Washington, DC / Baltimore, MD - HDTV [Text View] - Page 3

gtroan

02-19-07, 12:09 AM

In your earlier post, you stated that you live in Sleepy Hollow area near Seven corners and you have a Winegard 7082P VHF/UHF antenna. First, looking at the maps, you have terrain issues in that you appear to be down at a lower elevation with the 7 Corners shopping center located over a 100' higher to your NW. That is why they call the street a hollow I assume. So you are in a challenging terrain situation...

What model is the smaller antenna in the attic? My suggestion would to try a broad multi-directional antenna in the attic. ... What type of cable are you using to connect to the 7082p? RG-59 or good quality RG-6? If the cable is RG-59, that has higher loss than RG-6 and I would replace it.

Which model year Song WEGA TV do you have? ... depending on how much you want to spend, the Samsung DTB-H260F ATSC receiver STB ($180 list) has gotten high marks for improved reception in marginal conditions. But the H260F is hard to find at local stores; Circuit City is the best bet. Check the long H260F thread in the HDTV hardware reception forum.

Good luck!

Thanks, you've given me some good things to try. The antenna in the attic is a Phillips MANT900 VHF/UHF antenna. It occassionally picks up HD stations satisfactorily when the rooftop antenna does not, but I think it's because it's pointed in a different direction. Both antennas have RG-6 cable into the house that was installed by the cable company many years ago (before I lived here). They ran double coax into each of the rooms because that's what was needed then. Could age of the coax be a factor? Also, I am on the top of a hill in Sleepy Hollow, so I would not think that terrain shadowing is that bad. I had originally placed the Phillips antenna on the roof, but I then went to the Wiengard antenna thinking that the higher gain would cut down on the multipath and the dropouts. Now I'm torn between trying a different antenna or a new tuner. I am currently using the tuner in a Sony KDF-50 WE655 television. I guess the tuner might be easier if I can return if there's no improvement.

Maybe I'm missing something really simple, but I am surprised at the trouble I have had receiving digital stations without dropouts. How many upset consumers are there going to be when the stations go completely digital and the stations dropout when the wind blows? (Assuming that you have trees in the way, as I do.) You can see the effect of the wind on the analog stations as a small amount of speckle noise and it's hardly noticable, but when the digital stations start dropping out every few seconds, they're unwatchable. This situation does not seem to bode well for all-digital OTA television.

wkearney99

02-19-07, 07:31 AM

Let's see, few stations on analog with ghosting pictures. Versus more stations on digital with a significantly sharper and more detailed picture. And all it takes is using a better antenna. Given the added expense of a higher resolution, usually larger TV, the cost adding a better antenna is pretty trivial.

Yeah, it'd be nice if RF worked like magic, but it doesn't.

DCFan

02-19-07, 08:36 AM

Both antennas have RG-6 cable into the house that was installed by the cable company many years ago (before I lived here). They ran double coax into each of the rooms because that's what was needed then.
That was in the Media General days, pre Cox Cable. I had them also but that double cable isn't RG-6. I'm not certain they even made RG-6 then. ;)

markbulla

02-19-07, 08:49 AM

I've never heard of any station cropping like that, it doesn't even make any sense as to why they would. Most HDTVs now give you the option of stretching, why would stations do it on their own?

Ah - I see you're from VA. Up here in MD, WBAL (channel 11 in Baltimore) stretches all of their SD programming horizontally. Not all the way to 16:9, but close.

I don't think that anyone has gotten a good answer as to why they do that. The only answer I remember seeing is that their viewers preferred it that way. It makes me watch another channel, except for during prime-time.

Mark

VARTV

02-19-07, 09:24 AM

Run that by me again. For what service is USDTV running two SD channels?USDTV is a service of about 12 non-broadcast channels for $20/mo. Customers receive the mpeg4 digital service over the air with a regular antenna. Obviously, all the local DTVs are available because of the antenna. A digital TV is NOT required. In our area, USDTV was using bandwidth from the ion affiliate, NBC station (augh) and from two strong digital low-powered TV stations...

lastplace

02-19-07, 10:31 AM

Went up to balto to my parents and was able the scan their digital channels. Picked up abc, nbc, cbs & pbs in HD via qam tuner & comcast. I did notice the wbal strech-o-vision. Channels worked great on friday night but would not work until late saturday. Was comcast having problems?

Another strange thing was a channel in the low 80's. I think it was 80.11, 80.12, 80.13, 80.14 & 80.15. Most of the time there would be no signal. Every once in a while you could tune in a see what looked like a PPV movie, one time a couple getting it on nude :eek: . Good thing my 85 year old mom didn't see that!

carltonrice

02-19-07, 10:48 AM

Ah - I see you're from VA. Up here in MD, WBAL (channel 11 in Baltimore) stretches all of their SD programming horizontally. Not all the way to 16:9, but close.

I don't think that anyone has gotten a good answer as to why they do that. The only answer I remember seeing is that their viewers preferred it that way. It makes me watch another channel, except for during prime-time.

Mark

If I'm not mistaken, Hank Volpe of WBAL once told me that their corporate parent (Hearst) insisted upon it because in the earlier days of DTV, one of their stations was sued for burn-in on the sides. I always thought that eventually they would see the light and go with the generally accepted practices of other stations, but perhaps not.

On a different note, any bets as to which Baltimore affil will be first to air with a local HD newscast?

biker19

02-19-07, 11:13 AM

Another strange thing was a channel in the low 80's. I think it was 80.11, 80.12, 80.13, 80.14 & 80.15. Most of the time there would be no signal. Every once in a while you could tune in a see what looked like a PPV movie, one time a couple getting it on nude :eek: . Good thing my 85 year old mom didn't see that!
Par for the course on cable systems - you can usually see all the neighbor's VOD and PPV in clear QAM. Very few people know about this, although I'm not sure it would affect people's viewing habits even if they knew the neighbors are watching along. :cool:

zyvo23

02-19-07, 11:36 AM

Par for the course on cable systems - you can usually see all the neighbor's VOD and PPV in clear QAM. Very few people know about this, although I'm not sure it would affect people's viewing habits even if they knew the neighbors are watching along. :cool:

How does that work? I noticed one night that I could see Superman Returns on what looked like PPV/VOD then it paused, rewound a little and resumed playing. Was that the neighbor doing that? How am I getting their PPV?

markbulla

02-19-07, 11:46 AM

If I'm not mistaken, Hank Volpe of WBAL once told me that their corporate parent (Hearst) insisted upon it because in the earlier days of DTV, one of their stations was sued for burn-in on the sides. I always thought that eventually they would see the light and go with the generally accepted practices of other stations, but perhaps not.

On a different note, any bets as to which Baltimore affil will be first to air with a local HD newscast?

Yeah - I heard that too, but I checked with some other areas in the AVS Forum (other cities) that had Hearst stations, and they said that their pictures weren't stretched.

Also, a lot of stations have grey bars on the sides to help alleviate the burn in problem. Personally, I would prefer that than seeing everyone looking short and fat.

Mark

VARTV

02-19-07, 12:03 PM

VARTV

02-19-07, 12:06 PM

Yeah - I heard that too, but I checked with some other areas in the AVS Forum (other cities) that had Hearst stations, and they said that their pictures weren't stretched.

Also, a lot of stations have grey bars on the sides to help alleviate the burn in problem. Personally, I would prefer that than seeing everyone looking short and fat.

MarkOur CW affiliate (in SE VA) uses gray bars. Slightly distracting since everyone else in the market uses black...

markbulla

02-19-07, 12:25 PM

The Sinclair station in SE VA does the same thing. It, too, makes me watch another channel...

Is that WTVZ in Norfolk?

Mark

VARTV

02-19-07, 12:26 PM

Is that WTVZ in Norfolk?

MarkYep! Our MNT affiliate...

AntAltMike

02-19-07, 01:00 PM

USDTV is a service of about 12 non-broadcast channels for $20/mo. Customers receive the mpeg4 digital service over the air with a regular antenna. Obviously, all the local DTVs are available because of the antenna. A digital TV is NOT required. In our area, USDTV was using bandwidth from the ion affiliate, NBC station (augh) and from two strong digital low-powered TV stations...
I'm familiar with USDTV, but your locality, Virginia Beach, does not fall within the regions of any of their four acknowledged markets listed on its website. For what it's worth, Norfolk and Milwaukee had previously been named as a likely fifth USDTV city.

I plugged in a randomly selected zip code for Virginia Beach into Antennaweb and analyzed reception from a 200' tower, but its list did not include the Inspiration transmitter you have alluded to.

I have long speculated that when the flash-cut from analog to digital takes place on February 17, 2009, the value of the low-powered transmitters in major cities, especially the ones co-located so as to minimize the likelihood of their being overwhelmed by adjacent local transmitters, will skyrocket. For example, analog channel 47 moved from somewhere in the boonies to Washington, DC, where it is presently, absolutely unwatchable because of powerful digital channel 48, but we can reliably tune a digital station that is 15dB below an adjacent one, as we commonly do with channels 51 in Washington and 52 in Baltimore, so these low powered stations may wind up being able to reliably service maybe 3/4s of a metropolitan area's population.

The paradox facing USDTV will, of course, be ESPN. Basic cable prices are inflated by the cost of ESPN and the regional sports network. For USDTV's niche to work, there will have to be an audience that demands ESPN but can be satisfied without the RSN. ESPN adds glamor to the suite, but the cost of it may be its undoing.

So to clarify, are you saying that if I in what you refer to as "your market" (Norfolk? Elsewhere?), I can now subscribe to USDTV? Do you know of any other USDTV markets that are not announced on their website, which presently only list these four markets:

Dallas/Ft Worth
Albuquerque
Salt Lake city
Las Vegas

How much 8VSB bandwidth does USDTV require?

lastplace

02-19-07, 01:06 PM

Par for the course on cable systems - you can usually see all the neighbor's VOD and PPV in clear QAM. Very few people know about this, although I'm not sure it would affect people's viewing habits even if they knew the neighbors are watching along. :cool:

Funny, My parents live in a retirement home, I guess your never to old for porn :D

SJKurtzke

02-19-07, 01:23 PM

On a different note, any bets as to which Baltimore affil will be first to air with a local HD newscast?
Technically, CBS 13 already has plans due to CBS upgrading all their local stations to HD.

And, just to bring it up again, where is FOX 5's HD newscast?

carltonrice

02-19-07, 01:59 PM

Technically, CBS 13 already has plans due to CBS upgrading all their local stations to HD.

And, just to bring it up again, where is FOX 5's HD newscast?

Yes... I remember reading about the CBS O&Os, but where does WJZ fit on that schedule. And when NBC Nightly News goes HD next month, will that include NBC O&O WRC? And I thought the FOX 5 was just a rumor, but I was just fishing to see if there were any hard dates to these supposed upgrades to HD News.

afiggatt

02-19-07, 03:23 PM

How does that work? I noticed one night that I could see Superman Returns on what looked like PPV/VOD then it paused, rewound a little and resumed playing. Was that the neighbor doing that? How am I getting their PPV?
Yes, that was probably the neighbor doing the pause and rewind. The cable systems routinely send out PPV and VOD on one or two unscrambled QAM channels. Apparently channel 80 is widely used for this. So someone with a QAM tuner can see these programs. There must be technical reasons why they don't encrypt those channels; perhaps waiting on newer generation of STBs and firmware to make sure the PPV & VOD gets to the paying customer if they encrypt it. This is one of those little known features of hooking up a QAM tuner to cable. I'm surprised that as more people get HD TVs with built-in clear QAM tuners that there are not complaints from the social conservatives interest groups or stories in the paper about how someone's 12 year old found p0rn by channel surfing with the digital TV. The VOD and PPV stuff is locked out with the cable company STB and I would imagine with cable cards.

opaque

02-19-07, 03:31 PM

Funny, My parents live in a retirement home, I guess your never to old for porn :D

Actually, not just neighbors... you are seeing VOD from your entire local cable system. My wife and I frequently watch free VOD via clear QAM and we surprisingly get a good variety of movies; we just can't choose them or control them. We have seen a particular individual who watches the naughty stuff... we have a hoot betting on when he'll slow down or rewind the clip. Oh and how many times he rewinds it ;-)

guadalupegrande4

02-19-07, 03:42 PM

As to the WBAL situation, I can kind of understand them wanting to protect themselves from a lawsuit. I'm not happy about it, and I have recently saw something that kind of changed my mind.
http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/4711/snapshot20070216011313opr5.th.jpg (http://img365.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snapshot20070216011313opr5.jpg)
That is a screenshot from another channel. I don't know what station or city its from, but its a HD broadcast (well, SD with a background). I would imagine that'd be better than a standard grey/black bars. And if it would alternate, it would greatly help against burn in, right?

AT THE LEAST its better than stretch-o-vision.

I know that atleast Cox says they are not responsible for such burn-in.
http://www.cox.com/support/digitalcable/hdtv/pdf/hdtv-manual.pdf

Why couldn't WBAL do the same?

I don't think I've ever seen anythign like WBAL's stretching. It's brain-rattling. It's off-putting. I can't stand to watch anything on it that's stretched as it is. Even some of teh commercials are stretched, so I often don't even pay attention to them (sad news for WBAL because their advertisers aren't getting my hard earned money).

I have also seen pictures and read about the possibility of inserting pictures into the sidebars so as to possibly lessen the efffect of burn-in.
"A typical strategy is to up-convert the SDTV content to HDTV as a center-cut 4:3 image, however this type of aspect ratio conversion leaves the outer edges of the 16:9 HDTV image unused.
Broadcasters realize that this unused space is extremely valuable and presents an opportunity to both insert additional content and generate incremental revenue.
This additional content can include: commercial content, static or animated background graphics, "stock ticker" data display, or public service announcements. "
http://www.leitch.com/resources/applicationNotes/NEOApplicationMarch2006.pdf

Once upon a time WBAL simulcast an SD broadcast, non-stretched, but now its just HD/stretch-o-vision or weathernet. If they did simulcast, I'd probably watch more WBAL.
:\

afiggatt

02-19-07, 04:06 PM

Thanks, you've given me some good things to try. The antenna in the attic is a Phillips MANT900 VHF/UHF antenna. It occassionally picks up HD stations satisfactorily when the rooftop antenna does not, but I think it's because it's pointed in a different direction. Both antennas have RG-6 cable into the house that was installed by the cable company many years ago (before I lived here). They ran double coax into each of the rooms because that's what was needed then. Could age of the coax be a factor? Also, I am on the top of a hill in Sleepy Hollow, so I would not think that terrain shadowing is that bad. I had originally placed the Phillips antenna on the roof, but I then went to the Wiengard antenna thinking that the higher gain would cut down on the multipath and the dropouts. Now I'm torn between trying a different antenna or a new tuner. I am currently using the tuner in a Sony KDF-50 WE655 television. I guess the tuner might be easier if I can return if there's no improvement.

Maybe I'm missing something really simple, but I am surprised at the trouble I have had receiving digital stations without dropouts. How many upset consumers are there going to be when the stations go completely digital and the stations dropout when the wind blows? (Assuming that you have trees in the way, as I do.) You can see the effect of the wind on the analog stations as a small amount of speckle noise and it's hardly noticable, but when the digital stations start dropping out every few seconds, they're unwatchable. This situation does not seem to bode well for all-digital OTA television.
For me, digital reception works extremely well from Sterling with a CM 4221 4 Bay and pre-amp. I can get 17 digital stations OTA, although several of them are weak distant stations and prone to dropping out in poor weather. But I can get solid reception for all the DC stations at ~ 16 miles and solid reception for all but 1 Baltimore station at 43 miles (WBAL 11 is the iffy one at times but this is the weakest of the major commercial stations in Balt). The analog picture for many of the distant UHF stations is noisy and in several cases would be pretty much unwatchable on analog, while I get a nice solid digital picture.

Trees for UHF channels and multi-path are problems for digital reception. That was part of the trade-offs that were taken into consideration when 8-VSB modulation was chosen back for the ATSC standard back then.

I think you have several issues. One, possibly more minor than serious, is that your co-axial cables are very likely RG-59 and cheap RG-59 at that. RG-59 and RG-6 are both co-axial cables, but RG-6 is thicker and has less signal loss per foot. RG-59 is cheaper and was commonly put in for cable for a long time. My townhouse was built in 1998 and it has RG-59 in the walls. RG-59 in most cases is good enough for the cable system because they drive a boosted signal through the lines. For OTA reception, your receiver is picking up a signal off of an antenna and you want to minimise signal loss. So for longer cable runs, shielded RG-6 is recommended for antenna connections. But for a 10' or 20' run, the difference between RG-6 and RG-59 is pretty small. See http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/glossaryA.html#coaxial for a chart on signal loss per 100' of line. You may note that the signal loss increases as you go up in UHF channels. Anyway, replacing the lines in the walls can obviously be a major task. One experiment you could try is to buy a 50' or 75' run of RG-6 (at Lowe's or Home Depot or equivalent, not the overpriced cables at the Best Buys and CCs) and run a direct connection up the side of the house or up the stairs to the antennas & see if you get better results.

On your antennas, the Philips MANT 900 looks to be a conventional UHF/VHF antenna, but the UHF yagis in these antennas can be very directional. You have a spread in azimuth for the local stations which might be the biggest issues with the 2 antennas you have. If you are willing to spend $40 on-line, you can order a Channel Master 4221 4 Bay from solidsignal or warrenelectronics and give it a shot. On the ATSC receiver end, Circuit City does carry the Samsung STB-H260F, but it has been only staying in stock for a day or two. If you go to the CC website and look up the DTB-H260F, you can keep an eye out for a local store getting some in stock. But I don't know if the H260F will work that much better in your case than the ATSC tuner in the Sony TV.

I hope this is of some help! :D

SJKurtzke

02-19-07, 04:11 PM

Yes... I remember reading about the CBS O&Os, but where does WJZ fit on that schedule. And when NBC Nightly News goes HD next month, will that include NBC O&O WRC? And I thought the FOX 5 was just a rumor, but I was just fishing to see if there were any hard dates to these supposed upgrades to HD News.
The CBS O&O thing got delayed until 2007, as most of the big-market stations were in the middle of moving to new facilites, so CBS decided to wait until those were finished. I guess the station technically could go HD at any time, but I would wait until the big 4 (or 5) markets are finished before any realistic timetable is implemented for the rest (CBS owns around 30 stations, so it will take a while for every station to be done)
NBC Nightly News will be carried in HD when it goes HD next month on WRC
News 4 was supposed to go HD when they moved back into their new studio, but they've put it off for mid-to-end of the year
All I've really heard about FOX 5 is that, back in July-ish, they ordered HD equipment from Panasonic, which was pretty extensive, including HD rooftop cams, HD field cams, etc. It was posted on DCRTV.com, but then there was never a follow up. I've noticed an improvement in the quality of the studio newscasts, so they probably have some of the equipment installed, and sister stations in Philadelphia and somewhere else already upgraded to HD.

----
BTW, got around to watching Grey's from last week, and I just wanted to remark on how awesome the picture looked, a lot like the better CBS dramas. Did WJLA get some new equipment or something?

cjghome

02-19-07, 04:37 PM

lastplace

02-19-07, 04:49 PM

TVJunkyMonkey

02-19-07, 09:33 PM

Could this be true?

My neighbor says he order basic service with "Adelphi/Comcast"...The tech ran the line to his only TV which was a Vizio 37" w/qam tuner and he states that he is getting Local HD channels free...

Is he pulling my chain...

Could this be?

Charlie

When I had Cox, they told me that all the HD channels are free, you are just paying for the HD STB if you do get one. So, if you had HBO, for instance, you will get HBO HD at no charge, which is true.

Also, when my friend first got his HDTV, he asked me to help him to set it up right. Cox gave him a regular box, not the HD one, but when I decided to hook up the coax to the back of his HDTV, he got some HD channels, all the local ones. He even got Showtime and Discovery HD (he didn't even have showtime subscription).

I have FIOS and no matter what I do, I can't get passed channel 49 without a STB, and we all know why.

riffjim4069

02-20-07, 06:46 AM

Could this be true?

My neighbor says he order basic service with "Adelphi/Comcast"...The tech ran the line to his only TV which was a Vizio 37" w/qam tuner and he states that he is getting Local HD channels free...

Is he pulling my chain...

Could this be?

CharlieYep, just as long as you have basic cable subscription or Internet service, the local broadcast channels are typically passed through in-the-clear (unencrypted) on most cable systems.

SJKurtzke

02-20-07, 07:14 AM

No CSN HD yet on the new FiOS....

Plus that new info channel they advertise appears to be MIA as well

Anyway, at least the recordings switched over automatically

carltonrice

02-20-07, 09:53 AM

TVJunkyMonkey

02-20-07, 11:28 AM

No CSN HD yet on the new FiOS....

Plus that new info channel they advertise appears to be MIA as well

Anyway, at least the recordings switched over automatically

yeah, NO CSN HD here either. There is a game on tonight, they better fix it by then :mad: .

TVJunkyMonkey

02-20-07, 11:48 AM

No CSN HD yet on the new FiOS....

Plus that new info channel they advertise appears to be MIA as well

Anyway, at least the recordings switched over automatically

Just got off the phone with FiOS, and man that is one big negative thing about them. Their CSRs are just clueless about their products.

I mean I am calling him about something they have advertising for a while now, CSN HD, and the guy is just lost. First thing he says"WOW, COMCAST sports net??? You know you have called Verizon, right?"

Of course, the best thing he can do is tell me to check the online channel lineup.

dg28

02-20-07, 12:02 PM

biker19

02-20-07, 12:03 PM

When I had Cox, they told me that all the HD channels are free, you are just paying for the HD STB if you do get one. So, if you had HBO, for instance, you will get HBO HD at no charge, which is true.

Also, when my friend first got his HDTV, he asked me to help him to set it up right. Cox gave him a regular box, not the HD one, but when I decided to hook up the coax to the back of his HDTV, he got some HD channels, all the local ones. He even got Showtime and Discovery HD (he didn't even have showtime subscription).

I have FIOS and no matter what I do, I can't get passed channel 49 without a STB, and we all know why.
But you won't get that HBO HD in the clear - you need an STB. Anything you get in clear QAM above the locals is an oversight by the cable co.

FIOS is designed that way and the rest of the cable cos will get to the same config soon enough.

markbulla

02-20-07, 06:29 PM

The Sinclair station in SE VA does the same thing. It, too, makes me watch another channel...

Out of curiosity, are they still doing that? Apparently, the director of engineering for Sinclair sent them an e-mail yesterday telling them not to do the stretching thing any more...

Mark

TVJunkyMonkey

02-20-07, 08:00 PM

afiggatt

02-20-07, 09:34 PM

Does anyone have a pdf file of the new Verizon FiOS lineup that was mailed about a month ago?
I want to send it to FiOS the next time I call, because they sound like they've never heard of such a thing.
What, you want the CSRs to know anything beyond the few scripted pages sitting in front of them? :D What good is that going to do? I called Verizon back in early January about the lack of captioning for UnivHD and WDCA-DT 20 on 805. I did get a call back, but I did not get a sense that the CSR had a clue about what I was complaining about. They have knowledgable people, but they are probably keeping them busy building out the system, not answering the phones.

Checking the Verizon website, they have not yet updated the PDF channel line-up for the Washington Metro area. I think we all got the new channel line-up snailed mailed to us, so probably no one has a PDF file for the new Washington Metro line-up. If you want the channels, you could go to the NY line-up which will be the almost the same except for the SD & HD locals and the regional sports networks.

afiggatt

02-20-07, 10:31 PM

Now that VZ FiOS is available to me, I'm trying to compare the features to those of DirecTV, my current provider. There are two areas where I'm not sure what FiOS has to offer.

With my DirecTV HR20 DVR, I get both programming from the satellite as well as OTA. This works out well because while DirecTV will only provide me with DC stations, I can also pick up Baltimore via an antenna. With VZ FiOS, can I assume that I would only receive DC stations as offerred and that there would be no way to watch/record things OTA?
You list your location as Laurel, MD so you may get both the DC and Baltimore HD locals. But you need to check with others who live in Laurel or with Verizon on whether you qualify for the Anne Arundel - Howard County line-up.

Do you own or lease the HR20 DVR? If you own it, you can still use it for OTA reception and recording after you drop DirecTV. Or buy a Series 3 Tivo, a used Sony DHG-HDD250 or -HDD500 DVR, or build a PC DVR. Or wait a few months for some new HD-DVRs to hit the market.

DirecTV has yet to offer Comcast Sportsnet HD. Should I assume that since this is part of Comcast, that FiOS also doesn't offer it?
Fios carries Comcast SportsNet MA and MASN in SD. Fios in the Philadelphia area has the CSN Philly HD RSN. CSN MA HD is expected to added to the DC area line-ups soon. How soon? Don't know.

FiOS has a DVR that can power multiple sets, but only one of those can be HD. I have two HD sets so I'd have to have two HD DVRs. Is that correct?
For the current software, yes. The multi-room DVR only supports SD for the other TVs connected to the STBs. They are supposed to add HD capability from the DVR to the other STBs with software updates later this year. I should add that the Verizon Fios 6416 HD-DVR works, but it is limited by a 160 GB HD. The external SATA port which would allow adding more HD capacity is not enabled, although it is also supposed to be enabled later this year with a software update. I find the 160 GB HD capacity of around 22 to 25 hours of HD to be the biggest drawback. They should be shipping these DVRs with 250 GB HDs if they are not going have the eSATA port enabled.

I think the advantage of the FiOS would be that they offer StarzHD, TMCHD, and CinemaxHD. And they offer some locals like NewsChannel8 and access that DirecTV doesn't. The advantage of DirecTV would be that they offer NBAHD and apparently have plans to offer a lot more HD soon.
Am I missing anything of note?
Yes. Picture quality for SD and HD channels will be better. I switched from Adelphia in Loudoun, so I don't have the hands-on experience with DirecTV. But you should notice better picture quality for all the Mpeg-2 channels.

jacindc

02-20-07, 10:34 PM

Any other Comcast DC subscribers find their MyDVR button suddenly nonfunctional this evening?

I can get to the DVR recordings by hitting Menu, then DVR of course.

Firmware is 12.31 - is this the "upgrade" that destroys the one-click access to the Recordings list? What genius ever thought this up?

I unplugged and replugged, but alas nothing's changed.

On the flip side, for the first time I'm seeing guide listings for WETA World (channel 202). Of course, the listings aren't *RIGHT*, but they're there. The other two WETAs (Channels 200 and WETA Kids on 201) still show nothing but To Be Announced.

ETA: The Moto 3412 thread tonight is seeming to indicate this is widespread.

Moto 3412 Discussion (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9832286#post9832286)

tonyd79

02-20-07, 10:35 PM

DirecTV has yet to offer Comcast Sportsnet HD. Should I assume that since this is part of Comcast, that FiOS also doesn't offer it?

Verizon doesn't have it yet.

DirecTV has it in a limited DC market area. Laurel is kind of a gray area.

Go to this link and see what it says:

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=P3000004

tonyd79

02-20-07, 10:37 PM

Do you own or lease the HR20 DVR? If you own it, you can still use it for OTA reception and recording after you drop DirecTV.

I haven't tried but I believe that you need a satellite dish to download data or the HR20 won't finish booting. I'd try dbstalk.com to see if it would work without an active account.

TVJunkyMonkey

02-20-07, 11:12 PM

If you want the channels, you could go to the NY line-up which will be the almost the same except for the SD & HD locals and the regional sports networks.

I wanted the PDF of NoVA so I can send it to them, they keep telling me that they don't know about the channel, or that it must've been a typo. I had a print out sent to me via snail-mail but I didn't keep it, along with it was a letter telling me I will be getting CSN HD.

The funny thing is that people in Delaware now have CSN HD (Mid Atlantic).

yekim54

02-20-07, 11:25 PM

Anybody know why ABC Ch. 2 WMAR did not broadcast Boston Legal in HD tonight via OTA?

Marcus Carr

02-21-07, 12:10 AM

VARTV

02-21-07, 06:11 AM

Out of curiosity, are they still doing that? Apparently, the director of engineering for Sinclair sent them an e-mail yesterday telling them not to do the stretching thing any more...

MarkHahaha. They did change it again! WTVZ had stretch-o-vision on 33-1 and nothing (previously The Tube) on 33-2. Now it's zoom-o-vision on 33-1 and 4:3 480i SD on 33-2...

Deezul

02-21-07, 07:13 AM

Do you own or lease the HR20 DVR? If you own it, you can still use it for OTA reception and recording after you drop DirecTV. Or buy a Series 3 Tivo, a used Sony DHG-HDD250 or -HDD500 DVR, or build a PC DVR. Or wait a few months for some new HD-DVRs to hit the market.

Any DVR from D* will not work unless you have an active account. The receivers WILL work as just OTA receivers without an account.

Deezul

pmccaffrey

02-21-07, 09:04 AM

For FIOS in Howard County - last night it didn't look like any of the Balt/DC stations were broadcasting in HD, channels 800 - 814. Did anyone else experience this?
Verizon wasn't showing any other reported problems of this nature. Resetting the boxes didn't have any effect.

indishock

02-21-07, 09:25 AM

Same thing in Baltimore with the 3412 and 3416.

Hitting My DVR and OK brings up the recordings also. So now what was one step is now two.

Trying unplugging your DVR and rebooting the box. After you do that go to the DVR using the menu button on your remote. This is apparently a national problem with TV guide that is being worked on.

Marcus Carr

02-21-07, 09:52 AM

Trying unplugging your DVR and rebooting the box. After you do that go to the DVR using the menu button on your remote. This is apparently a national problem with TV guide that is being worked on.

I'm going to wait a few days to see if they fix it. I can still get to my recordings. I'd rather not unplug the box if I don't have to because it takes forever for the guide data to load.

I called Comcast and a recorded message said they were working on it.

MrMike6by9

02-21-07, 01:01 PM

The phenomenon appears to be comcast-wide throughout the country. Someone posted a link to a DSLReports discussion last night. Users have reported that unplugging results in a temp fix that becomes "unfixed" after the guide data fully loads again. Fortunately, many have reported that the saved content remains on the hard drive.

YMMV

wmcbrine

02-21-07, 01:48 PM

For FIOS in Howard County - last night it didn't look like any of the Balt/DC stations were broadcasting in HD, channels 800 - 814. Did anyone else experience this?Yes, apparently everyone who's supposed to get Baltimore locals. Check out the thread in the Fios TV forum over on DSLReports.com.

Verizon wasn't showing any other reported problems of this nature.BS. They just don't have any reps who know how to take a report properly.

indishock

02-21-07, 02:31 PM

matt91

02-21-07, 04:03 PM

I've recently purchased a HDTV w/ a QAM tuner. I've looked all around for a list of the stations that Comcast (in DC) is broadcasting in clear QAM. The list at the beginning of this thread covers the NBC/CBS/etc channels. But what about the remainder? If there someplace that has a list? I realize that the list might be small, but I'm curious what else is out there.

THanks
Matt

PS I have looked around the various Washington DC threads here, but didn't see one.

4HiMarks

02-21-07, 04:09 PM

Yeah, the TV portion of FiOS is still DOCIS like the CableTV, only its delivered via Fiber rather than COAX.

Does anyone know if it's possible to pick up any channels via QAM from the coax if you only have FiOS Internet and not FiOS TV? I'm locked in to E* for 18 months, and I think the 622 is probably a better whole-house solution than the VZ DVR anyway. I just have a couple of QAM tuners available, and might give it a try if there's a chance.

-Chris

CycloneGT

02-21-07, 04:41 PM

Matt,

The QAM in the clear stations vary from location to location. Also the channel numbers can change without warning. Admistratively, its too much of a nightmare to keep track of. Ever once in a while, someone will post the list that they are receiving. Comcast DC would likely be one of those lists, but it would require some searching (which isn't that easy on this site).

Chris, Hmm. I haven't heard if that is possible. I have FiOS internet and a QAM tuner on my MyHD-130. But since FiOS isn't available here in Mont County, I haven't even bothered to try. Perhaps I'll look up my ONT to the house's cable feed and see what I get.

afiggatt

02-21-07, 06:07 PM

New Verizon FiosTV Channel Line-up posted

The updated Verizon FiosTV channel line-up PDF file for the Washington Metro area has been posted to the Version website (http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm). It now has the new channel assignments with the HD national channels starting at 825. However, this line-up does NOT show Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD at 829 or any CSN HD channel there. Since the date at the bottom of the PDF file is 3/1/07, I take this to mean that CSN-MA-HD won't be added to the line-up until sometime in March at the earliest. I suspect Verizon won't be adding any new national HD channels or RSN HD channels until after they have completed the channel re-assignments for all their regions with Texas the last to be done on March 6.

Devin Clancy

02-21-07, 06:16 PM

TVJunkyMonkey

02-21-07, 06:27 PM

With all the reorganization, why couldn't they put the HD channels in the right order? NBC should be 801, followed by Fox, etc.

or for that matter NBC should be at 804...Fox at 805...ABC at 807 and so on...but I guess it would be asking too much out of Verizon and its engineers and programmers.

biker19

02-21-07, 06:46 PM

Does anyone know if it's possible to pick up any channels via QAM from the coax if you only have FiOS Internet and not FiOS TV? I'm locked in to E* for 18 months, and I think the 622 is probably a better whole-house solution than the VZ DVR anyway. I just have a couple of QAM tuners available, and might give it a try if there's a chance.

-Chris
Unlike the cables cos which have to filter out other content when one of the services is provided, FIOS can do so remotely without filters - they just flip a switch. The only way you'd get any video service (regardless of what other service is in the fiber pipe) is if their people made a mistake and forgot to turn it off. There's only one way that you might get more than intended - you might get more than just basic when you order basic. ;)

SJKurtzke

02-21-07, 07:26 PM

or for that matter NBC should be at 804...Fox at 805...ABC at 807 and so on...but I guess it would be asking too much out of Verizon and its engineers and programmers.
LOL. NY and LA already do that for FiOS channel numbers.
NBC is 804, FOX is 805, etc.

cjghome

02-21-07, 07:51 PM

Update for western side of Sterling Blvd & Sugarland residents..

I went to the actual Verizon CO (NOT-HRNDVAST).building on the corner of Potomac View & Rt 7, That serves the western side of Sterling Blvd & Sugarland, to find out If they are capable of provided Fiber Optics and if they were, when are they going to lay the lines.

I was told that the construction plans show that the western side of Sterling Blvd "should" be completed by August 2007 & Sugarland would be done by 12/31/2007..

I was also told that they are having some problems with some new underground switching that is being installed at the building. (Which i witnessed new construction at the Building)

So I just wanted to bring some encouraging news to some of us that live in Sterling.

Charlie

rustycruiser

02-21-07, 10:50 PM

rustycruiser

02-21-07, 10:59 PM

Same thing in Baltimore with the 3412 and 3416.

Hitting My DVR and OK brings up the recordings also. So now what was one step is now two.

3416? Did you have to request it, or did you just happen to get it? I would love to have an extra 40gb.

lax01

02-21-07, 11:00 PM

Major Break-ups on WJLA during Lost via Comcast....sucks.....

Ben

02-21-07, 11:08 PM

Major Break-ups on WJLA during Lost via Comcast....sucks.....

I was watching it over the air and also had break-ups every few seconds, it was frustrating.

lax01

02-21-07, 11:17 PM

must have been WJLA...maybe Robert can comment on what happened...I wonder if it was National...

Mntneer

02-22-07, 12:11 AM

I was watching it over the air and also had break-ups every few seconds, it was frustrating.

Comcast as a whole has been REALLY sucking lately. Ever since they started making changes to channels and services, I've been getting horrible drop outs and break-ups on some of my HD channels, mostly Fox and NBC. So bad where I've missed minutes of 24.

I'm also getting dropouts that make watching HD through my QAM tuner on my LG to be impossible. The problems come and go, and it's begining to get more and more annoying. I'm just hoping this just a temporary problem caused from the switch over, but if it's not, then I don't konw what I'll do, because it's becoming unacceptable.

ArcCoyote

02-22-07, 12:16 AM

Comcast as a whole has been REALLY sucking lately.

Comcast may, I repeat may, have unrecoverably corrupted the digital tuner in my JVC. It's totally dead and being replaced under warranty.

It was working fine when I did a channel-scan and discovered Comcast finally had correct IDs for the clear-QAM locals.... all except for PBS HD. It was still channel 0.

My tuner died the instant I tried to tune it. It was probably just coincidence, because Comcast QAM works fine on my PC.

Marcus Carr

02-22-07, 04:03 AM

My Comcast Motorola boxes just rebooted and the My DVR buttons are now working properly.

davidwb

02-22-07, 08:07 AM

howard county fios channel move update: last night the dc hd stations were in hd, while the baltimore hd stations appeared to be in sd...at least they're making progress from a couple of nights ago when they were all sd!

VARTV

02-22-07, 08:20 AM

aaronwt

02-22-07, 09:02 AM

Washington, D.C. (February 21, 2007) -- The Weather Channel is spending "tens of millions of dollars" on its launch of a High-Definition channel this fall.

That's according to an article in Broadcasting & Cable magazine. (read more - TVPredictions.com (http://www.tvpredictions.com/weatherhd022107.htm))

That is one of the HD channels that DirecTV has signed a contract with to start carrying this fall after they launch their new Satellites. Without TiVo though I'm taking my $110+ a month to another provider.

aaronwt

02-22-07, 09:07 AM

Major Break-ups on WJLA during Lost via Comcast....sucks.....
I had only minor breakups with my TiVo series 3 boxes. I recorded both the OTA HD and Comcast HD WJLA recording. Several minor audio glitches and some minor pixelation. Not enough to detract from the viewing though. The Comcast broadcast had the same minor glitches in the same locations.

jasonblair

02-22-07, 01:08 PM

Can someone tell me how to contact Adelphia cable in Frederick??!?! I am moving there next week, and want to order internet service. I call the 888 number on their website, and it asks me for my home phone number. I don't have a home phone, so I didn't press anything. After repeated requests, the number hung up on me. So I called back. This time, I put in my cell phone number. It transferred me to Time Warner Cable of Southern California. I looked in the Frederick phone book, and it lists that stupid 888 number. HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO CONTACT THEM!??!?!!?

wmcbrine

02-22-07, 03:23 PM

The updated Verizon FiosTV channel line-up PDF file for the Washington Metro area has been posted to the Version website (http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm).
I was surprised when I read this, because it hadn't been updated when I checked it earlier today. But then I saw you were in Virginia -- sure enough, if I select "VA", and then "Washington Metro", I get the new lineup; but if I pick "MD", and then "Washington Metro", it's still the old one. :rolleyes:

Bill Johnson

02-22-07, 04:07 PM

Can someone tell me how to contact Adelphia cable in Frederick??!?!
Dial 1-800-266-2278 and then they give a service menu selection. I got this number by dialing the 888 number and by not responding at all to the four requests for home phone number. Oh, those Adelphia, no Comcast folks!

GregAnnapolis

02-22-07, 04:59 PM

Dial 1-800-266-2278 and then they give a service menu selection. I got this number by dialing the 888 number and by not responding at all to the four requests for home phone number. Oh, those Adelphia, no Comcast folks!

If it's easier for you to remember this way, 266-2278 = COM-CAST. :)

jasonblair

02-22-07, 06:24 PM

markbulla

02-22-07, 06:39 PM

Mark:

I am not the original poster. I had the same audio problem with D's HD feed of American Idol on channel 45 Wednesday night. I have the HR 20-700 also.

Scott

Just a heads-up: I'm going to be working with DirecTV after 8:00 PM this evening, seeing if I can do anything here to fix the audio problem on FOX 45 (WBFF). Sorry to inconvenience everyone, but I'm going to have to go in and out of HD a couple of times. I'll probably have to do it twice.

Please bear with me. I'm trying to fix this thing.

Mark

ashutoshsm

02-22-07, 06:51 PM

Update... I was able to contact Adelphia, and was told that they no longer service Frederick, and that Comcast has taken over operations.

So I called Comcast... same issue with getting re-routed over and over again because I have no home phone number. Finally, I was transferred to a guy who barely spoke English. He told me that Comcast was in the process of taking over Adelphia, but that they didn't yet service Frederick, so call Adelphia. WHAT THE HECK?!?!? Does anyone know what's the real scoop?

These experiences with the cable companies make me REALLY happy with DirecTV. No wonder they have the highest customer satisfaction ratings. I thought they were bad, but this is gettign rediculous. (If only they offered internet. Verizon told me no DSL available at my new place.)

If you know (or someone can post) the address of your local Adelphia (now Comcast) office, walk in, and have them set you up - they'll know what to do. Heck, follow the next AdelCast truck/van you see and flag down the contractor/employee to find it, if you must :)

One of my neighbors in Loudoun County had to do that last month after getting this same run-around. His net/cable was set up within 48 hours.

Pyrr

02-22-07, 07:38 PM

markbulla

02-23-07, 02:31 AM

Just a heads-up: I'm going to be working with DirecTV after 8:00 PM this evening, seeing if I can do anything here to fix the audio problem on FOX 45 (WBFF). Sorry to inconvenience everyone, but I'm going to have to go in and out of HD a couple of times. I'll probably have to do it twice.

Please bear with me. I'm trying to fix this thing.

Mark

Well, after calling DirecTV at 8:00, the tech told me that they wanted to monitor the audio for a while before I made any changes. When they called me back after 9:00, the tech told me that he heard the audio break up problem near the end of American Idol, but he determined (somehow) that there were no changes that I needed to test last night.

Kinda wish that they would have determined that before I had to stay at work until 9:30, but what can you do? Guess that's why I make the big bucks.

Anyhow, the tech told me that they had a big group working on the problem now. I predict that there will be a software upgrade in the not too distant future (I'm just guessing though).

Mark

jasonblair

02-23-07, 07:42 AM

Adelphia in Frederick

442 W Patrick
Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 662-6822

Customer Service
1-888-683-1000

BTW, you can get DSL in Frederick. You might want to think about that. Right now Cablemodem doesn't give you that good of a down here. It might be my connection. My DSL is pretty solid.

Maybe when comcast completely takes over it might be betterThanks for the info! Apparently I live too far away from a station to get DSL.

In any case, this is going to be a real drag. I currently get a 15Mbps connection from Cox here in Alexandria. I guess I will be saying goodbye to downloading HD versions of TV shows from the newsgroups!

carltonrice

02-23-07, 09:18 AM

DirecTV recently upgraded my HD Tivo to their HR20 to solve a problem. The HR20 has been pretty reliable, but lately I've noticed a tremendous amount of audio breakup on OTA reception of WMAR-DT. It could be that I don't watch WBFF-DT enough to notice the issue there. I have found with WMAR-DT, however, that if there is an audio break, if I back up a bit and replay, the break up is not there. In effect, it seems that if the DVR is playing the station "live" and in real time, I get the audio break up, but a solution for this is to simply back up a bit and play the station on a slight delay. Odd software stuff going on with the HR20, I guess.

I'm thinking about switching from DirecTV to VZ FiOS and wondering if their DVRs have similar software issues. One disadvantage of going with VZ or Comcast would be that I would no longer have the luxury of DVR'ing OTA channels. I would be limited to the channels that they provide and where I live (Prince George's County part of Laurel), I would not even have access to the Baltimore stations.

danboot

02-23-07, 01:32 PM

Mntneer

02-23-07, 03:13 PM

Update... I was able to contact Adelphia, and was told that they no longer service Frederick, and that Comcast has taken over operations.

So I called Comcast... same issue with getting re-routed over and over again because I have no home phone number. Finally, I was transferred to a guy who barely spoke English. He told me that Comcast was in the process of taking over Adelphia, but that they didn't yet service Frederick, so call Adelphia. WHAT THE HECK?!?!? Does anyone know what's the real scoop?

These experiences with the cable companies make me REALLY happy with DirecTV. No wonder they have the highest customer satisfaction ratings. I thought they were bad, but this is gettign rediculous. (If only they offered internet. Verizon told me no DSL available at my new place.)

I thought Frederick was an Adelphia center of operation. At least I thought that's where all calls I used to make the 800 number went to.

Try digging up the local office address and stopping in for a visit. That may be the best way of getting ahold of someone that knows what's going on.

sgtjim

02-23-07, 03:43 PM

Since the Comcast 3416 dvr had the software glitch, I have noticed that NBA basketball in HD on TNT and ESPN seemed to exhibit some type of motion problem as if the picture was missing a frame ever so often. If I switch to an analog channel, I don't notice it. Are my eyes going bad or has anyone else noticed a stutter in the picture. I am watching in Charles Co, Md on Comcast.

The Wizards game on ESPN & Comcast HD seem to be fine tonight with no motion aberrations.

zebras23

02-23-07, 03:58 PM

guntherd

02-23-07, 06:47 PM

I had only minor breakups with my TiVo series 3 boxes. I recorded both the OTA HD and Comcast HD WJLA recording. Several minor audio glitches and some minor pixelation. Not enough to detract from the viewing though. The Comcast broadcast had the same minor glitches in the same locations.

I was beginning to think it was me. It annoyed me so much that I flipped over to channel 2 on my S3 to watch Lost. I had noticed the problems earlier in the evening when I was checking signal strength. (Can't miss Lost!) Last night I checked back and it was still doing it, although not as much. I hope they know it is going on and can fix it.

gmucklow

02-23-07, 09:07 PM

Does anyone know where to get a schedule for WBFF-DT channel 45-2? I get it over the air. The station web site links to Titan TV which says it is off the air at night, but it is broadcasting. I saw sone information saying it was broadcasting Good TV. I tried to find Good TV, but the schedule is different from what is on the air on 45-2.

JoeInNVa

02-23-07, 09:31 PM

Has anyone else experienced issues with their DVR breaking recording up into segments? This happened to me about 6 months ago, Comcast switched my box to 8300 and the problem went away. Now it is back.

Also on some HD shows the sound gets dropped. This happens frequently.

Any input.

The sound problem I do not have. The recording problem I do have. It seems to only happen on channels under 100 i.e. USA on Channel 13 or Sci Fi. It has never happened to any channels in the HD range.
I beleive they just updated their Firmware again and it caused the issue to come back. There were a few postings about this problem over the summer and fall but we think a Firmware update made it go away.

Please call Comcast and report it. Them exchanging your box will most likely not resolve the issue.

mjw703

02-23-07, 11:24 PM

Has anyone else experienced issues with their DVR breaking recording up into segments? This happened to me about 6 months ago, Comcast switched my box to 8300 and the problem went away. Now it is back.

I talked to Veronica Santos, Community Relations Manager at Comcast and she said that Comcast and Scientific Atlanta are working on the problem, and hopefully will be fixed by this weekend. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

ArcCoyote

02-24-07, 01:51 AM

Marcus Carr

02-24-07, 05:16 AM

Comcast is adding WUTB to its HD lineup (channel 215) on March 26. Maybe they will start showing true HD soon?

robertforsyth

02-24-07, 07:06 AM

Comcast is adding WUTB to its HD lineup (channel 215) on March 26. Maybe they will start showing true HD soon?

Not in a million years. :)

FYI... I now have FIOS-TV and killed Comcast like a bad boil on my butt. I have two HD DVRS and an HD reciever. The PQ is good (on most channels) and the HD looks phenom! I still have my OTA setup downstairs and use it for monitoring.

I cannot recommend FIOS more highly.

Bill Johnson

02-24-07, 08:02 AM

This is huge! To be able to infer that perhaps a multicasting station acquiesces that there may be such a thing as true HD! Who knows? Today: 14.5 Mbps, tomorrow: 19.39! :) :)

Marcus Carr

02-24-07, 08:25 AM

This is huge! To be able to infer that perhaps a multicasting station acquiesces that there may be such a thing as true HD! Who knows? Today: 14.5 Mbps, tomorrow: 19.39! :) :)

True as far as not upconverting SD at least. Otherwise it's a rather pointless addition to the lineup, even without considering the questionable entertainment value of their network programming. (They don't multicast, by the way.)

Bill Johnson

02-24-07, 09:01 AM

(They don't multicast, by the way.)
Give them time! A station that transmits at 500 watts (or at least did early on) is really concerned about costs. It'll probably find it hard to resist the siren call of multicasting and the additional revenue it generates. Plus never mind the 2 or 3 percent of its audience with HD of whom perhaps only 5 or 10 percent of that small sliver have 57" sets or above and who can clearly see the difference between 14 and 19.39 Mbps.

Marcus Carr

02-24-07, 09:38 AM

Give them time! A station that transmits at 500 watts (or at least did early on) is really concerned about costs. It'll probably find it hard to resist the siren call of multicasting and the additional revenue it generates. Plus never mind the 2 or 3 percent of its audience with HD of whom perhaps only 5 or 10 percent of that small sliver have 57" sets or above and who can clearly see the difference between 14 and 19.39 Mbps.

They can multicast all they want if they're not going to show any HD. If they're so concerned with cost they may never show any HD, in which case I have no interest in their channel anyway.

Bill Johnson

02-24-07, 09:58 AM

A slight clarification to avoid confusion: My post #603 was not referring to WUTB, as this thread could go we know not where! :)

billodom

02-24-07, 11:17 AM

Sorry if this has been posted here recently, but I did want to publicly thank NBC 4 for correcting their audio problems. I tuned into Las Vegas last night and heard the proper 5.1 audio. Beginning sometime last fall, they had only been transmitting 3.1 audio with nothing coming from the rear surrounds. I know NBC Universal has put some effort into 5.1 audio so it's nice to see one of their O&O's getting on board. Check out this link from Dolby Laboratories: http://www.dolbylabs.com/about/news_events/dtvaudio_update/dau_dec2006_vol7no5.html.

afiggatt

02-24-07, 11:31 AM

A slight clarification to avoid confusion: My post #603 was not referring to WUTB, as this thread could go we know not where! :)
So, let's see if I have this straight. Your post #607 is about post #603 which in turn was a reply to the most excellent WJLA's director of engineering post in #602, correct? :D With multiple lines of conversation going through a long thread like this, it is always a good idea to quote at least a small piece of the post you are replying to. :D

As for WUTB-DT 24, why wouldn't they be going HD on their very low power signal? There was a post a while back that WUTB-DT was planning to finally put up a new antenna and go full power on their digital signal in the May timeframe. They may be upgrading the broadcast equipment for HD and providing that signal to the local cable systems. What I don't get is why the FCC granted WUTB-DT 24 such a long waiver on going full power? WUTB is owned by Fox, so they could not claim the financial hardship that a small market independent or one of the over-extended financially smaller broadcast companies such as Nexstar. Was there a regulatory and construction permit issue with putting up a new antenna?

WUTB is My Network so there is not much HD value on the network unless you want to watch their cheezy soaps. My Network has dropped the Saturday night rehash programming of their prime time soaps and is now showing a Saturday night movie at 8 PM. But the movie last Saturday was not in HD, so they are not taking advantage of their HD capability. With the dismal ratings for their prime time (HD) soaps, My Network is revamping their programming, cutting back their soaps to 1 night a week for each series with some new reality & game shows, IIRC. Which probably won't be in HD.

TVJunkyMonkey

02-24-07, 12:32 PM

So, let's see if I have this straight. Your post #607 is about post #603 which in turn was a reply to the most excellent WJLA's director of engineering post in #602, correct?

Is that true? If WJLA director of engineering does read any of the posts here, I just want to ask, WHY are we not getting Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in HD?

afiggatt

02-24-07, 12:42 PM

Current HD channel line-up for Comcast/Adelphia Loudoun
What are the current HD channels on the Comcast/ex-Adelphia system in Loudoun? I have lost track of the changes that were posted here and Comcast still does not provide a line-up for Loudoun county on their website.I dropped Comcast/Adelphia for Verizon Fios in October, so I'm not on their system anymore. I'm asking both out of curiosity and because someone on the Verizon Programming thread elsewhere is upset about Verizon not yet offering Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD. But I think he is Loudoun and may not realize that Comcast did not add CSN MA HD right away.

Is Comcast still only providing 704, 705, 707, 709, 726 for the locals? No WDCW-DT 50 or WDCA-Dt 20 in HD, correct?

I know they dropped HDNet, HDNet Movies, and INHD2 went dark. What did they replace them with and what have they added so far? CSN MA HD or not?

Bill Johnson

02-24-07, 01:05 PM

So, let's see if I have this straight. Your post #607 is about post #603 which in turn was a reply to the most excellent WJLA's director of engineering post in #602, correct?

Correct and sorry for the confusion! I thought it was apparent what my reference was to, but you're absolutely right, I should have quoted it.

In the past, I've taken issue with the "most excellent WJLA's director of engineering" often enough about multicasting; and it seemed like suddenly he may have been somewhat coming around regarding true HD. So I probably too hastily posted in a knee-jerk fashion! :o

markbach

02-24-07, 01:33 PM

Current HD channel line-up for Comcast/Adelphia Loudoun
What are the current HD channels on the Comcast/ex-Adelphia system in Loudoun?

704 - WRC-DT
705 - WTTG-DT
707 - WJLA-DT
709 - WUSA-DT
726 - WETA-DT

750 - HBO HD
751 - Showtime HD
752 - Starz HD (or maybe Cinemax HD, not 100% sure)

770 - Discovery HD Theater
771 - TNT HD
772 - ESPN HD
774 - iNHD
775 - ESPN2 HD (I've not seen a single program in HD since they added this, everything is in 4:3 with the "HD" grey bars on the side)
776 - Comcast Sports HD (Versus / Golf) (I got a postcard saying this would start 3/6, but it was already active as of several days ago)

So basically we lost HDNet/Movies (and iNHD2 was shut down) and got Discovery HD (decent, but a lot of content is repeated frequently), TNT HD (ok, some crime dramas and stuff, and crappy streched movies), ESPN2 HD (useless), and Comcast Sports (not exciting to me unless they show HD NFL games in the fall).

Still no NFL Network (SD or HD), or any of the other HD channels (A&E, National Geographic, Comcast Sportsnet, Food Network, etc) that other places get. And also no WDCW-DT or WDCA-DT.

robertforsyth

02-24-07, 03:36 PM

Is that true? If WJLA director of engineering does read any of the posts here, I just want to ask, WHY are we not getting Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in HD?

We lack the equipment to record HD content and cannot find the business justification to purchase said equipment at a 6-figure cost.

robertforsyth

02-24-07, 03:41 PM

In the past, I've taken issue with the "most excellent WJLA's director of engineering" often enough about multicasting; and it seemed like suddenly he may have been somewhat coming around regarding true HD. So I probably too hastily posted in a knee-jerk fashion! :o

I can tell you, since I developed the technology for WeatherNow and LocalPoint, that multicasting is here to stay. Even more so, now that I am making money on WeatherNow.

Relief is coming though, as we probably will sh!^can our 10 year old Flexicoder, to make room for a NetVX from Harris. Better encoders and more ability to dynamically adjust bandwidth on the fly (read: choke .2 & .3 to under 2mbs at night) to make more room for the HD stream from ABC.

I hope to have it online this summer.

VARTV

02-24-07, 04:39 PM

Is that true? If WJLA director of engineering does read any of the posts here, I just want to ask, WHY are we not getting Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in HD?They do look nice in HD!

Bill Johnson

02-24-07, 05:52 PM

I can tell you, since I developed the technology for WeatherNow and LocalPoint, that multicasting is here to stay. Even more so, now that I am making money on WeatherNow.
We true HD fanatics with big sets showing gnats' eyelashes may never come to grips with this. But why oh why for example when the SB is on (if ABC ever gets it again) or PSU -- I can dream can't I -- is playing Notre Dame for the 2010 BCS championship, why oh why can't contracts be written to shut it down for a few hours? It would be a good PR gesture generating many kudos.

Doug Hill wouldn't mind and the 3 or 4 of us weather fanatics that frequently pull up WeatherNow also wouldn't mind.

TVJunkyMonkey

02-24-07, 06:22 PM

We lack the equipment to record HD content and cannot find the business justification to purchase said equipment at a 6-figure cost.

How come? You mean to tell me your affiliate in Baltimore does have those equipments, and WJLA, the one in the heart of the action, in the nation's capital can't?

How come you show other programs and sports in HD? I believe you do have the equipment. Just dont' show some of those stupid shows, like Ugly Betty or Dancing with the Stars, in HD instead.

BUSINESS JUSTIFICATION? If you take a hard look at all the HD programing, you won't find justification to airing most of them in HD. I read in an article that businesses pay the same whether you air their commercials in HD or SD. My point being, that didn't stop any of the stations from showing prime time in HD. According to you, showing programing in B/W will cost less, what a brilliant business idea, why don't we do that?

Anyways, I know we can't change your mind about having Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune in HD. Ever since ABC lost MNF, it isn't worth watching, especially after the LOST hiatus. Now, they have just added to the list of negatives, at least for me, ABC is hanging on by a thread. I hope more and more people do the same I do. I watch WUSA9, where even the news are in HD.

carltonrice

02-24-07, 06:39 PM

We lack the equipment to record HD content and cannot find the business justification to purchase said equipment at a 6-figure cost.

But, I assume that you are working on that justification for the higher ups, right? Because it sounds like if you have two HD DVRs and an HD receiver via FiOS in your home that you'd definitely want to see Jeopardy and WOF in HD if it was available that way.

I have two HD sets in my home and I want everything in HD I can get!

But this is an interesting discussion. What would be the normal priority for a local station. Would it be upgrading to do the local news in HD or being able to support syndicated HD material?

afiggatt

02-24-07, 07:21 PM

How come? You mean to tell me your affiliate in Baltimore does have those equipments, and WJLA, the one in the heart of the action, in the nation's capital can't?

How come you show other programs and sports in HD? I believe you do have the equipment. Just dont' show some of those stupid shows, like Ugly Betty or Dancing with the Stars, in HD instead.
You should do some reading on the subject. Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune are syndicated programs. When they offered a HD version last September, that was a big deal, because they were the first syndicated programs to go HD - and as far as I know are still the only syndicated programs in HD. To show a syndicated program in HD, the local station needs HD recorders, satellite equipment for the syndicated feed, and in the case of a 720p station, cross-converters. For the network programs, the local station passes on the network live feed so they don't need expensive HD tape/server machines.

WMAR ABC 2 in Baltimore already had the HD recording equipment, but had to buy cross converters (for 1080i to 720p), satellite gear, and some audio equipment to show Jeopardy & WOF in HD. I emailed WMAR's station engineer back in September and, IIRC, they had to spend around $20K to be able to show Jeopardy & WOF in HD, which they started doing in late November. I have not kept up on the number of stations that are showing Jeopardy in HD, but I think it is still only around 40 or so stations in the US. Check the Jeopardy & WOF thread for some background: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=709567. It would be nice if WJLA-DT 7 were to provide these two shows in HD as we will see more syndicated programs go HD in the future. But the owners of the station have to spend money to do this - the station engineer can only ask for a budget and spend what they give him. The good news that Robert Forsyth posted is that WJLA will get a new encoder this summer which should improve picture quality and will probably offer some other benefits.

mikemikeb

02-24-07, 08:26 PM

I did want to publicly thank NBC 4 for correcting their audio problems. I tuned into Las Vegas last night and heard the proper 5.1 audio. ... Check out this link from Dolby Laboratories: http://www.dolbylabs.com/about/news_events/dtvaudio_update/dau_dec2006_vol7no5.html.
Thanks for the double-heads-up and the link.

My 5.1 receiver is in for servicing, so I can't personally confirm this. However, I trust this enough to have taken that notice down. I've also made a few other tweaks to the list.
______________________________

What I don't get is why the FCC granted WUTB-DT 24 such a long waiver on going full power? WUTB is owned by Fox, so they could not claim the financial hardship that a small market independent or one of the over-extended financially smaller broadcast companies such as Nexstar claims.
A bribe?

If I were a cable operator, I wouldn't be putting any version of Myxx-HD on the system with the ratings it has.
______________________________

If I were general manager at WJLA, I wouldn't clear the HD playback equipment right now, as there aren't many syndicated shows on WJLA that are available in HD. As afiggatt mentioned, it's just Wheel and J! right now, and, at least for a while from now, how many people will stop watching the shows, or catch on, because it's in HD? If Oprah goes HD, and WJLA's contract to show the program would be ending in that time frame, I might reconsider, considering its ability as a prime money-demo-based lead-in to local news (I might even push up the date of HD local news implementation). If WUSA matched any offer of WJLA, and added "We can broadcast the program in HD, and WJLA can't", that would be a dagger right there. But that's another day.

Barring an Oprah-check, I expect HD playback stuff at WJLA to be ready to go when WJLA starts HD news. When will that happen? Be happy if it's sometime before next year's general election! Think more 2010, or MAYBE early 2009 due to the analog shutoff, at least with me playing fantasy manager. Either way, in the meantime, I believe that if the quality of the journalism is better than the other stations, most people will look past the lower resolution, at least until 2009 or 2010 or 2011. That viability is up for each viewer to decide upon. Today, the only station with HD local news is WUSA, with anchors that are questionable in quality to some people. WRC and WTTG are rumored to be preparing for HD news, and so until those options come up, WJLA has nothing much to worry about, at least with HD news.

WJLA has recently emphasized paying for on-air talent before technical equipment. With the possible exception of the new encoder system, I suspect that trend will continue for the foreseeable future.
______________________________

Relief is coming though, as we probably will sh!^can our 10 year old Flexicoder, to make room for a NetVX from Harris. Better encoders and more ability to dynamically adjust bandwidth on the fly (read: choke .2 & .3 to under 2mbs at night) to make more room for the HD stream from ABC.

I hope to have it online this summer.
Option 1: Harris NetVX (http://www.broadcast.harris.com/television/vnetwork/netvx.asp) with one ENC-H11 [pdf] (http://www.broadcast.harris.com/product_portfolio/prod_media/NetVX%5FENC%2DH11%5FModule.pdf) HD and two ENC-S21 [pdf] (http://www.broadcast.harris.com/product_portfolio/prod_media/NetVX%5FENC%2DS21%5FModule.pdf) SD modules
Option 2: Harmonic MV500 (http://www.harmonicinc.com/view_product.cfm?id=320) HD + two MV100 (http://www.harmonicinc.com/view_product.cfm?id=219) SD encoders + DiviTrackIP (http://www.harmonicinc.com/view_product.cfm?ID=273) or DiviTrackXE (http://www.harmonicinc.com/view_product.cfm?ID=8) stat-mux system
Option 3: ????

I'm not here to sound like a Harmonic PR guy, since I'm not, but see if the Harmonic system, or any other high-quality encoder manufacturer, if such a company exists, is cheaper than Harris, as I've read that Harmonic's just as good at making encoders as Harris is, if not better. Harmonic might take up less rack space than Harris, too. Harris uses five rack units, and Harmonic will take up at least four if properly configured, but possibly no more than that.

Part of me wants to start a company that would make way better encoders than anyone out there. I want an encoder that can actually make a 1080i channel look good with a single (low-motion?) subchannel, or 720p good on two subchannels, instead of just one. They would have iPod-like ease of use, take up two rack units for everything instead of four or five, and cost less than what's from Harris or Harmonic. I'm pretty sure that it's possible, just how do I get things started?

/end wishful thinking :)

JoeInNVa

02-24-07, 08:36 PM

I talked to Veronica Santos, Community Relations Manager at Comcast and she said that Comcast and Scientific Atlanta are working on the problem, and hopefully will be fixed by this weekend. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Wow, she is still around...I remember talking to her 4-5 years ago when Alexandria was piloting the HD.

JoeInNVa

02-24-07, 08:45 PM

I can tell you, since I developed the technology for WeatherNow and LocalPoint, that multicasting is here to stay. Even more so, now that I am making money on WeatherNow.

Relief is coming though, as we probably will sh!^can our 10 year old Flexicoder, to make room for a NetVX from Harris. Better encoders and more ability to dynamically adjust bandwidth on the fly (read: choke .2 & .3 to under 2mbs at night) to make more room for the HD stream from ABC.

I hope to have it online this summer.

With Weather Now can you make it so the Ad's and the News are non existent? The Radar map is SO small and the news is more prominent than the actual weather forecast which is relegate to a scrolling banner across the bottom of the screen.
How about making Temperature of certain cities and towns ones that are in the Area? Do we need to know the temperatures of Farmville? Greensboro? Newport News? Ocean City?

TVJunkyMonkey

02-24-07, 09:24 PM

But this is an interesting discussion. What would be the normal priority for a local station. Would it be upgrading to do the local news in HD or being able to support syndicated HD material?

As far as WJLA goes, apparently neither.

But the owners of the station have to spend money to do this - the station engineer can only ask for a budget and spend what they give him. The good news that Robert Forsyth posted is that WJLA will get a new encoder this summer which should improve picture quality and will probably offer some other benefits.

First, let me thank you for the thorough explanation. It made a lot more sense than "we don't have equipment" and "business decision".

I am not blaming Robert, or any employee at WJLA for that matter, for not having Jeopardy and WOF in HD. I am sorry if it came out that way, but I was merely expressing my frustration with the local channel and ABC itself. Like I said before, I stopped watching ABC for a while now, seriously, to me, their shows aren't anywhere as good as FOX's or NBC's.

afiggatt

02-24-07, 09:38 PM

So basically we lost HDNet/Movies (and iNHD2 was shut down) and got Discovery HD (decent, but a lot of content is repeated frequently), TNT HD (ok, some crime dramas and stuff, and crappy streched movies), ESPN2 HD (useless), and Comcast Sports (not exciting to me unless they show HD NFL games in the fall).

Still no NFL Network (SD or HD), or any of the other HD channels (A&E, National Geographic, Comcast Sportsnet, Food Network, etc) that other places get. And also no WDCW-DT or WDCA-DT.
Thanks for the update. So Comcast in Loudoun is up to a total of 14 HD channels. As for the added HD channels, TNT-HD does show a fair amount of real HD programming. It is their use of stretch-o-vision on all SD material and no indication in advance of when the movies will really be in HD that drives people crazy. ESPN2-HD is in real HD tonight for the NASCAR event. I don't follow NASCAR, but ESPN2-HD does show major league baseball games during the season, so it will be nice to get those games in HD because MASN won't be showing any baseball games in HD.

Hopefully Comcast will add more HD channels soon for Loudoun and the other local ex-Adelphia systems. Of the HD channels they have not added, WDCW-DT 50, UniversalHD, CSN-MA HD, and National Geographic would be the most useful. Well, there are the 2 HDNet channels, but Comcast management apparently has this thing about HDNet.

mikemikeb

02-24-07, 10:47 PM

I was merely expressing my frustration with the local channel and ABC itself. Like I said before, I stopped watching ABC for a while now, seriously, to me, their shows aren't anywhere as good as FOX's or NBC's.
The local decisions against HD news and HD syndicated shows weren't made by ABC itself, but the owner of WJLA, which is a company called Allbritton Communications. They relay ABC network programming to WJLA's viewers, but outside of that, they can air what they want, when they want to, and ABC can't do anything about it.

HD local news is still a relatively new phenomenon. Gannett stations WUSA in DC and KUSA in Denver now have HD news. Chicago's WLS, which just happens to be owned and operated by the ABC TV network, started HD news early this year. Belo has had a liking to HD news, and has started HD news in at least Dallas and Houston.

There's a thread dedicated just to HD local news (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=639872). From what I've read so far, HD syndicated programming doesn't seem to be included in this thread, but still, it's probable that there's the ability for almost all HD news stations to air HD syndicated shows.

I can't help you with the quality of ABC network shows. :cool:

JoeInNVa

02-25-07, 03:57 AM

The local decisions against HD news and HD syndicated shows weren't made by ABC itself, but the owner of WJLA, which is a company called Allbritton Communications. They relay ABC network programming to WJLA's viewers, but outside of that, they can air what they want, when they want to, and ABC can't do anything about it.

HD local news is still a relatively new phenomenon. Gannett stations WUSA in DC and KUSA in Denver now have HD news. Chicago's WLS, which just happens to be owned and operated by the ABC TV network, started HD news early this year. Belo has had a liking to HD news, and has started HD news in at least Dallas and Houston.

There's a thread dedicated just to HD local news (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=639872). From what I've read so far, HD syndicated programming doesn't seem to be included in this thread, but still, it's probable that there's the ability for almost all HD news stations to air HD syndicated shows.

I can't help you with the quality of ABC network shows. :cool:

Once Billy Graham starts putting out his specials in HD, you can be sure that WJLA will get the needed equipment.

Marcus Carr

02-25-07, 07:14 AM

Once Billy Graham starts putting out his specials in HD, you can be sure that WJLA will get the needed equipment.

He's done at least one in HD already. I saw it on WMAR.

robertforsyth

02-25-07, 10:04 AM

Once Billy Graham starts putting out his specials in HD, you can be sure that WJLA will get the needed equipment.

No, it won't. By adding HD rec/play equipment to my plant (today and foresable 12 months out), what would be the return on the 6-figure investment??? Ahhh...the key question again.

some points (let the flames begin) :
- National commercials sent to the local level are not in HD, and wont be soon due to storage limitations at the local level.

- Showing Jeopardy and WOF in HD will not increase viewership or ratings. For those of you who say 'I'll watch it in Baltimore', those numbers are too small to be measured, since we use local meters, and won't grow by leaps and bounds soon.

- Showing Jeopardy and WOF in HD will not increase the number of commercials we can play. After all guys, this is a business.

- Although Gannett has done well at KUSA (already #1 in the market before HD), doing news in HD has not helped WUSA in news ratings or news revenue (still 4th and 5th place most nights), especially enough to offset the 7-figure cost that transition incurred.

- Since we are going to have to redo our infrastructure at WJLA to do full HD (we are even thinking 1080i) in-house, it does not make since to add hardware now that may not work (or work well) early next year (wink wink).

- NETVX (with 2 HD cards and 1 SD card - wink wink) will allow us to better manage the whole 19mb more efficiantly, making really perty pictures during prime time.

- I love to watch HD content at home (Showtime, Discovery and HDNet are my favs). Besides Lost at 24P, my wife does not go out of her way to tune to the HD channels when here shows are on. She could care less.

as I conclude...

- I'm not a low hanging fruit at the station and I talk to the owner of the company 3-4 times a week. In my opinion, and my opinion has not wavered in 3 years (besides the Dolby thing when I took over), it does not make since to transition today. There is a HUGE investment with NO increase in revenue or ratings in the near future. Every day we wait, we save money, the cost to do HD today is half of what it cost 2 years ago.

As I step off my soapbox and appeal to the RATIONAL side of the HIGH level of intelligence of you, I yield the floor...

wkearney99

02-25-07, 10:11 AM

Sure, why bother giving viewers a reason to see your station as providing something a lot better than the others in the market. It's just plain easier/cheaper to rest on your laurels and wait for everyone else to make the first move, right? Meanwhile that viewers will jump ship to watch their programming off cable and satellite services instead. And once satisfied with that range of content the viewers won't bother coming back to OTA/locals.

And given the considerable sums of revenue that flow through the broadcast channels you can imagine why I'm less than sympathetic about the expense of equipment.

But hey, ignore the audience and they'll go away. Oh wait, that's what they've already done!

robertforsyth

02-25-07, 10:16 AM

But hey, ignore the audience and they'll go away. Oh wait, that's what they've already done!

No they have'nt. In fact, local Nelsien data shows just the opposite.

Onazuka

02-25-07, 10:17 AM

...
- Although Gannett has done well at KUSA (already #1 in the market before HD), doing news in HD has not helped WUSA in news ratings or news revenue (still 4th and 5th place most nights), especially enough to offset the 7-figure cost that transition incurred.
...

Interesting because I never used to watch WUSA news and ever since they switched to HD that's the only new station I watch. I know 4-5 friends who did the same thing. I don't know how they measured this but from my perspective WUSA's move to HD news had a significant increase in number of viewers.

robertforsyth

02-25-07, 10:17 AM

Sure, why bother giving viewers a reason to see your station as providing something a lot better than the others in the market. It's just plain easier/cheaper to rest on your laurels and wait for everyone else to make the first move, right? Meanwhile that viewers will jump ship to watch their programming off cable and satellite services instead. And once satisfied with that range of content the viewers won't bother coming back to OTA/locals.

The erosion to cable has nothing to do with HD. Content is king, not presentation.

robertforsyth

02-25-07, 10:19 AM

Interesting because I never used to watch WUSA news and ever since they switched to HD that's the only new station I watch. I know 4-5 friends who did the same thing. I don't know how they measured this but from my perspective WUSA's move to HD news had a significant increase in number of viewers.

It is pretty, or well it used to before they applied the talent-demanded softening filters). But it has NOT helped them the SLIGHEST bit over the past year the ONLY place where it counts...revenue and ratings. In the last ratings book, their news finished 4th and 5th in most time periods.

carltonrice

02-25-07, 10:33 AM

- Since we are going to have to redo our infrastructure at WJLA to do full HD (we are even thinking 1080i) in-house, it does not make since to add hardware now that may not work (or work well) early next year (wink wink).

- I'm not a low hanging fruit at the station and I talk to the owner of the company 3-4 times a week. In my opinion, and my opinion has not wavered in 3 years (besides the Dolby thing when I took over), it does not make since to transition today. There is a HUGE investment with NO increase in revenue or ratings in the near future. Every day we wait, we save money, the cost to do HD today is half of what it cost 2 years ago.

As I step off my soapbox and appeal to the RATIONAL side of the HIGH level of intelligence of you, I yield the floor...

Just curious, what is the thinking about moving to 1080I? How would that work with ABC's commitment to 720P?

robertforsyth

02-25-07, 10:35 AM

Just curious, what is the thinking about moving to 1080I? How would that work with ABC's commitment to 720P?

NetVX can switch/handle both.

SJKurtzke

02-25-07, 10:45 AM

Just curious, what is the thinking about moving to 1080I? How would that work with ABC's commitment to 720P?
Actually, I was kind of wondering about this as well. I think it could go over well, the station in Dallas is an ABC affiliate doing 1080i, and ABC only has like a little note about it on their site, nothing really flaming the station. Plus, by this time next year, I guess there would be a way to do 1080i at a local level and then switch to 720p for network. I would actually prefer a newscast in 1080i anyway, as you usually don't have much fast-motion objects on-screen, and it would allow for greater detail.
As for the Wheel and Jeopardy thing, I would like to see them in HD, but, as he said, it makes no economic sense to go out and spend $20k on something that a) won't draw in significantly more viewers or MAKE the station any money and b) could be obsolete when they rebuild their infrastructure for HD.
Now, on the graphics side, that's where I feel WJLA needs to start making an investment. They look pretty dated, and there seems to be two sets of graphics going on over there, one for promos and one for the actual newscast. (And, if you guys are shopping for new graphics, go for Giant Octopus, it's what WUSA got and they look fantastic (until, of course, they ruined it by rebranding to 9 News Now))

One last thing I was wondering is if you're feeling any pressure to go HD from the network? With WCVB going HD soon, I think that would make WJLA the largest ABC affiliate without HD news.

JoeInNVa

02-25-07, 11:15 AM

It is pretty, or well it used to before they applied the talent-demanded softening filters). But it has NOT helped them the SLIGHEST bit over the past year the ONLY place where it counts...revenue and ratings. In the last ratings book, their news finished 4th and 5th in most time periods.

Do the local Nielson ratings even take into account HD?

robertforsyth

02-25-07, 11:16 AM

One last thing I was wondering is if you're feeling any pressure to go HD from the network? With WCVB going HD soon, I think that would make WJLA the largest ABC affiliate without HD news.

No, they understand the business pretty well. They need to focus on audience retention right now. :)

JoeInNVa

02-25-07, 11:21 AM

No, they understand the business pretty well. They need to focus on audience retention right now. :)

Any by audience retention, you mean hiring all the personalities that WWRC fired a few weeks ago...

TVJunkyMonkey

02-25-07, 11:23 AM

Interesting because I never used to watch WUSA news and ever since they switched to HD that's the only new station I watch. I know 4-5 friends who did the same thing. I don't know how they measured this but from my perspective WUSA's move to HD news had a significant increase in number of viewers.

Interesting, I am not saying this because of WJLA or anything, but I , too, am watching their news because it is in HD. I have to admit, their news staff is questionable and can definitely use an upgrade. But I usually watched FOX's news before WUSA9 went HD news. In all fairness, WJLA has Harris, who I think is good, but that is about it.

JoeInNVa

02-25-07, 11:41 AM

Interesting, I am not saying this because of WJLA or anything, but I , too, am watching their news because it is in HD. I have to admit, their news staff is questionable and can definitely use an upgrade. But I usually watched FOX's news before WUSA9 went HD news. In all fairness, WJLA has Harris, who I think is good, but that is about it.

Derrik McGinty is pretty good. The thing is, most of WUSA news casters are young and not established. They went younger a few years ago and have been reeling ever since. There is nothing wrong with that but people like their newscasters to have the grizzled veteran look, or people that work well together. I am happy with WUSA and watch their HD news almost all the time. I liked Channel 4 but I am tired of Pat Collins, who I LOATH, Barbara Harrison, who should have been let go and Wendy Reiger. I am also REALLY PO'd they let Susan Kidd go. She might not have been the most telegenic personality, but I liked her newscasting abilities.

VARTV

02-25-07, 11:59 AM

I kind of see what Robert is saying...

Of course, from a viewer's stand-point it stinks. This is interesting and kind of on the same topic because in SE VA, there's one group that truely believes in HD Radio and there's another group that has the complete opposite thinking.

I don't think every station "thinks" like WJLA...

robertforsyth

02-25-07, 12:14 PM

I don't think every station "thinks" like WJLA...

Very true. We are a small, family-owned television group. We don't have the same demands and 'financial appearances' that a publically traded company has to project. If you compare Allbritton to other television groups our size, you'll find we lead the way from a technology point of view.

TVJunkyMonkey

02-25-07, 12:15 PM

Derrik McGinty is pretty good.

You are right, I do like McGinty and I like his segment where he responds to viewer's emails at the end. Now I didn't know who McGinty was or about his segment until I started watching their HD News, that is all I am saying.

SJKurtzke

02-25-07, 12:27 PM

JC Hayward's pretty good at newscasting as well, she seems to give a very personable feel to anchoring. That being said, of all the people who could use a filter...

TVJunkyMonkey

02-25-07, 12:28 PM

Very true. We are a small, family-owned television group. We don't have the same demands and 'financial appearances' that a publically traded company has to project. If you compare Allbritton to other television groups our size, you'll find we lead the way from a technology point of view.

And you want to tell me that family that owns WJLA is a poor one? That they don't make millions off us the viewers watching their station? that They live in a house that cost less than 500k, they eat the same food we do? I am not asking you to reveal their financial position.

I don't get it, you are trying to make us feel bad for wanting more HD content. How dare us, the viewers, ask for more HD content? Because that would mean that the POOR family would need to invest in its business, god forbid if that happens.

Also, what is this comparisons with other stations, why should we care? I mean if you compare yourself to a TV station in Europe you guys are doing great as far as HD goes; and if you compare yourself to a TV station in Africa, MAN OH MAN, you guys are off the charts.

aaronwt

02-25-07, 12:39 PM

I watch WUSA news specifically because they broadcast in HD. After 5.5 years of watching and recording HD I rarely watch SD now. 95% of what I watch is HD. That said, the reason Robert gave makes perfect sense and it is a business and the whole purpose is to make a profit. They are broadcasting Primetime in HD which is what I'm mainly concerned about. I don't watch WOF or Jeopardy but when it is finally broadcast here in HD I will start to watch it occasionally. I will look forward to next year or whenever WJLA starts broadcasting their news and other things in HD. I will definitely tune in.

CycloneGT

02-25-07, 12:55 PM

Hey Monkey! I realize that you are new around here, but we don't beat up on each other. So cut it out.

You don't have an entitlement to get the JLA folks to spend money on what you want. And even if they have deep pockets, that is no excuse to throw a fit. The smart money knows that the cost of HD is going down year by year. No need to rush in, especially when you are spending your own money.

Robert is a long time contributor and a welcomed friend here, your rants won't change our opinion of him, but it will establish an opinion of you.

Ladd

02-25-07, 12:58 PM

As another data point:

after watching WJLA news daily since I moved here in January of 1987, I started watching WUSA news the day they went HD and stopped watching WJLA news completely two weeks later. I miss "the family" but the "pretty picture" is what HD is all about ...

robertforsyth

02-25-07, 01:06 PM

TVJunkyMonkey

02-25-07, 01:19 PM

Robert is a long time contributor and a welcomed friend here, your rants won't change our opinion of him, but it will establish an opinion of you.

Cyclone, if you thought I was trying to change your opinion about Robert through what I said, then you have yourself to blame, that was never my intent. I keep repeating it over and over again, I have nothing against Robert or any employee of WJLA. Robert on the other hand is the one that keeps defending WJLA and all I am doing is respond.

Robert, I apologize if you were offended by any of my comments but believe me when I say I got nothing against you.

I personally will drop the subject since I know none of the talks here will affect anything.

mikemikeb

02-25-07, 01:57 PM

[on WUSA] But it has NOT helped them the SLIGHEST bit over the past year the ONLY place where it counts...revenue and ratings. In the last ratings book, their news finished 4th and 5th in most time periods.
I never used to watch WUSA news and ever since they switched to HD that's the only new station I watch. I know 4-5 friends who did the same thing. I don't know how they measured this but from my perspective WUSA's move to HD news had a significant increase in number of viewers.
The mass majority of TV viewers, and probably Nielson viewers, either a) don't have an HDTV, or b) don't care if the news isn't in HD. Over time, both situations will probably change, but for now, it is what it is. With that in mind, what's the point to having WJLA-HD news right now? I watched WJLA's news on occasion while the SD refeed was on 7-3, and it was very sharp for 480i.

Some people with HDTVs have switched to WUSA, as well as their friends, but they have HDTVs. Other people/groups of friends don't have HDTVs, and in their world, the quality of the journalism is what sets one station apart from another. WJLA has arguably the greatest pool of talent in the DC area, from Gordon Peterson, to Maureen Bunyan, to Doug Hill, to Allison Starling, and more. The only mediocre person at that station (that I can think of right now) is Leon Harris, and I seem to be one of about six people who believe that.
___________________________________

- NETVX (with 2 HD cards and 1 SD card - wink wink) will allow us to better manage the whole 19mb more efficiantly, making really perty pictures during prime time.
Can two HD modules on the NetVX perform encoding for one HD channel? Can one SD module perform encoding for two SD channels? If two HD cards would be needed to make one HD channel look good, what are the chances of an SD channel looking good at under 2 mbps each on one SD card? Point is, you may need 2 HD + 2 SD cards if you're correct about the two HD cards for one HD channel issue.

Also, here's something else to think about: saving money. At least investigate the Harmonic system like you have the NetVX system, and check the prices between the two companies for an optimal setup, even if two HD encoders would be purchased on either end. (Hint: If you're going to buy two Harmonic HD encoders to encode one HD channel, buy two MV450s over two MV500s.) If the Harris system is cheaper, go with them. Is Harmonic is cheaper, and it can do a similar, if not a better job, than Harris, why not make your bosses at least a little happy by saving a little money on a new encoder system?
___________________________________

Just curious, what is the thinking about moving to 1080I? How would that work with ABC's commitment to 720P?
NetVX can switch/handle both.
WJLA might as well broadcast news in 720p, as that will reduce, or even eliminate, the "need" for the pantyhose effect.

URFloorMatt

02-25-07, 02:04 PM

robertforsyth

02-25-07, 03:24 PM

Robert, I apologize if you were offended by any of my comments but believe me when I say I got nothing against you.

I personally will drop the subject since I know none of the talks here will affect anything.

No apology needed, I heard worse. As for dropping the conversation...I think the stations have listened to the boards somewhat ( I know I use it as a test bed), and we are constantly tweaking and adjusting DTV to make everyone happy.

RichmondOTABaby

02-25-07, 03:36 PM

I, too, exclusively watch WUSA news because it is in HD.

Marcus Carr

02-25-07, 03:59 PM

The Cavs-Heat game is in SD on WMAR, even though the previous game was HD. A rare mistake or technical problem. It's in HD on WJLA.

Marcus Carr

02-25-07, 04:04 PM

Now in HD on WMAR. (Are they reading this thread right now?:)).

RichmondOTABaby

02-25-07, 05:49 PM

WJLA needs to flip the switch again. SD for several minutes now. HD on WRIC in Richmond.

carltonrice

02-25-07, 05:53 PM

I am sure I'm not the average Joe, but I've almost totally stopped watching the news on television and see very little journalistic differences between all of the choices in the market here. I prefer to read my news (especially local news) online in the Washington Post or Baltimore Sun. TV for me is for entertainment purposes mainly.

So, if the picture is HD and looks great, I'm more apt to watch. The content counts as well... but there are some shows, that I watch in HD that I wouldn't dream of wasting time on in SD. On a couple of occasions, there've been instance where I've DVR'd a show only to find that it was in SD instead of HD. When that happens, I usually just delete the show rather than waste the time watching it. There are some shows that because I like their content, I'll watch in SD. But the number of shows I'll watch in SD is shrinking by the week as my time becomes constrained.

Bill Johnson

02-25-07, 06:11 PM

HD takes me to WUSA News almost exclusively & often the clarity of live close-up shots in the studio almost makes me overlook multicasting.

wkearney99

02-25-07, 06:42 PM

I agree regarding local news. These days it's the calibre of their weatherman that makes the difference for me. Channel 4 is the 'least annoying' most of the time.

What's irritating is not having a 16:9 picture. I don't give a damn if it's 480 or 1080, if it's got the sidebars it's not going to get watched. I suspect that's what most folks are thinking when they ask for Jeopardy, et al, in HD. Seeing Alex's bad haircut at 1080p ain't exactly high on my list.

So really, put out a picture that's 16:9, and not a 4:3 one just wrapped in fancy graphics.

Marcus Carr

02-25-07, 07:25 PM

Unwatchable picture on WBFF right now. Switched to WTTG.

JohnGZ28

02-25-07, 07:53 PM

Unwatchable picture on WBFF right now. Switched to WTTG.

I don't mean to be combative, but what does that buy me, the consumer? I really don't care about your bottom line or financial viability. I don't care about your ratings or your revenue either.

Marcus Carr

02-25-07, 07:57 PM

I don't mean to be combative, but what does that buy me, the consumer? I really don't care about your bottom line or financial viability. I don't care about your ratings or your revenue either.

WTF?:confused:

TVJunkyMonkey

02-25-07, 07:58 PM

JoeInNVa

02-25-07, 08:03 PM

It was pretty on day one...now it looks like its shot through pantyhose.

Do you think that Gordon Peterson or Maureen Bunyon would want the filters? I would think they would and you would oblige...

JohnGZ28

02-25-07, 08:07 PM

What are you trying to say? You just copied and pasted what URFloorMatt said earlier.

Just wanted to make sure it sounded just as stupid now as it did when it was originally posted.

mikepinkerton

02-25-07, 08:09 PM

Can't WJLA just get an HD Tivo? :D :D :D

-Mike

markbulla

02-25-07, 08:35 PM

Unwatchable picture on WBFF right now. Switched to WTTG.

Sorry - weather issue... We were in all during the snow, then left. Around 6:30 we got a thin layer of freezing rain on the dish covers, and that was enough to screw up our reception.

Mark

sgtjim

02-25-07, 11:46 PM

Comcast in Charles Co has announced via DVR message that effective 3/21/07 they will add MASN 2; A&E HD and Nat'l Geo HD to their lineup That's what we get for their $5 amonth increase including $2 increase in the DVR fee to $11.95.

URFloorMatt

02-26-07, 01:16 AM

Just wanted to make sure it sounded just as stupid now as it did when it was originally posted.

Gee, thanks. :rolleyes:

I understand that some people are interested in the politics, the behind-the-scenes work, and the lobbying that are involved in transforming a local broadcast from SD to HD. And maybe it's interesting to read occasionally, if only to provide some insight on when HDTV will be coming to a given broadcast. But Robert was presenting an argument for not going HD that was based on revenue and expenses. Why should I care about those things? WJLA goes HD six weeks from now and let's say it costs them an extra $100,000. How would that negatively affect me? Not in the least. Now, let's say they go HD a year from now when it costs them a little less. How does that benefit me? None. In point of fact, I've lost 46 weeks of HD content that I could've enjoyed in the first scenario.

If you personally are concerned with how WJLA runs its business, then I really hope you've got some skin the game. Money invested somewhere. It is absurd to otherwise defend a company pushing an inferior product because they don't have the resources to upgrade.

Most consumers are concerned with getting the product they want, not with the success of the company that produces the product. The fact that WJLA can't justify the HD expense in the near future doesn't get me anything but two useless black pillarbars on my HDTV. Thanks for the effort I guess, but I'll take my eyes elsewhere.

Seriously, justify to me right now how I wouldn't be better off if someone with the resources moved in and hypothetically offered to buy WJLA tomorrow and planned to roll out an HD broadcast in nine weeks. I guess you could make some weak-ass argument about "good newscasting," but that'd be such a farce I'd probably laugh my way right out of my chair. All the Washington newscasts have been journalistic garbage for a while now.

(This isn't meant to be an attack on WJLA. They've just provided a convenient example since they'll effectively be the last Washington newscast to go HD.)

aprest

02-26-07, 07:48 AM

davidwb

02-26-07, 07:58 AM

MrMike6by9

02-26-07, 08:28 AM

... But Robert was presenting an argument for not going HD that was based on revenue and expenses. Why should I care about those things? ... Please don't shoot the messenger just because you don't like the message. Bottom line, it IS a business and a business has to be concerned about return on investment or they cease to exist. I would guess a fair percentage of people watching syndicated fare don't really notice the difference except when those shows are letterboxed into a 4:3 screen for then the complaint is about "those black bars". Heck, count yourself lucky that the network shows are HD since there are still parts of this fair land where people don't have that choice.

Please give the guy a break, at least he participates in these decussions and has contributed to our collective knowledge from a unique perspective. I'm not even in his service area but I'm glad he stops by.

YMMV

Bill Johnson

02-26-07, 09:53 AM

Please don't shoot the messenger just because you don't like the message.
The way I've always looked at it is Robert is gracious enough to engage here in the give and take and easily holds his own. And he knows there are some of us that are pretty fanatical about HDTV. So he seems to be fairly tough-minded and is not going to be intimidated in the least by anything we say.

Having said that, I must avoid calling people names or casting aspersions.

But now about Robert's awful multicasting............... :p

bobharp

02-26-07, 10:23 AM

Did anyone else have problems with severe breakup and pixelation watching the Acedemy Awards last night on WJLA Channel 7.1? I am getting all the other local OTA HD channels fine on my DirecTV HR10-250 STB except for WJLA.

I noticed some pixelation artifacts during the show. HD Tivo'd it and only watched about an hour. Audio seemed a bit high on the bass as well. Had to turn my sub down. Comcast Mont. MD.

robertforsyth

02-26-07, 10:43 AM

But now about Robert's awful multicasting............... :p

et tu brut'e?

Bill Johnson

02-26-07, 12:04 PM

et tu brut'e?
See what I mean? Here's a person with a real sense of humor or at least's on top of it. And we think we'll offend or intimidate him with a few silly posts about his PQ!

But still, back to that multicasting........... :)

yekim54

02-26-07, 12:05 PM

Did anyone else have problems with severe breakup and pixelation watching the Acedemy Awards last night on WJLA Channel 7.1? I am getting all the other local OTA HD channels fine on my DirecTV HR10-250 STB except for WJLA.Although WJLA normally gives me the poorest reception via OTA of all the local stations, last night it was essentially perfect during the Academy Awards show. Kudos to Robert (or maybe it was just favorable meteorological conditions).

dg28

02-26-07, 12:12 PM

markbulla

02-26-07, 12:35 PM

Hi all -

I'm trying out some different settings on WBFF-DT tonight that I'm hoping will fix the on-going problem that DirecTV has with the audio portion of the FOX HD signal. Since we don't have a DirecTV HD receiver here at the station, would someone please take a look at the signal and let me know if there is any improvement?

Thanks!

Mark

RalphArch

02-26-07, 01:40 PM

To those of you who have "switched" to WUSA news when they went HD, as Robert says, it hasn't helped their ratings one bit. If any one of us thinks that we (AVSers) represent the views of the general public when it comes to HD, then I refer you to a statement Michael made when assessing one of his employees on "The Office" a few weeks ago..."What a total lack of self-awareness..."

This may be off somewhat (ratings accuracy) I was selected by Nielson - and considered it; but with a Satellite box into projector and three computer tuners
there was no easy way to hook me up so I opted out - even with much pressure from Nielson.

I believe many others may be in a similar situation and that maybe they (Nielson) get less than totally accurate results. Personally I have gone from 95% WRC to 95% WUSA - and need I mention that they don't track computer card tuners anyway

ashutoshsm

02-26-07, 02:31 PM

Did anyone else have problems with severe breakup and pixelation watching the Acedemy Awards last night on WJLA Channel 7.1? I am getting all the other local OTA HD channels fine on my DirecTV HR10-250 STB except for WJLA.

I had a few flurries of HD dropouts (when it went from HD to SD, usually after an ad break but once in the middle of a presenter's speech) - and I compared OTA as well as Comcast Loudoun's retransmission at least one of those times - both had reverted to SD. So it sounds like a source issue.

Neither (incident) lasted over 10 seconds, though, and the overall clarity & quality were excellent. Kudos!

huesmann

02-26-07, 03:49 PM

What are the models of STB (SD, HD and HD DVR) that Verizon is giving out with the FIOS TV service? Just wondering if it's worth switching over from Comcrap.

carltonrice

02-26-07, 04:28 PM

afiggatt

02-26-07, 04:42 PM

What are the models of STB (SD, HD and HD DVR) that Verizon is giving out with the FIOS TV service? Just wondering if it's worth switching over from Comcrap.
The DVR that Verizon currently hands out is the Motorola 6416 with a 160 GB HD. Works better than the Motorola 6412 I used to have with Adelphia in Loudoun, but the 160 GB storage capacity is not very large for HD at around 20 hours or so of HD programs.

Verizon does post a fair amount of useful info on their FiosTV website at http://www22.verizon.com/content/FiOSTV/ including prices, channel line-ups, and equipment. Check the active Verizon threads in the HDTV Reception hardware, HDTV Programming (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=590208), and HDTV Recorders (sticky thread on the 6416 DVR) forums.

There are those who have been unhappy with switching to Verizon Fios TV and Internet, but some of the stuff that is getting posted smells like a low key FUD campaign from cable companies to me (but I could be wrong on that). The biggest issue lately has been when will Verizon add Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD along with adding other HD national channels to the HD tier. The CSN Philly HD channel has been added to the Philly area systems, so we should be getting CSN MA HD here eventually.

I had 13 HD channels with Adelphia Loudoun (which still has only 14 in total now under Comcast) and went to 23 available HD channels (of which I get 22 as I don't subscribe to Cinemax), so I'm ahead on HD channels. Verizon is supposed to be adding 5 or 6 more national HD channels before the end of March, but this is not confirmed. Picture quality for the SD and HD channels on Verizon Fios is better, especially for the SD channels that were basic analog channels on Adelphia system. When comparing the costs, you need to figure on getting a STB or DVR for each TV, as Verizon is essentially an all digital system with only the local stations provided in analog.

ashutoshsm

02-26-07, 04:48 PM

Saying the HD is better is likely FUD or a placebo effect - Comcast (Adelphia) Loudoun does NOT rate-shape or compress the OTA-quality HD broadcasts of the locals (at least) and the cable-only (premium) channels look no worse, leading me to believe they aren't doing anything 'bad' (like HD-Lite) to those either.

This is borne out by the file sizes for recordings made on any HD channel, per my S3 HD TiVo - OTA and COmcast HD channels are always within 1% of the same size, and premiums are in the same size range as well.

I won't dispute the potentially better SD (until simulcasting kicks in for Comcast), though :)

wmcbrine

02-26-07, 06:32 PM

verizon fios in howard county is only showing weta and not mpt (beginning a couple of days ago), even though the new channel lineup shows both and both were being shown for a few days after the channel realignment.And just try reporting it. :rolleyes: They're hopeless. I don't have your problem, because I'm a little further south, in the Washington Metro lineup. But The Tube (OTA 50-2) has been missing since the lineup change on Tuesday -- they were supposed to move it from 853 to 863, but instead, 863 is showing a duplicate of WDCA-DT (OTA 20-1, normally 805 on Fios) -- while the guide data they provide is for WDCW-DT (50-1, not 50-2). I've been through three CSRs, and none of them understood what I was talking about. Two of them didn't even believe we got a channel 863.

They also lost The Soundtrack Channel, which was supposed to move to 199. Instead, 199 is just a black screen.

tonyd79

02-26-07, 06:49 PM

Back in the fall, I bought a Polaroid LCD HDTV that I've been pretty happy with. There's only one on-going issue I've noticed which is kind of minor, but nonetheless, a bit troubling. When the DTV tuner in the set does a scan for channels, it detects the channels on their UHF frequencies and then places them in the channel list at their PSIP channel numbers. The only station that it won't do this for is WJZ-DT. It picks up a strong signal, but does not map the channel to 13-1. I can only tune it in by inputting 38-1. Does anyone else have this problem with WJZ-DT OTA either with the Polaroid tuner or another DTV tuner? Is WJZ-DT transmitting PSIP and the program info like the other stations? Any ideas on what could be causing this problem just with that station?

On the two tuners (HR10 and Sony SXRD TV) that scan for channels, I get WJZ on both 13.1 and 38.1. My other tuner (HR20) doesn't scan so I only get it on the predetermined (by DirecTV) station, 13.1.

Contact WJZ with the problem. They have a PSIP error that my tuners "forgive" but yours does not. (WBAL had a similar problem a few weeks back and my three tuners all acted differently.)

wmcbrine

02-26-07, 11:52 PM

But The Tube (OTA 50-2) has been missing since the lineup change on TuesdayOf course, as soon as I post this here, it's fixed. But it was out for six days. Posting to the "Verizon Direct" forum over on dslreports.com seems to have made the difference.

The Soundtrack Channel is still out.

TVJunkyMonkey

02-27-07, 01:12 AM

Did anyone catch the beginning of Jay Leno and had the same problem with WRC-NBC4 or was it just my TV and/or STB?

Mine had a problem with the colors and then it went 4:3 for a while.

hokiefan

02-27-07, 02:29 AM

TVJunkyMonkey

02-27-07, 02:48 AM

Also, has anyone figured out if any local stations will be broadcasting the ACC tourney in HD?

that will be MyNetwork TV 20.

riffjim4069

02-27-07, 04:51 AM

Did anyone catch the beginning of Jay Leno and had the same problem with WRC-NBC4 or was it just my TV and/or STB?

Mine had a problem with the colors and then it went 4:3 for a while.Yep, I noticed the same problem...

mikemikeb

02-27-07, 07:35 AM

Is it me, or do WTTGs local commercial inserts during prime time fox programming go off the charts in terms of volume? The last couple of weeks during 24 my speakers are blaring whenever the local commercials come on.That's partially because 24 seems to always have its volume padded to the level of NBC's 5.1. For whatever reason ;), Fox won't pad the volume of commercials and local promos.

Not that Fox's other programs have some volume divide between programs and commercials, it's just they don't have as much. :rolleyes:Also, has anyone figured out if any local stations will be broadcasting the ACC tourney in HD?that will be MyNetwork TV 20.Has it been double-super-fudge confirmed that My20 WILL carry it in HD, and not just SD?

ahsan

02-27-07, 11:20 AM

that will be MyNetwork TV 20.

Has it been confirmed that WDCA 20 can handle syndicated HD content?

mdviewer25

02-27-07, 12:16 PM

The past few nights when I've tuned to 45.2 there was something on called NOYZ.tv showing music videos and a bunch of text messages on the bottom of the screen. Is this a new channel that's being tested or is it just filler material for late night?

TVJunkyMonkey

02-27-07, 12:21 PM

Has it been confirmed that WDCA 20 can handle syndicated HD content?

Not by Raycom-Lincoln Financial sports, but I read that the big markets like DC, Atlanta, Raleigh...etc do have the capabilities. I will try to find that article and post a link.

markbulla

02-27-07, 12:28 PM

pepperpot

02-27-07, 12:40 PM

Yep, I noticed the same problem...

I freaked out thinking I had too many beers. Was sitting on the couch working on the laptop when I looked up Jay had two sets of hands in and out of his pockets and one set was a weird red!!! That was my last beer for the evening.

mdviewer25

02-27-07, 01:00 PM

It is programming on 45.2 It runs from midnight to 2AM, Monday thru Friday mornings.

Mark

went to www.noyz.com to find out more info about it. It is a 24 hour music channel that targets ages 12-29. Music videos in one box, text messages that are run on the screen in another box, and ads in a third box. So basically, it's a 24 hour version of what Total Request Live was like when it first started on MTV. Could this become a subchannel for CW54?

markbulla

02-27-07, 01:36 PM

went to www.noyz.com to find out more info about it. It is a 24 hour music channel that targets ages 12-29. Music videos in one box, text messages that are run on the screen in another box, and ads in a third box. So basically, it's a 24 hour version of what Total Request Live was like when it first started on MTV. Could this become a subchannel for CW54?

As far as I've heard, there are no plans to make that a dedicated subchannel.

Mark

TVJunkyMonkey

02-27-07, 04:04 PM

Bill Johnson

02-27-07, 04:24 PM

Would someone PLEASE tell me that this could be fixed, without getting a new TV.
Googling tells me you have to replace just the screen. Cost???

afiggatt

02-27-07, 05:00 PM

My niece came to my house and she took a penny and scratched the heck out of my 50 inch Samsung DLP.

Would someone PLEASE tell me that this could be fixed, without getting a new TV. Is there are local store in Northern VA that fixes that or sells the plastic part so I can do it myself?
Ouch! Hope you don't have to get a new niece. You would get better answers in the Rear Projection TV forum on how and where to replace the projection screen. A phone call to Samsung should also help.

CycloneGT

02-27-07, 05:39 PM

Ouch. Someone posted pics of a smashed plasma once. A sad sight.

TVJunkyMonkey

02-27-07, 05:45 PM

Ouch! Hope you don't have to get a new niece. You would get better answers in the Rear Projection TV forum on how and where to replace the projection screen. A phone call to Samsung should also help.

Thanks, that was one of the obvious ones that I didn't think of, calling Samsung I mean, and I wish I didn't. It will cost me $400 just to get the part to my house and in my opinion it is not worth it. Now I just have to learn to love my niece VERY VERY VERY much every time I see her.

TimGoodwin

02-28-07, 06:56 AM

markbulla

02-28-07, 08:19 AM

Just wanted you to know that 24 was totally unwatchable this week because of all the sound problems from 45 on Directv. I know that you are working on it so I wanted to give you a heads up.

Thanks for the feedback. Sorry there is still a problem... The symptoms are pointing at the receiver that DirecTV is using to pick up our signal here in Baltimore. It seems to be having an issue with the 448 kbps audio data rate that FOX sends out during prime time.

Here are the clues so far:
1: Our (WBFF) audio data rate is 384 kbps, and there is less of a problem with the audio glitches during non-prime time.

2: It was suggested that I change my audio data rate to 448 kbps to match FOX's so that when the FOX splicer switches between my signal and Fox's, there wouldn't be a "pop", but when I did that there were audio break-ups during non-prime time also, so I switched it back and the problem went away again.

3: When I was here last Thursday night and was talking with a tech out at the DirecTV network operations center (NOC), he mentioned that he was getting the FOX audio at a 384 kbps data rate. At the time, I assumed that FOX had changed the rate to address the problem, but I've talked with the people at FOX, and found out that they didn't change, and they always send out the audio at 448 kbps. This is telling me that, either their receiver has a setting wrong, or (more likely) their receiver just has a problem with 448 kbps audio.

I just got that last info yesterday. The VP for Engineering of FOX was going to be getting in touch with DirecTV, so I didn't call them yesterday. If there is still a problem, I'll call them today.

Mark

Marcus Carr

02-28-07, 08:24 AM

Comcast viewers face cutoff

Sinclair may halt TV programs to cable giant tomorrow if talks fail

By Hanah Cho
Sun reporter
Originally published February 28, 2007

To collect cash for its television programming, Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. played hardball last month by pulling its stations from cable systems in the Midwest and South and sending a strong message to the industry that its payment demands are serious.

The stakes are higher for the Hunt Valley broadcaster in a fight to obtain similar fees from Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator and the biggest player in the Baltimore area.

A source familiar with the negotiations said yesterday that Sinclair is prepared to cut off its programming to Comcast systems at 2 a.m. tomorrow because talks between the two sides have stalled. Negotiations are expected to continue today.

Pulling the stations would mean viewers in the Baltimore region and elsewhere would not be able to watch popular shows such as American Idol, 24 and Gilmore Girls on their cable systems.

That's because without a deal, Sinclair could order Comcast to remove 30 network-affiliated stations - including Baltimore's WBFF-Fox 45 and WNUV-CW 54 - from cable systems that reach 3 million customers in 23 markets from Tampa, Fla., to Pittsburgh.

Denying the stations to Comcast means Sinclair could lose a lot more than it did the last time it made a similar decision, particularly advertising revenue in some key markets, industry analysts and observers say. But Sinclair is known for its unpredictable nature, so few are predicting the outcome.

"Given their scale, [Comcast has] the economics and influence," said John Blackledge, an analyst at J.P. Morgan Securities, who covers Sinclair. "It'll be interesting to see" how the negotiations turn out.

Comcast said yesterday that "it will continue to offer Sinclair's broadcast stations unless they demand that those stations be removed."

"Our first goal is to protect our customers from being charged extra for free TV," said Comcast spokeswoman Jenni Moyer.

The showdown is the latest salvo in an increasingly loud and bitter battle pitting station owners against cable operators.

Sinclair has been at the forefront of demanding cash to retransmit its stations's content, arguing that cable companies should pay for popular programming that they essentially resell to customers. Comcast, like other cable companies, traditionally have not paid retransmission fees. Cable operators maintain they should not pay for channels like NBC, ABC and Fox that are available free over the airwaves.

But CBS announced last week that nine smaller cable operators agreed to compensate the network for the right to carry its programs, including the NCAA basketball tournaments and shows such as CSI.

CBS did not say whether cash was involved or name the cable companies, but Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves has said publicly that the network would seek payments for its content.

"At the end of the day, these ... negotiations boil down to who could cause whom the most pain," said Craig Moffett, a senior analyst of U.S. cable and satellite broadcasting industry at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.

When talks over a price failed with Middletown, N.Y.-based Mediacom Communications Corp. in January, Sinclair pulled more than 20 local stations it owns from the cable operator's systems, including in Des Moines, Iowa. The impasse left 700,000 customers without popular shows such as the Simpsons and Desperate Housewives.

Nearly four weeks later and two days before the Super Bowl, Mediacom "caved in to their demands," Mediacom Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rocco B. Commisso said last week during a conference call with analysts.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Mediacom said it is paying to carry Sinclair's stations for the first time.

Mediacom executives said Sinclair used its leverage to hurt the cable operator: The blackout affected half of Mediacom's 1.4 million cable subscribers while affecting only 3 percent of Sinclair's viewing audience.

Both sides lose when signals are shut down. Subscribers can drop cable service, while viewers and advertisers can abandon television stations.

Mediacom said last week that it lost 7,000 basic cable customers in the final three months of 2006, during which Sinclair threatened to pull its programming. Mediacom said it lost additional subscribers when Sinclair stations were not on the air last month.
Sinclair executives said recently that what the company lost was "immaterial" compared with what it got in return from Mediacom. Sinclair said viewers would find other ways - either by using an antenna or switching to competitors - to watch its programs.

Overall, the company expects to double to $48 million this year revenue it receives from cable operators and others who pay to retransmit its television signals.

Analysts say Comcast, with some 24 million subscribers, has more leverage in its talks with Sinclair because of its size compared with Mediacom.

For one thing, the affected Sinclair stations are in markets with larger viewership such as Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Nashville, Tenn.

"My prediction is that it will not be as acrimonious as the Mediacom dispute was simply because Sinclair has much more to lose," said Matthew M. Polka, president and chief executive officer of the American Cable Association, of which Mediacom is a member. "Comcast is the largest operator in the country ... and it is a lot more highly penetrated in Sinclair markets than Mediacom."

Indeed, if Sinclair were to pull six stations off Comcast's systems - including in Baltimore and Pittsburgh - the broadcaster could lose nearly 12.5 percent of its entire viewer base, according to Moffett's research. And Sinclair would feel the pain immediately in the form of lost advertising revenue, Moffett said.

"Mediacom just isn't large enough to stand toe-to-toe with a broadcaster like Sinclair," said Moffett, the Bernstein analyst. "By the same token, Sinclair isn't large enough to stand toe-to-toe with a cable operator like Comcast."

The last time Sinclair and Comcast squared off on a similar issue was in 2005 when Sinclair sought cash for its digital signals in several markets, including Baltimore.

The dispute almost prevented cable subscribers in the Baltimore region from watching the Super Bowl on high-definition televisions they bought exclusively for that day. Two days before the Super Bowl, the sides reached an agreement.

In its latest talks with Comcast, Sinclair had extended the contract until tomorrow. Sinclair Chief Financial Officer David B. Amy said recently that the company was optimistic about reaching an amicable agreement.

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