A note for markbulla....the CW shows on Sunday night and Monday night were pillar boxed again (Everybody Hates Chris, for example).

I just want Smallville in full glorious HD!

Thanks again for the info. It turned out that the receiver needed to be reset. I'm not sure why it locks up occasionally.

I'm also not sure why no one in master control called me to ask/tell me about it...

Mark

I recieved notice in Baltimore City that Comcast is shutting off analog service in at least Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Harford County. Not sure if or how this may affect people with basic service and QAM but wanted to put a heads up out there. This may explain also why some are being told digital is baseline now.

I just spoke to the VP of engineering for Comcast who told us that they are working on replacing the old analog cable boxes, but that the analog signals will still be there so that you can still use your cable-ready TV or VCR to tune stuff in.

I was concerned that we would have to replace the TVs and VCRs that we have around the building (or get a bunch more digital cable boxes) if they were completely removing the analog signals, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Cheers -

Mark

I just spoke to the VP of engineering for Comcast who told us that they are working on replacing the old analog cable boxes, but that the analog signals will still be there so that you can still use your cable-ready TV or VCR to tune stuff in.

I was concerned that we would have to replace the TVs and VCRs that we have around the building (or get a bunch more digital cable boxes) if they were completely removing the analog signals, but that doesn't seem to be the case
Read the long thread on the recent Comcast conversion to "all" digital in Chicago city. IIRC, Comcast left around 20 analog channels for the local broadcast stations. I would have to check that thread, but some of the analog were local access and government channels. All of the remaining analog channels were digitally simulcast as well. Everything else was moved to digital, so there was a scramble for digital STBs. So in Baltimore, it would make sense that they will have WNUV 54 on the severely shrunk down analog core.

The good news, of course, is that once this is done, Comcast in the converted areas will have freed up a huge amount of bandwidth for adding HD channels. Although it will be interesting to see how this gets covered in the Baltimore & DC press and how the local governments react. I think the cable conversion to all digital with a small core of legacy analog channels is going to happen faster than people were expecting. A lot of older viewers or people with analog TVs in the kitchen or bedroom are going to be caught totally off guard by how fast Comcast is going to push the conversions. The reasons for doing this is not only to free up bandwidth for HD channels but to cut way down on cable theft.

I just spoke to the VP of engineering for Comcast who told us that they are working on replacing the old analog cable boxes, but that the analog signals will still be there so that you can still use your cable-ready TV or VCR to tune stuff in.

I was concerned that we would have to replace the TVs and VCRs that we have around the building (or get a bunch more digital cable boxes) if they were completely removing the analog signals, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

What he probably didn't tell you that only some of the analogs will still be available. I second the opinion that Comcast will follow the Chicago model in other markets and switch everything above the locals to an encrypted digital tier only. So you still be able to tune ABC, CBS, Fox on the TVs but you'll lose CNN, ESPN, etc. without an STB.

But there I also read that trees are a killer for UHF signals. I got tall trees in the direction of the TV transmitters. :(
I am not planning to put the antenna on the top of the roof, but rather on the top of my single storey shed (it is a big one, can fit a large car easliy). The antenna will be at the height of the middle of my second story.

Also even if I put it on the roof, I will still not clear the tops of the trees.
I can also try the attic :)

I am sitting here wondering if I should order the 4228 or not. What if it does not work through the trees? $80 antenna + $55 preamp down the drain?
Dense trees can and do degrade TV signals. UHF has shorter wavelengths so it is more susceptible to multi-path caused by moving leaves and branches. The problem is worse in the spring than it is in the winter. But the newer generation ATSC tuners have improved performance for shifting multi-path, so it may not be a problem for you. The only way to find out - short of professional equipment - is to put up an antenna and see what happens. If you want to look at alternate sources for OTA reception for your location, the neat new website, www.tvfool.com. Rather technical though. What it tells me is that I have LOS (line of sight) from my roof to only 1 TV broadcast tower (WFPT MPT in Frederick). All other stations are 1 or 2 edge diffraction because I have a ridge line a mile or more to my east in the direction of the DC and Baltimore stations. I get solid reception for DC and most of the Baltimore stations. I would do better if I put the antenna up on the roof, but the attic works well enough. The trees may or may not be a problem.

If spending money is the issue, my suggestion is still that you get either the CM 4221 (~ $40) or the CM 4228 first without the pre-amp. Put the antenna up on the shed and see what stations you get. If the signal is not reliable, then get a pre-amp. If the antenna does not work, you can try to sell it here at a reduced price to get something back.

BTW, while I'm on the subject of OTA reception, anyone out there getting the new (?) W06CJ low power spanish language station operating on analog VHF 6 in Arlington? It came up here in another thread and was mentioned on dcrtv.com recently. I don't see anything for analog 6, but my antenna has no pickup for low VHF. I would think that WTTG Fox 5 is not happy about an adjacent channel analog transmitter which may interfere for some viewers in Arlington.

Yup,
I tried out that tvfool site this morning. Took a printout
It says -85 dB for the channels I want, so that translates to an antenna in the attic (according to that site)

Let see what happens

Thanks again!

I recieved notice in Baltimore City that Comcast is shutting off analog service in at least Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Harford County.

What's the shutoff date?

Thanks again for the info. It turned out that the receiver needed to be reset. I'm not sure why it locks up occasionally.

I'm also not sure why no one in master control called me to ask/tell me about it...

Mark

Second time I've caught that on a weekend. Glad you got it fixed up. Hope you can get quicker notification in the future.

BTW, while I'm on the subject of OTA reception, anyone out there getting the new (?) W06CJ low power spanish language station operating on analog VHF 6 in Arlington? It came up here in another thread and was mentioned on dcrtv.com recently. I don't see anything for analog 6, but my antenna has no pickup for low VHF. I would think that WTTG Fox 5 is not happy about an adjacent channel analog transmitter which may interfere for some viewers in Arlington.

I've got a VHF/UHF combo and I'm not picking it up. But I also couldn't pick up WDCA when they were low power.

BTW, while I'm on the subject of OTA reception, anyone out there getting the new (?) W06CJ low power spanish language station operating on analog VHF 6 in Arlington? It came up here in another thread and was mentioned on dcrtv.com recently. I don't see anything for analog 6, but my antenna has no pickup for low VHF. I would think that WTTG Fox 5 is not happy about an adjacent channel analog transmitter which may interfere for some viewers in Arlington.
I did several scans at different rotor settings with my vhf/uhf/fm. No channel 6 here in rockville

markbulla: I am seeing grey pillarboxes on 54-1 (and 45-1) right now. I don't remember seeing those before... is that new?

What he probably didn't tell you that only some of the analogs will still be available. I second the opinion that Comcast will follow the Chicago model in other markets and switch everything above the locals to an encrypted digital tier only. So you still be able to tune ABC, CBS, Fox on the TVs but you'll lose CNN, ESPN, etc. without an STB.


Actually what the Comcast official told the other poster is correct. You're extending it to presume they are doing a Chicago scenario and that is not correct.

Comcast is simply stopping further support of analog converter boxes still in use by some customers. They are offering swaps to digital boxes for no additional charge if the TV in question needs a tuner.

I understand this is happening across most of the Baltimore market area.

GoIrish

markbulla: Why does titantv.com not have a full schedule for Good TV? The programs that are simulcasted from 45 and 54 are listed but other programs are not. It says off air for the other programming.

Actually what the Comcast official told the other poster is correct. You're extending it to presume they are doing a Chicago scenario and that is not correct.

Comcast is simply stopping further support of analog converter boxes still in use by some customers. They are offering swaps to digital boxes for no additional charge if the TV in question needs a tuner.

I understand this is happening across most of the Baltimore market area.

GoIrish

They are also offering additional digital boxes to those who already have one. Up to two additional boxes on an existing outlet free for a year.

Actually what the Comcast official told the other poster is correct. You're extending it to presume they are doing a Chicago scenario and that is not correct.

Comcast is simply stopping further support of analog converter boxes still in use by some customers. They are offering swaps to digital boxes for no additional charge if the TV in question needs a tuner.


And they're doing this out of the kindness of their heart? :rolleyes: They might not pull the plug as soon as Chicago but it's coming. They learned a few things with the switchover in Chicago and they're doing it a different way - convert virtually everyone first, then pull the plug. Not like Chicago where, they pull the plug and hope to catch up on the STB swap outs.

The sooner they drop most of this analog crap, the better.

markbulla: I am seeing grey pillarboxes on 54-1 (and 45-1) right now. I don't remember seeing those before... is that new?

No, they are not new. I've had grey pillar bars on there pretty much since we've been doing the HD channel. I tried to set them so that they would be at the low to average video level, in an effort to not cause burn in on people's wide screen tv's.

markbulla: Why does titantv.com not have a full schedule for Good TV? The programs that are simulcasted from 45 and 54 are listed but other programs are not. It says off air for the other programming.

Sorry, I don't know who provides that info. Looking at the Titan TV website, they are also showing 54.2, which we haven't had since January...

TVguide.com has all of the correct program info.

And they're doing this out of the kindness of their heart? :rolleyes: They might not pull the plug as soon as Chicago but it's coming. They learned a few things with the switchover in Chicago and they're doing it a different way - convert virtually everyone first, then pull the plug. Not like Chicago where, they pull the plug and hope to catch up on the STB swap outs.

I'm not saying a conversion isn't eventually coming. I'm saying what you related, that the Comcast rep didn't tell the whole story and they were about to sut down large numbers of analog channels in Baltimore, is simply inaccurate.

GoIrish

I caught up on the thread and didn't see any mention of this...

Has ABC/WJLA been having audio problems in the past few weeks? I recall a shrill tone during Lost a week or two ago and some audio glitches in Desperate Housewives recently.

Thanks.

I'm not saying a conversion isn't eventually coming. I'm saying what you related, that the Comcast rep didn't tell the whole story and they were about to sut down large numbers of analog channels in Baltimore, is simply inaccurate.

GoIrish


So this is incorrect?

I recieved notice in Baltimore City that Comcast is shutting off analog service in at least Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Harford County.

I caught up on the thread and didn't see any mention of this...

Has ABC/WJLA been having audio problems in the past few weeks? I recall a shrill tone during Lost a week or two ago and some audio glitches in Desperate Housewives recently.

Thanks.

I also vaguely remember thinking this during Lost on WJLA-DT last week.

No, they are not new. I've had grey pillar bars on there pretty much since we've been doing the HD channel. I tried to set them so that they would be at the low to average video level, in an effort to not cause burn in on people's wide screen tv's.

Ahhh, that's probably it... i was fiddling with some settings on my TV, so I guess I just made them more noticeable. Thanks for the reply!

So this is incorrect?

Yes, it is incorrect. My original response to the post that speculated this was happening may be more useful.

GoIrish

I also vaguely remember thinking this during Lost on WJLA-DT last week.

I recall that loud shrill noise as well a couple of weeks ago...

On a side note, is anyone in the Arlington (Comcast) area having bad audio drop outs on the major networks? The worst is Fox but I'm having it as well on ABC and CBS. I dont notice it on my Pay Channels...
It had gotten better after I picked up a signal booster but lately it's getting bad again.

Hi, I'm about to take delivery of a new LCD HD TV next week, and was wondering if anybody could recommend HD STBs (not really looking for a DVR functionality) to look/ask for (I'll just drive down to the local office and swap out my current SD digital STB)?

The lady on the 800 number told me that Comcast only offered Atlanta Scientific models 3200 and 3250 - is this true?

So for the last few months WMAR has been popping up messages in the middle of shows like Greys Anatomy or Lost advertising upcoming news stories etc. Very annoying. I like to see the picture on my HDTV, not their bad graphics promos. Well it got ten times worse tonight. They had a scrolling message on screen during Greys Anatomy for ages (or a min). Very distracting. Guess I will be watching WJLA from now on.

:rolleyes:

They ran the pop up scrolling annoyance four times during tonights 2 hour episode.



http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6453/wmarvs9.jpg

Last night's broadcast of Grey's had audio and video drop-outs almost every other minute. What's going on with ABC/WJLA? Did you see this on WMAR?

We only watched the first half so I'm recording tonight's last half just in case it's better than last night.

On a side note, is anyone in the Arlington (Comcast) area having bad audio drop outs on the major networks? The worst is Fox but I'm having it as well on ABC and CBS. I dont notice it on my Pay Channels...
It had gotten better after I picked up a signal booster but lately it's getting bad again.

In Alexandria, I (and a neighbor in my building) have been getting bad audio drop-outs on Comcast's broadcast HD channels (210, 211, 212) for a couple of days; made watching Lost even more inscrutable. Last evening I called Comcast tech, and (of course) the person on the other end was completely unaware of any technical problems with the audio; she said that she would notify the head end, so we shall see (or hear, as the case may be) if things get fixed soon.

A tale of two strangely run ABC stations:
One pre-empts NBA basketball playoffs for LaCrosse, and splashes annoying promos on the screen during network programming. They also place a very distracting watermark in the upper right hand corner of the screen, as if we don't know what station we are watching.

The other constantly has audio and video problems, endlessly shills Oprah and their news, pre-empts network shows for crappy movies, refused to show Jimmy Kimmel for the first year it was on, and and is the only Top 10 market not showing Wheel and Jeopardy! in HD. "Not a business need"

Times like this I wish I could pay DirecTV the extra bucks for the New York and LA affiliates in HD instead of the crap the local stations pull.

Oh, WMAR gets its share of audio problems. The rhythmic pop that occurs occasionally will drive you mad.

The other constantly has audio and video problems, endlessly shills Oprah and their news, pre-empts network shows for crappy movies, refused to show Jimmy Kimmel for the first year it was on, and and is the only Top 10 market not showing Wheel and Jeopardy! in HD. "Not a business need"
AFAIK, Boston is still not showing Jeopardy and Wheel in HD. I checked several of the Boston threads and I do not see any mention of WSBK showing Jeopardy & WOF in HD yet, although they plan to. So WJLA 7 is not only top 10 market with those 2 syndicated programs still in SD. OTOH, once the Pathfire syndication distribution system is upgraded to HD capability later this year, we can expect a number of syndicated programs to offer a HD version and WJLA may fall behind the curve.

As for audio dropouts, I have not noticed any audio problems with WJLA-DT via either Verizon Fios or OTA. But I may not been watching much on ABC lately. I have Grey's Anatomy on the DVR (via Fios) from last night, so I'll see if there are dropouts when I get around to watching it. However, as a general comment to people posting about problems with a station, please post how you are getting the signal - OTA, cable, satellite, the new D* mpeg-4 locals - when doing so.

Pop-up ads or inserts right smack in the middle of the show are irritating, but I fear they are here to stay and it will get worse. A lot worse. All we can do is complain to the station and networks that do this. Sooner or later there may be enough of a backlash that they will cool it - for a while.

A tale of two strangely run ABC stations:
One pre-empts NBA basketball playoffs for LaCrosse, and splashes annoying promos on the screen during network programming. They also place a very distracting watermark in the upper right hand corner of the screen, as if we don't know what station we are watching.

The other constantly has audio and video problems, endlessly shills Oprah and their news, pre-empts network shows for crappy movies, refused to show Jimmy Kimmel for the first year it was on, and and is the only Top 10 market not showing Wheel and Jeopardy! in HD. "Not a business need"

Times like this I wish I could pay DirecTV the extra bucks for the New York and LA affiliates in HD instead of the crap the local stations pull.


I agree, we pretty much have the worse ABC choices available. Not to mention both multicast. I count my blessings I can get about 4 or 5 other markets in HD so I don't have to put up with it.

AFAIK, Boston is still not showing Jeopardy and Wheel in HD. I checked several of the Boston threads and I do not see any mention of WSBK showing Jeopardy & WOF in HD yet, although they plan to. So WJLA 7 is not only top 10 market with those 2 syndicated programs still in SD. OTOH, once the Pathfire syndication distribution system is upgraded to HD capability later this year, we can expect a number of syndicated programs to offer a HD version and WJLA may fall behind the curve.

As for audio dropouts, I have not noticed any audio problems with WJLA-DT via either Verizon Fios or OTA. But I may not been watching much on ABC lately. I have Grey's Anatomy on the DVR (via Fios) from last night, so I'll see if there are dropouts when I get around to watching it. However, as a general comment to people posting about problems with a station, please post how you are getting the signal - OTA, cable, satellite, the new D* mpeg-4 locals - when doing so.

Pop-up ads or inserts right smack in the middle of the show are irritating, but I fear they are here to stay and it will get worse. A lot worse. All we can do is complain to the station and networks that do this. Sooner or later there may be enough of a backlash that they will cool it - for a while.

Sorry, I'm watching over Comcast cable in MC.

As for audio dropouts, I have not noticed any audio problems with WJLA-DT via either Verizon Fios or OTA. But I may not been watching much on ABC lately. I have Grey's Anatomy on the DVR (via Fios) from last night, so I'll see if there are dropouts when I get around to watching it. However, as a general comment to people posting about problems with a station, please post how you are getting the signal - OTA, cable, satellite, the new D* mpeg-4 locals - when doing so.
My neighbor and I both have Comcast cable (and no OTA). I have a higher rate package and use a cable card for decryption. He has a lower rate package and gets the clear QAM feed of the broadcast HD channels. We've both been having the audio drop-out problems, so the issue is somewhere at the head end.

We were watching Greys tonight(From WJLA OTA)from last week and I noticed some weird audio problems in a few spots I never heard before in 6 years of watching HD. We then watched the 2 hour episode and that one was fine.

We had the same problems on Friday night's rebroadcast. I had recorded the last half again just in case as we got through only the first half Thursday night. Is this a Comcast problem?

A tale of two strangely run ABC stations:
One pre-empts NBA basketball playoffs for LaCrosse, and splashes annoying promos on the screen during network programming. They also place a very distracting watermark in the upper right hand corner of the screen, as if we don't know what station we are watching.

The other constantly has audio and video problems, endlessly shills Oprah and their news, pre-empts network shows for crappy movies, refused to show Jimmy Kimmel for the first year it was on, and and is the only Top 10 market not showing Wheel and Jeopardy! in HD. "Not a business need"

Times like this I wish I could pay DirecTV the extra bucks for the New York and LA affiliates in HD instead of the crap the local stations pull.

I note you joined AVS in March 2007 so you don't have the benefit of the history here than some of us do. WJLA has come a long way in terms of HD. For example, they use to consistently forget to "flip the switch" from SD to HD. That changed awhile ago. Their cheif engineer posts here and keeps us up to date. And do you realize many of the dropouts are network problems and out of the purview of WJLA? And one more thing, WUSADT made the switch to HD news quite some time ago and have their ratings improved one bit as a result? I think not.

As for WMARDT, they were one of the first digital channels in this area to succesfully use a DD5.1 encoder for network programming. This was not an insiginificant investment, especially when 4 years ago there were few of us around with HDTVs and DD5.1 capable receviers. And then recently they buy the equipment necessary to re-broadcast Wheel and Jeopardy in HD and you're complaining?

Next time it might be wise to do a little reasearch before you make such unfounded and uneducated posts.

WMARDT was great 6 years ago when WJLA was still broadcasting SD. I used to record the HD broadcasts from WMARDT at my girlfriends place in MD and then every weekend I would carry a portable harddrive home to Virginia so I could watch the ABC shows in HD from the previous week. There weren't any antennas back then that I could use at my condo to reliably receive the HD stations or even mount on my building. Things have changed alot in the last six years. I wish all the things that are out now were available 6 years ago. I was basically using a digital HD VCR. Not like now with the HD DVRs. But it did the job back then and my HiPix cards did allow me to timeshift OTA HD.

Ok, tonight's Desperate Housewives had the same problems as Grey's. From what I've heard, Comcast has been working with ABC on this issue so it is possibly not Comcast's issue. Can Robert please weigh in on this?

Thanks.

I finished watching DH earlier from OTA and didn't have any of the problems that I saw in the Greys broadcast on April 26th. I'll need to check my recording from Comcast.

re: audio dropouts - Anyone watch LOST WJLA-DT last week? I'm trying to determine if some of the rare audio dropouts I'm getting is a hardware, provider or broadcast issue. Specifically in the jungle scene where Locke takes Sawyer to 'see' Ben and Sawyer is asking Locke about what was in his 'file.' I got about a 2 second full audio drop (don't have the timestamp exactly.) This occurs somewhat infrequently where I'm getting about a 2 second audio drop in some of the programming I'm watching (TNT-HD NBA basketball comes to mind on Sat also.) It always seem to be ~2 second dropout. Haven't really noticed it on DISC-HD (Planet Earth.) I'm pretty sure its either a station broadcast issue/gltich or provider (FIOS) issue and want to narrow the problem down. When I rewind the DVR back the dropout is still exists and my receiver doesn't seem to lose the Dolby Digital stream lock.
My provider is FIOS and using a Sony HDG-500 tuner/cable card DVR (component out) with a Marantz receiver optical connection. TIA.

I note you joined AVS in March 2007 so you don't have the benefit of the history here than some of us do. WJLA has come a long way in terms of HD. For example, they use to consistently forget to "flip the switch" from SD to HD. That changed awhile ago. Their cheif engineer posts here and keeps us up to date. And do you realize many of the dropouts are network problems and out of the purview of WJLA? And one more thing, WUSADT made the switch to HD news quite some time ago and have their ratings improved one bit as a result? I think not.

As for WMARDT, they were one of the first digital channels in this area to succesfully use a DD5.1 encoder for network programming. This was not an insiginificant investment, especially when 4 years ago there were few of us around with HDTVs and DD5.1 capable receviers. And then recently they buy the equipment necessary to re-broadcast Wheel and Jeopardy in HD and you're complaining?

Next time it might be wise to do a little reasearch before you make such unfounded and uneducated posts.

Thanks for the really nice post, DG28. The last sentence is inappropriate and should be removed. We don't agree about certain things concerning WMAR and WJLA. (however uneducated you think my opinions may be)

What I cited in my post are what I have seen watching the stations and reading other posts. Most of the people who added entries after mine are stating the same thing concerning audio problems.

We are tired of network pre-emptions, annoying crawls, audio drops (both affiliates), stations behind the curve in HD (WJLA) and the like. I am well aware of WMAR's equipment investment, and I did not have HD back in the days when the WJLA engineer forgot to flip the switch (something that happens occasionally over on WRC). I don't like WJLA, it is run at times like a station in a very small market. Even the engineer, who has posted here from time to time, has said he can't get the suits in Rosslyn to ante up for the needed equipment to be able to air the two game shows in HD. Perhaps when the Pathfire is up and running things will change.

This forum is quite useful, and I wish I had the technical knowledge many of you have.

I had seen "warnings" about the Comcast switch off of analog so I asked a tech who came on the 2nd to install digital voice. Although Comcast is offering the digital boxes (they are the size of a paperback book and connect to a TV over channel 3, BTW), Comcast will not be switching off analog before the FCC end date for OTA analog.

YMMV

Some tech working in the Chicago area would probably have said the same thing 6 months ago.

Las Vegas, NV (May 7, 2007) – The History Channel® and DIRECTV, Inc. today announced that DIRECTV will be the first to launch The History Channel HD, a new 24-hour high definition television network, scheduled to debut in September 2007. In addition, A&E HD, which debuted in 4Q 2006, will also launch on DIRECTV in September. The announcement was made by David Zagin, Executive Vice President of Distribution AETN. (read more - DirecTV (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127160&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=997179))

hehe, we need a running count of all the new HD channels that DirecTV has announced.

hehe, we need a running count of all the new HD channels that DirecTV has announced.What will all these new HD nets do with SD content???? Hopefully, NOT what TNT-HD does... :rolleyes:

Anyone else have issues with Heroes HD last night with Cox? I dvred it and it showed up as only 50 min instead of 62 and near the end there were scenes where it skipped around, missing audio, missing pixels on the screen. Was this just an issue with the signal I was getting from Cox or something with the connection to the tv. I'm assuming it was a cable issue since it was messed up on the dvr.

Anyone else have issues with Heroes HD last night with Cox? I dvred it and it showed up as only 50 min instead of 62 and near the end there were scenes where it skipped around, missing audio, missing pixels on the screen. Was this just an issue with the signal I was getting from Cox or something with the connection to the tv. I'm assuming it was a cable issue since it was messed up on the dvr.

Must be Cox. I recorded it OTA and there were no issues for me.

Deezul

Anyone else have issues with Heroes HD last night with Cox? I dvred it and it showed up as only 50 min instead of 62 and near the end there were scenes where it skipped around, missing audio, missing pixels on the screen. Was this just an issue with the signal I was getting from Cox or something with the connection to the tv. I'm assuming it was a cable issue since it was messed up on the dvr.

No issues with me...no image/audio problems or skipping.

[B]I don't like WJLA, it is run at times like a station in a very small market. Even the engineer, who has posted here from time to time, has said he can't get the suits in Rosslyn to ante up for the needed equipment to be able to air the two game shows in HD. Perhaps when the Pathfire is up and running things will change.

I have never said the company would not 'ante' up the money, in fact, I have never even asked for it. There is simply no business reason or motive (that which makes the world go round) to purchase the equipment. Pathfire's upgrade will not factor into the decision.

If you personally would like to cut us a check for $80,000, I will be more than happy to purchase the equipment so the less than 1% of our audience can see Trebek in HD. I'll even install a plaque on the gear naming them after you.

[B]This forum is quite useful, and I wish I had the technical knowledge many of you have.

As in any information tool... if used properly, with wisdom and temperment, is a good thing.

If you personally would like to cut us a check for $80,000, I will be more than happy to purchase the equipment so the less than 1% of our audience can see Trebek in HD. I'll even install a plaque on the gear naming them after you.


Less than 1% of your audience?

Wonder who is buying all those HDTVs in the area (it is hard to find a non-HD TV around here above 25 inches). They must watch WUSA or WRC....

And yet, the CEA says that 28% of homes have HDTV. I will bet the penetration is higher in areas with money...oh, like DC and its suburbs.

But we are glad you spent the money on 7-3. I wonder how many people watch that?

Less than 1% of your audience?

Wonder who is buying all those HDTVs in the area (it is hard to find a non-HD TV around here above 25 inches). They must watch WUSA or WRC....

And yet, the CEA says that 28% of homes have HDTV. I will bet the penetration is higher in areas with money...oh, like DC and its suburbs.

But we are glad you spent the money on 7-3. I wonder how many people watch that?


The same report from the CEA shows that less than 20% of those people can tell the difference between HD and SD and that most get their signal from cable and don't even go to the high tiers to watch HD content (even the 6mbs stuff Comcast throws out).

The penetration will get there, especially by 2009. As Ben Franklin said, a penny saved is a penny earned, and broadcasting IS a business.

But we are glad you spent the money on 7-3. I wonder how many people watch that?

LocalPoint cost less than $20K to put on the air, and we get 100% more viewer feedback on it than we ever do on WeatherNow. We are being approached by syndicators, like 48-hour Films, that want their content shown.

We could not be happier with the response to LP.

What is LocalPoint?

Comcast and Digital STB's:

With Comcast starting to require digital STB's on their analog feeds is there any uniformity to the pricing. Some time ago, I read that Comcast would provide 2 STB's without charge and start charging for a third or more. Some neighbors tell me that in order to continue to receive HBO they had to start paying for a STB because it was moving tyo the Digital Tier. As Comcast requires a
Digital Outlet fee for every TV that has a STB how is this pricing to work? For instance I have a HDDVR for my HDTV. We did have the digital tier going to a second Tv but dropped that feed when they started to charge a DIgital Outlet Fee of $9.95. As we now have several Tv's with just analog feeds what will we have to pay? If each TV up to two is eligible for a digital STB at no fee that is easy to understand. Other folks tell me that a free box is only for one year and then a fee will be instituted. Does one have to pay an additional DIgital Outlet fee of $9.95 for each "free" STB or if not free an additional STB fee? In my opinion there is no need for a DIGITAL OUTLET FEE as there is no reason to pay for the same bare RG6 to connect to a STB or to a RF input on a TV or VCR. So, it is possible to pay up to $10.00 for each digital STB unless they are "FREE". One may as well go with Satellite because then you know that each STB will require a separate fee(one for the box and a second for the mirroring fee) in addition to the programming fee + the HD fee + the local channel fee . It just never stops. Do the Comcast customers in Charles Co, Md. realize that the Comcast Franchise fee was sneakily increased by .48% last month to 5.48%. I never saw a statement regarding this by the County Commisioners and noone could explain how it was computed till I complained to Comcast Corporate.

I was wondering if anyone has had any luck picking up any extra channels on Comcast QAM in the Towson area besides network HD channels. I had a $20 antenna at one point which picked up the local HD network channels, but I was curious if anything else came through the non-digital basic tier service.

What is LocalPoint?
The WJLA-DT 7.3 SD sub-channel

LocalPoint cost less than $20K to put on the air, and we get 100% more viewer feedback on it than we ever do on WeatherNow. We are being approached by syndicators, like 48-hour Films, that want their content shown.
Oh, those silly syndicators! They'd do the same even if Robert fessed up & came clean that the 100% more is two viewer call-in's a month for LP and one a month for WN! ;)

I have never said the company would not 'ante' up the money, in fact, I have never even asked for it. There is simply no business reason or motive (that which makes the world go round) to purchase the equipment. Pathfire's upgrade will not factor into the decision.

If you personally would like to cut us a check for $80,000, I will be more than happy to purchase the equipment so the less than 1% of our audience can see Trebek in HD. I'll even install a plaque on the gear naming them after you.

As in any information tool... if used properly, with wisdom and temperment, is a good thing.

Only $80K? Doesn't sound like a lot. I'm surprised you wouldn't at least ask for it...

Only $80K? Doesn't sound like a lot. I'm surprised you wouldn't at least ask for it...

But look at from a cost/return point of view. It would be a long time, A LONG TIME, before those machines paid for themselves. Showing those two shows in HD will not increase the ratings, which those show already win their time slots.

Look, I believe that within the next year it will happen, I just don't like all the cheap shots the station gets by people who are too loose with other people's money.

Look at it this way, you and I live on the same street. I paint my house with $80K of gold, sparklelee paint, which looks REALLY nice, but does not increase the value of my house one bit, it just looks better. I then go around demanding that you, and the rest of my neighbors, paint their house the same way at the same cost.

Would you fork over the $80K to paint your house if it does not benefit you? (and don't pull the more viewers/ratings card, WOF and Jep are already #1)

Just my .02

Oh, those silly syndicators! They'd do the same even if Robert fessed up & came clean that the 100% more is two viewer call-in's a month for LP and one a month for WN! ;)

LP gets about a dozen feedbacks and 3 or 4 phone calls a week, not counting my mom and pizza orders. :)

.........their signal from cable and don't even go to the high tiers to watch HD content (even the 6mbs stuff Comcast throws out).



6mbps! Really?

What is OTA HDTV's bitrate?

What is OTA HDTV's bitrate?
Folks like Fox and Robert say 14 or so is fine and our eyes can't perceive the more than 25% reduction from the 19.39! And of course we true HD addicts know better from actual viewing experience, but simply have caved in to multicasting.

Less than 1% of your audience?I agree. IMHO, that number appears quite low... I was a non WOF and J! viewer. Since our local station now shows them both in HD, I have on occasion watched them. I'm pretty sure there are similar households in the DC area.

I'm just an armchair station owner but for $80,000, in a large market like DC, and for two VERY popular syndicated shows... ;)

Would you fork over the $80K to paint your house if it does not benefit you? (and don't pull the more viewers/ratings card, WOF and Jep are already #1)If my house made millions and millions and millions and millions of dollars like WJLA does year after year... Sure, I'd paint my house for $80K... seems like a good investment... to stay ahead of the game. I wouldn't want to wait for the current paint job to start looking bad... ;)

I've beat up on Robert enough about multicasting and here I gotta weigh in completely on his side. I'm addicted to HD, but sad to say believe my wife is fairly typical of many average viewers. If I'm not vigilant in this household, she'll blatantly and clear-headedly watch shows in SD all the time even when she knows they're available in HD. So $80K is a lot of moolah to this small town boy who still roots for the Steelers since Harry Truman's days (or was it FDR?).

Look, I believe that within the next year it will happen,

If there is ZERO financial incentive, why would the management bother within the next year or ever?

If there is ZERO financial incentive, why would the management bother within the next year or ever?

Because we have to move to HD news because everyone else on the market will and news is where the business is (and the revenue). In the process, we will convert the rest of the station. But today, I can convert our news operations for 65 cents on the dollar of what it cost WUSA 2 years ago and the longer I wait, the cheaper it becomes where it will be a no-brainer. I think this will happen in the next 12-15 months.

In fact it has already begun...we just took delivery of 50 Sony XDCam HD cameras and 30 XDCam decks. We use them in SD mode now, but to record and playback HD content that does not come directly from ABC in our HEAVILY automated plant, would cost a lot of money today with NO RETURN on investment.

I'll stop beating the dead horse now. :)

to stay ahead of the game.

I understand your point, but how would showing Jeopardy and WOF in HD keep me ahead of the game? I already own the time period ratings-wise, and no advertiser will pay more for commericals there because its in HD, so how can I stay ahead by showing a prettier picture? The demogaphic viewer skews so high, most would not change/kick their SD habit as Bill SO hit the nail on the head.

I could make the switch next week if ther was a sound business reason to do it. It would cost mid-6 figures, but I could do it that quickly.

We HD fanatics -- and I mean this in a sincere way -- have gotta realize money trumps everything! Else why among other things would quantity over quality be in complete absolute dominance?

We HD fanatics -- and I mean this in a sincere way -- have gotta realize money trumps everything! Else why among other things would quantity over quality be in complete absolute dominance?


Thanks. These boards are filled with 'the HD feed was messed up so I had to switch to SD.' Sure, HD is a preference, but content is king, because nobody says 'the HD feed was messed up so I turned off the TV and read a book.'

Thank God. :)

Hey guys, don't despair, our day's coming HD PQ wise! It may be 10 or 15 years down the road, but someday we'll be congratulating each other & we'll look back and say incredulously "You mean you had to accept HD from nets & stations at only 14 Mbps?? Unbelievable!

Thank God I can watch WMAR.;)

Thank God I can watch WMAR.;)

I hear ya...no brainer choice for me ;)

Thank God I can watch WMAR.;)

Thank GOD I don't Watch ABC...

read a book.'

Read a book? Do you really think we HD fanatics actually read books? :D

Thank GOD I don't Watch ABC...

ABC has nothing to do with Wheel and Jeopardy.

Thanks for your posts, Robert. Your perspective is much needed and appreciated around here.

ABC has nothing to do with Wheel and Jeopardy.
True, but since it's on the ABC affiliate here, it does...

Sure, HD is a preference, but content is king, because nobody says 'the HD feed was messed up so I turned off the TV and read a book.'


Well I may be 1 in a million but I'll say it. I hadn't watched network TV for 20 years until I got an HD set and when a timeslot comes up with no HD content I switch it off and read a book. :) (oh yes, and I can't stand the overcompressed stuff on pbs, it's worse than SD)

Well I may be 1 in a million but I'll say it. I hadn't watched network TV for 20 years until I got an HD set and when a timeslot comes up with no HD content I switch it off and read a book. :) (oh yes, and I can't stand the overcompressed stuff on pbs, it's worse than SD)

The only non-HD, non-animated show I watch is Ebert & Roeper.

I dunno.

By Bob's reasoning on HD and Jeopardy/Wheel of Fortune, I don't see why he has HD at all. According to him, it doesn't affect the ratings (content is king). According to him, advertisers don't pay anymore for HD, so there is ZERO dollar incentive.

Gee, why even have HD for ABC shows? It is business decision, after all.

What I actually think is that he had NO idea if it would improve his ratings or not and is sitting on his laurels because he already "wins" that time slot. No continuous improvement. No looking ahead. No getting better to get better, just look at what money I get this very minute. Gee, with that attitude, we would never move forward. Forget that if he had the equipement for synidcated HD, he could bid on Redskins games that are on ESPN or the NFL Network or find other uses. Nope, we can't think progressively.

Bob, if you think people aren't switching to WMAR to watch in HD, you are just being silly. We both know that the ratings do not cover HD choices nor do they measure what you COULD have in your viewership. Only what you do. To say "good is good enough" over a paltry (yes, I said paltry) $80k is shameful.

What I actually think is that he had NO idea if it would improve his ratings or not and is sitting on his laurels because he already "wins" that time slot.

He's probably right, for the moment. There will be a tipping point though when the "mainstream" demands it and it makes financial sense to wait until just prior to that point to ride the wave.

Gee, why even have HD for ABC shows? It is business decision, after all.

ABC runs HD only commercials that they get additional revenue for, 40-50% of the Oscars had HD versions of their SD spots running.



Forget that if he had the equipment for synidcated HD, he could bid on Redskins games that are on ESPN or the NFL Network or find other uses.


The last ESPN Redskins game we did, we showed in HD.



Bob, if you think people aren't switching to WMAR to watch in HD, you are just being silly.


If all the HD viewers in Washington DC watched WMAR at 7pm, WJLA would still win its timeslot by a mile and it would only help WMAR the smallest, atom-size, bit.

I agree with the fundamental 'it would be nice', but nobody here has come up with a business reason to do it.

I'm presently visiting my lady friend here in Alexandria Virginia.

We (actually she) bought a new plasma (with my assistance of course ;) ) on Monday and it was delivered yesterday.

With her cable service from Comcast (she also has cable internet, so I suspect she has digital cable), we're able to tune some of the in the clear QAM channels with the Panasonic's tuner.

Would like to find out if anyone has a list of in the clear QAM channels through Comcast in the old Alexandria VA area and could share them with us.

Many thanks,

JimP

People post the channels here from time to time. Generally, its usually just Over the Air broadcast channels that you can view. NBC, CBS, etc... Stuff like ESPN-HD is often encrypted. There have been reports of some Video On Demand stuff being sent in the clear. In other words, if a neighbor of yours used VoD, you might be able to see what they are watching.

Imagine how amazing books would look in HD! I might actually read some if they were!!! :D :D :D

-Mike

Hi,

We just got our Comcast (in Arlington VA) Scientific Atlanta 3250HD STB. Works great, and I've got it plugged into our LCD tv via component. Before I go buy a DVI to HDMI cable, I was wondering if folks knew whether Comcast's boxes even have their DVI port "activated"?

I only ask because I was unsuccessful in getting the box to put out any audio over its optical out plug. Checking Scientific Atlanta's online manual for the 3250, it mentions that optical out and DVI are options that may or may not be available.

Thanks.

He's probably right, for the moment. There will be a tipping point though when the "mainstream" demands it and it makes financial sense to wait until just prior to that point to ride the wave.

Having had HDTV for three years and seeing the the tremendous change in available HD programming in that period, I agree that its only a matter of time. I truly appreciate Robert posting here and I understand his position-don't shoot the messenger. I think the real change in this area comes this fall when D* has one of its new satellites up, a whole bunch of new HD channels launch, and FIOS, which also has the HD capacity, is available in many locations.

If all the HD viewers in Washington DC watched WMAR at 7pm, WJLA would still win its timeslot by a mile and it would only help WMAR the smallest, atom-size, bit.

I agree with the fundamental 'it would be nice', but nobody here has come up with a business reason to do it.

I think that the Nielson statistics seriously under count the HD viewers - so there may be a situation where the data is way off.

Maybe its still a good business decision - as I suppose Neilson comes off as the yardstick for advertising revenue.

They tried and begged to get me to participate - but its just not designed to monitor computer tuner cards - nor cable boxes connected to projectors, nor monitoring of hd file servers like my Avel linkplayer.

And I venture to guess there's a large population like me that they just can't realistically count today.

With her cable service from Comcast (she also has cable internet, so I suspect she has digital cable), we're able to tune some of the in the clear QAM channels with the Panasonic's tuner.

Would like to find out if anyone has a list of in the clear QAM channels through Comcast in the old Alexandria VA area and could share them with us.

You don't need a list from anyone else - what the TV tuned is what you get. It doesn't matter what anyone else up the street might get - if the TV doesn't get it, it doesn't get it. And it doesn't matter what kind of service she has - the same clear QAM chs would be available with all tiers of service.

We just got our Comcast (in Arlington VA) Scientific Atlanta 3250HD STB. Works great, and I've got it plugged into our LCD tv via component. Before I go buy a DVI to HDMI cable, I was wondering if folks knew whether Comcast's boxes even have their DVI port "activated"?


Let me guess - you bought into the myth that DVI/HDMI is better than component? :rolleyes: If nothing else, don't also fall for the myth that those $100 "special" cables are any better than the plain $10 ones. :(

Don't know about the myth or not... I just wanted to try it out and see, but there's no point in paying even $1 if the STB's DVI function isn't even enabled.

Don't know about the myth or not... I just wanted to try it out and see, but there's no point in paying even $1 if the STB's DVI function isn't even enabled.
The DVI port should be enabled. Call Comcast and ask. Ask for the digital audio optical port, I don't recall ever having read any reports where the digital audio ports were not enabled. Check the setup menu on the Scientific Atlanta STB to see there is a setting for enabling the optical and coaxial digital audio ports.

But look at from a cost/return point of view. It would be a long time, A LONG TIME, before those machines paid for themselves. Showing those two shows in HD will not increase the ratings, which those show already win their time slots.

Look, I believe that within the next year it will happen, I just don't like all the cheap shots the station gets by people who are too loose with other people's money.

Just my .02

Granted, I'm only looking at it from a HD viewer's point of view. But just out of curiousity, can you speculate at all on why WMAR-DT thinks it's worth it? And why did WUSA go with HD news? I was traveling a lot to the NYC area recently, and I was amazed at how both WCBS and WNBC really hype their HD News broadcasts in that market. (ABC and FOX don't seem to be HD in this market.) I understand the concept of ROI, but what makes some stations come to a slightly different conclusion on the issue? It would seem that for a market as large as DC/Baltimore, there would be more than just one local HD newscast.

As for Jeopardy and WOF, I can tell you that I hadn't consciously watched either program in years, but once WMAR started doing them in HD, if I'm home and have nothing better to do, I will now tune them in.

Coincidentally, I just bought a new LCD panel HDTV and it is amazing how much better the tuners are getting. This set picks up more DTV channels with and indoor antenna than my previous set does with an outdoor antenna. It's even picking up some analog channels I'd never come across before. They're really improving the ability of ATSC tuners in the new sets.

Isn't it like anything else, a business decision? What one company decides to do is not necessarily the same thing another company will do. Although I think WJLA is the only station of the top 12 or 15 markets that don't air these two syndicated shows in HD(not postive though). From a business perspective it makes perfect sense. The equipment will be cheaper in 6 or 12 months than now so you wait and can get a newer and better piece of equipment for a lower price down the road. The purpose of a business is to make money.
Now from an HD viewers perspective I don't like the fact that they don't have this capability. Personally I won't watch the shows now in SD. If they were in HD I might watch them occasionally.
But it is a business decision and whether we think it is right or wrong it is their decision to make.

Isn't it like anything else, a business decision? What one company decides to do is not necessarily the same thing another company will do. Although I think WJLA is the only station of the top 12 or 15 markets that don't air these two syndicated shows in HD(not postive though). From a business perspective it makes perfect sense. The equipment will be cheaper in 6 or 12 months than now so you wait and can get a newer and better piece of equipment for a lower price down the road. The purpose of a business is to make money.
Now from an HD viewers perspective I don't like the fact that they don't have this capability. Personally I won't watch the shows now in SD. If they were in HD I might watch them occasionally.
But it is a business decision and whether we think it is right or wrong it is their decision to make.


Equipment will always be cheaper 6-12 months down the road, so why bother upgrading? It just comes down to dollars and cents and since they feel that there will be no return on investment then why bother? The demo for WoF and Jeopardy is not necessarily the same one that makes up the HD Market and since they do not get any boost in ratings from a HD Broadcast, why should they bother?

Robert, would you please comment on the ABC HD broadcast quality issues? We watched Lost last night on our Comcast DVR (Motorola 6412) and had constant audio dropouts and pixelating. I watched Heroes recently with no problem so I don't think it's the box. It consistently happens with the ABC shows we watch. I'm not happy that I have to record the SD broadcasts as a backup. I'd like to get an answer as to whether it's a known issue with ABC/WJLA or with Comcast.

Thank you.

Robert, would you please comment on the ABC HD broadcast quality issues? We watched Lost last night on our Comcast DVR (Motorola 6412) and had constant audio dropouts and pixelating. I watched Heroes recently with no problem so I don't think it's the box. It consistently happens with the ABC shows we watch. I'm not happy that I have to record the SD broadcasts as a backup. I'd like to get an answer as to whether it's a known issue with ABC/WJLA or with Comcast.

Thank you.

Its a known issue with Comcast and the both of us are working on it. I have Fios and OTA at the house and make it a habit to watch more OTA then Fios during prime and I don't see the same issues there.

There are at least 5 engineers working on it now.

Robert, would you please comment on the ABC HD broadcast quality issues? We watched Lost last night on our Comcast DVR (Motorola 6412) and had constant audio dropouts and pixelating. I watched Heroes recently with no problem so I don't think it's the box. It consistently happens with the ABC shows we watch. I'm not happy that I have to record the SD broadcasts as a backup. I'd like to get an answer as to whether it's a known issue with ABC/WJLA or with Comcast.

Thank you.
I have Comcast basic cable in Prince George's county. I use an OnAir GT USB tuner to check my signal level, and it normally varies from 32 to 34 db, but last week the signals varied from 27 to 30 db. When the signal level is below 28, I observe the problems you report. This appears to be a cable problem, and today the signal level is high, and no problems.

Hi,

We just got our Comcast (in Arlington VA) Scientific Atlanta 3250HD STB. Works great, and I've got it plugged into our LCD tv via component. Before I go buy a DVI to HDMI cable, I was wondering if folks knew whether Comcast's boxes even have their DVI port "activated"?

I only ask because I was unsuccessful in getting the box to put out any audio over its optical out plug. Checking Scientific Atlanta's online manual for the 3250, it mentions that optical out and DVI are options that may or may not be available.

Thanks.

Optical audio out probably won't work unless you are watching a Digital Channel, so any of the Analog channels <100 won't have audio, but most everything above 100 should have audio out on the Optical jack. If you had a DVR with Comcast, you would get the Analog stations with optical out. The reason is the DVR encodes the video/audio streams to MPEG2 to store on the hard drive whereas a normal 3250 box does not have an encoder in it. This has been my past experience, but isn't necessarily the concrete truth across the board on all providers.

Its a known issue with Comcast and the both of us are working on it. I have Fios and OTA at the house and make it a habit to watch more OTA then Fios during prime and I don't see the same issues there.

There are at least 5 engineers working on it now.

Thank you for the update. It's been frustrating reporting the problems to what seemed like a vacuum.

Thanks. These boards are filled with 'the HD feed was messed up so I had to switch to SD.' Sure, HD is a preference, but content is king, because nobody says 'the HD feed was messed up so I turned off the TV and read a book.'

Thank God. :)

In going HD, The Weather Channel cited the fact that HD viewers tend to keep their remotes from scrolling out of the HD tier, which in my experience is certainly true. This will only increase as more channels come online. Sure, actual HD viewers are still a minority, but they're the minority that brings in the ad dollars.

Of course, this has less effect on you guys, since you get a free slot in the HD tier whether you're broadcasting in HD or not. And in any case, the bread-and-butter viewer of either ABC7 News at 11 or WOF/Jeopardy doesn't particularly care about HD.

Here's an interesting question. Will HD news every really pay for itself? I've probably watched a dozen local news broadcasts since I started college five years ago. How sustainable is the 11:00 news business model... period? I guess those types of operations are in better shape than, say, the local newspaper in a surburban community, but it can't be by all that much.

Of course, this has less effect on you guys, since you get a free slot in the HD tier whether you're broadcasting in HD or not.


Not always - the only reason WJLA made the attached Titan-TV list is because it had bogus HD info on WOF

Its a known issue with Comcast and the both of us are working on it. I have Fios and OTA at the house and make it a habit to watch more OTA then Fios during prime and I don't see the same issues there.

There are at least 5 engineers working on it now.


Has Comcast redistributed the bandwidth on QAM channel 123 between WJLA and WETA since WETA (which shares 123 with WJLA here in PG County) added two prime time SD subchannels?

Before, the two extra subchanels channels weren't active while WETA-HD was. If Comcast allocated the bandwidth on 123 based on that fact, then the change might be reducing WJLA's bandwidth on Comcast.

Just something to think about.

Sure, actual HD viewers are still a minority, but they're the minority that brings in the ad dollars.

Got any references to back that up? Jeez.

Robert,

Thanks again for playing in this sandbox.

Got any references to back that up? Jeez.Do I honestly need references to assert that people with the expendable income to blow on an HDTV that'll run at least $1000 are in higher income brackets than people who can't afford to throw around that kind of money on a TV? Jeez.

I got my "FiOS TV is available to you" special delivery package today. It came in a cardboard envelope, like the ones you get from FedEx or UPS. It had the ch lineup and the premier package for $43/mo. A lot less than Dish.

Not so sure I'm going to bite yet. Dish has a lot more HD channels, the PQ is fine by me, and I sure like my OTA/Sat HD DVR. If FiOS had a "Try us for 30 or 90 days" I would be all over it.

Robert, would you please comment on the ABC HD broadcast quality issues? We watched Lost last night on our Comcast DVR (Motorola 6412) and had constant audio dropouts and pixelating. I watched Heroes recently with no problem so I don't think it's the box. It consistently happens with the ABC shows we watch. I'm not happy that I have to record the SD broadcasts as a backup. I'd like to get an answer as to whether it's a known issue with ABC/WJLA or with Comcast.

Thank you.


No problem with the Lost broadcast on Wednesday with my Sereis 3 TiVos from OTA or Comcast. I've stopped recording the SD version as a backup. I'd been doing it since 2001 and finally stopped last fall. Fortunately I've only had a couple of problems this past season and that was from the wind blowing the branches near my antenna. The broadcasts from all the local stations are usually consistent now. Nothing like it was 5 or 6 years ago.

In going HD, The Weather Channel cited the fact that HD viewers tend to keep their remotes from scrolling out of the HD tier, which in my experience is certainly true.

100% true in my case !
Ever since we got HD, I rarely stray out from the few channels they give in HD!

I got my "FiOS TV is available to you" special delivery package today. It came in a cardboard envelope, like the ones you get from FedEx or UPS. It had the ch lineup and the premier package for $43/mo. A lot less than Dish.

Not so sure I'm going to bite yet. Dish has a lot more HD channels, the PQ is fine by me, and I sure like my OTA/Sat HD DVR. If FiOS had a "Try us for 30 or 90 days" I would be all over it.Except FiOS HD Picture Quality is IMO much better than Dish Network; all FiOS TV channels are pristine...there is no HD-Lite, unless that is what is being sent by the broadcaster. With the exception of the 15 VOOM proprietary channels, FiOS actually offers more national HD and several more local HD channels for DC area customers. For me it's all about PQ, but a major consideration would be the HD DVR. At this point there is no comparison...FiOS TV wins hands-down.

FiOS TV HD channels not offered by Dish Network
WETA-DT
WDCA-DT
WMPT-DT
WDCW-DT
Wealth TV
MTVHD
Lifetime Movies HD
TMCHD

Dish Network channels not offered by FiOS TV
A&EHD
HGTVHD
VOOM (Animania, Equator, Family Room, FilmFest, GamePlay, Gallery, HDNews, KungFu, Monsters, Rave, Rush, Treasure, Ultra, World Cinema, WorldSport)

Dish Network channels not offered by FiOS TV
A&EHD
HGTVHD
VOOM (Animania, Equator, Family Room, FilmFest, GamePlay, Gallery, HDNews, KungFu, Monsters, Rave, Rush, Treasure, Ultra, World Cinema, WorldSport)
Verizon Fios has HGTV-HD which was in the set of the three national HD channels added last month. There has been no indication when Verizon will add A&E-HD, but I would consider it likely to be added sometime in the next few months. What Dish has and Verizon does not are the 15 HD Voom channels which, as far as I know, are only available on Dish. I don't think there are any cable companies that have the Voom channels, even those with the bandwidth for them, so Dish may have an exclusive arrangement with Voom. The other higher profile HD channels that Verizon currently does not have are Comcast Sportnet Mid-Atlantic HD and Versus/Golf-HD.

I agree that Fios will have better picture quality in general for the SD and HD channels than Dish. The four locals you listed are available OTA with an antenna to most people who live in the greater DC area, so a Dish subscriber can get them that way.

The con as you mentioned is the Verizon Motorola 6416 HD-DVR with it's 160 GB HD. It is more reliable, has more storage capacity than the 6412 DVR I had with Adelphia and does the basic job of recording and time-shifting TV pretty well. But it is limited to around 20 to maybe 25 hours of HD programming total. The external SATA port is not enabled and won't be until new software gets pass DRM testing and is approved; even then there is no guarantee that Verizon will add it. There is supposed to be a major overhaul of the Fios DVR software coming out "soon", but enabling the eSATA port is not part of this. The lack of storage capacity for HD is, for me, the biggest drawback of the 6416. However, if one wants to spend the money, the Series 3 Tivo does work pretty well with Fios.

The other con to Verizon Fios for those thinking of switching from Comcast is that Verizon does not yet have any HD VOD. Verizon is working on adding HD VOD; maybe we will start to see it with the upgraded DVR software.

Overall, I glad that I was able to switch from Comcast/ex-Adelphia in Loudoun. Comcast still only has 14 HD channels (and no HDNet or HDNet Movies) in Loudoun compared to 26 HD channels available on Verizon Fios Washington Metro lineup (8 locals, 13 national, 5 premium movie channels). The upload/download speed for internet access is impressive. There are Fios specific threads in the HD Programming, hardware reception, and recorder forums people considering Fios should check.

100% true in my case !
Ever since we got HD, I rarely stray out from the few channels they give in HD!

Me too. I'm always in the HD Comcast realm except for occasional PBS show on SD and not in HD and a ballgame here or there. When MASN gets HD it will be even less.

Rich N.

FIOS sounds like an excellent deal. I'm using several Series 3 TiVos with Comcast currently and they are supposed to work with FIOS. FIOS is doing construction on my street this month. Who knows when they will actually offer service though. They seem to have most of the HD channels including the HDNet channels which Comcast doesn't have. The only reason I still have DirecTV is for the HDNet channels. I really need to drop DirecTV completely. Once Comcast offers the phone service and I have phone, INTERNET and TV from them, it will be difficult to switch unless I have problems. It figures though. My choices were limited for HD 6 years ago and pretty soon my choices will be almost unlimited the way thing are going with all the providers.

Does FIOS offer service to anyone in Prince William County yet?

No problem with the Lost broadcast on Wednesday with my Sereis 3 TiVos from OTA or Comcast. I've stopped recording the SD version as a backup. I'd been doing it since 2001 and finally stopped last fall. Fortunately I've only had a couple of problems this past season and that was from the wind blowing the branches near my antenna. The broadcasts from all the local stations are usually consistent now. Nothing like it was 5 or 6 years ago.

So you're pulling the HD channels from Comcast through your own receiver? Maybe that's the difference, plus that I'm in MC. Do they have separate head-ends?

We just got our Comcast (in Arlington VA) Scientific Atlanta 3250HD STB. Works great, and I've got it plugged into our LCD tv via component. Before I go buy a DVI to HDMI cable, I was wondering if folks knew whether Comcast's boxes even have their DVI port "activated"?

I only ask because I was unsuccessful in getting the box to put out any audio over its optical out plug.

stuntmole, I've had an SA3250 in Arlington for a few years and its optical audio out and DVI out are both active. (Also, its firewire port is active, which is the main reason why I've kept it...)

Let me guess - you bought into the myth that DVI/HDMI is better than component?

biker19, a local thread probably isn't the place to get into this, and I apologize if you weren't being entirely serious, but DVI and HDMI can clearly be "better than" component. It just depends on your equipment, the size and type of your HDTV, your personal understanding and experience in HT and how critical an eye you have.

That said, I have an SA3250 which ironically IS connected via component, but that's just because I don't rely on it for much. It is very acceptable, though. (I record and watch most of my HD via firewire and QAM, and send it from those devices via HDMI, DVI and VGA into my display.)

Optical audio out probably won't work unless you are watching a Digital Channel, so any of the Analog channels <100 won't have audio, but most everything above 100 should have audio out on the Optical jack.

true, compuwizz, but if your area has gone ADS your basic analog channels are digital, in a sense. Here in Arlington, I only have an optical audio cable going from my 3250 into an AVR, and I get DD below 100 just fine--so ESPN on 11, SciFi on 51, et al, all digital audio.

Anyone catch 'Crimson Tide' last night on WDCA-DT? Now its not a HDTV station I normally tune to in my FIOS lineup but for kicks I checked it out. Wow pic not too bad. Widescreen presentation and resolution looked good (audio DD 2.0) I'd almost guess it was full HD. Side cropping/pan & scan (CT has 2.35:1 ratio) and there seemed to be some top/bottom cropping (some headshots cut short but this could have been intentional cramped sub quarters.) Anyone know the details?

Ok, here's the situation: My parents went away on a... j/k!

I'm moving in about a month. FIOS isn't available at the new address (Falls Church, VA, Fairfax county, ZIP 22042). I'm trying to decide between COX for cable, or Dish Network. Either way, we are getting Cable from COX, since neither FIOS nor DSL is available there. Their cable alone is $41.99/mo.

We have 2 TVs, one is HD, the other standard.

For all the stuff I want, Dish's normal monthly price would be $60/mo (Top 100 plan, HD, HD-DVR, Locals, free activation w/18-mo commitment). Their promotion will give me $20/mo back for 10 months. With the cable, normal monthly price will be $102/mo.

When I priced out COX with roughly-equivalent service, it comes out to $72.23/mo (+ the $41.99/mo for internet, when bundled, but that I'm getting either way, so I'm subtracting that out for comparison). However, they offered me a huge 10-month promotional discount. I can get everything (cable tv, internet, and phone line), for $67.35 for 10 months, after which it goes up to the regular price of $114.22/mo.

Right now, I'm thinking of going with that for the 10 months, then switching the TV to Dish.

Dish Pros:
All channels, plus the DVR would be available from both TVs with the VIP-622 box.
DVR has 2 tuners, and can record 2 shows at once (3 if you include the OTA one too).
More HD channels. Here are the channels available from Dish that aren't on COX:


A&E HD
Animania HD
Equator HD
Family Room HD
Film Fest HD
Food Network HD
GamePlay HD
Gallery HD
HDNet
HDNet Movies
HDNews
HGTV HD
Kung Fu HD
Monsters HD
NFL Network HD
Rave HD
Rush HD
Treasure HD
Ultra HD
World Cinema HD
WorldSport HD

But none of these are ones I would watch a lot (Does HDNet show good movies? If so, maybe that).



Dish Cons:
Would cost more for those first 10 months than going COX 1st then switching.
No land phone line (we both have cell phones, but it could come in handy (911, etc.)).
Can drop out due to weather (rain, snow, etc.).


COX Pros:
Would cost less for the 1st 10 months.
No commitment - Can cancel with no penalty.
A few HD channels not available on Dish: Local CW HD, INHD1, MTV-HD (but we don't watch most of these, either).
Includes phone line.


COX Cons:
The 2nd TV would not have access to the digital channels, nor the DVR on the main set.
May only be able to record 1 show at a time (not sure).
Not as many HD channels.


I guess what I really want to know is, is it worth going with COX for 10 months and then switching to Dish? Or, is one of them better than the other in other ways (How's the picture quality for each, etc.?) and should I just get one and stick with that?

Thanks

I believe we found and resolved the issue with Comcast's reception of our DTV feed.

This weekend, I ask those of you that STILL see the same level of problems that have plagued us over the past couple of weeks, to let me know here.

Thanks

In times of change I'd go with the one without a commitment.

In times of change I'd go with the one without a commitment.If I want, I can pay the $50 set-up fee and have no commitment for Dish. Oh, and Dish has free professional installation, while Cox will charge $200, unless I do self-installation, in which case it'll just be $10.

Generally, I don't see myself leaving Dish if I get it, so the commitment wouldn't be too much of a problem.

May only be able to record 1 show at a time (not sure).The Cox DVR is dual tuner.

Personally, I'd go with Cox (unless you absolutely-positively-gotta-have the Voom channels). As always, of course, YMMV. I was reasonably happy with them and with Verizon coming on so strong they have to compete or suffer. And ... being in Falls Church, I'd expect Fios to be available (reasonably) soon. Switching back and forth between cable and Fios is so flippin easy ... QAM works ... CableCard works ... I (personally) don't see going back to DBS of any type ever again. Whichever (wired) provider gives me the best bundled service ...

Of course, YMMV.

Note: Fios is available to me (and I did switch to them).

I've been a Dish Customer for nearly 7 years now. If I'm still an advocate at this time, they must be doing something right. :D

I believe we found and resolved the issue with Comcast's reception of our DTV feed.

This weekend, I ask those of you that STILL see the same level of problems that have plagued us over the past couple of weeks, to let me know here.

Thanks

Thanks! I'll be sure to report back after the weekend. I don't think there's anything we watch on ABC until Sunday (Desperate Housewives).

Cool. I just found out that my uncle in Olney has FiOS TV. I need to head over to Olney tomorrow to mow Mom's yard. He needs to me to help set up some home networking, so I can get a chance to check it out. I asked if he had HD, and he said that they got a 50" Plasma. Should be fun. :D

100% true in my case !
Ever since we got HD, I rarely stray out from the few channels they give in HD!

That's mostly because given a quality signal and the choice between SD and HD, why would *anyone* put up with SD?

I have a Philips 42PF7320A/37 hanging on my bedroom wall (no CableCARD, Comcast of Prince George's, MD) and I get all the HD locals plus A&E-HD and TNT-HD (amusingly, Comcast of PG sends both in the clear), and I refuse to watch their SD equivalents unless TNT-HD is Absolutely Screwing The Pooch (I had the chance to actually watch the HD broadcast of NBC Nightly News (Comcast's feed orf WRC-DT was actually pristine throughout the NNN: 1080i done right!) and it was gorgeous; looks like CBS has a target to shoot for PQ-wise)

I get Comcast regular analog expanded package. They have this channel called Discovery HD Theater. Is this the Discovery HD channel every1 feels the need to pay extra for because of the jaw dropping PQ?

Isn't it part of the HD Tier which costs $5 a month?

Isn't it part of the HD Tier which costs $5 a month?


That's what I thought.
So if that's what it is: Consider me impressed & surprised it's on the analog tier.

Are you seeing it with a Digital tuner? (ie built-in QAM tuner) or just a regular analog tuner?

Seeing "all kinds" of things through QAM in the last week or so.......

That's what I thought.
So if that's what it is: Consider me impressed & surprised it's on the analog tier.

Analog tier? There ain't no HD on any analog tier. What channel is it on?

Isn't it part of the HD Tier which costs $5 a month?

I didn't think Comcast had a separate HD tier ?

GoIrish

I didn't think Comcast had a separate HD tier ?

GoIrish

It is just what kind of box you have. If you have an HD box, you get HD. Not really a tier, just which box you obtain.

Some of the HD is encrypted on my System(non premium)Without the cable cards to decrypt them and me paying the $5, I can't receive them.

Robert,
WJLA on DirecTV is still breaking up. "Housewives" and "Brothers and Sisters" are barely watchable. So the problem isn't just Comcast.

Hi all -

New to this - but I'm trying to pick up OTA with a Hinese box and Silver Sensor antenna. We are only 6 miles from TV hill, but the signal will not lock consistently.

Here is the weird thing - reception is best with the antenna facing away from the transmitters. Switching over to Fox 45 or 24 (the analog channels in that range) shows a fairly clear picture.

I'm about ready to pack it in until I can invest in a outdoor antenna. Any ideas? Or is this just the nature of the beast? I even tried using a cheap set of rabbit ears with a signal combiner to kill the multi-path "ghosting," which worked okay on some channels (2.1 and 13.1) but made others unwatchable (24.1, 45.1, and sometimes 11.1) without constant adjustments.

(Analog 11 is crystal clear - so if worst comes to worst I guess I can live without using the box for it).

Thanks -

chet

Robert,
WJLA on DirecTV is still breaking up. "Housewives" and "Brothers and Sisters" are barely watchable. So the problem isn't just Comcast.

Ditto here on Comcast. I wouldn't say DH was unwatchable, but I think it was a tad worse. At times the breakups were a few seconds long as opposed to the little blips we were having previously.

Robert,
WJLA on DirecTV is still breaking up. "Housewives" and "Brothers and Sisters" are barely watchable. So the problem isn't just Comcast.

Again no problem here. I recorded DH from OTA and off Comcast. I only had one time that I lost audio and it was for half a second and occurred on OTA and from Comcast. Everything else with the broadcast from both sources was perfect with my Series 3 TiVos.

New to this - but I'm trying to pick up OTA with a Hinese box and Silver Sensor antenna. We are only 6 miles from TV hill, but the signal will not lock consistently.

Here is the weird thing - reception is best with the antenna facing away from the transmitters. Switching over to Fox 45 or 24 (the analog channels in that range) shows a fairly clear picture.
Which model of the Silver Sensor antenna are you using? Amplified or non-amplified? You are probably getting some signficant multipath. Where is the Silver Sensor set up? Did you a different location for the antenna with minimal obstruction in the direction of the broadcast towers such as placing the antenna in a window?

Hi all -

New to this - but I'm trying to pick up OTA with a Hinese box and Silver Sensor antenna. We are only 6 miles from TV hill, but the signal will not lock consistently.

Here is the weird thing - reception is best with the antenna facing away from the transmitters. Switching over to Fox 45 or 24 (the analog channels in that range) shows a fairly clear picture.

I'm about ready to pack it in until I can invest in a outdoor antenna. Any ideas? Or is this just the nature of the beast? I even tried using a cheap set of rabbit ears with a signal combiner to kill the multi-path "ghosting," which worked okay on some channels (2.1 and 13.1) but made others unwatchable (24.1, 45.1, and sometimes 11.1) without constant adjustments.

(Analog 11 is crystal clear - so if worst comes to worst I guess I can live without using the box for it).

Thanks -

chet


I agree with Afiggat. In your case, LESS signal is probably the way to go. It sounds like your receiver is getting too high a signal level, and can't cope with it. Unlike analog signals, if you put too high a signal level into your receiver, it won't work. Adding amplifiers, or an outdoor antenna will only make things worse.

To see if you are getting too much signal, you could unhook your antenna from your receiver, and replace it with a paperclip that you straightened out (don't push it more than 1/4 inch into the antenna jack). If you get a more consistant signal with the paperclip (and you don't have an amplified antenna), you could purchase a 10 dB RF attenuator to "pad" the signal down. They are cheap ($1.30 plus shipping) at MCM (http://www.mcminone.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=MCMProducts&category%5Fname=3829873&product%5Fid=33%2D2765), and other places (although I can't quickly find them at Radio Shack...). You would put this between your antenna and the receiver. You could also use this with an amplified antenna, but I would suggest returning that, and getting an non-amplified antenna instead.

Mark

The Cox DVR is dual tuner.

Personally, I'd go with Cox (unless you absolutely-positively-gotta-have the Voom channels). As always, of course, YMMV. I was reasonably happy with them and with Verizon coming on so strong they have to compete or suffer. And ... being in Falls Church, I'd expect Fios to be available (reasonably) soon. Switching back and forth between cable and Fios is so flippin easy ... QAM works ... CableCard works ... I (personally) don't see going back to DBS of any type ever again. Whichever (wired) provider gives me the best bundled service ...

Of course, YMMV.

Note: Fios is available to me (and I did switch to them).Yes, I would seriously consider FIOS if it were available, and if/when it does, I will consider switching.

And no, the Voom channels probably aren't all that important, either.

I guess another important question would be, between Dish and Cox cable, would there be any discernable difference in HD picture quality? Would one be better than the other? My dad has DirecTV, and his HD doesn't look anywhere near as crisp as what I'm used to seeing (right now, I pick up locals OTA in HD), but he may not have everything set up correctly, although I did make sure his box was outputting 1080i. Is Dish more/less compressed than Cox?

Oh, and for future reference, how does FIOS HD PQ compare to Dish and Cox?

Oh, and for future reference, how does FIOS HD PQ compare to Dish and Cox?

FiOS's HD PQ is better than everyone else's for right now, but with HD channels you can't really notice the difference unless it is D* which uses HD Lite. I have had E*, Cox, and now FiOS. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. I believe FiOS is the best of them all, but it has more stuff to be installed if you get a STB. The PQ on the SD is the real difference maker for me. SD looks 100 times better than Cox and noticeably better than E*. I have a CableCard from FiOS and I love it, YMMV.

All of a sudden last week, I was unable to receive WUTB and the MPT (Owings Mills) digital stations over the air. I have never had problems with them in the past. I was wondering if anyone is having similar problems. I hope it's not a hardware issue for me.

Thanks,
Sam

All of a sudden last week, I was unable to receive WUTB and the MPT (Owings Mills) digital stations over the air. I have never had problems with them in the past. I was wondering if anyone is having similar problems. I hope it's not a hardware issue for me.

Thanks,
Sam

What have you done to try to correct the problem?

I can attest first hand that the PQ between Dish and cable is easily seen.

Someone I know used to have HD cable in Leesburg. His PQ was excellent. Recenetly he switched to Dish...not the HD PQ always leaves me wanting more.

Its as if they are compressing data or something (actually they ARE)

But then you already have the very best.... OTA. Nothing compares to it as far as bitrate and PQ.

Satellite and (to a less extent) cable simply dont have enough bandwidth.

But then again.....Dish has so many nice channels in HD. Maybe a combo would be best...if I can afford both ...oh well !


I guess another important question would be, between Dish and Cox cable, would there be any discernable difference in HD picture quality? Would one be better than the other?

RE: getting a list of QAM channels in the clear
You don't need a list from anyone else - what the TV tuned is what you get. It doesn't matter what anyone else up the street might get - if the TV doesn't get it, it doesn't get it. And it doesn't matter what kind of service she has - the same clear QAM chs would be available with all tiers of service.Actually, in some places you do need a list, like Comcast, Montgomery County. Whether on purpose or not, their QAM info contains errors so many tuners will not pick up the channels on a scan, but can directly tune them (at least some of them). I have a TiVo S3 temporarily without cable cards. On a scan, I don't pick up any of the original OTA digital channels in the range over 100 (I pick up other channels, like the music channels). I can tune some of them because I know where they are from other people's lists, eg NBC at 108-1. There's no way I can find them without a list.

Does anybody know where FOX is now in Montgomery County? I suspect it's moved recently, with the tier changes. I can't tune it at 105.3 which is where my lists put it.

Are you seeing it with a Digital tuner? (ie built-in QAM tuner) or just a regular analog tuner?


well my Mitsubishi has a built in QAM & the HD stations I am getting (usual network stuff) is coming through nice & clean.

So probably the QAM without the cable box & straight from the wall.

Analog tier? There ain't no HD on any analog tier. What channel is it on?

100 something recalling from work here.

So, barring OTA, FiOS has the best PQ overall, but I can't get that yet.

And it sounds like for HD, Cox has better PQ than E*, but for SD, is there a winner?

Also, someone said that Cox's HD-DVR box has 2 tuners. Are they both HD? Does it also allow me to hook up an OTA antenna and view/record off that, or is it cable-only?

Also, someone said that Cox's HD-DVR box has 2 tuners.That would be me.Are they both HD?Yes.Does it also allow me to hook up an OTA antenna and view/record off that, or is it cable-only?Cable-only ... no OTA / antenna.

100 something recalling from work here.

That ain't analog. What you must be seeing are clear QAM stations. Why anything that is not local HD or someone's PPV are availalbe on clear QAM is the question.

Oh, also, does Cox allow you to hook up an external hard drive to expand your storage capacity? When I called them to ask, they said "no" but now I see this (http://www.cox.com/support/fairfax/digitalcable/dvr/8300HD/07.asp) on their homepage, so it looks like it can. Can someone verify?

Sounds like E* customers are still waiting for this feature, right?

What have you done to try to correct the problem?


Not much really. I did an auto-scan on my television. I tried to tune the channels in directly. I moved my antenna around a bit. No luck.

Oh, also, does Cox allow you to hook up an external hard drive to expand your storage capacity? When I called them to ask, they said "no" but now I see this (http://www.cox.com/support/fairfax/digitalcable/dvr/8300HD/07.asp) on their homepage, so it looks like it can. Can someone verify?

Sounds like E* customers are still waiting for this feature, right?
If the Cox HD-DVR was a Motorola box, then the external SATA port would not be enabled. None of the Motorola DVRs out there, from any vendors AFAIK, have an enabled eSATA port. The reason is that the software and DRM copy protection has to pass a industry validation & test process and Motorola is still reportedly working on this. Verizon uses the Motorola 6416, so this affects Fios subscribers.

Some Scientific Atlanta 8300 HD-DVRs do have working eSATA ports as SA got their software approved some time ago. Check the HDTV recorders forum for the threads on the SA 8300 DVRs. Should be some info in there from Cox subscribers on whether Cox has been nice enough to enable the eSATA port.

Some Scientific Atlanta 8300 HD-DVRs do have working eSATA ports as SA got their software approved some time ago. Check the HDTV recorders forum for the threads on the SA 8300 DVRs. Should be some info in there from Cox subscribers on whether Cox has been nice enough to enable the eSATA port.

I wish Cox would also enable the FireWire ports on the SA8300HD for those who don't have a eSATA external hard drive.

Anyways,
Has anyone used this eSATA port? When I had this DVR I didn't have a eSATA port on my external hard drive so I couldn't experiment with it. How does the DVR manage the recordings?

I wish Cox would also enable the FireWire ports on the SA8300HD for those who don't have a eSATA external hard drive.

Anyways,
Has anyone used this eSATA port? When I had this DVR I didn't have a eSATA port on my external hard drive so I couldn't experiment with it. How does the DVR manage the recordings?I can't answer for the SA8300HD, but a couple of weeks ago it was publicized how to (unofficially) add an external eSATA disk for the TiVo S3, and people have been playing with it since.

The S3 external disk is meant to be used only as permanent expansion. It's invisible to the user except as more space - the user can't tell the TiVo where to put shows. All shows are encrypted and tied to the individual machine. If the external disk is disconnected, the user is asked to "divorce" the internal and external disks (or reconnect the external disk). After this is done, the only shows remaining are those that were entirely recorded on the internal disk. Even if you then re-attach the external disk, all of the shows previously on it are lost. So you can't use multiple external disks as archives (ie, disconnecting and storing a filled disk until you want to see a show recorded on it doesn't work) .

Does anybody know where FOX is now in Montgomery County? I suspect it's moved recently, with the tier changes. I can't tune it at 105.3 which is where my lists put it.
It is still at 105.3, as of tonight. The channel changes go in effect tomorrow--I'll make a point to check tomorrow and see if it moved.

Which model of the Silver Sensor antenna are you using? Amplified or non-amplified? You are probably getting some significant multipath. Where is the Silver Sensor set up? Did you a different location for the antenna with minimal obstruction in the direction of the broadcast towers such as placing the antenna in a window?

non-amplified. before heading outside - I'm going to break out my really long cable and try moving the antenna upstairs to see if that helps. if that doesn't work - maybe I'll go outside and hopefully not fall off the roof.

None of the CW Monday night lineup was available in HD tonight.

non-amplified. before heading outside - I'm going to break out my really long cable and try moving the antenna upstairs to see if that helps. if that doesn't work - maybe I'll go outside and hopefully not fall off the roof.
Ok, Mark and I were wondering if you had an amplified Silver Sensor because at only 6 miles, the amp could overload the receiver. But you have the non-amplified model, so it is likely multipath or dead zones in the house. Do you have a window facing in the direction of the Baltimore broadcast towers? You could also place the antenna so only the outside wall in the direction of the towers. You want to minimize obstructions in the house and get some elevation on the antenna. Good luck.

Ok, Mark and I were wondering if you had an amplified Silver Sensor because at only 6 miles, the amp could overload the receiver. But you have the non-amplified model, so it is likely multipath or dead zones in the house. Do you have a window facing in the direction of the Baltimore broadcast towers? You could also place the antenna so only the outside wall in the direction of the towers. You want to minimize obstructions in the house and get some elevation on the antenna. Good luck.

mark & afiggatt -

I tried the paper clip, and got about 95% on 11.1 and 90%+ on 54.1. 45.1 was gyrating around 80% with breakups. thinking it through (with my limited knowledge anyway) - it now makes more sense why using the backside of the antenna was working to pull a halfway decent signal. maybe the attenuator is worth a shot. I'll see if I can find one at the local radio shack and report back. thanks for the tip.

also - the antenna points directly out a window facing the towers (blocked by building across the street of course).

RE: getting a list of QAM channels in the clear
Actually, in some places you do need a list, like Comcast, Montgomery County. Whether on purpose or not, their QAM info contains errors so many tuners will not pick up the channels on a scan, but can directly tune them (at least some of them). I have a TiVo S3 temporarily without cable cards. On a scan, I don't pick up any of the original OTA digital channels in the range over 100 (I pick up other channels, like the music channels). I can tune some of them because I know where they are from other people's lists, eg NBC at 108-1. There's no way I can find them without a list.

Does anybody know where FOX is now in Montgomery County? I suspect it's moved recently, with the tier changes. I can't tune it at 105.3 which is where my lists put it.
As of yesterday, Fox was 105.3 in Montgomery county. There are some changes apparently in the digital (and analog?) line-up starting today for Comcast Mont. county. Anyone check them out yet? Supposedly TV guide has moved to digital, and there are 5 more channels(?). I'll do a scan tonight, but I was wondering if there were any surprises I should watch for.
J

bump.
Any differences? Anyone?
J

I posted this in its own thread, but I should have posted it here first. I should have paid more attention to the layout of this forum.

Hi to everyone. I've been reading a lot of helpful posts on this forum for a long time, and now it's time for me to make my first post. I've been having a terrible time with reception of WRC in Washington DC.

I'm about 55 miles away in Charles Town, WV. I'm using an Antennas Direct 91XG antenna, a Channel Master 7777 amplifier, and DirecTV H10 Receivers. All my other channels come in at a pretty solid 93% but WRC bounces back and forth between 60-83 with occasional dips into the 50's or momentary total signal loss.

I'm not sure what else to try to correct this problem. My uncle explained to me the concept of multipath and that sometimes pointing the antenna at a slightly off angle will fix it, but being that my antenna is so highly directional, re-aiming it didn't do any good. I tried going for maybe halfway between Baltimore and Washington, but I lost both. I tried overshooting Washington just a bit and lost all my channels. If I don't have my antenna pointed close to 130 degrees, I can't get much of anything.

So I'm appealing to others in the area or those with similar experiences. Anybody have any suggestions on how to solve my problem? Of course, due to Murphy's law, the signal is mostly fine during commercials, and cuts out only during crucial moments of programming.

Thanks,
Pacocase


afiggatt responded to me with this:
You should post this in the Baltimore-Washington thread. Your problem is not unique out where you are with getting the digital signal for WRC-DT NBC 4 which is broadcast on UHF 48. The reason is that there is a low power analog station WAZW-CA 48 located in Winchester, VA which interferes with the digital reception of WRC-DT. You need to try to block out the interfering signal from WAZW and/or get a better ATSC tuner. Again, take this to Baltimore-Washington thread.


So thanks for the explanation. How do I block out WAZW?

II'm about 55 miles away in Charles Town, WV. I'm using an Antennas Direct 91XG antenna, a Channel Master 7777 amplifier, and DirecTV H10 Receivers. All my other channels come in at a pretty solid 93% but WRC bounces back and forth between 60-83 with occasional dips into the 50's or momentary total signal loss.

So thanks for the explanation. How do I block out WAZW?
Perhaps I should rephrase my post and say that you MAY be getting interference from WAZW-CA 48. Where are you with respect to Charles Town? In the city, north or south of it? Your zip code can help us evaluate your distance from WAZW-CA. If you look at the coverage map for WAZW-CA at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=CA279607.html, Charles Town is just beyond the northern fringe.

Do you have an analog NTSC tuner hooked up to the antenna or can you easily connect one? If so, what do you see for the analog signal when you tune to UHF 48 with the antenna aimed at DC. Then depending on much trouble it is, you may want to aim the antenna at Winchester to get a sense of how strong the signal is from WAZW-CA.

As for blocking the signal, that is not easy. You already have the right antenna for your situation with the directional 91XG. One way to try is to mount the antenna where the house or a chimney blocks the signal to some extent from the direction of WAZW-CA. You could also investigate putting up a wire mesh screen near but not touching the antenna to your SW to block the signal.

Are you able to get a good signal for WMAR NBC 11 in Baltimore? If you can't block WAZW-CA, that may be your best bet for NBC in HD until the analog shutdown in 2009. WAZW will be shutting down the analog signal on UHF 48 and broadcasting a digital signal on UHF 46 which will fix the interference problem for WRC-DT NBC 4 (which will be keeping it's digital signal on UHF 48). However, WBBF-DT Fox 45 in Baltimore will be staying on UHF 46, so WAZW-LD (LD = low power Digital) is likely to create an interference problem for any WBBF-DT viewers out there. See the predicted Service Contour map for WAZW-LD's digital signal at http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?list=0&facid=168449.

If you want to get a feel for the calculated signal strength from both stations, go to tvfool.com and enter your exact location & height for the antenna. See what the dBM report is for the analog and digital stations. If you determine that your reception problem is due to WAZW-CA, you should email WRC-DT and let them know. Heck, email the FCC. Maybe even write a snail mail letter to the WRC station manager if you are motivated enough.

Oh, also, does Cox allow you to hook up an external hard drive to expand your storage capacity? When I called them to ask, they said "no" but now I see this (http://www.cox.com/support/fairfax/digitalcable/dvr/8300HD/07.asp) on their homepage, so it looks like it can. Can someone verify?Cox Fairfax uses Scientific Atlanta boxes ... and has updated to the SARA firmware versions that have eSATA support so ... as long as you get a box with an eSATA port (8300HD, 8240HD) eSATA works.

I was using an 8300HD from Cox Fairfax w/ external 300GB hard drive via eSATA before switching over to Fios.

That being said, they don't really "support" external drives ... ie, call and ask them a question and you'll probably get a confused mumble.

But anyway, read the 8300HD eSATA thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=516559

All applicable to Cox Fairfax.

Has anyone used this eSATA port? When I had this DVR I didn't have a eSATA port on my external hard drive so I couldn't experiment with it. How does the DVR manage the recordings?Recordings automatically go on whichever drive has the most space available.

I'm in zip 25438 technically Ranson WV, out on a farm slightly NW of Charles Town city. I thought about making something to shield my antenna from the Winchester side if interference from WAZW does turn out to be my problem, but that seems like too much trouble. I guess the easiest thing to do would be to install a rotor on my antenna. I can get WMAR if I'm pointed towards Baltimore, but currently to do that I have to crawl up on the roof.

Thanks very much for your help!

I can get WMAR if I'm pointed towards Baltimore, but currently to do that I have to crawl up on the roof.

Thanks very much for your help!

You will need to get WBAL-DT from Baltimore for NBC, not WMAR-DT. I find that of the Baltimore CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and CW affils, WBAL is the hardest to get. Probably because they're way up the dial on UHF channel 59. It'll be interesting to see how much reception issues change in a couple of years when the analog stations are shut off (thus getting rid of a lot of interference) and the high frequency UHF channels like WBAL (59) and WMAR (52) and WRC (48) move down the dial if that's going to happen.

Anybody have UHD in COMCAST MOCO yet?!?!

Comcast Mont. county
I did channel scan-not much new, except I found TV20's HD counterpart at 64.3. Lost TV guide,and didn't find it amoung the digital channels I could get. Other than that, nothing new. :(
Anyone find TVguide with QAM?
J

Comcast Mont. county
I did channel scan-not much new, except I found TV20's HD counterpart at 64.3. Lost TV guide,and didn't find it amoung the digital channels I could get. Other than that, nothing new. :(
Anyone find TVguide with QAM?
J

ehhh I mean Comcast Cable...:)

Actually, I wasn't responding to your post, more of a follow-up on my earlier post. FWIW, I have comcast cable, I just don't use a STB.
J

Anybody have UHD in COMCAST MOCO yet?!?!
I had it before 6am this morning. Some of the other new channels took their time to arrive.

You will need to get WBAL-DT from Baltimore for NBC, not WMAR-DT. I find that of the Baltimore CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and CW affils, WBAL is the hardest to get. Probably because they're way up the dial on UHF channel 59.
My mistake, I meant WBAL-DT NBC 11 in Baltimore. It is the weakest signal of the major stations in Baltimore at 513 kW and up there at UHF 59. It may tough for someone to get way out in Charles Town unless pacocase is up on a hill and even then it may be iffy. Of course, WBAL-DT also stretches all the SD content so this is not the optimum substitute for WRC-DT 4. I guess Charles Town would fall into the WHAG NBC 25 coverage area, but WHAG-DT (on UHF 55) is still at low power on the digital signal, and as far I know is still SD only.

My mistake, I meant WBAL-DT NBC 11 in Baltimore. It is the weakest signal of the major stations in Baltimore at 513 kW and up there at UHF 59. It may tough for someone to get way out in Charles Town unless pacocase is up on a hill and even then it may be iffy. Of course, WBAL-DT also stretches all the SD content so this is not the optimum substitute for WRC-DT 4. I guess Charles Town would fall into the WHAG NBC 25 coverage area, but WHAG-DT (on UHF 55) is still at low power on the digital signal, and as far I know is still SD only.

Yeah, that's right. NBC 25 is right in my area and I can pick it up and watch it on NTSC with rabbit ears. I am pretty sure they are only SD, and besides they're completely the other direction for my antenna. I know when I first hooked it up the ancient VHF antenna I replaced was facing Baltimore, so I figured I'd try it first. I was using an old Voom receiver for my ATSC tuner and I got all the major networks. I'm up on a hill with nothing but corn fields for miles around, and with the antenna up above the chimney I can receive pretty much anything that is possible to receive. I'll just have to install an antenna rotor I guess, but I was hoping not to have to.

Would it kill Comcast (MoCo) to send out a new channel line-up? The notification was the jumbled message on the DVR three weeks ago which didn't contain channel locations. All they have to do is send it out by email and/or include it in the bill before the changes go into effect.

Oh, WMAR gets its share of audio problems. The rhythmic pop that occurs occasionally will drive you mad.

Speaking of problems...here's a weird one. Every night during the Jeopardy/Wheel block on WMAR HD I get pixelization, ONLY on those 2 shows!! Weird indeed. Reported it to Verizon[fios] no problem there, reported it to WMAR and they are scratching their heads. Anyone else having this issue? Please chime in, thanks

Would it kill Comcast (MoCo) to send out a new channel line-up? The notification was the jumbled message on the DVR three weeks ago which didn't contain channel locations. All they have to do is send it out by email and/or include it in the bill before the changes go into effect.

In Harford Co it seems changes are frequent enough that putting out new channel cards each time is probably impractical.

Here they do a good job of keeping the line-up current on comcast.com and I just print one from there as needed. Give that a try.

GoIrish

Comcast to gobble up Millennium Cable

article (http://www.hometownglenburnie.com/vault/cgi-bin/gazette/view/2007G/05/16-44.HTM)

Looks like my grid will be getting a little bit smaller.

Would it kill Comcast (MoCo) to send out a new channel line-up? The notification was the jumbled message on the DVR three weeks ago which didn't contain channel locations. All they have to do is send it out by email and/or include it in the bill before the changes go into effect.It was included in my last bill, dated May 1. Added 8 channels (some on specialized packages) and moved 4 more. The most important is probably Universal HD at 250.
Bloomberg 106
Oxygen 123
Universal 250
WDCA-DT HD 215
WQAW-LP 616
CSTV 274
Tennis 277
WAPA America 617

TV One 173
TCM 169
TV Guide 100
Court 187

I get all of the non-specialized stations, but my TiVo doesn't have guide info for them yet (I just submitted them to TiVo).

Comcast to gobble up Millennium Cable

article (http://www.hometownglenburnie.com/vault/cgi-bin/gazette/view/2007G/05/16-44.HTM)

Looks like my grid will be getting a little bit smaller.
Bummer. More competetion from FiOS... result, less competetion from cable. And Millennium has been failry aggressive with their offers... triple play $20 cheaper than Comcast. Unfortunately they never quite kept up with On Demand and a little behind with HD channels.
I thought they tried to merge once before but got shot down.

I'll just have to install an antenna rotor I guess, but I was hoping not to have to.
Either that or your could try a second antenna, and a Jointenna to connect the two. You might even try a CM 4221, which is a little less directional and has the screen on the back that might help block Charles Town. In the process you could try the 4221 alone, with different orientations to get rid of any multipath.

Either that or your could try a second antenna, and a Jointenna to connect the two. You might even try a CM 4221, which is a little less directional and has the screen on the back that might help block Charles Town. In the process you could try the 4221 alone, with different orientations to get rid of any multipath.
The CM 4221 would be a poor choice for his situation. It has good gain to the backside. I get stations at 29 and 46 miles from behind my CM 4221. pacocase is a long ways from DC so he needs a long range antenna setup. The AD 91XG has a good front to back ratio so it provides a better chance at rejecting the signal from WAZW-CA in Winchester than a CM 4228.

Yeah, that's right. NBC 25 is right in my area and I can pick it up and watch it on NTSC with rabbit ears. I am pretty sure they are only SD, and besides they're completely the other direction for my antenna. I know when I first hooked it up the ancient VHF antenna I replaced was facing Baltimore, so I figured I'd try it first. I was using an old Voom receiver for my ATSC tuner and I got all the major networks. I'm up on a hill with nothing but corn fields for miles around, and with the antenna up above the chimney I can receive pretty much anything that is possible to receive. I'll just have to install an antenna rotor I guess, but I was hoping not to have to.
With the antenna up on the roof, I think you should get a rotator. The 91XG is a directional antenna and you have stations in DC, Baltimore, Hagerstown, the various MPT stations, and stations to the southwest down the valley. You may leave the antenna in one position most of the time, but a rotator allows you to tweak the aim as the seasons change and to get other stations without having to climb up on the roof.

However do you also have a VHF antenna on the mast? The 91XG is a UHF antenna only which is ok for getting the HD stations for now. Just in case you are not aware of this, in February, 2009 after the analog shutdown, WJLA-DT 7 & WUSA-DT 9 in DC and WBAL-DT 11 & WJZ-DT 13 in Baltimore will switch their digital signal to their current upper VHF analog channels. If you don't have a VHF antenna, you can add a more compact upper VHF antenna to the mast such as the Winegard YA-1713 (or the smaller Winegard YA-6713 but you need the longer range version).

It was included in my last bill, dated May 1. Added 8 channels (some on specialized packages) and moved 4 more. The most important is probably Universal HD at 250.
Bloomberg 106
Oxygen 123
Universal 250
WDCA-DT HD 215
WQAW-LP 616
CSTV 274
Tennis 277
WAPA America 617

TV One 173
TCM 169
TV Guide 100
Court 187

I get all of the non-specialized stations, but my TiVo doesn't have guide info for them yet (I just submitted them to TiVo).

Is Universal HD the "UHD" I'm always hearing about? The one that airs Battlestar Galactica?

We tried to watch Lost in HD last night and had to switch to SD as it was bad still.

Is Universal HD the "UHD" I'm always hearing about? The one that airs Battlestar Galactica?
UHD is used as shorthand for Universal HD, although I think UnivHD is a better shorthand reference. (UHD also = Ultra High Definition in some places). UnivHD airs BattleStar Galactica, Stargate Atlantis (season 1 only so far), Northern Exposure in 4:3 HD (looping through the first 3 seasons only), was running Firefly (all 13 episodes), and because this is a Universal/NBC property, Law & Order of course (SVU in this case). UnivHD has been showing the 3rd season episodes of Battlestar Galactica on Saturday nights in HD for the 1st time in the US and this Saturday will be airing a rather critical episode as they get into the last four episodes of the 3rd season. Got the DVR set to record it. See http://www.universalhd.com/ for their schedule.

With the antenna up on the roof, I think you should get a rotator. The 91XG is a directional antenna and you have stations in DC, Baltimore, Hagerstown, the various MPT stations, and stations to the southwest down the valley. You may leave the antenna in one position most of the time, but a rotator allows you to tweak the aim as the seasons change and to get other stations without having to climb up on the roof.

However do you also have a VHF antenna on the mast? The 91XG is a UHF antenna only which is ok for getting the HD stations for now. Just in case you are not aware of this, in February, 2009 after the analog shutdown, WJLA-DT 7 & WUSA-DT 9 in DC and WBAL-DT 11 & WJZ-DT 13 in Baltimore will switch their digital signal to their current upper VHF analog channels. If you don't have a VHF antenna, you can add a more compact upper VHF antenna to the mast such as the Winegard YA-1713 (or the smaller Winegard YA-6713 but you need the longer range version).

I don't have a VHF antenna on the mast. I removed an ancient one that was about 5' wide and hooked up with the old 300 ohm wire. I have a slightly smaller Channel Master (I forget the model) UHF/VHF combo that I simply stuck up on a fencepost and pointed towards Hagerstown when I first moved in to pick up the locals there. Maybe I'll add it to the mast pointing towards Baltimore and see if I can pick anything up. I wasn't aware of WJLA and WUSA switching from their current UHF to VHF for their digital signal in '09, so after that switch happens I should be able to point my VHF antenna towards Washington and get everything.

UHD is used as shorthand for Universal HD, although I think UnivHD is a better shorthand reference. (UHD also = Ultra High Definition in some places). UnivHD airs BattleStar Galactica, Stargate Atlantis (season 1 only so far), Northern Exposure in 4:3 HD (looping through the first 3 seasons only), was running Firefly (all 13 episodes), and because this is a Universal/NBC property, Law & Order of course (SVU in this case). UnivHD has been showing the 3rd season episodes of Battlestar Galactica on Saturday nights in HD for the 1st time in the US and this Saturday will be airing a rather critical episode as they get into the last four episodes of the 3rd season. Got the DVR set to record it. See http://www.universalhd.com/ for their schedule.

Too bad they can't play a BSG marathon like Sci-Fi!

UHD is used as shorthand for Universal HD, although I think UnivHD is a better shorthand reference. (UHD also = Ultra High Definition in some places). UnivHD airs BattleStar Galactica, Stargate Atlantis (season 1 only so far), Northern Exposure in 4:3 HD (looping through the first 3 seasons only), was running Firefly (all 13 episodes), and because this is a Universal/NBC property, Law & Order of course (SVU in this case). UnivHD has been showing the 3rd season episodes of Battlestar Galactica on Saturday nights in HD for the 1st time in the US and this Saturday will be airing a rather critical episode as they get into the last four episodes of the 3rd season. Got the DVR set to record it. See http://www.universalhd.com/ for their schedule.

Thanks, I'll have to check it out.

I'm a Comcast subscriber in Arlington. Over the past week, no issues with ABC HD until the last two minutes of last night's "Lost" episode (right as Charlie pops up at the end) - luckily, the picture/sound recovered after a few seconds, but we weren't too happy at the time.

On the other hand, I've noticed on the local Fox HD channel that whenever a show that was originally designed for SD is shown on the HD channel (e.g., "Seinfeld" reruns), I get a single thin line of what looks like interference (almost like a very bright, irregularly dashed line) at the very top of the screen. I usually don't see this on the other HD channels, nor do I see it at the top of the screen on Fox HD with HD-designed programs (i.e., current shows).

I've got an SA3250 box hooked up via DVI-to-HDMI cable to a Samsung LN-T4661F (had the same issue with the two hooked up via component).

Not a huge issue, but it is annoying. Anybody else see the same thing?

Comcast finally updated my guide so that it shows what's on 16 days from now. Before that it was always limited to 4 days.

"Grey's" was ok on WJLA until around 10pm, and the breakups and freezes began again on DirecTV. Any status from the folks in Rosslyn (whether it is local, national, or Directv specific)?

FiOS constructions schedules for May:

Anne Arundel County Schedule:

http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/md/files/aacomay.doc

Baltimore County Schedule:

http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/md/files/bacomay.doc

Howard County Schedule:

http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/md/files/hocomay.doc

Montgomery County Schedule:

http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/md/files/mocomay.doc

Prince George's County Schedule:

http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/md/files/pgcomay.doc

"Grey's" was ok on WJLA until around 10pm, and the breakups and freezes began again on DirecTV. Any status from the folks in Rosslyn (whether it is local, national, or Directv specific)?

It was bad from the start on Comcast. I sent an email to Comcast this time to see what they have to say.

WHUT-DT 32 info
The FCC put out several documents today on the digital TV transition on their website. One of the documents covers the commission's decision on whether to extend or deny waivers for the DTV transition for 145 stations. In the document, there is this on WHUT-DT:

"19. WHUT-DT, Washington, DC, states that it has experienced equipment problems with its combiner that required a redesign of some of its DTV equipment. The station explains that it is working to rebuild the necessary equipment and complete installation. The station states that it has also encountered difficulties entering into a lease, and its legal department is working on the matter."

So that is WHUT-DT's excuse for not being on the air. They were granted a 6 month extension, so don't expect to see them on the digital line-up anytime soon.

WHUT-DT 32 info

So that is WHUT-DT's excuse for not being on the air. They were granted a 6 month extension, so don't expect to see them on the digital line-up anytime soon.Wow... This station isn't on the air yet? It's practically mid-2007!

Anyone hear anything about Cox shuffling some of its clear QAM chs? WETA and CW are gone while some Fairfax ch plus one audio ch popped up. :confused:

Wow, you get clear QAM through Cox?
Thats amazing, I couldn't get anything to come through.
If Cox has shuffled some channels it might because they don't want the clear channels to appear there in the first place. I called them and they don't send in the clear QAM if you ask them, you might get them cause they haven't turned it off where you live. Or Cox technicans are liars. Either way, if you have a list of channels, that would be nice too.

WHUT-DT 32 info
The FCC put out several documents today on the digital TV transition on their website. One of the documents covers the commission's decision on whether to extend or deny waivers for the DTV transition for 145 stations. In the document, there is this on WHUT-DT:

"19. WHUT-DT, Washington, DC, states that it has experienced equipment problems with its combiner that required a redesign of some of its DTV equipment. The station explains that it is working to rebuild the necessary equipment and complete installation. The station states that it has also encountered difficulties entering into a lease, and its legal department is working on the matter."

So that is WHUT-DT's excuse for not being on the air. They were granted a 6 month extension, so don't expect to see them on the digital line-up anytime soon.
\
How many people actually watch this station?

I know what you are talking about. WHUT is a college tv station. They are likely just a PBS affiliate just to get their hands on some federal funds. Even when they do get their Digital signal on the air, I won't expect that they would have the budget to do much in the way of HD. At best I would expect them to just relay the national PBS-HD feed.

WHUT is a nice alternative to WETA who doesn't want to follow the national schedule on the DT side. It's the place that I usually watch Motorweek and a couple of other shows - it's on at more convenient times than WETA.

Wow, you get clear QAM through Cox?
Thats amazing, I couldn't get anything to come through.
If Cox has shuffled some channels it might because they don't want the clear channels to appear there in the first place. I called them and they don't send in the clear QAM if you ask them, you might get them cause they haven't turned it off where you live. Or Cox technicans are liars. Either way, if you have a list of channels, that would be nice too.
There are very few cable system that don't have some clear QAM chs. The technicians are not liars - they are just uninformed.

Currently they have the 4 major networks (in HD) and a couple of "bonus" chs in clear QAM.

A couple of months ago they had the whole expanded ch lineup in the clear (it lasted about 2 weeks).

I think the norm will be to have the locals in clear QAM.

So... A quick skim through the HD Programming forum reveals that--surprise!--National Treasure is actually in HD tonight.

I can't wait for WRC to somehow butcher the Heroes finale tomorrow. :rolleyes:

So... A quick skim through the HD Programming forum reveals that--surprise!--National Treasure is actually in HD tonight.

I can't wait for WRC to somehow butcher the Heroes finale tomorrow. :rolleyes:
WBAL-DT NBC 11 in Baltimore is showing National Treasure in HD, but with 2.0 sound. So WRC-DT 4 in DC either messed up or is having a problem getting the national HD feed from NBC. Has anyone called or emailed WRC to complain?

As for WHUT, I don't watch the station because it is available only in analog OTA or a converted analog source signal on Verizon. When they finally have a digital broadcast signal, hopefully they will provide a HD sub-channel which would be useful as an alternative to WETA and MPT. But I don't recall reading anything on whether they have plans to offer a HD sub-channel or whether they will go the four or five SD sub-channel route. WHUT is more than a simple college station, even with the affiliation with Howard University. Their analog broadcast signal is running at 5,000 kW, the maximum power allowed for analog UHF. Not exactly a low or medium power station. Their FCC license is for a 100 kW digital signal which won't cover as much area, but 100 kW for digital UHF is still respectable.

So... A quick skim through the HD Programming forum reveals that--surprise!--National Treasure is actually in HD tonight.

I can't wait for WRC to somehow butcher the Heroes finale tomorrow. :rolleyes:

No problems with any previous episodes of Heroes in HD. All the local stations are fairly consistant now. Nothing like it was 6 years ago.

WBAL-DT NBC 11 in Baltimore is showing National Treasure in HD, but with 2.0 sound.

When I checked WBAL the movie was in SD, about 15-20 minutes in. Must have switched to HD at some point.

Does anyone have a current list of what channels Comcast is putting out in clear QAM in Montgomery County? Local broadcast channels, clearly, but what else?

Awesome thread... as a Silver Spring resident who's taken the QAM plunge, I'm trying to get a grip on exactly what Comcast does or does not offer.

Anyone hear anything about Cox shuffling some of its clear QAM chs? WETA and CW are gone while some Fairfax ch plus one audio ch popped up. :confused:WETA and CW apparently were not broadcast on Cox clear QAM over the weekend for some reason. They are both back on clear QAM this morning. I am picking up these two new channels on Cox clear QAM:

42-4 Korea One MBC
116-10 City of Fairfax/City of Falls Church

Anyone besides me notice that there is a message up on Comcast Harford County digital cable that the NFL network is moving to the Sports Tier as of 6/20. They charge more for that. And the move is just in time for the preseason schedule to kickoff. Thanks a ton, guys!

Anyone besides me notice that there is a message up on Comcast Harford County digital cable that the NFL network is moving to the Sports Tier as of 6/20. They charge more for that. And the move is just in time for the preseason schedule to kickoff. Thanks a ton, guys!I got the notice in Baltimore County about 2 weeks ago. Some one down DC way reported it here about a week before that.

YMMV

I have a question that I don't recall ever being asked before. Is it possible to split the output of my OTA pre-amp? It would be nice to be able to connect the OTA antenna to both the Dish 622 receiver and the HD tuner built into my TV set.
Figure I would throw the question out there before I dig into the rats nest of wires behind my set.

Anyone besides me notice that there is a message up on Comcast Harford County digital cable that the NFL network is moving to the Sports Tier as of 6/20. They charge more for that. And the move is just in time for the preseason schedule to kickoff. Thanks a ton, guys!NFL Network and Comcast are having a little spat ...
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6442224.html
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6441537.html?industryid=47199
Etc.
NFL Network thinks their contract prevents them from being in the sports tier. Comcast thinks their contract allows them to put NFL Network in the sports tier unless NFL gives them the games carried on the channel for Versus. Went to court ... judge ruled in favor of Comcast.

Expect NFL Network to be moving to the sports tier for most Comcast systems ... unless NFL successfully appeals ... or something is worked out between NFL and Comcast ...

I have a question that I don't recall ever being asked before. Is it possible to split the output of my OTA pre-amp? It would be nice to be able to connect the OTA antenna to both the Dish 622 receiver and the HD tuner built into my TV set.
Figure I would throw the question out there before I dig into the rats nest of wires behind my set.Sounds reasonable enough. I would full expect that you can split the OTA signal. That's what splitters are for. :D

If there are power inserters or diplexors involved, then you may have to make sure that split at the right spot. Usually if you just put the splitter where your cable is about to connect to the 622's OTA input, then you should be fine.

I'm a Comcast subscriber in Arlington. Over the past week, no issues with ABC HD until the last two minutes of last night's "Lost" episode (right as Charlie pops up at the end) - luckily, the picture/sound recovered after a few seconds, but we weren't too happy at the time.

On the other hand, I've noticed on the local Fox HD channel that whenever a show that was originally designed for SD is shown on the HD channel (e.g., "Seinfeld" reruns), I get a single thin line of what looks like interference (almost like a very bright, irregularly dashed line) at the very top of the screen. I usually don't see this on the other HD channels, nor do I see it at the top of the screen on Fox HD with HD-designed programs (i.e., current shows).

I've got an SA3250 box hooked up via DVI-to-HDMI cable to a Samsung LN-T4661F (had the same issue with the two hooked up via component).

Not a huge issue, but it is annoying. Anybody else see the same thing?

Yep; I see the exact same thing on Fox HD in Alexandria with a Comcast-provided cable card. As you said, annoying.

When I checked WBAL the movie was in SD, about 15-20 minutes in. Must have switched to HD at some point.

Bleh! WRCDT had this in 4:3 SD DD 2.0 for the first 15 mins or so that I checked. I stopped my recording! Was hoping they would switch over quickly... just unacceptable!

My mistake, I meant WBAL-DT NBC 11 in Baltimore. It is the weakest signal of the major stations in Baltimore at 513 kW and up there at UHF 59.
I registered to specifically ask about the WBAL signal.

Is it unusual that I have problems with it, or does everyone?

I have a dish network HD receiver, and rabbit ears near my TV. I can pick up every local station perfectly, and the signal strength for WBAL shows 100, but it constantly drops out.

I've fiddled with the ears constantly to try to get it to come in, but there's only so much rotation and lengthening/shortening you can do before you go crazy with permutations.

Is the problem on their end?

FWIW, I live about a mile from TV hill, and can see the antenna from my house. It shouldn't be such a problem.

If the frequency is very high, does that indicate that I could shorten my "ears" to try to get it better?

Thanks.

mark

Does anyone have a current list of what channels Comcast is putting out in clear QAM in Montgomery County? Local broadcast channels, clearly, but what else?

Awesome thread... as a Silver Spring resident who's taken the QAM plunge, I'm trying to get a grip on exactly what Comcast does or does not offer.

Not much else besides locals. There's the occasional VOD that seems to be at random, and about a dozen or so music channels. Do you need the locations? I can get them when I get home.
J

I registered to specifically ask about the WBAL signal.

Is it unusual that I have problems with it, or does everyone?

I have a dish network HD receiver, and rabbit ears near my TV. I can pick up every local station perfectly, and the signal strength for WBAL shows 100, but it constantly drops out.

I've fiddled with the ears constantly to try to get it to come in, but there's only so much rotation and lengthening/shortening you can do before you go crazy with permutations.

Is the problem on their end?

FWIW, I live about a mile from TV hill, and can see the antenna from my house. It shouldn't be such a problem.

If the frequency is very high, does that indicate that I could shorten my "ears" to try to get it better?

Thanks.

mark

Typically, rabbit ears are for VHF. WBAL is on a high UHF frequency. Until 2009, you can use UHF only antennas. I use a loop antenna (an unamplified RCA that I never put the rabbit ears on).

I registered to specifically ask about the WBAL signal.

Is it unusual that I have problems with it, or does everyone?

I have a dish network HD receiver, and rabbit ears near my TV. I can pick up every local station perfectly, and the signal strength for WBAL shows 100, but it constantly drops out.

I've fiddled with the ears constantly to try to get it to come in, but there's only so much rotation and lengthening/shortening you can do before you go crazy with permutations.

Is the problem on their end?

FWIW, I live about a mile from TV hill, and can see the antenna from my house. It shouldn't be such a problem.

If the frequency is very high, does that indicate that I could shorten my "ears" to try to get it better?
As already posted, WBAL-DT (DT = digital) is currently broadcasting on UHF, channel 59 in fact (as listed in the 1st post of this thread). If you are getting dropouts at such a close range, the odds are that you have multipath or interference problems. Exactly what antenna do you have. The rabbit ears are for VHF. Does it have a loop around 8" in diameter? That would be the UHF antenna. Tweak the aim of the loop. If you have a UHF loop, it is very omni-directional and susceptible to multi-path (see http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/Loop.html for the loop pattern and http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ISSUES/erecting_antenna.html for general info on antennas). The Silver Sensor UHF antenna (http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/silver.html) is more directional and may solve your problem for WBAL-DT and other Baltimore stations in the same location. But it may be too directional to get WUTB-DT My 24 whenever they finally goes full power. What is your zip code so we can see where you are with respect to the various Baltimore TV towers?

I have a question that I don't recall ever being asked before. Is it possible to split the output of my OTA pre-amp? It would be nice to be able to connect the OTA antenna to both the Dish 622 receiver and the HD tuner built into my TV set.
Is the pre-amp powered through the co-axial cable by a power supply located down the co-axial run? If so, it is fine to split the signal AFTER the power supply. If you split between the power supply and pre-amp, you will have a DC voltage and current going to whatever is connected to the other side of splitter. Check the manual or instructions for the pre-amp.

Sounds reasonable enough. I would full expect that you can split the OTA signal. That's what splitters are for. :D

If there are power inserters or diplexors involved, then you may have to make sure that split at the right spot. Usually if you just put the splitter where your cable is about to connect to the 622's OTA input, then you should be fine.

I thought that I tried to split the TV Out signal from the pre-amp before and got nothing from both. Could have been a defective splitter or a bad coax going to the splitter, but thought that I would ask before I tried again. Thanks and I'll give it a try.

As already posted, WBAL-DT (DT = digital) is currently broadcasting on UHF, channel 59 in fact (as listed in the 1st post of this thread). If you are getting dropouts at such a close range, the odds are that you have multipath or interference problems. Exactly what antenna do you have. The rabbit ears are for VHF. Does it have a loop around 8" in diameter? <snip> What is your zip code so we can see where you are with respect to the various Baltimore TV towers?
I'm in 21211, Hampden/Wyman Park area.

I have an antenna that I got from Radio Shack. It has rabbit ears, AND a "disk" that encases something I can rotate with a remote control. It works better than anything else I used, and let's me rotate to find PBS (which doesn't line up well with the other stations). I assume there is some sort of loop antenna in that disk. I can also change the gain on it.

I was reading one of your links. Is it possible that reducing the gain on the antenna will increase it's ability to stay on the signal? Signal strength is not really a concern for me. Just those drop outs.

I thought that I tried to split the TV Out signal from the pre-amp before and got nothing from both. Could have been a defective splitter or a bad coax going to the splitter, but thought that I would ask before I tried again. Thanks and I'll give it a try.

I split my signal from my preamp 8 ways. But my preamp also has 30db gain. If I switch the preamp out for the 10db gain one I have, my signal strength is too low for me to get any signal strong enough to get a picture on any of my ATSC tuners.

I split my signal from my preamp 8 ways. But my preamp also has 30db gain. If I switch the preamp out for the 10db gain one I have, my signal strength is too low for me to get any signal strong enough to get a picture on any of my ATSC tuners.
That is good information to know. My preamp has 24db gain if I recall correctly. My signal strength ranges from around 85 (Baltimore stations) to 95/100 (DC Stations). Would the distance from the transmitters have an effect, or would splitting rely more on signal strength?

What do you use to split the signal 8 ways?
Is that device powered and/or ampliifed?

I split my signal from my preamp 8 ways. But my preamp also has 30db gain. If I switch the preamp out for the 10db gain one I have, my signal strength is too low for me to get any signal strong enough to get a picture on any of my ATSC tuners.

What do you use to split the signal 8 ways?
Is that device powered and/or ampliifed?

I used to go to an 8 way DirecTV switch and combine it in with the DirecTV signal. Now I go through an 8 way passive splitter. I'll probably change it soon and just use a 3 way splitter at the preamp and split it again, once or twice in each room so I utilize less cables from the main feed.

Wow!
with so many splits you still get the signal?

I was looking at a 8 way splitter online and its specs said "insertion loss = 16 dB". And I thought. uh-oh......there goes the signal I gained using the pre-amp! :eek:

Are you combining OTA signals from an antenna with your direct TV antenna's signal?


What antenna are you using?
(sorry if I have asked this before)


I am ordering the CM4228 with the 7777 pre-amp today.


I used to go to an 8 way DirecTV switch and combine it in with the DirecTV signal. Now I go through an 8 way passive splitter. I'll probably change it soon and just use a 3 way splitter at the preamp and split it again, once or twice in each room so I utilize less cables from the main feed.

What OTA antenna are you using ?

That is good information to know. My preamp has 24db gain if I recall correctly. My signal strength ranges from around 85 (Baltimore stations) to 95/100 (DC Stations). Would the distance from the transmitters have an effect, or would splitting rely more on signal strength?

I'm in 21211, Hampden/Wyman Park area.

I have an antenna that I got from Radio Shack. It has rabbit ears, AND a "disk" that encases something I can rotate with a remote control. It works better than anything else I used, and let's me rotate to find PBS (which doesn't line up well with the other stations). I assume there is some sort of loop antenna in that disk. I can also change the gain on it.

I was reading one of your links. Is it possible that reducing the gain on the antenna will increase it's ability to stay on the signal? Signal strength is not really a concern for me. Just those drop outs.
At one mile from the broadcast towers, you are probably better off not using an antenna with a built-in amp at all. Tweak the aim of the loop antenna and dial the gain down. If you turn the built-in amp off, that usually results in almost no signal coming from the antenna which is one of the drawbacks to using an antenna with a built-in amp. So you can't turn the amp off.

Which MPT PBS station are you getting? The low power WMPB-DT 67 at 11 miles at ~ 327 degrees azimuth or WMPT-DT 22 in the direction of Annapolis at 187 degrees and 22 miles? Do you get the digital signal for WUTB-DT My 24 at all?

You can always try the "Paper Clip" antenna. Just straighten out a paper clip, give it a right angle, and insert it into the center of the antenna connection.

At one mile from the broadcast towers, you are probably better off not using an antenna with a built-in amp at all. Tweak the aim of the loop antenna and dial the gain down. If you turn the built-in amp off, that usually results in almost no signal coming from the antenna which is one of the drawbacks to using an antenna with a built-in amp. So you can't turn the amp off.

Which MPT PBS station are you getting? The low power WMPB-DT 67 at 11 miles at ~ 327 degrees azimuth or WMPT-DT 22 in the direction of Annapolis at 187 degrees and 22 miles? Do you get the digital signal for WUTB-DT My 24 at all?
I get 5 PBS stations, but I believe they're 22.1-22.5, not the Annapolis station.

I might try turning the gain down on the thing. It just always bugged me that everything else comes in perfect, the strength reading for WBAL is 100, and I still get drop-outs.

And, I don't get the WUTB at all.

However, I also have a rooftop antenna that I run directly into my TV. It picks everything up, but when I've tried to run that into my HD receiver, it's worse than the rabbit ears. I had that set up because when I first got dish, I had a lot of problems with the receiver. I'll switch to that when I want to watch NBC, but without a built-in tuner, obviously it's not HD.

I get 5 PBS stations, but I believe they're 22.1-22.5, not the Annapolis station.
No, you are getting 1 PBS station. It has 4 to 5 sub-channels, but it is only 1 station. Channel 22 is the Annapolis station; the broadcast tower is located in Owings Mills area, IIRC. All the Maryland Public TV broadcast the exact same programming so you only need to get 1 of their stations.

I might try turning the gain down on the thing. It just always bugged me that everything else comes in perfect, the strength reading for WBAL is 100, and I still get drop-outs.

And, I don't get the WUTB at all.
If you get drop-outs with signal strength of 100, you are getting multipath or overloading the front end of your ATSC receiver. Turn the gain down. WUTB-DT 24 is still at very low power of 530 Watts, but should be going to full power soon. Once it does (it will be discussed here), then see if you can get it. WUTB-DT 24 is digitally broadcasting on UHF 41.

However, I also have a rooftop antenna that I run directly into my TV. It picks everything up, but when I've tried to run that into my HD receiver, it's worse than the rabbit ears. I had that set up because when I first got dish, I had a lot of problems with the receiver. I'll switch to that when I want to watch NBC, but without a built-in tuner, obviously it's not HD.
How old and what model/design is your rooftop antenna? Do you get good picture quality for the analog UHF stations or do you get a lot of ghosting (multipath) with it?

No, you are getting 1 PBS station. It has 4 to 5 sub-channels, but it is only 1 station. Channel 22 is the Annapolis station; the broadcast tower is located in Owings Mills area, IIRC. All the Maryland Public TV broadcast the exact same programming so you only need to get 1 of their stations.
I put that wrong, I get that it is one station. Although, if I'm not mistaken, I think that sometimes the programming is different. Usually 2 different shows spread across the 5 subs.


If you get drop-outs with signal strength of 100, you are getting multipath or overloading the front end of your ATSC receiver. Turn the gain down. WUTB-DT 24 is still at very low power of 530 Watts, but should be going to full power soon. Once it does (it will be discussed here), then see if you can get it. WUTB-DT 24 is digitally broadcasting on UHF 41.Thanks for the info. I'll try adjusting the gain.


How old and what model/design is your rooftop antenna? Do you get good picture quality for the analog UHF stations or do you get a lot of ghosting (multipath) with it?The picture quality is good. I hink there is some signal degredation because the cable run is about 60 feet, and runs through a 75 Ohm converter.

I'd have NO IDEA what the model of the rooftop antenna is. Actually, there are 2. They were probably put up there in the 1960s. I actually have one that looks kind of "spidery", like rods radiating from one point, and another that is a typical VHF antenna (I think). . .some long dipoles(?) and some short ones. Sort of triangular in shape.

What OTA antenna are you using ?
I use an Antennacraft MXU47 http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=MXU47 Looks like a big arrow on my roof, but it does the job.

With the exception of "Beauty and the Geek" on Tuesdays, and "America's Next Top Model" on Wednesdays, which are to be upconverted SD, the CW weekday prime-time programming is all going to be in HD, including "Friday Night Smackdown".

They are going to have three new dramas ("Reaper" on Tuesday, "Gossip Girl" on Wednesday, and "Life is Wild" on Sunday), and one new comedy (Aliens in America on Monday) in HD.

Looks like they are making an effort to get more HD programming on the air!

Mark

I am using a couple of Winegard Squareshooters and combine the OTA signal from each antenna before going to the Winegard preamp. fromthere it goes to the splitter. It used to be the Terk switch that I used to combine OTA signal with DirecTV but I'm down to one DirectV box now(soon zero) and am not using the Terk switch that combined OTA with the DirectV signal anymore. My preamp has at least 30db gain so it more than compensates for the insertion loss. My preamp might even be 40db gain. Not sure. i just know the first preamp I used was only 10db gain and I couldn't get a signal on my tuners after splitting everything.

Wow!
with so many splits you still get the signal?

I was looking at a 8 way splitter online and its specs said "insertion loss = 16 dB". And I thought. uh-oh......there goes the signal I gained using the pre-amp! :eek:

Are you combining OTA signals from an antenna with your direct TV antenna's signal?


What antenna are you using?
(sorry if I have asked this before)


I am ordering the CM4228 with the 7777 pre-amp today.

With the exception of "Beauty and the Geek" on Tuesdays, and "America's Next Top Model" on Wednesdays, which are to be upconverted SD, the CW weekday prime-time programming is all going to be in HD, including "Friday Night Smackdown".

They are going to have three new dramas ("Reaper" on Tuesday, "Gossip Girl" on Wednesday, and "Life is Wild" on Sunday), and one new comedy (Aliens in America on Monday) in HD.

Looks like they are making an effort to get more HD programming on the air!

Mark

This is an approximate breakdown of hours of primetime SD programming on each network, as far as I can tell:

CW 2 hrs
CBS 3 hrs (if Survivor is HD)
ABC 4 hrs
NBC 5 1/2 hrs
FOX 7 hrs (assuming American Band is HD)

That leaves 88.5 hours of HD out of 110, or 80%. I believe that's an increase over last fall. And, except for Scrubs, most likely no more SD "scripted" shows (like 7th Heaven, or Smackdown). And of course it's possible that there will soon be some HD news shows.

It was included in my last bill, dated May 1. Added 8 channels (some on specialized packages) and moved 4 more. The most important is probably Universal HD at 250.
Bloomberg 106
Oxygen 123
Universal 250
WDCA-DT HD 215
WQAW-LP 616
CSTV 274
Tennis 277
WAPA America 617

TV One 173
TCM 169
TV Guide 100
Court 187

I get all of the non-specialized stations, but my TiVo doesn't have guide info for them yet (I just submitted them to TiVo).

Oddly enough, the addition of NBCU-HD at 250 lets them catch up with their systems in Prince George's and Charles County, MD (both of which already had the HD service, and in the same place). Both TV One and Court TV have moved to the digital tier (and likely presages a move elsewhere, such as PG, where both channels remain in the analog tier). Nice to see Bloomberg arrive (though in the digital tier at 106; I would not have minded Bloomberg arriving in the *analog* tier, in HBO's old spot at 25); that was one channel that Verizon FIOS carried that Comcast didn't. Also, I have noticed that C-Span2 and MASN2 currently share analog channel 78 (PG); is a similar arrangement in place in Montgomery County? Also, you *should* be seeing A&E HD (also in the 200-250 "HD Block"); Comcast of PG has been showing the service in the clear since its launch! (It would have been nice to have NBCU HD in the clear; but I'm not that lucky!)

Has anyone on Comcast Dale City (woodbridge) tried to get QAM?

I tried it yesterday with a Hauppage HVR1600 and I did not get anything. (BTW They just released new drivers which enable this card to do QAM)

MCE does get all the channels' info in the guide but when I scan the signal strength everything comes as red (the minimum) :mad:

RE: getting a list of QAM channels in the clear
Actually, in some places you do need a list, like Comcast, Montgomery County. Whether on purpose or not, their QAM info contains errors so many tuners will not pick up the channels on a scan, but can directly tune them (at least some of them). I have a TiVo S3 temporarily without cable cards. On a scan, I don't pick up any of the original OTA digital channels in the range over 100 (I pick up other channels, like the music channels). I can tune some of them because I know where they are from other people's lists, eg NBC at 108-1. There's no way I can find them without a list.

Does anybody know where FOX is now in Montgomery County? I suspect it's moved recently, with the tier changes. I can't tune it at 105.3 which is where my lists put it.

If your TV does the remapping correctly, the DC HD locals should appear right next to their analog counterparts (4, then 4-1, 4-2, etc.); this is precisely the case with Comcast PG and my 42PF7320A. The differences are with remapped *analog* (not digital) channels and (don't laugh) Baltimore's HD locals (WDCW is assigned analog channel 3 by Comcast; however, WDCW-DT is at 50-1, where it would be OTA. Baltimore HD locals WMAR-DT, WBAL-DT, and WJZ-DT are in the same places they would be OTA (2-1, 11-1, 11-2, and 13-1 respectively); however, WBFF-DT is way up at the north end of my channel scan, and WNUV-DT is completely missing. Naturally, Baltimore's analogs are not present.) 7-3 (WJLA's LocalPoint) is not carried by Comcast PG, either.

Has anyone on Comcast Dale City (woodbridge) tried to get QAM?

I tried it yesterday with a Hauppage HVR1600 and I did not get anything. (BTW They just released new drivers which enable this card to do QAM)

MCE does get all the channels' info in the guide but when I scan the signal strength everything comes as red (the minimum) :mad:

I've scanned the channels with one my of my HDTVs before and some of the digital stations popped up. Not sure if the local HD stations did though. I'll need to take a look.

EDIT: I don't know what I'm thinking. The local HD stations do show up from the TVs QAM tuner. They are mapped to the proper channel, not necessarily the proper sub channel though. The digital channels I was thinking of are in the upper channels and have weird designations. I live in Rippon Landing and am on Dale City Comcast. They did finally switch us to the new cable plant on May 15th and added the extra HD channels.

They were able to preempt an NBA playoff game for lacrosse?????

WMAR does this because metro Baltimore is a *major* hotbed for lacrosse (especially *college lacrosse*, with Hopkins, UMBC, Towson University, and even UMD-College Park having major followings in the area) and because the station produces the games itself. It's been the case for at least a decade. What basketball is in Indiana, lacrosse is in metro Baltimore. (In fact, one of the nastier local-college rivalries is a lacrosse rivalry: UMaryland/Hopkins. The two colleges have a home-and-home pair scheduled annually, and it is *always* fierce. Lacrosse is, in fact, the *only* sport that Hopkins fields a Division I team in.)

If your TV does the remapping correctly, the DC HD locals should appear right next to their analog counterparts (4, then 4-1, 4-2, etc.); this is precisely the case with Comcast PG and my 42PF7320A. The differences are with remapped *analog* (not digital) channels and (don't laugh) Baltimore's HD locals (WDCW is assigned analog channel 3 by Comcast; however, WDCW-DT is at 50-1, where it would be OTA. Baltimore HD locals WMAR-DT, WBAL-DT, and WJZ-DT are in the same places they would be OTA (2-1, 11-1, 11-2, and 13-1 respectively); however, WBFF-DT is way up at the north end of my channel scan, and WNUV-DT is completely missing. Naturally, Baltimore's analogs are not present.) 7-3 (WJLA's LocalPoint) is not carried by Comcast PG, either.

That doesn't seem to be the case with Montgomery County. My Sony SXRD appears to get the same numbers as CrispyCritter's Tivo. If memory serves me, its like this:
NBC4: 108.1
Fox5: 105.3
ABC7: 108.11
CBS9: 103.1
PBS26: 103.11 with subs at 103.10, 103.13, 103.14
DC20: 64.3 (new)
DC56: 105.1
The weather 7 and 9 channels are 108.2 and 108.3 respectively.
J

Happy to have U-HD finally. The other channels, meh! (WDCA-DT would have been great during the run of Enterprise.).

However, comma, my SD digital channels seem degraded since the additions. For the last several months, after Comcast got the ADS changes sorted out, I thought PQ was pretty good even on the 480i channels on my HD RPTV. Better to my eye than analog channels.

Since the new channels were shoehorned in, most of my channels are noticeably degraded, looking over-compressed as they did when I first got digital a few years ago and then again right after the ADS changes for a while. Hopefully there are some equipment tweeks that can be applied again or further channel remapping to recover the previous PQ.

RA