I'm not sure if I like how 6 is now presenting its news. They frame the shots very tightly with each anchor making Gene Patterson's head look enormous. And HD doesn't do Lori Tucker any favors.

I'll try to have my setup fixed by my return trip so as to get what I need.

Okay, so here's what I observed about the Knoxville area stations during my very quick pass through the area:

- WVLT is using a very aggressive statistical multiplexer. It looks like 8-1 gets as high as 12.5 Mbps, but often is in the 10 Mbps range. I think 8-2 is capped at 8.5 Mbps, and I saw it go as low as 3 Mbps.

- WTNZ has added Mobile DTV.

- WBXX is now operating at 14 Mbps, with the rest being left empty. I would wonder if it is the precursor to a subchannel, but Lockwood doesn't have subchannels on any of its CW stations, so I'm skeptical unless it's some type of group deal.

I didn't notice anything else too terribly interesting.

- Trip

- WVLT is using a very aggressive statistical multiplexer.

Is this why Channel 8 has such terrible macroblocking? The Amazing Race, which has fast action, camera pans and quick editing, is like watching a checkerboard at times.

The stat muxer itself probably isn't responsible, but the low bitrates employed to run two HD feeds at once probably is.

- Trip

Another complaint about WVLT. In recent weeks on prime time shows, they come back from local commercial break and wind up lapping over several seconds on the show. I've seen that on shows most nights of the week, so it's their problem. Anyone over there to send an email to so a complaint can be lodged?

I stopped in over at the new service center at Downtown West, and I was told that not all areas have the new HD channels yet. They said it will probably be area wide by the end of the year. They said that the ones that still have the full expanded lineup in analog (2-99 channels) have still not been switched over once they are removed then you get the new HD channels automatically they said. They are apparently also doing it node by node on the switchover, in fact one of the employees that was working in there said she still had not been switched over and she lives in the same general area (North Knoxville/Halls).

I checked and I am still receiving channels 2-99 in analog so that must be why I don't have them yet...


If you still can receive the full expanded lineup channels 2-99 in analog then your area still hasn't been switched over yet either.

Ahhhhhh, that explains it. I thought you had previously said your analogs had been turned off with every elses. My mistake.

I know some areas had their analogs turned off weeks before the new HD, other only a few days.

The stat muxer itself probably isn't responsible, but the low bitrates employed to run two HD feeds at once probably is.

- Trip

Could be, but their macroblocking was horrible way before they took 8-2 HD.

Young Broadcasting is dropping the Country Network on WATE 6.2 and on all other stations, Nov. 1. Young is coming out of bankruptcy. Maybe they used the TCN revenue to pay for HD news. The Country Network was only on WATE a few months. It is a slickly produced channel. I hope WBXX will pick it up. They are not currently multicasting.

I wish WVLT would dump their sub so their signal would become much better. It's downright pathetic.

Not to sound like a broken record, but I am beginning to despise WVLT. The PQ during today's Dolphins-Cowboys game was terrible. I need to find a way to get a CBS channel from either Chattanoogs or Johnson City. I can't take it any more.

PQ was subpar for CBS on that game I thought
watching the D* new York feed for what it's
worth.

Not to sound like a broken record, but I am beginning to despise WVLT. The PQ during today's Dolphins-Cowboys game was terrible. I need to find a way to get a CBS channel from either Chattanoogs or Johnson City. I can't take it any more.

Good luck with trying to get Johnson City if you live in Knoxville. Apparently there is a new low power station in Pigeon Forge on the same RF frequency and
they are directing their signal right at Knoxville.

Unless, of course, WJHL got approval to change frequencies. But since they and their local rival both applied for the same channel (29) it might be tied up at the FCC for a while.

The channel 11 signal in Pigeon Force is currently not on the air, though it could certainly be an issue in the long term.

- Trip

The channel 11 signal in Pigeon Force is currently not on the air, though it could certainly be an issue in the long term.

- Trip

I think it went on the air today. There was an announcement about it in the Knoxville paper.

Not to sound like a broken record, but I am beginning to despise WVLT. The PQ during today's Dolphins-Cowboys game was terrible. I need to find a way to get a CBS channel from either Chattanoogs or Johnson City. I can't take it any more.

I guess WSPA-7 Spartanburg doesn't quite reach up that way. But supposedly WLOS-13 from Asheville may go that direction. But not CBS.

WSPA definitely doesn't make it since WMAK is on the same channel.

- Trip

It seems like WVLT PQ has been a little bit better over the last several days.

It seems like WVLT PQ has been a little bit better over the last several days.

They were off the air for me for a couple of hours last Saturday morn.

It seems like WVLT PQ has been a little bit better over the last several days.

I have also noticed this. I came here to see if I am going crazy. Apparently not.

Hi all, just recently discovered this forum.

A few months ago, I added a home theater system in my basement (which is really a semi-basement, you can walk directly outside). I'm hooked up to basic cable, but I flip the input for local broadcast so I can get HD (too cheap to pay for cable HD).

I'm on my second indoor antenna, an RCA digital flat antenna. I now seem to be able to get 10.1 and 10.2 with no problem (my Antennas Direct Clearstream flat antenna often had problems getting that VHF station). However, I still cannot receive WMAK 7.1. What gives with that station? According to TV Fool I'm only 5.2 miles from the transmitter. I live in Halls, near the intersection of Emory Rd & Norris Fwy. I can get most other local stations (6.1, 6.2, 8.1, 8.2, 10.1, 10.2, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 20.1, 43.1, 43.2, 48.1).

So, given my location, would a better indoor antenna be able to capture 7.1, or is the only option for that station an outdoor antenna? My TV & antenna are right above the fireplace, so I don't think I have an outdoor antenna option. Also, does anyone know if there are plans for station power increases?

WMAK-7 and WBIR-10 operate on VHF, while the other Knoxville area stations broadcast on UHF. Your current and former antenna are not adequate to pull in a VHF station. The lower the rf channel number, the bigger the antenna is the general rule. Another rule in tv reception is antenna placment outside (high and outside) is generally best.

The new antenna specified it receives VHF signals (the first one did not). I just wouldn't have thought that being only 5 miles from the transmitter with few obstacles between there and here would have resulted in such difficulty receiving a digital station.

The new antenna specified it receives VHF signals (the first one did not).

I can claim I'm from Saturn, but that doesn't make it true.

The flat antennas are crap. If it doesn't look like an antenna, it probably isn't a good one. You're going to need something larger than that in order to make your reception reliable.

- Trip

You're not from Saturn??? ;-) Your observations about the flat antennas are spot on.

Another possibility is investigating putting a larger VHF capable antenna in the attic. There are some pitfalls with an attic installation. The attic must be accessible and not have metal or foil insulation in the roof for starters. Outside will almost always work best.

He could try good ole rabbit ears before
going to the attic or outside.

He could try good ole rabbit ears before
going to the attic or outside.

The old style rabbit ears that have two collapsible elements will certainly work better than many of the flat units. Even a trimmed down FM folded dipole may work okay oriented horizontally and broadside to Sharp's Ridge.

ok, so i posted this problem several months ago and never got any fix for it (not b/c of the members here btw) and i went with att uverse for my cable. Well, im over att uverse and their bandwidth caps and constant erasure of DVR contents etc etc. So I reinstalled my antenna, a ChannelMaster 4228HD. My house is located towards the bottom of a hill, but I mounted the antenna on my roof, on top of a 10' piece of 2" conduit. So my antenna is approx. 30' + or - above ground level. The highest I could get it. Here is the link to my info as per TV Fool:
231437

To me it seems that I would be able to pick up all the major network locals, but I am only receiving CBS and Fox. Now I was under the impression that one of the locals broadcasts off the same tower as Fox. Correct me if I am wrong. If this is the case, I should be able to get that station also, yet FOX and CBS are the only stations I get. WTH is going on? When I am pointing the antenna, which azimuth- the true or magnetic or does this matter? Is my antenna adequate? I am willing to get something such as one of the Winegard big dogs if it will help. Trying to cut cable and this is the last step. Anyone with any ideas please help. Thanks so much.

I live in Maryville, near Blount Memorial Hospital btw.

You have a UHF only antenna so it may be understandable that ch 7 and 10 are not received; however, you should be able to get ch 6 (RF channel 26) and probably channel 15 (RF channel 17) so something else is going on. FYI, Ch 8 is RF channel 30 and CH 43 is RF channel 34. You will probably need a VHF/UHF antenna to get ch 7 and 10 although in a good signal area even a UHF antenna will work on VHF. CH 10 is RF channel 10 and ch 7 is RF channel 7. This info shows on your screen capture.

Do the simple stuff first. Be sure the side of the antenna with the crisscross wire elements is facing Knoxville. Check or recheck your antenna connections. Are they rain tight and dry? Rescan to see if your tuner has mapped all of the channels. Remove any splitters at least to start and go directly into one set.

As far as antenna orientation, assuming you have the side with the elements facing Knoxville, the azimuth is not highly critical. The only station not nearly due North from you is WBXX. With any luck you may still have enough signal from them even with the antenna peaked toward Knoxville.

Point in fact, there are four towers in Knoxville with DTV antennas. Ch 15 and 8 share a tower. CH 6 and 43 share a tower. CH 10 is on a separate tower as is ch 7. These towers are all in the same general area and about the same height so from Blount county they will appear to be in the same direction.

Thanks for the reply! I was thinking that the type of antenna was the problem, and to me it seems that is the case judging from your reply. The antenna is pointed correctly as far as which side is facing knox, and all connections are good. I will look at purchasing a true VHF/UHF antenna and see if that fixes my issue, which I believe it will. BTW anybody want to buy a CM 4228HD antenna :->

Specs on the CM 4228HD from the Channel Master site: The Channel Master CM 4228HD is an 8-Bay HD and UHF outdoor TV antenna which also picks up High VHF. This antenna has a High VHF signal range of up to 45 miles picking up available local channels 7 thru 13 and a UHF reception range of up to 60 miles picking up channels 14 thru 69. This antenna is optimal for receiving the highest quality UHF and HD signals available. With an HD television you will pick up any crystal clear HD signals being broadcast in your area.

• Reception Range High VHF: Channels 7 thru 13 up to 45 miles
• Reception Range UHF: Channels 14 thru 69 up to 60 miles
• Picks up UHF, High VHF and HD
• Antenna Size: 5.5 x 41 x 33 in
• Easy installation
• Easily mounts to a traditional antenna mast
• For maximum performance, a Channel Master preamplifier should be used with this antenna

Using a UHF bowtie antenna on high band VHF may be a little bit of a stretch or manufacturer hyperbole. That being said, if the problem preventing ch 6 (RF 26 UHF) and ch 15 (RF 17 UHF) reception is found, the antenna may work on 7 and 10. Notice ch 6 (RF 26) that you don't receive is stronger than 8 and 43 that you do receive okay. Something is fishy there.

Here's the antenna site that I personally like to use:

http://transition.fcc.gov/mb/engineering/maps/

Just plug in your address. It appears that they are calculating using terrain data.

BTW, to check the coax connections, you really should remove each one to be sure that the center wire is not broken off or pinched to one side shorting out the cable. Be sure there is no foil or stray wires shorting the center to the outer braid by looking into each f connector. Check each connector in the line (at the grounding block for instance) and not just the ends. If the cable passes through a pinch point or is tacked in place with staples, you may want to really study the cable to see if it has become shorted.

I have the earlier version of this CM antenna minus the "HD".I pick up all the local stations very strongly,whether UHF or VHF,several ION channels and a CW station from Crossville and mine is mounted in the attic.I am thinking like you have suggested,a connection issue or line of sight.

OK guys I will do a really thorough check of my cable integrity over the holidays. I have spare rg6 quad to re-run if I have to. I appreciate the responses. I went to the DTV.gov website linked and in fact I "should" be able to receive abc and nbc along with what I am getting. I just dont understand how I can be receiving every station on that list in green (DTV.gov) except abc and nbc. Its obviously a conspiracy!

Don't forget to rescan!

Just noticed The CW (WBXX 20) is now HD on DirecTV. When did this happen? Have I been asleep? It looks great. I've been waiting for this since Jan of 08 when we finally got the other locals in HD.

Does anyone in the Knoxville area have any success pulling in long range signals from say Johnson City or Chattanooga? And if so could you tell me what type of antenna you are using.Thanks.

Just noticed The CW (WBXX 20) is now HD on DirecTV. When did this happen?

12/21/11 is when it went live.

I'm located in Williamsburg, KY - About 15 miles north of TN/KY border. It's about 50 miles (straight line) from Knoxville. Anyone have any input on my chances of picking up Knoxville stations OTA from here?

Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I'm located in Williamsburg, KY - About 15 miles north of TN/KY border. It's about 50 miles (straight line) from Knoxville. Anyone have any input on my chances of picking up Knoxville stations OTA from here?

Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I used to live in Corbin and had good success
with wate, wtnz, and wbir. Wymt is also
Doable from Hazard. The others are more
difficult or at least were for me. You need the
biggest and highest antenna possible and a
good amplifier--search back in the thread
for my posts and you'll probably get more info
than you want/need.:)

Hoping the group can help point me in the right direction.

I just moved into a new house and installed an RCA ANT751R on the second story. It works great -- 100% quality and 75-90% strength across the board -- except for WKOP-15 (12.7 miles away). When watching that channel, the signal drops out for a moment or two every 10-15 seconds. It is consistent and frustrating. Every other channel is nearly perfect.

I thought it might be multipath, but I'm not seeing the same issue on WVLT-8, and as I understand it, they share the same tower. Could a multipath problem present itself on just one channel? Anyone else having problems with WKOP's signal right now? Any other thoughts on what it could be and/or how to correct it?

Thanks.

ok so a little update to my dilemma...
I re-ran brand spanking new rg6 quad DIRECTLY from my CM4228HD into the tv and rescanned. I still get every channel I should with the exception of WBIR (NBC) and WATE (ABC). I have just about given up hope. I'm thinking that my next move is a new antenna to see if that would be the cure, but I'm not sure about type....maybe a winegard 8200U or something like that maybe? (I know, its probably overkill). I will take any suggestions btw! I went down to the hardware store and got a pair of rabbit ears and hooked those directly into the tv set and that got me absolutely nowhere, so thats when I decided to rerun the rg6. So here I sit, typing this, and hoping its just my antenna. I checked the balun on my current antenna and all seems well, but then again I could possibly be missing something. Who knows, right? Thanks for the replies folks!

I'm not getting some of the new channels on my TiVo via Comcast -- like 387 Discovery ID, for example. Is everyone else getting this?

I'm wondering if it's a cablecard thing, a TiVo thing, or a Comcast issue.

Anyone have any ideas?

I'm not getting some of the new channels on my TiVo via Comcast -- like 387 Discovery ID, for example. Is everyone else getting this?

I'm wondering if it's a cablecard thing, a TiVo thing, or a Comcast issue.

Anyone have any ideas?

I don't get it but I have Digital Starter. They withhold many channels from me. I have no idea if I'm supposed to get it.

Investigation Discovery (ID) is only available in Digital Preferred or higher package.

Investigation Discovery (ID) is only available in Digital Preferred or higher package.

Thanks! My bill says "Digital Preferred W/On Demand", so I guess I'm supposed to get ID in HD on channel 387.

I guess I have to call Comcast - not looking forward to that. :(

I am having at least one of the same issues that astrohed is having. I am in Farragut and I cannot receive WATE (ABC, Dig 26) or WBXX (CW, Dig 20). I know the tower for WBXX is 90 degrees off or so from the Sharp's Ridge, but even pointing the antenna toward WBXX I still can't pick up a clear signal.

Here is what our setup looks like:

Antenna: RCA ANT3038XR (10' Boom Yagi, in the attic)
Pre-Amp: Winegard AP-8703
Unknown Length of House installed cable with a small run outside.
Tuners: Various TVs plus an HDHomerun (all seem to pickup the same channels)

The house is in a small valley in a very hilly neighborhood, the attic is above the 2nd floor. Without the Pre-amp I still don't get WATE and I lose some of these channels:

Digtal Channel\Signal\SNR Quality\Symbol Quality
7(WMAK)\93\100\100
10(WBIR)93\98\100
17(WKOP)\90\89\100
30(WVLT)\82\54\100
34(WTNZ)\74\54\100
------------------
26(WATE)\66\0\0
20(WBXX)\69\0\0 (The signal greatly increases when the antenna is turned)

I got the above data from the HDHomerun. I was under the impression that WATE has the strongest signal in the area (from TVfool), which makes me think the signal might be very noisy, but I know almost nothing about this topic. There is an FM trap on the Pre-amp which did not seem to help when it is put in-line and adjusted. I also tried an RF interference filter which made things worse when put before the amp and did nothing when placed after the amp. I also tried a TV in the attic with only a small run of cable and saw the same channels as with the longer coax runs. Thoughts that crossed my mind were HAM antennas, but I asked someone knowledgable about that and they said most likely not the issue. There are also cell phone towers in the area but not in-line with the WATE tower, but very close to in-line with the WBXX tower.

Anyone have any suggestions? I am at a loss.

Definitely sounds like multipath to me. WTNZ and WATE are sharing an antenna, as are WVLT and WKOP, which makes the signal quality difference between those two rather odd.

What's puzzling is that WATE's signal strength is so much lower than the others. If it was interference or multipath alone, the strength would be high and the quality would be low (like WVLT, for instance).

Have you tried moving the antenna up or down a few inches, or if it can be moved in any other direction, in those directions? There will often be "sweet spots" where reception is just better for some reason. That may help with your reception.

- Trip

Having been back with Comcast for 10 years (mostly for the net) I have seen Basic TV go from $12.95 to $20.95 per month. A couple of years ago I called Comcast and ask why the price increase, the CSR stated the price increase was to pay for the new DT gear. Now Comcast states that Basic TV is only Analog and the Digital is just there. Recently Comcast encoded 4 of the DT stations that I have received for years as part of my Basic plan requiring a box to receive them. I feed 11 devices and cannot have a box on recorders, HDHomeRuns, etc. Why buy a TV with a digital tuner to replace it with a box so Comcast can monitor what one watches. Plus the fact that basic cable and the basic net were higher priced together then the basic net alone. (Feb 2012 pricing)

I installed a Hybrid outdoor antenna which is lower then my roof top. I bought two full range antennas removing the bigger UHF component and attaching it to the other (smaller) VHF component. I tried a Wineguard preamp but lost the UHF Freqs. I had an extra 15db Motorola drop amp so I am using it as a preamp. (Seems to work great) I have a total of 3 Motorola drop amps in my system feeding those 11 devices.

I am due west of Sharps Ridge some 30 miles away, WBXX is being received sideways on the UHF component, I am about 10 miles from Buffalo Mt.

I have some occasional dropouts but I am happy.

Here is the data taken from the HDHomeRun device today around midnight:

233542

-snip-

Have you tried moving the antenna up or down a few inches, or if it can be moved in any other direction, in those directions? There will often be "sweet spots" where reception is just better for some reason. That may help with your reception.

- Trip

I only had a little time to move the antenna around tonight. I was only able to move the antenna a few feet left and right. I was able to see the same issue with other channels while moving the antenna, so I have not found the sweet spot but it looks like you may be on the right track. I only hope I have room to move this beast around enough to find the spot.

Is there a better option for a pre-amp than the Winegard AP-8703, without it I get little if anything from the antenna. I also guess moving the antenna outside would help but I am trying to avoid that.

clay

Having been back with Comcast for 10 years (mostly for the net) I have seen Basic TV go from $12.95 to $20.95 per month. A couple of years ago I called Comcast and ask why the price increase, the CSR stated the price increase was to pay for the new DT gear. Now Comcast states that Basic TV is only Analog and the Digital is just there. Recently Comcast encoded 4 of the DT stations that I have received for years as part of my Basic plan requiring a box to receive them. I feed 11 devices and cannot have a box on recorders, HDHomeRuns, etc. Why buy a TV with a digital tuner to replace it with a box so Comcast can monitor what one watches. Plus the fact that basic cable and the basic net were higher priced together then the basic net alone. (Feb 2012 pricing)

I installed a Hybrid outdoor antenna which is lower then my roof top. I bought two full range antennas removing the bigger UHF component and attaching it to the other (smaller) VHF component. I tried a Wineguard preamp but lost the UHF Freqs. I had an extra 15db Motorola drop amp so I am using it as a preamp. (Seems to work great) I have a total of 3 Motorola drop amps in my system feeding those 11 devices.

I am due west of Sharps Ridge some 30 miles away, WBXX is being received sideways on the UHF component, I am about 10 miles from Buffalo Mt.

I have some occasional dropouts but I am happy.

Here is the data taken from the HDHomeRun device today around midnight:

233542

so did you cancel Comcast?

so did you cancel Comcast?

Yes! With no regrets.

Clay,

I doubt an alternate amplifier would resolve your reception issues. You'll just need to play with the positioning until you find a position that works for you.

And you are correct that getting it outside would help. The presence of the roof is probably producing many of your dead spots.

- Trip

Clay,

I doubt an alternate amplifier would resolve your reception issues. You'll just need to play with the positioning until you find a position that works for you.

And you are correct that getting it outside would help. The presence of the roof is probably producing many of your dead spots.

- Trip

They can be a PITB sometimes but I don't know of another option that would work for me as well. I stick with the basic package and yes, it gets more expensive by the year. Although, from my old days of living in OR, I still remember Tennessee Cable and I sure don't want to go back to that.

I FINALLY got the new HD channels Comcast had "Announced" A LONG time back. Since I have the channels, was previously told the end of 2011 for all areas, and there lineup is now showing them on http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/tv-listings I have updated the chart to show them now as 'Available'.


I'm not receiving Comcast channel 387 Investigation Discovery HD on my cablecard-equiped TiVo, so I did an on-line chat to see why. They said that channel wasn't available, and transferred me to sales to see how I could get it. Sales said ID was only available in SD on channel 111.

So the new channels might be 'Available' in parts of Knoxville, but still not all parts. At least not in Fountain City. :(

Looks like we are getting the 4 digit HD channel numbers in February, also apparently anybody that doesn't have the new lineup should have it by February 1st, 2012 because it says the new channel lineups is effective for City of Knoxville, Knox County, Blount County, Blaine, Rockford, Union County, City of Maynardville, Luttrell, Kodak, City of Sevierville, Sevier County, and Jefferson County. The insert I received with my bill is attached below, and shows updated pricing and channel lineup.

Looks like we are getting the 4 digit HD channel numbers in February,

Thanks for posting that! What is the deal with 4 digit HD channels? :confused:

Thanks for posting that! What is the deal with 4 digit HD channels? :confused:
They are developing a Master Channel Lineup for all areas, more info below at this post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=18576965&postcount=10446

I know Comcast in Nashville, TN got the 4 digit HD channels not to long back.

Eventually all those channel numbers being added to the HD channels in the 1000s will be the channel number for the SD counterpart channel without the 1 in front of them (3 digits). The HD channel numbers in the 300s/400s currently will be removed at some point probably when they start moving the SD channels to those slots. Some of the channels numbers below 99 though might not be removed right away or might remain a second channel number for a while.

They are developing a Master Channel Lineup for all areas, more info below at this post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=18576965&postcount=10446

Ah... they are sort of doing a Dewey Decimal system for TV. :D

I like that - the channel organization is a mess now. And if it's national, it will be easier on messageboards or Facebook to say "check out the show tonight on Comcast XXXX".

Clay,

I doubt an alternate amplifier would resolve your reception issues. You'll just need to play with the positioning until you find a position that works for you.

And you are correct that getting it outside would help. The presence of the roof is probably producing many of your dead spots.

- Trip

Trip,

I moved the yagi boom antenna around and never found WATE. But I did managed to lose both WTNZ, and WVLT. So today I took down the yagi and connted up a much small RCA ANT751, with the pre-amp. I was able to get all the channels I had and I found a sweet spot for WATE though I lose WTNZ and WVLT. So the current plan is to get anohter ANT751 and another pre-amp to get WATE. And maybe point the yagi at Nashville and see if we can get anything there. That is a job for another weekend.

Any suggestions on combining the signals from two or maybe three antennas? Thanks for the help.

Clay

Any suggestions on combining the signals from two or maybe three antennas? Thanks for the help.

Trip can speak better on this than I can, but you might want to look into a JoinTenna. It's a box for two antenna connections - one that isolates a single frequency/channel to one antenna, and the other antenna all frequencies but that one are passed through. Then it combines both to a single output.

Here's an example from Warren Electronics. (http://www.warrenelectronics.com/Antennas/Jointennas.htm)

Trip,

I moved the yagi boom antenna around and never found WATE. But I did managed to lose both WTNZ, and WVLT. So today I took down the yagi and connted up a much small RCA ANT751, with the pre-amp. I was able to get all the channels I had and I found a sweet spot for WATE though I lose WTNZ and WVLT. So the current plan is to get anohter ANT751 and another pre-amp to get WATE. And maybe point the yagi at Nashville and see if we can get anything there. That is a job for another weekend.

You would have a much better chance of receiving Chattanooga than Nashville from your location in Farragut. Most of the Nashville stations are gone by the time they reach Crossville.

Any suggestions on combining the signals from two or maybe three antennas? Thanks for the help.

Clay

Glad to hear you have found success, even if it is in a limited fashion. The JoinTenna would be the best way if you needed it for a single channel, but truly the best bet is to find a single antenna position that works for you. I know you do not want to take it outside, but I suspect doing so would resolve your issues and could potentially allow you to ditch the pre-amp entirely. I am willing to bet that all of your problems can be traced to either building penetration issues or multipath, or both.

- Trip

I am willing to bet that all of your problems can be traced to either building penetration issues or multipath, or both.
- Trip

It's hard for many people to understand that multipath is still a problem when they no longer see any ghosting and the receiver only says "no signal" when it really means "unusable signal". It's also the most likely probable cause of unstable signal levels as the tuner tries to compensate for reflections.

Looks like we are getting the 4 digit HD channel numbers in February, also apparently anybody that doesn't have the new lineup should have it by February 1st, 2012 because it says the new channel lineups is effective for City of Knoxville, Knox County, Blount County, Blaine, Rockford, Union County, City of Maynardville, Luttrell, Kodak, City of Sevierville, Sevier County, and Jefferson County. The insert I received with my bill is attached below, and shows updated pricing and channel lineup.

And going up $2 here and $2 there for most everything. I'm glad I don't fool with that every year.

First time posting here, but long time reading. In North Knoxville near St. Mary's. I got the new Comcast channels around Christmas, except GSN HD and The Hub HD. Both say "Not authorized." Tech support said they should be in my channel package (I have Digital Preferred), but had no idea why I wasn't getting them, despite sending several reset signals to my boxes.

I am getting a 'Not Authorized' message on the following channels:
283 DIYHD
285 GSNHD
287 HUBHD
394 TENNISHD*
472 BTNHD*
*Not getting in SD either but the lineup I posted earlier shows these channels as included in Digital Preferred or SEP

I was told that they were temporarily taken down and they didn't have an ETA when they would be back up...

I am getting a 'Not Authorized' message on the following channels:
283 DIYHD
285 GSNHD
287 HUBHD
394 TENNISHD*
472 BTNHD*
*Not getting in SD either but the lineup I posted earlier shows these channels as included in Digital Preferred or SEP

I was told that they were temporarily taken down and they didn't have an ETA when they would be back up...

I did a guided setup again on my TiVo, and I'm not getting the above, or most of the new channels, like Investigation Discovery HD and WGN-HD on my Comcast Digital Preferred account. :( I'm getting guide data for these, and TiVo thinks I should be getting them, but all I see is the "channel not available" pop-up.

As much as I have ragged on WVLT in recent months, I must say I am pleasantly surprised by how they have improved their video quality in recent weeks on both channels. Most of the macroblocking is gone and the picture is much clearer than it was for some time. I still would like to see both at 1080i, but I'm not going to get too greedy.

As much as I have ragged on WVLT in recent months, I must say I am pleasantly surprised by how they have improved their video quality in recent weeks on both channels. Most of the macroblocking is gone and the picture is much clearer than it was for some time. I still would like to see both at 1080i, but I'm not going to get too greedy.

I lean to the theory that 720p is the better broadcast format. I think it's easier to get right. The only 1080i channels that I've seen that did football well are in Dallas, at my brother's house, and indie channel 7 before the darkside consumed it and spat it out as RTV. They did HD high school football. It was single camera but it was a damn good camera! I never saw motion artifacts. WBIR always has it's glitches during football. It's NOTHING like the bad old days of 1080i WVLT but you notice it now and then.

The CBS station in Dallas has AWESOME 1080i football. It can be done right. Nobody, locally, does 1080i right. If channel 7 does or can, you wouldn't know it now with the sludge they run.

Hey, we live in Cheapville... ;) I concur, 8 has made gradual progress. I saw occasional artifacts on 8.2 when they had SEC Basketball on there, must'a been Saturday...but that's how 8.1 used to look, or worse.

I think if 8 went back to 1080i, they'd have to dial back 8.2 to 480 i or p...? ....due to bandwidth limitations.

I tried the antenna outside yesterday, and got no joy for the most part. I was able to pick up 20 WB but could not get consistent signal from anything but 10 and 7 with or without the preamp. This was from one spot on the roof where a dish was installed long before I moved into the house so not much playing around with position. I think being on a hill but in a low spot on that hill with houses above mine on all but one side might be giving me more multi-path issues outside, but again this is not my area and I am just guessing.

Hopefully if one day is pretty this weekend I will take the antenna up and to a place where I can move it around a little, and see what kind of signal I can get.

Thanks again for giving me a direction to go, on working this out.

Clay

Did anyone with Comcast in Knoxville get the HD channels replicated in the 1000s range on Feb. 1st? I didn't get them here in fact my HD box is still programmed to only tune in 3-digit channel numbers. I notice both the Comcast lineup on http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/tv-listings and http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCGrid.do?method=decideFwdForLineup&zipcode=37918&setMyPreference=false&lineupId=TN41469:L have not been updated to show them either...

However, I am now receiving the following HD channels:
283 DIYHD
285 GSNHD
287 HUBHD
394 TENNISHD
472 BTNHD
Previously I was getting a 'Not Authorized' message

EDIT: I usually never check the channel lineup at Comcast.com cause its always months out of date, but it is actually showing the new 4 digit HD channels (it says it was updated on 1/18/12)... Also its showing the old HD channel number gone on all the channels and ONLY a 4 digit number... which the insert I received showed them being a copy in the 1000s but also the previous # as well.... http://comcast.com/customers/clu/channellineup.ashx?SCRedirect=true&CGID=71

Hey, we live in Cheapville... ;) I concur, 8 has made gradual progress. I saw occasional artifacts on 8.2 when they had SEC Basketball on there, must'a been Saturday...but that's how 8.1 used to look, or worse.

A perfect example of that was this past Saturday when they had the Vandy-UF game on 8.2. Florida fans have those shakers with the silver strips in them and they make any picture look pixelated. It was so bad, the score bug was across the bottom of the screen when they got a shot of the Florida students with those shakers that score could not be read.

Any questions, comments, suggestions and corrections are always welcome.

The Comcast "Previously announced HD channels now available in all areas" still not available in Fountain City 37918 yet. :mad:

I called Comcast and asked how to get Investigation Discovery HD on channel 387 on my box, and they said that channel was only available in SD on channel 111. This hasn't changed. I do get the guide data for 387, but a "channel not available" message. My cable package is XFINITY "Digital Preferred W/On Demand". This is on a TiVo box w/ a cablecard.

Anyone have any suggestions how to deal with Comcast about this?

The Comcast "Previously announced HD channels now available in all areas" still not available in Fountain City 37918 yet. :mad:

Oh wow... I thought all areas had them now since that insert (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=21489230&postcount=1805) I got with my bill said they would be in all areas as of Feb. 1st. I don't have the 4 digit HD channel numbers yet but all the announced I have had for several months now in 37918.

I will change the Latest Additions chart to say 'most' areas later tonight.

Anyone have any suggestions how to deal with Comcast about this?
Do you think it could be a cable card pairing or authorization issue?

Are you still receiving the full expanded basic (channels 2-99) in analog?

RTV has been removed from the chart since it has moved to 7.2 WMAK only and is now only 480i, it was previously on 7.1 also which OTA shows as a 1080i signal but I was aware that they didn't actually have any native HD content anyway. Daystar programming is now on 7.1 so actually RabbitEars.info (http://rabbitears.info) needs to be updated for the Knoxville, TN Market. Trip in VA if you see this post feel free to update the market over there. ;)


I passed through Knoxville today and happened to notice it. Should be corrected now. :)

- Trip

Thanks for the update.The chart shows just how pitiful my cable co.(Charter) is.Lagging behind Knology? Come on.lol

Anyone have any suggestions how to deal with Comcast about this?

Dump them. :D

I now have all the HD channels in the 1000s channel range now, I also am still receiving them in the 280s/300s/400s channel range as well. They must still be working on where to place the locals though cause I am only seeing one local in the 1000s (ION HD) on 1003 which it was originally supposed to be 1022. I really think they should have the other HD locals as follows:

1009 or 1030 MyVLT HD instead of 213
1015 WKOP HD instead of 1021
1054 WPXK HD (ION) instead of 1003 or 1022 as originally planned

UPDATE-they have now put all locals in the 1000s range as follows:

1002 WKOP HD (WETP [same content as WKOP] in Tri Cities is 2.1 OTA)
1003 WPXK HD (ION)
1006 WATE HD
1007 WBXX HD (CW)
1008 WVLT HD
1009 MYVLT HD
1010 WBIR HD
1011 WTNZ HD

Not the order I would have chosen...but at least they did put MYVLT HD where I wanted :) However I think the reason they did it like this was based on where there SD channel numbers are, but I personally would rather it be the same as OTA except for MYVLT (since Comcast can't do subchannels) which I like where they put it right beside its main feed.

As a comparison between Knoxville, TN and Nashville, TN Lineups:

Knoxville, TN
SD Channel # HD Channel # Channel Affiliation OTA Virtual #
2 1002 WETP/WKOP PBS 2.1/15.1
3 1003 WPXK ION 54.1
5 1008 WVLT CBS 8.1
7 1007 WBXX CW 20.1
8 1009 WVLTDT2 MYNETWORK 8.2
9 1010 WBIR NBC 10.1
11 1011 WTNZ FOX 43.1
13 1006 WATE ABC 6.1
Nashville, TN
SD Channel # HD Channel # Channel Affiliation OTA Virtual #
2 1002 WKRN ABC 2.1
4 1004 WSMV NBC 4.1
5 1005 WTVF CBS 5.1
6 1006 WZTV FOX 17.1
8 1008 WNPT PBS 8.1
14 1014 WUXP MYNETWORK 30.1
17 1017 WNPX ION 28.1
18 1018 WNAB CW 58.1

If you want to see a contrast in picture quality with WVLT, just tune in to one of the NCAA tournament games, then switch to one of the games on TNT or TBS.

If you want to see a contrast in picture quality with WVLT, just tune in to one of the NCAA tournament games, then switch to one of the games on TNT or TBS.

I was in Nashville this past week and I saw WTVF (CBS) in HD for the first time and WOW what a difference between WVLT it was SO much sharper and its 1080i; there local news is the best of all the other stations in that DMA as well IMO.

I think they were the first HD local news in the entire state of Tennessee.

WKRN has almost the exact same set as WATE I guess since there both owned by Young Broadcasting.

If you want to see a contrast in picture quality with WVLT, just tune in to one of the NCAA tournament games, then switch to one of the games on TNT or TBS.

I was just coming here to post the same exact thing.

Sad, isn't it?

Is Comcast glitch-ridden all over town tonight? I'm on the south side. It's not much fun watching the Lady Vols on ESPN tonight. The audio was horrid in the first half. The glitches have happened 20-40 times and the game isn't over, 10:26 left in the second half.... :rolleyes:

Noticed the same problem in 37918 (North/Halls Area).

Is Comcast glitch-ridden all over town tonight? I'm on the south side. It's not much fun watching the Lady Vols on ESPN tonight. The audio was horrid in the first half. The glitches have happened 20-40 times and the game isn't over, 10:26 left in the second half.... :rolleyes:

It was an ESPN problem that was present in the ESPN3.com simulcast as well.

It was an ESPN problem that was present in the ESPN3.com simulcast as well.

I had MSNBC on my second Tivo tuner at the time and it was glitch-ridden too. My Comcast service has dipped lately. Maybe it wasn't all ESPN?

I don't watch WATE too much. But if WBIR's news continues to suck, that may soon change. Of late, I have noticed a popping noise when they switch from local commercials to the national feed. Anyone else notice this?

Thanks for the update.The chart shows just how pitiful my cable co.(Charter) is.Lagging behind Knology? Come on.lol

Looks like there might be some good news for Charter folks regarding more HD channels, I noticed a member over at the Charter HDTV (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=21848363#post21848363) thread posting a question about additional HD channels in Maryville, TN and the UMatter2Charter support stated this:

"I am following up to advise that we are shooting for late June/early July for HD additions in TN. It looks to be about 45 HD channels, but we cannot announce specifics just yet. Some of the channels that you have listed ARE on the launch plans and we hope to do about another 50 more by end of year."

EDIT: I am also going to make a couple of minor updates to the chart later tonight, since there minor I will keep the chart on the previous post linked in my signature.

I was watching the basketball game last night and noticed that WVLT was sending a 720p signal, at least that's what I was getting from DirecTV. I very rarely watch WVLT except for football season, did they change from 1080i?

The picture was sub-standard in my opinion, is typical of WVLT these days?

WVLT switched to 720p a couple of years ago. The PQ was even worse when they were a 1080i station.

So doesn't CBS broadcast in 1080i? If so WVLT has to convert the signal as they receive it and then send that feed to the various carriers... sounds like a mess. :mad:

CBS, indeed, is a 1080i network. WVLT and the CBS affiliate in Lexington, Kentucky both went 720p about the same time. I thought that might be the start of some kind of trend at the time. I don't know of anymore stations doing so since.

Just call WVLT cheap-o, cheap-o.....they were much worse as a 1080i station. That's hard to fathom.

For the past couple of months, WVLT has improved it's picture greatly. I get WVLT and WJHL and they now look about the same. WVLT in some ways looks better especially the in terms of the color quality. I think they are worthy of some compliments. The Final Four looked better on WVLT.

WVLT does look better than it did when it's showing something on film (prime time shows). But their live broadcasts and sporting events have dull colors. It was easy to see the difference when the NCAA tournament was on and you could switch to one of the Turner channels also carrying the tournament.

Well its about time Lockwood Broadcasting finally got there connection upgraded to do an HD feed for the 10 p.m. newscast on WBXX-TV. They were previously using a T-1 (1.54Mbps) that was not enough bandwidth to produce an HD feed at least that is what I was told by the Chief Engineer at WATE-TV.

Well its about time Lockwood Broadcasting finally got there connection upgraded to do an HD feed for the 10 p.m. newscast on WBXX-TV. They were previously using a T-1 (1.54Mbps) that was not enough bandwidth to produce an HD feed at least that is what I was told by the Chief Engineer at WATE-TV.

Is it financially logical to spend the money to upgrade for an HD connection between WATE and WBBX when the newscast is only 10 minutes in duration?

Is it financially logical to spend the money to upgrade for an HD connection between WATE and WBBX when the newscast is only 10 minutes in duration?

Incorrect it's actually a full 35 minutes now, the short newscast was back when WBIR was producing it now it's WATE.

Anyone know why some of WATE's news stories look like their shot and uploaded from a foreign country. They just have a weird look to them.

For the past couple of months, WVLT has improved it's picture greatly. I get WVLT and WJHL and they now look about the same. WVLT in some ways looks better especially the in terms of the color quality. I think they are worthy of some compliments. The Final Four looked better on WVLT.

I was wondering if anyone else noticed this. The main thing that stands out to me is their live feed from out in the field. Before it looked AWFUL, almost like they were filming it from a cell phone, and the people always looked scrunched up. But now the quality looks excellent. The little things like graphics, camera angles, and the set have improved as well, looking more like a professional newscast should IMO.

Everyone else's thoughts?

http://i44.tinypic.com/14nzhc0.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/xn965e.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/2a5ktu9.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/674leg.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/10797uu.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/73e9f7.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/33pedly.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/98ttg4.jpg
Latest HD Additions:
http://i43.tinypic.com/2vlwp4n.jpg


The latest update is complete!
Any questions, comments, suggestions and corrections are always welcome.

WVLT for the past few months had been much stronger, but now it is borderline and dropping out altogether. WKOP is 3-4 times stronger and other Knoxville stations are even stronger. Something must be malfunctioning. They must be on reduced power.

I will say this about WVLT compared to all three newscasts; when they are showing sports highlights of games that aired from other channels such as ESPN, ABC, SportSouth, etc the HD quality looks loads better then WBIR & WATE.

I agree with that. The other two's highlights look like they came from a third world country. :eek:

The latest update is complete!
Any questions, comments, suggestions and corrections are always welcome.


VolFan... I mentioned before I wasn't getting the new Comcast lineup in Fountain City, but I checked last night and am finally getting all the channels I should. :cool:

I'm also getting everything in the 1000s, too! Unfortunately, Tribune hasn't updated the channel listings for TiVo. So I get no show info, but the channels are there.

VolFan... I mentioned before I wasn't getting the new Comcast lineup in Fountain City, but I checked last night and am finally getting all the channels I should. :cool:

I'm also getting everything in the 1000s, too! Unfortunately, Tribune hasn't updated the channel listings for TiVo. So I get no show info, but the channels are there.

Awesome! Glad to hear you finally got them. Did you notice the error on the HD channels in the 1000s they had a typo when doing the lineup HGTV HD was supposed to be 1290 (beside DIY HD) instead of 1920 with HBO HDs.
UPDATE: HGTV HD is fixed now, I contacted Comcast Corporate via Social Media a little over a week ago regarding it and now its fixed. :)

I'm still not 100% sure if all the "surrounding" areas have them yet or not, I've heard that Sevier & Blount County are both on different lineups then Knoxville I am not sure though if there out of the same headend or not. I really have no way to confirm for sure...

Here is the lineups shown from http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/tv-listings which seem to be pretty accurate now:

Sevierville, TN Comcast: (I think they only serve these zip codes/areas 37864, 37868 (Sevierville/Piegon Forge), 37764 (Kodak) the rest of Sevier County is serviced by Charter.)
401 FSN HD
402 Comcast Events HD (CSS Part time)
403 ESPNHD
404 ESPN2HD
405 GLFHD
407 TNTHD
409 UHD
410 A&EHD
411 PLDHD
412 VELOCITY
413 NGCHD
414 FOODHD
415 HGTVD
416 HBOHDe
417 MAXHDe
418 SHOHDe
419 STZHD
420 USAHD
421 TBSHD
422 HISHD
423 CNNHD
424 DSCHD
425 TLCHD
426 APHD
427 SyfyHD
428 FNCHD
429 AMCHD
430 BRAVOD
431 WATEH ABC
432 WBIRHD NBC
433 WVLTD CBS
434 WTNZH FOX
435 WBXXH CW
440 WKOPHD PBS
441 TWCHD
442 TOONHD
443 NICHD
444 FAMHD
445 DISXD
446 SCIHD
447 DXDHD
448 NBCSP
449 ESNEWSHD
450 SPDHD
451 FX HD
452 SPKHD
453 CMDHD
454 FUSED
455 WE HD
456 IFCHD
457 E! HD
458 TRAVEL
459 TRAVD
460 MGMHD
461 STYLEHD
462 G4HD
463 TVONEHD
464 BIOHD
465 LMNHD
466 GRNHD
467 ENCRe
468 HALLMH
469 FBNHD
470 CNBCH
471 QVCHD
473 MTVHD
474 VH1HD
475 BET-HD
476 CMTHD
478 NBA HD
479 MLBHD

Blount County, TN Comcast: (Only areas I can think of that are not serviced by Charter there are Rockford, Friendsville, Townsend, Greenback TN)
384 HSNHD
385 HALLHD
399 msnbcHD
403 ESPNHD
404 ESPN2HD
405 GLFHD
407 TNTHD
411 PLDHD
412 VELOCITY
413 NGCHD
431 WATEH ABC
432 WBIRHD NBC
433 WVLTD CBS
434 WTNZH FOX
435 WBXXH CW
438 IONHD ION
440 WKOPHD PBS
448 NBCSP
1002 WKOPHD PBS
1003 IONHD ION
1006 WATEH ABC
1007 WBXXH CW
1008 WVLTD CBS
1009 MYVLT MNT
1010 WBIRHD NBC
1011 WTNZH FOX

There is someting deeply, deeply flawed with WVLT's transmit antenna. I am getting WKOP at a signal level of 65 and WVLT is at 1 and dropping out. However, my bedroom TV gets WVLT fine on a little loop antenna. WKOP and WVLT are on the same tower with WKOP at 100,000 watts and WVLT at over 800,000 watts.
Something is making their signal do better on the ground than on the roof. Their engineer does not want to hear about or respond to these problems.

Why is it that none of their primetime programming gets Dolby Digital audio. I get WVLT from DirecTV and don't have this issue on other local network affiliates.

Why is it that none of their primetime programming gets Dolby Digital audio. I get WVLT from DirecTV and don't have this issue on other local network affiliates.

WVLT does 2-channel Dolby Digital. That's what they broadcast OTA. Nobody knows when or if they'll up their channel count.

Thanks... so it's actually what they choose to do and not some problem with the feed to DirecTV. Good to know, thanks.

I've noticed WATE's picture quality has come down some in recent months. The colors seem dull and the PQ isn't that clear on live events.

I've noticed WATE's picture quality has come down some in recent months. The colors seem dull and the PQ isn't that clear on live events.

Is your reception ota, cable (which company), DISH, or DIRECTV?

DirecTV.