello, so I don't live in Venice, just visiting my folks and after some interesting debate they got and HDTV. Problem is we have no HD. Back home i just get it through my QAM tuner through cox, they have a QAM tuner but they have DirectTV and I guess you can't get the local HD channels that way. We tried actually upgrading to the HD service but through wiring issues in the house and putting the bigger dish somewhere it is not possible. I purchased an antenna but I picked up nothing. Just wondering if there is any other way to get HD, ie through a better antenna thats available locally or by somehow getting it through DirectTV that I don't know about, thanks.

What DirecTV HD receiver do they have, a H20?

This might help you find a good antenna.
www.engadgethd.com/2006/01/30/ota-hd-demystified/

No I wish, it's an ancient box its an SD-HBH, if the SD stands for standard definition that will probably explain enough. Thanks for that link and outdoor antenna would probably work, but they wouldn't want to go through the hassle of running down the coaxial cable, I guess theres nothing to do.

Amheck; maybe a different brand/type of connector would be easier to work with. I use PPC EX6 connectors that work on regular and quad RG6 cable. To push the connector onto the prepped cable you might try using a splitter to hold onto the fitting while you push.
I have a lot of these fittings if you want to come over to N. Tampa with a piece of your cable to try them out. Call me at 813-495-5065.

Amheck; maybe a different brand/type of connector would be easier to work with. I use PPC EX6 connectors that work on regular and quad RG6 cable. To push the connector onto the prepped cable you might try using a splitter to hold onto the fitting while you push.
I have a lot of these fittings if you want to come over to N. Tampa with a piece of your cable to try them out. Call me at 813-495-5065.

thanks for the advice man. I may see what other connectors are available and try the splitter trick. may also stop into bhn and see a tech should show me what i'm missing. if I'm up your way, I'll give you a ring.

For those who didn't already know...History HD, CNN HD, Discovery HD, TLC HD, SciFi HD went live on the Sarasota Comcast headend today (Tuesday 1/8).
Woo-hoo!

Greetings, I just had a quick questiion for those of you who have Brighthouse cable with RoadRunner internet. I am from NY , but my mom is in Piniellas and she just got RR internet service. She used to have AOL which she is cancelling. Basically the tech who hooked up her internet did not assist her with getting a new e-mail address, so she has to call a tech out again, but my question is for those of you, is the domain name for the e-mail brighthouse.net, roadrunner.net, or rr.net? And also which customer service should she be calling to set up e-mail, Brighthouse or Roadrunner?

Greetings, I just had a quick questiion for those of you who have Brighthouse cable with RoadRunner internet. I am from NY , but my mom is in Piniellas and she just got RR internet service. She used to have AOL which she is cancelling. Basically the tech who hooked up her internet did not assist her with getting a new e-mail address, so she has to call a tech out again, but my question is for those of you, is the domain name for the e-mail brighthouse.net, roadrunner.net, or rr.net? And also which customer service should she be calling to set up e-mail, Brighthouse or Roadrunner?

Email will be MOMSNAME@tampabay.rr.com

The field techs don't provide end-user assistance such as setting up email addresses.

This type of administration can be done via the Member Services 'self help' page at
https://provselfcare.tampflrdc.rr.com/subselfcare/WelcomeAct.do

You mom has already been assigned a default email address in the form first_initial_last_name_digit@tampabay.rr.com. She can select additional email addresses (provided that they aren't already in use)@tampabay.rr.com

HTH.

The field techs don't provide end-user assistance such as setting up email addresses.

This type of administration can be done via the Member Services 'self help' page at
https://provselfcare.tampflrdc.rr.com/subselfcare/WelcomeAct.do

You mom has already been assigned a default email address in the form first_initial_last_name_digit@tampabay.rr.com. She can select additional email addresses (provided that they aren't already in use)@tampabay.rr.com

HTH.


Thanks for the info, I will look into it.

DOes anyone in tampa have extra RG6 compression connectors and a comnpression tool for sale. If so PM me.

Has anyone in the Tampa market experienced issues with the CBS HD feed. Mine is terribly pixilated, and I contacted DirecTv about my transponders signal strengths and was told there are no issues. CBS is the only really bad problem. I want to determine if it's DTV, or my new set. I do have stutter problems on Disney SD and Discovery HD as well. I assume those are related to my TV though. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I can post a pic of it from CSI-NY if someone would like to see it. It becomes choppy, and has large portions of green pixilation. BTW, I have a HR20-700 hooked up to a 5271 Samsung.

Can we assume that you are receiving your locals via satellite? If so, then you probably have the new 5-lnb dish. That dish is harder to aim than older smaller dishes. Perhaps you can use the signal strength screen while someone pushes on the dish a little to see if it is peaked to the max.
I have a DirecTV HD-tivo that gets its locals through an off-air antenna, and I haven't noticed any loss of signal on CBS.

Can we assume that you are receiving your locals via satellite? If so, then you probably have the new 5-lnb dish. That dish is harder to aim than older smaller dishes. Perhaps you can use the signal strength screen while someone pushes on the dish a little to see if it is peaked to the max.
I have a DirecTV HD-tivo that gets its locals through an off-air antenna, and I haven't noticed any loss of signal on CBS.

Yes, it is the new 5-LNB dish. I actually contacted DirecTv, and they checked all of my transponders strengths, and confirmed they were fine. Actuyally they checked the ones that effect my local CBS. I exchanged my Samsung for a Sony, and have no stutter at all. None on CBS, or Dicovery HD or Disney or 101. Anyway my only problem now is audio stutter on Discovery HD. Everything else so far seems fine. I just got it last night, and will check more this weekend.

Does anyone record Science Channel (722 in Tampa) programs on BH with a SA DVR? I get terrible dropped audio on almost any show I record where it gets that I can't watch it. On CBS and ABC I get a few audio drops but nothing like that of the Science Channel. I record shows off HDnet and watching a recorded now from Universal HD with not one drop. I have done the hidden diagnostic menus on the DVR for QAM levels and everything is in range.

Does anyone record Science Channel (722 in Tampa) programs on BH with a SA DVR? I get terrible dropped audio on almost any show I record where it gets that I can't watch it. On CBS and ABC I get a few audio drops but nothing like that of the Science Channel. I record shows off HDnet and watching a recorded now from Universal HD with not one drop. I have done the hidden diagnostic menus on the DVR for QAM levels and everything is in range.

I've had those same exact issues with both of my 8300HDC boxes so I'm assuming your using an HDC box. The last straw for me is when my HD DVR decides to pause on its own. This occurs with live TV, recorded TV and video on demand shows. So after that I said what the heck and I begged for a replacement 8300HD box (I got an HD box and not an "HDC" box). I've used the non HDC box for nearly two weeks now and haven't had one even minor audio issue nor any video issues. My box doesn't pause itself anymore either and it hasn't missed recording a show either. I'm also in the Tampa Bay area using SARA software.

You got it right, I have the HDC box, I am about to throw it out the window with the dropped audio. What is the difference between the HD and HDC? I am going to switch out the box when I get the recorded shows watched. Glad that I am not the only one with the issues. Thanks for the reply.

Nevermind found the difference with having the cable card slot and it seems like a major issue with the HDC and dropped audio.

Yep, it is a well known problem in the cable industry.

http://www.google.com/search?q=8300HDC+drop+out&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS233US234

I'm about to throw my HDC box out the window, too. Those audio dropouts make it unbearable. I guess I have to resort to watching the shows I missed on the internet, rather that on my DVR. Pretty sad, actually, but thank goodness we have that option.

Just wondering if Dish is going to carry any local HD programming from theTampa area? Just got 2 Hd tv's with no HD local channels at this time. Not sure if D* tv is carrying them. Does anyone know if Dish will have local HD in zip 33960? If not, I'll need to get an over the air antenna. But, since they're sending 3 birds this year, perhaps I can wait. Thanks..

DirecTV has carried them for some time and while Dish promised new HD markets this year, but they failed to say list them all.

If you want to dream though, I can tell you that CES they had map of the US with dots on all the areas where they had HD locals and Tampa did have a mark.

You can clearly see this in this photo.
http://www.engadgethd.com/photos/dish-network-booth-tour/573426/

Thanks Ben.... Now I'm really not sure whether to put up that antenna or not. If the 3 birds go up soon, I'm pretty sure it will happen. I think I'll wait for a little while and gather more info. Meanwhile, 2 Hd tvs with no locals. Aarghh.... Thanks again..

I'd suggest to anyone to get an OTA antenna. They aren't that expensive and are a fun project. I get the same channels via FiOS and choose to watch them OTA, plus I can use it with my PC and even when your service is out OTA almost always works. You'll definitly get your money out of it.

The problem with Dish is that their DVR can only record one OTA HD channel at a time and most of my conflicts are on the networks so this is a issue for me.

Hey Ben, can you elaborate a little bit about getting HD channels into the HTPC, i.e. what's possible and what's not?

I'm thinking about building one, to help get TV signals to another room with no cable drops. Was thinking about pairing up the HTPC with the new Linksys Media Center extenders (to be used in the room with no cable). I've been reading and have become pretty confused about Vista Media Center and QAM and HD in general. The HD Homerun product looks pretty cool.

The HTPC will be in the main living room and I'd love to just take the output from the BHN STB and go to my TV for 1 feed, and to the PC for the other feed. Figured that'd be a good way to get all of the channels (SD, HD, digital encrypted) into the HTPC since the STB is decoding them?

Haupage is about to come out with a component HD capture card that will work.

But the best bet is to get a Media Center with CableCard, Dell has the cheapest ones now, about 1100.

The HDHomerun is really nice, but won't record most cable channels.

Thanks. Yeah, I'm looking to spend well under that $1100 mark, although I'm sure it's a nice machine. Wonder if they ever get any of those in the Outlet section. Is that the XPS 420 that can be configured with the cable cards?

Do you happen to know the model of the Hauppague card that's coming out soon? is it this? (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/11/hauppauge-intros-usb-pvr-with-component-input/)

Doesn't look like much has changed since I last posted here in 06. HD in Tampa still sucks :(

FiOS isn't available at my parent's house in Hernando County, and probably never will be as AT&T is the phone company here. Isn't available at my apartment on Fletcher either, and I have friends a few miles away on Harney Rd. that have had FiOS for more than a year now.

Good day all, I was just referred here from the Audiokarma forum. I'm thinking about getting one of those omnidirectional antennas such as the Winegard MS2002. I live in Riverview, less than 5 miles from the towers. The only station I might want to get that's any distance away is WTSP (38.5 miles according to antennaweb). Most stations are from 42-86 degrees, again except for WTSP at 319. Think an omni will work? Cheers--Steve

Anyone? Bueller?

Best thing for you to do is try one, don't know if dear old Radio Shack carries them or not; call one and ask and also ask if you can return it if it doesn't suit your needs. I've seen a number of those out here in Wesley Chapel. If you're not interested in TVDX or going for distant stations in central Florida, then an omni might work down there even for channel 10; all you can do is try it. You can go to Radio shack's website and see if they carry those, but is best just to call your closest one. You sure don't need amplified antenna in Riverview; all the omnis might be amplified but try one anyway and see if the you get an overload where you are.

I noticed someone talking about cable cards for computers...if you're interested in dumping DVR media, HD or standard def, my macbook pros have been able to do this ever since I got a DVR box with firewire port back in 2000. You just plug the firewire port into the one on the mac, and it sees it as a camcorder with avc cap. You get an mpeg that's untouched from what the DVR box stored...20-35mbps 1080i or 720p files. It couldn't be more simple...works effortlessly (like everything with macs, lol...every time i get a new tv and plug my laptop into it, it immediate pops up with all the supported resolutions and color palettes and displays perfectly with no setup).
It would be worth it just for getting those files to get an old mac off ebay, then just set up a network and save the m2t files to the PC from the mac (assuming you don't like the OSX10.5 interface as much as xp or vista...personal taste i suppose). You could get an old g4/g5 (which still runs osx fast...osx isn't bloatware) for a couple hundred bux and get full, exact mpegs off your dvr to convert to whatever you like to use (basically the only 2 useful codecs...h264 or mpeg2...both convert very well)

:)
a lot of you may know this, i'm sure...but some of you might think its difficult or impossible to dump those mpeg streams off of the dvr...hope it helps someone

what about 5C??

I'm working on figuring that out. I never bothered trying to save HBOHD stuff, but recently I noticed that A&EHD, NatGeoHD, etc were locked when their standard def alternatives were not. So I'm trying to find a way to defeat that 5C/EMI protection to get to the programming I'm allowed to get to.
I started a new thread about it. I assume there's some program like Streamclip and Handbrake (the best free apple progs for video editing and dvd backups) for working on 5c stuff, or at least some professional plug-in I can get for Final Cut/Compressor. :-/
As of this moment, I have no clue and I'm frustrated that I can save a show from A&E in 480i, but not 720p...or from NatGeo in 480i, but not their 1080i.

Actually I'm hoping it will be some plugin for Compressor, because it does the most amazing HD downconvert to DVD, and the cleanest HD output available. Compressor even massacres Avid's output, and both of these are pro/broadcast standards. Compressor 3 and the way it works with h264 and dvcpro is amazing...that's where I always want this m2t media to end up anyway.

So I'm trying to find a way to defeat that 5C/EMI protection
Good Luck... ;)

:cool:

have uhf vhf antenna on roof, have a tv in bedroom, all hd channels coming in perfect 80 plus signals
just bought a new tv with internal hd box for living room, seems that only with 13 i am having signal meter of 70 there is pixalation ......while in bedroom works just fine, went on roof and moved antenna around got it up to 80 worked ok, now hours later i put tv back on... and signal back down to 68 do you know of any other issues, i am pointing in the right direction and getting all other staions in same loction no prob on fox in the other room

thank very much

live in palm harbor 34684

i'm not entirely certain what you're saying here, unless you are just wildly, randomly off-topic....what i see u asking about is intermittent signal problems with a set-top hd antenna on a tv with a built-in tuner

i'm not exactly sure what kind of interference an air conditioner unit could actually produce, but when i was installing the giant hd antennas in people's attics in '99-'04 i noticed very intermittent performance in channels coming from the direction that was blocked by the a/c or water heater units (most of the a/c and w/h's in florida are electric, so this is probably different for you gas states/cities).
evidently any large electrical device causes interference and you want to get it above them...we actually started hanging them from the rafters at the very peak of the roof
my expertise is not in air conditioning though, so i'm not sure what it is that the a/c unit is doing that makes it powerful enough to do that...i'm sure there's some kind of transformer inside of it... :-/ some people have put their generators up next to the a/c unit too (newer houses are the only ones that seem to generally have a highmounted a/c unit...90% of houses have the a/c unit on the ground out back, even with the risk of flood during hurricanes...so, if it's out back you don't need to spend the day searching around the attic for something that might not be there)

also, if you live within 4 or 5 miles of an airport, just get cable....it's HOPELESS, in my experience, near an airport...frustratingly intermittent

i also ended up having to do a complete rewire for a house built in the 30's (there was still asbestos-insulated power wire in the house...no larger than 14ga even for the a/c power lines..lol) and the out-dated wiring was so substandard it was even making amps and dvd players malfunction and/or distort...make sure you have a solid ground for your ground plug (you can do this by getting a surge protector with a ground status indicator on it, or test it manually....by "manual" i do not mean "with a fork")
(*add....also, AM channels work on ground, so that may help if you have no other way of testing for some reason)

intermittent signal issues are.....uhm...good luck :)
you might just find that you'll lose less hair by moving
just test everything, and strategically rule out general types of issues with thought-out tests and experiments

getting channels with "bunny-ears" is always intermittent though, because you never know what's between you and the station...which has become more of an issue with digital signals...i've seen the signal intermittently interrupted by cellfone towers, transformers, radar antennas, radio antennas (large..like firestations/police), etc etc

if you live within 4 or 5 miles of an airport, just get cable....it's HOPELESS, in my experience, near an airport...frustratingly intermittentThis might have been true if you had a poor quality analog tuner or a defective set, but the VHF aircraft band (108 - 136 MHz) is between TV channels 6 and 7 above the FM broadcast band, and is well separated from any of the local VHF channels. Likewise with the UHF aircraft frequency allocations.

This might have been true if you had a poor quality analog tuner or a defective set, but the VHF aircraft band (108 - 136 MHz) is between TV channels 6 and 7 above the FM broadcast band, and is well separated from any of the local VHF channels. Likewise with the UHF aircraft frequency allocations.

I believe he's referring to the signals reflecting off the planes and causing severe and rapidly-changing multipath.

- Trip

thanks trip :) i should have been specific in relating the distortion to aircraft activity, not the existance of an airport in general
you will certainly lose signal with any kind of aircraft landing if you're within a range where the aircraft is within 10,000 feet, give or take.
i grew up on a farm that eventually got an airport built 3 miles away...i gave my parents my plasma when i upgraded and they had to buy cable for it because over-the-air performance was miserable

for future reference, i'm only going to bother posting actual experience from my personal experience, professional electronics training or experience, or reliable research...i'm not 100% perfect obviously, but i won't waste anyone's time here with guesses, hobbyist pseudo-experience, or uneducated rambling

even if it were just airtraffic control i meant, even cordless phones (down in the 50mhz or so vhf range) can cause a buzzing with weak hardware...interference is everywhere :-D

FIOS & the Motorola HD cable box.

Does anyone have a beveled image distortion on the left side when the cable box is set to output at 1080i? It goes away when set to 720P. It looks as if the left 2% of the image is about 10 pixels lower than the rest of the image.

getting slight static ,sound only, on my plasma during LETTERMAN on ch. 10, only happens during that show and only on that tv, all others working fine,
in palm harbor area
anybody else having this issue??
thanks

FIOS & the Motorola HD cable box.

Does anyone have a beveled image distortion on the left side when the cable box is set to output at 1080i? It goes away when set to 720P. It looks as if the left 2% of the image is about 10 pixels lower than the rest of the image.

i have the HD DVR and it does not have this problem when set to 1080i.

Are you using overscan?
I think if I used 5% overscan it would just about cover it up, but I am trying to figure out if there is a problem on my side or the box.

A little off topic but does anyone have information on when Fios will be available in Clearwater? Thanks I am anxiously waiting.

a beveled image distortion on the left side when the cable box is set to output at 1080i? It goes away when set to 720P. It looks as if the left 2% of the image is about 10 pixels lower than the rest of the image.

I have now had the Motorola Box changed, and the issue is still there. Verizon has no clue what the problem is. I have the same problem on two different HDTV's using HDMI inputs.

I'm just gonna quote the post I made in the NHL thread on the HDTV programming forum...

Today's Pittsburgh-Philly Game 5 on NBC was NOT shown in HD on WFLA Channel 8 NBC in Tampa. I was shocked. Still am...

They basically stretched the image to 16:10 with small black bars to the sides, which is what this local NBC crap affiliate does for most of their SD programming, making the game look very bad. Thus, everything was wider on the screen that it should be. The audio was bad as well, I had to put the volume all the way up.

Here's the kicker... Right after the game's broadcast, the LOCAL NEWS were shown IN FULL HD.

I called them and I called the NHL and couldn't reach anybody because it was a Sunday. Pathetic. The only person I was able to talk to was from the newscenter. The dude transferred me to one of their engineers, and nobody answered. I chose to not leave a message since the game was starting.

How bad does this make the NHL look if you're a sports fan in Tampa? At the same time today, the local ABC affiliate had game 7 of the Celtics and Cavaliers in full HD. This is not only bad for business and ratings for WFLA, but also terrible for the NHL. I'm a big Penguins fan and as a huge supporter of hockey and the NHL's product, this is incredibly embarrassing. This is also not the first time this has happened to WFLA for an NHL game. I lived in Orlando for a year and a half before moving back to Tampa and all the NHL broadcasts were in HD over there. And that's not even an NHL market... WFLA is a joke.

If anyone knows why this happened, please PM me or reply here. I will call these clowns tomorrow and ask to speak with their programming department.

Now I get to watch the replay of the game on NHL Network at least...

Channel 8 SUCKS.

^^^What was the outcome?

Channel 8 SUCKS.

Pretty much. That wasn't the first time they've neglected to flip the HD switch for hockey.

From TampaHDTV.com:


Bright House to add 4 HD channels tomorrow

Orlando was first to add some new HD channels two weeks ago and now the Tampa Bay area will start to receive some new HD channels. They are:

CNN HD - Channel 728
Disney HD- Channel 735
ABC Family HD - Channel 736

MGM HD available with the HD Pak

For the past few days I've had the following issues with CBS on D* here in Tampa:
-- center channel dialog is bleeding into rear surrounds
-- rear surrounds have bad distortion

I have no issues at all on any other stations. I'm unsure if this is a local station issue or a D* issue. Ant others with this problem?

Hello All, St.Petersburg here.

I'm wondering if anyone knows when FiOS will be available in Southern Pinellas County?

Also, FiOS vs BHN.. programming wise.. Who wins?

Thanks!

Just an update for ya. The Tampa Bay market now has Lifetime Movie Network HD and FX HD available on our lineups. Still no SDV in use yet. I'm also hearing that ESPN News HD, ESPN U HD and Big Ten Network HD are coming very soon. I'm not sure exactly when but its not far away that I do know.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/3090734386_f678e420fc.jpg

nice work they do at WTVT

Hi! I'm in the greater Orlando area, and was wondering where the broadcast antennas are for the Tampa stations. I'm trying to figure out if I could get Tampa OTA stations via a good antenna setup. I get all the Orlando stations with a simple indoor antenna. The sports monopolies (NFL, NCAA, NBA, etc.) often dictate what can be watched (e.g. last weekend our local broadcaster had to show the Jax-Baltimore game instead of the Miami-NYJets game) and it would be nice to have some more options.

Check out this how to (http://www.engadgethd.com/2006/01/30/ota-hd-demystified/) for full details, but basically the best site is antennweb.org. Most of them are in Riverview.

:)Thanks, the HDTV link in the article gave me what I needed.

I receive all my TV channels with an outside directional antenna pointed toward Tampa. My HDTV has a signal strength indicator with a scale from 0 to 100. In order to get a watchable signal, the signal strength must be at least 50. I usually get a signal strength from channel 8 of about 85. However over the last few months there have been days when it's been much lower than that including one day when it was below 50. When channel 8 is low, all the other channels are still at their normal levels so I don't think there is a problem with my equipment. Has any one else noticed a problem with channel 8's over-the-air digital signal?

The White House wants your opinion on The DTV Delay ACT Bill
President Obama wants to hear what the public has to say, you can comment here

http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing_room/dtv_delay_act/

The White House wants your opinion on The DTV Delay ACT Bill

No, I don't believe that they do, really.

I receive all my TV channels with an outside directional antenna pointed toward Tampa. My HDTV has a signal strength indicator with a scale from 0 to 100. In order to get a watchable signal, the signal strength must be at least 50. I usually get a signal strength from channel 8 of about 85. However over the last few months there have been days when it's been much lower than that including one day when it was below 50. When channel 8 is low, all the other channels are still at their normal levels so I don't think there is a problem with my equipment. Has any one else noticed a problem with channel 8's over-the-air digital signal?

I've had problems with channel 38, but not 8.

They are no problem here in Wesley Chapel north of Tampa; both 8.1 and 8.2 come in fine even when my antenna is rotated towards Orlando.

They are no problem here in Wesley Chapel north of Tampa; both 8.1 and 8.2 come in fine even when my antenna is rotated towards Orlando.

I'm finding random days when there is no signal at all from channel 8 and other days when the signal is significantly lower than usual. I e-mailed the station, but they never replied. Right now their signal level on my set is 76-77. It's normally 84-85.

I live on the west side of St. Petersburg
I have a pretty straightforward setup, a samsung plasma and a sony home theater in a box. I'm having a problem with sound lag when watching boradcast digital TV. Not seeing the problem at all with analog broadcast, but when watching a digital broadcast, I'm getting a sound lag (or maybe the sound's arriving before the picture, don't remember for sure which).

It happens inconsistently but often. There have been times when changing the channel and then changing back has helped, other times that hasn't helped at all. Is this a problem with the stations and the way they are sending out the digital signal, or is this a problem with my equipment?

Both the tv and the home theater in a box are pretty new, and also pretty new models.

I live on the west side of St. Petersburg
I have a pretty straightforward setup, a samsung plasma and a sony home theater in a box. I'm having a problem with sound lag when watching boradcast digital TV. Not seeing the problem at all with analog broadcast, but when watching a digital broadcast, I'm getting a sound lag (or maybe the sound's arriving before the picture, don't remember for sure which).

It happens inconsistently but often. There have been times when changing the channel and then changing back has helped, other times that hasn't helped at all. Is this a problem with the stations and the way they are sending out the digital signal, or is this a problem with my equipment?

Both the tv and the home theater in a box are pretty new, and also pretty new models.

I frequently find lip sync problems on nearly all of the channels. The new oldies reruns on channel 8-2 is one of the worst, although it's fine right now. It would be nice if they could get their acts together. I also find inconsistancies in aspect ratios. I often see widescreen programs broadcast within the the standard definition aspect ratio and once even saw the SD ratio within widescreen within SD. That made the picture awfully small in the middle of the screen.

This morning on FIOS and on my OTA setup and on both tuners I use, sync was off on channel 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4, couple of words off. This seems to occur quite a bit. Their analog is now gone of course. I really am not sure what causes this.

Any Sony DHG-HDD250/500 owners in the Tampa Bay area having trouble getting over the air TV Guide information? I went back in this forum several pages with no mention. Have been following the other forums on this subject and would like to compare notes since this subject seems so related to local broadcast conditions.

I recently got FiOS in the Bradenton area and requested a M-card (multistream) for my TiVo HD receiver. The tech had a single cablecard and after checking advised that Verizon might not have m-cards available until July or even later. Anyone else run into this situation? The tech didn't know the reason for the m-card delay but advised he would install two single cards later today.

That is the same story Verizon has been saying for some time. You might check the TiVo community forum to see if anyone in other markets has been able to get one from FiOS.

They definitely have M-cards though, as they use them in their own DVRs. So worst case, order a DVR too and then when the guy leaves swap the cards and return the DVR and S-Card at a local facility a few days later. It'll take a long time before they figure it out.

hi,

i have brighthouse regular cable (not digital)... my coax goes from my wall to the back of my tv... i dont have a box. my tv has a built in qam tuner which picks up some of the local HD channels. i am wondering if i should get a digitial antenna as well. does anybody in my area have regular, non-digital cable with both a QAM tuner and a OTA antenna? does the digital antenna pick up any additional channels (especially HD channels)? thanks!

I recently got FiOS in the Bradenton area and requested a M-card (multistream) for my TiVo HD receiver. The tech had a single cablecard and after checking advised that Verizon might not have m-cards available until July or even later. Anyone else run into this situation? The tech didn't know the reason for the m-card delay but advised he would install two single cards later today.

i have a sony tv with built in tv guide functionality. i just got it yesterday and it supposedly can take up to 24 hours to set itself up. mine is still not working. ill give it a little longer and update you. did you ever get yours working? my zip code is 33613.

Today I had very low signal on 13 and 8. I went to watch the race and it wasn't there. My Tivo usually has 75 to 85 range. Today they were 30. Anyone else have a problem?

Today I had very low signal on 13 and 8. I went to watch the race and it wasn't there. My Tivo usually has 75 to 85 range. Today they were 30. Anyone else have a problem?

I've never experienced a low signal strength on 13, but I frequently get low strength on 8. 13 is always slightly higher than 8. I just checked now and both are coming in at their normal strength.

I am in the process of moving to Tampa.
Did anyone have Bright House and the MLB EI package last season--or know about its plans for 2009?
I have had DirecTV which provided virtually every game in HD -- how did BH do?

Not sure about BHN, but FiOS is available in most areas around Tampa and they have a great HD lineup and are supposed to have MLB EI this season.

I have a 3.5 year old Panasonic TH42PX500U with the Verizon cablecard installed and every couple of weeks it loses it's connection and I have to call tech support to have them reload it. The tech told me pulling it out and putting it back would do the same thing, havent tried that yet.

Anyway, I read somewhere that it might be an incompatibility between my older tv and the new M-cards that's causing it to drop. If I pull the card from the tv, is there any way to tell if the card I have is the M-card, if so I will call and request for the S-Card and hope that solves the problem.


I recently got FiOS in the Bradenton area and requested a M-card (multistream) for my TiVo HD receiver. The tech had a single cablecard and after checking advised that Verizon might not have m-cards available until July or even later. Anyone else run into this situation? The tech didn't know the reason for the m-card delay but advised he would install two single cards later today.

Yes it will say M-Card right no it.
http://connectedhome2go.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/mcard.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/111/293223010_1d0d5c1561.jpg?v=0

The S-Cards just say CableCARD.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/36/Img_5022.jpg

I'd be really interested to hear if you've received an M-Card, so be sure to report back.

Bdraw,

Thanks for the quick reply. I will check it tonight and let you know.

I'm not saying I got an M-Card, just that I've read it's been the cause with older TV's which might be the problem in my case. If it isnt, I guess I'll ask for a new cablecard from Verizon.

Eric

Yes it will say M-Card right no it.
http://connectedhome2go.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/mcard.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/111/293223010_1d0d5c1561.jpg?v=0

The S-Cards just say CableCARD.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/36/Img_5022.jpg

I'd be really interested to hear if you've received an M-Card, so be sure to report back.

That is the same story Verizon has been saying for some time. You might check the TiVo community forum to see if anyone in other markets has been able to get one from FiOS.

They definitely have M-cards though, as they use them in their own DVRs. So worst case, order a DVR too and then when the guy leaves swap the cards and return the DVR and S-Card at a local facility a few days later. It'll take a long time before they figure it out.

Hi,

Please forgive me if this has previously been discussed, but what is the advantage of an M-card over a pair of standard cable cards?

Will it permit advanced features such as Video-On-Demand on TiVoHD DVRs?

Would a single M-card be cheaper to rent from Verizon than a pair of standard cards?

Thanks.

Larry

Hello,

I'm visiting the in-laws in North Port, and they have recently acquired an HDTV. I had hoped to find that the Comcast cable boxes in their home supported HD with component or HDMI out, but they do not (Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4250C). While they subscribe to digital cable, I don't believe they officially have an HD tier in their subscription.

I cringed when I found the lowly standard-def box connected to an HDTV via coax on channel 3. I've done a couple of channel scans on the TV for digital cable channels hoping to at least find the local broadcast channels on the line in clear QAM, but I can't find anything.

I was under the impression that all cable systems had to provide at least the local broadcast channels in clear QAM. I know that is the case on my home cable system.

Does anyone know if these should be available in North Port on Comcast? Does having the box in the circuit interfere with this? I found some sort of "bypass when off" option in the box's setup menu, but that didn't seem to affect the scan.

My father-in-law doesn't seem to care that he has no HD sources for his new TV, but I wanted to find at least the locals to give him something to compare to SD.

Hey Bdraw,

Thanks for the pics, unfortunately I have the S-Card which does not seem to be playing nice with my 500u panasonic. I guess if it keeps having to be reloaded I will ask them for a replacement.

Yes it will say M-Card right no it.
http://connectedhome2go.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/mcard.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/111/293223010_1d0d5c1561.jpg?v=0

The S-Cards just say CableCARD.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/36/Img_5022.jpg

I'd be really interested to hear if you've received an M-Card, so be sure to report back.