Washington, DC / Baltimore, MD - HDTV [Text View] - Page 42

djp952

08-02-09, 04:07 PM

Not saying we are going to do this, nothing has been decided...

What would you give as feedback/advise on WJLA returning to UHF? I know there is an occupant on channel 39, but it seems there are more issues with high-band V than anyone thought.

Again, I am NOT announcing anything or even saying we are considering it. But as I sit here on a Sunday afternoon, I was pondering possibilities.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

- Robert

I, and many other people, would likely drive downtown and shower you with affection (platonic, of course).

I think it's wonderful news that you guys are even thinking about this, and I would LOVE for it to happen. I miss my RTN :( Still trying to get something reliable for 7 and 9 set up here myself, without a whole lot of luck.

I believe that figuring out a way to get back into UHF would make the most people happy (myself included) and of course give you the coverage you used to have, give or take. But ... is there any possibility that the FCC will allow you test a higher powered VHF signal first? My thought here is twofold. First, a lot of people have already bitten the bullet and gotten a VHF antenna set up. I speculate that you're getting a great deal more coverage than WUSA is, so there might be a lot of people that spent time and money to what amounted to just getting WJLA back again. Moving back to UHF would potentially negate their efforts. Second, if such a test were successful and ended up proving that the VHF power estimates were way low, it would ultimately benefit all of the VHF broadcasters out there and not just WJLA. Of course, if such a test proved that the FCC was right about power levels and interference, all that would be lost is some time and money.

Maybe you could swap frequencies with WJAL and give them VHF 7 :-) "ABC 39 News" sounds good to me!

aaronwt

08-02-09, 06:24 PM

Not saying we are going to do this, nothing has been decided...

What would you give as feedback/advise on WJLA returning to UHF? I know there is an occupant on channel 39, but it seems there are more issues with high-band V than anyone thought.

Again, I am NOT announcing anything or even saying we are considering it. But as I sit here on a Sunday afternoon, I was pondering possibilities.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

- Robert

I know my girlfriend and several members in her family would love it. Especially since they watch several hours of soaps on WJLA every afternoon. Ever since the switch their signal has been unreliable, while on UHF it was rock solid.

For me I was able to adjust my antennas to get it, but WJLA is also unreliable for me too. Although it is fine80% of the time. And WUSA is nonexistent for me. Prior to the switch they were both rock solid.

But even 80% reliability is not good enough. I've had to change all my season passes to the FIOS broadcast of the local digital channels. My girlfriend and several of her family members don't have that luxury since they are sticking with OTA reception only. Altough one of them did switch to DirecTV, but I have not been able to push the others to satellite/cable. I've been trying to convince my girlfriend for almost fifteen years to switch and I thought the digital transition might be the final push I needed to get her to switch, bit no luck. She is sticking with OTA.

The combination of OTA only and a slow internet connection sucks. I'm used to FIOS TV and a 50mbs connection at home. I go to my girlfriends and I have to deal with OTA only and a slow 768kbs connection. If I could at least get her to switch to a FIOS internet connection I would be pleased, but she just won't budge.

OldHud

08-02-09, 06:54 PM

I have no trouble receiving WJLA or WUSA. I had to add an Antennacraft Y10-7-13 antenna just below my UHF, but 7 & 9 are reliable. Stormy weather causes intermittent glitches. I assume its from lightning strikes.

I also have an old Radio Shack VU-120 on a shorter mast, and it has no trouble with 7 or 9 but sometimes it doesn't receive receive WTTG and WRC .

This is deep fringe territory, 55 miles from the DC towers. Just filing my reception report for Robert.

ProjectSHO89

08-02-09, 08:01 PM

If you stay on VHF, you'll probably be unable to compete with the UHF signals for the new mobile stuff that's coming.

jgantert

08-02-09, 10:16 PM

So did anyone lose 4-1 around 8:47 tonight? My TivoHD stopped recording Merlin at the 47 minute mark. Usually this means the signal went dead. It picked back up for The Storm at 9pm, which was strange.

Actually, looks like it went dead at 8:30, but picked back up around 8:43. Oh well. Strange recording. Guess I will have to wait until it is available to watch online. Gotta love digital TV! Good stuff, they really got the bugs worked out! ;)

jgantert

08-02-09, 10:21 PM

What would you give as feedback/advise on WJLA returning to UHF?
I strongly dislike the interference I get from the lightning strikes and VHF. It's very annoying with all the thunderstorms here in the summer. I don't have any issue with UHF. For this reason alone, I would recommend the switch back to UHF. I'm not sure what, if any, affect snow will have on VHF reception in the winter.

I'm in Columbia, so my VHF and UHF signals are strong otherwise.

-John

systems2000

08-02-09, 10:58 PM

I noticed "Everybody Hates Chris" had that audio problem this afternoon again. Is there a problem with the feed to WNUV or is there something wrong at WNUV that has a problem with the show?

As for WJLA, my In-Laws only have a VHF antenna at the moment and get 7, 9, 11, 13, & 60 without any problems. They are located in Mercersburg, PA. If you haven't done so already, have you thought about going to a circular transmission?

dewster1977

08-02-09, 11:54 PM

One of the biggest problems in the DC/Baltimore/Harrisburg area is the allocation of channels, I know pre-transition this was impossible to help, but little though appears to have been given to post transition.

How could channel 36 been assigned to both DC and Harrisburg, and 21 to both Harrisburg and Front Royal. Prior to the transition I got WTTG 36 and WVPY 21 almost all the time now WTTG, WITF, WHP and WVPY are almost impossible to get.

I would have thought for as long as this was being planned and worked out, there would have been a better plan for channel assignments.

Trip in VA

08-03-09, 12:22 AM

WITF changed nothing. They were on 36 then and now. Same for WTTG. I don't understand how anything could have changed.

- Trip

markbulla

08-03-09, 08:57 AM

I noticed "Everybody Hates Chris" had that audio problem this afternoon again. Is there a problem with the feed to WNUV or is there something wrong at WNUV that has a problem with the show?

<snip>

According to the reports I've gotten this morning, there's a problem with the 5.1 audio. When master control switched to the back-up receiver with the stereo audio, it "worked great".

I'll look into it today.
.

tunamike

08-03-09, 10:04 AM

systems2000

08-03-09, 12:20 PM

WTTG was easy to get prior to the transition. It's much harder to acquire now, but that could be because I raised my antenna a few feet.

tunamike

08-03-09, 01:53 PM

you know you have to love this stuff I could barley get 5 nor any of the DC stations prior to the conversion now I get the DC stations 5 included better than the Baltimore ones since conversion

imref

08-03-09, 02:31 PM

Two quick questions:
- Just wanted to confirm that FiOS in NoVa carries MASN, MASN-2, and MASN-HD? I'm in western prince william county.

- Are there any plans for MASN to add a 2nd HD channel so we Nats fans can watch more errors in HD?

Thanks!

Jim Miller

08-03-09, 02:37 PM

Marcus Carr

08-03-09, 03:50 PM

I just got a flier from Comcast offering digital adapters for additional TVs. Not clear what the offer is for. Is this SDV or merely CQAM adapters?

If the latter then most ATSC TVs seem to come QAM equipped.

tnx
jtm

It's for use with analog TVs to continue to receive channels that will no longer be available in analog. It's part of Comcast's bandwidth reclamation (Project Cavalry) in order to add more HD channels and DOCSIS 3.0.

Hopefully the city will get similar fliers soon. (Haven't checked the mail today.)

ota.dt.man

08-03-09, 05:03 PM

Tornado Touches Down in Md.; Tree Crumples Van on I-66 in Rosslyn (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/31/AR2009073104096.html?hpid=sec-metro)
Washington Post - Martin Weil - ‎Jul 31, 2009‎

Twisters Rip Up Property in Frederick County (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/01/AR2009080102492.html?hpid=moreheadlines)
Washington Post - Martin Weil - ‎Aug 2, 2009‎

Severe Weather Sweeps Across Region (http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0709/645526.html)
WJLA - ‎Jul 31, 2009‎

Weather Service Confirms 2 Tornadoes On Friday (http://wjz.com/wireapnewsmd/Weather.service.confirms.2.1111637.html)
WJZ - ‎Aug 2, 2009‎

Strong Storms Move Through Md. (http://www.wbaltv.com/news/20236694/detail.html)
WBAL TV - ‎Jul 31, 2009‎

Historical info:College Park Tornado of September 24, 2001 (http://www.weatherbook.com/collegeparkmain.html), Videos (http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=tornado+la+plata+maryland&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=s0p3SuaIMImiMaPb1bEM&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4#q=tornado+college+park+maryland&hl=en&emb=0)

La Plata Tornado of April 28, 2002 (http://www.weatherbook.com/laplatamain.html), Videos (http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=tornado+la+plata+maryland&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=s0p3SuaIMImiMaPb1bEM&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4#)

Maryland tornadoes by county (http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/lwx/Historic_Events/MDcnty-tornado-events.htm)
NWS Sterling, VA

While we're on the subject of high winds .....
Obviously, no antenna can withstand a direct hit from a tornado. However, is your rooftop antenna as secure as it can be against severe thunderstorms?

How far above the last mast mounting bracket is your antenna?
Are guy wires properly installed if needed for your installation?
Did you use schedule-80 galvanized pipe?

dewster1977

08-03-09, 05:15 PM

WTTG was easy to get prior to the transition. It's much harder to acquire now, but that could be because I raised my antenna a few feet.

Same for me, WTTG was one of my better channels, but since the transition I don't get it, I know WITF was going to increase power from 50kW to 124kW, but I don't know if they have or when they did, but something happened.

systems2000

08-03-09, 06:25 PM

According to the reports I've gotten this morning, there's a problem with the 5.1 audio. When master control switched to the back-up receiver with the stereo audio, it "worked great".

I'll look into it today.
.
Just keeping you honest. ;)
Thanks.

dg28

08-03-09, 07:11 PM

ota.dt.man

08-03-09, 09:08 PM

systems2000

08-03-09, 11:38 PM

…but moving to 14 might work for you.

- Trip
Actually, 49 would be the best (W49DC-D would have to move). 45 is open, but it might have problems with the Baltimore grouping.

20, 22, 23, 31, 32, 40, & 43 could be other options, but LD's may have to move.

Trip in VA

08-03-09, 11:55 PM

49 has spacing problems with WHSV I think. (Seriously.)

If WHSV were to move to a lower channel (and I seriously like that idea), then 49 would be a good option, absolutely.

22 - Spacing problem with WRIC-22.
23 - Spacing problem with WNVC-24.
31 - Spacing problem with WNVT-30.
32 - Spacing problem with WVIR-32.
40 - WNUV?
43 - Spacing problem with WMPT-42.

20 could be made to work, but it's a tight squeeze with WVPY-21 and WBOC-21.

- Trip

dewster1977

08-04-09, 12:11 AM

What is the min. distance between co-channels suppose to be?

Trip in VA

08-04-09, 12:15 AM

122 miles, though it can be closer for existing allotments so long as an interference study proves that less than 0.5% interference will result.

- Trip

dewster1977

08-04-09, 12:32 AM

Looking at the FCC site I don't see many channels that would be possible, although there are many already underspaced. Didn't the FCC use to have an allocation of what channels could be assinged to certain cities, or did they do away with it, when channels starting chosing to stay with their current channel or pick a new one? Wouldn't it have been easier if the FCC had just assigned a station a channel. The mid-atlantic appears to be plaqued with this problem. NY, Philly, DC/Baltimore, Richmond, just a few I have looked at it the different forums.

Trip in VA

08-04-09, 12:36 AM

Dewster:

122 miles, though it can be closer for existing allotments so long as an interference study proves that less than 0.5% interference will result.

Stations can also get interference waivers from stations involved. WWBT got one recently to boost power despite causing something like 4% interference to WVEC.

And yes, there's a lot of short-spacing.

- Trip

mkfs

08-04-09, 02:09 AM

What with the mess that VHF propagation prediction has brought us, I got to wondering....

Both VHF and UHF channels have some minimum geographical separation, +/- factors from interference studies, etc. I've read but forgotten the SOP.

But we have a new potential clash. You could have oh RF 23 and RF 37 nearby, even on the same tower, with no issue.... but suppose both are DTV "Channel 6"? I suspect the average DTV decoder is going to get very confused...There's some provision for cooperative use, al-la "Channel 30" but what happens when Jill AVS'er, halfway inbetween, has a big antenna and gets to choose?

The current "Channel" separation is a historic holdover from NTSC but I wonder if the FCC has set out a hard rule on this issue?

dewster1977

08-04-09, 06:28 AM

systems2000

08-04-09, 07:58 AM

I missed WNUV (40) and WTAJ on 32.

In an overlap area, where the transmissions are marginally close to each other in receive level, you don't get either station. I believe you need a very large difference to drive one or the other station into the S/N ratio for reception.

As for two stations broadcasting the same Virtual Channel Number, that's already happening with 24 (WUTB and WNPB (WV PBS)). The first RF channel gets the first listing, while the second RF channel gets the next and continues (ie. 24-1, 24-1, 24-2, 24-2, 24-3, 24-3, etc).

machpost

08-04-09, 08:08 AM

RCN has just announced that they've selected TiVo as their primary DVR platform: http://investor.rcn.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=400858

According to the press release, RCN is the first cable provider to make the TiVo their standard DVR offering.

markbulla

08-04-09, 10:01 AM

What is going on with WNUV Friday primetime audio? The primary audio track keeps coming and going, when it's there. This is (at least) the second week it's been happening. :(

I found the problem - I may have mentioned that we are involved with a mobile video test right now. The people doing the test brought in a rack of equipment that has a new HD encoder in it, which I provided signals for. When they set it up on Friday 7/24, they set the HD encoder to take the first two channels of audio that are embedded in the video stream, i.e., left and right. That didn't effect us too much during the day, because the 5.1 channel synthesizer leaves a lot of the dialog in the left and right channels, but at prime-time, we switch in the CW satellite feed which has real 5.1 audio, and almost all of the dialog is in the center channel, which we weren't broadcasting. This makes the dialog and some of the music sound really low, while other stereo music and some sound effects sound really loud (since you turned up the TV to hear the dialog).

As far as master control could see, they were sending out 5.1 audio. Unfortunately, the off-air receiver only shows a stereo downmix, so all they could see was that the audio was low, not that there was no center channel or surround audio.

I reconfigured their encoder to use the seperate 5.1 audio, which corrected the problem.

Thanks again for bringing this to my attention.

.

hsweiss

08-04-09, 10:15 AM

Has anyone heard when WUTB or WBAL will be increasing power? I had email from a WUTB engineer saying they would be increasing to 290 KW and there was a WBAL filing with the FCC to experiment with higher power levels. WUTB seems to have gotten a bit better of late (is this because of the extras 90 KW?) but WBAL is still a toss up - sometimes ok and sometimes horrible.

systems2000

08-04-09, 10:53 AM

Mark,

You're awsome!! :)

Marcus Carr

08-04-09, 11:04 AM

mkfs

08-04-09, 11:43 AM

As for two stations broadcasting the same Virtual Channel Number, that's already happening with 24 (WUTB and WNPB (WV PBS)). The first RF channel gets the first listing, while the second RF channel gets the next and continues (ie. 24-1, 24-1, 24-2, 24-2, 24-3, 24-3, etc).

I'd assume that what happens here with VC30 is the one transmitter declares itself as 30-1,2,3,4,5; and the second as 30.6,7,8,9...But that's deliberate cooperation. I was thinking of 2 isolated stations where a viewer could just happen to see both.

But in your case they are interleaved? I can see several problems with that. First the viewer confusion as to which station is which. [Not a major problem on PBS...unless it's beg-a-thon week.]

Secondly, when one goes down, does the viewer then get 24.1,3,5 or does it appear as 1,2,3 until the other station gets back up?

pclement

08-04-09, 12:43 PM

If what you are refering to is having the same RF ch in 2 different directions I have that very problem. My DTT901 dosen't like it to well, WVPY 42 RF21 50kW at 64 miles 211 magnetic and WHP 21 RF21 at 500kW 65 miles 67 magnetic. I have trouble getting either of them .

I have the same issue with channel 5 FOX out of Washington and channel 33 PBS out of Harrisburg, PA. Both are on RF 36. I can never get channel 33 and only ocassionly get 5. I can get other channels from both markets most of the time. I do not have a solution to this problem. It seems the channels simpply cancel each other out.:confused:

systems2000

08-04-09, 03:00 PM

I'd assume that what happens here with VC30 is the one transmitter declares itself as 30-1,2,3,4,5; and the second as 30.6,7,8,9...But that's deliberate cooperation. I was thinking of 2 isolated stations where a viewer could just happen to see both.
That's what is happening in the above case. One is PBS out of WV and the other is MyNetwork out of Baltimore.
But in your case they are interleaved? I can see several problems with that. First the viewer confusion as to which station is which. [Not a major problem on PBS...unless it's beg-a-thon week.]
That is how the CECB's handle the "Virtual Channel" information supplied.
Secondly, when one goes down, does the viewer then get 24.1,3,5 or does it appear as 1,2,3 until the other station gets back up?Nothing changes. The information is retained (just like those viewers on rotors). You end up with alternating channels that are blank. You still have 24-1, 24-1, 24-2, 24-2, 24-3, 24-3.

ota.dt.man

08-04-09, 05:29 PM

It would be great if The FOX Report with Shepard Smith (http://www.foxnews.com/foxreport/) was available to OTA viewers. A 30-minute Fox Report would be serious competition for the three current OTA nightly news programs.

At the very least, The FOX Report should be test marketed in Washington, DC on WTTG.

Perhaps if enough OTA viewers emailed or called and expressed interest in The FOX Report, they might offer it.

WTTG FOX5 (http://www.myfoxdc.com/subindex/about_us/contact_us)
newsmanager@foxnews.com <newsmanager@foxnews.com>
Foxreport@foxnews.com <Foxreport@foxnews.com>
1-888-369-4762

chug0lug

08-04-09, 09:05 PM

So I was trying to help an elderly friend get figured out with the basics (4,5,7 & 9). She had an old antenna that had been up since about 1978 and was only getting the upper VHF channels (7,9). Unfortunately, I know just enough to get into a mess, but not enough to figure everything out. She purchased a Winegard YA 7698p. My father and I put it up tonight and we still only get the upper VHF channels. The only thing we can think of as a potential problem is the old antenna had the old twin flat-lead cable, so we had to use an adapter to connect to the coax connection on the new antenna. Would this be the problem or is there other issues we aren't thinking about? The antenna is on the roof and I'd gues she's about 50 miles from the stations (Remington, VA). Also, there is no amp or booster I'm aware of that's connected. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated as I really don't have a clue. I didn't expect 98 signal strength, but this evening we got absolute 0. Thanks

Trip in VA

08-04-09, 09:11 PM

Twin lead is TERRIBLE for UHF. You might want to swap that out with some RG-6.

- Trip

HDTV Sparky

08-04-09, 09:37 PM

Digital Rules

08-04-09, 10:20 PM

She purchased a Winegard YA 7698p. My father and I put it up tonight and we still only get the upper VHF channels. The only thing we can think of as a potential problem is the old antenna had the old twin flat-lead cable, so we had to use an adapter to connect to the coax connection on the new antenna.Just as Trip stated, I would also suspect the twin lead as the main problem. Replacing the cable with some good RG-6 should improve things dramatically. The 7698 antenna is about as good as it gets. Just going by the generic TV Fool results for Remington shows DC, Charlottesville, & Richmond stations available.

systems2000

08-04-09, 10:52 PM

Possible, the Tv is set to cable instead of 'over the air'
It would get VHF OK, But not any UHF stations!
If they're using a NTSC television and a CECB, it will not matter.

quentenstash

08-04-09, 10:59 PM

While playing around with the converter box tonight, I came across 14-2. First time I've ever come across Univision adding a second channel, so I'm curious to see what it'll be.

systems2000

08-04-09, 11:00 PM

The antenna is on the roof and I'd gues she's about 50 miles from the stations (Remington, VA). Also, there is no amp or booster I'm aware of that's connected. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated as I really don't have a clue.
How high off the roof is the antenna? Are there any trees or tall buildings near?

aaronwt

08-05-09, 12:01 AM

afiggatt

08-05-09, 12:59 AM

There aren't any lower VHF channels in the DC area any more. 7 and 9 are the only VHF channels now. Everything else is UHF isn't it? Are there any lower VHF channels in other cities?
Yes, there are around 40 full power stations broadcasting on VHF low 2-6 in the US. WBRA PBS 15 in Roanoke, VA is on VHF 3 - and is not making for many happy OTA viewers. The most prominent low VHF station in terms of population coverage is WPVI ABC 6 on VHF 6 in Philadelphia which is now cranking at 30 kW which is a lot for digital low VHF.

In the DC area, there is the low power analog WDCN-LP 6 in Arlington, but I don't know if the station is still only broadcasting audio on FM 87.7 or has fired up a video broadcast yet. WMDO-LD Telefutura 47 is on VHF 8 at 198 Watts, but I have never manage to lock to the signal from my attic in Sterling.

afiggatt

08-05-09, 01:25 AM

What would you give as feedback/advise on WJLA returning to UHF? I know there is an occupant on channel 39, but it seems there are more issues with high-band V than anyone thought.
Catching up on posts here...

For the record, I have had little difficulty in getting WJLA 7 at 30 kW at 16 miles since the switch. From the top floor and attic crawlspace, I have been able to lock on to WJLA 7 with a Winegard upper VHF antenna aimed at Baltimore (~50 degrees away from DC direction); in a short test was able to get WJLA 7 and WUSA 9 with a CM 4221 4 Bay bowtie, and even get WJLA 7 with a Silver Sensor antenna. Maybe WJLA could look into increasing power to 45 or 50 kW if the FCC is willing to consider it.

My upper VHF problems have been with the Baltimore stations at 43 miles. Lost WJZ 13 when they switched to the omni-directional antenna at 9.8 kW (was able to lock to it at night sometimes with dropouts). When WJZ 13 got their STA and increased to 27.5 kW, then I could get it just fine. Lost WJZ 13 last week when they switched to the new directional antenna which is putting out around 8 kW in my direction. I can detect WJZ on the signal meter, but can't get a reliable lock. Oh well. Have not been able to get WBAL 11 at the miserable 5 kW with the exception of 1 or 2 brief periods at night since the switch. Figure I should be to get WBAL when they test the 26.6 kW power.

Have to do more experiments with alternate upper VHF antenna locations to see if I can get WJZ 13 back. If I can't, but can get WBAL, that will mean I can get 3 NBC stations OTA (WRC 4, WHAG 25, WBAL 11), but only 1 CBS station, WUSA 9. WJZ is a CBS owned & operated station which means no sub-channels which is a useful option to have for CBS sports events. <sigh>

chug0lug

08-05-09, 08:13 AM

Just as Trip stated, I would also suspect the twin lead as the main problem. Replacing the cable with some good RG-6 should improve things dramatically. The 7698 antenna is about as good as it gets. Just going by the generic TV Fool results for Remington shows DC, Charlottesville, & Richmond stations available.

Thanks for all of the advice. We'll try using RG-6 and see if that makes things better. I'll also check the TV setting to make sure it is correct. I'll post our results once we try the new cable.

fmw63

08-05-09, 09:55 AM

In Landover Hills, and not at the top either :rolleyes: and surrounded by tall trees.
For DC stations west, I'm using an RS VU-190, and for Channel 30, a DB-4 and Join-tenna, (the Join-tenna actually made the ch30 reception worse, which means not there most of the time), so maybe I'll go back to just a combiner. The amp is an Antennacraft 10G212.

Since the VU-190 is a vhf/uhf combo, I get all of the DC stations 10 miles away, and even Baltimore's Ch2 (on RF38), which must be their tower location, because I could get 13 when it was using rf38. Still haven't seen the real Ch38, don't know if they're broadcasting yet.

For Baltimore 30 miles to the north, a GH4, the smallest one here : http://www.jedsoft.org/fun/antennas/dtv/gh.html

This one gets 2, 11, 13, 22 from Annapolis, 45, 54 & 67. 24 is still a no-show. The amp is an HDP269 and inside, more boost with an Eagle Aspen 25db dist amp, but they will be replaced with an 8275.

Not too bad for being surround by trees, maybe I'll post some pics of the trees later...

Catching up on posts here...

For the record, I have had little difficulty in getting WJLA 7 at 30 kW at 16 miles since the switch...
My upper VHF problems have been with the Baltimore stations at 43 miles. Lost WJZ 13 when they switched to the omni-directional antenna at 9.8 kW (was able to lock to it at night sometimes with dropouts).... Oh well. Have not been able to get WBAL 11 at the miserable 5 kW with the exception of 1 or 2 brief periods at night since the switch.

pclement

08-05-09, 01:14 PM

This site is a little slow today so I thought I would post a listing of what I get for OTA since the transition from the Baltimore/Washington/Harrisburg areas.

Excellent = good signal 95% of the time without moving the antennae (Keep at 220°)
Good = good signal 95% of the time after moving antennae.
Fair = good signal 80% of the time
Poor = rarely get a good signal

Off The Air and DirecTV Satellite Local Channels

No. Channel Call Affiliation Description Reception Angle
1 2-1 WMAR ABC HD Excellent 220°
2 2-2 WMAR ABC SD Excellent 220°
3 2-3 WMAR WEATHER HD Excellent 220°
4 3-1 KYW CBS HD Good 45°
5 4-1 WRC NBC HD Excellent 220°
6 4-2 WRC WEATHER SD Excellent 220°
7 4-3 WRC SPORTS SD Excellent 220°
8 5-1 WTTG FOX HD Poor 225°
9 6-1 WPVI ABC HD Good 45°
10 6-2 WPVI ABC HD Good 45°
11 6-3 WPVI WEATHER HD Good 45°
12 7-1 WJLA ABC HD Excellent 220°
13 7-2 WJLA WEATHER HD Excellent 220°
14 7-3 WJLA RTV SD Excellent 220°
15 8 HR WGAL NBC SD D*-SAT N/A
16 8-1 WGAL NBC HD Excellent 220°
17 8-2 WGAL THIS SD Excellent 220°
18 9-1 WUSA CBS HD Excellent 220°
19 9-2 WUSA WEATHER HD Excellent 220°
20 11-1 WBAL NBC HD Excellent 220°
21 11-2 WBAL WEATHER HD Excellent 220°
22 12-1 WHYY PBS HD Good 45°
23 12-2 WHYY Y-ART SD Good 45°
24 12-3 WHYY Y-INFO SD Good 45°
25 13-1 WJZ CBS HD Excellent 220°
26 14-1 WFDC UNI SPANISH Good 220°
27 15-1 WLYH CW HD Excellent 220°
28 17-1 WPHL MYNET HD Good 45°
29 17-2 WPHL THIS SD Good 45°
30 20-1 WDCA MYNET HD Good 220°
31 21 HR WHPD CBS SD D*-SAT N/A
32 21-1 WHPD CBS HD Excellent 220°
33 21-2 WHPD MYNET SD Excellent 220°
34 22-1 WMPT PBS HD Excellent 220°
35 22-2 WMPT PBS SD Excellent 220°
36 22-3 WMPT VME SD Excellent 220°
37 24-1 WUTB MYNET HD Excellent 220°
38 25-1 IND SD Good 45°
39 26-1 WETA PBS HD Good 220°
40 26-2 WETA CREATE SD Good 220°
41 26-3 WMPT FAMILY SD Good 220°
42 26-4 WMPT TV26 SD Good 220°
43 27 HR WHTM ABC SD D*-SAT N/A
44 27-1 WHTM ABC HD Good 270°
45 27-2 WHTM MYNET SD Good 270°
46 30.1 WNVC WORLDVIEWSD Poor 272°
47 30.2 WNVC NHK WORLDSD - JAPANESE Poor 272°
48 30.3 WNVC MCN SD - CHINESE Poor 272°
49 30.4 WNVC RTV SD - RUSSIA Poor 272°
50 30.5 WNVC BVN DUTCHSD - AL JAZEERA Poor 272°
51 30.6 WNVC SABC SD - SOUTH AFR Poor 272°
52 30.7 WNVC FRANCE 24SD Poor 272°
53 30.8 WNVC NTA SD - NIGERIA TV Poor 272°
54 30.9 WNVC VTV4 SD - VIETAMESE Poor 272°
55 30.10 WNVC EURONEWSSD Poor 272°
56 32-1 WHUT PBS SD Good 220°
57 33 HR WITF PBS SD D*-SAT N/A
58 33-1 WITF PBS None
59 43 HR WPMT FOX SD D*-SAT N/A
60 43-1 WPMT FOX HD Excellent 220°
61 45-1 WBFF FOX HD Excellent 220°
62 45-2 WBFF THIS SD Excellent 220°
63 49-1 WGCB CHRISTIANSD Excellent 220°
64 49-2 WGCB MY FAMILYSD Excellent 220°
65 50-1 WDCW CW HD Excellent 220°
66 50-2 WDCW THIS SD Excellent 220°
67 54-1 WNUV CW HD Excellent 220°
68 54-2 WNUV THIS SD Excellent 220°
69 66-1 WMPB ION SD Excellent 220°
70 66-2 WMPB QUBO SD Excellent 220°
71 66-3 WMPB ION W SD Excellent 220°
72 66-4 WMPB WORSHIP SD Excellent 220°
73 67-1 WMPB PBS HD Excellent 220°
74 67-2 WMPB PBS SD Excellent 220°
75 67-3 WMPB VME SD Excellent 220°

Antennae: Radio Shack RS VU-90
Pre-Amplifier: Channel Master CM 7777
Signal Booster Distributer: Channel Master CM 3044 -4 Outlets

Marcus Carr

08-05-09, 01:46 PM

Comcast expands county digital service

Company providing free converters to most basic cable customers

By MARC SHAPIRO Staff Writer

Published 08/05/09

Comcast will upgrade its cable service in Anne Arundel County and Annapolis this fall, giving a free digital converter to almost all its remaining basic cable subscribers.

Advertisement In a nationwide program, Comcast will give converters and digital-cable boxes to thousands of residential and business subscribers to free up space on its network for faster Internet, more high-definition channels and more video on demand.

"It's going to benefit all of our customers," said Scott Allison, senior vice president of regional operations. "By going digital, we'll be able to compress the digital signal to free up more space."

The World of More program will target Comcast's remaining analog customers over the next two years. Company officials declined to say how many county subscribers will be offered the scanner, but estimated it at about 15 percent nationwide.

Subscribers to the expanded basic service in the county and Annapolis can ask for the converters immediately. Starting next month, the conversion will mean some changes in the channel lineups.

Limited basic customers, which Allison described as a small number, will not get the upgrade.

Comcast said the change will allow it to make more efficient use of its countywide fiber-optic infrastructure. One analog channel takes up the same amount of space as 10 digital or three HD channels, Allison said.

"The customers want more choice, more services, and they want it when they want it," he said. "Down the road, we could have infinite amounts of on demand."

Comcast will ship one digital set-top box and two converters with do-it-yourself instructions on request. Customers also can pick up the boxes at customer-service centers in Millersville and Annapolis.

For an $18 fee, Comcast will send a technician to install the box and converters.

"It's so easy to do this," Allison said. "These DTAs (digital-to-analog converters) are very fast. It happens in minutes."

Channels with start to switch on or about Sept. 28, when the first 24 channels will go digital. Another 23 will switch around Oct. 28, and 38 new high-definition channels will launch Oct. 10, officials said.

John Lyons, county cable administrator, said most cable companies are making an effort to go digital.

"It's part of the transition with the whole cable industry to make space for the HD channels, which everybody wants," he said. "They just have to go to a more efficient way of sending the cable channels."

There also is an element of competition. Verizon offers all-digital television and Internet services through its FiOS network.

Comcast, however, remains the county's largest cable company. It has more of the county's 151,921 cable subscribers than either FiOS or Broadstripe, according to Lyons' office.

And while company officials said the changeover won't be tied to a rate hike, it follows a 6.4 percent increase in November, according to TV4US, a nonprofit organization that tracks cable-consumer issues.

Lyons said he expects some customers to be frustrated by having to deal with new technology and changes in the way their TVs work.

Unlike Comcast, Broadstripe still promotes its analog service.

"There's a lot of folks out there that are cost-conscious consumers and they're just looking for a lower-cost alternative," said John Bjorn, general manager for Broadstripe's mid-Atlantic region. "Probably about 30 percent of our subscribers are analog."

However, he expects all customers to change over to digital eventually.

"Even they are going to transition eventually because everybody wants to see more things, people want to see the high definition," Lyons said.

Yesterday, the company announced a new pricing program called Broadstripe Forever, which locks in rates for life for good customers who sign up for voice, TV and video.

The company began offering the lifetime price guarantee Monday to new and existing residential customers for about $130 for video, high-speed Internet and phone service. It will be available for a limited time only, according to a release.

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/bus/2009/08/05-44/Comcast-expands-county-digital-service.html

Digital Rules

08-05-09, 01:54 PM

This site is a little slow today so I thought I would post a listing of what I get for OTA since the transition from the Baltimore/Washington/Harrisburg area.
What area do you live?

systems2000

08-05-09, 03:34 PM

I don't care about HD. If I wanted HD, I'd go outside and see it in Super HD (my own eyes). Using words like "everybody" needs to be stricken from politics and media.

URFloorMatt

08-05-09, 03:41 PM

When did WRC start broadcasting Dr. Phil in HD? Just happened to flip past and noticed it was HD today.

pclement

08-05-09, 04:44 PM

Southern York County, PA.

tunamike

08-05-09, 05:03 PM

There aren't any lower VHF channels in the DC area any more. 7 and 9 are the only VHF channels now. Everything else is UHF isn't it? Are there any lower VHF channels in other cities?

for ::::chugolug

have to agree are you sure you are trying to get virtual channels 2 4 and 5 by using there rf UHF frequencies

Knicks_Fan

08-06-09, 08:55 AM

When did WRC start broadcasting Dr. Phil in HD? Just happened to flip past and noticed it was HD today.
They told me it wouldn't be until fall, unless someone screwed up and used the "HD equipment" improperly! Was "Ellen" in HD?

machpost

08-06-09, 08:57 AM

They told me it wouldn't be until fall, unless someone screwed up and used the "HD equipment" improperly! Was "Ellen" in HD?

It was.

chug0lug

08-06-09, 12:54 PM

Thanks for all of the advice. We'll try using RG-6 and see if that makes things better. I'll also check the TV setting to make sure it is correct. I'll post our results once we try the new cable.

Well, we tried the new cable and things got better, though we never were able to pick up nbc (4.1). We only got a marginal signal using the existing mounting hardware and location, so we tried just taking on the higher part of the roof and things go much better. Then she decided she didn't want the antenna there 'cause it would be ugly and since she basically doesn't watch TV much at all, she said it wasnt' worth the trouble. So after all of that, she just had the old VHF only antenna put back up.

As far as the whole VHF/UHF thing, I realize only upper VHF frequencies are being used, so when I orginally posted trying to get 4, 5, 7 & 9 I was talking about the actual channel I tune the TV to. I know "4.1 and 5.1" are actually some UHF frequency, but I don't follow this stuff enough to know what they are. Guess I should have said NBC and Fox. Thanks for all of the help and suggestions, now we just gotta see if we can return the antenna

GregAnnapolis

08-06-09, 06:16 PM

Well, we tried the new cable and things got better, though we never were able to pick up nbc (4.1). We only got a marginal signal using the existing mounting hardware and location, so we tried just taking on the higher part of the roof and things go much better. Then she decided she didn't want the antenna there 'cause it would be ugly and since she basically doesn't watch TV much at all, she said it wasnt' worth the trouble. So after all of that, she just had the old VHF only antenna put back up.

As far as the whole VHF/UHF thing, I realize only upper VHF frequencies are being used, so when I orginally posted trying to get 4, 5, 7 & 9 I was talking about the actual channel I tune the TV to. I know "4.1 and 5.1" are actually some UHF frequency, but I don't follow this stuff enough to know what they are. Guess I should have said NBC and Fox. Thanks for all of the help and suggestions, now we just gotta see if we can return the antenna
Check your address on TVfool.com. It will generate a table for you that lists what channels you ought to be able to get. Additionally, it will list the "Real" and "Virt" channels. The "Virt" channels are what you know them by -- like 4, 5, 7, 9. The "Real" channels will tell you whether a specific channel is VHF/UHF. For example, 4.1 is 48, 5.1 is 36, 7.1 is 7, and 9.1 is 9. (There's no way to know this without looking it up, basically.)

I hope I'm not giving you old news -- my apologies, if I am.

kobra860

08-06-09, 09:01 PM

When is Comcast getting Spike in HD?

djp952

08-06-09, 11:57 PM

Check your address on TVfool.com. It will generate a table for you that lists what channels you ought to be able to get. Additionally, it will list the "Real" and "Virt" channels. The "Virt" channels are what you know them by -- like 4, 5, 7, 9. The "Real" channels will tell you whether a specific channel is VHF/UHF. For example, 4.1 is 48, 5.1 is 36, 7.1 is 7, and 9.1 is 9. (There's no way to know this without looking it up, basically.)

I hope I'm not giving you old news -- my apologies, if I am.

The very first post of this thread also has pretty comprehensive information like this :)

AntAltMike

08-07-09, 10:23 AM

Yesterday, between 4:30 and 5:00 PM, a CECB box I was stepping through tuned to a local 15.3, which appeared to be a Spanish weather subchannel. This box locates Univision on 14.1 and shows a blank screen on 14.2. The 15.3 was gone within minutes, and never got entered into the box channel momory. Anyone know anything about it?

sgtjim

08-08-09, 11:36 PM

Title says it all.

jgantert

08-09-09, 08:13 PM

NBC NFL game not in HD on 4-1 or 11-1. What gives?

sgtjim

08-09-09, 08:41 PM

Glorious HD in So. Md Comcast country on 4.1

Deezul

08-09-09, 10:06 PM

NBC NFL game not in HD on 4-1 or 11-1. What gives?

In HD on D* on 4.

URFloorMatt

08-10-09, 05:14 AM

For the record, I tuned in this morning and Early Today was in HD on WRC. With this, Dr. Phil, and Ellen now in HD, WRC has recently added 2.5 hours of fresh HD every weekday. Just think how much they'd have if they could get their local newscasts in HD.

jgantert

08-10-09, 07:43 AM

In HD on D* on 4.

So how could it be in SD on OTA, but HD on D*? :confused:

OTA had the commercials in HD but the game was 4:3. 11-1 had the thunderstorm warning weatherbug, so maybe they had to be in SD. 4-1 didn't so they should had been in HD.

systems2000

08-10-09, 10:22 AM

The pre-season game was 1080i and 16:9 on WHAG-DT.

Did anyone else notice WHAG-Dt go off the air for a period over the weekend? WWPX-DT has been off the air since about 9:40 (or was it 10:40) last night. Did they loose a transmitter or receiver?

I wasn't too happy about it happening during "Blazing Saddles." Did anyone else pickup on iON "Blanking" of the word "Nigger," but allowing the word "Chink" to be broadcast. For Pete Sake, it's a Mel Brooks film. Of course it's going to be full of pre-Political Correctness "Stereo-Types." :rolleyes:

They cut the film also, because the part of the scene where Hedley starts to chock on the hard candy he is sucking on is missing.

machpost

08-10-09, 10:44 AM

So how could it be in SD on OTA, but HD on D*? :confused:

OTA had the commercials in HD but the game was 4:3. 11-1 had the thunderstorm warning weatherbug, so maybe they had to be in SD. 4-1 didn't so they should had been in HD.

That's strange, it was in HD on RCN.

SJKurtzke

08-10-09, 10:53 AM

Knicks_Fan

08-10-09, 11:01 AM

I have a feeling NBC will be a national cable network before WRC has their newscasts in HD
Are they the last NBC O&O not to go HD for their local news.

As for "Blazing Saddles" - I'll watch it on DVD. I can't stand all the screen crap on ION - "Positively Entertaining"

Dave Loudin

08-10-09, 02:14 PM

NBC NFL game not in HD on 4-1 or 11-1. What gives?

The beginning of the game was in HD with 5.1 audio OTA on 4-1.

URFloorMatt

08-10-09, 03:44 PM

Are they the last NBC O&O not to go HD for their local news.

No, the NBC affiliate in San Diego is an O&O and not yet in HD either.

Marcus Carr

08-10-09, 04:04 PM

Monday, August 10, 2009, 2:07pm EDT | Modified: Monday, August 10, 2009, 2:24pm

Washington Redskins expand media partnership with Comcast

Washington Business Journal - by Tierney Plumb Staff Reporter

Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has signed a new multi-year deal to be the exclusive local high-definition (HD) provider for Washington Redskins preseason games.

The Bethesda-based network will air the first, second and fourth preseason games in HD, while NBC-4 will cover those games in standard-definition.

“This is huge because sports fans flock to HD, and it’s driven growth,” said Tim Fitzpatrick, spokesman for Comcast.

The Redskins’ preseason opener pits the team against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 13.

The deal also includes a one-on-one interview with Redskins Coach Jim Zorn on Mondays, as well as exclusive interviews with other members of the coaching staff.

Comcast SportsNet will continue to air its pre and post game shows, Redskins Kickoff and Redskins Postgame Live.

On-air personalities for the 2009 NFL season include Chick Hernandez, Kelli Johnson, Trevor Matich, Brian Mitchell, Antonio Freeman, Doc Walker, and Doug Gansler.

Comcast SportsNet will keep broadcasting live from its set at FedExField for every home game.

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/08/10/daily13.html

machpost

08-10-09, 04:27 PM

Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has signed a new multi-year deal to be the exclusive local high-definition (HD) provider for Washington Redskins preseason games.

The Bethesda-based network will air the first, second and fourth preseason games in HD, while NBC-4 will cover those games in standard-definition.

Is WRC carrying the games in SD because CSN wants to claim HD exclusivity for the broadcasts, or are the games exclusively in HD on CSN because WRC is incapable or unwilling to broadcast them in HD due to some technical incapability? It wouldn't surprise me if it were the latter. I can't remember who broadcast the preseason games over-the-air last season, (was it WUSA?) but I'm almost certain they were in HD.

Marcus Carr

08-10-09, 04:47 PM

They were in HD on WUSA.

URFloorMatt

08-10-09, 05:23 PM

I believe all preseason games will be in HD this year. WRC may actually be the only local broadcaster not carrying preseason games in HD. Deplorable. And to think, they led the way with color broadcasting and were one of the test broadcasters for HDTV. How far they've fallen.

I'm glad FiOS has CSN-MA HD, even though I will probably watch very little preseason football.

jgantert

08-10-09, 05:27 PM

They were in HD on WUSA.

So was my Dynex TV somehow converting the 4-1 signal to SD just for the football game, but back to HD for the commercials? I call BS on that one. 4-1 isn't WUSA, that's 9-1, right? The game was on 4-1 last night for sure, and was in 4:3 for atleast the first quarter (as far as I made it).

Maybe since it was a retro-themed game, they decided to forgo HD as well to complete the retro look and feel? :rolleyes:

jgantert

08-10-09, 05:28 PM

WRC may actually be the only local broadcaster not carrying preseason games in HD.
I'm not sure about that. Last year it was the Skins and the Colts in the pre-season opener on NBC, and that game was in HD. I think someone over at NBC just F'd up, or maybe some storms passed thru earlier in the day and knocked out their equipment.

GregAnnapolis

08-10-09, 08:10 PM

So was my Dynex TV somehow converting the 4-1 signal to SD just for the football game, but back to HD for the commercials? I call BS on that one. 4-1 isn't WUSA, that's 9-1, right? The game was on 4-1 last night for sure, and was in 4:3 for atleast the first quarter (as far as I made it).

Maybe since it was a retro-themed game, they decided to forgo HD as well to complete the retro look and feel? :rolleyes:
You and Marcus are talking about two different things, I think?

But the game was in HD last night on WRC 4-1, over-the-air. I did not look at WBAL 11-1, but I can tell you that I received HD OTA on 4-1 both during the game and during commercials. I'm curious what happened that led you to believe otherwise -- and I'm not doubting you, so don't take this as a slam. :)

jgantert

08-10-09, 09:08 PM

But the game was in HD last night on WRC 4-1, over-the-air. I did not look at WBAL 11-1, but I can tell you that I received HD OTA on 4-1 both during the game and during commercials. I'm curious what happened that led you to believe otherwise -- and I'm not doubting you, so don't take this as a slam. :)

Strange, maybe it was my TV then. But the game was in 4:3 with black bars on the left and right. Then when the commercials came on, it was full screen 16:9 (well, for the commercials in HD). The game was never in 16:9. 4-1 was in DD 5.1, tho.

Same behavior on 11-1, but they had the thunderstorm weatherbug going. I think that requires SD.

Anyone with a Samsung OTA TV watch the game? I have a Dynex, but its just a rebadged Samsung.

Just checked my TV, I did have it set to AUTO. So maybe they incorrectly had the resolution flag set to 4:3, and my TV was resizing the picture to 4:3. I'll set it to WIDE (16:9) to make sure it doesn't do this again.

URFloorMatt

08-10-09, 11:10 PM

I'm not sure about that. Last year it was the Skins and the Colts in the pre-season opener on NBC, and that game was in HD. I think someone over at NBC just F'd up, or maybe some storms passed thru earlier in the day and knocked out their equipment.

I just saw the NFL Network ad. This year, all 65 preseason games will be in HD. The NFL Network will be reairing them all this month in the run up to the new season.

WRC might not be the only affiliate not offering preseason games in HD, but they are certainly the largest and they are in a very, very small (and deplorable) class of stations that will not be bringing preseason games in HD.

sat_uplinker

08-10-09, 11:52 PM

Am I the only one not getting audio on WUSA? Its totally silent for me. WJLA and everything else is fine. Maybe I need to reboot my receiver, but its strange that's the only channel I'm not getting audio on.

Marcus Carr

08-11-09, 03:22 AM

So was my Dynex TV somehow converting the 4-1 signal to SD just for the football game, but back to HD for the commercials? I call BS on that one.

I call not paying attention.:rolleyes: I was talking about last year.

howie14

08-11-09, 10:08 AM

The lede in the WBJ article tells the story:

"Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has signed a new multi-year deal to be the exclusive local high-definition (HD) provider for Washington Redskins preseason games."

CSN paid the Redskins for the rights to be the only HD outlet for their locally produced preseason games. WRC cannot contractually use the HD feed for its simulcast.

Any Redskins preseason game broadcast nationally would be exempted.

jgantert

08-11-09, 05:36 PM

I call not paying attention.:rolleyes: I was talking about last year.
Gotcha. :) So was it really in HD on 4-1 this year, or was my TV just playing tricks on me?

Trip in VA

08-12-09, 12:27 AM

WETA, apparently tired of waiting for action on their petition for channel 51, has now asked for a fill-in translator on channel 31 in Dickerson, MD.

- Trip

Big J

08-12-09, 09:21 AM

Are they the last NBC O&O not to go HD for their local news.

What IS their excuse anyway? Are they just too cheap?
J

systems2000

08-12-09, 09:47 AM

WETA is a D.C. PBS station. How do they get to place a transmitter in MD that doesn't even reach D.C.? That's no different than MPT putting a transmitter in Harrisburg. :confused:

machpost

08-12-09, 12:12 PM

What IS their excuse anyway? Are they just too cheap?
J

I'd love to hear the official answer to this question. From what I gather, it's a combination of things. It's been rumored that NBC has been going back and forth on whether or not to sell the station for quite a while now, which would certainly affect the decision to invest millions in upgrading to HD. But since they've recently upgraded the NBC News Washington studios which are housed in the same facility, I would think they've decided to hang on to the station. I've also heard that some asbestos issues were discovered during recent renovations there. And last but not least, NBC is indeed cheap, and they seem to have bizarre priorities on how they invest in their properties.

Dave Loudin

08-12-09, 12:15 PM

Snarky response: RF doesn't know about political boundaries. Besides, their studios are in Virginia.

Real response: WETA has a licensed coverage area and can take steps to solve reception problems within that coverage area.

Big J

08-12-09, 12:34 PM

I'd love to hear the official answer to this question. From what I gather, it's a combination of things. It's been rumored that NBC has been going back and forth on whether or not to sell the station for quite a while now, which would certainly affect the decision to invest millions in upgrading to HD. But since they've recently upgraded the NBC News Washington studios which are housed in the same facility, I would think they've decided to hang on to the station. I've also heard that some asbestos issues were discovered during recent renovations there. And last but not least, NBC is indeed cheap, and they seem to have bizarre priorities on how they invest in their properties.
Considering the fact that they keep bragging about being the #1 local news, you would think they had a little more pride in it. Things won't stay that way. They are going to start losing views rapidly, if they haven't already. I'm watching them less and less as time goes on.
J

machpost

08-12-09, 12:54 PM

Considering the fact that they keep bragging about being the #1 local news, you would think they had a little more pride in it. Things won't stay that way. They are going to start losing views rapidly, if they haven't already. I'm watching them less and less as time goes on.
J

As the other local news outlets started going HD, I would switch to watching them for a while, but I've found myself going back to NBC4 time after time. They must be confident enough in their ratings that they don't view every other local English-language news broadcast going HD as a threat to their dominance.

AntAltMike

08-12-09, 01:40 PM

WETA is a D.C. PBS station. How do they get to place a transmitter in MD that doesn't even reach D.C.? That's no different than MPT putting a transmitter in Harrisburg. :confused:

Until June 12, 2009, WETA's analog transmitter was on River Road in Bethesda, Maryland, sharing the candelabra tower there with analog WDCA-20 and WHUT-32.

WETA is owned by some tri-state consortium about which I know little else.

What I would like to know is, how is it that Virginia Public Television doesn't have a station with broadcast coverage of about half a million people in what is commonly called "Northern Virginia". Next week, I am going to try to receive and process the Virginia Public Television signal from Front Royal for a seventeen story building just inside the beltway in Mclean, but based on the TV fool analysis, it will be tough even with a high gain antenna and bandpass filters.

Big J

08-12-09, 01:42 PM

As the other local news outlets started going HD, I would switch to watching them for a while, but I've found myself going back to NBC4 time after time. They must be confident enough in their ratings that they don't view every other local English-language news broadcast going HD as a threat to their dominance.
Yea, I like Wendy Reiger, but I go to WUSA for the 6:00 news.
J

Kelly From KOMO

08-12-09, 01:50 PM

Granted this is a technical discussion board and all; but I have to say for a media market the size of DC, the local newscasts are pretty bad. I've seen a lot of local newscasts around the country, some small market local news I've seen rivals or surpasses the overall quality and execution of the local DC stations.

NBC-4 stands as an example of a station mailing-it-in everyday with their news. Recent examples which make my point occurred last week. Two days in a row, Barbara Harrison (morning anchor) didn't clip on her mics and did the entire 7:56AM news hit sounding like she was on the other end of a tunnel. Two days in a row! How can a veteran anchor forget to clip on her mics? Maybe she needs to cut the length of her smoke breaks down and arrive on set sooner. Clearly a total lack of caring about the quality of the product.

Their automation is obviously using "timed event triggers" and frequently cuts off the tail of network programming when transitioning to a local break or news hit. Especially during live network programming breaks float by a few seconds, so you simply can't expect to run on time triggers. The breaks need to be triggered manually. The net result on NBC 4 is a really clunky presentation.

If I were the general manager of a major station like NBC-4 with all the frequent and sometimes hourly miscues, I'd be ashamed. And don't get me started on their anchors acting seemingly half asleep during their newscasts.

Okay rant over..

Knicks_Fan

08-12-09, 02:16 PM

Dave Loudin

08-12-09, 02:19 PM

what i would like to know is, how is it that virginia public television doesn't have a station with broadcast coverage of about half a million people in what is commonly called "northern virginia". Next week, i am going to try to receive and process the virginia public television signal from front royal for a seventeen story building just inside the beltway in mclean, but based on the tv fool analysis, it will be tough even with a high gain antenna and bandpass filters.

wnvc/wnvt.

andgarden

08-12-09, 02:23 PM

Just curious, AntAltMike, when you do OTA for a building, do you crossencode to QAM, or is the equipment still to expensive for that.

Digital Rules

08-12-09, 02:23 PM

I am going to try to receive and process the Virginia Public Television signal from Front Royal for a seventeen story building just inside the beltway in Mclean, but based on the TV fool analysis, it will be tough even with a high gain antenna and bandpass filters.Thanks Mike,
Let us know what you come up with. Even with an excellent view of areas west, I don't even get a whiff of RF21 from that direction. WBOC is too much of a deal breaker for me from the east also. I would imagine WBOC would be even stronger at 17 stories up.

AntAltMike

08-12-09, 02:37 PM

Just curious, AntAltMike, when you do OTA for a building, do you crossencode to QAM, or is the equipment still to expensive for that.

I haven't yet done QAM conversion, but I have done some heterodyne frequency shifting to avoid ingress interference and to distribute the signals more efficiently at lower frequencies.

I pay a little over $700 per channel for heterodyne frequency converters. If I used Blonder Tongue QAM transcoders, my total per channel processing cost, when one allocates a share of the cost of a rack frame, a power supply and harness, might be around $1,200 per channel. But the main reason I don't ever transcode in multiple dwelling units it that most of the antenna system users are old people who are very low end, technically, and most of them use CECBs that will not process QAM.

As far as hotels are concerned, almost any doing a digital upgade use LG TVs which are "smart" enough to correctly decode 8VSB signals even if they find them on "cable" frequency channels. What I don't yet know is, if I use Pro:Idiom for DirecTV QAM channels, if the LG TV will still be able to simultaneously process 8VSB either on UHF channels or on cable channels.

AntAltMike

08-12-09, 02:42 PM

...Let us know what you come up with....

I'll let you know what I did, but you won't be able to replicate it. I will be putting a high gain antenna 200 feet off the ground, it will go into a channel 21 bandpass filter (approx. $200), be preamplified, then into another similar bandpass filter and then be "post-preamplified" ( I just made that term up) again.

Digital Rules

08-12-09, 02:49 PM

I'll let you know what I did, but you won't be able to replicate it. Do you think you will have issues with WBOC, Their signal is pretty strong most nights here in north Arlington.

Thanks, Glen

andgarden

08-12-09, 02:51 PM

AntAltMike

08-12-09, 03:08 PM

So if I understand you correctly Mike, you're still creating a new (cleaner) waveform? It seems like if you can get a stable signal of useable quality at the bottom of the antenna, you should be able to send it to the whole building.

Only the transcoder configuration, which demodulates and remodulates, creates a new waveform. The heterodyne converter just subtracts a carrier wave to bring the tuned channel down to, I think 43 MHz center frequency for SAW filtering, just as your old analog converter box lets you shift any input channel down to VHF 3/4, and then adds a carrier to upconvert it to the desired distribution channel.

In order for the signal coming off the antenna to be suitable for mixing with other channels, it has to be at least twenty dB stronger than any other channels coming off that coax, but the field strength of the Front Royal WVPY-21 is over 70 dB weaker than WNVC-24, so while double bandpass filtering off the channel 24 will get me as 21/24 ratio that is suitable to permit tuning of channel 21, the remaining channel 24 and some other signals will still be unacceptably strong at that point and would interfere with the other channels in the system if simply combined with them.

Kelly From KOMO

08-12-09, 03:10 PM

Ouch!
Kelly, do you work at KOMO, as in Seattle's ABC affiliate? I agree with your comments about NBC-4, but to totally rip on Washington news is a bit much. KOMO is still doing news in 16x9 SD, and last I heard STILL doesn't show Wheel and Jeopardy in HD (which if true, is the largest market in the US not airing shows in HD). I used to watch KOMO back when DirecTV had PrimeTime24!

Hi Knicks_Fan, I used to work at KOMO, but am now here in the DC area. For some reason one can't change their "handle" on this board without re-registering...

I'm not intentionally ripping per se' (gross generalizing perhaps), but I was amazed how all of the local news stations located in or near the news-center of the US, don't present at a higher level than many smaller or medium-sized markets. Not clipping on your mic two times in two days? Unreal! Day after day up-cutting or clipping every break during a marquis show like Today? Unheard of! I realize too that things break and mistakes happen, but to keep making the same mistake over and over is not reasonable and shows an overall lack of caring

I've been in this business for a long time and realize that sometimes well tenured, sucessful stations and talent end up resting on their laurels. But with increasing competition for eyeballs from other forms of media, why would such large stations be willing to settle for such mediocrity?

Regarding KOMO's news operation; you're correct that KOMO up-converts from 16:9 SD. The ironic thing is they have HD studio cameras. The reason for the up-conversion since 1998, is due to the lack of an HD production switcher and other HD production gear. The parent company, Fisher Communications had planned on replacing all the equipment to be full HD, but the economy went into the tank just before ordering equipment. Maybe when revenue starts coming through the door again they will finish the job.

It is interesting though when you realize that absolutely no station in the United States who has switched to HD news, has seen any increase in ratings or revenue. It's difficult sometimes for a station owner to justify (or swallow the bitter pill afterwards) of a multi-million dollar expense for an HD news production conversion with absolutely no return on their investment.

Another rather amusing point is about three years ago, Broadcast Engineering Magazine did an article about some engineer from NYC I believe, traveling around the country with a special mobile equipment package, recording some of the pioneer HD local news operations. KOMO was one of the stations mentioned as being an HD news pioneer. I guess it just goes to show that most consumers (and some experts), can't tell the difference between 16:9SD and 16:9 HD.

AntAltMike

08-12-09, 03:42 PM

Do you think you will have issues with WBOC, Their signal is pretty strong most nights here in north Arlington.

How do you know it is strong? Can you process it? For me, it is 90 miles away and in the opposie direction, with a "2 edge" signal path and with its calculated field level being over 10 dB weaker than my WVPY-21.

BTW, when I just re-ran the address through TV fool, its chart did not include transmitter azimuths.

gjvrieze

08-12-09, 04:06 PM

Thanks Mike,
Let us know what you come up with. Even with an excellent view of areas west, I don't even get a whiff of RF21 from that direction. WBOC is too much of a deal breaker for me from the east also. I would imagine WBOC would be even stronger at 17 stories up.

Yes, I am waiting to hear Mike's results too!

Big J

08-12-09, 04:33 PM

If I were the general manager of a major station like NBC-4 with all the frequent and sometimes hourly miscues, I'd be ashamed. And don't get me started on their anchors acting seemingly half asleep during their newscasts.

Actually, I think they are ashamed.
If you go to their website-formerly nbc4.com now http://www.nbcwashington.com/
You have to really HUNT to find any references to WRC.
J

Trip in VA

08-12-09, 04:50 PM

WETA is a D.C. PBS station. How do they get to place a transmitter in MD that doesn't even reach D.C.? That's no different than MPT putting a transmitter in Harrisburg. :confused:

It fills in part of their coverage area that is getting demolished by WFPT-28.

If MPT had a station getting demolished in Harrisburg and Harrisburg was within their coverage contour, they'd be allowed to fix that coverage.

What I would like to know is, how is it that Virginia Public Television doesn't have a station with broadcast coverage of about half a million people in what is commonly called "Northern Virginia".

Don't be confused by the name "Virginia Public Television." They are not a state-wide PBS network. I take VPT to mean "Valley Public Television" which is much more accurate. WNVT/WNVC are owned by WCVE in Richmond and are technically the PBS stations for northern Virginia.

Next week, I am going to try to receive and process the Virginia Public Television signal from Front Royal for a seventeen story building just inside the beltway in Mclean, but based on the TV fool analysis, it will be tough even with a high gain antenna and bandpass filters.

You may or may not have more luck with their on-channel booster in the Stanardsville area. http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=DS1302316.html It's only doing 500 watts ERP but at least it's on your side of the mountains.

- Trip

URFloorMatt

08-12-09, 05:52 PM

I'd love to hear the official answer to this question. From what I gather, it's a combination of things. It's been rumored that NBC has been going back and forth on whether or not to sell the station for quite a while now, which would certainly affect the decision to invest millions in upgrading to HD.

Yeah, that's true. But you have to wonder why. If you can't make money with a local television station in a news-oriented city such as Washington, D.C., I don't know how you run a successful news organization anywhere. It's not like there's a lot of competition from a quality standpoint. WUSA is and always has been a disaster, and WTTG prefers tabloid news to real news most hours of the day. For its size and perhaps but for Baltimore's proximity, there would probably be six or seven local news broadcasts, as there are in LA and NYC, instead of just four.

And it's not like you're a newcomer either. WRC is a storied news institution that, at least in the not-so-distant past, was the most respected broadcast news institution in Washington, and certainly one of the most respected nationwide for its in-depth reporting as well.

It takes some real quality management to run something like that right into the ground in a fertile environment for the news business like DC, but leave it to NBCU, I guess, and anything's possible.

AntAltMike

08-12-09, 06:04 PM

Yeah, that's true. But you have to wonder why. If you can't make money with a local television station in a news-oriented city such as Washington, D.C., I don't know how you run a successful news organization anywhere. ...

It may not be as good a market for local news as it seems. I've read that about 3/4s of the adults living in this market didn't settle here until their adulthood, whereas in New Hampshire, which I hail from, it is half and half. As a result, I still read my "local" New Hampshire newspaper on the internet every day, even though I haven't lived there for over two decades, but I skip the metro section when I read the print Washington Post each morning. I suspect that, on a per capita basis, the television news audience in this market is much less interested in local news than it is just about anywhere else, except maybe Florida.

systems2000

08-12-09, 10:24 PM

It is interesting though when you realize that absolutely no station in the United States who has switched to HD news, has seen any increase in ratings or revenue. It's difficult sometimes for a station owner to justify (or swallow the bitter pill afterwards) of a multi-million dollar expense for an HD news production conversion with absolutely no return on their investment.
Which reinforces my confusion about why it even matters that two people sitting behind a studio counter, getting SD feeds from the field, need to be in HD.

Kelly From KOMO

08-12-09, 10:50 PM

You're absolutely correct. As mentioned, KOMO was a prime example of that.. One can run up-converted 16:9 SD and 98% of your average consumers are happy with the picture on their local news. Typically only the AV Geeks (no offense intended), get grumpy about up-converted 16:9, but in the end they represent a small portion of the viewership and a portion who doesn't participate in Nielsen ratings anyway.

Sure there is the self-promotion of saying your station is broadcasting in HD for news, but what does that get you really? Looks great, but content is what really matters. The old saying still holds true, content is king.

Digital Rules

08-12-09, 11:08 PM

The PQ on WRC-4 local news is superb for 480i when viewed on an HD set. It's almost better than WJLA-7.(Too dark) I have noticed the graphic in the lower right corner has been improved in the last month or so. Maybe the change to HD is in the works.

URFloorMatt

08-13-09, 02:33 AM

Having a website probably doesn't drive viewership to your newscast anymore than broadcasting in HD does, but that hasn't stopped every single local news station no matter how small the market from building a news website either.

But, for that matter, is there any evidence that Fox, CBS, ESPN, and NBC have seen increased ratings due to broadcasting the NFL in HD? Or any other sport? Or any prime time or other programming in HD whatsoever? Perhaps for Blu Ray sales of season sets of television series, but that's a very limited segment of all the programming broadcast in HD, and a fairly recent development at that.

systems2000

08-13-09, 07:52 AM

I did a little research on my reception yesterday and found the following issues:

STATION1|NM|DIRECTION(M)|STATION2|NM|DIRECTION(M)|DIFFERENCE
WJAL-DT (los)|53.8|288°|W43BP (2-edge)|-13.1|264°|66.9dB
W08EE-D (los)|22.8|227°|WGAL-DT (2-edge)|-4.2|88°|27.0dB
WVPY-DT (los)|20.7|219°|WHP-DT (2-edge)|-12.4|63°|33.1dB
W38AN (los)|17.4|355°|WMAR-DT (2-edge)|-15.2|134°|32.6dB
WHTM-DT (2-edge)|0.8|61°|WAZT-CA (2-edge)|-17.4|223°|18.2dB
W34DW-D (1-edge)|-0.9|241°|WPXW-DT (2-edge)|-21.7|164°|20.8dB
W07DN-D (los)|-4.3|229°|WJLA-DT (2-edge)|-13.5|164°|9.2dB
WAZW-CA (2-edge)|-14.7|220°|WRC-DT (2-edge)|-21.6|164°|6.9dB
WKBS-DT (1-edge)|-16.7|331°|WBFF-DT (2-edge)|-19.8|134°|3.1dB
WITF-DT (2-edge)|-18.5|63°|WTTG-DT(2-edge)|-19.4|164°|0.9dB
W41AO (1-edge)|-18.5|242°|WUTB-DT (2-edge)|-21.8|140°|3.3dB
W35BT (2-edge)|-19.4|60°|WDCA-DT (2-edge)|-22.2|164°|2.8dB

Has anyone determined the dB difference required to override another station?

NOTE: Also on RF7, besides W07DN-D & WJLA-DT, I have W35BT (at a level of -11.2NM / 2-edge / 64°).

LEGEND:
GREEN| Receive 100% of the time
RED|Don't Receive at all
ORANGE|Receive with Breakups
BLUE|Analog stations
BLACK|Analog Viewable (No Color or Audio)

systems2000

08-13-09, 09:44 AM

One can run up-converted 16:9 SD and 98% of your average consumers are happy with the picture on their local news.
I definitly agree that 16:9 is worthwhile, especially for weather maps and it's nice for outside reporting of wars, fires, accidents, floodings, political events, etc (HD may be nice for these, but don't limit the bandwidth).

tunamike

08-13-09, 11:01 AM

Trip in VA

08-13-09, 11:12 AM

Chart

W35BT analog is gone. That one shouldn't be an issue.

To tunamike: WJLA's power is already maxed out. Pretty sure WUSA can't increase power due to interference to WBPH in Bethlehem PA.

- Trip

Dave Loudin

08-13-09, 11:33 AM

chart

Nice presentation. Don't forget that your receive antenna will add to those margins, perhaps as much as 20dB or so, since in all but one case, there's a significant spread in azimuth between co-channels. I don't know what the desired/undesired ratio has to be for reliable reception, though.

hsweiss

08-13-09, 11:59 AM

just wondering have you or anyone else noticed channel 11 WBAL they must have increased power to test level they are like my best VHF channel now and for 4 WRC I have not got them with any regularity since they were having trouble 2 weeks ago. Also does anyone know if the 2 DC VHF stations 7 and 9 are seeking to raise there power levels Thanks

Unlike you, I'm still having reception problems with WBAL-11. I sent them email via the web site a couple of weeks ago asking about their plans to increase power and I got a "I'll get back to you when I get back to the office" but never got anything more from them. At least at my place (Severna Park) I don't see any evidence of increased power. I could get WJZ-13 (also VHF) just fine until they switched over to their directional antenna and then they were overloading me with something like 99% of their power. I sent them email and had an email dialogue going with their engineers on a Sat afternoon trying to figure out what was going on. They suggested I try a pair of rabbit ears and sure enough, WJZ locked in solid which it wouldn't on my attic mounted antenna.

systems2000

08-13-09, 12:34 PM

Try using a variable attenutor on your attic antenna.

systems2000

08-13-09, 12:37 PM

W35BT analog is gone. That one shouldn't be an issue.
Good to know. The FCC and TVFool.com need to do a better job clearing old data. ;)

systems2000

08-13-09, 12:44 PM

…there's a significant spread in azimuth between co-channels.
I do understand the azimuth spread levels.

Since I live smack between four DMA's and have lots of LP's, Class "A," and translators around, I'm mostly concerned with the amount of radiation bouncing around me (noise floor), including cell towers, FM transmitters, military, aviation (lots of flight paths over my house - hot tub confirmation), and EMS communication.

systems2000

08-13-09, 12:47 PM

tunamike

08-13-09, 01:56 PM

strange its been rocking here in greencastle souther franklin co last 2 days

Dave Loudin

08-13-09, 03:19 PM

Good to know. The FCC and TVFool.com need to do a better job clearing old data. ;)

Ha ha ha. You crack me up! :)

Seems like eons ago, but I used to try to parse FCC data into relevant information. Without actually being in-market, it's devilishly hard to decide what data should be tossed, so I can empathize with the TVFool guys.

systems2000

08-13-09, 03:26 PM

tunamike,

Did you see this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16937013#post16937013) (and the one before it)?

tunamike

08-13-09, 04:40 PM

tunamike,

Did you see this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=16937013#post16937013) (and the one before it)?
no sorry I had forgotten I posted there earlier I have been thinking I might have to do some of the same types of trials I have even dropped my amp to where i can swap hook and unhook as needed around 10 feet from tower bottom I have unhooked the uhf side and see if that helps any it does seem to help but very very small I have about 3 pre amps and several antenea I need to get rid of. Well I will keep experimenting I am just glad that right now I am getting all the baltimore stations very good and very consistant that was my prmary goal thanks mike

mdviewer25

08-13-09, 05:51 PM

djp952

08-13-09, 06:27 PM

Finally get WBAL at between 60 and 70 percent. It's actually better than WJZ which is at between 35 and 45 percent but with a steady picture. Of course this is on the third floor, I haven't checked the other tvs yet.

Yeah, wow, what a difference. Went from 65-70 S/N to 95-98 S/N here, with a perfectly solid 100% on raw signal strength. I'm definately sending them a message. I would suggest anyone else that is happy with this do the same, it might help them to have something to show the FCC from viewers like us!

Better signal than WJZ by a small margin, too (95% strength, 94% S/N). Color me a happy camper!

Marcus Carr

08-13-09, 07:32 PM

Ravens/Skins are in HD on WBAL (and CSN).

rustycruiser

08-13-09, 07:38 PM

Ravens/Skins are in HD on WBAL (and CSN).
SD on WRC in DC

jsmar

08-13-09, 07:46 PM

I live in Fort Collins, CO and receive OTA stations from the Denver market. A few stations in that market (KPXC and KUSA) have announced plans to broadcast Mobile DTV programming, but they have not done so as of yet.

I'd like to work on decoding that data if possible, and would like to get a head start before I can capture my own data from a Denver station. Washington D.C. appears to have the most stations broadcasting Mobile DTV right now, although I believe that was part of an experiment, so I don't know if they are still actively broadcasting Mobile DTV data.

Anyway, I'm wondering if there is someone in this group who has the ability to capture a 60 second full transport stream of one of the OTA stations that are still broadcasting Mobile DTV data (look for content on either pid 0x1eee or pid 0x1ff9) and is willing to make the file available to me to download (it will wind up being around 130 Mbytes, so some of you who can capture such a file may not be able to upload it somewhere or make it available through other means).

Please contact me via a private message if you can help out.

Thanks!

jgantert

08-13-09, 07:49 PM

SD on WRC in DC
I don't think WRC is going to get any pre-season football in HD this year. They're 0 for 2 so far.

dewster1977

08-13-09, 07:57 PM

just wondering have you or anyone else noticed channel 11 WBAL they must have increased power to test level they are like my best VHF channel now and for 4 WRC I have not got them with any regularity since they were having trouble 2 weeks ago. Also does anyone know if the 2 DC VHF stations 7 and 9 are seeking to raise there power levels Thanks

Yes WBAL did increase their power, I e-mailed Sandy at WBAL this morning, didn't say to what level, I'll e-mail again and ask. I use to get WJZ fine to they switched to their directional antenna. I really think the interference issue needs to be revisited.

When WJZ was at 27kW ? and now that WBAL has increased power, i had no problems with interference on WHTM RF10 WWPX RF12, both were and are still as strong as they were before.

They need to do more real world testing and stop trusting computer models. let stations like WUSA 9 and WGAL 8 increase to 30kW or more for a few days and look and the interference issue in the real world.

mdviewer25

08-13-09, 08:17 PM

I wonder whether this is the 15 kw level or 26 kw level. I remember someone saying they were going to test both levels to determine any interference problems with other channels. If it's just 15 then I think they should go up to the next level because the reception is still hit or miss. I only have one tv that can get a solid signal for WBAL. I have to move the antenna around too much on the others and when I move away from the antenna the reception breaks up too much. Anyone know what power level WBAL and WJZ are transmitting their signal at right now?

URFloorMatt

08-13-09, 09:06 PM

Are these new sets I'm seeing on CSN-MA? I haven't watched much besides Caps games since the NFL season ended and never paid much attention. It also looks like a lot more use of widescreen instead of pillar bars, if I'm remembering correctly.

They're definitely showing new CSN promos in HD, but no highlights or studio shots. Those are just widescreen. Any chance we're going to see an HD upgrade by the time the regular season comes around?

tunamike

08-13-09, 09:25 PM

the picture quality on wrc looks like something a ninth grade student is producing compared to wbal's what a shame

bmcent1

08-13-09, 09:32 PM

I don't think WRC is going to get any pre-season football in HD this year. They're 0 for 2 so far.

Is there any rhyme or reason, or anyway to know in advance which networks will have the games in HD?

I was hoping to catch the game in HD tonight, only to find that WRC has it in SD. Comcast in Frederick, MD seems to carry the Washington OTA stations. My TVFool plot looks pretty grim in terms of hopes of catching Baltimore stations (down in the gray below the pink.)

Also, whoever said it's in HD on CSN... is that Comcast Sports Network?

What does WHAG carry when it's a Baltimore/Washington game?

What's the frugal ("cheap" :-) fan's best option for catching a good number of NFL games in HD. I don't want to go for a super premium Comcast package and Direct TV is out of the question because of the 2 yr contract.

URFloorMatt

08-13-09, 09:57 PM

Damn it. I completely forgot about WHAG, which FiOS now carries. They brought regular NBC programming, which I would've preferred to watch.

Yes, CSN is Comcast Sports Network.

All regular season NFL games will be in HD on CBS, Fox, NBC, and ESPN. All Redskins preseason will be in HD only on Comcast Sports Network.

Digital Rules

08-13-09, 10:14 PM

Anyone know what power level WBAL and WJZ are transmitting their signal at right now?

TV Fool shows WBAL@26.6kw-omni & WJZ@28.8kw-directional. Comparing previous & current readings seems about right with these numbers from my location when WJZ's directional antenna pattern is factored in.

systems2000

08-13-09, 10:29 PM

WNUV-DT needs to get rid of the new CW logo. It's bad enough on my 20" monitor, I can't imagine what someone with a 52" enjoys about it.

Digital Rules

08-13-09, 10:41 PM

Kudos to WBAL for carrying the game in HD. It looks fantastic.

Only in SD on Richmond's ABC affiliate. It looks just as bad as WRC.

Marcus Carr

08-14-09, 02:27 AM

The replay on MASN is in HD.

mdviewer25

08-14-09, 07:24 AM

Finally found a position where 7, 9, 11, & 13 all come in. Only around 50% for each but the picture is steady. Had move the VHF dipoles from fully extended to two thirds extended. Accepted the fact that I have to move my antenna in a different direction for WBOC. On another note, has anyone else lost WHUT 32 (33). Its been out since last night.

markbulla

08-14-09, 08:16 AM

WNUV-DT needs to get rid of the new CW logo. It's bad enough on my 20" monitor, I can't imagine what someone with a 52" enjoys about it.

Sorry - the CW logo comes on the CW network feed. I can't get rid of it - it's in the picture...
.

Marcus Carr

08-14-09, 08:45 AM

Replay on NFL Network today at 3. All of their games are in HD.

CrispyCritter

08-14-09, 09:09 AM

systems2000

08-14-09, 09:48 AM

Marcus,

Is that three lines of text permanent or do you think it'll go away soon?

mdviewer25

08-14-09, 02:22 PM

Signals from best to worst:
Baltimore
WMPT 22 (42) 97%
WNUV 54 (40) 90%
WBFF 45 (46) 85%
WMAR 2 (38) 80%
WBAL 11 (11) 50%
WJZ 13 (13) 45%
WMPB 67 (29) 30%
WUTB 24 (41) 9% unwatchable

DC
WDCA 20 (35) 95%
WDCW 50 (50) 90%
WFDC 14 (15) 85%
WPXW 66 (34) 80%
WETA 26 (27) 80%
WTTG 5 (36) 80%
WRC 4 (48) 80%
WHUT 32 (33) 75%
WNVC 30-1 through 5 (24) 70%
WNVT 30-6 through 10 (30) 60%
WUSA 9 (9) 55%
WJLA 7 (7) 50%

Salisbury
WBOC 16 (21) 60%*
WMDT 47 (47) 0%

* have to turn antenna to opposite direction

Knicks_Fan

08-14-09, 03:05 PM

the picture quality on wrc looks like something a ninth grade student is producing compared to wbal's what a shame
I thought only CSN had the "exclusive" on yesterday's game on the Redskin network, as their bug kept stating. Did WBAL air the Comcast or MASN (Ravens network) feed? MASN relegated the Ravens to MASN-2 SD.

URFloorMatt

08-14-09, 04:32 PM

Marcus Carr

08-14-09, 04:43 PM

Because CSN had the "HD exclusive", NFL Network couldn't show their feed either?

Or maybe they show the home team feed.

VARTV

08-16-09, 11:59 PM

Getting WBAL tonight in Virginia Beach with my antenna pointed WSW...

dewster1977

08-17-09, 12:25 AM

Late morning I was getting WBAL from the SE at 75 miles, as always since their power boost, but when I turned to Harrisburg stations, got WBRE DT 28 (RF11) at 140 miles. No problems with interference from one another, lasted to mid afternoon then lost WBRE.

mkfs

08-17-09, 03:50 AM

was missing here tonight.

Did the squirrel die?

hsweiss

08-17-09, 09:23 AM

Unlike you, I'm still having reception problems with WBAL-11. I sent them email via the web site a couple of weeks ago asking about their plans to increase power and I got a "I'll get back to you when I get back to the office" but never got anything more from them. At least at my place (Severna Park) I don't see any evidence of increased power. I could get WJZ-13 (also VHF) just fine until they switched over to their directional antenna and then they were overloading me with something like 99% of their power. I sent them email and had an email dialogue going with their engineers on a Sat afternoon trying to figure out what was going on. They suggested I try a pair of rabbit ears and sure enough, WJZ locked in solid which it wouldn't on my attic mounted antenna.

That was the way is WAS - I checked WBAL TV over the weekend and its MUCH better now that they've increased their power. Hopefully, the FCC will give them permanent authority to stay at the increased power levels.

Knicks_Fan

08-17-09, 09:31 AM

CSN only has exclusive rights to the Redskins HD feed.

I hope this type of nonsense stops in the future. Not everyone gets CSN. If this were 1966, Comcast would have the exclusive "living color broadcast rights" and NBC4 would be relegated to a fuzzy B&W feed.

howie14

08-17-09, 10:25 AM

WBAL aired the Ravens feed. CSN only has exclusive rights to the Redskins HD feed.

Which raises a question. How does NFL Network decide which feed to air in its replays? It looks like they're airing the Ravens feed from last night's game.

Last year, NFL Network showed the home team feed for the first half and the visitor for the second (or was it the other way around). This year, they seem to be sticking with the home team's feed for all the games.

Kelly From KOMO

08-17-09, 11:32 AM

Please allow me to take a moment and give credit where credit is due. After my rant and mailing-it-in comments last week directed at NBC4 and in particular Barbara Harrison's news-hits that she does during the Today show mornings, someone who reads this forum over there must have passed the word along. Barbara has been showing up on time with her mic on, and she seems more engaged and animated in her presentation than usual. The presentation is frankly 100% better!

Regarding their late to local breaks and switching via clock triggers from the network, it looks as if that is better, but now I'm seeing local spots within a local break being up/down-cut. Not a big deal from a viewers perspective, but advertisers may take exception to losing the last couple seconds of their spots. But hey, whether my rants made any differrence or whether it was purely coincidental, kudos to NBC4 for figuring it out.

Oh and if you folks need help straightening out your automation issues, I have quite a bit of experience in that arena and would be glad to consult. ;)

tunamike

08-17-09, 01:25 PM

That was the way is WAS - I checked WBAL TV over the weekend and its MUCH better now that they've increased their power. Hopefully, the FCC will give them permanent authority to stay at the increased power levels.
please if you get a moment e mail 11 wbal engineer address and tell them about youre success they need all the ammo they can get to keep the increased power He even gave me a call on that subject

hsweiss

08-17-09, 01:48 PM

please if you get a moment e mail 11 wbal engineer address and tell them about youre success they need all the ammo they can get to keep the increased power He even gave me a call on that subject

I'd be more than happy to if I knew what address to use? I tried emailing them thru their web site selecting "engineering" as the receipient to ask if they had increased power. Apparently that email dropped into a mailbox for a guy named Chris Bryant. I got an automated reply that he'd respond when he got back. After two weeks, I sent a note directly to Chris Bryant and again got a "I'll respond when I get back" message. On the other hand, WJZ and WUTB both responded very quickly when I asked about power levels or changes to their broadcasts.

DK745

08-17-09, 02:45 PM

Just received a notice in the mail from Comcast (Anne Arundel County) about the upcoming channel changes.

On or about Saturday, October 10th, these 38 NEW High Definition channels will be launched:

BET
Big Ten Network
Bio
Bravo
Cartoon Network
CBS College Sports
CMT
CNBC
HLN
Comedy Central
Disney XD
E
Encore
ESPNEWS
FOX Business
Fuse
G4
Hallmark Movie Channel
IFC
Lifetime
Lifetime Movie Network
MGM
MLB Network
MTV
NBA TV
NHL Network
Nick
Planet Green
QVC
Spike
Style
Turner Classic Movies
The Weather Channel
Travel Channel
Tru TV
TV One
VH1
WE

Also has a list of what channels are being moved that require digital equipment on which days and how/what you get with a Digital cable box and Digital adapter.

knnirs

08-17-09, 03:04 PM

Do you receive any info as to whether any of these channels will be clear QAM?

mdviewer25

08-17-09, 04:07 PM

Did WBAL turn their power down? It's only 10% right now compared to the 50% for the past week.

mjw703

08-17-09, 07:52 PM

djp952

08-17-09, 08:33 PM

Did WBAL turn their power down? It's only 10% right now compared to the 50% for the past week.

Could be atmospheric? No change here, still rocking 100% strength / 98% S/N ratio.

Digital Rules

08-17-09, 10:00 PM

Did WBAL turn their power down? It's only 10% right now compared to the 50% for the past week.No change here in Arlington. Bouncing between 8-10 bars out of 10.

clifburns

08-18-09, 02:32 AM

Does anybody have Comcast, Montgomery County, with cablecards? We lost the Encore movie channels (channels 150, 152, 154 ..., for example) a couple of days ago. We get the cablecard diagnostic screen when tuned to any of them, which is normally a sign that the channel is not in the package. All other digital/HD channels are fine.

A Comcast front-line rep confirmed that the channels are in our package, sent hits to our cablecards, and has sent a note to engineering to ask them to check into settings at the head end (all she can do for a first call, really - I was expecting to have to call a couple of times before I got the note to engineering:D)

It would be nice to have confirmation that this is a general problem for my next call, if there's someone out there who can check.

I lost Showtime and Cinemax in the same fashion about a month ago. Calling the CSRs was useless because all they did was confirm that they were in my package and send hits to the box. Then they wanted to schedule someone to replace the cablecards. I sent a complaint to DC's OCTT which got a regional VP involved and they admitted it had nothing to do with the cablecards and was a problem that had to be fixed by the people who handle the cablecard authorizations. Send an email to Patrick_Carroll (at) CABLE (d0t) COMCAST (d0t) c0m, who was the guy who fixed my situation.

Marcus Carr

08-18-09, 08:44 AM

Cox Launches Seven New HD Channels August 20

~Aug. 27, Cox Launches 24 New HD Channels in York County~

CHESAPEAKE, Va., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications continues to expand its high definition programming with the launch of seven new HD channels in the Greater Hampton Roads region on August 20.

Also, on August 27 in York County, Cox will launch an additional 24 high definition channels. With these additions, Cox's HD channel offerings total 67 of the most requested high definition channels available.

The channels to be launched on August 20 throughout the region are as follows:

Bio HD (channel 828)
Encore HD (channel 810)
Fox Business Channel HD (channel 8180)
MLB Network HD (channel 814)
NBA TV HD (channel 833)
Pay Per View Events Channel HD (channel 701)
The Weather Channel HD (channel 724)

The HD channels to be launched on August 27 for York County customers are noted below. They will be made available to Cox customers in Upper and Lower York County, Bethel Manor, USCG Training Station, and Yorktown Naval Weapons Station.

ABC Family HD (channel 719) HBO2 HD (channel 784)
BET HD (channel 736) Lifetime Network HD (channel 709)
Bravo HD (channel 761) MTV HD (channel 722)
Cartoon Network HD (channel 717) Nickelodeon HD (channel 729)
CMT HD (channel 733) Planet Green HD (channel 813)
CNBC HD (channel 725) Science Channel HD (channel 760)
Comedy Central HD (channel 732) Syfy HD (channel 740)
Disney HD (channel 738) Speed Channel HD (channel 763)
E! HD (channel 741) Spike HD (channel 756)
Fox News Channel HD (channel 764) USA HD (channel 718)
FX HD (channel 716) Versus HD (channel 734)
Hallmark Movie Channel HD (channel 859) VH1 HD (channel 767)

(The 24 additional HD channels are already 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.)

To receive the new HD channels, customers must have the appropriate level of service with Cox. The following Cox services are required for the noted networks:

Cox Standard service, ABC Family HD, BET HD, Bravo HD, Cartoon
Digital Gateway service Network HD, CMT HD, CNBC HD, Comedy Central
and Expanded HD service HD, Disney Channel HD, E! HD, Fox News
Channel HD, FX HD, Lifetime Network HD, MTV
HD, Nickelodeon HD, Syfy HD, Speed Channel
HD, Spike HD, USA HD, Versus HD, and VH1 HD

Cox Standard service, Lifetime Movie Network HD
Digital Gateway service
and Movie Tier

Cox Standard service, Planet Green HD
Digital Gateway service
and the Discovery Tier

Cox Standard service, Hallmark Movie Channel HD
Digital Gateway service
and Variety Tier

Cox Limited Basic, Digital HBO2 HD
Gateway, Cox HD and HBO
subscription

"Cox offers a wide selection of HD channels. In keeping with our goal to be a 'friend in the digital age,' Cox makes all of its HD channels available to customers at no additional monthly charge," said Jen Garrett, Cox Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Finally, James City County will have access to the new HD channels launched as Cox continues to upgrade its network. For more information contact Felicia Blow at (757) 222-8432 or at Felicia.Blow@cox.com.

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-18-2009/0005079036&EDATE=

hsweiss

08-18-09, 08:45 AM

Did WBAL turn their power down? It's only 10% right now compared to the 50% for the past week.

It was fine at my house last night (Severna Park).

systems2000

08-18-09, 10:33 AM

I checked this morning and was able to rescan my APEX DT502's to acquire WBAL. At around 10:00 hours, I tried to get a read on all my CECB's (APEX DT502 (x2), ZAT-970A, & ZAT-950A), that are configured for Baltimore reception, and they all lost WBAL. I'll check over the next 24 hours to see what happens.

iontyre

08-18-09, 01:36 PM

bmcent1

08-18-09, 03:15 PM

Hi All -
I'm thinking of getting Digital Preferred from Comcast in Frederick county. I'm told that is the cheapest package that includes ESPN HD.

I want to use this with a tuner card in my HTPC. Comcast said I need either a cable card or to rent one of their boxes for an additional $7.95 / mo.

Can anyone confirm if the box is actually needed or if ESPN is sent in clear QAM?
I'm cursing NFL for putting MNF on ESPN...

I forgot to ask Comcast if NFL Network is included in Digital Preferred, but I'd have the same question about to this forum anyway (seems like you always get conflicting information when talking to Comcast.)

CrispyCritter

08-18-09, 05:08 PM

I lost Showtime and Cinemax in the same fashion about a month ago. Calling the CSRs was useless because all they did was confirm that they were in my package and send hits to the box. Then they wanted to schedule someone to replace the cablecards. I sent a complaint to DC's OCTT which got a regional VP involved and they admitted it had nothing to do with the cablecards and was a problem that had to be fixed by the people who handle the cablecard authorizations. Send an email to Patrick_Carroll (at) CABLE (d0t) COMCAST (d0t) c0m, who was the guy who fixed my situation.
Thanks. The basic issue turns out to be that Comcast is gradually putting copy protection on the movie channels (CCI byte = 0x02). They started with the premium movie channels a month ago, and have worked their way down to the non-premium movie channels (Encore in my case). The copy protection mechanism depends on the cablecard host (my TiVo) being paired with the cablecards; Comcast Montgomery has not enforced this pairing in the past. Everytime a cablecard is moved to a new host it needs to be re-paired; my TiVo was replaced a while back, so the pairing info that Comcast had stored was out of date.

Now that they're enforcing pairing i certainly hope they're going to offer re-pairing over the phone/web like other Comcast franchises. The tech who came out today said he's been doing an awful lot of just calling up and reading numbers to their back end folks - he was appreciative of the fact I had all the numbers all ready for him to read!

iontyre

08-18-09, 07:38 PM

mdviewer25

08-18-09, 08:45 PM

Must have been atmospheric because WBAL is back to normal today

Digital Rules

08-18-09, 10:57 PM

Does WJAL DT-68 have a PSIP issue; or is it my TV? The channel number keeps jumping from 39.3 to 68.1.

Thanks

Digital Rules

08-18-09, 11:07 PM

WDCN is broadcasting a test pattern in analog on VHF-6. I assume they are broadcasting from the WETA-FM tower in North Arlington. Anybody else seeing this?

djp952

08-18-09, 11:43 PM

WDCN is broadcasting a test pattern in analog on VHF-6. I assume they are broadcasting from the WETA-FM tower in North Arlington. Anybody else seeing this?

Nothing but noise on 6 here, but I'm probably not the best choice for a test for a D.C. VHF channel :)

Big J

08-19-09, 07:36 AM

gary michaels

08-19-09, 07:56 AM

WDCN is broadcasting a test pattern in analog on VHF-6. I assume they are broadcasting from the WETA-FM tower in North Arlington. Anybody else seeing this?

I have a B-, but very viewable picture on them using a high band V only antenna 72 miles out to the west.

bmcent1

08-19-09, 09:03 AM

Here in Montgomery County you need a box or card to get it. The only HD channels that are clear QAM besides the locals, is Universal HD and TNT HD.
J

Okay, thanks for the feedback. The boxes have always been too buggy IMO and my tuner card doesn't accept a cable card. I think I'll pass this year and see if FIOS gets here by next.

Steve_AA_Co_MD

08-19-09, 11:27 AM

Great technical article about why VHF doesn't work as well for DTV as UHF does...

http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/85628

Marcus Carr

08-19-09, 12:43 PM

I called Comcast and DTAs are not available in Baltimore City yet. They got them in Baltimore County two weeks later than expected. (Expected date was 6/15.)

DOCSIS 3.0, however, is now available at my address and parts of the city.

Big J

08-19-09, 03:21 PM

Okay, thanks for the feedback. The boxes have always been too buggy IMO and my tuner card doesn't accept a cable card. I think I'll pass this year and see if FIOS gets here by next.
Yea, I refuse to get a cable box, and they couldn't get a cable card to work in my TV. They tried two different cards, and I finally said forget it.
J

Mike20878

08-20-09, 04:46 PM

mdviewer25

08-20-09, 06:12 PM

Was able to lock onto WMDT last night for the first time in months. saw ten minutes of "Married...With Children" on 47-2 The CW Network before I lost it. The signal strength fluctuated from 9 to 40 when I checked the meter but there were no bars on the meter while I was watching.

pmturcotte

08-21-09, 07:24 PM

For the last 5 years I've received my Directv OTA channels through a rooftop antenna that the previous owner had installed and have had a perfect picture with no issues - live in Alexandria, VA.

Now I find that WJLA (7-1) and WUSA (9-1) are not coming in at all. I have no issues with the other OTAs (4-1/2, 5-1 etc) or even 9-2 which is the WUSA weather feed.

I am not sure when this started but it must have been recently. I apologize for not being an antenna/tech genius but is this something I can correct on my end? It is not a rooftop antenna I can get to.

weaver6

08-21-09, 08:57 PM

aaronwt

08-22-09, 08:33 AM

Reset the antenna (not satellite) settings: Parental, Fav's and Setup, System Setup, Sat & Ant, Antenna Setup, Reset Settings.

Rerun the Initial Setup in the same menu, and reenter the zip codes.

That should clear it up.

Only if the antenna receives VHF since those stations moved from UHF to VHF two months ago.

pmturcotte

08-22-09, 10:15 AM

Only if the antenna receives VHF since those stations moved from UHF to VHF two months ago.
Well I'm guessing thats the problem then - the antenna itself is probably @ 8 years old. Can still receive all the other OTAs though (4-1/2/3, 5-1, 7-2/3, 9-2)

:mad:

Thanks for the quick update.

aaronwt

08-22-09, 11:11 AM

Well I'm guessing thats the problem then - the antenna itself is probably @ 8 years old. Can still receive all the other OTAs though (4-1/2/3, 5-1, 7-2/3, 9-2)

:mad:

Thanks for the quick update.

You must have missed all the posts when the digital switch happened and WUSA and WJLA went to VHF. My antennas can receive VHF but I can't get anywhere close to the reception I had when they were on UHF. I can get WJLA in after repositioning my antennas, but WUSA is a lost cause for me.
They went from being my best received channel to my worst.

pmturcotte

08-22-09, 12:00 PM

You must have missed all the posts when the digital switch happened and WUSA and WJLA went to VHF. My antennas can receive VHF but I can't get anywhere close to the reception I had when they were on UHF. I can get WJLA in after repositioning my antennas, but WUSA is a lost cause for me.
They went from being my best received channel to my worst.
Yeah thats my bad, I only check in on this thread a couple times a year...

weaver6

08-22-09, 12:59 PM

Well I'm guessing thats the problem then - the antenna itself is probably @ 8 years old. Can still receive all the other OTAs though (4-1/2/3, 5-1, 7-2/3, 9-2)

:mad:

Thanks for the quick update.

I assumed since you get 9-2, which is now VHF, that the antenna was capable of VHF reception. Have you tried resetting the antenna settings and redoing the antenna initilization, as described in my previous post? I had to do that after the DTV switchover.

tonyd79

08-22-09, 02:25 PM

Just got my new modem from Comcast for DOCSIS in Howard County. Now getting 15+ download speeds. Not bad. What are FIOS speeds like?

Also, I know Comcast is rolling out more HD. Any word on DC locals for Howard County (as Fios has) or more HBO channels? Those are all reasons for Fios for me (plus cost).

mikemikeb

08-22-09, 09:29 PM

Just got my new modem from Comcast for DOCSIS in Howard County. Now getting 15+ download speeds. Not bad. What are FIOS speeds like?Mine's around 10 Mbps, last I checked, but that's that's a cheaper package. You could push 25 if you wanted.

Also, note that even if Comcast adds more HD, they'll probably be three to a QAM, and look worse than FiOS.

tonyd79

08-22-09, 10:13 PM

Also, note that even if Comcast adds more HD, they'll probably be three to a QAM, and look worse than FiOS.

Good point, if they do that. They should be turning off analog soon.

ahsan

08-22-09, 11:09 PM

I was watching the beginning of the Skins game on NFL Network on FIOS and at some point I switched to Comcast. Then I attempted to go back to NFL and its missing. I figured maybe it was blackout related (but why is the channel completely missing, never seen that before). Now the Skins game is over but NFL Network is still missing!

PCW

08-23-09, 10:04 AM

Is anyone experiencing intermittant video dropouts or microblocking on WUSA Channel 9 in the Washington, DC area? I have had this problem for a number of days and it's only on this channel. Thanks.

sgtjim

08-23-09, 12:08 PM

Comcast in Charles Co. Southern Md has now added 35 HD Channels. All HD channels are now in the 800 series from 800-895. They did not ADD TCM,Tru TV or HLN AND ENCORE HAS A PLACEHOLDER AT 891. They now total 72 channels with the locals. The lineup is similar to post #10443 above. The card they sent in the mail advising of this update stated it was for Charles & St. Mary's customers. This occurred less than 30 days since they shut off the first 20 analog channels and before they shutdown the remaining 20.

mdviewer25

08-23-09, 03:37 PM

I decided to review all of the new SD digital channels that have shown up and been moved around in clear QAM for Comcast Prince George's and discovered that some are repeated up to 4 times when you include their analog equivalents.

Here's the list:

81-10 = G4
82-3 = WGN
82-4 = EWTN
82-6 = INSP
82-7 = TBN
82-11 = MASN 2
93-2 = MLB Extra Innings (SD) (just this one channel, the rest are encrypted)
101-5 = On Demand preview
102-4 = TRAVEL
102-6 = C-SPAN 2
102-10 = HSN
102-11 = QVC
102-12 = C-SPAN
104-1 = PIN (channel 71)
106-7 = Gospel Music Channel
108-12 = On Demand preview (double vision)
109-1 = Channel 96 (which is the same as channel 78)
109-2 = Channel 95 (TV Guide)
109-3 = Channel 69
109-4 = channel 70
109-5 = channel 72
109-6 = channel 73
109-7 = channel 74
109-8 = channel 75
109-9 = channel 77
109-10 = channel 78 (same as channel 96)
109-13 = channel 76
110-3 = ABC Family
110-7 = SHOP NBC
110-8 = Bravo
114-8 = EWTN
127-3 = NEWS 8

If you include the analog channels, channel 96/78 (PG Public Schools) is repeated four times. I never understood why it was repeated twice in the first place. EWTN is repeated three times on 99, 82-4, and 114-8. They also have SD versions of the locals mapped to where they would be located OTA (ex. WRC is mapped to 4-11, WTTG is mapped to 5-32). Seems unnecessary since the have the HD versions of the same channels. They got rid of the Baltimore channels in clear QAM for whatever reason and then they bring out all of these duplicates.

djp952

08-23-09, 10:42 PM

Sorry, the original post/reply was a while ago and I was too lazy to find it ...

It was finally cool enough to go up to the attic again this evening, and I repositioned the Y5-7-13 to the point where both 7 and 9 were coming in very strong (25-30dB) on my laptop's tuner.

I tried just hooking it up to the post-amplifier downstream with a diplexer, but as I feared the signal was nowhere near good enough to be split 4 ways without amplification. So i hooked it back up to the VHF input of a 7777.

My problem is 7, believe it or not. Occasional dropouts due to signal/noise ratio being low (60% at best). 9 is fine, with a S/N of 90-95%. I'm assuming at this point that the antenna is picking up a lot of "air noise" on 7 and I'm not doing myself any favors with the rather hot 7777 amp.

What would the suggestion be at this point? Outside is NOT an option, no matter how much I would like to and how certain I am that I would have the world's best 7-9 signal that way (one word ... wife). Does anyone think that an attenuator would help in this situation?

djp952

08-23-09, 11:39 PM

djp952

08-24-09, 12:08 AM

Whoa! I'm a DXer!! I did a channel scan on my Bravia on my "best of both worlds" antenna that it's hooked to, and I picked up 3 very cool stations. I tried with my HDHomeRun that's attached to a different antenna pointed at D.C. and I got all 3 !!

KYW. "K" YW. Awesome. Also WPHL and WNJS. Perfectly watchable!! TSReader attached as proof.

edit: Bummer, KYW is Philadelphia. And here I thought I was picking up something from the other side of the Mississippi without even trying. I also found WPSG on my Baltimore antenna! Best. Night. Ever. (Note: my antennas are fixed and point nowhere near Philly, let alone Camden, NJ, that's why I think this is so cool)

edit 2: And WTVE. Attachment #3. OK, I'm done now.

Trip in VA

08-24-09, 12:37 AM

Thanks. :)

The new data for WNVC, in particular, confirms the presence of Mobile DTV.

- Trip

mkfs

08-24-09, 02:24 AM

Hope this is on-topic for here. Friends in the District suddenly loop-qualify for RCN after years of not. But there's been no construction so "huh?" seems in order.

They're considering a switch from Comcrap err Comcast. It's an ugly mess to try & make A-B comparisons, given the loads of hype that both sides dish out.

They are interested in comments from RCN TV users in the area. What do you think of their HD quality; do they degrade them as much as it has been reported Comcast does? Comments on the channel lineup?

Does anyone use RCN with CableCards?

aaronwt

08-24-09, 08:18 AM

For Trip or anyone else who cares, due to either good fortune or the high pressure system that's on us right now, I'm getting each and every channel I typically expect to get tonight. Updated TSReader HTM files attached in a .zip.

Check out

http://www.dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html

for the Tropospheric Ducting Forecast if you want to know ahead of time when conditions will be favorable to get the stations. I used these forecasts in the early 2000's to know when I could make a reliable HD recording from the Baltimore HD stations. Since most of the time I could barely receive them.

southbalto

08-24-09, 08:54 AM

For Trip or anyone else who cares, due to either good fortune or the high pressure system that's on us right now, I'm getting each and every channel I typically expect to get tonight. Updated TSReader HTM files attached in a .zip.

Me too. For whatever reason WETA and MHZ reception comes in much better in the evenings. Usually I don't recieve any signal during the day.

Last night they were rock solid.

nottenst

08-24-09, 09:06 AM

I decided to review all of the new SD digital channels that have shown up and been moved around in clear QAM for Comcast Prince George's and discovered that some are repeated up to 4 times when you include their analog equivalents.
...
They got rid of the Baltimore channels in clear QAM for whatever reason and then they bring out all of these duplicates.Thanks for the review. It is good to have a good reference here even though I have gone through the exercise a few times and written it down somewhere ...

As far as the Baltimore channels, they have some explanation, which I think comes down to $ somehow.

mikemikeb

08-24-09, 10:41 AM

It was finally cool enough to go up to the attic again this evening, and I repositioned the Y5-7-13 to the point where both 7 and 9 were coming in very strong (25-30dB) on my laptop's tuner.

I tried just hooking it up to the post-amplifier downstream with a diplexer, but as I feared the signal was nowhere near good enough to be split 4 ways without amplification. So i hooked it back up to the VHF input of a 7777.

My problem is 7, believe it or not. Occasional dropouts due to signal/noise ratio being low (60% at best). 9 is fine, with a S/N of 90-95%. I'm assuming at this point that the antenna is picking up a lot of "air noise" on 7 and I'm not doing myself any favors with the rather hot 7777 amp.I was thinking signal overload, myself; 7 broadcasts at way more power. So sure, try an attenuator.

John_D

08-24-09, 11:06 AM

Can anyone recommend a good installer or is anyone here looking for some business, if so please let me know. I am hoping a Winegard 7695P will bring in the major DC channels from my location. Thanks.

Digital Rules

08-24-09, 12:00 PM

. . . . . So i hooked it back up to the VHF input of a 7777.

My problem is 7, believe it or not. Occasional dropouts due to signal/noise ratio being low (60% at best). 9 is fine, with a S/N of 90-95%. Can you try just one tuner hooked straight to the Y5-7-13 & see what you get? I'm afraid some of the strong TV/FM signals from Baltimore may be overloading the "input" of the 7777. Is the FM trap set to the "in" position?

Big J

08-24-09, 12:29 PM

mlmorg

08-24-09, 01:52 PM

Hi all,

I will be moving to baltimore city in a month or two. I will probably be getting comcast internet (unless someone has a better alternative) but no cable tv. I have an hdtv with a qam tuner and would like to know the best way to get the major networks in hd. I used to live in new york and plugged my hdtv directly into the cable line in the wall (had time warner cable internet but no tv) and got all networks in hd. Will I be able to do this in baltimore with comcast internet and no cable tv? If not, what would you all suggest as an antenna? I would assume I wouldn't need anything too substantial because downtown is probably close enough to the towers.

Thanks for any help you all can give!

rviele

08-24-09, 02:14 PM

Can anyone recommend a good installer or is anyone here looking for some business, if so please let me know. I am hoping a Winegard 7695P will bring in the major DC channels from my location. Thanks.
call action antenna they are in catonsville

djp952

08-24-09, 02:23 PM

Can you try just one tuner hooked straight to the Y5-7-13 & see what you get? I'm afraid some of the strong TV/FM signals from Baltimore may be overloading the "input" of the 7777. Is the FM trap set to the "in" position?

It was getting a pretty good signal with just my laptop's tuner up there, hooked directly to the antenna. I use that method to aim before hooking things up to the Matrix :) Both 7 and 9 were good without the amp.

You know ... I didn't think to check the FM trap. I *believe* I made sure it was off, but I'll have to go check to be certain. Man will I feel dumb if that's disabled!! Will post back after work.

RaginBajin

08-24-09, 08:44 PM

call action antenna they are in catonsville

PM me and I can give you a guy that has setup my Dish, Antenna and did some of my In-wall setup.

djp952

08-24-09, 09:19 PM

It was getting a pretty good signal with just my laptop's tuner up there, hooked directly to the antenna. I use that method to aim before hooking things up to the Matrix :) Both 7 and 9 were good without the amp.

You know ... I didn't think to check the FM trap. I *believe* I made sure it was off, but I'll have to go check to be certain. Man will I feel dumb if that's disabled!! Will post back after work.

OK, FM trap was in, I don't have to feel stupid. Attenuator was a bad idea, even at the minimum setting it only made things worse. It seems it's just a poor signal after all.

More unhooking, more moving around, found a better spot that seems to have good (90-95%) S/N for both 7 and 9 when it's all hooked up through the 7777 and the splitters. I also found that keeping the balun and the feedline parallel to the boom made a modest positive difference.

Will let you know, but I'm not scheduling any recordings on WJLA just yet ;)

edit: You have to love this stuff. With me in the attic WUSA was 100/100 (dBm/S-N), now it's 100/75. lol. I guess I just need a 200lb bag of human parts next to it and it will all be good. WJLA is solid at the moment (100/94), but again we'll see. I'm sure I'll be spending a lot of time up there now that fall is on it's way :) Thanks again for all the suggestions gang! I'll get it working properly at some point!

southbalto

08-24-09, 09:51 PM

I don't know what it is but after 9:30 each night i go from zero reception on WETA and MHz network to stable.

machpost

08-25-09, 09:49 AM

They are interested in comments from RCN TV users in the area. What do you think of their HD quality; do they degrade them as much as it has been reported Comcast does? Comments on the channel lineup?

I can't compare HD quality with Comcast as I've never subscribed to their service since going HD, but I have no problems with RCN's HD quality. They don't place more than two HD channels on a QAM, and in the case of the premium tier channels (HDNet, MGM HD, HBO, etc.,) I'm pretty sure the signals are passed through without any further compression. I think this might be the case with the local broadcast channels, as well.

And RCN offers more than 100 HD channels now, which is far more than what Comcast offers in D.C., the last time I checked.

howie14

08-25-09, 02:47 PM

Steve_AA_Co_MD

08-25-09, 07:18 PM

djp952

08-25-09, 08:47 PM

What's wrong with WBAL-DT's audio? The audio levels constantly go up and down. Sometimes it gets so super loud that I have to turn the channel in frustration. This has been happening for a while now. Has anyone else noticed?

Yes. I've contacted them a number of times about audio issues since the switch back to 11. First it was too loud, now it does indeed fluctuate up and down. It's very annoying.

You can e-mail them, they usually respond in a couple days. I've personally gotten bored trying to justify the problems I see/hear to them and just watch WRC when their equipment isn't working right. Except for news, I still like WBAL news the best, even if the audio is usually out of sync :)

mikemikeb

08-26-09, 02:12 AM

The new data for WNVC, in particular, confirms the presence of Mobile DTV.I was looking at the TSReader outputs, and all of the "mobile DTV" stations but WUSA have a dedicated 1.8-3.5 Mbps carrier, with the name of "Unknown carrier" or "ATSC-M/H" that appears on the bottom diagram. WUSA sends a bunch of null packets. So how do you know that WUSA sends a mobile TV signal, yet?

nottenst

08-26-09, 08:41 AM

Trip in VA

08-26-09, 08:53 AM

I was looking at the TSReader outputs, and all of the "mobile DTV" stations but WUSA have a dedicated 1.8-3.5 Mbps carrier, with the name of "Unknown carrier" or "ATSC-M/H" that appears on the bottom diagram. WUSA sends a bunch of null packets. So how do you know that WUSA sends a mobile TV signal, yet?

WUSA has 3.67 Mbps of 0x1eee. That's Mobile DTV.

- Trip

systems2000

08-26-09, 10:06 PM

My problem is 7, believe it or not. Occasional dropouts due to signal/noise ratio being low (60% at best). 9 is fine, with a S/N of 90-95%. I'm assuming at this point that the antenna is picking up a lot of "air noise" on 7 and I'm not doing myself any favors with the rather hot 7777 amp.
Try your setup with the trap "OFF" and see if that makes a difference. You could also try using the FM trap adjustment to attenuate the RF7 level a bit.

I found that my "NEW" CM pre-amp didn't have the right adjustment for WJLA-TV before the transition (bad reception of RF7). While I adjusted the pre-amp, I had someone monitor the television.

Marcus Carr

08-27-09, 02:06 PM

D.C. Pols To Light FiOS Sept. 1

Verizon Expects to Begin Offering Service in Nation's Capital Later This Year

Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 8/27/2009 1:41:06 PM EDT

Verizon Communications will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Sept. 1, with mayor Adrian Fenty and other city officials to mark the official launch of the telco's FiOS network upgrade in the nation's capital.

The telecommunications company said it expects to begin offering FiOS TV and Internet services in parts of the District of Columbia starting later this year, competing with cable incumbent Comcast. Fenty in January approved the telco's 15-year cable franchise with the city.

The event is scheduled for Sept. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at 1600 19th St. S.E. near Minnesota Avenue. According to Verizon, the D.C. officials will take turns splicing fiber-optic lines following the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Scheduled to be on hand are Fenty, D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh, D.C. Office of Cable Television director Eric Richardson and Verizon regional president William Roberts.

Verizon said its construction teams have been working in D.C.'s southeast quadrant to lay fiber-optic cabling. The franchise agreement obligates Verizon to make FiOS TV available throughout the District within the next nine years.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/329156-D_C_Pols_To_Light_FiOS_Sept_1.php