I have a problem. Today I started getting an electric green line running from top to bottom on 5.1 (NBC HD). Anybody else getting this. I'm not getting it on any other channels which is strange, and it also tells me it's not the tv.

I have a problem. Today I started getting an electric green line running from top to bottom on 5.1 (NBC HD). Anybody else getting this. I'm not getting it on any other channels which is strange, and it also tells me it's not the tv.

I didn't notice any lines during the Pats vs Eagles game last night. I was watching OTA on my Samsung LCD, which has very little overscan compared to my Sony RP HDTV.

Thanks. This is really strange. It's not on the other channels, and it's only on nbc in dot by dot mode. LC-46D64U sharp btw

ABC doesn't own WFAA-TVYes, I know. GM doesn't own Sewell Cadillac either, but I doubt GM would be happy if Sewell hadn't painted its building since 1950.
some channels are being forced to temporarily operate with inferior digital facilitiesIf WFAA is totally without recourse in addressing this problem (hard to believe), then of course I can understand ABC's forbearance, if not the irrational decision-making of the FCC.

Of course, if WFAA would just charge Charter a reasonable fee, this wouldn't be an issue for cable subscribers. Or is there a reason this also isn't WFAA's fault?

In today's Star-Telegram, there is a full page Dish Network ad that says, "YOU WON'T GET GREEN BAY VS. DALLAS On Time Warner or Charter."

In the sports section, the paper reports that the game is carried on KDFI. KDFI IS carried by Charter. What's the deal? Is there some catch (the game is blacked out, some Charter's carry KDFI and others don't, etc.) or is this deceptive advertising?

:confused:

In today's Star-Telegram, there is a full page Dish Network ad that says, "YOU WON'T GET GREEN BAY VS. DALLAS On Time Warner or Charter."

In the sports section, the paper reports that the game is carried on KDFI. KDFI IS carried by Charter. What's the deal? Is there some catch (the game is blacked out, some Charter's carry KDFI and others don't, etc.) or is this deceptive advertising?

:confused:

NFL Network has the rights to this game. It will be carried locally in the DFW and Green Bay/Milwaukee markets on local stations, however. I imagine it is a matter of using the same ad in all markets by Dish; but yes, it could be considered somewhat deceptive (or possibly more correctly, inaccurate) in this particular market (and/or in GB/Mil).

Randy

NFL Network has the rights to this game. It will be carried locally in the DFW and Green Bay/Milwaukee markets on local stations, however. I imagine it is a matter of using the same ad in all markets by Dish; but yes, it could be considered somewhat deceptive (or possibly more correctly, inaccurate) in this particular market (and/or in GB/Mil).

Randy

Does anyone know if KDFI will actually feed the HD signal? When the 'Boys were on MNF, the ESPN HD feed was sent through on KTXA 21 HD... then again, KTXA does a lot of HD shows these days (namely news and mavs games for a few years now).

Guess I'll just watch the game on NFL Network HD on Dish Network.

Does anyone know if KDFI will actually feed the HD signal? When the 'Boys were on MNF, the ESPN HD feed was sent through on KTXA 21 HD... then again, KTXA does a lot of HD shows these days (namely news and mavs games for a few years now).

Guess I'll just watch the game on NFL Network HD on Dish Network.

TitanTV didn't show it to be in HD, but I just got off the phone with KDFI's programming department and they assured me it will be broadcast in HD....

Randy

Thanks Randy!

Any Directv'ers in DFW seeing pixilation on CBS11 HD lately?

Yes, I know. GM doesn't own Sewell Cadillac either, but I doubt GM would be happy if Sewell hadn't painted its building since 1950.
If WFAA is totally without recourse in addressing this problem (hard to believe), then of course I can understand ABC's forbearance, if not the irrational decision-making of the FCC.

Of course, if WFAA would just charge Charter a reasonable fee, this wouldn't be an issue for cable subscribers. Or is there a reason this also isn't WFAA's fault?

1. The TV spectrum is pretty congested in North Texas, so WFAA may well be without recourse until the analog shutdown.

2. What comprises a "reasonable fee" for WFAA-DT to be carried on Charter? I don't know how much money Belo wants, but I suspect that the amount that Charter is willing to pay is somewhere around zero. WFAA-DT does have the right to expect some sort of compensation in return for cable companies making money off their product.

In today's Star-Telegram, there is a full page Dish Network ad that says, "YOU WON'T GET GREEN BAY VS. DALLAS On Time Warner or Charter."

In the sports section, the paper reports that the game is carried on KDFI. KDFI IS carried by Charter. What's the deal? Is there some catch (the game is blacked out, some Charter's carry KDFI and others don't, etc.) or is this deceptive advertising?

:confused:

The ad is deceptive and flat wrong. If you have KDFI on your cable system, you will see the game - period.

The ad is deceptive and flat wrong. If you have KDFI on your cable system, you will see the game - period.

Well only if you live in the Dallas Fortworth area.

I have a DB4 in my attic that picks up all the stations. The one thing I can't figure out is why I can't pickup channel 8.1 which is ABC but I can pickup 9.1 which appears to be the same thing. Anyone care to lay some knowledge on me? Thanks!

I have a DB4 in my attic that picks up all the stations. The one thing I can't figure out is why I can't pickup channel 8.1 which is ABC but I can pickup 9.1 which appears to be the same thing. Anyone care to lay some knowledge on me? Thanks!

9.1 is the RF channel for 8.1. Your tuner is doing what it's supposed to do.

Dallas-Ft. Worth KSTR-TV TeleFutura 49.n RF 48
KERA-TV PBS 13.n RF 14
KDFI-TV My TV 27.n RF 36
KXAS-TV NBC 5.n RF 41
KUVN-TV Univision 23.n RF 24
KPXD ION 68.n RF 42
KTAQ-TV Independent 47.n RF 46
KTXA Independent 21.n RF 18
KFWD Independent 52.n RF 51
KLDT Independent 55.n RF 54
KDTX-TV Independent 58.n RF 45
KDTN Independent 2.n RF 43
KXTX-TV Independent 39.n RF 40
KMPX Independent 29.n RF 30
KDFW FOX 4.n RF 35
KDAF CW 33.n RF 32
WFAA-TVABC 8.n RF 9
KTVT CBS 11.n RF 19

My other stations come in to their "normal" channel i.e. 4 tunes to 4.1. Why is 8 different?

My other stations come in to their "normal" channel i.e. 4 tunes to 4.1. Why is 8 different?

Sorry, I don't know the answer to that. I suspect it's just your tuner's way of dealing with it.

Thanks for your help!

ABC doesn't own WFAA-TV -- it's owned by Belo Corporation, and is affiliated with ABC. That's one reason why WFAA is about the only station in the area that identifies itself with call letters and channel number instead of network and channel number (ie, "WFAA-8" instead of "ABC-8"). Aside from that, WFAA has always been a very strong performer for ABC, so I don't think that ABC would quibble with Belo over the transmitted power of their digital channel.

Finally, I think that there is a recognition within the industry that some channels are being forced to temporarily operate with inferior digital facilities until the digital transition is complete.


I have been told that WFAA's current power level allows them to duplicate their analog signal's footprint (just like everyone else in the market) and when they move their DTV signal to RF channel 8, their power level will still duplicate their current analog footprint (just like everyone else in the market) but their power levels are different than everyone else's because WFAA's transmitter is a VHF and everyone else's is a UHF.....its a law of physics. VHF frequencies/channels are lower than UHF frequencies/channels thus the wavelength is longer than UHF and requires less power to go the same distance of a UHF.

allright so dumb ass questions, I got a new hdtv, I had one before but no attenta/ota. I live in just east of downtown dallas. And, I want to get kdfi in HD for the cowboys game, just now realised uverse/at&t dosn't get that HD feed.

What do I need to get will the $20 dollar combo vhf/uhf or just uhf attena from like frys work? any suggestions on setup locations, Would like to keep it inside for now, And what channel is the digital/hd feed of kdfi?

Sounds like U're close enough that some old rabbit ears would work fine. Unless U're in a low spot or something is between U & Cedar Hill.

OTA is gr8!

i am really close to white rock lake, i wonder if downtown would be blocking it..

CW33 & KTXA 21 are now on Directv in HD. That brings our HDs to be:
4-Fox
5-NBC
8-ABC
11-CBS
21-KTXA
27-MyNetwork
33-CW

Well only if you live in the Dallas Fortworth area.

No, that's not accurate. If you live in some far flung location that gets KDFI on cable, you'll get the Cowboys game. For example, KDFI is on cable in Athens, Texas - about half way between Dallas and Tyler. Folks there will see the game on KDFI on cable - and it's certainly not in the "Dallas Fort Worth area."

Is anyone else getting a static shot of the AAC across I-35 on OTA 8-1 tonight? My recordings of Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money are 2 hours of AAC footage.

Does anyone know if the HD feed of 27-1 is unencripted on TW Qam?

Does anyone know if the HD feed of 27-1 is unencripted on TW Qam?

I believe it is on 115.2

I need help with a couple of basic questions, as I am new to this.....At least I think they are basic:
I am in a one story house in East Frisco, with Dish Network, a brand new HDTV with QAM capabilities, but am not quite ready to pay Dish for their access to HD channels...i.e....I want to get OTA.
1. Does Dish have any unencrypted QAM channels?
2. What is an inexpensive and low tech solution for me to get a few OTA channels...about 35 miles away from the signals.

Thanks much,

Is anyone else getting a static shot of the AAC across I-35 on OTA 8-1 tonight? My recordings of Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money are 2 hours of AAC footage.
CBROX
You are recording the wrong channel. OTA Ch8.1 is HD ABC, Ch8.2 Has weather, news, forcast, crawl, etc and Ch8.3 has a camera with ATC audio.

Some how your card is on the wrong subchannel.
JohnnyS

I need help with a couple of basic questions, as I am new to this.....At least I think they are basic:
I am in a one story house in East Frisco, with Dish Network, a brand new HDTV with QAM capabilities, but am not quite ready to pay Dish for their access to HD channels...i.e....I want to get OTA.
1. Does Dish have any unencrypted QAM channels?
2. What is an inexpensive and low tech solution for me to get a few OTA channels...about 35 miles away from the signals.

Thanks much,
No QAM on DIsh, Your best bet is to try a uhf antenna ( or possibly just an old set of rabbit ears.

Thx

Thanks thepackfan. If I am 35 miles from the signal, do I need a more expensive antenna? By the way, it sounds like I am getting advice from a Packers fan!!! Go Cowboys!!! Thanks anyway,,,,,I am a huge Brett Farve fan.

HDTVnewtome & Claydo U could go to TV fool & enter Ur address for a better feel of station strength at Ur location. Plugging in some rabbitears or a little uhf antenna likely will give to a gr8 picture. If not then U have a little more work to do. In my case I'd put the antenna(s) in the attic decades ago. When I plugged in the hdtv I got gr8 OTA right away.

What is the cause of audio going in and out on my digital channels? It was doing it on ch 8.1 and 27.1(only ones i tried). The audio would be fine for a good time, then just start cutting in and out. I am using a normal pair of rabbit ears along with some kind of 7x6" panel thats on it and have them pointed towards the signal as best as I can.

What is the cause of audio going in and out on my digital channels? It was doing it on ch 8.1 and 27.1(only ones i tried). The audio would be fine for a good time, then just start cutting in and out. I am using a normal pair of rabbit ears along with some kind of 7x6" panel thats on it and have them pointed towards the signal as best as I can.

Check your signal strength.

Check your signal strength.
Forney is definetely to big now, we shouldn't be running into each other on the internet.

CBROX
You are recording the wrong channel. OTA Ch8.1 is HD ABC, Ch8.2 Has weather, news, forcast, crawl, etc and Ch8.3 has a camera with ATC audio.

Some how your card is on the wrong subchannel.
JohnnyS

No I wasn't. I've had my HR-20 for almost a year now and haven't changed a single setting as far as the OTA locals go. Wendesday night 2 hours of AAC footage was recorded on 8-1, complete with correct guide data. I don't even have 8-2 or 8-3 marked as channels I receive. Thursday morning Daybreak was on. I didn't change a single thing between those times.

Just installed my 50pz700u last night (by installed, I mean placed precariously --temporarily-- onto an old tv stand). For HD, I've been going back and forth between the using an antenna for OTA channels and the QAM coming through cable. BTW, I live in McKinney and subscribe to Time Warner's basic lineup (no digital yet). I'm picking up all of the QAM stations that I saw another poster list earlier in the month, plus some other useless ones, as well as all OTA stations on antennaweb. Since I'm required to do a re-scan every time I select Antenna vs. Cable, I never know if one is giving me more options or quality than the other. Am I missing any good OTA broadcasts by just sticking with what comes in over cable QAM?

I've having the hardest time getting OTA. According to AntennaWeb, I'm within 30 miles of all the stations.

I went out and got a Philips MANT410, which has an amplifier. I've tried it with and without the amplifier on and I'm only able to get 4.1 and 5.1. Any suggestions? Any suggestions on non-amplifier antennas?

I know the question wasn't directed at me, but I cannot tell the difference between Dish HD LiL and OTA. (This is using HDMI and a 1080p 61" DLP).

I honestly, cannot tell the difference between OTA HD locals, and Dish HD locals. And you should be able to get ABC with your CM 4228. I know I do!
Tom in TX
Thanks, I'm surprised that satellite's HD is as good as OTA. Kudos to them. I wonder if cable TV's local HD would looks noticeably worse than OTA and satellite's broadcast network HD. :confused:

On a somewhat related note, one of my friends in NJ bought an HDTV on Black Fri. and wants to know if OTA would work for him. I told him about antennaweb.org and he sent me the following info. I'm not sure if a CM 4228 (possibly w/ a CM 7777 pre-amp) would work in his case. That list doesn't show ABC, CBS, or NBC, but I assume they're being transmitted digitally there (I realize I should ask in the NY/NJ thread instead of piggybacking here, but since I'm more familiar w/ the D/FW gang ... ;).) Any help would be appreciated - I'll pass him the info.

Here's a quick update to my OTA situation. I still love OTA HD - I rarely watch Dish Network TV anymore. But I haven't been able to receive ABC (channel 8.1) digitally. So I can either watch it on analog (channel 8) or via Dish Network. (That's the main reason I haven't canceled Dish's local service yet.)

slomo007 generously let me borrow his Motorola pre-amp to see if it would help me get ABC. Unfortunately, it still hasn't worked. :( My CM 4228 antenna is downstairs in my family room roughly pointed at the proper angle (maybe off by 10 deg. from what AntennaWeb.org says). One of these days, I'll relocate the antenna to my attic (I have a 2-story house), which should make signal strength stronger across the board, hopefully enough so that ABC will come through.

For CBS, NBC, and FOX, signal strength with or without his pre-amp is consistently at 8 or 9 out of 10. ABC is at 0; if I force the 2 halves of the CM 4228 antenna to touch (and I have to squeeze hard!), then ABC sometimes flickers on for some brief moments of HD, but signal strength is still shown as 0. Oh well - I can at least get ABC in SD. : \

Was I the only one getting a noticable amount of pixellation on NBC's Sunday Night Football last night (Dec. 2nd, Steelers vs. Bengals)? Watched via Charter-Denton QAM. Anytime there was a lot of motion (quick pans, etc.) on screen, I got increasing pixellation.

This was the first time I've watched SNF in HD since getting the Charter HD upgrade, and I had only watched OTA once or twice before, many weeks ago - so I can't compare that to tell if it was Charter overcompressing the signal. (For reference, the CBS and FOX games earlier on Charter were quite stable.)

Was I the only one getting a noticable amount of pixellation on NBC's Sunday Night Football last night (Dec. 2nd, Steelers vs. Bengals)? Watched via Charter-Denton QAM. Anytime there was a lot of motion (quick pans, etc.) on screen, I got increasing pixellation.

This was the first time I've watched SNF in HD since getting the Charter HD upgrade, and I had only watched OTA once or twice before, many weeks ago - so I can't compare that to tell if it was Charter overcompressing the signal. (For reference, the CBS and FOX games earlier on Charter were quite stable.)
IMO, NBC's SNF is the worst HD production I ever watch. Tons of motion artifacts and pixelization. I have tried both OTA and D* HD DNS (MPEG2). I have not yet tried D* local NBC (MPEG4).

IMO, NBC's SNF is the worst HD production I ever watch. Tons of motion artifacts and pixelization. I have tried both OTA and D* HD DNS (MPEG2). I have not yet tried D* local NBC (MPEG4).

Local MPEG4 was much clearer this week. D* has really made our locals much better, lately.

:D:D:D:D
ch# frequency
2 kdtn 729mhz
4 kdfw 729mhz
5 kxas 729mhz
8 wfaa 729mhz begining 12/10/07 (on 370 right now)
9 kdaf 729mhz
11 ktvt 729mhz
12 ktxa 729mhz
13 kera 729mhz
17 kdtx 735mhz
23 kuvn 735mhz
26 kpxd 735mhz
104 tv land 567mhz
126 disney 735mhz
140 ewtn 735mhz
162 qvc 735mhz
164 hsn 735mhz
187 speed 675mhz
230 txcn 735mhz
231 cspan 735mhz
232 cspan2 735mhz
233 cspan3 549mhz
264 bravo 639mhz
:D:D:D:D

No I wasn't. I've had my HR-20 for almost a year now and haven't changed a single setting as far as the OTA locals go. Wendesday night 2 hours of AAC footage was recorded on 8-1, complete with correct guide data. I don't even have 8-2 or 8-3 marked as channels I receive. Thursday morning Daybreak was on. I didn't change a single thing between those times.

Unfortunately the HR20 and a few others burp from time to time.

first off, thanks to all you guys for taking the time share your knowledge on this forum.. ive been lurking for a little while as i was researching my new plasma.. tons of useful info!

anyway, i took the plunge and bought my first hdtv.. got an unbelievable deal on samsung 5044 plasma on black friday.. now i want to tap into some free HD content.. i bought a philips MANT410 rabbit ear special to try my luck.. after checking out antennaweb, i thought it was gonna be plug-n-play... but i wasnt so lucky.. i havent gotten any channels at full signal strength for more than a few seconds.. i live in a townhouse that mainly faces due north and the tv is on the third floor.. i've attached my info from antennaweb..

i appreciate any feedback.. maybe i need a better indoor antenna??

I've having the hardest time getting OTA. According to AntennaWeb, I'm within 30 miles of all the stations.

I went out and got a Philips MANT410, which has an amplifier. I've tried it with and without the amplifier on and I'm only able to get 4.1 and 5.1. Any suggestions? Any suggestions on non-amplifier antennas?

Unfortunately, much of Carrollton is in a valley, which makes for bad OTA reception despite the fact that you're not far from the major transmitter site.

A friend of mine who lives in Carrollton is having good success with digital reception using an attic antenna in his one-story house. If that's an option for you, it may be worth trying.

I've having the hardest time getting OTA. According to AntennaWeb, I'm within 30 miles of all the stations.

I went out and got a Philips MANT410, which has an amplifier. I've tried it with and without the amplifier on and I'm only able to get 4.1 and 5.1. Any suggestions? Any suggestions on non-amplifier antennas?
I'm also in Carrollton and have had very good luck with a Winegard SS-3000 indoor antenna. I get everything including 8.1 and 13.1. So far, I haven't had any problems with multipath or signal fade.

Can someone post the new Denton Charter Qam lineup please, thanks.

What is the proper way to point a normal rabbit ears antenna? Should I have the tip kind of side by side pointing out towards where the signal is coming from like //, or have them split and just kind of out there? There is also a 7x5 panel on the antenna, it can rotate left and right but can't point up only more down, which way should that go?

These aren't over in the clear QAM, are they? I tried a re-scan, and direct tuning, with subchannels, to 13.1, 187.1, 264.1, etc., but didn't see any of these. Are these the digital channel numbers available to STB's?

Thanks a bunch btw, your publishing of the QAM lineup was one of my first bookmarked AVS posts.


:D:D:D:D
ch# frequency
2 kdtn 729mhz
4 kdfw 729mhz
5 kxas 729mhz
8 wfaa 729mhz begining 12/10/07 (on 370 right now)
9 kdaf 729mhz
11 ktvt 729mhz
12 ktxa 729mhz
13 kera 729mhz
17 kdtx 735mhz
23 kuvn 735mhz
26 kpxd 735mhz
104 tv land 567mhz
126 disney 735mhz
140 ewtn 735mhz
162 qvc 735mhz
164 hsn 735mhz
187 speed 675mhz
230 txcn 735mhz
231 cspan 735mhz
232 cspan2 735mhz
233 cspan3 549mhz
264 bravo 639mhz
:D:D:D:D

Generally rabbit ears would start spread apart & perpendicular to the line of sight to the station.

Here's my OTA arrangement. It's just a Radio Shack DA-5200 antenna c-clamped to the roof facia on the south side of the house, with a set of old rabbit ears from a portable TV straddling the RS antenna. Both are run into a splitter and into the house. Don't laugh. It's not pretty but I get every single digital station in the DFW area, and I'm over 50 miles from Cedar Hill!

Jeff in Texas

Can someone post the new Denton Charter Qam lineup please, thanks.

I posted them three pages back: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12200103#post12200103

:D:D:D:D
ch# frequency
2 kdtn 729mhz
4 kdfw 729mhz
5 kxas 729mhz
8 wfaa 729mhz begining 12/10/07 (on 370 right now)
9 kdaf 729mhz
11 ktvt 729mhz
12 ktxa 729mhz
13 kera 729mhz
17 kdtx 735mhz
23 kuvn 735mhz
26 kpxd 735mhz
104 tv land 567mhz
126 disney 735mhz
140 ewtn 735mhz
162 qvc 735mhz
164 hsn 735mhz
187 speed 675mhz
230 txcn 735mhz
231 cspan 735mhz
232 cspan2 735mhz
233 cspan3 549mhz
264 bravo 639mhz
:D:D:D:D
I'm sure this is obvious to most of you but what do you mean by digital simulcasting? I only have basic analog cable and have the digital locals and the few other unscrambled QAM channels. Are these more channels that will be available?

shaun3000,

I believe that Digital Simulcasting means that when you tune "Channel 8' on your Cable Box, you get Digital Channel 370 instead. This lets cable box users tune in the locals by using the basic channel number and get a digital picture instead of the analog basic cable picture. For people who are uning the basic analog channel, or QAM directly with their TV or Tivo or whatever, there is no benefit.

Wanted to see if anyone has any recent experience with getting a Tivo HD set up with Time-Warner. My quandry is that my old Tivo (with a lifetime subscription) went out on me last week (hard drive). I was using it in the bedroom and had TW DVR in the den. Other than dumping Tivo entirely and losing what I spent on the subscription, my options are spend $149 for a replacement Series 2 Tivo or spend $249 on a Tivo HD before the first of February and use a promotion they are offering to transfer lifetime subscriptions. I prefer the the menu and ease-of-use of the Tivo, but realize that I will be losing some functions like On Demand with the Tivo/cable card option. Going with one Tivo box and one TW box in the house seems to give me the most flexibility.

I'm concerned about somethings I've read on other forums about problems with install and about the move that Time Waner has made in other markets to using SDV.

Any thoughts, insight or advice wold be really appreciated.

Wanted to see if anyone has any recent experience with getting a Tivo HD set up with Time-Warner. My quandry is that my old Tivo (with a lifetime subscription) went out on me last week (hard drive). I was using it in the bedroom and had TW DVR in the den. Other than dumping Tivo entirely and losing what I spent on the subscription, my options are spend $149 for a replacement Series 2 Tivo or spend $249 on a Tivo HD before the first of February and use a promotion they are offering to transfer lifetime subscriptions. I prefer the the menu and ease-of-use of the Tivo, but realize that I will be losing some functions like On Demand with the Tivo/cable card option. Going with one Tivo box and one TW box in the house seems to give me the most flexibility.

I'm concerned about somethings I've read on other forums about problems with install and about the move that Time Waner has made in other markets to using SDV.

Any thoughts, insight or advice wold be really appreciated.

Hi Dean,
I had the S3 set up with TWC, and it really wasn't too bad. You just need to make sure that they do one card completely, then do the other. They won't necessarily like it, but they will do it. At least that is the way it works with the S3...not sure about the TiVo HD. There will be an instruction sheet in the box for installation...just make sure they follow it. As for SDV, I don't believe it is in use here, yet, and there will be some kind of workaround for it in the future. You can check out the TiVo Series 3 thread in the HD Recorders area and/or TCF for more info on that.
I hope that helps...

Randy

Wanted to see if anyone has any recent experience with getting a Tivo HD set up with Time-Warner. My quandry is that my old Tivo (with a lifetime subscription) went out on me last week (hard drive). I was using it in the bedroom and had TW DVR in the den. Other than dumping Tivo entirely and losing what I spent on the subscription, my options are spend $149 for a replacement Series 2 Tivo or spend $249 on a Tivo HD before the first of February and use a promotion they are offering to transfer lifetime subscriptions. I prefer the the menu and ease-of-use of the Tivo, but realize that I will be losing some functions like On Demand with the Tivo/cable card option. Going with one Tivo box and one TW box in the house seems to give me the most flexibility.

I'm concerned about somethings I've read on other forums about problems with install and about the move that Time Waner has made in other markets to using SDV.

Any thoughts, insight or advice wold be really appreciated.

You can try dvrupgarde.com (http://www.dvrupgrade.com/dvr/stores/1/). They can check out your HD and maybe repair it or issue a replacement. In fact, you may want to consider getting a larger drive as a replacement to so you will have more recording hours.

I'm concerned about somethings I've read on other forums about problems with install and about the move that Time Waner has made in other markets to using SDV.



I have TWC in Carrollton and I have a Series 3 Tivo. My cablecard install was painless. Just make sure you ask for a tech that has done cablecard installs.

As for SDV, I haven't seen it here yet.

rudiger

I have a unique problem. I watch HD via my macintosh, but others in the house watch standard def (SD) on a TV in another room. My CM4228 alone does not give me good SD reception, but gives me excellent HD reception (Plano, antenna in attic). The VHF antenna gives me a few HD channels while giving me excellent SD reception. I'd like to have excellent SD and HD reception. As a work around, I used a Radio Shack combiner to combine the VHF antenna signal with the CM4228 signal. I then split that signal to the macintosh and the other TVs in the house. However, in doing so I loose almost all the HD signals, although the SD signals are fine.

This approach previously worked fairly well when I combined a Terk indoor HD antenna signal with the VHF antenna signal.

Why can't I combine the VHF and CM4228 signals (UHF) and maintain a HD signal?

Suggestions?

I have a unique problem. I watch HD via my macintosh, but others in the house watch standard def (SD) on a TV in another room. My CM4228 alone does not give me good SD reception, but gives me excellent HD reception (Plano, antenna in attic). The VHF antenna gives me a few HD channels while giving me excellent SD reception. I'd like to have excellent SD and HD reception. As a work around, I used a Radio Shack combiner to combine the VHF antenna signal with the CM4228 signal. I then split that signal to the macintosh and the other TVs in the house. However, in doing so I loose almost all the HD signals, although the SD signals are fine.

This approach previously worked fairly well when I combined a Terk indoor HD antenna signal with the VHF antenna signal.

Why can't I combine the VHF and CM4228 signals (UHF) and maintain a HD signal?

Suggestions?
Not 100% sure what you mean by this. By "HD" do you mean digital TV and by "SD" do you mean analog? Most of the digital stations only broadcast SD programming. Your digital stations (with the exception of WFAA) are on UHF and the CM4228 is a UHF antenna - it does get reasonable reception on WFAA-DT however. The main network ANALOG (not SD) stations are in VHF, channels 4, 5, 8 and 11. You will not get decent channel 4 or 5 analog reception with the CM4228. That's where a VHF antenna comes in - you don't say which one you have though. If you want to connect the VHF and UHF antennas you have to use a VHF/UHF combiner, not a regular splitter-combiner. If you use a regular splitter-combiner the signals from the two antennas can cancel each other out. Make sure the CM4228 is attached to the UHF side of the combiner and the VHF antenna is attached to the VHF side of the combiner.
Then also maybe you do not have enough signal strength for the number of splits you are making to drive the other TVs - how many ways are you splitting the signal?

Can someone help me out with the following. Below is the info that I found that shows I am roughly 40 miles from the stations (I live in Frisco, TX).

- What is the best antenna for me to buy - it will go in the attic?
- Can I hook it up to 2 different HD boxes?
- Can you recommend someone to install it?


Antenna
Type Call Sign Compass
Orientation Miles
From Frequency
Assignment
blue - uhf
KDAF-DT 192° 42.6 32
blue - uhf
KERA-DT 193° 40.1 14
blue - vhf
WFAA-DT 195° 40.2 9
blue - uhf
KXAS-DT 194° 40.0 41
blue - uhf
KDTN-DT 192° 42.6 43
blue - uhf
KXTX-DT 194° 40.0 40
blue - uhf
KTVT-DT 193° 40.1 19
violet - uhf
KTXA-DT 192° 42.6 18
violet - uhf
KSTR-DT 192° 42.6 48
violet - uhf
KMPX-DT 206° 20.9 30
violet - uhf
KPXD-DT 195° 39.8 42
violet - uhf
KFWD-DT 195° 39.8 51
violet - uhf
KUVN-DT 195° 39.8 24

Can someone help me out with the following. Below is the info that I found that shows I am roughly 40 miles from the stations (I live in Frisco, TX).

- What is the best antenna for me to buy - it will go in the attic?
- Can I hook it up to 2 different HD boxes?
- Can you recommend someone to install it?


Antenna
Type Call Sign Compass
Orientation Miles
From Frequency
Assignment
blue - uhf
KDAF-DT 192° 42.6 32
blue - uhf
KERA-DT 193° 40.1 14
blue - vhf
WFAA-DT 195° 40.2 9
blue - uhf
KXAS-DT 194° 40.0 41
blue - uhf
KDTN-DT 192° 42.6 43
blue - uhf
KXTX-DT 194° 40.0 40
blue - uhf
KTVT-DT 193° 40.1 19
violet - uhf
KTXA-DT 192° 42.6 18
violet - uhf
KSTR-DT 192° 42.6 48
violet - uhf
KMPX-DT 206° 20.9 30
violet - uhf
KPXD-DT 195° 39.8 42
violet - uhf
KFWD-DT 195° 39.8 51
violet - uhf
KUVN-DT 195° 39.8 24

Use a CM4228 with a CM7777 preamp. The CM4228 is one of the best UHF antennas you can get - it has decent reception on VHF-hi (for WFAA) but since WFAA shows up as "blue" on antennaweb you may need a separate VHF-hi antenna as well, you will not know until you have tried the CM4228 on its own. Mount it outside if you can, you can lose half your signal mounting it in the attic. If your WFAA reception is not good enough, get a Winegard YA1713 and put it on the same mast, couple the two together thru the CM7777.
I have a CM4228 in Parker, just east of Allen, at 41 miles from the transmitters at Cedar Hill. Antennaweb shows the signal strengths here to be a little better than yours in Frisco, and my WFAA reception is OK without the added YA1713.
The CM4228, plus the YA1713 if you need it, is a far better solution than any of the combo antennas you will find in the local stores. You can sometimes get the CM4228 at Fry's, but the CM7777 and YA1713 you will usually have to get through the internet. Solid Signal and Warren Electronics are two good, reliable sources.
I haven't any ideas on installers since I have always installed my own antennas.

Wanted to see if anyone has any recent experience with getting a Tivo HD set up with Time-Warner. My quandry is that my old Tivo (with a lifetime subscription) went out on me last week (hard drive). I was using it in the bedroom and had TW DVR in the den. Other than dumping Tivo entirely and losing what I spent on the subscription, my options are spend $149 for a replacement Series 2 Tivo or spend $249 on a Tivo HD before the first of February and use a promotion they are offering to transfer lifetime subscriptions. I prefer the the menu and ease-of-use of the Tivo, but realize that I will be losing some functions like On Demand with the Tivo/cable card option. Going with one Tivo box and one TW box in the house seems to give me the most flexibility.

I'm concerned about somethings I've read on other forums about problems with install and about the move that Time Waner has made in other markets to using SDV.

Any thoughts, insight or advice wold be really appreciated.

I'm late to this conversation, so I'll throw in my two TiVo cents... First, if you've got lifetime on that unit, and want to keep recording standard-def/analog with it, then the folks over on the TiVoCommunity forums (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/) are quite helpful with the process of getting an image onto a new hard drive, and there are folks who maintain FTP (and I think even Bit-Torrent) sites to maintain baseline images of the various generational images needed for a rebuild. I don't know your comfort level with cracking open the case and pulling the hard drive, etc., but for the price of a new hard drive and an hour or two of your time, you could be back up and running. [I'm on my third (or is it fourth?) drive on my ancient S1 unit, and I'm starting to worry about it's drive again....]

Switching over to the Series 3 or TiVoHD is appealing, and with this promised USB 'dongle' to supposedly address the SDV issues, it might be feasable even if/when your provider goes SDV for new channels. However, it still won't address two-way/interactive features, which would require an entirely new solution.

Which is what the so-called "Series 4" is supposed to address - no timeframe announced, but basically a Series 3 with a cableco 'sandbox' inside to allow for the interactive features to be worked, and for the TiVo to handle SDV, etc. natively. Right now, I'm limping along with an overpriced and underperforming Motorola DVR and my original S1 TiVo running in tandem. I've read that Charter (the provider here in Denton) is planning to do their next HD expansions via SDV in most or all areas, so I'm hesitant to invest in the Series 3 or the TiVoHD until I see the SDV 'dongle' in action.

I guess my recommendation would be: if you would be comfortable taking on the task of restoring the hard drive yourself, go to the TiVo forums and seek out the help there to get your existing machine back up and running - it sounds like you're reasonably comfortable with your current configuration.

Not 100% sure what you mean by this. By "HD" do you mean digital TV and by "SD" do you mean analog? Most of the digital stations only broadcast SD programming. Your digital stations (with the exception of WFAA) are on UHF and the CM4228 is a UHF antenna - it does get reasonable reception on WFAA-DT however. The main network ANALOG (not SD) stations are in VHF, channels 4, 5, 8 and 11. You will not get decent channel 4 or 5 analog reception with the CM4228. That's where a VHF antenna comes in - you don't say which one you have though. If you want to connect the VHF and UHF antennas you have to use a VHF/UHF combiner, not a regular splitter-combiner. If you use a regular splitter-combiner the signals from the two antennas can cancel each other out. Make sure the CM4228 is attached to the UHF side of the combiner and the VHF antenna is attached to the VHF side of the combiner.
Then also maybe you do not have enough signal strength for the number of splits you are making to drive the other TVs - how many ways are you splitting the signal?
Sorry, I used the wrong terms. I am trying to get a digital signal (I called HD) and an analog signal (I called SD). I am not sure which VHF antenna I have. It was in the attic when I purchased the home 11 years ago. Perhaps an upgrade would help.

The combiner I am using to connect the UHF and VHF leads is supposed to be designed to do just that. I had a UHF label, a VHF label and a common output label. The correct antenna is connected to the correct input on the combiner.

The problem is not resolved when I go directly from the combiner to the computer with no other splitters.

Could my cable be too long (50 feet)? What is the impact on cable length on the signal?

:D:):)qam listings for twc arlington:):):D

78.2 jewelry tv
78.7 cspan 3 (maps to 78.10)
79.1 vod preview
79.9 shop nbc
79.11 new channel (but encrypted)
80.4 metro sports
80.5 - 80.51 music choice
80.104 music choice
82.8 lifetime real women
83-86 vod (unencrypted)
92.1 nba preview
101.6 we
104.11 new channel (but encrypted)
105.5 vh1 soul
106.3 hd theater
107.1 ktvt hd
107.2 tnt hd
107.3 ktxa hd
108.1 kera hd
108.2 wfaa hd
108.3 kdaf hd
110.1 kdfw hd
110.2 kxas hd
110.3 xpress 8.2
110.4 nbc weather plus
113.1 kdfw sd
113.2 kxas sd
113.3 wfaa sd
113.4 ktvt sd
113.5 kdtn sd (not mapped to cable box)
113.6 kera sd
113.7 ktxa sd
113.8 kdaf sd
114.1 tbn
114.2 ion
114.3 ewtn
114.4 txcn
114.5 kuvn (univision)
114.6 qvc
114.7 cspan
114.8 cspan 2
114.9 disney
114.10 hsn
114.11 abc family (not mapped to cable box)
115.2 kdfi hd

have fun playing with it:):):):):

Does anyone know if this QAM lineup is the same for Plano? Also, are all of these channels in the clear?

Does anyone know if this QAM lineup is the same for Plano? Also, are all of these channels in the clear?

yes, there are changes that happened last week:
101.4 metro sports now unencrypted:D:D
114.11 hsn simulcast no longer there :eek::eek:

also tnt hd at 107.2 now encrypted:eek::eek:

Sorry, I used the wrong terms. I am trying to get a digital signal (I called HD) and an analog signal (I called SD). I am not sure which VHF antenna I have. It was in the attic when I purchased the home 11 years ago. Perhaps an upgrade would help.

The combiner I am using to connect the UHF and VHF leads is supposed to be designed to do just that. I had a UHF label, a VHF label and a common output label. The correct antenna is connected to the correct input on the combiner.

The problem is not resolved when I go directly from the combiner to the computer with no other splitters.

Could my cable be too long (50 feet)? What is the impact on cable length on the signal?
50ft should not be a problem, if your initial signal is OK.
First, what sort of signals do you get on all the digital stations (including WFAA) when you connect the antenna directly to the computer, no splitters and without the combiner? Then what happens to all the signals when you insert the combiner, with no VHF antenna? And then what happens to the signals when you attach the VHF antenna through the combiner?

Could my cable be too long (50 feet)? What is the impact on cable length on the signal?

Your signal may be mediocre to begin with and splitting it drives it below the threshhold that your tuners like. Try amplifying it at the antenna before you send it to the rest of the house.

Is this normal???

First off Im wondering if anyone has the channel lineup for Time Warner Cable for Dallas because the HD channels are all in the 100's.


Also the odd part is it normal to get HBO and Stars for free with expanded basic?

Is this normal???

First off Im wondering if anyone has the channel lineup for Time Warner Cable for Dallas because the HD channels are all in the 100's.


Also the odd part is it normal to get HBO and Stars for free with expanded basic?

I have no idea what you're referring too, but the 32 HD channels available on Time Warner cable in the DFW area are scattered within the 300, 400, 700 and 800 range. For specifics in your city check http://www.timewarnercable.com/dallas/programming/lineups.html?menu=7521

TWC QAM unencrypted lineup:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12117890#post12117890

bernie33:
The channels you refer to are what you get if you are using a Time Warner digital cable box. You can plug regular old analog basic cable into your HDTV. Most of them have a QAM tuner, nowadays, which can pick up any unencrypted digital cable channel. By federal law, cable companies may not encrypt local channels, digital or otherwise. TWC also has a few bonus channels. Other than the locals, Discovery HD Theater is the only HD freebie in Dallas.

TWC QAM unencrypted lineup:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12117890#post12117890

bernie33:
The channels you refer to are what you get if you are using a Time Warner digital cable box. You can plug regular old analog basic cable into your HDTV. Most of them have a QAM tuner, nowadays, which can pick up any unencrypted digital cable channel. By federal law, cable companies may not encrypt local channels, digital or otherwise. TWC also has a few bonus channels. Other than the locals, Discovery HD Theater is the only HD freebie in Dallas.

Thanks. My Cablecard gives the same channel layouts as our DVR so I never see the QAM channel numbers directly. I just experimented with and without the cablecard and with the DVR looking for differences. One unexpected difference that I noticed is that with the cablecard channel 501 displays the video for HBO-East (without sound), while the DVR dies not show the video but only a message that I'm not subscribed.

Bernie

yes, there are changes that happened last week:
101.4 metro sports now unencrypted:D:D
114.11 hsn simulcast no longer there :eek::eek:

also tnt hd at 107.2 now encrypted:eek::eek:


Howdy All,

I lost 107.1 KTVT & 107.3 KTXA last week. I still have everything else. Do you know if they have moved them. I have tried to unplug and rescan several times. I even bought the Motorola signal booster, but it makes no difference. I can use any advice/suggestions.

Thanks in advance.
Jake

Howdy All,

I lost 107.1 KTVT & 107.3 KTXA last week. I still have everything else. Do you know if they have moved them. I have tried to unplug and rescan several times. I even bought the Motorola signal booster, but it makes no difference. I can use any advice/suggestions.

Thanks in advance.
Jake

they are still there unencrypted also you will get tnt hd no sound on 107.2

Can someone help me out with the following. Below is the info that I found that shows I am roughly 40 miles from the stations (I live in Frisco, TX).

- What is the best antenna for me to buy - it will go in the attic?
- Can I hook it up to 2 different HD boxes?
- Can you recommend someone to install it?



Hi,

I thought I would share my set up, which is much nicer than having an antenna sticking out the side of your home and penetrating your exterior. I don't know the name of the antenna (see picture), but I get all locals very clear...including the supposedly elusive ABC. Of course, nothing can make the Rangers and Stars look good on the horrible SD KDFI...what loser organizations they are for allowing it. You could always test the signal first before permanently installing.

As for the actual installation, when the installer came to run my FIOS, I told him I wanted a cable to the antenna run along with the FIOS cable and a separate connection at the wall. The installer ran the antenna connection, installed a faceplate in the wall for both the antenna and my FIOS and didn't charge me anything. I would expect that it would typically cost about $75-$150 depending on the complexity of the run. I'm not sure how far up in Frisco you live. I live close to the boarder around Coit & 121.

Attic installations are great for those who can use them -- no worries about wind or weather damage means consistent reception for many years! Unfortunately, they don't work for everyone: in my case, the layout of my attic would result in an antenna aimed straight at a bunch of AC ducts. That probably wouldn't result in great reception, even here in Plano.

Fortunately, I also don't find an outdoor antenna to be unsightly.

Without any announcement, Charter-Denton (I don't know if Charter-Fort Worth also got this) added Discovery HD at Channel 789, in addition to [Discovery] HD Theater, which was already in the HD package that went live back in November. I just found this while flipping through my DVR Guide yesterday.

The odd part is that the guide data for both Discovery SD and Discovery HD was wrong (it would list one program for both channels - HD is the simulcast), but something else would be playing. Hopefully that is just a one-time problem.

/Gripe Mode On
So we get Discovery HD just in time for them to finish playing the repeats of Planet Earth. How...convenient...
/Gripe Mode Off

I live outside of Denton on HWY 380 in Providence. How is other people's reception? I use a small indoor ant. but 8.1 will not come in for the life of me.

Without any announcement, Charter-Denton (I don't know if Charter-Fort Worth also got this) added Discovery HD at Channel 789, in addition to [Discovery] HD Theater, which was already in the HD package that went live back in November. I just found this while flipping through my DVR Guide yesterday.

The odd part is that the guide data for both Discovery SD and Discovery HD was wrong (it would list one program for both channels - HD is the simulcast), but something else would be playing. Hopefully that is just a one-time problem.

/Gripe Mode On
So we get Discovery HD just in time for them to finish playing the repeats of Planet Earth. How...convenient...
/Gripe Mode Off

Charter Ft Worth added Discovery HD a week or two ago - not sure exactly when since they didn't announce it here either. Guide data seems to be OK for Discovery SD and HD, but there is now no guide data at all for Discovery HD Theater. The programs are still showing, just no guide data.

Howdy all! Been into HD in the DFW area for some time, but haven't posted in this thread yet. I've had a nagging problem with getting Fox/KDFW reception. In the past it wasn't a big deal, because I would just use the national Fox HD through DirecTV. Now I'm trying to get a HTPC built up and use that for all my OTA/Broadcast network recording, and it has resurfaced my issue with receiving Fox/KDFW.

Here's my vitals. Live in Lake Highlands (zip 75238). Single story house, medium size VHF/UHF antenna, roof mounted on pole 4' off the rook peak, aimed at the main towers (~200-220 degrees). I'm using an HR10-250 DirecTivo for DirecTV/OTA and a HTPC with a Silicondust HDHomeRun for OTA. My reception for all channels is as follows on both devices for OTA:

8.1/ABC/WFAA - Great (90+)
13.1/PBS/KERA - Average (75-80)
21.1/KTXA - Good (85)
11.1/CBS/KTVT - Great (90+)
23.1/KUVN - Average (70)
30.1/KMPX - Average (75)
33.1/KDAF - Good (85)
4.1/FOX/KDFW - Bad (50)
27.1/KDFI - Great (90+)
40.1/KXTX - Average (70)
5.1/NBC/KXAS - Average (75)
68.1/KPXD - Poor (65)
2.1/KDTN - Average (85)
58.1/KDTX - Average (80)
49.1/KSTR - Average (80)
52.1/KFWD - Average (70)

I really only care about the big five:
8.1/ABC/WFAA - Great (90+)
11.1/CBS/KTVT - Great (90+)
4.1/FOX/KDFW - Bad (50)
5.1/NBC/KXAS - Average (75)
13.1/PBS/KERA - Average (75-80)

Obviously, Fox is bad. I can't get a reliable signal through either the DirecTivo or the HTPC. The other four come in reliably enough to record, even NBC and PBS with average signals.

Anyone have any thoughts, advice or experience with getting Fox/KDFW to come in better? I'm shocked it's coming in so poorly since it's basically the same direction and distance from me as the ABC tower, which is coming in perfect.

Big thanks in advance for any help, as the wife will be pretty bummed if I don't get this working good before American Idol kicks off. Ugh...

Hi everyone,

I live in Dallas, area code 75214, and get pretty decent OTA reception using an indoor antenna (Jensen TV910). However, I do get occasional drops in signal and am interested in improving my reception.

Since my signal's already pretty good I'm not interested in going to all the effort & cost of, say, mounting a CM 4228 on my roof. But I would be interested in suggestions for (a) a better indoor antenna than my current one, or (b) an antenna (smaller than a CM4228) that I could put in my attic with a reasonable chance of better reception.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

Thanks,

Hiker


PS: From antennaweb, here's the data on the stations I care about, relative to my present location:
* yellow - uhf KXAS-DT 5.1 NBC FORT WORTH TX 215° 20.4 41
* yellow - uhf KTVT-DT 11.1 CBS FORT WORTH TX 212° 20.3 19
* yellow - uhf KTXA-DT 21.1 IND FORT WORTH TX 209° 22.4 18
* yellow - uhf KERA-DT 13.1 PBS DALLAS TX 212° 20.3 14
* red - uhf KDFI-DT 27.1 MNT DALLAS TX 209° 22.4 36
* red - vhf WFAA-DT 8.1 ABC DALLAS TX 216° 20.8 9
* blue - uhf KDFW-DT 4.1 FOX DALLAS TX 216° 20.8 35

Fry's just today has a little attic ant w/ amp for $40:
http://shopping.dallasnews.com/ROP/ads.aspx?advid=2519

(bottom right corner)

Howdy! Any comment on Charter HD in Denton. I'm thinking about adding it but not real sure about the move.....thanks Tom

Dish is giving customers Cinemax for .01 a month for signing up for paperless billing and autopay. The promotion is for current customers whether they are signed up for these services already or not. The .01 charge is good thru 1/1/10.

P.S. Includes all 5 Cinemax as well as the HD!

Obviously, Fox is bad. I can't get a reliable signal through either the DirecTivo or the HTPC. The other four come in reliably enough to record, even NBC and PBS with average signals.

Anyone have any thoughts, advice or experience with getting Fox/KDFW to come in better? I'm shocked it's coming in so poorly since it's basically the same direction and distance from me as the ABC tower, which is coming in perfect.

Big thanks in advance for any help, as the wife will be pretty bummed if I don't get this working good before American Idol kicks off. Ugh...
TJ, I'm right there with you. When I first got HD, KDFW worked fine. But in about late October, it got bad and has never improved.

From reading other posts, it seems there are 4 options, all of which I'm about to try:

New antenna: I'll go with the Channel Master 4228
Pre-amp: Something like the CM 7777, which I'll probably buy and use if all else fails
Compass, to set the direction at the correct degree
Cable, RG 6 isntead of RG 59

JeepTJ,

Have you tried swinging the antenna to see if you can improve the signal? Have you tried an amplifier, preferably a pre-amp style? If not, you may find you can improve your signal without a lot of investment or effort. Do you have slitters i nthe line to feed multiple sets?

These are just some thoughts for quick hits. You might want to give more information about antenna type (if you know it) as well as the type of information I listed in order to get better help from the epxerts on this board.

Charter Ft Worth added Discovery HD a week or two ago - not sure exactly when since they didn't announce it here either. Guide data seems to be OK for Discovery SD and HD, but there is now no guide data at all for Discovery HD Theater. The programs are still showing, just no guide data.

After looking at the guide data in greater detail, it just gets more puzzling... At first, I thought they had picked up the West Coast feed guide data, with the resultant overall shift due to the actual clock info. But the program data...here's the deal.

Primetime (starting about 6 PM Central) is uniformly correct. Daytime is almost always wrong - with the same show as listed on the Discovery Channel website showing up in the Guide on the Eastern time (Guide data for show says 3 PM Central, Website says 3 PM Eastern), *or* the Guide data lists completely different programming. All of this continues until Primetime - and then it miraculously fixes itself. [The actual programming matches what is on the website.]

I went in to the local office and let them know about it on Friday after work, but the "one guy who could do anything about it" was already gone for the day, and they said they'd let him know when he got in today (Monday). Of course, that's what they told me back in early November when I went in about Fox Sports Southwest HD only showing color bars...here it is, second week in January, and we still don't have that channel.

Howdy! Any comment on Charter HD in Denton. I'm thinking about adding it but not real sure about the move.....thanks Tom

The above comments are about Charter-Denton. You can search on my username in this thread for my earler posts for more info if you want. A quick summary to this point: so far, I'm reasonably happy with Charter's HD service. That said, if I had the chance to switch to Verizon's FiOS, I'd do it in a heartbeat. [I'm in an apartment complex.]

The channel lineup is pretty good - I'm hoping they continue to add channels, like they just did with Discovery HD. I'm seeing some breakups on the signal, but I'm not sure if that's due to problems with the DVR drive or with the actual signal itself. (I'm not in a position to tell if or by how much they are compressing the original signals.) I do feel like I have to overpay for what I get from Charter, especially for their DVR. But since I want HD service, and it's the only game in town for me right now, I pay it.

TJ, I'm right there with you. When I first got HD, KDFW worked fine. But in about late October, it got bad and has never improved.

From reading other posts, it seems there are 4 options, all of which I'm about to try:

New antenna: I'll go with the Channel Master 4228
Pre-amp: Something like the CM 7777, which I'll probably buy and use if all else fails
Compass, to set the direction at the correct degree
Cable, RG 6 isntead of RG 59


Well, sorry to hear you've got the same problem - but I am a bit relieved to hear I'm not the only one! I've already got RG-6 run as my cable everywhere between the Tivo and HDHomeRun and the antenna, but haven't tried a different antenna or a pre-amp yet. Hoping I don't have to do that...

Will be eager to hear what your results are!

JeepTJ,

Have you tried swinging the antenna to see if you can improve the signal? Have you tried an amplifier, preferably a pre-amp style? If not, you may find you can improve your signal without a lot of investment or effort. Do you have slitters i nthe line to feed multiple sets?

These are just some thoughts for quick hits. You might want to give more information about antenna type (if you know it) as well as the type of information I listed in order to get better help from the epxerts on this board.

Haven't tried an amp/pre-amp - don't know much about them at all. I'm a bit surprised that ABC is coming in so good compared to the rest as is, but obviously not everyone is broadcasting at the same strength/power.

I did get on the roof this weekend, with a laptop so I could remote control the HTPC and watch the signal quality bars on the HDHomeRun. Swinging the antenna around didn't improve the signal much for those that were already average or good.

I did try and get Fox to come in better, and the best signal I got was with the antenna oriented almost directly west!! Talk about counter-intuitive. Of course, with that orientation, just about everything else fell off the map. So I made some compromises, and found a spot where I was getting ABC great, and NBC, CBS, PBS pretty equally average - but was still able to at least GET a signal on Fox (still not good, around 55% signal strength, but was at least able to hold 100% symbol quality now). I'd say I ended up only turning the antenna about 5%, and now it's oriented about 220 degrees - a bit over what antennaweb would have me point at.

So I can at least tune in Fox for now. I'm still open to ideas. I've only got one splitter on the line, and RG-6 for all the cable. Not to be completely dumb, but do the pre-amps or amps require power? If so, that may be tough considering it's mounted on the roof...

Well, sorry to hear you've got the same problem - but I am a bit relieved to hear I'm not the only one! I've already got RG-6 run as my cable everywhere between the Tivo and HDHomeRun and the antenna, but haven't tried a different antenna or a pre-amp yet. Hoping I don't have to do that...

Will be eager to hear what your results are!

I should be able to report by Wednesday.

And, I get ABC & NBC absolutely perfectly. CBS is usually passable. Fox and PBS are no-go :(

Haven't tried an amp/pre-amp - don't know much about them at all. I'm a bit surprised that ABC is coming in so good compared to the rest as is, but obviously not everyone is broadcasting at the same strength/power.
.....
Not to be completely dumb, but do the pre-amps or amps require power? If so, that may be tough considering it's mounted on the roof...

Pre-amps are used mainly to overcome signal loss due to cable length and splitters, etc. They are mounted at the antenna. Power can be supplied back up the RG6 cable. However, depending on the signal strength, pre-amps can make it worse.

I did try and get Fox to come in better, and the best signal I got was with the antenna oriented almost directly west!! Talk about counter-intuitive. Of course, with that orientation, just about everything else fell off the map. So I made some compromises, and found a spot where I was getting ABC great, and NBC, CBS, PBS pretty equally average - but was still able to at least GET a signal on Fox (still not good, around 55% signal strength, but was at least able to hold 100% symbol quality now). I'd say I ended up only turning the antenna about 5%, and now it's oriented about 220 degrees - a bit over what antennaweb would have me point at.
Sounds like a case of multi-path. I'm wondering if you have a large building, water tower, (maybe downtown Dallas), directly in the path from the towers in Cedar Hill.

So I can at least tune in Fox for now. I'm still open to ideas. I've only got one splitter on the line, and RG-6 for all the cable.

Other things that you may try:

1) See what you get on a single run without the splitter. Wondering if the splitter is going out.
2) Move the antenna on the roof to a different location to see if you can find a hotspot.
3) If your antenna is directional, change to a large multi-directional.
4) Add a second antenna just for Fox which would more than likely require a JoinTenna.

Alan
(former TJ owner)

Since my signal's already pretty good I'm not interested in going to all the effort & cost of, say, mounting a CM 4228 on my roof. But I would be interested in suggestions for (a) a better indoor antenna than my current one, or (b) an antenna (smaller than a CM4228) that I could put in my attic with a reasonable chance of better reception
Unless you have very little space in the attic, a CM4228 (DB8) is very easy to install and doesn't need a lot of space. A CM4221 (DB4) is half the size of a CM4228 (DB8) and a CM4220 (DB2) is even smaller. All of these are UHF directional antennas which work well on the VHF high channels. I have a CM4221 (DB4) DIY antenna in the attic working well for me at 48 miles from the towers.

Alan

Rosenkavalier thanks for the heads-up on Charter. I hooked up a new Sony 60E last night and with no picture adjustments I pleased with the HD quality. I have Fios in the front yard and will probably switch this Spring, as Charter seems to be last to improve on anything, including burying the cable in my front yard. tom

Rosenkavalier thanks for the heads-up on Charter. I hooked up a new Sony 60E last night and with no picture adjustments I pleased with the HD quality. I have Fios in the front yard and will probably switch this Spring, as Charter seems to be last to improve on anything, including burying the cable in my front yard. tom

In a previous message, I posted the Charter-Denton Open QAM channels (which you may have already found) - if you're satisfied with locals and a few 'off-the-books' additional channels, you can get "free" HD with your Basic and/or Extended Basic even without paying for a box or DVR fee.

I'm a long-time TiVo user, so I just can't quite make the switch back to real-time only. Therefore, I pay through the nose for Charter's inferior DVR, just so I can timeshift digital SD and HD channels. [I know about the Series 3 / TiVo HD option, but I'm still leery about the CableCard situation, especially with a thread I read recently that indicated that the next big "push" for Charter in HD would likely be using Switched Digital Video.]

In a previous message, I posted the Charter-Denton Open QAM channels (which you may have already found) - if you're satisfied with locals and a few 'off-the-books' additional channels, you can get "free" HD with your Basic and/or Extended Basic even without paying for a box or DVR fee.

I'm a long-time TiVo user, so I just can't quite make the switch back to real-time only. Therefore, I pay through the nose for Charter's inferior DVR, just so I can timeshift digital SD and HD channels. [I know about the Series 3 / TiVo HD option, but I'm still leery about the CableCard situation, especially with a thread I read recently that indicated that the next big "push" for Charter in HD would likely be using Switched Digital Video.]

I have one of the original Tivo boxes, paid the one time fee for how ever long it lasts. So far so good. My family can't live without DVR, so I'm paying $25/mo for Charter's hd/dvr box, kinda high.

I can't switch to Fios till April when the phone book yellow page ads. are sold. Business lines in the house. Something about having a number in an active book. Makes no sense to me but whatever.... At least the next couple months I can work on moving Charter emailing to other accounts...

I realize we're all watching the digital versions, but just for fun, I checked the analog channels. Using the same antenna that I use for digital, I now no longer get channel 4 at all! And channel 5 is horrible. When I first installed the antenna, all the analog channels came in fine. There was minimal interference on channel 4, but even that was sporadic.

I know that when they first turned on the digital transmitters, they used lower power. Is it possible that they've now shifted power to the digital ones and reduced the power on the analog ones?

Just curious.

Xesdeeni

Well, sorry to hear you've got the same problem - but I am a bit relieved to hear I'm not the only one! I've already got RG-6 run as my cable everywhere between the Tivo and HDHomeRun and the antenna, but haven't tried a different antenna or a pre-amp yet. Hoping I don't have to do that...

Will be eager to hear what your results are!

Sorry it's taken so long to get this posted. I JUST NOW got the CM 4228 installed (Bought @ Fry's for $70, BTW). Guess what? It's the ONLY change I made, and now I get every local in flawless HD. I turned it on, ran through all the channels, and Fox was bad. But when I got back to it, it was perfect. I have the Packers/Seahawks game on right now in 720P. Score another for the CM 4228!

Sorry it's taken so long to get this posted. I JUST NOW got the CM 4228 installed (Bought @ Fry's for $70, BTW). Guess what? It's the ONLY change I made, and now I get every local in flawless HD. I turned it on, ran through all the channels, and Fox was bad. But when I got back to it, it was perfect. I have the Packers/Seahawks game on right now in 720P. Score another for the CM 4228!

Hmm... I don't remember what brand/model of antenna I have up there. It's definitely not a UHF-only model like that, it's more of the 'standard' kind of configuration (I'm not up on antenna terminology, sorry). Guess there's another excuse to clamber back on the roof and see!

Since we seem to have (well, now 'had' - hehe) similar issues - do you mind giving me an idea of where in town you're located? For comparison, I'm in Lake Highlands, near the intersection of northwest highway and plano road.

Thanks for the update!

@TJ:

My old antenna was: http://www.pctinternational.com/channelmaster/0612/images/products/antennas/outdoor/5646_Antenna_SuperVee.gif I assume your's is the same.
My new one is: http://www.pctinternational.com/channelmaster/0612/images/products/antennas/outdoor/4228_Antenna_SpecialMarket.jpg

I'm in SW Arlington near I-20 (See the first attachment [antenna.jpg] below. That's where I aim.) 15-20 miles from the signal, but I have a hill right in the way.

From the Lake Highlands area, see the second attached map for aiming (l-h-antenna.jpg). Specifically, look at "B", ~210 degrees. That's from where most of the channels are coming. Looks like you're about 25 miles away.

What's really great is that the CM 4228 (http://www.pctinternational.com/channelmaster/0612/4228.html) has a UHF range of 60 miles!

I live outside of Denton on HWY 380 in Providence. How is other people's reception? I use a small indoor ant. but 8.1 will not come in for the life of me.

You are lucky to get decent reception on ANY channels up on 380 using an indoor antenna, let alone WFAA which is the only channel using VHF (channels 11 and 52 will move there in 2009). You need a decent outside antenna, one that will receive VHF-hi as well as UHF. The CM4228 is a UHF antenna with decent reception on VHF-hi but I suspect not good enough for your location. There's a new range of antennas from Winegard http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=12788035&postcount=6508 that are designed just for VHF-hi and UHF so would be ideal for you. My guess is you would need a 7695p.
If an indoor antenna is all you can use, you could try the Terk HDTVi unamplified antenna (no other terk models). It's a similar design to the Silver Sensor which is felt to be the best UHF indoor antenna, but it has added "rabbit ears" for VHF. I would be very surprised if it worked at your distance from the transmitters though.

:Dtime warner cable is moving leased access from channel 15 to
168 digital on 2/15

room for more channels:D

Was it just me, or did the Packers/Giants game look extremely good on TWC yesterday? For quite awhile I've been less than delighted with the picture on my Mits DLP, even after a bulb replacement. I've been chalking it up to thinking that I needed to clean the mirrors, or something along those lines on the set, but now I'm not so sure...and I'm reminded just how good the picture can be on this TV.

So now I am curious if others noticed the difference...and what it can be attributed to. Is TWC now down-rezzing HD content (I really do miss Comcast), and they allowed this broadcast to go out full resolution? Is FOX doing this at the local level, and they were the ones that made the change and TWC merely passes through what they are given? Or were production values just that much better than usual? Or am I just smoking crack and there was no real discernable difference in the video quality to others yesterday?

Any thoughts would be appreciated....

Thanks!
Randy

We just got our Panny 50PZ77U yesterday and was looking for a couple choices of antennas for OTA HD/Digital reception,I know a signal amplifier may be needed based on other user posts in DFW.

We're in Far northeast Richardson(Murphy/Plano area) about 35 miles average from most of the TV transmitters in the Dallas area.

We're on the 1st floor of an apartment with a clear view to the south to southwest,have Dish 500 on the patio rail.

Thanks alot gang,I look towards contributing to the thread:)

We just got our Panny 50PZ77U yesterday and was looking for a couple choices of antennas for OTA HD/Digital reception,I know a signal amplifier may be needed based on other user posts in DFW.

We're in Far northeast Richardson(Murphy/Plano area) about 35 miles average from most of the TV transmitters in the Dallas area.

We're on the 1st floor of an apartment with a clear view to the south to southwest,have Dish 500 on the patio rail.

Thanks alot gang,I look towards contributing to the thread:)

KOOL..................Nice Unit !!!


TxTbar

We just got our Panny 50PZ77U yesterday and was looking for a couple choices of antennas for OTA HD/Digital reception,I know a signal amplifier may be needed based on other user posts in DFW.

We're in Far northeast Richardson(Murphy/Plano area) about 35 miles average from most of the TV transmitters in the Dallas area.

We're on the 1st floor of an apartment with a clear view to the south to southwest,have Dish 500 on the patio rail.

Thanks alot gang,I look towards contributing to the thread:)

Unless you're very lucky and you are in a "sweet spot" then stable reception with an indoor antenna at 35 miles is unlikely. The Terk HDTVi (unamplified) is probably the best to try because it is similar to the Silver Sensor, the best UHF indoor antenna, but with added "rabbit ears" for VHF. You may find that you get decent reception on some of the UHF stations but have problems getting WFAA because it is on VHF. Amplification will probably not help much because you can only amplify a signal if is there.
For an outdoor antenna, try a CM4221. It's a UHF antenna but might just have enough gain on VHF-hi to be OK for you. It's also a flat vertical panel which may be easier to find room for. Ideally you should use a CM4228 which is the "antenna of choice" for DFW because of its OK performance on VHF-hi, but it is twice the size of the CM4221. Almost all the small UHF antennas, including the DB2, the CM4220 and all the ones that don't look like antennas (batwings, circular antennas and so on), are very poor at VHF.

Just FYI. I am in Parker just north of Murphy at 42 miles from Cedar Hill and my CM4228 in the attic has just enough gain for a stable signal on WFAA-DT.

Thanks for the detailed info brit,I have 2 spare RG6 feeds going outside which I connected up a transformer at the outside connector then jerry'd up some 2' wire to the spade connectors. I'm able to receive about 17 stations(not all locked) but Digital pictures nonetheless:cool:

I'll be opting for the best patio antenna I can get without spending too much:D

I just moved to dallas and am trying to use a HDTV indoor antenna. It is the Terk HDTVa amplified indoor antenna.
I am having trouble picking up ABC. I dont get channel 8.1, just channel 8 and it is extreamly fuzzy. I have tried orientating the antenna but not luck. I get Fox, NBC, and CBS just fine. Only problem is with ABC.
Any one have any tips?
Anyone else have this problem?
According to AntennaWeb I am about 25 miles away.
I am located at Forest Ln. and Coit Rd

Thanks

I just moved to dallas and am trying to use a HDTV indoor antenna. It is the Terk HDTVa amplified indoor antenna.
I am having trouble picking up ABC. I dont get channel 8.1, just channel 8 and it is extreamly fuzzy. I have tried orientating the antenna but not luck. I get Fox, NBC, and CBS just fine. Only problem is with ABC.
Any one have any tips?
Anyone else have this problem?
According to AntennaWeb I am about 25 miles away.
I am located at Forest Ln. and Coit Rd

Thanks

Your problem is likely due to the fact that WFAA-DT is VHF while the others you mentioned are UHF. Your issue is with pulling in VHF. I'm not an expert on the issue, but I believe the Terk HDTVa antenna claims to be UHF/VHF. However, your situation is not unique as others have lamented the fact that WFAA is VHF. Does the antenna have "rabbit ears"? If so, do you have 'em fully extended, etc.?

Thanks for the reply.
The antenna does have the rabbit ears and they are fully extended. I tried playin with them but still no luck. The picture gets a little better but the signal is still very weak and a very fuzzy picture.

Thanks for the reply.
The antenna does have the rabbit ears and they are fully extended. I tried playin with them but still no luck. The picture gets a little better but the signal is still very weak and a very fuzzy picture.

Ok, if the picture is "fuzzy", you're pulling in the analog WFAA, not WFAA-DT. This digital channel will either be there or not--with pixelation as it's coming and going. You need to tune to the digital channel which is on 9.

Fox is on 35 (analog is 4)
NBC is on 41 (analog is 5)
CBS is on 19 (analog is 11)

I hope this helps. Let us know how it goes.

Thought I'd drop a reminder to all you folks out there looking to salvage that garage TV or maybe wanting to add an extra tuner for PIP. You've got about two more months to take advantage of the government bail out, er, i mean assistance program. For those of you with kids, this is a windfall year of government checks :)

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/press_dtv.html

Anybody else having problem with Channel 8 this morning. I have had it working for over a year and all of a sudden the signal is weak to the point where I have no picture. All the other channels working great.

Anybody know of planned maintenance or anything?

Ok, if the picture is "fuzzy", you're pulling in the analog WFAA, not WFAA-DT. This digital channel will either be there or not--with pixelation as it's coming and going. You need to tune to the digital channel which is on 9.

Fox is on 35 (analog is 4)
NBC is on 41 (analog is 5)
CBS is on 19 (analog is 11)

I hope this helps. Let us know how it goes.

hmm, i guess ill have to play around with it more. Kinda sucks because I have to do a channel scan everytime I reposition the antenna to see if i pick up WFAA-DT.
I just hope to get it working soon, wanted to watch Lost in HD

I have a question that may be in this forum, but it didn't come up on the search. I am building a home with kool ply decking on the roof (aluminum sheets face the attic). I currently have a large OTA antenna in the attic for use with my HDTV. Reception is fantastic in my current home in Frisco, but I have been told OTA antennas won't work with the Kool ply deck. The new home will be in McKinney, about 8 miles further NE from my current location (also further from the Cedar Hill transmitters). Anyone know if I will be stuck with whatever crappy local HD I can get from DISH/Time Warner? Thanks

I have a question that may be in this forum, but it didn't come up on the search. I am building a home with kool ply decking on the roof (aluminum sheets face the attic). I currently have a large OTA antenna in the attic for use with my HDTV. Reception is fantastic in my current home in Frisco, but I have been told OTA antennas won't work with the Kool ply deck. The new home will be in McKinney, about 8 miles further NE from my current location (also further from the Cedar Hill transmitters). Anyone know if I will be stuck with whatever crappy local HD I can get from DISH/Time Warner? Thanks

You won't be able to use an attic antenna. Why not put your antenna outside?

I installed similar decking a couple of years ago. It almost completely destroyed reception through the large VHF/UHF combo antenna in my attic. Analog reception went from excellent to mostly snow (except for channels 11 and 13), and digital reception went from excellent to intermittent. I live on a high spot in West Plano with a much better view of Cedar Hill than you'll have. My guess is that you'll be completely unable to receive acceptable signals from an in-attic antenna.

I put up a ChannelMaster 4228 outside, about 12 feet above the ground. Analog VHF-low reception is horrible, as expected from this UHF-oriented antenna. (All digital channels are VHF-high or UHF and will remain there, so this isn't an issue for me.) VHF-high and digital reception are great. I imagine you'd have a similar experience, but might need to mount the antenna higher than I did.

By the way, I found the orientation of the antenna to be critical. Changes of just a few degrees made large differences in reported digital signal quality. (My guess is that there's multi-path in my area, by I've never researched it.) Whatever you do, expect to spend some time figuring out the best orientation.

-- Pete

I'm currently getting my local HD content via DirecTV. I'm wondering whether I would notice much difference if I set up an OTA? I live in Allen and have a 52" LCD that supports 1080p. One issue is I tend to watch most everything recorded (even the few things I watch live I enjoy being able to pause). Does the DirecTV HD recorder record OTA if I wanted?

TIA.

Raodfun:
If the Direct TV Box is an HR20 it will do over the air.
If the Direct TV Box is an HR21 then it will NOT do over the air
JStigler

I guess I'm glad I have a HR20...

I'm currently getting my local HD content via DirecTV. I'm wondering whether I would notice much difference if I set up an OTA? TIA.

I don't know about DirecTV, but there is a HUGE difference in PQ between DISH & OTA - with OTA being much better.

You won't be able to use an attic antenna. Why not put your antenna outside?


Because Stonebridge Ranch bans them:( Only way I could do it, is to somehow hide it below the fenceline in the back yard & that wouldn't help much since it would be low to the ground.

They can't prevent you from erecting an antenna unless your house is designated a historic site or it would pose a hazard to others. If you install it on a 12' or taller mast, you'll need a permit but they still can't prevent you. It is ILLEGAL for a HOA or landlord to prevent you from installing an antenna or satellite dish. See:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

I don't know about DirecTV, but there is a HUGE difference in PQ between DISH & OTA - with OTA being much better.

I don't find that the case at all. I have a Mitsubishi 55" RPTV, and the PQ on HD broadcasts is nearly identical to OTA. Flipping back and forth from one to the other, shows virtually the same picture. Maybe different sets/receivers get different results!

Tom in TX

They can't prevent you from erecting an antenna unless your house is designated a historic site or it would pose a hazard to others. If you install it on a 12' or taller mast, you'll need a permit but they still can't prevent you. It is ILLEGAL for a HOA or landlord to prevent you from installing an antenna or satellite dish. See:
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html

Shaun - I realize this is true, but for now I don't want to start a war with the HOA (or new neighbors) when I move into the neighborhood. If I can get the same PQ from DISH or cable for HD locals - I'll skip the OTA antenna. If not - I'll figure out a nice way to install it with the least line of site impact to others.

Tom in TX - It could be that my old DISH HD receiver can't output 1080i signals. The HD picture is not good at all on my 62" Mitsubishi 62627 compare to the OTA antennna feed.

texrb- I understand your point but you might think of it another way: first, OTA antennas are popping up all over the Dallas area, including in high-dollar upscale neighborhoods. It's become a fact and you're sure not the first so there may not be much of a battle. Second, if you establish a home without an antenna at first you may be establishing that as a level of expectation that will be harder to overcome later. If you go in with an antenna right from the start, that will be the expectation. And third, since it's not illegal, you might suggest they can tell you what you can do when they start paying your house note (boy do I sound like a Texan, or what!!).

You can locate an antenna near a chimney or perhaps a natural roof break in a way that it is unobstrusive and it won't give you heartburn on the impact to the appearance of your home and it would ease your HOA's concerns too. But at the end of the day you'll probably end up needing one for OTA.

I have a question that may be in this forum, but it didn't come up on the search. I am building a home with kool ply decking on the roof (aluminum sheets face the attic). I currently have a large OTA antenna in the attic for use with my HDTV. Reception is fantastic in my current home in Frisco, but I have been told OTA antennas won't work with the Kool ply deck. The new home will be in McKinney, about 8 miles further NE from my current location (also further from the Cedar Hill transmitters). Anyone know if I will be stuck with whatever crappy local HD I can get from DISH/Time Warner? Thanks
Actually we get excellent video from TWC, but you may have amore discerning eye than we do, and you probably watch more TV than I do. But that is eside the point.

In case it is important to you, your roof insulation may also impact your cellphone usage. I have one neighbor who installed steel-backed roofing a couple of years ago and has not had satisfactory cellphone service in his home since then.

Actually we get excellent video from TWC, but you may have amore discerning eye than we do, and you probably watch more TV than I do. But that is eside the point.

In case it is important to you, your roof insulation may also impact your cellphone usage. I have one neighbor who installed steel-backed roofing a couple of years ago and has not had satisfactory cellphone service in his home since then.

Bernie33 - I have been in homes with the same roof decking (mine is not yet built) and had excellent cell phone reception. As far as cable PQ goes, DISH has been terrific except for local HD -thus why I currently have a huge UHF/VHF antenna in my attic. I did check the TWC PQ & regular digital is on par with DISH, but the local HD doesn't match up with what I currently get OTA. This all may be moot, since I checked the antenna locator website & just discovered that in McKinney, only about 5 stations can be received. If this is true, then it may not be worth the trouble.

Glenn in Texas - thank you for the comments. I agree that if I put up the antenna, it will go up when the house is built. But, unless I find someone in McKinney that gets good OTA HD (digital) reception from all the Dallas local HD stations, I may forgo the project. I am sure spoiled from the reception I enjoyed in Plano & now Frisco.......

Like many I am having trouble pulling in WFAA in HD. I just bought a Terk antenna from Best Buy (don't remember the actual model number, I'm at work) but it's amplified and has the UHF antenna, along with rabbit ears for VHF. It's positioned in my living room, next to my TV, as I live in an apartment (on the third floor, not much obstruction.)

All the UHF channels come in perfectly without any messing around. If I hold it up with the rabbit ears extended in very awkard positions that are unfeasible for actual use, I can pull in 8.1. As I've been searching to find others in the area to see how they go about getting this station, I've seen channel 9 mentioned in reference to WFAA digital signal. This confuses me. I wasn't even aware of anything being on 9, but I haven't rescanned my channels since I got this antenna because I thought I already had what I needed.

But I have to figure something out beyond rotating shifts holding the antenna in akward positions between commercial breaks of Lost tonight. I'm in a race against time to get this to work!

EDIT I live in Allen

EDIT 2: According to antenna web the frequency assignment for 8.1 is 9. I guess I don't understand this stuff well enough. Does this just have to do with the way your TV tuner reads these stations? So, when my TV tells me I'm on 8.1, is this in reality just channel 9?

EDIT 2: According to antenna web the frequency assignment for 8.1 is 9. I guess I don't understand this stuff well enough. Does this just have to do with the way your TV tuner reads these stations? So, when my TV tells me I'm on 8.1, is this in reality just channel 9?

Yep...the ATSC tuner maps channel 9 to channel 8.1.

Randy

Bernie33 - I have been in homes with the same roof decking (mine is not yet built) and had excellent cell phone reception. As far as cable PQ goes, DISH has been terrific except for local HD -thus why I currently have a huge UHF/VHF antenna in my attic. I did check the TWC PQ & regular digital is on par with DISH, but the local HD doesn't match up with what I currently get OTA. This all may be moot, since I checked the antenna locator website & just discovered that in McKinney, only about 5 stations can be received. If this is true, then it may not be worth the trouble.

Glenn in Texas - thank you for the comments. I agree that if I put up the antenna, it will go up when the house is built. But, unless I find someone in McKinney that gets good OTA HD (digital) reception from all the Dallas local HD stations, I may forgo the project. I am sure spoiled from the reception I enjoyed in Plano & now Frisco.......
I'm in Parker just east of Allen and here you can get good reception of all the DFW stations including WFAA-DT with a Channel Master CM4228 outside. The CM4228 is really a UHF antenna but has good VHF-hi reception. You don't give your zip code but when I entered 75071 at the tvfool web site the analysis showed you should have good reception conditions with a CM4228 in your location.

I'm in Parker just east of Allen and here you can get good reception of all the DFW stations including WFAA-DT with a Channel Master CM4228 outside. The CM4228 is really a UHF antenna but has good VHF-hi reception. You don't give your zip code but when I entered 75071 at the tvfool web site the analysis showed you should have good reception conditions with a CM4228 in your location.

Zip code will be 75071. Thank you for posting that info - this sounds more encouraging that I will be able to get the same channels as in Frisco.:D

I don't really watch 52 but lately it's signal weak. Is it weak for U too?

68 had been my weakest ch, due to some very old/bad 300ohm flat lead. After I replaced that all chs were good. Now 52 is bad & all the rest are still good.

Zip code will be 75071. Thank you for posting that info - this sounds more encouraging that I will be able to get the same channels as in Frisco.:D
Go to tvfool.com and enter your exact address, see what the output looks like. I think tvfool is a bit optimistic with the comments on indoor antennas but otherwise is a pretty good guide.

Go to tvfool.com and enter your exact address, see what the output looks like. I think tvfool is a bit optimistic with the comments on indoor antennas but otherwise is a pretty good guide.

Thanks - I'll try that site. I used a different one to check antenna reception.

Speaking of Dallas HD. Anyone know anyone LOCAL (DFW metro plex) that sells hd antennas? I live in Denton, so from my limited knowledge and according to antennaweb I need a Violet UHF/VHF antenna.

DTV is on the same frequencies as regular TV. Any TV antenna will work. Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's Electronics, or Radio Shack would all be able to help.

Speaking of Dallas HD. Anyone know anyone LOCAL (DFW metro plex) that sells hd antennas? I live in Denton, so from my limited knowledge and according to antennaweb I need a Violet UHF/VHF antenna.

All antennas are "HD" although not all pick up both UHF (where most channels currently are) and VHF. Any Radio Shack can sell you a "violet" antenna. Just look them up on their website. You may need a signal booster regardless of which brand you buy.

Speaking of Dallas HD. Anyone know anyone LOCAL (DFW metro plex) that sells hd antennas? I live in Denton, so from my limited knowledge and according to antennaweb I need a Violet UHF/VHF antenna.

Post your zip code and we can help you select an antenna.

Speaking of Dallas HD. Anyone know anyone LOCAL (DFW metro plex) that sells hd antennas? I live in Denton, so from my limited knowledge and according to antennaweb I need a Violet UHF/VHF antenna.

Don't worry about looking for an "HD" antenna. There is really no such thing. All you're doing is picking up a signal. The antenna doesn't care what it's feeding. As said before, just get a good UHF/VHF antenna.

FYI, I live about 10 miles west of Denton and get excellent reception of every digital station in the DFW area using just a Radio Shack amplified UHF antenna and a pair of old rabbit ears just draped over the RS antenna. It's not pretty but it works. However, it should be noted that I'm at 850 ft amsl, and have nothing at all blocking the signal from Ceder Hill. Your results may vary.

Jeff in Krum, America.

I don't really watch 52 but lately it's signal weak. Is it weak for U too?

68 had been my weakest ch, due to some very old/bad 300ohm flat lead. After I replaced that all chs were good. Now 52 is bad & all the rest are still good.

Channel 52 has been unwatchable for me in NE Tarrant Co--just a lot of digital "hash." It used to be pretty good. I'm not sure what happened to it, if the signal is lower than it was (now 62) or if something else changed. (I did have one day last week--Friday, maybe--where the reception was pretty good).

Channel 52 has been unwatchable for me in NE Tarrant Co--just a lot of digital "hash." It used to be pretty good. I'm not sure what happened to it, if the signal is lower than it was (now 62) or if something else changed. (I did have one day last week--Friday, maybe--where the reception was pretty good).
I'm just east of Allen and I am not getting 52 at all, most of the time, using my CM4228. Signal strength on my H20-600 DirecTV receiver is nearly always zero. All the other channels are fine.

ntenna feeder cable length or incessant design thing, maybe some factor that makes it resonate on that frequency.
what is "cable mode" my sir ts160 can select std, hrc, and irc .. on "std"(i guess that means standard)...
anyway on std cable, it autodetects channels on 2 4 5 8 11 13 and channel 21 has a strance spread spectrum looking pattern...
but the std cable channels look and sound like ntsc air channels but, the std cable chhannels arer clear as a bell with only afew sparkelies
the "air" is snowy and hashy (almost un watchable) when the std cable of the same channel is almost as clear as the atsc, even though its only 480i and the audio is the same as air
wow!
further more. when the siginal is too low for atsc and the ntsc is hashy and snowwy. the std cable is almost like a perfect ntsc
wow! kill ntsc and atsc and go std cable? errr yea!

my antenna on the chimminey(like a 26 element channelmaster periodic log yaggi with 50 feet of 300 ohm) only gets 8 11 and maybe 13. but rabbit ears get almost everything including 69-2 and sometimes 52-1
i tried replaceing 300 ohm with 75ohm coax and it just got worse
might have just been cheep coax. i got the coax from the dollar store. lol

Has anyone been noticing dropouts from Fox 4 digital lately? I remember a year or more back it was big problem. It was noted by many in this thread that it seemed to happen just before moments where the screen was saturated with red. Back when this was originally happening, it was occurring for OTA and digital cable both. Several sent messages to tech support at Fox 4 but AFAIK no one ever got a reply back. The issue seemed to just stop one day.

Starting a week or 2 ago, this issue seems to be back. I noticed it a lot during the Super Bowl half time show. I have a friend who gets his HD locals from DirecTV and he was seeing that same issues during the Super Bowl.

I expected to see others talking about it here but did not. Perhaps I'm crazy and it's not a widespead issue.

Has anyone been noticing dropouts from Fox 4 digital lately? I remember a year or more back it was big problem. It was noted by many in this thread that it seemed to happen just before moments where the screen was saturated with red. Back when this was originally happening, it was occurring for OTA and digital cable both. Several sent messages to tech support at Fox 4 but AFAIK no one ever got a reply back. The issue seemed to just stop one day.

Starting a week or 2 ago, this issue seems to be back. I noticed it a lot during the Super Bowl half time show. I have a friend who gets his HD locals from DirecTV and he was seeing that same issues during the Super Bowl.

I expected to see others talking about it here but did not. Perhaps I'm crazy and it's not a widespead issue.

Nope. Your crazy.
See if anything has changed with your connections. Perhaps there has been construction between you and Cedar Hill.
You may need to boost your signal.

I've noticed a lot of pixelation from both OTA and DirecTV on Fox 4 lately.

Same here.

I've noticed a lot of pixelation from both OTA and DirecTV on Fox 4 lately.

That's my point. I could accept this as a problem with my signal if it was not happening for DirecTV subscribers too. I'm only 10 miles or so from Cedar Hill and have a strong signal from all of the majors. On the bright side, the Fox 4 issue has seemed much better this week. I know the correlation with red sounds insane but if you look back in this thread far enough, you will see much discussion about it.

Has anyone been noticing dropouts from Fox 4 digital lately? I remember a year or more back it was big problem. It was noted by many in this thread that it seemed to happen just before moments where the screen was saturated with red. Back when this was originally happening, it was occurring for OTA and digital cable both. Several sent messages to tech support at Fox 4 but AFAIK no one ever got a reply back. The issue seemed to just stop one day.

Starting a week or 2 ago, this issue seems to be back. I noticed it a lot during the Super Bowl half time show. I have a friend who gets his HD locals from DirecTV and he was seeing that same issues during the Super Bowl.

I expected to see others talking about it here but did not. Perhaps I'm crazy and it's not a widespead issue.

There was a big dropout problem on Fox during the superbowl, and on both House and the local news that evening. It was still there early last week but seemed to improve since then. The problems were visible on OTA, and because DirecTV uses the same signal, were there on DirecTV also.
By the way, the same problem was reported in several other cities, both OTA and with DirecTV.

I will taking the DTV plunge this spring and want to get your advice.
I live near Quinlan, east of Dallas and 50 miles from Cedar Hill.

AntennaWeb.org tells me I need a violet UHF/VHF antenna with pre-amp pointed
between 242-246 degrees to get most stations. Is there a model you would recommend? I'd rather use a UHF model but if need the combo to get reliable reception I will go with that.

I am currently using amplified rabbit ears to get analog TV. I once had all
stations with perfect picture but 3 days later (without any changes to the ant) I was back to some stations not coming in and most of the others fuzzy. I assume that is due to the wimpy antenna so far out. Will violet-preamp antenna give me a reliable picture or is that impossible to predict? My view towards the southwest is clear of nearby obstacles.

Also, how should I mount the antenna so it will not be affected by wind? Is more height an advantage?

Thanks

Hi kermit57, w/ U getting good sig w/ rabbit-ears I think U'll get a gr8 sig w/ any decent uhf/vhf outside ant even without an amp. Maybe even in the attic.

I've noticed a lot of pixelation from both OTA and DirecTV on Fox 4 lately.

Guess I haven't been watching enough Fox lately....

I will taking the DTV plunge this spring and want to get your advice.
I live near Quinlan, east of Dallas and 50 miles from Cedar Hill.

AntennaWeb.org tells me I need a violet UHF/VHF antenna with pre-amp pointed
between 242-246 degrees to get most stations. Is there a model you would recommend? I'd rather use a UHF model but if need the combo to get reliable reception I will go with that.

I am currently using amplified rabbit ears to get analog TV. I once had all
stations with perfect picture but 3 days later (without any changes to the ant) I was back to some stations not coming in and most of the others fuzzy. I assume that is due to the wimpy antenna so far out. Will violet-preamp antenna give me a reliable picture or is that impossible to predict? My view towards the southwest is clear of nearby obstacles.

Also, how should I mount the antenna so it will not be affected by wind? Is more height an advantage?

Thanks


All the digital stations are UHF except for WFAA 8-1. But channel 11 and 52 are moving back to VHF in 2009. You really have two choices. Use a CM4228 which is a UHF antenna (and should get all the UHF stations OK) with decent VHF reception, and see if you will be lucky enough to get 8-1. You should use a CM7777 preamp also. I'm 42 miles from Cedar Hill and get 8-1 OK using the CM4228/CM777, but you may just be too far away. The CM4228 is the ONLY UHF antenna with a chance of getting VHF-hi at your distance. If the CM42228 does not work for VHF, you will need to add a VHF-hi only antenna like the Winegard 1713, and couple the two antennas through the separate UHF and VHF inputs on the preamp.
Your second choice is to use a combination antenna, but since there are no and will be no VHF-lo digital stations in DFW you should probably use one of the new Winegard antennas (the HD 769 series) specially designed for VHF-hi/UHF. They are much narrower than the old combo antennas. Something like an HD 7696p would probably be OK for you.

thanks, be6 & texasbrit

anyone else lose discoveryhd 106.3 this week on TW QAM?

lost it in Arlington

lost it in Mckinney too. I really hate doing a rescan, but is it possible that some changes are to blame? I really enjoyed 106-3 in the AM...nice landscapes to eat breakfast to.

I think TWC has just encrypted HD Theater. I still receive it on my cablecard Tivos, which say it's still at 687mhz.

I get nothing but a black screen on my qam TV tuner.

I'm in Richardson, 75082.

TTYL
David

Has anyone else noticed that most of the local stations are lacking program information? I watch OTA and almost every show used to have atleast the name and duration if not a short description. Now most show "no program information available" and also no duration. Would emailing the local stations help? Or is this some other kind of guide problem?

I think TWC has just encrypted HD Theater. I still receive it on my cablecard Tivos, which say it's still at 687mhz.

I get nothing but a black screen on my qam TV tuner.

I'm in Richardson, 75082.

TTYL
David

That would explain it.

Man TW sucks.

Has anyone else noticed that most of the local stations are lacking program information? I watch OTA and almost every show used to have atleast the name and duration if not a short description. Now most show "no program information available" and also no duration. Would emailing the local stations help? Or is this some other kind of guide problem?

All listings seem OK for me. I looked at 11hr intervals and don't see missing guide info until next Monday morning, which is to be expected.

If I'm not mistaken, analog 13 is the channel that carries the TVGOS (GEMSTAR) info, so double check that you're getting decent reception of it.

anyone else lose discoveryhd 106.3 this week on TW QAM?

Sure did. I was extremely disappointed since it was the last QAM channel (that I care about) that I got outside the locals. They've dropped everything I was so excited about when I first got my TV in May 07. I sure miss TNT.

Off-topic, but..
Does anyone else have a inner-lease cable agreement with their apartment complex? I pay $40 a month for cable, but I pay with my rent. They say they can't let me out of it.
I'm hoping I can work something out with TWC to get a stb and have some decent programming again.

Has anyone else noticed that most of the local stations are lacking program information? I watch OTA and almost every show used to have atleast the name and duration if not a short description. Now most show "no program information available" and also no duration. Would emailing the local stations help? Or is this some other kind of guide problem?

A quick check shows KDFW and KTVT are not displaying EPG. Many of us that are tied to a satellite dish and receive OTA via our antena get the guide from the bird. I will let them know.
JStigler

anyone else lose discoveryhd 106.3 this week on TW QAM?I lost it too in Dallas 75225. I was VERY sad to see it go.

Also, is anyone else picking up HDnet with no audio?

I lost it too in Dallas 75225. I was VERY sad to see it go.

Also, is anyone else picking up HDnet with no audio?
HDNET is part of the HD Tier, an extra cost option. You need a cablecard or DVR to receive it properly AND you must be subscribed to the HD Tier. Otherwise you get the behavior you experienced. For most of us the channels on the HD Tier aren't worth the $4-5 per month.

Bernie

Anyone heard about new HD channels coming to TWC North Texas? I saw a post about that on the Time Warner HD thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=652328&page=117)...anyone have info to verify that?

:)Anyone heard about new HD channels coming to TWC North Texas? I saw a post about that on the Time Warner HD thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=652328&page=117)...anyone have info to verify that?

I have been told by a sales represenative this info and there will be mailings at the end of the month or begining of next month

effective 3/27
they will add:
National geographic hd
cnn hd
tbs hd
a&e hd
history channel hd
golf/versus hd
fsn sw hd
food network hd
hgtv hd

heres proof of room to add them at 3 per qam, each on channels:
15 129mhz
94 645mhz
116 747mhz

52 sig is strong again. It was at the hi end of bad & lo end of normal. Now it's way up in the 'Good' range.

:)

I have been told by a sales represenative this info and there will be mailings at the end of the month or begining of next month

effective 3/27
they will add:
National geographic hd
cnn hd
tbs hd
a&e hd
history channel hd
golf/versus hd
fsn sw hd
food network hd
hgtv hd

heres proof of room to add them at 3 per qam, each on channels:
15 129mhz
94 645mhz
116 747mhzWill these channels be able to be picked up with just qam or will they require a cable card?

Does anyone know where I can pick this mast up in the Ft. Worth area? :eek: I've tried Rat Shack, Lowes, various hardware stores including Ace and True Value affiliated. Seems all you can find are 5' and 10' sections. I prefer not to order this online as it would be a severe PITA to have it delivered.

:)

I have been told by a sales represenative this info and there will be mailings at the end of the month or begining of next month

effective 3/27
they will add:
National geographic hd
cnn hd
tbs hd
a&e hd
history channel hd
golf/versus hd
fsn sw hd
food network hd
hgtv hd



I got an email tonight from TWC saying that all of these channels have been added; however, they have not shown up yet, and a call to Time Warner resulted in a puzzled response over the phone. The phone rep said he hadn't heard of this, but he would look into it. I guess we can keep our fingers crossed!

just got my samsung lnt4661 hooked up and let it find all the channels. I currently have charter communications with no cable box. I just have the coax cable from the wall running into the tv. Here are the DTV channels I am getting

NBC (5) HD WEATHER 90-2
NBC (5) HD 91-1
FOX (4) HD 91-3
CBS (11) HD 94-1
KTXA (21) HD 129-2
PBS (13) HD 129-1
CW (9) HD 111-1

I also get all kinds of music channels starting with 129 if memory serves me. I do not have an external antenna hooked up to the set.
These channels come in anywhere from 480i up to 1080i

I got an email tonight from TWC saying that all of these channels have been added; however, they have not shown up yet, and a call to Time Warner resulted in a puzzled response over the phone. The phone rep said he hadn't heard of this, but he would look into it. I guess we can keep our fingers crossed!

I haven't received an e-mail like that. We did receive the TWC magazine for March in the mail today and it makes no mention of any additional HD channels for our area. So far the only thing I've seen about additional channels has been what's been posted here and the same info posted on the TWC thread. But I do hope it is correct.

If you cannot view this message, please click here.
To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders) please add timewarnercable@dallas-mail.timewarnercable.com to your address book.

Update




In This Issue
More HD Channels Added!
Goodbye Missed Shows. Hello DVR!
Digital TV Dilemma? Don't Despair...
Safe. Simple. Smart.
Make the Right Call With Digital Phone
UFC 82: The Pride of a Champion
Tracey Ullman's State of the Union
In Treatment

Coming Soon
Get lucky this month with Movies On Demand!


Nancy Drew

3/11 Rated PG
Same Day as DVD
August Rush

3/11, Rated PG
Same Day as DVD
Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?

3/12, Rated PG-13
The Game Plan

3/23, Rated PG
We Own the Night

3/28, Rated R
Nancy Drew © 2007 A Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Quick Links
PayXpress
Moving?
Parental Controls
Digital Cable
High Speed Online
Digital Phone
Customer Service


More HD Channels Added!
See your favorite channels like never before. Time Warner Digital Cable in HD brings you the best in picture and sound, and now we're offering you more HD choices. Our additions include Versus/Golf HD, A&E HD, Food Network HD, Animal Planet HD, Discovery HD, HGTV HD, National Geographic HD, History Channel HD, TBS HD, Fox Sports SW HD, and CNN HD — check them out. To learn how to upgrade to your new-and-improved HD selection, click here.

Goodbye Missed Shows. Hello DVR!
With a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from Time Warner Cable, it’s easy to record your favorite shows without confusing timers and menus – or record an entire season without repeats! Plus, you can stop, rewind, and pause any recorded program or live TV and even make your own instant replays with just the touch of a button. Best of all, you can get DVR for standard or High-Definition programming. Click here to find out more about DVR from Time Warner Cable.
Digital TV Dilemma? Don't Despair...
As you may already know, all U.S. TV broadcasters must switch to a digital transmission on February 17, 2009. But as long as your TVs are connected to Time Warner Cable, you don't have to worry. Only TVs with antennas or "rabbit ears" will be affected, so if you've got a set that isn't connected, now is a perfect time. Visit our website or log on to dtvtransition.org for more details.
Safe. Simple. Smart.
While bill paying is never fun, PayXpress makes it easy and worry-free. With PayXpress, you can check your account balance, view your monthly statement, make a one-time payment, or set up an electronic funds transfer, so your bill is paid automatically each month. Why should paying bills take all day? With PayXpress, you'll have more time to do the things you want.
Make the Right Call With Digital Phone
Get unlimited calling to the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico along with all the convenient calling features you'd expect from your phone – including Call Waiting, Caller ID and Call Forwarding and simplify your life with Time Warner Cable Digital Phone. Call across town or across the world with calling plans to suit your needs, all starting as low as $29.95 per month, and pay one bill, to one company each month. Time Warner Cable Digital Phone simply makes it easy to save.
UFC 82: The Pride of a Champion
Q: Who is the greatest middleweight fighter in the world?

A: Find out LIVE, Saturday, March 1, at 9 p.m. CT, on Time Warner Cable Pay-Per-View. Watch UFC great Anderson "The Spider" Silva take on PRIDE World Champion Dan Henderson in a match up that will solve the middleweight mystery once and for all.



Tracey Ullman's State of the Union
Tune in for a picture of daily life in America that only Tracey Ullman can paint. Her unique impersonations and perfect timing will have you in stitches as she gives a satirical spin to all her characters. No one is safe as Ullman portrays the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Dina Lohan and David Beckham. Don't miss Tracey Ullman's State of the Union, Sunday, March 30, at 9pm CT on Showtime.

In Treatment
One doctor. Five sessions. Five nights a week. Gabriel Byrne stars as Paul Weston in HBO's first-ever half-hour drama series, set within the intimate yet highly charged confines of individual psychotherapy sessions. This series chronicles, Weston's weekly appointments which culminates with his own therapy session every Friday. Starring: Melissa George, Blair Underwood, Mia Wasikowska, Josh Charles, Embeth Davidtz, Dianne Wiest and Michelle Forbes. You can watch all five weekly episodes before they air – just tune in to HBO On Demand each Monday.

Airs on HBO Monday – Friday at 8:30pm CT

Quick Poll
What do you like best about Digital Phone?
Unlimited Calling
Features (Caller ID, Call Waiting)
VoiceMail
Haven't tried it yet



Learn more about Digital Phone.
Comments?
We want to hear them! Tell us what you think about this newsletter, your Time Warner Cable service, or any changes you'd like to see. Just enter your comments below and click the send button.







All services may not be available in all areas. Subject to change without notice. Some restrictions apply.
©2008 Time Warner Cable, Inc. All Rights Reserved. TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. (s08)

If you cannot view this message, please click here.
To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders) please add timewarnercable@dallas-mail.timewarnercable.com to your address book.

Update

. . .


More HD Channels Added!
See your favorite channels like never before. Time Warner Digital Cable in HD brings you the best in picture and sound, and now we're offering you more HD choices. Our additions include Versus/Golf HD, A&E HD, Food Network HD, Animal Planet HD, Discovery HD, HGTV HD, National Geographic HD, History Channel HD, TBS HD, Fox Sports SW HD, and CNN HD — check them out. To learn how to upgrade to your new-and-improved HD selection, click here.


Whatever came after "click here" wasn't in your post. What did you see when you clicked on the link in the original note?

Bernie

Duplicate post.

TTYL
David

Here's the URL for the TWC communication:

dallas-mail.timewarnercable.com/Portal/content/dallas/ret/Newsletters/2008/March/
march08ENLDallas.aspx?u=xxx%40tx.rr.com&a=View&s=14090&b=10839

I have too few posts to be allowed to post the complete URL--just concatenate those two lines together (and remove the space before 39--I'm not sure why it keeps adding that).

Whoever is responsible for writing these emails at TWC should learn the difference between past, present and future tense. "More HD Channels Added" normally would mean that it has already happened, when in fact the addition is not scheduled to happen until March 27.

TTYL
David

Now I have enough posts to do this:

http://dallas-mail.timewarnercable.com/Portal/content/dallas/ret/Newsletters/2008/March/march08ENLDallas.aspx?u=xxx%40tx.rr.com&a=View&s=14090&b=10839

TTYL
David

Now I have enough posts to do this:

http://dallas-mail.timewarnercable.com/Portal/content/dallas/ret/Newsletters/2008/March/march08ENLDallas.aspx?u=xxx%40tx.rr.com&a=View&s=14090&b=10839

TTYL
David

Thanks! I hadn't seen that page, but it points to another page that I did easily find when I was trying to track this down. Of course none of those pages actually list channel information, let alone dates. And, as you've pointed out, you would think that the word added would mean it had already happened.

I think they just screwed up and pre-announced. There is a comment box at the bottom of the newsletter page and I sent this comment:
This newsletter says "More HD Channels ADDED as the first topic. But those channels aren't actually available (yet) and they aren't listed in the programming guide either. Can you clarify? Plus my e-mail address so that they have a way to reply.

Whatever came after "click here" wasn't in your post. What did you see when you clicked on the link in the original note?

Bernie

I wasn't necessarily trying to link to the "click here" address; I was simply posting the message I got so that everyone could see that they had sent me a message claiming an upgrade. I would like to know why everyone keeps throwing around March 27, because I have yet to see where this date is coming from.

That's the date being thrown around in at http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16660665~start=1040

Thanks. It looks like it will happen; I'll believe it, when I see it!

Thanks. It looks like it will happen; I'll believe it, when I see it!

No kidding. Past HD rollouts by Comcast/TWC have been either the "surprise, there's a new channel" variety or missed the announced date.

Does anyone know HOW they're implementing this. Where is the bandwidth coming from?

No kidding. Past HD rollouts by Comcast/TWC have been either the "surprise, there's a new channel" variety or missed the announced date.

Does anyone know HOW they're implementing this. Where is the bandwidth coming from?

It looks like we have three empty qam's below 750mhz:

ch 15 - 129mhz
ch 94 - 645mhz
ch 116 - 747mhz

Since TWC is squeezing in 3 HD channels per qam, that's enough room for 9 HD channels. I'd have to study the qam chart to see where the last 2 HDs would fit.

I'm with you on the poor notification...we wouldn't have to speculate on the dates if some effort was made to either keep their web page updated, or inform their CSRs about upcoming changes.

TTYL
David

David,

You seem pretty knowledgeable about this: How does the resolution of over-the-air channels compare to the HD channels on TWC?

Sorry, I can't get any OTA at my house, so I can't make a direct comparison.

TTYL
David

Does anyone know where I can pick this mast up in the Ft. Worth area? :eek: I've tried Rat Shack, Lowes, various hardware stores including Ace and True Value affiliated. Seems all you can find are 5' and 10' sections. I prefer not to order this online as it would be a severe PITA to have it delivered.
Junglerock, it's been a while since you posted your enquiry so you may not need the info anymore. But if you're still looking, Fry's Electronics on 635 in Irving had them in stock the last time I was in the store about 3 weeks ago. The Fry's on Northwest Hwy had one on display last week with an 8-bay antenna on it, but I didn't look to see if they had any in a rack. You might try one of those stores.

Is any one in the Denton Charter area able to receive ABC on QAM? ABC is the only clear channel my M780 doesn't pick up.

Junglerock, it's been a while since you posted your enquiry so you may not need the info anymore. But if you're still looking, Fry's Electronics on 635 in Irving had them in stock the last time I was in the store about 3 weeks ago. The Fry's on Northwest Hwy had one on display last week with an 8-bay antenna on it, but I didn't look to see if they had any in a rack. You might try one of those stores.

Thanks! I will have to check it out.

Is anybody else on Time Warner - Carrollton having problems with channels 369 WFAADT and 375 KTVTDT? I am not getting the full 16x9 format.
BTW, 363 KXAS DT is OK, full 16x9 format.

Must be the weather?


Ok once they went to network at 7:00PM the problem went away.

Does anyone have an email contact at WFAA. I would like to express my disappointment in their inability to keep the shows in HD while the run through the weather closings TWICE. NBC manages to do it why cant they? I half considered turning off lost and going to eat dinner. I can watch it in HD on the web tomorrow.

Does anyone have an email contact at WFAA.

Not exactly an email, but the link does get you to a form...

WFAA 8 (ABC)
606 Young St., Dallas, TX, 75202
Main phone number: 214-748-9631
Web form email link: http://www.wfaa.com/customerservice/HelpCenter.do

WFAA is ruining the broadcast of Lost too. Doesn't WFAA have an entire separate channel dedicated to weather?

TTYL
David

Zoom will get rid of the streaming.

there is a test channel at 861mhz

and snr has gone to 38.0+

there is a test channel at 861mhz

and snr has gone to 38.0+

I'm also getting TV Land at analog channel 135, which is right at 860mhz. Is that what you're seeing?

TTYL
David

I'm also getting TV Land at analog channel 135, which is right at 860mhz. Is that what you're seeing?

TTYL
David

no it is a black picture arlington is just now starting the upgrade.

Is any one in the Denton Charter area able to receive ABC on QAM? ABC is the only clear channel my M780 doesn't pick up.

Charter doesn't carry any Belo-owned station in HD, due to a contractual fight over retransmission fees. In the Dallas-Ft. Worth market, that's WFAA - and therefore ABC. All of the Charter service areas in DFW (Fort Worth, Denton, etc.) that have HD service are missing WFAA-HD.

Charter doesn't carry any Belo-owned station in HD, due to a contractual fight over retransmission fees. In the Dallas-Ft. Worth market, that's WFAA - and therefore ABC. All of the Charter service areas in DFW (Fort Worth, Denton, etc.) that have HD service are missing WFAA-HD.

A quick googleing pulled this up:

At midnight Jan. 4, media group Belo pulled its HD signal from Charter Communications cable in five markets around the country in a dispute over whether the cable operator must compensate the broadcaster for carrying its HD channel in each market.

"There’s a disagreement about the value of local high-definition programming and how its value should be shared," said Carey Hendrickson, Belo vice president of investor relations and corporate communications.

The affected stations, KMOV-TV in St. Louis, WFAA-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth, WWL-TV in New Orleans, WCNC-TV in Charlotte, NC, and WVEC-TV in Hampton/Norfolk, VA, are continuing to provide their SD signal to Charter for cable distribution, Hendrickson said.

"Those stations invested millions of dollars for local HD, and Charter charges its customers for HDTV service, but they don’t share it with us. They are willing to share with national networks, but not us. That’s the issue," Hendrickson said.

Belo and Charter are negotiating on the matter, but Hendrickson declined to comment on how productive those negotiations are, as well as about whether Belo would take similar action with cable operators in other markets where the broadcaster owns stations that transmit in HD.

While the action is noteworthy from an industry point of view, it affects relatively few customers. Hendrickson estimated that pulling the local HD channels affects about 40,000 Charter subscribers in St. Louis, 12,000 in Dallas/Fort Worth, 8000 in New Orleans, 5000 in Charlotte and fewer than 2000 in Hampton/Norfolk.

That explains it, thank you.

Just to make it clear: that was Jan. 4, 2007, not 2008. This has lasted well over a year now.

twc dallas is going sdv(switched digital video) on march 27 in these areas:
dallas
plano
richardson
mesquite
arlington (upgraded areas only)
*=sdv channels:mad::mad::mad:
:D:D:D
*discovery hd
*animal planet hd
*tbs hd
*cnn hd
*golf/versus hd
*national geographic hd
*a&e hd
*history hd
*fsn sw hd
*food network hd
*hgtv hd
:D:D:D

That sucks...there's no reason to deploy SDV here, it seems like there is plenty of bandwidth to transmit the new HD channels conventionally.

:(

I guess I'll be in the same boat as Tivo owners in other markets--waiting for the SDV tuning resolver.

TTYL
David

My wife discovered that we have a frew new channels (or at least new to us) up in Mckinney.
85-4 (looks to be a premium movie channel)
85-6 (not sure what this is, but howard stern in-demand is playing right now)
86-4 (another movie channel, but still not sure what it is)

Can anyone shed some light on these channels?

Can anyone shed some light on these channels?

A little research answered my question. Everyone else probably knows already about neighborhood nodes and the ability to intercept neighbors' on-demand stuff. Looks like that's what I'm seeing here.

How do you know if your area in Arlington is upgraded or not?

twc dallas is going sdv(switched digital video) on march 27 in these areas:
dallas
plano
richardson
mesquite
arlington (upgraded areas only)
*=sdv channels:mad::mad::mad:
:D:D:D
*discovery hd
*animal planet hd
*tbs hd
*cnn hd
*golf/versus hd
*national geographic hd
*a&e hd
*history hd
*fsn sw hd
*food network hd
*hgtv hd
:D:D:D

That's great, although they're sure keeping quiet about it. Received my latest online update from TWC on Saturday, with a subject line of "What's new in March...Only from Road Runner". Not a word nor hint of any upcoming upgrades.

That's great, although they're sure keeping quiet about it. Received my latest online update from TWC on Saturday, with a subject line of "What's new in March...Only from Road Runner". Not a word nor hint of any upcoming upgrades.

The Saturday communication was just for RoadRunner, so there was no information about the video service.

The HD channel announcement came out Feb 28:

http://dallas-mail.timewarnercable.com/Portal/content/dallas/ret/Newsletters/2008/March/march08ENLDallas.aspx?u=xxx%40tx.rr.com&a=View&s=14090&b=10839

Although we're just now learning that the new channels are SDV. Why was that a secret?

Their communication in general is pretty mediocre...even the North Texas section of the TWC website is broken. The quick links->lineup link just goes to a nonexistent page, and it has been that way for months.

I had to use google to find the North Texas lineup pdf.

TTYL
David

Is anyone else having major problems getting Dallas ABC Channel 8 on a MCE PC?

I have a Vista MCE PC and it disappeared about 2 weeks ago with "no signal". I'm using a very large directional antenna (Channel Master Super-Vee (5646) HDTV / UHF / VHF / FM Antenna) in my attic (in Coppell), and the analog signals on 8 and 11 look good and clean. Weird thing is I have 2 TVs with digital tuners and they both get channel 8.1 fine using exactly the same connection.

I've replaced the TV tuner card in the PC which was an ATI HD Wonder with an Avermedia card and that doesn't work either.

I've also tried manually adding Channel 9 digital, but that also has "no signal".

I've tried repositioning the antenna and still no luck. The signal on channel 8.1 is zero - which is really weird.

Also done a complete rescan for channels.

Anyone have any suggestions? Has Channel 8 done something weird to their bitstream that causes PC tuner cards not to see the signal?

The Saturday communication was just for RoadRunner, so there was no information about the video service.

The HD channel announcement came out Feb 28:

http://dallas-mail.timewarnercable.com/Portal/content/dallas/ret/Newsletters/2008/March/march08ENLDallas.aspx?u=xxx%40tx.rr.com&a=View&s=14090&b=10839

Although we're just now learning that the new channels are SDV. Why was that a secret?

Their communication in general is pretty mediocre...even the North Texas section of the TWC website is broken. The quick links->lineup link just goes to a nonexistent page, and it has been that way for months.

I had to use google to find the North Texas lineup pdf.

TTYL
David
The link to the channel lineups, http://www.timewarnercable.com/dallas/programming/lineups.html works for me, just as it always has. Clcik on a link from that page brings up the Acrobat version of the lineup.

SDV is no surprise to people following this Forum or any newsgroup or fourm that discusses such things. For the overwhelming majority of subscribers it will be meaningless though. They don't care how it works or what it is called. They just want it to work. To anyone that is interested, we know that conversion to SDV is a critical part of TWC's technology plans across the country.

Now as to why they're being so secretive nd communicating so poorly about adding extra channels later this month, that is another story. I'm still hoping it turns out to be true.

The link to the channel lineups, http://www.timewarnercable.com/dallas/programming/lineups.html works for me, just as it always has. Clcik on a link from that page brings up the Acrobat version of the lineup.

Yes, that's the link that google found for me. I was complaining that if you navigate through their website, it fails, and has failed for months:

Go to:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/Dallas/

Click on "quick links" then select "Channel Lineups." Here's what you get:

We are sorry, but your request cannot be completed. The page you requested cannot be found.

I was just using this as an example of their poor communication. Obviously, no one keeps the website updated, and the website is the most logical place to disseminate information.

TTYL
David

Digital channel 8-1 was completely gone for me last night and is still gone now on my Vista Media Center PC. Like you, signal strength shows as zero. I suspect that a recent Guide update has set an incorrect frequency for this channel.

I'm going to try posting on thegreenbutton.com guide update forum and see what I can learn.

-- Pete

Digital channel 8-1 was completely gone for me last night and is still gone now on my Vista Media Center PC. Like you, signal strength shows as zero. I suspect that a recent Guide update has set an incorrect frequency for this channel.

I'm going to try posting on thegreenbutton.com guide update forum and see what I can learn.


The Green Button has a thread that describes this problem and provides a workaround. See http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/250446.aspx.

-- Pete

See the following to most likely fix your issue:
http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/250446.aspx
JStigler

See the following to most likely fix your issue:
http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/250446.aspx
JStigler
I can confirm this "fix" does seem to work. Magically I can now get channel 8 again.

Over 3 days wasted on this. Purchased new TV tuner card, new TV signal amplifier, dismounted antenna from attic, tried manually editing channels - all with no luck. Worst of all 2 episodes of "Lost" are lost. I should have known it would be a Microsoft related issue!

The link to the channel lineups, http://www.timewarnercable.com/dallas/programming/lineups.html works for me, just as it always has. Clcik on a link from that page brings up the Acrobat version of the lineup.

SDV is no surprise to people following this Forum or any newsgroup or fourm that discusses such things. For the overwhelming majority of subscribers it will be meaningless though. They don't care how it works or what it is called. They just want it to work. To anyone that is interested, we know that conversion to SDV is a critical part of TWC's technology plans across the country.

Now as to why they're being so secretive nd communicating so poorly about adding extra channels later this month, that is another story. I'm still hoping it turns out to be true.
I spoke with a TWC sales rep today. He confirmed the additional channels as mentioned above, and that they would be SDV.

Well, with SDV looming, I'm glad I kept my Moto box after getting a TiVo S3. At least I can use it for watching/recording those channels until TiVo gets their workaround released...

Randy

Yes, that's the link that google found for me. I was complaining that if you navigate through their website, it fails, and has failed for months:

Go to:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/Dallas/

Click on "quick links" then select "Channel Lineups." Here's what you get:

We are sorry, but your request cannot be completed. The page you requested cannot be found.

I was just using this as an example of their poor communication. Obviously, no one keeps the website updated, and the website is the most logical place to disseminate information.

TTYL
David
Interesting. That is the link that I've used. But I've never used, nor even noticed, the "Quick Links" button. I've always gone to Programming > Channel Lineups and that does work.

Well, with SDV looming, I'm glad I kept my Moto box after getting a TiVo S3. At least I can use it for watching/recording those channels until TiVo gets their workaround released...

Randy

Unfortunately if your in Frisco as I am the rumor is that we will not get these new HD channels or SDV until late in the Fall.

Unfortunately if your in Frisco as I am the rumor is that we will not get these new HD channels or SDV until late in the Fall.

I knew we didn't show to be on the initial rollout, but wasn't sure of the timeframe...thanks. That does kinda suck, but there are only a couple of channels on there that I really, really want. I appreciate the info!

Randy

I have a Sony KDS60A3000 with an antenna hooked up. I get all the HD channels fine except for the fact I have to tune to channel 9.1 for ABC, 8.1 does not come in. Does anyone know why this is?

I have a Sony KDS60A3000 with an antenna hooked up. I get all the HD channels fine except for the fact I have to tune to channel 9.1 for ABC, 8.1 does not come in. Does anyone know why this is?

9.1 is the correct RF channel number for WFAA. Just like 41 is the correct RF channel for KXAS, 35 is KDFW, and so on...

This might be helpful to you: http://www.nab.org/AM/ASPCode/DTVStations/DTVStations.asp

9.1 is the correct RF channel number for WFAA. Just like 41 is the correct RF channel for KXAS, 35 is KDFW, and so on...
I'm not sure that is technically correct. In the DFW market, RF channel 9 should be mapped to 8.1. I don't know what 9.1 is. If the WFAA digital channel (RF channel 9) has been scanned and setup correctly in the digital TV tunner, it should display as 8.1 AFAIK.

The new HD channels are showing up in Richardson tonight, and my Tivo can see them, which is surprising. Are these not going to be SDV after all?

There is no video on the 3 channels at 819-Mhz right now, and the other channels are heavily pixelated, but they've only been on for about an hour so I'm sure all the bugs haven't been worked out yet.

Here's what Tivo thinks the channel map looks like:

Channel 126 807-Mhz
ENC History HD 745
ENC Golf/VS Hd 786
ENC

Channel 127 813-Mhz
ENC Food HD 752
ENC HGTV HD 753
ENC FSS HD 787

Channel 128 819-Mhz
ENC TBS HD 744
ENC CNN HD 740
ENC AETV HD 754

Channel 129 825-Mhz
ENC Discovery HD 756
ENC NGC HD 771
ENC Animal Planet HD 757

TTYL
David

The new HD channels are showing up in Richardson tonight, and my Tivo can see them, which is surprising. Are these not going to be SDV after all?

There is no video on the 3 channels at 819-Mhz right now, and the other channels are heavily pixelated, but they've only been on for about an hour so I'm sure all the bugs haven't been worked out yet.

David

Thanks for the heads-up, David.

I did a scan and in Plano last night to see if maybe the new channels showed up early (no luck). However, I MOJO and HDNet showed up with picture but no sound. The channels weren't showing up in the guide yet either on the STB on my other TV.

Forgive my ignorance, but if the new channels are truly SDV does that mean they are not clear QAM (meaning you have to have a STB to tune them)?

Thanks for the heads-up, David.

I did a scan and in Plano last night to see if maybe the new channels showed up early (no luck). However, I MOJO and HDNet showed up with picture but no sound. The channels weren't showing up in the guide yet either on the STB on my other TV.

Forgive my ignorance, but if the new channels are truly SDV does that mean they are not clear QAM (meaning you have to have a STB to tune them)?
MOJO and HDNET are in the optional HD-Tier. Optional means there is an additional fee for those channels.

I was thinking that the areas that are getting the new channels now have the needed capacity and that the other markets (like Frisco) were going to be deployed with SDV....but I could definitely be wrong.

And I believe you will need a box to get channels that are SDV, at least until CCs that provide for upstream communication are out there...one-way CCs can't make the request to send the channel from the node to your device. I'm not sure exactly how those shared QAMs will work with regard to the CCs...I'd think you'd get something on the channel, but wouldn't be able to control what's being sent...but I don't know....

Randy

Does anybody in SW Ft Worh have any comments? Had it with Charter. Direct or Dish? Of course most likely will switch Internet providers also. Any suggestions? Feel free to PM if desired - thanks!

Does anybody in SW Ft Worh have any comments? Had it with Charter. Direct or Dish? Of course most likely will switch Internet providers also. Any suggestions? Feel free to PM if desired - thanks!

I have just upgraded to the latest Direct TV equipment. HR20-700 (2 units) and the new 5LNB antenna. The RX and ANT upgrade were free. I have been a longtime Direct TV user. No complaints. Since I have no cable my High Speed data is at&t DSL. I am sure there are some deals out there to combine all services into one for a better price but in my case if it aint broke don't mess with it.

Remember if you can get OTA for the local HD's then it is FREE.
JohnnyS

Along with the addition of several HD stations, TWC now offers phone service at my location. Bundled with TV and internet it would save money over my current phone service and also add some features that we don't currently have. I'm hesitant, though, until I hear some success stories. Anyone have TWC phone service yet?

I live in Garland, about 500 feet from Richardson. I am not getting any of the new channels. It sucks knowing that the people half a block over have them and are paying the same as me. I also happen to live in the one block not wired for Fios around here. I need to move...

Along with the addition of several HD stations, TWC now offers phone service at my location. Bundled with TV and internet it would save money over my current phone service and also add some features that we don't currently have. I'm hesitant, though, until I hear some success stories. Anyone have TWC phone service yet?

We tried to add phone service this morning and we were told it would be $50 a month, plus we would lose our tv/internet bundle promo discount. We told TWC to F*ck off with that "deal".

in lewisville and tivo can see the new hd channels that were deployed but my tivo doesnt display pic or sound, says channel not available...is this because of this sdv thing?

http://i26.tinypic.com/30vkc54.jpg
http://i27.tinypic.com/21l8lr9.jpg
http://i31.tinypic.com/2wr2bv8.jpg

How long after these are put up, can one expect to be able to order U-Verse?

in lewisville and tivo can see the new hd channels that were deployed but my tivo doesnt display pic or sound, says channel not available...is this because of this sdv thing?

Not yet most likely. I think Tivo jumped the gun and rolled out the new channel info to the entire DFW area before the stuff is up. However, I heard they were on and off in a few cities.

There's real bad communication going on. Nobody's sure if it'll be SDV in some areas and not others. Hopefully in a few weeks it'll pan out.

Not yet most likely. I think Tivo jumped the gun and rolled out the new channel info to the entire DFW area before the stuff is up. However, I heard they were on and off in a few cities.

There's real bad communication going on. Nobody's sure if it'll be SDV in some areas and not others. Hopefully in a few weeks it'll pan out.

I just did a channel search here in frisco and found Discovery HD (not HD theatre) on channel 129.3 perfect picture... perfect sound. Not sure if anyone else is seeing this but hopefully a sign of something good to come.

I just did a channel search here in frisco and found Discovery HD (not HD theatre) on channel 129.3 perfect picture... perfect sound. Not sure if anyone else is seeing this but hopefully a sign of something good to come.

That sounds like good news for your area--TWC must be testing the new frequencies?

Discovery HD is 129-1 in my area, and it's the only one of the new HD's that is a clear qam broadcast. All the others are encrypted.

edit: TWC must be reading this--129-1 is now encrypted as of Monday morning.

TTYL
David

That sounds like good news for your area--TWC must be testing the new frequencies?

Discovery HD is 129-1 in my area, and it's the only one of the new HD's that is a clear qam broadcast. All the others are encrypted.

edit: TWC must be reading this--129-1 is now encrypted as of Monday morning.

TTYL
David

Gone from Frisco too... :(

I will be moving to Dallas from Houston in May. Does TWC have MLB Extra Innings? I'd like to still watch my Astros when they play. Also, what HD DVR is TWC using?

I will be moving to Dallas from Houston in May. Does TWC have MLB Extra Innings? I'd like to still watch my Astros when they play. Also, what HD DVR is TWC using?

TWC is using Moto DVR boxes...I have the DCT 6412, but I know they have the 6416 in service here. They might have some of the 34XX series (all digital), but I'm not sure...I'm sure someone else can chime in if that is the case.

As a fellow Astros fan, I can tell you that you might be in for some frustration living in DFW. MLB, in their infinite wisdom (major sarcasm), has deemed the DFW area as a home market for the Astros. This screws us over pretty good. For example, last night the opener was scheduled on ESPN2 nationally, and I guess it was on a local station in Houston. It was blacked out in our market since a local Houston station had the game. Be warned that unless something has changed, this would also be the case for MLB Extra Innings and even for watching via the web! FSN Southwest does carry a fair number of Houston games in this market, but if the Rangers are being carried by them on the same day and there is any overlap, you won't get the 'Stros game on FSN via TWC.

If it is an viable for you, one of the satellite services might be a better option. I think both of them offer a Regional Sports Network alternate channel, and between that and the regular FSN channel they would carry both the Dallas and Houston feeds. I haven't made the move myself for a couple of reasons, so far, but I will probably do so someday...

I hope that helps some...even though it isn't necessarily good news...

Randy

TWC is using Moto DVR boxes...I have the DCT 6412, but I know they have the 6416 in service here. They might have some of the 34XX series (all digital), but I'm not sure...I'm sure someone else can chime in if that is the case.

As a fellow Astros fan, I can tell you that you might be in for some frustration living in DFW. MLB, in their infinite wisdom (major sarcasm), has deemed the DFW area as a home market for the Astros. This screws us over pretty good. For example, last night the opener was scheduled on ESPN2 nationally, and I guess it was on a local station in Houston. It was blacked out in our market since a local Houston station had the game. Be warned that unless something has changed, this would also be the case for MLB Extra Innings and even for watching via the web! FSN Southwest does carry a fair number of Houston games in this market, but if the Rangers are being carried by them on the same day and there is any overlap, you won't get the 'Stros game on FSN via TWC.

If it is an viable for you, one of the satellite services might be a better option. I think both of them offer a Regional Sports Network alternate channel, and between that and the regular FSN channel they would carry both the Dallas and Houston feeds. I haven't made the move myself for a couple of reasons, so far, but I will probably do so someday...

I hope that helps some...even though it isn't necessarily good news...

Randy

Thanks for the information. Your response is exactly what I was expecting. Last night was very frustrating. I think the game would have been aired on FSN if the Mavricks weren't playing. Can you tell I'm bitter. :) I'm going to have one hell of a time adjusting to Dallas life. I simply love the Comcast HD lineup in Houston and the SA 8300HD DVR is top notch. My in-laws are in Garland and have Verizon FIOS. I like the high speed internet but hate the DVR and channel lineup.

Thanks for the information. Your response is exactly what I was expecting. Last night was very frustrating. I think the game would have been aired on FSN if the Mavricks weren't playing. Can you tell I'm bitter. :) I'm going to have one hell of a time adjusting to Dallas life. I simply love the Comcast HD lineup in Houston and the SA 8300HD DVR is top notch. My in-laws are in Garland and have Verizon FIOS. I like the high speed internet but hate the DVR and channel lineup.

I would kill for FIOS...and yes, I miss Comcast. Having lived through the hell that was AT&T cable, Comcast was total greatness. I actually like the Motorola DVR...it has been pretty much rock solid for me. I have a TiVo S3, but still hold on to the Moto box for the rare occasions when I want to record more than two things at once, and as a backup. Getting a feed from an OTA antenna to my TiVo would not be fun to do in my townhouse, so that is why I am still kind of stuck with TWC. I'd like to use the TiVo for OTA HD and a satellite service with their DVR. Maybe before too long I can make that happen...

Good luck!
Randy

I would kill for FIOS...and yes, I miss Comcast. Having lived through the hell that was AT&T cable, Comcast was total greatness. I actually like the Motorola DVR...it has been pretty much rock solid for me. I have a TiVo S3, but still hold on to the Moto box for the rare occasions when I want to record more than two things at once, and as a backup. Getting a feed from an OTA antenna to my TiVo would not be fun to do in my townhouse, so that is why I am still kind of stuck with TWC. I'd like to use the TiVo for OTA HD and a satellite service with their DVR. Maybe before too long I can make that happen...

Good luck!
Randy

Why do you want FIOS?

:D:D:D:D title says it all:D:D:D:D

Hey guys I am located up north in 76233. I have just put up an antenna about 25 foot up. It is the that 190 from radio shack. I am getting all the digital channels from dallas except WFAA DT. I can get the analog feed bu. t very snowy. Anybody got any ideas on how to get that WFAA DT feed?

Hey guys I am located up north in 76233. I have just put up an antenna about 25 foot up. It is the that 190 from radio shack. I am getting all the digital channels from dallas except WFAA DT. I can get the analog feed bu. t very snowy. Anybody got any ideas on how to get that WFAA DT feed?

Make sure you have a UHF/VHF antenna. WFAA-DT (ch. 8) is the only station broadcasting on VHF (ch. 9). Everyone else is on UHF. That will change when analog gets shut off, however. Some stations will be going back to their original channels.

Hey guys I am located up north in 76233. I have just put up an antenna about 25 foot up. It is the that 190 from radio shack. I am getting all the digital channels from dallas except WFAA DT. I can get the analog feed bu. t very snowy. Anybody got any ideas on how to get that WFAA DT feed?

As has been posted, WFAA is currently the only DFW station on VHF, although channel 11 will also be moving back to VHF after analog goes away in 2009.
The VU190 is a VHF/UHF antenna but at 65 miles it simply may not be enough of an antenna to get WFAA-DT if you are in a poor reception area. There are a couple of things you can do. First, get a decent preamp. The CM7777
is probably the best one for your situation. This will overcome any signal losses you are getting in the cabling etc , and may be just enough to get you decent WFAA reception. If that's not enough, you will need to improve your antenna. The best choice would probably be one of the new Winegard range, that are designed just for VHF-hi and UHF, so are ideal for situations like DFW where there will be no VHF-lo digital stations. The HD7697P is the most powerful of the antennas, and if it were me I would probably go for that. A smaller antenna might work but given your situation why take the chance.. http://www.solidsignal.tv/prod_display.asp?PROD=HD7697P

I have just upgraded to the latest Direct TV equipment. HR20-700 (2 units) and the new 5LNB antenna. The RX and ANT upgrade were free. I have been a longtime Direct TV user. No complaints. Since I have no cable my High Speed data is at&t DSL. I am sure there are some deals out there to combine all services into one for a better price but in my case if it aint broke don't mess with it.

Remember if you can get OTA for the local HD's then it is FREE.
JohnnyS

Do you mind providing more details of the deal you got with Directv? I'm a long standing customer (10+ years) with 4 UltimateTVs + 3LNB dish. Thinking about upgrading to Directv HD.

I've read some people were able to haggle for a single free HR20 and some discounts on programming for 6 or 12 months, but not two receivers. Did you get both at the same time and for free? Also were you locked into a 2 year agreement?

Thank you for the help guys, I have the CM 7777 supposed to be here tommorow from solid signal. I also noticed the WFAA DT is low power right now also until next feb. Hopefully the preamp and maybe a little more height will do the trick. If not I will go for the winegard. Thanks again for the help.