Hello all..new member here

I'm in Baltimore County on Comcast. Yesterday local station WJZ (CBS) disappeared from digital 13.1. Found it today at 113.1. Cable is plugged directly into the ATSC tuner of my Toshiba HDTV (no STB).

All other local "open" DT channels are ok. Is this a Comcast thing or a WJZ issue?

Thanks great forum.:)

More on MPT (I watch on 67.1 ota). What is it with their HD? .... They really screwed up the HD when they changed the channels.

You can say that again. Between the screwed up D* guide data and the complete lack of HD, you have to wonder what the heck's going on over there. Why would anyone bother running the same windowboxed SD on 2 sub-channels at once?!

Tonight's replay of the UVA-Maryland game on Comcast SportsNet HD looks too fuzzy to be in true HD, but they're at least showing the widescreen version that aired on ESPN HD.

CSN HD is also broadcasting live Big-12 football via FSN in HD this season, and it looks great. Just thought that it was interesting to note, since syndicated HD content in this area beyond Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy is all but nonexistent at this stage in the High Definition game.

I wonder if Raycom will finally be distributing ACC basketball in HD this winter, as they did with a few of the playoff games last year. I don't believe any of the Raycom/LF football is being produced in HD yet, and it looks absolutely horrible in SD. Thankfully my West Virginia Mountaineers are mostly on ESPN or ABC, in HD. I'd be pissed with the TV situation if I were a Maryland or VT fan. :eek:

My washer machine is causing issues though I think it might be on the same circuit my pre-amp is on, I need to move the pre-amp elsewhere to see if it helps.

i put all my electronics on a dedicated circuit yet when the heat or the ac comes on it still drives them nuts. besides being out in the country i have crappy electric anyhow.

Very strange! I can't receive 5.1 this World Series evening and the signal stength is registering very minimal! 4, 7, and 9 digitals are all fine!

At the risk of being seen as a conspiracy theorist, I wonder if there's some nefarious reason for stations to reduce digital power when there's a big sports event being telecast?? Had this same problem on Sunday all day with 5.1 (during the NFL games) and also with 4.1 when of course there's SNF.

What a blessing to have multiple OTA digital options for the networks, but I'm always partial to DC stations! So this is perplexing as well as suspicious!

Cox Cable customer in VA, and I'm wondering why I can't receive SD channels out of the box. The HD channels are looking great, but none of the channels outside of the 700's work.

Will someone that has Comcast or Directv talk me out of leaving Comcast cable. It has not been Comcastic compared to all the new additions by Directv, and when I hear the channels that other Comcast areas have, my little amount in Frederick, MD sucks. I don't even have Comcast Sports Net HD from COMCAST! My only drawback is the internet because Comcast is the ONLY option where I live outside Frederick (No Verizon DSL). It is quite expensive for internet only from comcast ($58) plus the package I want from Directv (Plus HD DVR 3 rooms) costs $80 a month which will come to $140 a month. The start up costs hurt ($299 = HD DVR and DVR). Right now I pay $135 with Comcast that includes 1 HD DVR and HBO and internet. If I could get past the start up cost, it would be a done deal. Like I said, almost over the fence. If I had a Verizon DSL option, I would be kissing Comcast good bye already. Anyway, any input would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob

Will someone that has Comcast or Directv talk me out of leaving Comcast cable. It has not been Comcastic compared to all the new additions by Directv, and when I hear the channels that other Comcast areas have, my little amount in Frederick, MD sucks. I don't even have Comcast Sports Net HD from COMCAST! My only drawback is the internet because Comcast is the ONLY option where I live outside Frederick (No Verizon DSL). It is quite expensive for internet only from comcast ($58) plus the package I want from Directv (Plus HD DVR 3 rooms) costs $80 a month which will come to $140 a month. The start up costs hurt ($299 = HD DVR and DVR). Right now I pay $135 with Comcast that includes 1 HD DVR and HBO and internet. If I could get past the start up cost, it would be a done deal. Like I said, almost over the fence. If I had a Verizon DSL option, I would be kissing Comcast good bye already. Anyway, any input would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob

I was told they are making a big line-up change in your area at the end of November, I don't know details but I do know they have been working most of the year to clean up Adelphia messes to launch more channels.

May be worth waiting a few weeks to see what's up.

GoIrish

More channels on the horizon from Comcast. Local availability has not been announced yet:


Edited by Moderator [Ken H], 10/24/07

Currently Available Comcast HDTV:
USA Network HD
The History Channel HD
CNN HD...

Coming soon:
Fox Business Channel HD
ESPNews HD
Discovery HD
Sci-Fi HD
The Learning Channel HD
MGM HD (Not yet announced)

Please note that not all HD channels are available in all areas.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=424081

I'm wondering what people have found to be one of the best antennas for getting in stations both from Baltimore and DC. I live in Catonsville (21228) and would like to get an antenna that can pick up both the Baltimore stations and the DC stations, especially getting WETA out of DC, because I don't think that MPT has the level of programming that WETA has (especially with the recent changes to MPT making it far inferior).

Looking at Antennaweb.org, most of the Baltimore stations are at compass location 61, while most of the DC stations are between 226 and 233 in compass direction, so they are almost 180 from each other. I would like to only mount one antenna on the roof of my two story house. I've looked at the LaCrosse antenna, but I haven't seen enough in the reviews to know what to think there.

Thanks for any suggestions of the best way to go to get both sets of stations.

Will someone that has Comcast or Directv talk me out of leaving Comcast cable. It has not been Comcastic compared to all the new additions by Directv, and when I hear the channels that other Comcast areas have, my little amount in Frederick, MD sucks. I don't even have Comcast Sports Net HD from COMCAST! My only drawback is the internet because Comcast is the ONLY option where I live outside Frederick (No Verizon DSL). It is quite expensive for internet only from comcast ($58) plus the package I want from Directv (Plus HD DVR 3 rooms) costs $80 a month which will come to $140 a month. The start up costs hurt ($299 = HD DVR and DVR). Right now I pay $135 with Comcast that includes 1 HD DVR and HBO and internet. If I could get past the start up cost, it would be a done deal. Like I said, almost over the fence. If I had a Verizon DSL option, I would be kissing Comcast good bye already. Anyway, any input would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob

Article from the 10/11 WSJ:

Cable Companies Play HDTV Catch-Up (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119206092122955361.html)

I think the URL should be available to non-subscribers.

Most interesting is the "switched digital video" that Comcast is testing in Denver and NJ.

Very strange! I can't receive 5.1 this World Series evening and the signal stength is registering very minimal! 4, 7, and 9 digitals are all fine!

At the risk of being seen as a conspiracy theorist, I wonder if there's some nefarious reason for stations to reduce digital power when there's a big sports event being telecast?? Had this same problem on Sunday all day with 5.1 (during the NFL games) and also with 4.1 when of course there's SNF.

What a blessing to have multiple OTA digital options for the networks, but I'm always partial to DC stations! So this is perplexing as well as suspicious!
I have a rooftop for my locals (through my DTV HR102-50) and had no problem last night with 5.1. However in another room where I dont have DTV running I have an amplified settop antenna and it was barely able to get a decent signal on 5.1. Normally I have no issues with it. Again the rooftop antenna worked fine but I definitely had a weaker than normal signal on the settop.

Just noticed that WBAL is not stretching its SD programming today. Hopefully this is a positive change.

Will someone that has Comcast or Directv talk me out of leaving Comcast cable. It has not been Comcastic compared to all the new additions by Directv, and when I hear the channels that other Comcast areas have, my little amount in Frederick, MD sucks. I don't even have Comcast Sports Net HD from COMCAST! My only drawback is the internet because Comcast is the ONLY option where I live outside Frederick (No Verizon DSL). It is quite expensive for internet only from comcast ($58) plus the package I want from Directv (Plus HD DVR 3 rooms) costs $80 a month which will come to $140 a month. The start up costs hurt ($299 = HD DVR and DVR). Right now I pay $135 with Comcast that includes 1 HD DVR and HBO and internet. If I could get past the start up cost, it would be a done deal. Like I said, almost over the fence. If I had a Verizon DSL option, I would be kissing Comcast good bye already. Anyway, any input would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob

GoIrish, I hope you are correct. I'm in Rob's shoes as well. We only have 15 HD channels here in Frederick MD, which to some that might sound great, but it's disturbing to hear the new channels everyone else is getting right around us. I did place a call to Comcast wondering why they list Universal HD in our channel line up on the site, but we have HD Golf in it's place. The lady said she would put in that I requested the channel, but also said their will be some big changes in the HD lineup in the near future. I asked her to give me more details, but she said she couldn't offer any more information at this time.

Just noticed that WBAL is not stretching its SD programming today. Hopefully this is a positive change.

The stopped stretching over a week ago. Seems to be permanent.

The stopped stretching over a week ago. Seems to be permanent.

thanks. i only went back one page of posts to the 16th and didn't see anything.

Anyone in Arlington having an issue with Comcast cable either freezing both video and audio or at least video from time to time. This seems to be an on going issue and it does not matter if a box is attached or not.
Just curious to see if others are experiencing this.

Thanks to all that replied. I'm getting a Directv bill from my brother who has all the HD programming so I can weigh my options. Also looking to bundle with Verizon phone, cell, and Directv. Apparently that is an option with them. Then I can get my "sales pitch" ready for the ONE WHO RULES THE BILLS in my house.:)

However in another room where I dont have DTV running I have an amplified settop antenna and it was barely able to get a decent signal on 5.1.
Thanks for the info. 5.1 is still out for me. I'm guessing the station's doing something to their digital transmitter that reduces power hopefully temporarily. What they're doing probably doesn't affect in any substantial way the overwhelming majority of their OTA audience close in to DC. But we few way out in the fringes see it as no signal.

Bummer, with the NFL season in progress, 5.1 has heretofore always been rock solid for me.

I'm wondering what people have found to be one of the best antennas for getting in stations both from Baltimore and DC.
Pending someone from Catonsville helping here, if it were me for about $50 I'd try a CM 4228. And I believe the referenced compass points would lend themselves to taking the screen off the 4228 and thus picking up DC from the front and Balt. from the rear of the stationary antenna. Even with the screen on, my attic 4228 stongly picks up a hi-VHF digital station from the rear.

Thanks for the info. 5.1 is still out for me. I'm guessing the station's doing something to their digital transmitter that reduces power hopefully temporarily. What they're doing probably doesn't affect in any substantial way the overwhelming majority of their OTA audience close in to DC. But we few way out in the fringes see it as no signal.

Bummer, with the NFL season in progress, 5.1 has heretofore always been rock solid for me.

<snip>.

Every fall and spring, I have problems with reception of WBFF on the TV in my bedroom. As you say, it's rock solid any other time of year. I guess it has something to do with the leaves on the trees. If your situation is like mine, your reception will come back as soon as all (or most) of the leaves are gone.

Anyone in Arlington having an issue with Comcast cable either freezing both video and audio or at least video from time to time. This seems to be an on going issue and it does not matter if a box is attached or not.
Just curious to see if others are experiencing this.
Yes, it is an ongoing issue. When I had Comcast, I frequently had freezing of video and audio. It was one of the reasons I decided to drop Comcast in favor of over the air. I can put up with dropouts over the air for about $80 less a month.

Yes, it is an ongoing issue. When I had Comcast, I frequently had freezing of video and audio. It was one of the reasons I decided to drop Comcast in favor of over the air. I can put up with dropouts over the air for about $80 less a month.


I hear ya on that...I get constant audio and video freezes on Comcast sports netHD...its very annoying. I have also been having problems with "On demand"...I kept getting error messages etc...The only thing I like is getting the internet and cable all on one bill...well, I'd rather not have the bill altogether:eek:.

I've just moved into a new construction 8 story condominium building in Hyattsville, MD. I'm hoping to watch digital broadcast, dvd rentals, and legal downloads. Currently the building is largely vacant, and I'm hoping to push the as-yet-formed condo association to put in a common antenna for broadcast TV, and/or DirectTV, if they're compatible.

Apparently the building is already prepped for such a thing, however, the builder did not install antennae, etc.

Where would I go to educate myself on our options? Where would I find a contractor to design & install such a system?

How much would the adjacent 15 storey building (unfortunately, due west, in the direction of most of the broadcasters) affect our reception at the roof of our building?

What kind of costs are we looking at? $1000's, $10,000's, what?

Will someone that has Comcast or Directv talk me out of leaving Comcast cable. It has not been Comcastic compared to all the new additions by Directv, and when I hear the channels that other Comcast areas have, my little amount in Frederick, MD sucks. I don't even have Comcast Sports Net HD from COMCAST! My only drawback is the internet because Comcast is the ONLY option where I live outside Frederick (No Verizon DSL). It is quite expensive for internet only from comcast ($58) plus the package I want from Directv (Plus HD DVR 3 rooms) costs $80 a month which will come to $140 a month. The start up costs hurt ($299 = HD DVR and DVR). Right now I pay $135 with Comcast that includes 1 HD DVR and HBO and internet. If I could get past the start up cost, it would be a done deal. Like I said, almost over the fence. If I had a Verizon DSL option, I would be kissing Comcast good bye already. Anyway, any input would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Rob

I am in Ijamsville, (Mussetter Rd.). Have experience with Comcast cable and DTV. It is a no brainer--- DTV has it all over Comcast for Tv and HD.
Like you, we had to chose comcast for the internet but we have been very pleased with it. Our intro price has been $32 --to go up to $58. BTW, you will never be able to do better speed wise with DSL. Side by side, comcast cable doesn't even come close to DTV even on SD (IMHO) and DTV HD (Now up to 70 chs) just blows them away. I know some on here will come on and say Cable is better but I think I am a fairly good appraiser of what an excellent HD picture is. BTW, I pay $99 mo for all regular chs, HBO, Showtime, STarz and the HD package (w/local HD). :)

I hear ya on that...I get constant audio and video freezes on Comcast sports netHD...its very annoying. I have also been having problems with "On demand"...I kept getting error messages etc...The only thing I like is getting the internet and cable all on one bill...well, I'd rather not have the bill altogether:eek:.

You have a service issue and need to call for a service call.

GoIrish

DirecTV has a preview of the NHL channel in SD and HD (channel 215 for both).

Full guide data starts on Tuesday at 8pm.

I just noticed Comcast Alexandria has activated the NHL Network on 276.

I'm trying to light a fire under RCN. Can anyone (QAM or not) get TNT HD currently? I can't, and it used to work.

See also http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19264452-CATV-TNTHD-ch172-VERSHD-ch180-in-DC

I've just moved into a new construction 8 story condominium building in Hyattsville, MD. I'm hoping to watch digital broadcast, dvd rentals, and legal downloads. Currently the building is largely vacant, and I'm hoping to push the as-yet-formed condo association to put in a common antenna for broadcast TV, and/or DirectTV, if they're compatible.

Apparently the building is already prepped for such a thing, however, the builder did not install antennae, etc.

Where would I go to educate myself on our options? Where would I find a contractor to design & install such a system?

You've come to the right place, as my company has designed and installed over a dozen broadcast HDTV add-on systems for multiple dwelling units in this market. Check your PM so that we can communicate further.

Hello all..new member here

I'm in Baltimore County on Comcast. Yesterday local station WJZ (CBS) disappeared from digital 13.1. Found it today at 113.1. Cable is plugged directly into the ATSC tuner of my Toshiba HDTV (no STB).

All other local "open" DT channels are ok. Is this a Comcast thing or a WJZ issue?

Thanks great forum.:)


I live in baltimore county and i have a hdtv with a built in qam tuner and i was able to receive all of my local hd channels until this week the only one i can not get is 13-1 wjz is anyone else having thi problem and what have you done to fix this problem

215 on D* gives me "channel not available" oh well :-(

-Mike

I live in baltimore county and i have a hdtv with a built in qam tuner and i was able to receive all of my local hd channels until this week the only one i can not get is 13-1 wjz is anyone else having thi problem and what have you done to fix this problemI don't have cable (or live in the Baltimore area), but I suspect the frequency location of WJZ-HD was moved by Comcast. Please perform a QAM rescan on your TV and see if that works.

(Just because I find this interesting, this is my 1,000th official post, and all in less than a year since I officially joined this place. I feel it fitting that as my first post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8897959#post8897959) had a bunch of questions, here I offer an answer to something. I'd like to thank all the people on this and other threads that have helped me understand the world of HDTV a little more. Here's to the next thousand posts from me on this website. :))

215 on D* gives me "channel not available" oh well :-(

-Mike


They took it down after the preview. Supposedly back up Tuesday or Wednesday.

I did a re-scan on my tv today and it is still doing the same thing is this a perment thing or is there something wrong with the signal

I don't have cable (or live in the Baltimore area), but I suspect the frequency location of WJZ-HD was moved by Comcast. Please perform a QAM rescan on your TV and see if that works.

(Just because I find this interesting, this is my 1,000th official post, and all in less than a year since I officially joined this place. I feel it fitting that as my first post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8897959#post8897959) had a bunch of questions, here I offer an answer to something. I'd like to thank all the people on this and other threads that have helped me understand the world of HDTV a little more. Here's to the next thousand posts from me on this website. :))
Congrats. I remember a sign on the desk of my boss at one of my first summer jobs, "Nobody knows everything. Everybody knows something."

YMMV

Can someone just tell me if they are having the same problem i would really appreciate it thanks so much in advance

I live in Urbana, MD. For the last couple of weeks one or more of the network HD channels (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) will occasionally show a blank screen for anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. It's been occuring often enough that it has interefered with shows that I was recording on several occasions. The frustrating part about this is that I don't notice the problem until I go to watch the show and then find that my DVR didn't record anything. I don't even have the opportunity to switch over the SD feed. I tried calling Comcast on one occasion but gave up after 20 minutes on hold when the signal came back on.

Has anyone else been experiencing this in the Frederick area?

Can someone just tell me if they are having the same problem i would really appreciate it thanks so much in advance
We need to understand that the cable companies are not required by any governing body to provide the local channels in digital QAM. They are required to provide the analog signals at the present time, but they are providing the digital signals at times as they prepare for the change to all digital. I have been very fortunate to receive both D.C and Baltimore digital Qam signals from Prince George's Comcast basic cable for more than a year. At times any specific channel may or may not be there. Last week I lost TNT and A&E, but A&E is back today.
The available digital QAM signals vary from county to county in Maryland, so it is difficult to compare.

I did a re-scan on my tv today and it is still doing the same thing is this a perment thing or is there something wrong with the signalOne of three things happened:

1. WJZ was temporarily moved to a frequency beyond the reception range of the TV's QAM tuner.

2. IF you have basic (and not digital) cable, what some cable providers do is come by and place a piece of equipment on the line that blocks all frequencies that carry digital cable data yet preserves analog channel (and Internet) data. There may be a block at your place, and WJZ was placed (hopefully temporarily) in that frequency block region. Calling Comcast about this is pointless -- the CSRs are clueless with even slightly advanced technical matters, and if there's not a block at your place, and you call, there may be a Comcast technician stopping by ASAP...

3. Comcast encrypted the WJZ feed. This is unlikely, as Comcast usually's pretty lenient on encrypting local feeds.

Try another rescan, then triple-check to see if it's there. You MIGHT be bypassing it. MIGHT.

D* has added NBA TV HD.

Is anyone else having trouble with 26-2? Both my Samsung and LG tuners get a blank screen. The other subchannels are OK. Not that I miss 24 hour kids' programming, mind you.

Is anyone else having trouble with 26-2? Both my Samsung and LG tuners get a blank screen. The other subchannels are OK. Not that I miss 24 hour kids' programming, mind you.

I've noticed the same thing. I assume it's a problem at WETA. On a related note, has anyone else noticed their guide information and time screwed up?

Anyone having issues with WBAL-DT on Comcast in Baltimore County. If I tune to that channel on my cable box, the picture remains the previous channel.

Although I am not in that direct job anymore, I will attempt to answer with a simple explanation. The new fall ABC shows were not coded as HD in our traffic system.

I asked traffic to update of their settings for all ABC shows.

Was I seeing things last Friday? Was Men in Trees again not in HD on WJLA? That would be three weeks in a row -- come on ABC, let's get it together!

Was I seeing things last Friday? Was Men in Trees again not in HD on WJLA? That would be three weeks in a row -- come on ABC, let's get it together!
The problem is not ABC, but WJLA-DT 7. Men In Trees was in HD on WMAR 2 in Baltimore. I noticed that WJLA fixed the HD broadcast for Women's Murder Club on at 9 PM, but not for Men in Trees at 10 PM. How they let this happen for three weeks in a row is beyond me. Why are they not checking their own HD digital broadcast?? Maybe a complaint to both WJLA and ABC is in order.

Is anyone else having trouble with 26-2? Both my Samsung and LG tuners get a blank screen. The other subchannels are OK. Not that I miss 24 hour kids' programming, mind you.

Something is VERY wrong with 26-2 most of the time. It's even caused my Vizio to lock up a couple times. Something about going from HS(26-1) to SD(26-2) in the way they have 26-2 setup that causes the fits.

D* has added NBA TV HD.

And E* also.

Did anyone else add NBA-TV HD?

I just noticed Comcast Alexandria has activated the NHL Network on 276.Is this the SD or HD Channel?

Hi all! I have been lurking here for some time and finally registered.

I wanted to inform anyone interested that Comcast customers in Prince William Cnty, VA now have access to A&E HD, NFL Network HD & Universal HD. I played with them some last night and there was some growing pains (the audio went out frequently and the video stuttered, also guide data was absent) but I checked briefly this morning and it would seem they have resolved these issues. The PQ on these channels seemed very good by the way. Also they added the NHL Network (SD only, no HD feed).

I know 3 HD additions isnt much compared to what DirecTV is doing but am pleased that Comcast is at least adding some and not sitting on the sidelines.

Note to CycloneGT: Please revise your updates area on the first page to reflect these changes. Thanks!

This concludes my first ever post here at this fine establishment, surely wont be my last. L8rz! :cool:

Is this the SD or HD Channel?
SD

I live in Urbana, MD. For the last couple of weeks one or more of the network HD channels (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) will occasionally show a blank screen for anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. It's been occuring often enough that it has interefered with shows that I was recording on several occasions. The frustrating part about this is that I don't notice the problem until I go to watch the show and then find that my DVR didn't record anything. I don't even have the opportunity to switch over the SD feed. I tried calling Comcast on one occasion but gave up after 20 minutes on hold when the signal came back on.

Has anyone else been experiencing this in the Frederick area?

I'm in the Frederick area. I haven't seen this at all. I have seen a few pauses and some audio being dropped now and then, but it's rare and only for a few seconds.

As of today:
A&E on 223
HGTV on 229
Food on 231
NFL Network on 246

As of today:
A&E on 223
HGTV on 229
Food on 231
NFL Network on 246

Come on RCN. Match this.

Comcast feeds the beast. Alton Brown in HD in Rockville is long overdue. And please - noone tell my wife about HGTV HD. Anxiously awaiting ComcasTiVo...

As of today:
A&E on 223
HGTV on 229
Food on 231
NFL Network on 246

lovely...more worthless stations that don't have HD content...where the hell is SCI-FI AND SPEED?!?

Originally Posted by kenrowe
As of today:
A&E on 223
HGTV on 229
Food on 231
NFL Network on 246
lovely...more worthless stations that don't have HD content...where the hell is SCI-FI AND SPEED?!?
Not quite. HDTV and Food HD are all HD. They are not a simulcast of the SD channel as they put only their shows that are shot in HD on their HD channel. NFL Network HD is hit or (mostly) miss but they are showing the Patriots annihilation of the Redskins from last Sunday in glorious HD right now. NFL Net studio shows are SD, what is weird is that some replays of games that originally aired are in SD and some are HD.

The next to worthless HD channel is A&E-HD. Of the 15 national HD and 5 premium HD channels currently on Verizon Fios, A&E-HD which was added 2 weeks ago is the worse. It is mostly ugly stretched SD. Only real HD I have seen on A&E-HD are CSI: Miami, The Sopranos and one of their "reality" shows. 24 and Crossing Jordan, which are done in HD, are shown in stretch SD. So for A&E-HD, the good news is you got another HD channel. The bad news is that you got A&E-HD.

lovely...more worthless stations that don't have HD content...where the hell is SCI-FI AND SPEED?!?

waiting on their HD Content.

Not quite. HDTV and Food HD are all HD. They are not a simulcast of the SD channel as they put only their shows that are shot in HD on their HD channel. NFL Network HD is hit or (mostly) miss but they are showing the Patriots annihilation of the Redskins from last Sunday in glorious HD right now. NFL Net studio shows are SD, what is weird is that some replays of games that originally aired are in SD and some are HD.

The next to worthless HD channel is A&E-HD. Of the 15 national HD and 5 premium HD channels currently on Verizon Fios, A&E-HD which was added 2 weeks ago is the worse. It is mostly ugly stretched SD. Only real HD I have seen on A&E-HD are CSI: Miami, The Sopranos and one of their "reality" shows. 24 and Crossing Jordan, which are done in HD, are shown in stretch SD. So for A&E-HD, the good news is you got another HD channel. The bad news is that you got A&E-HD.

Agreed! I flipped through it last night and got Dog the Bounty hunter in SD stretch...UGH! Then his wife was shown! Double ugh!

DirecTV has added NHL Network HD.

The problem is not ABC, but WJLA-DT 7. Men In Trees was in HD on WMAR 2 in Baltimore. I noticed that WJLA fixed the HD broadcast for Women's Murder Club on at 9 PM, but not for Men in Trees at 10 PM. How they let this happen for three weeks in a row is beyond me. Why are they not checking their own HD digital broadcast?? Maybe a complaint to both WJLA and ABC is in order.

Three weeks in a row is inexcusable. I am trying to get ahold of someone there now. They are giving me the runaround saying it is a network issue. When I told the lady that the Baltimore ABC affiliate is having no problems airing this show in HD, they took action. Keep your fingers crossed.

And the Saturday Wheel and Jeopardy! repeats from last season should also be shown in HD but are not.

As of today:
A&E on 223
HGTV on 229
Food on 231
NFL Network on 246

I'm in Arlington, and I did notice that I have A&E HD yesterday, but didn't se the rest of them. And the A&EHD channel is awful by the way, just a stretched screen.

I noticed I have NHL network yesterday too, and I don't have the sports tier. Is this a free preview or am I just getting lucky?

Is there any reason MoCo Comcast is ordering their channel line-up so weirdly? HBO then a whole bunch of free channels and then other premium channels??? How about keeping it all together....pretty dumb

As of today:
A&E on 223
HGTV on 229
Food on 231
NFL Network on 246

NFL HD and Food HD were added Comcast in the District today on those same channels. We still don't have HGTV, but i'm elated to finally have NFL HD. I had Comcast on the edge of the cliff, and with a few more HD additions hopefully in the works, then i just might stay with Comcast.

NFL HD and Food HD were added Comcast in the District today on those same channels. We still don't have HGTV, but i'm elated to finally have NFL HD. I had Comcast on the edge of the cliff, and with a few more HD additions hopefully in the works, then i just might stay with Comcast.

Well, I'll take Food HD gladly, even though I still pine for HGTV HD. Soon, hopefully!

Well, I'll take Food HD gladly, even though I still pine for HGTV HD. Soon, hopefully!

Food HD looks good with noise at the bottom of the screen. I refuse to pay for the sports tier to get 1 HD station. Bring on the others!

The next to worthless HD channel is A&E-HD. Of the 15 national HD and 5 premium HD channels currently on Verizon Fios, A&E-HD which was added 2 weeks ago is the worse. It is mostly ugly stretched SD. Only real HD I have seen on A&E-HD are CSI: Miami, The Sopranos and one of their "reality" shows. 24 and Crossing Jordan, which are done in HD, are shown in stretch SD. So for A&E-HD, the good news is you got another HD channel. The bad news is that you got A&E-HD.

I think that TBS-HD takes the cake. Now that the MLB playoffs are history, I don't think I've seen a single program in true HD on this channel while flipping through.

As of today:
A&E on 223
HGTV on 229
Food on 231
NFL Network on 246

Hallelujah! Giada in HD!!! :p

I think that TBS-HD takes the cake. Now that the MLB playoffs are history, I don't think I've seen a single program in true HD on this channel while flipping through.


I agree. Baseball did look good though.

And the NBA opener last night on TNT-HD looked pretty nice too.

Is there any reason MoCo Comcast is ordering their channel line-up so weirdly? HBO then a whole bunch of free channels and then other premium channels??? How about keeping it all together....pretty dumb

True also of Comcast Howard County. I think it is pretty true throughout the area. It is very odd (especially since my dumb SA8300 guide doesn't filter what I don't get....seriously contemplating an HD Tivo for Comcast now that I have VOD from DirecTV and all those HD channels from DirecTV, too).

True also of Comcast Howard County. I think it is pretty true throughout the area. It is very odd (especially since my dumb SA8300 guide doesn't filter what I don't get....seriously contemplating an HD Tivo for Comcast now that I have VOD from DirecTV and all those HD channels from DirecTV, too).

Periodically they will rearrange the lineup so that like items a grouped together.

Pls stop me from watching Food HD :o

RCN in D.C. has just added the NHL Network (SD; no HD yet), on channel 824.

Does anyone with Arlington Comcast have Food-HD? It seems like the only new HD channel we got this week is A&E and it's garbage.

I've just moved into a new construction 8 story condominium building in Hyattsville, MD.

I found it, at 6506 America Boulevard

Currently the building is largely vacant, and I'm hoping to push the as-yet-formed condo association to put in a common antenna for broadcast TV, and/or DirecTV, if they're compatible...

How much would the adjacent 15 storey building (unfortunately, due west, in the direction of most of the broadcasters) affect our reception at the roof of our building?

It looks like you're really hemmed in to your west. I'll run some computer models tonight, but I saw a Comcast truck in your building's service area, so you have access to your Washington, DC HDTV locals via cable, and if there is a second homerun to each apartment, then the Baltimore stations can readily be made available to all the residents including the Comcast subscribers. They would watch the Washington locals on their HDMI or composite TV input and watch the Baltimore and possibly other broadcast HDTV channels using their TV's 8VSB tune. I have a lot of customers who take advantage of such a combination of inputs. Last year, several of the Baltimore Ravens games that were not available on Washington metro market cable systems were enjoyed by football fans in buildings with Baltimore broadcast HDTV from their master antenna systems.

The 15 story highrise to your west would provide no obstacle to reception of DirecTV, DISH Network and even Globecast satellite programming.[/QUOTE]

Ok, so I don't know if this is the right thread or not. I tried a few searches to see if this has been asked, but didn't find anything.

Anyway, I am trying to figure out why the last segment of the NBC show Life switches to SD, at least on WRC-DT. It has done this every week except for one. It is only the last segment, which is usually around 10:50 PM. I have no idea if this happens to many other shows on this channel, but I haven't seen it on Heroes, My Name is Earl, The Office, or ER. Just Life, and just the last segment. Anyone know what's going on? Thanks.

I don't know for sure, but likely the local station is cutting in for preparation for their 11 o'clock news. Maybe they are going to put up on screen graphics or some split screen intro the news and they can only do that in SD. But thats just a guess.

That sounds like a good guess. You may be right. There isn't a bleedin into a local news intro, but they do go right into a preview of next week's episode, so maybe that is in SD. Still, either way you would think that they could figure out how to keep things in HD the whole time by now.

Verizon expects to have more than 150 HD channels by the end of 2008.

http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2007/verizon-plans-fivefold.html

Fios is always a want for me, i just don't know when it will come to the District

Verizon expects to have more than 150 HD channels by the end of 2008.

http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2007/verizon-plans-fivefold.html


And double their current HD offerings in Spring 2008.

I still think they should have been prepared to add more HD channels this year instead of the Spring.

Verizon expects to have more than 150 HD channels by the end of 2008.

http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2007/verizon-plans-fivefold.html


Good for them. They will catch up to DirecTV by then.

More HD for everyone!

And double their current HD offerings in Spring 2008.

I still think they should have been prepared to add more HD channels this year instead of the Spring.

The good news is that I was able to receive confirmation today that a few new HD channels will be added before the end of 2007. There will be an announcement on that soon but I was not given a specific date. I was also not able to confirm whether they were national channels or RSN's but my guess is thatb they will be the Discovery networks discussed previously. The real push will be in the spring. Nevertheless, this news is still better than a stick in the eye.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12084142#post12084142

Come on Comcast, WTF. Everytime I see the DC area getting more HD channels and leave us in the Frederick, MD area in suspense. I am losing patience. Priced out Directv and am picking up the phone. Anyone know what channels you get with Comcast internet only package for approx. $59. Heard you get the SD analog channels 2-99. That would be fine for my cheaper tv rooms. Please let me know so my switch can be complete.

I'd be happy if Comcast would ditch A&E-"HD" in favor of CNN-HD, which they were required to run as a condition of getting TBS-"HD". I would have loved to have seen Planet in Peril in HD.

WNUV is coming through in letterboxed SD... I want my widescreen Smallville. :(

WNUV is coming through in letterboxed SD... I want my widescreen Smallville. :(

Sorry... I just spoke to master control, and the HD switcher is locked up. Currently, the only way to reset it is to reboot (friggin computers...), and that will take us off the air for a couple of minutes. I figure that letterboxed video is better than no video or audio...

Sorry for the problem.

Mark

Just found out the basic cable $17 is analog local channels basically. hmmm, i need to think about this one.

Sorry... I just spoke to master control, and the HD switcher is locked up. Currently, the only way to reset it is to reboot (friggin computers...), and that will take us off the air for a couple of minutes. I figure that letterboxed video is better than no video or audio...

Sorry for the problem.

Mark

No prob. Wanted to alert somebody of the problem, though, in case they might not have already known. :D

SD is better than No-D. (And still infinitely better than stretch-o-vision, thankfully WBAL stopped that (for the time being)). :)

Sorry... I just spoke to master control, and the HD switcher is locked up. Currently, the only way to reset it is to reboot (friggin computers...), and that will take us off the air for a couple of minutes. I figure that letterboxed video is better than no video or audio...

Sorry for the problem.

Mark

There is a good commercial block coming up....;)

Any chance of a rerun to get us HD later?

There is a good commercial block coming up....;)

Any chance of a rerun to get us HD later?

"good" commercial break? IS there such a thing? :P

Maybe a short one is good. ;)

Not yet, though, special Smallville insight thingie!

There is a good commercial block coming up....;)

Any chance of a rerun to get us HD later?

Sure - after the writers strike starts, I'm sure they will be re-running it... ;) Actually, I think there is an "oncore presentation" of Smallville over the weekend some time. I'll have to check the schedule to be sure.

Unfortunately, we currently have no way to record HD content. That should be changing in the near(ish) future, but that doesn't help tonight...

Also, the commercials pay the bills (including my salary), so we would most likely do the reset during the show, to preserve them. I know you didn't want that...

Mark

Any chance CSN HD will make it to the DC/MD/VA FIOS lineup before spring 2008? I see that Verizon has announced plans to add 150 HD channels by 2008, starting in spring. I'm curious to know if its at all possible CSN might beat that so I can watch some NCAA basketball in HD this season.

Hello. I just got a Comcast HDDVR. I am in Baltimore City, and have the DVR hooked to my TV via an HDMI cable, and all of the cable channels look great-and are in HD. Comcast is an inept bunch, but the system seems to be working except that the digital local channels do not come in well at all. The non-HD local channels look fine, but the channels in the 200-300 range that are local are fuzzy and scrambled at least some of the time.

I spoke to Comcast and they indicated that they would have a tech come out to look at the problem, but didn't know what is going on.

Just to rant, Comcast is one of the most clueless groups of people that I have ever had to deal with.

Anyone know what's going on- I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find the posts if it has.

mantis

Just found out the basic cable $17 is analog local channels basically. hmmm, i need to think about this one.
I can't speak for your Comcast Basic, but my Comcast Basic provides more than 100 digital QAM channels at no additional cost. My QAM channels include ABC,NBC,CBS, and Fox from both Baltimore and D.C. They also include WETA, and MPT plus A&E and Golf.
To access the Digital QAM channels does require a TV with the QAM tuner or a separate receiver.

Any chance CSN HD will make it to the DC/MD/VA FIOS lineup before spring 2008? I see that Verizon has announced plans to add 150 HD channels by 2008, starting in spring. I'm curious to know if its at all possible CSN might beat that so I can watch some NCAA basketball in HD this season.
Yes, if the post by Former Verizonman at dslreports.com is true. He has proven pretty reliable with his posts in recent months. Quoting his post: "you should be seeing CSNMA HD in a few weeks in MD/NoVA, a few weeks later in the outlying CSNMA territories. You'll also be happily surprised by a few more HDs (Discovery) within a few weeks."

According to former Verizonman, who has provided enough technical details to make me think he knows what we is writing about, the big holdup with adding CSN MA HD has not only been running landlines for the HD signal but adding the capability to selectively black out CSN MA HD. The SD version of CSN MA comes in via satellite and they are set up to black that out by region (probably at their video head end level). But they were not set up to do the same for direct land line feeds to all the regional head ends if I understood his posts correctly.

The rumors/reports on Verizon Fios adding the Discovery HD block of channels and maybe a couple more in the November time frame have been pretty persistent. They have to add a few more QAM channels to the "older" CO systems (older in this case were the COs that were wired several years ago) to build out their current 63 QAM channel capacity until the 40 analog channels are shut down and replaced by digital QAM channels by next spring.

^^^ Bah, who cares about more nature shows in HD? I want SciFi and FX in HD, dammit! :mad:

Sure - after the writers strike starts, I'm sure they will be re-running it... ;) Actually, I think there is an "oncore presentation" of Smallville over the weekend some time. I'll have to check the schedule to be sure.

Unfortunately, we currently have no way to record HD content. That should be changing in the near(ish) future, but that doesn't help tonight...

Also, the commercials pay the bills (including my salary), so we would most likely do the reset during the show, to preserve them. I know you didn't want that...

Mark


Found the problem (without rebooting...) - a loose connector that I must have pulled on when I was working in the back of the rack. Master Control wouldn't have been able to fix it for me.

Mark

^^^ Bah, who cares about more nature shows in HD? I want SciFi and FX in HD, dammit! :mad:Nobody wants these HD channels...much less their SD versions. All normal people want BTN HD!!!:rolleyes:

^^^ Bah, who cares about SciFi and FX in HD? I want more nature shows in HD, dammit! :mad:

I can't speak for your Comcast Basic, but my Comcast Basic provides more than 100 digital QAM channels at no additional cost.
Must be nice! Balto Cnty West, and Bomcast can't even keep the locals coming through on a consistent basis. Very odd asstmt of maybe a dozen QAM chs above ch 75, of which only Univision, Telefutura, and ESPNews seem to be regularly available. Interesting to see what my neighbors' choices of VOD or PPV are, though.
And no hope of help, either: called Bomcast for an analog problem a few weeks ago and mentioned some of the QAM woes. "You're not paying for digital service, you'd have to pay for a service call for any digital signal problems." Thanks, but no thanks.

Nobody wants these HD channels...much less their SD versions. All normal people want BTN HD!!!:rolleyes:

D* has all of 'em. :D

I've noticed the same thing. I assume it's a problem at WETA. On a related note, has anyone else noticed their guide information and time screwed up?

It has been more or less wrong for three years! Even on their own web pages. After several vague answers to email, I sent a snail mail letter to WETA about a month ago. I haven't heard a thing back.

Maddening.

Thanks for the info. 5.1 is still out for me. I'm guessing the station's doing something to their digital transmitter that reduces power hopefully temporarily. What they're doing probably doesn't affect in any substantial way the overwhelming majority of their OTA audience close in to DC. But we few way out in the fringes see it as no signal.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with 5.1 issues. I used to get it, although weak. Now, it's just blank all the time.

I'm also bummed about 50.2 (Tube). I enjoyed it- just wished they had played more current music...

Is something wrong with WUSA's HD feed? I have Comcast here in Loudoun Co. and channel 212 is not showing HD. :mad:

Is something wrong with WUSA's HD feed? I have Comcast here in Loudoun Co. and channel 212 is not showing HD. :mad:

NM, appears to be back for the NE / Indy game.

The Bills game wasn't in HD anywhere, see the programming threads for NFL coverage.

-Mike

The Bills game wasn't in HD anywhere, see the programming threads for NFL coverage.

-Mike


So who made the decision to broadcast a game with two undefeated teams in SD?

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one with 5.1 issues. I used to get it, although weak. Now, it's just blank all the time.
5.1 has been rock solid for me way out in the fringe for the past week when I've checked it, as it was today throughout the Wash./Jets game. The sporadic issues I've had just recently I'm convinced was the station messing with the digital signal power.

Any 5.1 reception problems in No. Virginia today or in the past week would seem to me to be caused by the viewer's set-up, antenna, etc.

cox has been moving some channels around in ffx, oxygen moved up to the variety tier from 61, there is a home improvement on demand channel, and there seems to be 2 NBA networks. speaking of which, does anyone else have the HD icon on NBA-TV and some of the discovery networks we're SUPPOSED to have at some point?

Technically not HD, but: Fios has added the MHz subchannels. The Ion subchannels are listed in the guide, too, but aren't actually on yet.

I see that we Comcast users that haven't received NBA HD that MOJO is tonight broadcasting a Houston vs Dallas @7:30

So who made the decision to broadcast a game with two undefeated teams in SD?


Huh? The Cinci/Bills game was in SD. Neither team is undefeated. That was the game with the smallest market coverage. I'm assuming it was shown in this area since both teams are in the Raven's division.

The Pats/Colts game was in HD everywhere, since it was shown in like 99% of the markets in the USA.

[QUOTE=hokiefan;12138761]Huh? The Cinci/Bills game was in SD. Neither team is undefeated. That was the game with the smallest market coverage. I'm assuming it was shown in this area since both teams are in the Raven's division./QUOTE]

Cincinnati Bengals are in the AFC North with the Ravens, Steelers, and Browns. Buffalo Bills are in the AFC East with Patriots, Jets, and Dolphins.

Deeuzl

In PWC we just received A&E HD and Universal HD (NFL HD too but no problems there). Those 2 channels come through with lots of dropouts, audio pops, etc. Reminds me of trying to watch my dads DTV during a thunderstorm. I have done all the normal things: wait a couple days, reset the box, etc. to no avail. I REALLY don't want to call Comcast, so I wanted to see if anyone here had any advice. Thanks!

In PWC we just received A&E HD and Universal HD (NFL HD too but no problems there). Those 2 channels come through with lots of dropouts, audio pops, etc. Reminds me of trying to watch my dads DTV during a thunderstorm. I have done all the normal things: wait a couple days, reset the box, etc. to no avail. I REALLY don't want to call Comcast, so I wanted to see if anyone here had any advice. Thanks!


There were no problems here last week with A&E HD on Comcast here in Woodbridge(Eastern PWC). I couldn't receive NFL HD though since I didn't have the Sports tier.(FIOS doesn't do that with NFL-HD) Saturday I finally dropped Comcast completely since I've had both FIOS and Comcast the last two months and I really hadn't watched much on Comcast any more and definitely didn't use the slow 8mbs connection. The FIOS 30mbs connection blows the Comcast 8mbs away. And it's only $3 more($52 vs $55)

Verizon Fios added Discovery HD to channel 846 in the VA and MD region this morning (and many of their other regions). The channel is not in the guide at this point, but it is there. Note, this is the simulcast of the Discovery SD channel, not to be confused with the former HD Discovery channel, now renamed HD Theater. Mythbusters in HD - yes! :D

Comcast MoCo has A&E-HD...

COMCAST: RE-ORDER THE CHANNEL LINE-UP! IT doesn't make any sense!

COME ON FX-HD!!!

Verizon Fios added Discovery HD to channel 846 in the VA and MD region this morning (and many of their other regions). The channel is not in the guide at this point, but it is there. Note, this is the simulcast of the Discovery SD channel, not to be confused with the former HD Discovery channel, now renamed HD Theater. Mythbusters in HD - yes! :D
Don't know if it was you or someone else mentioning that CSN-MA HD is coming to FiOS as well. I checked it on UDigTV and it is listed on channel 829.

Oooo Happy Days!!!
:D

The Bills game wasn't in HD anywhere, see the programming threads for NFL coverage.

-Mike
That is not true. The game was in HD, I saw the highlights on ESPN in HD when that schmuck Chad Johnson was injured. Now whether they aired the game in HD or not is another issue.

That's exactly it: they didn't air the Bills game in HD, but it was produced in HD. CBS is producing 6 games in HD every week, but can only air 5 in HD during doubleheader weeks because of a lack of HD Master Control rooms.

Yesterday, Verizon FiOS added Discovery Channel HD (846), not to be confused with HD Theater (836).

This morning, Verizon added CSNDC HD (829) to its FiOS systems in N. VA and MD.

Yes, at long last, Verizon Fios has added Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD to channel 829 in the Washington Metro area. It is not in the guide yet, but if they follow the same pattern as yesterday, it will be added to the guide later today. Reports are that CSN MA-HD was not added to the Richmond area, have not heard about Hampton Roads / SE VA area. The post that said CSNMA-HD was coming soon, also stated that it would take several more weeks for it to be added to the "outlying" areas.

The good news is that we can finally put the questions of when Verizon would or if ever add CSNMA-HD to rest. This gives the Washington Metro line-up 8 HD locals, 1 HD RSN, 17 national HD channels, and 5 premium HD movie channels for a total of 31 HD channels. Not nearly as many as DirecTV has now, but competitive in number with the local cable operations.

CSNMA-HD was added to QAM 93 (639 MHz) which was previously an unused channel here. QAM 93 is used in the NYC and NJ areas to carry 2 New York city HD Regional Sport Nets. So QAM 93 is used for distributing the HD RSNs in different markets. There are now two sub-channels in QAM 93, don't know what the other one is, but it may be a placeholder. My hope is that Verizon set aside half of the bandwidth of QAM 93 for quickly adding MASN-HD when ever MASN gets off the pot and provides a HD feed.

Question:

I'm in Arlington and have Comcast, but only got A&E-HD added last week. No Food-HD or HGTVHD. Has this happened to anyone else? Why would they not add them in Arlington?

Question:

I'm in Arlington and have Comcast, but only got A&E-HD added last week. No Food-HD or HGTVHD. Has this happened to anyone else? Why would they not add them in Arlington?Most 860MHz Comcast systems now have the new channels. Many of the older 750MHz systems have limited capacity and Comcast is saving that capacity for "high priority" adds. I would guess that the Comcast Arlington has a 750MHz system.

On 750MHz systems, Comcast is looking to (1) eliminate some analog channels to make room for new channels, (2) install SDV equipment, and/or (3) a combination of the two. Every analog channel consumes the same capacity as 12-14 digital SD channels or two full-bitrate HD channels, but Comcast Arlington still has a lot of "extended basic" customers that depend on those analog channels.

CSNMA-HD was added to QAM 93 (639 MHz) which was previously an unused channel here. QAM 93 is used in the NYC and NJ areas to carry 2 New York city HD Regional Sport Nets. So QAM 93 is used for distributing the HD RSNs in different markets. There are now two sub-channels in QAM 93, don't know what the other one is, but it may be a placeholder. My hope is that Verizon set aside half of the bandwidth of QAM 93 for quickly adding MASN-HD when ever MASN gets off the pot and provides a HD feed.It'll probably be used as a (temporary?) location for History Channel HD when it's added (according to rumor) before the end of the year. It might also be the new location of some local SD feeds (NBC Wx+, Doug Hill's WxNow, etc.), opening room in their current QAM location for History HD.

From Barry Srlvuga's blog at the Washington Post:

More MASN -- with some hope for HD
Hold on regarding the HD thing for a second.

Just spoke with Bob Carpenter. Here are his thoughts.

"I'm just happy," he said from his home in Tulsa. "I'm happy I'm coming back next year. With all the stuff that happened, that's life. That's broadcasting. Some of the things that happen to you in this busines, I'll never get used to. But as opposed to some other things that have happened to me, this has a happy ending. Usually, these things don't end well, but this one did."

Carpenter thanked the fans that called/wrote the Nationals and/or MASN after it was reported -- here and elsewhere -- that the club was at least looking elsewhere.

"They made their feelings known, and that make me feel pretty good. I give the fans 95 percent of this credit. I guess the other five percent is my ability to do a good baseball bradocast."

Carpenter said he had spoken with Don Sutton several times since the end of the season, and spoke with Debbi Taylor a couple of weeks ago. "I think we're all ready to do great broadcasts," he said. The deal, he said, is for a year with a club option.

I spoke, too, with MASN spokesman Todd Webster, who said: "The anticipation is building for the Nationals in 2008, and we're pleased that Bob will help bring that excitement to fans throughout MASN's seven-state television territory."

I also asked Webster about the possibility of Nationals (and Orioles) broadcasts being in high-definition next year. The network, Webster said, is not prepared to make any announcements, but they are looking into the issue.

"It's definitely a possibility," Webster said. "We are working with satellite and cable companies, and we ar hopeful to offer a number of Nationals and Orioles telecasts in HD."

Stay tuned.

More MASN: Johnny Holliday is on board for another year of pre- and postgame shows. They're in negotiations with studio analyst Ray Knight on coming back for another season, but nothing's final yet.

Oh, and, while we're at it, looks like almost all the grass is in over at the new park. The unveiling for the media is on Tuesday at 10 a.m., with Mayor Fenty and Stan Kasten and other honchos scheduled to be there. No word on if Kasten will wrestle city officials behind second base.

on a semi-unrelated note, i drove by nationals park today and it looks good!


If i recall correctly (and because i'm not looking at it), that would leave Cox as the only company not carrying Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD???

SOMEONE REMIND ME WHAT IM PAYING FOR!!!! Maybe 20 HD channels??? Can anyone give me any rumors to give me some hope?

on a semi-unrelated note, i drove by nationals park today and it looks good!


If i recall correctly (and because i'm not looking at it), that would leave Cox as the only company not carrying Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD???

SOMEONE REMIND ME WHAT IM PAYING FOR!!!! Maybe 20 HD channels??? Can anyone give me any rumors to give me some hope?
Maybe you should look for a rumor on when is FiOS coming to your part of the town. That is if you don't want to deal with a satellite company.

If FiOS is available in your area, the question is, why don't you have it yet?

It won't exist until Comcast is willing to carry it. Having the HD feed on D*, FiOS, and Cox, et al, and building out for HD, all to have few to nobody watching because it isn't on Comcast, isn't a worthwhile business expenditure. Once it starts, only one MASN-HD channel for some time. It'll only air home games in HD. If the Nats and O's play at home and at different times, and the games overlap, since Angelos owns the O's, the O's will get the advantage every time: either the game will switch over to the O's game or the O's will finish their game before the Nats get a shot at being seen in HD. If both Nats and O's are scheduled to play at home at around the same time, since Angelos owns the O's, the O's will get the HD.

And, if MASN-HD begins to exist on FiOS, if the OTA SD subchannel rebroadcasts are moved from their current location to QAM 93, they'll all be moved to IP to make way for MASN-HD on QAM 93. One exception: If both Comcast SN MA and MASN HD are 720p, leaving room for a couple of SD subchannels to be kept in the QAM carrier, NBC Wx+ and Doug Hill's WxNow, in that order, have priority in staying on QAM.

because you rickys bitch and moan about verizon!

oh, and because im in an apartment building in the corner of fairfax city that has phone lines older than me in here....

...and it took verizon three months to install service in my parents house. At work i openly endorse any other company other than verizon because i have not found ten people who had a smooth install and no service problems. But it is what it is. we're not talking about programming anymore...

if anyone from cox fairfax reads up on here I WANT MY CSN HD!!!!!

And, if MASN-HD begins to exist on FiOS, if the OTA SD subchannel rebroadcasts are moved from their current location to QAM 93, they'll all be moved to IP to make way for MASN-HD on QAM 93. One exception: If both Comcast SN MA and MASN HD are 720p, leaving room for a couple of SD subchannels to be kept in the QAM carrier, NBC Wx+ and Doug Hill's WxNow, in that order, have priority in staying on QAM.
Huh? The SD sub-channels of the local HD stations are carried on the same QAM channel as the HD sub-channel. Why would you think they are on QAM 93?? What Verizon obviously does with the HD locals is take the 19.2 MB/sec data from the broadcast signal with all the sub-channels and place that in 1/2 of the 38.4 MB/sec QAM bandwidth. WRC-DT 4.1, 4.2, WUSA-DT 9.1, 9.2 are on QAM 71 for example. This means that Fios subscribers get exactly the same picture quality as OTA, no additional compression.

The weather SD sub-channels of the broadcast channels don't take up much bandwidth. So why would Verizon worry much about where they go?
From the analysis we have managed to share on the net, Verizon places the locals in the same block of QAM channels. The national SD and HD channels are on the same QAM channels across the US.

Comcast Sports Net Mid-Atlantic HD is a 1080i channel. Don't know what MASN-HD will be, but I would expect it to be 1080i as well.

I do agree that MASN is probably trying to get Comcast to agree to carry the HD channel before they announce it. With the history between MASN and Comcast, Comcast may be stiffing MASN in any negotiations. But if Verizon Fios, RCN, and DirecTV were to agree to add MASN-HD, all of whom compete directly with Comcast for subscribers, I can't see Comcast stalling for long on adding MASN-HD.

on a semi-unrelated note, i drove by nationals park today and it looks good!


This is what it looks like inside the park:

http://clarkconstruction.oxblue.com/clarkhuntsmoot/

The grass is almost completely installed - will be finished by lunch time today. Also the HD replay screen has been fully installed. Only 97 days until pitchers and catchers report and the March 31 home opener just over 4 months.

Ion TV To go HD In 2008

For those who missed the news in the HDTV Programming forum, the Ion (formerly Pax) network will switch to providing a 720p HD channel by the 1st quarter of 2008. Here is the link to the Multi-Channel news article: http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6498882.html?industryid=47199.

Since we have 2 ION stations in the area: WPXW-DT 66 (UHF 43) in Manassas and WWPX-DT 60 (VHF 12) in Martinsburg, this means we will have 8 HD broadcast networks in the DC and western Baltimore area. Since Ion currently provides 4 SD sub-channels on their digital broadcast, I expect they will convert their x.1 channel to 720p HD and keep the 3 specialized sub-channels - Qubo, Ion Life, Worship. So it will likely be a rather compressed 1 HD and 3 SD sub-channels. Since their daytime programming is mostly infomercials and the nighttime programming is mostly older sitcoms or former Pax show reruns which were not shot in HD (with only the hour long dramas likely to have been done on film), don't know how much true HD there will be on Ion. However, this is a network that re-invents itself every few years to stave off the creditors, they might be planning to totally revise the programming & channel line-up and get some real HD programming.

I'll miss Kevin Trudeau...

I'll miss Kevin Trudeau...

?

Huh? The SD sub-channels of the local HD stations are carried on the same QAM channel as the HD sub-channel. Why would you think they are on QAM 93?? What Verizon obviously does with the HD locals is take the 19.2 MB/sec data from the broadcast signal with all the sub-channels and place that in 1/2 of the 38.4 MB/sec QAM bandwidth. WRC-DT 4.1, 4.2, WUSA-DT 9.1, 9.2 are on QAM 71 for example. This means that Fios subscribers get exactly the same picture quality as OTA, no additional compression.

The weather SD sub-channels of the broadcast channels don't take up much bandwidth. So why would Verizon worry much about where they go?
From the analysis we have managed to share on the net, Verizon places the locals in the same block of QAM channels. The national SD and HD channels are on the same QAM channels across the US.

Comcast Sports Net Mid-Atlantic HD is a 1080i channel. Don't know what MASN-HD will be, but I would expect it to be 1080i as well.

I do agree that MASN is probably trying to get Comcast to agree to carry the HD channel before they announce it. With the history between MASN and Comcast, Comcast may be stiffing MASN in any negotiations. But if Verizon Fios, RCN, and DirecTV were to agree to add MASN-HD, all of whom compete directly with Comcast for subscribers, I can't see Comcast stalling for long on adding MASN-HD.

Comcast has repeatedly told MASN that they will carry any and all HD content they choose to originate. Comcast is not an impediment in any way, shape or form to MASN HD development.

It has always been, and remains today solely the discretion of MASN when they choose to develop their HD content.

Having said that, I think they will make at least a partial plunge in the '08 season.

GoIrish

This is what it looks like inside the park:

http://clarkconstruction.oxblue.com/clarkhuntsmoot/

The grass is almost completely installed - will be finished by lunch time today. Also the HD replay screen has been fully installed. Only 97 days until pitchers and catchers report and the March 31 home opener just over 4 months.

Another view inside the park:

http://www.jdland.com/dc/stadium.cfm?tab=no3

Along with lots of photos of the neighborhood around it.

(Yes, I'm blogwhoring.) :)

It won't exist until Comcast is willing to carry it. Having the HD feed on D*, FiOS, and Cox, et al, and building out for HD, all to have few to nobody watching because it isn't on Comcast, isn't a worthwhile business expenditure.


You've got to be kidding. Wonder why they embarked on MASN in the first place when it was just DirecTV and RCN? No Cox, no Fios, no DiSH.

In fact, doing HD on the others would force Comcast into following along. Or maybe Comcast would like another taste of the legal battle they lost with MASN in the first place?

Once it starts, only one MASN-HD channel for some time. It'll only air home games in HD. If the Nats and O's play at home and at different times, and the games overlap, since Angelos owns the O's, the O's will get the advantage every time: either the game will switch over to the O's game or the O's will finish their game before the Nats get a shot at being seen in HD. If both Nats and O's are scheduled to play at home at around the same time, since Angelos owns the O's, the O's will get the HD.


Um, MASN is co-owned by the Orioles and Nationals. In fact, the Oriole games were jockeyed around onto MASN2 far more than the Nationals games last year. MASN2, in case you don't know, was harder to find for folks because it is not on a sports channel.

Um, MASN is co-owned by the Orioles and Nationals. In fact, the Oriole games were jockeyed around onto MASN2 far more than the Nationals games last year. MASN2, in case you don't know, was harder to find for folks because it is not on a sports channel.

:D

Um the Orioles own 99.999% of MASN and the Nationals own .001%

The only good thing about that is that if the Orioles continue to stink and the Nats play well they will generate more revenue for old PA so more of thier games will be on the air.

Some new channels added to Comcast in New Market, MD outside Frederick, MD.
On the guide I am showing the following:
773 NFLHD
800 HRTV (horse racing tv) WTF
801 GOLTV Sabla espanol?
802 NBATV
803 CSTV
804 NFL
805 NHLTV
It seems like maybe a tier may be needed to access these channels because when I try to select them, the dreaded Not Authorized message comes up. I know others here in this thread have told me to wait and see what Comcast would be adding. Did anyone else get these channels or others, and do you know if it will take an extra package for me to authorize them other than digital and hd. Thanks, Rob

Regarding the FIOS discussion, I got a flier over a year ago that FIOS was coming to my neighborhood and I got excited. A month or so later, they came and dug in my community and then vanished without a trace. Not a peep from them in a year. *shrug*

-Mike

Does anyone know if MASN2 is used at all other than during baseball season. I have gotten a few calls regarding a headend I service that dedicated a channel to MASN2, syaing the channel is out. MASN2, when sourced by a DirecTv receiver, puts out a blank screen except when it is actually carrying a program.

If the channel is unused until baseball season, I'll probably replace it with a shopping channel or C-Span3, but if it is used occasionally (college foorball/basketball?), then I'll have to leave it occupying a system channel.

BTW, I thought the market-encroachment settlement between Angelos and MLB was that the Orioles get 80% of the MASN TV revenue and the Nationals get 20%, but how that might affect "ownership" of stock shares of MASN, I have no idea.

masn2 shows SILLY CFL games and high school sports. and in fairfax, caps hockey on csn+. right now it has USF-syracuse from an ESPN+ feed

Comcast has repeatedly told MASN that they will carry any and all HD content they choose to originate. Comcast is not an impediment in any way, shape or form to MASN HD development.

No disrespect, but how do you know that? Comcast may just carry the SD feed. SCI-FI and BBC America have plans for HD channels in the near future, but I have near-zero faith that Comcast (at least locally, depending on franchise) will make bandwidth/HD slots available for these.

MASN2 hasn't carried anything since the end of the baseball season and is barely mentioned on the MASN website at this point. On most of the major MSOs, the MASN2 channel is now being used for CSN+ coverage along with other filler programming (e.g., CSPAN2).

Nationals, in 2005, had 10% ownership of MASN and gain an additional percentage point each season. It will cap out at 33%.

Nationals, in 2005, had 10% ownership of MASN and gain an additional percentage point each season. It will cap out at 33%.

Yup. 23 years to get to 33%. Nats got hosed.

Some new channels added to Comcast in New Market, MD outside Frederick, MD.
On the guide I am showing the following:
773 NFLHD
800 HRTV (horse racing tv) WTF
801 GOLTV Sabla espanol?
802 NBATV
803 CSTV
804 NFL
805 NHLTV
It seems like maybe a tier may be needed to access these channels because when I try to select them, the dreaded Not Authorized message comes up.Those channels require the sports package subscription.

You've got to be kidding. Wonder why they embarked on MASN in the first place when it was just DirecTV and RCN? No Cox, no Fios, no DiSH.

In fact, doing HD on the others would force Comcast into following along. Or maybe Comcast would like another taste of the legal battle they lost with MASN in the first place?There was a pretty large potential viewer base at hand that could watch MASN. They had to spend money to provide some sort of TV service that would put pressure on Comcast to add it, and increase the actual viewing base. They have that base now, so the question is: Does MASN spend more money simply to give listeners a more enhanced viewing experience? There's a difference between a basic viewing experience and an enhanced one. Will enough people care to watch in HD if the money is spent and yet Comcast doesn't choose to carry MASN HD? The #1 most important thing in Angelos's eyes is to make as much money as possible, and if that means not going HD, or limiting said expansion to one channel, that's what it means.

Comcast has repeatedly told MASN that they will carry any and all HD content they choose to originate. Comcast is not an impediment in any way, shape or form to MASN HD development.

It has always been, and remains today solely the discretion of MASN when they choose to develop their HD content.

Having said that, I think they will make at least a partial plunge in the '08 season.Now, if Comcast has changed their tune with MASN in some form and truly said that they'd carry a MASN HD channel, then there's noting to worry about in that sense. So, it looks like it truly is completely up to MASN to decide when to go HD. My pessimistic side "says" they probably won't flip until 2009, and if they can find a way to make the install cheaper by going 720p, they'll do it.

There was a pretty large potential viewer base at hand that could watch MASN. They had to spend money to provide some sort of TV service that would put pressure on Comcast to add it, and increase the actual viewing base. They have that base now, so the question is: Does MASN spend more money simply to give listeners a more enhanced viewing experience? There's a difference between a basic viewing experience and an enhanced one. Will enough people care to watch in HD if the money is spent and yet Comcast doesn't choose to carry MASN HD? The #1 most important thing in Angelos's eyes is to make as much money as possible, and if that means not going HD, or limiting said expansion to one channel, that's what it means.


Better rethink it. I watch far less Orioles games since the HD is gone and I know others that feel the same way. Bad baseball with bad PQ is not a winner. Good baseball or good PQ would help a lot.

Add to that that many DirecTV customers are taking SD channels out of their guide and will not stumble on the Orioles/Nats games and the cable companies put most HD in one area and MASN will be nowhere near where a lot of HD customers cruise guide-wise.

I will continue to think that MASN's story is an excuse and nothing more. There are a lot of eyeballs without Comcast over the entire territory.

And your argument sounds a awful lot like the stuff we heard from WJLA even up to the week before they got Jeopardy and Wheel in HD. In other words, until they actually HAD HD, they said it wasn't worth it. Once they got it? Nothing.

I couldn't find anything here or in the HDTV programming forum about why the BC/MD prime time ABC game wasn't in HD. I thought all the 8pm ABC games (even though they may be regional) were in HD, esp. one with a top-10 team playing.

Or did WJLA just forget to flip the switch? *ducks* :-)
-Mike

Better rethink it. I watch far less Orioles games since the HD is gone and I know others that feel the same way. Bad baseball with bad PQ is not a winner. Good baseball or good PQ would help a lot.That would for some people. BUT, how many? You have to remember that only about 20-30% of households have a single HDTV. WUSA, which has had an HD newscast for years, hasn't had much, if any, of a ratings uptick as a result. It looks like most people, even those with HDTVs, will watch an SD show if it's good enough to watch. Even you've done it on occasion.

Add to that that many DirecTV customers are taking SD channels out of their guide and will not stumble on the Orioles/Nats games and the cable companies put most HD in one area and MASN will be nowhere near where a lot of HD customers cruise guide-wise.How many people? At this time, of all of those with HDTVs, cable has about 60% of viewers, D* and E* combined have about 25-30%, and OTA carries the rest. Cable STBs can't block out SD channels from the guide as of now, so MASN is pretty safe with them. Now DirecTV has boosted their HD channel lineup, and that might get some more to switch from cable or E*, to D*. We'll see what happens there. By next March, we could have HD viewers 50% cable, 25% D*, 15% E*, and the rest OTA. Even if 25-30% have D* locally, how many of those will actually block out SD channels (or even know that's possible)? 15%? 20%? What if (and this applies with a lot more than you think) there's a show that's SD-only that the local subscriber wants to watch? Will they block out the channel anyway? If even 20% of D* HD subscribers block out SD channels, and 25% of HDTV owners are D* subscibers, that's 5% of total HDTV viewers that won't "see" MASN. Now if we add on SDTV-only owners, this means that even if 30% of all households have HDTVs, that means a grand total of 1.5% of total potential MASN viewers won't see the channel. The cost to go HD right now would cost a whole lot more than the potential lost revenue that would come from those subscribers. So the idea if going HD to avoid an SD guide-block is 100% ludicrous.

We'll also see how quickly people migrate to HD in the first place. We might be in a different ballgame (no pun intended) by next March, with many people probably going HD this Christmas season. By then, we could have 40% HD penetration. MASN may vvery well evaluate the situation and determine that it's best to go HD for the 2008 season, that it will net them the most profit. However, if they feel that this isn't possible, then they will wait, like it or not. It's easy to diss MASN if they choose to wait until after the 2008 Os season to go HD, but if they feel that it will net them more money, they'll wait. Remember that businesses are out, first and foremost, to make a profit. There are leaders and there are followers in business. You can lead and purchase inferior equipment for more money, or you can be a follower and purchase better equipment and save money. Some businesses lead (like CBS with their pioneering NFL HD games, and WUSA by going HD news so soon), and others follow (WJLA and MASN by being wary anout switching to HD), and it looks like at least WJLA is benefitting in their bottom line by following. Their ratings are still good, they're still SD, and it'll probably be a while longer before they go HD news.

I will continue to think that MASN's story is an excuse and nothing more. There are a lot of eyeballs without Comcast over the entire territory.Comcast has a basically exclusive cable reach on all local jurisdictions except Fairfax County and Fredericksburg (who Cox serves). They have a good 70%+ of cable's eyeballs. RCN, FiOS, et al, are superminority players.

And your argument sounds a awful lot like the stuff we heard from WJLA even up to the week before they got Jeopardy and Wheel in HD. In other words, until they actually HAD HD, they said it wasn't worth it. Once they got it? Nothing.In that case, Robert stated that Sony and KingWorld gave WJLA enough incentives that the switch to HD was worth it financially. From what I can gather, KingWorld probably gave their "Merv Griffin's Crosswords" show free for a year, while Sony basically "paid" for temporary HD recording and playback equipment (their XDCAM cameras and deck equipment). Note that just before the switch to HD, the station was delivered enough Sony XDCAM cameras to equip the entire reporting team. Sony probably gave a pretty sizeable discount on those cameras to get the station to switch, and remember, Sony produces WOF and J!.

The Ravens/Bungles game on WUSA*9 HD looks like crap. The Cowboys/Giants game in 720p looks twice as sharp as WUSA*9's 1080i picture.

This is comcast in Loudoun County, BTW. Anyone else experiencing the same thing?

The Ravens/Bungles game on WUSA*9 HD looks like crap. The Cowboys/Giants game in 720p looks twice as sharp as WUSA*9's 1080i picture.

This is comcast in Loudoun County, BTW. Anyone else experiencing the same thing?

The picture quality is on par with the teams on the field. :D

I am having issues with FIOS HD in Arlington.

Most of network HD channels say "Currently Unavailable". NBC, CBS, FOX, etc...

Anyone seeing this? I am on hold with verizon tech support...

Comcast has a basically exclusive cable reach on all local jurisdictions except Fairfax County and Fredericksburg (who Cox serves). They have a good 70%+ of cable's eyeballs. RCN, FiOS, et al, are superminority players.

Really? What about Anne Arundel county which has Millenium. And Fios is not a superminority player. Are you counting DirecTV and Dish as superminority, too?

Comcast is not the only monkey in the trees around here.

All the arguments you are pushing for not having HD (the old red herring about WUSA's newscasts) hold true for ALL HD broadcasts. Why do any exist based upon this theory that HD does nothing for ratings. Why are all the ads for Dish and DirecTV and Comcast talking about HD? These are all businesses who decided that HD was worth the money. I'll side with the big companies making a ton of money on HD over the piddling MASN owned by Peter Angelos and the PR deficited Nationals.

The picture quality is on par with the teams on the field. :D

at this point in the season I think I'd rather watch high school rather than the ravens they would play better.

I am having issues with FIOS HD in Arlington.

Most of network HD channels say "Currently Unavailable". NBC, CBS, FOX, etc...

Anyone seeing this? I am on hold with verizon tech support...

No problems in Arlington

Some new channels added to Comcast in New Market, MD outside Frederick, MD.
On the guide I am showing the following:
773 NFLHD
800 HRTV (horse racing tv) WTF
801 GOLTV Sabla espanol?
802 NBATV
803 CSTV
804 NFL
805 NHLTV
It seems like maybe a tier may be needed to access these channels because when I try to select them, the dreaded Not Authorized message comes up. I know others here in this thread have told me to wait and see what Comcast would be adding. Did anyone else get these channels or others, and do you know if it will take an extra package for me to authorize them other than digital and hd. Thanks, Rob


Just an update. I called Comcast and these new channels are part of the sports package. It gives you the above channels and golf channel, outdoor channel, fox cs atlantic, central, and pacific. This was worth it for the $2 a month for the 1st 6 months and then $5 after that. The rep also said that three more channels will be added by mid Dec. including cstvhd and fsnhd, although she seemed a bit confused what she was telling me. When I asked her about when Comcast Sports net HD would be avail for my area, she said a "bunch" of channels will be added by jan 2008. We'll see. Anyone out there know more??? Not quite the Directv or Verizon HD hype, but my options are limited oh so much without Verizon DSL for internet.

Did something change at WRC this weekend? I noticed that my DVR didn't get any of the shows set up to record since Friday and I can't seem to pull in the station anymore.

In that case, Robert stated that Sony and KingWorld gave WJLA enough incentives that the switch to HD was worth it financially. From what I can gather, KingWorld probably gave their "Merv Griffin's Crosswords" show free for a year, while Sony basically "paid" for temporary HD recording and playback equipment (their XDCAM cameras and deck equipment). Note that just before the switch to HD, the station was delivered enough Sony XDCAM cameras to equip the entire reporting team. Sony probably gave a pretty sizeable discount on those cameras to get the station to switch, and remember, Sony produces WOF and J!.

The Sony and Kingworld incentives crack was a joke. I got a free lunch and a Sony pen. ;) We took advantage of our XDCam deal to dedicate a player and put it online for this show.

Crosswords was 'ordered' two years ago, before HD Jeopardy even began.

Sony gave a normal discount on the XDCams (other, larger groups, got even more points off), but that had no bearing on programming purchases. Sony Television is a different division than Sony Broadcast, and Kingworld does their own deals and takes little 'direction' from up top. Roger King still calls the shots.

And your argument sounds a awful lot like the stuff we heard from WJLA even up to the week before they got Jeopardy and Wheel in HD. In other words, until they actually HAD HD, they said it wasn't worth it. Once they got it? Nothing.

If you look at it from a management point of view, the way we have to get Jeopardy HD to show onto 7.1, costs us more in manhours EVERY DAY (read run it manually and someone pushing a play button), then it will deliver in ADDITIONAL REVENUE.

We got a good deal from Sony on XDCam and dedicated a machine to the process, its still a PITA to get it to the home viewer.

I couldn't find anything here or in the HDTV programming forum about why the BC/MD prime time ABC game wasn't in HD. I thought all the 8pm ABC games (even though they may be regional) were in HD, esp. one with a top-10 team playing.

Or did WJLA just forget to flip the switch? *ducks* :-)
-Mike

It wasn't WJLA. The game was in SD in Baltimore. I guess having Kansas and USC games in HD at the same time was too much and they couldn't have 3 HD games in the same 8pm E time slot.

Rich N.

We got a good deal from Sony on XDCam and dedicated a machine to the process, its still a PITA to get it to the home viewer.
But very much appreciated. Do other stations showing Wheel and Jeopardy! in HD have to go thru the same hoops (if you know anybody say up in NY) Robert, or is the setup at ABC-7?

It wasn't WJLA. The game was in SD in Baltimore. I guess having Kansas and USC games in HD at the same time was too much and they couldn't have 3 HD games in the same 8pm E time slot.
Both the 3:30 and 8pm games shown locally were not listed as HD in my DirecTV guide. I blame ESPN (formerly "ABC Sports") here as they do the same thing with some college hoops games that do not go to as large an audience.

Did something change at WRC this weekend? I noticed that my DVR didn't get any of the shows set up to record since Friday and I can't seem to pull in the station anymore.
WRC-DT 4 was there last night when I tuned to it OTA. You might want to do a rescan or manually tune to 48.1, the actual broadcast channel for WRC-DT. It is possible that bad PSIP data messed up your tuner map. If that does not work, you may want to check the antenna aim and maybe tweak it a little.

But very much appreciated. Do other stations showing Wheel and Jeopardy! in HD have to go thru the same hoops (if you know anybody say up in NY) Robert, or is the setup at ABC-7?


Its unique to us. Its basically a tape machine (yes, I know its a disk), and running servers and tape machines at the same time to hit the segments and commercials with 1 second of each other is tricky.

It will go away next year when we jump into the deep end of the pool.

It's easy to diss MASN if they choose to wait until after the 2008 Os season to go HD, but if they feel that it will net them more money, they'll wait. Remember that businesses are out, first and foremost, to make a profit.
I may regret replying to this, but I'll go ahead anyway. If MASN does not offer a HD channel for the 2008 season, the Os and the National will be the ONLY MLB teams that are not on a regional sports network with a HD channel. In the 2007 season, there were only 3 teams that were not on RSN with a HD channel. The third was the Kansas City Royals who are moving to a Fox SN next year which will have a HD channel with some games in HD. Of course, most of the RSNs are providing mostly only home games in HD. Some of the more heeled teams and sports networks have taken steps to provide more road games in HD, at least for the closer cities or prime rival franchises. The bottom line is that the RSNs for 28 of the 30 MLB teams have decided that it is worthwhile to provide a HD channel to get the HD viewers and protect their investment in the broadcast rights as HD goes mainstream.

Meanwhile MASN is still doing this maybe we will, maybe we won't have HD channel bit in their public statements. I chalk this up to Peter Angelos' waffling management style because this is how he has been running the Os (into the ground) for the past decade. I think MASN will have a HD channel by the start of the 2008 MLB season, but there will be only MASN-HD which will carry one team or the other in HD. Probably no MASN2-HD until 2009.

Does Comcast in Arlington have any plans to add ESPNU?

If 28/30 teams broadcast home games in HD, then every MLB game next season will be broadcast in HD with the exception of 162 games (81 each) that are played in DC and Baltimore! At least we can see the Nats and O's in HD when they are on the road! ;)

I may regret replying to this, but I'll go ahead anyway. If MASN does not offer a HD channel for the 2008 season, the Os and the National will be the ONLY MLB teams that are not on a regional sports network with a HD channel. In the 2007 season, there were only 3 teams that were not on RSN with a HD channel. The third was the Kansas City Royals who are moving to a Fox SN next year which will have a HD channel with some games in HD. Of course, most of the RSNs are providing mostly only home games in HD. Some of the more heeled teams and sports networks have taken steps to provide more road games in HD, at least for the closer cities or prime rival franchises. The bottom line is that the RSNs for 28 of the 30 MLB teams have decided that it is worthwhile to provide a HD channel to get the HD viewers and protect their investment in the broadcast rights as HD goes mainstream.

Does Comcast in Arlington have any plans to add ESPNU?

Comcast has no plans to add ESPNU anywhere. ESPN wants it on the basic or basic digital and Comcast wants it on its sports tier. Until that gets resolved it won't be anywhere on Comcast.

Rich N.

Is anyone else having trouble with the PSIP data for WDCW-DT? According to my receiver, as I'm typing this it is about 7:30pm. That's the only channel that shows the incorrect time. Every other channel shows the right program info, time, and date. Channel 50 shows "No Title" for the show and a time that is 6 hours fast. Also, the signals for WRC-DT and WTTG-DT seem weaker than before. It's still at around 90% but the slightest change in the antenna position and the picture breaks up. Last, are there any updates on a full power date for WUTB-DT?

Its unique to us. Its basically a tape machine (yes, I know its a disk), and running servers and tape machines at the same time to hit the segments and commercials with 1 second of each other is tricky.

I will go away next year when we jump into the deep end of the pool.

Hey Robert -

Does that mean there will be an opening? I can send a resume!

;-)

Mark

Comcast has no plans to add ESPNU anywhere. ESPN wants it on the basic or basic digital and Comcast wants it on its sports tier. Until that gets resolved it won't be anywhere on Comcast.

Rich N.

They may want to be on the base tier, but apparently that is not mandatory. They are on the sports tier on DirecTV.

If 28/30 teams broadcast home games in HD, then every MLB game next season will be broadcast in HD with the exception of 162 games (81 each) that are played in DC and Baltimore! At least we can see the Nats and O's in HD when they are on the road! ;)

I hope the smiley face meant a joke since locals won't get out of market broadcasts, no how, no way (legally, at least).

They may want to be on the base tier, but apparently that is not mandatory. They are on the sports tier on DirecTV.

It is the case for cable, basic/digital basic only ... Comcast said they can launch any day they want on the sports tier and ESPN has said no dice.

If you look at it from a management point of view, the way we have to get Jeopardy HD to show onto 7.1, costs us more in manhours EVERY DAY (read run it manually and someone pushing a play button), then it will deliver in ADDITIONAL REVENUE.

We got a good deal from Sony on XDCam and dedicated a machine to the process, its still a PITA to get it to the home viewer.

Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hey Robert -

Does that mean there will be an opening? I can send a resume!

;-)

Mark


I fixed the typo. BTW, your IQ is too high to work here. :)

Is anyone else having trouble with the PSIP data for WDCW-DT? According to my receiver, as I'm typing this it is about 7:30pm. That's the only channel that shows the incorrect time. Every other channel shows the right program info, time, and date. Channel 50 shows "No Title" for the show and a time that is 6 hours fast. Also, the signals for WRC-DT and WTTG-DT seem weaker than before. It's still at around 90% but the slightest change in the antenna position and the picture breaks up. Last, are there any updates on a full power date for WUTB-DT?
The displayed time for WDCW-DT 50 is off by some 6 hours. I also don't see any program info showing up for the programming. Someone should email or call them to let them know their programming info data is messed up, in case they don't know it.

As for WUTB-DT My 24, the station was granted a final 6 month extension to the "Use or Lose" waiver on going full power on their digital signal back in May. Any extensions after this will require a vote from the FCC board itself. Looking it up, the release date of the FCC order was May 18 and I read the wording as the deadline is 6 months from the release date of the order. Which would be November 18. So unless Fox, the owner of WUTB, has filed a request for another extension, if WUTB-DT is not at full power by next Monday - as I understand it - they could lose the rights to broadcast over a larger area than that reached by their weak 530 Watt signal. The clock is ticking. This could be interesting if WUTB-DT is still at low power on Monday.

WHUT-DT 33 was on the same list of stations that were granted a final 6 month extension as WUTB-DT 24. So that is why the Howard University owned WHUT-DT went on the air several weeks ago. So they are now in compliance, but not the Fox Broadcasting owned WUTB-DT 24. A little odd.

Tony,

I was a little bit of both. If you are a D* subscriber, you can get all the local sports networks for about $10/month in the sports packages.

Why can't the two teams from one of the largest markets in the US get HD?!? :mad:

Oh well....

Jim

I hope the smiley face meant a joke since locals won't get out of market broadcasts, no how, no way (legally, at least).

Tony,

I was a little bit of both. If you are a D* subscriber, you can get all the local sports networks for about $10/month in the sports packages.

Why can't the two teams from one of the largest markets in the US get HD?!? :mad:

Oh well....

Jim

$$$$$

Looks like the ink is still wet with DirectTV's meeting with Viacom. D* has added 5 new Viacom HD channels today.

Nickelodeon (NIK1HD) 299
Spike HD 325
Country Music Television (CMTHD) 327
MTV HD 331
VH1 HD 335

They also added a handful of RSNs from out of our area. Those RSNs are part time and only show HD during games (like E* does now). I wonder how much of the new additions will be True HD and how much will be SD on a HD channel?

I couldn't find anything here or in the HDTV programming forum about why the BC/MD prime time ABC game wasn't in HD. I thought all the 8pm ABC games (even though they may be regional) were in HD, esp. one with a top-10 team playing.

Or did WJLA just forget to flip the switch? *ducks* :-)
-Mike

ABC had an SD truck in College Park.

Tony,

I was a little bit of both. If you are a D* subscriber, you can get all the local sports networks for about $10/month in the sports packages.

Why can't the two teams from one of the largest markets in the US get HD?!? :mad:

Oh well....

Jim

But the MLB games are not included in that package. You have to sign up for Extra Innings. And you won't get out of market Orioles or Nationals games anyway. The O's and Nats own the local rights and the out of market broadcasts are blacked out.

(I am a DirecTV sub with the Sports Pack, EI, NFL Sunday Ticket and more.)

I couldn't find anything here or in the HDTV programming forum about why the BC/MD prime time ABC game wasn't in HD. I thought all the 8pm ABC games (even though they may be regional) were in HD, esp. one with a top-10 team playing.

Or did WJLA just forget to flip the switch? *ducks* :-)
-Mike

ABC can only do 2 HD games at the same time. There were 4 (I think) games on 8pm this past Saturday.

New HD and SD channels for Comcast in Frederick County, MD effective 12/11. A former Adelphia area. Includes USA HD and Sci Fi HD.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19445173-New-cable-lineup-coming-to-Frederick-MD-on-December-11th

New HD and SD channels for Comcast in Frederick County, MD effective 12/11. A former Adelphia area. Includes USA HD and Sci Fi HD.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19445173-New-cable-lineup-coming-to-Frederick-MD-on-December-11th

I wonder if any of the former Adelphia areas in NVA will get the same...

Your lineup, numerically, is identical to mine (Loudoun).

You'll have 5 new HD channels that I won't (Food, HG, SciFi, USA, PPV).

Your lineup, numerically, is identical to mine (Loudoun).

You'll have 5 new HD channels that I won't (Food, HG, SciFi, USA, PPV).

I'm in Baltimore City. No word on Sci Fi or USA yet.

FYI:

As of this morning, the free preview included the HD versions of Showtime (853), TMC (854) and Starz (855).

<snip>
As for WUTB-DT My 24, the station was granted a final 6 month extension to the "Use or Lose" waiver on going full power on their digital signal back in May. Any extensions after this will require a vote from the FCC board itself. Looking it up, the release date of the FCC order was May 18 and I read the wording as the deadline is 6 months from the release date of the order. Which would be November 18. So unless Fox, the owner of WUTB, has filed a request for another extension, if WUTB-DT is not at full power by next Monday - as I understand it - they could lose the rights to broadcast over a larger area than that reached by their weak 530 Watt signal. The clock is ticking. This could be interesting if WUTB-DT is still at low power on Monday.
<snip>


While I don't know exactly when it's going to be finished, I do know that WUTB is actively working on their full-power upgrade right now. There's a lot of activity going on at the transmitter site. I wouldn't expect them to be finished for a month or so, however.

LOL.

Comcast Sports Net is starting to tout its HD over "the other channel."

Maybe MASN will answer back. Maybe not.

But it is funny to hear Comcast bashing MASN when most of their promotional brochures have MASN plastered all over them.

I spoke by telephone with a lead engineer at WHUT-DT on Tuesday. I told him that I was positive that I was not receiving any PSIP on 33.1 for a signal that was 95+ for me in Olney, MD. I explained that I was unable to scan and map 33.1 to 32-01 and that there wasn't any program description. He professed genuine surprise at my discovery saying that this was the very first time that he had heard about a possible problem of no PSIP. He told me that he wasn't even aware of any such problem because there is a line-of-sight large building blocking most of WHUT-DT's digital signal from its digital transmitter to the his HU studio.

Because of this, he told me that WHUT-DT must temporarily depend on one of the other transmitter's tenants to merge WHUT-DT's PSIP onto the WHUT-DT's digital signal. I won't say which station he mentioned but WHUT-DT does share this tower with WETA-DT and WUSA-DT. He said that it would be several more months before WHUT-DT could remotely control its own PSIP by itself.

Needless to say, he was very annoyed at the lack of the PSIP and sincerely thanked me several times for calling it to his attention. He told me that as soon as we concluded our conversation, he would be contacting the engineers of that other station he had been depending upon since WHUT-DT initiated its digital service.

I hope that I helped him out. We'll soon see.

Thanks for that post Steve. I can't get this station at all on my Dish 622, and I'm certain that this is due to the PSIP issues.

I spoke by telephone with a lead engineer at WHUT-DT on Tuesday. I told him that I was positive that I was not receiving any PSIP on 33.1 for a signal that was 95+ for me in Olney, MD. I explained that I was unable to scan and map 33.1 to 32-01 and that there wasn't any program description. He professed genuine surprise at my discovery saying that this was the very first time that he had heard about a possible problem of no PSIP. He told me that he wasn't even aware of any such problem because there is a line-of-sight large building blocking most of WHUT-DT's digital signal from its digital transmitter to the his HU studio.
Wouldn't he want to check his own station signal? Is that hard to go to a friends house or take a laptop with a $100 ATSC USB tuner plug-in and check to see what his station is putting out on the digital channel? Call someone and ask them to take a look at the WHUT-DT channel? :confused:

Anyway, we should check WHUT-DT 33 to see when they fix the channel mapping issue. The programming description information is more work as someone has to provide and update all that data on a regular basis.

BTW, Mark, thanks for the WUTB-DT 24 update. There may be some 30 days from the date of the FCC notice fudge factor in there. So WUTB-DT 24 will finally go full power in the next month or so and we can finally say that all the full power stations in Baltimore and DC are at their currently licensed nominal full power on their digital signal as well. WHAG-DT NBC 25 in Hagerstown will be at low power until close to or after the analog shutdown, but that is out of market for most of us here.

He told me that as soon as we concluded our conversation, he would be contacting the engineers of that other station he had been depending upon since WHUT-DT initiated its digital service.

I hope that I helped him out. We'll soon see.
Your phone call actually made a difference! I just checked and WHUT-DT 32 now maps to 32.1 from the broadcast channel 33. There is now also a program description, although it was for the wrong program. So they still need to fix that, but this is progress.

Your phone call actually made a difference! I just checked and WHUT-DT 32 now maps to 32.1 from the broadcast channel 33. There is now also a program description, although it was for the wrong program. So they still need to fix that, but this is progress.

Yeah, how about that! I too just mapped 32-1 onto my 622. Full program description and station call letters. Bigger than life full SD 480i on 32-1! Wow!

I just achieved my 15 minutes of fame! ;) [modest bow]

Yeah, how about that! I too just mapped 32-1 onto my 622. Full program description and station call letters... I just achieved my 15 minutes of fame! ;) [modest bow]

Funny thing, WETA-DT program data also reappeared, and the time is correct now, too. Just a coincidence, Stephen?

Funny thing, WETA-DT program data also reappeared, and the time is correct now, too. Just a coincidence, Stephen?

That is so funny. Thanks for sharing that.

I said before that I didn't want to divulge which station sharing WHUT-DT's digital tower was remiss in not physically merging WHUT-DT's PSIP onto their signal like they were supposed to do. ;)

But, with WUSA-DT and WETA-DT sharing the tower with WHUT-DT, I guess that a degree in electrical engineering will not be required in order to figure it out anymore now that the culprit has tipped their own hand! :eek:

I wonder if the FCC would laugh, as well? After all, it happened right under their own noses in their home and HQ city on local DTV! I guess they just don't watch Channel 32, do they? :D

I wonder if the FCC would laugh, as well? After all, it happened right under their own noses in their home and HQ city on local DTV! I guess they just don't watch Channel 32, do they? :D

Does anyone? LOL!

Anybody know why WJLA did not show the Va Tech - Miami game in HD today? Other markets carried the game in HD, so the feed was available.

It was in HD on WMAR.

I know the PSU/MSU game on ESPN shifted to SD for a while.

I was hoping to see others with this issue here, but I don't see it anywhere...

We have Comcast digital in Harford County. Until this week, all the HD channels worked fine. Now, ESPN-HD (252) and Comcast Sportsnet HD (251) are full of breakups and sound dropouts. All the other HD channels are fine. It has been getting progressively worse all week. ESPN was at least watchable till this evening, now its a total mess!! No one else is seeing this??

That is so funny. Thanks for sharing that.
But, with WUSA-DT and WETA-DT sharing the tower with WHUT-DT, I guess that a degree in electrical engineering will not be required in order to figure it out anymore now that the culprit has tipped their own hand! :eek::D

Even funnier - don't know why we didn't notice this before - the program guide for 32-1 is identical to the guide on 26-1.

By the way, I DO have a degree in electrical engineering.

Even funnier - don't know why we didn't notice this before - the program guide for 32-1 is identical to the guide on 26-1.

LOL! That is absolutely bizarre! This keeps getting better and better!

By the way, I DO have a degree in electrical engineering.

I hope that you didn't take offense. Certainly, none was meant.

I was hoping to see others with this issue here, but I don't see it anywhere...

We have Comcast digital in Harford County. Until this week, all the HD channels worked fine. Now, ESPN-HD (252) and Comcast Sportsnet HD (251) are full of breakups and sound dropouts. All the other HD channels are fine. It has been getting progressively worse all week. ESPN was at least watchable till this evening, now its a total mess!! No one else is seeing this??

I am in Harford and have no problems. You need a service visit.

GoIrish

I was hoping to see others with this issue here, but I don't see it anywhere...

We have Comcast digital in Harford County. Until this week, all the HD channels worked fine. Now, ESPN-HD (252) and Comcast Sportsnet HD (251) are full of breakups and sound dropouts. All the other HD channels are fine. It has been getting progressively worse all week. ESPN was at least watchable till this evening, now its a total mess!! No one else is seeing this??

Ok, never mind, appears to have been some kind of crosstalk between my power and signal cables. I have a lot connected, especially since adding my Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD player. Moved the cables a bit and the problem went away.

Anybody know why WJLA did not show the Va Tech - Miami game in HD today? Other markets carried the game in HD, so the feed was available.

No, but I was FURIOUS. Talk about asleep at the switch. Thanks, WJLA.

Anybody know why WJLA did not show the Va Tech - Miami game in HD today? Other markets carried the game in HD, so the feed was available.
Must have been the same crew that forgot to show "Men In Trees" in HD for several weeks about a month ago... :mad: WJLA has more problems than all the other local stations combined. Time to call the station again!

I hope that you didn't take offense. Certainly, none was meant.

None taken. I thought it was an amusing coincidence. Actually, most of the people on this forum know more about the subject than most EEs.

Guys, I live in Arlington and I've been having a problem that is driving me nuts and I'm hoping that someone on this thread can explain what might be happening. In short, every time I watch a channel such as ESPNHD on my Samsung 4061F the scrolling ticker at the bottom will sometimes do a slight "jump or jerk" to the left by one or two characters. Also, when watching sporting events sometimes it will seem like the screen will do a split second "pause/jerk" and then catch up to the action again. This split second pause (it's very quick) is very annoying. I'm using Verizon FiOS through a Motorola HD box using an HDMI cable.

I've done about everything I can to isolate the issue. I burned a DVD of a "good" ESPN ticker and my TV seemed to handle this fine. I've also noticed that on my Standard Def set upstairs sometimes the picture will "raise up" about a half inch and the drop back down again in a split second (I had to tape this on TiVO and then play it back to see what was going on). I've also had pixelation going on in both the HD and SD sets.

My Samsung 4061F had the repair service where they replaced the mainboard and power supply about a month ago. I'm starting to think maybe it is the Verizon FiOS signal. The interesting thing, however, is that I was over at a friends house who recently bought a Samsung Plasma and he was having the exact same issues (e.g., the ESPNHD scrolling ticker would 'jerk' to the left and the screen seemed to do a split second pause or jerk just as mine) but he has Comcast service. I've also noticed this problem is a much more pronounced sense sometimes when I'm watching television on a flat screen at an airport.

I guess my question is whether anyone else has experienced this watching the ESPN ticker or have seen anything like this watching sporting events? Given some of the tests I've done I'm starting to think (hope) it's not the TV.

Please help! I'm not sure where else to turn. Does anybody have any idea what might be going on? By the way, I've also tried all of the different sources (e.g., Component, AV, HDMI2, etc.) and always the same thing. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. I need to figure this thing out.

I don't notice anything like that with my four HDTiVos on FIOS with cable cards. I haven't used the FIOS HD STB for anything but Video On Demand, but I haven't noticed anything there either.

In short, every time I watch a channel such as ESPNHD on my Samsung 4061F the scrolling ticker at the bottom will sometimes do a slight "jump or jerk" to the left by one or two characters. Also, when watching sporting events sometimes it will seem like the screen will do a split second "pause/jerk" and then catch up to the action again. This split second pause (it's very quick) is very annoying. I'm using Verizon FiOS through a Motorola HD box using an HDMI cable.
I have not seen this problem, but if it occurs only once in a while, I probably would have paid little attention to it. How often is "sometimes" for the what sounds like a very short dropout?

If you have gone through all the connections and setting options, have you swapped out the Motorola 6416 DVR? The DVR is always recording the program to the hard drive and your unit may have some hardware problems that result in momentary dropouts.

The sound dropouts may occur once every day for a second or two (what I notice). The ticker seems to "jump" to the left every 40 seconds or so if I'm watching ESPN, CNN, etc. The most annoying part is when I'm watching sports and there is that slight pause/jerk that occurs. I was wondering if this is the infamous "judder" that people talk about as I'm fairly new to HDTV but reading this board it doesn't seem like a big issue. I did swamp out the Motorola for a new box but the new box does the same thing. The interesting thing is that my SD box just once in a while (maybe twice a night if I'm watching) has the same jerkiness to the ticker. It's because the SD and HD TV show the same jerkiness that I thought it was the FiOS signal. But, I have seen this on my friends television who uses Comcast in DC. Just wondering to see if others have this same issue or may know what is going on?

That is so funny. Thanks for sharing that.

I said before that I didn't want to divulge which station sharing WHUT-DT's digital tower was remiss in not physically merging WHUT-DT's PSIP onto their signal like they were supposed to do. ;)

But, with WUSA-DT and WETA-DT sharing the tower with WHUT-DT, I guess that a degree in electrical engineering will not be required in order to figure it out anymore now that the culprit has tipped their own hand! :eek:

The UHF antenna is shared with WUSA-DT, WJLA-DT, WHUT-DT and WETA-DT. All I'll say the only connection from WETA and WHUT with WJLA and WUSA is at the combiner. Nuff said!

Apologies in advance if this question has been asked before. I'm a newbie and I browsed through a good number of posts but haven't found the answer to my question. I live in a high-rise apartment in downtown Washington, DC whose rooftop antenna sorely needs updating (OTA reception of HDTV is spotty at best). For HDTV content, I only (mostly) care for broadcast networks--e.g., WRC, WJLA, WUSA. My question is, will I be able to get HDTV channels with just basic cable (I believe these are called "clear to air" channels)? If yes, which channels are these? If not, what is the absolute minimum Comcast service that I should subscribe to? Thanks in advance for the help.

i had the same thing with my samsung. you can get a firmware update that fixes the problem...call tech support, it can be emailed to you. also see this link...
http://samsungplasmatvfaq.com/index.php/Main_Page
you can dl the updates from here too


The sound dropouts may occur once every day for a second or two (what I notice). The ticker seems to "jump" to the left every 40 seconds or so if I'm watching ESPN, CNN, etc. The most annoying part is when I'm watching sports and there is that slight pause/jerk that occurs. I was wondering if this is the infamous "judder" that people talk about as I'm fairly new to HDTV but reading this board it doesn't seem like a big issue. I did swamp out the Motorola for a new box but the new box does the same thing. The interesting thing is that my SD box just once in a while (maybe twice a night if I'm watching) has the same jerkiness to the ticker. It's because the SD and HD TV show the same jerkiness that I thought it was the FiOS signal. But, I have seen this on my friends television who uses Comcast in DC. Just wondering to see if others have this same issue or may know what is going on?

I live in a high-rise apartment in downtown Washington, DC whose rooftop antenna sorely needs updating (OTA reception of HDTV is spotty at best). For HDTV content, I only (mostly) care for broadcast networks--e.g., WRC, WJLA, WUSA. My question is, will I be able to get HDTV channels with just basic cable (I believe these are called "clear to air" channels)? If yes, which channels are these? If not, what is the absolute minimum Comcast service that I should subscribe to? Thanks in advance for the help.
Yes, the HD local stations will be in the clear. These are part of a basic cable tier. Comcast is likely to charge you extra for a HD STB and a HD tier; someone more familiar with the Comcast pricing in DC needs to answer that. But the digital version of the local broadcast stations, IF they are provided, are required by the FCC to be sent in the clear. So if you have a HD TV with a QAM tuner you should be able to get the broadcast networks: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CW, PBS in HD. However, unless Comcast is passing on the PSIP data, these channels will be at odd locations such as QAM channel 97.2, 103.4, and so on.

Yes, the HD local stations will be in the clear. These are part of a basic cable tier. Comcast is likely to charge you extra for a HD STB and a HD tier; someone more familiar with the Comcast pricing in DC needs to answer that. But the digital version of the local broadcast stations, IF they are provided, are required by the FCC to be sent in the clear. So if you have a HD TV with a QAM tuner you should be able to get the broadcast networks: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CW, PBS in HD. However, unless Comcast is passing on the PSIP data, these channels will be at odd locations such as QAM channel 97.2, 103.4, and so on.

Around here the stations on Comcast show up on the right channel from a TV with a QAM tuner. Sometimes the sub channel number was off a bit, like 7.6, but they were mapped to the correct main channel number.

Even funnier - don't know why we didn't notice this before - the program guide for 32-1 is identical to the guide on 26-1.

The sad saga continues. Channel 32-1, WHUT-DT continues to mirror the identical program guide of Channel 26-1, WETA-HD on the WHUT-DT OTA signal. I say it is sad, because the good people at WHUT-DT probably have no idea of what is going on because they are either unable or unwilling to monitor their own signal or programming.

WHUT-DT depends upon the people at WETA to help them, WHUT, with their PSIP and this is what they, WHUT, appear to get in return. I'm not pointing any fingers but someone appears to be screwing up someplace. I'd like to tell WHUT-DT what is going on but it is so damned difficult to reach a live human at their engineering dept. without getting an automated voice which then asks you to leave a message.

Should I care since it was I who originally alerted WHUT-DT about their missing PSIP?

BTW, my Dish 622 DVR has not picked up any program guide information of any kind whatsoever for WHUT-DT now newly mapped onto 32-01 from OTA 33.1, as of yet. The EPG now simply reads "Digital Service". Not even programming belonging to 26-01, WETA-HD, described in my previous post, is showing up.

The EPG does feature full program descriptions for WHUT-TV Channel 32-00 analog programming, which is a subscribed and supplied local channel from Dish. I will make the assumption that programming on WHUT-TV and WHUT-DT is identical.

Does anybody else show anything or anything different at all for programming descriptions for WHUT-DT, Channel 32-1 in DC on their Dish or DirecTV receivers?

Last time I checked, DirecTV had yet to add 32.1 to their program guide and I'm not sure how you can even tune in the station until that happens. My other OTA HDTV gets a great signal though, and it does map to 32.1.

BTW, my Dish 622 DVR has not picked up any program guide information of any kind whatsoever for WHUT-DT now newly mapped onto 32-01 from OTA 33.1, as of yet. The EPG now simply reads "Digital Service". Not even programming belonging to 26-01, WETA-HD, described in my previous post, is showing up.

The EPG does feature full program descriptions for WHUT-TV Channel 32-00 analog programming, which is a subscribed and supplied local channel from Dish. I will make the assumption that programming on WHUT-TV and WHUT-DT is identical.

Does anybody else show anything or anything different at all for programming descriptions for WHUT-DT, Channel 32-1 in DC on their Dish or DirecTV receivers?

Last time I checked, DirecTV had yet to add 32.1 to their program guide and I'm not sure how you can even tune in the station until that happens. My other OTA HDTV gets a great signal though, and it does map to 32.1.

The DishNetwork allows you to subscribe to certain local OTA digital and analog channels that they carry within your MSA based upon your ZIP code. I am approximately 15 miles from most of the Washington channels and about 25 miles from those of Baltimore. Dish allows me to subscribe to the greater Washington MSA analog locals for Channels 4, 5, 7, 9, 14, 20, 25, 26, 32, 42, 50, 53, 56, and 68 and the digital locals for Channels 4, 5, 7, and 9. Dish will not allow me to subscribe to ANY of the Baltimore MSA designated area analog and digital locals which include Channels 2, 11, 13, 22, 24, 45, and 54 because my ZIP code places me within the greater Washington MSA.

The Dish digital receivers are different than the DirecTV digital receivers. The Dish VIP-622 will allow me to scan and map ANY digital-only OTA channel onto my EPG regardless of whatever analog or digital channels that Dish has or hasn't downloaded onto my EPG included in my local channel package. This means that I can and have already downloaded every available digital channel within range of my antenna onto my 622 EPG within the Washington-Baltimore region including digital Channels 14, 22, 24, 30, 32, 57, and 66.

Even though Dish will not allow me to subscribe to the Baltimore area analog and digital locals, I am still able to download all of the Baltimore area OTA digital channels onto my EPG. What is also very interesting is that I do receive full program information for every OTA digital channel and sub-channel that I can download as long as its sister analog channel is provided and serviced to a particular ZIP by Dish whether I subscribe to it or not. Which also means that since Dish does not provide analog Channel 66 in Manassas to the Washington region local channel package or any place else for that matter, I cannot receive any program information on my EPG for digital channels 66.1, 66.2, 66.3, and 66.4. Also, it is my understanding that the VIP-622 will not supply ANY programming information of any kind for any channel whatsoever if you do not subscribe to your available Dish local channels package.

But, since Dish does supply program information for analog Channel 32, is any Dish sub on this board receiving any programming information, correct or incorrect, for Channel 32-01 on their digital receiver's EPG?

afiggatt and aaronwt: Thanks so much--I'm all set!

Yes, the HD local stations will be in the clear. These are part of a basic cable tier. Comcast is likely to charge you extra for a HD STB and a HD tier; someone more familiar with the Comcast pricing in DC needs to answer that. But the digital version of the local broadcast stations, IF they are provided, are required by the FCC to be sent in the clear. So if you have a HD TV with a QAM tuner you should be able to get the broadcast networks: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CW, PBS in HD. However, unless Comcast is passing on the PSIP data, these channels will be at odd locations such as QAM channel 97.2, 103.4, and so on.

Around here the stations on Comcast show up on the right channel from a TV with a QAM tuner. Sometimes the sub channel number was off a bit, like 7.6, but they were mapped to the correct main channel number.

Hi All,
I tried as many combination of search words and such to find out this info, but could only get bits and pieces. So I figured I would ask. I apologize if this is plainly explained in a post and I missed it. So here goes.

Finally upgraded to an HDTV. I've had the an HD projector in the basement for a while for HD DVD, but the TV was working fine, so I couldn't bring myself to swap it out. Until now. Anyway, here is my question. I have FIOS TV and all of the HD broadcast channels for the most part (I get DC stations WJLA, WUSA, etc..) don't fill the screen (black bars on either side, but not 4:3). From the posts I have gotten back in search, I guess they are 14:9? So even though FIOS lists these as HD and the guide says the program is broadcast in HD, I am only getting a zoomed SD picture? Is that correct? Or is there something wrong with my TV that is preventing it from showing in full 16:9 (other channels display fine such as Food HD, Discovery HD, etc...). Am I missing something? Hoping someone can fill in the blanks for me. Thanks so much.

Hi All,
I tried as many combination of search words and such to find out this info, but could only get bits and pieces. So I figured I would ask. I apologize if this is plainly explained in a post and I missed it. So here goes.

Finally upgraded to an HDTV. I've had the an HD projector in the basement for a while for HD DVD, but the TV was working fine, so I couldn't bring myself to swap it out. Until now. Anyway, here is my question. I have FIOS TV and all of the HD broadcast channels for the most part (I get DC stations WJLA, WUSA, etc..) don't fill the screen (black bars on either side, but not 4:3). From the posts I have gotten back in search, I guess they are 14:9? So even though FIOS lists these as HD and the guide says the program is broadcast in HD, I am only getting a zoomed SD picture? Is that correct? Or is there something wrong with my TV that is preventing it from showing in full 16:9 (other channels display fine such as Food HD, Discovery HD, etc...). Am I missing something? Hoping someone can fill in the blanks for me. Thanks so much.


Are you watching a 16x9 show, or are you watching some junkie afternoon show?

Watch a network show in prime-time, non-reality, and it should be full HD 16x9. Otherwise, the networks (not FIOS) are just broadcasting their SD signal in an HD wrapper, adding the sidebars themselves.

I wonder if any of the former Adelphia areas in NVA will get the same...

Your lineup, numerically, is identical to mine (Loudoun).

You'll have 5 new HD channels that I won't (Food, HG, SciFi, USA, PPV).

Can we assume a similar rollout for the rest of Comcast regarding USA HD 235 and SCI FI HD 236 on 12/11 in the DC MD NoVA area? I hope so!

I'd also like 229 HGTV HD and 231 Food Network HD in Manassas too

Are you watching a 16x9 show, or are you watching some junkie afternoon show?

Watch a network show in prime-time, non-reality, and it should be full HD 16x9. Otherwise, the networks (not FIOS) are just broadcasting their SD signal in an HD wrapper, adding the sidebars themselves.

Hi, Thanks for the quick response. I was watching primetime network shows last night that I am certain are broadcast in HD. And everything today is the same way, but they might be non-HD I guess, although the FIOS guide info has the HD marker on them.

RCN in D.C. has added the following HD channels today:

171 NFL Network HD
173 Mojo HD
182 Food Network HD
183 HGTV HD

I've also had pixelation going on in both the HD and SD sets.Watching on a Samsung DLP. I have had pixelization on the ESPN HD channels for as long as I remember. It is relatively minor but enough that I notice. I've never reported it to FiOS tech support as I've chosen to accept it. Please keep us posted as to any resolution. I'll be happy to contact tech support depending on your experience. I never watch any of the ESPN SD channels.

But, since Dish does supply program information for analog Channel 32, is any Dish sub on this board receiving any programming information, correct or incorrect, for Channel 32-01 on their digital receiver's EPG?

Nothing for me on 32-01 via my Dish VIP-622. It just says "digital service."

Apologies in advance if this question has been asked before. I'm a newbie and I browsed through a good number of posts but haven't found the answer to my question. I live in a high-rise apartment in downtown Washington, DC whose rooftop antenna sorely needs updating (OTA reception of HDTV is spotty at best). For HDTV content, I only (mostly) care for broadcast networks--e.g., WRC, WJLA, WUSA. My question is, will I be able to get HDTV channels with just basic cable (I believe these are called "clear to air" channels)? If yes, which channels are these? If not, what is the absolute minimum Comcast service that I should subscribe to? Thanks in advance for the help.
If you're getting OTA HDTV reception that's spotty, you can also try adding a signal amplifier. I have an internal antenna (the set top type) with a built in 30dB amplifier that's routed throughout the house until I set up something more permanent. One TV had spotty reception (I guess the tuner had troubles pulling the signal more than others), but a relatively cheap 10dB amplifier on that line helped tremendously (signal strength of 40% now 50%+), and now it rarely drops out. It's another option that you can try and return if it doesn't work.

In short, every time I watch a channel such as ESPNHD on my Samsung 4061F the scrolling ticker at the bottom will sometimes do a slight "jump or jerk" to the left by one or two characters. Also, when watching sporting events sometimes it will seem like the screen will do a split second "pause/jerk" and then catch up to the action again. This split second pause (it's very quick) is very annoying. I'm using Verizon FiOS through a Motorola HD box using an HDMI cable.Sorry for not replying so soon; I haven't been monitoring the forum recently.

It's probably ESPN and a bad keyer. I've noticed similar things with NFL Network's ticker with certain motion. Sometimes the judder comes in and out with cuts in and out of certain scenes.

Wow, no complaints about The Incredibles not being in HD on WRC or WBAL? I couldn't believe I had to jump to page 2 of the locals forum to find our thread :(. Is everyone waiting in line at best buy or something?

Wow, no complaints about The Incredibles not being in HD on WRC or WBAL? I couldn't believe I had to jump to page 2 of the locals forum to find our thread :(. Is everyone waiting in line at best buy or something?

Sorry - watching dodgeball in HD on WBFF.

Sorry - watching dodgeball in HD on WBFF.

Ha! You homer! ;)

I called WRC and the lady working in "transmission" didnt realize their mistake, and switched it. Well I did my good deed for the day.

the cox rep at the tysons best buy this morning told me he expects 20 more HD channels by christmas....

multi-room dvr is still a ways off though

On Dish, channel 5710, labeled "TEST" is Discovery HD Theater in the clear. I expect that it only available on the HD boxes...

Cheers!

Sorry, but the cable guy just came to activate (lowest-level) basic cable: No HD through cable on my Tivo Series 3. Help!

afiggatt and aaronwt: Thanks so much--I'm all set!

Sorry, but the cable guy just came to activate (lowest-level) basic cable: No HD through cable on my Tivo Series 3. Help!
This thread has been quiet over the weekend!

You did not say you were getting a Series 3 Tivo. You should check with the Tivo forums such as tivocommunity.com for the details. But my understanding is that the software in the HD Tivos does not allow for manual channel remapping. Tivo intended for these boxes to be used with a cable card provided by the cable company or for Over the Air use. The cable card provides not only the decryption codes but the channel mapping from the internal QAM channels. The cable company may change the QAM channel locations without advance notice and does not publish them, so Tivo did not plan for their boxes to be used without a cable card for cable hook-ups. They might be working on a software update to allow for manual remapping so you can make use of the guide, but I am not up on the details of this. The posters at the Series 3 / TivoHD forum at tivocommunity.com would know more than I do on this.

One option is to get a cable card, preferably a Multi-stream card, from the cable company. They usually charge $2-$4/month for 1 card, but you might also have to pay a monthly rate for an HD tier. The other option is to put up an antenna and get the local digital stations over the air for free.

Coming January 8th in Baltimore City, Harford, Baltimore, Carroll and Howard counties;

USA HD, Sci-Fi HD, CNN HD, Disc HD, TLC HD, History HD

GoIrish

Coming January 8th in Baltimore City, Harford, Baltimore, Carroll and Howard counties;

USA HD, Sci-Fi HD, CNN HD, Disc HD, TLC HD, History HD

GoIrish

Maybe in DC we'll get one or two of those. :) Do those counties have HGTV-HD? (which I think is the only one of the recent additions that DC still doesn't have)

Yes, they added Food HD, HGTVHD and TBS HD in October

Coming January 8th in Baltimore City, Harford, Baltimore, Carroll and Howard counties;

USA HD, Sci-Fi HD, CNN HD, Disc HD, TLC HD, History HD

GoIrish

Any idea if these will also be coming to Anne Arundel County? Would be great to have Sci-Fi in time for Battlestar Galactica next year :)

Universal HD used to rebroadcast Battlestar Galactica in HD, if you have that one.

Universal HD used to rebroadcast Battlestar Galactica in HD, if you have that one.

Yeah, but the rebroadcasts of the current season occur almost 6 months after they initially air on Sci-Fi.

Got tired of having all the episodes spoiled for me, so hopefully this will take care of that issue :)

Great news on the new channels. Only missing Animal Planet, which has been announced for some Comcast systems.

Too bad they aren't carrying the Science channel. That is the best of the five Discovery HD networks.

You guys are in for a treat, Those Discovery networks even when showing SD still look much better than all other SD upconvert channels.

USA HD, Sci-Fi HD, CNN HD, Disc HD, TLC HD, History HD

great for Bmore and vicinity any chance for NoVa and Manassas?

did they send you a post card or email how did you find out?

thanks

Close friend. Not announced to the public until next week.

Don't know about other areas. Wouldn't be surprised to see AA County and NOVA announcing similar channels very soon based on what I hear.

GoIrish

Wow, no complaints about The Incredibles not being in HD on WRC or WBAL? I couldn't believe I had to jump to page 2 of the locals forum to find our thread :(. Is everyone waiting in line at best buy or something?

They did a better job with the HD broadcast on Saturday night. I didn't realize it was on again so I had to record it at my girlfriends since I was there. Now I need to bring a portable hard drive over and transfer the 20+GB recording to the PC and the hard drive so I can bring it home and transfer it to my PC then HD TiVos. I love the MRV/TiVo to Go. This wouldn't be possible without it. And the 5.1DD and excellent HD picture stays intact.

Does any one know if National Geographic HD is supposed to be included in the HD tier for people who have Comcast's Triple Play? I live in Baltimore and I get all of the HD channels expect for NGHD, which is one channel that I really like. Do I have to upgrade to full digital in order to get it? Thanks.

cool go Irish thanks for the inside info, it is appriciated!