Washington, DC / Baltimore, MD - HDTV [Text View] - Page 35

bfdtv

03-14-09, 06:50 PM

PSIP data is *NOT* the problem on the TIVO boxes. It is the digital frequency map, as I have already reported twice on this thread.

First picture shows the channel in the frequency map. Second picture shows the channel from the channel scan (freq 39) which is the correct frequency.What he said.

On Thursday, Tribune updated their information with the post-shutoff frequency assignments for a number of affiliates -- including ABC7 (WJLA) in DC, NBC10 (WCAU) in Philly, NBC13 (WTHR) in Indianapolis, ABC13 (WLOS) in NC, NBC11 (KARE) in Minneapolis, among others. It looks like their system was set to do this on March 12 when it should have happened June 12.

This affects all products that use Tribune for OTA mapping, including TiVo, DirecTV, and Windows Media Center.

If TiVo users call to complain, Tribune should fix these channels and their frequency assignments in the next few days. Until then, people with TiVo and DirecTV receivers may be forced add the correct frequency with a channel scan, from which they can schedule manual recordings. If you don't have TiVo, you can contact Tribune (http://www.zap2it.com/services/site/zap-feedback,0,6935396.story) or [preferably] call the local affiliate and ask them to contact Tribune.

Eben

03-14-09, 07:50 PM

As of around 3 pm this afternoon, on OTA through a DirecTV AM21 I am receiving WJLA 7-1, but NOT 7-2 or 7-3. The unit tunes to 7-2 or -3, but all I get is a 771 (I think) searching for signal error.

imacdonald

03-14-09, 08:22 PM

PSIP data is *NOT* the problem on the TIVO boxes. It is the digital frequency map, as I have already reported twice on this thread.

First picture shows the channel in the frequency map. Second picture shows the channel from the channel scan (freq 39) which is the correct frequency.

-John

I originally thought the same thing, but last time I talked to TIVO, they said they don't do anything based on the frequency, and said it is purely based on the channel identifier. I have gone through this multiple times with TIVO and the only time things got fixed was after asking the broadcaster to update their PSIP information, so tivo can match. I have seen similar issues with Mhz and WHUT and both times they had a mismatch on the call sign, for WHUT they had WHUT-DT, rather than WHUTDT and Mhz1 rather than WNVCDT. I would welcome being proved wrong, but I had zero success going through tivo asking them to to fix there frequency maps, and only had success when I talked to the broadcast station, either way I think you will have more success complaining to WJLA rather than Tivo since they are the ones that feed guide data to tribune.

jgantert

03-14-09, 10:54 PM

bfdtv, thanks for the official word. I've called TiVo last Thursday (first to report it, I think). The official channel change incident report (for zip code 21045 at least) is 82872. I'm not sure if they have to switch over zip codes individually or if they can do the entire DMA.

-John

nottenst

03-16-09, 02:33 PM

I will post my information with some supporting pictures and hopefully Mark and anyone else can lend some edification. About signal strengths (SS): the WMC (Windows Media Center) lists both 45 and 54 at 100 percent. ... Isn't it true that WBFF and WNUV are the only two major channels that actually went all-digital? I don't know if that has anything to do with the glitch in the WMC information or not. WMC gets its programming from Zap2it and their listings are fine when I access them online.
About the attached pictures: Notice in the one named List the lack of identifying info for WBFF and WNUV. ... The last picture is self-explanatory showing no data for WBFF and WNUV.
Any help would be appreciated. :)I was able to record House last week off of WBFF, so I thought it must have been working okay then. Last night I was going to try to record The Simpsons and I got the no data line just as in your picture. Is there any chance that we need to modify something in our setup?

nwar

03-16-09, 07:24 PM

markbulla

03-17-09, 08:59 AM

I was able to record House last week off of WBFF, so I thought it must have been working okay then. Last night I was going to try to record The Simpsons and I got the no data line just as in your picture. Is there any chance that we need to modify something in our setup?

I've lost guide data for 45 and 54 as well. My guess is it happened a few days ago.

Well, I know that we're putting out guide data, and nothing has been changed in quite a while (since our last update in early February).

Do your set-ups pick up the guide data OTA, or does it come from some on-line source?

Thanks

.

bfdtv

03-17-09, 09:25 AM

Well, I know that we're putting out guide data, and nothing has been changed in quite a while (since our last update in early February).

Do your set-ups pick up the guide data OTA, or does it come from some on-line source?I don't know what they are using, but Tribune (used by TiVo / DirecTV / WMC) has 45-1 and 54-1 correctly mapped in the DC metro area.

As far as I am aware, the only incorrectly mapped Tribune station in DC/VA/MD is WJLA (this happened last Tuesday).

afiggatt

03-17-09, 04:13 PM

The FCC is requiring all stations that still have an analog broadcast to fill out a new Analog Service Termination Notification form by today to state when they plan to shut down their analog broadcast - not just by the day, but also which 6 hour window. With a bunch of different boxes to fill out on whether they are a major network affiliate, nightlight status, what the station is doing to help the consumers, etc. The form is buried in the correspondence folder, so it takes time to find the filing for each station. Only some of the stations have filed so far. But, if I have kept track of this correctly:

WFPT-TV MPT 62 in Frederick, MD will shut down on the morning of April 16. Good.

Will be be shutting down between 6 AM and 12 Noon on June 12: WMPT-TV MPT 22, WMPB-TV MPT 67, WWPB-TV MPT 31, WUTB-TV My 24, WETA-TV PBS 26.

Once all of the stations filings are available and I have time to go through them, I will update my summary table of the transition plans for all of the stations in DC, Baltimore, and Hagerstown markets.

REDSKINSFAN47

03-17-09, 06:33 PM

same here on directv h20 and hr20,but tv tuners are fine,still no 7-2 or 7-3

billodom

03-17-09, 08:51 PM

Well, I know that we're putting out guide data, and nothing has been changed in quite a while (since our last update in early February).

Do your set-ups pick up the guide data OTA, or does it come from some on-line source?

Thanks

.Mark, as you can see, the supplier info is provided by Zap2it. I purposely removed WBFF and WNUV from my EPG so they would show up in this .xml file. Thanks for looking into this.
<lineups schema_version="1.1" client_version="2.0" originalCreator="MCE 2.0" copyright="Copyright Microsoft Corp. All rights reserved." xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<lineup sources="3693984021">
<sources>
<s headend="B20069-" headendname="Antenna" supplierid="1" suppliername="Zap2it" supplierinfo="Powered by Zap2it" hnt="HEADEND_NETWORK_TYPE_LOCAL_ANALOG_ANTENNA" regiontuningcode="US" currentversion="2706148740" id="0" language="en" schemaversion="1" unmapped="False" restricted="True">
<copyright>© 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=8430
</copyright>
</s>
<s headend="" headendname="" supplierid="" suppliername="" supplierinfo="" hnt="HEADEND_NETWORK_TYPE_UNK" regiontuningcode="" currentversion="0" id="1" language="" schemaversion="" unmapped="False" restricted="False">
<copyright>
</copyright>
</s>
</sources>
<tuneRequests ct="0" />
<presets ct="13">

<s name="WHSV-DT" call_sign="WHSV-DT" affiliation="ABC Affiliate" id="ATSC-WHSV-3-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1031" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WFDC-DT" call_sign="WFDC-DT" affiliation="Univision (SI) Affiliate" id="ATSC-WFDC-14-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1141" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WUTB-DT" call_sign="WUTB-DT" affiliation="MyNetworkTV Affiliate" id="ATSC-WUTB-24-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1241" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WHAG-DT" call_sign="WHAG-DT" affiliation="NBC Affiliate" id="ATSC-WHAG-25-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1251" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WWPB-DT" call_sign="WWPB-DT" affiliation="PBS Affiliate" id="ATSC-WWPB-31-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1311" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WHUT-DT" call_sign="WHUT-DT" affiliation="PBS Affiliate" id="ATSC-WHUT-32-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1321" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WJZ-DT" call_sign="WJZ-DT" affiliation="CBS Affiliate" id="ATSC-WJZ-38-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1381" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WBFF-DT" call_sign="WBFF-DT" affiliation="" id="ATSC-WBFF-45-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1451" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WNUV-DT" call_sign="WNUV-DT" affiliation="" id="ATSC-WNUV-54-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1541" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WNVC-DT" call_sign="WNVC-DT" affiliation="" id="ATSC-WNVC-56-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1561" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WWPX-DT" call_sign="WWPX-DT" affiliation="ION Affiliate" id="ATSC-WWPX-60-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1601" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WFPT-DT" call_sign="WFPT-DT" affiliation="PBS Affiliate" id="ATSC-WFPT-62-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1621" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WMPB Maryland Public Television" call_sign="WMPB-DT" affiliation="PBS Affiliate" id="ATSC-WMPB-67-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1671" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />

</presets>
<channelRename />
</lineup>
</lineups>

nwar

03-17-09, 09:23 PM

Do your set-ups pick up the guide data OTA, or does it come from some on-line source?

Just to clarify, I'm in the same boat as billodom. Running Media Center and the channels are fine, just the Zap2it guide data is gone.

imref

03-17-09, 10:28 PM

same here on directv h20 and hr20,but tv tuners are fine,still no 7-2 or 7-3

Still out for me, I contacted WJLA through their web site over the weekend, haven't gotten a response. I contacted Retro Television Network which WJLA airs (well, until last week at least) on 7-3 to see if they can help.

djp952

03-18-09, 12:52 AM

I was wondering if any of you gurus out here know when the FCC will make a decision on who's going to get UHF 51 post-transition?

Since we've had this delay until June, I've been wasting time remodeling my 'final' antennas for both Baltimore and D.C., and if WETA moves from 27 to 51 I can do something different (and far slicker) than I had originally planned on.

Probably not, but I know you guys are rather well informed :-)

Trip in VA

03-18-09, 01:07 AM

djp952, your guess is as good as mine.

- Trip

markbulla

03-18-09, 08:07 AM

Mark, as you can see, the supplier info is provided by Zap2it. I purposely removed WBFF and WNUV from my EPG so they would show up in this .xml file. Thanks for looking into this.
<lineups schema_version="1.1" client_version="2.0" originalCreator="MCE 2.0" copyright="Copyright Microsoft Corp. All rights reserved." xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<lineup sources="3693984021">
<sources>
<s headend="B20069-" headendname="Antenna" supplierid="1" suppliername="Zap2it" supplierinfo="Powered by Zap2it" hnt="HEADEND_NETWORK_TYPE_LOCAL_ANALOG_ANTENNA" regiontuningcode="US" currentversion="2706148740" id="0" language="en" schemaversion="1" unmapped="False" restricted="True">
<copyright>© 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=8430
</copyright>
</s>
<s headend="" headendname="" supplierid="" suppliername="" supplierinfo="" hnt="HEADEND_NETWORK_TYPE_UNK" regiontuningcode="" currentversion="0" id="1" language="" schemaversion="" unmapped="False" restricted="False">
<copyright>
</copyright>
</s>
</sources>
<tuneRequests ct="0" />
<presets ct="13">

<s name="WHSV-DT" call_sign="WHSV-DT" affiliation="ABC Affiliate" id="ATSC-WHSV-3-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1031" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WFDC-DT" call_sign="WFDC-DT" affiliation="Univision (SI) Affiliate" id="ATSC-WFDC-14-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1141" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WUTB-DT" call_sign="WUTB-DT" affiliation="MyNetworkTV Affiliate" id="ATSC-WUTB-24-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1241" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WHAG-DT" call_sign="WHAG-DT" affiliation="NBC Affiliate" id="ATSC-WHAG-25-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1251" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WWPB-DT" call_sign="WWPB-DT" affiliation="PBS Affiliate" id="ATSC-WWPB-31-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1311" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WHUT-DT" call_sign="WHUT-DT" affiliation="PBS Affiliate" id="ATSC-WHUT-32-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1321" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WJZ-DT" call_sign="WJZ-DT" affiliation="CBS Affiliate" id="ATSC-WJZ-38-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1381" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WBFF-DT" call_sign="WBFF-DT" affiliation="" id="ATSC-WBFF-45-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1451" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WNUV-DT" call_sign="WNUV-DT" affiliation="" id="ATSC-WNUV-54-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1541" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WNVC-DT" call_sign="WNVC-DT" affiliation="" id="ATSC-WNVC-56-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1561" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WWPX-DT" call_sign="WWPX-DT" affiliation="ION Affiliate" id="ATSC-WWPX-60-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1601" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WFPT-DT" call_sign="WFPT-DT" affiliation="PBS Affiliate" id="ATSC-WFPT-62-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1621" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />


<s name="WMPB Maryland Public Television" call_sign="WMPB-DT" affiliation="PBS Affiliate" id="ATSC-WMPB-67-1" blocked="1" virtualchannelnumber="1671" GuideService="1" TuningService="1" sourceId="1" />

</presets>
<channelRename />
</lineup>
</lineups>

Sorry for sending the code again - I don't know what parts I can edit out..

I sent a note to Zap2it from their website yesterday asking for help, but I haven't heard anything back from them, yet.

Could the problem be that WBFF and WNUV don't have their analog transmitters on anymore? I'm asking because I noticed this line in the code near the top: hnt="HEADEND_NETWORK_TYPE_LOCAL_ANALOG_ANTENNA"

The only other thing that I can see is that WBFF, WNUV, and WNVC are the only stations that don't have an affiliation with their listings. I expect that that is either a symptom or a clue... WNVC's analog transmitter is off too, isn't it?
.

systems2000

03-18-09, 09:44 AM

WBFF-TV and WNUV-TV discontinued operation over a week ago.

If your assumption is correct, then the entity that generates the XML file is the problem source.

systems2000

03-18-09, 09:46 AM

With two -DT stations trying for RF 51 and a -LD station already there, I'm sure there's lots of communication (paperwork) being generated.

systems2000

03-18-09, 09:52 AM

This channel call sign needs to match the channel identifier in the tribune guide data and also listed on zap2it.com.Why don't the Tribune Guide and Zap2It.com change their Channel Identifier information to match the FCC, which uses the dash?

afiggatt

03-18-09, 10:03 AM

The only other thing that I can see is that WBFF, WNUV, and WNVC are the only stations that don't have an affiliation with their listings. I expect that that is either a symptom or a clue... WNVC's analog transmitter is off too, isn't it?.
Yes, WNVC Mhz 56 in Fairfax, VA shut down their analog and low power digital broadcast in September. Since there is no broadcast signal at all for WNVC (until June 12 it appears), there is no EPG data for the OTA PC tuners to worry about!

SUOrangeman

03-18-09, 03:14 PM

This morning, the TWC Local-on-the-8s scroll on Cox-Fairfax claimed that MASN HD and Cox HD will arrive on channels 770 and 771 come next Tuesday (24th).

I'll make sure the chart in my sig gets updated.

3/25 update: I can confirm the availability of MASN HD and Cox HD.

-SUO

waka7

03-18-09, 03:35 PM

nottenst

03-18-09, 04:35 PM

I was re-scanning the comcast dc (capitol hill neighborhood) clear qam channels last night and I discovered that some of them had changed. Most notably, the channels 86 through 89 which used to carry the video on demand programs no longer have any clear qam signals. When I scan them, channels are shown to exist, but I don't get any video or audio (just a blank screen) like I did before. This leads me to believe comcast is encrypting their VOD. Has anyone else noticed this? Is comcast now encrypting their VOD?I don't really have any concrete idea, but we have a Comcast box upstairs and wanted to watched a VOD show downstairs via clear QAM not too long ago. I started it playing upstairs and was unable to find the program downstairs.

jgantert

03-18-09, 04:53 PM

Great news, Tivo has fixed their channel frequency map for 7-1, 7-2 and 7-3! Make sure to manually update and connect to the Tivo server if you can't tune in these channels.

Should be fixed for DirecTV boxes as well, but I can't verify this.

imref

03-18-09, 05:01 PM

Working here as well. I spoke to a guy from WJLA today (real nice, called me right away). He said that nothing had changed from their end and they were working with TiVo to figure out what happened. Glad to hear it is resolved.

markbulla

03-18-09, 05:54 PM

<snip>
I sent a note to Zap2it from their website yesterday asking for help, but I haven't heard anything back from them, yet.
<snip>.

I spoke to a guy at Zap2it (they didn't call me, I had to search around for a number which I found here: http://tms.tribune.com/contacts.html), who told me that "if the data is correct on the website then they (the viewers) will have to call Microsoft to complain. We send them the data, but Microsoft must be parsing it wrong." And he went on to explain that they don't support the data after it goes to Microsoft.

I didn't think that that was a particularly good option (he didn't have Bill Gates' phone number), so after some discussion, he agreed to send the information that I gave him to the account representative who deals with Microsoft... Hopefully, something will be figured out....?

I'm sure that they wouldn't mind if other people call them and discuss it with them - after all, they wouldn't put their phone numbers on a public web page if they did, would they?

.

E55 KEV

03-18-09, 06:34 PM

I was re-scanning the comcast dc (capitol hill neighborhood) clear qam channels last night and I discovered that some of them had changed. Most notably, the channels 86 through 89 which used to carry the video on demand programs no longer have any clear qam signals. When I scan them, channels are shown to exist, but I don't get any video or audio (just a blank screen) like I did before. This leads me to believe comcast is encrypting their VOD. Has anyone else noticed this? Is comcast now encrypting their VOD?

I have Comcast in Hillcrest area and never remember seeing any VOD shows. This is my HD channel lineup using QAM and no cable box:

FOX - 15.1
CW - 15.2
MY20 - 16.1
NBC - 117.1
CBS - 117.3
ABC - 118.1
PBS - 118.3
A&E - 124.3

SUOrangeman

03-18-09, 07:25 PM

On Cox-Fairfax, the VOD channels "placeholders" are always there, but there's no content until someone on my local trunk is actually watching a VOD program. Since I have an HDHomeRun, I can see that those VOD channels are not encrypted.

Could Comcast's system work similarly?

-SUO

bullwinklehdtv

03-18-09, 08:41 PM

Skeptic Tank

03-19-09, 09:22 AM

Has anyone else noticed this? Is comcast now encrypting their VOD?

I'm getting the same result in P. G. County.

Given the nature of some of the available On Demand material, I'd been assuming there was a technical reason preventing encryption. I can't believe it was just an oversight.

afiggatt

03-19-09, 06:23 PM

All of the local stations which still have a analog broadcast have filed their "Analog Service Termination Notification" form with the FCC stating their shutdown dates and times. Only WFPT MPT 62 in Frederick, MD in the 2 markets will be shutting down "early" on the morning of April 16. All the other stations which still have a analog broadcast in the greater DC and Baltimore markets will stay on the air until June 12. However, many of the stations will be shutting down in the morning or afternoon of 6/12, not at midnight. The catchphrase for June 12 should be "rescan day!".

WRC-TV 4 will operate as a nightlight station for 2 weeks until June 26.
WTTG-TV 5 will operate as a nightlight station for a month until July 12.
None of the stations in Baltimore will run in nightlight mode after June 12 (because none of them could even if they wanted to).

So after April 12, the following stations will be digital only having successfully made it to the analog exit ramp: WNVT-DT 30, WBFF-DT 45, WNUV-DT 54, WFPT-DT 62, and WJAL-DT 68.

nwar

03-19-09, 07:06 PM

I sent a note to Zap2it from their website yesterday asking for help, but I haven't heard anything back from them, yet.

Just got home from work and checked to make sure I recorded all of the Terps game. I noticed my guide data is back on WBFF-DT and WNUV-DT.

billodom

03-20-09, 08:54 AM

I spoke to a guy at Zap2it (they didn't call me, I had to search around for a number which I found here: http://tms.tribune.com/contacts.html), who told me that "if the data is correct on the website then they (the viewers) will have to call Microsoft to complain. We send them the data, but Microsoft must be parsing it wrong." And he went on to explain that they don't support the data after it goes to Microsoft.

I didn't think that that was a particularly good option (he didn't have Bill Gates' phone number), so after some discussion, he agreed to send the information that I gave him to the account representative who deals with Microsoft... Hopefully, something will be figured out....?

I'm sure that they wouldn't mind if other people call them and discuss it with them - after all, they wouldn't put their phone numbers on a public web page if they did, would they?.I noticed my guide data is back on WBFF-DT and WNUV-DT.Ditto for me. Good job, Mark. Way to light a fire under somebody's rear end ;). I had to "re-download" guide data to get the listings and once I did, voila. Incidentally, the .xml file now shows affiliation for WNVC as "Independent" so I guess their data would come through as well. For anyone who didn't pick up on it, I did learn, thanks to you and bfdtv, that Zap2it is owned by Tribune.

nottenst

03-20-09, 09:20 AM

Just got home from work and checked to make sure I recorded all of the Terps game. I noticed my guide data is back on WBFF-DT and WNUV-DT.Great to hear. I didn't check that myself, but I presume it will be back for me and I can try to get the Simpsons on Sunday.

mdviewer25

03-20-09, 10:02 AM

I was re-scanning the comcast dc (capitol hill neighborhood) clear qam channels last night and I discovered that some of them had changed. Most notably, the channels 86 through 89 which used to carry the video on demand programs no longer have any clear qam signals. When I scan them, channels are shown to exist, but I don't get any video or audio (just a blank screen) like I did before. This leads me to believe comcast is encrypting their VOD. Has anyone else noticed this? Is comcast now encrypting their VOD?

I just noticed last night too. It was ok while it lasted but I say good riddance. You would be watching a show and it would freeze, change channels, or just go off so I did a rescan to get rid of channels 85 through 89. I wish they would stop encrypting TNT-HD on channel 127-2 so I can get audio along with the video.

pulling69

03-20-09, 11:33 AM

Anyone else with Cox in Fairfax have Comedy Central HD become unavailable starting last week? The channel is still in the guide but when we try to tune into it on either of the HD boxes it says "currently unavailable."

REDSKINSFAN47

03-20-09, 12:05 PM

cdubea

03-20-09, 04:01 PM

TVGOS blinked out again the other night here in Reston. Went through the drill like the last time they changed it unannounced only this time it's been two days and nada. Have our friends at Comcast in Reston discontinued broadcasting TVGOS?

Thanks

chris

Steve_AA_Co_MD

03-20-09, 06:26 PM

I'm not sure when the outage started, but during the 6 PM hour today, WBAL-DT has been off the air. There is zero signal on channel 59 right now. Comcast (Annapolis) must not have a fiber hook-up with the studio because channel 211 is also absent.

I'm watching WBAL's analog signal over-the-air right now. There hasn't been any mention of technical issues since I've been watching. Comcast is carrying the SD version of WBAL on channel 11. They must have manually switched to the analog version.

Steve in Shady Side, MD

mdviewer25

03-20-09, 06:39 PM

markbulla

03-20-09, 06:41 PM

Steve_AA_Co_MD

03-20-09, 07:02 PM

Has anyone found a fix for the annoying sound dropout problem on the Comcast HD-DVR (Motorola 6412)??

Almost every time I fast forward, rewind, skip back, or skip forward, the sound fails and I have to power down or stop and restart the program. So annoying!

Steve_AA_Co_MD

03-20-09, 07:03 PM

They just came up at 6:41PM
.

You must watch the competition pretty closely!

markbulla

03-20-09, 07:30 PM

You must watch the competition pretty closely!

;-)

I was looking to see if I could see what the problem was (to see if I could help), and I had my TV tuned to WBAL-DT when it came back on. I was looking at them with my spectrum analyzer when they came back up - there was nothing there prior to 6:41.

It could have been caused by a number of things - from a bad exciter to a power outage, but it's staying up, so it must be fixed!

:

Steve_AA_Co_MD

03-20-09, 07:41 PM

;-)

I was looking to see if I could see what the problem was (to see if I could help), and I had my TV tuned to WBAL-DT when it came back on. I was looking at them with my spectrum analyzer when they came back up - there was nothing there prior to 6:41.

It could have been caused by a number of things - from a bad exciter to a power outage, but it's staying up, so it must be fixed!

:

What surprised me is that Comcast is picking up WBAL-DT over the air! I thought Comcast said that they were connected directly to most of the tv studios around here. Maybe that was just for the DC locals (that they no longer carry via QAM in HD in AA County). That's a sore subject with me, as you can maybe tell. I live closer to DC than Baltimore, but can no longer get HD locals on Comcast, nor can I watch the DC channels on any of my analog TVs without a digital cable box. What's really bad is that the weather forecasts for my area are covered by the DC locals. Good thing I have an antenna. Too bad Comcast's signal leaks from a nearby telephone pole and screws up my local reception for about half of the broadcast tv band. I suppose I'll have to move if I ever want to try and DX again.

systems2000

03-21-09, 09:43 AM

Give Comcast a call. They are required by the FCC to eliminate all leakage.

markbulla

03-21-09, 04:30 PM

What surprised me is that Comcast is picking up WBAL-DT over the air! I thought Comcast said that they were connected directly to most of the tv studios around here. Maybe that was just for the DC locals (that they no longer carry via QAM in HD in AA County). That's a sore subject with me, as you can maybe tell. I live closer to DC than Baltimore, but can no longer get HD locals on Comcast, nor can I watch the DC channels on any of my analog TVs without a digital cable box. What's really bad is that the weather forecasts for my area are covered by the DC locals. Good thing I have an antenna. Too bad Comcast's signal leaks from a nearby telephone pole and screws up my local reception for about half of the broadcast tv band. I suppose I'll have to move if I ever want to try and DX again.

DirecTV and FIOS get a direct feed of the HD channels from the Baltimore stations. Dish Network and Comcast pick them up over the air. Comcast is working on a system that will include a fiber feed from WBFF, but it's still in the planning stage.
.

Steve_AA_Co_MD

03-21-09, 08:27 PM

DirecTV and FIOS get a direct feed of the HD channels from the Baltimore stations. Dish Network and Comcast pick them up over the air. Comcast is working on a system that will include a fiber feed from WBFF, but it's still in the planning stage.
.
I sure wish Verizon would offer FIOS service in my area. The town that I live in is fairly densely populated but it may not have a large enough total population in Verizon's eyes. Comcast is lagging behind other companies with regards to HD offerings. I really dislike watching tv in standard definition these days. I'm not willing to put up with satellite's limitations/issues either at the moment. As much as I complain about the Motorola HD-DVR, I've heard worse things about the satellite company's HD-DVRs.

fmw63

03-23-09, 08:44 AM

I'm not sure when the outage started, but during the 6 PM hour today, WBAL-DT has been off the air. There is zero signal on channel 59 right now.

Oh, so that's what happened. That was around the time I was putting my diy antenna on the roof, and thought I had an aiming problem... :mad:

Hard to adjust an antenna when the signal's not even there...

CycloneGT

03-23-09, 10:09 AM

hahaa. What luck!

4HiMarks

03-23-09, 03:04 PM

I sure wish Verizon would offer FIOS service in my area. ... I'm not willing to put up with satellite's limitations/issues either at the moment. As much as I complain about the Motorola HD-DVR, I've heard worse things about the satellite company's HD-DVRs.

What limitations/issues are those? The 622 from E* is fantastic. No way would I give that up for the POS Verizon offers, and I have FiOS for internet. I can't speak for the other sat company.

afiggatt

03-24-09, 09:13 AM

Verizon Fios added MASN-HD to channel 577 this morning in the Washington Metro market! I see it was added to Hampton Roads as well, so it should be available in the rest of VHO 4, Baltimore and Anne Arundel/Howard Counties, and VHO 9, Richmond. MASN-HD does not officially launch until April 1, so it will probably be all upconverted SD until then. Good to see Verizon add a HD channel at launch, not 3-6 months later.

The channel is not in the guide yet, normal procedure is for the guide to be updated later in the day. However a cold reboot of the STB forces a guide update if Fios subscribers want to see the guide sooner.

jperk10

03-24-09, 01:45 PM

So, with FiOS adding MASN-HD and MASN reporting a while back there will be 105 Nats and O's games each in HD what happens when they're both on. Will there be a MASN2-HD station added for those games?

GregAnnapolis

03-24-09, 02:54 PM

jperk10, per the schedule at masnsports.com, there are no HD conflicts, and there is no MASN2-HD... at least not this season. Anyway the schedules are posted right on the main page there, it shouldn't be too hard to find them.

I hope that if everything goes well, we will see MASN2-HD in 2010, and all 162 games for each team will be in HD. *crosses fingers*

I have the Orioles schedule printed out and hanging up in my cube, and there is a whooooooooole lot of HD showing. :)

CycloneGT

03-24-09, 03:10 PM

What limitations/issues are those? The 622 from E* is fantastic. No way would I give that up for the POS Verizon offers, and I have FiOS for internet. I can't speak for the other sat company.I have to agree. I also have the 622 and have had it for about 3 years now. Its a great DVR and I've really been happy with it. Plus dish has continually added features to it over the years.

GregAnnapolis

03-24-09, 05:12 PM

mapper

03-24-09, 06:24 PM

Well, well, it looks like Verizon got its act together for MASN. Its unfortunate that MASN HD is not available for Premier customers though. I tried to to tune to it, but the CableCARD diagnostic screen says "NOT_SUBSCRIBED". :(

inlogan

03-24-09, 06:28 PM

Hey Rich -

You know, I've noticed that, and meant to ask the master control manager about it, but I never remember to do it... I'll send myself an e-mail as a reminder.

.

Hey Mark,

Did you ever find out about the Family Guy and Simpsons starting times that begin before the top and bottom of the hour?

Thanks,
Rich

markbulla

03-24-09, 07:12 PM

Hey Mark,

Did you ever find out about the Family Guy and Simpsons starting times that begin before the top and bottom of the hour?

Thanks,
Rich

Sort of... I'm trying to get it fixed, or at least the program guide info corrected. Keep reminding me, if it isn't fixed soon.

.

markbulla

03-25-09, 12:36 PM

Sort of... I'm trying to get it fixed, or at least the program guide info corrected. Keep reminding me, if it isn't fixed soon.

.

Following up, the issue was brought up in the manager's meeting today. The regional manager for the station wasn't aware of it, and didn't approve of it, so he was going to address the issue with the scheduling people.

Hopefully the problem will be resolved within the next couple of days (the schedule is already in the computer for at least today and tomorrow - it is difficult to make reasonably big changes to it once it's there, so they will probably change it starting with the first schedule that they haven't already sent down.

:

inlogan

03-25-09, 09:51 PM

Following up, the issue was brought up in the manager's meeting today. The regional manager for the station wasn't aware of it, and didn't approve of it, so he was going to address the issue with the scheduling people.

Hopefully the problem will be resolved within the next couple of days (the schedule is already in the computer for at least today and tomorrow - it is difficult to make reasonably big changes to it once it's there, so they will probably change it starting with the first schedule that they haven't already sent down.

:

Thanks! It'll make it a lot easier to record them now.

euckersw

03-26-09, 09:17 AM

jperk10, per the schedule at masnsports.com, there are no HD conflicts, and there is no MASN2-HD... at least not this season.

I thought the same thing, but I have Cox in Fairfax and they've now added MASN HD, and also a "Cox HD" channel, which the listing states is "Reserved for MASN HD Overflow Programming". When tuning into the channel it has a blueish background and just says "Cox HD". Wierd - anybody know what it's for?

GregAnnapolis

03-26-09, 09:49 AM

I thought the same thing, but I have Cox in Fairfax and they've now added MASN HD, and also a "Cox HD" channel, which the listing states is "Reserved for MASN HD Overflow Programming". When tuning into the channel it has a blueish background and just says "Cox HD". Wierd - anybody know what it's for?
Well that would be pretty impressive. I guess we'll just have to 'stay tuned', huh? :)

Marcus Carr

03-26-09, 09:52 AM

Overflow channel? Hmm...

Cox lineup, including MASN HD and "COX HD":

http://www.cox.com/fairfax/docs/Fairfax.pdf

machpost

03-26-09, 10:11 AM

RCN also has a space in their lineup right after MASN HD which is presumably reserved for a future MASN2 HD, but I doubt we'll see this until 2010 at the very earliest. I know they've mentioned the possibility of going after the Capitals and/or Wizards TV contracts in the future, which would likely facilitate the need for an HD overflow channel, but I don't know anything about the status of those. And with the potential for ESPN Regional syndication going HD this fall with the addition of SEC football, this could also bring about the need for a second HD channel, whenever there are multiple syndicated HD college football games to be carried at the same time.

And speaking of HD overflow channels, has there been any news about Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic adding a CSN+ HD feed?

Marcus Carr

03-26-09, 11:07 AM

And speaking of HD overflow channels, has there been any news about Comcast Sportsnet Mid-Atlantic adding a CSN+ HD feed?

A year ago Comcast said they hoped to have CSN+ HD in 2009.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13314279#post13314279

carltonrice

03-26-09, 05:01 PM

Will the MASN-HD channel be on DirecTV?

VARTV

03-26-09, 05:07 PM

Will the MASN-HD channel be on DirecTV?Yes... It's ready to go...

BMoreRavens

03-26-09, 05:42 PM

Will the MASN-HD channel be on DirecTV?

The part time channel is already there but the full time channel will launch April 1st on DIRECTV.

REDSKINSFAN47

03-27-09, 12:12 PM

Will the MASN-HD channel be on DirecTV?

640-1 on D*

REDSKINSFAN47

03-27-09, 12:16 PM

any new news on hd news casts for channels 2,4,13

systems2000

03-27-09, 05:33 PM

Anyone else notice 4-1 showing up on their DTV systems? It appears to be WV PBS and has a designator of PEE-4LA.

systems2000

03-27-09, 07:58 PM

Is it my APEX box or is the EPG data for WTTG-DT completely missing between the 7:00pm Simpsons listing and the 10:00pm News for tonight?

systems2000

03-27-09, 10:01 PM

I see the data came up when 8:00pm rolled around.

dewster1977

03-28-09, 12:04 AM

Anyone else notice 4-1 showing up on their DTV systems? It appears to be WV PBS and has a designator of PEE-4LA.

Could it be the new translator in Mineral County on 34??? I will have to check...

systems2000

03-29-09, 10:52 AM

W34DW-D, they're supposed to be identifying themselves as 24, per the main Engineer in the main facility (all WV PBS transmitters will be identified as channel 24).

I'm not finding any reference, in the FCC database, to a "PEE-7LA."

Since my APEX DT502 doesn't show "REAL" RF channels, I'm not able to pinpoint the station and my other active units (Sunkey, Zinwell, and Insignia) don't seem to be finding it.

systems2000

03-29-09, 11:01 AM

I thought there was something wrong with the audio on the MPT broadcast of "Sound Stage" this morning. It took me awhile to realize that the broadcast was in Stereo and not Surround Sound. :(

Tom Petty ROCKED!! Especially with Stevie Nicks. :)

tonyd79

03-29-09, 10:41 PM

640-1 on D*

When it goes full time, it will be 640.

DVDO+WESTY=1080p

03-30-09, 12:30 PM

So FIOS finally is installing lines in my neighborhood, Manassas Va how long from where they mark the lines on my front yard with paint to when I will be watching FIOS?

VARTV

03-30-09, 01:15 PM

So FIOS finally is installing lines in my neighborhood, Manassas Va how long from where they mark the lines on my front yard with paint to when I will be watching FIOS?It was 5 months for me in Virginia Beach...

Digital Rules

03-30-09, 01:30 PM

So FIOS finally is installing lines in my neighborhood, Manassas Va how long from where they mark the lines on my front yard with paint to when I will be watching FIOS?What part of Manassas is getting FIOS? Are you inside the city limits?

Thanks!!

DVDO+WESTY=1080p

03-30-09, 04:53 PM

What part of Manassas is getting FIOS? Are you inside the city limits?

Thanks!!

Sumner Lake in the city limits, most of the city is already active my neighborhood is one of the last ones to get onboard

DVDO+WESTY=1080p

03-30-09, 04:54 PM

It was 5 months for me in Virginia Beach...
dang, that long huh? oh well comcast it is then for the time being, thanks

Marcus Carr

03-31-09, 12:59 PM

MASN Launches MASN HD Wednesday

By MASN Staff on March 30, 2009 4:41 PM | Permalink

Dedicated HD channel to televise 210 HD Nationals and Orioles games in 2009

MASN, the local leader in live sports entertainment and the television home of the Nationals and Orioles, will launch its full-time HD channel on Wednesday, April 1 and will televise 210 Major League Baseball games in high definition in 2009. Both teams' home-openers will be televised in high-definition, including the Orioles vs. Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards live at 4:00 p.m. on April 6 and the Nationals vs. Phillies at Nationals Park live at 3:00 p.m. on April 13.

MASN will televise in HD the teams' final pre-season tune-up on Saturday, April 4th as the Nationals host the Orioles at Nationals Park live at 6:00 p.m.

MASN HD will televise 105 Nationals and 105 Orioles games in high definition this season. The network will shoot and produce every Nationals and Orioles game in high-definition for archival purposes and for rebroadcast the next day on MASN HD.

MASN HD will now occupy a permanent channel position in the HD lineup of its cable and satellite carriers throughout a seven-state television territory. MASN and MASN 2 will remain unchanged.

With three channels this season, the easiest way to locate MASN, MASN2, or MASN HD is for viewers to check the channel guide on their televisions. Viewers can also log onto masnsports.com for a full listing of cable and satellite channel positions for MASN, MASN2 and MASN HD.

Most of MASN's cable providers are carrying MASN HD this season, including Antietam, Armstrong*, Atlantic Broadband, Bay Country, Broadstripe, Charter*, Comcast*, Cox, DirecTV, Easton, Harron Metrocast*, NTelos, Openband, RCN, Reds Cable, and Verizon FIOS.

* May not carry MASN HD in all regions within MASN's television territory.

http://masnsports.com/2009/03/masn-launches-masn-hd-wednesda.html

Marcus Carr

03-31-09, 01:14 PM

WZDC (Telemundo) to go HD within the next 12 months.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1134559

afiggatt

03-31-09, 01:52 PM

WZDC (Telemundo) to go HD within the next 12 months.
Interesting. I would have thought that Univision would be the first Spanish language network to go HD. WZDC-CA is on UHF 25 with a very directional pattern favoring the eastern half of DC because of WHAG-TV 25 in Hagerstown. I have never seen a hint of WZDC-CA OTA from Sterling, only WHAG-TV on analog 25.

WZDC has a construction permit (CP) for a digital flash cut at 4.6 kW on UHF 25, so once they do the flash cut, they could offer a HD broadcast. However, according to wiki, WZDC is owned by ZGS Broadcast Holdings, it is not a Telemundo O&O station, so it may not go HD in the 12 month period. The digital CP retains the directional coverage of the analog 25 antenna even though WHAG-TV will vacate UHF 25 (post DT is 26). The FCC WZDC-LD 25 projected digital coverage map is at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DC1260576.html.

Marcus Carr

03-31-09, 04:14 PM

FiOS TV Adds Mid-Atlantic Sports Network in High-Definition for Subscribers in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- FiOS TV Extreme HD subscribers in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia now can watch their favorite regional professional or collegiate baseball, football and lacrosse teams in high definition by tuning to Channel 577, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) HD. All FiOS TV customers in the mid-Atlantic region currently receive MASN in standard definition.

"Verizon continues to deliver the ultimate high-definition home-entertainment experience with the launch of MASN HD," said Mary Ellen Payne, Verizon's vice president of sales and marketing for the Potomac region. "FiOS TV is the best and only place to watch high-definition sports programming. With our stunning picture-and-sound quality, we give our customers a front row seat to all the regional sports content and action -- an experience that goes beyond old-fashioned cable."

MASN, owned by the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals baseball franchises, serves areas including Delaware, Maryland, Harrisburg and southeastern Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

With MASN HD, customers can follow their favorite regional baseball teams, including the Nationals and Orioles, and watch shows such as "Nats/Orioles Xtra Pre and Post-Game Show," which covers game news, analysis, highlights and more. During the football season, Ravens fans can tune into "1 Winning Drive," which airs live from the Ravens facility and provides inside coverage of the team and weekly game breakdowns. Sports fans looking to catch up on the latest action around the industry can enjoy lively discussions on "The Tom Davis Show" every Saturday morning.

In addition to the professional sports content, MASN also carries 30 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football games with double- and triple-headers on Saturdays in the fall, and lacrosse matchups during the spring featuring games from team favorites such as Duke, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins and North Carolina.

Only Verizon delivers all-digital TV service over America's most advanced network, which is all-fiber all the way to customers' homes. FiOS TV scored highest in J.D. Power's "2008 Residential Television Service Satisfaction Study for the East Region," which includes Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

FiOS TV offers a broad collection of programming, with more than 500 all-digital channels and 14,000 video-on-demand (VOD) titles each month -- 70 percent of which are free. Verizon's VOD library also includes more than 1,300 HD titles. FiOS TV is currently available to more than 9.2 million homes in 14 states -- California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Washington State.

For more information on FiOS TV, consumers can visit www.verizon.com/fiostv or call their local Verizon sales office or 888-438-3467.

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-31-2009/0004998117&EDATE=

radagast123

03-31-09, 06:51 PM

Hi, all - newbie here!

I'm really impressed by the level of knowledge and experience I've seen on this forum.

Anyway, I've been having a technical problem with FOX 45 digital over the air broadcast and I'm at a loss as to what it could be.

Background:

TV set: Hitachi 32HDL52 (32" in LCD set with built in ATSC tuner) Not a great set, but it did come with a digital tuner, which was nice back in 2005.

Antenna: basic "rabbit ears" that works reasonably well most of the time.

Location: about 10 miles due south of Baltimore in a south-facing, 3rd floor apartment.

Problem: Ever since about mid to late February (about the time of the original Digital TV transition), FOX 45.1 has basically become non-functional on Sundays. When I switch to FOX 45.1, all I get is a blank screen and stuttering sound. Eventually, the TV "crashes" requiring the power to be cycled to reboot it - normally, when there is a weak signal, it displays a "bad or no signal" message. Oddly, the commercials on FOX 45.1 will come through just fine, and then when the actual show returns, things go right back to blank screen + stuttering sound. FOX 45.2 may also be affected. The rest of the week, however, FOX 45.1 and FOX 45.2 are just fine. This problem never happened before mid to late February and has never been seen on any other channel. Nothing about my setup has changed in years.

Any thoughts as to what this could be? I don't know if it is my end or their end - I'd think it would be there end since nothing has changed in my set up, but I also find it hard to believe that they've been broadcasting "messed up" signals through prime time Sunday (Simpsons, Family Guy, etc.) for over a month now.

Thanks!

Trip in VA

03-31-09, 06:52 PM

Has it happened only on network programming? Like, does it occur during the week on network programming, or on Sunday during local programming?

- Trip

radagast123

03-31-09, 08:14 PM

It has only happened on Sunday - things work fine weekday mornings and evenings (no idea what happens during the day since I'm at work then.)

systems2000

03-31-09, 11:43 PM

I was having the same problem with WNUV-DT before WJAL-DT came back online (overpowered by adjacent channel now). What I found was that the problem was caused by antenna alignment. I believe it's a good sign of DTV Multipath.

The problem seems to be exacerbated by 1080i conversion to 480i.

Marcus Carr

04-01-09, 01:32 AM

Comcast has added MASN HD in Baltimore City.

JoeInNVa

04-01-09, 07:17 AM

Comcast has added MASN HD in Baltimore City.

And in Alexandria/Arlington.

radagast123

04-01-09, 08:11 AM

machpost

04-01-09, 08:36 AM

tonyd79

04-01-09, 09:24 AM

MASN HD is live on DirecTV on 640 this morning.

Scott R. Scherr

04-01-09, 10:15 AM

afiggatt

04-01-09, 10:16 AM

I had considered multi-path as a source of the problem, but even after moving my little rabbit ears antenna all over the room and facing it in every direction, the problem continued - nothing would improve it (could never get a picture and the sound always stuttered). While I do have to move the antenna a bit to get the best reception on other channels, I've never seen anything like this before.

Could some other channel be overpowering FOX 45? But if so, why only on Sundays (and why only during the broadcast show and not the commercials?)

Your description indicates a decoding problem, not a multi-path or signal strength problem. If it occurs only during the program and not in the commercials, WBFF-DT is doing something that your ATSC tuner or TV hardware can't handle. Why only on Sunday is the seriously weird part. I could see in some unusual way if it occurred only for Fox prime time programming or only for local programming. But only on Sundays?? That the TV "crashes" suggests a bug in the firmware. Do the dropouts occur ONLY for Fox network feed programming or does it occur for the local news and syndicated programming? Maybe Mark Bulla can provide some clues.

I don't recall seeing anyone else here post about a similar problem, so the problem may be specific to your TV ATSC tuner firmware. You could check the Hitachi website or contact Hitachi to see if there is a known problem with your model tuner and if there is a firmware upgrade (if the TV firmware can even be updated).

If you are 10 miles south of Baltimore on the south facing side of the building, you should be able to get WTTG-DT Fox 5 in DC. Have you tried to get WTTG-DT OTA? If you have a rabbit ear and UHF loop tabletop antenna, there are better indoor antennas. A Silver Sensor is a good indoor UHF antenna, albeit somewhat directional. If you can find one, a Terk HDTVi (the much cheaper NON amplified version) combines a Silver Sensor with rabbit ears for VHF. You will need VHF reception on June 12 when WJLA-DT 7, WUSA-DT 9, WBAL-DT 11, WJZ-DT 13 all move their digital broadcast from UHF to their upper VHF channel.

afiggatt

04-01-09, 10:37 AM

I can't understand why MASN can't get Directv to add a temporary channel to air the second HD game on MASN2. MASN is taping all 162 games for the O's and Nat's in HD and Directv often adds temp channels for the extra games on other channels.
I doubt if DirecTV is the issue for a part time MASN2-HD feed. It is Comcast and the other cable operators who have to find the bandwidth for a part time HD channel. It also costs money to provide a 2nd HD distribution feed to all the service providers.

The real solution to the Os and Nats TV schedule conflicts is for one of the teams to move to Comcast Sports-Net Mid-Atlantic. Except for April, baseball is a good fit for a sports network with NBA and NHL teams. Having 2 winter major league sports teams on 1 RSN and 2 MLB teams on the other RSN is a poor use of resources. But Peter Angelos wanted the Nats to be on MASN, so we are stuck with a undercapitalized RSN with 2 MLB teams with frequent broadcast schedule conflicts.

But the TV ratings for the Nats last year were terrible and the Os only not quite as terrible. Besides the teams being bad, I think people were still confused on where to find the games: MASN or MASN2 and often didn't know where MASN2 was on their channel line-up. The lousy ratings may also be another reason for no MASN2-HD this year. Hard to justify the bandwidth to provide it if the TV ratings were that bad. Hopefully the Nats and Os will be better teams and more interesting to watch this year rather than boring bad teams, so the ratings improve. The Os and Nats have to be better, right? Right? :eek:

Digital Rules

04-01-09, 11:58 AM

Anyway, I've been having a technical problem with FOX 45 digital over the air broadcast and I'm at a loss as to what it could be.Have you ever tried a complete re-scan of your channels? I would give that a try if you haven't already.

radagast123

04-01-09, 12:09 PM

afiggatt: Thanks for the suggestions! It may very well be a decoding problem. I'll have to check Hitachi's website or see if I can find a servicer in the area who has some idea what to do with this thing...

I really don't understand the "only on Sundays" part of the problem since it does sound very strange. Yet the TV lets me watch the local FOX morning news during the week and various shows on FOX in the evenings during the week, but it no longer displays anything during Sunday prime time and for the rest of the day on Sundays as well from what little I've seen (I don't watch much TV on Sundays except in the evening.)

I also thank you for the suggestions about getting a better antenna.

Digital Rules Good suggestion: I did try a rescan this past Sunday (while I was having problems with FOX 45), but the end result was still the same.

markbulla

04-01-09, 12:14 PM

"I was having the same problem with WNUV-DT before WJAL-DT came back online (overpowered by adjacent channel now). What I found was that the problem was caused by antenna alignment. I believe it's a good sign of DTV Multipath.

The problem seems to be exacerbated by 1080i conversion to 480i."

I had considered multi-path as a source of the problem, but even after moving my little rabbit ears antenna all over the room and facing it in every direction, the problem continued - nothing would improve it (could never get a picture and the sound always stuttered). While I do have to move the antenna a bit to get the best reception on other channels, I've never seen anything like this before.

Could some other channel be overpowering FOX 45? But if so, why only on Sundays (and why only during the broadcast show and not the commercials?)

I don't know... I'm at a loss here as to what to do. I can't install a huge antenna (I live in an apartment) - is there any hardware upgrade that would make a difference or am I stuck as long as whatever is causing this continues?

Thanks for the suggestions and help so far.

Um... Well, there's no difference in the way we broadcast on Sundays - it's the same network source as any other evening, same transmitter, etc. If I were to guess (and it's ONLY a guess), I would have to say that there's an interfence source someplace close to you.

There are some DTV receivers that you can set the RF output channel on (my Dish Network receiver is one example). Maybe someone close has something like that hooked up at the same time as an antenna, and they are broadcasting channel 46 (that's the actual channel that WBFF-DT broadcasts on)...

It's going to be tough to find. It would be interesting to see if the signal is good up to a certain time every week, or if it's just random.

A more directional antenna (like a silver sensor, or the like) would help get rid of interference, unless it was coming from the same direction as WBFF.

BTW, where are you located?
.

radagast123

04-01-09, 12:28 PM

"Um... Well, there's no difference in the way we broadcast on Sundays - it's the same network source as any other evening, same transmitter, etc. If I were to guess (and it's ONLY a guess), I would have to say that there's an interfence source someplace close to you.

There are some DTV receivers that you can set the RF output channel on (my Dish Network receiver is one example). Maybe someone close has something like that hooked up at the same time as an antenna, and they are broadcasting channel 46 (that's the actual channel that WBFF-DT broadcasts on)...

It's going to be tough to find. It would be interesting to see if the signal is good up to a certain time every week, or if it's just random.

A more directional antenna (like a silver sensor, or the like) would help get rid of interference, unless it was coming from the same direction as WBFF.

BTW, where are you located?"

Mark An interferance source had crossed my mind, but from what, I wonder? I have heard that airplanes can cause interference, and I live in Glen Burnie, not far from the airport, but I can't think of anything that they could be doing that would have only started in mid February of this year, only happens on Sundays, and only affects FOX 45. Then again, I wouldn't even know who to ask about such a thing... Hmmm... maybe somebody else in the apartment building is somehow interfering with the signal?

Thanks for the note about the "real" channel used by FOX 45. That information (real channels vs. call signs) has been very helpful to me since I found it on this forum a month ago since the "manual channel entry" system for digital TV on my TV only uses the REAL broadcast channels, vs. the call-signs. So, I'd need to enter channel 46 for FOX, vs. channel 45, 45.1, etc. That one baffled me for a while...

Thanks for the help and information!

tonyd79

04-01-09, 05:11 PM

I doubt if DirecTV is the issue for a part time MASN2-HD feed. It is Comcast and the other cable operators who have to find the bandwidth for a part time HD channel. It also costs money to provide a 2nd HD distribution feed to all the service providers.

The real solution to the Os and Nats TV schedule conflicts is for one of the teams to move to Comcast Sports-Net Mid-Atlantic. Except for April, baseball is a good fit for a sports network with NBA and NHL teams. Having 2 winter major league sports teams on 1 RSN and 2 MLB teams on the other RSN is a poor use of resources. But Peter Angelos wanted the Nats to be on MASN, so we are stuck with a undercapitalized RSN with 2 MLB teams with frequent broadcast schedule conflicts.

But the TV ratings for the Nats last year were terrible and the Os only not as terrible. Besides the teams being bad, I think people were still confused on where to find the games: MASN or MASN2 and often didn't know where MASN2 was on their channel line-up. The lousy ratings may also be another reason for no MASN2-HD this year. Hard to justify the bandwidth to provide it if the TV ratings were that bad. Hopefully the Nats and Os will be better teams and more interesting to watch this year rather than boring bad teams, so the ratings improve. The Os and Nats have to better, right? Right? :eek:

DirecTV has already allocated a channel spot for MASN2 HD. They already have MASN2 SD and in the DirecTV method of doing things, they just add a "-1" to the channel for part time HD. So, 641-1 is MASN2 HD. They can switch a feed in there anytime they want to. It costs them nothing for the rest of the time.

The issue would be for sure MASN providing a second feed. They will probably not do so until more than just DirecTV provides them with space because of the cost.

radagast123

04-01-09, 08:27 PM

raidbuck

04-01-09, 08:32 PM

Was MLB Network in HD supposed to start on April 1st on Comcast? I'm in Harford County.

Thanks,

Rich N.

machpost

04-01-09, 09:45 PM

RCN in D.C. has added Ion HD on channel 615 today, but I'm pretty sure it's a national feed, and not WPXW-DT. Boston Legal is airing in HD right now.

Has WPXW gone HD yet? I'm in multipath hell here surrounded by buildings taller than mine and can't get it here with rabbit ears.

Digital Rules

04-01-09, 10:01 PM

Has WPXW gone HD yet? I'm in multipath hell here surrounded by buildings taller than mine and can't get it here with rabbit ears.WPXW-66.1, And WWPX-60.1 are still only broadcasting 480i.

AntAltMike

04-01-09, 10:35 PM

I just saw a notice on WETA saying that their analog signal will go off at 12:30 PM on June 12th. Have the other stations announced the exact time of their shut-offs?

afiggatt

04-01-09, 11:43 PM

afiggatt

04-02-09, 12:19 AM

I just saw a notice on WETA saying that their analog signal will go off at 12:30 PM on June 12th. Have the other stations announced the exact time of their shut-offs?
I have not noticed stations posting exact times, but stations which still have an analog broadcast were required several weeks ago to file the time of day to a 6 hour window when they plan to shut down. A number of the remaining analog stations in the DC and Baltimore markets will be shutting down in the morning or afternoon of June 12, not at midnight.

This week WFPT-DT MPT 62 in Frederick and WMPB-DT MPT 67 in Baltimore filed for licenses to operate at increased power levels. Sometime after February 17 they must have increased their broadcast power. WFPT-DT (DT 28) was at 30 kW and went to 41.2 kW which is not a big increase. WMPB-DT (DT 29) however went from 14 to 42.6 kW. That explains why I noticed WMPB-DT 67 (DT 29) showed up on a channel scan for me a few weeks ago. I have gotten WMPB-DT OTA before, but only occasionally. Still not a rock solid signal, but the station now shows up on channel scans. Anyone else noticed improved OTA reception for WMPB-DT in the past month or so?

Digital Rules

04-02-09, 07:52 AM

Anyone else noticed improved OTA reception for WMPB-DT in the past month or so?The signal is solid here in Arlington. Only WUTB-DT is still weak. On the other hand WUTB analog comes in very clearly.

markbulla

04-02-09, 09:00 AM

I'm going to have to take back what I said about FOX 45.1 only vanishing on Sundays - it just disappeared this evening at 8:00 pm: the screen went black and the audio started stuttering. It still hasn't happened in the mornings (or at least during the morning news up until 7:30 when I leave for work), but it has now happened during "prime time" in addition to Sundays, where the problem started. No other channels are affected - even FOX 45.2 is still behaving normally.

This does not sound like an interference problem. WBFF-DT 45.2 is part of the same broadcast signal as 45.1. The fact that 45.1 went blank at 8 PM when WBFF-DT switches to the Fox network feed should be a clue for Mark to look at. But no one else has reported a similar problem with WBFF-DT here as far as I recall, so this may be, as I posted before, a bug in the TV ATSC tuner firmware.

Yep, that's a clue. I don't know what that means, though... As I mentioned before, nothing changes on Sunday (at least not here). Maybe there's some sort of change at Fox. I'll see if anyone else is having the same problem...

BTW, there's an on-going discussion going on about un-licensed equipment that can cause interference to the broadcast signals. Some companies want to manufacture equipment that is supposed to look for broadcast signals, and if it doesn't find anything, it will use the frequency to broadcast it's own signals on. Unfurtunately, every time they test it, the equipment fails to find all of the broadcast signals, so the equipment could potentially cause interference problems. Here's a web page about it: http://www.interferencezones.com/
.

fmw63

04-02-09, 09:37 AM

WMPB-DT (DT 29) however went from 14 to 42.6 kW... Anyone else noticed improved OTA reception for WMPB-DT in the past month or so?

I'm here in Landover Hills (20784) , and I can get WMPB-DT, however WUTB-DT has yet to show up at all on any of my boxes, with various antennae, but I can get analog 24. :confused:

afiggatt

04-02-09, 10:48 AM

I'm here in Landover Hills (20784) , and I can get WMPB-DT, however WUTB-DT has yet to show up at all on any of my boxes, with various antennae, but I can get analog 24. :confused:
WUTB-DT My 24 (DT 41 at 200 kW) has a directional antenna pattern compared to analog WUTB-TV that cuts the signal strength to the south of the antenna located in Catonsville. Your zip code puts you in the projected coverage area (http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DT1233410.html), but many people to the south of WUTB-DT have reported problems in getting the digital signal, even those not very far south. The antenna pattern has two notable notches, but in principle still should be putting out 40 kW at 160 and 200 degrees azimuth. But it appears to be weaker than that.

WUTB-DT has a pending application to increase power to 290 kW post-transition, but the FCC has not acted on that yet. An increase from 200 kW to 290 kW is modest and is not likely to make much difference in reception for those who can't get the current digital broadcast at all.

radagast123

04-02-09, 11:59 AM

This does not sound like an interference problem. WBFF-DT 45.2 is part of the same broadcast signal as 45.1. The fact that 45.1 went blank at 8 PM when WBFF-DT switches to the Fox network feed should be a clue for Mark to look at. But no one else has reported a similar problem with WBFF-DT here as far as I recall, so this may be, as I posted before, a bug in the TV ATSC tuner firmware.

It certainly could be a bug in the firmware, but I may be out of luck if that is the case: Hitachi's website has only 1 reference to the 32HDL52 - the ad from 2005 or 2006 touting just how wonderful a TV it is... considering my experiences with it over the past few years, that is rather... far-fetched.

The plot thickens: Last night after Fox 45.1 vanished at 8:00 pm, I went back to check it a bit after 10 pm when the local FOX news came on, and it was back as if nothing had happened. No problems this morning with the local news, either.

If somebody IS somehow broadcasting over this channel in the area, that's going to be nearly impossible to find or resolve.

Trip in VA

04-02-09, 12:47 PM

The antenna pattern has two notable notches, but in principle still should be putting out 40 kW at 160 and 200 degrees azimuth. But it appears to be weaker than that.

Actually, you have to square the field value before you multiply it, so it's 8.57 kW rather than 40 kW.

- Trip

Marcus Carr

04-02-09, 12:57 PM

Comcast will roll out the HD signal of WETA's local rival, Maryland Public Television, on its DC area systems on 4/15 via channel 219.....

http://dcrtv.com/

Marcus Carr

04-02-09, 01:06 PM

Camden Yards Has New Look For Opening Day

Reporting
Adam May BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―

Opening Day is just a few days away.

As Adam May reports, at Camden Yards they're rolling out the green carpet and showing off some of the improvements.

They say the grass is always greener, and this year it actually is.

There's new sod that's darker and more durable, but it's still tough to maintain.

"It changes. Every day I have to be on guard every day, ready for what comes my way," said Nicole Sherry, head groundskeeper.

Crews have just completed replacing signs, inspecting seating areas and painting some important details.

"The logos for the top of the dugouts, so the fans can tell the birds are going to win this year, and they're going to have a great time," said Steve Karkoski, painter.

There's also tons of new food at the park from high-end seafood at the club level to little apple pies.

"I like the buffalo shrimp and grist in Camden Club, and in the general concession, the chicken soft tacos are very good," said Chad Vandergrift, chef.

There's also new soft pretzels, barbecued ribs and the return of the classics.

A new high-end control room will also send better music to 530 new speakers. Last year's new $5 million Jumbotron gets a new high definition signal.

"We're getting true high def from the MASN TV truck, so it's fully HD from beginning to end," said Vince Steier, Stadium Authority.

Installing the sound system alone took 6,600 man hours . That's usually done in a year but this was done in months.

http://wjz.com/sports/camden.yards.orioles.2.973513.html

systems2000

04-02-09, 02:01 PM

I noticed MPT 67 showing up on my scans also. I can even watch it (barely).

ojready

04-02-09, 02:46 PM

is there a list of the clearqam channels for northern va comcast?

DVDO+WESTY=1080p

04-03-09, 03:22 PM

http://dcrtv.com/

hopefully that includes Manassas and Prince William Co, thanks

markbulla

04-03-09, 03:26 PM

It certainly could be a bug in the firmware, but I may be out of luck if that is the case: Hitachi's website has only 1 reference to the 32HDL52 - the ad from 2005 or 2006 touting just how wonderful a TV it is... considering my experiences with it over the past few years, that is rather... far-fetched.

The plot thickens: Last night after Fox 45.1 vanished at 8:00 pm, I went back to check it a bit after 10 pm when the local FOX news came on, and it was back as if nothing had happened. No problems this morning with the local news, either.

If somebody IS somehow broadcasting over this channel in the area, that's going to be nearly impossible to find or resolve.

So, since yesterday wasn't Sunday, I should assume that you're now losing the FOX prime-time signal everyday, I guess.

That makes a bit more sense, although it doesn't make it easier to find the problem. It means that you're TV isn't happy with the FOX network feed at all. I haven't heard of this particular problem before, but I used to get phone calls from a guy who would lose his audio whenever FOX network came up. We never did find that problem...

Anyhow, it's probably not an interference problem.
.

radagast123

04-03-09, 05:31 PM

djp952

04-04-09, 12:48 AM

Mark: Yep, that's correct - FOX network dropped out and it wasn't Sunday out during 8-10 "prime time" and it wasnt' Sunday.

Well, at least that probably narrows the problem down, though I haven't the faintest idea how to get it fixed... new firmware for a mediocre 4-year old TV set - oh, boy?! The sad irony is that I bought the set so I'd be ready for the DTV conversion way ahead of schedule - and now it has some sort of problem with some DTV! Argh!

Hmmm... digging around a bit online, I have seen some folks (though often not over the air) having problems with FOX because it is 720p, no 1080i.

Here's a random link to such an example:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21807434-DVR-Tiling-Freezing-and-audio-drop-outs-during-Fox-syndicated

That being said, I haven't had this problem before when FOX broadcast in 720p, and the set is supposed to be capable of handling that, so maybe this idea is just a dead-end... but I am not sure...

Digging around a bit more on this website, I have another hit: references to "black screen with audio fragments" on FOX during primetime this month - this is exactly what I'm seeing - chadamorrill (the original poster with this problem) even had the same strangeness where sometimes the commercials would show up fine while the show would not...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16172968

And here's another hit on the Phoenix thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16096150

Same symptoms - the blank screen and popping audio when FOX switches into prime-time mode.

At this point, though I may be wrong, it looks like the FOX HD splicer is the prime suspect for whatever is taking down my TV during prime time on that channel.

Of course, if this IS the case, I'm not sure what can really be done about it...

I have some issues with WBFF/Fox network programming as well, but only through Windows Media Center. If it helps at all, what happens to me is that Media Center will have a momentary cow during commericals. I assume this is a switch between local/national ads, but I have no evidence to back that up. What I see is a momentary and complete drop-out during commercials while WBFF is airing national content, regardless of what it is. For what it's worth, if I switch to WTTG, there are no issues at all.

My TVs themselves don't have any issue with WBFF, regardless of the programming source, it's only Windows Media Center for me. Up until now I've assumed it's an issue with the software, but if there is some kind of stream "boogering" happening from WBFF that's knocking your TV out, it would certainly explain what I see here.

Mark, if there is anything I can do to assist in troubleshooting, whether it's WBFF's issue or not, please PM and let me know. I'm always willing to help as much as I can :-)

Steve_AA_Co_MD

04-04-09, 01:27 AM

As of 1:15 AM on Saturday, I am now able to receive the following newly unencrypted QAM SD channels on the Annapolis Comcast system: WEATHER, TRAV, SPEED, FOOD, TRUTV, VERSUS, BRAVO, STYLE, E, MASN, CMT, CNBC, GSN, MSNBC, HISTORY, HALMRK, TVLAND, IONSAT, AETV, LIFE, SPIKETV, FX, TCM, EWTN, IONSAT, CSPAN, MASN/CS, ANIMAL, TVONE, DIS_HTH, HSN, QVC, CNN, HGTV, BET, TOON, COMEDY, MTV, NIK, SCIFI, AMC, DSC, TLC, VH1, DISN, USA, ESPN 2, WFDC, WGN, TBS, FOX NEWS, WTTG, ESPN, WUTB, TNT, CSN, and ABC FAM.

If this is permanent, my QAM-ready televisions will become a little more useful. My HDHomeRun box will become 5000% more useful too! I can't reliably stream HD content wirelessly to my laptop, but SD makes the trip via 802.11g just fine.

Steve in Shady Side

<edit at 2 AM> I bet this is just temporary. It looks like Comcast may be shifting some stuff around to find room for a new HD channel or three. There is a duplication of channels on 126 and 130. Not sure why they need to unencrypt everything to do a shuffle.

Marcus Carr

04-04-09, 07:01 AM

radagast123

04-04-09, 09:45 AM

Thanks for the help:

There's a thread over in the HDTV Technical forum with more info:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16194583#post16194583

Based upon that info, it may be the AFD/Bar Data that is being passed by FOX via their splicer and an inability of certain older tuners to handle that data.

aaronwt

04-04-09, 12:39 PM

i just saw a notice on weta saying that their analog signal will go off at 12:30 pm on june 12th. Have the other stations announced the exact time of their shut-offs?

:):):)

sweet!

I've been waiting for this since 2001!

Potatoehead

04-04-09, 01:52 PM

If they are unencrypting expanded basic channels, they may be preparing to distribute free DTAs, and eventually eliminate the analog versions of these channels, freeing up bandwidth for more HD channels. Comcast calls it Project Cavalry.

http://www.cable360.net/ct/sections/features/34302.html

Our Comcast cable tends to follow the same path as in AA county. We received a card a few weeks ago saying that up to 2 additional free DTAs would be distributed for digital starter and above levels of service beginning April 15. I have been hoping that that means Project Cavalry is coming here.:D

Marcus Carr

04-04-09, 03:09 PM

Our Comcast cable tends to follow the same path as in AA county.

Same here. Haven't gotten anything in the mail yet.

Steve_AA_Co_MD

04-04-09, 08:01 PM

Our Comcast cable tends to follow the same path as in AA county. We received a card a few weeks ago saying that up to 2 additional free DTAs would be distributed for digital starter and above levels of service beginning April 15. I have been hoping that that means Project Cavalry is coming here.:D

I wonder what this DTA looks like. I hope it's not as big as my huge Motorola STB. Does anyone know the brand name or model of this Comcast digital to analog adapter?

Potatoehead

04-04-09, 11:12 PM

I wonder what this DTA looks like. I hope it's not as big as my huge Motorola STB. Does anyone know the brand name or model of this Comcast digital to analog adapter?

I think they are about the size of the OTA digital to analog converters. Not so big as the Motorola. I did some more checking. It appears that all of the analog channels are being duplicated. CN8 has gone to digital only. For the channels I checked, my Motorola DVR is pointing at the digital copy rather than the analog copy. Seems like they are moving forward to going digital for most or all of the channels. For the areas of the country that they have done this (Boston, Chicago, etc. ) this has meant a lot more HD channels.

djp952

04-05-09, 12:21 AM

Anyone else having audio sync issues with WBAL-DT the past few days? Admittedly I didn't watch much WBAL this week (we record our NBC progamming from WRC since they have 5.1), but WBAL news has definately been off, and tonight's SNL had the same problem. WRC-DT is fine across the board.

I e-mailed WBAL, but if anyone else is having the same problem it might help if you e-mail them as well.

Thanks!

carltonrice

04-06-09, 04:07 PM

I am a DirecTV subscriber in Laurel. DirecTV considers me in the DC area instead of Baltimore. I noticed that according to my STB, I am NOT subscribed to MASN-HD (640), but I am subscribed to MASN2 (641) and MASN2-HD(641-1). I called DirecTV and was told that MASN is NOT part of my local service like CSN-HD, but MASN2 is. The agent tried to explain what would be shown on MASN2 was games that I should see of the Nats and Orioles that ARE NOT OTA like today's game on WJZ. What's the deal? Shouldn't this work just like Comcast SportsNet? Why should I have to pay for an additional sports package ($12/month) to get my local baseball team from DirecTV?

JoeInNVa

04-06-09, 05:14 PM

Anyone else getting Breakups on MASN-HD?

Lots of breakups on Comcast of Alexandria, almost unwatchable.

maestro73

04-06-09, 05:18 PM

Anyone else getting Breakups on MASN-HD?

Lots of breakups on Comcast of Alexandria, almost unwatchable.

I've had the game on for a while but I've been out of the room most of the time. I just popped out to see and all looks well.

JoeInNVa

04-06-09, 05:38 PM

Ugh...MASN 2 SD is terrible to watch and they way the NATS are playing is not helping.

Marcus Carr

04-06-09, 05:43 PM

The game is in HD on WJZ.

CrispyCritter

04-06-09, 05:45 PM

Anyone else getting Breakups on MASN-HD?

Lots of breakups on Comcast of Alexandria, almost unwatchable.
I'm fine on MASN-HD on Comcast-Montgomery County. No problems at all, other than my TiVo doesn't know that channel 247 exists!

A separate question: can Comcast folks in Montgomery County get analog channel 58 (Cartoon Network)? I haven't gotten it for 4-5 days. It comes on fine on my digital tivo (digital simulcast on channel 58) but not on any of my analog tuners. It's still listed as part of the standard service by Comcast.

JoeInNVa

04-06-09, 05:48 PM

I'm fine on MASN-HD on Comcast-Montgomery County. No problems at all, other than my TiVo doesn't know that channel 247 exists!

A separate question: can Comcast folks in Montgomery County get analog channel 58 (Cartoon Network)? I haven't gotten it for 4-5 days. It comes on fine on my digital tivo (digital simulcast on channel 58) but not on any of my analog tuners. It's still listed as part of the standard service by Comcast.
Probably a weak signal for my TIVO and it keeps losing it.
ALex/Arlington was a test bed for HD back in 02 and now it seems like we are dead last in everything...But without any competition, Comcast can drag their feet...
FIOS GET IN HERE!!!

kenrowe

04-06-09, 06:37 PM

A separate question: can Comcast folks in Montgomery County get analog channel 58 (Cartoon Network)? I haven't gotten it for 4-5 days. It comes on fine on my digital tivo (digital simulcast on channel 58) but not on any of my analog tuners. It's still listed as part of the standard service by Comcast. QAM58 is now a digital channel. I believe that MASN-HD sits there. Cartoon is only available on CH 58 via a STB.

weaver6

04-06-09, 08:13 PM

bullwinklehdtv

04-06-09, 08:27 PM

You should receive MASN-HD. I'm on DirecTV in the DC area, and I get it.

I do too, I'm in Germantown - keep trying with a different CSR.

If you go to the DirecTV website, under the Sports tab go to Regional Sports Networks-you'll get a form where you can put in your zip code and it will tell you your networks-mine shows both CSN (642) and MASN (640). See what you get.

tonyd79

04-06-09, 11:50 PM

chrisherbert

04-07-09, 12:07 AM

WJLA HD has really been looking bad lately (via DC Comcast). Lots of compression artifacts in motion. Did they change something? Add subchannels?

zebras23

04-07-09, 09:24 AM

Not that it was worth watching, but MASN HD replayed the Nats v. Marlin game around 8ish last night in HD. It was on the Verizon FiOS guide as a rebroadcast of the Yankees v. Os game but was the Nats game. The quality - of the picture that is - was very good.

nottenst

04-07-09, 09:42 AM

Anyone else getting Breakups on MASN-HD?

Lots of breakups on Comcast of Alexandria, almost unwatchable.Comcast seems to be getting worse late quite frequently when watching HD on many channels for me in Bowie. There sometimes is some pixelation for a few seconds or the video pauses while (luckily) the audio continues. I think that happened a couple times on House last night. I presume it is Comcast's fault, but I have no real idea.

systems2000

04-07-09, 10:45 AM

WWPX-DT is not broadcasting the 700 Club, while WWPX-TV is. Why does this keep happening?

I've also found who 4-1 (PEE-7LA) is. WNPB-DT 24-2 (DT) and 24-3 (HD) is missing 24-1. It appears someone didn't double-check their PSIP information. During a scan it is the first station that is found (before WWPX) and shows all three channels (4-1, 24-2, 24-3).

djp952

04-07-09, 12:50 PM

WJLA HD has really been looking bad lately (via DC Comcast). Lots of compression artifacts in motion. Did they change something? Add subchannels?

It's the same over the air. "Dancing with the Stars" was essentially unwatchable on a mere 40" set. WMAR's stream was fine. I'm actually quite surprised Comcast has the same stream we get over the air. Do they grab WJLA off an antenna?

I haven't checked the bandwidth they're giving to 7.2 and 7.3 lately, but it's possible they've upped one of them, screwing over the main HD stream. (An application called TSReaderLite can be used on a PC to get info like the bandwidth for each stream).

I hope it's temporary and WJLA hasn't joined WETA and WUSA on my list of channels that used to look wonderful and just don't anymore.

Knicks_Fan

04-07-09, 03:32 PM

MASN looked very good yesterday on D*... the Yankees did not. My only complaint is the "squeezebox" 2-line ticker which pops up, compressing the screen vertically, and basically useless (don't need all these ads). The pic quality also seemed to suffer somewhat when this happened.

I sent an e-mail over to WJLA asking for someone (Robert has been MIA lately here) to address the concerns about HD pic quality. I know, don't hold my breath waiting for anyone there to respond.

dewster1977

04-07-09, 06:15 PM

djp952

04-07-09, 06:38 PM

I checked WJLA in TSReader. These number fluctuate up and down, but are a pretty good indicator of how much bandwidth has been allocated overall. These are just the video streams

WJLA-DT ~ 12Mbps
WJLA-DT2 ~ 2Mbps
WJLA-DT3 ~ 2.5Mbps

WMAR-DT ~ 12Mbps
WMAR-DT2 ~ 3.3Mbps
WMAR-DT3 ~ 3Mbps

So at least right now at this moment in time (6:30pm), it's not a difference in how much they're allocating for the HD channel. It could be different during primetime, but that wouldn't make much sense.

At least with WUSA, there is a 3Mbps difference from WJZ (no subchannels), so the lack of macroblocking in the blacks on WJZ makes sense. I have no idea what they did over there at WJLA to make Dancing look so bad last night. Maybe an encoder issue.

bwhitney

04-07-09, 07:07 PM

ceeaton

04-07-09, 08:49 PM

Anyone else noticed improved OTA reception for WMPB-DT in the past month or so?

Sorry for the delayed reply---WMPB-DT has definitely improved it's signal up here. We just went through two days of nasty wind, and the channel used to drop out every minute or so. We haven't noticed it at all, and I haven't changed anything with my OTA setup since early February...which was a TV change. The better reception was noticed at the end of the February here...

Digital Rules

04-07-09, 09:20 PM

I received all channels I expected based upon TVFool predictions except WRC on Channel 4.1-4.3.
Any ideas on how to get my Sony to properly map WRC to 4.1...You've got a couple things working against you. I am assuming you are amplifying both VHF & UHF. You may want to try unhooking the YA-1713 from the amp, and see if overload from VHF channels 8 & 12 are keeping WRC-DT from locking in. If possible, try testing the system with no amplification on either antenna. Overload from any local channels may compromise your fringe channel reception.

You also have an analog channel 48 in Winchester, VA that may be giving you issues. If that's the case, you may be SOL.

If you haven't already tried, you may want to experiment with different heights(higher/lower), or different locations on your roof for a sweet spot for WRC-DT.

Hope this helps

Trip in VA

04-07-09, 09:22 PM

I can't get my Sony to map 48.3 to 4.1, etc. All other channels are fine.

Any ideas on how to get my Sony to properly map WRC to 4.1...?

Thanks for any help.

Do a completely new scan (no "add channels" or anything like that). Sony TVs will not detect virtual channel numbers for stations that are manually entered like 48-3 was.

It's a Sony thing.

- Trip

systems2000

04-07-09, 09:22 PM

WO8EE-D (Martinsburg) is supposed to be sending PSIP data for 24-1, but it's sending PSIP data as 4-1. I talked to the head engineer, for WNPB in Morgantown, and he said they would send someone out to check the PSIP regenerator at the WO8EE transmitter.

bwhitney

04-07-09, 09:31 PM

You've got a couple things working against you. I am assuming you are amplifying both VHF & UHF. You may want to try unhooking the YA-1713 from the amp, and see if overload from VHF channels 8 & 12 are keeping WRC-DT from locking in. If possible, try testing the system with no amplification on either antenna. Overload from any local channels may compromise your fringe channel reception.

You also have an analog channel 48 in Winchester, VA that may be giving you issues. If that's the case, you may be SOL.

If you haven't already tried, you may want to experiment with different heights(higher/lower), or different locations on your roof for a sweet spot for WRC-DT.

Hope this helps

Thanks for the feedback. The confusing part to me is I get great reception of WRC on 48.3 (and 48.4 and 48.5), just can't get it to show up as 4.1.

When I tune WRC manually at 48.3 the signal is good, it just won't map back to 4.1. I have the same on 8.3, a good signal, that is suppose to be 24.1. It looks like all channels with their primary feed on .3 of the rf channel won't map to the "logical" channel of x.1.

Could signal level effect channel mapping? I figured the stations or the TV is not mapping correctly.

systems2000

04-07-09, 09:33 PM

That would be WAZW-CA transmitting at 36.8 kW ERP.

I can't get WRC-DT (here in Chambersburg, PA) either.

Digital Rules

04-07-09, 09:46 PM

Could signal level effect channel mapping?I doubt it. I thought you weren't getting WRC at all. It sounds more like a mapping problem caused by W08EE-D. Someone here in DC had a problem recently with a Sony TV because of our local channel 8's malfuctioning PSIP encoder.

Trip in VA

04-07-09, 09:48 PM

Do a completely new scan (no "add channels" or anything like that). Sony TVs will not detect virtual channel numbers for stations that are manually entered like 48-3 was.

It's a Sony thing.

Please read my post.

- Trip

afiggatt

04-07-09, 09:56 PM

I have been ready to install my new antennas for HDTV reception and have been fighting getting WRC-DT. I know I am in a fringe area (near Martinsburg, WV) so I am using the XG91 + YA-1713 antennas with a Channel Master 7778 amplifier (the 7777 has been sold out everywhere).

I received all channels I expected based upon TVFool predictions except WRC on Channel 4.1-4.3. I manually entered channel 48.1 and using the signal indicator on my Sony TV I could see a locked signal with no errors and a signal level consistent with my distance, but the screen said no signal.

As Digital Rules posted, there is a low power analog station, WAZW-CA 48, on UHF 48 in Winchester which may be interfering with your reception of WRC-DT 4. The interference may be why the Sony TV didn't pick up WRC-DT 4 on the digital channel scan. By tuning to the station manually and keeping the tuner on UHF 48 for a longer time, the tuner locks onto the digital signal. Why it shows 48-3 and not 48-1, I'll have to check the digital broadcast for WRC-DT.

As for the Sony TV not changing to the mapped channel number, my Sony HD-DVR does the same thing. I have to do a scan for it to show new sub-channels and changes to mapped channels. All the other ATSC tuners I have will change to the mapped channel # on a manual entry of the physical RF channel number.

WAZW-CA has a construction permit for a low power 12 kW digital broadcast on UHF 46 which will eliminate the interference with WRC-DT, but I have not seen any info on when the Class A station will switch to digital. Low power stations don't have to shut down their analog broadcast on June 12. However, by moving to UHF 46 with a more powerful signal, the station may block reception of WBFF-DT Fox 45 (DT 46) for people located in the western fringe of the WBFF-DT reception area.

Trip in VA

04-07-09, 10:04 PM

Why it shows 48-3 and not 48-1, I'll have to check the digital broadcast for WRC-DT.

Like most stations, the MPEG-2 program number for WRC-DT 4-1 is 3. Thus, 48-3.

http://www.rabbitears.info/screencaps/dc-dca/47904-0_0.htm

- Trip

cpldc

04-07-09, 10:20 PM

Digital Rules

04-07-09, 10:35 PM

The macroblocking is still terrible on WJLA. WMAR looks fine.

mapper

04-07-09, 10:50 PM

I just noticed WJLA is sending out 1080i now. To make sure I'm not crazy, I captured it with TSReader:

http://staticky.com/tsr/wjla-1080.htm

The PQ right now is very good, during "Cupid," but I've never seen that show before and can't make a comparison. This is also on my laptop, not on a large TV.

Is the ABC network feed at 720p? That would of course make any improvement purely imaginary--if this is intentional, anyhow.

I also saw the 1080i scaling on my CableCARD TV. Peculiar, I could swear that the ABC national network feed is 720p. "Cupid" does look nice, though it probably has nothing to do with the 1080i. It may be a PSIP goof, or it maybe real.

Maybe Robert(from WJLA) has some insight on this?

afiggatt

04-07-09, 11:07 PM

I just noticed WJLA is sending out 1080i now. To make sure I'm not crazy,
No, you are not crazy. The info fields shows 1080i for WJLA-DT 7.1 OTA and I also see 1080i for the clear QAM channel on Verizon Fios. From the posts I've read, the ABC network feed is indeed 720p, although at a higher data rate to the affiliates. Don't know why WJLA-DT would do this - unless it is an experiment or someone messed up the decoder configuration. If there is a trend for broadcast stations, it is towards 720p because 720p allows for more efficient compression so, in theory anyway, they can squeeze more sub-channels in without hurting the picture quality as much. Ion choose 720p, although WPXW-DT 66.1 and WWPX-DT 60.1 are still 480i SD.

I wish WMAR-DT would drop the pointless 2.2 SD simulcast of the 2.1 HD sub-channel. If they gave that bandwidth back to the HD sub-channel, then we could switch to WMAR-DT for better picture quality for ABC programming.

lax01

04-07-09, 11:30 PM

The macroblocking is still terrible on WJLA. WMAR looks fine.

Castle was absolutely awful looking last night (ABC7 thru Comcast)

djp952

04-07-09, 11:36 PM

Ah! That certainly explains what's going on with WJLA. Good catch!

I'm with you guys though, that makes no sense.

edit: I don't think the contact link on WJLA's web site works. It might have, but I think all it did was clear out everything I typed and refresh the page. Anyone hear back from them?

Marcus Carr

04-08-09, 04:45 AM

Comcast changes for Baltimore City:

WETA HD, WETA Create, WETA Kids added on 4/14

9 channels added (moved) to Digital Starter on 4/14

To help make room for these and future channel additions, the
following channels, including the sports neighborhood, will be
moving on Tuesday, April 14:

MPT-Select 200 to 268
MPT V-me 201 to 269
Big Ten Network 257 to 715
Horse Racing TV 259 to 717
TV Games 260 to 718
ESPNEWS 261 to 719
FOX College Sports Atlantic 262 to 720
FOX College Sports Central 263 to 721
FOX College Sports Pacifi c 264 to 722
ESPN Classic 265 to 723
FOX Soccer Channel 267 to 725
GOL TV English 268 to 726
NBA TV 273 to 749
CBS College Sports 274 to 732
NFL Network 275 to 733
NHL Network 276 to 734
The Tennis Channel 277 to 735
MLB Network 280 to 738

The following channels will now require a digital box on:

Wednesday, April 1
The Comcast Network

Tuesday, April 14
WETA-SD
Cartoon Network

New Music Choice lineup effective 4/15

http://comcastchannelchanges.com/channelLineups/MD_BaltimoreCity.pdf

With the sports channels moving away from the HD channels, and three analogs being dropped, hopefully they are making room for more HD.

Changes in DC, DE, MD, NC, VA, WV in April:

http://comcastchannelchanges.com

JoeInNVa

04-08-09, 07:10 AM

nottenst

04-08-09, 07:32 AM

Changes in DC, DE, MD, NC, VA, WV in April:

http://comcastchannelchanges.comI just downloaded the changes for my area (Bowie in PG County). There are parallel changes with MPT digital channels added and MPT-SD no longer available on analog on Channel 22. Go to the Comcast website to see just what the situation is in your area. The PDF was MD_PrinceGeorge.pdf

cpldc

04-08-09, 07:33 AM

Huh. Well, I recorded a bit of WJLA after I went to bed last night and saw the macroblocking everyone's talking about. It must have been that the scenes I briefly saw before were mostly static. On this display 720p and 1080i look about the same for well-produced shows.

EyeTV indicates the video stream is 1920x1080, so it isn't necessarily just the PSIP. When viewing in a window and not full-screen the size changes based on the resolution of the stream, and its size is also matching that of a 1080i stream, for what that's worth. It still doesn't make much sense, though.

machpost

04-08-09, 08:01 AM

WJLA-DT 7-1 is definitely 1080i now:

http://img.lineupui.silicondust.com/snapshots/72/snapshot_10938872.jpg

markbulla

04-08-09, 09:25 AM

<edit>
WAZW-CA has a construction permit for a low power 12 kW digital broadcast on UHF 46 which will eliminate the interference with WRC-DT, but I have not seen any info on when the Class A station will switch to digital. Low power stations don't have to shut down their analog broadcast on June 12. However, by moving to UHF 46 with a more powerful signal, the station may block reception of WBFF-DT Fox 45 (DT 46) for people located in the western fringe of the WBFF-DT reception area.

Great...
.

PaulGo

04-08-09, 12:20 PM

I don't understand why WJLA would switch to 1080i since all of ABC's network programming is in 720p. Also when running two subchannels 720p should give better performance to the HD channel.

chrisherbert

04-08-09, 01:19 PM

I don't understand why WJLA would switch to 1080i since all of ABC's network programming is in 720p. Also when running two subchannels 720p should give better performance to the HD channel.

Yeah, it's insane to switch the channel to 1080i when the network feed is 720p. Hopefully it's an easy fix and not an actual decision on the part of the station.

Trip in VA

04-08-09, 01:29 PM

Wouldn't be the first station to do it. I know the Hearst and Belo stations do it.

- Trip

chrisherbert

04-08-09, 02:22 PM

But why would they do it?

DVDO+WESTY=1080p

04-08-09, 02:50 PM

allright Manassas get 4 new HD

219 MPT HD
221 FX HD
222 Fox News HD
242 Speed HD

finally

and if I look at the realignment spaces are being made for 190-209 and 255-264 for more HD channels to come. so in theory comcast is making room for an additional 30 channels on top of the soon existing 44 HD channels now. 74 total getting closer I'll take it!

afiggatt

04-08-09, 05:30 PM

Verizon Fios added the national feed of YES-HD (Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network) to channel 595 today in the Washington Metro market. The channel showed up starting yesterday in other markets without even a rumor that it was coming. Before Yankees fans get too excited, according to posts elsewhere, the Yankee and NJ Nets games will be blacked out outside of the NY market area. But apparently the pre- and post game shows along with the rest of the programming will be available.

Trip in VA

04-08-09, 05:30 PM

But why would they do it?

The reason I heard is that 1080i gear is cheaper than 720p gear (as in local news) and so those companies bought 1080i gear.

Further, a lot of HD syndication comes to them in 1080i and it might be easier to process all that programming from all those different sources in the original 1080i rather than having to convert it all to 720p.

I'd ask an actual engineer though. Doesn't someone from WJLA check in here once in a while?

- Trip

aaronwt

04-08-09, 06:36 PM

mdviewer25

04-08-09, 07:11 PM

So now I need a STB to watch Clean House (Style ch 118 on April 14 allegedly). Comcast has gone too far.

chrisherbert

04-08-09, 07:53 PM

The reason I heard is that 1080i gear is cheaper than 720p gear (as in local news) and so those companies bought 1080i gear.

Further, a lot of HD syndication comes to them in 1080i and it might be easier to process all that programming from all those different sources in the original 1080i rather than having to convert it all to 720p.

I'd ask an actual engineer though. Doesn't someone from WJLA check in here once in a while?

- Trip

The news broadcasts look awful too. Also, I believe that typically it's quite easy for them to convert 1080i to 720p (and vice versa) on the fly. They certainly did so with the syndicated broadcasts of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, and they looked just fine.

machpost

04-08-09, 09:19 PM

Trip in VA

04-08-09, 09:23 PM

The news broadcasts look awful too.

I think that's a function of the low bandwidth more than anything else. My local PBS station has anywhere from 8-11 Mbps dedicated to their primary 1080i sub and it looks just miserable. At least your local station isn't broadcasting 2.6 Mbps of null packets for no good reason.

- Trip

klgrl7681

04-09-09, 06:41 AM

Changes in DC, DE, MD, NC, VA, WV in April:

http://comcastchannelchanges.com

Has anybody downloaded the changes for Loudoun county (VA)? The PDF seems to be missing from the site, I keep getting an internal server error.

machpost

04-09-09, 08:31 AM

Has anybody downloaded the changes for Loudoun county (VA)? The PDF seems to be missing from the site, I keep getting an internal server error.

It looks like someone misspelled Loudoun in the link. Here's the file:
http://comcastchannelchanges.com/channelLineups/VA_Loudoun.pdf

klgrl7681

04-09-09, 09:37 AM

It looks like someone misspelled Loudoun in the link. Here's the file:
http://comcastchannelchanges.com/channelLineups/VA_Loudoun.pdf

I missed that. Thanks!

chrisherbert

04-09-09, 12:04 PM

I think that's a function of the low bandwidth more than anything else. My local PBS station has anywhere from 8-11 Mbps dedicated to their primary 1080i sub and it looks just miserable. At least your local station isn't broadcasting 2.6 Mbps of null packets for no good reason.

- Trip

Perhaps, but everything looked fine before they switched to 1080i -- including the news.

My local PBS station is unwatchable. I think they have four SD subchannels.

bucnasty

04-09-09, 12:38 PM

is the blackout of yankee games national, or is it because they're playing the orioles and we have the MASN feed 20 or so channels down?

Strange enough the SD feed is not included

Knicks_Fan

04-09-09, 12:48 PM

Any opposing team's broadcast of the Orioles and Nats games is blacked out, and this includes ESPN (except Sunday nights) which was blacked out Monday for the CC Sabathia implosion against the O's. Not sure exactly what the rules are with Fox Saturday baseball telecasts.

Trip in VA

04-09-09, 12:59 PM

Perhaps, but everything looked fine before they switched to 1080i -- including the news.

That's what I mean. At 720p, that low bandwidth figure looked okay--not perfect, but okay. At 1080i... it's too low.

My local PBS station is unwatchable. I think they have four SD subchannels.

WETA? The last capture I had from them showed 12.4 Mbps on the main 1080i sub. Not quite as bad as WJLA right now, but still not pretty.

The SD subs, though, must look pretty bad at 1.7 Mbps.

- Trip

chrisherbert

04-09-09, 03:35 PM

That's what I mean. At 720p, that low bandwidth figure looked okay--not perfect, but okay. At 1080i... it's too low.

WETA? The last capture I had from them showed 12.4 Mbps on the main 1080i sub. Not quite as bad as WJLA right now, but still not pretty.

The SD subs, though, must look pretty bad at 1.7 Mbps.

- Trip

WETA looks much, much worse than WJLA. I'm not sure what the bitrate is but it's awful.

Doesn't NBC (not sure of the callsign) have the same about bitrate as WJLA? They're 1080i and they mostly look fine.

Trip in VA

04-09-09, 04:01 PM

WETA looks much, much worse than WJLA. I'm not sure what the bitrate is but it's awful.

Interesting. I'd have to see an updated capture, but the difference could be in the encoder. If WJLA has a newer encoder, even with WETA's higher bitrate, it could make WJLA look much better.

Doesn't NBC (not sure of the callsign) have the same about bitrate as WJLA? They're 1080i and they mostly look fine.

The side-conversion from 720p to 1080i could possibly introduce artifacts, but again, the age of the encoder may be the reason here. Especially since NBC needs to get Universal Sports with its high motion balanced against the HD, I could see NBC going for some pricey encoders to make that happen.

- Trip

chrisherbert

04-09-09, 05:09 PM

Interesting. I'd have to see an updated capture, but the difference could be in the encoder. If WJLA has a newer encoder, even with WETA's higher bitrate, it could make WJLA look much better.

The side-conversion from 720p to 1080i could possibly introduce artifacts, but again, the age of the encoder may be the reason here. Especially since NBC needs to get Universal Sports with its high motion balanced against the HD, I could see NBC going for some pricey encoders to make that happen.

- Trip

WJLA's image isn't just bad, it's also strange. It doesn't look quite like any other compression I've seen. There's a strange "pulsing". It just seems like complete incompetence.

lax01

04-09-09, 09:52 PM

Lost looked like absolutely garbage...looks REALLY REALLY BAD

CycloneGT

04-09-09, 11:49 PM

Dish Network has added a bunch of Viacom HD channels. MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Nick, Spike, and CMT.

nottenst

04-10-09, 08:55 AM

Last night on NBC (WRC) on Comcast (PG County) in HD, the picture broke up about a half dozen times from 8 PM to 10 PM. In one scenario it would be coming in good and then just freeze and then restart with the audio sometimes continuing. In another scenario the picture would break up into almost a jigsaw puzzle for a second or two before reforming. Is this a general Comcast problem, a Comcast feed to my house problem, or a WRC problem?

In any case, I thought things were much worse than on WJLA with Lost Wednesday night.

maestro73

04-10-09, 09:08 AM

Same problem in Alexandria. Had to watch it OTA.

mchief99

04-10-09, 11:03 AM

clifburns

04-10-09, 01:08 PM

cpldc

04-10-09, 02:16 PM

I just sent them a message online, if it helps any. You can also get their phone number from http://cfc.wjla.com/contact.cfm -- that might be a better option.

Last time I contacted a station was a few weeks back, when I asked WETA about the audio sync problems during News Hour. It was about a second off for a few days, but was/is a bit off almost all the time. They said it was probably because the digital picture is much clearer than the analog, so I could now see it was off-sync!

JoeInNVa

04-10-09, 02:20 PM

howie14

04-10-09, 04:15 PM

is the blackout of yankee games national, or is it because they're playing the orioles and we have the MASN feed 20 or so channels down?

Yankee games will always be blacked out outside of the NY market. They want you to buy Extra Innings.

djp952

04-10-09, 05:17 PM

FYI, got an e-mail back from WBAL today -- they've fixed the audio sync issues they've been having with the HD programming lately.

THANK YOU WBAL !!!

djp952

04-10-09, 05:24 PM

You can also get their phone number from http://cfc.wjla.com/contact.cfm -- that might be a better option.

Rings and rings and rings ... no answer. They must have replaced their PBX with a 1080i encoder as well :D

I'm still not convinced that the e-mail contact form even works. Did you get the sense that it merely refreshed the page on you as well, or did you get some kind of confirmation that your message was sent? If the latter, I'll try again.

edit: Happened to stop on 7.3 tonight for a bit ... even that stream is messed up. It's till 480i, but it has a significant 'soap opera' effect (more than usual IMO) and has the same macroblocking on motion.

I'm really hoping that this is some kind of old junky backup encoder we're seeing and this isn't permanent. Maybe the good hardware has been moved around in preparation for the switch back to channel 7... one can dream :)

mchief99

04-10-09, 05:38 PM

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16221354#post16221354

I guess I missed your point?

mdviewer25

04-11-09, 03:07 PM

cpldc

04-11-09, 04:49 PM

Rings and rings and rings ... no answer. They must have replaced their PBX with a 1080i encoder as well :D

I'm still not convinced that the e-mail contact form even works. Did you get the sense that it merely refreshed the page on you as well, or did you get some kind of confirmation that your message was sent? If the latter, I'll try again.

It could be broken, too--I got no confirmation message.

aaronwt

04-11-09, 09:36 PM

"Lost" -- which I just watched on my TiVo last night -- looked awful on WJLA. Serious macroblocking when there was any movement. The image resolution looked like a widescreen SD broadcast at best. What a disaster. Does anyone at WJLA even look at their own HD broadcasts? Or do they just not care?

Mine didn't look anything like a widescreen SD broadcast. There was still more detail than what you see with SD. There was more macroblocking than usual. But there is always macroblocking, it's just a matter of how much. Even my HD recordings from 2002 or 2003(whenever WJLA changed their digital broadcast to HD)have macroblocking before they added the subchannels when they used more bandwidth for the main channel.

What happend to Robert? He used to post periodically in this thread, or is he not with WJLA anymore?

Jim Miller

04-12-09, 04:44 PM

nottenst

04-12-09, 05:08 PM

1. Why aren't there more clear qam HD channels? I only get the HD locals (4, 5, 7, 9, 20, 26, and 50), Versus HD, and A&E HD.

2. Why did Comcast remove the Baltimore clear qam channels (2, 11, 13, and 22)?

3. When they add MPT HD and the subchannels will they be available via clear qam?

4. Why is WPXW 66 and the subchannels not available? I thought they were supposed to have all locals available via clear qam.I think that $$$ is probably the answer to most of this. I hope we'll be able to see MPT HD when they remove the analog, but we'll have to wait until it happens mid-week. For that matter, all the clear QAM on Comcast might be in different locations when they change things. A rescan will definitely be in order. I have been given a couple of different reasons for why they removed the Baltimore channels, but it probably comes down to wanting to reserve space for things they can charge you.

CrispyCritter

04-13-09, 09:23 AM

We're in Parkton, MD, about 5 miles from the MD/Penn line off I-83. I heard from a local Verizon installer that they expected to have FIOS up here sometime this year. Anyone have any idea how far north they've gotten in Baltimore county?
See Maryland construction info (http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/md/broadband/construction_information.html) which gives very nice detailed info on what streets they're currently working on.

Jim Miller

04-13-09, 10:18 AM

@Crispycritter:

there's hope. hunt valley is about 13 miles south of here.

thanks!!

jtm

raidbuck

04-13-09, 12:36 PM

Looks like HD channels that were promised last Dec are finally showing up. FXHD, FOXNEWSSHD, SPEEDHD, APR 14. I see no mention of MLBHD?

I also wonder about WGNHD which is apparently coming/available in Baltimore.

Here were are in Alexandria at the end of the cable.

In the Baltimore area we have WGNHD but no mention of MLBHD. Yesterday when I signed up for Extra Innings I asked about the MLBHD channel and the service rep (who is from Bel Air) said it was coming, so I am very disappointed that it isn't included in the Apr 14 update.

Oh well....

Rich N.

chrisherbert

04-13-09, 04:39 PM

How does MPT compare to WETA? WETA looks like garbage.

djp952

04-13-09, 05:21 PM

How does MPT compare to WETA? WETA looks like garbage.

Personal opinion: MPT looks much better than WETA, perhaps only because they have one less channel. But, I'm pretty sure they still show a great deal of letterboxed programming on the main channel. Zooming it in to fill the screen may look just as bad, if not worse, then WETA.

You should also let them know how displeased you are with their quality. The more of us that do, the better chance we stand at getting them to do something about it.

Other recent notes:

- Audio is still (or again?) off on WBAL. Re-contacted the engineering department (edit: I think they think I'm crazy)
- Cold Case looked PHENOMINAL on WUSA last night. I'm hoping maybe they've tweaked something over there, but I doubt it :(

chrisherbert

04-13-09, 06:31 PM

Personal opinion: MPT looks much better than WETA, perhaps only because they have one less channel. But, I'm pretty sure they still show a great deal of letterboxed programming on the main channel. Zooming it in to fill the screen may look just as bad, if not worse, then WETA.

You should also let them know how displeased you are with their quality. The more of us that do, the better chance we stand at getting them to do something about it.

Other recent notes:

- Audio is still (or again?) off on WBAL. Re-contacted the engineering department (edit: I think they think I'm crazy)
- Cold Case looked PHENOMINAL on WUSA last night. I'm hoping maybe they've tweaked something over there, but I doubt it :(

I send WETA an email about once per year asking them to improve the quality of their HD subchannel.

I'm not really a fan of PBS's programming (why is NPR so good and PBS so awful?) but it will be nice to have a decent quality alternative for those rare public TV shows that I want to watch.

Marcus Carr

04-14-09, 08:47 AM