Washington, DC / Baltimore, MD - HDTV [Text View] - Page 37

dmulvany

05-22-09, 12:07 AM

I've been away from this thread for quite a while, but wanted to comment that last week, after more than two and a half years of NOT being able to see captioned, primetime, pre-recorded programming on my Sharp HDTV from WJLA, WJLA has finally fixed that particular problem! I've been able to see 708 captions on my Sharp HDTV for "Lost" and "Grey's Anatomy" last week and this week! I don't know what WJLA did to fix that particular problem, however.

Other people here who have Samsung and Sony HDTVs have reported problems viewing captions from WJLA (for primetime, prerecorded programming) and might want to doublecheck what they're able to see now.

WUSA (9.1) has still been having problems providing consistent EIA-708 captioning for their nationally broadcast programming; every now and then, the captions disappear for a while and then fly by too quickly to be read. This has been happening both with primetime programs like "Criminal Minds" and "CSI" and was also seen with a day-time soap opera.

WDCA is still providing *delayed* captions for locally broadcast, syndicated programming (like "Law and Order: Criminal Intent" at 20.1 at midnight), and as far as I know, the same problem exists from WTTG for "The Simpsons" at 7 p.m. on 5.1).

Dana

Marcus Carr

05-22-09, 07:38 AM

21 Additional HD Channels Added to Cox Line-Up in Hampton

Fort Monroe also Included in Channel Line-up Expansion

HD channels Provided at No Additional Cost to Customers

CHESAPEAKE, Va., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 22, Cox customers in Hampton will have access to an additional 21 high-definition channels. With these additions, customers can now receive up to 56 HD channels. U.S. Army base Fort Monroe is included in the expansion of service.

Also, Cox HD offerings are made available at no additional cost to customers -- this includes the numerous HD offerings found in FreeZone. HD channels, with their line-up designations, include the following:

1. BET HD (channel 739) 12. Lifetime Network HD (channel 709)
2. Bravo HD (channel 761) 13. MTV HD (channel 722)
3. Cartoon Network HD (channel 717) 14. Nickelodeon HD (channel 729)
4. CMT HD (channel 733) 15. Planet Green HD (channel 813)
5. CNBC HD (channel 725) 16. Sci-Fi HD (channel 740)
6. Comedy Central HD (channel 732) 17. Speed Channel HD (channel 763)
7. E! HD (channel 741) 18. Spike HD (channel 756)
8. Fox News Channel HD 19. USA HD (channel 718)
(channel 764) 20. Versus HD (channel 734)
9. FX HD (channel 716) 21. VH1 HD (channel 767)
10. Hallmark Movie Channel HD
(channel 859)
11. Lifetime Movie Network HD
(channel 809)

"We are excited about our enhanced HD services in Hampton as well as on the Fort Monroe base. These changes reflect our commitment to be the most trusted provider in Hampton Roads. We work hard to give our customers the best service and value for their money; this is one reason we provide HD channels at no additional cost to our customers," said Gary McCollum, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cox Hampton Roads.

The additional 21 HD channels also are available to customers in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Gloucester, Poquoson, parts of Williamsburg, Newport News, West Point, New Kent, and King and Queen County.

Later this year, James City County, York County and other areas on the Peninsula will have access to these channels as Cox continues to enhance its hybrid-fiber based network.

To receive these additional HD channels, customers must have the appropriate level of service with Cox, a high-definition television, and HD receiver and/or CableCARD. (As an example, customers must already receive CNBC in standard definition in order to receive CNBC in HD.)

Finally, on May 22, York County and James City County will have access to Lifetime Network HD (channel 709) in place of Science Channel HD (channel 760). Science Channel HD will assume its prior line-up position, along with access to additional channels, after Cox completes its network enhancements in these communities.

"Our network upgrades are bringing more high definition channels to our customers. We are temporarily switching some channels to accommodate this upgrade. Lifetime Network is one of the 15 highest rated cable networks in Hampton Roads and offers terrific original programming and movies. Additional high definition channels in York County and James City County are scheduled soon after the upgrades to the network are completed," said Jennifer Garrett, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

For more information contact Felicia Blow at (757) 222-8432 or at Felicia.Blow@cox.com

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a multi-service broadband communications and entertainment company with more than 6.2 million total residential and commercial customers. The third-largest cable television company in the United States, Cox offers an array of advanced digital video, high-speed Internet and telephony services over its own nationwide IP network, as well as integrated wireless services. Cox Business is a full-service, facilities-based provider of communications solutions for commercial customers, providing high-speed Internet, voice and long distance services, as well as data and video transport services for small to large-sized businesses. Cox Media offers national and local cable advertising in traditional spot and new media formats, along with promotional opportunities and production services. Cox Communications wholly owns and operates the Travel Channel. More information about the services of Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com, www.coxbusiness.com, and www.coxmedia.com. In Hampton Roads, Cox has more than 400,000 basic cable subscribers.

SOURCE Cox Communications

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-22-2009/0005031317&EDATE=

SUOrangeman

05-22-09, 09:20 AM

If I'm not mistaken, Cox-NoVA already had those channels minus one (BET HD).

The Local on the 8s scroll on the Weather-SD Still regularly shows that MPT HD and subs will be added around March 22nd. I haven't seen any other mentions of forthcoming additions.

-SUO

SiousBark

05-22-09, 02:42 PM

Do many in DC have FiOS?

I have heard about it but still haven't met anyone with it

aaronwt

05-22-09, 05:39 PM

At one point 56 HD channels would have been exciting. I would have loved to have 56 HD channels in 2001.
But now with other providers having over twice as many HD channels, 56 channels doesn't cut it.

21 Additional HD Channels Added to Cox Line-Up in Hampton

Fort Monroe also Included in Channel Line-up Expansion

HD channels Provided at No Additional Cost to Customers

CHESAPEAKE, Va., May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 22, Cox customers in Hampton will have access to an additional 21 high-definition channels. With these additions, customers can now receive up to 56 HD channels. U.S. Army base Fort Monroe is included in the expansion of service.

Also, Cox HD offerings are made available at no additional cost to customers -- this includes the numerous HD offerings found in FreeZone. HD channels, with their line-up designations, include the following:

1. BET HD (channel 739) 12. Lifetime Network HD (channel 709)
2. Bravo HD (channel 761) 13. MTV HD (channel 722)
3. Cartoon Network HD (channel 717) 14. Nickelodeon HD (channel 729)
4. CMT HD (channel 733) 15. Planet Green HD (channel 813)
5. CNBC HD (channel 725) 16. Sci-Fi HD (channel 740)
6. Comedy Central HD (channel 732) 17. Speed Channel HD (channel 763)
7. E! HD (channel 741) 18. Spike HD (channel 756)
8. Fox News Channel HD 19. USA HD (channel 718)
(channel 764) 20. Versus HD (channel 734)
9. FX HD (channel 716) 21. VH1 HD (channel 767)
10. Hallmark Movie Channel HD
(channel 859)
11. Lifetime Movie Network HD
(channel 809)

"We are excited about our enhanced HD services in Hampton as well as on the Fort Monroe base. These changes reflect our commitment to be the most trusted provider in Hampton Roads. We work hard to give our customers the best service and value for their money; this is one reason we provide HD channels at no additional cost to our customers," said Gary McCollum, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cox Hampton Roads.

The additional 21 HD channels also are available to customers in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Gloucester, Poquoson, parts of Williamsburg, Newport News, West Point, New Kent, and King and Queen County.

Later this year, James City County, York County and other areas on the Peninsula will have access to these channels as Cox continues to enhance its hybrid-fiber based network.

To receive these additional HD channels, customers must have the appropriate level of service with Cox, a high-definition television, and HD receiver and/or CableCARD. (As an example, customers must already receive CNBC in standard definition in order to receive CNBC in HD.)

Finally, on May 22, York County and James City County will have access to Lifetime Network HD (channel 709) in place of Science Channel HD (channel 760). Science Channel HD will assume its prior line-up position, along with access to additional channels, after Cox completes its network enhancements in these communities.

"Our network upgrades are bringing more high definition channels to our customers. We are temporarily switching some channels to accommodate this upgrade. Lifetime Network is one of the 15 highest rated cable networks in Hampton Roads and offers terrific original programming and movies. Additional high definition channels in York County and James City County are scheduled soon after the upgrades to the network are completed," said Jennifer Garrett, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

For more information contact Felicia Blow at (757) 222-8432 or at Felicia.Blow@cox.com

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is a multi-service broadband communications and entertainment company with more than 6.2 million total residential and commercial customers. The third-largest cable television company in the United States, Cox offers an array of advanced digital video, high-speed Internet and telephony services over its own nationwide IP network, as well as integrated wireless services. Cox Business is a full-service, facilities-based provider of communications solutions for commercial customers, providing high-speed Internet, voice and long distance services, as well as data and video transport services for small to large-sized businesses. Cox Media offers national and local cable advertising in traditional spot and new media formats, along with promotional opportunities and production services. Cox Communications wholly owns and operates the Travel Channel. More information about the services of Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com, www.coxbusiness.com, and www.coxmedia.com. In Hampton Roads, Cox has more than 400,000 basic cable subscribers.

SOURCE Cox Communications

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-22-2009/0005031317&EDATE=

fmsjr

05-22-09, 09:35 PM

I just had FiOS installed today and they're 504,5,7,9 etc. where I expect them.

So far so good, although Mrs Voltore noticed no MTV HD rather too quickly!

Pull up the guide... see if there's a note under the description for each show (when highlighted)... "moving to 51x on 6/18"

djp952

05-22-09, 10:37 PM

The tropo has just been insane lately. A high front to back ratio yagi antenna is the best way to minimize it's effects.

I really hope this is what's been wrong with WRC for me the past couple weeks, I have a number of trashed recordings here since I was stupid enough to not switch them to WBAL.

How do you know what the tropospheric conditions are, and is there any way to determine what effect it will have on reception (or is it basically random)?

Digital Rules

05-22-09, 11:11 PM

I really hope this is what's been wrong with WRC for me the past couple weeks, I have a number of trashed recordings here since I was stupid enough to not switch them to WBAL.Are you only having a problem with WRC? If only 1 channel is a problem a slight height adjustment (up or down) may be all you need. UHF frequencies can have small dead spots as close as 15-20 miles out from the transmitter. If your WRC is marginal to begin with, tropo can possibly wipe it out. The leaves on the trees will weaken the signal also. The height adjustment may help with this too. If not, a higher gain antenna may be needed.

Tropo conditions occur mostly in warmer weather, especially when a high pressure system has been over us for a few days. When the tailedge of the high pressure system arrives(moist air surging from the south), it is almost guaranteed. The tropo activity is very low tonight.

systems2000

05-22-09, 11:22 PM

Well, I've lost WMAR-DT, WBAL-DT, WJZ-DT, and WMPB-DT tonight. WNUV-DT and WUTB-DT are coming and going real bad. Can't get WTTG-DT, WUSA-DT, or 66 from D.C. either (I didn't look at WDCA-DT).

I haven't tried to see if I can get WTAJ-DT, WGAL-DT, WPMT-DT, or WGCB-DT.

OldHud

05-23-09, 09:11 AM

Thursday night I lost WTTG during the news, so I was flipping through all the usually unreceivable channels, when one DT-28 (virtual) locked on and I found myself watching WCBS DT-2. For what it's worth, this network flagship station out of New York does not transmit any subchannels.

mdviewer25

05-23-09, 12:29 PM

If Comcast has its own network (CN8), why do they still show Comcast local edition on Headline News? It blocks out regular programming which is really annoying.

Knicks_Fan

05-24-09, 08:24 PM

D* has added WETA-HD. Not impressed (as has been discussed here) with the pic quality: audio breakups, macroblocking.

dmulvany

05-25-09, 08:17 AM

D* has added WETA-HD. Not impressed (as has been discussed here) with the pic quality: audio breakups, macroblocking.

I watch WETA-HD over the air and have generally been very pleased with the picture quality at about a 75-80% signal level. I suspect that some of the pay TV service providers aren't ensuring their antenna for WETA is properly oriented to get the WETA signal, and poor reception has also adversely affected the transmission of the captioning as well for some people (though that's speculation on my part).

Digital Rules

05-25-09, 11:53 AM

For what it's worth, this network flagship station out of New York does not transmit any subchannels.All CBS owned & operated stations are void of subchannels as far as I know. I wonder how much longer they can afford the lost revenue????? I do notice a bit less compression on WJZ.:)

Marcus Carr

05-25-09, 12:55 PM

I watch WETA-HD over the air and have generally been very pleased with the picture quality at about a 75-80% signal level. I suspect that some of the pay TV service providers aren't ensuring their antenna for WETA is properly oriented to get the WETA signal, and poor reception has also adversely affected the transmission of the captioning as well for some people (though that's speculation on my part).

Looks good here on Comcast.

Knicks_Fan

05-25-09, 05:56 PM

I called D* up and let them know what's up. No issues with signal strength last night when I checked my H21. Still was nice to see the concert for the first time (for me) in HD.

aaronwt

05-25-09, 08:15 PM

Anyone have any problems with WJLA or WUSA this weekend? At my girlfriends we kept losing those signals on Saturday Night and Sunday night. It was fine during the day. The signal is normally solid.

I'll be glad after June 12th rolls around. My girlfriend isn't too happy about the change occuring during the day(since it will affect her recordings) and also having to rescan the channels on her two TiVos, three digital TVS, OTA converter box and both of her mothers OTA converter boxes.

I just hope the signals are better and not worse after June 12th on the new frequencies.

Digital Rules

05-25-09, 08:35 PM

I do remember noticing WUSA-DT 9 being off the air for a while on Saturday.

machpost

05-25-09, 09:44 PM

Do many in DC have FiOS?

I have heard about it but still haven't met anyone with it

Nobody in DC proper has FiOS yet. At least not FiOS TV, as far as I know. I've heard rumors that Verizon is currently installing fiber in parts of the city, but that is also just hearsay.

Trip in VA

05-26-09, 12:13 AM

Wow, check out the WWPX-DT DTS app. This is fun. Wonder what it means for the 51 petition?

- Trip

fmw63

05-26-09, 10:05 AM

Wow, check out the WWPX-DT DTS app. This is fun. - Trip

Where do we see this?

CycloneGT

05-26-09, 10:55 AM

Wow just think. We have less than a month before they extend the Analog shutdown again. :D

afiggatt

05-26-09, 11:16 AM

Wow, check out the WWPX-DT DTS app. This is fun. Wonder what it means for the 51 petition?
If I read it correctly, I find the DTS application to be bizarre. They want to put a 100 Watt VHF 12 transmitter in NW DC? What will that do for WBAL-DT 11 and WJZ-DT 13 reception in NW DC? I am in the coverage area of the proposed WWPX2-DTS application and I have no difficulty in getting WWPX-DT Ion 60 on VHF 12 from the backend of a YA-6713 upper VHF antenna aimed the other way at DC. I was also able to get WWPX-DT pretty reliably with a CM 4221 UHF antenna, also aimed the other way. WWPX-DT is not a weak station here, although there may be gaps at the lower elevation green spots in their application.

WWPX-DT 60 has the same exact programming as WPXW-DT 66, soon to be blasting at 1000 kW on UHF 34 out of NW DC. The only reason I can see for this DTS application is to get WWPX-DT 60 a stronger presence in the DC market (and maybe cable carriage?) to enhance the value of the station to try to get someone to buy WWPX. I bet Ion realizes that the petition to move to DT 51 at a new location is not likely to be granted, so this is their plan B.

To see the application, the FCC application search webpage is at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_sear.htm. Enter the station call sign such as WWPX to see their application and filings. The WWPX-DTS application is at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101311013&formid=301&fac_num=23264 with the engineering attachment down near the bottom of the form.

afiggatt

05-26-09, 11:24 AM

Wow just think. We have less than a month before they extend the Analog shutdown again. :D
There will be no more extensions. There are no serious political moves to postpone the analog shutdown again. The FCC has a bunch of support operations in place and the $40 coupons are being mailed. The die is cast.

Only 17 days until analog shutdown and the great digital broadcast channel shuffle! June 12 and 13 are going to be interesting days! :D

URFloorMatt

05-26-09, 04:05 PM

How come WJLA doesn't air Oprah or General Hospital in HD? (Apologies if this has been covered before.)

Potatoehead

05-26-09, 05:42 PM

We got a message this morning that Comcast will be adding WPXW(66) HD on June 12. Seems like something else is happening June 12.

jgantert

05-26-09, 05:55 PM

I do remember noticing WUSA-DT 9 being off the air for a while on Saturday.
That would explain why my Harpers Island recording stopped around 30 minutes. Bastards! :mad:

Marcus Carr

05-26-09, 06:00 PM

We got a message this morning that Comcast will be adding WPXW(66) HD on June 12. Seems like something else is happening June 12.

I got a message too - about job opportunities or something. Whoopee!

machpost

05-26-09, 06:31 PM

How come WJLA doesn't air Oprah or General Hospital in HD? (Apologies if this has been covered before.)

I don't know about General Hospital, but WJLA does air Oprah in HD, unless of course they're replaying an older, pre-HD episode.

howie14

05-27-09, 12:25 PM

That would explain why my Harpers Island recording stopped around 30 minutes. Bastards! :mad:

WUSA was out for over an hour. Luckily, I checked the recording and luckily the Orioles were on 13 on Saturday night. I was able to record Harper's off of WJZ at 3:30 in the morning, I think.

I missed one episode the week they switched to Saturdays, though.

howie14

05-27-09, 12:26 PM

I don't know about General Hospital, but WJLA does air Oprah in HD, unless of course they're replaying an older, pre-HD episode.

I don't think ABC shows any of its soaps in HD yet.

Marcus Carr

05-27-09, 12:52 PM

I don't think ABC shows any of its soaps in HD yet.

General Hospital is in HD.

ACW112983

05-27-09, 02:28 PM

So I assume that when Comcast users get NFLN in August (FINALLY; to find out we were not only getting that but also the U-albeit in SD but still better than nothing-and 360, I was :):cool::D ) it included the HD?

And Comcast REALLY needs to get Spike HD, Comedy Central HD, and G4HD.:mad:

kingpong

05-27-09, 08:13 PM

WMAR is showing the season premiere of Wipeout in SD. Proper HD on WJLA.

Marcus Carr

05-27-09, 08:20 PM

Wheel of Fortune was also in SD on WMAR.

aaronwt

05-27-09, 08:40 PM

I don't know about General Hospital, but WJLA does air Oprah in HD, unless of course they're replaying an older, pre-HD episode.

General Hospital was supposed to start airing in HD back in April. I'll have to ask my girlfriend if it's in HD since she records with a TiVoHD everyday from WJLA OTA.

URFloorMatt

05-27-09, 10:04 PM

WMAR is showing the season premiere of Wipeout in SD. Proper HD on WJLA.

"Proper" except for that intermittent blur problem or whatever it is, which the Indy 500 thread revealed to be a local problem.

rkolsen

05-27-09, 11:06 PM

Any word when E! HD is coming to Comcast in Baltimore

Marcus Carr

05-28-09, 02:37 AM

What the hell's wrong with WMAR? At least three HD shows were SD tonight.:rolleyes:

nottenst

05-28-09, 09:39 AM

I think you're fine, I had the same problem up here in Elkridge. It was Media Center, not the stations. Find your "atscchannels.xml" file (Vista = C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\eHome\EPG\prefs; XPMCE will be rooted in a different location). You will see incorrect physical channels for both WUSA and WDCW. (If you get Maryland OTA, you might see a bad physical channel for WMAR as well)

Here are the correct entries:

<channel callsign="WDCW" version="0" physical="51" major="50" />
<channel callsign="WUSA" version="0" physical="34" major="9" />
<channel callsign="WMAR" version="0" physical="52" major="2" />

Yours will likely say "50", "9", and "38" respectively.

I had to make that file read-only to stop Media Center from overwriting it. The "Guide" information seems to be wrong, they're jumping the gun and using the 2009 designations for these channels.

I also had to add a temporary fake DTV channel to the guide to get it to reload this file. I added 51.1 WCDWX. It won't tune (obviously), but MCE needed something to kick start it. If I remove that fake channel, it reverts back to not tuning WUSA and WDCW again, but leaves WMAR alone.I'm just quoting this as a reminder to myself that I and others will need to undo this fix in June when the transition finally takes place. I would guess that we just need to undo the read-only aspect and Media Center will overwrite "atscchannels.xml" with the new channels which will at last be in place.

Kelly From KOMO

05-28-09, 01:20 PM

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!

Have you tried to re-scan your receiver? Sometimes lip sync will be out and a reboot to rescan helps.

djp952

05-30-09, 02:15 AM

Have you tried to re-scan your receiver? Sometimes lip sync will be out and a reboot to rescan helps.

Actually, WBAL audio has seemingly been perfect for me lately, although they've increased their volume/DRC levels significantly, now rivaling WJZ on the "oh my goodness, please turn it down" scale :) I haven't had any complaints about their studio programming in a couple/few weeks now.

I'd have to list WBAL on a very short list of stations that not only read consumer feedback, but act on it. The other members of the club being WBFF/WNUV and to an extent WETA (Their new 720p format is better given the bandwidth contraints, but they still need to work on it a lot).

edit: I stand corrected. The audio was noticably off on the 11:00 news tonight (6/1/09)

mdviewer25

05-30-09, 03:11 PM

From DCRTV: Area cable giant Comcast took out a batch of ads in Saturday's Washington Post announcing that's it putting the high-def signal of Ion's Channel 66/WPXW on channel 209 and the standard-def signal of Channel 50/WDCW's digital subchannel This TV, a movie network from MGM, on channel 206. On its DC area systems by the end of June.....

I didn't know Channel 50/WDCW had added a subchannel.

alren

05-30-09, 03:43 PM

Does Comcast give HDTV without Digital cable? I'm not talking about the clear channels.

I've standard cable included in as part of my apartment rent. I was wondering, do I need to pay for digitial + HD to get more HD channels.

Thanks

afiggatt

05-30-09, 05:36 PM

I didn't know Channel 50/WDCW had added a subchannel.
There is no WDCW-DT 50.2 ThisTV broadcast sub-channel yet. Tribune owned WDCW-DT is on the list of ThisTV stations, so if Comcast plans to add the ThisTV sub-channel by the end of June, WDCW-DT presumably plans to add the ThisTV sub-channel soon. WBFF-DT 45.2 in Baltimore has had the ThisTV programming for some months.

Only 13 days until the big analog shutdown and digital channel shuffle on June 12! Time to start, and this time they really really mean it, the final countdown. :D

JoeInNVa

06-01-09, 07:43 AM

Marcus Carr

06-01-09, 12:22 PM

Verizon Makes FiOS TV Available to Nearly 8,000 Households in Charles County, Md., Following Recent Cable Franchise Approval

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-01-2009/0005035860&EDATE=

markbulla

06-01-09, 02:54 PM

Hi guys -

2 things.

First, in case anyone is interested, I'm adding a SAP channel to 45.1 today. I've had it wired up for some time, but I never had any requests to have it activated, until today. From what I can tell, we'll be the only channel in Baltimore that has SAP on the digital channel.

On the Panasonic in my office, I can pull up the SAP with (not surprisingly) the SAP button on the remote control. It tells me that I'm on "Audio Track 1 (or 2) of 2".

Normally, the audio on the SAP channel will be the same as the main audio. It will have other audio during FOX network programming (If I hooked everything up correctly), i.e. spanish or descriptive audio.

Second thing - I was losing the WTTG-HD feed on my Dish Network receiver last night. At random times, a screen would pop up and let me know that the receiver was searching for the signal. When I went to the next channel up (WJLA), it was there, and WTTG would be there when I channeled down, but it would go away again after a few minutes. I had just watched 60 minutes on WUSA for an hour with no problems. Did anyone else have a problem with the Sunday night line-up on FOX-5 last night?

Cheers -

SUOrangeman

06-02-09, 02:36 PM

Thanks to the excellent work that is URFloorMatt's national HD chart, I've revamped the DC/Balt chart that I have up on GoogleDocs (link in my sig). Although I've *temporarily* turned off the ability for anyone to edit the document, I ask that you take a look to see if this chart reflects what's currently available from your provider.

I realize that I did lose the channel numbers for Cox, RCN, and FiOS, but I've got that information in a Excel file (as of March 2009). Unfortunately, GoogleDocs doesn't handle Excel cell comments too well. I would appreciate getting channel lineup links (if posted somewhere) via PM.

Oh, I think I flipped past RetroTV on Cox ?806? yesterday. If I'm not mistaken, that's 7.3. I don't think Cox has been offering that subchannel for a long time.

-SUO

Jim Reeve

06-02-09, 04:02 PM

General Hospital is in HD.

General Hospital was carried by WJLA in HD for about a week, then it was right back to SD. I questioned the station about this via email, but got no response.

Does anyone have any knowledge of why WJLA decided to dump the HD version?

ABC still produces the show in HD and labels it as such when the program opens, so the change back to SD is strictly a local issue.

AntAltMike

06-02-09, 04:08 PM

General Hospital was carried by WJLA in HD for about a week, then it was right back to SD. I questioned the station about this via email, but got no response.

Does anyone have any knowledge of why WJLA decided to dump the HD version?...

Maybe they want to give more bandwidth to "Bachelor Father."

Jim Reeve

06-02-09, 05:03 PM

Thanks! I had exactly the same thought.

KLJ

06-02-09, 05:27 PM

i live in p.g. county, md, and use directv for 99% of my t.v. viewing.

i also have basic comcast cable do to the fact i use comcast for interent. just for fun, i did an auto scan of the basic cable channels on my bravia xbr4 and discovered that i could get all the mlb baseball games (standard def.) between channels 93 and 94.

is this common knowledge and is this common in other locations?

SiousBark

06-02-09, 05:34 PM

I have a question for people

I have found a nice, cheap place in DC that will allow me to get DirecTV and I am extremely happy

But, it will take some work to get it installed and when I say that, I don't mean building anything but it may have to be attached to the back-right side of the house and it may be a LITTLE too difficult for a regular install

So, is there anyone in DC that people recommend for DirecTV installs that may be a bit more personal?

I don't think this is anywhere near as impossible but I figure it may take a bit more touch than a regular guy

Or hell, maybe I am putting down DirecTV and they will do this?

afiggatt

06-03-09, 12:20 PM

WMPT-DT 22 post-transition power increase

Last year WMPT-DT 22 filed a maximization application to increase their digital broadcast power after the analog shutdown from the current 150 kW on UHF 42 to 516 kW. Because of complicated interference concerns, that application was stalled. In May, WMPT-DT filed a (pleading) Special Temporary Authority (STA) application noting that they have had over 1500 complaints about digital reception, for an increase to 439 kW after June 12. The FCC has granted the STA. So sometime after 6/12, depending on how long it takes them to get the equipment in place, WMPT-DT will almost triple their broadcast power which should help with the spotty reception for many.

The WMPT-DT attachment to their STA application (3 page PDF file) shows why asking for increased power in the crowded mid-Atlantic region gets complicated: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=757429&formid=911&q_num=5200.

afiggatt

06-03-09, 02:54 PM

I emailed engineering at MPT and got a reply within minutes! WMPT-DT 22 should be at the increased power level by next week, although there will be adjustments and re-calibrations to "ensure proper operation at the new power level". Looking at the STA again, it is not just for post-transition so WMPT-DT can go to the higher power right now.

jacindc

06-03-09, 04:57 PM

Any other Comcast DC customers notcing that ESPN2HD isn't working, or is it just me? (all other channels working fine, it's just ESPN2HD)

pamajestic

06-03-09, 05:54 PM

WJLA & WUSA Digital Testing

I stumbled on to WJLA & WUSA doing digital testing on channel 7 & 9 today shortly after 3am. I was a little disappointed with the signal strength I was receiving. I am 61 miles north but it was signifanctly lower than what I receive on channels 39 & 34. At this point I’m hoping the testing was at a reduced power.

Marcus Carr

06-03-09, 08:37 PM

Comcast updates for DC, DE, MD, NC, VA, WV in June

http://comcastchannelchanges.com/

Changes for Comcast of Baltimore City (Nothing exciting):

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

Check out these channel changes effective Tuesday,
June 30th for Baltimore City.

The following channel will be added:

fittv
Channel 181
Digital Classic

If you currently subscribe to Digital Starter, you will receive these channels
at no additional cost as they move from Digital Classic to Digital Starter!

Bio
Channel 115

History International
Channel 116

To help make room for these and future channel additions, the following
channel will be moving.

Channel: Moving From:
MUN2 636 to 178

The following channel will move from Digital Starter to Digital Classic:
MoviePlex
Channel 149

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

afiggatt

06-04-09, 12:29 AM

I stumbled on to WJLA & WUSA doing digital testing on channel 7 & 9 today shortly after 3am. I was a little disappointed with the signal strength I was receiving. I am 61 miles north but it was signifanctly lower than what I receive on channels 39 & 34. At this point I’m hoping the testing was at a reduced power.
They may have been adjusting the transmitter and antenna setup. We will have to wait until June 13 to get a good handle for the reception of WJLA-DT 7, WUSA-DT 9, WBAL-DT 11, WJZ-DT 13 after they flash cut for real. However WJZ-DT will be operating at a lower power of 9.8 kW from their current omni-directional VHF 13 antenna until they install a new directional antenna for 28.8 kW peak power by August 1 (with notably weaker power to the west).

Would be useful to learn about the digital testing in advance so people could get up and do a scan to see what happens. I'm curious whether I will be able to get WMDO-LD on VHF 8 when WJLA-DT 7 and WUSA-DT 9 go digital on the adjacent channels. My tuners detect WMDO-LD, but I have not been able to get a lock on it from 16 miles out. But with the analog shutdown only a little more than a week away, we will find out the good and bad news for the four stations flash cutting to upper VHF soon enough.

systems2000

06-04-09, 11:27 AM

tangfoot

06-04-09, 05:02 PM

Can anyone here recommend a decent indoor antenna for use in Columbia?
Or some suggestions for jury rigged attic antennas?

systems2000

06-04-09, 05:30 PM

Have you checked out EscapeVelocity's thread on Indoor Antennas (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1037779)?

mark_e

06-04-09, 10:51 PM

Can anyone here recommend a decent indoor antenna for use in Columbia?
Or some suggestions for jury rigged attic antennas?

I have a Terk amplified antenna (HDTVa pro) that picks up all of the DC and Baltimore digital channels from the first floor of my house. It works pretty well just aimed at DC for both, but sometimes it would need a little aiming for a particular station. It was my son's and I used it during (frequent) Comcast outages or to watch DC HD channels that Comcast didn't carry. It hasn't been used since I switched to FIOS about 2 months ago.

Two points to note:

1) I'm at a pretty high point off Route 108 near Howard High where the county has water towers and their main radio transmitter.

2) All of the stations are now on UHF. After the big switch and some move back to VHF with reduced effective power and more directional antennae, this may change.

If you're not in a rush, re-post or PM me in about 10 days and I'll check it then.

scootdog

06-04-09, 10:58 PM

Hi I am new and just registered after browsing for sometime. I live in PA just north of Hagerstown, MD. I have a cm-4221 pointed towards Hagerstown and get NBC25, PBS31, ION60 out of Marinsburg, WV, and VA PBS out of Front Royal.

Today when I was checking my digital channels. Digital channel 60.1, 60.2, 60.3, and 60.4 for ION out of Martinsburg were showing up differently. 60.1 and 60.2 came up as WUSA 9.1 and Radar 9.2, but were showing the ION channels. 60.3, and 60.4 were broadcasting as 12.5 and 12.6. It showed up this way on a 19" Sanyo HDTV and my Artec convert box, but the Artec could not even pick up the 12.5 and 12.6 just the 9.1 and 9.2 showing WUSA, but broadcasting ION.

How and why is the ION station out of Martinsburg showing a station id of WUSA out of Washington DC? This is really weird. Also, NBC 25 now has no signal and hopefully will come back on June 12.

Digital Rules

06-04-09, 11:13 PM

You're right, something is really weird with the Martinsburg ION station. Their PSIP is now mapping to 12-3, 12-4, 12-5, & 12-6. I can only get analog on UHF 60 now. Maybe they are preparing to switch to 720P on the main channel????

afiggatt

06-04-09, 11:21 PM

Has anyone else seen that WWPX-DT has the 700 Club back on? I just found it. I wish I could know if it's going to stay that way. If not, I may not be able to get that program after the 12th. :(

As for CBS, If WJZ-DT will not be broadcasting towards Hagerstown, WUSA-DT doesn't reach there, I currently can't get WHP-DT, that means I'll need to setup a channel 32 yagi for WTAJ-DT.
You have asked about the 700 Club on the two Ion stations before. I don't think anyone here can provide a reliable answer. Have you emailed Ion at the contact link at http://www.iontelevision.com/? Do you currently get WUSA-DT 9 with your current antenna setup? If so, you should be able to get WPXW-DT Ion 66 after they take over the WUSA UHF 34 transmitter.

As for the CBS stations, we will have to wait to see the reception for WUSA-DT 9 and WJZ-DT 13 after next Friday. WJZ-DT will be broadcasting around 7 kW in the direction of Hagerstown after they put up the directional antenna at 28.8 kW. With some luck, you may be able to still get WJZ-DT then. Or not.

I am also seeing the weird PSIP mapping going on with WWPX-DT Ion 60 on VHF 12. They are mapping to 9-1, 9-2??

afiggatt

06-04-09, 11:30 PM

Can anyone here recommend a decent indoor antenna for use in Columbia?
Or some suggestions for jury rigged attic antennas?
If you want to get both the DC and Baltimore stations, you need a non-directional antenna setup. A flat bowtie UHF antenna such as the CM-4221 4 Bay antenna can pick up UHF stations over a wide spread in azimuth including stations in the opposite direction. It has some pickup for upper VHF, but hard to say how well it will work after June 12 for the digital stations on upper VHF. Check the antenna threads in the HDTV Technical forum for a ton of info.

systems2000

06-04-09, 11:41 PM

No, I haven't e-mailed them. I had just resigned myself to lossing the "700 Club."

I did a reset and rescan with one of my Sunkey's and found that I'm now getting 9.1, 9.1, 9.2, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, & 9.6 with WUSA-DT and WWPX-DT. I did notice that 9.1 showed a Jim Carrey movie (no sound) and I thought I saw a HD logo.

I've been getting WNUV-DT fairly well for the last two weeks and WBFF-DT has been coming and going.

pclement

06-05-09, 11:28 AM

afiggatt

06-05-09, 11:59 AM

Does anyone know if after the digital transition whether channels (such as 9.1) will become just 9 or will digital channels contine to be 9.1, 9.2, etc? Just curius.
Digital stations will continue to be 7.1, 9.1, 9.2, 30.5 and at their analog channel base number.

There was a FCC STA filing by WHAG NBC 25 in Hagerstown earlier this week asking for permission to shut the analog down for good at 4 AM on June 10. The low power UHF 55 digital broadcast may have to shut down for a while as well. The details are all laid out in their explanation in the STA filing:

"THE INSTANT FILING REQUESTS SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY (STA) TO TERMINATE THE ANALOG FACILITY ASSOCIATED WITH WHAG-TV ON JUNE 10, 2009 TWO DAYS EARLIER THAN PREVIOUSLY ANTICIPATED IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE THE INSTALLATION OF THE STATIONS POST-TRANSITION DTV EQUIPMENT. AS EXPLAINED BELOW, SUCH INSTALLATION MAY TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 11, 2009, DEPENDING ON WEATHER CONDITIONS.

AS THE COMMISSION IS AWARE, WHAG-TV IS AUTHORIZED TO OPERATE ITS ANALOG FACILITIES ON CHANNEL 25, ITS PRE-TRANSITION DTV FACILITIES ON CHANNEL 55 AND ITS POST-TRANSITION FACILITIES ON CHANNEL 26. WHAG-TV IS PRECLUDED FROM OPERATING ITS POST-TRANSITION FACILITIES ON CHANNEL 26 UNTIL WETA-TV, WASHINGTON, DC TERMINATES ITS ANALOG OPERATIONS ON CHANNEL 26. WETA-TV HAS ADVISED THE COMMISSION THAT IT WILL BE TERMINATING ANALOG OPERATIONS BETWEEN 6:01 A.M. AND 12:00 NOON ON JUNE 12, 2009.

WHAG-TV OPERATES ITS ANALOG AND DTV FACILITIES ON A REMOTE MOUNTAINTOP SITE IN CLEAR SPRINGS, MARYLAND. THE ONLY ROAD ENABLING ACCESS TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN IS SO NARROW THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR A TRUCK OR OTHER MOTOR VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT THE STATIONS NEW DTV ANTENNA, WHICH HAS BEEN ASSEMBLED AT ANOTHER LOCATION, TO THE TOWER SITE. ACCORDINGLY, THE ONLY MEANS OF DELIVERING THE NEW DTV ANTENNA TO THE SITE IS VIA HELICOPTER. THERE ARE A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF COMPANIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS TYPE OF WORK, AND SCHEDULING A CREW REQUIRES MANY MONTHS NOTICE. THE HELICOPTER CONSTRUCTION CREW THAT NEXSTAR BROADCASTING, INC. (NEXSTAR) WAS ABLE TO SECURE FOR THIS PURPOSE IS NOT AVAILABLE ON JUNE 12, 2009. THE WORK HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 10, 2009, WHICH ALLOWS AN EXTRA DAY IN CASE THERE ARE WEATHER PROBLEMS THAT WOULD PREVENT THE HELICOPTER FROM FLYING TO THE TOWER SITE.

UNDER THE CURRENT PLAN, WHAG-TV INTENDS TO TERMINATE ITS ANALOG OPERATIONS AT 4:00 A.M. ON JUNE 10, 2009, WITH WORK COMMENCING SHORTLY THEREAFTER. WHILE WORK IS ONGOING, IT MAY ALSO BE NECESSARY TO TERMINATE WHAG-TVS PRE-TRANSITION DTV OPERATIONS, IN ORDER TO AVOID HUMAN RF EXPOSURE. ONCE THE INSTALLATION OF THE POST-TRANSITION DTV FACILITY IS COMPLETE, WHAG-TV WILL RESUME DTV OPERATIONS ON ITS PRE-TRANSITION CHANNEL (55) AND WILL AWAIT CONFIRMATION FROM WETA-TV ON JUNE 12 THAT ITS ANALOG OPERATIONS HAVE TERMINATED BEFORE WHAG-TV WILL COMMENCE OPERATING IN DTV FORMAT ON ITS POST-TRANSITION CHANNEL (26). IN THE MEANTIME, NEXSTAR HAS ARRANGED FOR WHAG-TVS SIGNAL TO BE DELIVERED TO LOCAL MVPD HEADENDS VIA FIBER, SO THAT MOST OF WHAG-TVS VIEWERS WILL BE COMPLETELY UNAFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION WORK TAKING PLACE ON JUNE 10 OR 11." More text on why the STA should be granted follows.

systems2000

06-05-09, 03:12 PM

"MOST OF WHAG-TVS VIEWERS WILL BE COMPLETELY UNAFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION WORK TAKING PLACE ON JUNE 10 OR 11."

That doesn't include me. :) OTA viewers that are not close to WHAG-DT, or have a small clump of trees between them and the transmitter, can't receive the 0.9KW transmission. I'm one, yet my neighbor 300yards away, with a clear view to the transmitter, gets WHAG-DT very well.

From the beginning, WHAG-TV has been notifying the FCC about the need to terminate early.

I saw this morning that WWPX-DT only had the main channel (still 9.1) operating, but no audio.

dewster1977

06-05-09, 07:53 PM

I just checked WWPX and when I tuned to 60.1 it switch to WUSA-DT only get 9.1 and 9.2 tried to tuned to 60.3 and 60.4 and there gone now... What is going on with them???

scootdog

06-05-09, 08:13 PM

I just checked WWPX and when I tuned to 60.1 it switch to WUSA-DT only get 9.1 and 9.2 tried to tuned to 60.3 and 60.4 and there gone now... What is going on with them???

I now have the 60.3 ION Life and the 60.4 Religious channel coming in on 12.5 and 12.6 on my 19" Sanyo HDTV, but they will not come in on my Artec converter box. The 9.1 ION and 9.2 Qubo come in on both.

The 9.1 ION is showing as WUSA and the 9.2 is showing as Radar. I get no signal at all from DC. I wonder if they are putting a translator for WUSA on the Marinsburg tower? Probably not, but that would be awesome! Anyone have a clue why ION 60 is showing up as WUSA?

systems2000

06-05-09, 08:24 PM

I just checked and they are still on RF12, but only broadcasting -1 and -2. I found that I get the audio on all my CECB's (Insignia -APT, Sunkey SK-801ATSC's, & Zinwell ZAT-970A), but my APEX DT502 doesn't. All of them are identifying the channel and program information as and from WUSA-DT. I'm also getting two sets of each channel with no information on the second set. My Zinwell also identifies the programming as 480i.

dewster1977

06-05-09, 08:30 PM

I only got a .1 and .1 stiil shows on RF 12 but displayed as 9.1 & 9.2, someone would have had to change the PSIP data on them. I saw an fcc transfer to debitor in posession, wonder if they found a buyer for the station

Trip in VA

06-05-09, 08:38 PM

I saw an fcc transfer to debitor in posession, wonder if they found a buyer for the station

ION went bankrupt. I don't think a buyer's been found.

- Trip

systems2000

06-05-09, 08:45 PM

I thought I'd do an EPG and Time check on the stations I receive, while my antenna is pointed at 131° (Baltimore), and here are my results:

Channel|ID|Time Variance|Hours of EPG
2|WMAR-DT|-0:01|3
11|WBAL-DT|+0:02|9-10
13|WJZ-DT|Reference|9-10
24|WUTB-DT|+0:01|9-10
31|WWPB-DT|+0:02|9-10
54|WNUV-DT|+0:02|48
60|WWPX-DT|+0:02|12
67|WMPB-DT|+0:02|12
68|WJAL-DT|-0:05|N/A

For those who care, my Signal & Quality Levels are as follows:

Channel|ID|Quality|Strength|AXIS From Station
2|WMAR-DT|52-63|53-54|-2.4
11|WBAL-DT|27-40|45-46|-2.4
13|WJZ-DT|100|84|-2.4
24|WUTB-DT|23-31|62-63|-7.8
31|WWPB-DT|43-51|78-79|-106.3
54|WNUV-DT|39-62|75-76|-2.3
60|WWPX-DT|86-89|87|-95.7
68|WJAL-DT|58-81|87|-157.7

I didn't include WMPB-DT (67), because it isn't reliable unless the antenna is off-axis -11. I also don't pull-in WVPY-DT (42) or W08EE-D (WNPB-DT 24) at this compass heading.

systems2000

06-05-09, 08:47 PM

ION went bankrupt. I don't think a buyer's been found.
The complete National Network?

Trip in VA

06-05-09, 08:48 PM

The complete National Network?

Yep. It was big news not too long ago.

- Trip

afiggatt

06-05-09, 09:09 PM

Yep. It was big news not too long ago.
The Ion network filed chapter 11 as part of a financial restructuring process with debt holders to reduce their debt. The press articles on the bankruptcy filing indicate Ion is planning to continue to operate and acquire more programming. Not going out of business, but obviously on shaky ground given the economy and the tough times for broadcast stations.

I doubt if WUSA-DT has brought WWPX-DT 60 because if they did, they would be putting CBS programming on it and WWPX-DT would have to keep the channel 12 ID. I wonder if the PSIP glitch is somehow related to the impending move of WPXW-DT 66 in Manassas to the WUSA-DT UHF 34 transmitter in NW DC. WWPX-DT 60 is a satellite station of WPXW-DT 66. Maybe they are sending the feed to WWPX-DT 60 through the new site and they are using PSIP equipment which has leftover WUSA-DT configuration in it. My Samsung T451 still has the 60.1, 60.2 channels as 9.1, 9.2. The Sony HD-DVR which does NOT remap channels or find new sub-channels without a full scan still shows all four sub-channels for WWPX-DT at 60.1 to 60.4. Very weird. I wonder if WWPX-DT 60 even knows they are putting out messed up PSIP data?

dewster1977

06-05-09, 09:46 PM

I just cleared RF 12 and rescanned, still showing RF 12 as 9.1 and 9.2, wonder what happened to .3 and .4 when I tried to enter 12.4 manually it switched to 9.1. Very weird.

Trip in VA

06-05-09, 09:49 PM

I just cleared RF 12 and rescanned, still showing RF 12 as 9.1 and 9.2, wonder what happened to .3 and .4 when I tried to enter 12.4 manually it switched to 9.1. Very weird.

Try 12.5 and 12.6 instead of 12.4.

- Trip

dewster1977

06-05-09, 09:58 PM

I tried 12.3 to 12.20 and all take me to WUSA 9.1 12.2 takes me to 9.2 9 radar. I can't get WPXW out of DC so I don't know if they still have all there sub channels up or only have two now also.

Trip in VA

06-05-09, 09:59 PM

Puzzling. I'd love to see some TSReader on that...

- Trip

dewster1977

06-05-09, 10:25 PM

Trip, I'll see if I have a tunercard that will work with the TSreader lite software, but it will have to wait till morning, I've been work 11 to 14 hours a day this week.

Digital Rules

06-05-09, 10:50 PM

I can't get WPXW out of DC so I don't know if they still have all there sub channels up or only have two now also.No changes on WPXW-DT 66.

My Samsung LCD is picking up WWPX-DT 60 on 9.1, 9.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, & 12.6. No program info is available on any of the 12.x channels.

This should be quite an interesting week!!

systems2000

06-05-09, 10:54 PM

I don't have a tuner card and haven't tried acquiring WPXW-DT. Sorry I can't help with that information. :(

I also did a rescan on my APEX and Insignia boxes earlier today.

ACW112983

06-06-09, 07:46 AM

What is this 7.1, 9.1, etc stuff? I don't get that (I have Comcast cable FWIW).

ProjectSHO89

06-06-09, 08:37 AM

What is this 7.1, 9.1, etc stuff? I don't get that (I have Comcast cable FWIW).

If you have cable, it's not relevant. It's only part of the digital OTA stuff.

Google "virtual channel"

mdviewer25

06-06-09, 03:30 PM

ACW112983

06-06-09, 04:23 PM

If you have cable, it's not relevant. It's only part of the digital OTA stuff.

Google "virtual channel"Ah, thanks :)

scootdog

06-07-09, 11:10 PM

dewster1977

06-07-09, 11:37 PM

I am copy and pasting this quote that someone (my apologies that I don't have your name) posted on here awhile back. "I have spoken with most of the station engineers and WBDC 50 in wasington will be moving their current digital Ch 51 back to Blue Ridge Summit and WPMT 43 in York will be installing a digital translator in the same area after February once some of the channels open back up."

I sent this quote to both stations Saturday and received a reply today from an engineer at WMPT 43 in York. Good news is he replied on a Sunday I am impressed. Bad news is he said that this project is now on hold indefinitely. When I here back from WBCD 50 I will let you know.

This does not look good for those of us in the greater Hagerstown area. I think I read somewhere that Tribune is the owner of both stations and they are in a financially poor state. I hope that we still will get CW50. The TV Fool website is showing it as broadcasting, but I get 0 signal. When I here back from WBCD 50 I will let you know.

That would have been me, I haven't e-mailed Jim latley. I have found him to be the most responsive and knowlegeable station engineer in this area, not only on reception of his own station, but other stations as well.

I know those of us in southern PA are not in the DC DMA, but many of us have grown use to the Balto & DC stations for many years and have never really watch the Harrisburg stations, although I am in the Harrisburg/York/Lancaster/Lebanon DMA the only stations I get are WHTM and WITF

4HiMarks

06-08-09, 09:41 AM

Hi,

I have not had cable in years, and never had it in Mont. Co. My mom lives in Silver Spring (zip 20901), and has the basic "lifeline" cable which gets little more than broadcast channels. She has a cable-ready TV and no cable box (connects direct to wall). She apparently saw the article in Sunday's Post and called me to find out if she is going to lose her channels on Friday. I got her a converter and set-top antenna, but she lives in the Sligo Creek "valley" so reception stinks, especially for 26, the only channel she really cares about.

When the TH development was built 40+ years ago, there was some sort of community antenna system connected to a (300 ohm!) jack in the basement. I have no idea if it still works or is connected to anything, and she swears up and down that it doesn't even exist, because "it isn't mentioned in the by-laws(!)". The wall on the other side of the jack is unfinished and I have verified that there is a coax cable (cloth-jacketed!) going to it from somewhere.

I have two questions:

1) Is Comcast Montgomery going to use the transition as an excuse to require customers such as my mom to upgrade to digital or otherwise require a cable box?

2) Regardless of the answer to 1), is it worth even trying to see whether the basement jack will work?

JoeInNVa

06-08-09, 10:59 AM

afiggatt

06-08-09, 11:11 AM

This does not look good for those of us in the greater Hagerstown area. I think I read somewhere that Tribune is the owner of both stations and they are in a financially poor state. I hope that we still will get CW50. The TV Fool website is showing it as broadcasting, but I get 0 signal. When I here back from WBCD 50 I will let you know.
If by WBDC 50, you mean WDCW 50 in DC, they have a construction permit (CP) to digitally flash cut their analog W51CY translator. They refiled the application in April for some reason and were granted the CP in May, so there is some recent filing action on the translator. From what I have been told here, W51CY has been silent for some time because of interference with WDCW-DT which is currently on UHF 51. The 15 kW digital allotment for W51CY provides a significant boost in coverage area over the analog; page 10 of this PDF 2006 technical application shows the difference: http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getattachment_exh.cgi?exhibit_id=755492&formid=346&q_num=5110. If they fire up W51CY on digital, looks like people in Martinsburg and Frederick should get W51CY OTA.

WDCW-DT 50 will be flash cutting this Friday from 125 kW on UHF 51 to 122 kW on 50. Not a strong signal compared to the stations operating at 1000 kW. WDCW filed a maximization application for an increase to 1000 kW on UHF 50 last year, but the FCC has not granted it yet. Their application might have been stalled by the WWPX-DT Ion 60 petition to move to UHF 51 at a new location. Tribune Broadcasting , the owners of WDCW 50 and a bunch of other stations, is operating in Chapter 11 bankruptcy so that can throw a monkey wrench into capital spending plans. Would be useful to hear whether they will be starting up W51CY as a digital station after this Friday.

4HiMarks

06-08-09, 11:13 AM

1. No BUT they are moving all their channels so you will need a box eventually. The digital transition has NOTHING to do with what you receive from Comcast.

I know that, but try explaining it to my 77-year-old mother. I have heard that many cable co's (or perhaps it is just unscrupulous CSRs, if there is a difference between a company and its employees/contractors) are using the general confusion over the transition to get people to upgrade their service even though they might not need to.

knnirs

06-08-09, 11:46 AM

I know that, but try explaining it to my 77-year-old mother. I have heard that many cable co's (or perhaps it is just unscrupulous CSRs, if there is a difference between a company and its employees/contractors) are using the general confusion over the transition to get people to upgrade their service even though they might not need to.
I am replying as an 88 year old great grandfather. I have basic cable in P.G. county, and at the present time I get all of the local channels from D.C. and Baltimore with a digital-tuning TV. I expect to continue to receive these signals next week, but i'm not certain.

4HiMarks

06-08-09, 01:58 PM

I am replying as an 88 year old great grandfather.
Relevance? The fact that you even know about this forum and can post on it puts you light years ahead of her in technological savvy.
I have basic cable in P.G. county, and at the present time I get all of the local channels from D.C. and Baltimore with a digital-tuning TV. I expect to continue to receive these signals next week, but i'm not certain.

So to sum up, you live in a different location, you have equipment she doesn't, and you aren't sure if even you are going to get anything next week.

GregAnnapolis

06-08-09, 03:48 PM

Relevance? The fact that you even know about this forum and can post on it puts you light years ahead of her in technological savvy.

So to sum up, you live in a different location, you have equipment she doesn't, and you aren't sure if even you are going to get anything next week.
Yikes man, he was just trying to help...

Trip in VA

06-08-09, 06:09 PM

Would be useful to hear whether they will be starting up W51CY as a digital station after this Friday.

Shoot, I wonder if they'll light it up as an analog again! Without DT-51 to worry about, they could put it back on the air as an analog until they find the money to convert it...

- Trip

scootdog

06-08-09, 06:44 PM

Shoot, I wonder if they'll light it up as an analog again! Without DT-51 to worry about, they could put it back on the air as an analog until they find the money to convert it...

- Trip

Here is the email I got today from DC50 regarding the broadcasting from the Blue Ridge Summit tower. "I spoke to my Director of Engineering and as of now, it probably won’t happen this year. Thanks, Tanya"

So, no Fox from York or CW from DC coming from the tower at Blue Ridge Summit. What a waste of a good tower.

afiggatt

06-08-09, 07:12 PM

Tribune Broadcasting must be having serious money issues if they can't even afford to start up a translator they own. My suggestion for those living out in the larger Hagerstown who can't get WDCW-DT 50 over the air after this Friday is call the station and write Tribune. If they get enough complaints, that may prod them to shake the money loose to fire up the translator, either in analog or digital.

If WDCW-DT were to have it's maximization application granted, the increase to 1000 kW would boost their OTA coverage considerably. But that assumes WDCW has the funds to add the additional transmitter hardware - unless they will be using their existing UHF 50 analog transmitter racks. Trip, do you know of any interference concerns other than the WWPX ch 51 petition that would cause a delay in granting WDCW's maximization application?

Speaking of WWPX, I see that WWPX-DT Ion 60 in Martinsburg has fixed their PSIP problem! The station is now mapping to 60.1 to 60.4.

Only 5 more days to the analog shutdown! (Well, for full power stations that are not night lighting.)

systems2000

06-08-09, 11:47 PM

dewster1977

06-09-09, 12:04 AM

I e-mailed Jack wells at WNPB to inquire about W34DW, here was his reply

"We had to turn off W34DW due to interference to WJAC from Johnstown PA. We hope to get a displacement from the FCC to ch 30 after the analog shut off. If we get the dis[placement it will take us several months to get ch 30 running. Ch 41 analog will keep operating for the foreseeable future."

I think friday is going to be a nightmare west of Braddock and South Mountains. As of tonight, my relable stations are
Digital
WWPB RF 44 PBS
WHTM RF 10 ABC
WVPY RF 21 PBS
WDCA RF 35 MyNet
WWPX RF 12 ION

Analog Clear with little snow
WMAR 2 ABC
WRC 4 NBC
WTTG 5 Fox
WJLA 7 ABC
WGAL 8 NBC
WUSA 9 CBS
WTAJ 10 CBS
WBAL 11 NBC
WJZ 13 CBS
WDCA 20 My Net
WHP 21 CBS
WHAG 25 NBC
WETA 26 PBS
WHTM 27 ABC
WWPB 31 PBS
WMPT 43 FOX
WWPX 60 ION

Quite a loss IMO not even all the major networks

JoeInNVa

06-09-09, 08:09 AM

I am replying as an 88 year old great grandfather. I have basic cable in P.G. county, and at the present time I get all of the local channels from D.C. and Baltimore with a digital-tuning TV. I expect to continue to receive these signals next week, but i'm not certain.

If you have cable, there will be no changes.

systems2000

06-09-09, 08:59 AM

I'm taking a "Wait & See" attitude. At least I know I'll get clear reception from WTTG-TV on what has happened and how to hookup a CECB. :D

My Clear (minor snow) channels (outside the valley) are/were 2, 4 (worst), 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13, 20, 22, 24, 43, & 51.

systems2000

06-09-09, 09:06 AM

I was just thinking, I believe most stations will have their systems transitioned by early evening for a couple of reasons;

1) On a calm day, most winds start after Noon.
2) The stations want to be back on the air for their Newscasts and Primetime.
3) Stations will want to minimize overtime.
4) Stations will want as much "Problem Buffer" as possible.

Maybe that's why I'm seeing all the stations announcing that they will be switching soon after the Noon Hour begins.

systems2000

06-09-09, 09:40 AM

I e-mailed Jack wells at WNPB to inquire about W34DW, here was his reply

"We had to turn off W34DW due to interference to WJAC from Johnstown PA. We hope to get a displacement from the FCC to ch 30 after the analog shut off. If we get the dis[placement it will take us several months to get ch 30 running. Ch 41 analog will keep operating for the foreseeable future."
That will clearup WPXW-DT also. If they go to RF30, then we'll probably loose WGCB-DT. Nice to know I have a chance for WJAC-DT now, but since it's NBC I will not be doing anything extra to acquire it.

dewster1977,

If you put a "|" between your entries in your table, you'll get the cells (make sure you have the same number of "|" on each line before the "Hard-Break").

NOTE: For those who want to know, to "BOLD" your text or heading, do not "BOLD" the "|" or past the "Hard-Break," just the text to be bolded. Same goes for underlining, italicizing, color, and size. I haven't figured out how to justify yet.

DVDO+WESTY=1080p

06-09-09, 10:59 AM

FIOS now available in Manassas City finally, June 15th my appointment date, will be a great day, 110 HD channels and all digital.

afiggatt

06-09-09, 12:16 PM

I think friday is going to be a nightmare west of Braddock and South Mountains. As of tonight, my relable stations are
Digital
WWPB RF 44 PBS
WHTM RF 10 ABC
WVPY RF 21 PBS
WDCA RF 35 MyNet
WWPX RF 12 ION

Odd that you get WDCA-DT 20 on RF 35 at 500 kW, but not the adjacent RF channels for WUSA-DT 9 on RF 34 and WTTG-DT 5 on RF 36, both at 1000 kW. But if you are picking up some Harrisburg stations, WITF-DT 33 on RF 36 could be blocking WTTG-DT on RF 36. WJAC-DT NBC 6 in Johnstown on RF 34 could be interfering with WUSA-DT on RF 34. WRC-DT 4 on RF 48 gets interference from analog low power WAZW-LP 48 in Winchester on the northwestern part of the WRC-DT reception area.

With the taking away of 18 UHF channels and the closer packing of stations, the co-channel interference issues for those located in the fringes between multiple markets are a real problem. But if the interfering stations are at long ranges in other directions, a quality directional antenna setup with a high front to back ratio and a rotator might pull some of the interference prone stations in.

If you are getting the Hagerstown stations, you will lose WHAG-TV 25 tomorrow morning when they shut down the analog transmitter, but get the full power digital broadcast when they turn it on Friday afternoon. WJLA-DT ABC 7 will be broadcasting at 30 kW on VHF 7, so if you get their analog 7 signal reasonably well, you should get their new digital signal. Upper VHF does carry better over hills than UHF. You might get WUSA-DT 9 when they switch to VHF 9 at 12.6 kW and move off from the UHF 34 interference. By Saturday, you should have a few more reliable digital stations.

Unfortunately, the maximize power applications for WDCW-DT 50 (RF 50, 122 kW post) and WHUT-DT 32 (RF 33, 100 kW) to increase to 1000 kW have not been acted on by the FCC. WETA-DT 26 petition to move to UHF 51 at 574 kW has also not been acted on.

Marcus Carr

06-09-09, 01:51 PM

Comcast Going High Speed In Washington, Surrounding Metro Areas

Will start making "leap" from broadband to wideband service in the Anacostia neighborhood starting this month

By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/9/2009 10:57:06 AM MT

High-speed broadband is a big target in Washington as policymakers decide how to define, and roll out, universal broadband, particularly to lower income and rural areas.

Comcast isn't making those policymakers look very far to see its efforts to launch the cable indsutry's next generation of high-speed Internet access, Docsis 3.0.

The nation's largest cable operator said it has begun rolling out 50 mbps service in Washington and the surrounding metro area.

Comcast will start making the "leap" from broadband to so-called wideband service in the Anacostia neighborhood of the city starting this month. Anacostia has a large minority and lower-income population, just the target group some broadband proponents say need access to high-speed Internet to help close the digital and socio-economic divides.

Comcast says speeds will double for high-speed customers at no charge. It is also adding the service to parts of Arlington and Alexandria, Va., and Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Md., all part of the Washington Metro area.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/278870-Comcast_Going_High_Speed_In_Washington_Surrounding_Metro_Are as.php

systems2000

06-09-09, 05:24 PM

WHAG-TV has been going off the air (during the day) for the last two days.

dewster1977

06-09-09, 05:28 PM

Odd that you get WDCA-DT 20 on RF 35 at 500 kW, but not the adjacent RF channels for WUSA-DT 9 on RF 34 and WTTG-DT 5 on RF 36, both at 1000 kW. But if you are picking up some Harrisburg stations, WITF-DT 33 on RF 36 could be blocking WTTG-DT on RF 36. WJAC-DT NBC 6 in Johnstown on RF 34 could be interfering with WUSA-DT on RF 34. WRC-DT 4 on RF 48 gets interference from analog low power WAZW-LP 48 in Winchester on the northwestern part of the WRC-DT reception area.

Yea i thought that was funny about getting WDCA, but when I looked at the other RF for the surrounding markets I realized my problem.

systems2000

06-09-09, 06:13 PM

I lost WUSA-DT when W34DW-D came on-line. I've not been able to get WUSA-DT for a while now. I've never been able to get WRC-DT.

The stations I can currently count on reliably from Balt./D.C. are WMAR-DT, WBAL-DT, WJZ-DT, WUTB-DT, WNUV-DT, & WMPB-DT. I just ran a check and found all D.C. stations are unviewable at the moment.

The only stations I can get from Harrisburg/Lancaster/York are WGAL-DT (58), WPMT-DT (47), & WGCB-DT (30).

mdviewer25

06-09-09, 07:13 PM

afiggatt

06-09-09, 08:59 PM

Anyone else getting stronger signals for WMPT-DT 22 on UHF 42? Last night and today, I have been able to get the station OTA, although with dropouts. It could be atmospheric conditions as I have gotten WMPT-DT for short periods before, but they may have increased their power, perhaps to the 439 kW STA that they were granted on May 29. I'm on the outer part of WMPT-DT reception area in Sterling and possibly subject to interference from analog WVPY-TV 42 in Front Royal (which will go away on Friday).

Skeptic Tank

06-09-09, 09:22 PM

just did a rescan and there's a ton of new clear qam channels for Comcast PG. Mostly SD versions of the analog channels such as 4, 5, 7, 9, 22, 26, 32, newschannel 8, QVC, HSN and the Comcast Network to name a few. The MLB Network is at 21-2 in HD

Could you list the new clear QAM channel numbers between 103 and 122?
My decrepit Samsung SIR-T451 can't scan past 103 without rebooting so I have to enter those manually. Thanks.

afiggatt

06-09-09, 09:26 PM

Digital Transition Summary for DC, Baltimore, Hagerstown Stations – June 9, 2009

Word of the day(s) for June 12 and June 13: RESCAN! This is my final update to the digital transition summary table I have posted several times before as the transition day is almost here. I hope that some of you find this helpful. For the cable/sat only members, don't worry, the OTA oriented postings will die down in a week or two.

The following is an updated summary of the pre and post transition digital channels, power levels, and status of filings for the full power stations in the DC, Baltimore, and Hagerstown markets. I hope some find this list useful to prepare for the June 12 analog shutdown and DT channel shuffle. The list is sorted by the post-transition physical broadcast channel, which I think is useful for highlighting the upper VHF stations and possible signal conflicts for those on the outer edges of these markets. The technical shorthand terms are ERP (Effective Radiated Power) in kW, HAAT (antenna Height Above Average Terrain) in meters, CP = Construction Permit granted by the FCC.

Some of the station comments show the post-transition maximization power applications submitted by the station last year, but the FCC has still not acted on some of them, so until then, people should use the officially allotted ERP as the basis for figuring out antenna needs. In the past several months, the FCC did grant increased post-transition ERPs for WVPY-DT PBS 42 and WWPB-DT MPT 31, but I don’t know if those stations are ready to increase power on June 13.

At the bottom is a separate list for the digital low power (LD) stations in DC and the stronger digital low power CPs in the western edge of the DC area. Some of the LD CPs may not be built; some of them are likely placeholders for future filings for better channel allotments. The analog low power stations and translators do not have to shut down on June 12.

The columns are: Station, Location, Pre-transition physical digital channel and pre-transition DT ERP in kW, Post-transition physical digital channel and current ERP allotment in kW, post-transition HAAT in meters, filed analog shutdown time window, and Notes/Comments.

Station|Location|Pre-DT (ERP)|Post-DT (ERP)|Post HAAT|Analog Shutdown|Notes
WJLA-DT ABC 7|DC|39 (646 kW)|7 (30 kW)|235 m|Morning 6/12|Maximized app for 30 kW granted.
WUSA-DT CBS 9|DC|34 (1000)|9 (12.6)|235|Morning 6/12|
WBAL-DT NBC 11|Baltimore|59 (513)|11 (5)|299|Afternoon 6/12|Only 5 kW VHF 11 post-transition! Some current OTA WBAL viewers will lose station!
WWPX-DT Ion 60|Martinsburg|12 (23)|12 (23)|314|Evening 6/12|Petition pending to move DTV operations to 51 in VA which conflicts with WETA’s 51 petition.
WJZ-DT CBS 13|Baltimore|38 (1000)|13 (28.8)|295|Afternoon 6/12|Will at 9.8 kW STA on DT 13 for 1-2 months post-trans until new directional ant installed
WFDC-DT uni 14|DC|15 (325)|15 (1000)|227|Evening 6/12|Maximized app granted for 1000 kW post-transition
WVPY-DT PBS 42|Front Royal|21 (50)|21 (100)|400|Evening 6/12|Maximized app for 100 kW granted
WNVC-DT MHz 56|Fairfax|57 (7.3, dark)|24 (160)|221|Off since September|Off air until WUTB-TV 24 shuts down
WHAG-DT NBC 25|Hagerstown|55 (0.9)|26 (575)|376|4 AM 6/10|Will start on post DT 26 channel 12 Noon 6/12
WETA-DT PBS 26|DC|27 (90)|27 (90)|254|Morning 6/12|Petition still pending to move to 51 for DTV operations at 674 kW
WFPT-DT PBS 62|Frederick|28 (30)|28 (41.2)|158|Off on April 16|Increased ERP to 41.2 kW in February
WMPB-DT PBS 67|Baltimore|29 (14 )|29 (42.6)|309|Morning 6/12|Increased ERP to 42.6 kW in February
WNVT-DT MHz 30|Goldvein |30 (160)|30 (160)|229||Analog shut down in 2003
WHUT-DT PBS 32|DC|33 (100)|33 (100)|254|Afternoon 6/12|maximized app pending for 1000 kW
WPXW-DT Ion 66|Manassas->DC|43 (90)|34 (1000)|221|Evening 6/12|taking over WUSA-DT’s pre-trans DT 34 transmitter
WDCA-DT MyN 20|DC|35 (500)|35 (500)|227|Afternoon 6/12|maximized app pending for 950 kW
WTTG-DT Fox 5|DC|36 (1000)|36 (1000)|227|July 12|Analog nightlight station until July 12
WMAR-DT ABC 2|Baltimore|52 (613)|38 (1000)|312|Afternoon 6/12|Taking over WJZ-DT’s pre-trans DT 38 transmitter
WJAL-DT ind 68|Hagerstown|16 (6)|39 (105)|372|Off in January|Operating at STA 34 kW on UHF 39
WNUV-DT CW 54|Baltimore|40 (845)|40 (845)|373|Off on March 2|
WUTB-DT MyN 24|Catonsville|41 (200)|41 (200)|308|Morning 6/12|maximized app pending for 290 kW
WMPT-DT PBS 22|Annapolis|42 (150)|42 (439)|289|Morning 6/12|STA for 439 kW granted, maximized app pending for 516 kW
WWPB-DT PBS 31|Hagerstown|44 (209)|44 (1000)|359|Morning 6/12|maximized app for 1000 kW granted
WBFF-DT Fox 45|Baltimore|46 (550)|46 (550)|373|Off on March 2|
WRC-DT NBC 4|DC|48 (813)|48 (813)|242|June 26|Analog nightlight station until June 26
WDCW-DT CW 50|DC|51 (125)|50 (122)|253|Morning 6/12|maximized app pending for 1000 kW
Digital LDs|||Lic/CPs||
WMDO Telef 47|DC|8 (0.198)|8 (0.198)|150||on the air in late summer 08.
W08EE WV PBS|Martinsburg|8 (0.3)|8 (0.3)|281||on the air
WWTD ind 49|DC|-|14 (0.1)|179||CP granted Jan 08
WDDN Dayst 23|DC|-|21 (1)|213||CP granted Mar 07
WZDC Telem 25|DC|-|25 (4.6)|116||CP granted Oct 08 for digital flash cut post-transition
WIAV AsiaVis 58|DC|-|44 (0.1)|45||Applied for 10 kW ERP on UHF 43
WAZW rlg 48|Winchester|-|46 (12)|78||CP granted Jan 07
W51CY CW 51|Hagerstown|-|51 (15)|379||Satellite TX for WDCW located east of Hagerstown, not planning to start up in 2009

AbMagFab

06-09-09, 09:41 PM

I think I asked this before, but why is the power so much lower on DC ABC and CBS post transition?

imref

06-09-09, 09:49 PM

Hi all, On DirecTV I see tonight that the Orioles are on MASN (640) in HD, the Nats are on MASN2 in SD (641).

The guide shows 641-1 (MASN2-HD) but it says "To be announced" and there is nothing on it right now. Does anyone know if there are any plans to to show Nats games in HD on 641-1 when the O's are on MASN?

Thanks!

mapper

06-09-09, 09:51 PM

From what I have read on VHF-Hi stations, the power for WJLA and WUSA, and for any other VHF station is lower because VHF is on a lower frequency than UHF, requiring less power to penetrate.

Digital Rules

06-09-09, 10:07 PM

WJLA-DT & WUSA-DT should be receivable around 50-70 miles away with the right antenna & average terrain conditions. (YMMV)

afiggatt

06-09-09, 10:09 PM

I think I asked this before, but why is the power so much lower on DC ABC and CBS post transition?
Low VHF (2-6, 54 to 88 MHz) and upper VHF (7-13, 174 to 216 MHz) require less power than UHF (14-69, 470 to 806 MHz, soon to be limited to 14-51) to provide the same coverage. For analog broadcasts, the maximum allowed power is 100 kW for low VHF, 316 kW for upper VHF, 5000 kW for UHF. For example, WJLA-TV 7 and WUSA-TV 9 are at 316 kW, WHUT-TV 32 is 5000 kW.

For digital ATSC broadcasts, the maximum allowed power (ERP) for Zone 1 (which includes our area) is 10 kW low VHF, 30 kW upper VHF, and 1000 kW UHF. WJLA-DT ABC 7 will be at the maximum ERP allowed for upper VHF.

mdviewer25

06-09-09, 10:10 PM

Could you list the new clear QAM channel numbers between 103 and 122?
My decrepit Samsung SIR-T451 can't scan past 103 without rebooting so I have to enter those manually. Thanks.

104-1 = SD version of ch 71 (PIN) no audio
106-6 = Shop NBC
109-1 through 109-14 = local government/public access channels and TV Guide
110-3 = Gospel Music Channel
110-9 = Oxygen
110-10 = INSP
110-12 = G4

My SIR-T451 does the same thing. I haven't rescanned that one yet. The sad part is that doesn't go past 125 so you don't get any of the music choice channels at 130-1 through 130-50, Fox5 HD at 132-1, CW50 HD at 132-2, My20 HD at 133-1, MPT HD at 133-2, or A&E HD at 134-2.

scootdog

06-09-09, 11:27 PM

W08EE WV PBS Martinsburg 8 - I read somewhere that this station will increase power in August. Not that I really need another PBS station.

Speaking of PBS stations WVPY-DT PBS 42 Front Royal 21 (50) 21 (100) this power increase should help as this station comes and goes for me (usually can get it in the evening and at night, but not in the morning or day). Does anyone else notice that signal strength is better on broadcasts at night? If so, what is the reason for this? Also, Tonight I have noticed a marginal signal boost and they may have possibly already increased power.

WWPB-DT PBS 31 Hagerstown 44 (209) 44 (1000) don't really see the need for such an increase on this station as it is the strongest signal I get here in Southern Franklin County PA. The increase may drive my signal meter out of the TV. I hope this does not interfere with anything. Perhaps the PBS stations have the public funds available to pay for the increase in juice that some of the other stations do not. A good example would be W51CY CW 51 east of Hagerstown not firing up their tower on the mountain.

WJAL-DT ind 68 Hagerstown 16 (6) 39 (105) this increase should also be good as I get a weak signal, but it will not come in and I am 20 miles away.

Digital Rules

06-10-09, 12:05 AM

WWPB-DT PBS 31 Hagerstown 44 (209) 44 (1000) don't really see the need for such an increase on this station as it is the strongest signal I get here in Southern Franklin County PA. The increase may drive my signal meter out of the TV. I hope this does not interfere with anything. Perhaps the PBS stations have the public funds available to pay for the increase in juice that some of the other stations do not. I can only imagine how strong WWPB-DT will be where you are.(Ouch!!) It comes in quite well in Arlington now with a rooftop antenna, and no amp. On the other hand, we don't get any Virginia Public Television digital stations here. Hopefully the Front Royal station will come in after June 12.:)

dewster1977

06-10-09, 01:00 AM

Actually WVPY was a little worse for me tonight lot of break-ups, usually it is solid day and night and TVfool list it as -21 for me. I have noticed that since Yesterday when I had the Winegard 7084 installed with CM 7777 (to replace an VU-160) WRC, WDCA and WUSA come in better and I no longer get WJAL RF39 5 miles away(At +67) when pointed to DC and WJLA 7 RF39 trys to decode

Digital Rules

06-10-09, 06:57 AM

Lots of tropo activity last night, and some this morning, but not as much. This can cause reception issues with normally stable stations.

AbMagFab

06-10-09, 08:01 AM

Did I read that some of the DC locals are testing their new locations and broadcasting digital signals on them? Anyone know if this is still going on?

I'd like to do a rescan to see if my current bowtie will pick up JLA and USA here at ~20 miles from DC (and very high up).

afiggatt

06-10-09, 09:37 AM

W08EE WV PBS Martinsburg 8 - I read somewhere that this station will increase power in August.
W08EE-D is at 300 Watts, the maximum power allowed for VHF low power stations and translator. They can't increase their power and stay as a translator on VHF 8.

Speaking of PBS stations WVPY-DT PBS 42 Front Royal 21 (50) 21 (100) this power increase should help as this station comes and goes for me (usually can get it in the evening and at night, but not in the morning or day). Does anyone else notice that signal strength is better on broadcasts at night? If so, what is the reason for this? Also, Tonight I have noticed a marginal signal boost and they may have possibly already increased power.
TV broadcast signals propagate better at night, same as AM and FM radio.

WWPB-DT PBS 31 Hagerstown 44 (209) 44 (1000) don't really see the need for such an increase on this station as it is the strongest signal I get here in Southern Franklin County PA. The increase may drive my signal meter out of the TV. I hope this does not interfere with anything. Perhaps the PBS stations have the public funds available to pay for the increase in juice that some of the other stations do not.
There may be gaps in reliable WWPB-DT coverage at 209 kW in western MDor along the northern MD border. PBS stations and PBS state organizations have been, in general, strapped for money for years and their situation got much worse last fall with many corporate sponsors drying up. PBS stations made up a large chunk of the stations that shut down their analog broadcast in February and in the 2nd smaller wave on April 16 because they did not have the money to maintain both analog and digital broadcasts.

MPT may be in better financial shape than most state wide PBS organizations. But of their 6 stations, WCPB and WGPT went digital only last December, WFPT 62 in Frederick in April. I suspect the reason to increase WWPB-DT 31 to 1000 kW is because a) they can, b) the electric bills are lower for a 1000 kW digital broadcast are still lower than for the 4070 kW analog, and c) to protect themselves against white space broadband devices while they can.

afiggatt

06-10-09, 09:50 AM

Did I read that some of the DC locals are testing their new locations and broadcasting digital signals on them? Anyone know if this is still going on?
Some of the stations have reportedly done some early flash cut testing, but at 3 or 4 AM in the morning. Would have been nice to learn about these tests in advance so people could check out their reception - well, those who are willing to get up at 3 or 4 AM. But in 2+ days, we are going to find out how well our antenna setups work, one way or the other.

WHAG-TV NBC 25 in Hagerstown is now off the air. Another analog station bites the dust. If anyone lives in view of WHAG's broadcast tower, keep an eye out for a helicopter removing and lifting a new antenna on the tower. Also, this means the interference for low power WZDC-CA Telemundo 25 has gone away. Some people north of DC may now get a noisy WZDC where before they got a noisy WHAG-TV. I don't see any signals for WZDC-CA here in Sterling, but I am outside of their very directional analog coverage area.

scootdog

06-10-09, 01:46 PM

W08EE-D is at 300 Watts, the maximum power allowed for VHF low power stations and translator. They can't increase their power and stay as a translator on VHF 8.

"Both WNPB and WSWP are constructing alternate digital antenna locations which will provide the same digital coverage as the current analog coverage.
These changes should be completed on or before August 18, 2009. Viewers should perform a channel scan after these changes are made."

This is the quote I was referencing. I thought this would apply to W08EE-D. Thanks for the correction.

Skeptic Tank

06-10-09, 03:17 PM

104-1 = SD version of ch 71 (PIN) no audio
106-6 = Shop NBC
109-1 through 109-14 = local government/public access channels and TV Guide
110-3 = Gospel Music Channel
110-9 = Oxygen
110-10 = INSP
110-12 = G4

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm looking forward to getting G4 on my downstairs TV now.

The sad part is that doesn't go past 125 so you don't get any of the music choice channels at 130-1 through 130-50, Fox5 HD at 132-1, CW50 HD at 132-2, My20 HD at 133-1, MPT HD at 133-2, or A&E HD at 134-2.

I know. If I could find a suitable replacement with both VGA output and optical sound (and I weren't such a cheapskate), I'd have replaced it by now with something better.

Gerald C

06-10-09, 09:44 PM

Anyone else getting stronger signals for WMPT-DT 22 on UHF 42?

Yes, I observed the same thing on Mon and Tues evenings, but now it's gone. It could be tropo, but I doubt it, since I've *never* been able to pick up DT42 before where I am in west Alexandria. I suspect they are experimenting with the higher power Tx, which will hopefully become the default operation on Friday.

Digital Rules

06-10-09, 11:36 PM

WMPT-DT should be relatively easy to get already in most of northern VA with the proper outdoor antenna. I installed a small outdoor antenna 50 miles west of Annapolis 2 weeks ago, & was surprised how well it came in.(No pre-amp) The location is in a terrain challenged area just west of Dulles airport.

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dc5347d02d523de

systems2000

06-11-09, 12:39 AM

HURRAY! WUTB-TV and WETA-TV are back. :)

joblo

06-11-09, 12:57 AM

WETA’s web site says it will end analog at noon.

WUSA’s web site says it will end analog and move digital from 34 to 9 at noon.

WTTG’s web site says channel 5 will switch to nightlight service at 12:01 PM.

I expect all the other DC stations that selected morning or afternoon on their FCC forms will also switch at noon or 12:01 PM. This includes 4, 5, 7, 9, 20, 26, 32, and 50.

WJZ’s web site reports it will switch at 12:30 pm. Expect WMAR and WBAL will switch at the same time.

WVPT’s web site reports WVPT and WVPY will cease analog at 11:59:59, but it doesn’t specify AM or PM. Based on the FCC filings previously listed by afiggatt, I assume they mean PM.

Haven't found any info beyond aforementioned FCC filings for WFDC, WUTB, MPT, or ION stations.

aaronwt

06-11-09, 08:20 AM

Yes the noon/12:01PM switch is a pain. Since you won't get your scheduled programs on WUSA and WJLA until you have your receiver do a rescan. My girlfriend records all afternoon shows from them and is going to miss her programming unless she is home to do the rescan.

systems2000

06-11-09, 08:21 AM

I'm going to miss having WMAR-DT on RF52. It's been much more stable than RF38.

I left VM's for WDCW ((202) 965-5050) and WITF ((717) 704-3000) about W51CY and W38AN. Hopefully, I'll hear back from them soon.

The wife was very upset about WBAL-DT last night. She listened to me and setup the VCR to record from 20:00-22:00. Everything looked great before we left the house and even looked fine when we returned at 23:00.

Then she looked at the tape. She found that all she recorded was about three to five minutes of the show and then for the next two hours the tape showed was "Weak Signal." She's still blaming me and not happy about how this bodes for viewing television after Noon tomorrow.

cpldc

06-11-09, 09:33 AM

Bad news for those near Martinsburg who wish to get WDCW-DT after it transitions to 50: "Yes both channel 50 analog and channel 8 digital will continue for the
foreseeable future." That's from the Director of Engineering at WV Public Broadcasting, in reference to W50DE and W08EE-D.

Despite being weaker, W50DE is LOS to many locations in that area. At least in Hagerstown the weaker but closer-in analog signal obliterated that of WDCW. Since its analog operation was 5MW and this was still a problem, I doubt that WDCW boosting its power on DT-50 would help.

systems2000

06-11-09, 10:20 AM

Why would you want those two digital stations to shut-down their transmitters?

Turning W51CY back "ON" would solve WDCW's problem. I don't care if they even bring it back up as analog.

Kelly From KOMO

06-11-09, 10:59 AM

Mounting an amp closer to the antenna is certainly worth a shot. 60' is a decent amount of coax to drive unamplified. I don't know much about how broadcast power will be changing, but given your location more amplification can't hurt.

60' of good quality RG6 coax should be fine. Not to bash Radio Shack too much (they do sell excellent antennas), but their RG6 is horrible. Whomever makes it skimps on the braided shield, thus allowing leakage and multipath issues.

It's usually best to avoid amplification directly out of the antenna for reception of DTV signals. All but a couple of amps on the market today generate noise which can be destructive to reception, along with not being linear across the VHF and UHF bands. A good quality amp can be best used for only making up for splitter losses when feeding multiple locations, again not as a way of "pulling in" DTV signals. Radio Shack amps whereas claiming bandwidth out to 900Mhz., actually fall far short of those specs. RS amps also generate quite a bit of noise. When used for distribution, a commercial quality CATV amp is best.

Speaking of splitters; make sure you use only the number of spigots that you need with any open spigots are terminated with 75 ohm resistors. I recommend using only high quality 2Ghz splitters.

Gerald C

06-11-09, 11:34 AM

WMPT-DT should be relatively easy to get already in most of northern VA with the proper outdoor antenna.
Unfortunately, that's not been my experience. I suspect it is very dependent on your location HAAT. And hopefully, after Fri, all will be improved :)

cpldc

06-11-09, 12:38 PM

Why would you want those two digital stations to shut-down their transmitters?

Turning W51CY back "ON" would solve WDCW's problem. I don't care if they even bring it back up as analog.

W50DE is an analog transmitter. Its replacement is W08EE-D. I only asked the engineer about the analog station.

djp952

06-11-09, 02:30 PM

I'm going to miss having WMAR-DT on RF52. It's been much more stable than RF38.

I hear that, and ... I'm only 10 miles from the tower. WJZ on 38 has been a nightmare for us. I don't think we've even bothered trying to tune it in for 6-8 months. With WJLA moving to 7 and WMAR moving to 38 I think we'll be ABC-less for a while at my house until I sort out how to clean 38 up and get VHF set up again.

The wife was very upset about WBAL-DT last night. She listened to me and setup the VCR to record from 20:00-22:00. Everything looked great before we left the house and even looked fine when we returned at 23:00.

What was wrong with WBAL for you last night? Granted, I'm basically right on top of them here, but we watched WBAL quite a bit last night and this morning and it was fine. Did they reduce power on 59 in prep for tomorrow or something?

wmcbrine

06-11-09, 04:07 PM

WETA appears to be in quasi-nightlight mode -- they're showing "Get Ready for Digital TV" in a loop, on their analog channel only.

systems2000

06-11-09, 04:16 PM

What was wrong with WBAL for you last night? Granted, I'm basically right on top of them here, but we watched WBAL quite a bit last night and this morning and it was fine. Did they reduce power on 59 in prep for tomorrow or something?At 70 miles with 2-edge reception, I believe the atmospheric conditions (storms) caused the station to go away at my location. At least I'll finally be able to receive WHAG-DT tomorrow and not have to worry about it any more.

scootdog

06-11-09, 04:35 PM

systems200 if you would not mind posting your setup I am curious as I think I am fairly close to your location in Franklin County, PA. I was wondering about antenna type, height, motorized, etc. Also, what brand HDTV or converter your using. Thanks.

systems2000

06-11-09, 04:50 PM

Just got off the phone with WITF and they are acquiring bids for equipment on W38AN (Digital). They have the cash and are willing to spend it. W38AN (33 at 5KW) is hopefully going to be on the air by late August. W38AN (38 - WJZ-DT/WMAR-DT interference) will continue to broadcast past tomorrow.

systems2000

06-11-09, 05:08 PM

Someone at WETA just leaned on the FFWD button and ran through about five min of DTV info. :)

I'm getting tired of the "Hype" that these programs are putting out. DTV DOES use analog transmission. DTV IS NOT better for those on the CLIFF.

systems2000

06-11-09, 05:15 PM

Here you go scootdog;

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16470496#post16470496
and
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15830893#post15830893
and
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=15946674#post15946674

afiggatt

06-11-09, 05:20 PM

I hear that, and ... I'm only 10 miles from the tower. WJZ on 38 has been a nightmare for us. I don't think we've even bothered trying to tune it in for 6-8 months. With WJLA moving to 7 and WMAR moving to 38 I think we'll be ABC-less for a while at my house until I sort out how to clean 38 up and get VHF set up again.
For me in Sterling, WJZ-DT 13 on UHF 38 at 1000 kW has been much more reliable and east to get compared to WMAR-DT 2 on UHF 52 at 613 kW and WBAL-DT on UHF 59 at 513 kW. WBAL-DT is the weakest and most prone to dropouts of the 3, in part because it is/(soon to be was) located at the upper end of the UHF range with the poorest propagation. Of course, the UHF antenna used plays a big role in this because of different gain responses over the UHF channels. The UHF antenna comparison chart at http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html shows this.

I suspect that some locations have had a more difficult time getting WJZ-DT on UHF 39 because of adjacent channel interference from WJLA-DT 7 on UHF 39 at 646 kW in DC. That goes away tomorrow when WJLA-DT moves to 7. However, for systems2000 and those located well NW of Baltimore, WJAL-DT 68 near Chambersburg, PA will be increasing to 105 kW on UHF 39 which is not going to help with WMAR-DT 2 reception on 38. The FCC should allow WJAL-DT to either move to DC or have it to relocate to a tower in Hagerstown so it is co-located with the other Hagerstown antennas, if there is a good UHF channel slot left for WJAL-DT to use there.

As for WMPT-DT 22 on 42, I have never gotten the digital station reliably where I am in north Sterling. My antenna is in the attic and WMPT-DT is in a poor direction, basically lengthwise down a row of the top of townhouses. My signal strength on UHF 42 is back to 1-3 bars, so either it was tropo earlier in the week or WMPT-DT was testing increased power in preparation for a permanent increase to 439 kW tomorrow. I get WFPT-DT 62 in Frederick just fine and even now get WMPB-DT 67 in Baltimore much of the time, so getting WMPT-DT is not vital. With WWPB-DT MPT 31 in Hagerstown going to 1000 kW, I might well get that even with the CM 4221 aimed at Baltimore, which could put me in the rather redundant position of getting four MPT stations OTA. :p

systems2000

06-11-09, 06:56 PM

This "Ready For DTV" program really settled in on me yesterday. I was about to change out my center pole, when I thought that peaking my reception would be for naught.

The Mid-Atlantic has so many changes starting tomorrow, that I believe everyone will need to re-evaluate their OTA setup. After all the stations have completed their transition, there will be RF changes, power changes, antenna location changes, triple-beats, AM/CB/FM/HAM/airline interference, co-channel, and adjacent channel issues will be completely new to everyone.

That means no one is ready. :)

joblo

06-11-09, 07:50 PM

The FCC should allow WJAL-DT to either move to DC ARRRGGH! No! We’re finally getting rid of RF 39 and its adjacent channel interference and I definitely don’t want it back!

I assume you mean that they should move to DC on a different channel, yes?

mdviewer25

06-11-09, 08:55 PM

was: MLBHD on 21-2
now: ionHD on 21-1

wonder if this was done to black out the Red Sox/Yankees Game or if Comcast caught a mistake and fixed it.

systems2000

06-11-09, 10:04 PM

ARRRGGH! No! We’re finally getting rid of RF 39 and its adjacent channel interference and I definitely don’t want it back!

I assume you mean that they should move to DC on a different channel, yes?
WJAL-DT (68) RF39 isn't going anywhere at the moment. What they will be doing is increasing their transmitter power to 105KW (currently 34KW).

What will be going away is WJLA-DT (7) RF39 in D.C. (operating at 646KW).

afiggatt

06-11-09, 10:42 PM

ARRRGGH! No! We’re finally getting rid of RF 39 and its adjacent channel interference and I definitely don’t want it back!

I assume you mean that they should move to DC on a different channel, yes?
WJAL 68 filed an petition several years ago (or longer?) to move to Silver Spring and operate on channel 16. The FCC has never acted on it. The reason to move to DC proper is that would give Entravision Communications, who owns WJAL and a number of Univision & Telefutura - including WFDC 14 and WMDO-CA 47 - another full power station in the DC market. They probably would put Telefutura programming on WJAL if it was moved to DC.

As far as I can tell, WWTD-LP 49 is still off the air. The low power station was supposed to provide WJLA 7 programming in analog after the original Feb 17 shutdown date. Anyone know if WJLA is planning to still do that after June 12? If WWTD-LP is totally dependent on WJLA 7 to go on the air, that does not bode well for it. That would open UHF 49 for another DC station.

Digital Rules

06-11-09, 10:47 PM

As far as I can tell, WWTD-LP 49 is still off the air. Correct,

There is presently nothing being broadcast on channel 49 . It's been off the air for a few months.

joblo

06-11-09, 10:54 PM

WUTB-24 crawl says they will cease analog at 11:59 AM.

WMPT-22 has been added to the nightlight list. Through June 26. They also filed an updated termination notice with the FCC to terminate between 12:01 PM and 6 PM, so presumably they will switch to nightlight during that time.

Full revised nightlight list here: http://www.fcc.gov/DA-09-1303A2.pdf

wmcbrine

06-12-09, 01:47 AM

All the station crawls I've seen seem to be saying noon -- or rather 11:59 (the "morning" group), or 12:01 (the "afternoon" group).

I bid a personal farewell to WUTB, the last analog I kept in my regular lineup. Your digital coverage sucks.

Trip in VA

06-12-09, 05:38 AM

WJAL 68 filed an petition several years ago (or longer?) to move to Silver Spring and operate on channel 16. The FCC has never acted on it.

The FCC dismissed it, then WJAL filed a petition for reconsideration. That has yet to be acted upon.

And it dates to before they had elected to move to channel 39, so I don't know that they'd move to 16 in DC.

- Trip

aaronwt

06-12-09, 08:28 AM

Well it's finally here. I've been waiting eight years for it. At least there should be some humorous news stories today about the switch.

systems2000

06-12-09, 09:45 AM

Just over two hours to go for the mayhem to begin. Too bad I don't have a Spectrum Analyzer to record the transition. Would be cool to see all the channels going and coming. :)

joblo

06-12-09, 10:28 AM

CycloneGT

06-12-09, 10:34 AM

Wow, today is the day that all TV becomes HDTV. ;)

Funny how many times we have heard that over the years.

systems2000

06-12-09, 10:47 AM

Not "…HDTV…," DTV.

Not "…all tv…," Low-Power, Class "A," and translator stations will continue to broadcast analog.

As of 10:00, WMAR-TV and WRC-TV are gone from my system (I'm getting a CBS station on RF4). It also looks like WTTG-TV, WBAL-TV, WJZ-TV, & WUTB-TV have reduced power.

Trip in VA

06-12-09, 10:49 AM

Apparently there's a huge e-skip window on low-VHF today. I wish it was on another day when I could see it!

- Trip

gomo657

06-12-09, 10:50 AM

WDCW-50 has made the switch. Not sure exactly what time, but it was at the end of some program produced by NBC/Universal Studios, because that was the frozen screen on Cox Fairfax around 0945 this morning. Cox has now retuned its receiver and service is restored.

DCW through comcast/DC is showing 480i through cable box other channels 720p/1080i. I noticed the past few days local commercials would switch to 480i the switch back afterwards.

joblo

06-12-09, 11:43 AM

WETA’s web site says it will end analog at noon.

WUSA’s web site says it will end analog and move digital from 34 to 9 at noon.

WTTG’s web site says channel 5 will switch to nightlight service at 12:01 PM.

I expect all the other DC stations that selected morning or afternoon on their FCC forms will also switch at noon or 12:01 PM. This includes 4, 5, 7, 9, 20, 26, 32, and 50.

WJZ’s web site reports it will switch at 12:30 pm. Expect WMAR and WBAL will switch at the same time.
WRC-4 onscreen countdown to noon.
WJLA-7 web site says “Mid-Day”.
WDCW-50 already gone.
WMAR-2, WBAL-11, and WJZ-13 crawls all say 12:30.
WUTB-24 crawl says 11:59 AM.

machpost

06-12-09, 11:59 AM

WJLA just made the switch. I'm getting a much better digital signal from 7 than I ever did from 39. Is VHF less susceptible to multipath interference than UHF? That's always been my problem here, as I'm on the lower floor of a tall building, where the only windows face the opposite direction from where most of the DC signals are broadcasting.

ajnabi

06-12-09, 12:03 PM

channel 4, 5, 7, 9, 20, 26, 32 just went down.

Finally I get Mhz channels clearly now... the best part for me has been that my small attenta actually picked up vhf 7 and 9 for which i wasn't sure if it was going to work or not.

joblo

06-12-09, 12:04 PM

20, 26, 32 also gone

systems2000

06-12-09, 12:09 PM

Apparently there's a huge e-skip window on low-VHF today. I wish it was on another day when I could see it!

- Trip
I'm seeing it. :)

systems2000

06-12-09, 12:11 PM

24 is gone.

I'm still getting WMAR-TV, WGAL-TV, WTAJ-TV, WBAL-TV, WJZ-TV, 22, 31, & 67

joblo

06-12-09, 12:21 PM

And now the cool stuff:

With WUTB-24 now gone, WNVC has started transmitting on 24.

RF24:
30-1 MHz1 Worldview
30-2 MHz2 NHK (English)
30-3 MHz3 Metro Chinese Network (Mandarin?)
30-4 MHz4 Russia Today (English)
30-5 MHz5 bvn (Dutch?)

RF30:
30-6 MHz6 SABC (South Africa -English)
30-7 MHz7 France 24 (English)
30-8 MHz8 NTA (Nigeria – English)
30-9 MHz9 VTV4 (no idea –something Asian, maybe Vietnamese?)
30-10 MHz10 Euronews (English)

mdviewer25

06-12-09, 12:25 PM

I'm getting a much stronger signal for 66 on RF 34. WJLA's signal sucks for me. WUSA right now is only at 55-65% and I have two 9-1's and 9-2's. one is blank the other has programming.

joblo

06-12-09, 12:27 PM

13 analog gone

systems2000

06-12-09, 12:40 PM

I turned my antenna towards Altoona (332°) for the Y&R recording (WTAJ-DT is rock solid at 100% Quality) and found that I get KTBS-TV (they'll transition at 18:30 today) and CW Pittsburgh (19).

I don't get WJLA-DT at all and WUSA-DT registers, but isn't strong enough to view. Looks like I've lost ABC. :(

pennstatefan

06-12-09, 12:42 PM

So long old friend... it was nice having WJAL and WUSA while it lasted. As I thought, with the switch to VHF my UHF only antenna does not pick up the stations here in Winchester. Guess I'll take the antenna down tomorrow as I don't see me putting up a VHF/UHF.

leesweet

06-12-09, 12:53 PM

afiggatt

06-12-09, 12:57 PM

Remoteless

06-12-09, 01:02 PM

systems2000

06-12-09, 01:06 PM

I just watched KXAS-TV (100KW Fort Worth) terminate and FOX4 (I didn't catch the call sign) go into "Nightlight" service.

MrMike6by9

06-12-09, 01:10 PM

As of this hour, WMAR (2) is broadcasting a continuing repeat about digital conversation and who to contact for help.

YMMV

easyt

06-12-09, 01:12 PM

Alrighty, I'm one of the goobers that doesn't full understand the technical details of the transition. Anyone willing to help me out?

I'm in 20832, and according to the DC antenna maps, all the networks' antennas are in a pretty little line directly south of me.

So I got this antenna (http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html), which has worked great pre-transition. But, post-transition, I lost ABC & CBS. Do I need a different antenna? Can I add a VHF to this one and combine the signals to my tv?

VARTV

06-12-09, 01:12 PM

I'm picking up KTBS analog channel 3 out of Shreveport, Louisiana.:eek:

I just watched KXAS-TV terminate and FOX4 (I didn't catch the call sign) go into "Nightlight" service.Nothing like that around here...:(

afiggatt

06-12-09, 01:21 PM

So I got this antenna (http://www.antennasdirect.com/DB4_HDTV_antenna.html), which has worked great pre-transition. But, post-transition, I lost ABC & CBS. Do I need a different antenna? Can I add a VHF to this one and combine the signals to my tv?
I think you will have to add a VHF antenna to the 4 bay bowtie if you are no longer getting WJLA-DT ABC 7 and WUSA-DT CBS 9. You can add a separate VHF antenna with an inexpensive VHF/UHF combiner. You could try hooking up simple rabbit ears set to a length of around 31" in place of the 4 bay bowtie, do a scan, and see if it gets WJLA-DT 7 and WUSA-DT 9. If so, then get a combiner and use the rabbit ears. If the rabbit ears don't work, then look at upper VHF antennas or a new upper VHF/UHF antenna.

Digital Rules

06-12-09, 01:22 PM

Well, similar here in South Riding. I thought my UHF CM4221 would get enough of WJLA and WUSA, but on a DirecTV DVR, both are about 30%, and either pixelate horribly or don't lock in.

Now to redo the OTA DVR programming and then see what options I have for a combo antenna (if I want to go that route).I'll be out your way to finish up an antenna install tomorrow. I'm confident the Small Winegard Ghost Killer will work just fine that I put up in Aldie. (Braddock Rd, west side of Gum Springs Road in a low spot) I'll let you know once I do a re-scan. The Winegard 7694P is even smaller and a better choice.

afiggatt

06-12-09, 01:25 PM

I was wrong, WBAL-DT 11 and WJZ-DT 13 in Baltimore are on the air on their new digital channels. With a quick antenna re-aim, my tuner detects them, but can't get a lock. Memo to the FCC and WBAL: 5 kW on VHF 11 is NOT doing the job. This is going an interesting weekend climbing into the attic crawlspace to see if I find a location and aim to get WBAL, WJZ, WNVC 56, WMPT 22, WVPY 42. :D

mdviewer25

06-12-09, 01:28 PM

11 and 13 have to be off the air because I'm not getting anything for 11 and 13 is only at 2-6%. WMAR is much stronger (90%) at 38 than it was at 52. WJLA and WUSA are not as strong as they used to be (40-55%) and I don't think VHF was the right move for those signals.

Digital Rules

06-12-09, 01:31 PM

pennstatefan

06-12-09, 01:37 PM

I'll be out your way to finish up an antenna install tomorrow. I'm confident the Small Winegard Ghost Killer will work just fine that I put up in Aldie. (Braddock Rd, west side of Gum Springs Road in a low spot) I'll let you know once I do a re-scan. The Winegard 7694P is even smaller and a better choice.

I was just looking at that Winegard antenna online and was going to post a link. Do you think something like that would pull in WJLA and WUSA from Winchester? I just don't want to put up some huge monstrosity on the roof.

compuguy1088

06-12-09, 01:43 PM

There are probably some confused OTA viewers out there who are getting Ion informercials when they tune to 9.1 and WMAR ABC 2.1 when they tune to WJZ 13.1. :D WMAR-DT successfully moved to WJZ's RF 38. At the moment, I am not seeing any signals on RF 11 and RF 13 for WBAL-DT and WJZ-DT 13, so they must be off the air.

My channel scan slowed down for RF 24, but could not get a lock on WNVC-DT 56. I would expect a stable signal if WNVC-DT is at the alloted 160 kW on RF 24, so either WNVC-DT is not yet at full power or I will have to adjust the CM 4221 location and aim in the attic. The channel mapping problem with WUTB-DT 24.1 means that I have to hook up the Zenith DTT901 to my main antenna setup to get a signal strength reading.

WJLA-DT 7 and WUSA-DT 9 - 16 miles away - are coming in at a full 10 bars on RF 7 & 9 with a YA-1713 upper VHF antenna. I am not able to get a lock on WMDO-LD 47 on VHF 8, so the 198 Watt signal is not strong enough here. Interference with analog 7 & 9 was not the reason for not getting the low power station here. However, the tropo weather today means that we may have to wait a day or two before coming to final conclusions.

For some reason...I can only get 9 on my media center ATSC tuner, but not 7.....and it has the VHF rabbit ears. I have no clue if it has anything to do with Vista's channel mapping or the antenna I'm using. One of our other tv's apparently has an antenna that now cannot get either 7 or 9 (both vhf).

11 and 13 have to be off the air because I'm not getting anything for 11 and 13 is only at 2-6%. WMAR is much stronger (90%) at 38 than it was at 52. WJLA and WUSA are not as strong as they used to be (40-55%) and I don't think VHF was the right move for those signals.

Agreed, only one of our tv's, can get both channels in the vhf spectrum (7 and 9), while my Vista media center (with tvpack) is not getting 7....either because of a channel mapping issue or my antenna.....

edit: it seems vista's channel mapping is screwed up....its still set for pre digital transition.....

Digital Rules

06-12-09, 01:45 PM

I was just looking at that Winegard antenna online and was going to post a link. Do you think something like that would pull in WJLA and WUSA from Winchester? I just don't want to put up some huge monstrosity on the roof.The Winegrads are the smallest top performing antennas when you need VHF. Go to TV FOOL, and see what channel 7&9 look like at your location. If they show in the yellow zone, you should be OK with a smaller antenna. The red zone will need a larger version of that line.

joblo

06-12-09, 01:49 PM

In Fairfax City with CM3617 VHF-only antenna and 7-9-11-13 high-band mixer to balance signals, I still get 11 and 13, but the signal is definitely weak. It’s still stronger than 24, which sometimes disappears completely, but much weaker than 2, 45, and 54.

If I bypass the filters, I can now lock WMDO-LD on 8, with signal readings similar to 11 with filters in place, but then 11 disappears in the bleed from 7 and 9. Since WMDO is on cable, I'll probably just live without it.

Btw, 11 and 13 have been broadcasting digital since about 1235, and I’ve seen no significant change in signal since that time. I think what we see is what we get, folks.

Digital Rules

06-12-09, 01:58 PM

It’s still stronger than 24, which sometimes disappears completely, but much weaker than 2, 45, and 54.Is 24 any better for you than before? 24 was much better for me when WETA would go off every night @ 2:00AM. I'm not home now, so haven't been able to compare reception.:mad:You guys are lucky to be able to see history in the making.:D

imacdonald

06-12-09, 02:04 PM

I have a CM4221 on the roof, and I am in herndon so I am inching to see if I get the lower vhf channels and if I am going to have to get vhf antenna.

Anyone know if fairfax antenna are doing any specials for people where they installed a UHF only antenna? otherwise I will need to find someone with a long ladder to get on the roof.

systems2000

06-12-09, 02:06 PM

I'm not getting WJLA-DT, WUSA-DT, WBAL-DT, or WJZ-DT. WHAG-DT doesn't seem to be switched yet.

WUTB-DT and WNUV-DT are solid.

ajnabi

06-12-09, 02:06 PM

I am able to pick up channel 7 and 9 but 11 and 13 are totally gone for me here in herndon.

VARTV

06-12-09, 02:07 PM

I'm picking up KTBS analog channel 3 out of Shreveport, Louisiana.:eek:

I just watched KXAS-TV terminate and FOX4 (I didn't catch the call sign) go into "Nightlight" service.Getting radio stations from Kansas! Even RDS info is showing up. A station in Salina, KS is 1250+ miles from Virginia Beach...

wmcbrine

06-12-09, 02:47 PM

7, 9 and 13 are totally gone for me, and 11 nearly so. Of course this is with a Silver Sensor (only intended for UHF), but I was getting all four in analog. :(

Tom Harms

06-12-09, 02:51 PM

Hoping my Winegard UHF CA-9095 antenna would pull in 7 & 9 ~ did not expect 11 & 13 ~ but no luck for any. Since the small VHF Winegard YA-6713 has been discontinued, just ordered the equivalent Antenna Craft Y5-7-13 Highband VHF Yagi (only 60" length), which should at least pull in 7 & 9. The UHF 9095 signal is split in six directions, so I may need a UHF/VHF antenna amp. I'll try without the amp first. My Springfield location (Beltway, Exit 54~ Braddock Rd) is in alignment for both DC & Baltimore stations. Tom

Remoteless

06-12-09, 02:57 PM

Getting 7, 9, 11, and 13 in Rockville

joblo

06-12-09, 03:00 PM

Is 24 any better for you than before? 24 was much better for me when WETA would go off every night @ 2:00AM. I'm not home now, so haven't been able to compare reception.:mad:You guys are lucky to be able to see history in the making.:D
You're thinking of analog 24, I assume? I was using VCs to refer to digital signals. Yes, analog 24 was better when 26 wasn't there, but that's history.

Big problem for me on digital 41 was all the filtering necessary to knock down 39 enough so I could amplify 38 and 40 to distributable levels. Now that 39 is gone, I should be able to rework some of that which should also help 41 and 42. (Without filters and selective amplification, I really can't distribute Baltimore signals at all.)

It seems I also have a signal on digital 29 now, comparable to 11 and 13, but again, I'll have to change the filtering to distribute it, and even if/when I do, I think either or both of 29 and 42 are going to disappear anytime there's even moderate tropo from Philly. Fortunately, MPT is on FiOS, and as of today, also Cox.

Should make for an interesting weekend.

Digital Rules

06-12-09, 03:07 PM

You're thinking of analog 24, I assume?No,

WUTB-DT 24. Their analog signal was excellent here.

pcity

06-12-09, 03:15 PM

7 and 9 weren't working well for me in West Alexandria after the transition. Disappointing, since they used to be perfect when they were on their UHF channels and I thought the little amplifed VHF/UHF antenna I have would still be good. I'll try again tonight.

joblo

06-12-09, 03:26 PM

No,

WUTB-DT 24. Their analog signal was excellent here.
But why would WUTB-DT 24 (RF41) be better when 26 is off the air? In the analog world, I would suspect IF beat, but I didn't think digital tuners had that problem.

In any case, no, 26 had no effect on 41 that I ever discerned, and I wouldn't have expected it to, because the filters knocked 26 way down.

Btw, DT 24 has been pretty much unwatchable here this afternoon, so I'm hopeful this is as bad as it will get for 11 and 13.

leesweet

06-12-09, 03:32 PM

I'll be out your way to finish up an antenna install tomorrow. I'm confident the Small Winegard Ghost Killer will work just fine that I put up in Aldie. (Braddock Rd, west side of Gum Springs Road in a low spot) I'll let you know once I do a re-scan. The Winegard 7694P is even smaller and a better choice.Thanks for the info... I have a call into Fairfax Antenna (who did my UHF), but I bet they are swamped. :)

I would have done this last year, but I did test 7 from this antenna for analog, and it wasn't too bad. One more victim of 'digital is pickier', I guess.

joblo

06-12-09, 03:36 PM

analog 2 is gone

wmcbrine

06-12-09, 03:48 PM

On a positive note, all of the DC locals (both SD and HD) on Fios acted like nothing had happened at all. Presumably none of them are sourced from OTA.

afiggatt

06-12-09, 03:50 PM

analog 2 is gone
WMAR-TV shut down their analog 2 broadcast before 11 AM this morning as far as I could tell.

Can anyone confirm if WHAG-DT NBC 25 is on the air on RF 26? The channel cross mapping conflict is a headache for checking RF signal strength when the tuner is not picking up the station on the scan.

Anyone know if WNVC 56 is at their alloted 160 kW power on RF 24? I am not getting it OTA at the moment. I see the WNVT-DT 30 sub-channels have been moved to 30-6 to 30-10. From their website, they are mapping the WNVC-DT 56 channels to 30-1 to 30-5 which is not following the FCC rules which require stations to stick with their analog channel number. Wonder if the FCC will bother to tell them to stop that.

Digital Rules

06-12-09, 04:16 PM

But why would WUTB-DT 24 (RF41) be better when 26 is off the air?I'm was getting blasted by WDCA & WETA-TV in Bethesda. I always had to turn my antenna about 20 degrees east of Baltimore to make WJZ-TV reliable because of overload.

Digital Rules

06-12-09, 04:18 PM

Can anyone confirm if WHAG-DT NBC 25 is on the air on RF 26? The channel cross mapping conflict is a headache for checking RF signal strength when the tuner is not picking up the station on the scan.Are you receiving WWPB-DT 31 from Clear Spring, MD any better than before?

voltore

06-12-09, 04:21 PM

Pictures from WJLA and WUSA doing their transition.

http://www.dcrtv.com/mailbag.html

bmcent1

06-12-09, 04:27 PM

Hello -
I'm wondering if anyone would be so kind and take a look at this radar plot from a wanna-be HTDV geek (who's currently in training :-)

http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3d663d880e5846fd

I'd like to pickup these major networks: ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS

I'm a little confused about AGL because, while I used a point from my GPS, the terrain falls off pretty quickly here. I wish there was an easy way to put in absolute above sea level in my case.

From what I can read of the plots, I might need to point in two different directions. I'm hell bent against a rotor because I'd like to record using a DVR and I'm not aware of that level of integration between DVR and rotor to automate that. I also vaguely remember issues with trying to combine two antennas causing interference with each other, but I don't remember the details. Money wise, I wouldn't mind buying 2 antennas if that's all it takes to eliminate a rotor.

I'm confused because there seems to be a significant number of "high VHF" in my area, although at some point I thought all HDTV was switching to UHF after the cut over.

Looks like a roof mounted antenna will be needed, but if I try one out in the attic first... is the same grounding necessary in the attic or is that not a concern because it's under a roof?

Thanks!

pamajestic

06-12-09, 04:51 PM

What a mess. 61 miles north of Washington 7 and 9 are gone. The Zenith CECB can see about 20 percent signal, nowhere near enough to lock. Pre transition signal was 75 - 80. 40 miles north of Baltimore and receiving 11 and 13 at about 70 percent with multiple drops on channel 11, pre transition was 100. This is all with a Funke PSP 1922 at 30 feet AGL. Sad, sad Day. I will send emails to all stations in the next few days with details.

I do now have WHAG 25 Hagerstown relatively solid at about 75 percent.

Pre transition I could receive all major stations in both markets very solid with the antennas parked in-between both cities with the exception of FOX Washington due to interference from Harrisburg.

pcity

06-12-09, 05:03 PM

From what I can read of the plots, I might need to point in two different directions. I'm hell bent against a rotor because I'd like to record using a DVR and I'm not aware of that level of integration between DVR and rotor to automate that. I also vaguely remember issues with trying to combine two antennas causing interference with each other, but I don't remember the details. Money wise, I wouldn't mind buying 2 antennas if that's all it takes to eliminate a rotor.

I would think that, at less than 40 miles to the transmitters, a good rooftop VHF/UHF antenna pointed at DC would get you all the major networks.
I doubt a second antenna or rotor would be necessary, so at least try with just one antenna before you buy anything else. All of the DC stations are at the same compass heading.

afiggatt

06-12-09, 05:09 PM

I'm confused because there seems to be a significant number of "high VHF" in my area, although at some point I thought all HDTV was switching to UHF after the cut over.

Looks like a roof mounted antenna will be needed, but if I try one out in the attic first... is the same grounding necessary in the attic or is that not a concern because it's under a roof?
You are at a complicated location with markets in different directions. You might consider a 4 bay bowtie for UHF as the flat plate bowties pick up UHF over a wide spread in azimuth. Then a medium range upper VHF antenna that is not too directional. Lots of different antenna setups to consider. Check the antenna threads in the HDTV Technical forum for advice. Also, read up on the antenna basics and comparisons at http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html.

As for VHF, no, VHF is not being taken away for TV broadcasting. The channels that have been re-assigned are UHF 52 to 69 which are much more useful for portable communications. The post-transition physical broadcast channels are 2 to 51, or more specifically: 2-6 low VHF, 7-13 upper VHF, and 14 to 51 UHF (except for UHF 37 which is reserved for radio astronomy). Because of interference issues, few full power stations have selected to use low VHF, so most markets will have their full power stations on 7-51.

A antenna in the attic does not have to be grounded. Doesn't hurt to do it if you have a ground point nearby, but not necessary. An outdoor antenna should be grounded.