Eldersburg, MD puts you around 59 miles from the WNVT-DT MHz 30 broadcast tower which is located south of Manassas. WNVT-DT is broadcasting at a modest 160 kW (for UHF) and 229 meters HAAT. See http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=WNVT. We had clear weather on Monday and Tuesday. My guess is that you got the benefit of atmospheric ducting for a somewhat distant station. This is the time of the year for it.

What is your antenna setup and where is the antenna(s) aimed? If you want to keep getting WNVT-DT 30, you should experiment with shifting the antenna aim a few degrees in either direction to see if that boosts the signal for the station. You should also try the station at night to see if it comes in then.

The sister station, WNVC-DT 56 (DT=57), is east of Fairfax, but is currently broadcasting at a low power of 7.3 kW with an antenna that is only 153 meters AGL. I can't get WNVC-DT 56 from my location in Sterling, but I do get WNVT-DT 30 ok.

I have a 15 year old Radio Shack fringe area antenna, I think it's comparable to the VU-190, and a Channel Master preamp on a rotor. I've found that I can receive most DC and Baltimore stations by pointing the antenna directly south. I lose 22 from Annapolis that way, but still pull in 67 even though I'm not pointing at it so it's no loss. Channel 24's low powered digital is hopeless unless I find the exact sweet spot, and I don't even bother.

WETA is still iffy and only comes in if I'm pointed due south.

WNVT 30 came in again last night, but only at about 57 strength on the DISH meter. With the DISH OTA tuner, anything below about 70 has the potential to disappear at any time.

My Hitachi's own OTA tuner is currently on the fritz. I'll be interested to see how it does after repair. When working, that tuner has always been superior to the DISH receiver's.

WUSA Channel 9.2 doppler radar is now in HD....cool!

WUSA Channel 9.2 doppler radar is now in HD....cool!WTF? Explain? hehe. Maybe this was what was going on the last few weeks when it was off the air? They do have HD studios, and I'm sure the Doppler Radar display is just a Windows application that can support resolutions far greater than SD's 480i.

Can anyone post a picture?

Now all those people in Morganstown or Dover that Topper Shut keeps talking about can see their weather. Its a shame that their radar doesn't look as good (ie green) as WJLA's though.

If you can find it locally, try the Silver Sensor UHF antenna. Circuit City was carrying a Philips model model PHDTV1, for $25, but that model does not have VHF rabbit ears which will be needed in 2009. If you have tall buildings facing you in opposite direction from the broadcast towers, you might be able to pick up the reflected signals by aiming the antenna at the building. The Terk HDTVi is also a possibility.

If you need more gain, the new Channel Master 4220 2 Bay bowtie can fit on a balcony space. It is large enough that it have enough gain to get WJLA-DT 7 and WUSA-DT 9 in 2009, but no guarantee on that.

No building on my side of the balcony to pick up the reflected signal, so would I be better off getting a multi-directional or a directional antenna? Right now if I face my cheap little indoor antenna parellel to my building NW I get the best signal, the actual towers are east of me directly through my building. And will a straight UHF antenna be better for now as I probably won't live in the same building till 2009 to need a vhf antenna.

Thanks,

Didn't see this posted anywhere in this thread... FWIW, here is the new Loudoun County Comcast lineup, as of Saturday, August 18.



So if I read that correctly I need a set top box to get TV Guide Channel with basic cable service? That is the dumbest thing i have ever heard. Channel 17 is open why not just put it there?

Hi All,
I just picked up a Samsung 4065 LCD TV. I have Digital Cable but have not yet bought a second Set Top Box for this new TV, and thought that I'd just skip getting a cable box - but what a mess. There is a boatload of digital channels that are not scrambled but none of the cable channels match up with the actual Comcast channels. In other words, even If I know that there is a HD channel on comcast channel 210 - there seems to be no way of knowing where that is in the multitude of 175 channels that the samsung auto programming found.

Actually, I found the HD versions of ABC, NBC and CBS - but I'm still looking for Fox HD.

I can get the FOX HD channel number from the comcast.com channel lineup - it is channel 213 - but where might this be in the samsung DTV channel list? I'm also looking for the Fox Soccer channel (Channel 267).

Any hints, tips or pointers to additional info much apprec. !!

Thanks.

Hi All,
I just picked up a Samsung 4065 LCD TV. I have Digital Cable but have not yet bought a second Set Top Box for this new TV, and thought that I'd just skip getting a cable box - but what a mess. There is a boatload of digital channels that are not scrambled but none of the cable channels match up with the actual Comcast channels. In other words, even If I know that there is a HD channel on comcast channel 210 - there seems to be no way of knowing where that is in the multitude of 175 channels that the samsung auto programming found.

Actually, I found the HD versions of ABC, NBC and CBS - but I'm still looking for Fox HD.

I can get the FOX HD channel number from the comcast.com channel lineup - it is channel 213 - but where might this be in the samsung DTV channel list? I'm also looking for the Fox Soccer channel (Channel 267).

Any hints, tips or pointers to additional info much apprec. !!

Thanks.
I'm in Anne Arundel County, so your exact numbering on the TV itself may vary greatly from mine. I also have WBFF-DT at channel 213 on the Comcast box. Check 134-1 or thereabouts. And I'm pretty sure WTTG-DT is somewhere in the 132 or 133 region. For some strange reason, all of ABC, CBS, NBC are mapped to their "logical" numbers with PSIP, but not FOX. So ABC is 2-1 and 7-1, CBS is 9-1 and 13-1, and NBC is 4-1 (because 11-1 is terrible).

Good to see another soccer fan, but that's an encrypted channel and you'll need an STB or a Cable Card for that one. Let us know how everything works out for you.

Still no W*USA-9 in HD on comcast in Eastern Loudoun using Clear QAM. Anyone else experiencing this still? I sent an email to someone at WUSA-9 and they said they forwarded it onto the tech department. But that was a while ago and still no luck(Im sure she just blew me off). Contacting comcast itself is a freakin joke as they will blow you off right to your face.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

I have been experiencing this for a weeks now. I contacted comcast and got no where. I tried complaining to the FCC, but I received a letter back stating that cable providers were only required to carry the analog channel.

No building on my side of the balcony to pick up the reflected signal, so would I be better off getting a multi-directional or a directional antenna? Right now if I face my cheap little indoor antenna parellel to my building NW I get the best signal, the actual towers are east of me directly through my building. And will a straight UHF antenna be better for now as I probably won't live in the same building till 2009 to need a vhf antenna.
If you are not putting up a permanent antenna and don't care about the digital channels shifts that will happen in February, 2009, then you only need a UHF antenna. The Silver Sensor is more "directional" than a UHF loop (see http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/silver.html). The Radio Shack 15-1892 VHF/UHF indoor antenna that looks a mushroom that was recommended has gotten generally good reviews here if you want to give it a try for $50.

I have been experiencing this for a weeks now. I contacted comcast and got no where. I tried complaining to the FCC, but I received a letter back stating that cable providers were only required to carry the analog channel.
What?? Are you saying the FCC isn't looking out for the good of the general public? Unbelievable!
Maybe they haven't realized that if they made this a requirement, they could collect more fines from non-conforming providers!

WUSA Channel 9.2 doppler radar is now in HD....cool!

No its not HD. They just put a HD logo on the new software. They had me going though. I have 480i material stretched to 16:9. So it kinda looked HD at first, but the video just wasn't as vivid as it is on the news. In fact, it look a lot more like WJLA's radar.

http://home.comcast.net/~cyclone.gt40/images/WUSA_92_1b.jpg vs. http://home.comcast.net/~cyclone.gt40/images/wusa_92_rad1_360.jpg

No its not HD. They just put a HD logo on the new software. They had me going though. I have 480i material stretched to 16:9. So it kinda looked HD at first, but the video just wasn't as vivid as it is on the news. In fact, it look a lot more like WJLA's radar.

It's in HD on the newscast.

No its not HD. They just put a HD logo on the new software. They had me going though. I have 480i material stretched to 16:9. So it kinda looked HD at first, but the video just wasn't as vivid as it is on the news. In fact, it look a lot more like WJLA's radar.

It originates in HD and used as an HD source in the news, but the 9.2 feed is down-converted center-cut SD. :)

It originates in HD and used as an HD source in the news, but the 9.2 feed is down-converted center-cut SD. :)

Doesn't the term "HD Doppler" refer to the radar imaging itself and not the quality of the broadcast?

I wonder how low they could get a 1080i bitrate down with such a static image as a doppler radar?

http://www.wusa9.com/weather/doppler/barrons/max.jpg

Looks like the pic on their website is 16:9. Note, I had to edit the first pic to be 4:3 when I posted it yesterday.

Doesn't the term "HD Doppler" refer to the radar imaging itself and not the quality of the broadcast?Yes...

Didn't see this posted anywhere in this thread... FWIW, here is the new Loudoun County Comcast lineup, as of Saturday, August 18.

http://www.comcast.com/MediaLibrary/1/2/CM/VanityURL/documents/lineupchanges/7C4115LdnLineUp11.pdf

Sweet thanks...

So will we have to know to go signup for the sports channels I guess? They won't come automatically...

Any update on WUTB's upgrade?

Any update on WUTB's upgrade?
Check my post #2591 from late July at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11137142&&#post11137142. I never heard back from them on my email (ok, slight rant) on them delaying going to full power until December. Go figure. :D

People who in the nominal WUTB-DT 24 market who can't get the digital signal OTA should contact the station and ask why they can't get WUTB-DT. It can't hurt if the management hears from would be digital OTA viewers. I suspect they are just dragging their heels on going full power.

Check my post #2591 from late July at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11137142&&#post11137142. I never heard back from them on my email (ok, slight rant) on then dragging going to full power until December. Go figure. :D

People who in the nominal WUTB-DT 24 market who can't get the digital signal OTA should contact the station and ask why they can't get WUTB-DT. It can't hurt if the management hears from would be digital OTA viewers. I suspect they are just dragging their heels on going full power.

Thanks.

Wonder if Mark has heard anything.

Anyone getting all of the new HD channels from Comcast in Loudoun?

I'm getting NGCHD (Nat'l Geographic) and CSNHD (Comcast Sportsnet), but the others (AEHD, MHD, UHD) are not available.

Anyone getting all of the new HD channels from Comcast in Loudoun?

I'm getting NGCHD (Nat'l Geographic) and CSNHD (Comcast Sportsnet), but the others (AEHD, MHD, UHD) are not available.
I am having the same issue. I gave comcast a call last night, and they said they were aiming for Monday to have all the new channels activated in the lineup. I also noticed that the weather radar channels (NBC weatherplus, etc) weren't available either.

Just got through watching the Redskins game that was DVR'd from last evening (Comcast, Frederick MD, WUSA) -- wow, that has got to be one of the worst examples of PQ that I have ever seen. Ranked right down their with WETA, and that's really saying something.

I have been experiencing this for a weeks now. I contacted comcast and got no where. I tried complaining to the FCC, but I received a letter back stating that cable providers were only required to carry the analog channel.


I too am not getting WUSA-HD in clear QAM. ABC, FOX, NBC and PBS (WETA-HD) are all coming in OK. I have limited basic service with the cable company filter to exclude expanded channels in place. The WUSA-HD dropped out a little over a month ago and it may be possible that Comcast moved the WUSA to a blocked frequency (corresponding to analog channels 34-71).

Is there a filter installed on your setup too?

Thanks.

New channel lineup in Northern Virginia(sterling to be exact), but still no W*USA9 in HD. What a load of crap. Comcast gives me the run-around, W*USA9 gives me the run-around.

New channel lineup in Northern Virginia(sterling to be exact), but still no W*USA9 in HD. What a load of crap. Comcast gives me the run-around, W*USA9 gives me the run-around.

Is this a problem with Comcast Cable box too or just clear QAM? I called Comcast yesterday and they insisted that I needed to subscribe to the HD tier and get their HD box or the cable card. I am OK with just the basic channels, but I do want the 4 major broadcast channels in HD.

Anybody else get this new "Comcast Central" today? They've got channels showing 5 or 6 channels of news/sports/kids, where you can monitor all of them at once, and choose which one you want the audio from.

I got to it via muscle memory, hitting what I thought was Menu. The channels themselves are in the 960s (Comcast DC).

Or maybe they've been there for a while, but the "Comcast Central" via the menubar is new.

Is this a problem with Comcast Cable box too or just clear QAM? I called Comcast yesterday and they insisted that I needed to subscribe to the HD tier and get their HD box or the cable card. I am OK with just the basic channels, but I do want the 4 major broadcast channels in HD.
If you are in eastern Loudoun and your HD TV has a built-in ATSC tuner, you should be able to get the 4 major broadcast stations along with WDCW-DT 50, WDCA-DT My 20, and WETA-DT PBS 26 with an antenna without too much difficulty.

Does your QAM tuner go up to QAM channel 125 or 135? It is possible that Comcast moved WUSA-DT 9 to the upper end of the QAM channel range, but your QAM tuner can't get up to that channel. Of course, the CSR will insist you need a STB box to get the HD locals because their training doesn't cover complicated stuff such as unscrambled versus scrambled cable channels. You need to talk to someone at the engineering level who knows how the cable system works to get a straight answer.

If you are in eastern Loudoun and your HD TV has a built-in ATSC tuner, you should be able to get the 4 major broadcast stations along with WDCW-DT 50, WDCA-DT My 20, and WETA-DT PBS 26 with an antenna without too much difficulty.

Does your QAM tuner go up to QAM channel 125 or 135? It is possible that Comcast moved WUSA-DT 9 to the upper end of the QAM channel range, but your QAM tuner can't get up to that channel. Of course, the CSR will insist you need a STB box to get the HD locals because their training doesn't cover complicated stuff such as unscrambled versus scrambled cable channels. You need to talk to someone at the engineering level who knows how the cable system works to get a straight answer.

Thanks for your input.

I am in eastern Loudoun and have a Panasonic PX600 and it scans upto 135. I have frequently rescanned, but no luck with WUSA and will definitely look into the option of just going with an indoor Antenna if it will work for me and drop Comcast all together -- or wait for the FIOS. My thought is that the WUSA-DT may have been moved to a frequency blocked by the expanded cable filter. Will try to catch hold of some engineering folks the next time I talk to Comcast.

Thanks.

Wonder if Mark has heard anything.

I don't have any specifics. Sorry.

I haven't spoken to their Chief Engineer about it recently.

Mark

I see it on QAM 116.1 in Loudon. Try doing a rescan. The new *local HD* channels they added today aren't in the clear though. I thought they had to be. Oh well we need to work together to find someone in Comcast Engineering so we can bypass all the CSR nonsense with these technical issues.

I don't have any specifics. Sorry.

I haven't spoken to their Chief Engineer about it recently.

Mark

Okay. Thanks.

I was just wondering. Not a very useful station.

If you are in eastern Loudoun and your HD TV has a built-in ATSC tuner, you should be able to get the 4 major broadcast stations along with WDCW-DT 50, WDCA-DT My 20, and WETA-DT PBS 26 with an antenna without too much difficulty.

Does your QAM tuner go up to QAM channel 125 or 135? It is possible that Comcast moved WUSA-DT 9 to the upper end of the QAM channel range, but your QAM tuner can't get up to that channel. Of course, the CSR will insist you need a STB box to get the HD locals because their training doesn't cover complicated stuff such as unscrambled versus scrambled cable channels. You need to talk to someone at the engineering level who knows how the cable system works to get a straight answer.
I have the Vizio VU42, I'll have to go check to see if it goes past 125(I"m not at home at the moment). I lost 9.1(W*USA9-HD) almost two months ago now. 50 and 20 NEVER appeared on this set nor an older sanyo CRT-HD set with an HD tuner. I've done multiple scans in the last two months and WUSA-DT 9 hasn't shown up ANYWHERE. That includes me looking through every crappy music channel the tuner picked up.

I wanted to avoid having a antenna, but it looks like comcast is giving me no choice.

I have the Vizio VU42, I'll have to go check to see if it goes past 125(I"m not at home at the moment). I lost 9.1(W*USA9-HD) almost two months ago now. 50 and 20 NEVER appeared on this set nor an older sanyo CRT-HD set with an HD tuner. I've done multiple scans in the last two months and WUSA-DT 9 hasn't shown up ANYWHERE. That includes me looking through every crappy music channel the tuner picked up.

I wanted to avoid having a antenna, but it looks like comcast is giving me no choice.

I just posted that WUSA9 HD is at QAM channel 116.1 the PSIP data is wrong it only lists 0.0 Its right next to WTTG wich is 116.2 listed with PSIP data of 5.2 B1_2 WT

I just posted that WUSA9 HD is at QAM channel 116.1 the PSIP data is wrong it only lists 0.0 Its right next to WTTG wich is 116.2 listed with PSIP data of 5.2 B1_2 WT

Just rescanned all again. No luck with WUSA on 116.x or anywhere else. I am now getting WDCA-HD on 1.2 and WJLA-DT Weather Now on 1.6 which is a change from earlier today when 1.2 and 1.6 were being listed but were giving black screens. For me WTTG is showing up at 5.2 which is its PSIP location. If I switch to channel 116 on my remote, I get 5.2 WTTG. However 116.1 and 116.2 show channel not found :confused:

Just rescanned all again. No luck with WUSA on 116.x or anywhere else. I am now getting WDCA-HD on 1.2 and WJLA-DT Weather Now on 1.6 which is a change from earlier today when 1.2 and 1.6 were being listed but were giving black screens. For me WTTG is showing up at 5.2 which is its PSIP location. If I switch to channel 116 on my remote, I get 5.2 WTTG. However 116.1 and 116.2 show channel not found :confused:

The problem probably is your tv not knowing what to do with 0.0 as the PSIP data.

Anybody else get this new "Comcast Central" today? They've got channels showing 5 or 6 channels of news/sports/kids, where you can monitor all of them at once, and choose which one you want the audio from.

I got to it via muscle memory, hitting what I thought was Menu. The channels themselves are in the 960s (Comcast DC).

Or maybe they've been there for a while, but the "Comcast Central" via the menubar is new.

I've been seeing the Comcast Central menus on my QAM tuner for months in Baltimore, but they are not accessable through the cable box. Don't know what they're waiting for.

In case anyone is interested, here's a list of the CW fall premier dates:

FALL LAUNCH PREMIERE DATES!

September 18 8:00P “Beauty and the Geek” (2 hours)
September 19 8:00P “America’s Next Top Model”
September 19 9:00P “Gossip Girl”
September 21 8:00P “Friday Night Smackdown”
September 23 7:00P “CW Now”
September 23 7:30P “Online Nation”
September 25 9:00P “Reaper”
September 27 8:00P “Smallville”
October 1 8:00P “Everybody Hates Chris”
October 1 8:30P “Aliens in America”
October 1 9:00P “Girlfriends”
October 1 9:30P “The Game”
October 4 9:00P “Supernatural”
October 7 8:00P “Life is Wild”

Just rescanned all again. No luck with WUSA on 116.x or anywhere else. I am now getting WDCA-HD on 1.2 and WJLA-DT Weather Now on 1.6 which is a change from earlier today when 1.2 and 1.6 were being listed but were giving black screens. For me WTTG is showing up at 5.2 which is its PSIP location. If I switch to channel 116 on my remote, I get 5.2 WTTG. However 116.1 and 116.2 show channel not found :confused:

You are mirroring my experience. Also, 116-1 doesn't show up as a channel either. I'll rescan(yet again) later tonight when I'm home.

We've just made the switch to FiOs at my house, but we're currently keeping Cox Cable as a backup for another month just in case. Well coincidentally, Cox called the house to inform us that as CableCard users (two in a TiVo Series 3 and one in our Samsung DLP), they would be upgrading us to CableCard 2.0 soon which will give us some increased functionality. However, they said that most users will require a new converter box that is capable of handling the new technology AND that the old 1.0 cards would no longer be able to decode the digital and HD channels. Now this doesn't affect me right now because hopefully FiOs will work well and I won't have to ever go back to Cox. However, I am still outraged that they would cripple the old technology just so they try to force CableCard consumers to once again have to pay extra just to rent (or buy) a cumbersome converter box. I know my Series 3 can handle 2.0, but I doubt my older Samsung can. This just confirms for me that I've made the right decision to go with FiOs (*knock on wood*)

Has anyone else gotten this call?

Free Showtime preview on Comcast 9/28 - 10/1.

Robert,

Jeopardy is not in HD tonight on WJLA. Just FYI, don't know if you need to reset something, or having weather issues, or whatever.

Are there summer repeats for Jeopary and Wheel of Fortune? If so, then they may just be old episodes.

We've just made the switch to FiOs at my house, but we're currently keeping Cox Cable as a backup for another month just in case. Well coincidentally, Cox called the house to inform us that as CableCard users (two in a TiVo Series 3 and one in our Samsung DLP), they would be upgrading us to CableCard 2.0 soon which will give us some increased functionality. However, they said that most users will require a new converter box that is capable of handling the new technology AND that the old 1.0 cards would no longer be able to decode the digital and HD channels. Now this doesn't affect me right now because hopefully FiOs will work well and I won't have to ever go back to Cox. However, I am still outraged that they would cripple the old technology just so they try to force CableCard consumers to once again have to pay extra just to rent (or buy) a cumbersome converter box. I know my Series 3 can handle 2.0, but I doubt my older Samsung can. This just confirms for me that I've made the right decision to go with FiOs (*knock on wood*)

Has anyone else gotten this call?

This is most interesting, but then we could have seen this coming with addition of new channels, (now there is more need for bandwidth), rise of CableCARD prices to $4.50 from $1.99(making this the same price as a SD box). So I guess Cox will be using these new CableCARDs for new boxes(aka FCC mandate boxes). I guess I have gotten the call too, but I am out of town.

I was checking my "to be recorded programs" this morning and saw that nothing was scheudled past Wed., Aug. 22, 2007. I then checked the Guide and found that there was no programming information beginning on August 23, 2007 at 8 p.m. What's funny is that this information was there only a few days ago. Anyone else experience this problem or know what the story is? Thanks.

Well, I know that Fios has a new On Screen Guide due to launch in our area around that time. Perhaps any timers would be lost during that update?

Are there summer repeats for Jeopary and Wheel of Fortune? If so, then they may just be old episodes.They are repeats but ARE shown in HD...

Anyone know why on earth Comcast DC sends the HD feeds of the Baltimore networks down the cable when they're just blocked from reception by the Comcast STB/CableCARDs? Seems like they could offer us 6 more HD cable channels in those spots...

Anyone know why on earth Comcast DC sends the HD feeds of the Baltimore networks down the cable when they're just blocked from reception by the Comcast STB/CableCARDs?

I don't know why, but I, for one, am glad they do it. I like having a choice of which local HD's to watch.

Seems like they could offer us 6 more HD cable channels in those spots...

Maybe, but more likely they'd give us 6 more shopping channels and the Hedge Trimming Channel instead.

Maybe, but more likely they'd give us 6 more shopping channels and the Hedge Trimming Channel instead.

Not if they want to remain competitive with FiOS and the DBS providers as far as HD content goes.

Hello,

I've been a lurker here for a long time (much longer than I've been registered), and have always appreciated reading the info that is posted here.

I don't know if anyone has noticed yet, but as the title of my post says, MPT no longer passes through the PBS HD feed (as of 8/20). Although they still have an "MPT HD" channel, that channel simply mirrors the schedule of the MPT analog channel. My understanding is that when a "true" HD program airs, it will be passed along in HD; otherwise, even for a widescreen presentation (of the type that used to fill a 16:9 screen on their "former" MPT HD channel), it will be broadcast windowboxed (as I witnessed last night for The History Detectives) on the "new" MPT HD channel.

When I asked one MPT staffer about the reason for this backward step (in my opinion), he said he understood it was because of "business." When I asked if that was because of the increase in cost of the PBS HD feed to the affiliates (as has been posted in the HDTV Programming Forum), he said as far as he knew, that was the reason.

Although not "perfect," I am really sorry to see the "former" MPT HD channel disappear, and I have told MPT that.

I should also note that MPT is now (as of 8/20) broadcasting two SD channels along with their "HD" channel. Now, I can't wait to see "true" HD on MPT. (Not!) For that matter, I don't see even a single "HD" program listed on the "MPT HD" schedule for the rest of this month. (Schedule for September has not yet been posted.)

tanfan,
Good info and welcome to the forum.

GoIrish

Not if they want to remain competitive with FiOS and the DBS providers as far as HD content goes.

Removing HD locals to add other HD content isn't exactly what I'd
call being competitive. I'd much rather see them remove some of the
analog channels (like the tv guide network) each of which would make
room for 2 HD digital channels.

Removing HD locals to add other HD content isn't exactly what I'd
call being competitive. I'd much rather see them remove some of the
analog channels (like the tv guide network) each of which would make
room for 2 HD digital channels.

Ideally, they'd do both. However, losing the out-of-market HD channels--which most people don't even know are there anyway--would annoy far fewer subscribers and seems like a quick fix solution to getting more HD content on the wire.

Ideally, they'd do both. However, losing the out-of-market HD channels--which most people don't even know are there anyway--would annoy far fewer subscribers and seems like a quick fix solution to getting more HD content on the wire.

"Out-of-market"? The reason that Baltimore and Washington are combined in this thread is that it's one market. They already annoyed
me once when they took the Baltimore stations off the cable box. Taking
HD content away in order to add other _encrypted_ HD content would
be annoying as hell when there's plenty of bandwidth available.

"Out-of-market"? The reason that Baltimore and Washington are combined in this thread is that it's one market. They already annoyed
me once when they took the Baltimore stations off the cable box. Taking
HD content away in order to add other _encrypted_ HD content would
be annoying as hell when there's plenty of bandwidth available.

Could have fooled me. All this shouldn't be in one thread.

I prefer to think of it as two markets with considerable overlap.

tanfan, Welcome. I caught that too tonight. I was like, hey, let's see whats on Nova tonight. I always hit MPT-HD over WETA due to bandwidth. I figured it was some kinda mistake that I was seeing SD on 22.2. I tried 62.2 and it was the same thing. I decided to move on and found World Series of Poker on ESPN-HD :D

Looks like we have a some back pedaling going on in our HD revolution.

22-1 is now the "HD" (1080i) channel. It still has the same programming as the "old" (480i) 22-1 except for when an HD program is broadcast. 22-2 is MPT Select. 22-3 is MPT V-Me and is a Spanish-language channel.

Hello,

I've been a lurker here for a long time (much longer than I've been registered), and have always appreciated reading the info that is posted here.

I don't know if anyone has noticed yet, but as the title of my post says, MPT no longer passes through the PBS HD feed (as of 8/20). Although they still have an "MPT HD" channel, that channel simply mirrors the schedule of the MPT analog channel. My understanding is that when a "true" HD program airs, it will be passed along in HD; otherwise, even for a widescreen presentation (of the type that used to fill a 16:9 screen on their "former" MPT HD channel), it will be broadcast windowboxed (as I witnessed last night for The History Detectives) on the "new" MPT HD channel.

When I asked one MPT staffer about the reason for this backward step (in my opinion), he said he understood it was because of "business." When I asked if that was because of the increase in cost of the PBS HD feed to the affiliates (as has been posted in the HDTV Programming Forum), he said as far as he knew, that was the reason.

Although not "perfect," I am really sorry to see the "former" MPT HD channel disappear, and I have told MPT that.

I should also note that MPT is now (as of 8/20) broadcasting two SD channels along with their "HD" channel. Now, I can't wait to see "true" HD on MPT. (Not!) For that matter, I don't see even a single "HD" program listed on the "MPT HD" schedule for the rest of this month. (Schedule for September has not yet been posted.)

This really sucks. I live about 10 miles north of the line in PA and can't get Harrisburg PBS. I watched MPT all the time. I looked at NOVA last night on 67.1 and it didn't fill the whole screen. I was recording it, but stopped it because it wasn't fit to watch. Is this the way all the HD will be broadcast? I can't believe that they would broadcast it that way. Anyone know if Directv has local PBS in HD? I may have to get the new Directv HD DVR so I can get my locals in HD.

DirecTV (at least in Loudoun County) carries MPT, WETA, WHUT (DC-Howard U.) and Virginia PBS, all in SD.

DirecTV (at least in Loudoun County) carries MPT, WETA, WHUT (DC-Howard U.) and Virginia PBS, all in SD.
I just checked Directv's website. They don't carry PBS HD or CW in HD in the Harrisburg area.

I was checking my "to be recorded programs" this morning and saw that nothing was scheudled past Wed., Aug. 22, 2007. I then checked the Guide and found that there was no programming information beginning on August 23, 2007 at 8 p.m. What's funny is that this information was there only a few days ago. Anyone else experience this problem or know what the story is? Thanks.

Hey cmburke99 - hopefully, you've already found a resolution, however, if not - I noticed one of my FIOS DVR's had no program info after 8pm last Saturday and the other DVR did, so I did the old "unplug and plug back in" and it fixed itself.

I'm assuming you have the IMG (biggest bunch of crap I've seen in a while)

I don't know of any market that D* carries PBS in HD. I was looking at OKC last night for my parents (finally getting them on HD), and D* doesn't carry PBS there. Based on previous posts in this forum and that info, I have to wonder if it is carried in any market?

Jim

I don't know of any market that D* carries PBS in HD... Based on previous posts in this forum and that info, I have to wonder if it is carried in any market?

Jim
Not one...

Looks like MPT forgot to flip the switch.

Looks like MPT forgot to flip the switch.

It's showing HD now, but the quality is horrible. I miss the old subchannel lineup!

It's showing HD now, but the quality is horrible. I miss the old subchannel lineup!

Plus, they never changed the guide on my D* HDDVR, so it recorded, but not History Detectives or NOVA

Hi, I just got my HDTV tuner the other day and my new antenna installed on Tuesday. I get a lot of DTV stations, which is great. However, for some reason the Mhz stations only come in sporadically. Anyone else having problems with them? I'm thinking of buying a signal amplifier to improve the signal. Any thoughts? Thanks, Stephen

Hi, I just got my HDTV tuner the other day and my new antenna installed on Tuesday. I get a lot of DTV stations, which is great. However, for some reason the Mhz stations only come in sporadically. Anyone else having problems with them? I'm thinking of buying a signal amplifier to improve the signal. Any thoughts? Thanks, Stephen
Stephen, MHz on 57 is operating with only about 7kw power. it is not a surprise you have a problem with them. try the same programming from the Goldvein,VA. transmitter on digital channel 30. here in Charles town, WV. they put in a great signal.

I've been seeing the Comcast Central menus on my QAM tuner for months in Baltimore, but they are not accessable through the cable box. Don't know what they're waiting for.

Same, only see them on QAM. I was at my brother's in Chicago in January and they already had them deployed.

Stephen, MHz on 57 is operating with only about 7kw power. it is not a surprise you have a problem with them. try the same programming from the Goldvein,VA. transmitter on digital channel 30. here in Charles town, WV. they put in a great signal.
Thanks, I'll give that a try. I looked up signals on tvfool.com and it looks like channel 30 is broadcasting a MUCH more powerful signal. I assume I just tune my HDTV tuner to channel 30? Thanks again.

We've just made the switch to FiOs at my house, but we're currently keeping Cox Cable as a backup for another month just in case. Well coincidentally, Cox called the house to inform us that as CableCard users (two in a TiVo Series 3 and one in our Samsung DLP), they would be upgrading us to CableCard 2.0 soon which will give us some increased functionality. However, they said that most users will require a new converter box that is capable of handling the new technology AND that the old 1.0 cards would no longer be able to decode the digital and HD channels. Now this doesn't affect me right now because hopefully FiOs will work well and I won't have to ever go back to Cox. However, I am still outraged that they would cripple the old technology just so they try to force CableCard consumers to once again have to pay extra just to rent (or buy) a cumbersome converter box. I know my Series 3 can handle 2.0, but I doubt my older Samsung can. This just confirms for me that I've made the right decision to go with FiOs (*knock on wood*)

Has anyone else gotten this call?

I just got a similar call saying that I would need to convert to an HD box to get new HD channels that they plan to add soon. He said I'd be able to keep my old ones (in a Tivo Series 3) to get everything now, but that new channels would be SDV and would not work with old cable cards. This is in Herndon, where for some reason my complex is the only place in the area without FIOS.

I was under the impression that Tivo series 3s were screwed when it came to more advanced cable cards. has anything changed recently with that?

EDIT: And just how many additional channels are out there now anyway? The only ones I don't get are Cinemax, Food and HGTV. (and of course, the HDNets)

Hi, I just got my HDTV tuner the other day and my new antenna installed on Tuesday. I get a lot of DTV stations, which is great. However, for some reason the Mhz stations only come in sporadically. Anyone else having problems with them? I'm thinking of buying a signal amplifier to improve the signal. Any thoughts? Thanks, Stephen
Where are you located and which antenna are you using? A pre-amp is not a good idea if you are too close to the DC broadcast towers. As already posted, the WNVT-DT MHz 30 station in Goldvein, VA at 160 kW and 229 meters HAAT (height above average terrain) is much easier to get over most of the DC area than WNVC-DT MHz 56 (on UHF 57) in Fairfax at 7.3 kW and 174 meters HAAT. I can get WNVT-DT 30 from north end of Sterling with my CM 4221 antenna aimed 130 degrees away at Baltimore. I have never had much luck in getting WNVC-DT on UHF 57 (although I have never really tried).

BTW, the antenna for WNVT-DT 30 is actually located west of Dale City near Rt. 234 and some miles NE of Goldvein. WNVC-DT MHz 56 will be moving from UHF 57 (out of core) to UHF 24 and boosting it's power to 50 kW after the analog shutdown in February, 2009 which will make it easier to pick up.

It's showing HD now, but the quality is horrible. I miss the old subchannel lineup!

I agree. The quality last night (on the MPT "HD" channel) left a lot to be desired--and I just noticed that MotorWeek tonight was windowboxed (used to fill the screen on the "PBS HD" channel). :mad:

Thank you, GoIrish and Cyclone the other night for the warm welcome! Sorry it has taken me so long to acknowledge it!:)

You are mirroring my experience. Also, 116-1 doesn't show up as a channel either. I'll rescan(yet again) later tonight when I'm home.

I have started getting WUSA-HD (9.1) as of a little while ago. Earlier today, it was not being detected. I am also getting WJLA Weather Now at 7-6 (since Saturday) and WRC Weather Plus on 4-3.

Digital MHZ network channels are on 126.x.
WDCA-HD (My Network) is on 20-2.

WDCW-HD is still not available to me on clear QAM.

WDCW-HD is on 127.1 and has the correct PSIP as 3.1 WDCW-HD

I few minor quibbles with the first post of this thread:

1) DiscoveryHD is carried by Cox-Fairfax; I can only presume that other providers have it as well. The who's-got-what doesn't reflect this.

2) Food-HD, HGTV-HD, NFL-HD and possibly others are listed twice in the aforementioned chart.

3) I *think* MHz 30 subchannels are available on Cox-Fairfax in some other programming tier.

Not related to the first post, but I still don't see My20 in clear QAM on Cox.

-SUO

Minor update not worth its own post: My20 is now in clear QAM on Cox.

1) DiscoveryHD is carried by Cox-Fairfax; I can only presume that other providers have it as well. The who's-got-what doesn't reflect this.
No, this is the new Discovery HD channel that started up last week on Dish. It is a simulcast of the Discovery SD channel. The channel that has been around for years is the Discovery HD Theater channel which has it own schedule. Confusing for sure. Four new national HD channels started up on Dish last week - Discovery-HD, Animal Planet-HD, TLC-HD, Discovery Science-HD - which are only on Dish AFAIK so far. I hope Verizon Fios add these channels along with the other impending startups - History-HD, TBS-HD are supposed go live by September 1 - very soon. I want Mythbusters in HD!!! As well as A&E-HD, Versus/Golf-HD, CSN Mid-Atlantic HD,...

With all the HD channels starting up, that is why Cox is going to SDV although that will create serious issues for QAM and cable card users. The better solution is to shut down 10 or 20 analog channels, but that will get the analog subscribers upset.

22-1 is now the "HD" (1080i) channel. It still has the same programming as the "old" (480i) 22-1 except for when an HD program is broadcast. 22-2 is MPT Select. 22-3 is MPT V-Me and is a Spanish-language channel.

The new MPT lineup sucks out loud. Very little HD anymore. And they even took down the other subs that had some varied programming all in the name of perpetuating Spanish. Didn't they ever hear of SAP? Why a different channel when they could supply Spanish on an existing channel.

Meanwhile, they take away two channels to add one. Then take away the bulk of their HD programming?

So much for me contributing in the future.

I have just sent them an email saying they have stepped backward and are doing a disservice to the majority of their community by dedicating a channel to a small group while eliminating services of a broader appeal.

I'm in Gaithersburg, just set up my TV two nights ago. I am getting WUSA-HD on 9.1, Any ideas if we'll be able to get the fights on Saturday?

The new MPT lineup sucks out loud.

So much for me contributing in the future.

I have just sent them an email saying they have stepped backward and are doing a disservice to the majority of their community by dedicating a channel to a small group while eliminating services of a broader appeal.On Wednesday afternoon (8/22) I composed a letter that I intended to mail that pretty much echoes what you have said. Then I thought I would wait a while before sending it to see how this shakes out. Reading your post has made me decide to go ahead and send the letter. I have been a member for the last few years but that is coming to an end. On the audio side, you may have noticed that they have now left their 5.1 flag on even when the program is in ordinary stereo, so no more surround on regular 2.0 programs which of course are still the vast majority of PBS' HD programs. Doing a brief A/B comparison of WETA and MPT from last night (Thursday, 8/23) of the program they were getting off the PBS national HD feed (Adventure Lodges of North America) MPT now has the same bit-starved picture that WETA has. To paraphrase Cylone GT, HD revolution indeed.

I few minor quibbles with the first post of this thread:

1) DiscoveryHD is carried by Cox-Fairfax; I can only presume that other providers have it as well. The who's-got-what doesn't reflect this.

2) Food-HD, HGTV-HD, NFL-HD and possibly others are listed twice in the aforementioned chart.

3) I *think* MHz 30 subchannels are available on Cox-Fairfax in some other programming tier.
-SUO

Thanks for the proof-reading. There are now two Discovery HD channels, so that explains that difference. The duplicate entries are due to my using "copy" when I should have used "cut" when I shifted some entries around. The Mhz channels I just outright missed updating.

But I have made the corrections, so thanks for your input. If anyone sees other discrepancies, please let me know.

Thanks for the proof-reading. There are now two Discovery HD channels, so that explains that difference. The duplicate entries are due to my using "copy" when I should have used "cut" when I shifted some entries around. The Mhz channels I just outright missed updating.

But I have made the corrections, so thanks for your input. If anyone sees other discrepancies, please let me know.


22-1 is now the HD channel. 22-2 is MPT Select. 22-3 is MPT V-Me. 22-3 and 22-4 are gone.

Where are you located and which antenna are you using? A pre-amp is not a good idea if you are too close to the DC broadcast towers. As already posted, the WNVT-DT MHz 30 station in Goldvein, VA at 160 kW and 229 meters HAAT (height above average terrain) is much easier to get over most of the DC area than WNVC-DT MHz 56 (on UHF 57) in Fairfax at 7.3 kW and 174 meters HAAT. I can get WNVT-DT 30 from north end of Sterling with my CM 4221 antenna aimed 130 degrees away at Baltimore. I have never had much luck in getting WNVC-DT on UHF 57 (although I have never really tried).

BTW, the antenna for WNVT-DT 30 is actually located west of Dale City near Rt. 234 and some miles NE of Goldvein. WNVC-DT MHz 56 will be moving from UHF 57 (out of core) to UHF 24 and boosting it's power to 50 kW after the analog shutdown in February, 2009 which will make it easier to pick up.
Hi, I'm located in Falls Church, VA just a mile off Rt 50. I have a CM 3016 antenna which, according to the installer, gets a strong signal. However, for some reason I cannot get WNVT 57 DTV. I also cannot get channel 30, either. :-( I do have the coax on a splitter so I can get Tivo as well as HDTV. However, I experimented by routing the coax directly to the HDTV and the problem persists. My installer mentioned we're getting interference from somewhere, but darned if I can figure out where it's coming from. Good to know about channel 57 moving to 24, but that's 1½ years away.

Stephen, MHz on 57 is operating with only about 7kw power. it is not a surprise you have a problem with them. try the same programming from the Goldvein,VA. transmitter on digital channel 30. here in Charles town, WV. they put in a great signal.
Hi, I tried that last night, but no joy. I'm not getting DTV channel 30 at all. Weird...

Anyone else out there having major pixelation problems on channels 72-79 on D* just noticed it while whatching lord of the rings- it isnt showing up on the local HD's just the higher HD channels- almost like a storm moving in. No storms on radar to block it though...

Hi, I'm located in Falls Church, VA just a mile off Rt 50. I have a CM 3016 antenna which, according to the installer, gets a strong signal. However, for some reason I cannot get WNVT 57 DTV. I also cannot get channel 30, either. :-( I do have the coax on a splitter so I can get Tivo as well as HDTV. However, I experimented by routing the coax directly to the HDTV and the problem persists. My installer mentioned we're getting interference from somewhere, but darned if I can figure out where it's coming from. Good to know about channel 57 moving to 24, but that's 1½ years away.
The Channel Master 3016 is a medium range conventional VHF/UHF antenna which is moderately directional. I assume it is aimed at the DC stations to your NE. WNVC-DT is in the other direction, but off at an angle. You are so close to the WNVC-DT tower near the Beltway in Merrifield, I would have thought that the antenna would easily have picked up WNVC-DT in a backlobe. But you may be close enough to be underneath the antenna pattern and are not getting that strong a signal. Or least not strong enough with it's low power to come in a backlobe of the CM 3016.

If you have a tabletop UHF loop antenna with a 75 ohm connector sitting around, I suggest you hook it up, aim the open face of the loop towards Merrifield and see if you can get WNVC-DT. If you can access the CM 3016 and tweak the aim, I suggest you move it to the left and right a bit to see if that helps to pick up WNVC-DT or WNVT-DT. Here is the predicted beam pattern for the CM 3018, the next step up in the series: http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/cm3018.html.

Questions: Do you get the Baltimore digital stations with the CM 3016? If you have an analog tuner hooked up, do you get the WNVC-TV 56 analog station ok? Finally, what are you using for an ATSC tuner?

I have started getting WUSA-HD (9.1) as of a little while ago. Earlier today, it was not being detected. I am also getting WJLA Weather Now at 7-6 (since Saturday) and WRC Weather Plus on 4-3.

Digital MHZ network channels are on 126.x.
WDCA-HD (My Network) is on 20-2.

WDCW-HD is still not available to me on clear QAM.

I don't kow what happened, but all is MUCH better - FINALLY!!!!

I'm getting 9-1(HD), 7-5(HD), 7-6(weather), 5-2(HD), 4-1(HD), 4-3(weather), 127-1(CW-HD), 20-2(My20-HD), 103-10(Discovery-HD), 108-*(VOD mystery channel), 26-1(WETA-HD)

Took long enough, but the world is finally back in order.

BY the way the amplifier that Comcast put in our system is a Viewsonics VSMA-601C http://www.broadbandamps.com/Products/VSMA-601C.htm
Anybody have any experience with this? At the moment it is setup to be plugged in all the time (via their transformer). There is no off switch so I guess it is drawing energy all the time. Should I unplug it when I'm not using the cable or is it drawing so little that I shouldn't worry about it?

Last night I saw The Closer with our new improved signal. It looked really nice.

Neil

I have the same inline single-port amplifier (also Comcast-installed) running last-ten-feet to my 42PF7320A/37; whereas normally I'd have trouble pulling any decent digital signals (even analog signals would be messy), now my OTAs are whistle-clean (and I get them *all*, even the digital OTA ones out of Baltimore), and definitely get all the channels I should be.

I just got a similar call saying that I would need to convert to an HD box to get new HD channels that they plan to add soon. He said I'd be able to keep my old ones (in a Tivo Series 3) to get everything now, but that new channels would be SDV and would not work with old cable cards. This is in Herndon, where for some reason my complex is the only place in the area without FIOS.

I was under the impression that Tivo series 3s were screwed when it came to more advanced cable cards. has anything changed recently with that?

EDIT: And just how many additional channels are out there now anyway? The only ones I don't get are Cinemax, Food and HGTV. (and of course, the HDNets)

You guys seem to have gotten a little more information than me when you got your call. They just told me that cablecard would no longer be supported and that I would lose some channels and not get some of the new HD channels being offered. Fortunately though it's channels that I would probably never watch and I was losing channels I don't watch anyway. All I watch are the premiums so I don't care until they offer Cinemax, TMC, and other of feeds of HBO and Showtime in HD.

As some of you might know, BTN is launching on August 30. DirecTV and AT&T U-Verse will be launching the channel as part of their basic package while Comcast will not offer it at all due to some complications in negotiations. My questions:

1. Has anyone heard the details about BTN's negotiations with VZ, SPECIFICALLY, for the DC area?
2. BTN wants to have the channel offered as basic. Is it likely that VZ will go along with this for people outside of the Conference footprint (which is basically the Midwest/Penn.)?

A couple links for those interested:

http://www.mgoblue.com/document_display.cfm?document_id=7324
http://pennstate.scout.com/2/671599.html

1. Has anyone heard the details about BTN's negotiations with VZ, SPECIFICALLY, for the DC area?
2. BTN wants to have the channel offered as basic. Is it likely that VZ will go along with this for people outside of the Conference footprint (which is basically the Midwest/Penn.)?
This is really a question for the FIOS Programming thread in the HDTV Programming forum. If Fios adds the Big Ten Network, it would presumably be as a national sports channel or a RSN that would be in many of their regions. Given the stiff monthly fee that the BTN wants per subscriber, if Fios adds it, I would expect them to put it in the separate premium Sports Tier. But there has been absolutely nothing from Verizon on when they will add the new national HD channels that have and are about to start up or Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD, so I wouldn't expect to hear from them on the BTN. My hope is that Verizon is waiting to add a bunch of new HD channels in September after TBS-HD, History-HD have started up so they can fold them into one big September roll-out. But that may be wishful thinking.

Ditto for today.

Mark

Because:

1) They aren't sending it in HD

and

2) Even if it was available in HD, we don't currently have a way to switch it into the HD program stream

Just thought I would answer the "why isn't WBFF sending the pre-season game in HD?" question before it's asked.

Cheers!

Mark

I live in an apartment in College Park, MD near the Univ of Maryland. I only have basic analaog cable (from a jack in the wall) from comcast available as far as I know. I just got a plasma HDTV with a QAM tuner and I'm pulling a good number of HD channels such as TNT, A&E, PBS, ABC, FOX, CBS, and NBC. However, not all of them are coming up as the listed channels on TitanTV; for example I get a bunch of channels in the 120-x - 132-x range. These include things like FOX HD or NBC which are otherwise listed in the single digit range. Anyway, that's really besides the point. What I'm wondering is if I would benefit from getting an indoor HDTV antenna, I can't install an outdoor at my apartment for obvious reasons. Here is my antennaweb output for digital only:

* yellow - uhf WMPT-DT 22.1 PBS ANNAPOLIS MD 98° 17.8 42
* red - uhf WUSA-DT 9.1 CBS WASHINGTON DC 255° 8.2 34
* red - uhf WRC-DT 4.1 NBC WASHINGTON DC 251° 8.6 48
* red - uhf WFDC-DT 14.1 TFA ARLINGTON VA 251° 8.6 15
* red - uhf WTTG-DT 5.1 FOX WASHINGTON DC 258° 8.2 36
* red - uhf WJLA-DT 7.1 ABC WASHINGTON DC 255° 8.2 39
* red - uhf WHUT-DT 33 PBS WASHINGTON DC TBD 255° 8.2 33
* red - uhf WDCW-DT 50.1 CW WASHINGTON DC 250° 5.3 51
* blue - uhf WJZ-DT 13.1 CBS BALTIMORE MD 44° 27.8 38
* blue - uhf WBAL-DT 11.1 NBC BALTIMORE MD 44° 27.8 59
* blue - uhf WBFF-DT 45.1 FOX BALTIMORE MD 44° 27.9 46
* blue - uhf WNUV-DT 54.1 CW BALTIMORE MD 44° 27.9 40
* blue - uhf WMAR-DT 2.1 ABC BALTIMORE MD 44° 27.8 52
* violet - uhf WETA-DT 26.1 PBS WASHINGTON DC 244° 12.7 27
* violet - uhf WDCA-DT 20.1 MNT WASHINGTON DC 255° 8.2 35

This is really a question for the FIOS Programming thread in the HDTV Programming forum. If Fios adds the Big Ten Network, it would presumably be as a national sports channel or a RSN that would be in many of their regions. Given the stiff monthly fee that the BTN wants per subscriber, if Fios adds it, I would expect them to put it in the separate premium Sports Tier. But there has been absolutely nothing from Verizon on when they will add the new national HD channels that have and are about to start up or Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD, so I wouldn't expect to hear from them on the BTN. My hope is that Verizon is waiting to add a bunch of new HD channels in September after TBS-HD, History-HD have started up so they can fold them into one big September roll-out. But that may be wishful thinking.

At this point, the BTN is only offering non-sports tier alternatives. It depends on how Fios does these deals. They could add it outside Big Ten territory (including Maryland) for next to nothing. The "stiff monthly fee" that the BTN is asking for is about a buck a month for those only in Big Ten territory. Outside there it is dirt cheap.

I can't call it stiff when it is only local and it is less than MASN and includes HD and multiple feeds.

I live in an apartment in College Park, MD near the Univ of Maryland. I only have basic analaog cable (from a jack in the wall) from comcast available as far as I know. I just got a plasma HDTV with a QAM tuner and I'm pulling a good number of HD channels such as TNT, A&E, PBS, ABC, FOX, CBS, and NBC. However, not all of them are coming up as the listed channels on TitanTV; for example I get a bunch of channels in the 120-x - 132-x range. These include things like FOX HD or NBC which are otherwise listed in the single digit range. Anyway, that's really besides the point. What I'm wondering is if I would benefit from getting an indoor HDTV antenna, I can't install an outdoor at my apartment for obvious reasons. Here is my antennaweb output for digital only:
The 120-x to 132-x are the actual QAM channel numbers. Are you saying on the cable system that WRC-DT NBC 4 is mapped to 4-1 and WTTG-DT Fox 5 is mapped to 5-1 by your TV? If so, that means the cable company is passing the PSIP channel map info which makes it a lot easier to find them. Don't count on TNT-HD or A&E-HD remaining available. Comcast is likely to start scrambling them sometime soon. Cable companies will leave national cable channels in the clear (unscrambled) when they move them around and will then turn on the encryption after they are done.

As for over the air reception, you need a UHF antenna. You are probably not concerned about the digital channel re-alignment in February, 2009 after the analog shutdown. The Silver Sensor UHF antenna is a good indoor antenna. It is sold under the Philips and Terk brand names. If you can find one sitting around, you could try a simple UHF loop / VHF rabbit ear tabletop antenna.

Well is there an advantage of getting an antenna if I already get certain channels with the built-in tuner? The picture quality is quite good and I see what I believe to be 100% signal strength so would it improve PQ or what? That's what I'm asking.

Your PQ may go up some, as you'll be skipping any compression that the cable company is doing to the signal.

The only other reason is for ease of use (not having to remember if 9-1 is 125.8 or 126.4). The QAM channel assignments may move around too, so if that happens you'll have to do a rescan and remember a new set of numbers.

Well is there an advantage of getting an antenna if I already get certain channels with the built-in tuner? The picture quality is quite good and I see what I believe to be 100% signal strength so would it improve PQ or what? That's what I'm asking.
I think I have the same Comcast Basic cable, and while I have an attic antenna for OTA, I very seldom use OTA. Comcast in our area is now providing very good QAM signals and many channels. The number and position of any channel can change at any time, but at the present time I don't see the need for an antenna. There are useful channels in the 132 and 134 positions.

To anyone who has tried to e-mail me, I apologize that I had forgotten that my e-mail address has changed since I registered (nearly 2 years ago)! Therefore, as I understand it, my e-mails have been bouncing back! I just want everyone to know that I have now updated my e-mail address! (Thank you!)

To anyone who has tried to e-mail me, I apologize that I had forgotten that my e-mail address has changed since I registered (nearly 2 years ago)! Therefore, as I understand it, my e-mails have been bouncing back! I just want everyone to know that I have now updated my e-mail address!

Ah, ha! So now I know why my "return to sender" postage bill was so high this month!;)

:eek:;):D:o

Ah, ha! So now I know why my "return to sender" postage bill was so high this month!;)

Yeah, those must have been some pretty popular posts(2) in the prior 2 years :D

Some guy in Pittsburgh sent me a PM in response to my signature. I have tried to reply to him, but his PM is disabled. He must think that I am ignoring him. Oh well.

Forgive me if I mangle the jargon here and/or spout misinformation; it has been awhile since I have been actively reading the forum, and I'm a bit rusty on local HDTV reception.

Has anyone noticed a difference in the screen resolution/format of WBAL HD? I have D* HD and a Sony 40" LCD HDTV (V2500), and the way I have it set up, WBAL used to come in just fine. Within the past week, it seems that commercials and local programming (news) are stretched. I have checked to make sure the TV is set in pillar box, and yet, it seems that some if not all of the local stuff is stretched, which I find totally distracting.

If it seemed that all content was stretched, I would think the problem would have been an inadvertent change to the way my HR20 and Sony are configured. My Sony is set for 1080p pillar box. Though a nice control test would have been to check 11-1, and I neglected to do that.

I admit from the start that I have not fully figured out the dance between broadcast formats and optimizing my TV, but I did have it stable and how I wanted it, and do not believe I changed anything on my end. Perhaps an HR20 reboot happened, it changed my setup, and I didn't realize it?

Any others?

TIA,
Jerry

WBAL has been stretching for years. Usually, for SD programming, it's a 14:9 stretch (or thereabouts), with cropping of the top and bottom. For SD commercials inserted into HD programs, it's a full 16:9 stretch with no cropping.

I don't have it handy to check what they're doing now.

On another note... I was happy not to see WMAR's hideous giant bug on my last recording from 2-1. Has it been retired? It really MARred the picture.

Hey Jerry -

All of the programming, except the HD network feeds, are stretched on WBAL and have been for as long as I can remember. I'm not sure how you were seeing it any other way - I've never heard of a setting on a tv to un-stretch a picture, although most, if not all, receivers have a setting to stretch the picture to fill the screen... You've hit on a problem that bugs me, and a lot of other people on this forum. Lots of people have complained to WBAL but, to date, they haven't changed it. I will only watch network programming on that channel. I refuse to watch the stretch-o-vision.

Mark

Forgive me if I mangle the jargon here and/or spout misinformation; it has been awhile since I have been actively reading the forum, and I'm a bit rusty on local HDTV reception.

Has anyone noticed a difference in the screen resolution/format of WBAL HD? I have D* HD and a Sony 40" LCD HDTV (V2500), and the way I have it set up, WBAL used to come in just fine. Within the past week, it seems that commercials and local programming (news) are stretched. I have checked to make sure the TV is set in pillar box, and yet, it seems that some if not all of the local stuff is stretched, which I find totally distracting.

If it seemed that all content was stretched, I would think the problem would have been an inadvertent change to the way my HR20 and Sony are configured. My Sony is set for 1080p pillar box. Though a nice control test would have been to check 11-1, and I neglected to do that.

I admit from the start that I have not fully figured out the dance between broadcast formats and optimizing my TV, but I did have it stable and how I wanted it, and do not believe I changed anything on my end. Perhaps an HR20 reboot happened, it changed my setup, and I didn't realize it?

Any others?

TIA,
Jerry

I did see an HD program on the "new" MPTHD (I forgot, some outdoors show).

What really bothers me is that now we have to live with the pledge drives to see PBSHD programs. That really stinks.

I also emailed MPT to tell them how upset I was.

Rich N.

WBAL has been stretching for years. Usually, for SD programming, it's a 14:9 stretch (or thereabouts), with cropping of the top and bottom. For SD commercials inserted into HD programs, it's a full 16:9 stretch with no cropping.

I don't have it handy to check what they're doing now.

On another note... I was happy not to see WMAR's hideous giant bug on my last recording from 2-1. Has it been retired? It really MARred the picture.

Looking at it in my office, WBAL is still ~14:9. There are narrow black bars on each side of the picture - maybe 1/3 as wide as on a 4:3 pillar boxed picture.

Mark

What brand of Cable Card does Comcast use in Montgomery County, MD? I have a TivoHD and am considering using it with Comcast. Anyone have any experience in the county with Comcast and the new TivoHD? Pixellation and/or installation problems?
Thanks,
Rob

Stephen, MHz on 57 is operating with only about 7kw power. it is not a surprise you have a problem with them. try the same programming from the Goldvein,VA. transmitter on digital channel 30. Except for subchannel 1, which mirrors analog 56, channels 30 and 57 no longer carry the same programming.

I did see an HD program on the "new" MPTHD (I forgot, some outdoors show).

What really bothers me is that now we have to live with the pledge drives to see PBSHD programs. That really stinks.

I also emailed MPT to tell them how upset I was.

Rich N.

I have seen about 3 "HD" programs on the "new" MPT "HD" channel--except those programs were never listed in the MPT program guide as being HD, so I only "discovered" them when I flipped them on.

That said, apparently there is now, officially, no more "MPT HD" channel, since MPT has now changed the bug on that channel to simply "MPT"--and raised it up a little and made it more opaque.:mad: Also, there is no separate program guide for an "MPT HD" channel; there are simply program guides for "MPT" and the two (SD) subchannels. I did see an "HD" program (NOVA) on the "MPT" channel last night, however, so I guess MPT still intends to pass through any HD programs broadcast by PBS. Likewise, I guess this is how MPT has decided to "solve" the PR problem generated by eliminating the "old" "MPT HD" channel: by simply eliminating any reference to an "MPT HD" channel.

billodom, I have been trying to get them to correct the 5.1 flag "problem," as well.

HD channels now in test mode on D* (not viewable by the public):

9800 CSTV
9801 FSN Midwest
9802 FSN Bay Area
9803 FSN Houston
9804 Disney Channel
9805 Animal Planet
9806 FSN North
9807 FSN New England
9808 FX
9809 Toon Disney
9810 ESPN News
9811 FSN Northwest
9812 FSN New York
9813 CD USA "The 101"
9814 Cinemax HD
9815 National Georaphic
9816 FSN Pittsburgh
9817 MSG
9818 MTV
9819 HBO West
9820 NBA TV
9821 FSN Rocky Mountain
9822 SportsNet New York
9823 A&E
9824 Starz Edge
9825 NFL Network
9826 FSN South
9827 YES
9828 Starz West
9829 Starz East
9830 NHL
9831 FSN Southwest
9832 Science Channel
9833 History Channel
9834 Showtime West
9835 Outdoor
9836 FSN West
9827 SportsSouth
9838 Discovery
9839 Movie Channel
9840 Tennis Channel
9841 FSN Prime Ticket
9842 Speed
9843 Fuel
9844 HGTV
9845 Spike
9846 Sun Sports
9847 Starz Comedy
9848 Big Ten
9849 CNN
9850 Comcast SportsNet Chicago
9851 FSN Ohio
9852 Sho Too
9853 The Weather Channel
9854 TBS
9855 Cartoon Network
9856 FSN Cincinnati
9857 Starz Kids & Family
9858 Bravo
9859 Comedy Central
9860 Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic
9861 FSN Florida
9862 TLC
9863 CSN West
9864 Versus
9865 MASN/ SportsTime Ohio
9866 Altitude
9867 Cinemax West
9863 Sci-Fi
9869 MHD
9870 FSN Arizona
9871 Chiller/ SAC MNT
9872 ABC Family
9873 USA Network
9874 Nickelodeon East
9875 FSN Detroit
9876 NESN
9877 CNBC
9878 The Food Network
9879 VH1

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=851257&page=30

Note that MASN is on the list.

HD channels now in test mode on D* (not viewable by the public):

9842 Speed
9863 Sci-Fi


:eek::eek::eek:

HD channels now in test mode on D* (not viewable by the public):

9865 MASN/ SportsTime Ohio

=Note that MASN is on the list.
I think before people get too excited about this, it is not clear how many of these channels will be added in September. Many of the channels on the list were earlier listed as starting up sometime in Oct/Nov or at an undefined date. Many of these are likely to be placeholders for months, even after the D* satellite goes live for their subscribers. Still, we are finally getting close to the time where almost all the cable/sat channels we watch are HD.

The MASN inclusion is interesting, but MASN was making noises earlier this year before the baseball season started that they might go HD. I figured they would have at least a MASN-HD around by next season. But it would figure that a Peter Angelos controlled sports net would start up in HD not long after the baseball season is over. :rolleyes: Seriously though how the heck will they handle the MASN2 games? Would they provide a second HD feed to the cable/sat providers?

Yeah, its good to see their line up listed, but I doubt that those channels will all be available for D* in Sept. I don't doubt D*'s capability to carry them, just that I'm not sure those guys would be ready in time.

Plus I bet many of them will be like the new Discovery HD channels which are SD a majority of the time.

DIRECTV told TVPredictions.com tonight that it will likely add from 20 to 40 new High-Definition channels by Sunday, September 16.

After the first rollout, DIRECTV will add another group of channels soon thereafter and then another group until it reaches the 70 mark by the end of September.

http://www.tvpredictions.com/directvhd082907.htm

Now as far as HD, from what former O’s pitcher Dave Johnson said on his Saturday-morning radio show with Tom Davis, MASN can’t broadcast in HD because Comcast doesn’t provide a dedicated channel. That puts a whole new light on things. From what Johnson says, it is safe to surmise that MASN would certainly broadcast the games in HD but can’t because Comcast, the company that controls the channel, can’t or won’t designate an HD channel for the network.

http://www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?id=2403

Quote:
Now as far as HD, from what former O’s pitcher Dave Johnson said on his Saturday-morning radio show with Tom Davis, MASN can’t broadcast in HD because Comcast doesn’t provide a dedicated channel. That puts a whole new light on things. From what Johnson says, it is safe to surmise that MASN would certainly broadcast the games in HD but can’t because Comcast, the company that controls the channel, can’t or won’t designate an HD channel for the network.

http://www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?id=2403

I expect we'll hear more about this comment by Johnson since this is a blatantly false statement.

GoIrish

Quote:
Now as far as HD, from what former O’s pitcher Dave Johnson said on his Saturday-morning radio show with Tom Davis, MASN can’t broadcast in HD because Comcast doesn’t provide a dedicated channel...


I expect we'll hear more about this comment by Johnson since this is a blatantly false statement.

GoIrish
I agree...

Also noticed yesterday on my Directv H20 receiver that a software upgrade was applied Tuesday morning. All the local subs were listed (for a second I thought they were coming in off the dish, dream on), including 25 and 57, but no Baltimore (zip 20165), probably tied in to what Marcus has observed.

Some of the fonts had changed, as well as the scrolling behavior on the guide and favorites menus.

I expect we'll hear more about this comment by Johnson since this is a blatantly false statement.It isn't completely false. There is not a dedicated channel for the Orioles games. Some of the games are on MASN and some are on MASN2. MASN2 shares its frequency with C-SPAN2. Maybe this is what he is referring to.

Neil

Is there a way to get a more "modern" look to the Cox DVR and Menu Guide interface? Mine looks like Atari 2600. I'd at least like to know if I can get time remaining or elapsed to show on the dvr controls.

WUSA's website does not list tonight's Redskins pre season as being in HD. However , CSN's website does (CSN producces the games for WUSA). Let's hope CSN has got in right here. Or maybe the game will only be available in HD on CSNHD? We shall see....

Book mark for this thread.

Since they switched over the to new software, my old book mark which had always taken me to the final post of this thread stopped working. Well, after a little digging around, it appears that the "last post" feature is no longer supported in this forum software. But there is a bit of a work around that allows you to instead go to the first "unread" post of a thread. If any of you directly book mark to this thread, you may want to change the bookmark to this.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?goto=newpost&t=793124

It isn't completely false. There is not a dedicated channel for the Orioles games. Some of the games are on MASN and some are on MASN2. MASN2 shares its frequency with C-SPAN2. Maybe this is what he is referring to.

Neil

What is false is that Comcast does not control the channel (MASN).

It is possible Comcast is not providing MASN with an HD channel (or two) but MASN is also on DirecTV and DiSH and Verizon and other cable systems. In fact, Comcast was the LAST system MASN made it to.

Comcast is not the deciding factor for MASN. Or at least it should not be.

Yeah, its good to see their line up listed, but I doubt that those channels will all be available for D* in Sept. I don't doubt D*'s capability to carry them, just that I'm not sure those guys would be ready in time.

Plus I bet many of them will be like the new Discovery HD channels which are SD a majority of the time.

These are only test channels. They are setting them up to test the satellite and can only be seen by those with engineering cards. The list points to a soon-to-be state but not what is coming and in what order.

Nor does it show the end channels. They will be on the same channel as the SD counterpart when one exists.

However, HR20 users are seeing more transponders (even though to date they have been showing zeros) so things are sure happening.

anyone know what the comcast customer retention phone number is? I was gonna call and tell them I was going to leave for Directv if they didn't make it worth my while to stay, but the phone maze ended in dead ends and the number on gethuman.com didn't go directly there. any ideas? the best they could do was put in a request to call me back. that's pretty weak.

The Skins game is in HD on WUSA-DT 9. But I see some macro blocking on fast motion. Anyone who is also getting the game on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD have comments on the picture quality between the two channels?

The Skins game is in HD on WUSA-DT 9. But I see some macro blocking on fast motion. Anyone who is also getting the game on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD have comments on the picture quality between the two channels?

Picture quality for me (Comcast Arl/Alex) seemed about the same on both. I got the occasional macro blocking on both channels, as well as frequent 10-30 second audio drops on both channels.

Picture quality for me (Comcast Arl/Alex) seemed about the same on both. I got the occasional macro blocking on both channels, as well as frequent 10-30 second audio drops on both channels.
I'd say the audio drops, associated blocking, switching over to SD and back a couple of times, etc... tells me that the broadcast was not at optimal transmission quality.

The audio drops were a problem at the truck in Jacksonville, the video remained stable during the audio drops. :-)

Is the Ravens game on Fox 45 in HD tonight? It is in HD via the Atlanta NBC station, albeit with falcons announcers :).

no, to ravens HD on fox 45:(
so old school


Is the Ravens game on Fox 45 in HD tonight? It is in HD via the Atlanta NBC station, albeit with falcons announcers :).

Still no A&E HD, NFL Network HD, Universal HD, HGTV HD, Food Network HD here in Montclair, VA...

Is the Ravens game on Fox 45 in HD tonight? It is in HD via the Atlanta NBC station, albeit with falcons announcers :).

Ditto for today.

Mark

Because:

1) They aren't sending it in HD

and

2) Even if it was available in HD, we don't currently have a way to switch it into the HD program stream

Just thought I would answer the "why isn't WBFF sending the pre-season game in HD?" question before it's asked.

Cheers!

Mark

I knew I should have posted something...

Mark

Still no A&E HD, NFL Network HD, Universal HD, HGTV HD, Food Network HD here in Dumfries, VA...

From which provider?

I knew I should have posted something...

Mark

Oops, sorry Mark! I was away for most of august and didn't page through all the posts I missed in this thread :). Is this because the fox splicer system can't accept a HD feed from outside the fox digital system?

How come the BC - Wake Forest game on ABC (WJLA) isn't in HD? Its in HD on ESPN. Its also HD on WMAR. I thought the days of "flipping the switch" were behind us... :(

From which provider?

I have Comcast...aaronwt do you have those channels?

I have the same problem too hokiefan...I have Wake Forest-BC game on ABC-WJLA but its displayed in standard 4:3, and the Wash St-Wisconsin game is blacked out on ESPN-HD but is being shown on standard def ESPN...

baltimore has the WF game in HD


I have Comcast...aaronwt do you have those channels?

I have the same problem too hokiefan...I have Wake Forest-BC game on ABC-WJLA but its displayed in standard 4:3, and the Wash St-Wisconsin game is blacked out on ESPN-HD but is being shown on standard def ESPN...

Oops, sorry Mark! I was away for most of august and didn't page through all the posts I missed in this thread :). Is this because the fox splicer system can't accept a HD feed from outside the fox digital system?

The FOX splicer system will accept an HD signal. We currently feed our upconverted master control signal into the splicer.

The issue is that the source that we were getting the signal from wasn't providing it to us in HD. I know that the game was available from some place in HD, but it wasn't being sent to us that way... I can't put it on, if I don't receive it...

I have a couple of ways to switch the HD signal into the program stream, one of which I used to put the ACC tournament on the air last year on WNUV. It's not elegant, but it works.

I also have a new piece of equiment that I'm putting in that will take either an HD or SD signal, and put out both an HD and an SD version of it. It has two inputs, and will let me switch another signal into the WBFF program stream. I like this idea better, but I don't have it in yet.

The best idea is to put in a new master control. The best thing about this is that we are already working on it. Unless the schedule changes (again...), it's supposed to be in by the end of the year. It will be all HD, all the way through (well, at least with an HD source, SD sources will be upconverted to HD). That will be nice! It will be for both WNUV and WBFF. I've got my fingers crossed.

Thanks for the understanding! I'm really trying to have the best signal I can on the air.

Cheers -

Mark

From which provider?

Last time I checked, Comcast has Universal HD in Alexandria, but not Reston/Herndon. How F'ed-up is that? The channel it's on in Alexandria is even empty out here...

Sorry, but I need my fix of BSG in HD! No Comcast for me, even with that sweet, sweet 'dump the dish' promo.

No Universal HD here in Woodbridge either.

How come the BC - Wake Forest game on ABC (WJLA) isn't in HD? Its in HD on ESPN. Its also HD on WMAR. I thought the days of "flipping the switch" were behind us... :(

Since I have no vested interest in either team, WJLA ensured I wouldn't be watching that game by doing that. Oh well.

Last time I checked, Comcast has Universal HD in Alexandria, but not Reston/Herndon. How F'ed-up is that? The channel it's on in Alexandria is even empty out here...

Sorry, but I need my fix of BSG in HD! No Comcast for me, even with that sweet, sweet 'dump the dish' promo.
AFAIK, Universal HD has not aired any Battlestar Galactica episodes since they finished the 3rd season run back in May (or was it June?). Sci-Fi HD is supposed to be starting up in September, maybe Oct-Nov, with the new DirecTV HD satellite. So, if your provider - Comcast, Cox, RCN, Verizon Fios, Dish -somehow adds the Sci-Fi channel before the end of the year, the 4th and final season of BSG will be available on the initial run in HD.

From the postings here, we know Cox in Fairfax is adapting SDV, which while it screws cable card subscribers over, should give them the bandwidth to add some of the new HD startups. Fios, I hope, will get pass this stupid new IMG software roll-out and add the new HD channels before long. But does anyone know what Comcast's plans are for expanding HD channel capacity in the area? SDV or shutdown of some analog channels?

Last time I checked, Comcast has Universal HD in Alexandria, but not Reston/Herndon. How F'ed-up is that? The channel it's on in Alexandria is even empty out here...

Sorry, but I need my fix of BSG in HD! No Comcast for me, even with that sweet, sweet 'dump the dish' promo.

Here in Montclair we have several empty channels that other local systems have...Universal HD is on 250 in Alexandria but that channel number isn't even in use here, we have 249 for TNT HD and then it skips to 251 for Comcast SportsNet...we also don't have ESPN Classic which I think is in the Sports Package for Alex. but is also not offered here...maybe there's just not many Comcast subs where I live that they choose not to offer certain channels...

AFAIK, Universal HD has not aired any Battlestar Galactica episodes since they finished the 3rd season run back in May (or was it June?). Sci-Fi HD is supposed to be starting up in September, maybe Oct-Nov, with the new DirecTV HD satellite. So, if your provider - Comcast, Cox, RCN, Verizon Fios, Dish -somehow adds the Sci-Fi channel before the end of the year, the 4th and final season of BSG will be available on the initial run in HD.

From the postings here, we know Cox in Fairfax is adapting SDV, which while it screws cable card subscribers over, should give them the bandwidth to add some of the new HD startups. Fios, I hope, will get pass this stupid new IMG software roll-out and add the new HD channels before long. But does anyone know what Comcast's plans are for expanding HD channel capacity in the area? SDV or shutdown of some analog channels?

They recently upgraded the cable plant in my area so they should have room for many more channels. They said in a national press release earlier this year that they would have 30 to 40 HD channels by the end of the year. Which also includes the local HD channels.

Any updated word on WTTG, WRC, or WJLA local news going HD? For the #8 market, Washington is incredibly weak in the local news in HD category, and given that all three networks run news for a substantial portion of their morning and daytime schedules, switches to HD would boost the total amount of network HD substantially.

I know we heard eons ago that WRC would be the last of the NBC O&Os to upgrade, and that upgrades are allegedly occuring at WTTG. What's the status?

Any updated word on WTTG, WRC, or WJLA local news going HD? For the #8 market, Washington is incredibly weak in the local news in HD category

From http://www.dcrtv.com/, we're actually #9 now. Atlanta grew faster than we did. That said, I still agree with you.

-Mike

Does anyone from WRC check this thread out? Or anyone here that knows someone at WRC? I'm sick of the horrible HD PQ during live events (like golf, football, etc). I would like to see what they are receiving from NBC HQ and how they are grooming it for OTA broadcast, including inserting the weatherplus channel. I know the feed from the live event is excellent, but somewhere along the way they are ruining the PQ.

I know I can't just march down to the broadcast studio and demand change, but I'd be willing to work with them and help improve their product.. Wishful thinking anyways...

The Skins game is in HD on WUSA-DT 9. But I see some macro blocking on fast motion. Anyone who is also getting the game on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD have comments on the picture quality between the two channels?Picture quality for me (Comcast Arl/Alex) seemed about the same on both. I got the occasional macro blocking on both channels, as well as frequent 10-30 second audio drops on both channels.I would like to see WUSA increase their bitrate. They are running their HD feed at about 16Mbps. That's fine for series programming, but it is really pushing it for sports like football.

Has anyone contacted WUSA engineering lately and asked them about the possibility of increasing their bitrate for the football season?

What bitrates have the channels standardized on? I'd like to see a table/list.

I would like to see WUSA increase their bitrate. They are running their HD feed at about 16Mbps. That's fine for series programming, but it is really pushing it for sports like football.

Has anyone contacted WUSA engineering lately and asked them about the possibility of increasing their bitrate for the football season?
16 mbs is pretty good for OTA. If anything they might decrease it. I doubt they will increase it. but you never know.

What bitrates have the channels standardized on? I'd like to see a table/list.Recent...
Network Title Minutes Size(Gb) Bitrate (Mbps)
WRC Heroes 60 7.30 16.61
WJLA Jeopardy 30 2.65 12.06
WUSA Redskins at Jaguars 170 19.80 15.90

Week of 9/04 - 9/09
Network Title Minutes Size(Gb) Bitrate (Mbps)
WRC Tonight Show w/ Leno (9/4) 62 7.51 16.54
WBAL Tonight Show w/ Leno (9/4) 62 7.03 15.48
WTTG House (9/4) 60 4.42 10.06
WBFF House (9/4) 60 4.36 9.92
WJLA Grey's Anatomy (9/6) 61 5.31 11.89
WMAR Grey's Anatomy (9/6) 61 5.65 12.65
WUSA U.S. Open Tennis (9/7) 60 7.24 16.48
WJZ U.S. Open Tennis (9/7) 60 8.01 18.23
WUSA Jericho (9/7) 60 7.11 16.18
WJZ Jericho (9/7) 60 7.91 18.00
These are all average bitrates, peaks are a bit higher.

I will update this post during the week.

History Channel HD is now available on E*.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/106091-satelliteguys-us-dishnetwork-uplink-activity-report-week-ending-09-08-2007-a.html#post1015852

Anyone have any idea why the Wisconsin game was blacked out on ESPN-HD on Saturday?

Anyone have any idea why the Wisconsin game was blacked out on ESPN-HD on Saturday?Was this on Dish, DirectTV or your cable system? Who was WI playing against? Was this on any local network such as Comcast Sports net or MASN?

Was this on Dish, DirectTV or your cable system? Who was WI playing against? Was this on any local network such as Comcast Sports net or MASN?

Good thing this it's all lumped into one thread, so we can have confusion like this. :mad:

Manassas City VA same boat no NFL FOOD A&E HGTV OR UNIVERSAL HD'S. Loudoun County has A&e and Universal

what gives?

Manassas City VA same boat no NFL FOOD A&E HGTV OR UNIVERSAL HD'S. Loudoun County has A&e and Universal

what gives?How many analog channels do they have?

Comcast's 750MHz systems -- especially those with >65 analog channels -- tend to be very conservative about the channels they add. Until SDV is implemented, they are saving their bandwidth for more 'desirable' channels. Comcast's 860-1Ghz systems have more capacity to work with, so they are more aggressive in adding new channels.

If on a 860MHz system, take 135 and subtract:

# of analog channels
# of digital channels / 12
# of HD channels / 2.5
10 channels (allocated for VOD)If you are on a 750MHz system, start with 115 and subtract. Some 860MHz systems have 130-132 usable channels instead of 135.

Take the result and multiple it by 2.5 to find the approximate number of new HD channels your system can support without SDV.

Is Universal HD available on comcast in arlington now? If so, is it encrypted QAM? I can't seem to find it with my tuner.

Anyone have any idea why the Wisconsin game was blacked out on ESPN-HD on Saturday?

The wisconsin game showed up on ESPN Alternate on Dish. ESPN was blacked out because they were showing BC vs Wake Forest (at least that was what was showing in the Dish EPG), which was on the local ABC. Certain ABCs got the Wisconsin game instead.

Is Universal HD available on comcast in arlington now? If so, is it encrypted QAM? I can't seem to find it with my tuner.


250 in Alexandria. Should be the same for Arlington.

Was this on Dish, DirectTV or your cable system? Who was WI playing against? Was this on any local network such as Comcast Sports net or MASN?

Sorry, It was on Comcast, like someone above mentioned. It was on ESPN analog station, but blacked out on the HD Station.

Recent...
<edit>
Week of 9/04 - 9/09
Network Title Minutes Size(Gb) Bitrate (Mbps)
<snip>
WTTG House (9/4) 60 4.42 10.06
WBFF House (9/4) 60 4.36 9.92
<snip>
These are all average bitrates, peaks are a bit higher.

I will update this post during the week.


Well, that's interesting... During the day, WBFF 45-1 is set at 14.60 Mbps. The FOX Splicer replaces our upconverted SD stream with the direct HD stream at a lower average bit rate. They will use the entire available data rate for sports.

It goes to show you though, that it's not entirely the amount of data that is being sent that effects the picture. If that were the case, the WBFF upconverted SD would look better than the the FOX HD picture.

Cheers -

Mark

Well, that's interesting... During the day, WBFF 45-1 is set at 14.60 Mbps. The FOX Splicer replaces our upconverted SD stream with the direct HD stream at a lower average bit rate. They will use the entire available data rate for sports.

It goes to show you though, that it's not entirely the amount of data that is being sent that effects the picture. If that were the case, the WBFF upconverted SD would look better than the the FOX HD picture.House is sent as 720p24 in a 720p60 carrier, is it not?

Presumably, NFL football @ native 720p60 uses a much larger chunk of that 14.6Mbps, if not all of it at times. If I can, I'll post DC vs Balt bitrates for the NFL football on CBS, FOX, and NBC this weekend.

Is Universal HD available on comcast in arlington now? If so, is it encrypted QAM? I can't seem to find it with my tuner.

I think that all but the HD networks are encrypted in Arlington. it's been available through the cable box in Arlington for quite a while, at least six months.

Universal HD's lineup is pretty weak, and the audio is out of sync most of the time. You aren't missing much.

I think that all but the HD networks are encrypted in Arlington. it's been available through the cable box in Arlington for quite a while, at least six months.

Universal HD's lineup is pretty weak, and the audio is out of sync most of the time. You aren't missing much.

I haven't seen any audio sync problems on FIOS with UHD, but as for the weak lineup - it's the only place to watch BSG in HD! :D

I think that all but the HD networks are encrypted in Arlington. it's been available through the cable box in Arlington for quite a while, at least six months.

Universal HD's lineup is pretty weak, and the audio is out of sync most of the time. You aren't missing much.

Thanks for the reply. I don't have their HD box and was hoping to watch some tennis. Oh well. Back to channel 13.

Has anyone else noticed MASN is streching its SD signal on DirecTV 626 (since they downloaded the software upgrade to my H20 receiver on 8/28)? When the scores come on twice an hour (the "squeezebox"), the picture is so distorted it isn't funny.

The "pillar box" setting is working fine on all the other non HD channels. USA last week was showing up in streched SD during the US Open tennis.

Edit: Native is turned off on my receiver. And I heard from MASN, reply below

Thank you for contacting MASN.

At this time, all of our programming is presented is 4:3. (However there is some programming letterboxed in that window.). We do not now, and plan to never stretch our 4:3 image.

This is the first I've heard of this type of problem. I will poll some other DTV viewers to see if they are having similar problems. However, you should contact DirectTV for their help.

Please let me know if you are sucessful.

Has anyone else noticed MASN is streching its SD signal on DirecTV 626 (since they downloaded the software upgrade to my H20 receiver on 8/28)? When the scores come on twice an hour, the picture is so distorted it isn't funny.

The "pillar box" setting is working fine on all the other non HD channels. USA last week was showing up in streched SD during the US Open tennis.


I think MASN and Directv are having some problems. On my HR-20's, any time I turn to either MASN or MASN 2 I get all sorts of problems with the video for a few seconds. And last night I was switching between the Nats game and the one on ESPN HD and when I went back to 626 my receiver switched from 720p to 480i and I have the Native turned off.

Thanks for the reply. I don't have their HD box and was hoping to watch some tennis. Oh well. Back to channel 13.

Get the box. It's not expensive. There's definitely a lot of tennis on UHD.

I haven't seen any audio sync problems on FIOS with UHD, but as for the weak lineup - it's the only place to watch BSG in HD! :D

Maybe the sync thing is a comast issue.

Has anyone else noticed MASN is streching its SD signal on DirecTV 626 (since they downloaded the software upgrade to my H20 receiver on 8/28)? When the scores come on twice an hour (the "squeezebox"), the picture is so distorted it isn't funny.

The "pillar box" setting is working fine on all the other non HD channels. USA last week was showing up in streched SD during the US Open tennis.

Edit: Native is turned off on my receiver.

Yes, I have the same problem with my H20-100. However, the problem does not occur on my HR20-700 (HD DVR) so it is obviously something in the latest H20 software.

WNUV is currently testing an outside provider for program guide data, so there is full extended data (program desciption) for all programming (except sponsored programming).

I should have WBFF working on Monday (maybe tomorrow...?) with another provider that we're trying out.

Mark

Any idea if I could get the Boston HD locals in our area with a "service address change"?

WNUV is currently testing an outside provider for program guide data, so there is full extended data (program desciption) for all programming (except sponsored programming).

I should have WBFF working on Monday (maybe tomorrow...?) with another provider that we're trying out.

Mark

Would that be why 54 has dropped off my OTA guide data for my HR20 (DirecTV DVR)?

Edit: Reran OTA setup and 54-1 is back.

Any idea if I could get the Boston HD locals in our area with a "service address change"?

Are you talking DirecTV? If so, no. They are on a spot beam that doesn't reach the Mid Atlantic.

Here's the lastest from MASN:
This is definitely a box specific DirecTV issue. I have forwarded your notes to our affiliate relations staff, who will contact DirecTV.

As far as the ticker coming in, we are working on a new way of executing the ticker, so that the video will actually squeeze back, and not squash, thereby retaining the correct aspect ratio.

Again, please let me know if DirecTV resolves this issue, or not.

Speaking of MASN, has anyone heard anything about their plans to launch an HD channel before next season? I've been reading lots of rumors lately, but nothing concrete.

Any idea if I could get the Boston HD locals in our area with a "service address change"?With Dish network you should to able to. The Boston HD locals are on the same satellite as the Wash DC locals, but neither are on spot beams. So at this time (and it will surely change in the future) you indeed can receive the Boston locals here in the DC area.

Dish Channel Chart (http://www.dishchannelchart.com)

You will of course lose the DC locals, and the Boston SD Locals are on spotbeam, so you if you live within the below footprint for the spot beam, then you should get them also.

http://jameslong.name/spots/2586-26s04-24.gif

Speaking of MASN, has anyone heard anything about their plans to launch an HD channel before next season? I've been reading lots of rumors lately, but nothing concrete.

I did read in the Post that the HD Jumbo tron screen was being shipped to the stadium this week. Are those jumbo tron HD screen really "HD"? If so, wouldn't that mean they'll need HD cameras in the stadium to produce HD replays? And would those cameras "share" the feed w/ MASN or does MASN have it supply its own camera?

With Dish network you should to able to. The Boston HD locals are on the same satellite as the Wash DC locals, but neither are on spot beams. So at this time (and it will surely change in the future) you indeed can receive the Boston locals here in the DC area

Wouldn't this require permission from the DC affilates in writing (coverage/sports blackouts)? When I first got DirecTV, there were no locals, and I got the "national" affilates instead (then known as PrimeTime 24), even though I lived in Raleigh, NC. After awhile, all I had left was NBC, as the Raleigh locals, especially WTVD, the ABC affiliate - one of the first in the country to do so, made a big stink about being passed over in favor of the mostly New York/Los Angeles affilates on the satellite. I was forced into adding basic cable in order to get my network programming since I could not get any waivers from any of the Raleigh stations.

I would think this still applied these days, Dish or DirecTV. Not that I wouln't mind having the New York locals vs. Washington.

You are correct, if his "service address" is here in the DC area, then he would need permission (and he would not get it) to receive locals from outside of the area.

I've run into a strange problem trying to set up my Verizon FiOS HD DVR to record the "remastered" Star Trek series on WDCA-DT... the DVR refuses to record it! Whenever I highlight Star Trek in the program guide and click OK, instead of getting the menu options for "Record this episode" "Record Series", etc., the entire program guide momentarily disappears and is replaced with a simple black screen with white letters that says "We are processing your request. Please wait...", and then a few moments later the submenu reappears, but the only option is to "Exit"... no series or episode recording options are presented!

Could it be possible that WDCA-DT has marked Star Trek with a DRM flag to "Record Never"?? The dimwits who run Verizon FiOS tech support were no help at all, btw.

Can you set a manual recording?

Week of 9/04 - 9/09
Network Title Minutes Size(Gb) Bitrate (Mbps)
WRC Tonight Show w/ Leno (9/4) 62 7.51 16.54
WBAL Tonight Show w/ Leno (9/4) 62 7.03 15.48

WTTG House (9/4) 60 4.42 10.06
WBFF House (9/4) 60 4.36 9.92

WJLA Grey's Anatomy (9/6) 61 5.31 11.89
WMAR Grey's Anatomy (9/6) 61 5.65 12.65

WUSA U.S. Open Tennis (9/7) 60 7.24 16.48
WJZ U.S. Open Tennis (9/7) 60 8.01 18.23
WUSA Jericho (9/7) 60 7.11 16.18
WJZ Jericho (9/7) 60 7.91 18.00
These are all average bitrates, peaks are a bit higher.

If you desire the highest quality HD in DC/VA/MD, you watch WRC (NBC), WMAR (ABC), and WJZ (CBS). WTTG and WBFF are a wash.

I've run into a strange problem trying to set up my Verizon FiOS HD DVR to record the "remastered" Star Trek series on WDCA-DT... the DVR refuses to record it! Whenever I highlight Star Trek in the program guide and click OK, instead of getting the menu options for "Record this episode" "Record Series", etc., the entire program guide momentarily disappears and is replaced with a simple black screen with white letters that says "We are processing your request. Please wait...", and then a few moments later the submenu reappears, but the only option is to "Exit"... no series or episode recording options are presented!

Could it be possible that WDCA-DT has marked Star Trek with a DRM flag to "Record Never"?? The dimwits who run Verizon FiOS tech support were no help at all, btw.

No problem setting it to record from OTA with my TiVo.

I've been recording them off of WNUV for a year now. I haven't missed one yet.

If you desire the highest quality HD in DC/VA/MD, you watch WRC (NBC), WMAR (ABC), and WJZ (CBS). WTTG and WBFF are a wash.

WJZ is truely the last holdout on pure HD quality. If WUSA and WJZ are showing the same game, I always pick WJZ.

I've run into a strange problem trying to set up my Verizon FiOS HD DVR to record the "remastered" Star Trek series on WDCA-DT... the DVR refuses to record it! Whenever I highlight Star Trek in the program guide and click OK, instead of getting the menu options for "Record this episode" "Record Series", etc., the entire program guide momentarily disappears and is replaced with a simple black screen with white letters that says "We are processing your request. Please wait...", and then a few moments later the submenu reappears, but the only option is to "Exit"... no series or episode recording options are presented!

Could it be possible that WDCA-DT has marked Star Trek with a DRM flag to "Record Never"?? The dimwits who run Verizon FiOS tech support were no help at all, btw.
I just set the Fios 6416 DVR with IMG to record the 2 PM Sunday showing on Star Trek on WDCA-DT 20 on channel 805. Did not run into your problem. Do you still get dump to back screen or did Fios or WDCA-DT fix something?

No question that the new Fios IMG software is flaky. The guide data listings are sometimes even weirder. One oddity is that when you go to a channel that is being recorded, say 30 minutes into the program. You want to watch the program from the start. Press info twice, no play from beginning option. Press reverse to back up a little, press play, then info twice (IIR the button sequence correctly) and the option to play from start is available. :rolleyes: But I'm getting off topic for this thread.

There is a post at dslreports from someone who claims to be privy to Verizon inside info claims that Verizon is working on getting the Comcast SportsNet MA HD signal to all the appropriate regional VHO ends with the goal of adding the channel by the time the NBA & NHL seasons start up. Since the NHL season starts in a month, they don't have much time left.

Can you set a manual recording?
Yes, but Star Trek skips all over WDCA-DT's schedule. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see if it works.

The new UI on the Verizon FiOS DVR truly sucks, though. Talk about the folly of "fixing" something that wasn't broken to begin with. Dum-dums. As soon as I get caught up with Weeds on Showtime on Demand, I'm chucking the Verizon DVR and getting a Series 3 TiVo.

yeah I have this problem too... good work on trying to figure this out, I thought it was just me

"Here's the lastest from MASN:
This is definitely a box specific DirecTV issue. I have forwarded your notes to our affiliate relations staff, who will contact DirecTV."

"As far as the ticker coming in, we are working on a new way of executing the ticker, so that the video will actually squeeze back, and not squash, thereby retaining the correct aspect ratio."

"Again, please let me know if DirecTV resolves this issue, or not."

I was quite surprised to see that yesterday's FSN football games were carried in HD on Comcast SportsNet HD. Before now, I don't think I've ever seen any non-locally-produced programming on CSN in HD.

Week of 9/04 - 9/09
Network Title Minutes Size(Gb) Bitrate (Mbps)
WRC Tonight Show w/ Leno (9/4) 62 7.51 16.54
WBAL Tonight Show w/ Leno (9/4) 62 7.03 15.48

WTTG House (9/4) 60 4.42 10.06
WBFF House (9/4) 60 4.36 9.92

WJLA Grey's Anatomy (9/6) 61 5.31 11.89
WMAR Grey's Anatomy (9/6) 61 5.65 12.65

WUSA U.S. Open Tennis (9/7) 60 7.24 16.48
WJZ U.S. Open Tennis (9/7) 60 8.01 18.23
WUSA Jericho (9/7) 60 7.11 16.18
WJZ Jericho (9/7) 60 7.91 18.00
These are all average bitrates, peaks are a bit higher.

If you desire the highest quality HD in DC/VA/MD, you watch WRC (NBC), WMAR (ABC), and WJZ (CBS). WTTG and WBFF are a wash.
It appears that there is a difference between WJZ and WUSA... I wonder how the NFL games look on these two channels...

What is going on with WUSA? I keep losing the Skins broadcast in HD.

It went from Pats/Jets in HD to the skins game in low def wtf.

I cant get through to WUSA engineering. They probably have a million angry HD viewers right now.

god damn I hate CBS football

I cant get through to WUSA engineering. They probably have a million angry HD viewers right now.

so its more than just COX?

Got through, they said its a techincal issue and they are working on it. :mad:

Even the SD feed is choppy and looks worse than normal. Maybe Danny-boy is charging extra for the HD feed out of FedEx :D :D

-Mike

The HD feed on Sunday Ticket is terrible as well (for now, not blacked out).

WJZ is in full HD glory :D
I'm switching betw the two.

What happened to HD on WUSA????? PQ looks like I'm watching the game on computer

I happened to switch over to the one SD game on 707, and the damn game is streched on my box (must be the same issues as with MASN).

I think we need to head to gomo's place and watch on WJZ.

Props to WUSA for putting out a scroll saying there was a problem

They just put up some cheesy scroll that said they were having trouble. JUST FIX THE DAMN THING!!!!

what I do since my tv has a qam tuner is split the signal one to the tv and the other to the dvr. so I can watch and record 2 things at once.

YEAH! HD on WUSA!

hd!!!!

My feed of WUSA just switched to HD :)

Ugh...Feed is not the greatest.

Now if DirecTV can get superfan up and running on the web I'll be all set. They are experiencing technical difficulties. Don't they test things for God's sake?

WUSA is HD now, but it still is blocky and choppy and breaks up and has garbage in it. Sigh.

-Mike

Now if DirecTV can get superfan up and running on the web I'll be all set. They are experiencing technical difficulties. Don't they test things for God's sake?
Crazy, isn't it? Maybe their servers were overloaded???

Stress testing? What's stress testing? That's probably offshored like their call centers.

Pic on Sunday Ticket is better than on 9, seeing the same garbage others are seeing. Robert, can't wait to see the bitrates for the Skins game.

I think i'd prefer WUSA go back to the SD feed than this. It's giving me a serious headache.

-Mike

Of the eight games on Sunday Ticket HD, by far the Skins-Dolphins is the worst PQ. Pass the Advil.

Wife and son are now asking me if I spent all this money on Plasma and HD to see skins game like this. What the hell is going on man?

Wife and son are now asking me if I spent all this money on Plasma and HD to see skins game like this. What the hell is going on man?k

Yes 100% agree. This is completely unacceptable. Huge move to HD, but the channels look like crap.

Microblocking going on all over the place in this game. Can't enjoy the damn game!

As big a joke as the Supercast over on DirecTV. Supercast my ***. And the Jets are having their heads handed to them again by Brady, Moss and the Pats.

Wife and son are now asking me if I spent all this money on Plasma and HD to see skins game like this. What the hell is going on man?
The overall state of things disappoints me, 100% of network shows should be in HD (I realize most of what is in SD is reality and game shows - Deal or No Deal comes to mind), compression of signal, MPTV, the lack of local news in HD, and technical mishaps like today's Skins game (thinking back, the same lousy picture quality was present on many NCAA games last season, including the tournament).

CBS isn't even showing highlights (cutins) of other games in HD from what I've seen so far.

Glad to see that it's not just me. I've had some Comcast problems lately and didn't know if my signal dropped or something. Can you guys describe the symptoms you're seeing? I'm getting jaggies every few seconds.

I'm on comcast too. not only microblocking on the skins game but the smearing (ghosting? - not sure I know the proper term) is horrible on NBC coverage of the PGA tournament. i see ghosts on closeups, ball trails, trailing on any fast movement, and when they zoom in on a ball, it looks like the attempts for psychedelic effects in old music videos.

so hd broadcasting on 2 out of the top 4 is crap today. not what I bought hd to see. very disappointing.

Bob

The OTA broadcast of the Skins game on WUSA was awful. I hope members call or email to voice their disappointment with that broadcast.

You can email Victor Murphy, WUSA's Director of Technology, at vmurphy@wusa9.com. I would also cc the general manager at ahorlick@wusa9.comm.

It appears that there is a difference between WJZ and WUSA... I wonder how the NFL games look on these two channels...The WJZ feed was stunning by comparison. Unfortunately, WJZ opted to show another game.

Given the problems across the board with the Skins game today, could one surmise that the problem was at the source and out of WUSA's control? Thinking along those lines, is it up to the network or the local HD-capable affiliate to provide the needed equipment?

I don't think WUSA is to blame here, unless they were involved somehow with the feed from FedEx. The PQ was as bad on DirecTV Sunday Ticket (723). CBS dropped the ball here not doing anything about the poor picture quality. At least the Skins won the game. Meanwhile my so-called AFC team looked pathetic against New England (and the Orange are 0-2, so SUOrangeman and I are both unhappy there).

WUSA is HD now, but it still is blocky and choppy and breaks up and has garbage in it. Sigh.

-MikeI noticed occasional glitches but it wasn't very bad from what I was watching. I was using OTA on a Series 3 TiVo.I've seen much, much worse over the last 6 years of watching HD.

It was not the greatest picture, and there were lots of glitches, especially on the new scroller. Once they got into HD, I was ok with the problems, since they notified us they were having problems.
NOW if it happens again next week, I will be PO'd...

I used to be able to pick up Baltimore ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX HD channels from zip code 20152. The signal strengths were great as well. However - I'm no longer able to pick up any of these stations now. Does anyone else here have the same problem?

You can email Victor Murphy, WUSA's Director of Technology, at vmurphy@wusa9.com <mailto:vmurphy@wusa9.com>. I would also cc the general manager at ahorlick@wusa9.comm <mailto:ahorlick@wusa9.comm>.
I don't believe it was WUSA's fault at all because CBS Richmond OTA was just as bad in the identical pixellatiing, if not worse. Perhaps CBS going to 5 HD NFL games plus the tennis finals in HD from NY was too much for the CBS system to properly handle, all in one day, especially here in the Northeast.

But it'll be interesting to hear what any responses from 9 will be! It did seem to be less worse in the second half.

I used to be able to pick up Baltimore ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX HD channels from zip code 20152. The signal strengths were great as well. However - I'm no longer able to pick up any of these stations now. Does anyone else here have the same problem?

I can give a whirl tonight from 20164(sterling). I've used the cable exclusively for HD, but wanted to try the antenna again for sh%$#s and giggles. now that the TV is in it's final location. With my old Sanyo Tube TV, I used to get CBS, Fox, PBS from Ball-mer, so getting the same would be a good test - IMHO.

You might want to put Chantilly in the location field of your profile, I can't say that I knew where zip 20152 was until I put it into google maps.

But to answer your question, the Baltimore channels are still on the air, so I'm not sure why you don't get them now. If you lost one or two, then I would suspect perhaps a station's broadcast characteristics may have changed, but since it appears that you have lost nearly all of them, I would suspect your antenna. If the signal strengths are ok, then look into your receiver. Try rebooting, or removing and re-adding the stations. Those are tricks that can help. Especially when there have been PSIP changes.

Good Luck.

I used to be able to pick up Baltimore ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX HD channels from zip code 20152. The signal strengths were great as well. However - I'm no longer able to pick up any of these stations now. Does anyone else here have the same problem?

If you lost all of them at the same time, it's not going to be a problem with the stations, or interference (since the channels are interspersed with the DC channels).

The most likely cause is an amplifier problem, or a problem with the antenna line. The DC stations would be much stronger for you, and may be getting through the problem.

Mark

I'm testing my repaired Hitachi set, and I was worried the tuner was still malfunctioning. At least these posts on yesterday's football broadcasts have set my mind at ease.

BTW, I also saw some problems once in awhile with Eagles-Packers from WBFF. It's possible, though, that those problems were caused by my antenna being turned towards DC for the 'Skins game.

I don't know if this has been posted anywhere, but seems to be rather useful. Hopefully, it will be updated well in advance of weekend games.

NFL TV distribution maps (http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/)

-SUO

I'm testing my repaired Hitachi set, and I was worried the tuner was still malfunctioning. At least these posts on yesterday's football broadcasts have set my mind at ease.

BTW, I also saw some problems once in awhile with Eagles-Packers from WBFF. It's possible, though, that those problems were caused by my antenna being turned towards DC for the 'Skins game.

Believe me, I was watching the Eagles game yesterday for any problems, and there were none. Except for the Eagles, of course!

Cheers -

Mark

I was shocked to see it in HD when I surfed by tonight shortly after 11 p.m. It looked terrific to boot. I posted in the Hot Off the Press thread in the programming forum as well.

I noticed as well I believe its the 1st syndicated show I've seen in HD

Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy are in HD on WMAR. Two and a Half Men is on WUTB in Baltimore so no HD.

Still this the first time that I have heard that a syndication of rerun network shows has been in HD.

Does anyone know if the syndicated ACC football games on channel 20 will be in HD anytime soon?

I was shocked to see it in HD when I surfed by tonight shortly after 11 p.m. It looked terrific to boot. I posted in the Hot Off the Press thread in the programming forum as well.
Cool. Yes, Jeopardy and Wheel have been in HD, but these are currently produced syndicated programs which have a special satellite feed to the stations. Syndicated re-runs of network shows in HD is a big step, so either the Pathfire distribution system must be up and running for HD or WDCW-DT 50 got it via tape. The station has to spend $ on HD tape machines/servers and other equipment, so this is not just a matter of flipping a switch. Besides reruns of the more recent network shows in HD, this may possibly lead to Seinfeld & Star Trek TOS in HD (both shows are known to have been or in the process of making HD versions from the original film masters).

Now we need at least one other local station in the DC or Baltimore markets to go HD on the local news. With the official start of the new TV season next week, there is a possibility that one of them will go HD soon, but I would expect that would have leaked in advance.

I have difficulty sometimes getting WJLA's digital signal (channel 7.1 and 7.2, especially). Sometimes it's fine, other times it keeps dropping out. It starts at 80-90% signal strength, then drops to 70% and then goes out. My RCA HDTV tuner then displays the "searching for signal" message. Analog works fine on channel 7. Anybody else having this problem? Doesn't seem to happen on any other local channels.
Thanks :D

Does anyone know if the syndicated ACC football games on channel 20 will be in HD anytime soon?

I do the ACC football games up here in Baltimore, and I have not gotten any information regarding HD games.

Last year before the ACC tournament, Raycom Sports asked all of the stations if they would be able to carry the basketball games in HD. I would expect that they would do the same thing prior to doing football in HD, and they haven't done that yet.

Mark

well they recent completed a fiber optic upgrade here so they went from 10 hd channels to 24. and a ton more digital channels so I was hoping to see at least NFL HD. I thought they would upgrade us to at least 860 mhz

thanks for the formula

analog is >65 2-66 70 and 99

mHow many analog channels do they have?

Comcast's 750MHz systems -- especially those with >65 analog channels -- tend to be very conservative about the channels they add. Until SDV is implemented, they are saving their bandwidth for more 'desirable' channels. Comcast's 860-1Ghz systems have more capacity to work with, so they are more aggressive in adding new channels.

If on a 860MHz system, take 135 and subtract:

# of analog channels
# of digital channels / 12
# of HD channels / 2.5
10 channels (allocated for VOD)If you are on a 750MHz system, start with 115 and subtract. Some 860MHz systems have 130-132 usable channels instead of 135.

Take the result and multiple it by 2.5 to find the approximate number of new HD channels your system can support without SDV.

I have VZ FiOS and we don't have NFLN-HD either, so it is not just E* customers like the first page says.

There was a fire. It'll be back, with any luck, tomorrow.

Given that the fire was on the ground at the source of the network('s distribution) itself, it would affect everybody. The network is off air.

I have VZ FiOS and we don't have NFLN-HD either, so it is not just E* customers like the first page says.
The fire took NFL-HD, A&E-HD, and History-HD off the air for everybody who carries those channels. According to the press reports in the programming forum, A&E-HD and History-HD are back up but only showing upconverted SD material. Since I'm on Verizon Fios and it does not yet have those two channels, I can't tell from where I sit.