It is not as visible as I figured it would be. Can I call DTV and get it installed even though I already have the HD package?

I'm confused why they didn't install it for you when they came the first time. But I'm guessing you already had compatible equipment and just needed a new receiver or something? (That was the case with my next-door neighbor, who got the oval dish a year or two ago but it was for the Spanish stuff, not HD.)

Anyway you could call them and ask, but my guess is that they won't be able to help you unless you're installing an HD Tivo (highly recommended, btw). In fact if you don't have HD Tivo, then I don't think I would really want their version, because if you do it yourself you'll have more service options (basically two affiliates for each network, because of WPB reception, which should be just as crystal clear as our locals).

elephant98, the signal quality from all of the networks (including UPN33) is perfect. I can't tell a difference between OTA and DirecTV HD. Some of the folks over at the Tivo Community Forum actually complain that the signal DirecTV puts out is not a true 1080i signal because it lacks the full horizontal resolution, so in theory locals might actually look a hair better, but of course an A-B comparison isn't possible unless you get the network feeds in HD, which I was not able to get a waiver for. (shrug) But informally comparing, say, Discovery HD (from D*) with, say, CBS4 OTA, I can't tell a difference.

It's my understanding that because it's digital, even though it's coming in over the airwaves, it either works or it doesn't. Not like the old days when fiddling with the rabbit ears gave you various increments of quality. It's either perfect, or completely absent. (But I can't really confirm this. It's always perfect for me so far.)

(Edit: Well there is the CBS/CSI sound problem, but that's been discussed about at great length in this thread and on the HD Programming board as a general CBS issue which may or may not be related to local affiliate mistakes. Either way it's not an antenna issue. What basically happens in those cases, say while watching CSI, is that you can hear some of the audio channels, but not the dialog (probably center channel of 5.1 not being transmitted). They generally fix the problem after a few minutes.)

Comcast VOD is still not working for me here in Coral Gables. Is this working for anyone and if so just out of curiosity what does it do? Can you stream movies, etc? Also what are the costs? Thanks.

Will

Is anybody experiencing audio problems with 10-1? I was watching Lost tonight and the DD5.1 audio was very low. I checked my speakers and the audio was coming from the front left and right speakers. The audio on all of the other channels was working fine.

I only checked in on it for a few minutes, but it sounded okay to me. Unfortunately I don't have DD hooked up at the moment, just regular stereo.

Mike--
This has been a multi-years long on and off WPLG 5.1 problem. They claim that it is a network feed thing.

Originally posted by Mike4HDTV
Is anybody experiencing audio problems with 10-1? I was watching Lost tonight and the DD5.1 audio was very low. I checked my speakers and the audio was coming from the front left and right speakers. The audio on all of the other channels was working fine.

Mike,

I noticed it as well. I don't understand why WPLG still has audio difficulties...you'd think they would've resolved all their problems by now, considering they've been live on their digital channel since 1999.

---Rudy

Originally posted by Mike4HDTV
Is anybody experiencing audio problems with 10-1? I was watching Lost tonight and the DD5.1 audio was very low. I checked my speakers and the audio was coming from the front left and right speakers. The audio on all of the other channels was working fine.

We upgraded software on our Dolby equipment and the units were not set up properly afterward. 5.1 was not working. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Today (Friday 4/1) we set up the boxes to ABC specs and tested. Everything should be OK now.

Remember though, there are times that ABC lights up 5.1, but only sends two channels. This fix will not stop that. (I detailed ABC's response in a previous reply). At least now 5.1 will pass when sent and the levels should be correct. Let me know if that's not the case.

Steve Ellis
Assistant Chief Engineer
WPLG

Thank you, Steve. It is very irritating to have some of the fine HD programming on ABC marred by audio issues, so I'm glad you're on top of things.

Steve, thanks for the update, been a long time lurker,

Quick question regarding ABC, I have noticed that during HD programs there are white specs surrounding the edges of whatever is on the screen, specially around faces.
It is only during HD programming and it only happens with ABC, which rules out any isues with the antenna.

Signal strength is abot 7 out of 10.

Thanks

I live in zip 33180, aprox west dixi and ives dairy and I am only about 4 miles from the tower. I have an RS VU-75 mounted on my roof. Its wired w/ rg-6 to a dipex then 50' of rg-6 to the other end of dipex and to the tv. All of my channels that I should get come in fine, 85-99% and stay fine. CBS for some reason will lock on in the low 90s but for some reason will flicker, sometimes every 30 seconds other times every 5 or 6 min. This does not happen with any other channel. Ive tried tweaking the antenna by moving it a bit but it doesn't seem to help. Any suggestions. Would any sort of amp help?

Well, I took a chance and got the Terk HDTVi antenna and it friggin' worked for me. I can't wait to see some of the local channels in HD baby. I am in P. Pines on Pembroke Road between Flamingo and Hiatus. :D

Are you getting anything from WPB with the Terk ?

Originally posted by tpalik
Are you getting anything from WPB with the Terk ?

WPB?

That's West Palm Beach. These would include 29-1 (Fox), 5-1 (NBC), 12-1 (CBS), 42-1 (PBS). There is also 34-1 (WB) and 25-1 (ABC) but I doubt you would get these.

Originally posted by tpalik
That's West Palm Beach. These would include 29-1 (Fox), 5-1 (NBC), 12-1 (CBS), 42-1 (PBS). There is also 34-1 (WB) and 25-1 (ABC) but I doubt you would get these.

I will check when I get home. To be honest I am just thrilled that I will be able to see the Illini in tonight's NCAA championship game in HD.

I installed a Channel Master 3016 in my attic yesterday to replace various RS indoor units I have tried.

I am in 33327 (Weston) about a mile from US27/I75. I am the antenna almost due east to try and get both WPB and Miami antenna farms.

As a test, I took my 100' reel of RG6 quag-shield (I only need about 50' but didn't want to cut it yet) from the attic to the TV in order to check alignment and see if a pre-amp would be needed which I suspected would be the case with the attic attenuation.

To my surprise, everything I expected came in ! All major Miami stations of course plus 5-1, 12-1, 29-1, 42-1 and 67-1. I could pick up signal from 25-1 but no lock.

My signal levels for Miami stations ranged from 84-96 which the exception of 46-1 which I'm not really worried about.

For WPB, I got from 65 on 12-1 to 85 on 29-1.

Adding a pre-amp would be overkill unless I can somehow get 25-1. Is there anyone south of 595 who has received it or 34-1 ?

Second question is on fade margin. My HTL-HD has two representations of signal. One shows "Bad, Normal, Good" for the channel in question. The other is through ATSC Signal Test where the numberic values cited above are quoted. In order to give myself some margin, what should I aim for ? The manual gives no insight and the units aren't listed.

I can say though I would highly recomend the CM3016, only $34.99 at Lowes.:)

Is there anyone south of 595 who has received it or 34-1 ?

I live a couple miles south of you (west of 75, just below Sheridan), and I can't get any of the WPB stations except for PAX. I can't even get the 12s or 29s. This is with the roof antenna I posted pics of earlier in this thread.

Newbie here.. gotta quick question though.. just purchased my 2nd HD set... 1st one is located on the 1st fl, and I have a outdoor Terk TV55 antenna setup that works flawlessly. Now the new tv is on the 2nd floor and I am looking for a quality indoor antenna... I purchased a POS Samsung Axession.. that I can only pull 4.1 & 6.1 with and if I walk across the room, it distorts the signal.. no 7.1 or 10.1 whatever I try... now anyone have any suggestions for a good indoor antenna for the Tamarac area.. just north of commercial and less than a 1/25 mile east of Pine Island.

Thanks!

Pat,

Based on your location I ran a check on antennaweb.org. It shows that most of yours are in the yellow range. I put in an address near Sheridan & I75.

Your antenna I believe is either a Winegard GS-2200 or Channel Master Stealthtenna. Both of these are bi-directional which in your case is a help since the two antenna farms are separated by about 100 degrees. The Miami farm is at about 120 degrees bearing and the WPB is at 20.

I had a quick look at the HR10 manual. You can specify a secondary market for OTA channels. You could use the one for WFLX FOX 29 which is 33404.

So I would turn your antenna and then do a re-scan for OTA only. You should at least get FOX, CBS, NBC, and PBS then.

Hope this helps.

Originally posted by tpalik
Pat,

Based on your location I ran a check on antennaweb.org. It shows that most of yours are in the yellow range. I put in an address near Sheridan & I75.

Your antenna I believe is either a Winegard GS-2200 or Channel Master Stealthtenna. Both of these are bi-directional which in your case is a help since the two antenna farms are separated by about 100 degrees. The Miami farm is at about 120 degrees bearing and the WPB is at 20.

I had a quick look at the HR10 manual. You can specify a secondary market for OTA channels. You could use the one for WFLX FOX 29 which is 33404.

So I would turn your antenna and then do a re-scan for OTA only. You should at least get FOX, CBS, NBC, and PBS then.

Hope this helps.

I'm in Deerfield Beach and got an indoor antenna yesterday from Radio Shack. From what I know, I hit the autoprogram to search for analog and digital channels and couldn't pick up any even when I placed the antenna on my balcony. So I missed the game last night in HD, although it looked pretty awesome on my new 60WF655. I just want to confirm with you guys if that's the way to tune in the channels? Simply go to the menu and have the TV search for the digital channels? I guess I have to go out and get a roof antenna now since that's what antennaweb is specifying I should get based upon my location. Thanks for any advise y'all can give me.

Regards,
4088

Did you check www.antennaweb.org. I put in 33442 for fun which is Quiet Waters Park and it confirms what I suspected. Miami channels are almost due south 24 miles and WPB is almost due north 19 miles. At worst you might needed a rotator or get an two antennas pointing in different directions.

I had the RS 15-1880 for awhile indoors and had trouble reaching the Miami stations reliably which are 16 miles away.

Originally posted by tpalik
Pat,

Based on your location I ran a check on antennaweb.org. It shows that most of yours are in the yellow range. I put in an address near Sheridan & I75.

Your antenna I believe is either a Winegard GS-2200 or Channel Master Stealthtenna. Both of these are bi-directional which in your case is a help since the two antenna farms are separated by about 100 degrees. The Miami farm is at about 120 degrees bearing and the WPB is at 20.

I had a quick look at the HR10 manual. You can specify a secondary market for OTA channels. You could use the one for WFLX FOX 29 which is 33404.

So I would turn your antenna and then do a re-scan for OTA only. You should at least get FOX, CBS, NBC, and PBS then.

Hope this helps.

It does look like the Winegard. FWIW, the installer set it up so that the arms of the unit are pointing almost directly north-south. Is that relevent?

Yeah I was a little surprised myself. I saw those numbers at Antenna Web before I ordered the install. I went through all that stuff, specifying the secondary market as WPB, and the system downloaded all the programming data and set up the channels, they just come up blank when I try to tune them in.

Not a big deal, though.

Originally posted by photai
I live in zip 33180, aprox west dixi and ives dairy and I am only about 4 miles from the tower. I have an RS VU-75 mounted on my roof. Its wired w/ rg-6 to a dipex then 50' of rg-6 to the other end of dipex and to the tv. All of my channels that I should get come in fine, 85-99% and stay fine. CBS for some reason will lock on in the low 90s but for some reason will flicker, sometimes every 30 seconds other times every 5 or 6 min. This does not happen with any other channel. Ive tried tweaking the antenna by moving it a bit but it doesn't seem to help. Any suggestions. Would any sort of amp help?

This could be a case of too much signal causing intermodulation distortion in the receiver. You have a good antenna and you're not far from a lot of high power tv transmitters. An amplifier is likely to make matters worse. Try an attenuator in series with the cable to the receiver. The RS 15-1257 is a 6 dB attenuator for $3.99. Call if you have questions: 305 639 4485.

Ken

I just upgraded to HD on DishNetwork. My NBC6 station when showing HD programming comes in skewed - words and logos off the viewing area.
I was told by Dish that I needed an OTA / UHF antenna to pick up my local HD broadcasts.

As I live in a gated community with little or no access to my "attic" I would like to know if I can use a set top antenna. I found one - Jensen 920 which is not to "obtrusive" for the inside of my home.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this model or any others - I hear the "Terk"s are to be avoided.

I live in a gated community as well. This has no bearing on whether you have access to your attic. Look for a panel in the ceiling somewhere. Ours is in one of our walk-in closets.

Without knowing how close you are to the towers it's hard to give you a recommendation. What does http://www.antennaweb.org tell you ?

I had the Jensen 920 antenna and I was able to receive all of the Miami HD stations and the WPB FOX station. The Jenson 920 is a good antenna but it takes a while to lock in all of the stations.

Living in a gated community -- by which I assume you mean having a homeowners association -- does not preclude your installing an outdoor antenna. If your home is free standing, they cannot prevent you from doing so.

See this FCC regulation:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

My zipcode is 33071 Coral Springs Drive / Atlantic Blvd. Antennaweb put me aprox 25 miles from Miami.
I did not mean to mislead regarding access to my attic - I have that, just very limited crawl space.
My gated community does not allow for outside antennas - Satellite's are excluded from this.

Reread the FCC regulation. They ~cannot~ not allow an outdoor antenna for a freestanding home. [Or, under certain circumstances, apartments and townhouses.] The same applies to local governments.

My only reason for an attic install was to avoid having the thing blow off in hurricane season. From your locale, you should be able to pick up all Miami and WPB though to get both you'll need something to the north and south.

If you only want Miami, I think you might be too far for an indoor unit to give reliable reception but others may feel otherwise. An alternative might be to put your indoor unit on the top floor if you have one. Height above local clutter can make a huge difference on its own.

I agree with wjbjr, no one can stop an antenna on your house. Perhaps your association bye-laws pre-date the FCC rule change, which I think was about 1998.

There are reports from people in Miramar picking up WTVX and WPBF also though they appear to be 62 miles from you.

So IYHO what would be two good alternatives, one for set-top and the other for attic installation?

Anyone with comcast know if they've been showing any marlins games in HD?

Voom carried the marlins games in HD last year, but folks at voom are saying that comcast picked up the exclusive for marlins HD games.

So i'm trying to track if and where marlins games are being shown in HD...

FSN Florida will be transferred from Rainbow Media/Cablevision to 100% FSN control. HD seems to have been called off from what I can tell.

oops I meant to say that comcast might be showing games in HD.

But on the network itself, are you sure Rainbow Media is transdfering it to Fox, how come?

I posted this at SatelliteGuys yesterday...
"Just spoke to Diana Hanford at FSN-Florida and she stated that they do not have any HD games scheduled and currently do not have any HD Cams available. She did however say that this could change for some of the future games and she will post information if this were to happen in the local media as well as the FSN-Florida web site."

I have a quick question, since I've be Vooming for a more than a year now, I dropped Comcast last year. Has Comcast added any HD channels since Jan 04, cause I might be coming back?

Thanks for the info, TC.

Originally posted by TC_Lauderdale
I have a quick question, since I've be Vooming for a more than a year now, I dropped Comcast last year. Has Comcast added any HD channels since Jan 04, cause I might be coming back?

I think you will be going back, since Voom will no longer be transmitting by April 30th.

Originally posted by TC_Lauderdale
I have a quick question, since I've be Vooming for a more than a year now, I dropped Comcast last year. Has Comcast added any HD channels since Jan 04, cause I might be coming back?
----------
Don't know if they added any, but here is list of what's available now.....
WPLG 10 (ABC)
WTVJ 6(NBC)
WFOR 4(CBS)
WSVN 7(FOX)
WPBT 2(PBS)
ESPN
DISCOVERY THEATER
IN DEMAND 1
IN DEMAND 2
HBO EAST
CINEMAX
SHOTIME EAST
STARZ
----------------------------:)

WBZL is scheduled to be added sometime in May. If you would like to see more HD channels added, you need to get in contact with Comcast---email President Brian Roberts at this address and ask for specific channels (not just "more HD"): brian_roberts@comcast.com.

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing them pick up a couple of the Voom specialty channels. :)

What DVR box does Comcast use?

I assume the comcast cable box uses a different type of coding, so the OTA and DirectTV box will not work.

Originally posted by yanksno1
What DVR box does Comcast use?

Comcast uses the Motorola DCT6412.

Rudy,

Any news on TNT HD, HD NEt, ESPN 2 HD?

Thanks

Originally posted by carsolo
Rudy,

Any news on TNT HD, HD NEt, ESPN 2 HD?

Thanks

Negotiations are in progress for both TNT-HD & ESPN2-HD, but nothing has been finalized so my contact was unable to give me a definite timeline on when we might expect to have these on the local systems. He is aggressively pursuing the acquisition of more HD channels, and will keep me informed as to any new developments. I will post any news here.

Originally posted by Rudy1
WBZL is scheduled to be added sometime in May. If you would like to see more HD channels added, you need to get in contact with Comcast---email President Brian Roberts at this address and ask for specific channels (not just "more HD"): brian_roberts@comcast.com.

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing them pick up a couple of the Voom specialty channels. :)

Thanks for the info Rudy1, glad to see your still here at AVS. I will give Brian an email or two.
I would also be very happy to see some Voom channels up on Comcast. I think that Comcast would do them justice PQ-wise. I have not heard great things about the quality of the other two Sat companies' HD feeds.

Originally posted by ltownsend
My zipcode is 33071 Coral Springs Drive / Atlantic Blvd. Antennaweb put me aprox 25 miles from Miami.
I did not mean to mislead regarding access to my attic - I have that, just very limited crawl space.
My gated community does not allow for outside antennas - Satellite's are excluded from this.

After I put up my ChannelMaster 4228 on a rotor outside my house near my D*/Voom dishes, Eagle Trace sent me a nastygram telling me that I was not allowed to put up a "radio antenna" as per the HOA docs. I politely sent them a letter informing them that it was a TV antenna along with the FCC regs. I have not heard from them since. Don't let the HOA stop you - put up the antenna outside. I get the major Miami/WPB stations perfectly and love it.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html is where the info is located.

Originally posted by Rudy1
Negotiations are in progress for both TNT-HD & ESPN2-HD, but nothing has been finalized so my contact was unable to give me a definite timeline on when we might expect to have these on the local systems. He is aggressively pursuing the acquisition of more HD channels, and will keep me informed as to any new developments. I will post any news here.

There are rumors that TNT-HD would be available on comcast on the 24 of this month, just in time for the NBA playoff.

Hey guys, I am probably one of many former Voomers who has crawled back to Cable in the desparate search for HD. I have installers coming on Thursday.
Quick question, how dos the SD PQ look now. When I had Comcast 2 years ago it was terrible.
And the funny thing is I have a friend who has Comcast in Miramar and the SD looks good. But at my old house in Plantation it was horrible. I am now in Margate so I'm hoping it looks better. With a 52 inch you see every blemish in a picture.

Originally posted by HofstraJet
After I put up my ChannelMaster 4228 on a rotor outside my house near my D*/Voom dishes, Eagle Trace sent me a nastygram telling me that I was not allowed to put up a "radio antenna" as per the HOA docs. I politely sent them a letter informing them that it was a TV antenna along with the FCC regs. I have not heard from them since. Don't let the HOA stop you - put up the antenna outside. I get the major Miami/WPB stations perfectly and love it.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html is where the info is located.

Originally posted by HofstraJet
After I put up my ChannelMaster 4228 on a rotor outside my house near my D*/Voom dishes, Eagle Trace sent me a nastygram telling me that I was not allowed to put up a "radio antenna" as per the HOA docs. I politely sent them a letter informing them that it was a TV antenna along with the FCC regs. I have not heard from them since. Don't let the HOA stop you - put up the antenna outside. I get the major Miami/WPB stations perfectly and love it.

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html is where the info is located.

HofstraJet:
Did you get a local company to put it up or did you do the install yourself?

Originally posted by dnyce
Hey guys, I am probably one of many former Voomers who has crawled back to Cable in the desparate search for HD. I have installers coming on Thursday.
Quick question, how dos the SD PQ look now. When I had Comcast 2 years ago it was terrible.
And the funny thing is I have a friend who has Comcast in Miramar and the SD looks good. But at my old house in Plantation it was horrible. I am now in Margate so I'm hoping it looks better. With a 52 inch you see every blemish in a picture.

Same situation here...only available in my area for now is Adelphia, which I get standard cable through my HOA...needless to say it sucks!

They say they do offer HD now through digital cable...anyone have HD through Adelphia? I'd like to know the PQ vs. OTA. My TV doesn't have a built in tuner so either I go out and buy one or sub to cable. I don't want to put up with D* or E8 at the moment.

Anyone out there that could enlighten us with the Voom Doom happening?

I can't believe some idiot at WTVJ forgot to take off the SD sidebars for like 8 minutes into Revelations. What a freaking moron.

If they're going to use MANUAL SIDEBARS then they need to have someone PAYING ATTENTION. YEESH.

Originally posted by truqui

Anyone out there that could enlighten us with the Voom Doom happening?

Well, VOOM sent this to all subscribers via email if you registered at their site:

As we recently notified you on-screen and as you may have also read in the newspapers or on our website, the VOOM service is being terminated on April 30th. The notice period is designed to provide you an opportunity to transition to another television service provider. We are currently reviewing customer accounts in preparation for final statement delivery and service termination.

There is no action you need to take at this time, other than to contact a new service provider. We have valued our relationship, and thank you for being a loyal VOOM customer.

Sincerely,
VOOM Customer Service

Scuttlebutt on Yahoo Groups is that they will either contact those who lease boxes for pick-up or not. The OTA tuner won't work when guide is no longer updated. At least, that's what I've heard.

CB Gaines
Surfside

Originally posted by DownPat
I can't believe some idiot at WTVJ forgot to take off the SD sidebars for like 8 minutes into Revelations. What a freaking moron.

If they're going to use MANUAL SIDEBARS then they need to have someone PAYING ATTENTION. YEESH.

Luckily for me, I can receive the WPB NBC (5-1) station so I watched it for the first 10 minutes and then switched to 6-1 because they have DD5.1 audio which the WPB NBC station doesn't have.

Originally posted by DownPat
I can't believe some idiot at WTVJ forgot to take off the SD sidebars for like 8 minutes into Revelations. What a freaking moron.

If they're going to use MANUAL SIDEBARS then they need to have someone PAYING ATTENTION. YEESH.

I called them shortly after the show started because I noticed the wallpaper was still in place and I knew the show was supposed to be in HD. They checked and discovered that there was a technical problem and took corrective action immediately. FYI, the network often sends the HD shows flagged incorrectly, causing the automatic protocols to fail. Without reports from the field the engineers cannot always know if the viewers are experiencing a problem. That is why I took the time a couple of years ago to obtain the phone numbers of the engineering departments of the local stations so that I could contact them if I noticed something was amiss. I suggest you do something equally constructive instead of coming to this forum to post disparaging remarks regarding something you obviously have very little expertise in.

Until analog broadcasting comes to an end, the digital signal will NOT be the only priority for the engineers. NBC6 has been very responsive to any complaints and/or comments they have received from local viewers.

I'm sure they're very nice folks over there, and as such, able to take a little criticism in the heat of the moment. Anyway, they chose to put in a manually controlled wallpaper, and they have to live with the consequences of that decision. That means monitoring their own output. The fact that they (sometimes) get a signal from network is an aid, not an excuse. It's been up for weeks, and they've gotten WORSE about controlling it, not better. When they get better, I'll join you in the cheering section.

By the way, just as a side note, I know the signal went to HD right from the get-go, because the wallpaper doesn't go all the way to the bottom of the screen on my set -- you can see the bottom edge of an HD signal peeking out from below the bottom edges of the wallpaper. Just an interesting little tidbit; I don't know if you guys can see that or not.

Originally posted by ltownsend
HofstraJet:
Did you get a local company to put it up or did you do the install yourself?

I installed it myself. There is a short concrete wall around my AC units and I bolted the mast to that. Wasn't that difficult at all - hardest part of these installs is finding the right spot and a way to route the coax into the house - the physical part is pretty easy if you are a little handy with tools.

Originally posted by DownPat
I'm sure they're very nice folks over there, and as such, able to take a little criticism in the heat of the moment. Anyway, they chose to put in a manually controlled wallpaper, and they have to live with the consequences of that decision. That means monitoring their own output. The fact that they (sometimes) get a signal from network is an aid, not an excuse. It's been up for weeks, and they've gotten WORSE about controlling it, not better. When they get better, I'll join you in the cheering section.

By the way, just as a side note, I know the signal went to HD right from the get-go, because the wallpaper doesn't go all the way to the bottom of the screen on my set -- you can see the bottom edge of an HD signal peeking out from below the bottom edges of the wallpaper. Just an interesting little tidbit; I don't know if you guys can see that or not.

If you consider calling someone an "idiot" and a "freaking moron" "criticism", then you need to keep your snide remarks and comments to yourself and members of your immediate family. The people on the Miami thread have always been very civil about their comments, no matter how upset something makes them. (By the way, no one needs you to join in the "cheering section" as there isn't one.) We all comment on issues we experience with the signals from the local broadcasters, seeking information and feedback, without getting personal or ugly about it. But I suppose in a true democracy even the ill-mannered have a right to their opinion. Particularly when they can express those opinions ANONYMOUSLY.

Originally posted by cbgaines
Well, VOOM sent this to all subscribers via email if you registered at their site:

As we recently notified you on-screen and as you may have also read in the newspapers or on our website, the VOOM service is being terminated on April 30th. The notice period is designed to provide you an opportunity to transition to another television service provider. We are currently reviewing customer accounts in preparation for final statement delivery and service termination.

There is no action you need to take at this time, other than to contact a new service provider. We have valued our relationship, and thank you for being a loyal VOOM customer.

Sincerely,
VOOM Customer Service

Scuttlebutt on Yahoo Groups is that they will either contact those who lease boxes for pick-up or not. The OTA tuner won't work when guide is no longer updated. At least, that's what I've heard.

CB Gaines
Surfside

Yes, thanks, I already got that email and I am quite up to date with the shutdown.
My question was in regards to locals in HD via cable (more specific Adelphia)...if anyone here is viewing them this way that can comment on the PQ vs. OTA

truqui - you might want to ask your question in the WPB thread since they get Adelphia service. Most of Broward and Dade gets cable from Comcast.

Originally posted by Mike4HDTV
truqui - you might want to ask your question in the WPB thread since they get Adelphia service. Most of Broward and Dade gets cable from Comcast.

Oh great idea Mike thanks....I wasn't aware of that!
Comcast is available only about 10 blocks from home but not in mine!
They are bidding on purchasing Adelphia but according to CSR at Comcast, even if they end up winning the bid, it may be a year until my area can get HD from them.

I know many of you are fans of these sub-channels, NOT, but TitanTV is listing content on 7-2. However, all I get is a blue screen with the audio from 7-1 ! I've tried re-scanning twice this week to no avail. Is it me or is anyone else seeing this ? I'm not even seeing the weather anymore.

Originally posted by tpalik
I know many of you are fans of these sub-channels, NOT, but TitanTV is listing content on 7-2. However, all I get is a blue screen with the audio from 7-1 ! I've tried re-scanning twice this week to no avail. Is it me or is anyone else seeing this ? I'm not even seeing the weather anymore.

No, it's not just you...the blue screen has been on for several days now. I don't know where TitanTV gets their information, but the only thing I've ever seen on the WSVN sub-channel is the weather broadcasts.

You should consider practicing what you preach, Rude1, rather than make at least two incorrect assumptions (that I don't know what I'm talking about, and that I didn't call the station myself) and attacking me personally. I'm sorry if my post pissed you off, but I wasn't attacking you, and I won't apologize for venting a little in frustration.

By the way, this thread is way too useful for your inappropriate and presumptive flames. I have way too much respect for the other folks here to continue this, so the last word's all yours. I consider the matter closed.

Originally posted by DownPat
You should consider practicing what you preach, Rude1, rather than make at least two incorrect assumptions (that I don't know what I'm talking about, and that I didn't call the station myself) and attacking me personally.

I'm sorry if my post pissed you off, but I wasn't attacking you, and I won't apologize for venting a little in frustration. You can blow things out of proportion all you like. I consider the matter closed.

I did not make any assumptions, and I did not suggest you were attacking me. I would ask that in the future, you make sure you have ALL the facts before you post statements similar to the ones you felt were necessary last night. And no, I'm not pissed off....I am merely irritated by your poor choice of words when posting to a public forum. Your "frustration" does not, under ANY circumstances, give you any right whatsoever to publicly attack the engineers for what was obviously a technical glitch. The image was obviously framed to favor 4:3 displays, and it WAS in HD so you didn't lose any PQ.

Finally, I did not expect you to apologize to me or to anyone else. In fact, it is I who must apologize to you. It is very narrow-minded of me to expect everyone who posts here to observe the same level of civility as myself.

Originally posted by DownPat
I can't believe some idiot at WTVJ forgot to take off the SD sidebars for like 8 minutes into Revelations. What a freaking moron.

If they're going to use MANUAL SIDEBARS then they need to have someone PAYING ATTENTION. YEESH.

"Inappropriate and presumptive flames" indeed. :rolleyes:

Originally posted by nt2
Steve, thanks for the update, been a long time lurker,

Quick question regarding ABC, I have noticed that during HD programs there are white specs surrounding the edges of whatever is on the screen, specially around faces.
It is only during HD programming and it only happens with ABC, which rules out any isues with the antenna.

Signal strength is abot 7 out of 10.

Thanks

Sorry to take so long to get back to you regarding this as I wanted to speak with ABC and see if they have heard this complaint before (they have not).

I have a Samsung 151 receiver and I have noticed the white dots as well. We did a test today at the studio and we did not see it through a Harris , RCA DTC100 or old Sony receiver. I'm going to borrow an extra RCA we have and check this out at my house in place of my Samsung.

My concern (as well as ABC's) is that some receivers may not be handling 720P very well.

BTW, I am very close to our tower and have an outdoor antenna as well.

Thanks so much for your interest. I will get back to you with whatever I find.

Steve Ellis
WPLG-DT

Thanks for the update Steve.

I am not using a receiver, the signal is being fed from my rooftop antenna to a Mitsubishi DLP, which handles 720p natively.
The funny thing is that the dots are not visible during commercials or SD content, only with HD content.:confused: :confused: :confused:

Steve--
No white spots here via HD TiVo receiver (OTA) and 1080i Mitsubishi TV.

Just 2 days after my install Comcast rolls out a Ditch the Dish promotion, instead of 3 months reduced price digital cable it will be 12! I am trying to get in but not looking good. I am threatening removal.

...Developing

Whoa silly me this promotion is not new I just need to stretch the term... awaiting call from supervisor.

I just watched the Revelation "glitch" with the sidebars. I have to question the logic of including the sidebars at all.
Presumably they are meant to advertise the HD digital signal because they are emblazoned with "HDTV". However, unless you were already watching on an HDTV you wouldn't see them at all. So WTVJ is preaching to the choir.
The other logical inconsistency is that the only time you are supposed to see the sidebars is when you are NOT seeing an HD picture. So the sidebars are basically untruthful.
Now add on the insult of keeping the sidebars on during the start of real HD shows. I have seen this happen multiiple times. So it is not just a one off occurance.
So I will leave it up to the intelligent and gentle members exactly how to characterize these questionable decisions by WTVJ management and misactions by their engineering staff.

I spoke to the engineering staff this morning regarding the views expressed by a few members of the Miami thread. I was advised that the wallpaper was integrated into the digital broadcasts in response to complaints from owners of displays which are susceptible to burn-in....they are not intended to advertise the HD signal. In fact, they hope to have a variety of graphics up and running in the near future to avoid the possiblity of CRT/RP CRT/PLASMA displays suffering damage from the repeated use of a single wallpaper graphic design.

As it was explained to me, it is only when the automated system loses sync that the wallpaper remains onscreen during an actual HD (as opposed to upconverted SD) signal. The "glitch" is apparently similar to that which occurs when the network sends out an HD broadcast that is not "tagged" correctly, resulting in a failure of the automated switching systems at the station. At that point, the engineering staff will intervene and take appropriate action.

Rudy1, you seem to have "insider" information reguarding HD channels. I have a question, Do you have any information about TNT-HD coming to comcast in the South Florida region before the NBA Playoffs.

Originally posted by renamed
Rudy1, you seem to have "insider" information reguarding HD channels. I have a question, Do you have any information about TNT-HD coming to comcast in the South Florida region before the NBA Playoffs.

I spoke to the programming director about this last week, and he could not give me a definite "Yes" or "No" to this particular question. Though everything appears to be in place, the local team may not be able to get all the work that needs to be done completed in time as they are presently dealing with several other issues, including the on-going upgrades to the system, enabling access to VOD for all system customers, a shortage of equipment due to a 90-day turnaround time for orders to be delivered from Motorola, as well as the continuing theft of outdoor amplifier units from sites throughout Dade and Broward counties (which interrups service to thousands of customers at a time).

So it looks like I'm going to have to "keep in touch" with them to ensure our HD needs remain a top priority. ;)

Hello there:

I will be soon moving to Miami, specifically to Sunny Isles, and wonder what is the cable company serving that area. Could anyone here help me out? Is it possible to have DishNetwork if you live in one of those high rise buildings?

many thanks

Sergio

Does anyone know what DircTV is doing with all the HD on cable coming out?
Sounds like D* management have their heads where the sun does not shine.

You would think they would offer HD services without having the Total Choice package!

George, I'm confused by your post. What is it that you think we're missing out on? :-)

Originally posted by wjbjr
Steve--
No white spots here via HD TiVo receiver (OTA) and 1080i Mitsubishi TV.

Thanks Bill!

Originally posted by wjbjr
Steve--
No white spots here via HD TiVo receiver (OTA) and 1080i Mitsubishi TV.

Thanks Bill!

What's up with Advanced Cable HD in Weston? First, ESPN HD and Discovery HD are not available during the weekend, and now they somehow switched ESPN HD and Discovery HD. So now my digital guide tells me I'm watching ESPN HD when in fact I'm watching Discovery HD. Anybody else seeing the same issue?

NIK23 - I am having the same problem. I am sick of Advanced so I am canceling them this weekend and having Dish installed on Monday.

I have a question for my fellow S Florida residents: Does anybody know/remember whether the Sunday night Dolphins football games that were broadcast on ESPN were also broadcast OTA? I never heard of this or saw this and am wondering if I just missed it entirely, since I was watching ESPN?

Mike4HDTV - Why go with Dish ? I thought their HD offering didn't have the same PQ as D*.

Originally posted by HofstraJet
I have a question for my fellow S Florida residents: Does anybody know/remember whether the Sunday night Dolphins football games that were broadcast on ESPN were also broadcast OTA? I never heard of this or saw this and am wondering if I just missed it entirely, since I was watching ESPN?

Yes they were. By league policy, all ESPN games, both Thursday and Sunday, must be (have been) made available -- home market blackouts excepted -- to an OTA station in the home cities of the two teams. This does not mean that they were necessarily broadcast in HD.

Sadly, that policy will not be a concern in Miami for this season.

Originally posted by tpalik
Mike4HDTV - Why go with Dish ? I thought their HD offering didn't have the same PQ as D*.

There is no difference between E* and D* HD picture quality. The E* user interface is GROSSLY superior to D*. The D* user interface drives me crazy with their super slow guide data and not showing the current video on the guide screen. The E* much maligned 921 receiver gives me good service. Yes - it still does have a few bugs, but I don't have any of the serious problems that many on the internet howl about. Their new 942 receiver is supposed to be quite bug free for a new product. Mike4HDTV I strongly recommend that you get the new 942 receiver.

Originally posted by George33027
Does anyone know what DircTV is doing with all the HD on cable coming out?


DirecTV is launching more satellites beginning this June and has announced plans to offer up to 150 national HD channels plus local-into-local DTV service nationally. That would be nearly 1500 stations, though not all of them would be HD. No time frame has been discussed beyond plans to roll-out LIL DTV service in a dozen eastern U. S. markets by year's end. This list does not include Miami/Ft. Lauderdale. You'll get service later.

They are going to achieve all of this by using multiple satellites and going to MPEG-4 encoding for the LIL DTV channels. As your market gets LIL DTV, a new STB will be required for MPEG-4 decoding. Speculation is that DirecTV will provide subscribers who wish to get LIL DTV new STBs at little or perhaps no cost. You'll probably need a new dish featuring more LNBs, too.

I went with Dish because they offer TNTHD. TNTHD will show all of the NBA playoff games in HD and with the Heat going to the Finals this year, I want to see them in HD as much as I can.

I did the lease deal with Dish. I got the 942 sitting in my living room now and it will be installed on Monday.

I heard that the HD PQ is better on Dish than D* but the SD is better on D* than Dish.

Marlins in HD for 2006!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=531853

Capefish- one of your posts from the thread that you listed states the following : "By 2006 all of SoFla's cable systems will be either Comcast, Time Warner, or Charter as Adelphia will likely be eaten up by Time Warner/Comcast". So, what's happening to Advanced Cable that we should know about ?

Advanced is only a small system compared to the others. Weston and Coral Springs aren't very big you know.

Does anybody know why Yankees at Devil Rays is blacked out in S Florida? I have Premier package and MLB EI. Thanks.

I'm getting it here via Atlantic Broadband in Aventura with MLB EI.

Petteri - were you watching the Dray feed or YES?

It was the YES feed.

Are you guys talking about watching the game in HD or SD? Thinking of moving to broward and would love to watch the Yankees in HD.

I was speaking of the SD broadcast. As far as I know the YES HD feed cannot be received outside of NYC. I also doubt any cable co. outside of the tri-sate area would carry it.

David McRoy - I PM'd you.

What's up with NBC 6 during revelations. Two weeks in a row now they have not been HD until way into the show.

Anyone else notice this?

Yes...I wasn't until the third segment that it switched to HD...

It was a national issue for Revelations last night. Both the Miami and WPB stations showed the first segment in SD widescreen and after the first commercial break, it switched to HD.

wow... NBA playoff's start Sunday and there is no TNT-HD... Come on comcast.

No TNT-HD on Atlantic Broadband either...

according to this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=526649) Comcast will be adding TNT-HD today. Can anyone vertify that TNT-HD has been added in fort lauderdale/Sunrise area.

Originally posted by renamed
according to this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=526649) Comcast will be adding TNT-HD today. Can anyone vertify that TNT-HD has been added in fort lauderdale/Sunrise area.

I was told it might be up this weekend.

TNT-HD is here on comcast... channel 204... Sunrise

Thanx Comcast :-)

I am about to make the switch from D* to Comcast. What is the PQ like with Comcast and what is the best package to get including HD?

Does anybody know why Marlins games are not broadcast on Wednesday nights? ESPN no longer has the exclusive, so I don't understand what the problem is.

Kudos Comcast...TNT HD is up in Coconut Creek. Now maybe FSN HD and Universal HD and I will be one happy customer.

If I could only get Atlantic Broadband to add some more HD channels... Why must cable be a monolopy?!?!? Just blocks from me people get Comcast.

Originally posted by HofstraJet
Does anybody know why Marlins games are not broadcast on Wednesday nights? ESPN no longer has the exclusive, so I don't understand what the problem is.

ESPN's contract only allows RSNs like FSN Florida to air games on Wednesday nights. The Rays are on FSN Wednesday so the Marlins are not on TV.

Originally posted by Kat1994
Kudos Comcast...TNT HD is up in Coconut Creek. Now maybe FSN HD and Universal HD and I will be one happy customer.


Kat1994, What other channels are you getting with Comcast? I just got my tv yesterday and did a search and ended up with:

117.300 TNT
C3.1 WTVJ NBC
C4.1 NBC new and wether only
C7.1 WPBT2

Thats with no cable box, staight out of the wall. I also have Dishnet, so I have not decided if I want the HD service from them or use an indoor antenna. Which would be a good UHF VHF indoor intenna for Coconut Creek? Or should I put a Squareshooter on my patio?

Bluer101 - I am getting the following HD channels with Comcast:


10 (ABC)
6(NBC)
4(CBS)
7(FOX)
2(PBS)
TNT-HD
ESPN
DISCOVERY HD
INHD
INHD 2
HBO
CINEMAX
SHOTIME
STARZ

No Video on demand, yet

Originally posted by Kat1994
Bluer101 - I am getting the following HD channels with Comcast:


10 (ABC)
6(NBC)
4(CBS)
7(FOX)
2(PBS)
TNT-HD
ESPN
DISCOVERY HD
INHD
INHD 2
HBO
CINEMAX
SHOTIME
STARZ

No Video on demand, yet

Is that with or without a cable box? Mine is just the cable out of the wall.

Well, today I tried 2 HDTV antennas and both were poor. First was the Terk look a like SS and then the Terk 5. Only 2 channels that would stay locked with out digitalizing. Also I hear some people saying they have a certain % of a signal for there channels. How do I tell this in the Sony 55WF655? After a scan for the digital channels I cannot tell if its getting stronger by moving the antenna like a satellite. Maybe I will order the Squareshooter and give that a try since my local antenna farm is at the same location 20-30 miles away.

bluer101 - I have a Squareshooter installed outside my home in Weston and I able to get all of the Miami HD stations and the WPB FOX, NBC, and PBS HD stations.

I bought a Terk HDTVi antenna today at Best Buy and I am able to get all of the channels that I get with my Squareshooter.

Originally posted by Mike4HDTV
bluer101 - I have a Squareshooter installed outside my home in Weston and I able to get all of the Miami HD stations and the WPB FOX, NBC, and PBS HD stations.

I bought a Terk HDTVi antenna today at Best Buy and I am able to get all of the channels that I get with my Squareshooter.

Your alot closer to the antenna farm than me though. I also live in a apartment complex so that does not help with the indoor antenna most likly. But the good news is I face the right direction for the squareshooter with nothing in my line of sight besides some thin trees. I'm about 23 miles away form the farm from what antennaweb said. Should I order a Squareshooter online or get the look alike Terk from Best Buy? Also should it be amplified?

blue - I saw the Terk look alike yesterday at BB and I would buy that. You don't need an amplified antenna.

What's your location? I'm guessing Deerfield Beach/Lighthouse Point area based on your comment about being 23 miles from the antenna.

Got TNT-HD on Comcast in Coral Gables. Sweet!

Also VOD is working now. Getting hiccups in the SD feeds though so HD selections will probably be even worse. (Although it's nice to have some HD ones to choose from!) No info on prices so I have no clue how much if anything I have been charged so far.

Will

Can anybody with Atlantic Broadband make any comment on the picture quality on a 60" TV? I would like to know how does it compare to satellite and Comcast, both HD and SD.
Thanks

Sergio

Originally posted by CapeFish
ESPN's contract only allows RSNs like FSN Florida to air games on Wednesday nights. The Rays are on FSN Wednesday so the Marlins are not on TV.

What a crock! Does anyone know if/when that contractual obligation expires? Plus, FSN Florida should show the Marlins - probably a bigger audience, no? Or are they obligated to show the DRays?

Originally posted by HofstraJet
What a crock! Does anyone know if/when that contractual obligation expires? Plus, FSN Florida should show the Marlins - probably a bigger audience, no? Or are they obligated to show the DRays?

I recently read speculation that one of the baseball teams would be switched to Sunshine (whatever the new name is), which was recently purchased by FSN.

At the same time, either the Heat or the Magic would go from SUN to FSN.

The bad news is that it probably will not happen this season.

The ESPN Wednesday ban is national, and is unlikely to change as long as ESPN has a contract to broadcast Wednesday MLB.

Originally posted by bluer101
Is that with or without a cable box? Mine is just the cable out of the wall.


It's with the new DVR cablebox....

Originally posted by Mike4HDTV
blue - I saw the Terk look alike yesterday at BB and I would buy that. You don't need an amplified antenna.

What's your location? I'm guessing Deerfield Beach/Lighthouse Point area based on your comment about being 23 miles from the antenna.

Mike,
I'm in Coconut Creek on a second floor facing the antenna farm. I just had crappy reception with 2 indoor antennas. I was thinking on getting that Terk look a like, but of course its more $$$ than the squareshooter online. Just don't want to buy the non-amplified antenna only to need an amplified one.

Originally posted by wjbjr
I recently read speculation that one of the baseball teams would be switched to Sunshine (whatever the new name is), which was recently purchased by FSN.

At the same time, either the Heat or the Magic would go from SUN to FSN.

The bad news is that it probably will not happen this season.

The ESPN Wednesday ban is national, and is unlikely to change as long as ESPN has a contract to broadcast Wednesday MLB.

AFAIK, the Wednesday blackout for ESPN no longer exists. Wednesday night baseball games are all over the RSNs and EI (http://www.directvsports.com/Packages/MLBExtraInnings/Schedule/). It is the Marlins games that are not broadcast Wednesdays because, as Capefish stated, only RSNs are allowed to show games, not local network affiliates such as PAX. Thus, since the Rays are on FSN Florida, the Marlins have no TV home. :(

The FAQ on D* EI page used to have this disclaimer: ESPN has an exclusive national broadcast window for all Major League Baseball games that begin after 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) on every Wednesday through the end of the regular season. This means that regional telecasts cannot be distributed via DBS carriers out-of-market. The only games available on Wednesday nights will be on ESPN, your local regional sports network or your over-the-air channel.

That statement no longer exists and only the Sunday blackout rule remains. That being said, I hope what you state becomes true for next season because missing Wed. night games is a real bummer.

Went tonight an got the Terk Squareshooter. That did the trick.:D I just held the dish just to try different positions then mounted it. It was getting late so I disconnected the wire since I had it running out the patio door and will hook it up tomorrow to correct way. Like my Dishnetwork dish I do not have it grounded since I live in an Apt and second floor. Will it be OK to not have the Squareshooter not grounded also? Should I run it to my Monster HTS 3500 first then to the TV? The dishes are mounted inside the patio and not protruding out if that makes a differnence.

blue - I'm glad that the antenna worked for you.

I don't have my antenna grounded but I was considering doing it this weekend.

Funny thing about grounding -- I'm curious what you guys think about this. When I had my first DirecTV installation, years ago (just SD then), the guy didn't ground the dish -- it just went straight from the dish to my Tivo. I was nervous about it but fortunately nothing bad happened.

When the guy came out to install HD, I insisted that he ground it. He didn't want to do it, but I told him that I wanted both the dish and the antenna grounded. He ended up running a special line for it. I guess it was a hassle and I gave him a few bucks extra for it.

Does that seem odd to you guys? It just seemed strange to me that they wouldn't ground roof equipment as a matter of course.

I just had Dish Network installed yesterday and the tech grounded the dish without me asking.

My Dish and Squareshooter is mounted to the patio railings on the inside of the patio. So basically they are out of the rain by about 2 feet. Instead of mounting the mast outward I have them mounted inward on the railing. Plus there is still another floor above me, so If the building is hit by lightning it would still hit way above me, right. I have never had my Dish grounded since the installer did it 7 years ago. I just did not know if I should run the wire to the surge protector first or go to the TV directly?

Heat/Nets in HD on TNTHD at 8 PM tonight.

Looks OK on Voom, except for all the empty seats. That's probably why they asked everyone to wear red - so you wouldn't notice the empty seats. How sad that all those big corporations buy season tix in the really good seats and nobody attends (or they spend the game in the Flagship Lounge) and people who really want to see the game and would pay face value for those seats end up paying twice that for nosebleed seats.

Can anyone in Coconut Creek with Comcast Cable comming out of the wall to the tv with out a settop box or HD box tell me what HD channels they recieve. I get only 3.1 NBC, 4.1 NBC Weather, 117.1 TNT. Does anyone know was are the channel numbers for Fox, ABC, and CBS HD if this is possible?

bluer101.
I'm not in Coconut Creek..I'm in Oakland Park and I'm getting CBSHD on 89.2 thru 89.8. NBCHD 3.1, Weather 4.1 and I think its PBS on 7.1. I dont get TNT on 117.1. Instead on 117.1 thru 117.9 I get MusicChoice. I scan every other day & still cant get ABC or FOX. I have to use my indoor antenna for those. This sucks because all I'm trying to do is get all the local HD channels via cable without a box. Cant understand why Comcast is not making them ALL avaliable in the clear.

Originally posted by Yardy
bluer101.
I'm not in Coconut Creek..I'm in Oakland Park and I'm getting CBSHD on 89.2 thru 89.8. NBCHD 3.1, Weather 4.1 and I think its PBS on 7.1. I dont get TNT on 117.1. Instead on 117.1 thru 117.9 I get MusicChoice. I scan every other day & still cant get ABC or FOX. I have to use my indoor antenna for those. This sucks because all I'm trying to do is get all the local HD channels via cable without a box. Cant understand why Comcast is not making them ALL avaliable in the clear.

Thanks, I will have to see if I get 89.2 thru 89.8 CBS tonight. I have only done one scan when I got the TV. I will just enter the number with the keypad manually and see if I get it. I wish they would make it come thru for FOX and ABC since those are the channels that cut out every now and then with my Squareshooter (they go pixily). I was thinking of picking up a channel master amp from Lowes to help with that is it will make a difference. Or does anyone know when Dish will start sending local HD channels?

Originally posted by bluer101
... Or does anyone know when Dish will start sending local HD channels?

They talked about it on a recent Charlie Chat. I don't remember the details, but I think it was pretty far away, like the end of the year before they would start adding locals in HD.

CB Gaines
still VOOMing in Surfside until the end of the week!

Thanks for the feedback (on grounding).

Yardy & bluer101,

Comcast has all of the locals (except for WBZL which is coming soon, and UPN) available in the clear. However, the QAM tuner in your TV may have difficulty finding the channels. They carry the multicasts of WPBT-PBS, WSVN-FOX, and WTVJ-NBC, as well as the digital feeds from WPLG-ABC and WFOR-CBS.

In downtown Fort Lauderdale, I am receiving them on the LG-LST3410A, though the Samsung tuners I've tested (both outboard & built-in) cannot seem to find and lock onto the signals from all of the stations all of the time.

Originally posted by Rudy1
Yardy & bluer101,

Comcast has all of the locals (except for WBZL which is coming soon, and UPN) available in the clear. However, the QAM tuner in your TV may have difficulty finding the channels. They carry the multicasts of WPBT-PBS, WSVN-FOX, and WTVJ-NBC, as well as the digital feeds from WPLG-ABC and WFOR-CBS.

In downtown Fort Lauderdale, I am receiving them on the LG-LST3410A, though the Samsung tuners I've tested (both outboard & built-in) cannot seem to find and lock onto the signals from all of the stations all of the time.

Can you list the channel numbers please.:)

I have another question about the reception with my Squareshooter. I originally hooked up the SS with the wire comming down the inside if the mast to my patio railing then the the patio floor, along the wall to the hole on the wall. The whole run for the RG6 cable is 24 ft. I kept losing my reception with 10 and 7. So today I came home and moved the cable out of the mast and layed the wire up in the air not touching anything but my grill. The picture is now not dropping out. What can I do about fasening down the wire? Should I get a amplifier from Lowes to help this? the indoor where I can hookup the wire is about 12 ft from the antenna, is this ok then? Please help want this tunning nightmare to go away.:mad:

Originally posted by bluer101
Can you list the channel numbers please.:)

WSVN-FOX 85-1
WPBT-PBS 85-3*
WFOR-CBS 89-2
WPLG-ABC 93-1
WTVJ-NBC 93-3

*The WPBT multicast has 4 active channels during the daytime, and 3 during primetime and on the weekends, between 85-3 and 85-7. Some ClearQAM tuners (including the LG) have tremendous difficulty keeping the sub-channels separated.

Originally posted by Rudy1
WSVN-FOX 85-1
WPBT-PBS 85-3*
WFOR-CBS 89-2
WPLG-ABC 93-1
WTVJ-NBC 93-3

*The WPBT multicast has 4 active channels during the daytime, and 3 during primetime and on the weekends, between 85-3 and 85-7. Some ClearQAM tuners (including the LG) have tremendous difficulty keeping the sub-channels separated.

WPLG-ABC 93-1
WTVJ-NBC 93-3
102.2 CBS

These are what I found, I stll have not FOX.

And 117.3 TNT sorry I said .2 before.

Originally posted by bluer101
WPLG-ABC 93-1
WTVJ-NBC 93-3
102.2 CBS

These are what I found, I stll have not FOX.

And 117.3 TNT sorry I said .2 before.

That's funny...I get a spanish audio only music channel at 117-3. :)
It's obvious that each manufacturer's tuner "finds" the QAM channels in different places on the spectrum. You may have to manually tune into each channel (starting at about channel 80) to see which ones are active and what exactly is on them. The automatic channel scans always seem to miss one or two channels for some odd reason.

Yea, I'm tring to find FOX now. I may be able to take down the antenna now. Hope they don't change.

FOX is on 92.1.:D

CSI went a whopping 26 minutes without dialog tonight before someone threw the right switch.

Did we decide that was a local problem or a network problem? I can't remember.

Originally posted by DownPat
CSI went a whopping 26 minutes without dialog tonight before someone threw the right switch.

Did we decide that was a local problem or a network problem? I can't remember.

It was definitely WFOR. I switched to WPEC in WPB and it was fine. WFOR seems to be doing this more and more! I am so glad I have WPEC as a backup! It would seem that with the big investment a station has, they could have someone responsible to monitor their output!!

Tony

With Comcast can I use the same Terk antenna I was using with D* to pick local HD stations?

Cable boxes do not have OTA tuners in them so you can't use the Terk antenna to get OTA channels. If your TV has a built-in ATSC (OTA) tuner, you could use the antenna to get the local HD stations.

Originally posted by tonyv
It was definitely WFOR. I switched to WPEC in WPB and it was fine. WFOR seems to be doing this more and more! I am so glad I have WPEC as a backup! It would seem that with the big investment a station has, they could have someone responsible to monitor their output!!

Tony

Thanks.

I just spoke with a nice fellow named Juan in engineering at WFOR, and he apologized and mention something interesting. He said that CBS was putting in a new system that automatically switches over to 5.1, and that it might be ready by the end of the month (though I assume he meant May). So I thought I'd pass that along.

I think Steve Ellis might have mentioned something similar a few pages back that was happening over at WPLG, so maybe it's the same system. At any rate it sounds like the problem will be resolved by the time we get new episodes this fall.

Originally posted by Mike4HDTV
Cable boxes do not have OTA tuners in them so you can't use the Terk antenna to get OTA channels. If your TV has a built-in ATSC (OTA) tuner, you could use the antenna to get the local HD stations.

Thanks.

Is that the only way? I will be getting the HDDVR box with my Comcast so does that alone get me the HD locals? Also, I see that you can purchase an HD card for the cable box. How much do those generally go for?

Just as a side note, that's one of the nice features of DirecTV with HD Tivo. The OTA channels are completely integrated with the Tivo and its programming guide.

Normally this isn't a problem for Comcast viewers, though, is it? Don't you get all the locals via the cable, so you can record them on the DVR?

BTW Worthy I'm curious where you are in Pines. I can't get Comcast HD in my area yet, even though we're covered by Comcast cable. I'm in Silver Lakes, between Pines and Sheridan, west of 75.

Originally posted by DownPat
BTW Worthy I'm curious where you are in Pines. I can't get Comcast HD in my area yet, even though we're covered by Comcast cable. I'm in Silver Lakes, between Pines and Sheridan, west of 75.
I can't get Comcast either although it's right next door...well technically not yet because I have Adelphia Basic through HOA and on Monday 5/2 I'm having HD installed due to losing Voom...Adelphia will soon become Comcast!

I'm in Sunset Lakes in West Miramar...

Originally posted by Worthy1ne
Thanks.

Is that the only way? I will be getting the HDDVR box with my Comcast so does that alone get me the HD locals? Also, I see that you can purchase an HD card for the cable box. How much do those generally go for?

Comcast offers most of the local channels in HD. See some of Rudy1's posts above.

The HD card available from cable companies is called a CableCard. If your TV has a CableCard slot, you can rent the card from Comcast instead of renting a STB. You get all of the channels you subscribe to. The only thing you can't get with a CableCard is VOD, PPV, or the cable program guide.

Originally posted by DownPat
BTW Worthy I'm curious where you are in Pines. I can't get Comcast HD in my area yet, even though we're covered by Comcast cable. I'm in Silver Lakes, between Pines and Sheridan, west of 75.

Yeah you are a little west of me. I am actually off of Flaming and Pembroke Road.

Originally posted by Mike4HDTV
Comcast offers most of the local channels in HD. See some of Rudy1's posts above.

The HD card available from cable companies is called a CableCard. If your TV has a CableCard slot, you can rent the card from Comcast instead of renting a STB. You get all of the channels you subscribe to. The only thing you can't get with a CableCard is VOD, PPV, or the cable program guide.

Cool. So when I go pick up my HDDVR box I should ask about the cable card too? I thought that the HDDVR box gave you the ability to see locals in HD? I'm confused.

Originally posted by Rudy1
WSVN-FOX 85-1
WPBT-PBS 85-3*
WFOR-CBS 89-2
WPLG-ABC 93-1
WTVJ-NBC 93-3

*The WPBT multicast has 4 active channels during the daytime, and 3 during primetime and on the weekends, between 85-3 and 85-7. Some ClearQAM tuners (including the LG) have tremendous difficulty keeping the sub-channels separated.

Thanks for the info Rudy1. I'm still not able to get ABC or Fox. I'll do as you suggest and put in each channel manually.

You don't need the cable card if you are getting the HD DVR. The cable card replaces a STB. I definitely recommend that you get the DVR instead of the cable card.

The HD DVR will allow you to get the local HD stations as well as record them. There are also national HD channels that Comcast offers such as inHD, TNTHD, ESPNHD, and DiscoveryHD. I'm not sure if you need to subscribe to a digital tier or package to get them. Maybe a comcast subscriber can you help you.

Originally posted by Mike4HDTV
You don't need the cable card if you are getting the HD DVR. The cable card replaces a STB. I definitely recommend that you get the DVR instead of the cable card.

The HD DVR will allow you to get the local HD stations as well as record them. There are also national HD channels that Comcast offers such as inHD, TNTHD, ESPNHD, and DiscoveryHD. I'm not sure if you need to subscribe to a digital tier or package to get them. Maybe a comcast subscriber can you help you.

Thanks a bunch. I am getting the HDDVR so I hope it works out. I had had D* but I had to take down my dish because it was on the roof of my apartment complex. Long story short, I decided to go with Comcast because I heard they had nice HD channels and I hope the transition is smooth.

Originally posted by Worthy1ne
Cool. So when I go pick up my HDDVR box I should ask about the cable card too? I thought that the HDDVR box gave you the ability to see locals in HD? I'm confused.

Makes sense, thanks.

Good luck with the transition.

Originally posted by DownPat
Makes sense, thanks.

Good luck with the transition.

Thanks.

I can't believe an area like Silver Lakes does not have HD available.

E* announced today that they will add 10 Voom HD channels on May 1st to their HD pack.

Anyone having problems with NBC6 tonight on comcast, it keeps cutting off.

Comcast VOD available to all South Florida digital subscribers Sunday, May 1.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/11528621.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

(If this was previously posted, I did not see it.)

Originally posted by wjbjr
Comcast VOD available to all South Florida digital subscribers Sunday, May 1.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/11528621.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

(If this was previously posted, I did not see it.)

Bill,

I spoke to the headend manager this morning, and he says that even though the system is fully configured they won't have all areas up and running for another week and a half or so.

---Rudy

Originally posted by Rudy1
Bill,

I spoke to the headend manager this morning, and he says that even though the system is fully configured they won't have all areas up and running for another week and a half or so.

---Rudy

Rudy--
That does not pose a problem for me, as I do not have Comcast<g>. My VOD problem is that I do have DirecTV.

I have a question about my OTA antenna. I have the Squareshooter and the RG6 cable is about 24ft long. When the cable is ran from the antenna, down my patio railing, along the concrete floor and into my place the signal gets real bad. But as soon as I raise the cable and make it not touch anything the signal increases. So does this mean I have a pretty good signal at the antenna and need an amp? Or is this suppost to happen? I'm lost to this whole antenna thing.:(

Ok I have a question ever since I moved to my new house which is by metro zoo which is close to tamiami airport... I seem to get my signal readings for channel 4 and 6 and every other channel at about 90+ but for channel 7 and 10 I have always receiver right around 74 to 60's but for the last 2 days channel 7 i have been getting signal readings from 0 -50 i cant hold a image and same goes for channel 10.. Now I am using a antenna from radio shack which a medium size one that i have had connected for 2 months.. should I go ahead and buy the bigger one should that make a diff in raising the signal strenght

Originally posted by Eddy13
Ok I have a question ever since I moved to my new house which is by metro zoo which is close to tamiami airport... I seem to get my signal readings for channel 4 and 6 and every other channel at about 90+ but for channel 7 and 10 I have always receiver right around 74 to 60's but for the last 2 days channel 7 i have been getting signal readings from 0 -50 i cant hold a image and same goes for channel 10.. Now I am using a antenna from radio shack which a medium size one that i have had connected for 2 months.. should I go ahead and buy the bigger one should that make a diff in raising the signal strenght

Eddy13,

Those are the same numbers and problems I'm having. 7.1 and 10.1 are around 60-70% and the others are high 90's.

Eddy--
Channels 7-1 and 10-1 are VHF, while all the others are UHF.

I receive 7-1 at the same level (90-95) as the UHF stations. 10-1 is a few points lower but still quite satisfactory. I have the smallest RS VHF/UHF and am perhaps 8-10 miles closer to the towers than you. (Sunset Dr)

I am no expert, but it appears that there is a problem with your VHF reception. I have read that VHF is weaker, so maybe a larger antenna is the answer.

Have you been using the antenna at the new house for two months without problem? In that case, it might be just a matter of the antenna moving off direction.

If I remember correctly, someone here posted (several months ago) that both WPLG and WSVN were not transmitting at full power on their digital frequencies. Is that still true?

Correct. Both stations are still broadcasting at less than full allocated power. They are required to go to full power at some point, though.

WSVN's Contruction Permit allows them ten times their current ERP on WSVN-DT:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=&call=WSVN&arn=&city=&chan=&cha2=69&serv=&type=0&facid=&list=2&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&size=9

WPLG's Construction Permit allows them to double their current ERP on WLPG-DT:

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=&call=WPLG&arn=&city=&chan=&cha2=69&serv=&type=0&facid=&list=2&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&size=9

Well actually today im back up at around 70 percent whiole the last 2 days i was down... Could weather been a problem... Well I went to radio shack and i bought the vu 120 xr before i had the 90.... I think with this bigger antenna the perecentages should raise up a bit what do you guys think shouLd I get a stronger signal now... And why did i have a weak signal the past 2 days for channel 7 at about 0-55 percent and chaqnnel 10 was at 40 -50 percent.. shoudl this bigger antenna help I live west of metro zoo and a little south right around 164 st and 144 ave sw

I have found that VHF is much more suceptible to radio frequency interference (RFI) from various household electronics. For example, I have to shut off all of my computers in order to receive WPEC-DT13 with an indoor antenna even though their tower is pretty much within line of sight of my location. WSVN-DT8 and WPLG-DT9 are very marginal for me even with an outdoor dipole and they're totally gone as soon as I power up any one of the PC's. I have no such problems with any UHF DTV station. Maybe Eddy13's reception is being affected by some misbehaving electronics... :-0 If you're seeing a lot of junk on analog reception chances are that digital reception will be bad or non-existent. All electronics emit some unintentional radio energy - it just so happens that much of it is in the VHF range.

well this only happened for 2 days where both channel 10 and 7 were out.... i did buy a bigger antenna since i now get channel 10 and 7 both at aroung 70 strength.. I figure moving form the vu 90 to the 120 will help this out

Eddy, I wonder if that gigantic Coast Guard communications facility might be in your way. You should take a look at Google Maps and see if you can pinpoint whether that facility is on Line-of-Sight between your house and the WSVN and WPLG towers.

http://maps.google.com/

Google Maps is perfect for this because you can click on the map with your mouse and drag it around without having to wait ages for a full page refresh ala Mapquest. I just took a quick look and spotted the facility -- right along the east side of 137th avenue between Kendall Drive and 184th Street. If you zoom in you can see the CG's comm station. (Click on the Satellite button and you can actually see a picture of it.)

Now all you need to do is punch in the addresses for the WSVN and WPLG transmitters, and your house, and see if they're lined up with those transmitters.

BTW, if anybody wants to see what we're talking about, go to that URL and type in "USCG communications station kendall, florida". It should come up as option "B". Zoom in and then click on the "B" option and it'll pop it into view. You can see the coast guard facility at about the 2nd or 3rd notch of resolution. I believe Eddy is saying that he lives in that residential area just west of there.

that is correct just west of there. well like i said earlier i was having problems for 2 days with major signal droppage with abc and wsvn.. Now im back up to a steady 71 from both 10 and 7.... I have been living here for 4 months now and i was good for like 2 months and i experienced problems the days fot he rain with no signal on 7 and 10.. now im back up to how i used to be.. I do have a vu90 xr from radio shack but i went yesterday and now bought my self the vu120 xr.. will i see a diff with this bigger antenna should the 71 strength i get from both those channels go up a bit now once i install it...

hey down pat.. i saw the coast guard station but my address is not showing up there. my st i live on is 164 st and the avenue is 144 avenue ..I dotn want to say the complete address on here but can you see if this location lighns up and is in the way of coast guard station and if it is in which most times i get 71-72 for channel 7 and 10 and 90's for everything else. is this a problem.. I did exp major drop outs 2 days in a row which made tv viewing for channel 7 and 10 unwatchable.. Is getting a bigger antenna make a diff liek i did moving up to the vu 120 xr..... also what can i do here in order to limit drop outs

Regarding the address tool at Google Maps, I've had that problem as well. Try adding the appendage, like "164th" instead of "164". That worked for me.

It sounds to me like you would be a good candidate for a waiver on 7 and 10, if you're a DirecTV customer. Then you could get the national feeds for Fox and ABC, at least. Otherwise I guess you'd have to look at something like Comcast. My guess is that station blasts out a lot of power, and they're not going to tell you when they use it (homeland security and all that), so you may just be stuck with intermittent interruptions there.

But you should talk to an engineer or something if you can. Mr. Ellis from WPLG reads this thread and may respond at some point with some suggestions. If not you can search back and perhaps find his email in this thread. I'm not sure what suggestions he might have, but talking to a broadcast engineer sounds like a good idea to me. Some kind of booster or change in antenna might help, I just don't know.

That's a lovely area and I'm sorry to hear you're having problems. Good luck!

so your saying that the coast guard station is in my path.. well for now i get 70's on 10 and 7 and 90's with everyother channel.. I figure with bigger antenna it should help im getting sound advise to install antenna and make suggestions.. I think i should be ok at least hopefully

Oh no, I thought that that was what *you* were saying. (grin) I don't know if it's in the path or not, I'm only guessing. I just think it's a pretty good guess given your location. What you need to do is find out where the 7 and 10 towers are located, and then draw a line on the map to see if the CG equipment is in the way. The Google Maps web site should be able to help you with this. All you need is the addresses for the 7 and 10 transmitters, which are probably in this thread somewhere.

Regarding the other channels coming in fine, remember that someone said earlier on this page that the VHF channels are more susceptible to RF interference. So far what you've been saying seems (to me) to be in sync with the idea that your reception is being interrupted by sporadic high power emissions from the facility.

That's a HUGE dish they have over there. When I first saw it years ago I thought it was a radio telescope, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if they can probably bounce signals off the *moon* with that monster. I imagine it creates all sorts of interference all over the spectrum.

So my guess is that most of the time you'll be fine, but every now and then you're going to lose 7 and 10. If that works for you, cool. If not, you might want to look at getting cable, or satellite and leaning on 7 and 10 for a waiver.

Good luck!

ok i got you.. now let me ask this I am looking into finding someone that can connect my antenna and do it right... where can i find a antenna installer. Sound Advice aka tweeter charges 180 dollars im looking for someone more afordabel that can do this

Originally posted by Eddy13
ok i got you.. now let me ask this I am looking into finding someone that can connect my antenna and do it right... where can i find a antenna installer. Sound Advice aka tweeter charges 180 dollars im looking for someone more afordabel that can do this

Eddy--
Latta TV & Video did a good job on my antenna. They also install satellite dishes and cables.

305 235 1771, 305 251 5848

how much did that charge and did they seem knowlegable.. DId they do a proffesional install.. Some people Ive noticed do not care much on what signal power you get there content on having you get decent signal and dont care much about spending the extra time and tweaking for best connection.. Are these guys good and how much did they run... I know Sound Advise does a good job im just looking for another good company that can do it for cheaper and just as good..

Make sure they ground it!

noone else knows of any installer. sound advise does it but for 180 bucks does this latta seem like they know what there doing

On ABC (10-1) tonight and yesterday, the DD5.1 audio was very low when I watched Lost and George Lopez. I had to turn the volume on my receiver very high to hear the actors talking. This is a recent problem as far as I know.

All of my other channels, whether OTA or from Satellite are fine with the audio.

Anybody else experiencing this?

I noticed that as well. Last night was the first Wednesday with my new plasma and I was so ready for Lost...I eventually switched to the Tivo version vs the OTA signal because there was absolutely nothing coming out of the center channel. I believe those low voices you heard were the remnants of the voices coming out of the left and right channels. Very sad for me!

To be added next week...

History International (http://www.historychannel.com/global/listings/listings.jsp?NetwCode=HCI)

To be added June 10...

WBZL-HD (http://wb39.trb.com/entertainment/hidef/stv-wb-hdtv-fall04,0,1347759.htmlstory?coll=wbzl-ent-1)

Originally posted by Rudy1


to be added June 10...

WBZL-HD (http://wb39.trb.com/entertainment/hidef/stv-wb-hdtv-fall04,0,1347759.htmlstory?coll=wbzl-ent-1)
------
WB Network HDTV Shows



Everwood

Gilmore Girls

One Tree Hill

Smallville

Jack & Bobby

What I Like About You

Reba

Living with Fran

Summerland
.....Smallville...yeah baby!!!!

:D

Originally posted by Mike4HDTV
On ABC (10-1) tonight and yesterday, the DD5.1 audio was very low when I watched Lost and George Lopez. I had to turn the volume on my receiver very high to hear the actors talking. This is a recent problem as far as I know.

All of my other channels, whether OTA or from Satellite are fine with the audio.

Anybody else experiencing this?

Atleast it was not just me either.:( Then the audio after a commercial would be out of only the left and right. It just did not sound like in surround either (DD5.1).:(

According to Advanced Cable's website, they are offering a HD DVR as well as Cable cards.

At 12 PM today, CBS is showing an IMAX film "Africa: The Serengeti" in HD and DD5.1.

I have been watching some of the prior IMAX films and the the HD PQ and DD5.1 is absolutely stunning.

Originally posted by Rudy1
To be added next week...

History International (http://www.historychannel.com/global/listings/listings.jsp?NetwCode=HCI)




Is this a HD channel?

WPLG will have tonight's Heat-Wizards game in HD. Local 10 will do its own pregame special and that will not be in HD.

Originally posted by renamed
Is this a HD channel?

No, History International is currently only available in SD.

Originally posted by Rudy1
No, History International is currently only available in SD.


Ive had this channel for years.. ever since i got Comcast Digital Cable.

Originally posted by CapeFish
WPLG will have tonight's Heat-Wizards game in HD. Local 10 will do its own pregame special and that will not be in HD.

The game is not in HD.

I noticed that.

This is where I got the info: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=5624606

The past 2 days my channel 6.1 signal can't hold picture. The strength is from 73-41 and very eratic. It used to be a solid 98 not even budge along with 2.1 and 4.1. Channels 7.1 and 10.1 are always around 73. So whats going on with 6.1?:(

I have a solid 93 signal with 6-1. I never have a problem with the signal from 6-1.

Originally posted by Mike4HDTV
At 12 PM today, CBS is showing an IMAX film "Africa: The Serengeti" in HD and DD5.1.

I have been watching some of the prior IMAX films and the the HD PQ and DD5.1 is absolutely stunning.

I agree. I was very suprised to see this program(HD TO THE MAX). I was just flippin thru the 6 hd channels I get & came across it. Hope CBS continues to air it. By the way I'm now getting TNDHD on channel 117.54 in the clear. I'm watching all the basketball playoff cames in HD. Does anyone know if comcast will leave this channel in the clear or is this just a promo to introduce that channel?

Originally posted by Yardy
I agree. I was very suprised to see this program(HD TO THE MAX). I was just flippin thru the 6 hd channels I get & came across it. Hope CBS continues to air it. By the way I'm now getting TNDHD on channel 117.54 in the clear. I'm watching all the basketball playoff cames in HD. Does anyone know if comcast will leave this channel in the clear or is this just a promo to introduce that channel?

They are only required to keep the local network broadcasts in the clear, so they may be scrambling the signal soon. When ESPN-HD & Discovery HD Theatre first went live I was able to tune them with my LG receiver. Then ESPN-HD suddenly went scrambled, and DHDT followed suit several weeks later.

hey guys,

i am currently with directv and have an hd tivo, and a samsung sir ts360 on my other tv.

i am thinking i might switch to comcast in the future b/c of this outrageous price increase dtv is making people pay to watch nfl sunday ticket games in hd and i was wondering if my samsung sir receiver which has a cable tv input would work to receive comcast's hd channels or would i have to use one of their boxes?

thanks
greg

According to Advanced Cable's website, they are offering a HD DVR as well as Cable cards.
Does anybody have this yet? I'm wondering which box they are using and what's the hard drive capacity. Also, how does it compare to Tivo or ReplayTV?

I don't believe anyone has these yet since Advanced doesn't have them. They have been talking about this for months but the boxes seem to be back ordered from Motorola and I doubt advanced is high on their list, probably Comcast and others get theirs first. CSRs can give no date for when they will be available

I just bought a new HD tv, and was thinking about getting Comcast HD service.

Can any of you that live in the area of Miami tell me how the service is?

What kind of STB are you using? I saw the wiring diagram for the Motorola DCT5100 on the Comcast website. Is it the same STB you guys use? And do you have it connected via DVI? In addition, if so do they provide a DVI cable?

Using the DCT5100 can you hook up the toslink out to your receiver and receive audio from it while hooked up through the DVI?

Thanks in Advance.
Herby

Now today my signal is back to normal with 6.1.:rolleyes:

I have been a Dish Network subscriber for 7 years now and have been thinking of going to Comcast. Would this be a good choice since they have locals in HD without have my antenna? Also does anyone know if thier HD box has HDMI hookup and would it matter if you go from DVI to HDMI? And what brand and model # of the Comcast HD box?

Originally posted by Yardy
I agree. I was very suprised to see this program(HD TO THE MAX). I was just flippin thru the 6 hd channels I get & came across it. Hope CBS continues to air it.

On Sunday May 22 at 12 PM, CBS (4-1) will show another HD to the Max IMAX film "Journey into Amazing Caves."

stonecrd, bluer101 & Herby:

Now that they've just about completed the upgrades to their local infrastructure, the PQ is outstanding. Comcast HD broadcasts from NBC, PBS, CBS, ABC & FOX are virtually indistinguishable from their OTA counterparts. The WB will be added by June 10th, but there's no definite date for UPN. TNT-HD was recently added to complement ESPN, DISCOVERY, HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, STARZ, INHD1 & INHD2. The quality of the analog channels leaves much to be desired, so you may want to split the cable signal to feed the cable box as well as your TV's internal analog cable tuner. Digital simulcasting of the analog channels is not expected to begin until the last quarter of this year, but the quality of the digital SD channels is pretty good. VOD is available throughout the service area, and includes a few HD titles. Cable Cards are available, but I know absolutely nothing about them as none of my friends or acquaintances are currently using the slots on their sets...they all prefer to lease the cable boxes.

The DVR is the Motorola DCT6412, which has dual tuners plus DVI and FireWire outputs. There are no reported issues that I'm aware of in going from DVI to HDMI, and I did not experience any problems when I tried that with my DLP. If you prefer, you can request the DCT6200, which has only one tuner and lacks DVR capability.

The best possible signal is necessary to eliminate picture artifacts; some people require new wiring in their homes, but others have been known to get by with the addition of a signal booster. The techs will be more than happy to check the signal strength on your outlets to ensure they are within acceptable parameters.

(And no, I do not work for any of the local broadcasters or Comcast Cable....I've just had enough personal interactions with them to have a better idea of what's actually going on than most of the CSR's.) :D

During American Idol - numerous dropouts both audio and video -What's up with this?

During House dropouts and freezes got so bad that WSVN switched to SD.

Originally posted by Rudy1
stonecrd, bluer101 & Herby:

Now that they've just about completed the upgrades to their local infrastructure, the PQ is outstanding. Comcast HD broadcasts from NBC, PBS, CBS, ABC & FOX are virtually indistinguishable from their OTA counterparts. The WB will be added by June 10th, but there's no definite date for UPN. TNT-HD was recently added to complement ESPN, DISCOVERY, HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, STARZ, INHD1 & INHD2. The quality of the analog channels leaves much to be desired, so you may want to split the cable signal to feed the cable box as well as your TV's internal analog cable tuner. Digital simulcasting of the analog channels is not expected to begin until the last quarter of this year, but the quality of the digital SD channels is pretty good. VOD is available throughout the service area, and includes a few HD titles. Cable Cards are available, but I know absolutely nothing about them as none of my friends or acquaintances are currently using the slots on their sets...they all prefer to lease the cable boxes.

The DVR is the Motorola DCT6412, which has dual tuners plus DVI and FireWire outputs. There are no reported issues that I'm aware of in going from DVI to HDMI, and I did not experience any problems when I tried that with my DLP. If you prefer, you can request the DCT6200, which has only one tuner and lacks DVR capability.

The best possible signal is necessary to eliminate picture artifacts; some people require new wiring in their homes, but others have been known to get by with the addition of a signal booster. The techs will be more than happy to check the signal strength on your outlets to ensure they are within acceptable parameters.

(And no, I do not work for any of the local broadcasters or Comcast Cable....I've just had enough personal interactions with them to have a better idea of what's actually going on than most of the CSR's.) :D

Very Informative Thank You.

I am going to get the cheapest digital service and add the 5 dollars for the HD service. So I will not get any of the Premium Channels like HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, STARZ, INHD1 & INHD2. What STB am I going to get?
I know I have to pay 5 dollars more for the DVR box but are the only HD boxes that are available the DVR STB's?
DCT5100 (http://www.comcast.com/Media/1-2/CM/VanityURL/documents/dct5100_wiring_diagram.pdf)
The link I provided above is the wiring diagram for the HD box on the Comcast website. Am I gonna be getting this one?

About the quality of the analog signal(mind you without a STB) is extremely bad in my home. I thought I was going to get by ok but when I hooked up my 50 inch DLP it looked horrible. So that is why I am going with HD service.

Also since my TV has a DVI connection, are you able to connect your box using a DVI cable or do you have to use component cables?
And what about the digital outputs on the STB are they usable?
Thanks again.

Originally posted by Herby
Very Informative Thank You.

I am going to get the cheapest digital service and add the 5 dollars for the HD service. So I will not get any of the Premium Channels like HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, STARZ, INHD1 & INHD2. What STB am I going to get?
I know I have to pay 5 dollars more for the DVR box but are the only HD boxes that are available the DVR STB's?
DCT5100 (http://www.comcast.com/Media/1-2/CM/VanityURL/documents/dct5100_wiring_diagram.pdf)
The link I provided above is the wiring diagram for the HD box on the Comcast website. Am I gonna be getting this one?

About the quality of the analog signal(mind you without a STB) is extremely bad in my home. I thought I was going to get by ok but when I hooked up my 50 inch DLP it looked horrible. So that is why I am going with HD service.

Also since my TV has a DVI connection, are you able to connect your box using a DVI cable or do you have to use component cables?
And what about the digital outputs on the STB are they usable?
Thanks again.

If you subscribe to the entry level Digital Classic package as well as the HD service, you will get INHD1, INHD2, ESPN-HD, & Discovery HD, as well as the local networks.

The quality of your cable signal might improve if you use this signal booster from Motorola:
http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/signal_booster/
(You can find it for less at Office Depot stores).
I use a splitter to send the boosted signal to both my DVR and my DLP:
http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/signal_splitter/default.asp

You have a choice of either the DCT6200 HD set top box, or the DCT6412 HD DVR. Both units have both component video and DVI connectors, so you can use whichever you prefer with your TV. The digital outputs are all live (both optical and coaxial are provided).

thank you very much I will tell you how it goes

Rudy1
Weston is locked into Advanced Cable and we are required to pay them as part of our utility bill. So our only option is to wait on Advanced to move forward (no compelling reason with no competition) or go with satellite and pay for two services. I would love to get Comcast, I had them in San Fransisco and they did OK by me. Only hope of getting Comcast is if they bought Advanced

Rudy1
Excellent information...!!!

I recently had to switch from Voom to Adelphia, who is my HOA cable provider. I have the Ultimate Package with HD and a DCT6412 HDDVR

Unfortunately, Adelphia in my area does not have the DCT working at full capacity, meaning the firmware is still at 8.12 (or 8.15) so the dual tuner is not working. I can record HD with undetectable PQ form original (which is almost par to OTA) but I can't record while watching another channel or record two programs at once. CSR says it will be in the future but no idea on when.

I know Adelphia will eventually become Comcast but do you have any insight on Adelphia at this point like as you have with Comcast?

Adelphia here still does not have WPLG ABC 10 HD yet so I still have OTA through the VOom STB. I'm planning to split the Adelphia cable to feed both OTA and cable to my Tivo, this way I get recording of two sources at once (SD though...) Are the splitters you recommend the best in your opinion and where can I find them locally?

Originally posted by truqui
Rudy1
Excellent information...!!!

I recently had to switch from Voom to Adelphia, who is my HOA cable provider. I have the Ultimate Package with HD and a DCT6412 HDDVR

Unfortunately, Adelphia in my area does not have the DCT working at full capacity, meaning the firmware is still at 8.12 (or 8.15) so the dual tuner is not working. I can record HD with undetectable PQ form original (which is almost par to OTA) but I can't record while watching another channel or record two programs at once. CSR says it will be in the future but no idea on when.

I know Adelphia will eventually become Comcast but do you have any insight on Adelphia at this point like as you have with Comcast?

Adelphia here still does not have WPLG ABC 10 HD yet so I still have OTA through the VOom STB. I'm planning to split the Adelphia cable to feed both OTA and cable to my Tivo, this way I get recording of two sources at once (SD though...) Are the splitters you recommend the best in your opinion and where can I find them locally?

I really don't have any info on what's going on with Adelphia, but from what I've heard it appears it will be the end of the first quarter of 2006 before any changes are fully implemented by Comcast. The upside to that is, by then Comcast should have their analog lineup duplicated on the basic digital tier. If a pilot program they've begun up north to get analog-only customers to switch (at a cost of just $5 more) to a "no-frills" digital service tier goes well, they may be able to do away with the analog channels completely; this will free up bandwidth for more HD and SD channels.

I use the Monster Cable 2 Gigahertz low loss RF splitters, and they work extremely well with the signal booster from Motorola. You can get both items locally....check Circuit City and Office Depot stores. However, if your signal is marginal to begin with you may need to have your cable company correct that.

Thanks Rudy1
I guess it's a waiting game for me...again (Voom), Oh well...

Actually my signal is really good! It's just that I am going to split it from the wall to feed both DCT6412 and Tivo so I don't want it to deteriorate.
I'll pickup one of those splitters and see how it goes before getting the signal booster.

Thanks again!

I was watching the NFL Network yesterday and on the upper right hand corner it showed a graphic for HD and to contact your local cable or satellite provider. I have Comcast and was wondering if any of you knew of Comcast possibly picking up this channel for its HD lineup.

If I hear anything regarding this, I will post it here.

Concerning NFL Network, I noticed the following since I set up my Comcast DVR box. In Western Brwoard, NFL Net is on ch 180. I am always surprised on how good this channel looks as I the next channels up on the menu are ESPN HD, TNTHD and INHD 1 & 2.

Compared to most ESPN HD programs, NFL Net actually looks far better. Except for true HQ HD live broadcasts, NFL Net has a super clean picture. I am watching this on a 100 inch screen with an Infocus SP4805 through component cables. NFL Europe looks like normal SD though. The in studio shots are very high quality, just one step below what HD looks like.

PKinSFLA

anyone else not getting 10-1 ota tonite?

yeah me neither I have a 0 reading for channel 10-1.. I live by Metro Zoo anyone else not getting channel 10-1

Zero signal on 10.1 here in Plantation. Missed 30 minutes of the season finale of "Desperate Housewives." Will probably record SD 1O as a backup from now on....

anyone else not getting 10-1 ota tonite?

Had it up to a certain hour yesterday...then nothing. It's now Monday morning and also nothing. I'm in south dade.

I wasn't getting 10-1 last night either. Also, I can't pick up 2-1 PBS for the past few days.

10-1 has been dead here on Comcast South Dade using a clear QAM tuner. I did notice however, that Comcast here has added NBC, CBS, WSVN, & ABC in SD on other digital clear channels.

Unfortunately, I have been at work since 9am. Is the signal back yet?

I spoke to a very nice lady in their technical department this morning. She return my voicemail in minutes!! Anyway, she said they do not know WHY it is down but she is hoping it will be back up today/tomorrow. They are getting a lot of calls since Desperate Housewives did not broadcast. I told her they had better fix it before Wed! If I miss LOST and ALIAS season finales in HD, there will be hell to pay!!

Also, I mentioned the weird "sparkles" in the broadcast as dsicussed on this forum many times. She seemed unaware of it but said she could pass all this onto her boss.

By the way, I love this site. Long time reader, first time poster...I think...

WPLG-DT is on the air. I emailed WPBT-DT this morning, and I received a response this afternoon stating that they had no idea what happened....apparently, everything seemed fine on their end. I will monitor the station during primetime to see if the HD channel comes on as it's supposed to and report back here.

Thanks Rudy for the update.

WPBT's HD channel is on the air.

Boy, somebody needs to talk to CBS4 about letting their reporters talk to Miami-Dade crime scene investigators. I sat in 95 for hours this afternoon trying to get away from that dirty bomb!

Could anybody tell me how is Atlantic Broadband PQ compared to Comcast or DishNetwork? I can't find any info about the quality of this cable company and it seems that it's going to be my only option when I move to Miami.

Thanks

Sergio

I'm in Plantation and have no trouble with CBS, NBC or ABC, but FOX is driving me nuts. 7-1 OTA sometimes works fine, but other times the picture and sound freezes for extended periods. I am using an HD-Tivo and wondered if anyone else was having the problem. I got a HDTV tuner for my PC and see the same problem with 7-1.

I can get FOX from Palm Beach on 29-1 using the HDTV tuner on my PC with no problems (good signal strength), but the HD Tivo gets nothing on that channel!!!! Same Antenna. Anyone know why I can't get 29-1 on my HD Tivo?

I'm in Plantation and have no trouble with CBS, NBC or ABC, but FOX is driving me nuts. 7-1 OTA sometimes works fine, but other times the picture and sound freezes for extended periods. I am using an HD-Tivo and wondered if anyone else was having the problem. I got a HDTV tuner for my PC and see the same problem with 7-1.

I can get FOX from Palm Beach on 29-1 using the HDTV tuner on my PC with no problems (good signal strength), but the HD Tivo gets nothing on that channel!!!! Same Antenna. Anyone know why I can't get 29-1 on my HD Tivo?

Mike,

I don't have an HD-TIVO but at some point in your setup you input your zip code. D* uses that to work out your locals received via satellite and I suspect the locals you should receive OTA. I would try a WPB zip, like 33431 which is in Boca and see what you get.

I tried that myself but it didn't work. Of course I'm a good bit farther south than Mike. I set up WPB as a secondary market and the software put all the WPB stations into the program guide, but none of them would tune on.

But yeah I would definitely try it.

I haven't seen any official announcement, but I just noticed that Advanced Cable in Weston has added TNT HD to the lineup. It's on channel 655. Now if they could get the HD DVR working.

I was watching the NFL Network yesterday and on the upper right hand corner it showed a graphic for HD and to contact your local cable or satellite provider. I have Comcast and was wondering if any of you knew of Comcast possibly picking up this channel for its HD lineup.

I checked with the headend manager this evening....he does not know of any immediate plans to add NFL-HD to their lineup.

I spoke with a CSR at Advanced today who said the DVR was coming on-line very soon and did take my name to give me a call back. I also see they have the rate now listed on their website. So hopefully this is not just hype and will happen soon.

That was the same thing that I was told the last time I called Advanced... and that was in January.

Bummer, I call about once a month, this is the first time they sounded so positive, usually its just we don't know. Probably just got an agressive CSr who wants to build a customer list so that she gets more commission when they do come out.

Hope the news about TNT is accurate would like to watch the Heat in HD tonight

That was the same thing that I was told the last time I called Advanced... and that was in January.

This is why I dropped Advanced and got Dish Network. I was told in November by Advanced CSR's that DVR's would be coming soon. Every month I would call, and the CSR would say soon. I got tired of this and cancelled my overpriced HD package with them in April. I signed up with Dish and got a 942 DVR that allows me to record 3 HD shows at one time. Best decision I ever made.

I'm in Plantation and have no trouble with CBS, NBC or ABC, but FOX is driving me nuts. 7-1 OTA sometimes works fine, but other times the picture and sound freezes for extended periods. I am using an HD-Tivo and wondered if anyone else was having the problem. I got a HDTV tuner for my PC and see the same problem with 7-1.

I can get FOX from Palm Beach on 29-1 using the HDTV tuner on my PC with no problems (good signal strength), but the HD Tivo gets nothing on that channel!!!! Same Antenna. Anyone know why I can't get 29-1 on my HD Tivo?

Mike, I'm in Plantation and I haven't experienced any issues with 7-1. I only occasionally receive 29-1 because of where my OTA antenna is pointed. I use my Voom receiver for OTA, which is obviously different from the Tivo.

Has anyone else noticed the sound on channel 10-1 is 30-50% lower than normal?