Wow.

Now we just wait for the FCC fine.

The FCC adopted the PSIP spec in full, and it specifies that stations should use their analog channel number. The FCC has let stations specify their physical channel number instead, but those are the only exceptions. I was told KSWB attempted to map to 5-1 rather than 69-1 and was fined.

- Trip

Wow.

Now we just wait for the FCC fine.

The FCC adopted the PSIP spec in full, and it specifies that stations should use their analog channel number. The FCC has let stations specify their physical channel number instead, but those are the only exceptions. I was told KSWB attempted to map to 5-1 rather than 69-1 and was fined.

- TripTrip, thanks for the explanation with regards to the law. However, the station we've been talking about (44.1 - WHDT Miami) is digital-only. AFAIK, there's never been an analog counterpart.

Would you know what the FCC rules are regarding PSIP for stations that never had an analog counterpart? Is there anything to prevent those stations from mapping to whatever unused pseudo-channel they wanted?

They map to the physical channel number. Whatever channel number they map to is referred to as their "major channel number."

If they move to a different physical channel, the major channel number should stay the same, so in this case, 44-1.

If WHDT-DT had never been on the air before signing on as DT-42 (as they will in the near future) and thus that major channel number is taken, they map to that station's physical channel number, so they would map to 27-1 in this case.

But the correct mapping at this time is 44-1.

- Trip

If this continues what will happen to those that need to add individual channels manually because their sets are not capable of doing a re-scan without loosing the previous scanned channels. Say for example if I wanted to add just channel 10 I couldn't (sometimes you can add the display channel but not always) since to get 10 you have to choose channel 9 which in this case is occupied by whdt.

Im not sure how someone can be watching something in one channel and less than a minute later the tv re directs to another channel and there is nothing you can do about it.

At least with a computers you can prevent the redirects or at least minimize them. About a month ago channel 7.1 and 7.2 were coming in as 8.1 and 8.2

They map to the physical channel number. Whatever channel number they map to is referred to as their "major channel number."

If they move to a different physical channel, the major channel number should stay the same, so in this case, 44-1.

If WHDT-DT had never been on the air before signing on as DT-42 (as they will in the near future) and thus that major channel number is taken, they map to that station's physical channel number, so they would map to 27-1 in this case.

But the correct mapping at this time is 44-1.

- TripI would agree, in that I believe their RF channel is 44, so I'm wondering why they've set their PSIP to map to 9.

I'm not sure I understand why they'd go to 42, as that's WXEL-DT's mapped channel number. Also, I'm not sure what 27's got to do with anything, unless you're referring of the station that broadcasts out of Jupiter. 44-1 (currently mapped to 9-1) broadcasts out of Miami.

Wait, I think I mixed stations up here.

Are we talking about WHDT-LD from Miami, or are we talking about WHDT-DT from Stuart? I mixed them up, my mistake (easy enough to do given the proximity). The channel 42 move is for WHDT-DT, which will be buying WXEL's analog equipment it would seem.

WHDT-LD should map to 44-1, end of story there. They're not moving, they have 44-1, no conflicts. They have no claim to channel 9. Given that it's a low-powered station, I'm not sure what the deal is with regard to regulations.

All that stuff I said in previous posts applies to WHDT-DT in Stuart. Sorry.

- Trip

If this continues what will happen to those that need to add individual channels manually because their sets are not capable of doing a re-scan without loosing the previous scanned channels. Say for example if I wanted to add just channel 10 I couldn't (sometimes you can add the display channel but not always) since to get 10 you have to choose channel 9 which in this case is occupied by whdt.

Im not sure how someone can be watching something in one channel and less than a minute later the tv re directs to another channel and there is nothing you can do about it.

At least with a computers you can prevent the redirects or at least minimize them. About a month ago channel 7.1 and 7.2 were coming in as 8.1 and 8.2I still see PSIP being screwed up by some stations. As you've pointed out, WSVN-DT sometimes comes in as 8-1 and WPLG-DT sometimes comes in as 9-1 (both the true RF channel numbers). WPEC-DT also flips to 13-1 (their true RF channel number) once in a while. IIRC, WLRN had this issue a while ago.

I've had the PSIP change right in the middle of a program. All of a sudden, the channel either goes blank (no signal), or automatically switches to the real RF channel. Either way, when I directly key in the true RF channel on the remote, I get the signal. Then, some time later (it could be days later), the mapped channel returns. Wreaks havoc with my "favorites".

It appears that a fair number of stations still have to get their act together regarding PSIP and channel mapping. I find it interesting that these issues still exist this late in the digital game.

Wait, I think I mixed stations up here.

Are we talking about WHDT-LD from Miami, or are we talking about WHDT-DT from Stuart? I mixed them up, my mistake (easy enough to do given the proximity). The channel 42 move is for WHDT-DT, which will be buying WXEL's analog equipment it would seem.

WHDT-LD should map to 44-1, end of story there. They're not moving, they have 44-1, no conflicts. They have no claim to channel 9. Given that it's a low-powered station, I'm not sure what the deal is with regard to regulations.

All that stuff I said in previous posts applies to WHDT-DT in Stuart. Sorry.

- TripThat explains my confusion. :)

As of last night, WHDT-LD (RF channel 44-1) was coming in mapped as 9-1. That's the situation I was wondering about.

Regarding WHDT-DT out of Stuart, what will happen to WXEL when WHDT buys the analog equipment? Does WXEL cease to exist at that point?

That explains my confusion. :)

As of last night, WHDT-LD (RF channel 44-1) was coming in mapped as 9-1. That's the situation I was wondering about.

I don't know quite what to say about it. I can't think the FCC's okay with it, but it's a low-powered station so I don't know what the FCC would say.

Regarding WHDT-DT out of Stuart, what will happen to WXEL when WHDT buys the analog equipment? Does WXEL cease to exist at that point?

WXEL analog is either going off the air soon or already has. They'll be converting the channel 42 gear to operate digitally, and then signing it on from there. It should theoretically continue mapping to 59-1.

Since WXEL-DT is on channel 27, they'll continue as is, mapping to 42-1.

- Trip

Here we go again... Channel 7 transmitting on 8.3 and 8.4

On or about 8:00 PM Feb 27, 2009 WSVN also ran a "false" alert of a Hurricane with over 100 mph winds and a storm surge of 6-8 feet.

Today they reported the temperature as 8 degrees in Florida?!?

I hear WSVN Channel 7 new banner is going to be "Mission Accomplished"

The truth of the matter, however, isn’t that WSVN problems couldn’t be solved it’s that they're not seriously trying. And we’ve developed a culture in which that’s considered ok.

CBS 4 broadcast the second to the last act of "Flashpoint" tonight in SD, pillarboxed. I've seen this happen before; what causes this?

CBS 4 broadcast the second to the last act of "Flashpoint" tonight in SD, pillarboxed. I've seen this happen before; what causes this?

The screw up fairy... Lol

I noticed Friday Night Lights at times Blocky/Pixelated.

I believe just last week cbs or nbc transmitted part of the golf game pillarboxed also.

Here we go again... Channel 7 transmitting on 8.3 and 8.4

On or about 8:00 PM Feb 27, 2009 WSVN also ran a "false" alert of a Hurricane with over 100 mph winds and a storm surge of 6-8 feet.

Today they reported the temperature as 8 degrees in Florida?!?

I hear WSVN Channel 7 new banner is going to be "Mission Accomplished"

The truth of the matter, however, isn’t that WSVN problems couldn’t be solved it’s that they're not seriously trying. And we’ve developed a culture in which that’s considered ok.Looks like WSVN-DT's crack engineering staff has screwed up their PSIP again. They do this every so often.

CBS 4 broadcast the second to the last act of "Flashpoint" tonight in SD, pillarboxed. I've seen this happen before; what causes this?Was this OTA or through a cable/sat system? I was watching Flashpoint last night OTA and don't recall that happening - IIRC the whole show was HD. That said, my attention was split between the TV and talking to other people.

Looks like WSVN-DT's crack engineering staff has screwed up their PSIP again. They do this every so often.

I doubt it's the engineering staff's fault. Most of these boxes run on the reliable Windows operating system we all know and love. If it locks up, someone has to mash the reset button and wait for it to come back up, assuming they caught the fact that it's frozen...

- trip

I doubt it's the engineering staff's fault. Most of these boxes run on the reliable Windows operating system we all know and love. If it locks up, someone has to mash the reset button and wait for it to come back up, assuming they caught the fact that it's frozen...

- tripWell, that's kind of my point. When the PSIP is fubar for 24 hours or more, you know somebody's asleep at the wheel. And if engineering's not responsible for the PSIP, then who is?

As an aside, why is a major station running Windows? Why not Linux or Unix?

As an aside, why is a major station running Windows? Why not Linux or Unix?

You'd be surprised. Most of this gear runs on Windows. It's not like they actively picked Windows or anything.

- Trip

SOUTHFLORIDA.COM/LIVE on Ch. 39-1 from 5AM - 9AM is in HD. All of their field reports are in HD, just like Ch. 10.

Another source of morning news and entertainment in HD.

There is a miniseries called Il capo dei capi "the boss of bosses" or Corleone on VE me ch 2.3 originally shown in Italy 2007. It is based on Totò Riina from Corleone Sicily and blends in news footage with aftermath of "hits". Every episode is excellent. If you like films like The Godfather you should like this. Its Italian dubbed in Spanish.


Mon 4/13 10:02-11:00pm 2.3 WPBTDT3
Mon 4/13 11:02-12:00am 2.3 WPBTDT3
Tue 4/14 1:02-2:00am 2.3 WPBTDT3
Tue 4/14 2:00-3:00am 2.3 WPBTDT3
Sat 4/18 9:00-10:00pm 2.3 WPBTDT3
Sat 4/18 10:00-11:00pm 2.3 WPBTDT3
Mon 4/20 10:02-11:00pm 2.3 WPBTDT3
Mon 4/20 11:02-12:00am 2.3 WPBTDT3
Tue 4/21 1:02-2:00am 2.3 WPBTDT3
Tue 4/21 2:00-3:00am 2.3 WPBTDT3
Sat 4/25 9:00-10:00pm 2.3 WPBTDT3
Sat 4/25 10:00-11:00pm 2.3 WPBTDT3

No English version ?

No English version ?

I wouldn't hold my breath...

Not sure if anyone mentioned this but 3rd quarter this year Comcast will upgrade to DOCSIS3. I found out while calling about my phone plan as he attempted to cross-sell me on cable.

There's a Channel 39.2 Azteca it indicates Coming Soon.

Issues with WSVN continue... Could it be they're not competent to take effective action...?

There's a Channel 39.2 Azteca it indicates Coming Soon.

Issues with WSVN continue... Could it be they're not competent to take effective action...?WSVN-DT is back on 7-1, but there's no program info. They either don't give a crap (likely) or they're incompetent (also likely). Take your pick - everybody's a winner. Bottom line is that we consumers end up with the short end of the stick as usual.

As for Azteca, it's just one more SD channel that I've just deleted on my channel listing.

I was driving to Broward this weekend and saw a few new towers going up on the tower farm on county line...

Anyone got links to info as to whose they are and what's going to be transmitting from them? Any new channels coming our way soon?

Not sure if anyone mentioned this but 3rd quarter this year Comcast will upgrade to DOCSIS3. I found out while calling about my phone plan as he attempted to cross-sell me on cable.I have always had a little trouble fully understanding exactly what DOCSIS3 is! :o

Is this is something that only benefits Internet users or will we mere cable TV subscribers get something out of it as well? Like maybe more HD channels?

I was driving to Broward this weekend and saw a few new towers going up on the tower farm on county line...

Anyone got links to info as to whose they are and what's going to be transmitting from them? Any new channels coming our way soon?I know WPLG-DT is putting up a new tower, and I think WSVN-DT will also be using it. They're both broadcasting digital on VHF. I think I also heard that WLYF-FM will be using it too.

I have always had a little trouble fully understanding exactly what DOCSIS3 is! :o

Is this is something that only benefits Internet users or will we mere cable TV subscribers get something out of it as well? Like maybe more HD channels?It's basically Data Over Cable: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOCSIS.

I believe DOCSIS 3.0 is the latest, and it supposedly goes up to 50mpbs:
http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/docsis-3-0-yummy-yummy-cable-customers-companies/2009-02-16

Yeah the rep specifically told me that it would result in more HD channels. This particular rep I was extremely satisfied with and all the other info he gave me was pretty legit. One of the very few that know what about they're talking about. Obviously he won't know exactly how Comcast will add channels or when or any other details but he's probably regurgitating stuff that they tell him.

It's basically Data Over Cable: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOCSIS.

I believe DOCSIS 3.0 is the latest, and it supposedly goes up to 50mpbs:
http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/docsis-3-0-yummy-yummy-cable-customers-companies/2009-02-16

Ok...so when may we expect to see this big upgrade in Miami - Ft Lauderdale?

So they changed the channel again. It's no longer on 80.1. Can anybody help? How can I see NBC/WTVJ Miami in HD? What channel is it on now? Does anyone know?

And why do they keep doing this? Thank you so much for any help!! -Phil B.

Ok...so when may we expect to see this big upgrade in Miami - Ft Lauderdale?Doom said 3rd quarter.
Not sure if anyone mentioned this but 3rd quarter this year Comcast will upgrade to DOCSIS3….My guess that means end of quarter 3 or even quarter 4!

Unless Uverse can offer me two HD streams in the mean time I’ll probably stick it out!

I'm not sure that DOCSIS 3.0 increases TV bandwidth. From what I've read, it's the Internet connection that gets the boost.

So they changed the channel again. It's no longer on 80.1. Can anybody help? How can I see NBC/WTVJ Miami in HD? What channel is it on now? Does anyone know?

And why do they keep doing this? Thank you so much for any help!! -Phil B.

The cable company wants you to subscribe to HD service with a cable box or CableCard. I used to use the QAM tuner on my tv but it became too annoying to have to hunt for the channels. If you want WTVJ in HD and don't want to pay for it, use an antenna, either on the roof or an indoor antenna. If you are in a condo facing the wrong direction, you may not be able to aim an indoor antenna at the station, in which case you're "SOL".

There's a Channel 39.2 Azteca it indicates Coming Soon.

Issues with WSVN continue... Could it be they're not competent to take effective action...?

39.2 is now live. Oh well better than nothing. :)

If I don't see some pugilism I'm going to start deleting channels........

What HD DVR does atlantic broadband use in MB? And will it take an external sata?

What HD DVR does atlantic broadband use in MB? And will it take an external sata?

It's the SA 8300 with a VERY old software version (about 2 years old). It's so bad that even basic stuff doesn't work, like no "resume" when you watch a recorded program after turning the DVD off. You have to "start over". Yes, it does take an external SATA . ABB is the most expensive cable service on the planet and if you decide to use a HD TiVo, good luck with their tech guys installing cablecards. Picture quality on HD is quite good, SD is terrible and they still have a bunch of analog channels (FX is one of them).

My building is now wired for Directv and I left ABB a month ago. Half the price, 3 times more HD channels and a much better DVR.

Those of you getting WPTV-DT from WPB OTA, are you seeing any issues with their PSIP? They keep flipping back and forth from 5-1/5-2 to 55-3/55-4 on my Sammy. 55 is their true broadcast frequency.

Those of you getting WPTV-DT from WPB OTA, are you seeing any issues with their PSIP? They keep flipping back and forth from 5-1/5-2 to 55-3/55-4 on my Sammy. 55 is their true broadcast frequency.

Yes, I have noticed this also. Very strange, and annoying. It is sort of like when channel 44-1 flipped to 9-1.


_Lazza

Thanks Slimoli.

Wait, I think I mixed stations up here.

Are we talking about WHDT-LD from Miami, or are we talking about WHDT-DT from Stuart? I mixed them up, my mistake (easy enough to do given the proximity). The channel 42 move is for WHDT-DT, which will be buying WXEL's analog equipment it would seem.

WHDT-LD should map to 44-1, end of story there. They're not moving, they have 44-1, no conflicts. They have no claim to channel 9. Given that it's a low-powered station, I'm not sure what the deal is with regard to regulations.

All that stuff I said in previous posts applies to WHDT-DT in Stuart. Sorry.

- Trip


I used to watch 44-1 with my off air antenna on my DTV receiver. 44-1 no longer appears in my guide and can't be tuned manually. I now have 9-1 on my guide, but when I tune to it I get "searching for signal". When I check the off air signal strength, I have plenty of signal on 44-1. Don't understand what happened or how to get 44-1 back.

I used to watch 44-1 with my off air antenna on my DTV receiver. 44-1 no longer appears in my guide and can't be tuned manually. I now have 9-1 on my guide, but when I tune to it I get "searching for signal". When I check the off air signal strength, I have plenty of signal on 44-1. Don't understand what happened or how to get 44-1 back.


9.1 Should be the new home of WHDT previously 44.1

If your digital television or set top dtv box signal strength meter shows a high reading but you see either a black screen or weak or no signal it's possible the station is undergoing maintenance.

9.1 Should be the new home of WHDT previously 44.1

If your digital television or set top dtv box signal strength meter shows a high reading but you see either a black screen or weak or no signal it's possible the station is undergoing maintenance.Do you have a link to the FCC page for this?

Do you have a link to the FCC page for this?

I'm not sure I understand.

I'm not sure I understand.If true RF channel 44-1 displays legally (through PSIP) as 9-1, it had to have been approved by the FCC. Do you have a link to the FCC web page that shows this, or has WHDT-LP simply decided on their own that they're going to be Channel 9 in Miami?

In other words, what's your source for 9-1 being the new home of WHDT?

In other words, what's your source for 9-1 being the new home of WHDT?

I can't get WHDT OTA but Comcast in Palm Beach carries them in digital HD only and the channel shows up as 9.1 on a clear QAM tuner connected directly to the cable TV drop. When they do their station ID they show a big number 9 in the middle of the screen. (The announcer says "WHDT Stuart WHDT Miami".)

If true RF channel 44-1 displays legally (through PSIP) as 9-1, it had to have been approved by the FCC. Do you have a link to the FCC web page that shows this, or has WHDT-LP simply decided on their own that they're going to be Channel 9 in Miami?

In other words, what's your source for 9-1 being the new home of WHDT?

That's a good point, 97Strat
What are some reasons you can think of that might explain this apparently illogical behavior?

That's a good point, 97Strat
What are some reasons you can think of that might explain this apparently illogical behavior?Not sure what you're referring to, but here's your quote:

"9.1 Should be the new home of WHDT previously 44.1"

Where'd you get that info?

Well let me show you what you said, 97Strat

If true RF channel 44-1 displays legally (through PSIP) as 9-1, it had to have been approved by the FCC. Do you have a link to the FCC web page that shows this, or has WHDT-LP simply decided on their own that they're going to be Channel 9 in Miami?


Do you know any other reason why WHDT would be transmitting on 9.1?
Are you aware WHDT includes this information when broadcasting the appropriate station identification?

Now, wouldn't you have to agree if WHDT says that, wouldn't you have to agree with that or do you still say that WHDT-LP simply decided on their own that they're going to be Channel 9 in Miami? Which way do you want to go?

OK, I'll play.

My question was simple: I asked you what your source was for the statement "9.1 Should be the new home of WHDT previously 44.1".

Since you haven't provided said source except to say that you've seen station IDs, I would conclude that your source is simply viewing the station itself and noting its IDs.

So how'd I do?

Over the weekend I had a Comcast tech come out to the house to replace the DVR; the old 6420 was acting up! Every week or so it would emit a rather loud whine that could only be stopped by unplugging it for a few minutes (I presume to cool down).

I asked him if he had a 3416 on the truck and he did so that was my replacement. It does look a lot better and my wife, particularly, likes both the appearance and the extra 40 gigs of storage space since she tends to get large collections of “The Doctors” and “Oprah” stored up!

The 3416 is an all digital box and while I didn’t get a chance for a side-by-side comparison, the HD and SD picture qualities seem to show little or no change. If there is a change it is for the better but only a very small one!

Aside: Bear in mind my eyesight isn’t what it used to be and my HDTV is a seven year old RPTV!

While he was there we also talked about upcoming changes. He confirmed that DOCSIS 3.0 will be fully implemented by summer. It is partially implemented now but they are having issues getting some modems to work with it. (He had replaced three the previous day).

Once implemented, additional HD channels will follow. He did not know which ones or exactly when but”there will be loads more HD by the end of the year!”

As I said, FWIW!

Bryan, that all sounds great. Did the rep mention anything about pricing?

BTW, you might want to wander down to your local electronics discounter and do some window shopping. I thought my 5-year old Panny HD CRT monitor looked damn good until I brought home a Sammy LCD late last year. The Panny now looks like crap and has been banished to the bedroom. ;)

Bryan, that all sounds great. Did the rep mention anything about pricing? … Potential pricing never came up. I didn’t ask and he didn’t say. I’d not give a lot of credence to any pricing information at this stage anyway. It’s quite possible that even those really in the know don’t know that one yet! :)

… BTW, you might want to wander down to your local electronics discounter and do some window shopping. I thought my 5-year old Panny HD CRT monitor looked damn good until I brought home a Sammy LCD late last year. The Panny now looks like crap and has been banished to the bedroom. Oh yes! Many a time I have wandered around Brandsmart and CompUSA drooling over everything!

We have a 27” SD CRT in the bedroom that will be replaced by a 37” HD LCD at some point. Ideally when it dies, but I suspect by the end of the year anyway!

The 46” Mits RPTV in the family room is still chugging along quite nicely and even though I’d love to replace it with a 50-55” HD LCD I can’t possibly justify doing that right now! :(

We have a 27” SD CRT in the bedroom that will be replaced by a 37” HD LCD at some point. Ideally when it dies, but I suspect by the end of the year anyway!

The 46” Mits RPTV in the family room is still chugging along quite nicely and even though I’d love to replace it with a 50-55” HD LCD I can’t possibly justify doing that right now! :(

Remember, if "the wife factor" keeps you from replacing ancient equipment, there are ways to expedite the death of old equipment. Useful destructive influences include liquids, iron filings, and subtle application of force. ;)

Remember, if "the wife factor" keeps you from replacing ancient equipment, there are ways to expedite the death of old equipment. Useful destructive influences include liquids, iron filings, and subtle application of force. ;)

Or you could just unplug it and say it doesn't work any more... :p:p

AT&T UVerse has added the following HD channels this week

Comedy Central
Spike TV HD
Nickelodeon HD
MTV HD
VH1 HD
CMT HD

For the full list see
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15464035#post15464035

Remember, if "the wife factor" keeps you from replacing ancient equipment, there are ways to expedite the death of old equipment. Useful destructive influences include liquids, iron filings, and subtle application of force. ;)

I say... DON'T LISTEN TO "THE WIFE"! Unless, of course, SHE'S the one paying the bills.

ATTN DISH NETWORK SUBSCRIBERS... I have scheduled Dish Network for installation next week. I've heard some feedback that it has problems with freezing and other things. I know that there can be weather related outages, especially during heavy rains... but are there any other technical disadvantages to it? Once I'm connected, I'm locked in a two year commitment. I don't want to dump Comcast to do this if it's going to be two years of "heartburn". Please help me.

I have D* instead of Dish but if you're having outages make sure you have a tech go out there to adjust it. I had the same issue with just clouds and had it fixed. I rarely lose signal but lets see what happens when it rains.

I had Dish Network for two years. Occasionally I would lose signal during bad weather. As soon as the bad weather cleared up, the signal would come back. So if a storm lasts a few minutes, that's not too bad, but if it's raining hard for an hour, that's a long time to be without a signal.

I now have D* and never lose signal even during bad storms.

With Dish, you will get more HD channels now. Dish keeps adding HD channels while D* does not. D* has a new satellite going up later this year and if everything goes good with the launch, D* should add a lot of HD channels by years end or the beginning of 2010. That's a long time away.

Right now the best choice for HD is U-Verse, if its available in your neighborhood. They keep adding more HD channels and have a very nice channel lineup.

The sales guy when I got D* told me that D* has more satellites up so it helps with the weather. I don't know how to take that but I disregarded that info.

The sales guy when I got D* told me that D* has more satellites up so it helps with the weather. I don't know how to take that but I disregarded that info.

Not totally wrong. Bad weather normally causes 1 or 2 satellites to loose signal. Directv uses 3 to 5 and they are spread a little. The same is true with Dish, though. When I was living in Central Florida I used to loose one satellite much more often than the others. Here in Miami I have never lost all of them at the same time, with Directv. This is a non-issue to me and mostly happens during the day when I don't care.

hi guys
I am in south dade [cutler bay] 33189
and am not getting CH 10 ABC at all signal strenght is zero
I get all the other channels ok to very strong
except for CH 7 [fox] is in and out

twin beam roof top ant to a sony sat HD100 box used as a DTV tuner only
to a 32'' sony HD CRT set without a DTV tuner

also I get some channels that have no picture or known local tv station
but do have a signal
ch 8 [key west ?] ch 9 ch 40 ch97 ch98 are like that

rain sure does much tooo often knock out my Dish TV standard def unit
are the HD dishTV units any better then the standard units for rain

bump to see what my chanel 10 problem is OTA ant tuner box or something else??? :confused:

Channels 7 and 10 are transmitted via VHF. I'm in Fort Lauderdale using various tuners and antennas (indoor and outdoor). Both these stations are unquestionably the weakest and erratic of all the Miami stations. Even with an outdoor antenna I get only 50-60% signal strength for these stations. With indoor antennas my ability to receive these stations vary widely depending on weather and time of day. For me when the weather is bad I tend to pick up more stations, specifically the outliers in West Palm Beach.

Can you verify your antenna is VHF capable? You might want to buy cheap rabbit ears from Radio Shack and see if you can pull in these stations. I am willing to guess the problem is with your antenna, not your tuner. But since you also say you are getting phantom stations maybe something funky is going on with your tuner. You might want to consider getting a CECB, especially the Zenith one (available at Kmart). It's a nifty box for fine-tuning signal reception.

Finally, check out www.tvfool.com. Put you address in there and look at the results. It will tell you what stations you should be getting. Since you say you are getting channels 8 and 9 I think something might be amiss with your tuner. These channel numbers are the *real* channel numbers for (virtual) channels 7 and 10 (, respectively) ... as you can see from the tvfool.com results. Sometimes when broadcasters are fiddling around with the digital broadcasts customer lose the virtual channel number and find that it has "moved" to the real channel number, and visa-versa. Channel 44.1 moved to channel 9.1 without warning. Channel 5-1 (NBC in West Palm Beach) seems to channel 55-3 nowadays. At any rate, after June 12 one hopes all this will settle down.

Good luck. Sorry I can't be much help.


_Lazza

hi guys
I am in south dade [cutler bay] 33189
and am not getting CH 10 ABC at all signal strenght is zero
I get all the other channels ok to very strong
except for CH 7 [fox] is in and out

twin beam roof top ant to a sony sat HD100 box used as a DTV tuner only
to a 32'' sony HD CRT set without a DTV tuner

also I get some channels that have no picture or known local tv station
but do have a signal
ch 8 [key west ?] ch 9 ch 40 ch97 ch98 are like that

Both WPLG ABC10 & WSVN FOX7 will be switching to a new higher & more powerful transmission tower scheduled for completion by 2nd week of July. Also I have heard to expect a weaker digital signal starting on the June 12th cut off date for analog broadcasts until the move upgrade is completed in July. Sit tight, better days ahead!

Channels 7 & 10 are both on reduced power in their digital transmissions. They will both be at full power in July when the new tower is operational. Hopefully, we will not have signal problems after that.

I'm currently getting a good signal from both channels with my rooftop antenna and NO signal at all from either channel with an indoor antenna.

Last night's nasty weather caused interference on many of the digital channels. I completely lost the signal on 10.1 OTA, however, cable had the channels coming in fine. Is cable getting the channels from another source?

so 10 and 7 are on the same tower?
I turned my ant more to the east and finally got 10.1 to come in
but 7.1 is still in and out
all the other major channels are good

any idea what channel 40 96 97 and 98 are
I get a signal but no pic or sound

and is 9.1 channel 10 or 44 ????

tvfool.com has the answers to your questions. Real channel 9 is virtual channel 10.1. Real channel 44 is virtual channel 9.1, although for a time tuning into 44.1 brought you channel 9.1. Real channel 40 is virtual channel 63.1, a boring independent station. Your channels 96, 97, and 98 are all out of the UHF range and so I don't know what they are.


_Lazza

sat dish and rain???
we are now in the rainy season
my current SD dishtv blanks out far too often in rain
they are offering a ''free'' up grade to HD
but is the bigger HD dish any better in the rain

or is the directTV HD the better pick in rain reception

over the air thru an old sony sat recever with OTA HD tuner [satHD-100]
is flakie in rain too but will that old teck sat tuner even work on todays
sat code? [to save one box rential fee every month]

I had DirecTV for a number of years and it certainly would fail during a thunderstorm but, upon reflection, it only was bad (ie, outage lasting more than 5 minutes) perhaps 10-12 times a year. Only rarely did it come at a very inopportune time.

Surprisingly, I have not had an issue with weather and receiving OTA transmissions. Of course there would be some picture breakups but this would be only momentary. But also for some reason when there is a lot of cloud cover I can briefly pick up remote broadcasts. Last night I tuned into WZVN (ABC affiliate) from Naples, ... over 100 miles away! Kind of weird considering I sometimes have difficulty in bringing in channel 10.1 from nearby Miami.


_Lazza

Only rarely did it come at a very inopportune time.


_Lazza

I had my Directv installed last March and so far had service interruption twice: In the middle of last episode of 24 and during the last lap of Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco. Great timing!!

Both WPLG ABC10 & WSVN FOX7 will be switching to a new higher & more powerful transmission tower scheduled for completion by 2nd week of July.

So, will 10 and 7 also be moving to UHF as of June 12? As of the 2d week of July? Never?

Right now with an outdoor antenna I can't get 7 or 10, but I think it's a UHF-only antenna. If 10 and 7 will be moving to UHF soon, I won't bother with VHF ...

Or, is there any reason to want VHF access after June 12 (July?) in Miami? (Assuming that all I want are the networks.)

TIA ...

Thing to remember with sat is get the dish aimed RIGHT. Don't let a lazy tech get away with good enough. Signals in the 90's and up will help minimize rain-fade. And, having an antenna backup for those other occasions helps.

So, will 10 and 7 also be moving to UHF as of June 12? As of the 2d week of July? Never?

Right now with an outdoor antenna I can't get 7 or 10, but I think it's a UHF-only antenna. If 10 and 7 will be moving to UHF soon, I won't bother with VHF ...

Or, is there any reason to want VHF access after June 12 (July?) in Miami? (Assuming that all I want are the networks.)

TIA ...

WSVN (7) and WPLG (10) will remain on their VHF channels after the transition.
You should get a combo antenna (VHF-Hi and UHF). WPTV (5) and WPEC (12) in West Palm Beach will also be on VHF after the transition.

Walt

Replacing your UHF antenna with a combo UHF-VHF antenna would be best but if that poses a problem you might just get an additional VHF antenna and combine the signals coming from the two. Actually, I am surprised an outdoor UHF antenna does not pick up a close range VHF-hi signals. My Philips MANT940 is advertised as a UHF antenna but it picks up channels 7 and 10 (and 5 from WPB) just fine. It's a dinky little antenna, available for $38 at Walmart (cheaper online), and dead easy to install either indoors or out. It's perfectly suited for an outside patio of a condo/townhouse.


_Lazza

After the analog shutdown, there will be two major stations broadcasting on VHF from MIA/FTL - WPLG on 10 and WSVN on 7.

WPB will have two major stations broadcasting on VHS - WPTV on real channel 12, virtual channel 5.1, and WPEC real channel 13 (no virtual channel information on tvfool.com). This is interesting, as WPEC's current branding is channel 12, but WPTV will be broadcasting on that frequency even though WPTV's branding is 5.1. I can only wonder if WPEC will abandon its branding with 12 and go to 13, which will be its real channel.

After the analog shutdown, there will be two major stations broadcasting on VHF from MIA/FTL - WPLG on 10 and WSVN on 7.

WPB will have two major stations broadcasting on VHS - WPTV on real channel 12, virtual channel 5.1, and WPEC real channel 13 (no virtual channel information on tvfool.com). This is interesting, as WPEC's current branding is channel 12, but WPTV will be broadcasting on that frequency even though WPTV's branding is 5.1. I can only wonder if WPEC will abandon its branding with 12 and go to 13, which will be its real channel.

No. Under the FCC rules, stations who had an analog channel assignment will keep that channel number as their virtual channel number regardless of their real broadcast channel.

This keeps the AARP generation from having to learn something new. If they did have to do so, they'd kick out their congressmen......

Will this work for WPBT?

For Comcast customers:

Look for exciting new programming coming in June 2009!

Beginning June 2, 2009:
High-Definition customers will receive FX HD Channel 451 on Digital
Starter, Speed HD Channel 450 on Digital Classic and Fox News HD
Channel 428 on Digital Starter!*

Beginning June 9, 2009:
ION HD (WPXM) launches on channel 437 on Digital Access.*
Universal Sports launches on channel 217 on Digital Access.
RLTV (Retirement Living) launches on channel 257 on Digital Classic.

Beginning June 30, 2009:
Fit TV will launch on channel 182 on Digital Classic.

Yes, I received that e-mal as well! However, the news of little or no interest to me! Let’s see:


Beginning June 2, 2009:
High-Definition customers will receive FX HD Channel 451 on Digital
Starter, Speed HD Channel 450 on Digital Classic and Fox News HD
Channel 428 on Digital Starter!*...I already receive those channels on those channel numbers and never watch them! I guess they are just changing the tiers.


Beginning June 9, 2009:
ION HD (WPXM) launches on channel 437 on Digital Access.*
Universal Sports launches on channel 217 on Digital Access.
RLTV (Retirement Living) launches on channel 257 on Digital Classic.

ION - I rarely watch local stations outside of the major networks. This will a “wait and see” situation.
Universal Sports – Yuk, another sports channel!
RLTV – Yes, I am retired but something tells me there will be little of interest here!


Beginning June 30, 2009:
Fit TV will launch on channel 182 on Digital Classic. Ha! Just what I need!

I just hope all of this is in preparation for further changes down the line including the addition of more HD channels (like Weather, Travel and Planet Green)!

No. Under the FCC rules, stations who had an analog channel assignment will keep that channel number as their virtual channel number regardless of their real broadcast channel.

This keeps the AARP generation from having to learn something new. If they did have to do so, they'd kick out their congressmen......Understood, but it's kind of absurd for WPTV and WPEC.

WPTV (branded as 5) ends up on RF channel 12, which is what WPEC is branded as, and WPEC ends up on RF channel 13.

I guess when you consider that it's the FCC, it makes perfect sense. :p

Nice. You have some growing up to do yet, don't you.



This keeps the AARP generation from having to learn something new. If they did have to do so, they'd kick out their congressmen......

What happened to HD Gallery On Demand? It had a really cool portfolio of HD pictures of art, world places, animals etc...looks like it is gone now...:(

Nice. You have some growing up to do yet, don't you.

Nope. I already get junk mail from that organization. I'm commenting on my peers.

Comcast has started added the HD channels for CNN, TLC, FNC, AMC, Speed and FX.

But for some strange reason, I'm not getting the Speed Channel in HD. All the others I mention are working except for that one, Is anyone else having the same problem?

Comcast has started added the HD channels for CNN, TLC, FNC, AMC, Speed and FX.

But for some strange reason, I'm not getting the Speed Channel in HD. All the others I mention are working except for that one, Is anyone else having the same problem? What area are you talking about? I've had all those channels here in Plantation for a long, long time now!

I want some new ones! Like Boston, Chicago and Detroit!

What area are you talking about? I've had all those channels here in Plantation for a long, long time now!

I want some new ones! Like Boston, Chicago and Detroit!
I live in Hialeah.

I called Comcast earlier about it, I don't know why, but they setup an appointment for tomorrow, I guess there sending someone over to check it out.

But I'm just not receiving that one channel, I get everything else, I don't know why they have to send someone over to check the problem, If I'm not receiving the channel, Wouldn't it be from there end?

Coral Gables added today:

CNNHD
FOXHD
SpeedHD
FXHD
AMCHD

That is weird. I'm in Hialeah by Palmetto Hospital and Im getting SpeedHD fine. Did they try sending a signal to your box and doing one of those resets? I don't know why they would send someone over to your house just for a missing channel though. Seems a little excesive although maybe they'll just swap your cable box. They did that for me once. I forgot what problem I was having but they just sent a guy over with a newer box.

That is weird. I'm in Hialeah by Palmetto Hospital and Im getting SpeedHD fine. Did they try sending a signal to your box and doing one of those resets? I don't know why they would send someone over to your house just for a missing channel though. Seems a little excesive although maybe they'll just swap your cable box. They did that for me once. I forgot what problem I was having but they just sent a guy over with a newer box.
Yeah, They send a signal to my box to reset it and it didn't fixed it.

I'm gonna call again to see if they can fix it.

Ok, I just called again and they told me that the Speed Channel is part of a sports package, And I only have the regular one, So I wasn't supposed to receive that channel. I thought the Speed Channel was part of the regular because I get the SD version of it.

How many HD channels do you guys in Broward & Miami-Dade get?

I think if you go to yahoo.com into the TV section and enter a zip for each area, you'll have an idea.

What happened to HD Gallery On Demand? It had a really cool portfolio of HD pictures of art, world places, animals etc...looks like it is gone now...:(

I believe that company went out of business last year.

Anyone in the SFL area using OTA reception having lightning-induced glitches?

Even when the storms are far away, the picture and sound break up periodically as lightning strikes happen. I have a pretty decent directional antenna pointed at the Dade-Broward line antenna farm, and get consistant 98% signal level on pretty much all stations with my Bravia's signal meter, but it still breaks up often.

Anyone have experience finding ways to reject lightning interference? It happens mostly on channels 7 and 10, which are VHF; UHF is almost always pristine.

I was really happy with my OTA setup until storm season started. Meh.

VHF stations are more susceptible to impulse noise. This part of the reason many broadcasters have opted to leave the low VHF channels. In the case of channels 7 and 10, last time I was in Miami ( to see mom and sister), the channels were weak. Once they are able to maximize to full power should help with that problem. But the lightning out there is incredible. That's why I left.

http://www.mstv.org/docs/techinfo.pdf

http://www.televes.com/ingles/asistencia/documentacion/Impulsive%20Noise%20&%20Aerials.pdf

Just subscribed to HBO special at Comcast $6.99/mo for 6 months. Good movie selection, what's weird is that none of HBO ondeemand has any HD content, not even one movie or program...I wonder why?:confused:

Just subscribed to HBO special at Comcast $6.99/mo for 6 months. Good movie selection, what's weird is that none of HBO ondeemand has any HD content, not even one movie or program...I wonder why?:confused:There is no HBO On Demand selections - period, at all! They terminated it quite awhile ago for all suppliers!

Something to do with copying and copyrights!:confused::eek:

This station didn't wait until 6/12, they flash cut on channel 48 at some point within the past few days. Analog reception of this station here in central Palm Beach was a mess with lots of co-channel interference from another channel 48 north of me. The digital flavor is coming in loud and clear. Programming is Spanish-language soap operas.

"There is no HBO On Demand selections - period, at all! They terminated it quite awhile ago for all suppliers! "

I would not say that, ondemand selection is there, 30 or so movies, 10 documentaries, sport events, Series like 6 f under and bunch of other like Bill Maher show -so it is pretty extensive- just NONE of it in HD...what the heck...

"There is no HBO On Demand selections - period, at all! They terminated it quite awhile ago for all suppliers! "

I would not say that, ondemand selection is there, 30 or so movies, 10 documentaries, sport events, Series like 6 f under and bunch of other like Bill Maher show -so it is pretty extensive- just NONE of it in HD...what the heck...Yes, you are correct but there is only SD programming available. No HBO HD On Demand! Sorry for not being clearer!:o

Yes, you are correct but there is only SD programming available. No HBO HD On Demand! Sorry for not being clearer!:o

Will have to cx my HBO if they don't have HD at all. Watching blurry movies in SD ondemand is no fun. I had Starz before and they had plenty of HD content. It is a shame for HBO :mad:

It appears that WTVJ (6-1) is now showing Ellen in HD.

It appears that WTVJ (6-1) is now showing Ellen in HD.Is WTVJ ever going to fix their audio, or do they actually think it's ok as is???

Our big day only hours away has almost arrived!
Sit back & watch the show!
:eek:

The story on channel 10's web site isn't very informative but the tower video is pretty cool:

http://www.justnews.com/technology/19732752/detail.html

http://www.nbcmiami.com/station/digitaltv/WTVJ-DT-Broadcast-Transmitter.html

On July 1, 2003 WTVJ commissioned its state of the art digital broadcast transmitter manufactured by Thomson Inc. (formally Thales Broadcasting). This transmitter is made up of 4 inductive output tubes (IOT) that provide 19,000 watts of radio frequency power each. Thus the transmitter outputs 76,000 watts of power up the tower into the antenna. This provides 1,000,000 watts of effective radiated broadcast power of NBC 6 HD throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

The brain of the transmitter are its dual digital exciters that input the digital stream from the NBC 6 studios in Miramar and makes the signal suitable for transmission. Exciters are analogous to CPU’s in computers. This transmitter boasts 2 exciters in order to provide the amount of redundancy needed to supply continuous 24/7 broadcast service to South Florida.

As well as the outstanding digital video provided by the transmitter, the audio output of the transmitter has the capability of supplying 5.1 Dolby Surround to its antenna viewers. Of course, this happens when 5.1 programming is present.

The NBC 6 HD transmitter location is equipped with 700 KVA of uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) and a 800 KVA power generator to ensure that the transmitter never looses AC power. This was evident after hurricane Wilma in 2005 when the transmitter ran for 6 continuous days without power from Florida Power And Light.

The transmitter enables viewers to receive a pristine HD signal simply by using an outdoor antenna or indoor “rabbit ears”. Most antenna viewers boast of an NBC 6 picture sharper then that of cable and satellite, which is true because there is no need to compress the transmitter antenna signal. NBC 6 engineers proved this during the 2007 Health and Fitness Expo at the Miami Beach convention center. Utilizing a $40.00 Radio Shack antenna, NBC 6 engineers were able to provide a crystal clear digital signal inside the convention center to several digital TV’s and an analog TV using a converter box.

Given it’s design, complexity and redundancy, the NBC 6 HD transmitter is sure to provide South Florida with the best in digital broadcasting for years to come.

The story on channel 10's web site isn't very informative but the tower video is pretty cool:

http://www.justnews.com/technology/19732752/detail.html"The state-of-the art, 10,000-foot, digital tower is up."

Wow that is tall :eek:

Yea, I know a typo.

Looks like WTVJ is running nightlight service. 10, 33, 39 analog off the air. WPLG moved digital from RF 9 to RF 10; getting a stronger signal now too.

WSVN is still analog7/digital8. Wonder when they'll pull the switch.

Fun times. :)

Channel 7 went off the air at 11"59 PM, but it's digital signal is off also. Have re-scanned my TV, and nothing on 7 or 8 digital. Same for Ch. 23. I believe they were to move the digital transmitter from 24 back to 23. Probably tech issues on both. Channel 2 is running an analog banner program, as is Ch.6. I was hoping they would go off, to do some caribbean DX'ing.

Jose
W2JD

Miami observations from central Palm Beach with an indoor Radio Shack 15-1862 amplified set-top VHF/UHF antenna and a Zenith DTT-901 CECB:

- WSVN channel 7 (rf 7) & WPLG channel 10 (rf 10) are just as weak as they were pre-transition, neither one will decode. I was able to receive channel 7's (rf 8) pre-transition digital service some of the time, I was never able to watch channel 10 (rf 9) pre-transition. Channel 7 and channel 10 both had very watchable analog signals here, I'm hoping that digital reception will improve once they complete their new shared tower and bump up the power.

- WLTV channel 23 (rf 23) post-transition is just as strong as it was pre-transition (rf 24).

- WSCV channel 51 (rf 30) is very weak post-transition, which is puzzling considering that co-owned (NBC Telemundo) WTVJ channel 6 (rf 31) pegs the meter on my Zenith DTT-901. I had solid reception of channel 51's (rf 52) pre-transition service, I'm guessing that they either have a problem or that they're not at full power yet.

- WFUN channel 48 (rf48) digital LPTV is running 4 sub-channels now.

- Analog signals that are still available: WPBT channel 2 (barely visible nightlight), WTVJ channel 6 (barely visible nightlight), WDLP-CA channel 21 (watchable GEN TV LPTV), W58BU channel 58 (watchable NBC6 LPTV translator, still running regular programming.)

Is anyone getting channels 18.8 and 18.9 when they scan in the Miami area? When I try to tune them in, it says "Signal cannot be decoded", but Signal Diagnostics shows them as being locked in on RF 18 with an SNR of 24.9dB (which is pretty good) and a signal strength of around 54.

Does someone out there have a malfunctioning transmitter? Hidden pay TV encrypted channels of some sort? It's definitely a mystery.

EDIT: Hmm, 18 RF is WPBT 2. Wonder if they just have misconfigured PSIP information on the channel. Still weird though.

Ignore them. They're related to the UpdateTV service, provided on some PBS stations.

- Trip

Miami observations from central Palm Beach with an indoor antenna:

- Channel 7 (rf 7) & channel 10 (rf 10) are just as weak as they were pre-transition, neither one will decode. I was able to receive channel 7's (rf 8) pre-transition digital service some of the time, I was never able to watch channel 10 (rf 9) pre-transition. Channel 7 and channel 10 both had very watchable analog signals here, I'm hoping that digital reception will improve once they complete their new shared tower and bump up the power.


Their tower is not done yet? From what I saw on Channel 10 before they went off the air, they said they were moving to their new tower right then and there.

Maybe they didn't know everything that was going on?

If all they did was change frequencies, they are likely using the same transmitters and just retuned the antenna. This would explain why 7 went off the air completely for a while last night; they had to retune the antenna. :)

If you have more definite info on the state of the tower work, where did you obtain it?

If you have more definite info on the state of the tower work, where did you obtain it?

The FCC of course.
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/tvq.html

http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?state=FL&call=&arn=&city=miami&chan=&cha2=69&serv=&type=0&facid=&list=1&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&size=9

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101309635&formid=387&fac_num=53113

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=693620&formid=387&q_num=5030

I noticed that WTVJ decided to keep their analog translator up on channel 58.

Also getting a faint signal here and there from WSCV. I guess they have not turned up the transmitter yet on channel 30 or are having some problems.

Re:

The FCC of course.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=693620&formid=387&q_num=5030

I was hoping that 7 & 10 going from their pre-transition side-mounted antennas on the south side of their old shared tower to the top-mounted omni-directional antennas that were previously used for analog would give a significant digital reception improvement towards the north, even at lower power, but it didn't make any difference here. I expect that I'll be able to get reliable indoor reception when they both bump up to ~150 kW.

Both 7 and 10 are coming in stronger now. I see it on both my set connected to my roof antenna and my indoor rabbit ears on my "portable". That said, it's anybody's guess as to why.

Channel 10 has said that they will not be going to FULL power until July. I expect a much stronger signal then.

I used to be able to pick up channel 10.1 (ABC) in Davie...now I can't pick it up at ALL. I noticed that I can get 10.3 which looks like it is the same programming as what 10.1 would show.

Is anybody else in Davie/Plantation or Ft.Lauderdale that is getting 10.3 and not 10.1 or both?

Do you have a Sony TV that you're seeing 10-3? If so, you need to do a full rescan. It's saving WPLG's channel 9 frequency as 10-1 and listing the new channel 10 frequency on 10-3.

- Trip

Do you have a Sony TV that you're seeing 10-3? If so, you need to do a full rescan. It's saving WPLG's channel 9 frequency as 10-1 and listing the new channel 10 frequency on 10-3.

- Trip

Yes, I am using a Sony TV and I did the rescan and it solved the problem...although I am still picking up 10.3 that I had saved as a favorite channel. Thanks!

Hi guys. There are no problems with WSCV. WSCV is utilizing 1 tube on a side mount antenna for channel RF 30. We are installing a brand new top mount antenna on the tower. The crew arrived yesterday and we will start work on Monday. We will have 4 IOT's on the air within 2 weeks. You will see a very strong WSCV signal then. It was something that couldn't be helped, we couldn't make the change until Friday.

Hi guys. There are no problems with WSCV. WSCV is utilizing 1 tube on a side mount antenna for channel RF 30. We are installing a brand new top mount antenna on the tower. The crew arrived yesterday and we will start work on Monday. We will have 4 IOT's on the air within 2 weeks. You will see a very strong WSCV signal then. It was something that couldn't be helped, we couldn't make the change until Friday.

Ernest... is there a problem with Channel 6's signal? I used to be able to pick it up on my outside antenna with no problems. However, after the transition, the first three times I re-scanned my TV (including a scan with no antenna connected to clear all the channels) Channels 6-1, -2 and -3 didn't even show in the list.

On the 4th scan, they finally showed up in the list, but when I tuned to any of them I got a very choppy pixelated signal, which hasn't gotten any better as of last night.

Did you guys drop any power from your transmitter recently that would cause the problem? All the other Miami/Ft. Lauderdale channels come in fine. I'm just having problems with NBC 6.

I did a scan last night and Channel 6 was not detected, which is strange since that station had always come in before with a strong signal. However trying again immediately after the station came in fine. So something happened.


_Lazza

Depending on what time of day I scanned, sometimes it comes in and sometimes it didn't. In the past, I always had a strong signal on 6. Now it's hit and miss...

Depending on what time of day I scanned, sometimes it comes in and sometimes it didn't. In the past, I always had a strong signal on 6. Now it's hit and miss...

Marty, I see that your original post was from around 6 this morning... I also happened to be up really early and noticed that several stations were off the air at around 4:30 or so, WTVJ being one of them.

Marty, I see that your original post was from around 6 this morning... I also happened to be up really early and noticed that several stations were off the air at around 4:30 or so, WTVJ being one of them.

I posted it this morning, but I must have spent at least 1 1/2 hours yesterday (throughout the day) scanning and re-scanning and consistently had trouble with WTVJ showing up.

I didn't do any scanning today. I just figured that I always have WPTV from West Palm to fall back on when I need NBC Programming.

OTA for me is an add on, since I use DirecTV for the majority of my viewing.

Hi Marty. Channels 4.1, 6.1, Univision and 19 broadcast antennas are all on the same tower. We had a tower crew go up the tower on Monday morning from 1:00 am until 5:00 am to perform maintenance. To protect the crew from radiation all of these transmitters were turned off during that time. When maintenance is performed it is usually done on a Sunday night/Monday morning time frame because that is the least watched time of the week. Everything was brought back to normal at 5:00 am. Our power level at WTVJ is the same that it has been for 6 years. I'll double check the signal to noise ratio, but I'm sure the problem is not with my transmitter. We have undergone quite a few changes at the studio which could have caused a few data glitches. Unfortunately, with the changes in the market over the last few days it might be a good ideal to perform channel rescans often. Let me know if you're still having problems receiving.

I skimmed thru the last pages, but didn't catch anyone mentioning any good indoor set-top antenna models..

I've got a couple of senior citizens in the 33186 and 33176 zip/Miami Area asking me for advice on what small set-top antenna is best for them to catch DT channels..

They both had the old analog rabbit ears, but now after the switch they both claim that they can only catch a few channels at best and even then these keep breaking up...

FCC volunteers hooked up the converter box for one of them, but apparently left without testing all available channels..

As you can imagine, they don't care to install out-door antennas..and watch very little TV to subscribe to cable/SAT

Anyone in the South Florida area has any models they can recommend?

I skimmed thru the last pages, but didn't catch anyone mentioning any good indoor set-top antenna models..

I've got a couple of senior citizens in the 33186 and 33176 zip/Miami Area asking me for advice on what small set-top antenna is best for them to catch DT channels..

They both had the old analog rabbit ears, but now after the switch they both claim that they can only catch a few channels at best and even then these keep breaking up...

FCC volunteers hooked up the converter box for one of them, but apparently left without testing all available channels..

As you can imagine, they don't care to install out-door antennas..and watch very little TV to subscribe to cable/SAT

Anyone in the South Florida area has any models they can recommend?

I am using this unit in a second floor apartment in downtown Fort Lauderdale, pointed roughly SW, with the VHF dipole nearly vertical and fully extended. The unit is highly directional for the UHF channels, but I'm able to receive all of the Miami stations well.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2417014

Hi Marty. Channels 4.1, 6.1, Univision and 19 broadcast antennas are all on the same tower. We had a tower crew go up the tower on Monday morning from 1:00 am until 5:00 am to perform maintenance. To protect the crew from radiation all of these transmitters were turned off during that time. When maintenance is performed it is usually done on a Sunday night/Monday morning time frame because that is the least watched time of the week. Everything was brought back to normal at 5:00 am. Our power level at WTVJ is the same that it has been for 6 years. I'll double check the signal to noise ratio, but I'm sure the problem is not with my transmitter. We have undergone quite a few changes at the studio which could have caused a few data glitches. Unfortunately, with the changes in the market over the last few days it might be a good ideal to perform channel rescans often. Let me know if you're still having problems receiving.Earnest, not a reception question, but a question on 6-1 audio.

For months now, audio is being broadcast out of phase over 6-1. It's not everything, but only some content. I hear it sometimes on things ranging from network broadcasts, local news broadcasts, commercials, and just about anything. Even during local news, audio flips from in phase to out of phase depending on the shot or content. It never flips within the content, only when the content changes. It's almost as if there are different audio routing banks to handle various content, and one of those banks is wired out of phase.

The result is that what's supposed to come out of the center channel in a 5.1 system comes from all around. Sound is extremely dispersed with no real focal point at all. Nothing at all comes from the center.

I know that this is unique to 6-1, because the exact same network program on 5-1 (WPTV) will sound perfect (e.g., Law And Order). Tune to 6-1, and the audio is out of phase. This is all OTA, so it has nothing to do with cable or sat systems.

I've posted this issue before, and I've e-mailed WTVJ engineering about it - I've never gotten a response.

Why is 6-1's audio sometimes out of phase??? :confused:

WHDH channel 7 in Boston just got an emergency permit to operate their pre-transition UHF transmitter due to "overwhelming" VHF reception problems. No such option is available to our WSVN channel 7, which is owned by the same company, but then they aren't saying if they have a problem in South Florida.

Channel 10's web site has a story about their reception problems. They say that they're at "full power", there is no mention of a further power increase. If this is "full power" then I'll have to give up on channel 10 for the time being. (I get all of the Miami UHF's except Telemundo. No 7 and no 10 for me.)

http://www.justnews.com/technology/19767189/detail.html

5: Is WPLG operating at full power?

Yes, WPLG is operating at full power, more than double the power at which it was operating before the analog shut-off. We are also in our final position and the maximum allowed height.

P.S. DredTek, thanks for taking the time to post your informative updates.

Hi Marty. Channels 4.1, 6.1, Univision and 19 broadcast antennas are all on the same tower. We had a tower crew go up the tower on Monday morning from 1:00 am until 5:00 am to perform maintenance. To protect the crew from radiation all of these transmitters were turned off during that time. When maintenance is performed it is usually done on a Sunday night/Monday morning time frame because that is the least watched time of the week. Everything was brought back to normal at 5:00 am. Our power level at WTVJ is the same that it has been for 6 years. I'll double check the signal to noise ratio, but I'm sure the problem is not with my transmitter. We have undergone quite a few changes at the studio which could have caused a few data glitches. Unfortunately, with the changes in the market over the last few days it might be a good ideal to perform channel rescans often. Let me know if you're still having problems receiving.

Thanks Earnest... I'm out of town until next week, but when i get back home, I'll give it a shot. I know a couple of other folks that are having the same problem, and I'll see if they have any better results as well.

Marty

WSVN has applied for an emergency power boost from 31 kW to 63 kW.

- Trip

WSVN has applied for an emergency power boost from 31 kW to 63 kW.

- Trip

I guess that was their way of saying that something is wrong... 3 dB of additional power is better than nothing but it probably won't solve their problem. Hopefully WSVN and WPLG will be able to secure a couple of the recently-vacated-by-analog UHF channels.

At their height, they can go all the way up to 160 kW on channel 7 if the transmitter will do that much power and they don't interfere with anyone. I wonder if 63 kW is the highest the transmitter will go.

- Trip

I totaly lost WSCV and WSVN post-transition. I'm up here at 33449 Wellington. Here's my findings of all the channels I receive pre and post-transition.


Ch 2 WPBT RF 18 Pre 88% /Post 77%
Ch 4 WFOR RF 22 Pre 89% /Post 98%
Ch 5 WPTV RF 55 Pre 64% /Post RF 12 94%
Ch 6 WTVJ RF 31 Pre 66% /Post 88%
Ch 7 WSVN RF 8 Pre 70% /Post RF 7 66% -0% In and out
Ch 10 WPLG RF 9 Pre 67% /Post RF 10 74%
Ch 12 WPEC RF 13 Pre 100% / Post 100%
Ch 17 WLRN RF 20 Pre 85% /Post 95%
Ch 23 WLTV RF 24 Pre 68% /Post RF 23 96%
Ch 25 WPBF RF 16 Pre 74% /Post 74%
Ch 29 WFLX RF 28 Pre 88% /Post 88%
Ch 33 WBFS RF 32 Pre 79% /Post 85%
Ch 39 WSFL RF 19 Pre 88% /Post 78%
Ch 42 WXEL RF 27 Pre 100% /Post 100%
Ch 51 WSCV RF 52 Pre 86% /Post RF 30 0% Zip-Nada
Ch 69 WAMI RF 47 Pre 71% /Post 85%

I hope WSCV and WSVN increase their pwr soon.

Wow, I just checked WSVN Ch 7 at 10:45pm and their signal just shot up from 70 to 85. No other station's signal went up except for WSVN. Keep it going guys.

Wow, I just checked WSVN Ch 7 at 10:45pm and their signal just shot up from 70 to 85. No other station's signal went up except for WSVN. Keep it going guys.

Can anybody confirm that channel 7 actually increased their transmitter power? (I saw that their EMERGENCY request was granted by the FCC, but then Radio Shack doesn't carry that kind of hardware...) I was able to receive channel 7 and channel 10 this morning for about half an hour, the latter for the first time ever. It must have been weather-related since they're both gone now.

Yeah.. Ch 7 is back down to 70%. I don't think it was weather-related cause it lasted for 3 days. It was good while it lasted.

Can anyone confirm that the guide is present and working (with listings) in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area (over-the-air or via Comcast Cable)?

WSVN now wants to boost power to 158 kW with a new antenna.

- Trip

Does anyone know the frequency for Wplg and wsvn? My tlevision pulls them in fine, but I have to add a frequency range to my SV8000 for pvr recording. I had WPLG at 18900khz, not sure what that means but it scans in mid-vhf, low-vhf and uhf.

After the switch I can't seem to find them.

If it had 189000 kHz before, then I would guess:

WSVN: 177000 kHz
WPLG: 195000 kHz

See if those work.

- Trip

WPLG has now joined WSVN in asking to boost power. WPLG wants to go up to 60 kW on the current antenna.

- Trip

WPLG has now joined WSVN in asking to boost power. WPLG wants to go up to 60 kW on the current antenna.

- Trip

Everyone,

I want to try to clear a few things up here, because there is some misinformation going on.

First thing, WPLG is on our new tower@ 30 KW erp on Channel 10. We went to that when we converted at 9AM on the 12th. WSVN will be joining us there when their transmitter building is complete. For now, they are using their old omni and I believe their erp is roughly 63KW. Neither of us was ever side mounted or on the same tower before.

WPLG is now using a patterned antenna, one that puts more power to the north and south, and less to the Everglades and Atlantic Ocean. Hopefully, this helps.

We do have a construction permit for 156 kw that we intended to complete by early to mid 2010. Seeing the continuing reception issues, we are quickly moving to increase power to 60kw erp. Trip is correct, we have filed for an STA to get there as soon as possible (hopefully in the next two weeks). We expect that will significantly improve reception until we can overcome some construction and technical hurdles to get us to fulfill our CP.

Please understand, we may need to lower power during daylight hours, and sometime go to our standby antenna at the 700 foot level to protect tower workers who are still on the job. If you ride by "the farm" you will still see a crane on top of our new tower. That should be down in the next few weeks.

There may be some other tempoarry power reductions as we begin the process of taking down the old Channel 10 tower (right beside the new one).

Sorry I haven't checked in for a while; we've been busy building our new studio, tower and transmitter building. Also got a little fatigued with patiently explaining misconceptions and getting attacked for it on this site. You can only explain so many times the difference in propagation between VHF and UHF and basically get taken to task for explaining reality! At times, the hostility level was more than I ever felt like dealing with.

As you all may know, reception of Digital VHF at assigned power levels turned out to be a huge problem not only here but all over the US. Google VHF HD and you will see many hits with serious issues in Philly, New York, Chicago, Washington, etc. We are working hard to rectify, but it may take time.

Steve Ellis
Assistant CE
WPLG

Thanks Steve!

Can anyone confirm that WTVJ 6 has ceased its nitelite operation as scheduled ? On the morning of Jun 22 it was received here in San Antonio over the raster of our local KFLZ-CA-6.

Can anyone confirm that WTVJ 6 has ceased its nitelite operation as scheduled ? On the morning of Jun 22 it was received here in San Antonio over the raster of our local KFLZ-CA-6.

WTVJ ch. 6 is gone from low band as of 6/26. WPBT ch. 2 is still on with a nightlight service.

WTVJ analog 58 is still broadcasting the main content from digital 6-1.

Earnest, not a reception question, but a question on 6-1 audio.

For months now, audio is being broadcast out of phase over 6-1. It's not everything, but only some content. I hear it sometimes on things ranging from network broadcasts, local news broadcasts, commercials, and just about anything. Even during local news, audio flips from in phase to out of phase depending on the shot or content. It never flips within the content, only when the content changes. It's almost as if there are different audio routing banks to handle various content, and one of those banks is wired out of phase.

The result is that what's supposed to come out of the center channel in a 5.1 system comes from all around. Sound is extremely dispersed with no real focal point at all. Nothing at all comes from the center.

I know that this is unique to 6-1, because the exact same network program on 5-1 (WPTV) will sound perfect (e.g., Law And Order). Tune to 6-1, and the audio is out of phase. This is all OTA, so it has nothing to do with cable or sat systems.

I've posted this issue before, and I've e-mailed WTVJ engineering about it - I've never gotten a response.

Why is 6-1's audio sometimes out of phase??? :confused:
Hi 97Strat,
Over the past few weeks and months WTVJ has gone through a major change in the way we carry our stream in the studio and in monitoring. Without getting too much into details, much of our signal processing that used to be done in house in Miramar is now outsourced to a company located in Atlanta. This is a new system to NBC, and as in most new NBC technologies WTVJ is the first to implement it. So as you might imagine we have had to deal with and clear problems that are not only just associated to us, but are not even associated to other owned and operated NBC stations yet. We are working hard to clean up the 'beta" version, and expect to have all the problems resolved within the next few weeks. Sorry about all the audio problems, but trust me, it pains me just as much as it pains you!

Hi Guys,
I thought you might enjoy this video of the final WTVJ broadcast to the analog transmitter and the transmitter turn off:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llkCCPxQfzs

And for all of you transmitter junkies here is a video tour of the transmitter site not long before shut down:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=947Ty98Ihww&feature=channel

Neat WTVJ video with an all-too-familiar "soundtrack". Thru the decades here
http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/WFOR-4.txt
http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/images/wtvj-63a.jpg
http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/WTVJ-6.txt
Got the Orlando Ch 6 nightlight here this morning.

Hi 97Strat,
Over the past few weeks and months WTVJ has gone through a major change in the way we carry our stream in the studio and in monitoring. Without getting too much into details, much of our signal processing that used to be done in house in Miramar is now outsourced to a company located in Atlanta. This is a new system to NBC, and as in most new NBC technologies WTVJ is the first to implement it. So as you might imagine we have had to deal with and clear problems that are not only just associated to us, but are not even associated to other owned and operated NBC stations yet. We are working hard to clean up the 'beta" version, and expect to have all the problems resolved within the next few weeks. Sorry about all the audio problems, but trust me, it pains me just as much as it pains you!Earnest, I can't thank you enough for responding!! It's been driving me crazy and I haven't read a thing about this until your response.

All of the above having been said, I've noticed that now the only audio issues seem to be when there's live content being broadcast from the studio, e.g., live local news. Sound that should be in the center still comes from all around. Network programming and all commercials (at least that I've seen/heard) are all fine now, so it appears that you guys are indeed working through the bugs!

Again, thanks so much for the reply and explanation.

Hey DredTek, those are very cool videos, thanks for sharing!

Here's another video I've run across of channel 10's shutdown:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p5S73yfVCg

WTVJ analog 58 is still broadcasting the main content from digital 6-1.

NBC has filed a "displacement application" to move this analog translator to ch. 51. Don't throw away your portable analog hurricane TV if you live in South Broward or North Dade:

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101319801&formid=346&fac_num=63151

Thanks Steve!

WPLG Upgraded it's power level to 60 KW erp on Saturday 7/4 at 5 AM. Hopefully this eases some reception issues.

Steve Ellis
WPLG

My reception of channel 10 has actually gotten worse according to my tuner this weekend. I was thinking channel 10 had decreased power to work on the tower.

I used to get both channel 7 and 10 with about 63-67% but now channel 10 is at about 25% while 7 is still the same.

It's possible that I am receiving too much signal or some kind of multipath now.

WPLG Upgraded it's power level to 60 KW erp on Saturday 7/4 at 5 AM. Hopefully this eases some reception issues.

Steve Ellis
WPLG

Unfortunately still "NO SIGNAL" on ch. 10 here in central Palm Beach. I don't get 7 either, but both 7 and 10 come in sometimes when there is enhanced propagation toward Miami. Miami's full-power UHF's, except Ion, are always solid.

Telemundo is solid for me tonight, too. Maybe they've increased power. I'm getting a soap opera in HD, this is the first time I've seen HD on Telemundo other than studio shots in their local news.

My reception of channel 10 has actually gotten worse according to my tuner this weekend. I was thinking channel 10 had decreased power to work on the tower.

I used to get both channel 7 and 10 with about 63-67% but now channel 10 is at about 25% while 7 is still the same.

It's possible that I am receiving too much signal or some kind of multipath now.

Multipath is very likely the culprit. We have not powered down for tower work since the 4th. This is not the first report we have received and its getting to be more common nationwide as the V's start to power up. Sorry, but for many folks with indoor antennas that were receiving us in the past, the situation now has changed and depending on the ghost-cancelling abilities of the receiver, antenna position, etc., they may encounter some reception issues.

With our new antenna, we are focusing a lot of power North and South, while WSVN is still on their Omni. This may explain the difference in multipath interference.

Steve Ellis
WPLG

Yesterday afternoon I was talking to a Comcast supervisor about something else but before hanging up I asked when they would be adding more HD in South Florida since they were really behind their competition.

In summary, this is his answer (and as I said, FWIW):

Starting next month there is a 13 month project to convert all of South Florida to digital only. It would be done area by area starting in Broward (no idea on the sequence). As an area is converted the following would happen:

· The very basic service, channels 1 to 24, would remain analog for out the wall viewing.
· Channels 25 to 100 would become digital and would require a DTA box (quite small) to view them. (I have always thought of DTA as standing for Digital To Analog but it is actually something else).
· Two free DTAs will be provided to every household that requests them. (I have read that in other areas this is a go pick them up and do a self install deal). Any additional units will cost $1.99 a month.
· Internet speeds will automatically increase with no additional charge.
· New HD channels will be added. No idea what channels or how many but there would be capacity for up to 100 total (two and an a half times that currently provided).

So far as the additional HD channels go, in other areas this has typically included Planet Green, Travel, MGM, Style, Weather, amongst others and includes multiple premium channels of HBO, Cinemax, Showtime and Starz. No saying what happens here, of course.

As I said, grist for the mill and FWIW!!!!

Multipath is very likely the culprit. We have not powered down for tower work since the 4th. This is not the first report we have received and its getting to be more common nationwide as the V's start to power up. Sorry, but for many folks with indoor antennas that were receiving us in the past, the situation now has changed and depending on the ghost-cancelling abilities of the receiver, antenna position, etc., they may encounter some reception issues.

With our new antenna, we are focusing a lot of power North and South, while WSVN is still on their Omni. This may explain the difference in multipath interference.

Steve Ellis
WPLG

Do you think that you guys might consider getting a UHF frequency? That would solve all your problems.:)

Do you think that you guys might consider getting a UHF frequency? That would solve all your problems.:)

That apparently is what Sunbeam is doing in Boston, where they've received FCC approval for WHDH ch. 7 to light up its pre-transition ch. 42 transmitter. No word on whether they plan to get a companion UHF frequency for WSVN ch. 7.

Yesterday afternoon I was talking to a Comcast supervisor about something else but before hanging up I asked when they would be adding more HD in South Florida since they were really behind their competition.

In summary, this is his answer (and as I said, FWIW):

Starting next month there is a 13 month project to convert all of South Florida to digital only. It would be done area by area starting in Broward (no idea on the sequence). As an area is converted the following would happen:

· The very basic service, channels 1 to 24, would remain analog for out the wall viewing.
· Channels 25 to 100 would become digital and would require a DTA box (quite small) to view them. (I have always thought of DTA as standing for Digital To Analog but it is actually something else).
· Two free DTAs will be provided to every household that requests them. (I have read that in other areas this is a go pick them up and do a self install deal). Any additional units will cost $1.99 a month.
· Internet speeds will automatically increase with no additional charge.
· New HD channels will be added. No idea what channels or how many but there would be capacity for up to 100 total (two and an a half times that currently provided).

So far as the additional HD channels go, in other areas this has typically included Planet Green, Travel, MGM, Style, Weather, amongst others and includes multiple premium channels of HBO, Cinemax, Showtime and Starz. No saying what happens here, of course.

As I said, grist for the mill and FWIW!!!!

Similar to what I was told except your time frame is probably more accurate. God knows when they'd start Dade.

Similar to what I was told except your time frame is probably more accurate. God knows when they'd start Dade.
Yes, I’m also inclined to believe it overall. It follows a very similar pattern to that in other areas of the country. Timing is the real question mark!

If the 13 months is accurate, it really does start next month and things remain on schedule, I would guess Dade would start about five to six months (possibly seven) into the project. (This is just a guess based on the relative sizes of Broward and Dade and assuming they complete Broward first).

I also have a hard time believing they will add additional HD channels area by area. Personally, I’d expect no more HD channels until Broward is fully converted. Bur who knows?

I have a Comcast acct. both in Aventura and iin Okld., Ca. I just got a notice from Okld. Comcast that I'll need to pick up a "box", to get channels 35-82. They didn't say exactly when the change over would take place - but I can get 2 boxes for free.
It appears they will mail these out, if you ask. Since there is a Comcast office a few blocks fm. my Okld. office, I'll just pick them up next week when I'm there.
They use the term "Digital Adapters".

While both systems carry most of the same channels, there are many more local channels in the Bay Area., thus (I guess) accounting for more channel numbers not requiring a "box".

...mike

Yesterday afternoon I was talking to a Comcast supervisor about something else but before hanging up I asked when they would be adding more HD in South Florida since they were really behind their competition.

In summary, this is his answer (and as I said, FWIW):

Starting next month there is a 13 month project to convert all of South Florida to digital only. It would be done area by area starting in Broward (no idea on the sequence). As an area is converted the following would happen:

· The very basic service, channels 1 to 24, would remain analog for out the wall viewing.
· Channels 25 to 100 would become digital and would require a DTA box (quite small) to view them. (I have always thought of DTA as standing for Digital To Analog but it is actually something else).
· Two free DTAs will be provided to every household that requests them. (I have read that in other areas this is a go pick them up and do a self install deal). Any additional units will cost $1.99 a month.
· Internet speeds will automatically increase with no additional charge.
· New HD channels will be added. No idea what channels or how many but there would be capacity for up to 100 total (two and an a half times that currently provided).

So far as the additional HD channels go, in other areas this has typically included Planet Green, Travel, MGM, Style, Weather, amongst others and includes multiple premium channels of HBO, Cinemax, Showtime and Starz. No saying what happens here, of course.

As I said, grist for the mill and FWIW!!!!

Best news I've heard in quite awhile. I'd love to know the expected time frame for the transition in Martin County. Please keep us updated!:) I believe DTA is Digital Transporter Adapter.

I live up in Fort Pierce, Florida, and two mornings in a row I picked up Channel 7 and 10. I'm 105 miles north of the transmitter. I had not seen Channel 10 since the days of Ann Bishop. Must say the station has changed a bit. The station faded out around 9:30 a.m. but it was nice to see it.

NBC6 has been the strongest Miami station up here and I have picked up the signal at 86% strength on occasions. However, WXEL, has a repeater signal on that same frequency, 31, so they both make each other difficult to pick up. However, the WXEL repeater signal goes down alot, which means I can get NBC6.

Be glad you don't live up here in Fort Pierce. The West Palm Beach stations broadcast on frequency that are also broadcasts in Tampa, which means poor reception on many days.

Hopefully Cuba or the Bahamas won't start broadcasting on the same frequencies that the Miami stations broadcast on.

I have noticed that the signal strengh of WPBT is in the 70-80% range here in SW iami-Dade (by FIU). All other channels are at 100 %, even 7 & 10. Even 29 and 42 are at 70%. I have a 10 element Ch. 7-13 antenna and a Televes DAT-75 UHF antenna. Are they running at lower power or problems with their antenna? It used to be at 100% before.

Jose
W2JD

Is anyone having problem with several HD channels getting glitchy with lots of pixelation and stutter with Comcast HD?

For some reason a couple of the HD channels I receive are showing lots of pixelation and stuttering while the rest of the HD channels are fine.

For example, Channel 423 CNNHD is showing a ton of pixelation

Do you think that you guys might consider getting a UHF frequency? That would solve all your problems.:)

Here is my attempt at finding vacant UHF channels. If I didn't miss one it looks like 44 and 45 are available without having to protect an incumbent class A LPTV. It's too bad that 25 is occupied by a class A, it would have been a good channel. There are other possibilities but they involve protecting incumbent class A's and/or full power stations.

There is obviously more to interference studies then this simple exercise but you have to start somewhere...


7 WSVN
8 open
9 open
10 WPLG
11 open
12 WPTV
13 WPEC
14 Land Mobile
15 Land Mobile
16 WPBF
17 open
18 WPBT
19 WSFL
20 WLRN
21 WDLP-CA
22 WFOR
23 WLTV
24 open
25 WIMP-CA
26 open
27 WXEL
28 WFLX
29 open
30 WSCV
31 WTVJ
32 WBFS
33 open
34 WTVX
35 WPXM
36 WPXP
37 Radio Astronomy
38 WTCE
39 open
40 WBEC
41 WJAN-CA
42 WHDT
43 WTCN-CA WTCN-CA displacement ch. 50 application due to original WHDT ch. 44 allocation.
44 open
45 open
46 WHFT
47 WAMI
48 WWHB-CA
49 WFGC
50 WSBS-CA WTCN-CA displacement ch. 50 application due to original WHDT ch. 44 allocation.
51 open

Data stream statistics for stations I can get are in the enclosed ZIP file.

Data stream statistics for stations I can get are in the enclosed ZIP file.

You're amazing, you know that? :D

I owe you. If you see anything during tropo, please let me know. I'd love to have it all. :)

- Trip

44 is not open, it maps as 9-1.

Jose
W2JD

44 is a low-power. If a full-powered station wants it, WHDT-LD has to move.

- Trip

Yeah, what Trip said. I intentionally omitted non "Class A" LPTV's and there are quite a few of them.

44 is actually the best channel because when WTCN-CA moves there will be no local adjacent channel occupant so a new station on 44 should have no problem "maximizing" unless a real interference study reveals something else.

The only open question is whether Sunbeam and Post-Newsweek are interested in switching their Miami stations to UHF.

A little propagation enhancement brought in a couple of digital LPTV's from Miami, WFUN and WHDT. See data in the enclosed ZIP file. Unfortunately WSVN and WPLG are too noisy / weak to decode properly on my OnAir GT receiver. I'll need a monster VHF band opening for those two.

:D Awesome!

If you happen to get WSVN/WPLG, post it. I'd be ecstatic to have them and thus complete Miami. W31DC-D is the only station left in West Palm Beach.

- Trip

I live 60 miles south of the WSVN and WPLG transmitters in Key Largo and have not yet gotten either digital channel. I have high gain vhf and uhf attic antennas and a preamp so get 4.1 and 6.1 fine. I was hoping with the boost in power and going to vhf I would be receiving a strong enough signal. I just learned on this thread that power increases are coming so hopefully with their directional antenna system the north and south signals will make it to the Keys.

My thanks to the station engineer that has given us progress reports on what is happening.

I could not believe my eyes, but HBO added a lot of HD on demand yesterday on Comcast. Movies, series, documentaries etc. all in stunning HD! Finally they listened :-)

I could not believe my eyes, but HBO added a lot of HD on demand yesterday on Comcast. Movies, series, documentaries etc. all in stunning HD! Finally they listened :-)Yep, it seems to be that way across the entire Comcast footprint. Apparently with other suppliers it is hit or miss!

I'm glad that HBO finally came to its senses!

I was changing channels and when I reached channel 7.1 wsvn the 7.1 info display changed and the channel number switched to 7.3 all by itself the same when I changed the channel instead of 7.2 next the display now shows 7.4
Im also not getting any program info other than dtv air

On numerous occasions wsvn has had similar issues the difference being the channel was 8.3 and 8.4 not what Im getting now which is 7.3 and 7.4

I tried to manually input channel 8 hoping it would correct the problem and all that does is give me analog channel 8 with snow.

Can anyone else confirm this. If you have an ota antenna and or a samsung that would be even better.

I prefer not running the risk of loosing channels by doing any unnecessary rescans

This appears to be an ongoing problem with wsvn.
Why on earth would tv manufactures not include an option to block this musical chairs with channel numbers from happening.

If it did this all by itself shouldnt it fix itself?

I was changing channels and when I reached channel 7.1 wsvn the 7.1 info display changed and the channel number switched to 7.3 all by itself the same when I changed the channel instead of 7.2 next the display now shows 7.4
Im also not getting any program info other than dtv air

On numerous occasions wsvn has had similar issues the difference being the channel was 8.3 and 8.4 not what Im getting now which is 7.3 and 7.4

I tried to manually input channel 8 hoping it would correct the problem and all that does is give me analog channel 8 with snow.

Can anyone else confirm this. If you have an ota antenna and or a samsung that would be even better.

I prefer not running the risk of loosing channels by doing any unnecessary rescans

This appears to be an ongoing problem with wsvn.
Why on earth would tv manufactures not include an option to block this musical chairs with channel numbers from happening.

If it did this all by itself shouldnt it fix itself?WSVN-DT's PSIP is fubar once again. That's why your Sammy shows 7-3 and 7-4 with no program info. Mine shows the exact same thing.

Prior to analog death, WSVN broadcast on RF 8, which is why when their PSIP went out back then WSVN-DT displayed 8-1 (or 8-3 on newer Samsung TVs). There was no PSIP info to tell your set you were watching "Channel 7". Now, after the analog death, WSVN's RF is the same as their branded channel, so the main channel number is still 7.

No clue why Samsung TVs show the true RF primary as "-3" rather than "-1" when the PSIP goes out. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable about those things has an explanation.

Because their MPEG-2 Program Number is 3 for 7-1 and 4 for 7-2. I don't have data for WSVN, but let me show you a different example.

http://www.rabbitears.info/screencaps/fl-mia/63154-0_0.htm

That is data for WTVJ. Note how the 6-1 stream is listed as Program 3. Without PSIP, many receivers will show 31-3 for this reason.

The number is arbitrary, though there are reasons for variations. Many stations use Program 3 as their first due to a specific FCC regulation regarding the PIDs (sort of like data addresses) for the various parts of the stream, though there are ways to meet this rule while using Program 1.

I realize that was probably overly confusing. If you really want a good explanation, let me know and I'll try again.

- Trip

WSVN-DT's PSIP is fubar once again. That's why your Sammy shows 7-3 and 7-4 with no program info. Mine shows the exact same thing.

Prior to analog death, WSVN broadcast on RF 8, which is why when their PSIP went out back then WSVN-DT displayed 8-1 (or 8-3 on newer Samsung TVs). There was no PSIP info to tell your set you were watching "Channel 7". Now, after the analog death, WSVN's RF is the same as their branded channel, so the main channel number is still 7.

No clue why Samsung TVs show the true RF primary as "-3" rather than "-1" when the PSIP goes out. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable about those things has an explanation.

Thanks for responding Strat. Good talking to you again, Hope all is well...

Edit: Trip just saw your post thanks. Hope all is well on your end also

Do you think WSVN will move there weather info to 7.3 now that Estrella TV is coming to 7.2 ?

Do you think WSVN will move there weather info to 7.3 now that Estrella TV is coming to 7.2 ?

Multicasting is the worst thing that has ever happened to TV. The greedy broadcasters try to cram so much into such a small "space" that EVERYTHING ends up looking like garbage! And there should be a limit to how many foreign language stations can exist in any one market. Ditto for religious stations...I don't have a problem with providing equal access, but things are just ridiculous down here.

Hey Trip, I found a magical spot for WPLG and also got a clean decode of WPXM while I was at it, see enclosed ZIP file.

Thanks. :)

- Trip

Why does the picture quality of Universal Sports (6-3) look so shabby? I know it's broadcast is in 480i, but other 480i channels look far better than that.

Mostly because it has a lot of motion and is compressed. Usually, subchannels have mostly still video with little motion and can be compressed well, but Universal Sports has a lot of motion and whatnot, so it requires a lot more bandwidth which NBC is likely keeping for 6-1 instead.

- Trip

My friend has Comcast internet in Broward but his connection was faster in his old house which was only 2 miles away. He's not sure if its his modem and Comcast isn't going to his house for a few weeks. Can I take my Comcast modem to his house and test the connection? Will my modem work at his house or is it dependent on the local Comcast station that it won't work?

My friend has Comcast internet in Broward but his connection was faster in his old house which was only 2 miles away. He's not sure if its his modem and Comcast isn't going to his house for a few weeks. Can I take my Comcast modem to his house and test the connection? Will my modem work at his house or is it dependent on the local Comcast station that it won't work?

Has he tried unplugging the modem for a minute or two and then plugging it back in? If not, he should try that. That's what Comcast has told me to do and it worked fine afterwards. I have similar problems with my wireless router. I unplug and then plug in again and it works fine.

Yes he tried that

Hello, new to the forum.
I have a DB2 antenna from antenna's direct that worked perfectly on my previous address. I moved about 10 block and now I have a building in front of my apartment blocking reception - I get low signal strength to none.
I also have an amplifier, a small little box that has to be connected to a power outlet. What I have noticed over the weeks is that by adjusting the position, (yes the position) of the amplifier I get better reception - still not as much as I'd like to...

Anyone has any ideas about how can I improved reception?
Would a second antenna or amplifier help in any way ?

Thanks in advance...
I'm in North Bay Village - 33141

WHDH's request for permanent operations on 42 has reached the next step.

AMENDMENT OF SECTION 73.622(I), POST-TRANSITION TABLE OF DTV ALLOTMENTS, TELEVISION BROADCAST STATIONS, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. Proposed channel substitution for station WHDH-TV from channel 7 to 42. (Dkt No. RM-11552 09-142 ). Action by: Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau. Adopted: 08/05/2009 by NPRM. (DA No. 09-1770).

Anyone have the inside scoop on whether Sunbeam has any intention of moving WSVN to UHF? (This is for their channel 7 station in Boston.)

In the Miami Herald's Action Line in their local section on Saturday, someone asked why they weren't getting the digital channel for 10. Someone from 10 said to call the station. I don't have it front of me but I believe Action Line has its own forum at the Herald web site so the info should be there.

Here it is, Google is your friend! ;-)

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/action-line/story/1172909.html?storylink=pd

Oh I don't need it. I have D* but thanks for posting that.

Looks like WFOR intends to produce preseason Fins games in HD.

Looks like WFOR intends to produce preseason Fins games in HD.

That's great news if it happens. I'm still waiting for WFOR to produce their news in HD.

Hopefully in HD. I hope next year they axe Bolanger and use some of our local talent.

Dolphins pregame is in HD on WFOR.

Dolphins game is in HD. Very ugly scorebar.

The WFOR scorestrip is minimal. I took this from WXCW in Fort Myers.

They should just take the HD cams from the game into the studio and shoot the news that way. It'd probably be better than the lousy SD they've got now...

Hi,

I live in Weston and have Advanced Communications Cable. Until today, I have received 4 HD channels thrrough my HD tuner. They were 114-1 which is Channel 6, 116-1 which is channel 7, 116-2 which is channel 10 and 118-22 which is channel 4.

Today they all show as scrambled. I called the cable company and they had no clue other than to say I am only supposed to receive channels 2 to 99 which are all cable channels in standard definition.

Any ideas as to what happened and if these channels will come back.

Thanks,
jeff

In the interest of covering all the bases on hurricane prep, can anyone in Weston comment on the current state of clear QAM on Advanced Cable please ? I am considering a portable TV and want to know if I should bother with the clear QAM feature or just stick with ATSC to connect to my attic antenna.

In the interest of covering all the bases on hurricane prep, can anyone in Weston comment on the current state of clear QAM on Advanced Cable please ? I am considering a portable TV and want to know if I should bother with the clear QAM feature or just stick with ATSC to connect to my attic antenna.

I don't live in Weston, but I think you should stick with an antenna. I'm not a big fan of clear QAM having tried it and getting frustrated with trying to find channels only to have the channels you found get moved by the cable company.:(

Well, with our three DVR's, HD, Digital Preferred Plus with two premiums, our Comcast bill is now $180. I'm looking for alternatives.

I'm looking at some of the D** packages and they look pretty good but I am worried about the OnDemand stuff. We find ourselves using Comcast's OnDemand services quite a bit and I heard that D** requires an Internet connection for OnDemand and that the offerings are pretty bad.

Can anyone confirm this and relay your experiences with the D** on demand features?

Well, with our three DVR's, HD, Digital Preferred Plus with two premiums, our Comcast bill is now $180. I'm looking for alternatives.

I'm looking at some of the D** packages and they look pretty good but I am worried about the OnDemand stuff. We find ourselves using Comcast's OnDemand services quite a bit and I heard that D** requires an Internet connection for OnDemand and that the offerings are pretty bad.

Can anyone confirm this and relay your experiences with the D** on demand features?

D* does require an internet connection for on Demand. And when using on Demand, you're really downloading the program, and have to let the buffer build up (especially with HD) before you start watching.

While the offerings aren't as extensive as Comcasts, there are quite a number of them. Personally, I don't use On Demand, preferring to use Netflix and Netflix streaming for my movies.

D* FREE on Demand is pretty poor for HD. Only SHO has some programs in HD. Paid On Demand has much more choices in HD including some 1080P but who wants to pay per movie when Netflix can give you Bluray at much lower cost ? I think Directv is MUCH better than Concast or any cable, though.

D* FREE on Demand is pretty poor for HD. Only SHO has some programs in HD. Paid On Demand has much more choices in HD including some 1080P but who wants to pay per movie when Netflix can give you Bluray at much lower cost ? I think Directv is MUCH better than Concast or any cable, though.

Thanks for the feedback. My wife told me they are offering special deals for Sam's Club members. I think I will stop by and see what they have to offer.

Thanks!

Thanks for the info BDCat. I know this post is almost 2 months old... but have you (or anyone else) heard whether any of the new bandwidth will be used by Comcast to improve their HD video quality (and not only to increase their number of HD channels)?

I find that Comcast's HD video quality is unacceptable with unacceptable levels of compression. I notice this when comparing with the clear-QAM versions of the same (7) HD stations through the same cable (bypassing the cable box). Also noticable to me when comparing Comcast HD programming with Directv HD. It has me looking to Directv or maybe Dish in search of near-clear-QAM levels of HD video quality but with the increase in HD channels.

Has anyone in the Miami area using the newer DCX3400 series of HDDVR noticed PQ improvements on comcast?

Yesterday afternoon I was talking to a Comcast supervisor about something else but before hanging up I asked when they would be adding more HD in South Florida since they were really behind their competition.

In summary, this is his answer (and as I said, FWIW):

Starting next month there is a 13 month project to convert all of South Florida to digital only. It would be done area by area starting in Broward (no idea on the sequence). As an area is converted the following would happen:

· The very basic service, channels 1 to 24, would remain analog for out the wall viewing.
· Channels 25 to 100 would become digital and would require a DTA box (quite small) to view them. (I have always thought of DTA as standing for Digital To Analog but it is actually something else).
· Two free DTAs will be provided to every household that requests them. (I have read that in other areas this is a go pick them up and do a self install deal). Any additional units will cost $1.99 a month.
· Internet speeds will automatically increase with no additional charge.
· New HD channels will be added. No idea what channels or how many but there would be capacity for up to 100 total (two and an a half times that currently provided).

So far as the additional HD channels go, in other areas this has typically included Planet Green, Travel, MGM, Style, Weather, amongst others and includes multiple premium channels of HBO, Cinemax, Showtime and Starz. No saying what happens here, of course.

As I said, grist for the mill and FWIW!!!!

Caution. The receivers for D*'s HDDVR's do not have wireless cards. If you want to connect it to the internet you have 3 options. Ethernet wired, powerline adapter wired, or wirelessly via a bridge. A bridge runs you $50+ unless you know how to convert a router via 3rd party firmware.

Finally WSVN, last but certainly not least!

Thanks! :D

- Trip

Is anyone having trouble viewing Channel 39 FSN?

Its showing nothing but a black screen.

Well, Its working now.

Is WHDTV working in Miami? I am getting no signal in the Weston area. Used to get channel 9-1 fine in Miami. Just wondering if the station is broadcasting and I'm just too far from the antenna.

Is WHDTV working in Miami? I am getting no signal in the Weston area. Used to get channel 9-1 fine in Miami. Just wondering if the station is broadcasting and I'm just too far from the antenna.

9.1 is also dead here in Sunny Isles .

9.1 is also dead here in Sunny Isles .9.1 was broadcasting last night - don't know when they actually came back on..

There is a problem with 7-1's audio stuttering every few seconds.

We are in Broward County, Comcast is the provider.

Since last week we have been having problems with 103 channels - they either have checker screens or frozen up or no signal at all.

They are CNBC, MSNBC, Fox, Speed, and a couple others.

We were not able to clean it up by simply doing delete / add the channels.

One auto-scan seemed to solve the problem, or so we thought, because it worked well for a couple days. However, the checker screen / no signal issue returns this morning.

The HDTV is hooked to 1) direct input from the wall, 2) the digital box.

Can anyone offer some inputs / guess, whether this is related to Comcast signals or the TV?

Neither the direct input nor the ones thru digital box work.

You might have more luck with responses if your let us in on your supplier!!!!! ;)

Ooops, I thought Comcast has 98% of the market in our town, except for a small area in Weston, the rest of Broward county is Comcast, no?

So is it Comcast problem or the TV's problem?

I suspect it is Comcast issue as when I googled, someone from Broward county posted a similar issue on DSL report site, that he was not able to pick up NBC when doing auto scan on his new TV, back in mid August.

Our problem started about 2 or 3 weeks ago and getting worse.

BTW, we are in Lauderhill / Sunrise area

Ooops, I thought Comcast has 98% of the market in our town, except for a small area in Weston, the rest of Broward county is Comcast, no? ... In all likelyhood you are correct so far as cable subscribers go, but what about DirecTV and Dish Network subscribers? There are quite a few of those here! :eek:

I also have Comcast here in Plantation but cannot help address your issue. I use everything as-is right now! (HD-DVR, Digital box and out-the-wall analog). But that may very well change before too long so I am interested in the responses!:)

My car radio locked onto "AlmaVision Radio" on 87.7 MHz. It must be that new channel 6 LPTV masquerading as a radio station. It was suspiciously strong in North Broward and much louder than WTVJ ever was, however, there was no stereo pilot. Is anybody getting video from this station?

I missed W43CB-CD, a "class A digital" in Miami, apparently operating on or near the old channel 6 tower. It's actually licensed to Matecumbe, which is in the middle keys, but as far as I can tell it's physically impossible to get this station down there. Anyway this means that 44 is not a good vacant channel for the Dade / Broward line unless this channel 43 gets bought out and taken down. 29 and 45 are still possibilities unless some other "class A" pops up on them. Hopefully WSVN and WPLG will follow WINK's example in the Naples / Ft. Myers market and move to UHF instead of maximizing on VHF.

Here is my attempt at finding vacant UHF channels. If I didn't miss one it looks like 44 and 45 are available without having to protect an incumbent class A LPTV. It's too bad that 25 is occupied by a class A, it would have been a good channel. There are other possibilities but they involve protecting incumbent class A's and/or full power stations.

There is obviously more to interference studies then this simple exercise but you have to start somewhere...


7 WSVN
8 open
9 open
10 WPLG
11 open
12 WPTV
13 WPEC
14 Land Mobile
15 Land Mobile
16 WPBF
17 open
18 WPBT
19 WSFL
20 WLRN
21 WDLP-CA
22 WFOR
23 WLTV
24 open
25 WIMP-CA
26 open
27 WXEL
28 WFLX
29 open
30 WSCV
31 WTVJ
32 WBFS
33 open
34 WTVX
35 WPXM
36 WPXP
37 Radio Astronomy
38 WTCE
39 open
40 WBEC
41 WJAN-CA
42 WHDT
43 WTCN-CA WTCN-CA displacement ch. 50 application due to original WHDT ch. 44 allocation.
43 W43CB-CD Matecumbe
44 open
45 open
46 WHFT
47 WAMI
48 WWHB-CA
49 WFGC
50 WSBS-CA WTCN-CA displacement ch. 50 application due to original WHDT ch. 44 allocation.
51 open

Some of the ones you list as "open" would fail an interference study. I've seen enough of them that I feel pretty confident ruling out:

26 (Spacing to WXEL-27)
29 (Spacing to WFLX-28)
44 (Spacing to W43CB-D)

17, 33, and 39 are iffy. I would hope they would work, but it's difficult to say.

- Trip

Have any existing Comcast customer in South FL had any luck in getting Comcast to give them a "new customer" promo that they offer? For example, being a current analog-only cable subscriber and going to Digital Starter but getting the current promo of $29.99/month for one year that they offer to new customers (vs. 54.99)...

Any tips on what to say to get them to allow this? Thanks.

Have any existing Comcast customer in South FL had any luck in getting Comcast to give them a "new customer" promo that they offer? For example, being a current analog-only cable subscriber and going to Digital Starter but getting the current promo of $29.99/month for one year that they offer to new customers (vs. 54.99)...

Any tips on what to say to get them to allow this? Thanks.I'm not going to say it can't be done but I've not been able to do it! And a rep and a supervisor both told me that if you are in the system as a current customer (have an active account) it will simply not allow you to receive any "new customer" deal.

I subscrible to Digital HD Plus 2 (with DVR) and I wanted the HD Triple Play new customer deal for $99.95 per month for 12 months with a one year commitment. Best I could get offered was the same basic deal but with no commitment and with Starz thrown in (for three months) for $139.95 per month!

Still an overall savings but definitely not as good a deal! I may still go with it though.

Good luck!

Some of the ones you list as "open" would fail an interference study. I've seen enough of them that I feel pretty confident ruling out:

26 (Spacing to WXEL-27)
29 (Spacing to WFLX-28)
44 (Spacing to W43CB-D)

17, 33, and 39 are iffy. I would hope they would work, but it's difficult to say.

- Trip
Digital 27 and 28 are both broadcasting on the same tower--WXEL and WFLX in West Palm Beach. While this was a problem with analog, it isn't a problem with digital.

For two and a half years, I was able to pick up Channel 5, WPTV with my antenna in the attic. Then in June, they switch to VHF channel 12, and I had to put up a 27 foot tower to barely pick them up. When there is lightning, I have so many dropouts that I can't stand to watch the station.

I'm curious, how did the June transition affect your reception in South Florida. Why would any station WANT to be a VHF--especially in Florida where lightning storms cause so much interference?

Does anyone in South Florida prefer Channel 5 over WTVJ, Channel 6? Channel 6's 1,000,000 watts over Channel 5's 50,000 watts, makes NBC6 a much better picture--in my opinion.

Digital 27 and 28 are both broadcasting on the same tower--WXEL and WFLX in West Palm Beach. While this was a problem with analog, it isn't a problem with digital.

I promise you that 26 and 29 in Miami will not work due to interference.

To clarify, adjacent channel digital stations can co-exist if they're on the same tower or are located within a few miles. WXEL and WFLX fit this definition, as do WPEC and WPTV. But a station on channel 26 in Miami would not work with WXEL because the distance is more like 40 miles and areas in between would face interference problems.

- Trip

Has anybody had problems with dropouts on channel 6-1? The picture pixellates and the audio drops out. It happens on my TiVo unit which has an antenna on the roof and with my computer's tv tuner which has an indoor antenna (actually, the picture freezes momentarily on the computer).

It's the station (WTVJ). I've seen it on Dish Network, and OTA directly into the TV.

Walt

It's the station (WTVJ). I've seen it on Dish Network, and OTA directly into the TV.

Walt

Thanks for the info. Once again WTVJ is having problems that take forever to fix. I've been seeing this for weeks now.

Thanks for the info. Once again WTVJ is having problems that take forever to fix. I've been seeing this for weeks now.

I rarely get them (or their sub channels) reliably via my antenna... they're the ones I have the most problem with.

After more than 6 months, WTVJ is still having audio problems for their local news broadcasts. A while back, someone connected with the station said that they're outsourcing the handling of their audio (or something like that - don't exactly remember), and they're still working out the details. Audio has been fixed across the board except for the local, live content. It's still out of phase and totally annoying. At this point, I have to wonder if anyone over there even cares.

On another note, I've noticed that some MIA/FTL stations are not providing program details in their PSIP. If I'm tuned into a network show on a MIA/FTL station OTA, often the PSIP says 'No information available' or something like that. If I switch to the WPB counterpart, I'll get full descriptions. What's up with that?

PSIP information is required. EPG is not.

IIRC, the FCC requires some minimum amount of guide data, it might be 12 hours.

- Trip

For two and a half years, I was able to pick up Channel 5, WPTV with my antenna in the attic. Then in June, they switch to VHF channel 12, and I had to put up a 27 foot tower to barely pick them up. When there is lightning, I have so many dropouts that I can't stand to watch the station.

I'm curious, how did the June transition affect your reception in South Florida. Why would any station WANT to be a VHF--especially in Florida where lightning storms cause so much interference?

Does anyone in South Florida prefer Channel 5 over WTVJ, Channel 6? Channel 6's 1,000,000 watts over Channel 5's 50,000 watts, makes NBC6 a much better picture--in my opinion.

Prior to the transition WTVJ was using channel 31 (UHF) for its digital transmission, and WPTV used channel 55 (UHF).

After the transition, WTVJ turned off their analog transmitter RF6 and kept D31 UHF going. As you mentioned WPTV switched to channel 12 VHF.

Unfortunately, there isn't that much space available in UHF to accommodate all the stations in the region.

I personally think that OTA TV will be dead in 20 years. Most people like cable or satelite and don't mind paying hundreds of dollars a year for poor programming with advertisement. UHF is highly desirable by telcos to sell all kinds of wireless services that most people don't really need.

Watching the ESPN broadcast of the Dolphins/Colts game last night OTA on Ch. 39-1, I noticed severe macroblocking at times, mostly during rapid movement shots. What's the source of the macroblocking - ESPN itself, the pipeline between ESPN and WSFL, or WSFL itself? Regardless, it was very annoying.

Watching the ESPN broadcast of the Dolphins/Colts game last night OTA on Ch. 39-1, I noticed severe macroblocking at times, mostly during rapid movement shots. What's the source of the macroblocking - ESPN itself, the pipeline between ESPN and WSFL, or WSFL itself? Regardless, it was very annoying.

I noticed the same. I was on Comcast Clear QAM HD on the SFL network (no comcast box). I thought it was only on certain cameras and wondered if only some cameras were doing this from ESPN.

Does anyone know what happened to Fox (WSVN) HD on Comcast Clear QAM (cable directly into TV without a box)? I used to receive it on 87.434 but it went away Friday night and I have not been able to get it back even after 2 rescans by my TV. When WSVN-HD has gone away for me in the past, a rescan has usually gotten a back. One time WSVN-HD moved from 87.001 to 87.434, but this time I can't find it anywhere.

<9/29/09 - my TV found it today again on the 4th rescan since loosing it... not sure what was going on>

Have any existing Comcast customer in South FL had any luck in getting Comcast to give them a "new customer" promo that they offer? For example, being a current analog-only cable subscriber and going to Digital Starter but getting the current promo of $29.99/month for one year that they offer to new customers (vs. 54.99)...

Any tips on what to say to get them to allow this? Thanks.

How about changing names on the account? If the account is in the name of "Mr. Jones", cancel, and put new acct. in Mrs. Jones name (better yet, her maiden name) - worst that can happen if you "make up" a name is yoou'llneed yo pay a deposit.

...mike

Most companies like this- if you threaten to cancel, will transfer you to "retentions" where you will ofter be offered "new" customer deals to stay. Comcast did offer to do this when I wanted to cancel their internet after the promotion period. It was too late as we already had switched to DSL. Cell companies do this as well.

Anyone in west Pembroke Pines, specifically off of Dykes/Pines, having Comcast internet issues? Lots of drops on service lately. Supposedly because of the DOCSIS 3.0 project.