Well I did try using a couple of indoor antennas but got 0 signal (maybe I'm not setting it up right w/ the hd10-250). So I'm thinking I need an outdoor antenna. When I got on AntennaWeb it suggested a large directional antenna. Any suggestions? Also I have a dish and I saw one of those "clip on" antennas from radio shack. Does that actually work?

If you got absolutely zero on every single digital channel on a scan, then you probably did something wrong. As far as the effectiveness of one antenna over the other, even a paper clip will work in the right situation. It is all about gain, or the ability of the antenna to extract radio energy from the air and convey it to the receiver. If you have room to install an attic or outdoor antenna from Radio Shack, like this 80" boom antenna, http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103085&cp=&kw=antenna&parentPage=search, then do it. Too much gain is almost always not bad. If you prefer something smaller and want to try to get away with the smallest possible antenna then you have to use the trial and error method.

hi all - I'm very new to HD - got my D* upgrade installed today. I've been lurking here for a while and have read about issues with channel 8 (9) OTA, so wanted to post this that might be helpful to others.

I built a homemade folded dipole for channel 9 freq - I used 00 copper wire and a 300-75 ohm balun - have it tacked up to the front of my fireplace mantle facing just north of east - I am 28 miles from Cedar Hill out west of Burleson - antennaweb says to point my antenna to 76 degrees.

Anyway - with just this simple dipole and little to no height (maybe 5' above the floor) I am getting Channel 8-1 with Dolby Digital without drop outs.

I am working on routing this outside to mount on my chimney to see if I can get a stronger signal - but right now I'm getting a 44-46 signal strength on this H20 receiver.

Would be happy to post pics and/or plans if anyone is interested.

with Best Regards,
Mike

I am working on routing this outside to mount on my chimney to see if I can get a stronger signal - but right now I'm getting a 44-46 signal strength on this H20 receiver.


Just finished routing this outside - signal strength nearly doubled to 84-86%

with Best Regards,
Mike

Hi Shaggy,

I`m in Southridge and was one of the first homes to get their yard dug up with the upgrades needed. The only way I got the FiOS connected to my house (4 months later!) was by calling and asking, because they still aren`t advertising it here yet. Now, I just want my FiOS TV - good line for a song?
Sounds like they will be doing the rest of Denton in time. I was on dial-up before, so I can`t compare it to any other broadband service but it seems stable and fast. I got the 5mg d/l btw but you can get 30mg if you can afford it.

kzvxrpl,

5 MG is more than fast enough for me. :) Well I hope you get fiostv soon. I just want some kind of HD-DVR service without an antenna pronto. Whether FIOS or D*.

kzvxrpl,

5 MG is more than fast enough for me. :) Well I hope you get fiostv soon. I just want some kind of HD-DVR service without an antenna pronto. Whether FIOS or D*.

I have the Verizon FIOS Internet service and chose the 5Mb speed option for $34.95, thinking that should be plenty. After further investigation, it is NOT 5Mb/s. It is only 5Mb if you use the 'special' Verizon speed test site to test it, http://infospeed.verizon.net/fttp/speedtest9000k.asp. If you use an independent speed test site, like DSL Reports, http://www.dslreports.com/stest, it is actually only about 2.5 to 2.7 Mb/s. When I had a Comcast Cable modem the same test at the same site registered 4 to 4.5 Mb/s consistently.

Is there are special trick to receiving FOX 4 OTA Dig TV in Dallas? I'm new to digital TV but I'm receiving all of the other major networks in digital with no problem. According to antennaweb, I'm only 7.1 miles from the FOX transmitter and it appears to be at exactly the same location as the ABC ch 8 dig transmitter, which I receive fine. I'm using a standard directional VHF/UHF antenna mounted in my attic.

My dig tuner supports both analog & dig. I get standard FOX broadcasts on Ch 4 very clearly, but I can't get anything on 4.1. Any tips or advice is appreciated.

Is there are special trick to receiving FOX 4 OTA Dig TV in Dallas? I'm new to digital TV but I'm receiving all of the other major networks in digital with no problem. According to antennaweb, I'm only 7.1 miles from the FOX transmitter and it appears to be at exactly the same location as the ABC ch 8 dig transmitter, which I receive fine. I'm using a standard directional VHF/UHF antenna mounted in my attic.

My dig tuner supports both analog & dig. I get standard FOX broadcasts on Ch 4 very clearly, but I can't get anything on 4.1. Any tips or advice is appreciated.

I am 28 miles from Cedar Hill and receive all the digital channels with the H20 receiver and an 80" boom antenna from Radio Shack installed in my second story attic. All the significant digital transmitters are virtually in the same location, within a mile or so, above Joe Pool Lake. 8-1 is broadcast on VHF channel 9 and 4-1 is broadcast on UHF channel 35. What receiver and antenna are you using? Do you receive the 27.1 broadcast on UHF channel 36?

I am 28 miles from Cedar Hill and receive all the digital channels with the H20 receiver and an 80" boom antenna from Radio Shack installed in my second story attic. All the significant digital transmitters are virtually in the same location, within a mile or so, above Joe Pool Lake. 8-1 is broadcast on VHF channel 9 and 4-1 is broadcast on UHF channel 35. What receiver and antenna are you using? Do you receive the 27.1 broadcast on UHF channel 36?

The receiver is built-in to a new Dell 42" plasma. I don't know the make an model of the antenna but it's an "old style" directional VHF/UHF purchased at HomeDepot 10 years ago. It's in good physical condition and I have new RG6 coax. The antenna is oriented toward Cedar Hill. I do receive 27.1 but it's a bit weak. There are detectible defects in the ch 27.1 image.

The receiver is built-in to a new Dell 42" plasma. I don't know the make an model of the antenna but it's an "old style" directional VHF/UHF purchased at HomeDepot 10 years ago. It's in good physical condition and I have new RG6 coax. The antenna is oriented toward Cedar Hill. I do receive 27.1 but it's a bit weak. There are detectible defects in the ch 27.1 image.

This might work...I've heard that it does in some cases. Disconnect your antenna from the TV, then scan for channels. After that scan completes, reconnect it and scan again. I am not totally sure why that sometimes works (it seems like is has something to do with PSIP), but it can't hurt to try....

-Randy

I will attempt the "call again and again" strategy with Verizon. One thing I am wondering is whether the move of my local phone service from Verizon to Vonage is affecting my eligibility. Doesn't really make sense since I still have the FiOS internet. You would think they would want to sell me whatever they can.

I am still wondering if anyone else in Flower Mound actually has this service or has attempted to be hooked up? Anyone?

I have a friend who works here in the DFW area at the FIOS customer service center so I asked him what the deal was with FIOS video and why some neighborhoods take so long to have video, even after Internet and phone service are launched over the same fiber. His response was (paraphrased)...

"The FIOS video rollout is moving rapidly, but not fast enough for most customers, as I know all too well. It’s a two fold problem, and it’s technical/financial. A special piece of equipment injects the video signal into the network and the feed for the video has to be ported to the serving CO. There is also training that has to be done for the install technicians. For Texas that training is nearly complete, but not quite. Right now the customer base hears about the rollout before the support department though, so it’s hard to tell what’s next.

"Video comes from two central locations in the US and is fed to each CO. Not
all of the COs with FIOS have the video stream feed from the Video Head Ends
yet. Once the video feed gets to the serving CO then that serving CO needs
an EDFA (very expensive and usually we have them on backorder from
Motorola)."

So what I gathered from these statements is that it is rolled out on a CO by CO basis and if the techs in that area have not been trained yet they still do not roll it out even if they have the equipment. No sense rolling something out you cannot install properly or support technically on a local level. As far as the pace of training is concerned, if you have ever been part of a large company with people everywhere that need training on the same thing you know how much of a logistical nightmare it can be.

This might work...I've heard that it does in some cases. Disconnect your antenna from the TV, then scan for channels. After that scan completes, reconnect it and scan again. I am not totally sure why that sometimes works (it seems like is has something to do with PSIP), but it can't hurt to try....

-Randy

Thanks for the tip. That did the trick. It seems that I was getting a weak sig from Fox when I did the initial setup and therefore the tunner blocked it out and wouldn't let me into it even if I manully dialed it in. After starting from a blank slate (scan with no antenna hooked up) I was able to get the weak sig problem fixed and rescan for channels. I'm getting everthing now. You saved me big time. No telling what the chumps at Radio Shack would have sold me to fix a problem I didn't really have.

Keith

I'm sure this sounds pretty noob but how exactly do you calculate Bitrate for streams. For example, on the 3rd post of this thread, HiDefDon lists the different OTA stations and what they are broadcasting at.

Take:

WFAA-DT (8) 9-1 ABC
1920x1080I, 16:9, 16.190 Mbps video, 29.97 frames/sec, 384 Kbps audio

1920 * 1080i * 29.97fps = 62208000 bit/ps (62 Mbps) Since an interlaced screen is half the size, then effectively 31 Mbps.

How does the 384 Kbps audio affect the total bitrate?

Where does 16.190 Mbps video come from?

What elementary calculation am I missing?

Thanks in advance for the help....

Cheezmo............

I'm sure this sounds pretty noob but how exactly do you calculate Bitrate for streams. For example, on the 3rd post of this thread, HiDefDon lists the different OTA stations and what they are broadcasting at.


How does the 384 Kbps audio affect the total bitrate?

Where does 16.190 Mbps video come from?

What elementary calculation am I missing?

Thanks in advance for the help....

Try going to Cheezmo's site for more details. He uses a hacked TIVO box, if I recall correctly, to calculate OTA and D* MPEG2 bitrates and programming allocations by transponder. He cannot yet calculate the MPEG4 stream, I think.

http://www.widemovies.com/dfwbitrate.html

Hey all,
Looked through many posts but can't find anything close to this. I live in the North Garland area, approx 33 miles to Cedar Hill antenna farm, no nearby obstructions. Recently purchased first HDTV and am planning my OTA strategy. Prefer to attic mount the antenna. Already have a directional Channel Master 3017 new in box. The only attic space accessible is above garage located on the front of the house. And as luck would have it, my house faces directly at Cedar Hill. The roofline on the front that faces CH is gabled with composite siding on the gable face.

Now the catch..the roof decking is the metal lined solar shield type. I've read plenty of posts that say this is not gonna work, but does it make a difference that the signal will be coming from(or through) the gabled end of the attic space?
This end doesn't have the lined decking, like I said, only plywood and siding.

I'm thinking if I mount the antenna as close to the gable wall as possible, I might have a chance.

Thanks for any comments

To the best of my knowledge, there is only one way to answer your question with any confidence.

P.S. Welcome to the group and let us know what happens.

Now the catch..the roof decking is the metal lined solar shield type. I've read plenty of posts that say this is not gonna work, but does it make a difference that the signal will be coming from(or through) the gabled end of the attic space?
This end doesn't have the lined decking, like I said, only plywood and siding.

I'm thinking if I mount the antenna as close to the gable wall as possible, I might have a chance.

Thanks for any comments

I agree with TomTx. My guess is that it might/should work. It depends however on a lot of factors since there is a lot of metal around your antenna. What it sounds like is that you have a waveguide shuttling the RF energy to your antenna. If the wavelengths are correct and there is not too much reflected energy within your attic you might be ok. But there is no way to tell for sure, IMO. However it is less than the ideal setup, I would think, but certainly worth a try.

FWIW, in my research into looking at Verizon FIOS TV service, I got the following email back from HDNet about their Mavericks broadcasts:

Yes, the Mavs broadcasts should be available to you in Dallas via
Verizon in Flower Mound.

Thanks for the email and please feel free to contact us in the future
with any other comments or questions.

Anyone with FIOS TV in Keller able to say that they have seen the Mavs HD games from HDNet? The next game is on Wednesday night (Jan 18th) against Houston. I'm curious if they carry it or not.

Also, does anyone know if Verizon carries the Fox Sport Southwest games that get done in HD? Looking at the schedule here (http://msn.foxsports.com/name/HD), looks like there have been a couple of recent games including Jan 7th (Mavs vs. T-wolves) and last night's game (Mavs vs. Bucks).

Thanks.
I'll give it a try. If I can at least get a few major channels I'll be somewhat pleased. This solution however doesn't fall into my longer term plans. Verizon is out in front of my house now pulling new fiber. And from what I understand the FIOS TV service is planned for Garland by the end of year. With that kind of bandwidth I'm assuming I'll be able to ditch OTA altogether without significant quality losses due to overcompression. FIOS does/will offer HD locals, right?

Thanks.
FIOS does/will offer HD locals, right?

Apparently, on channels 801 - 808. But I have not seen a post yet from someone who has them. I know that OTA HD PQ is terrific, as a general rule, if you can receive it. The D* MPEG4 local HDs are so close in OTA PQ that I cannot really tell them apart. What the Verizon FIOS PQ is on these HD locals is yet to be posted. Here is their channel lineup. Scroll to the second page for their HD locals.

http://www22.verizon.com/FiosForHome/Includes/FiOSTV/KellerLineup.pdf

:confused: All of that and no OLN? <sigh> Can't do without Stars hockey games...no no no...

KXII-DT2 (Digital 20.2 Sherman) has signed on as UPN Texoma. The station has a call sign slide up as of 1758 this evening, but is not transmitting any programming at this time. I will check again at 1900 when UPN programing begins.

Hey all,
Looked through many posts but can't find anything close to this. I live in the North Garland area, approx 33 miles to Cedar Hill antenna farm, no nearby obstructions. Recently purchased first HDTV and am planning my OTA strategy. Prefer to attic mount the antenna. Already have a directional Channel Master 3017 new in box. The only attic space accessible is above garage located on the front of the house. And as luck would have it, my house faces directly at Cedar Hill. The roofline on the front that faces CH is gabled with composite siding on the gable face.

Now the catch..the roof decking is the metal lined solar shield type. I've read plenty of posts that say this is not gonna work, but does it make a difference that the signal will be coming from(or through) the gabled end of the attic space?
This end doesn't have the lined decking, like I said, only plywood and siding.

I'm thinking if I mount the antenna as close to the gable wall as possible, I might have a chance.

Thanks for any comments

My guess is that it'll work OK for digital OTA.

I have a large conventional antenna in my attic in West Plano. The roof is metal lined, with the antenna pointing directly at Cedar Hill and directly into the metal. I get decent analog reception on the VHF-high and UHF stations, and usually get good digital reception on all stations. (Analog of UHF-low is horrible.) The only weak digital station is 33.

I intend to put up an outside antenna in an effort to improve channel 5 for my analog TV, and to reduce the occasional dropouts on my digital set. The reception from my in-attic antenna is good enough, however, that it hasn't been a priority to do so.

Moving to Keller Feb 1st (Beach and Basswood). Anyone live near this area and able to get all the OTA hd channels? If so--which channels, which receiver are you using, what ant do you have, and which way is it facing?

This would greatly help me. Anyone with any insights, thoughts, or link, please post. Thanks in advance!

Moving to Keller Feb 1st (Beach and Basswood). Anyone live near this area and able to get all the OTA hd channels? If so--which channels, which receiver are you using, what ant do you have, and which way is it facing?

This would greatly help me. Anyone with any insights, thoughts, or link, please post. Thanks in advance!

I live about 5 miles directly north of you, at Beach and Alliance Gateway, in a new subdivision. I am behind a hill from Cedar Hill. I am still able to receive all the channels except 27-1, which is shaky. Everything else is 60 - 90 in signal strength. I have an H-20 receiver, a Channel Master 7777 amp, and an 80" RS boom antenna mounted in a second story attic. If I change any of the three components I lose all the channels, i.e. I have to have the amp, my old OTA Samsung HD receiver was not sensitive enough, and a smaller antenna would not work. And lastly, you need to point it perfectly, of course.

Thanks! I'll mimic your setup once I move. Thanks

KXII-DT2 (Digital 20.2 Sherman) has signed on as UPN Texoma. The station has a call sign slide up as of 1758 this evening, but is not transmitting any programming at this time. I will check again at 1900 when UPN programing begins.

That should be great news for folks in the Texoma area who are dependent on their local stations -- since that gives them three local choices instead of their long-time two. It will be interesting to see what KXII does with this channel.

[Edit: Make that four choices -- following some links also turned up mention of a digitally multicast "Fox Texoma", as well as the UPN channel. How they're going to fit all that into a single digital channel without having it all look like garbage seems like a bit of a problem.]

Problems during Supernatural on Tuesday night...KDAF

Every time the camera moved, the picture would jitter like crazy, but it was perfectly fine during fixed camera shots. Didn't see this on smallville last week.

Don't know if anyone else noticed this, but it was bordering on unwatchable....seemed to be get a little better towards the end of the broadcast.

I only watch Reba and Supernatural on WB, and Supernatural has been relegated to SD until recently (We don't watch anything live, since we've got two small children, and bed-time is during prime-time. Supernatural is queued up for watching soon.). But I've seen this behavior on Reba for the past two years. I didn't mention it last year, because I'd only seen it on my MyHD, and no one had said anything. But it was finally mentioned by someone else in November:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6476108&&#post6476108
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6477281&&#post6477281
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6478171&&#post6478171
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6488114&&#post6488114

and I've since seen it with my TV's built-in tuner, so it's obviously it's on WB's end. The last airing of the Wizard of Oz had the problem as well (if anyone knows how to correct the problem in the recorded TS, please let me know). I'm guessing their encoder has a problem. But I don't know what happened when it was reported to them.

Xesdeeni

I live about 5 miles directly north of you, at Beach and Alliance Gateway, in a new subdivision. I am behind a hill from Cedar Hill. I am still able to receive all the channels except 27-1, which is shaky. Everything else is 60 - 90 in signal strength. I have an H-20 receiver, a Channel Master 7777 amp, and an 80" RS boom antenna mounted in a second story attic. If I change any of the three components I lose all the channels, i.e. I have to have the amp, my old OTA Samsung HD receiver was not sensitive enough, and a smaller antenna would not work. And lastly, you need to point it perfectly, of course.

Why not place the antenna outside on top of your roof? Your reception should vastly be improved upon.

Why not place the antenna outside on top of your roof? Your reception should vastly be improved upon.

Good question. I suppose every homeowner who is an HD enthusiast has to face this issue if they have OTA reception problems. For me personally, I would never put up with the aesthetics of an external boom antenna, even for the additional 6 to 9 dbm of gain. As it is I will put up with not receiving 27-1 cleanly rather than go that route. In fact, if I got zero digital channels OTA with an attic antenna I would still not mount an external antenna. It seems strange that I feel this way since I do not have the same feelings about a satellite dish. My 5LNB dish (and its predecessors) looks sleek, modern, and cool to me for some reason.

As a matter of fact, I notice everyone's satellite dish setup when I go jogging through neighborhoods in my area. I have not seen a single external OTA antenna, much less a homeowner with both an external OTA antenna and satellite dish. Am I missing something?

Is there actually anything worth watching on 27-1? In HD that is?

Is there actually anything worth watching on 27-1? In HD that is?

Another excellent question. I vote "depends on the Rangers" for part 1 and a resounding "NO" for part 2. :)

....As a matter of fact, I notice everyone's satellite dish setup when I go jogging through neighborhoods in my area. I have not seen a single external OTA antenna, much less a homeowner with both an external OTA antenna and satellite dish. Am I missing something?

:) Drive through some of the older, WWII baby boomer neighborhoods and you'll spy one every so often...it's weird to see now and reminds me of neighborhoods back in the 70's when every house had one....and my dad on the roof, yelling back and forth with my mom as he turned the antenna and she called out the snow level. Ahh, the days of big consoles and that little bright dot when you turned the TV off...

:) Drive through some of the older, WWII baby boomer neighborhoods and you'll spy one every so often...it's weird to see now and reminds me of neighborhoods back in the 70's when every house had one....and my dad on the roof, yelling back and forth with my mom as he turned the antenna and she called out the snow level. Ahh, the days of big consoles and that little bright dot when you turned the TV off...

Yes we have come an unbelievably long way. I remember my family huddling around our first 19" color TV in Tampa in 1969 with the sheer excitement of being able to see Disney's Tinkerbell make the starburst with her wand in glorious color. To view that splendor we needed and external rusty, pole mounted, boom antenna purchased from the local hardware store and connected to the TV with twinax cable. We actually had to walk up to the TV to change the channel to one of the 5 local stations on the air. We didn't think it could get any better, snowy color picture and all. :)

It looks like KTVT (which is owned and operated by CBS) would be one of the 17 slated to get the HD equipment and make the switch.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6952884&&#post6952884
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6948030&&#post6948030

Xesdeeni

It looks like KTVT (which is owned and operated by CBS) would be one of the 17 slated to get the HD equipment and make the switch.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6952884&&#post6952884
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6948030&&#post6948030

Xesdeeni

Excellent. Another reason to boycott Belo.

Yes we have come an unbelievably long way. I remember my family huddling around our first 19" color TV in Tampa in 1969 with the sheer excitement of being able to see Disney's Tinkerbell make the starburst with her wand in glorious color. To view that splendor we needed and external rusty, pole mounted, boom antenna purchased from the local hardware store and connected to the TV with twinax cable. We actually had to walk up to the TV to change the channel to one of the 5 local stations on the air. We didn't think it could get any better, snowy color picture and all. :)

I remember our first color TV! My parents invited some friends over to watch Wizard of Oz, and when it started it was in black&white. I still remember my dad cussing the new tv!! We didn't know at the time that the beginning was supposed to be in B/W!!
Tom in TX

Great News!!

Somehow I figured the GREAT KTVT would be one of the first.]

As a matter of fact, I notice everyone's satellite dish setup when I go jogging through neighborhoods in my area. I have not seen a single external OTA antenna, much less a homeowner with both an external OTA antenna and satellite dish. Am I missing something?

That must vary quite a bit from neighborhood to neighborhood. When I've been walking around my own neighborhood, I see quite a few houses with visible external OTA antennas. Perhaps half the homes in the neighborhood have satellite dishes, and half of those homes have outside antennas.

And note that I'm not in a really old neighborhood; the houses here were built between 1992 and 1995. So I think it is a pretty safe bet that these aren't just old unused antennas that were never taken down...

OK, I've had my OTA hooked up for about a month or so and I'm having some weird reception problems.

HR10
Samsung 56" DLP
ChannelMaster 13' OTA in attic

When I first hooked up the antenna, I pointed it the best I could, seeing that I didn't have a compass. I get down to the media room to connect it in and I had all 4 major channels and a large portion of the lesser networks. I was very excited as I've read 8 & 27 are sketchy, at best. All of my signal strengths were 70+.

Not more than 2 hours later, I lost 4, and it hasn't come back. I don't watch much FOX other than the Cowboys & NASCAR that I can think of. If I can't think of it, it isn't that important to me. I resorted to hooking up a cheap set of rabbit ears thru a splitter to get FOX when I needed it, but now even that doesn't work. I get about a 30 signal strength. Also when hooking up the splitter, I lose NBC and ABC. My guess is the signal is degraded thru the cheap splitter.

I've got a 2 story and a very clear view towards Cedar Hill.

Anyhoo, my question is this. What could be causing this and/or what would your suggestions be to rectify it so that I can gain FOX and not Lose ABC.

Hey all,
Looked through many posts but can't find anything close to this. I live in the North Garland area, approx 33 miles to Cedar Hill antenna farm, no nearby obstructions. Recently purchased first HDTV and am planning my OTA strategy. Prefer to attic mount the antenna. Already have a directional Channel Master 3017 new in box. The only attic space accessible is above garage located on the front of the house. And as luck would have it, my house faces directly at Cedar Hill. The roofline on the front that faces CH is gabled with composite siding on the gable face.

Now the catch..the roof decking is the metal lined solar shield type. I've read plenty of posts that say this is not gonna work, but does it make a difference that the signal will be coming from(or through) the gabled end of the attic space?
This end doesn't have the lined decking, like I said, only plywood and siding.

I'm thinking if I mount the antenna as close to the gable wall as possible, I might have a chance.

Thanks for any comments

Update:
Went ahead with the attic mount. Used the CM 3017 antenna with a CM preamp, pointed it once with compass and first try I received(I think) every local digital channel(including the always problematic 27-1). D* H20 OTA tuner shows greater than 90% signal on all channels except 27-1(65-75%). The wife is very pleased we won't need external.

So I guess moral to story is never say never. Attic mount is at least worth a try, even with the solar shield decking.

OK, I've had my OTA hooked up for about a month or so and I'm having some weird reception problems.

HR10
Samsung 56" DLP
ChannelMaster 13' OTA in attic

When I first hooked up the antenna, I pointed it the best I could, seeing that I didn't have a compass. I get down to the media room to connect it in and I had all 4 major channels and a large portion of the lesser networks. I was very excited as I've read 8 & 27 are sketchy, at best. All of my signal strengths were 70+.

Not more than 2 hours later, I lost 4, and it hasn't come back. I don't watch much FOX other than the Cowboys & NASCAR that I can think of. If I can't think of it, it isn't that important to me. I resorted to hooking up a cheap set of rabbit ears thru a splitter to get FOX when I needed it, but now even that doesn't work. I get about a 30 signal strength. Also when hooking up the splitter, I lose NBC and ABC. My guess is the signal is degraded thru the cheap splitter.

I've got a 2 story and a very clear view towards Cedar Hill.

Anyhoo, my question is this. What could be causing this and/or what would your suggestions be to rectify it so that I can gain FOX and not Lose ABC.


You didn't mention, but have you tried a preamp on the antenna? I know this wouldn't explain why you received FOX at one point and now do not. I just finished my own attic mount with preamp and I noticed when I cut power to the preamp that I would lose FOX but not the other majors. I didn't perform any in-depth power level comparisons with and without amp, I just know FOX was too weak to tune without. I'm about 33 mis from Cedar Hill.

What exactly is D*?

What exactly is D*?
Directv satellite.

Debating DTV vs Comcast in Arlington here.

I just got an HDTV (720p, 1280resolution) and am a DTV subscriber for non-HD tivo. DTV wants 599 for a receiver and 99 for an install, whereas Comcast will hook me up with the same for 100 install and 80/month. I already ordered a comcast install but am now worried because I keep hearing horror stories about comcast's PQ for HD and non-HD channels.

I'd like to stick with DTV but they simply will not make me a deal for the tuner. They have a 200$ rebate but who knows when that will come in and I'm still stuck shelling out 700 up front.

Does anyone have experience in Comcast's PQ for Arlington?

Thanks everyone.

Wow! I have Charter, and my upgrade to the SA8300HD was free. I went from the old cable box, whatever it was, to the newer HD one with DVR. I pay an additional $9.95 a month for the DVR and $9.95 a month for all of the HD channels. I get great PQ in HD and have up to 35 hours of HD recording available.

The other companies really charge that kinda $$$ to upgrade?


Debating DTV vs Comcast in Arlington here.

I just got an HDTV (720p, 1280resolution) and am a DTV subscriber for non-HD tivo. DTV wants 599 for a receiver and 99 for an install, whereas Comcast will hook me up with the same for 100 install and 80/month. I already ordered a comcast install but am now worried because I keep hearing horror stories about comcast's PQ for HD and non-HD channels.

I'd like to stick with DTV but they simply will not make me a deal for the tuner. They have a 200$ rebate but who knows when that will come in and I'm still stuck shelling out 700 up front.

Does anyone have experience in Comcast's PQ for Arlington?

Thanks everyone.

Wow! I have Charter, and my upgrade to the SA8300HD was free. I went from the old cable box, whatever it was, to the newer HD one with DVR. I pay an additional $9.95 a month for the DVR and $9.95 a month for all of the HD channels. I get great PQ in HD and have up to 35 hours of HD recording available.

The other companies really charge that kinda $$$ to upgrade?

I wish I could get Charter but they don't service my area. Yeah, I was just as surprised that DTV wanted to bend me over for an upgrade; what's better is they would expect me to upgrade again in 6months time for their MPEG4 rollout. It's too bad that I may have to drop them but I just can't justify 700 bucks versus 100.

Here in Denver,
Sunday night's "Law and Order, Criminal Intent" was in upconverted
SD for the first 20 minutes, then it was in HD for the rest of the program.
Was this the case for other viewers, or, did others get the entire program
in HD?

Debating DTV vs Comcast in Arlington here.

I just got an HDTV (720p, 1280resolution) and am a DTV subscriber for non-HD tivo. DTV wants 599 for a receiver and 99 for an install, whereas Comcast will hook me up with the same for 100 install and 80/month. I already ordered a comcast install but am now worried because I keep hearing horror stories about comcast's PQ for HD and non-HD channels.

I'd like to stick with DTV but they simply will not make me a deal for the tuner. They have a 200$ rebate but who knows when that will come in and I'm still stuck shelling out 700 up front.

Does anyone have experience in Comcast's PQ for Arlington?

Thanks everyone.

I can't speak for the Arlington area, but except for one small stretch of time I have not had any issues with Comcast's PQ on HD in Frisco. They claim to run all HD programming uncompressed, and I have never heard anyone challenge that. Neither satellite provider can state that. On the non-HD side I am not really in a position to comment since I am watching their SD content on a 62" DLP...that isn't a good setting for SD, particularly the analog stuff. Once they go to digital simulcast I expect it will be much better. Overall, I am pretty much a Comcast fan...

Hope that helps some...
-Randy

OK, I've had my OTA hooked up for about a month or so and I'm having some weird reception problems.

HR10
Samsung 56" DLP
ChannelMaster 13' OTA in attic

When I first hooked up the antenna, I pointed it the best I could, seeing that I didn't have a compass. I get down to the media room to connect it in and I had all 4 major channels and a large portion of the lesser networks. I was very excited as I've read 8 & 27 are sketchy, at best. All of my signal strengths were 70+.

Not more than 2 hours later, I lost 4, and it hasn't come back. I don't watch much FOX other than the Cowboys & NASCAR that I can think of. If I can't think of it, it isn't that important to me. I resorted to hooking up a cheap set of rabbit ears thru a splitter to get FOX when I needed it, but now even that doesn't work. I get about a 30 signal strength. Also when hooking up the splitter, I lose NBC and ABC. My guess is the signal is degraded thru the cheap splitter.

I've got a 2 story and a very clear view towards Cedar Hill.

Anyhoo, my question is this. What could be causing this and/or what would your suggestions be to rectify it so that I can gain FOX and not Lose ABC.

Okay, wierd. I just thought I had gremlins. I have the exact same situation. Clear view with rooftop channel master, everything is coming in at 81% - 93% then for no reason at all I lose the signal from 4-1 (Fox), 4-2 (radar) and 5-1 becomes blocky. This ocurs usually during the early daytime or at night after 10:00 pm. I've changed all my signal diplexers, which aren't cheap, and yet.. it still occurs.

Okay, wierd. I just thought I had gremlins. I have the exact same situation. Clear view with rooftop channel master, everything is coming in at 81% - 93% then for no reason at all I lose the signal from 4-1 (Fox), 4-2 (radar) and 5-1 becomes blocky. This ocurs usually during the early daytime or at night after 10:00 pm. I've changed all my signal diplexers, which aren't cheap, and yet.. it still occurs.

I believe I live in the same neighborhood as you (wellington) and my Fox will go in and out depending on the weather... also because my antenna its not 'optimally tuned', but its good enough for my needs.

I do know that diplexers, while nice, will remove a little bit of your signal strength. So, on my old Dish Network 921, which has a signal bar from 0-125, my NBC would go from 115 without a diplexor to 105 with a diplexor. I did some reconfiguration of my wires to ensure that my antenna run was on its own line. It might be a pain, but you could give that a try. That extra percentage helped me to be able to actually tune in PBS, whereas before I could only get it about 20% of the time. It also helped my Fox reception to be a little more consistant.

I finally broke down and purchased the Zenith OTA antenna to get local channels in HD. I have D* HD service.

Now, how do I tell my receiver to use the OTA antenna? And, are local channels in HD the same channel numbers as SD?

I live in far SW Ft. Worth, channel 33 comes in well enough, a weak signal but with a bit of snow. Except, for periods of time when there is severe interference that disrupts both the video and audio. This occurs in the early evening for one or two hours, but not always. It probably averages one to two times a week. I can't pin it to any particular atmospheric conditions. It happens summer, winter, clear, stormy. I am using an old attic antenna, I get 4, 5, 8, 11, 13, 21, 27, and 52 just fine. But, not 33? Does anyone have any ideas?

And yes, I am actively looking at upgrading my setup to HD OTA. Thanks in advance.

look in your receiver menus and find "scan local/off air" channels.

You must scan first

And, are local channels in HD the same channel numbers as SD?Kind of. The channels you know and love are taken by the analog signals. Obviously they can't be used for digital, too. So each digital channel is broadcast on a different frequency, most of which are in the UHF range. But thanks to the magic of digital data, there is a "virtual" channel number embedded in the digital stream. This links the channel back to the numbers you are familiar with. For example, WFAA's analog channel is VHF channel 8. WFAA's digital channel is VHF channel 9. But WFAA's digital virtual channels are 8-1 and 8-2 (weather).

Whether the physical channel or the virtual channel shows up on your tuner depends on the tuner and how you have it configured.

Xesdeeni

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060124/bs_nm/media_cbs_warner1_dc

Apparently UPN and WB are to merged by this fall into a new network called CW (CBS+Warner). Either 21 or 33 will get the new network, and apparenlty the other will be left out in the cold.

Does anyone know which one will be chosen?

If 21, does anyone know how this will affect their agreement with the Mavericks?

If 33, can we ensure that the techs from 21/11 move over and finally fix the stuttering problem?

Xesdeeni

look in your receiver menus and find "scan local/off air" channels.

You must scan first

Thanks for the advise mp3trojan and Xesdeeni. I'll scan tonight.

Also, does anyone know if D* has FSN-HD yet in DFW? If so, what channel?

Also, does anyone know if D* has FSN-HD yet in DFW? If so, what channel?

Not yet.

Not yet.

%*;&#~+=/^*!!!!

Thanks Bill

Also, does anyone know if D* has FSN-HD yet in DFW? If so, what channel?

For my own edification, what HD programming does FSN-HD produce? I have Fox Sports SW and besides the Mavs, Rangers, and Stars (which are not broadcast regularly in HD to my knowledge) there is little programming of value on that channel. Just curious.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060124/bs_nm/media_cbs_warner1_dc

Apparently UPN and WB are to merged by this fall into a new network called CW (CBS+Warner). Either 21 or 33 will get the new network, and apparenlty the other will be left out in the cold.

Does anyone know which one will be chosen?

If 21, does anyone know how this will affect their agreement with the Mavericks?

If 33, can we ensure that the techs from 21/11 move over and finally fix the stuttering problem?

Xesdeeni

We're going to get KDAF-33, the WB affiliate.

The 16 Tribune (WB) affiliated stations will include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Houston, Miami, Denver, St. Louis, Portland, Indianapolis, San Diego, Hartford, New Orleans and Albany. The 12 CBS Station Group television markets will include Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Detroit, Tampa, Seattle, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, West Palm Beach, Norfolk, Oklahoma City and Providence. Together, these top two station groups cover the top 13 television markets, 20 of the top 25 television markets and have a total coverage area of more than 48% of the country.

Will 21 go dark or will there be more USDTV space.

What will be the fate of the radar on 21-2? That is the radar service most used by us Skywarn people. Hate to see that go.

For my own edification, what HD programming does FSN-HD produce? I have Fox Sports SW and besides the Mavs, Rangers, and Stars (which are not broadcast regularly in HD to my knowledge) there is little programming of value on that channel. Just curious.

Several Stars and Mav games coming up on FSN-HD. The schedule is at hdsportsguide.

Big Stars fan here! God invented HD for watching hockey! :D

Will 21 go dark or will there be more USDTV space.

What will be the fate of the radar on 21-2? That is the radar service most used by us Skywarn people. Hate to see that go.

We'll have to wait for further announcements -- all of this is very new. (At least, new to us.)

To Billt1111 who said: I have the Verizon FIOS Internet service and chose the 5Mb speed option for $34.95, thinking that should be plenty. After further investigation, it is NOT 5Mb/s. It is only 5Mb if you use the 'special' Verizon speed test site to test it, http://infospeed.verizon.net/fttp/speedtest9000k.asp. If you use an independent speed test site, like DSL Reports, http://www.dslreports.com/stest, it is actually only about 2.5 to 2.7 Mb/s. When I had a Comcast Cable modem the same test at the same site registered 4 to 4.5 Mb/s consistently.

__________________
bill

I did the independant test and am quite satisfied with the results - I`m supposed to get 5mb

"2006-01-24 21:32:42 EST: 4944 / 1802
Your download speed : 4944 kbps or 618 KB/sec.
Your upload speed : 1802 kbps or 225.3 KB/sec."

Thanks for the tip though, I didn`t fully trust the verizon speedtest page.
Having checked other users reports - it looks like FiOS is the real deal... maybe you should get a Verizon technician to your place.

Ian

Several Stars and Mav games coming up on FSN-HD. The schedule is at hdsportsguide.

Big Stars fan here! God invented HD for watching hockey! :D

You can also go here to find FSSW-HD schedule:

http://msn.foxsports.com/name/HD#FSSouthwest

They will have 4 HD games over the next month, 2 stars games and 2 mavs games.

Will 21 go dark or will there be more USDTV space.

What will be the fate of the radar on 21-2? That is the radar service most used by us Skywarn people. Hate to see that go.

Since 21 is a duopoly with 11, and both are owned by CBS, I seriously doubt that 21 will be going away. They'll just operate it as the independent half of a duopoly, much as Fox handles 27 (which is paired with 4).

We're going to get KDAF-33, the WB affiliate.So...
If 33, can we ensure that the techs from 21/11 move over and finally fix the stuttering problem?
:-)

Xesdeeni

%*;&#~+=/^*!!!!

Thanks Bill

Charter doesn't have it either.... :mad:

Also, does anyone know if D* has FSN-HD yet in DFW? If so, what channel?

While D* doesn't officially carry FSN-HD, it does from time to time carry games on its special events HD channels from the O&O FSN local networks, of which FSSW is one of them. Since I don't have D*, i can't tell you with any certainty how often Dallas teams make it on those channels... but some are there.

This however is not the case for E*... I know this personally.

While D* doesn't officially carry FSN-HD, it does from time to time carry games on its special events HD channels from the O&O FSN local networks, of which FSSW is one of them. Since I don't have D*, i can't tell you with any certainty how often Dallas teams make it on those channels... but some are there.

This however is not the case for E*... I know this personally.

D* aired the Coyotes/Stars NHL game on channel 97 Monday 1/23. Hopefully they keep it up. San Jose @ Dallas is scheduled on FSN HD for Monday 1/30.

Do a search for "fsn hd" and it will give you a shcedule of upcoming games in HD.

D* aired the Coyotes/Stars NHL game on channel 97 Monday 1/23. Hopefully they keep it up. San Jose @ Dallas is scheduled on FSN HD for Monday 1/30.

Do a search for "fsn hd" and it will give you a shcedule of upcoming games in HD.

Yea, dish had that game on too, but its only available for NHL Center ICE subscribers and even then, I believe its blacked out the DFW area for E* subscribers. I tried to tune it in with no luck (I don't have NHL Center ICE).

Debating DTV vs Comcast in Arlington here.

I just got an HDTV (720p, 1280resolution) and am a DTV subscriber for non-HD tivo. DTV wants 599 for a receiver and 99 for an install, whereas Comcast will hook me up with the same for 100 install and 80/month. I already ordered a comcast install but am now worried because I keep hearing horror stories about comcast's PQ for HD and non-HD channels.

I'd like to stick with DTV but they simply will not make me a deal for the tuner. They have a 200$ rebate but who knows when that will come in and I'm still stuck shelling out 700 up front.

Does anyone have experience in Comcast's PQ for Arlington?

Thanks everyone.

I am also considering switching from D* to Comcast, but only because they are running a special to get dish subs to switch to cable. It's only $29.95/mo for the digital package plus HBO and Starz. They also have HD DVR's for $9.95/mo. There are no upfront costs, unless you need something special in your installation (5+ tv's, cable fishing, etc.) This price is good for 12 months with no commitment.

You may want to check their web site before you start paying the chanrges you mentioned.

Apologies to the non-Dentonites on the thread, but I thought I'd share my latest attempt to get the Charter mothership to reveal its (lack of) plans for HDTV in the Denton market. In the past, I've asked the question in person, by phone and by e-mail, and received exactly the same answer: "There are no plans to introduce HDTV programming in the Denton market at this time." However, my latest exchange was little more...odd. Here's what I initially wrote them, using their web form (yeah, it's on the bitter side...):

Well, it's several weeks into 2006, so I guess it's about time for me to ask the same question I've been asking for the last four years now: will Charter finally introduce HDTV service (HD locals + HD cable networks) and an HDTV-capable DVR into the Denton market? Or do we have to wait until the NTSC broadcast signals are shut off in 2009 for this to happen? Of course, I'm expecting the exact same robotic answer: "There are no plans for HDTV service in Denton at this time." Please keep in mind that, throughout 2006, Verizon is set to roll out their FIOS TV service, which will include HDTV channels and an HD-capable DVR, all over the city. If you have any hope of actually keeping subscribers on board, you really need to at least look like you're doing something other than treading water.

Since the last time I used their web feedback system, they've added a fuzzy logic-system to their mix. It apparently determined that I was inquiring about getting cable service activated for my apartment (I've been a customer for over a decade), and forwarded my message to the sales department. I then received an on-line brochure, covering all of the wonderful services I could get from Charter -- not including HDTV -- along with the instruction to reply to the e-mail if I wanted to schedule my install appointment.

I then replied to the sales e-mail address, asking them to either respond to my original question or forward it on to someone else who could answer it. This was the reply I received:

Thank you so much for contacting Charter Communications. I would be glad to assist you in the best manner possible.

We are currently in contractual negotiations with several broadcast companies for HD programming. At the present time, we have no further information as to when additional [my emphasis] HD channels will be available.

Note the word "additional". The guy who responded was assuming that our market already had HDTV service. This is not the first time that a Charter employee has made the same mistake -- a few weeks ago, I got a call from a Charter CSR who was trying to get me to upgrade to the highest digital package. I replied that I wasn't interested until such time as HDTV was offered locally. She said, "HDTV is included in this package!" I nearly jumped out of my chair when she said that -- I replied, "Really? I've been asking about getting HDTV in this market for years now." After a short pause, she started clicking through her system, then informed me that she was mistaken -- my market didn't have HDTV yet.

Apparently, a lot of Charter employees just presume that any customer that they talk to has the ability to get HDTV at any time. I responded back to the e-mail:

Thank you for your reply. While I am glad that you are working to expand your HD offerings in general, my primary concern is with getting *any* HD channels from Charter here in the Denton market (where we currently have zero), as well as getting the DVR with HDTV capability. Again, if my original message from the web site (attached at the end of this e-mail) needs to be forwarded to another department, I'd appreciate it if you'd send it on. Thank you.

Based on the feedback so far, I was expecting a poor showing. And that's exactly what I got:

Thank you so much for contacting Charter Communications. I would be glad to assist you in the best manner possible.

We always appreciate feedback from our customers on what they enjoy watching. At this time, we do not have plans for adding that channel [my emphasis, again] to the lineup in your community. The next time the channel line up is changed in that area, your request will be taken under consideration. If you have any other questions, please contact us again.

Sigh... I'm really, really trying to be patient. It will probably be late 2006 before Verizon makes its way to my current apartment complex. I'm considering moving when my lease comes up in June, which might give me the additional option of D* (which I can't do here). I'm making do with OTA HDTV, but as a six-year TiVo-holic, not being able to timeshift my HDTV programs is seriously annoying. I'm actually considering buying a new PC to make a HTPC for HDTV recording, but I'm not sure that's a direction I want to go.

Stupid Charter.

Sigh... I'm really, really trying to be patient. It will probably be late 2006 before Verizon makes its way to my current apartment complex. I'm considering moving when my lease comes up in June, which might give me the additional option of D* (which I can't do here). I'm making do with OTA HDTV, but as a six-year TiVo-holic, not being able to timeshift my HDTV programs is seriously annoying. I'm actually considering buying a new PC to make a HTPC for HDTV recording, but I'm not sure that's a direction I want to go.

Stupid Charter.

Pull the trigger. Go to D* and the H20 and be done with it. Local HD via OTA and MPEG4, etc, etc. :)

Why no D* in your apartment??

Rules? There's a cure for that.
No line of sight? No aesthetically acceptable cure.

If your balcony is facing south you're in luck. You are protected by federal law.

Why no D* in your apartment??

Rules? There's a cure for that.
No line of sight? No aesthetically acceptable cure.

If your balcony is facing south you're in luck. You are protected by federal law.

Sorry -- I had mentioned this in older posts, and was trying to save space in an already tome-length post. I do have a southern view, which makes it all the more frustrating...I can't do any Dish-type option because I don't have "privately controlled exterior space".

That is, I don't have a patio or balcony, just a breezeway that my front door opens out to, which is common space shared with my next door neighbor. Since it's not exclusively within my control, the landlord has the right of refusal over exterior modifications to the property, even temporary/moveable ones (like the pipe-in-a-bucket trick). And the manager won't allow it. (Actually, the national management company, which bought our property about four years ago, won't allow it.)

It's especially frustrating since there is a large hedge and planting bed in front of my living room window, which would serve to block the view of the dish from the road (you'd only see it if you walked right up to the front door). But they won't budge -- which I kinda understand, since they don't want to start a precedent. I'm planning to set an appointment to meet with the manager to discuss the Verizon FIOS plans in town, to make sure there won't be any holdups on the complex's side when Verizon comes knocking.

The guy who responded was assuming that our market already had HDTV service. This is not the first time that a Charter employee has made the same mistake -- a few weeks ago, I got a call from a Charter CSR who was trying to get me to upgrade to the highest digital package. I replied that I wasn't interested until such time as HDTV was offered locally. She said, "HDTV is included in this package!" I nearly jumped out of my chair when she said that -- I replied, "Really? I've been asking about getting HDTV in this market for years now." After a short pause, she started clicking through her system, then informed me that she was mistaken -- my market didn't have HDTV yet.

Apparently, a lot of Charter employees just presume that any customer that they talk to has the ability to get HDTV at any time. I responded back to the e-mail:



Based on the feedback so far, I was expecting a poor showing. And that's exactly what I got:



Sigh... I'm really, really trying to be patient. It will probably be late 2006 before Verizon makes its way to my current apartment complex. I'm considering moving when my lease comes up in June, which might give me the additional option of D* (which I can't do here). I'm making do with OTA HDTV, but as a six-year TiVo-holic, not being able to timeshift my HDTV programs is seriously annoying. I'm actually considering buying a new PC to make a HTPC for HDTV recording, but I'm not sure that's a direction I want to go.

Stupid Charter.
When I finally decided to cut the cable here in Carrollton, I called Charter to let them know and the CSR became adamant that HD was available to me and he could get everything I needed to my residence in a matter of 24 hours. I tried telling him he was mistaken, and finally told him that if he could do it, I'd remain a customer. He placed me on hold for 5 mins and finally came on and apologized. He said he wasn't aware there were areas where HD was not available.

I'd just move....there are lot's of places to live in Denton, or you could move to Lewisville or some surrounding community that offers what you want.

It sux being unhappy where you live....


Sorry -- I had mentioned this in older posts, and was trying to save space in an already tome-length post. I do have a southern view, which makes it all the more frustrating...I can't do any Dish-type option because I don't have "privately controlled exterior space".

That is, I don't have a patio or balcony, just a breezeway that my front door opens out to, which is common space shared with my next door neighbor. Since it's not exclusively within my control, the landlord has the right of refusal over exterior modifications to the property, even temporary/moveable ones (like the pipe-in-a-bucket trick). And the manager won't allow it. (Actually, the national management company, which bought our property about four years ago, won't allow it.)

It's especially frustrating since there is a large hedge and planting bed in front of my living room window, which would serve to block the view of the dish from the road (you'd only see it if you walked right up to the front door). But they won't budge -- which I kinda understand, since they don't want to start a precedent. I'm planning to set an appointment to meet with the manager to discuss the Verizon FIOS plans in town, to make sure there won't be any holdups on the complex's side when Verizon comes knocking.

I ordered a H10-250 HD TIVO DVR from D* with the off air antenna that they will install. However, I just found out that this antenna is only UHF so it won't pick up channel 8 (VHF broadcast).

Can I just buy a VHF antenna and somehow combine it with their UHF antenna? If not, any suggestion on a VHF/UHF antenna. If it is something indoors I feel comfortable doing it myself. In the attic, it is pretty tight and no power supply I could find. Can it just lay in the insulation (white spray foam) or do you have to have it hanging (even less space in that case). No one in my neighborhood has a rooftop antenna and wouldn't want to shake things up by doing that.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

I ordered a H10-250 HD TIVO DVR from D* with the off air antenna that they will install. However, I just found out that this antenna is only UHF so it won't pick up channel 8 (VHF broadcast).

Can I just buy a VHF antenna and somehow combine it with their UHF antenna? If not, any suggestion on a VHF/UHF antenna. If it is something indoors I feel comfortable doing it myself. In the attic, it is pretty tight and no power supply I could find. Can it just lay in the insulation (white spray foam) or do you have to have it hanging (even less space in that case). No one in my neighborhood has a rooftop antenna and wouldn't want to shake things up by doing that.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

Oh.. live a little. When I moved into my pristine rooftop neighborhood four years ago, the first thing I did was stick an antenna of the roof for OTA. When the HOA came calling a couple of days later, I replied back to the entire community that the CC&Rs were not in compliance with federal law, sent a link to the FCC site on OTA device rules and reminded everyone that neither cable , nor satellite had HD. Now, there are at least a third of the homes with OTA antenna. :D (I'm just a rebel)

Oh.. live a little. When I moved into my pristine rooftop neighborhood four years ago, the first thing I did was stick an antenna of the roof for OTA. When the HOA came calling a couple of days later, I replied back to the entire community that the CC&Rs were not in compliance with federal law, sent a link to the FCC site on OTA device rules and reminded everyone that neither cable , nor satellite had HD. Now, there are at least a third of the homes with OTA antenna. :D (I'm just a rebel)


Thank you for the reply. I know what you mean and will go that route if I need to. But, are there other options other than the roof top antenna? Is there a superior indoor antenna (w/ power amp I'd assume) or something that would fit into an attic w/out a power supply?

Thank you for the reply. I know what you mean and will go that route if I need to. But, are there other options other than the roof top antenna? Is there a superior indoor antenna (w/ power amp I'd assume) or something that would fit into an attic w/out a power supply?

Does anyone have any experience with the TERK HDTV0 antenna and know where to get it in Dallas? It looks like it has the right color codes (antennaweb) for my area...

I ordered a H10-250 HD TIVO DVR from D* with the off air antenna that they will install. However, I just found out that this antenna is only UHF so it won't pick up channel 8 (VHF broadcast).

Can I just buy a VHF antenna and somehow combine it with their UHF antenna? If not, any suggestion on a VHF/UHF antenna. If it is something indoors I feel comfortable doing it myself. In the attic, it is pretty tight and no power supply I could find. Can it just lay in the insulation (white spray foam) or do you have to have it hanging (even less space in that case). No one in my neighborhood has a rooftop antenna and wouldn't want to shake things up by doing that.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

How far does antennaweb say you live from the Cedar Hill transmitters?

Yes you can lay the antenna on blown fiberglass insulation. It would be better if you suspended it from the rafters to clear it from as many obstructions as possible, but its your call. The fewer obstructions the less attenuation. Some obstructions attenuate more than others, i.e. metalic objects, etc.

I bet 25 cents you will need an RF amp however, like the CM 7777. I live 28 miles from Cedar Hill and could not get squat without an amp.

How far does antennaweb say you live from the Cedar Hill transmitters?

Yes you can lay the antenna on blown fiberglass insulation. It would be better if you suspended it from the rafters to clear it from as many obstructions as possible, but its your call. The fewer obstructions the less attenuation. Some obstructions attenuate more than others, i.e. metalic objects, etc.

I bet 25 cents you will need an RF amp however, like the CM 7777. I live 28 miles from Cedar Hill and could not get squat without an amp.

Antenna web says 41 miles. I purchased one of those "huge" aerial antenna's from radio shack but too big for my attic. Was looking at the Terk HDTV0 which has an amp. It seems much smaller and I can get that up in the attic. Now, I just need to find out who sells it.

Antenna web says 41 miles. I purchased one of those "huge" aerial antenna's from radio shack but too big for my attic. Was looking at the Terk HDTV0 which has an amp. It seems much smaller and I can get that up in the attic. Now, I just need to find out who sells it.

Huge is a relative term. Purchase the biggest one you can fit into the space you have, install it with a good CM amp, make sure you can return everything if it doesn't work, and cross your fingers. :)

Debating DTV vs Comcast in Arlington here.

I just got an HDTV (720p, 1280resolution) and am a DTV subscriber for non-HD tivo. DTV wants 599 for a receiver and 99 for an install, whereas Comcast will hook me up with the same for 100 install and 80/month. I already ordered a comcast install but am now worried because I keep hearing horror stories about comcast's PQ for HD and non-HD channels.

I'd like to stick with DTV but they simply will not make me a deal for the tuner. They have a 200$ rebate but who knows when that will come in and I'm still stuck shelling out 700 up front.

Does anyone have experience in Comcast's PQ for Arlington?

Thanks everyone.


Etone,
This is just my 2 cents. When I first moved down from Denver last August I got Comcast HD and compared it to DirecTV. This was the Motorola box vs. the HD10-250. Here are some of the things I noticed:

Comcast pluses -
1. Comcast box had some cool features such as the menu could be up with the TV picture going in a small PIP window. DirecTV does not have this feature, as soon as you go to the menu you lose the picture.

2. Comcast gives you Starz, TNT and all local HD channels( when available) not just CBS, NBC and FOX. I found I got a possible 15 channels (not including pay per view) from Comcast and only 11 channels from DirecTV.

3. One cable to the Comcast box rather than two cables like DirecTV.

4. I got the box free under their satellite upgrade program along with a pretty good program package (HBO, Showtime, HD channels and digital package for about $55 a month). And no I did not have to turn in my satellite gear. The installer didn't even ask.

DirecTV pluses -
1. Although you do not get the little PIP window when going to the menu on the DirecTV Tivo I found it to be easier to use. That could have been because I was use to it.

2. You can upgrade the DirecTV's HD Tivo recording capacity from the standard 30 hours to almost 200 hours and you can do this yourself if you want. With the Comcast box I was only getting about 15 hours of record time in HD and I could not find where anyone had upgraded the hard drive to get more space. This becomes an issue if you do a lot Primetime recording as I do and cannot get to it right away. Of course you could just get to Comcast boxes, but then you have to deal with the remote issue and connection issues.

3. Channel swapping was way easier with the DirecTV box then the Comcast box. If I was recording Lost on ABC and switched to CBS the DirecTV box just did it, no hassles. With the Comcast box I had to select the other tuner then change it and so forth, this was a pain and one of my biggest complaints.

4. The HD 10-250 has a HDMI output vs. a DVI output. This is will only matter to you if you want one cable for both video and audio. I run seperate audio cables, so no big deal there for me.

5. DirecTV has a built-in OTA tuner which is supposed to give you the best PQ of all the delivery systems. Personally, this wasn't a big deal for me, however if the cable or sat goes down, then I have a backup.

As far a PQ between the two, I didn't see any difference when using the DVI or HDMI connectors. I looked and looked using Discovery HD since the have one of the best broadcasts out there. I didn't compare the locals OTA with the Comcast locals because I thought the whole point of having Comcast was no need for OTA.

As far as pricing goes. You can go back over the forums and find where a lot of current DTV customers got the HD 10-250 for somewhere between $99 and $199 after the mail-in rebate and credits. Personally I got mine for $99, no install fee, they did sneak in the $14.95 shipping charge however, and I got all my programming for $51 a month for a year (HBO, Showtime, HD channels, Tivo fee, etc).

One last thing and this really irritated me. Every now and then the Comcast box would not respond to the remote, instead it would que the command that I had entered. For example, if I told it to skip forward sometimes it would not do it right away and so I would hit the button again and again. This would que up several cammands so that when it caught up it would skip forward 4 or 5 times as it cleared the que. This happened on a daily basis. I have only heard a few people talk about this, so it may not be an issue.

Hope this helps and remember this is just one man's opinion.

Kemical_head

Has anyone noticed the volume of the audio is lower on DTV 5.1 than on any other HD OTA channels? It seems to be significantly lower on this channel.

Has anyone noticed the volume of the audio is lower on DTV 5.1 than on any other HD OTA channels? It seems to be significantly lower on this channel.

Yes, it has been like this for at least 3 years, ever since I've had HDTV..

I *always* have to crank up the volume if i'm watching Leno(yes, i know it's not broadcast in 5.1) or anything else. Basically, any audio during national programming is very low.

Yes, it has been like this for at least 3 years, ever since I've had HDTV..

I *always* have to crank up the volume if i'm watching Leno(yes, i know it's not broadcast in 5.1) or anything else. Basically, any audio during national programming is very low.

Agreed...it even comes across that way on cable. I always have to ratchet it up for digital NBC stuff, live or recorded on my Moto 6412...

-Randy

but i've called, them, we've been on trying to figure this thing out. they say i should have the channels but i'm not getting them. I have no idea what to do

Have you tried doing a setup to reaquire the satellites you point to? this might find the channels you are showing as x721.

I'd just move....there are lot's of places to live in Denton, or you could move to Lewisville or some surrounding community that offers what you want. It sux being unhappy where you live....

One or two more things, then I'll let this mini-thread die until some actual "real" news comes out in the Denton area. I've pretty much decided to move come June, so I'm starting the 'data acquisition' phase on apartments (been in the same place for seven years...hard to believe it's been that long). However, one thing I most definitely will not be doing is moving to Lewisville or any point south of the lake bridge. I have absolutely no intention of dealing with that traffic nightmare on a daily basis (I also work here in Denton).

Also, I decided to channel my frustrations into a (hopefully) productive avenue, by writing a letter to the Charter corporate office. I called the main Charter number, worked my way through the CSR's computer-driven speeches, and finally got someone to give me a mailing address so I could write a formal letter. Maybe that will get past the first-level barrier I've been unable to break through for so long with them.

Change of subject here. For anyone in the know at WFAA Belo...

Since WFAA does multi casting on its digital channel such that they only have about 12 mb/s, do they have any plans to remove the multi casts for the SB this Sunday? It seems to be the decent thing to do so we get the maximum amount of BW and PQ.

I ordered a H10-250 HD TIVO DVR from D* with the off air antenna that they will install. However, I just found out that this antenna is only UHF so it won't pick up channel 8 (VHF broadcast).

Can I just buy a VHF antenna and somehow combine it with their UHF antenna? If not, any suggestion on a VHF/UHF antenna. If it is something indoors I feel comfortable doing it myself. In the attic, it is pretty tight and no power supply I could find. Can it just lay in the insulation (white spray foam) or do you have to have it hanging (even less space in that case). No one in my neighborhood has a rooftop antenna and wouldn't want to shake things up by doing that.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

I am having the same issue. the D* installer came out and mounted my antenna in the attic. I get everything fine except for WFAA 8.1 (freq 9). I thought it might be a multipath issue, but after reading this it makes me wonder. I get dropout so that the UHF antenna picks up some of the VHF signal, but not enough for me to feel safe about the SuperBowl being on 8.1. The D* installer is coming out again on 2/2, and my question is, will the UHF antenna outside work well enough, or will i need a VHF antenna for 8?

Does anyone have any experience with the TERK HDTV0 antenna and know where to get it in Dallas? It looks like it has the right color codes (antennaweb) for my area...

no experience with it - but Best Buy shows it on their website - might check their site for stores in your area that have stock on it

I'd also be interested to know about this antenna - that's more than I want to spend, but then isn't everything that way.

I am having the same issue. the D* installer came out and mounted my antenna in the attic. I get everything fine except for WFAA 8.1 (freq 9). I thought it might be a multipath issue, but after reading this it makes me wonder. I get dropout so that the UHF antenna picks up some of the VHF signal, but not enough for me to feel safe about the SuperBowl being on 8.1. The D* installer is coming out again on 2/2, and my question is, will the UHF antenna outside work well enough, or will i need a VHF antenna for 8?

I don't have an antenna yet so get very little OTA - like you, I was worried about the SuperBowl in HD - so I built my own homemade antenna for channel 8 from some "00" copper wire I had - took about 2 hours to research and 10 minutes to build - works great from 28 miles away from Cedar Hill. I put the plans on one of my websites, but can't post URLs here yet.

Change of subject here. For anyone in the know at WFAA Belo...

Since WFAA does multi casting on its digital channel such that they only have about 12 mb/s, do they have any plans to remove the multi casts for the SB this Sunday? It seems to be the decent thing to do so we get the maximum amount of BW and PQ.
Looks like they are running about 16.5 mbps on 8-1 using the TSReader program to check out their signal.

Looks like they are running about 16.5 mbps on 8-1 using the TSReader program to check out their signal.

Cheezmo's site has them consistently in the 15's.

http://www.widemovies.com/dfwbitrate.html

What is the bit rate for 8-2? It sure would be nice if they turn that off for 4 hours on Sunday and broadcast maximum availability on 8-1.

Does anyone have any experience with the TERK HDTV0 antenna and know where to get it in Dallas? It looks like it has the right color codes (antennaweb) for my area...

There is one of these on eBay right now - cheaper than Best Buy - ebay item # 5858034016

solidsignal.com has an open box item on this for $59

Cheezmo's site has them consistently in the 15's.

http://www.widemovies.com/dfwbitrate.html

What is the bit rate for 8-2? It sure would be nice if they turn that off for 4 hours on Sunday and broadcast maximum availability on 8-1.

I don't know that it will do any good, but I just e-mailed the manager at WFAA to ask if this is a possibility. I am guessing that the more e-mail on it she gets, the more she would have to consider it. She can be e-mailed at manager@wfaa.com.

Can't hurt to try...great idea (temporarily suspending broadcasting on 8.2, that is), by the way!

-Randy

I don't know that it will do any good, but I just e-mailed the manager at WFAA to ask if this is a possibility. I am guessing that the more e-mail on it she gets, the more she would have to consider it. She can be e-mailed at manager@wfaa.com.

Can't hurt to try...great idea (temporarily suspending broadcasting on 8.2, that is), by the way!

-Randy

Thanks. Its also a good idea to email the station and ask. I can't believe that many people would be hurt if the weather on 8-2 were unavailable for a few hours. It would be very interesting to see what full bandwidth 720p looks like on ABC OTA.

Thanks. Its also a good idea to email the station and ask. I can't believe that many people would be hurt if the weather on 8-2 were unavailable for a few hours. It would be very interesting to see what full bandwidth 720p looks like on ABC OTA.

Then again, you do know that BELO transmits a 1080i conversion of the original 720p ABC signal?

Yes, but that's mandated by BELO (jerks), not WFAA. But I think 8-2 is WFAA's choice.

Xesdeeni

Then again, you do know that BELO transmits a 1080i conversion of the original 720p ABC signal?

Sorry. I had completely forgotten that Belo converts the ABC feed to 1080i. Does anyone know how much bandwidth 8-2 takes up?

Ok I have hooked up an outdoor antenna (Terk outdoor HDTV antenna HDTVO) and have it pointed in the right direction. I have a diplexer combining the feed outside and then a diplexer seperating the feed inside. When I hook it all, there is a high pitch squealing noise from my Dish Network receiver and I am unable to pick up my satellite feed (keeps searching for a feed but never finds one). When I remove the coaxial cable going to the ANT input on my dish receiver the squealing stops and my satellite feed starts right up.

OK I added these DC- block things that came with the diplexers and that allowed me to hook it all up and I get the satellite feed and no squealing. But when I scan for local digital channels, I get very little. I got CBS at 71%, PBS at 49% and a few more channels. I get like channel 21 at like 62%.

I think I might need to try putting the antenna higher up on my roof instead of just having it on the edge of my roof.

Diplexers put too much loss in the OTA signal. It is best if you can use a seperate coax for the OTA signal and eliminate the diplexers. I know it is more work to put in the extra coax but you will have much better results.
JStigler

I moved the antenna to the top of my roof and now I get ABC, FOX and NBC.

Right now I got
ABC- 63%
FOX- 66%
NBC- 69%
CBS- 77%

I moved the antenna to the top of my roof and now I get ABC, FOX and NBC.

Right now I got
ABC- 63%
FOX- 66%
NBC- 69%
CBS- 77%

What receiver are you using to view those signal strengths?

Dish Network 811 receiver

Cheezmo's site has them consistently in the 15's.

http://www.widemovies.com/dfwbitrate.html

What is the bit rate for 8-2? It sure would be nice if they turn that off for 4 hours on Sunday and broadcast maximum availability on 8-1.
Some reason TIVO can't report a live signal but TSReader can.

Some reason TIVO can't report a live signal but TSReader can.

Can you detect the bit rate of 8-2 on the TSReader? I just want to know what I am losing in PQ on sunday due to Belo's arrogance and incompetency. :(

Can you detect the bit rate of 8-2 on the TSReader? I just want to know what I am losing in PQ on sunday due to Belo's arrogance and incompetency. :(
Looks like the maximum total bit rate is 2.5mbps on 8-2. So, at least they are maximizing thier stream.

Was planning on purchasing HD tv and taking to my parents in Stephenville tomorrow so they can have it for the superbowl.

Just checked antennaweb.org and it states that there is no digital reception there. Distance is about 79 miles and they live high on a hill in the country. Analog reception is great.

Will I be able to get the digital signals? Anyone in Stephenville with personal experience?

Since they are on a hill and DFW pictures are good then is should be possible. Make sure WFAA Ch8 is OK on their current antenna. If so then it most likely it is ok. The digital signal is on Ch9. There is another Ch9 in Temple that is also digital but I would not expect it to be an issue.

Thoughts are with a good out door antenna and a mast mounted preamp it should work. Don't use any of the diplexers to carry the satellite and OTA on the same coax.
JStigler

I will be installing an antenna. They built a new house about 500 yards from the old house. At the old house, analog reception was great on an antenna. At the new house, an old TV upstairs picks up channel 8 pretty good with NOTHING hooked up to TV. They don't have an antenna at the new house yet.

I am afraid diplexers are going to be a must. The house is two story, so pulling more coax in the walls downstairs is impossible. The good news is that there are two coaxes stubbed out behind the tv. They currently have SD Dish service. I intend to move them to the HD TIVO later, so I am one coax short. My intention was to buy the biggest (highest gain) antenna I can find this evening and put in the attic and use diplexers. If that doesn't work, could move the antenna outside. They are already at about 1400' elevation on the hill, so I was thinking an attic install would be a good as most tower installations off the hill.

Are the diplexers going to be that big of problem on signal stregth? Do I need to pick up an amp also?

In my experience, diplexors take about about 5-10% of the signal. On my old Dish Network 921, I had channels go from say 115 to 105 (the scale goes from 0-125). Or, I had ones that were in the 60s and went up to 75 (need around 70 on the 921 to get any kind've steady picture).

And I'm gonna guess that you will need an amp. Then again, that is a pretty darn tall hill. Make sure your antenna is both UHF/VHF since ABC-HD is in the VHF frequencies (channel 9) and the rest of the HD channels are in UHF.

Each diplexer looses 3db. Yes to the amp.
I am a Winegard fan. http://www.winegard.com/offair/pdf/hd7080p.pdf
http://www.winegard.com/offair/amplifiers.htm
This is the antenna I use around DFW. Might need a higher gain for the new house.

This might be a tall order for this evning.

Ck for a Priv Msg on this site
JStigler

Can you detect the bit rate of 8-2 on the TSReader? I just want to know what I am losing in PQ on sunday due to Belo's arrogance and incompetency. :(

I've never understood the huge concern over a couple mbps in bit rate... Let's face it: the quality of the encoder used at a particular station (and whether the encoder is set properly) seems to matter more than relatively small bit rate differences. Consider that the bit rate on channels 8 and 33 probably isn't much different -- but for whatever reason, compression artifacts are far more apparent on channel 33.

I've never understood the huge concern over a couple mbps in bit rate... Let's face it: the quality of the encoder used at a particular station (and whether the encoder is set properly) seems to matter more than relatively small bit rate differences. Consider that the bit rate on channels 8 and 33 probably isn't much different -- but for whatever reason, compression artifacts are far more apparent on channel 33.

Good point Thomas. Without doing a side by side A/B comparison it is very hard to say whether the extra 2.5 mbps would make a difference or not on any given encoder and channel. It would be nice to have the option to judge for ourselves, however. Seemingly knowledgable posters on other forums I read on a regular basis would jump through flaming hoops (or much, much, more) for an extra 2 mbps of transmission. I am confident however, that Belo will want to keep the weather channel 8-2 available for emergency viewing of the 72 degree, clear and sunny doppler radar for those who would be panicked by its temporary absence. :rolleyes:

I wanted to test what kind of signals I can get here down in a valley in far SW Ft. Worth, so I borrowed a friend's spare Samsung SIR-T351. I hooked it to my old attic antenna. antennaweb says I'm 25 miles from broadcast hill and need a blue antenna. Using analog signals, I get great channel 8, good 4 and 5, so so 11, and spotty 21/33/52 (snowy with occasional interference).

I hooked it up last night and "Oh My God," it is the sharpest TV I've ever watched, even at SD resolution. I now know that my antenna works well enough for OTA reception and will be jumping in soon with both feet.

I do have a few questions:

1) Does channel 27 have a digital signal? The Samsung says "No Signal" on 27.

2) I detected many channels last night (2, 4, 5, 8, 11, 13, 21, 23, 33, 39, 47, 49, 52, 58, 68) but I got "No Signal" early this morning on 4, 21, and 33. Could this have been due to atmospheric conditions (during the rain)?

3) I detected several subchannels for channel 99, but my box says "No AV." Not "No Signal" but "No AV." What does this mean?

4) Would a newer STB have a better chance of locking in to weaker signals (i.e. is there now improved reception circuitry in say a SIR-T451 over a 351)?

According to my Dish Network 811 receiver I am picking up the major channels as followed:
Fox 64%
NBC 71%
ABC 63%
CBS 76%

My picture is great (no complaints), much better than the local channels I get from paying Dish Network. I just wonder though if I could be getting even a much better picture. I realize since I used a diplexer inside and outside that is cause for some of the loss.

I was just wondering if something like this would improve my picture?
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Terk-DIRECTV-Amplifier-BIA-20-/sem/rpsm/oid/37848/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Can you detect the bit rate of 8-2 on the TSReader? I just want to know what I am losing in PQ on sunday due to Belo's arrogance and incompetency. :(

Seems like that would take some fun out of watching the game.

rosenkavilier--- I share your pain on HD DVR in DENTON. I do have the alternative because I am in a home and can place an antenna up, but I don't want an antenna. The more I read about FIOS...the more excited I get. But where I live in Denton, FIOS internet is not even available. =o( It does look like F* is going to be cheaper than D* and I will get more channels.

To all FIOS TV customers......is there one RG6 cable going to your QIP6416 DVRS or do you need two RG6 cables like the D* HD Tivos?

Ever since last night around 3 or 4 am, My channel 4 reception has not been very stable. I usually get around 80% all of the time, but now it is at 80 for a few minutes and then drops to around 45% for about 30 seconds and then goes back to 80. Is anyone else having this issue?

rosenkavilier--- I share your pain on HD DVR in DENTON. I do have the alternative because I am in a home and can place an antenna up, but I don't want an antenna. The more I read about FIOS...the more excited I get. But where I live in Denton, FIOS internet is not even available. =o( It does look like F* is going to be cheaper than D* and I will get more channels.

To all FIOS TV customers......is there one RG6 cable going to your QIP6416 DVRS or do you need two RG6 cables like the D* HD Tivos?

One cable. It cannot take in the OTA antenna signal. This is a discussion for HDTV Reception Devices.

I put this together. It shows Fios channels vs. D* channels, what's available on each or the other. Also, I removed from this list the locals and the 65 duplicates of the same channel in the Fios lineup.

http://mysite.verizon.net/ress6c9s/

Anyone else having problems with 5-1 lately or even today? Had my antenna positioned perfectly to pick-up all stations and then today no 5-1. Everything else is in the 67-85 range - good enough to watch. 5-1 is coming in at strength of 9.

Anyone else having problems with 5-1 lately or even today? Had my antenna positioned perfectly to pick-up all stations and then today no 5-1. Everything else is in the 67-85 range - good enough to watch. 5-1 is coming in at strength of 9.


Well not sure why it was messing up but I figured something out. Basically, took some old speaker wire, touched one of the ends to the metal on my silver sensor and let the rest of it dangle on the floor, I now get every channel about 5-10 points stronger, 5-1 in the 80's.

Anyone know why both 8.1 and 8.2 are broadcasting the pregame festivities in HD?

Well not sure why it was messing up but I figured something out. Basically, took some old speaker wire, touched one of the ends to the metal on my silver sensor and let the rest of it dangle on the floor, I now get every channel about 5-10 points stronger, 5-1 in the 80's.


Alirght, I'm sure know one cares, but I thought this was pretty funny. After this wire 'dangling' experiment, I took a wire coat hanger, bent it into a diamond. Then more less laid it on top of my silver sensor, even better results this time. Now I'm getting 8-1 in the 70's for the first time in a year (when the antenna was in a different room) and just in time for the Superbowl. Sorry just had to share.

Your STB is putting the pgm on 8.2 since I removed it from the bitstream. Today is full 8.1 bitstream. Some show it on 8.2 and others are in black. It is really NOT THERE today.
JStigler

Your STB is putting the pgm on 8.2 since I removed it from the bitstream. Today is full 8.1 bitstream. Some show it on 8.2 and others are in black. It is really NOT THERE today.
JStigler
Thanks for the reply.......For a few minutes, 8.2 blacked out and 8.1 stayed steady, of course. I thought I was seeing things because both looked unbelievably clear.

I will be installing an antenna. They built a new house about 500 yards from the old house. At the old house, analog reception was great on an antenna. At the new house, an old TV upstairs picks up channel 8 pretty good with NOTHING hooked up to TV. They don't have an antenna at the new house yet.

I am afraid diplexers are going to be a must. The house is two story, so pulling more coax in the walls downstairs is impossible. The good news is that there are two coaxes stubbed out behind the tv. They currently have SD Dish service. I intend to move them to the HD TIVO later, so I am one coax short. My intention was to buy the biggest (highest gain) antenna I can find this evening and put in the attic and use diplexers. If that doesn't work, could move the antenna outside. They are already at about 1400' elevation on the hill, so I was thinking an attic install would be a good as most tower installations off the hill.

Are the diplexers going to be that big of problem on signal stregth? Do I need to pick up an amp also?

Thanks for the offer JStigler. Things generally went well. Do have a strange issue though. I ended up with a monster antenna from RS that claimed 190 mile VHF and 100+ mile UHF range. Boom must be 12 feet long. Barely fit in the attic. Used diplexers to get signal down existing Dish coax. First channel scan on the Samsung HL-R5667W yeilded only two digital stations. Ran 100feet of coax directly from antenna to tv (through the house, not permanent) and got all digital stations, and all UHF analog stations. VHF was from unwatchable (2, 4, 5) to near perfect (11, 13). Decided it had to be antenna. Bought smaller antenna at local Wal-Mart and got exact same results. HMMM. Should have tested with a different TV, but didn't think of that in the heat of the battle. Seems to me it must be the Samsung TV.

Went back to monster antenna and diplexers and added Channelmaster amp (model 3xxx, 13db, only thing I found at Fry's on the way out of town). Got the digital channels back, analog UHF seems fine, VHF still largely unwatchable. This is the way I left it.

So my question at the end of this novel is this: What could cause the poor VHF reception? Shouldn't it have been the strongest? Could it be the TV? Parents are thinking they can live with it since they will watch digital and the analog is going away, but I don't like settling for a $2500 TV that won't pick up VHF. What have I missed?

Did anyone else notice some of the audio mix at times seemed to be low? For example, when the players were saying where they went to school, the mix was off and they couldn't be heard very well. Another time I noticed the audio to be low was when the ref's were on announcing a penalty. I don't know if this was in the broadcast, or, if I have a setting to tweek.

I enjoyed the 5.1 audio, with the stadium mikes on the surround, the announcer on the center and the action on the fronts L/R.

1) Does channel 27 have a digital signal? The Samsung says "No Signal" on 27.Yes, 27-1 has a digital channel. But remember, the real channel 27 is filled with the analog signal. Digital 27-1 is on real channel 36. Then in the digital stream, your tuner is told that it's really 27-1.2) I detected many channels last night (2, 4, 5, 8, 11, 13, 21, 23, 33, 39, 47, 49, 52, 58, 68) but I got "No Signal" early this morning on 4, 21, and 33. Could this have been due to atmospheric conditions (during the rain)?Rain can cause a tunnel effect that improves signal quality, especially for UHF. 4-1 is on 35, 21-1 is on 18, and 33 is on 32, so these are all UHF. Since you said you get the analog UHF channels fuzzy with interference, this is probably the problem. Your best bet is a bit better antenna, or moving it upwards. But remember, don't be duped by "HDTV" antennas. TV frequencies are TV frequencies, and crappy antennas are crappy antennas. In partcular, size is king. If you have a choice between a larger antenna with out amplification and a smaller one with amplification, choose the former. I recommend a Channel Master. Fry's has a nice one for $25. I was putting mine in the attic, so I was going to get the $30 one. When I got there, I changed my mind and splurged for the $35 one. :-)3) I detected several subchannels for channel 99, but my box says "No AV." Not "No Signal" but "No AV." What does this mean?99-x is actually a combination of two real channels: 30 and 46. Over these two stations, a company called USDTV is broadcasting a few cable/satellite channels, like ESPN/ESPN-2, Disney, HGTV, TLC, etc. 99-1 is their "barker" channel, that shows thumbnails of their lineup. The other channels are scrambled, and can only be viewed by obtaining a USDTV box and paying their subscription fee ($20/mo).4) Would a newer STB have a better chance of locking in to weaker signals (i.e. is there now improved reception circuitry in say a SIR-T451 over a 351)?Get a better antenna, or move yours upwards.

Xesdeeni

I put this together. It shows Fios channels vs. D* channels, what's available on each or the other. Also, I removed from this list the locals and the 65 duplicates of the same channel in the Fios lineup.

http://mysite.verizon.net/ress6c9s/

Awesome job on the lineup comparison. You would think that Verizon would have put this together and made it readily available, but oh well.

Anyway, two things:

You have DTV as having ABC HD available, as it has been pointed out to me so many times, it is not available yet through DTV.

Second, I did not see the NFL Sunday package listed. This is probably one of the main reasons DTV customers stay with DTV, so I think it is worth noting.

Now if we could get a picture quality comparison between the two and OTA that would be great. Anyway, great job and thank you for the effort.

Alirght, I'm sure know one cares, but I thought this was pretty funny. After this wire 'dangling' experiment, I took a wire coat hanger, bent it into a diamond. Then more less laid it on top of my silver sensor, even better results this time. Now I'm getting 8-1 in the 70's for the first time in a year (when the antenna was in a different room) and just in time for the Superbowl. Sorry just had to share.

Hopefully picture and full schematic diagram for this improved model will follow

Awesome job on the lineup comparison. You would think that Verizon would have put this together and made it readily available, but oh well.

Anyway, two things:

You have DTV as having ABC HD available, as it has been pointed out to me so many times, it is not available yet through DTV.

Second, I did not see the NFL Sunday package listed. This is probably one of the main reasons DTV customers stay with DTV, so I think it is worth noting.

Now if we could get a picture quality comparison between the two and OTA that would be great. Anyway, great job and thank you for the effort.

ABC-HD is not available as a local on D*, but is as a national channel. I think around 86 or 87 if I remember correctly. No NFL Sunday Package, but frankly, after seeing the officiating in the Super Bowl, who cares? It's going to go the way the refs want it to go.

would someone please be so kind to explain the local channels to me? About the time I think I have this fingered out, I get old and lost again. We have D* with local channels (SD), and the HD packages and a local OTA antenna

take channel 4 for example - there is KDFW, DL4, 4.1, 4.2

my confusion stems from what is SD, HD, and OTA HD (or SD?)

thanks,
Mike

About the time I think I have this fingered out, I get old and lost again.


on further research - it appears I have lost the test signal on 494 - which if I am not mistaken is the satellite that carries the HD locals signals.

That has been the confusion - my local HD feeds off the satellite all say "Searching for Signal - 771" - not a biggie to change to the other channel (OTA) with the HD symbol. It's confusing though - I thought I was losing my mind, but it just must be "losing the satellite" - sounds good any way - I'll just keep telling myself that, lol.

thanks,
Mike

I just got upgraded today with the AT9 and H20.

I am seeing 21 and 33 testing. Guide shows:

A3 Dallas 21 KTXA (UPN)

A3 Dallas 33 KDAF (WB)

I understand 8 is not up yet, but there is no cell on the guide, no message, no nothing.

I do not have a test channel 494.

Also, tonight I compared Letterman OTA vs MP4..........I couldn't tell any difference.

I use a Sony direct view CRT.

but I'm wondering why my older-than-old OTA box (SIR-T150) no longer "gets" channels 8 and 11 ....even though the little reception light is GREEN (meaning I'm locked onto the signal, should be seeing something) and I've made no changes to the location of my antenna. On screen I just get "No Signal." This has been going on for a few months, but it only recently occurred to me that I could ask here. *smacks head*


Is my box just finally that old? :D

Thanks in advance!

but I'm wondering why my older-than-old OTA box (SIR-T150) no longer "gets" channels 8 and 11 ....even though the little reception light is GREEN (meaning I'm locked onto the signal, should be seeing something) and I've made no changes to the location of my antenna. On screen I just get "No Signal." This has been going on for a few months, but it only recently occurred to me that I could ask here. *smacks head*


Is my box just finally that old? :D

Thanks in advance!

Have you tried disconnecting your antenna, scanning, reconnecting, then scanning again? It seems that works sometimes....can't hurt to try.

Good luck!
-Randy

What is up with 5-1 (KXAS)??!! I keep having drop-outs with strong signal. Happening during the olympics (and commercials). Is anyone aware of KXAS having problems tonight, or am I the only one noticing?

Thanks.

Having droputs here, too, even with signal alternating between 90-100% on my Humax HFA100.

Absolutely annoying! Does anyone know the number so I can call and complain? [not that anyone will care, but it'll make me feel better...]

Having drop outs here too...with strong signal. Glad to know it's not my new TV or HD-DVR.

Joe

No dropouts- but, no widescreen Olympics here on 5-1. Shouldn't it be in wide?

Check that- HD/ WS kicked in at about 10:20- just before things ended. Oh well- we'll see what happend tomorrow.

I'm waiting for FIOS TV in Plano. I already have internet and telephone. These are wonderful. Has anyone heard of anyone having FIOS TV yet in Plano? Verizon tells me that they've done installs in Plano and haven't gotten to my neighborhood yet, but I'm a few weeks away. I don't understand all this monkey business with antennas to get HD when it's available much more painlessly via cable or satellite.

I don't understand all this monkey business with antennas to get HD when it's available much more painlessly via cable or satellite.

Uhm... it's free? Besides that, you can enjoy buggin' the livin' sh** out of your neighbors with a big 'ol antenna as a nice "howdy there" on yer rooftop. Kinda' just makes life worth living, 'specially when you don't give a big 'ol horndog hoot what they think. :D

I'm waiting for FIOS TV in Plano. I already have internet and telephone. These are wonderful. Has anyone heard of anyone having FIOS TV yet in Plano? Verizon tells me that they've done installs in Plano and haven't gotten to my neighborhood yet, but I'm a few weeks away. I don't understand all this monkey business with antennas to get HD when it's available much more painlessly via cable or satellite.

Personally, I just like having options. Believe me, I wish FIOS was an option for me here in Frisco. But I digress.

If I am recording two shows on my DVR and want to be able to watch something else (some sporting event, for example), I can just switch over to my straight (non STB) cable input or OTA input, depending on what network is carrying what I want to watch live. Like most things in life and technology, to each his own, and YMMV!!!! ;)

Uhm... it's free? Besides that, you can enjoy buggin' the livin' sh** out of your neighbors with a big 'ol antenna as a nice "howdy there" on yer rooftop. Kinda' just makes life worth living, 'specially when you don't give a big 'ol horndog hoot what they think. :D

Well said. Besides, I personally think it was less painless to just put an antenna on my roof and enjoy free television, versus the pain of writing a check out to the bloodsuckers at Comcast every month...

Well said. Besides, I personally think it was less painless to just put an antenna on my roof and enjoy free television, versus the pain of writing a check out to the bloodsuckers at Comcast every month...

It's still amazing, isn't it, that you can get that quality OTA for free. Oh, well, I'm now enjoying the Fios, but not nearly as much as I enjoyed it when three members of the "architectural review committee" showed up on my front porch all huffy and puffed up before I showed 'em a copy of the OTA Reception Devices Rules in the FCC's Telecommunications Act and they left a little deflated with their tails tucked between their legs. :D I later got harrassed about something else that was totally assinine and I just told them in that meeting that I thought since the HOA didn't have a covenant outlawing a purple antenna sticking up about twelve feet above my house, that I might just be inclined to think that'd look mighty nice. :p

Needless to say, they now leave me alone.

Well, I guess I should have written a formal letter long ago, because the letter I wrote two weeks ago got me a call from a Charter representative in Fort Worth regarding HD service in the Denton market. The gentleman was very accomodating, trying four seperate times to reach me at home and at work.

He couldn't give me an exact date (it will depend on delivery of the new head-end equipment for the Denton plant, installation & testing, etc.), but their current target for rolling out HD programming on the Charter system in Denton is "late June". I'm taking that as a practical window of June/July, so sometime in that period we should start seeing HD signals over the Charter system here. (I plan to start running my set's QAM tuner over the cable input every three or four days, starting in late April or May, to see if I can catch the tests in progress.)

He indicated that I'm on a "first contact" list, so whenever they're ready to start rolling the service out, I should be able to let folks around here know about it as early as possible. Hard to believe it now, but Charter might actually beat Verizon to the punch, at least in terms of HD in Denton.

WTF with WFAA-DT? I have a Dish 942 in my HT, along with a CM 4221 in the Attic. I'm getting all the digitals @ 85-100% My WFAA has always been the weakest link at around 65-75%. Last Sunday, I lost all signal to WFAA. I deleted & rescanned, and my 942 shows it as an available channel. When I try & tune, nada. Here's the strange part. In my Den, I also have a 942 with a CM 4221 in the other Attic. I'm getting a picture just fine down there, and my reception has always been worse there. I'm getting agitated,and I can't switch to Fios until my E* contract is up in June!

I'm in Frisco and since the new HD-DVR (DirecTV) Mpeg4 units won't be out until mid-summer, I currently am without locals in HD. I'd like to minimize work and cost if I can, so I'm looking at a decent indoor antenna for my area. I can live without ABC since it's on the VHF band, if I can get the others. Anybody in the area (40+ miles away per AntennaWeb) know a good working solution that won't break the bank? TIA

40+ miles is a bit far for an indoor antenna. You "might" get away with a big antenna in the attic but that's iffy too.

I'm in Frisco and since the new HD-DVR (DirecTV) Mpeg4 units won't be out until mid-summer, I currently am without locals in HD. I'd like to minimize work and cost if I can, so I'm looking at a decent indoor antenna for my area. I can live without ABC since it's on the VHF band, if I can get the others. Anybody in the area (40+ miles away per AntennaWeb) know a good working solution that won't break the bank? TIAI've since moved to Murphy, but while I lived in Frisco, I borrowed a friend's Silver Sensor and was able to receive most of the stations. I seem to recall 27 wasn't there, but they've since raised their power. I think they are about $25. Add a pair of rabbit ears, and that should be enough to get 8, too (you wouldn't want to miss Lost in HD!).

Also, if you have a spare PC sitting around, you could grab a MyHD card and set up an HTPC DVR. Fast forwarding past commercials in HD is sooo nice.

Xesdeeni

40+ miles is a bit far for an indoor antenna. You "might" get away with a big antenna in the attic but that's iffy too.

Yeah, 40+ is pushing an attic antenna. I'm installing a DB8 from Antennasdirect in my attic, and I'm 35 miles from the furthest tower. The DB8 is supposed to be good for up to 70+ miles, when installed outside, but it's recommended to be safe, to degrade that by 50% when installed in an attic. This of course, assumes you have none of that new solar roof decking, which I believe contains aluminum or something, and that you only have one layer of shingles on your house.

Some antennas that claim more than 70 miles might actually work better than 50%(70)= 35 miles, because normally, I think it's believed that receiving signals (at least, the ones we are interested in) is limited by the curvature of the earth (which in this case, is about 70 miles). Since you're in an attic, and say an antenna might work up to 100 miles, if it weren't for the curvature of the earth, then you could actually get 50 miles with the same antenna in the attic, since 50 miles is still less than the 70 mile limitation. (I believe that is the whole reason they state the range as 70+ miles, because it really depends on your location, and elevation to the tower, and what the elevation of the tower is.

Not sure how much since that last paragraph made...

So, what I'm saying, is you might be able to get the signals you want, with an ATTIC antenna, just make sure it has a range of 70+ miles.

I'm gonna try the Silver Sensor, thanks for the advice...if that doesn't work, anybody have a guess at what an install would cost for putting one in the attic (just install cost, not with ant)?

I'm gonna try the Silver Sensor, thanks for the advice...if that doesn't work, anybody have a guess at what an install would cost for putting one in the attic (just install cost, not with ant)?

Topp Robertson of Applied Digital Science gave me an estimate of approximately 1 hour @ $75/hour. I hear very good things about his work. I've kind of let that whole project slide a bit...I need to have cabling run from the attic down to the areas I want to be able to feed, and that could end up being quite a pain and run the cost up a little. Anyway, you might want to contact him...I'll PM you his contact info....

-Randy

I'm gonna try the Silver Sensor, thanks for the advice...if that doesn't work, anybody have a guess at what an install would cost for putting one in the attic (just install cost, not with ant)?I'll go out on a limb and say if you can find your way to AVSForum (and you aren't physically challenged), you can install this yourself for free.

If you go down to Fry's and snag their biggest Channel Master for $35, you can lay it across your rafters, so there's no real work there (other than unfolding it). There's one piece that sticks down, so you just lay it so that this part sits in an empty space between the two-by-fours. (You can get a short pole and a mounting bracket if you'd like to lift it up.) You can lay this on insulation, so you can put it out of the way.

The most difficult part of an attic install (IMO) is running the coax. If you're lucky, your house has coax already installed. So you can use that. If it's already in use for your dish, use diplexers. But at your distance, you should amplify the signal before mixing it into the coax.

Xesdeeni

Yes, if you do want someone else to do the installation, I highly recommend Topp!!!

Xesdeeni

I agree with Xesdeeni, if you can physically use a screw driver, and get in the attic, you should be able to mount the antenna yourself. This is what I'll be using:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103276&cp=&kw=attic+mount&parentPage=search

It uses two wood screws to mount to a 2x4, and then allows you to mount your antenna to the mast. I'm thinking about 20 minutes max, to install the antenna (not including the time to put the antenna together).

BTW, the Rat Shack is discontinuing those brackets, so if you want one, better get it fairly soon. You can search the stores online, to find out which stores still have them. Can't beat $5.

This has probably been covered but let me ask this. I just called D* looking to buy an off air antenna so I can get ABC in HD. I have a terk antenna. the loooooong skinny one but it is so flaky most of that time that it peeves you to try to watch any HD programming. You don't know when it is going to work and when it isn't. I do have the antenna up on my roof.
Anyways, I asked them and they said that I could buy the 5lnb dish to get the local channels.....4 5 and 11 in HD. OK what the hell happened to 8???? She didn't have any idea. She said they might offer it later. (whatever) That would be so ideal if I could pick up ALL my local HD channels via the dish. End of story have a nice day. But no, ABC (belo) has to play hardball. Does anyone know if ABC-HD will ever be available via D*? They offer it on the SD side and doesn't comcast have ABC-HD? I trust you guys with answers more than I trust the D* help desk.
Also, is this the only advantage of the 5lnb dish? I have the HD Tivo DTV receiver. (the one from a year ago) They offered to have the 5lnb dish and the off air antenna installed for 99 dollars. Worth it or not?

Thanks
DannyD

You would not be able to watch HD 4, 5, and 11 over the 5 lnb dish with your HD Tivo. 4, 5, and 11 are broadcast in MPEG 4 and require a new receiver (which will not be Tivo nor a DVR)....well not until later this year.

Terk antenna's have a reputation for being the worst antenna. If you are still able to return it, do so and buy a Channel Master at Frys, a lot cheaper and a lot better.

sooo that would just be a waste of money for now? I really can't lose my TIVO, the wife would kill me. So if I did this, I would just be swapping dishes and getting no added value? WOW. I'm glad I asked. I need to call them and cancel the order. thanks. Does anyone know of any installers in the df/w area that can come install an ota antenna?

d

What city do you live in and what are the nearest cross streets?

If your current antenna is accessible then all you would have to do is go buy a Channel Master antenna (roughly $35) and swap them out.

Unscrew the coax, take Terk off, put CM on, and screw coax back on.

If you were going to spend $99 to fix the problem, why not try a $35 fix. If it doesn’t work, return the antenna. Just make sure not to rip open the box so you can return it.

Most CM antennas are both Uhf and Vhf, but make sure to check the box. I live in Grapevine and went through two different Terk antennas before I tried the CM 3018.

i live in southeast mesquite, cross streets, clay mathis and east glen.
What does the channel master look like?
d

I know it may not be what you are looking for but.......

Looks like you are less than 30 miles from the towers so it shouldn't be a problem. Point it just west of southwest.

Might be able to go with the 3016. About half the length, approx. 5.5 feet long.

This may sound like a silly question to most on this forum, but I've notice some programs are broadcast in 720p and some in 1080I. For example, over the air signal from FOX is 720P and over the air signals on NBC, CBS and ABC are 1080I. I realize the P stands for progressive and the I stands for interlaced. Are both formats similar in PQ? If there is a difference it is difficult or impossible for me to see. Are both formats considered HD broadcasts?

This may sound like a silly question to most on this forum, but I've notice some programs are broadcast in 720p and some in 1080I. For example, over the air signal from FOX is 720P and over the air signals on NBC, CBS and ABC are 1080I. I realize the P stands for progressive and the I stands for interlaced. Are both formats similar in PQ? If there is a difference it is difficult or impossible for me to see. Are both formats considered HD broadcasts?

This may sound like a silly question to most on this forum, but I've noticed some programs are broadcast in 720p and some in 1080I. For example, over the air signal from FOX is 720P and over the air signals on NBC, CBS and ABC are 1080I. I realize the P stands for progressive and the I stands for interlaced. Are both formats similar in PQ? If there is a difference it is difficult for me to see. Are both formats considered HD broadcasts or is the 720P just ED?

Are both formats similar in PQ?

Yes.

If there is a difference it is difficult for me to see.

Depends on the display and/or scaler and the nature of the content. 720p is often believed to have an edge over 1080i for motion-intensive content such as sports. But there are arguments for both.

Are both formats considered HD broadcasts or is the 720P just ED?

Yes, both formats are considered HD. EDTV is 480p.

I'm not an expert, so I expect someone will correct me if I've misinformed you.

There has historically been an almost religious battle between 720p and 1080i camps. So beware of anyone's views (including this one).

Naturally, 1280x720@59.94p (720p) has less static (still) resolution than 1920x1080@59.94i (1080i). But they both have the same number of what I call "instants of time": they both have an image transmitted for each 59.94th of a second. 720p has 59.94 720-line frames per second, while 1080i has 59.94 540-line fields per second. This means that motion has the same "fluidity" in both formats. However, when the image is in motion, the 1080i has half the vertical resolution. This is the same issue faced by NTSC TV, which also has 59.94 "instants of time" sent per second, but each only contains 243 lines of the image.

So from a purely theoretical basis, 720p is better for motion, while 1080i is better for stills. Also, since movies and most non-live shows are actually shot on film, 1080i can have higher resolution, since at least two fields are used for each film frame. However, since the two fields are shown sequentially, it's not exactly the same as if it were 1920x1080@23.976p (which is actually a legal ATSC format, but not used for practical reasons).

From theory to practice:

720p advocates point out that the progressive nature of 720p makes it more efficient to compress. Fields skip every other line, resulting in high frequency discontinuities in the vertical direction that must be handled by the compression algorithm. And each field is offset vertically from the ones before and after, so correlation between them is more difficult. Easier compression means a higher quality image for the same number of bits.

Also, 1080i content is often vertically filtered (even when the source is progressive film) to cut down on the flicker associated with interlacing. This effectively reduces the vertical resolution--to the neighborhood of 700 lines.

And many cameras in use today only have 1440 horizontal pixels, so the argument is that 1080i transmissions only actually contain about 1440x700 of content, meaning most of the resolution is lost, but you still get the interlacing artifacts.

When converting between the two (neither side wants to refer to converting to their format as "downconverting," so someone coined the term "crossconverting"), it is relatively simple to go from 720p to 1080i. You simply scale your 720p to 1080p, and then throw out half the lines of each frame. However, going from 1080i to 720p requires deinterlacing. This is a difficult process, and although there are a number of techniques, none are perfect.

BTW, neither the 720p nor the 1080i camp believes that their format is preferable when converted from the other. You get the worst of both worlds: the lower resolution and interlacing artifacts. Hence the frustration with Belo-owned WFAA, which takes the 720p feed from ABC and converts it to 1080i. And given that WFAA also insists on stealing bits for the stupid weather channel, coupled with the less efficient compression of interlaced content, this means that WFAA's picture is inferior to ABC stations elsewhere around the country.

My particular RPTV is 1080i. The CRTs only have about 700 lines of resolution. So I also don't see much difference between 1080i and 720p content. But when I've looked at 720p displays, I find that the deinterlacing of 1080i content is lacking on most.

Six of one, half a dozen of the other. YMMV. IMHO. Etc.

Xesdeeni

That's definitely one of the better explanations I've read...very informative. I have a microdisplay RPTV (Mits DLP) and really don't notice major differences in the two formats...but then again, I don't generally go looking for them. I just know that I like the way my picture looks! :D

I agree... awesome explanation Xesdeeni! I've seen it talked about many times, but that does a great job of summarizing it.

That was a great explanation. APPLAUD, APPLAUD.


I have a Mits DLP and I do not notice the difference between 720p and 1080i. However, I am using a DirecTV HR10-250 which has a switch to output either a 1080i or 720p signal. Since I have a DLP with a native resolution of 720p, I have chosen to have the HR10-250 to output a 720p signal. That being said, I wouldn't know whether a show was being broadcast in either since the box does the job instead of the TV. Keep in mind that whatever native resolution your TV is, then that is what you will see. So if you have a CRT based RPTV then everything you receive will be crossconverted (I like that term) to 1080i since that is the native resolution. Because of that, depending on how well your TV does the crossconverting job will determine how how good of a picture you will get. Some TV's use Faroudja chips which do an excellent job and some use a propriety chip of their own like my Mits. They do ok, but they do not compare to the Faroudja and other high end converting chips. Personnally IMHO, I think that compression has more to do with the PQ then the format of 1080i and 720p. Also, consider your source, OTA will be whatever it is, but cable or satellite may not be since you have to select the output mode on the box to either 1080i or 720p. One note on the OTA, if you are using an external box to get the OTA signal, then just like the cable and satellite boxes, you will need to select an utput format.

Disclaimer: All of this is just my opinion based on what I have read and seen. No animals were hurt in the making of this opinion.

Wow! Thanks for the great explanation!

I can receive HD programming via an OTA antenna and Verizon FIOS TV. As I mentioned in my initial message, the HD format on the OTA reception varies depending on the station. The FIOS set top box only has one output option for HD programming - 720P.

I have had the FIOS TV service for about 2 months and am pleased with the service. In my experience, the picture quality of the OTA HD and FIOS HD seem to be similar on similar stations (NBC OTA and NBC FIOS). The only difference I notice between the OTA HD and FIOS HD programming relates to sound dynamics, primarily on specific programs shown on CBS like CSI and NFL football. The difference between soft and loud passages on certain CBS shows seems to be greater than any other network on OTA HD programming too. On shows with greater dynamic range in sound, the OTA HD source sound seems to be slightly more dynamic than the FIOS HD source sound. The sound experience on OTA and FIOS on less dynamic sounding programming and networks other than CBS is similar.

Finally, the SD channels on FIOS TV are consistently good, but certainly a notch below the HD content. HD picture quality really spoils you and alters your perception of SD picture quality.

Is there an advantage to Dish vs Direct in North Dallas?
One service better than the other? Better equipment? Better signal?
Thanks for any comments, I searched and didn't find clear answers.

Not sure there is a clear answer. If you are big into sports, then Direct may have an advantage with their NFL Ticket. If you are into foreign programming or HD then Dish may win out.
When I made my choice for Dish, I made a list of programming that I was most interested in and then made corresponding lists for Dish and Direct. At that time (9 years ago) Dish gave me all I wanted and at a lower price.

I also chose Dish over Direct, about 8 years ago. I currently have 2 942 HD DVR receivers, and have no problems with either unit! They integrate my OTA HD locals flawlessly.
Tom in TX
P.S. - If you are going to choose Dish, pm me, so I can get a referral!!!

Is there an advantage to Dish vs Direct in North Dallas?
One service better than the other? Better equipment? Better signal?
Thanks for any comments, I searched and didn't find clear answers.

So there are several things to consider:

1. Programming. As stated above DirecTV is more sports oriented and Dish has more foreign programming. However, lets talk about HDTV. Right now there is no question that Dish has more HD channels than DirecTV. This is because they bought a lot of the channels from Voom when they went under. So if you are looking for pure number of channels then Dish will have more. Here is the catch, those channels that use to be Voom may not interest you, so check them out. Biggest thing is to compare what is available and see what fits your TV watching habits.

2. Price. Typically you can get a cheaper package from Dish. This doesn't mean that they are lower price, just that they have a more basic package. If the basic package meets your programming need then this would be a benefit for you, however if it doesn't then you will probably find that when you compare apples to apples they are the same. Second part of this is that you lease from Dish and currently buy from DirecTV. There are many plusses and minuses on this such as you do not have to worry about the equipment costs if it goes bad, however if you want to upgrade the size of the hard drive for more recording capability you can only do that with one that you own. This will all be moot come March first when DirecTV begins their leasing program.

3. Tivo. This has been one of the biggest deciding factors for current DirecTV PVR users for staying with their current equipment. Read throughout the forums and anyone that has had a Tivo based PVR will complain about DirecTV's new PVR without Tivo and any other system that they have tried without Tivo. I myself tried Comcast for awhile and preferred Tivo over it. However, here is the good news, if you have never used Tivo then you won't know what your missing and it will not matter to you. It's like driving a car, if you have never driven a Cadillac then driving a Camry is pretty nice. Keep in mind that Tivo is only available on the current HD10-250, once they replace it we will all have to live without Tivo.

4. Have you thought about Fios or Cable. I live in North Dallas and Comcast offers probably one of the biggest bang for the buck that I have seen. If you're lucky enough to have Fios availble then the deal gets even better. Several other cable companies offer similiar packages at discounted prices. The biggest advantage to a cable company is that they offer the local HD programming without having an OTA. The second biggest advantage is that you only need one line, not two or four, because one line carries the full signal and all you do is split it to different receivers, no fuss, no muss. The HD PVR's from cable companies offer dual tuner capability just like DirecTV and Dish, however you can only record up to 20 hrs currently and these cannot be upgraded. Of course, since you rent them, you could just get more than one, but then there is the whole wire spaghetti issue.

I could go on and on about the differences between all of the services, but the reality is that you will need to take a look at what matters to you whether it's programming, price, convience or what and then step off the cliff like the rest of us. Two weeks after or six months later you're going to say to yourself that you should have done something different because "the grass is always greener on the other side".

By the way, I have DirecTV. I have tried Comcast in the past and found myself back to DirecTV. Why you ask, because I love my Tivo and I haven't found anything that works like it. And as long as I can keep my HD10-250 breathing I am not switching.

Good luck with your decision and remember that the only bad decision is when you don't make one at all.

Kemical

I live in Kennedale, TX and I put a channel master antenna in our attic, now BAM..I got like 52 channels of HD/SD. Signal strenght on most channels is between 75 and 85 on the meter.

I have a Sharp LC-37D6U and watch OTA HD/SD programs only, Dish and Cable are just to much $$$, but just in town USDTV http://www.usdtv.com/ may be a cheap answer to get a few cool Cable/Dish channels.

For all the NEW folk out there in the D/FW metro area here is a updated list of OTA (Over The Air) Digital channels.

2.1 KDTN Daystar
4.1 KDFW FOX-HD
4.2 KDFW Weather
5.1 KXAS NBC-HD
5.2 KXAS NBC Weather Plus
8.1 WFAA ABC-HD
8.2 WFAA Weather
11.1 KTVT CBS-HD
13.1 KERA PBS-HD
21.1 KTXA UPN-HD
21.2 KTXA Weather
23.1 KUVN Univision
21.4 KDFI IND
29.1 KMPX IND
33.1 KDAF WB
33.2 KDAF Weather
39.1 KXTX Telemundo
47.1 KTAQ Promise Land
49.1 KSTR TeleFutura
55.1 KLDT IND
58.1 KDTX TBN
58.2 KDTX Church Channel
58.3 KDTX JCTV
58.4 KDTX TBN Enlace
58.5 KDTX Smile of a Child
68.1 KPXD I
68.2 KPXD PAX
68.3 KPXD Worship

Kennedale is very close to Cedar Hill. I think you can actually see the antennas from your roof. You probably only need rabbit ears.

Is KFWD still broadcasting on the digital side? I didn't see them in the newly posted list. Their analog channel is 52, and I believe their digital channel was 53-1, oddly enough...it has been awhile since I have tried to watch them OTA, however, so I could be mistaken on that.....

-Randy

Kennedale is very close to Cedar Hill. I think you can actually see the antennas from your roof. You probably only need rabbit ears.

Ceder Hill is about 20 miles from Kennedale, and NO you can't see the antennas from anywhere in town. Rabbit ears do work but, when you use any kitchen appliance it will interfear with the TV, using the channel master in the attic I don't have that problem, plus I get better signal strenght on some of the IND stations.

Has anyone notice that WFAA has a new channel? 8.3 SD at 480i, it shows tower cams from around Dallas.

Has anyone notice that WFAA has a new channel? 8.3 SD at 480i, it shows tower cams from around Dallas.

Ugh...wasting more bandwidth that could be used on 8.1. :(

Is KFWD still broadcasting on the digital side? I didn't see them in the newly posted list. Their analog channel is 52, and I believe their digital channel was 53-1, oddly enough...it has been awhile since I have tried to watch them OTA, however, so I could be mistaken on that.....

-Randy

What's up with KDFI 27 digital broadcast? It was 27.1, but since I went Digital I have not been able to find it. (On three different HD set's with 3 different attenna's) One listing has it at 21.4 but I don't receive a signal, I know it's not the attenna, I pull in everything in from 40 miles away with no problem. Titan TV still list it as 27.1 and shows a digital guide for it.

Any Ideas??

nevermind, looks like only those who live in the Dallas metro area can recieve it.

I live in North Carrollton and receive all local digital channels including 27.1. The signal strength of channel 27.1 is the weakest of all digital channels received. For example, channel 27.1 signal strength is about 40 percent and all other digital channels are between 78 and 98 percent. However, the picture quality on 27.1 at 40 percent is crystal clear and looks no different than the strongest signal. I guess with a digital signal the picture is either perfect or nothing at all. I use a typical outdoor UHF/VHF antenna that is located in my attic. It was purchase at Radio Shack for about $59.

Ceder Hill is about 20 miles from Kennedale, and NO you can't see the antennas from anywhere in town. Rabbit ears do work but, when you use any kitchen appliance it will interfear with the TV, using the channel master in the attic I don't have that problem, plus I get better signal strenght on some of the IND stations.

Has anyone notice that WFAA has a new channel? 8.3 SD at 480i, it shows tower cams from around Dallas.


Just out of curiousity, are you using a surge protector with a line conditioner like a Monster Cable power center? Most solid surge protectors have some sort of line conditioning built in that would solve any interference that you get from electical lines and digital components are more likely to get interference than non-digital equipment. If you don't you might want to think about one even if you stick with the channel master. There are a lot out there at various levels and price points. Just a suggestion.

Kemical

Yes, I was wondering why WFAA is broadcasting an 8.3. Seems to be a waste.

Ugh...wasting more bandwidth that could be used on 8.1. :(
Looks like they are statmuxing now and more bits are going to 8.1 when needed.....so maybe NOT a waste afterall.

Looks like they are statmuxing now and more bits are going to 8.1 when needed.....so maybe NOT a waste afterall.

Good to know...thanks!

-Randy

Just out of curiousity, are you using a surge protector with a line conditioner like a Monster Cable power center? Most solid surge protectors have some sort of line conditioning built in that would solve any interference that you get from electical lines and digital components are more likely to get interference than non-digital equipment. If you don't you might want to think about one even if you stick with the channel master. There are a lot out there at various levels and price points. Just a suggestion.

Kemical


I use a APC UPS 700 Power backup/surge protection unit for my Home Theather system, and the coaxe from the attenna jack at the wall has a line conditioner at each end of it.

Has anybody been having problems with KXAS NBC 5.1, dropped or loss signal, audio losses since they started Olympic coverage?

Does anyone have a Sharp model D4U or D6U with tuner lockups??

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=647174

Thanks to TomTx, Tom and especially Kemical for a detailed analysis.
As much as I hate Comcast, I will check into the ir service.

I've heard from people at retail that cable compresses the HD signal and the pisture suffers slightly in comparison to Direct, Any truth to it?

Looks like they are statmuxing now and more bits are going to 8.1 when needed.....so maybe NOT a waste afterall.

How did you determine that the bitstreams for 8.1 and 8.3 are stat muxed?

Thanks to TomTx, Tom and especially Kemical for a detailed analysis.
As much as I hate Comcast, I will check into the ir service.

I've heard from people at retail that cable compresses the HD signal and the pisture suffers slightly in comparison to Direct, Any truth to it?

I believe that is at least somewhat true for SD...the opposite is true for HD. The sat providers compress and Comcast doesn't...that is, Comcast does no compression themselves. They put out the same signal they are given...at least that is my understanding. This is why you'll see people referring 'HD Lite' when talking about the sat. providers...

-Randy

P.S. While no cable provider is perfect (far from it), if you lived through AT&T's reign here, you have to appreciate Comcast some. They bought a big ol' mess and have at least tried to make it somewhat better... -R

Thanks to TomTx, Tom and especially Kemical for a detailed analysis.
As much as I hate Comcast, I will check into the ir service.

I've heard from people at retail that cable compresses the HD signal and the pisture suffers slightly in comparison to Direct, Any truth to it?


Just from my experience of when I was running both DirecTV and Comcast at the same time, I could not tell the difference between them. I compared Discovery HD on both since it seems to be the most detailed and it would be easier to see any differences. That being said IMHO I could not see a difference. At the time I could not compare OTA to either, however I have been able to recently compare OTA with the feeds out of NY on DirecTV and again IMHO I could not see a difference. I used the Olympics to do the comparison again for the detail it shows. I have read that DirecTV does do compression on HD but I have not ben able to see a difference. What I might suggest is trying Comcast first since there is not a contract and comparing it to OTA if possible. I would predict that you probably would not be able to see a difference. The biggest advantage of going to Comcast would be not having to have to deal with an OTA, however if you are concerned with PQ this may put your mind at ease. Also, I would add that if you do not have a HD source currently then I believe you will be happy with the PQ of any HD source since you are not predisposed to any other HD quality. Something new, even light, is better than something old (non-HD). Also keep in mind that there are other factors to consider such has what cables you plan on using, the TV itself and the format at which you receive the signal, ie 720p vs. 1080i. If you chose to go with Comcast make sure you output the signal that matches your TV's native resolution. For me it was 720p and I could only get that through the DVI connection.

Good luck and remember that either way you will probably be happy.

Kemical

How did you determine that the bitstreams for 8.1 and 8.3 are stat muxed?
I am using the program TSReader http://www.coolstf.com/tsreader which displays a live look of the stream which shows the channels constantly changing......taking/giving bits per channel as needed.

I have some complicated wiring in my attic and wanted to get OTA installed to help figure out the wires and prevent me from laying new cable thru the walls in my 2-story house. I have gotten several bids from installers for antenna placement and they all run in the upper $200 to $300 prices. Anyone have better experiences?

Is KFWD still broadcasting on the digital side? I didn't see them in the newly posted list. Their analog channel is 52, and I believe their digital channel was 53-1, oddly enough...it has been awhile since I have tried to watch them OTA, however, so I could be mistaken on that.....

-Randy

They are. I tune in from time to time to catch an old episode of Magnum PI or the A-Team.

KFWD-DT is on channel 51, not 53.

Thanks to TomTx, Tom and especially Kemical for a detailed analysis.
As much as I hate Comcast, I will check into the ir service.

I've heard from people at retail that cable compresses the HD signal and the pisture suffers slightly in comparison to Direct, Any truth to it?


Based upon my experience of having Comcast, OTA, and Dish ( at one point or another), picture quality:
OTA = best
Dishnetwork = next
Comcast = last (at least in my area since cable varries with line quality)
DirectTV = ? never had it.
FIOS = wish it were offered in my area, would love to give it a try.

FIOS = wish it were offered in my area, would love to give it a try.

You'd probably love it. I don't have an HDTV yet, but just going from Comcast analog cable to FiOS digital TV was like night and day. Picture is perfectly clear, no ghosting or fuzzy channels, or crappy audio.

Although, I have to admit, OTA HDTV, even on my SDTV, is far better!

P.S. While no cable provider is perfect (far from it), if you lived through AT&T's reign here, you have to appreciate Comcast some. They bought a big ol' mess and have at least tried to make it somewhat better... -R

Does anyone have any info with regard to the upcoming Comcast->Time Warner transition? I spoke to a Comcast phone rep last week who put the time frame at "a couple months"...at least with regard to TW hardware being on the street.

Does anyone have any info with regard to the upcoming Comcast->Time Warner transition? I spoke to a Comcast phone rep last week who put the time frame at "a couple months"...at least with regard to TW hardware being on the street.

htevolution, is Time Warner taking over for Comcast in Dallas? I am moving to Dallas in a little over a month and I was just curious. I am moving to Irving but unfortunately the part of Irving I am moving to Verizon is not there yet.

I live near Cedar Hill and have a RatShack antenna in the attic. My OTA signal strength is in the 90s, but I can't see any difference in PQ on my new 50" Sony between the OTA signal and the Comcast local HD feeds.

Unfortunately the Comcast techs can't seem to get the CableCard to work, so I can't see any of the digital or non-local HDTV channels yet. The analog channels work.....whoopie.

RF

I live near Cedar Hill and have a RatShack antenna in the attic. My OTA signal strength is in the 90s, but I can't see any difference in PQ on my new 50" Sony between the OTA signal and the Comcast local HD feeds.

Unfortunately the Comcast techs can't seem to get the CableCard to work, so I can't see any of the digital or non-local HDTV channels yet. The analog channels work.....whoopie.

RF

Would you mind keeping us (or just me via PM if nobody else is interested) updated on the CableCard saga? I've been tempted to get one, but it seems like most installations end up being pretty painful. Are they charging you for the card, or just installation (if you don't mind)....

Thanks!
-Randy

Would you mind keeping us (or just me via PM if nobody else is interested) updated on the CableCard saga? I've been tempted to get one, but it seems like most installations end up being pretty painful. Are they charging you for the card, or just installation (if you don't mind)....

Thanks!
-Randy

Please answer here. I've got cable card interest as well.

Thanks,

Al

htevolution, is Time Warner taking over for Comcast in Dallas? I am moving to Dallas in a little over a month and I was just curious. I am moving to Irving but unfortunately the part of Irving I am moving to Verizon is not there yet.

Dallas was one of the markets involved in a system swap between Comcast and Time Warner last year.

Here's some more detail: http://www.satelliteguys.us/archive/index.php/t-30534.html

Well, according to Comcast CS, the only charge is a $15.95 installation charge. There are no additional monthly charges and I get all the non-premium HDTV channels like INHD, ESPN HD, Discovery HD, etc. and if I subscribe to any premium channels, such as HBO, I get the HD channels for those too.

No monthly box fee, and I don't have to cough up bucks for a Monster Ripoff component or HDMI cable.

The tech who installed my card said most TV's don't need a tech to install the card, but some brands, especially Mitsubishi, don't follow the CableCard spec closely and are very difficult to deal with.

In my case, the card works, but Comcast loaded the wrong encryption keys in the card at their office, so I can't decode any encrypted channels, which includes all the digital channels and most of the non-local HDTV channels.

With the CableCard installed, the TV's program guide includes channel ID, (Lifetime, History, etc), and the channel numbers match Comcast's lineup for where I live. Unfortunately, there is no program information like that provided with OTA broadcasts.

Comcast is sending another tech out this weekend with a new card. Hopefully they will load the right keys this time around.

RF

Has anyone heard when WFAA news is going HD?

It looks like the new studio set they have had in place for a few months now is designed for HD. I notice all the screens that they have as background are 16:9, but I can tell that they are stretching the picture to fill the screen.

Thanks for the info, RF. Let us know how it goes. I am especially interested since I have a Mits... :)

-Randy

Has anyone heard when WFAA news is going HD?

It looks like the new studio set they have had in place for a few months now is designed for HD. I notice all the screens that they have as background are 16:9, but I can tell that they are stretching the picture to fill the screen.
JStigler, your silence is deafening!

I was wondering if anyone could help me w/ this problem. I have Dish Network through AT&T entertainment at my apartment complex. This is the service that is provided through the coax cable in the wall. Comcast does not serve my complex. I am located in NW Plano at the tollway and Legacy and my apt. is facing South but there are some building around it.

I'm wondering how to get local channels in HD. I was told that DISH network/AT&T Home Ent. does not offer local HD channels. Can you get local HD channels w/ actual service direct from DirectTV or DISH Network (meaning I would need a dish outside my window). I believe one of the reps said I would need a larger dish, not the standard size to receive these channels.

Do these OTA antennas work at all. I'm not sure I would be able to mount one outside and would be limited to indoor models. I believe I am around 35 miles from the main grouping of the HD antennas here in Dallas.

I just bought a new Samsung DLP TV and am frustrated w/ not being able to receive any network stations in HD.

Go AntennaWeb to figure out what kind of antenna you need and which direction to point it.

RF

http://www.antennaweb.org/

JStigler, your silence is deafening!

If there are plans in work for HD local news at WFAA, JStigler certainly wouldn't be allowed to give anything away before an announcement was made. So his silence could mean either that he isn't at liberty to discuss plans, or that there are no plans to discuss.

I'm wondering how to get local channels in HD. I was told that DISH network/AT&T Home Ent. does not offer local HD channels. Can you get local HD channels w/ actual service direct from DirectTV or DISH Network (meaning I would need a dish outside my window). I believe one of the reps said I would need a larger dish, not the standard size to receive these channels.

Do these OTA antennas work at all. I'm not sure I would be able to mount one outside and would be limited to indoor models. I believe I am around 35 miles from the main grouping of the HD antennas here in Dallas.

I just bought a new Samsung DLP TV and am frustrated w/ not being able to receive any network stations in HD.

OTA antennas definitely do work. And an indoor antenna aimed through your south-facing window might still work well despite the other buildings around you.

As an experiment, I carried an old 2-bay UHF bowtie antenna over to a friend's apartment in downtown Plano (15th & Ave K) a couple days ago. Setting it on the floor of his second floor apartment, we were able to receive several local digital channels using the integrated ATSC tuner in his new Toshiba HDTV -- despite the fact that his apartment faces *east* and reception was achieved by aiming the antenna SSW, meaning that half of his apartment complex was between the antenna and the stations' transmitters.

My friend was totally surprised, because he was convinced up front that his location would preclude any digital reception (his analog TV reception is really awful, with a barely viewable picture on most channels). So give it a try...with a little tweaking of locations, you may be pleasantly surprised how well it can work.

If that doesn't work for you, a larger dish outside your window may be something that is allowed -- I see plenty of dishes outside windows and off of balconies at nearby apartment complexes. But as I live in my own home and don't subscribe to DISH, DirecTV, or Comcast, I have no first-hand experience with any major pay provider.

Dishnetwork currently offers CBS out of NY in HD and will be offering all local networks in HD soon. I don't know what soon means, but go the their web site or call them.

If that doesn't work for you, a larger dish outside your window may be something that is allowed -- I see plenty of dishes outside windows and off of balconies at nearby apartment complexes.

Yep, that's because we are allowed to by the FCC. It has been a while since I read the whole thing, but basically, it says that they (apartment complex, home owners ass.) cannot make rules NOT letting you have such equipment, and can also not charge you a premium on your lease, just to put a dish on your balcony...

Last night I tried to get KTVT 11.1 and it wouldn't come in. I did some searching and found the feed on 19.1. Anyone else having problems with 11.1 lately? I live in Red Oak so pretty close to Cedar Hill and have no problem with 4,5,8 or 11 coming in. I just thought it was unusual to find the feed at 19.1.

Last night I tried to get KTVT 11.1 and it wouldn't come in. I did some searching and found the feed on 19.1. Anyone else having problems with 11.1 lately? I live in Red Oak so pretty close to Cedar Hill and have no problem with 4,5,8 or 11 coming in. I just thought it was unusual to find the feed at 19.1.

Yeah, by coincidence I did a channel scan on Wednesday night and found a "new" channel on 19.1. (I still got 11.1 to come in OK, though.) I wonder if the KTVT techs are working on their equipment.

Finally got my CableCard working for all the digital and HD channels. Turns out there was nothing wrong with the card. The cable guy who installed it last week didn't know the right person to call at Comcast to get the card working, but the guy who showed up today did.

Just goes to show that it's not what you know, but who you know.

This guy also said Mitsubishi's are tough to configure CableCards for. In fact, the first thing he asked me on the phone was whether my TV was a Mitsubishi.

RF

Finally got my CableCard working for all the digital and HD channels. Turns out there was nothing wrong with the card. The cable guy who installed it last week didn't know the right person to call at Comcast to get the card working, but the guy who showed up today did.

Just goes to show that it's not what you know, but who you know.

This guy also said Mitsubishi's are tough to configure CableCards for. In fact, the first thing he asked me on the phone was whether my TV was a Mitsubishi.

RF

Thanks a lot for the update...if it ultimately is working and costs only the $16 installation, it sounds like it would be worth having for those rare occasions when I am recording two shows and wanting to watch a third. Again, thanks for keeping us in the loop!

-Randy

Problems receiving WFAA (8.1) --- please help

I am receiving all the other major Dallas HDTV/DTV channels, except for WFAA channel 8. Is anyone else having this problem? Are they off the air, or underpowered? I get the traditional analog channel 8, but not the digital.

Full disclosure:
I am new to OTA HDTV reception. I have an LG LST-3510a HDTV receiver feeding a Sharp LC-37hv4u TV. The antenna is the smallest Radio Shack unit (VU-75xr) which is sitting in the attic.

Almost all of the digital channels are coming in great (2, 4, 5, 11, 13, 21, etc). The only one showing a weak signal, and which can pixelate, is ch. 4. All the traditional analog signals come in about the same, which is to say tolerable but not pretty.

I am hoping there is another solution besides installing a tripod roof mast (no mount or chimney). Would a preamp likely help, or just be a waste of time??

Thanks for your help and advice,
Joe

... continuation of prior post ....

sorry I forgot to mention my location
I live in east Dallas, near White Rock Lake.

According to antennaWeb, I am 21 miles from the WFAA tower, which would put it somewhere near Joe Pool Lake off Hwy 67.

The radio shack antenna is rated for 50 (uhf) - 75 (vhf) miles in "ideal" conditions.

Thanks for any help/advice!

... continuation of prior post ....

sorry I forgot to mention my location
I live in east Dallas, near White Rock Lake.

According to antennaWeb, I am 21 miles from the WFAA tower, which would put it somewhere near Joe Pool Lake off Hwy 67.

The radio shack antenna is rated for 50 (uhf) - 75 (vhf) miles in "ideal" conditions.

Thanks for any help/advice!

I forget if WFAA is UHF or VHF. I'm thinking VHF. Depending on your roof (multiple layers of shingles, any type of solar insulation, etc), that may be causing your reception problems...

An amplifier will usually not help. Amplifiers are only helpful, if you are actually getting a good signal, and need to split that signal several times, or have a long cable run. It will NOT increase the distance your antenna receives.

I live 35 miles from WFAA (Flower Mound), and have about 69% signal strength (if that means anything), but can't pull in the signal well enough for it to be reliable.

I have a DB8 from Antenna's Direct, up in my attic, and it's not a VHF antenna, but will pick up VHF, if it's strong enough... Not sure what your issue is, exactly...

sorry I forgot to mention my location
I live in east Dallas, near White Rock Lake.

katanaz73,

I live in the M-streets and am receiving channel 8 (and all the HD major networks for that matter) with my Winegard Sharpshooter SS-3000 (an indoor antenna) that I've put on top of my TV cabinet. If you live over in this area, I'm surprised you can't get it with a large attic antenna. I suggest you program your TV to rescan and see if it shows up again. Sometimes, for whatever reason, TV's or PVR's lose the channel and you need to rescan to find it again...

Hope this helps...BTW, channel 8 is VHF...

Hi,
Just in case any of you are interested, the Stars will be on INHD tonight, simulcast with the OLN coverage. That is, unless some strange blackout occurs. Earlier in the year there was no blackout problem, so I think we'll be good to go. Anyway, it is a great chance to catch the Stars in HD!

-Randy

Hi,
Just in case any of you are interested, the Stars will be on INHD tonight, simulcast with the OLN coverage. That is, unless some strange blackout occurs. Earlier in the year there was no blackout problem, so I think we'll be good to go. Anyway, it is a great chance to catch the Stars in HD!

-Randy

BELIEVE IT OR NOT!!!.................

It will be on D* CH 95

Miracles DO in fact happen.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT!!!.................

It will be on D* CH 95

Miracles DO in fact happen.

Just curious...how did you find this out?

The program guide:)

I just noticed this flipping around the channels. They have the Espn2 feed on 8.2 right now for the USA vs. Korea World Baseball Classic game. I thought that was pretty cool considering ABC has no HD programming on tonight.

I finally got a setup working last night where I could pul in WFAA OTA. Does WFAA do this often?

:mad: Charter does not have InHD.


Hi,
Just in case any of you are interested, the Stars will be on INHD tonight, simulcast with the OLN coverage. That is, unless some strange blackout occurs. Earlier in the year there was no blackout problem, so I think we'll be good to go. Anyway, it is a great chance to catch the Stars in HD!

-Randy

A follow-up to my own posts from a few days ago:

1) Thanks for your responses!
2) I am now receiving WFAA OTA with good signal strength, and all the other major networks as well.
3) I ended up getting a bigger antenna (Radio Shack 120 mile range) and mounting it 5 feet above the roof. The smaller antenna was just not working. I am surprosed that it took a "120 mile" antenna to get a transmission from 20 miles away...
4) I found a good antenna installation guy, who did the work for me (for a reasonable price). I actually had a pretty hard time finding anyone who would do this job. If you want his contact info, e-mail me.

Hi,

I recently bought a samsung DLP, and was able to watch all the HD channels in the dallas area (75252) pretty well. Channel 8 was spotty initially, but its fine now. My problem is with UPN21 (Channel 21). This channel was coming just fine till a couple of weeks ... and suddenly it blacked out. I get the signal (signal strength is over 90), but there is nothing on the screen. I wasn't exactly missing it ... until the mavs match tonite!! :(

Is anyone else seeing this problem? If not, does anyone know what could be the problem?

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

I recently bought a samsung DLP, and was able to watch all the HD channels in the dallas area (75252) pretty well. Channel 8 was spotty initially, but its fine now. My problem is with UPN21 (Channel 21). This channel was coming just fine till a couple of weeks ... and suddenly it blacked out. I get the signal (signal strength is over 90), but there is nothing on the screen. I wasn't exactly missing it ... until the mavs match tonite!! :(

Is anyone else seeing this problem? If not, does anyone know what could be the problem?

Thanks in advance!

I would re-scan. (A fellow Athenian, I see)

I would re-scan. (A fellow Athenian, I see)

That should fix it. The game came in fine for myself.

We Live in Plano. We just purchased the Samsung 42" DLP TV. It has an intergrated ATSC tuner. We get lousy reception on it. Only Ch 11-1 locks. We have two other ATSC tuners in the house - the Zenith SAT520 and a MyHD 120 card in the computer. Both pull mulitple channels without much problems. I have an amplifier on both of these. The SAT520 has great reception and I rarely have dropped channels.

Could wiring be the problem? The SAT520 has satellite grade coax running to it. The MyHD card and the Sammy has regular coax running to it.

Also, I noticed something strange. We have our antenna mounted to the top of our home. When it is was first installed, the channels were as clear as cable. Overtime, reception has decreased and channel 4 has more and more ghosting. Any ideas?

Thanks,
AlrightyThen

Does channel 11 utilize any subchannels, and if so, does anyone know if they plan on broadcasting additional tournament games on them? I heard that in some other markets, stations are broadcasting 4 different games at the same time.