If I understand tv fool correctly, nothing digital in my area broadcasts under real channel 29, so vhf really isn't a problem.
If I'm wrong, please point that out though.
Look at the post-transition digital channels at tvfool.com. Go back several days to find my post on the upper VHF stations after 2/17/09. In Baltimore, WBAL-DT 11 and WJZ-DT 13 will move from UHF to VHF 11 & 13. In DC, WJLA-DT 7 and WUSA-DT 9 will move to upper VHF as well. In the Harrisburg DMA, WHTM-DT ABC 27 is on and will stay on VHF 10.

The PSIP issue has lots of unintended side effects, mostly with tuning... Interesting comment. Could you elaborate or give us a quick link that explains how that works? This could be why I'm having on-again off-again troubles with WETA.

BTW - WETA is off again according to my Kworld tuner stick.

Noted on WJZ and WBAL. I see that now that I click 'post transition'. I guess I'll order a 91-XG and go from there. I appreciate the info.
I use the CM4228 with a rotor and can get all the Baltimore and Philly locals.

Interesting comment. Could you elaborate or give us a quick link that explains how that works? This could be why I'm having on-again off-again troubles with WETA.

BTW - WETA is off again according to my Kworld tuner stick.

See the last few posts for some examples:

1) If the PSIP says the wrong sound format
2) If the PSIP has the wrong ID
3) If the PSIP has the wrong resolution

And on and on... some devices freak out if reality is different than the PSIP, others ignore the PSIP in favor of reality, and everything in between.

I use the CM4228 with a rotor and can get all the Baltimore and Philly locals.

You've also got about 30 miles (towards Philly) on me. Hopefully my 91-XG will be in in a few days and I'll have some results.

Fire their engineer? It's amazing that we're now years into the HD ATSC game, and at least here in DC, the broadcast engineers seem like they were:

a) Regularly drunk
b) Blind and deaf
c) Transferred from the word-processing team
d) Told how to spell HD and still couldn't get it right

Sounds like a "you know you're a broadcast engineer from DC when..." list.

Sadly it is pathetic comments like that mean most of us broadcast engineers not even bother to frequent nor post here. Pure engineering is not often the issues at stake but financial, operational and other constraints. Whilst some people seem to think we should be 100% super knowledgeable on PSIP, the truth is it is something often set up by manufacturers with their staff present, tested on a handful of receivers, trained briefly and then often as not the device will run flawlessly for months, then just as mysteriously some odd settings will appear. Even with manufacturers involved these can often be pigs to track down. However, someone else always knows better.

Well, thanks for posting here. A comment from a true engineer carries more weight those that complain.

We don't here much from Robert anymore either here, and considering some of the posts that were levied against his station, I can't say that I'd blame him.

Thanks again.

You've also got about 30 miles (towards Philly) on me. Hopefully my 91-XG will be in in a few days and I'll have some results.
Yes, towards Philly I am about 30 miles closer. However, for WPMT (43.1), I am approx. 45 miles SE of their tower. You should be about 45 miles or so S of their tower. A CM 4228 (with rotor) should work well in your location especially with WBAL and WJZ moving back to VHF. The CM4228 does very well with upper VHF.

Sadly it is pathetic comments like that mean most of us broadcast engineers not even bother to frequent nor post here. Pure engineering is not often the issues at stake but financial, operational and other constraints. Whilst some people seem to think we should be 100% super knowledgeable on PSIP, the truth is it is something often set up by manufacturers with their staff present, tested on a handful of receivers, trained briefly and then often as not the device will run flawlessly for months, then just as mysteriously some odd settings will appear. Even with manufacturers involved these can often be pigs to track down. However, someone else always knows better.

I think sometimes us non-pros don't get to hear from the pros & unless people like you chime in, it is what it is unless rebutted.

Sadly it is pathetic comments like that mean most of us broadcast engineers not even bother to frequent nor post here. Pure engineering is not often the issues at stake but financial, operational and other constraints. Whilst some people seem to think we should be 100% super knowledgeable on PSIP, the truth is it is something often set up by manufacturers with their staff present, tested on a handful of receivers, trained briefly and then often as not the device will run flawlessly for months, then just as mysteriously some odd settings will appear. Even with manufacturers involved these can often be pigs to track down. However, someone else always knows better.

Sorry to be brutal here, but honestly, if I operated that way in my job I'd be fired.

If I'm responsible for a piece of equipment (or program, or whatever), it's my responsibility to make sure it works right. That means:

1) I get trained on it enough to ensure I can keep it running, or
2) I have an SLA with the vendor/consultant to fix it quickly when needed

Certainy we can all excuse the error. What's not excusable is the fact that it's been going on for multiple days and still isn't fixed.

It's not like this is some tertiary function, it's about the broadcast of your digital signal. That would seem kind of important?

I'd imagine you react quicker to things that happen in your house? If your water heater broke, I'm guessing you'd either fix it yourself (if that's your thing), or you'd immediately call an expert to come fix it? Why the PSIP equipment doesn't get the same level of attention is shocking to me.

Instead you say "hey, someone else installed it, and it usually works" and then shrug your shoulders? Wow.

And let's not pretend this thing just "broke". Clearly the engineers took it upon themselves to add the extra subchannel, didn't know what they were doing, didn't bother testing PSIP data, and screwed it up. This problem occurred simultaneous with the new subchannel, which required new PSIP information.

I hope you're not from WRC and you're just a sympathetic poster.

I just wanted to confirm my assumption. It seems some of the local channels like WUSA are going to move to VHF after the digital transition and if the antenna can't pick up the vhf channels then we would loose these channels.

paulthepwner,

I think you might actually have a decent chance of getting both Fox 29 from Philly and Fox 43 from York in Middle River - depending on where you are exactly, that area does get Philly signals somewhat, because of the water. TV Hill should not be a problem - 12 miles is far enough away (I can even point my 4228 directly at my local towers 8-9 miles away, with no overload problems).

Either a 4228 or 91XG would be best - they're very close to each other, in my experience. If you wanted to try for an attic setup first, you'd have to put the antenna at the very highest point of your attic - my attic 4228 pulls up to about 65 miles this way. But a 91XG can't rotate in most attics, unless it's a large one with no trusses running across it. I do use a rotor on my 4228, even with trusses.

Of course, an outside setup will yield even better results.

By the way, if you also want VHF-high stations (8 from Lancaster, 7 & 9 from DC, 11 & 13 from Baltimore will all move back to VHF-high next Feb.), the 4228 is fairly good on VHF-high (due to its reflector screen) and would thus serve that dual purpose nicely, whereas the 91XG is not. The soon-to-arrive 4228HD might be even better on VHF-high, due to its wider screen (we'll see). If you're already set on using the 91XG for UHF, the Winegard YA-1713 is quite good for VHF-high. You'd definitely need either a rotor or multiple fixed antennas on an A-B or A-B-C switch.

I just wanted to confirm my assumption. It seems some of the local channels like WUSA are going to move to VHF after the digital transition and if the antenna can't pick up the vhf channels then we would loose these channels.
Confirmed.

paulthepwner,

I think you might actually have a decent chance of getting both Fox 29 from Philly and Fox 43 from York in Middle River - depending on where you are exactly, that area does get Philly signals somewhat, because of the water. TV Hill should not be a problem - 12 miles is far enough away (I can even point my 4228 directly at my local towers 8-9 miles away, with no overload problems).

Either a 4228 or 91XG would be best - they're very close to each other, in my experience. If you wanted to try for an attic setup first, you'd have to put the antenna at the very highest point of your attic - my attic 4228 pulls up to about 65 miles this way. But a 91XG can't rotate in most attics, unless it's a large one with no trusses running across it. I do use a rotor on my 4228, even with trusses.

Of course, an outside setup will yield even better results.

By the way, if you also want VHF-high stations (8 from Lancaster, 7 & 9 from DC, 11 & 13 from Baltimore will all move back to VHF-high next Feb.), the 4228 is fairly good on VHF-high (due to its reflector screen) and would thus serve that dual purpose nicely, whereas the 91XG is not. The soon-to-arrive 4228HD might be even better on VHF-high, due to its wider screen (we'll see). If you're already set on using the 91XG for UHF, the Winegard YA-1713 is quite good for VHF-high. You'd definitely need either a rotor or multiple fixed antennas on an A-B or A-B-C switch.

Cool.

I'm actually *ON* the water, so I suppose that's going to be helpful :)

Instead you say "hey, someone else installed it, and it usually works" and then shrug your shoulders? Wow.

I hope you're not from WRC and you're just a sympathetic poster.

That is quite an odd interpretation of what I said, misquote I would say.

No, I'm not from WRC so I cannot even attempt to quote what happened. However let's state some simple facts about broadcast engineering in the 21st Century.

In days gone by, we used to have extensive engineering shops, with multiple experts in varying fields, but as financial pressures mount along with attrition mean that many shops now operate with far less staff than before. In some cases 50% less than 3 years ago. Additionally, there is now far more advanced technology in an operation. The days of 100 IRE video and analog audio across everything are long gone. D-A's, A-D's, Down or Up-Converters, Embedders, De-embedders, Routing tables to make a grown man weep. Keeping audio in sync is a real PITA. Look at WBDC HD for Two and half men, or recently, sadly WRC HD.

So, with fewer staff, new skills are taught and learned. Equipment is generally more reliable than used to be. Finally, finding a good broadcast engineer with good common sense skills is very difficult. Resumes appear with sound qualifications but people skills are somewhat lacking. Try telling a competitive newsroom they can't have something because isn't quite ready and watch the sparks fly.

Equipment often turns up unexpected, manuals are read and understood. Even manufacturers often send staff with little experience in stuff these days.

It's all very well shouting that you would learn the equipment and be ready, but the real world is such that even if it was 100% setup correctly, you were fully trained and then it worked fine for a year. Then suddenly it went wrong. Then to top it, you're on vacation, and your backup had his/her head in a toilet due to some dodgy chicken. Oh easy, we'll call the manufacturer, except their guru is on site with another customer and not easily reachable. We all know that SLA's are really only a way for us to get some refund if we don't reach targets (and are often not worth the paper they are written on, but more of a selling point).

The above is all real world.

Right now a lot of the DC/Baltimore engineers are focused on the Sprint/Nextel 2Ghz Relocation which is currently scheduled to switch over this coming weekend. I've no doubt, a lot of engineering resource was re-allocated to deal with TS Hanna this weekend as well the 9/11 memorial.

I think you would be surprised on how many calls we get every week from viewers that have lost English audio and stuck on Spanish. Most of them are so rude when we try to guide them to the SAP switch. Emails come from viewers that are downright rude. Sometimes we get it wrong, sometimes they get it wrong. Sometimes it is our cable/dish carriers that get it wrong.

Going back to PSIP etc., I don't know if WRC have a stream analyzer, they may, they may not. But if like us, we have a variety of ways of checking our signal. From an expensive demod, a best-buy down-converter, a simple HD set etc. If all of these, and various home setups all decode audio, then we often, rightly or wrongly assume all is well. And remember, not every receiver or decoder is 100% in spec either. :eek: It may be that the channel is still undergoing some form of testing and manufacturers are involved.

To blindly assume and state that all DC engineers are drunk is, imho quite a sad statement. It says more of you than us. They have been doing far more, with far more technology with less training and with a lot less staff than used to be. That in itself is another discussion entirely.

We are fortunate that we are a Top 10 market, we engineers all feel sorry for those small stations that have one engineer and a dog! We read stories all the time of those small stations that hang on by a thread because their engineer resigned and they can't recruit a new member. 24/7 call for no extra! Look at radio, I feel for some of those in this market too.!!

No, I'm not from WRCThank goodness!

Finally, finding a good broadcast engineer with good common sense skills is very difficult. Which was my original, and main point - the engineers, frankly, suck. So we agree on this!

It's all very well shouting that you would learn the equipment and be ready, but the real world is such that even if it was 100% setup correctly, you were fully trained and then it worked fine for a year.That's only half of what I said. I also said if not, then making sure you had a backup plan. Not just a backup engineer that is unqualified, but a backup plan that ensures it will get fixed quickly.

I think you would be surprised on how many calls we get every week from viewers that have lost English audio and stuck on Spanish. Most of them are so rude when we try to guide them to the SAP switch.SAP is a user problem, not the same thing. And if it was a station problem, to not be regularly testing what you're broadcasting and relying on customers to tell you is shocking!

If all of these, and various home setups all decode audio, then we often, rightly or wrongly assume all is well.So as a consumer, I have more available to me to look at what you're putting out on PSIP then you do? I doubt it. It's just sloppy work to not test, and WRC didn't test.

And remember, not every receiver or decoder is 100% in spec either. :eek: It may be that the channel is still undergoing some form of testing and manufacturers are involved. The main 4-1 is undergoing testing? I hope not. That's not a good thing for them to be doing at this stage, at the beginning of the new season. The PSIP data is wrong across all the subchannels.

To blindly assume and state that all DC engineers are drunk is, imho quite a sad statement.It is a sad statement, about the state of the engineers. And to be fair, drunk was only one of the options. I also suggested "blind and deaf", "transferred from word processing", and "unable to spell HD". But I'm sure there are others.

We read stories all the time of those small stations that hang on by a thread because their engineer resigned and they can't recruit a new member.Sounds like a time-management issue. Perhaps you should be reading some of the tech manuals instead of sad stories?


I appreciate what you're trying to do, but you're not helping. Bottom line is the engineer(s) fell asleep on the job, and they failed. Period. And if that's not bad enough, they don't seem to be able to or care to fix it. Sounds like old-school union-type thinking (I have no idea if the engineers are unionized, just making a point).

The main 4-1 is undergoing testing? I hope not. That's not a good thing for them to be doing at this stage, at the beginning of the new season. The PSIP data is wrong across all the subchannels.

Must see TV is this Thursday & as of right now, 4-1 is unwatcheable for me.
I repeat what I said earlier in the month - This digital transition has been poor execution on the part of the software, hardware, & carriers. An utter failure for consumers.

As for HD syndication:

Dr. Phil, even though it's now produced in HD, was SD on 4-1.

Oprah is HD on 7-1.

As for HD syndication:

Dr. Phil, even though it's now produced in HD, was SD on 4-1.

Oprah is HD on 7-1.Dr Phil was shown in HD on WVIR/29 Charlottesville...

Oprah and Ellen in SD on WBAL (no surprise).

So beyond network programming, WRC-DT has never aired anything else in HD, correct?

WJLA forgot to switch back to HD after commercials.

Unless I missed an airing between DC and Baltimore, Ellen and Dr. Phil were SD in both cities when I checked. Only WJLA-DT 7 had Oprah in HD - at the start anyway, correct? Since I don't watch these shows, may have missed one of the airings.

The other syndicated show going HD today is Entertainment Tonight. A check of Titantv has the show on WUSA-DT 9 and WJZ-DT 13 at 7:30 PM ET and CBS is showing the men's final at the US Open, so ET may get bumped today. I guess the odds are somewhat better that ET would be HD on WUSA-DT than WJZ-DT, but I would be surprised if ET is in HD on either station this week.

Only WJLA-DT 7 had Oprah in HD - at the start anyway, correct?

yeah, Oprah wasn't in HD for the last segment (about 4 mins or so.) From the looks of it, WJLA did that on purpose.

Since I don't really watch WJLA's syndicated programming, I forgot that WJLA likes to crossfade into their 5pm newscast right as the Oprah credits roll.

My guess is that their video mixer only supports SD, so in order to make their news transition work, they'll be doing the last segment in SD until they get some more sophisticated HD switching equipment.

I haven't seen anybody posting this, so I'll go ahead:

WRC's engineers finally got around to fixing the audio on Universal Sports (4.3)

Right in time for the repeat of the Olympics :D. On right now: U.S. Boxing (surprise, surprise) Trials

Which was my original, and main point - the engineers, frankly, suck. So we agree on this!
Honestly, I think you are being rather rude. I don't know if you have ever had to maintain, design, development or build complex equipment, but it is not as easy as it looks. TV broadcasting obviously gets very complicated because of the need to maintain compatibility with standards going back over 60 years. Overlaying a slew of digital formats and requirements (closed caption, SAP, PSIP) on a joint analog & digital broadcast makes for a complicated system. Yes, it is irritating when it does not work, but such is life.

another WRC note --
they updated the Time/Temperature font used during their newscasts. The new font type appears to be Arial with bolding. MUCH easier to read compared to the old font -- especially at 5am when you're half awake :P

Still getting no audio or video on WRC-DT. I think the PSIP issue is still not resolved.

Who do we contact about this?

Unless I missed an airing between DC and Baltimore, Ellen and Dr. Phil were SD in both cities when I checked. Only WJLA-DT 7 had Oprah in HD - at the start anyway, correct? Since I don't watch these shows, may have missed one of the airings.

The other syndicated show going HD today is Entertainment Tonight. A check of Titantv has the show on WUSA-DT 9 and WJZ-DT 13 at 7:30 PM ET and CBS is showing the men's final at the US Open, so ET may get bumped today. I guess the odds are somewhat better that ET would be HD on WUSA-DT than WJZ-DT, but I would be surprised if ET is in HD on either station this week.We're doing well down here in SE VA. The ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, NBC and PBS stations are all doing HD syndicated (prerecorded) programming...

I haven't seen anybody posting this, so I'll go ahead:

WRC's engineers finally got around to fixing the audio on Universal Sports (4.3)

Right in time for the repeat of the Olympics :D. On right now: U.S. Boxing (surprise, surprise) Trials

They certainly changed something, but I still have no audio on WRC 4-3. Where before I received blips and burps and very occasional bursts of clear audio, now I get nothing but pure, dead silence from my DTVPal. This is not an improvement.

Oh, and as an aside, I sent a perfectly civil e-mail through the WRC website and did not even get the courtesy of a computer generated boilerplate. Fey... :(

They certainly changed something, but I still have no audio on WRC 4-3. Where before I received blips and burps and very occasional bursts of clear audio, now I get nothing but pure, dead silence from my DTVPal. This is not an improvement.

I haven't tried tuning using my myHD card in my media center computer, but my CECB DTT-901 is tuning into 4.3 fine. No audio or video glitches.

I haven't tried tuning using my myHD card in my media center computer, but my CECB DTT-901 is tuning into 4.3 fine. No audio or video glitches. And my Kworld tuner stick tunes in 4.3 perfectly as well. Still no-go on WETA, though. All channels are black.

I haven't tried tuning using my myHD card in my media center computer, but my CECB DTT-901 is tuning into 4.3 fine. No audio or video glitches.

Based on your reply, I went to my DTVPal and had it search for new channels to see if it needed to update its internal info on WRC. Interestingly, it picked up all three WRC channels as new services, and once the new channel search was complete, I had proper audio out of WRC 4-3, and all three WRC channels are working fine. Perhaps the new channel search updated my DTVPal with the changes the WRC engineers made to the WRC PSIP info? Either way, I'm just happy everything is working now. :)

Still getting no audio or video on WRC-DT. I think the PSIP issue is still not resolved.

Who do we contact about this?


Here's the viewer feedback phone# from their site: (202) 885-4968
Not sure if it works or not since it's a recorded line. eeesh.
some others:

(202) 885-4000 General Information

And my Kworld tuner stick tunes in 4.3 perfectly as well. Still no-go on WETA, though. All channels are black.
WETA's working fine here.

I wish I bought the Kworld stick -- it was on clearance at Newegg for $15. I was going to buy it but by the time I got to it, they were discontinued. :(

Regarding WRC PSIP problems, it looks like they got the TSID problem corrected, but the frame size on program 1 is still set to 1280x1080. All 3 programs are indicating AC3 audio.

No Entertainment Tonight, HD or otherwise, on WJZ or WUSA because CBS is rerunning tennis from yesterday. Have to check WJZ tonight at 1:35.

Regarding WRC PSIP problems, it looks like they got the TSID problem corrected, but the frame size on program 1 is still set to 1280x1080. All 3 programs are indicating AC3 audio.

So 2 down, 1 to go... Maybe after the Wednesday happy hour they'll fix this last problem?

It's just their main channel ATSC broadcast... nothing that important...

Regarding WRC PSIP problems, it looks like they got the TSID problem corrected, but the frame size on program 1 is still set to 1280x1080. All 3 programs are indicating AC3 audio.
Looks like WRC-DT is working for me now. Don't know if the wrong frame size is affecting me though.

Could it actually be 1280x1080, using non-square pixels? The stream still has the aspect ratio as 16:9.

On another PSIP-related note, WMDO-LD 8 is still switching between 1-1 and 47-1 rapidly. I can't find an engineering contact anywhere, and last time I emailed the manager (regarding WFDC-DT, which is under the same management) it didn't amount to anything.

WUTB is back to 480i.:rolleyes:

1280x1080 isn't a standard resolution, is not contained in the ATSC standard, and some receivers will freak out over it. They shouldn't be doing it.

- Trip

Makes sense--I just noticed that's not on the table of resolutions on the ATSC standard. I was wondering if it was one of the 18 formats boxes claim to decode that we don't normally see, like widescreen SD or 480p.

An interesting note is that my first-generation Insignia converter box allows you to cycle through zoom modes on WHUT, though it doesn't actually change the picture. It normally says "aspect ratio cannot be changed on this channel" for 4:3 480i.

Anybody having problems with Comcast MoCo Digital Cable? Mine keeps breaking up...it was fine yesterday...ugh

I have dish vip 622 and i wasn't getting any audio on channel 4.3 but i think they did something and now i am getting audio on the channel now.

Yeah!! 4.3 has audio!! WooHooo! It's fixed.

Now, if I could just get Monday night football. Damn Disney money mongers.

Dr Phil was shown in HD on WVIR/29 Charlottesville...

As was Oprah. Ellen, however, was not. It seems like that was probably an error on the distribution end, not on WVIR's end though.

Yes, I think it's worth pointing out that WVIR does local news in HD, field reports in HD, news bumps, news teasers, and syndie show promos in HD, local ads in HD, carries Oprah, Dr. Phil, Wheel, Jeopardy, and Ellen in HD, and brings Raycom Sports in HD.

Great work by them, and the picture is pristine. SNF is actually watchable on WVIR. They are probably one of the leading affiliates for HD. Top 10 DMA? Ha. Certainly they embarrass all the affiliates in D.C. despite having probably 1/10th the viewership. Maybe less.

As was Oprah. Ellen, however, was not. It seems like that was probably an error on the distribution end, not on WVIR's end though.

Yes, I think it's worth pointing out that WVIR does local news in HD, field reports in HD, news bumps, news teasers, and syndie show promos in HD, local ads in HD, carries Oprah, Dr. Phil, Wheel, Jeopardy, and Ellen in HD, and brings Raycom Sports in HD.

Great work by them, and the picture is pristine. SNF is actually watchable on WVIR. They are probably one of the leading affiliates for HD. Top 10 DMA? Ha. Certainly they embarrass all the affiliates in D.C. despite having probably 1/10th the viewership. Maybe less.
wow. for a station that's in the middle of nowhere (no offense -- the only thing coming to mind is Crutchfield Electronics and UVA), i'm surprised they carry that much HD.

just wondering, do any of the stations in cville carry Hoo games or is that strictly an ESPNU thing?

wow. for a station that's in the middle of nowhere (no offense -- the only thing coming to mind is Crutchfield Electronics and UVA), i'm surprised they carry that much HD.

just wondering, do any of the stations in cville carry Hoo games or is that strictly an ESPNU thing?

Charlottesville in the middle of nowhere? You need to get out more.

wow. for a station that's in the middle of nowhere (no offense -- the only thing coming to mind is Crutchfield Electronics and UVA), i'm surprised they carry that much HD.

just wondering, do any of the stations in cville carry Hoo games or is that strictly an ESPNU thing?

I think the Newsplex stations carry some of the games. I know the Newsplex stations like to identify themselves as "The home of Virginia athletics."

But yeah, WVIR has a really nice facility and lots of pricey equipment. They're a joy to watch. I got a tour of the facility back in May, it was great. (Pictures: http://www.rabbitears.info/nbc29 )

- Trip

Anybody having problems with Comcast MoCo Digital Cable? Mine keeps breaking up...it was fine yesterday...ugh

UGH...SNRs look absolutely horrid...between Fair and Poor...stupid Comcast

another WRC note --
they updated the Time/Temperature font used during their newscasts. The new font type appears to be Arial with bolding. MUCH easier to read compared to the old font -- especially at 5am when you're half awake :P

Yes, the font is better. And, the time and temp are actually lined up horizontally instead of being slightly off kilter. However, the time and the temp now run together (at least at 11 when there are 4 digits in the time) so it looks like one long six digit number.:(

On my TR-40, 4.3 Audio is just fine now.

Charlottesville in the middle of nowhere? You need to get out more.
according to Nielson, out of the 210 TV markets, Charlottesville is the 27th smallest one in America.

Speaking of Neilsen, is there any upside or downside to being a Neilsen family?\I got an offer to do it but really don't know much about it.

1280x1080 isn't a standard resolution, is not contained in the ATSC standard, and some receivers will freak out over it. They shouldn't be doing it.

- Trip

My Sammy 5054 is certainly freaking out.:rolleyes:
Day 5 of this crap from WRC.

I am having problems with WRC channel 4-1 as well! I sat down to watch the Redskins game on Thursday, and there were all these green bars on my screen. I'm in Gaithersburg and watch OTA HD using an LG HDTV tuner. Channels 4-2 and 4-3 are perfectly fine, as well as all the other channels I normally get. It's only 4-1 that is messed up. This just happened last Thursday. I emailed WRC but haven't gotten a response. The channel is unwatchable, and I'm getting really irritated!

according to Nielson, out of the 210 TV markets, Charlottesville is the 27th smallest one in America.

Exactly the point. Where does WVIR get the money for upgrades that apparently WRC, WJLA, WTTG, and (to a lesser degree) WUSA can't afford? Until a couple of years ago, WVIR was the only network affiliate in Charlottesville. Now they're probably a nationwide leader in local HD.

We had problems getting WNUV-54-1 in last night over the air. The reception seemed much worse than usual. Anyone else having bad luck with that or was it just us? My daughter was quite upset.

Thanks,

Neil

As was Oprah. Ellen, however, was not. It seems like that was probably an error on the distribution end, not on WVIR's end though.Ellen was seen in HD in the Norfolk market...

Exactly the point. Where does WVIR get the money for upgrades that apparently WRC, WJLA, WTTG, and (to a lesser degree) WUSA can't afford? Until a couple of years ago, WVIR was the only network affiliate in Charlottesville. Now they're probably a nationwide leader in local HD.
WVIR is a newer and small market station, so they likely did not have the built infrastructure / sunk cost of a WRC or WTTG. The big city stations have millions and millions invested in SD equipment and studio facilities that may not be fully depreciated for tax purposes. The stations that have upgraded to locals news in HD are the probably often the ones that had studios & facilities that had last been upgraded some years ago and much of the equipment was nearing the replacement point anyway. The figures that have been tossed around for upgrading a major city stations news operation to all HD have been $8 to $10 million or more. Tax depreciation, equipment life cycles, falling costs for HD equipment are going to be major factors in when the station owners decide to upgrade to locals news operations in HD.

WVIR is a newer and small market station, so they likely did not have the built infrastructure / sunk cost of a WRC or WTTG. The big city stations have millions and millions invested in SD equipment and studio facilities that may not be fully depreciated for tax purposes. The stations that have upgraded to locals news in HD are the probably often the ones that had studios & facilities that had last been upgraded some years ago and much of the equipment was nearing the replacement point anyway. The figures that have been tossed around for upgrading a major city stations news operation to all HD have been $8 to $10 million or more. Tax depreciation, equipment life cycles, falling costs for HD equipment are going to be major factors in when the station owners decide to upgrade to locals news operations in HD.

Do they take into account the lost viewership due to non-hd? I'm watching WBFF for news in the evenings now rather than WBAL. WBAL even has better news coverage most of the time.

WVIR has been around since 1973, and I'm not sure how long they've been in their current studio. The HD remote stuff was put in during the Sprint/Nextel 2 GHz realignment thing, not sure about the rest of it. I do know that the company that owns WVIR only own two other stations, an NBC/ABC pair in Fort Myers, FL which is also doing HD news as I recall.

- Trip

According to an MASN spokesman, the regional sports network signed deals with TV providers in and around Charlotte, Greenville, and Raleigh-Durham, N.C., as well as Richmond, Va.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6594005.html

Do they take into account the lost viewership due to non-hd? I'm watching WBFF for news in the evenings now rather than WBAL. WBAL even has better news coverage most of the time.

The same in DC. Before I got HD, I'd often watch news on NBC,FOX,ABC, but never CBS for some reason. Since I got HD, I ONLY watch CBS because they are the only local News in HD.

Save some bucks by NOT doing something you are going to have to do anyway, and lose viewers in process while they become loyal to your competitors. Sounds like a brilliant business plan to me :confused:

We had problems getting WNUV-54-1 in last night over the air. The reception seemed much worse than usual. Anyone else having bad luck with that or was it just us? My daughter was quite upset.

Thanks,

Neil

Sorry that you had a hard time with your reception, but there were no problems with the WNUV-DT transmitter or master control last night. The transmitter is, and has been, running at 97.8% licensed forward power.

I've not gotten any other complaints either, I'm afraid. It may have just been one of those atmospheric things that come around every now and then that effected your reception.

We're not quite there yet, but I get reception problems at my house in the spring and the fall, when the amount of leaves on the trees changes. Just a heads-up to viewers who have newly acquired antennas and HDTVs.

We had problems getting WNUV-54-1 in last night over the air. The reception seemed much worse than usual. Anyone else having bad luck with that or was it just us? My daughter was quite upset.

Thanks,

NeilThere was a "tremendous" amount of tropo last night from the south & east. WVEC-DT from Norfolk knocks out the extremely weak WUTB-DT for me almost every night. This is probably what you were experiencing with WNUV-DT.

I just noticed on Saturday that the local NBC here added a new subchannel, and is broadcasting 1280x1080 on the main channel. Are any other markets getting this?

Here are some screens of the new sub and the g-spot specs of the recorded vid.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5241/epgsr9.th.jpg (http://img140.imageshack.us/my.php?image=epgsr9.jpg)http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/8507/nbctestuy7.th.jpg (http://img505.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nbctestuy7.jpg)


I hope I posted this in the right section.

I just noticed on Saturday that the local NBC here added a new subchannel, and is broadcasting 1280x1080 on the main channel. Are any other markets getting this?

Isn't it illegal for a ATSC broadcast station to use formats that aren't in the ATSC resolution table?

I guess that might explain the lower quality recently.

Isn't it illegal for a ATSC broadcast station to use formats that aren't in the ATSC resolution table?

Not sure. My fusion card and HR10-250 both picked up the signal and recorded correctly. I can put up with 1280x1080 with stretched pixels since I have D*, but I'm worried about when they will stop with this sub-HD nonsense? 1080x1080? 480x1080? OK maybe I was exaggerating on the last one. It still sucks that we're getting bandwidth taken away from HD for some extra 480i sports subchannel.

I hope I posted this in the right section.
It's really a local issue, but I'll let it ride here for awhile.

I hope I posted this in the right section.
What the heck is going on with WRC-DT NBC 4 since they added 4.3 last Thursday has been under discussion in the Washington DC - Baltimore local thread at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=793124&page=219. I don't know if WRC-DT is really sending out 4.1 at 1280x1080 or whether the PSIP header data is just seriously messed up. But it would be useful to get some insight from experts outside of the DC area.

WRC 4 is a NBC owned & operated station in Washington, DC. You would think they would have the engineering staff available to figure this out.

Sorry that you had a hard time with your reception, but there were no problems with the WNUV-DT transmitter or master control last night. The transmitter is, and has been, running at 97.8% licensed forward power.

I've not gotten any other complaints either, I'm afraid. It may have just been one of those atmospheric things that come around every now and then that effected your reception.

We're not quite there yet, but I get reception problems at my house in the spring and the fall, when the amount of leaves on the trees changes. Just a heads-up to viewers who have newly acquired antennas and HDTVs.Thanks for the information.

Neil

I am having problems with WRC channel 4-1 as well! I sat down to watch the Redskins game on Thursday, and there were all these green bars on my screen. I'm in Gaithersburg and watch OTA HD using an LG HDTV tuner. Channels 4-2 and 4-3 are perfectly fine, as well as all the other channels I normally get. It's only 4-1 that is messed up. This just happened last Thursday. I emailed WRC but haven't gotten a response. The channel is unwatchable, and I'm getting really irritated!

I watched that game OTA HD and it looked fantastic on my Sony Grand Wega RP LCD, that's very strange.

Oh, and does anybody know how to make my sig stick? It keeps getting changed somehow and I can't figure it out.

Entertainment Tonight is in SD on WJZ and WUSA. So the only new syndicated HD in Baltimore or Washington is Oprah on WJLA ( :eek: ).

The CBS Evening News was in SD on WJZ.

Entertainment Tonight is in SD on WJZ and WUSA. So the only new syndicated HD in Baltimore or Washington is Oprah on WJLA ( :eek: ).

The CBS Evening News was in SD on WJZ.

Ah, but on the plus side, Everybody Loves Raymond is in HD on WUTB! (720p)

Fringe is in SD on WBFF. Congratulations to all the local stations for a job well done this week.:rolleyes:

Fringe is in SD on WBFF. Congratulations to all the local stations for a job well done this week.:rolleyes:

Well at least I am not crazy it seems. The odd part, the commercial for 10 PM news right before show was in HD. Is there a contact at WBFF to call?

Well at least I am not crazy it seems. The odd part, the commercial for 10 PM news right before show was in HD. Is there a contact at WBFF to call?

Switched to HD at 8:19.

Fox will replay the pilot on Sunday.

I am having problems with WRC channel 4-1 as well! I sat down to watch the Redskins game on Thursday, and there were all these green bars on my screen. I'm in Gaithersburg and watch OTA HD using an LG HDTV tuner. Channels 4-2 and 4-3 are perfectly fine, as well as all the other channels I normally get. It's only 4-1 that is messed up. This just happened last Thursday. I emailed WRC but haven't gotten a response. The channel is unwatchable, and I'm getting really irritated!
I'm in Ashburn, Virginia and have exactly the same problem (green bars) on WRC (NBC) 4-1 only. All other stations are fine, including 4-2 and 4-3. This problem started just a few days ago (Thursday or Friday).
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeutzy2/IMG_2710.jpg

Any idea as to when 4-3 came online? Could it be related to the problem?

Yeah, 4.3 came online on Thursday

I'm in Ashburn, Virginia and have exactly the same problem (green bars) on WRC (NBC) 4-1 only. All other stations are fine, including 4-2 and 4-3. This problem started just a few days ago (Thursday or Friday).

Any idea as to when 4-3 came online? Could it be related to the problem?

Call and complain. They're encoding their signal as 1280x1080 when it should be 1920x1080, and that's what's causing your issue.

It's probably not directly related to the addition of 4-3, but the settings were changed at the same time apparently.

- Trip

The table of resolutions was never adopted, so there's no legal reason they can't do HDlite. The solution is just as valid as any other to try and keep the station from degrading to unwatchable crap thanks to the mandated addition of Universal Sports. Personally, I would rather see the affected stations drop the SD subs to 528x480i or 352x480i (as was suggested to the KXAS engineer in the Dallas, TX local thread). The only real solution is to dump Weather+ if NBC is going to require their O&Os to carry Universal Sports, but NBC's behavior in the recent past tends to indicate that putting out a quality product isn't at the top of their priority list.

KPHO here in Phoenix (CBS affiliate, owned by Meredith) experimented with HDlite for a few days last year to try and carry a second SD subchannel for March Madness, but from what I've heard, CBS corporate shot that one down as soon as they found out about it.

FWIW, while clearly something is wrong, WRC-DT 4-1, -2 and -3 are coming in fine OTA on my Panasonic plasma.

Congratulations to all the local stations for a job well done this week.:rolleyes:

To borrow a phrase: same ****, different week. Sometimes I wonder if we live in the nation's capital or the technological equivalent of the Sudan.

Well at least I am not crazy it seems. The odd part, the commercial for 10 PM news right before show was in HD. Is there a contact at WBFF to call?

You could call me, but I'm not there...

Apparently there was a splicer problem that kept it from reacting to the automation control. After I called, the master control operators manually changed the splicer between local and network for the rest of the show.

I'll have to figure out what happened when I get in in the morning.

FWIW, while clearly something is wrong, WRC-DT 4-1, -2 and -3 are coming in fine OTA on my Panasonic plasma.

I'm getting 4-1 with poor lip-sync (during law and order), and 4-3 with audio, but I getting nothing on 4-2. I'm using a Dish Network VIP211k receiver, and watching the local channels OTA.

I'm in Ashburn, Virginia and have exactly the same problem (green bars) on WRC (NBC) 4-1 only. All other stations are fine, including 4-2 and 4-3. This problem started just a few days ago (Thursday or Friday).
Email WRC that picture with the exact model # of the TV or ATSC tuner. Come to think of it, send it to the "swanni" at http://www.tvpredictions.com/. The Washington Post technology coverage writers/editor/section might be worth a try. Time to make a public stink about how WRC-DT is messing up the digital broadcast signal for a lot of people. People who can't get WRC-DT anymore might consider contacting the FCC about WRC-DT's apparently non-compliant ATSC signal.

Whatever WRC-DT is doing is resulting in very different behavior with different ATSC tuners. Most can handle it, but some are going bonkers. The older Samsung SIR-T451 ATSC box has this odd extra delay when I changed to 4-1. Blank screen for a second, then the picture comes on. I will have to experiment with all the ATSC tuners I have to see if any of them don't work.

Meanwhile I just noticed while checking the broadcast stations, WDCA-DT My 20 is now shown as channel 35.1, their physical broadcast channel. This is definitely a week for the PSIP gremlins.

PS WDCW-DT 50 has a very weak signal as well. I'm getting a lot of dropouts for it which is very unusual. Good grief.

Email WRC that picture with the exact model # of the TV or ATSC tuner. Come to think of it, send it to the "swanni" at http://www.tvpredictions.com/. The Washington Post technology coverage writers/editor/section might be worth a try. Time to make a public stink about how WRC-DT is messing up the digital broadcast signal for a lot of people. People who can't get WRC-DT anymore might consider contacting the FCC about WRC-DT's apparently non-compliant ATSC signal.

Whatever WRC-DT is doing is resulting in very different behavior with different ATSC tuners. Most can handle it, but some are going bonkers. The older Samsung SIR-T451 ATSC box has this odd extra delay when I changed to 4-1. Blank screen for a second, then the picture comes on. I will have to experiment with all the ATSC tuners I have to see if any of them don't work.

Meanwhile I just noticed while checking the broadcast stations, WDCA-DT My 20 is now shown as channel 35.1, their physical broadcast channel. This is definitely a week for the PSIP gremlins.

PS WDCW-DT 50 has a very weak signal as well. I'm getting a lot of dropouts for it which is very unusual. Good grief.
Thanks... I'll start the ball rolling tomorrow.
FYI - my year and a half old plasma is a Samsung HP-T4264. The MyHD card in my pc doesn't have the problem.
I wonder if WRC-DT is encoding in 1280x1080 to try to squeeze more channels in their available bandwidth.........

So, why Everybody Loves Raymond, but not Two and a Half Men in HD on WUTB-DT?

I'm in Ashburn, Virginia and have exactly the same problem (green bars) on WRC (NBC) 4-1 only. All other stations are fine, including 4-2 and 4-3. This problem started just a few days ago (Thursday or Friday).
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeutzy2/IMG_2710.jpg

Any idea as to when 4-3 came online? Could it be related to the problem?

Yep. That's what's on my TV. Samsung also.

Thanks... I'll start the ball rolling tomorrow.
FYI - my year and a half old plasma is a Samsung HP-T4264. The MyHD card in my pc doesn't have the problem.
I wonder if WRC-DT is encoding in 1280x1080 to try to squeeze more channels in their available bandwidth.........

I'm on it also. Sammy 5054 here.

I'm getting 4-1 with poor lip-sync (during law and order), and 4-3 with audio, but I getting nothing on 4-2. I'm using a Dish Network VIP211k receiver, and watching the local channels OTA.The lip synch is worse than ever on 4.1; but fine on 11.1.

Thanks... I'll start the ball rolling tomorrow.
FYI - my year and a half old plasma is a Samsung HP-T4264. The MyHD card in my pc doesn't have the problem.
I wonder if WRC-DT is encoding in 1280x1080 to try to squeeze more channels in their available bandwidth.........
I'm using a MyHD-130. Is your MyHD a 130? Is your resolution set to 1920x1080i? The only way i get a picture on 4.1 is if i set the resolution to 1440x1080i or 1280x720p

Apparently there was a splicer problem that kept it from reacting to the automation control. After I called, the master control operators manually changed the splicer between local and network for the rest of the show.

Why did you even have to call? Dumb question, but shouldn't the MC operator have noticed that the HD video was the SD upconverted video and fixed it right then and there?

The table of resolutions was never adopted, so there's no legal reason they can't do HDlite. The solution is just as valid as any other to try and keep the station from degrading to unwatchable crap thanks to the mandated addition of Universal Sports.


Yep - AIUI the table was suggested - but not adopted as a legal requirement?

It may be that some MPEG2 decoders don't like that non-square pixel resolution - but I suspect most will. 1440x1080 is used by a number of UK HD channels at the moment - mainly because they still use HD Cam as their main delivery format (which is 1440x1080 on-tape)


Personally, I would rather see the affected stations drop the SD subs to 528x480i or 352x480i (as was suggested to the KXAS engineer in the Dallas, TX local thread).


Yep - in the UK 544x576/50i is a common "SD Lite" system used OTA and on satellite where bandwith is at a premium. 544x576 is roughly equivalent to a 4:3 PAL OTA composite signal in resolution terms (albeit with the benefit of component rather than composite chroma) - and is still very watchable - though for weather, with fine graphic detail, it may not help much? (In fact 544x576 is also used for 16:9...)

Yes - it isn't as good as 720x576 (or 704x576), but equally it is still watchable, particularly for sub-channel/minority channel stuff.

Why did you even have to call? Dumb question, but shouldn't the MC operator have noticed that the HD video was the SD upconverted video and fixed it right then and there?

And we're back to the main point that these engineers are always asleep on the job. They don't care, they don't seem to understand the equipment, and they don't seem to bother with trying to get things fixed.

It's pitiful.

They should all be fired and hire people who actually give a damn about things. The skill set is obviously irrelevant, since these guys don't seem to have any of the necessary skills (except perhaps explaining how to turn SAP on and off).

Thanks... I'll start the ball rolling tomorrow.
FYI - my year and a half old plasma is a Samsung HP-T4264. The MyHD card in my pc doesn't have the problem.
I wonder if WRC-DT is encoding in 1280x1080 to try to squeeze more channels in their available bandwidth.........
You should also post your picture of the screen to this thread in the HDTV programming forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1064958. Might get comments and feedback from experts outside of the DC area. Anyone who has the wacky 2/3rd screen for WRC-DT should take a photo and send it to WRC and elsewhere with details. Contacting NBC Network Corporate might also be useful. The more complaints, the quicker they are likely to fix it.

Have same Green Bars on My Samsung in Silver Spring.
Called NBC4 this morning and they told me they have had only 3 complaints about the Green bar on 4-1 and they are all Samsung TVs. So he seems to think it may be a problem with Samsung. But he is going to check into it.
Here are the numbers to call to complain.
Please Call:
(202) 885-4000 General Information
(202) 885-4111 News Tip Line




I'm in Ashburn, Virginia and have exactly the same problem (green bars) on WRC (NBC) 4-1 only. All other stations are fine, including 4-2 and 4-3. This problem started just a few days ago (Thursday or Friday).
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeutzy2/IMG_2710.jpg

Any idea as to when 4-3 came online? Could it be related to the problem?

Thanks for posting those phone numbers for WRC.

Have same Green Bar on My Samsung in Silver Spring.
Called NBC4 this morning and they told me they have had only 3 complaints about the Green bar on 4-1 and they are all Samsung TVs. So he seems to think it may be a problem with Samsung. But he is going to check into it.
Here are the numbers to call to complain.
Please Call:
(202) 885-4000 General Information
(202) 885-4111 News Tip Line

Yeah, this new setting has really affected a lot of Samsung TVs.

Have same Green Bars on My Samsung in Silver Spring.
Called NBC4 this morning and they told me they have had only 3 complaints about the Green bar on 4-1 and they are all Samsung TVs. So he seems to think it may be a problem with Samsung. But he is going to check into it.
Here are the numbers to call to complain.
Please Call:
(202) 885-4000 General Information
(202) 885-4111 News Tip Line
Thanks for update.
I guess I am one of those 3 prior complaints since I used those numbers & their email to contact them on Monday.
Wish my digital camera wasn't on the blitz.

There is also the instance of where if I flip from another HD channel, it splits the screen with 2/3 WRC4 HD & the bottom 1/3 is the static pic of the prior HD station (frozen).

They may think it's only on Samsungs but what about the audio issue with other make?

While I haven't been experiencing any problems related to this issue, I do have a concern. How can we know for sure they are encoding at 1920x1080 and not 1280x1080? I'll be really pissed if they're reducing resolution. Now even OTA is tainted.

My older LG LST-3510A ATSC/QAM box has issues with NBC 4 HD. Didn't get a screenshot but the lower half of the picture looks ok with the upper half mostly green/shadowy green bars/splotches. This was Sunday night Bears v Colts game.

How can we know for sure they are encoding at 1920x1080 and not 1280x1080? I sure hope they aren't transmitting 1280X1080, because that is not part of the ATSC standard. (1280X720 is part of the standard.)

Here's my greenbar effect from this AM.
Also filed my complaint with the FCC & posted our collective experiences on some other sites recommended above. WRC wasnt picking up when I called them 3 times this AM. Went thru the news desk & got forwarded to a supposed engineering voice mail.

Here's my greenbar effect from this AM.

Our PBS station was sending 528x480 for a while on its many SD subchannels but recently changed them to 640x480 which is in the ATSC table. I don't know why they did that.

There was also a report on our local thread that one model of HDTV refused to display the 1920x1088 resolution of our CBS affiliate. That resolution isn't in the ATSC table.

I sure hope they aren't transmitting 1280X1080, because that is not part of the ATSC standard. (1280X720 is part of the standard.)

WRC is. That's why all these receivers are freaking out.

- Trip

My cable company has been squeezing most of the SD channels down to 528x480 for a while now. This seems to be common practice these days.

THEY FIXED IT....
Spoke with a REALLY NICE GUY Bob at WRC and he told me that yes they had it incorrectly set to 1280X1080. They fixed that as well as the lipsync issue.
Bob was on Vacation until today.

THEY FIXED IT....
Spoke with a REALLY NICE GUY Bob at WRC and he told me that yes they had it incorrectly set to 1280X1080. They fixed that as well as the lipsync issue.
Bob was on Vacation until today.

My cable company has been squeezing most of the SD channels down to 528x480 for a while now. This seems to be common practice these days.

Yes, that's a standard resolution for SD on cable and I've even seen it as low as 320x480 for on-demand shows. However cable companies have their own STBs that can display these resolutions. There's nothing in the ATSC standard that says an ATSC receiver has to be able to display them.

OThere was also a report on our local thread that one model of HDTV refused to display the 1920x1088 resolution of our CBS affiliate. That resolution isn't in the ATSC table.

Here is the cute part about 1920x1088. That is what it needs to be for MPEG-2 to do encoding, as each macroblock is 8x8. Under normal circumstances it is flagged as 1920x1080. That is what I was told they do with it.

A few years ago, our NBC affiliate was doing 1920x1088 and I never noticed it, until I firewired some of the programming I had recorded onto D-VHS tape into the computer. I had to run the video through another package to get it to be flagged 1920x1080 so that I could work with it in VideoReDo. I gotta send them a sample of that so that they can get VRD to work with 1920x1088 and 1920x1080 at the same time.

THEY FIXED IT....
Spoke with a REALLY NICE GUY Bob at WRC and he told me that yes they had it incorrectly set to 1280X1080. They fixed that as well as the lipsync issue.
Bob was on Vacation until today.

"Oh Bob"

---In my best Susan Plashet

THEY FIXED IT....
Spoke with a REALLY NICE GUY Bob at WRC and he told me that yes they had it incorrectly set to 1280X1080. They fixed that as well as the lipsync issue.
Bob was on Vacation until today.

Confirmed. Thanks for the info. I just checked, and the video is back to 1920x1080. :)

Sorry to the mods for posting this in programming instead of locals. I thought it might have been something NBC was doing across the board so I figured it belonged here.

"Oh Bob"

---In my best Susan Plashet

So either:

a) Bob was on vacation when the new subchannel was added, or
b) Bob left right afterwards, without adequate testing

Either way, this is still unacceptable for a major market major network. And they have no coverage if "Bob" goes on vacation? So they just let problems persist until "Bob" gets back?

Brilliant.

Again, most of us would be fired for operating this way.

THEY FIXED IT....
Spoke with a REALLY NICE GUY Bob at WRC and he told me that yes they had it incorrectly set to 1280X1080. They fixed that as well as the lipsync issue.
Bob was on Vacation until today.

+111111111111111 for Bob & ncfuser & every1 else.
I have must see TV back ;)
Thanks - can't wait to check it out when I get home.

ps. & thanks to AbMagfab for his truth in TV operations hawkishness!

So either:

a) Bob was on vacation when the new subchannel was added, or
b) Bob left right afterwards, without adequate testing

Either way, this is still unacceptable for a major market major network. And they have no coverage if "Bob" goes on vacation? So they just let problems persist until "Bob" gets back?

Brilliant.

Again, most of us would be fired for operating this way.

I agree. My boss would have my ass if I was unavailable at any point during the 72 hours after a major network change, and our network only serves 1000 or so users. I can't believe that this Bob person is allowed to keep his job after a monumental screwup like that.

why is WJLA preempting network programming to show Cinderella Man?
Although all the wednesday night shows on ABC suck (supernanny, wife swap), I always found it lame for an affiliate to kill off primetime network programming to show their own stuff. Just like when WJLA aired their college football preview a few weeks ago.

Here is the cute part about 1920x1088. That is what it needs to be for MPEG-2 to do encoding, as each macroblock is 8x8. Under normal circumstances it is flagged as 1920x1080. That is what I was told they do with it.
True, but a small number of receivers are seeing the 1088 in the header and refusing to display that strange resolution since they were designed to display ATSC, not arbitrary MPEG-2 resolutions.

THEY FIXED IT....
Spoke with a REALLY NICE GUY Bob at WRC and he told me that yes they had it incorrectly set to 1280X1080. They fixed that as well as the lipsync issue.
Bob was on Vacation until today.

I got back home from work and turned on channel 4-1 and hooray, it's fixed! It's crazy though that it took this long I think.

True, but a small number of receivers are seeing the 1088 in the header and refusing to display that strange resolution since they were designed to display ATSC, not arbitrary MPEG-2 resolutions.

That could very well be. As mentioned, I never noticed that it was 1088 until I transferred some episodes into the computer. The STB, a Samsung T165 and the two JVC D_VHS decks, never had an issue with the 1088. They worked with it just fine, otherwise I would have been calling Tom at the station and asking what was up.

Guess I was lucky that the 1088 didn't cause any problems. No one complained on the local Madison thread either.

Anyone watch the Olympic replays on 4-3?

I find the WRC-DT WASHINGTON bug in the lower right corner highly annoying. Whenever there's a timer graphic for the events, that bug lays right on top of it obscuring the view.

I had to do a channel scan tonight, again, on all my TiVos for 4-1 to show up. I hope this is the last time. This stuff needs to be straightened out before all the new shows start.

And with the FIOS realignment coming up soon, I have to rely on OTA while the guide data gets straightened out.

So either:

a) Bob was on vacation when the new subchannel was added, or
b) Bob left right afterwards, without adequate testing

Either way, this is still unacceptable for a major market major network. And they have no coverage if "Bob" goes on vacation? So they just let problems persist until "Bob" gets back?

Brilliant.

Again, most of us would be fired for operating this way.

It's not NBC4's fault. Blame the morons at NBC in New York for underfunding and seriously neglecting one of their most important properties. It's pathetic and sad that a major network's O&O in the Washington market is in such pathetic shape, technology-wise.

I'm using a MyHD-130. Is your MyHD a 130? Is your resolution set to 1920x1080i? The only way i get a picture on 4.1 is if i set the resolution to 1440x1080i or 1280x720p
Even though it is now OBE, yes I have a MDP-130. I'm not sure what the resolution setting was ....

WRC-DT topic from HDTV Programming merged here.

It's not NBC4's fault. Blame the morons at NBC in New York for underfunding and seriously neglecting one of their most important properties. It's pathetic and sad that a major network's O&O in the Washington market is in such pathetic shape, technology-wise.

I don't think the corporate people are totally to blame.

Seriously, who does a major cut-over and then takes a week off before finding out if it works? This is a fault of management at the station.

I don't think the corporate people are totally to blame.

Seriously, who does a major cut-over and then takes a week off before finding out if it works? This is a fault of management at the station.

It's the fault of the engineers, plain and simple. It's the engineers' job to do the work and test if it was successful, and make sure they have backup. "Management" can't do any of that (except maybe help with backup).

In most other companies, the engineers would be fired (multiple times) by now.

I hope WJLA's fundraiser last night went well. Second Wednesday in a row they have pre-empted ABC programming - admittably junk from 8-10pm. I expect this type of behavior from someplace in Arkansas, not Washington DC. "ABC-7 Cinema" - how very 1970s of them, and in glorious SD.

From what I have read the last few days here (no HD for ET, WRC's resolution problems, WJLA's preemptions), it indeed is another fine week in DC television, lagging behind most of the rest of the country.

Better now than after they start their new shows.

Better now than after they start their new shows.


Agreed. I wouldn't put it past Allbritton, though. They have pre-empted first-run scripted shows in the past.

Washington Capitals score more HDTV time

Washington Business Journal - by Tucker Echols Staff Reporter

The Washington Capitals will have 73 of the team's games broadcast on television by Comcast SportsNet during the 2008-2009 season, including 50 games in high-definition.

That is a record number of high-definition productions for a Capitals season. They will be aired on Comcast SportsNet HDTV. Coverage begins with the October 10 regular season opener at Atlanta.

The following night Comcast will air the team’s home opener against Chicago in high definition as the team raises its 2007-08 Southeast Division championship banner.

“It is fantastic to see Comcast SportsNet offer so many games in HD,” said Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis. “Our TV ratings increased significantly last year, and we look forward to continued growth this season.”

In fact, last season the Capitals saw record-setting audience numbers on Comcast SportsNet in the D.C. and Baltimore viewing areas. Capitals ratings climbed significantly during the course of the season, driven by the arrival of head coach Bruce Boudreau.

From his appointment on Dec 6, 2007 to the end of the regular season ratings jumped 166% over the same period last season in the D.C. market. For the entire 2007-2008 regular season, Capitals ratings increased 75% from the prior year. Joe Beninati and former Capital Craig Laughlin return to provide play-by-play and color commentary, respectively, on the local broadcasts.

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/09/08/daily57.html

I wonder how many games will be on Ch 50 this season? I guess the same question goes to the Wizards as well.

since there were 0 last year i'd have to guess that is about how many for this year. I think they're scheduled for up to 9 national games on versus/nbc

For the past several weeks WJLA hasn't broadcasted any of its ABC HD shows in Dolby Digital 5.1 at all.

For the past several weeks WJLA hasn't broadcasted any of its ABC HD shows in Dolby Digital 5.1 at all.

It's been that way ever since Game 6 of the NBA playoffs for me. I emailed 3 times and never got response so I gave up.

Washington Capitals score more HDTV time
From his appointment on Dec 6, 2007 to the end of the regular season ratings jumped 166% over the same period last season in the D.C. market. For the entire 2007-2008 regular season, Capitals ratings increased 75% from the prior year. Joe Beninati and former Capital Craig Laughlin return to provide play-by-play and color commentary, respectively, on the local broadcasts.

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/09/08/daily57.html

Excellent news all around. My slingbox will get a workout this year.

Excellent news all around. My slingbox will get a workout this year.
I'm excited to hear that more of the away games will be in HD, because I got myself season tickets this time around (and thus I will miss the overwhelming majority of the HD home telecasts). I get to watch those in 3D! :D

And of course, the games not on CSN will be on Versus and NBC, which of course are nationally distributed.

ok, guys, this is weird. Everytime I watch a recorded program lately I'm getting intermittant audio dropouts constantly. I have narrowed it down to only Fox HD programming which is even weirder. For instance, with Fringe the other night, the first 15 or so minutes with in SD and I didn't have any problems, but when it switched to an HD feed the audio dropouts started happening. This is was recorded mind you. We then proceeded to play Prison Break next and the same thing. I tried another HD recorded show that was not Fox and no audio dropouts. I haven't tried watching anything live on Fox HD yet, but maybe that's the next step to figuring this thing out. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
Rob

It's been that way ever since Game 6 of the NBA playoffs for me. I emailed 3 times and never got response so I gave up.

Now c'mon. their page says "We welcome your comments and suggestions!" :D
703-236-9552. Maybe during the day you can get someone with some answers.

It's been that way ever since Game 6 of the NBA playoffs for me. I emailed 3 times and never got response so I gave up.

Called WJLA this afternoon and spoke with a nice gentleman named Mark Olingy, Director of Engineering at WJLA.
States that they are going through a transition at the moment for DTV and are working hard replacing alot of the equipment.

Also went on to say that Dolby Digital 5.1 should be restored within the next 30-60 days tops.

I remember it was only DD2.0 when they first started broadcasting in HD. I had been using the ABC station from Baltimore for my HD recordings(which were in 5.1) but my reception wasn't guaranteed since it was farther away. so I was happy to have the HD even with 2.0 since my reception was solid.

As long as it's only temporary I can deal with DD2.0. Dolby ProLogic IIx does a great job turning 2.0 into 7.1

Called WJLA this afternoon and spoke with a nice gentleman named Mark Olingy, Director of Engineering at WJLA.
States that they are going through a transition at the moment for DTV and are working hard replacing alot of the equipment.

Also went on to say that Dolby Digital 5.1 should be restored within the next 30-60 days tops.

Thanks. For the amount of money that this entire industry is making, I am stun they run a part of it like a lemonade stand. & That's an insult to lemonade stands.

Comcast SportsNet 2008-09 Washington Capitals TV Schedule

HD DAY DATE TIME OPPONENT STATION
Fri 10/10/08 7:30PM @ Atlanta CSN
HD Sat 10/11/08 7:00PM Chicago CSN
Mon 10/13/08 7:00PM Vancouver VERSUS
HD Thu 10/16/08 7:30PM @ Pittsburgh CSN
HD Sat 10/18/08 7:00PM New Jersey CSN
Tue 10/21/08 9:30PM @ Calgary CSN
HD Thu 10/23/08 10:00PM @ Phoenix CSN
Sat 10/25/08 8:00PM @ Dallas CSN
Tue 10/28/08 7:00PM Nashville NO TV
Sat 11/1/08 7:00PM @ Buffalo CSN+
Tue 11/04/08 7:30PM @ Ottawa CSN
HD Thu 11/6/08 7:00PM Carolina CSN
Sat 11/08/08 7:00PM New York CSN+
Mon 11/10/08 7:00PM Tampa Bay VERSUS
HD Wed 11/12/08 7:00PM @ Carolina CSN
HD Fri 11/14/08 7:00PM New Jersey CSN
Sat 11/15/08 7:00PM @ New Jersey CSN
HD Wed 11/19/08 10:00PM @ Anaheim CSN
HD Thu 11/20/08 10:30PM @ Los Angeles CSN
HD Sat 11/22/08 10:30PM @ San Jose CSN
Mon 11/24/08 8:00PM @ Minnesota VERSUS
HD Wed 11/26/08 7:00PM Atlanta CSN
HD Fri 11/28/08 7:00PM Montreal CSN
Sat 11/29/08 7:00PM @ Columbus CSN+
Tue 12/02/08 7:00PM Florida NO TV
HD Thur 12/04/08 7:00PM New York CSN
Sat 12/06/08 7:00PM @ Toronto CSN
HD Sun 12/07/08 5:00PM @ Carolina CSN
HD Wed 12/10/08 7:00PM Boston CSN
Fri 12/12/08 7:00PM Ottawa CSN+
Sat 12/13/08 7:00PM @ Montreal CSN+
Tue 12/16/08 7:00PM @ New York VERSUS
HD Thu 12/18/08 7:00PM St. Louis CSN
Sat 12/20/08 1:00PM @ Philadelphia CSN
Tue 12/23/08 7:00PM @ New York CSN
HD Fri 12/26/08 7:00PM Buffalo CSN
Sun 12/28/08 7:00PM Toronto CSN+
Tue 12/30/08 7:00PM @ Buffalo CSN
HD Thu 1/1/09 7:00PM Tampa Bay CSN
HD Sat 1/3/09 7:00PM New York CSN
HD Tue 1/6/09 7:00PM Philadelphia CSN
Fri 1/9/09 7:00PM Columbus CSN+
Sat 1/10/09 7:00PM @ Montreal CSN
HD Tue 1/13/09 7:00PM Edmonton CSN
HD Wed 1/14/09 7:30PM @ Pittsburgh CSN
HD Sat 1/17/09 7:00PM Boston CSN
Mon 1/19/09 2:00PM @ New York CSN
Tue 1/20/09 7:30PM @ Ottawa VERSUS
Tue 1/27/09 7:00PM @ Boston VERSUS
HD Sat 1/31/09 12:30PM Detroit CSN
HD Sun 2/1/09 12:30PM Ottawa CSN
Tue 2/3/08 7:00PM @ New Jersey CSN
HD Thu 2/5/09 7:00PM Los Angeles CSN
HD Sat 2/7/09 7:00PM Florida CSN
HD Wed 2/11/09 7:00PM @ New York CSN
HD Sat 2/14/09 7:30PM @ Tampa Bay CSN
HD Sun 2/15/09 5:00PM @ Florida CSN
HD Wed 2/18/09 7:30PM Montreal CSN
HD Fri 2/20/09 7:00PM Colorado CSN
HD Sun 2/22/09 3:00PM Pittsburgh CSN
HD Tue 2/24/09 7:00PM Philadelphia CSN
HD Thu 2/26/09 7:00PM Atlanta CSN
Sat 2/28/09 1:00PM @ Boston CSN
HD Sun 3/1/09 3:00PM Florida CSN
HD Tue 3/3/09 7:00PM Carolina CSN
HD Thu 3/5/09 7:00PM Toronto CSN
HD Sun 3/8/09 3:00PM Pittsburgh CSN
Tue 3/10/09 8:00PM @ Nashville CSN
Thu 3/12/09 7:00PM @ Philadelphia CSN
HD Sat 3/14/09 7:00PM Carolina CSN
Mon 3/16/09 7:00PM @ Atlanta VERSUS
HD Tue 3/17/09 7:30PM @ Florida CSN
HD Thu 3/19/09 7:30PM @ Tampa Bay CSN
HD Sat 3/21/09 7:00PM @ Carolina CSN
Tue 3/24/09 7:00PM @ Toronto CSN
HD Fri 3/27/90 7:00PM Tampa Bay CSN
HD Wed 4/1/09 7:00PM New York CSN
HD Fri 4/3/09 7:00PM Buffalo CSN
HD Sun 4/5/09 3:00PM Atlanta CSN
HD Tue 4/7/09 7:00PM @ Atlanta CSN
HD Thu 4/9/09 7:30PM @ Tampa Bay CSN
HD Sat 4/11/09 7:00PM @ Florida CSN

http://www.comcastsportsnet.tv/pages/capitals_landing?blockID=13736&feedID=316

CSN Announces Washington Wizards 2008-09 TV Schedule

Thursday, September 11th 2008

Bethesda, MD – The Washington Wizards and Comcast SportsNet released their 2008-09 television broadcast schedule today. The schedule features all 82 regular season games plus three preseason games, including 63 on Comcast SportsNet, 11 on CSN+, six on CW50 and 21 national television appearances.

“Comcast SportsNet enters the 2008-09 NBA season with a lineup of Washington Wizards live games and original programming that will truly excite all sports fans,” said Rebecca Schulte, senior vice president and general manager of Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. “As the Washington Wizards look to make their fifth straight playoff appearance, fans can turn to Comcast SportsNet all season to see an extensive lineup of high-definition games along with a great team of expert analysts and comprehensive postgame shows after each matchup.”

Comcast SportsNet will broadcast 60 regular season games beginning with the opener vs. New Jersey on Oct. 29, with 49 games produced in high definition (including all home and 16 road games). The network will also produce 11 games to air on CSN+ (channel information available at www.comcastsportsnet.tv) and six games that will air on CW50. Additionally, Comcast SportsNet will televise three preseason games: Oct. 7 at Dallas, Oct. 22 at San Antonio and Oct. 24 at Cleveland.

The Emmy Award-winning Steve Buckhantz returns for his 12th season as play-by-play commentator for local Wizards broadcasts, while former Bullets great Phil Chenier is back to provide his 24th season of color analysis.

"We’re thrilled to team with Comcast SportsNet to provide our fans with complete coverage of the Wizards’ 82-game schedule,” said Wizards Executive Vice President/Chief of Staff Matt Williams. “Along with our significant presence among the NBA’s national television partners and the added bonus of three televised preseason games, the excitement of Wizards basketball will be on display both locally and around the country throughout the upcoming season.”

http://www.comcastsportsnet.tv/pages/wizards_landing?blockID=13760&feedID=315

Called WJLA this afternoon and spoke with a nice gentleman named Mark Olingy, Director of Engineering at WJLA.
States that they are going through a transition at the moment for DTV and are working hard replacing alot of the equipment.

Also went on to say that Dolby Digital 5.1 should be restored within the next 30-60 days tops.

ammar249, thanks for the info.

ok, guys, this is weird. Everytime I watch a recorded program lately I'm getting intermittant audio dropouts constantly. I have narrowed it down to only Fox HD programming which is even weirder.
It would help if you would provide more info. Which Fox station, how are you getting the station - OTA, cable, sat; if cable/sat which service provider; DVR model, audio setup?

Comcast SportsNet 2008-09 Washington Capitals TV Schedule

HD DAY DATE TIME OPPONENT STATION
Fri 10/10/08 7:30PM @ Atlanta CSN
HD Sat 10/11/08 7:00PM Chicago CSN
Mon 10/13/08 7:00PM Vancouver VERSUS
HD Thu 10/16/08 7:30PM @ Pittsburgh CSN
HD Sat 10/18/08 7:00PM New Jersey CSN
Tue 10/21/08 9:30PM @ Calgary CSN
HD Thu 10/23/08 10:00PM @ Phoenix CSN
Sat 10/25/08 8:00PM @ Dallas CSN
Tue 10/28/08 7:00PM Nashville NO TV
Sat 11/1/08 7:00PM @ Buffalo CSN+
Tue 11/04/08 7:30PM @ Ottawa CSN
HD Thu 11/6/08 7:00PM Carolina CSN
Sat 11/08/08 7:00PM New York CSN+
Mon 11/10/08 7:00PM Tampa Bay VERSUS
HD Wed 11/12/08 7:00PM @ Carolina CSN
HD Fri 11/14/08 7:00PM New Jersey CSN
Sat 11/15/08 7:00PM @ New Jersey CSN
HD Wed 11/19/08 10:00PM @ Anaheim CSN
HD Thu 11/20/08 10:30PM @ Los Angeles CSN
HD Sat 11/22/08 10:30PM @ San Jose CSN
Mon 11/24/08 8:00PM @ Minnesota VERSUS
HD Wed 11/26/08 7:00PM Atlanta CSN
HD Fri 11/28/08 7:00PM Montreal CSN
Sat 11/29/08 7:00PM @ Columbus CSN+
Tue 12/02/08 7:00PM Florida NO TV
HD Thur 12/04/08 7:00PM New York CSN
Sat 12/06/08 7:00PM @ Toronto CSN
HD Sun 12/07/08 5:00PM @ Carolina CSN
HD Wed 12/10/08 7:00PM Boston CSN
Fri 12/12/08 7:00PM Ottawa CSN+
Sat 12/13/08 7:00PM @ Montreal CSN+
Tue 12/16/08 7:00PM @ New York VERSUS
HD Thu 12/18/08 7:00PM St. Louis CSN
Sat 12/20/08 1:00PM @ Philadelphia CSN
Tue 12/23/08 7:00PM @ New York CSN
HD Fri 12/26/08 7:00PM Buffalo CSN
Sun 12/28/08 7:00PM Toronto CSN+
Tue 12/30/08 7:00PM @ Buffalo CSN
HD Thu 1/1/09 7:00PM Tampa Bay CSN
HD Sat 1/3/09 7:00PM New York CSN
HD Tue 1/6/09 7:00PM Philadelphia CSN
Fri 1/9/09 7:00PM Columbus CSN+
Sat 1/10/09 7:00PM @ Montreal CSN
HD Tue 1/13/09 7:00PM Edmonton CSN
HD Wed 1/14/09 7:30PM @ Pittsburgh CSN
HD Sat 1/17/09 7:00PM Boston CSN
Mon 1/19/09 2:00PM @ New York CSN
Tue 1/20/09 7:30PM @ Ottawa VERSUS
Tue 1/27/09 7:00PM @ Boston VERSUS
HD Sat 1/31/09 12:30PM Detroit CSN
HD Sun 2/1/09 12:30PM Ottawa CSN
Tue 2/3/08 7:00PM @ New Jersey CSN
HD Thu 2/5/09 7:00PM Los Angeles CSN
HD Sat 2/7/09 7:00PM Florida CSN
HD Wed 2/11/09 7:00PM @ New York CSN
HD Sat 2/14/09 7:30PM @ Tampa Bay CSN
HD Sun 2/15/09 5:00PM @ Florida CSN
HD Wed 2/18/09 7:30PM Montreal CSN
HD Fri 2/20/09 7:00PM Colorado CSN
HD Sun 2/22/09 3:00PM Pittsburgh CSN
HD Tue 2/24/09 7:00PM Philadelphia CSN
HD Thu 2/26/09 7:00PM Atlanta CSN
Sat 2/28/09 1:00PM @ Boston CSN
HD Sun 3/1/09 3:00PM Florida CSN
HD Tue 3/3/09 7:00PM Carolina CSN
HD Thu 3/5/09 7:00PM Toronto CSN
HD Sun 3/8/09 3:00PM Pittsburgh CSN
Tue 3/10/09 8:00PM @ Nashville CSN
Thu 3/12/09 7:00PM @ Philadelphia CSN
HD Sat 3/14/09 7:00PM Carolina CSN
Mon 3/16/09 7:00PM @ Atlanta VERSUS
HD Tue 3/17/09 7:30PM @ Florida CSN
HD Thu 3/19/09 7:30PM @ Tampa Bay CSN
HD Sat 3/21/09 7:00PM @ Carolina CSN
Tue 3/24/09 7:00PM @ Toronto CSN
HD Fri 3/27/90 7:00PM Tampa Bay CSN
HD Wed 4/1/09 7:00PM New York CSN
HD Fri 4/3/09 7:00PM Buffalo CSN
HD Sun 4/5/09 3:00PM Atlanta CSN
HD Tue 4/7/09 7:00PM @ Atlanta CSN
HD Thu 4/9/09 7:30PM @ Tampa Bay CSN
HD Sat 4/11/09 7:00PM @ Florida CSN

http://www.comcastsportsnet.tv/pages/capitals_landing?blockID=13736&feedID=316

Despite all of the games in HD, it's interesting to note that two games aren't scheduled to be televised at all, according to that schedule. I wonder if those two might be picked up by NBC, NHL Network, or HDNet (does anyone know if they're going to carry any NHL games this season???)

Also, despite what had been suggested in the past, it doesn't look like there will be a CSN+ HD channel anytime soon.

NBC does sunday only, and someone at verizon needs to call NHL network! im dying here and its not even training camp yet!

hdnet usually only shows saturday games from the west coast...

ok, guys, this is weird. Everytime I watch a recorded program lately I'm getting intermittant audio dropouts constantly. I have narrowed it down to only Fox HD programming which is even weirder. For instance, with Fringe the other night, the first 15 or so minutes with in SD and I didn't have any problems, but when it switched to an HD feed the audio dropouts started happening. This is was recorded mind you. We then proceeded to play Prison Break next and the same thing. I tried another HD recorded show that was not Fox and no audio dropouts. I haven't tried watching anything live on Fox HD yet, but maybe that's the next step to figuring this thing out. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
Rob

It's not that wierd - DirecTV has had this problem 3 or 4 times in the last few years. The last couple of times that I talked to them about it, it turned out to be their receiver that they use to pick up the local channel with. Usually when DirecTV has the problem, I receive a lot of complaints. This is the first I've heard about it recently.

I'd be interested in hearing how you're receiving your signal.

I have heard some discussion about the limited reach of WMDO digital on channel 8.
I was surprised to find the other day that over top of WGAL analog which I get with a B- signal up here about 15 miles north of Winchester, Va., I can get a steady lock on those 198 watts. That being said, I will tell you that I am at an elevation of about 1250 feet.
I have an old CM combo antenna (3020) that has had the uhf reflector removed for my VHF reception and 2 vertically stacked and electrically connect CM 4882 antennas for UHF. that's 16 bays.
Both VHF and UHF feed a CM 7777 preamp split for separate uhf/vhf inputs. I get all the DC UHF digitals with a constant 98 percent at a distance of 71 miles. With this setup I can also get Baltimore at 91 miles, but with signals in the 60’s and 70’s.

ok, guys, this is weird. Everytime I watch a recorded program lately I'm getting intermittant audio dropouts constantly. I have narrowed it down to only Fox HD programming which is even weirder. For instance, with Fringe the other night, the first 15 or so minutes with in SD and I didn't have any problems, but when it switched to an HD feed the audio dropouts started happening. This is was recorded mind you. We then proceeded to play Prison Break next and the same thing. I tried another HD recorded show that was not Fox and no audio dropouts. I haven't tried watching anything live on Fox HD yet, but maybe that's the next step to figuring this thing out. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
Rob


Same thing happened the last two weeks with Prison Break on Comcast.

Same thing happened the last two weeks with Prison Break on Comcast.

Great, I'm glad it's not just me. Man it was so annoying happening every minute or so.

I have heard some discussion about the limited reach of WMDO digital on channel 8.
I was surprised to find the other day that over top of WGAL analog which I get with a B- signal up here about 15 miles north of Winchester, Va., I can get a steady lock on those 198 watts. That being said, I will tell you that I am at an elevation of about 1250 feet.
I have an old CM combo antenna (3020) that has had the uhf reflector removed for my VHF reception and 2 vertically stacked and electrically connect CM 4882 antennas for UHF. that's 16 bays.
Both VHF and UHF feed a CM 7777 preamp split for separate uhf/vhf inputs. I get all the DC UHF digitals with a constant 98 percent at a distance of 71 miles. With this setup I can also get Baltimore at 91 miles, but with signals in the 60’s and 70’s.

It sounds like you have a very favorable location and setup for reception from a distance. That's pretty impressive to get that weak signal from such a distance, though. Especially since I had to play with rabbit ears for quite a bit to get it from indoors at only six miles away. It's very reliable on my roof antenna, though.

I wonder what kind of effect that'll have on WGAL, which is going back to 8 next year.

http://www.wusa9.com/news/breaking/story.aspx?storyid=76021&catid=158


I was so not looking forward to watching Baltimore-Houston this Sunday.

It sounds like you have a very favorable location and setup for reception from a distance. That's pretty impressive to get that weak signal from such a distance, though. Especially since I had to play with rabbit ears for quite a bit to get it from indoors at only six miles away. It's very reliable on my roof antenna, though.

I wonder what kind of effect that'll have on WGAL, which is going back to 8 next year.

as it stands now with WGAL 8 analog, if I turn my antenna right on Lancaster it is very easy to watch over the digital hash from WMDO and when I turn to DC I completely lose WGAL and WMDO locks in, but they are just above the digital cliff. there is also a 300 watt ch 8 digital going on the air in Martinsburg soon. the commission has set up a situation where when all these new digitals go on the air, we out here will have a hard time getting anything out of Baltimore and Washington over the little LP transmitters all over this area.

It seems like WMDO-LD might make a semi-decent indicator of post-transition signal on WUSA/WJLA. I mean, if you can see a 0.2 kW signal, you shouldn't have problems with a 12.6 kW signal or a 30 kW signal.

- Trip

as it stands now with WGAL 8 analog, if I turn my antenna right on Lancaster it is very easy to watch over the digital hash from WMDO and when I turn to DC I completely lose WGAL and WMDO locks in, but they are just above the digital cliff. there is also a 300 watt ch 8 digital going on the air in Martinsburg soon. the commission has set up a situation where when all these new digitals go on the air, we out here will have a hard time getting anything out of Baltimore and Washington over the little LP transmitters all over this area.
After aiming the YA-6713 upper VHF antenna in the attic right at DC, I can't get a lock for WMDO-LD on VHF 8 from here in Sterling at about 16 miles out. Good quality picture for analog 7 & 9. The 2 ATSC tuners show a signal detection for channel 8, but way too weak for a picture. The signal meters bounce around, so the problem may be in large part interference from the strong adjacent analog signals on 7 & 9. I'm going to experiment, but may have to wait for analog 7 & 9 to get shut off to see if I can get WMDO-LD. Line of sight matters a great deal for a 198 Watt upper VHF digital signal. I don't have that for the DC stations.

Yes, with the loss of 18 UHF channels and the closer packing of station channel assignments, those LD stations out in Winchester, Martinsburg, Front Royal, etc will be a problem for those located in that general area in getting some of the DC and Baltimore stations. Checking the granted CPs (Construction Permits), I see a WAZC-LD on UHF 35 in Luray, WAZF-LD on UHF 40 in Front Royal, and WAZW-LD on UHF 46 in Winchester, all at 12 or 15 kW and all owned by JLA Media and Publications.

New HD in MoCo:
TLC 240
Animal Planet 241
History 237
CNN 234
AMC 218

Anyone gotten an answer on when WUSA, first in DC HD news, is not showing Entertainment Tonight in HD? No response to any e-mails.

Anyone gotten an answer on when WUSA, first in DC HD news, is not showing Entertainment Tonight in HD? No response to any e-mails.The Insider isn't in HD, either.
____________________________________

http://www.wusa9.com/news/breaking/story.aspx?storyid=76021&catid=158


I was so not looking forward to watching Baltimore-Houston this Sunday.Me, too.

Someone at Broadband Reports (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21033383) claims to have seen a flier from RCN saying the "analog crush" comes to the DC area on October 1.

Anyone else having problems with their Comcast HD Channels? I'm in Gaithersburg, with a cable card.

Some of the channels work, but others do not. The Weather Channel Weather Scan comes through on the Cinemax HD channel, 233. National Geographic only comes up on channel 236, the SciFiHD channel, when it should be on 224. NatGeoHD. I get the network HD channels though, no problem.

Very weird. Called last night and never got through (Waited for over 30 minutes on hold. What's new?)

I got through this morning and the Rep was not very helpful. He seemed to be sending a update to my TV, but when it didn't work, he then puts me on hold and comes back to say it should be back later today. MoCo is having HD issues. I'm hoping that is really the case...

RCN in D.C. has added ESPNU HD on channel 680.

With all the recent discussion on WRC-DT, I was wondering if they had increased their power. I'd always been able to receive them using my rooftop antenna, but now lately, I'm also able to lock on them with my indoor antenna for the first time since things went digital. Either they've increased their output or something atmospherically or topographically has changed. Now, the only DC station that remains elusive with my indoor antenna is WDCW-DT.

My reception for WRC is usually affected in the Spring and Fall(Although I guess it is still SUmmer, at least astronomically speaking)
But for me as the foilage decreases my signal from WRC decreases.

With all the recent discussion on WRC-DT, I was wondering if they had increased their power. I'd always been able to receive them using my rooftop antenna, but now lately, I'm also able to lock on them with my indoor antenna for the first time since things went digital. Either they've increased their output or something atmospherically or topographically has changed. Now, the only DC station that remains elusive with my indoor antenna is WDCW-DT.
WRC-DT has been operating at their licensed ERP of 813 kW on UHF 48 for some years. They have not filed for increased ERP, so WRC-DT should be within a few % of their licensed ERP. I would chalk it up to seasonal changes in propagation pattern. Another possibility, although not that likely, is that analog WWTD-LP 49 appears to have gone off the air since they dropped the WUFO programming. Could have been creating some weak adjacent channel interference. I have not been able to get anything for WWTD-LP since WUFO announced they were ending their feed to WWTD-LP sometime in August. I guess WWTD-LP will go back on the air when they start to carry the WJLA 7 analog feed in November. See if there any changes in WRC-DT reception with the indoor antenna then.

I have been having trouble getting reliable lock for WDCW-DT 50 lately. Changed my antenna aim & placement to try to get WMDO-LD, but that should not have caused WDCW-DT to start to drop out. I may have to tweak the aim to get WDCW-DT back. There is an interesting sidenote in a recent amendment to WDCW-DT's maximized power filing to operate at 1000 kW on UHF 50 post-transition. But I'll summarize that later.

My reception for WRC is usually affected in the Spring and Fall(Although I guess it is still SUmmer, at least astronomically speaking)
But for me as the foilage decreases my signal from WRC decreases.Not sure of your set-up or exact location; but there is a rather strong UHF signal around 10 miles from you in Independent Hill, VA. You may be getting a stronger signal from them when the leaves fall that compromises your tuners selectivity.

Is anyone getting anything on 4-1 4-2 or 4-3. I get a signal strength in the 90's but no audio or video on my S3 Tivo. Maybe we should call bob again?

Is anyone getting anything on 4-1 4-2 or 4-3. I get a signal strength in the 90's but no audio or video on my S3 Tivo. Maybe we should call bob again?No problem here.

No problem here.

Yup working again here as well

Anyone else having problems with their Comcast HD Channels? I'm in Gaithersburg, with a cable card.

A lot of HD and digital channels are out in Baltimore. Techs are working on it. (Using Moto boxes.)

Georgia Tech-Virginia Tech game is not in HD on WJLA. :(

The Georgia Tech vs Boston College game on Raycom is up in HD in Baltimore on WNUV 54. In SD in DC on WDCA 20.

Looks like the Raycom games have switched to WJZ. They showed a game today in HD.

http://www.raycomsports.com/index.php/ACC/SEC-Information/acc-football-georgia-tech-vs-boston-college-affiliates.html

This is 2 weeks out of 3 that Comcast has ruined my College Football saturday.
God I wish FIOS was available in Baltimore City!

I mentioned earlier WDCW-DT 50 maximized power filing. WDCW-DT is currently operating at 125 kW on UHF 51 and will switch to UHF 50 next February 18, currently set to run at 122 kW ERP. In June, WDCW-DT filed a maximize power application to operate at 1000 kW on UHF 50 post-transition.

However, both WWPX-DT Ion 60 (VHF 12) in Martinsburg, WV and WETA-DT PBS 26 (UHF 27) in DC filed conflicting petitions in June to the FCC to be allowed to move their post-transition channel to UHF 51. WWPX wants to move their antenna from west of Martinsburg to a tower on the Blue Ridge east of Front Royal to operate at 860 kW on UHF 51. This would interfere with WDCW-DT's maximized power UHF 50 reception out in western Loudoun and Fauquier counties and west of the Blue Ridge because of the strong signal from UHF 51 and vice versa, for WWPX-DT reception closer to DC. This week WDCW amended their maximized power application to submit a mutual interference acceptance between the two stations (http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=675726).

I'm guessing the reason that WDCW's agreed to the interference is that WWPX-DT's petition is holding up WDCW-DT's maximized power application and WDCW's owners do not think WWPX will get their petition granted.

The competing petition from WETA-DT is to move to UHF 51 at increased power compared to their UHF 27 ERP at the current location in NW DC. This would not create an interference issue as WETA-DT and WDCW-DT would be co-located and would make for a more efficient post-transition allocation with four consecutive channels in DC: WRC-DT on UHF 48, WWTD-LP on 49 (which could presumably file to digital flash cut to 49 in the future), WDCW-DT on 50, WETA-DT on 51. Hopefully the FCC staff will realize this and let WETA-DT have UHF 51. OTA viewers out close to the Blue Ridge may want to file public comments to the FCC proceeding in favor of WETA-DT's petition.

A lot of HD and digital channels are out in Baltimore. Techs are working on it. (Using Moto boxes.)

All channels seem to be up now.

A lot of HD and digital channels are out in Baltimore. Techs are working on it. That is good news. I wondered why 11-1 and 45-1 vanished from my parent's channel line-up.

Speaking of WDCW-DT 50, there is an unexpected sighting of HD syndication tonight. WDCW-DT is showing the pilot episode of Lost at 10 PM in HD. Checking the schedule, looks like WDCW-DT is showing reruns of Lost at 10 PM on Saturdays and in HD according to Titantv.

I mentioned earlier WDCW-DT 50 maximized power filing. WDCW-DT is currently operating at 125 kW on UHF 51 and will switch to UHF 50 next February 18, currently set to run at 122 kW ERP. In June, WDCW-DT filed a maximize power application to operate at 1000 kW on UHF 50 post-transition.

However, both WWPX-DT Ion 60 (VHF 12) in Martinsburg, WV and WETA-DT PBS 26 (UHF 27) in DC filed conflicting petitions in June to the FCC to be allowed to move their post-transition channel to UHF 51.I posted my opinion on the matter here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14659430&posted=1#post14659430).
____________________________________________

WRC-DT has been operating at their licensed ERP of 813 kW on UHF 48 for some years. They have not filed for increased ERP, so WRC-DT should be within a few % of their licensed ERP.If I remember correctly, WRC-DT will run at 1 MW, from their current omnidirectional antenna, post-transition.

If I remember correctly, WRC-DT will run at 1 MW, from their current omnidirectional antenna, post-transition.

They haven't filed for anything with the FCC for 1000 kW. I'm wondering if they'll even bother, 813 kW to 1000 kW is probably less than a 1 dB boost in signal.

- Trip

My reception for WRC is usually affected in the Spring and Fall(Although I guess it is still SUmmer, at least astronomically speaking)
But for me as the foilage decreases my signal from WRC decreases.
For me it's just the opposite; as the foliage decreases, the signal strength increases for the local DC stations.

However, both WWPX-DT Ion 60 (VHF 12) in Martinsburg, WV and WETA-DT PBS 26 (UHF 27) in DC filed conflicting petitions in June to the FCC to be allowed to move their post-transition channel to UHF 51. WWPX wants to move their antenna from west of Martinsburg to a tower on the Blue Ridge east of Front Royal to operate at 860 kW on UHF 51.

I don't see why the FCC should grant WWPX's petition. What exactly are they trying to accomplish? Their stated reason of providing better coverage to the DC DMA doesn't make sense since they have WPXW already local to DC. How did ION get two of its network stations in the same DMA? Is WWPX considered a satellite station?

The ION network has the most non-co-located stations nationwide and I find this to be a public disservice. It is more difficult for viewers on the fringes to reach relatively distant local stations when these rogue stations are scattered around. In Mystic, CT, I have two non-co-located ION stations in the way of both Hartford and Providence. The ION stations are at 11 and 15 miles respectively, when the locals are at 51. This is far from ideal.

I don't see why the FCC should grant WWPX's petition. What exactly are they trying to accomplish? Their stated reason of providing better coverage to the DC DMA doesn't make sense since they have WPXW already local to DC. How did ION get two of its network stations in the same DMA? Is WWPX considered a satellite station?

WWPX is for sale.

http://www.mediaservicesgroup.com/index.cfm?pg=cla

- Trip

World News Sunday in SD on WJLA. Weekends seem to be a problem for this station's engineers (J! and Wheel have never been shown in HD on Saturdays).

World News Sunday in SD on WJLA. Weekends seem to be a problem for this station (J! and Wheel have never been shown in HD on Saturdays).

HD on WMAR. The CBS Evening News is still SD all week on WJZ. I think it's been HD one time.

Is there any indication of when Comcast (DC-20008) is picking up FX HD? I just switched over to Comcast from RCN (moved, and no RCN at new location). I heard that RCN is about to pickup FXHD...the new season of The Shield just started, and it's a shame not to have HD for it.

Thanks for any replies.

Is there any indication of when Comcast (DC-20008) is picking up FX HD? I just switched over to Comcast from RCN (moved, and no RCN at new location). I heard that RCN is about to pickup FXHD...the new season of The Shield just started, and it's a shame not to have HD for it.

Thanks for any replies.

My Comcast neighbor said he had it already here in MD. Was he confused?

Apologies if this has already been asked. Verizon recently added ESPNU HD to our local system, however the the FIOS DC channel lineup effective 9/22 does not list ESPNU HD. Is there a chance we may actually lose this channel, or is it simple oversight on VZ's part?

Apologies if this has already been asked. Verizon recently added ESPNU HD to our local system, however the the FIOS DC channel lineup effective 9/22 does not list ESPNU HD. Is there a chance we may actually lose this channel, or is it simple oversight on VZ's part?

Who knows until next Tuesday, but most likely an oversight. They've generally been adding a few channels over what the lineup says when they do the switchover, at least so far.

It should be an oversight but we should find out for sure in a few days.

I heard that RCN is about to pickup FXHD...the new season of The Shield just started, and it's a shame not to have HD for it.From what I've read, the final season of The Shield was filmed in SD.

Hi,

Trying to watch the Closer on COMCAST MOCO and the breakups of sound and picture are awful. Anyone seeing this on another system in the area. Reason I ask is that it seems to break up less when they show "local" advertisements.

Thanks

Hi,

Trying to watch the Closer on COMCAST MOCO and the breakups of sound and picture are awful. Anyone seeing this on another system in the area. Reason I ask is that it seems to break up less when they show "local" advertisements.

Thanks

Try ESPN, you know, Monday night, Eagles v Cowboys. No breakups there. :D

Thanks, John, but no thanks. Saw my game yesterday. GO SKINS.

Hi,

Trying to watch the Closer on COMCAST MOCO and the breakups of sound and picture are awful. Anyone seeing this on another system in the area. Reason I ask is that it seems to break up less when they show "local" advertisements.

Thanks

It was fine on Comcast Howard County (SA System).

According to an email I got from WJZ, they will show Entertainment Tonight and Dr. Phil in HD "as soon as the instillation of all the equipment is completed."

I only had one breakup on The Closer that lasted for about 10 seconds. Other than that the picture quality was great.

MASN will launch a full time HD channel next year and air up to 200 games in HD:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-masn916,0,4523885.story

Scott

Got an e-mail from WUSA, about 1-2 months before "The Insider" and "Entertainment Tonight" will be in HD.

MASN will launch a full time HD channel next year and air up to 200 games in HD:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-masn916,0,4523885.story

Scott

Yay! I absolutely hate MASN's SD productions but their HD is pretty darned good. Not jump out of the screen PQ of NESN or YES but pretty much artifact free, nice believable PQ.

Now if they can move the behind the plate camera at Nationals Park!

I've looked through what info I can find online and I don't find the answer anywhere. With the approaching HD additions on FiOS is there any chance we see MASN included? With the announcement Scott linked to above, it seems a little more feasible for them to want to add it now.

I got my first HD STB back in October 1999, so I remember when WJLA-DT was considered "dragging their feet" when they weren't showing ABC's MNF in HD that first season. It also seemed to me at that time that WBFF-DT was dragging. Now, 9 years later, WJLA-DT is showing Oprah, WOF, and Jeopardy in HD. And WBFF-DT is the only station in Baltimore with HD news. If I'd been taking a bet, I don't think I'd have bet on WJLA and WBFF to be leading the pack as they seem to be now. Amazing how things change over time.

Yay! I absolutely hate MASN's SD productions but their HD is pretty darned good. Not jump out of the screen PQ of NESN or YES but pretty much artifact free, nice believable PQ.

Now if they can move the behind the plate camera at Nationals Park!

The press release also mentions that they will be carrying NCAA Division I basketball and football in HD next year, as well. Hopefully this means the syndicated Big East game of the week will be in HD next year.

I've looked through what info I can find online and I don't find the answer anywhere. With the approaching HD additions on FiOS is there any chance we see MASN included? With the announcement Scott linked to above, it seems a little more feasible for them to want to add it now.
Finally, some good news on MASN-HD. No more of the wishy-washy, we may have HD next year or not as MASN was saying all of last year and, then this year, MASN may have a full-time HD channel next year or not. So now MASN states for the record that they will launch a full-time HD channel in March 2009 with up to 200 MLB games in HD. Sounds like we should not expect a part time MASN2 HD next year; the MASN2 games will be SD only. The Os and Nats may end up being the last MLB teams with SD only games on their RSN.

As for Verizon, I would expect them to carry MASN-HD soon after launch. With this much advance notice, there is no reason they should not provide it next year. Now if only the Nats and Os field better teams next year!

MASN will launch a full time HD channel next year and air up to 200 games in HD:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-masn916,0,4523885.story

Scott

Yes, but will we still need to hunt to find the games? FIOS-1, MASN, MASN-2,MYDC20????? No wonder why they have 8K people watching the damn games. Those are only the ones who were able to find it.

Yes, but will we still need to hunt to find the games? FIOS-1, MASN, MASN-2,MYDC20????? No wonder why they have 8K people watching the damn games. Those are only the ones who were able to find it. For the HD games, they will only be on MASN-HD or a broadcast station, since it appears that MASN will not have a MASN2-HD feed. So you tune to MASN-HD for the HD games. If MASN-HD is blacked out, then the Nats game is probably on WDCA-DT My 20 or in Baltimore on WJZ-DT for the Os. Although, IIRC, WJZ did not have blackout rights (in VA anyway), so the game may in be HD on both outlets. If WJZ-DT still has the Os broadcast games next year, I would think they would have the HD games in HD unlike most of this year.

This whole two MLB teams on 1 RSN could have been avoided if MLB had not caved in to Angelos. We, the viewing public and fans, would have been far better served if Angelos had only taken the Os to MASN since he had to have his own RSN and Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic had gotten the Nats. Then there would have been no need for where is and what is on MASN-2 confusion. Two MLB teams on 1 RSN, regardless of the RSN, is not a good fit.

I got my first HD STB back in October 1999, so I remember when WJLA-DT was considered "dragging their feet" when they weren't showing ABC's MNF in HD that first season. It also seemed to me at that time that WBFF-DT was dragging. Now, 9 years later, WJLA-DT is showing Oprah, WOF, and Jeopardy in HD. And WBFF-DT is the only station in Baltimore with HD news. If I'd been taking a bet, I don't think I'd have bet on WJLA and WBFF to be leading the pack as they seem to be now. Amazing how things change over time.I can only imagine what the ATSC tuner and HDTV set has cost you back then. I know that when I got into the game in 2003, 42" Plasmas with EDTV were $5k.

From D.C. channel 50-1 (WDCW-DT I think), have never had an issue getting TheCW (big Supernatural fan).

My wife is recording a few new shows on that channel and well it now is unwatchable with a very bad studder/hiccup etc.

Is anyone else having this problem?

I don't think I'd have bet on WJLA and WBFF to be leading the pack as they seem to be now.
They aren't leading the pack, nobody really is here in DC. WJLA still is doing their news in SD. Their weekend crew frequently forgets to throw the switch on shows. It also took them 10 months (July 2007) to show Jeopardy! and Wheel in HD after much nagging/pleading by many of us AVS-ers and only after they got a "deal" for needed equipment from Sony (posts should be in this thread). I will give them credit for carrying Oprah from day one.

Considering how many HD hours a day that WUSA-DT has, They'd have to get the Leader nod.

I can only imagine what the ATSC tuner and HDTV set has cost you back then [1999]. I know that when I got into the game in 2003, 42" Plasmas with EDTV were $5k.
It wasn't so bad by 2000 when I got mine. My Dish 6000 with OTA tuner was about $400 (with contract commitment), and my 53" Sony 1080i RPTV (CRT type) was < $2,500. The model 6000 is long gone, but I still have the Sony. Anyone in DC metro want it? :cool:

My Dish 600 cost about $800 in 2003 (with 8VSB and 8PSK modules). I did end up selling it on eBay a few years later when I got the 921 in very late 2004 and got nearly $500 for it. I guess the hackers had a way with them at the time. Of course with MPEG2 nearly extinct on Dish, it will be a brick by the end of the year.

They aren't leading the pack, nobody really is here in DC. WJLA still is doing their news in SD. Their weekend crew frequently forgets to throw the switch on shows. It also took them 10 months (July 2007) to show Jeopardy! and Wheel in HD after much nagging/pleading by many of us AVS-ers and only after they got a "deal" for needed equipment from Sony (posts should be in this thread). I will give them credit for carrying Oprah from day one.

OK. I should have said that they were leading the pack in terms of stepping up to the HD syndication. And yes, obviously WUSA-DT who was first with HD news in the two markets is the true HD leader.

From D.C. channel 50-1 (WDCW-DT I think), have never had an issue getting TheCW (big Supernatural fan).
My wife is recording a few new shows on that channel and well it now is unwatchable with a very bad studder/hiccup etc.
Is anyone else having this problem?
Since no one else has responded to this, I have had some problems in getting WDCW-DT 50 recently. I had adjusted my antenna setup by re-aiming the upper VHF antenna at DC to try to get WMDO-LD on VHF 8 (ATSC tuner detects a signal, but no lock) and moved the CM 4221 UHF antenna a bit in the process, so I am not sure if that was the cause or not. As of last night, I was getting a stable picture but still not getting the normal signal strength of 8-9 bars from 16 miles out for WDCW-DT when I checked. WDCW-DT is supposed to be operating at 125 kW on UHF 51. It is possible that the station has been operating at reduced power because of equipment failure or in prep for a digital flash cut to UHF 50 next February, but I would have expected a lot more complaints here if they were. So don't know if there was a problem with WDCW-DT's broadcast strength or something else local to me.

After aiming the YA-6713 upper VHF antenna in the attic right at DC, I can't get a lock for WMDO-LD on VHF 8 from here in Sterling at about 16 miles out. Good quality picture for analog 7 & 9. The 2 ATSC tuners show a signal detection for channel 8, but way too weak for a picture. The signal meters bounce around, so the problem may be in large part interference from the strong adjacent analog signals on 7 & 9. I'm going to experiment, but may have to wait for analog 7 & 9 to get shut off to see if I can get WMDO-LD. Line of sight matters a great deal for a 198 Watt upper VHF digital signal. I don't have that for the DC stations.

Yes, with the loss of 18 UHF channels and the closer packing of station channel assignments, those LD stations out in Winchester, Martinsburg, Front Royal, etc will be a problem for those located in that general area in getting some of the DC and Baltimore stations. Checking the granted CPs (Construction Permits), I see a WAZC-LD on UHF 35 in Luray, WAZF-LD on UHF 40 in Front Royal, and WAZW-LD on UHF 46 in Winchester, all at 12 or 15 kW and all owned by JLA Media and Publications.

I live north of Hagerstown in PA and have a hard time receiving DC and Baltimore Digital, the Analogs come in clear to slightly snowy. Do you think there is any chance of the major DC and Baltimore putting translators in the Hagerstown area? WBDC use to have one on CH 51 on Blue Ridge Summit, according the Engineer at Fox-43 one of their sister station they are going to replace it with a digital one and Fox-43 will be adding one sometime after Feb 15.

Howard County FiOS - did your channels get rearranged & more HDs added last night, like we did in AA?

I live north of Hagerstown in PA and have a hard time receiving DC and Baltimore Digital, the Analogs come in clear to slightly snowy. Do you think there is any chance of the major DC and Baltimore putting translators in the Hagerstown area?
I'll have to look in the FCC database for digital TX applications and construction permits in your area. However, what is your antenna setup? For long range reception, the best approach is typically to have separate antennas for UHF and VHF. Such as a AntennasDirect 91-XG for UHF and full band or upper VHF only band antenna.

Also, if the FCC grants the maximized power applications for the local stations that have submitted them, the range of the digital stations will be improved after the analog shutdown whenever the stations increase their power. Even w/o granting the maximize power applications, we will see better range for some of the digital stations after the analog shutdown and the channel moves.

http://www.rcn.com/digital/ now has the analog crush DC metro channel list available for download (PDF format).

http://www.rcn.com/digital/ now has the analog crush DC metro channel list available for download (PDF format).

That new lineup is really impressive. It really puts the area competitors' lineups to shame. 75 HD channels.

I'll have to look in the FCC database for digital TX applications and construction permits in your area. However, what is your antenna setup? For long range reception, the best approach is typically to have separate antennas for UHF and VHF. Such as a AntennasDirect 91-XG for UHF and full band or upper VHF only band antenna.

Also, if the FCC grants the maximized power applications for the local stations that have submitted them, the range of the digital stations will be improved after the analog shutdown whenever the stations increase their power. Even w/o granting the maximize power applications, we will see better range for some of the digital stations after the analog shutdown and the channel moves.

Currently I have an older channelmaster combo. I have a 4228 I haven't put up yet, sort of waiting to see if a YA-1713 will work, since as of now I would only have WJLA-DT 7, WGAL-DT 8, WUSA-DT 9, WHTM-DT 10, WBAL-DT 11, WWPX-DT 12 ???, WJZ-DT 13, or if there might be some translators added in the 2-6 range. Currently I can get WTTG-5, WDCA-20, WRC-4 sometimes, WHTM-27, WTAJ-10. WPMT Fox 43 are planning a digital translator on Blue Ridge Summit with WBDC, but according to their engineer they would be able to apply for a construction permit utill the analogs are off, since there were no channels available.

I watched some DC50 tonight. No issues. I will be watching smallville tomorrow.

I do remember that last year they had terrible audio hiccups during Smallville nearly all season.

That new lineup is really impressive. It really puts the area competitors' lineups to shame. 75 HD channels.

Yep. Looks like they've got just a lineup comparable to what Verizon will have when they finish their VHO upgrades in the next couple months. Although, many of them have an asterisk indicating coming soon.

And they've got NHL Center Ice and MLB Extra Innings in HD too.

Howard County FiOS - did your channels get rearranged & more HDs added last night, like we did in AA?

Any surprises in the channels that were added? I've read that they sometimes add more then what they've stated they are going to add.

Any surprises in the channels that were added? I've read that they sometimes add more then what they've stated they are going to add.
The posts at dslreports say no, Verizon yesterday added to Anne Arundel / Howard County most of what is listed in the new PDF channel line-ups with the missing channels being some of the Starz, Showtime, TMC HD channels.

I did a QAM channel scan last night - this is for the Verizon Sterling CO - and found a bunch of new QAM channels that were not there several days ago. By my count and interpretation that QAM channels with only 1 or 2 sub-channels are HD sub-channels, there are up to 31 new HD channels, although I can't say how many are ready as these are all encrypted sub-channels. No channel re-alignment yet at the DVR, so I figure Verizon is getting the QAM channels set up through out the Washington Metro area for the big re-alignment and first HD expansion round of around 25 to 30 new HD channels on Monday morning.

After that, then the Washington Metro and MD Verizon subscribers will have to wait for the 2nd round expansion to the 100+ HD channels Verizon has now has in some other markets. Verizon is specifically stating that all markets will have 100+ HD channels by the end of the year. There is a Verizon Fios Washington DC area thread, we may want to post our reports there once the re-alignment hits rather than clog up this more general purpose DC-Baltimore thread.

There is a Verizon Fios Washington DC area thread, we may want to post our reports there once the re-alignment hits rather than clog up this more general purpose DC-Baltimore thread.

Ah, I'm sorry. I had googled for FiOS info in the DC area and this is where it took me. I'll see if I can find the other thread. Thanks.

Ah, I'm sorry. I had googled for FiOS info in the DC area and this is where it took me. I'll see if I can find the other thread. Thanks.
The other thread which was converted somehow from a Brambleton thread?? has not been very active. See http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=347094&page=7. It is ok to post some stuff about Verizon Fios here because this thread covers OTA, Comcast, RCN, local stations stuff as well. But I figure there may be a flood of hey, I didn't get these HD channels, these channels are pixelated or missing posts next Monday. The reports of the re-alignments in the other markets have been that it is rather messy process with some current channels missing for a day or two, serious errors in the guide data (well, ok, what is new about that for Verizon?), Tivos have old line-ups, some channels badly pixelated as they get all the COs (Central Offices, also now called Video Server Offices - VSOs - for the TV part) straightened out. Better to clog that thread up for lots of local Fios issues than this one.

Currently I have an older channelmaster combo. I have a 4228 I haven't put up yet, sort of waiting to see if a YA-1713 will work, since as of now I would only have WJLA-DT 7, WGAL-DT 8, WUSA-DT 9, WHTM-DT 10, WBAL-DT 11, WWPX-DT 12 ???, WJZ-DT 13, or if there might be some translators added in the 2-6 range. Currently I can get WTTG-5, WDCA-20, WRC-4 sometimes, WHTM-27, WTAJ-10.
If you have room on the mast or where ever you have the Channel Master antenna installed, I would put up the CM 4228 8 bay bowtie. The CM 4228 should easily outperform a typical combo antenna for UHF reception. Use the older antenna for VHF reception with a UHF/VHF combiner or a pre-amp with separate VHF and UHF inputs.

Am I the only one around here having trouble tuning WETA-DT (all subchannels) during the daytime? It used to come in perfectly at all times of the day or night. Now, it comes in perfectly from around 1AM to around 5AM, but at other times not at all. Talk about a cliff effect! This nonsense started on Labor Day weekend, and affects only WETA, and not any other channels which still tune nicely just like they always have.

I am using a Kworld 340U ATSC tuner stick with a Winegard "batwing" rooftop antenna.

If you have room on the mast or where ever you have the Channel Master antenna installed, I would put up the CM 4228 8 bay bowtie. The CM 4228 should easily outperform a typical combo antenna for UHF reception. Use the older antenna for VHF reception with a UHF/VHF combiner or a pre-amp with separate VHF and UHF inputs.

I am planning to try the 4228 on top and had already gotten a Winegard 7084 to replace the channelmaster before the DTV came about, just never got it up. I am going to give this setup a try untill spring I think. If I don't have any VHF-Low pop up I may go with the 91XG and YA-1713. I know I am going to have a stuggle with WMAR when they move to DT-38, I already have a low-power W38AN analog translator in Chambersburg (directional away from me), and W.VA. Public Broadcasting is installing a Digital Translator on DT-38, which we are to be in their Grade-A coverage. The engineer at Fox-43 said they wouldn't apply for a permit untill after the switch, to have a better choice of channels,I think they may get stuck in VHF-Low anyways.

I received an e-mail from RCN customer service today regarding the DC metro area "analog crush". In short, Silver Spring switches to all digital on October 22. The converters are TiVo compatible. Everything else is as been stated before (full digital service, converters - 1st is free, additional ones are $2.95/month).

I will still need to get pricing information and to figure out what my current set of packages are in terms of the new all digital packages.

Comcast in Sterling has WRC Universal Sports on QAM 112-1805. I don't have a cable box to tell if it is added to the official lineup yet. Can someone check with a box and let me know? I would like to send a request to Schedules Direct to get it added to the lineup if it is in fact on the system.

SiTV is the same way. I don't see it on the lineup, but it is in clear QAM on channel 134.

...W.VA. Public Broadcasting is installing a Digital Translator on DT-38, which we are to be in their Grade-A coverage...
Can you furnish any details on that, like where will the transmitter be and how strong, and where I might find its coverage map?

Can you furnish any details on that, like where will the transmitter be and how strong, and where I might find its coverage map?Here's the proposed coverage area (of digital translator W38EG-D, Hampshire WV) according to recnet.com (http://recnet.com/cdbs/goo_curves.php?data=39.451|78.348|12|564|DT|76205|38|25|1) (give it time to draw and load)...

Can you furnish any details on that, like where will the transmitter be and how strong, and where I might find its coverage map?
Adding to VARTV's post, WV Public TV has two CPs (Construction Permits) for digital translators out in the Eastern Panhandle area.

W38EG-D on UHF 38 at 12 kW which will cover much of the panhandle and Western MD extent, the FCC database entry http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=167355, FCC service contour map at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1154844.html.

W08EE-D on VHF 8 at 300 Watts located in Martinsburg with a highly directional pattern to the south, looks to provide coverage in the parts of Jefferson county that won't be able to get W38EG-D, FCC database http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=167357, FCC service contour map http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1154848.html

These translators have CPs, so WV PBS can build them, although I don't know if they are on the air or if not, whether they have to wait until after next February. W38EG-D could be a problem for those out in the WV panhandle or west of Hagerstown who want to get the WJZ-DT 13 digital UHF 38 signal out of Baltimore which will be taken over by WMAR-DT 2 after February 17. People out there may have to invest in directional UHF antennas with a strong front to back ratio and a rotator so they can pick out the more distant DC and Baltimore stations from the co-channel translators off in other directions.

If WV Public TV has the money - and they probably don't - what they should do is buy WWPX-DT Ion 60 (on VHF 12 at 23 kW) in Martinsburg, WV, and have a proper full power station covering the eastern panhandle and much of western MD, Loudoun county, and the northern end of the Shenandoah. If they have not built the 2 translators yet, put the money to buying the station. Ion has WWPX up for sale, so it is available if any of you are looking to buy a TV station. :D

My Comcast channels 801-804 aren't coming. Anyone else?

nm...I just checked at 2:30 and they are back on.

Adding to VARTV's post, WV Public TV has two CPs (Construction Permits) for digital translators out in the Eastern Panhandle area.

W38EG-D on UHF 38 at 12 kW which will cover much of the panhandle and Western MD extent, the FCC database entry http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=167355, FCC service contour map at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1154844.html.

W08EE-D on VHF 8 at 300 Watts located in Martinsburg with a highly directional pattern to the south, looks to provide coverage in the parts of Jefferson county that won't be able to get W38EG-D, FCC database http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=167357, FCC service contour map http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=LD1154848.html

These translators have CPs, so WV PBS can build them, although I don't know if they are on the air or if not, whether they have to wait until after next February. W38EG-D could be a problem for those out in the WV panhandle or west of Hagerstown who want to get the WJZ-DT 13 digital UHF 38 signal out of Baltimore which will be taken over by WMAR-DT 2 after February 17. People out there may have to invest in directional UHF antennas with a strong front to back ratio and a rotator so they can pick out the more distant DC and Baltimore stations from the co-channel translators off in other directions.

If WV Public TV has the money - and they probably don't - what they should do is buy WWPX-DT Ion 60 (on VHF 12 at 23 kW) in Martinsburg, WV, and have a proper full power station covering the eastern panhandle and much of western MD, Loudoun county, and the northern end of the Shenandoah. If they have not built the 2 translators yet, put the money to buying the station. Ion has WWPX up for sale, so it is available if any of you are looking to buy a TV station. :D

In my opinion WMAR-DT 38 is going to be allmost impossible for those of us north of Hagerstown since we all ready have W38AN, WITF low power translator north of Chambersburg. I really hope others put translators up this way, or we maybe left with NBC as the only major network.

Is anyone esle's ESPN Channel 252 on Comcast blacked out for the LSU-Auburn game?

YES!!!!!! WTF is up with ESPN today?

The Comcast rep, as nice and sweet as she sounded, simply said, it's out. I said, what does that mean? She didn't really answer that, but said she recieved other calls on the matter, they (I assume ESPN?) are aware, and she apologized.

And like magic, ESPN-HD back.

My ESPN HD on FiOS was out as well. SD came thru A-OK however.

Both WDCA-DT My 20 (7 & 8 PM) and WUTB-DT My 24 (6 & 7 PM) are showing Desperate Housewives in HD tonight. So we have some more shows in HD syndication in our area. It is a little odd that the two My Network stations are able to present syndicated shows in HD while many of the big four stations - WRC-DT 4, WUSA-DT 9, WBAL-DT 11, WJZ-DT 13 - are not yet able to do so.

I received an e-mail response from RCN customer service - they won't change prices (at least for the immediate future) when the analog crush comes down.

Both WDCA-DT My 20 (7 & 8 PM) and WUTB-DT My 24 (6 & 7 PM) are showing Desperate Housewives in HD tonight. So we have some more shows in HD syndication in our area. It is a little odd that the two My Network stations are able to present syndicated shows in HD while many of the big four stations - WRC-DT 4, WUSA-DT 9, WBAL-DT 11, WJZ-DT 13 - are not yet able to do so.

For some reason WUTB is back to SD on Comcast. OTA is 720p but I didn't think to check it when Desperate Housewives was on. The last time this happened it was SD on both Comcast and OTA.

House is also flagged as HD on WUTB in my Comcast guide. Will have to check that this Sunday.