I'm puzzled by the poor quality of the Blues games too. KPLR has broadcast Blues games for many years and the quality was never this bad. Has anyone emailed KPLR about this, and more importantly, received a response?


I emailed them a couple weeks ago - here's their response:

All games come from the local station, not the WB network. The local station, KPLR, produces the Cardinals Games shown on our air and, with the financial support of advertisers, invested considerable additional monies in the HD production costs for select Cardinals' baseball games in 2005.

Blues Hockey, on the other hand, is produced at the direction of the Blues organization and is simply aired on KPLR. We would be excited at the prospect of HD hockey and would do everything we could to support it. Unfortunately, that is not a KPLR decision.

I emailed the blues also, but haven't gotten a response.

Julie

I don't know if anyone else noticed on their DVR, but Charter enable the DVI port on my Moxi tonight (or I should say I noticed it tonight while hooking up a new receiver). It takes a really long time for the picture to format when I change the channels (looks like it switches modes many times trying to find the true signal resolution) , and it does not look as crisp as my component connection, but it is active.

I'm going to help a friend of mine with his rooftop antenna this weekend. I've never msesed with it on my house, I'm using a Silver Sensor and I'm moderately pleased.

Anyway, he has to run new cabling from his antenna as well as use hte compass and all that good stuff.

What type of cablilng should he buy? From the antenna to the family room in the basement. What type should he buy and where?

Winston,

You should use RG6 cable. Contact Computer Connection in west county for a price quote - 993-3410.

Or just stop by Lowes or Home Depot. I picked up a spool of RG6 (500ft) for $38.

I don't know if anyone else noticed on their DVR, but Charter enable the DVI port on my Moxi tonight (or I should say I noticed it tonight while hooking up a new receiver). It takes a really long time for the picture to format when I change the channels (looks like it switches modes many times trying to find the true signal resolution) , and it does not look as crisp as my component connection, but it is active.

Can you see what software version you have now? (hold MENU and OK buttons on front of receiver). What MOXI box is this - the 9022 or 9012?

I'm curious, as I've been having sync issues over component w/ my LCD tv and need to test it over HDMI (DVI -> HDMI cable waiting to test!).

I received an email today from Walt Nichols at KMOV. They found that a segment of the switcher that routes the 5.1 sound was intermittent and would drop out the two surround channels. They have replaced the defective component and expect the surround sound should be back to normal.

Kudos to Walt for keeping after the problem after my emails, rather than just dropping it.

My emails to KSDK for the corrupted DD 3.0 audio have gone unanswered. Screw them for not caring.

Dean

Dean,

100% agreed on both counts.

At least KMOV identified the issue and fixed it in a reasonable amount of time.

Too bad the only distant network signal we St. Louisans are eligible to receive via satallite is Fox, the network that's needed here the least because KTVI never seems to have a problem. I'd love to get NBC-HD from the dish.

Dean,

100% agreed on both counts.

At least KMOV identified the issue and fixed it in a reasonable amount of time.

Too bad the only distant network signal we St. Louisans are eligible to receive via satallite is Fox, the network that's needed here the least because KTVI never seems to have a problem. I'd love to get NBC-HD from the dish.

I sent a followup email to KSDK. It reads as follows:

I have had no response from you at KSDK to my complaint.
I had similar problems with KMOV. They responded right away and have identified and fixed the problem. Kudos to KMOV.

The hell with you all at KSDK for not caring. There's plenty to watch on other stations, so I don't need to watch channel 5 anymore. I'm sure your sponsers/advertisers will be proud of the job you're doing.

Dean Wette

Apparently I struck a chord with my rude email. A response followed from Karen Creamer at KSDK:

Mr. Wette--Thank you for your e-mail. I apologize you have not received a response to your e-mail. I will be happy to forward it to our Engineering Department for a reply.

Thank you!

Or just stop by Lowes or Home Depot. I picked up a spool of RG6 (500ft) for $38.

The only bad part about this is that you have to put the ends on them. I have no idea how to do that.

I received an email today from Walt Nichols at KMOV. They found that a segment of the switcher that routes the 5.1 sound was intermittent and would drop out the two surround channels. They have replaced the defective component and expect the surround sound should be back to normal.

Kudos to Walt for keeping after the problem after my emails, rather than just dropping it.

My emails to KSDK for the corrupted DD 3.0 audio have gone unanswered. Screw them for not caring.

Dean

I watched "Numbers" tonight (Fri) on KMOV and it appeared as DD EX on my receiver and I was getting sound from all six speakers.

The only bad part about this is that you have to put the ends on them. I have no idea how to do that.
There are two kinds of ends to put on the cable thread on and crimp on. I'll judge since you've never done this before, the thread on ones will be easier. I prefer the crimp ons because they never pull off, but you will need to buy a crimping tool to get it right. For a one time job, the thread on fittings will be cheaper. The other thing you have to do right is stripping. The package the end fittings come in should have stripping directions. I've done mine successfully by hand, but you might want to buy a stripper tool. A couple of key things to pay attention to and you can't go wrong. 1) Dont let the center wire stick out too far past the nut on the end fitting. 2) The braided shield of the coax must have a good connection with the body of the end fitting for proper shielding. 3) Make sure after stripping that none of the shield wires extend past the insulation around the center conductor. Cut them off or fold them back. Signal can be screwed up bad if shield wires touch center conductor.

Apparently I struck a chord with my rude email. A response followed from Karen Creamer at KSDK:

Hah, nice. :cool: We'll see since it was apparently fixed shortly a couple months ago, but then it "caused problems" for people :confused: and it went back to being broken. :rolleyes:


I watched "Numbers" tonight (Fri) on KMOV and it appeared as DD EX on my receiver and I was getting sound from all six speakers.

Cool that it's actually working.

But I've moved my antenna from the attic to the roof, and now KMOV (47 miles) barely isn't coming in. It was the strongest channel in the attic! :mad: I'll see if I can get it adjusted enough to get a stronger signal again, 'specially now that the sound is right. :D At least I seem to be getting channel 30 now, which was the main problem before.

but you might want to buy a stripper tool.

I've never seen/heard of one of those. Home depot would be the last place I'd think to buy one!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

You have all surmised correctly... neither of us has ever stripped the RG6 and connected it to the antenna.

Most antennas don't have coaxial connections do they?

You have all surmised correctly... neither of us has ever stripped the RG6 and connected it to the antenna.

Most antennas don't have coaxial connections do they?

Most antennas should indeed have coax connections. The problem with the tools is that they cost a lot and you don't use them often. If you can get an accurate length for the run, Computer Connection can build you a custom cable. Problem there is that if you buy the cable with the connections already attached, the cable is going to be harder to run through exterior walls.

Well, since I'm sure you're all interested.....

It didn't go so well. First, running the cable was a hassle and once it was all connected, we couldn't get much from 4.1 at all (in the 30s-60s) and 5.1 was in and out. The rest were fairly solid, but CBS has a lot of good shows now, so he wasn't pleased with that.

Eventually, we went back to my house and got my Silver Sensor. He was able to pick up 4.1 in the 60s-80s and that seemed stable while the others were good as well.

I think he's going to forget the antenna in his attic (it came w/ the house) and look to buy an indoor. Problem is, as Doug stated, you can't get a Silver Sensor at a B&M anymore (or at least we don't know of one.)

This has pretty much made me decide to stick w/ the SS until DirecTV offers locals in HD.

By the way, does insulation in an attic have a major impact on reception ability? I would think that it does.....

Winston,

Just for the record, I still haven't found a place locally to buy the Silver Sensor. I ended up borrowing one from Joe Clark and my client has also decided to wait until they can get the locals via DirecTV.

I still would like to find a local source for the Silver Sensor, so if anyone comes across one in a store in the area, I'd appreciate if you can post that here...

I got my Moxi box hooked up today. Does anyone know how to get to the 'Games' category? The book lists some built in games but I don't see it as an option the menus. Also does anyone know if there is a way to advance frame by frame when the recorded program is paused?

I dont think there is a way to advance frame by frame, but if you hold the pause button down, it will almost be like slow motion.

I just installed an in-attic antenna and I can receive HD channels for CBS, NBC, PBS, WB, ABC, and UPN. I have not been able to get CBS HD to come in at all. Does anyone have an idea why I'd have a problem picking up KMOV-DT?

The signal strength looks good for Fox, PBS, WB, and ABC. NBC is middle of the road, but comes in with no problem. UPN is just below the mid-range on signal strength and I get some occasional blocking in the picture.

I live in O'Fallon, MO and I'm using a medium size yagi antenna. I aimed my antenna based on the maps from antennaweb.org and I think I have it pointing nearly directly at the Channel 4 tower. I tried tweaking the direction of the antenna, but never could get channel 4's HD broadcast (on channel 56) to come in.

Any suggestions?

I just installed an in-attic antenna and I can receive HD channels for CBS, NBC, PBS, WB, ABC, and UPN. I have not been able to get CBS HD to come in at all. Does anyone have an idea why I'd have a problem picking up KMOV-DT?

The signal strength looks good for Fox, PBS, WB, and ABC. NBC is middle of the road, but comes in with no problem. UPN is just below the mid-range on signal strength and I get some occasional blocking in the picture.

I live in O'Fallon, MO and I'm using a medium size yagi antenna. I aimed my antenna based on the maps from antennaweb.org and I think I have it pointing nearly directly at the Channel 4 tower. I tried tweaking the direction of the antenna, but never could get channel 4's HD broadcast (on channel 56) to come in.

Any suggestions?
Try a signal booster. I live in St. Charles and I'm using a 17 year old run of the mill VHF/UHF antenna. I have two boosters in series, one that boosts signal to all TVs in the house and one down stream of the first just for my Fusion Gold T tuner card in my HTPC. The amps I use are Channel Master 3044 and 3042. I took what I could find at Lowes and the Channel Master had the highest gain and better signal to noise listed on the package than the others I saw.

Thanks Repair4man!

I did try using an RCA amplifier (25dB) right off the antenna in my attic and it made my reception worse so I took it back. I'll try the Channel Master and see how that one does.

Winston,

Just for the record, I still haven't found a place locally to buy the Silver Sensor. I ended up borrowing one from Joe Clark and my client has also decided to wait until they can get the locals via DirecTV.

I still would like to find a local source for the Silver Sensor, so if anyone comes across one in a store in the area, I'd appreciate if you can post that here...

Doug, I know you're in the St. Clair County area... have you tried that Sears?

It is very frustrating to have so much difficulty with KMOV while the others are pretty strong signals. I guess KMOV has their tower in a very different place than the other local stations?

Personally, I can get KMOV-DT without much problem, but my friend lives in the same subdivision as I do and he simply can't get it. That's why I wonder about the insulation.

But, I'm still going to use the OTA HD signals until DirecTV offers our STL locals in HD. Any idea when that's going to be? Ballpark, of course.

Doug, I know you're in the St. Clair County area... have you tried that Sears?

It is very frustrating to have so much difficulty with KMOV while the others are pretty strong signals. I guess KMOV has their tower in a very different place than the other local stations?

Personally, I can get KMOV-DT without much problem, but my friend lives in the same subdivision as I do and he simply can't get it. That's why I wonder about the insulation.

But, I'm still going to use the OTA HD signals until DirecTV offers our STL locals in HD. Any idea when that's going to be? Ballpark, of course.

The KMOV tower is being Lindbergh High School down in south county. Really not that far from Higgee (sp?) road in Affton where most the other towers are.

Hmm. For me, when I look at antennaweb and get the compass directions for the different towers, KMOV is about 10 degrees away from the cluster of the others.

Hmm. For me, when I look at antennaweb and get the compass directions for the different towers, KMOV is about 10 degrees away from the cluster of the others.
When I was aiming my antenna, I nearly went nuts trying to figure this out also.
The compass directions vary considerably with distance. On antennaweb, an entry from the STL towers of 90 miles (Fredericktown) returns a +/- 4°, and an entry of 18 miles (Arnold) returns a +/- 28° for the 4 network affiliates.
At 90 miles, KMOV is 2-4° from the other 3, and at 18 miles it is 18-24° from the other 3.

Finally I ended up starting with antennaweb as a guide, and then just physically probed the antenna. I ended up spending a few hours moving the antenna a few degrees at a time, and then checking the signal strength on each station until I found the best direction for all of them.

Granted the signal strength "meter" on the Dish banner is probably not all that accurate (i really don't know), but when I was done, I get the 5 signals at a consistent 100+. The compass direction of the antenna ended up at 46°, and antennaweb shows it should be 6-8°.

Now I just have the daily challenge of dealing with all the software bugs in my HD DVR :mad:

Apparently there was a lot of DVR-related news stockpiled over the weekend.

* First, in a Wall Street Journal interview, Rupert Murdoch, head honcho of the News Corp. conglomerate that also owns DirecTV, various FOX TV networks and movie studios, says he isn't afraid of the DVR:
_________________________________________________

...He (Murdoch) appears unfazed by the steady dismantling of large network broadcast audiences by proliferating cable channels and the Internet.

"There's no loyalty to channels. That went with the remote control," he says, but "a good show -- a truly popular television show -- will still get huge advertising. Special events like the World Series, or a show like 'American Idol,' will occasionally get very high advertising revenues."

Not even the proliferation of digital video recording, making it easy for viewers to skip ads, seems to have him particularly worried:

"The people who have it tend to be watching five more hours of TV a week. They're playing the shows they missed. I don't think it affects sports broadcasting. I doubt it will affect news broadcasting much."
___________________________________________________

The full interview of Rupert Murdoch can be found here. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB113114918491488977.html?mod=todays_us_opinion)

Note: The online version of the WSJ normally requires a paid subscription, but the Online Journal is offered free all this week.


* Second, the Murdoch interview was also highlighted in today's tvpredictions.com newsletter, and the newsletter also reported that DirecTV's non-TiVo DVRs are expected to be available in electronics stores later this week.

Although there wasn't a link provided to the DVR launch, based on past reports this is probably only going to be the non-HD version of the DirecTV DVR.

According to the last thing I've read, the homegrown HD DVR won't be available from DirecTV until sometime during the first quarter of 2006.


* Third, Yahoo and TiVo are teaming up to deliver a portion of Yahoo's online content to broadband-enabled TiVo devices. There had been some previous rumors that TiVo and Google were in discussions that might have included Google purchasing TiVo. The Yahoo deal, for now, probably rules that out.

Too bad.
_________________________________________________

Yahoo Inc. and TiVo Inc. are teaming up to blend some of their services, a move that further fades the lines between offices and living rooms, TVs and PCs.

Under a partnership to be announced Monday, the two will collaborate to offer Yahoo's Internet-based content and services through TiVo's digital video recording devices.

Starting Monday, users of Yahoo's TV page will be able to click on a record-to-TiVo button directly from a television program listing to remotely schedule recordings.

And in the coming months, possibly before the end of the year, Yahoo's traffic and weather content, as well as its users' photos will be viewable on televisions via TiVo's broadband service and easy-to-use screen menu.
_________________________________________________

For the full story, click here. (http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/business/13102106.htm)


* Finally, today's SkyReport newsletter includes a story that summarizes the quarterly report for BSkyB, the UK satellite television company controlled by Murdoch's News Corp.

In that story, SkyReport notes that the BSkyB service surpassed 1 million DVR customers during the past quarter.

That's a pretty impressive number, in view of the smaller UK market and the fact that the satellite company's DVR service hasn't been offered as long as either DirecTV or DISH, or even most US cable providers with a DVR service.

Hmm. For me, when I look at antennaweb and get the compass directions for the different towers, KMOV is about 10 degrees away from the cluster of the others.

Okay: I was wrong.

The KMOV tower is down the Lemay. According to the FCC website:
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/ASRGis/Jmap.jsp?regKey=109947&searchType=null&ReloadMap=true
Lat/Long 38-31-47.0 N 090-17-58.0 W
1900 AVENUE H
LEMAY TOWNSHIP , MO
Now I remember it: when you walk or ride the Grant's Trail, it's right along it.

It's the KTVI tower that's behind Lindbergh High School:
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=607242
Lat/Long 38-32-07.0 N 090-22-23.0 W
10001 EMIL
SAPPINGTON , MO

The KSDK tower is down by "Tower Tee' (duh)
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=107683
Lat/Long 38-34-05.0 N 090-19-55.0 W
6871 HEEGE RD
SHREWSBURY , MO

The KDNL tower is behind Kenrick Plaza:
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=109309
Lat/Long 38-34-50.0 N 090-19-45.0 W
7501 WATSON RD
SHREWSBURY , MO

According to the FCC website, KPLR uses the KMOV tower.
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=KPLR

WRBU's tower is way down in Imperial:
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=109400
Lat/Long 38-23-18.0 N 090-29-16.0 W
4200 DRY FORK RD
IMPERIAL , MO

KETC's tower is down off Butler Hill road west of Tesson Ferry:
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=109581
Lat/Long 38-28-56.0 N 090-23-53.0 W
5489 BUTLER HILL RD
SAINT LOUIS , MO

I got my Moxi box hooked up today. Does anyone know how to get to the 'Games' category? The book lists some built in games but I don't see it as an option the menus. Also does anyone know if there is a way to advance frame by frame when the recorded program is paused?

bubba-

I'm pretty sure that it's up to the local provider to activate the games ability on the Moxi. I don't believe that Charter offers that feature.

You could do a search in the Moxi forum & likely get more detailed info.

Has anyone tried to connect the Moxi with the DVI port? I am still having significant slow down in the changing of channels with the DVI connection in comparison to component.

...

According to the FCC website, KPLR uses the KMOV tower.
http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/tvq?call=KPLR

...

Where does it say that?
I can get KMOV rock solid, but have always had problems receiving and keeping KPLR's signal locked in.

I got my Moxi box hooked up today. Does anyone know how to get to the 'Games' category? The book lists some built in games but I don't see it as an option the menus. Also does anyone know if there is a way to advance frame by frame when the recorded program is paused?

FWIW,

I have heard that the MOXI boxes are being sent out without a games option. If you have it currently, you'll continue to have them. If you don't have them, you won't.

Sounds a bit strange to me, but I just work here.

:-)

FYI KPLR's analog antenna is on the KMOV tower, but their digital antenna is on a tower between KSD's and KDNL's.

FYI KPLR's analog antenna is on the KMOV tower, but their digital antenna is on a tower between KSD's and KDNL's.

Are you saying they have their own (new) tower along Heege Road in the Shrewberry, Affton, Marlboro area? (and it's not reflected on the FCC website?)

It's not a new tower. There on the community radio tower.

It's not a new tower. There on the community radio tower.

So the analog and digital transmitters are on different towers a few miles apart: correct?

So the analog and digital transmitters are on different towers a few miles apart: correct?

That's correct....

Has anyone ever had any issues with the Charter boxes (Moxi or regular HD box) outputting a 5.1 signal? I've had one of each hooked up in my house over the past few weeks, and my receivers never seem to pick up a 5.1 signal from them. As far as I know, from the menu settings (esp. on the Moxi) both of them are setup to output 5.1. Already starting to miss D*. I might drop by Charter HQ and chew some ass this weekend just to make me feel better.

Has anyone ever had any issues with the Charter boxes (Moxi or regular HD box) outputting a 5.1 signal? I've had one of each hooked up in my house over the past few weeks, and my receivers never seem to pick up a 5.1 signal from them. As far as I know, from the menu settings (esp. on the Moxi) both of them are setup to output 5.1. Already starting to miss D*. I might drop by Charter HQ and chew some ass this weekend just to make me feel better.

I currently have a Moxi and previously had a regular HD Receiver from Charter. I never had any issues getting 5.1.

Only took them 5 weeks to get my initial install right. :mad:

Went home at noon to wait for the 1p-5p window yesterday. Got a call from a tech that he was working on something in the neighborhood, and wanted to know if that change helped. Flipped over to the Moxi and the tiling was gone on everything. Told him that it looked a lot better, and hung up. Then I noticed some dropouts and minor tiling on the HD channels. Luckily I had the guys cell on my caller ID so I rang him up and told him to not leave town without swinging by the house. He told me he'd be over within 30 minutes.

29 minutes later, the tech shows up, tests the drop, and inner wiring. Swapped out the Moxi for a regular HD box, and that fixed the tiling issue, so he grabbed another Moxi out of the truck (tried to get a freebie Mate out of the deal, but no dice). Anyway, the last hour of the call was spent watching DiscoveryHD for tiling with the tech while he waited for them to provision the box correctly. Real nice tech, definitely saved my views on Charter completely.

Anyway, he made sure EVERYTHING was working (including pushing the program info) before he left, nice touch. So far, so good, I forgot how nice it was to be able to record stuff.

Called accounting with all intents of being forced to fight for a refund, the rep wound up crediting me for the whole month of october and the last week without so much as a peep from me. Very nice.

So, for all the crap, they finally made right by me. I'd be loathe to recommend the 'experience', but dual-tuner recording and HD without rabbit ears are still VERY nice things on my list.

_JK_

Glad to hear that you got it worked out. Hang on to that cell number!

Something about Fish tanks in HD with classical music...your getting sleepy...very very sleepy.

I found an interesting way to point your antenna. I took the data that droptheremote put together and approximated the locations on the free mapping program from earth.google.com

I didn't have the log/lat info posted above. Perhaps someone could add this info to earth and export the postion for the rest of us.

Why was this helpful you ask? You can draw lines between these points (I choose the north/south most towers) back to your exact antenna location on your house. Change the perspective so you are looking in the direction of the towers. I happen to have two trees on my property that approximated the directions of the towers.

Anyway, I thought it might be usefull for someone else having problems.

Cheers all!
-CoCoKola

Guess who's got a wonderful, freshly calibrated hd display??

That's right, you guessed it....it's me!! Doug came out on Monday and transformed my Pioneer 53" hd rptv into a work of art that I'm especially proud to own. He arrived at noon and stayed until 7 or 8pm. He removed the plexiglass screen protector before he got started, since I don't have any kids or pets. I'm so glad to have that shiny thing off my set. The reflections can be a pain, and those protectors are tinted a bit as well. Doug took his time with every stage of the calibration, explained what he was doing, why he was doing it, and answered all my questions clearly. I really appreciated how much time he spent on the convergence adjustment for each crt. I was also delighted to get my first look inside my set, and to find that after 5 years, things still looked pretty new. While Doug removed a light layer of dust on the surface of each crt, there was surprisingly little dust inside, which I couldn't understand(based on the amount of dust that gathers on just about every component in my house).

The resulting hd images on this set are now breathe taking, and they looked pretty good to my untrained eye to begin with. I didn't know what I was missing. I see a night and day difference in picture quality, detail, color, contrast, shadow detail, etc. There's more of that 3D effect in the picture, as I now feel like I could reach into the image and grab something. Guys, if you already have or are going to spend the bucks on a nice hd display, you owe it to yourselves to have Doug come out and calibrate it to ISF standards. You won't be sorry. You just won't believe what your picture will look like afterwards. I was really tired today because I stayed up til 5am watching hd, knowing that I had a morning concert, an afternoon lesson, and an evening concert.

I now return you to your regularly scheduled discussions...

Does anyone know why NBC programming through Charter wasn't in HD last night? Was it so that they could scroll the Saraa alert across the bottom of the screen all night long? I never looked at the OTA signal to see if it was any different.

Does anyone know why NBC programming through Charter wasn't in HD last night? Was it so that they could scroll the Saraa alert across the bottom of the screen all night long? I never looked at the OTA signal to see if it was any different.

It was the same OTA as well. It happended to Ch11 also while my wife was watching GG. Except they switched back to HD mode about the last scene or so.

On the radio and on roadway signs is one thing, at least those people might have a chance as they are out and about, but I don't get it really, weather I can see, "hey dumbass you might want to get in the basement" but honestly unless that poor girl rings my doorbell, the chances of me finding her are nonexistant because my ass is parked on the couch for the evening.

I do believe you are right on the reason why KSDK was not HD. Last I heard, they do not have the capability to overlay a bug or info ticker into the HD stream. That is why you don't see weather warnings/info when there is severe weather. KSDK really did not need to blast the alert constantly. A change is definitely needed over there to get the HD right.

Winston,

Just for the record, I still haven't found a place locally to buy the Silver Sensor. I ended up borrowing one from Joe Clark and my client has also decided to wait until they can get the locals via DirecTV.

I still would like to find a local source for the Silver Sensor, so if anyone comes across one in a store in the area, I'd appreciate if you can post that here...

My Brother in law just got one from Sears in South County.

Scott

I just installed an in-attic antenna and I can receive HD channels for CBS, NBC, PBS, WB, ABC, and UPN. I have not been able to get CBS HD to come in at all. Does anyone have an idea why I'd have a problem picking up KMOV-DT?

The signal strength looks good for Fox, PBS, WB, and ABC. NBC is middle of the road, but comes in with no problem. UPN is just below the mid-range on signal strength and I get some occasional blocking in the picture.

I live in O'Fallon, MO and I'm using a medium size yagi antenna. I aimed my antenna based on the maps from antennaweb.org and I think I have it pointing nearly directly at the Channel 4 tower. I tried tweaking the direction of the antenna, but never could get channel 4's HD broadcast (on channel 56) to come in.

Any suggestions?

I put a Terk UHF only antenna in my attic and get all channels. I've never had to touch it in 2 years.

Scott

FWIW,

I have heard that the MOXI boxes are being sent out without a games option. If you have it currently, you'll continue to have them. If you don't have them, you won't.

Sounds a bit strange to me, but I just work here.

:-)

I was one of the first to get Moxi in St. Charles and it had and still has the games....I tired them a few times...I rather watch the screen test in HD than play any of these lame games.....Obviously the controller is not made for games and is just to clumsy. The one game was an easter egg on the beta and is now a game that allows you to throw tomatoes ,etc at the screen and it splats and stays on the screen....fun the first time and for five minutes. I sure wouldn't miss them if they were gone. Use your X box or play station.

A little off topic, but has anyone seen a xbox 360 kiosk setup anywhere in the St. Louis area?

I received an email today from Walt Nichols at KMOV. They found that a segment of the switcher that routes the 5.1 sound was intermittent and would drop out the two surround channels. They have replaced the defective component and expect the surround sound should be back to normal.

Kudos to Walt for keeping after the problem after my emails, rather than just dropping it.

My emails to KSDK for the corrupted DD 3.0 audio have gone unanswered. Screw them for not caring.

Dean

I agree with this previous post. Watching CSI-Miami and NCIS on KMOV the last 2 nights with 5.1 surround sound was great.

Now if only KSDK can pull their heads out and figure out how to broadcast in 5.1 and not have to switch to SD when they need to run alerts I would be in heaven.

Brad

A little off topic, but has anyone seen a xbox 360 kiosk setup anywhere in the St. Louis area?

The CompUSA on the Rock Road had one running. Could not get close to it with the mobs of kids around.

The King Kong game looked nice but was pretty buggy. The World War II game looked amazing. (Couldn't remember the name of the game.)

There's an XBOX 360 kiosk at the Walmart on Zumbehl in St. Charles. Yes, the Call of Duty 2 demo is very nice as is the King Kong demo. I also tried out the Kameos demo which looked nice. The controller is pretty comfortable (just wish it wasn't white). The only disappointing thing about the kiosk is that I already played and beat the Call of Duty 2 and King Kong demo's on the PC and they looked just the same on my PC as they did on the 360, except the 360 was widescreen.

I realize that most AVS forum members are on the front end of the consumer tech curve...

Is anyone else waiting for the PS3 to enter the market in March before making a choice between xbox 360 and PS3?

In an article on yahoo (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ttpcworld/123348&cid=1740&ncid=1729) they said that the games won't touch the console's ability on either system for at least another year. I'm not sure how willing I am to fork out $500 for the Xbox if the PS3 will double as Blue Ray DVD player.

Technology can be so expensive, why couldn't I have a cheap hobby like model rockets?

The fact that the PS3 is going to support Blu-Ray is the only reason at the moment that I'm at all interested in it. However, I've been reading lately (the last week or so) that the PS3 probably won't launch until Christmas 06. The main thing about the 360 that I like is the fact that it can act as a Media Center extender, so you can view all of your videos and what not on your TV without the need of building a dedicated HTPC or modding a current generation XBOX. From everything that I've read, the PS3 will most likely not have any media center functionality out of the box.

The fact that the PS3 is going to support Blu-Ray is the only reason at the moment that I'm at all interested in it. However, I've been reading lately (the last week or so) that the PS3 probably won't launch until Christmas 06. The main thing about the 360 that I like is the fact that it can act as a Media Center extender, so you can view all of your videos and what not on your TV without the need of building a dedicated HTPC or modding a current generation XBOX. From everything that I've read, the PS3 will most likely not have any media center functionality out of the box.

Same boat. I'll probably sell my Xbox and 27" Zenith CRT TV and try and grab one after Xmas when I can find one of the shelf. :) The media center stuff + Live are where it's at with me. I'm not caring for Sony's DRM stance with Bluray anyway, and won't even consider a next-gen DVD player until the format crap is settled or dual-format players are on the market (and cheap). :)

I'm not in a position to debate the merits of the various game systems, but for what it's worth, I don't think there's going to be a lot of mileage in picking the PS3 on the basis of the Blu-Ray format if both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray come to market and compete for the HD DVD business.

A high-definition DVD format war is a death sentence for both formats and that's a fate that will be richly deserved if these companies can't figure out how to agree on a single standard.

Software drives the hardware business, and major retailers have clearly shown they aren't interested in stocking two competing software formats and dealing with all the unhappy customers and return and stocking hassles that involves.

I'm recommending to clients who ask that HD-format DVD be completely avoided for at least 18 months -- if both formats launch in competition to one another. At that point if there's 2,500 Hollywood back-catalog titles available in HD format(s) and same-day SD/HD releases occur for 75% of new releases, then it's probably a safe time to part with your hard-earned cash.

Until then, it's a sucker bet...

If you like PS3 on the basis of the merits of the gaming software that will be available and hardware performance, that's great. But the Blu-Ray DVD angle should be a marginal consideration, at best.

And after all, when was the last time Sony backed the eventual winner in a global format war?

jedi,

Thanks for the nice write-up -- much appreciated.

I'll be in touch later today on your follow-up email...

I had Charter out earlier this week to look at my Moximate. I'm getting an intermittent buzzing on various channels. Also, the picture is not as clear with the mate as with a cable box or directly connected.

When the technician walked in, he was quite familiar with the problem. He hooked up a new mate, but I had the same buzzing and poor picture. He stated that it was a problem with the mate and Diego/Charter was trying to solve it.
He said they will probably be replaced at some future date. However, what irks me is that Charter continues to send out these mates even though they know about the drawbacks and they also know they will have to spend big bucks for their field technicians to respond to complaints.

So I have a choice. Keep the mate with the buzz in order to get access to programming on my Moxibox, or get a digital cable box and have no access to recorded programming.

OK, guys, last chance for me to enter the attic or work on the HD OTA. But, first I have a couple more questions.

I want to run 4 different feeds from the antenna. right now, I have an older spliiter up in the attic that was there when I bought the house. I probably need to replace that. What type of splitter should I get? For a run that is going to split the signal four times, do I need a special type? Also, is there a way I should split it? Should I maybe use a two way splitter and split the signal to my main HD, then split the ensuring signal w/ another splitter that goes to a digital TV and an analog TV? That way I'd get the strongest possible signal on my main HDTV. Or, is that stupid?

If I'm making a 200ft run, is there something else that I need to consider?

If I combine RG6 cables with a connector (because they're too short) is that going to hurt quality?

Does using a faceplate on a wall w/ a coacx input degrade the signal at all? (These are the the things were the coax runs into this plate and then you connect the plate on the wall to your TV.)

Thanks for your help! This weekend is going to be interesting!

OK, guys, last chance for me to enter the attic or work on the HD OTA. But, first I have a couple more questions.

I want to run 4 different feeds from the antenna. right now, I have an older spliiter up in the attic that was there when I bought the house. I probably need to replace that. What type of splitter should I get? For a run that is going to split the signal four times, do I need a special type? Also, is there a way I should split it? Should I maybe use a two way splitter and split the signal to my main HD, then split the ensuring signal w/ another splitter that goes to a digital TV and an analog TV? That way I'd get the strongest possible signal on my main HDTV. Or, is that stupid?

If I'm making a 200ft run, is there something else that I need to consider?

If I combine RG6 cables with a connector (because they're too short) is that going to hurt quality?

Does using a faceplate on a wall w/ a coacx input degrade the signal at all? (These are the the things were the coax runs into this plate and then you connect the plate on the wall to your TV.)

Thanks for your help! This weekend is going to be interesting!

I would try the splitter that is already there.

You'll know if the 200' run is a problem after it's hooked up. I suspect it won't be a problem.

If a cable is too short a coupler will not be an problem.

The faceplate will degrade the signal the same a the coupler. I wouldn't worry about it.

Good Luck,

Scott

So, I wake up this morning to notice the my MOXI time was about 29 minutes behind.
I did a soft reset.
I did a hard reset.
Still 29 minutes behind.
Called Charter and they said it was a known issue and they were woking on it.
Guess all my timers will be broke 2day.
If it misses Survivior 2night, the wife is gonna be mad.
Fastman

Fastmans I wonder if this is just in our area?

Technology can be so expensive, why couldn't I have a cheap hobby like model rockets?
It's a disease that has inflicted countless males already and the numbers increase each year. The only known cure is exile to a deserted island. :D

So, I wake up this morning to notice the my MOXI time was about 29 minutes behind.
Fastman

I had the same problem, but it fixed itself at about 8am.

OK, guys, last chance for me to enter the attic or work on the HD OTA. But, first I have a couple more questions.

I want to run 4 different feeds from the antenna. right now, I have an older spliiter up in the attic that was there when I bought the house. I probably need to replace that. What type of splitter should I get? For a run that is going to split the signal four times, do I need a special type? Also, is there a way I should split it? Should I maybe use a two way splitter and split the signal to my main HD, then split the ensuring signal w/ another splitter that goes to a digital TV and an analog TV? That way I'd get the strongest possible signal on my main HDTV. Or, is that stupid?

If I'm making a 200ft run, is there something else that I need to consider?

If I combine RG6 cables with a connector (because they're too short) is that going to hurt quality?

Does using a faceplate on a wall w/ a coacx input degrade the signal at all? (These are the the things were the coax runs into this plate and then you connect the plate on the wall to your TV.)

Thanks for your help! This weekend is going to be interesting!

I live in a hilly part of Wildwood and I mounted an antenna a week and a half ago. It didn't work so I need to do some more work such as check all connections, reorient it with the compass I bought and the instructions from this thread on tower locations, maybe install more heighth, install signal amplifier.

If you have a 200' run then I think you should have a signal amplifier on hand just in case. I read that installing in your attic reduces the signal strength 50%. You should install on the roof if possible.

Winston -

I agree with jdurbin. If your making a cabler run over 100' an amplifier would most likely help out your signal. Be sure to put the amplifier before the splitter (Between the antenna and the splitter. That way you'll be ampin' up your signal at it's strongest point.)

I'd try the splitter you have installed before buying a new one. If you do need a new one, try to find one that allows a 'power pass' or 'straight through' connection for your main TV. While I wouldn't recomend Monster, something like this should do. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?CategoryID=cat08062&id=1110262781963&skuId=7129476&type=product&DCMP=KNC-TLC&ref=25&loc=SMX

Combining RG6 cables won't degrade the signal much, but if you need another percentage point or two to lock a station, it could be an option worth exploring. The wall plates would fall into that same category.

The advice is free, do what you want. Good luck this weekend.

I want to run 4 different feeds from the antenna. right now, I have an older spliiter up in the attic that was there when I bought the house.

Maybe you already have all of the cable home runs going to this splitter in the attic, but if you don't, and if your attic is as difficult to get into as mine is, I'd run ONE wire from the attic to a distribution panel in a more convenient location and then split everything off of that. (You can purchase an actual structured wiring panel and components at Lowes and put everything in there or just mount the splitters in a convenient location.)

I have mine set up where the antenna feed goes to the main system and then from there it goes to a distribution panel with splitters and switches. This way, I can broadcast whatever is on the main TV to the rest of the house (convenient for parties or if you're just working around the house and watching a DVD), or with the switches that are in the panel, any TV can work on it's own.

Have fun!! :)

Thanks for all the advice.

I was thinking of running all the RG6 this weekend, even though I actually only have one HDTV-capable set as it is. In the future, I will be using at least one other digital TV, probalby within a year, and even if I quit using hte antenna, I'll need to be able to get DirecTV through all these walls and such.

As it is right now, when I tested it last weekend, I only had the analog TV and my HDTV set hooked up to the antenna, and my digital channels were all quite strong. So, I guess I'll try it that way and then if I need an amp I'll get one. I would think that for right now I probably will not need one.

I have mine set up where the antenna feed goes to the main system and then from there it goes to a distribution panel with splitters and switches. This way, I can broadcast whatever is on the main TV to the rest of the house (convenient for parties or if you're just working around the house and watching a DVD), or with the switches that are in the panel, any TV can work on it's own.


That's a great idea.

Thanks for all the advice.

I was thinking of running all the RG6 this weekend, even though I actually only have one HDTV-capable set as it is. In the future, I will be using at least one other digital TV, probalby within a year, and even if I quit using hte antenna, I'll need to be able to get DirecTV through all these walls and such.

As it is right now, when I tested it last weekend, I only had the analog TV and my HDTV set hooked up to the antenna, and my digital channels were all quite strong. So, I guess I'll try it that way and then if I need an amp I'll get one. I would think that for right now I probably will not need one.
I have a similar situation, so I ran the RG6 cabling using the duel-cable. I don't need the second cable now, but know I will in the future, and figured if I was running the cabling now, I'd pay the extra for the duel-cable rather than have to do all the drilling and crawling a second time.

Know Your OTA Rights

Today's SkyREPORT newsletter includes an editorial that makes the point that there are a lot of busybody organizations out there still doing their level best to mislead and intimidate homeowners so that they'll forego the perfectly legitimate use of satellite dishes or over-the-air antennas.

I think the majority of the regular folks here already know they have the right to mount an antenna and/or a satellite dish -- regardless of what a homeowner association or hyperactive municipal goverment might want them to believe.

But it never a bad idea to reiterate the facts.

For homeowners, these rights are basically a slam-dunk, regardless of ANY laws or convenants that might exist -- historical districts are basically the only legitimate impediment to these rights. But even apartment or condo renters have a large, though not absolute, degree of lattitude in opting to mount satellite dishes and OTA antennas.

Personally, I think it's bad enough that some brown shirt, suburban mafia can tell you when the grass has grown too high, or that you can't paint your house purple, even when you're descended from Scandinavian royalty and its a blood oath tradition to live in a putrid palace.

Therefore, I encourage anyone who lives in a town or neighborhood with these sort of rules to mount both a dish and a yagi -- even if you don't need either one! ;)

And remember, regardless of the situation, you DON'T need prior permission/approval to mount these devices, whether you're a homeowner or apartment/condo dweller.

The burden of proof that you're actually in violation of a valid law or regulation covering these reception devices is ENTIRELY the responsibility of the naysaying party.

So, follow the OTARD link below, and then get out there and make a busybody blink...

________________________________________________

SkyFILES: Putting OTARD Back on the Attack

My family has seen a house with a home theater set-up complete with stadium seating ... and grandma's old couch and grandpa's old chair for the seating. We saw a house in which the master bedroom, which had the square-footage of our entire upstairs level, had its own "secret" staircase to the kitchen below ... a staircase frequently used by the kids of the house to escape their parents.

And there's a new house we know of covered by covenants ... and (of course) a very-particular homeowner's association that comes with the covenant. I don't if it's one of those associations packed with old folks who have nothing better to do with their time but debate whether the exterior paint of a neighbor's house is in violation ... well, I guess you know how I feel about these types of organizations.

And - could you guess it - the homeowner's association is pushing a strict rule that says satellite TV dishes are not allowed on the roof, on the side of a house or anywhere on the property.

My wife knows a thing or two about how satellite TV works (she even tutors me on the use of our DVR). And when a friend told my wife that she cannot install a small dish to her house due to covenant rules, my wife quickly informed said friend that the homeowner's association is out of line, and breaking the law.

The federal rule prohibiting covenants from blocking the installation of a small dish antenna is called "OTARD," or the Over-the-Air Reception Devices Rule. Details on the rule can be found at: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html.

The federal law isn't limited to satellite TV. A homeowner's association cannot stop a household from installing an off-air antenna for receiving local TV signals.

Of course, the nation's satellite TV services are telling consumers that OTARD allows them to install a small satellite TV dish on their property. Nonetheless, more needs to be done to inform homeowners about the rule.

Installers, sales associates at retail, and - most importantly - friends and neighbors need to get the word out that it's OK to have that pizza-sized dish on the roof-top.
________________________________________________

No 30-1 right now on my Dish 811. 85% signal but no audio or video. Anyone else????

Alright, now I'm toying with the idea of going back to D*. Can't stand the thought of not having the superbowl in HD on ABC, since Charter does not carry ABC local in HD. BTW, anyone have any insight on this???

Anyway, called D*, and they were offering me a HD Tivo unit and a regular HD receiver for about $500, plus discounts totalling about $10-$15 (can't remember exactly) per month for 6 months. Looking to see if anyone has any experience directly with both the Moxi and HD Tivo through D*. At least D* has a defined upgrade path over the next couple of years by adding local HD channels and national HD channels. Heck, who knows what you'll get with Charter.

The ABC issue is not a Charter issue. It is a D*, E*, and Charter problem since Sinclair refuses to let them carry the HD feed. All you need is an antenna. That is how D* and E* work. I was with D* but they can't come close to even remotely matching what I pay with Charter. I have an OTA antenna just to get 30.

I remember reading somewhere that DirecTV *has* come to an agreement with Sinclair to carry their stations (including KDNL) when their respective cities get added to HD LIL coverage.

Since I'm not aware of Sinclair bending in its demands for cash, I assume *D caved.

No 30-1 right now on my Dish 811. 85% signal but no audio or video. Anyone else????

I have video and audio but the dilagoue is out of sync. Also right now while watching FOX news I had a series of three beeps. Then the audio sounded like it was coming out of a tin can. The other channels sound ok.

The ABC issue is not a Charter issue. It is a D*, E*, and Charter problem since Sinclair refuses to let them carry the HD feed. All you need is an antenna. That is how D* and E* work. I was with D* but they can't come close to even remotely matching what I pay with Charter. I have an OTA antenna just to get 30.

Actually, you need an OTA antenna and an ATSC tuner. Then you're switching back and forth between Charter and the ATSC tuner to get the stations that Charter doesn't carry (how many and what kind of inputs does your HDTV have?). Also, unless you get an ATSC tuner with a DVR (all of which I'm aware of right now are fairly expensive), you won't be able to pause, rewind, fast forward OTA TV for those non-Charter stations. The nice thing about DirecTV and Dish Networks DVRs is that they integrate the ATSC tuner and the switching and recording of OTA and satellite stations is seamless. Also, Dish has a lot more HD options than Charter does right now. I'm paying a little over $90 a month with Dish and I have all the HD they offer, as well as all the locals through an OTA antenna, and everything records exactly the same way through the DVR.

Thanks, Joe, I was about to point out some of the same issues I would have. My RPTV does not have a built-in ATSC tuner, so I would need an external box for that. I already have the antenna up on the roof from before, and I'm not even too concerned with recording ABC in HD all that much as I am in missing MNF and the super bowl in HD. I'm sure this has been hashed through hundreds of times, and I may get some folks' panties in a was, but this is half-a$$ed on Charter's part. Of course, their website and their CSR told me they had it when signing up. Should've double-checked here first!

I remember reading somewhere that DirecTV *has* come to an agreement with Sinclair to carry their stations (including KDNL) when their respective cities get added to HD LIL coverage.

Since I'm not aware of Sinclair bending in its demands for cash, I assume *D caved.Well, I think that deal (if it has been done) probably has more to do with the fact that DirecTV is already paying Sinclair for analog stations. Probably fairly easy to extend this to the digitals.

Cable, on the other hand, traditionally has not paid for locals, so that makes that particular negotiation more prickly.

Cable, on the other hand, traditionally has not paid for locals, so that makes that particular negotiation more prickly.

And that's what scares me about getting ABC Local HD long-term. I think I've made up my mind to ditch Charter for TV. Keep their phone and high speed service though, and for me that's really where the savings were. Yeah, D* has higher upfront and buy-in costs for hardware, but after that monthly pricing is in the same neighborhood. Plus, like I said before, D* having a laid out upgrade path over the next 2-3 years means a lot in these times. Try asking Charter the same question and they their heads start spinning.

No 30-1 right now on my Dish 811. 85% signal but no audio or video. Anyone else????

I'm getting no audio or video on 30-1 with my HD DirectTivo OTA tuner. What's going on here? :mad: :mad:

I had the same problem with 30.1 last evening with my Sony HDTV w/ built-in tuner.

Ridiculous.

No OTA 30-1 here either via LG 3510A.

I'm getting no audio or video on 30-1 with my HD DirectTivo OTA tuner. What's going on here? :mad: :mad:


Same thing here, 85 signal strength though. Neither a restart or a clear OTA channels and rescan fixed the problem.

I had the same problem with 30.1 last evening with my Sony HDTV w/ built-in tuner.

Ridiculous.
Ditto: I had OTA sound but no picture yesterday evening. Switched over to analog 30 and it was fine! Weird, but then I the AVS member who in two months since purchasing a HDTV with internal tuner has NEVER been able to get ABC HD programs with synchronized sound & video except live MNF!

Maybe, just maybe, Mr. Racer is working on the DD5.1.

I doubt it, but I'm crossing my fingers......

Actually, you need an OTA antenna and an ATSC tuner. Then you're switching back and forth between Charter and the ATSC tuner to get the stations that Charter doesn't carry (how many and what kind of inputs does your HDTV have?).

I have a Mits Diamond series 55". It has a built in tuner and a boat load of inputs. I have my antenna hooked to the TV tuner for ANT-DTV.

Also, Dish has a lot more HD options than Charter does right now. I'm paying a little over $90 a month with Dish and I have all the HD they offer, as well as all the locals through an OTA antenna, and everything records exactly the same way through the DVR.

Dish's extra HD channels are the VOOM stuff which has no added value to myself due to the limited repeating programming. I pay Charter around $72.93 for every channel and HD channel they carry. The $72 includes 16.95 for the MOXI w Mate setup.

As of 7pm, I cant' get KMOV 4-1 or ABC 30-1.

Both of their signal strenghts are incredibly low or wavering.... could it be because of the weather?

Anyone else having problems?

They're both fine here.

Figures. I probably screwed everything up by doing my weekend plans.

This sucks. So frustrating.

How can some of us be getting 30-1 fine while others (myself included) suddenly see nothing at all?????

Something's amiss.

D* Switching to XM on 11/15 for Music
--------
In checking through the channels notice there apparently will be up to over 60 XM channels available [depending on your subscription level]. Interesting way to increase the reported number of subscribers to the investment community. Will be less expensive than having the add on XM subscription which costs about $7/mo.

jim

I called a buddy of mine, and he was having similar issues with 30-1 and 4-1 on 11/12 in the evening, say around 7pm.

I think it was the weather... I hope it was the weather.

Anyone else have similar problems? Both of us live on the IL side.

***EDIT: Analog was fine on both stations.

D* Switching to XM on 11/15 for Music
--------
In checking through the channels notice there apparently will be up to over 60 XM channels available [depending on your subscription level]. Interesting way to increase the reported number of subscribers to the investment community. Will be less expensive than having the add on XM subscription which costs about $7/mo.

jim

Does this mean that as a DirecTV subscriber, I'll get access to the XM music stations?

XM on D*
-----
Does this mean that as a DirecTV subscriber, I'll get access to the XM music stations?
--

Yes, check out Channel 800 for details.

I called a buddy of mine, and he was having similar issues with 30-1 and 4-1 on 11/12 in the evening, say around 7pm.

I think it was the weather... I hope it was the weather.

Anyone else have similar problems? Both of us live on the IL side.

***EDIT: Analog was fine on both stations.

Analog is fine on both channels. However there is nothing on 30-1 but I am getting 4-1. I am using a Dish 811 receiver and I live in south st. louis county. Has been that way all day. Does anyone know what is going on?

Since we were ragging on them a couple of weeks ago for the Blues game being broadcast in such poor video quality, I suppose we should commend them when the picture is good. Probably can't get much better in SD than what they showed tonight. I'm obviously speaking strictly in terms of video quality and not the on ice product, although if they play like they did tonight, they should get their share of wins against the bad teams.

No 30-1 right now on my Dish 811. 85% signal but no audio or video. Anyone else????
I have been having the same problem quite often lately on my Dish 811 as well. Don't know about last evening, but this afternoon all I had was a quiet black screen instead of my Buckeyes. :(

I have been having the same problem quite often lately on my Dish 811 as well. Don't know about last evening, but this afternoon all I had was a quiet black screen instead of my Buckeyes. :(
No issues here. Both 30-1 and 4-1 have been normal all day/night on both the Dish 811 and 921.
Probably the strange weather today/tonight.
Only odd thing I saw tonight was KSDK's "quick trigger" to switch off/on the HD feed to local for commercials on SNL. Must be the same crew who works when Leno is on M-F. :rolleyes:

No 30-1 right now on my Dish 811. 85% signal but no audio or video. Anyone else????

I have the same problem with my OTA tuner. About 85-88% signal on 30-1, but nothing. I just so happens I swapped out my old attenna for a much larger Channel Master 4228 and I thought there was a problem with my new antenna, although I get a lot more channels I didn't before.

I called a buddy of mine, and he was having similar issues with 30-1 and 4-1 on 11/12 in the evening, say around 7pm.

I think it was the weather... I hope it was the weather.

Anyone else have similar problems? Both of us live on the IL side.

***EDIT: Analog was fine on both stations.
In Kirkwood, both stations (but not 5.1???) would scramble then return to normal digital (I think 4.1 was HD and 30.1 was SD) intermittently most of the evening. Eventually gave up and switched over to a DVD movie. Do suspect the weather (wind) may have been a factor, but do the local ABC and CBS affiliates know????

I am not sure if I have a reception problem on 30.1 or a receiver issue. I will get 30.1 perfectly for 2 seconds and then it will go to no signal. (no tiling and it will never go back to a good picture) I also live in the Kirkwood/DesPeres area.

I have a Sony with a built in HD receiver also. Even though I do not have a signal strength indicator in the TV, I had a technician here Friday that checked the signal strength and said that it was with in specs. I believe him since other channels were coming in with worse readings.

Normally when the reception is bad for other channels the picture will start by tiling and then go to no signal and then back to tiling and maybe back to a good picture.

Does anyone have any ideas?

I am not sure if I have a reception problem on 30.1 or a receiver issue. I will get 30.1 perfectly for 2 seconds and then it will go to no signal. (no tiling and it will never go back to a good picture)

I have a Sony with a built in HD receiver also. Even though I do not have a signal strength indicator in the TV, I had a technician here Friday that checked the signal strength and said that it was with in specs. I believe him since other channels were coming in with worse readings.

Normally when the reception is bad for other channels the picture will start by tiling and then go to no signal and then back to tiling and maybe back to a good picture.

Does anyone have any ideas?
When I tune 30.1 with the TV's tuner, I get the same thing, shows up for a couple seconds, then says "no signal". When I try to tune it with my HD TIVO, I get the
"Searching for signal" banner yet when I go to test the input signal, I get a solid signal in the 80's but the little green signal receipt indicator on ant 1 periodically goes out like the signal is resetting. There are too many other people having the same issue so I can't believe it's a problem on the receiver side. I've never had an issue with 30.1 before and have no issues with any of the other digital channels. I believe something is wrong with their signal.

I'm back, after a long hiatus from posting. As you may have guessed, My Samsung is refusing to tune 30-1. It shows a strong signal lock, but I a get (like sandblaster) "No Signal" error. It started earlier (Thursday). I didn't call the station on Friday (was anybody there Friday?).

As seems to be a common issue, let's rule out a few things.

What receiver are you using? In my case, it's Samsung SIR-T151.

Any reception problems with other stations? Aside from minor issues (on KETC) and losing (WRBU - UPN46 signal when I move the antenna), I don't have any issues.

I know I'm one of a few with a indoor antenna (Zenith Silver Sensor).

Off Topic:

Would it help in future to use a amplifier with the Zenith Silver Sensor?

I'm having some problems now, too, that I didn't have last weekend.

Saturday I did a lot of things, ran cable, etc. to the antenna in my attic. Last weekend, when i did this simply by connecting the TV and antenna and leaving the cable in the kitchen (haha) everything was solidly locked. Now, last evening, 2-1 is shaky, 4-1 is unwatchable, and 30-1 is gone with "no signal."

I am using the built-in HDTV tuner on my Sony KDF55WF655.

As to your question about an amp.... I'd love to know too. I had one many years ago and never had any success with it at all. It had ZERO effect.

Very strange. On my Dish 921, 30.1 signal is its usual 110, audio and video are normal.
On my Dish 811, signal is its usual 80, but no audio or video.
On the 811 it will pick up a signal, but will not lock.
All other OTA DT's are normal. 30 AT is normal on both.
Would seem like a transmission issue, hopefully corrected by tomorrow night, cus I usually get stuck with the non-DVR HD receiver for MNF.

Thanks sandblaster, kjohnson, WinstonSmith, and kdg454 for your replies.
Since the general consensus seems to be transmission problems, does anyone know who to contact at ABC?

They monitor this thread regularly so they are probably aware of it.

I cannot receive 30.1 on my HDTIVO at the moment either. I noticed the prob on Friday.

I have been having the same problem quite often lately on my Dish 811 as well. Don't know about last evening, but this afternoon all I had was a quiet black screen instead of my Buckeyes.

Luckily I Tivo'ed the game on D* channel 30. However, it was nice of them to switch over to another game midway though the 3rd qtr. I pray the Buckeyes are only on ESPN as that gives us the chance for HD and we don't (usually) have to worry about them changing things mid-game.

I hate to be negative, but this local ABC continues to be unimpressive. Hopefully this outage is for something beneficial, like the switch to DD. We can hope.

Still no 30-1 OTA here with LG LST-510A. Been this way since at least Friday.

The LG has only a "Weak to Strong" with 30-1 consistantly in the "Strong" area.

No "No signal" is displayed, just nothing.

The problem on 30-1 is an HD encoder that keeps crapping out. It intermitantly locks up and has to be powered down to reset which take over 5 minutes. The manufacturer replaced the unit once and now this one is failing. The new version encoder was ordered last week....hope to have it replaced in a week or so.
After an encoder lock up you migt have to tune off and on 30-1 to relearn on some receivers.
Jim

Can you put the Tandberg back online Jim ?

On 30-1 I'm getting a signal strength of like 42. On 31-1 I'm getting an 88. Neither channel is getting a signal at all.

On my friend's down the street, he gets 30-1 for exactly two seconds, then it goes out -- no signal.

We both have Sony HDTV's w/ built-in tuners.

On 30-1 I'm getting a signal strength of like 42. On 31-1 I'm getting an 88. Neither channel is getting a signal at all.

On my friend's down the street, he gets 30-1 for exactly two seconds, then it goes out -- no signal.

We both have Sony HDTV's w/ built-in tuners.



I have a signal lock strength of 90 on my 811 receiver and I have a signal strength of 88 on my Toshiba 62HMX94 internal tuner but I still do not get audio or video from 30-1. This is definitely an issue with the station and not our systems. Too many people in too wide an area are having the same problem.

On 30-1 I'm getting a signal strength of like 42. On 31-1 I'm getting an 88. Neither channel is getting a signal at all.

On my friend's down the street, he gets 30-1 for exactly two seconds, then it goes out -- no signal.

We both have Sony HDTV's w/ built-in tuners.


I take it that's OTA? He's better off than me. My Samsung doesn't like the signal at all. I get no picture, no sound, and the "No Signal" box. At least he gets it for 2 seconds. I get it for 0.

Just did a signal rescan. Nada. Memorizes every other station, examines Channel 31, and ignores. I'm going to have to hook up another antenna to the the TV, so Desperate Housewifes can be seen, in analog. One thing can be said, KDNL looks great analog on the Southside (by the Botanical Gardens).

I have a signal lock strength of 90 on my 811 receiver and I have a signal strength of 88 on my Toshiba 62HMX94 internal tuner but I still do not get audio or video from 30-1. This is definitely an issue with the station and not our systems. Too many people in too wide an area are having the same problem.

Anybody tried rescanning, and got nowhere with it? The SIR-T151 I've got will sit there for about 30 seconds during a scan, and keep going with a "no signal" error. Samsung's are extremely finicky about data they get. It seems, if a bit is out of place, and they will ignore the entire stream, and label it "no signal." :rolleyes:

The problem on 30-1 is an HD encoder that keeps crapping out. It intermitantly locks up and has to be powered down to reset which take over 5 minutes. The manufacturer replaced the unit once and now this one is failing. The new version encoder was ordered last week....hope to have it replaced in a week or so.
After an encoder lock up you migt have to tune off and on 30-1 to relearn on some receivers.
Jim
Thanks Jim, very much appreciate you letting us know. :)

The problem on 30-1 is an HD encoder that keeps crapping out. It intermitantly locks up and has to be powered down to reset which take over 5 minutes. The manufacturer replaced the unit once and now this one is failing. The new version encoder was ordered last week....hope to have it replaced in a week or so.
After an encoder lock up you migt have to tune off and on 30-1 to relearn on some receivers.
Jim


Jim, thanks for the update. I've got a question. Does ABC's digital feed include MTS (English, Spanish, etc.) feeds? Does KDNL have the capacity to show the program in more than one language?

To all:
I never quite got this. Do Samsung's have some sort of Reset on them? It think that might help some of us, but I don't know how reset this thing. :confused:

Well, to follow up on some of my earlier posts, I ditched Charter for video this weekend and am getting back on the D* train. D* worked pretty well with me on pricing, all things considered, and I fell much better that I'll be able to watch MNF and the Superbowl in HD. Talked with 3 different CSRs over the weekend, and I tell you what, every one was a pleasure to deal with. Not the lame ducks you have a tendency to get with Charter. I realize I'm having to make a significant investment upfront to get similar functionality with D*, but monthly pricing will be in the same neighborhood. Also, D* has a defined upgrade path, something Charter doesn't. Getting re-installed next weekend. Got out of Charter just in time as my 1 year contract commitment goes into effect on the 15th. Also, I had to spend over an hour on the phone this morning when setting up my disconnect because they had some random and double charges on my bill. Yeah, just what I want to do every month, audit my bill. Also, I found it interesting that they charge you $14.99 for those crappy cables that come with their HD boxes.

The problem on 30-1 is an HD encoder that keeps crapping out. It intermitantly locks up and has to be powered down to reset which take over 5 minutes. The manufacturer replaced the unit once and now this one is failing. The new version encoder was ordered last week....hope to have it replaced in a week or so.
After an encoder lock up you migt have to tune off and on 30-1 to relearn on some receivers.
Jim
If you have any pull with them, let them know it's 11:02, 100% signal strength but no pic or sound.

Can you imagine what it's going to be like when analog goes away and the regular masses have to deal with this?

Just wanted to link to my post in the antenna thread (www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6528400&&#post6528400) here, in case anyone local has an idea. :)

Since I guess it's not clear in that post, I decided almost a month ago to move the antenna from the attic to the roof since I couldn't really get 11 or 30 at all during primetime (2 and 5 were iffy sometimes, 4 was the BEST). They, and everything but 9 (which I'd like, but certainly don't expect) came in perfectly acceptable when I first tested. 7-10 days later, 4 was just barely struggling to come in. Everything has gotten worse since. :mad: I wonder if the leaves coming off the trees, from here to horizon, is the cause?

What's your guys' experience with signal levels throughout the year? Since I haven't had the HD tuner for 2 months even... Don't know if I'll ever get HD again here. :( No HD display yet, but I was reminded again how much better the HD signal is even in 480i during the Rams game and Nascar (don't watch Nascar, just saying :)). Just saw 2 and 5 for a bit while I was experimenting with placement. (30 did barely come in sometimes for those wondering about its signal.)

FYI, I'm in Warren County, avg. ~45 miles from towers.

The problem on 30-1 is an HD encoder that keeps crapping out. It intermitantly locks up and has to be powered down to reset which take over 5 minutes. The manufacturer replaced the unit once and now this one is failing. The new version encoder was ordered last week....hope to have it replaced in a week or so.
After an encoder lock up you migt have to tune off and on 30-1 to relearn on some receivers.
Jim

On 30-1 I'm getting a signal strength of like 42. On 31-1 I'm getting an 88. Neither channel is getting a signal at all.

On my friend's down the street, he gets 30-1 for exactly two seconds, then it goes out -- no signal.

We both have Sony HDTV's w/ built-in tuners.


I have the same type of Sony as you do and get the exact same response. Channel 30-1 is on for exactly two seconds and then it goes out -- with no signal. What ever the problem is at ABC, I think different tuners react differently, but most, if not all, seem to end up with no 30-1.

It seems like ABC is broadcasting a HD signal but since Thursday or Friday there is something out of phase or something corrupt about the signal. On Friday I had a TV Antenna serviceman check it out and he could not find any problem even after putting up a temporary antenna on the roof. He even checked all of the readings on his Sencore (expensive Professional grade signal strength meter). His readings on signal strength as well as the other readings for 30-1 were well within specs.

I called ABC over the weekend and left a message. I hope they work on it soon.

DaneK,

WRacer works for KDNL and posted that they do have a problem with some flaky equipment.

The problem on 30-1 is an HD encoder that keeps crapping out. It intermitantly locks up and has to be powered down to reset which take over 5 minutes. The manufacturer replaced the unit once and now this one is failing. The new version encoder was ordered last week....hope to have it replaced in a week or so.
After an encoder lock up you migt have to tune off and on 30-1 to relearn on some receivers.
Jim

Missed Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy last night thanks to this.

The last time I had recorded anything on ABC was Thursday night. Alias came in just fine but Sunday my roommate informed me that Grey’s was not recording. My MCE box was not a signal from ABC. First time I’ve had that problem all season.

I live near the airport and receive my HD OTA via a DB-8 HDAntenna using both an ATI HDTV Wonder and an AVerMedia A180 HDTV tuner board in a PC running Windows Media Center Edition.

Can anyone confirm that ABC is back?

I’ll be very unhappy if I miss Boston Legal on Tuesday and if I miss Lost and Invasion on Wednesday, someone may be hurt.

[QUOTE=kjohnson]Jim, thanks for the update. I've got a question. Does ABC's digital feed include MTS (English, Spanish, etc.) feeds? Does KDNL have the capacity to show the program in more than one language?

ABC sends Spanish on the analog feed only at this time. We will be able to add other audio channels to the digital feed in the future.
Jim

DaneK,

WRacer works for KDNL and posted that they do have a problem with some flaky equipment.

Thanks skippy_rq.

I just received a call from "Dean" at ABC and he said pretty much the same thing. He also added that they plan to take out the "new" equipment and replace it with the "old" equipment if they can not fix the problem by this afternoon. Right now they have 3 guys "scrambling" to fix the problem.

I can't wait to try it out later today; I sure hope it works out. I'm hoping that the new equipment comes in soon. Hopefully, it will be here before next weekend, but regardless, we'll miss out on MNF tonight.

Just for the record (and I think I understand this correctly): No one in our area is receiving the digital feed of ABC30?

I’ll be very unhappy if I miss Boston Legal on Tuesday and if I miss Lost and Invasion on Wednesday, someone may be hurt.

Can't you use the analog feed?

I can't wait to try it out later today; I sure hope it works out. I'm hoping that the new equipment comes in soon. Hopefully, it will be here before next weekend, but regardless, we'll miss out on MNF tonight.

Just for the record (and I think I understand this correctly): No one in our area is receiving the digital feed of ABC30?
I'm receiving it normally on the Dish 921, but having the same issue as everyone else on the Dish 811.
I recorded Ghost Whisper last night (30-1 DT HD feed) and watched it this morning on the 921. But the 811 is blank. Signal but no A/V.

11:46am-----I just checked both receivers, and 30.1 is coming in normally. I did have to remove and re-add 30.1 into the 811.

Okay, My reciever has got 30-1 coming in. Anybody else?

Thanks for getting it up, Jim.

Can't you use the analog feed? Actually i don't have any analog TV setup at my house. No antenna, no cable or satellite, just DTV/HDTV for the past year and a half.

I'll get my shows from the shady file share people on the internet. I feel cheapened but, hey the system has failed me so i don’t feel so guilty for circumventing them.

Excellent news. I'll go home and try later!

I imagine KDNL is trying to head off a mass of ticked off MNF viewers and thus why they will go to the old equip as a backup. :D

we are still on the new equipment...tried something else that seems to work. Should be ok for MNF....we hope. Still may need to rescan.
Let me know if you see any problems.
Jim

I can't wait to try it out later today; I sure hope it works out. I'm hoping that the new equipment comes in soon. Hopefully, it will be here before next weekend, but regardless, we'll miss out on MNF tonight.

Just for the record (and I think I understand this correctly): No one in our area is receiving the digital feed of ABC30?

Actually, I was always getting diigital 30 on my Dish 921 and MyHD both. Desperate Housewives had a couple of small breakups last night, but only for a couple of seconds each. Otherwise it was fine.

FWIW, I just checked and I'm once again receiving 30-1 via my HD TiVo.

Didn't need to re-scan today, though I did go through the process yesterday afternoon.

Jim -- I'm curious about Good Morning, America. Is there any reason that your station can't just grab the East Coast HD feed and play it live on 30-1. Presumably you'd be an hour ahead of what's showing on analog locally, but I wouldn't think that's a big deal.

I'm not saying that I want to get up every morning and watch GMA live, but I'd definitely record it and check it later...

Jim -- I'm curious about Good Morning, America. Is there any reason that your station can't just grab the East Coast HD feed and play it live on 30-1. Presumably you'd be an hour ahead of what's showing on analog locally, but I wouldn't think that's a big deal.

I'm not saying that I want to get up every morning and watch GMA live, but I'd definitely record it and check it later...[/QUOTE]


Technically we can get the East coast feed, but ABC controls the switching of the various feeds and sometimes we are on the East feed (SD) for one hour. Also, there are commercial differences. So, the answer is...it just won't work until they give us the correct HD feed some time in the Spring.
Jim

Also, I had to spend over an hour on the phone this morning when setting up my disconnect because they had some random and double charges on my bill.

After a month and a half, I finally thought I had settled my disconnect with Charter as they credited back a charge to my credit card. A week later, I received a bill that showed the credit.....and they say that I now owe them $80 :eek:

That place is a joke. Billing-wise anyway.
__________________________________

On another note, I started to set up my DVD server over the weekend. For grins, and since it's free, I started with Xlobby instead of Meedio. Although the user base is substantially less than Meedio and probably Media Portal, I found the setup fairly easy. (I know Media Portal is also free, but it requires WinXP and I have Win2k.)

Using the Theater Tek player, I can mount ripped DVD's and play them on my computer screen. The next test is to bring the box up to my TV and see how it works via the DVI port, then get some remote functionality going probably with USB-UIRT unless someone else has a better suggestion.

Anyone looking to build just a media server (movies, music and pictures) might want to give Xlobby a look. ( http://www.xlobby.com ) It does have some TV functionality built into it, but that's not something I'm concerning myself with at the moment.

OK -- I hadn't considered the commercials or the switching angle on this.

So you guys are switched from the network -- that seems to work pretty well from what I've seen. Too bad NBC doesn't take that approach.

Thanks for the info...

Thanks sandblaster, kjohnson, WinstonSmith, and kdg454 for your replies.
Since the general consensus seems to be transmission problems, does anyone know who to contact at ABC?

You can add me to the list. I lose 30.1 every now and then, but not on D*.

Scott

Went the other night to the new "Atomic Cowboy" bar/restaurant which relocated further down Manchester Road from Maplewood to the Forest Park Southwest / The Grove neighborhood.

When we sat down at the bar I immediately noticed that above the bar they have a nice new Sony KDFE50A10 (http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-2%2c6-2&id=28434) LCD rear projection HDTV. They were showing "Kill Bill Vol. 2" and I could tell the TV wasn't set up right: aspect ratio was wrong. I rolled my eyes and sighed, ignored it and had a good time with my friends.

I guess they had a few movies in the DVD changer because I later noticed when they were playing "Super Troopers" (a 1.85 movie) that there were still very wide bars at the top and bottom.

As the evening wound down (they close at 3am) and the bar became less crowded I started talking to the barback. I told him I liked the place but they had their $2000+ TV set up all wrong. He asked me what was wrong and I said "Let me show you." So he handed me the remotes and I dived right into the menus. The DVD player was set up for a 4:3 letterbox TV and the TV had the wrong aspect setting (I changed it to the correct setting; what I think on Sonys is "Full".) I turned down the contrast a ton but only backed the brightness down somewhat.

I fired the movie back up and (without prompting) the barback went "Whoa, that looks tons better." He then got the bartender's attention and said "Hey, that dude just fixed our TV." The bartender thanked me with two Jagerbomb shots and said it looked better."

Sometimes, good deads do get rewarded. :D

Well, to follow up on some of my earlier posts, I ditched Charter for video this weekend and am getting back on the D* train. D* worked pretty well with me on pricing, all things considered, and I fell much better that I'll be able to watch MNF and the Superbowl in HD. Talked with 3 different CSRs over the weekend, and I tell you what, every one was a pleasure to deal with. Not the lame ducks you have a tendency to get with Charter. I realize I'm having to make a significant investment upfront to get similar functionality with D*, but monthly pricing will be in the same neighborhood. Also, D* has a defined upgrade path, something Charter doesn't. Getting re-installed next weekend. Got out of Charter just in time as my 1 year contract commitment goes into effect on the 15th. Also, I had to spend over an hour on the phone this morning when setting up my disconnect because they had some random and double charges on my bill. Yeah, just what I want to do every month, audit my bill. Also, I found it interesting that they charge you $14.99 for those crappy cables that come with their HD boxes.

Good move going back to Directv. Good luck.

Scott

On another note, I started to set up my DVD server over the weekend. For grins, and since it's free, I started with Xlobby instead of Meedio. Although the user base is substantially less than Meedio and probably Media Portal, I found the setup fairly easy. (I know Media Portal is also free, but it requires WinXP and I have Win2k.)

Using the Theater Tek player, I can mount ripped DVD's and play them on my computer screen. The next test is to bring the box up to my TV and see how it works via the DVI port, then get some remote functionality going probably with USB-UIRT unless someone else has a better suggestion.

Anyone looking to build just a media server (movies, music and pictures) might want to give Xlobby a look. ( http://www.xlobby.com ) It does have some TV functionality built into it, but that's not something I'm concerning myself with at the moment.
xlobby was my HTPC interface of choice for a couple of years until March or so of 05 when i got Microsoft Media Center Edition. I've not looked back sense. MCE is a god send. My HTPC (which has been my sole TV/movie watching device since September of 01) is finally stable and simple enough to use that people other than me can make use of it.

The TV tuner, PVR and show shifting interfaces and remote control are the absolute best. The music player unfortunately is not. With a plugin called My Movies you can mount DVD ISO's and view them through the MCE interface and my favorite thing is that i can be recording two HD-OTA broadcasts while watching a movie over the network from a USB drive in the next room.

Microsoft rules Bartertown.

Thanks, Tom, just have to suffer through one more MNF game in SD via Charter.

Just for the record, like everyone else, I am now getting 30.1. However, I did need to rescan. j

Great now.

...my favorite thing is that i can be recording two HD-OTA broadcasts while watching a movie over the network from a USB drive in the next room.

That is pretty cool. When I decide to dive into the TV & PVR aspect of the HTPC, I'm going to have to give it a hard look. At this point, I'm just trying to get the dvd server up and running and I'll leave my SD dish receiver for the PVR. (I find myself wanting to rewind HD content all the time, reach for the remote...doh!) I'm not sure what the MCE minimum is, but I have a feeling that my 1.6ghz machine would be at the low end of what is acceptable.

Is yours a new machine that you bought that came with MCE installed or did you install MCE on an existing machine? What did you use for your IR receiver when you were using Xlobby? Is a USB-UIRT the way to go using Girder or perhaps the IRA-3 also using Girder?

USB-UIRT - http://www.usbuirt.com/overview.htm
IRA-3 - http://www.home-electro.com/ira3.php
TIRA-3 - http://www.home-electro.com/tira2.php

I have a Philips Pronto remote already, so I'm set there. I just need some way for the computer to accept the incoming IR signal.

Admittedly, the HTPC is new territory for me. I'm still learning a lot every day.

What are the chances ABC will allow Charter to receive permission from Sinclair Broadcasting Co who owns the St Louis ABC network to Broadcast the 2006 Super Bowl scheduled for Feb 6 on ABC HD?

Last year Sinclair allowed their FOX network cable operates that they own to show the Super Bowl on Fox HD for a one time showing through local cable networks.

What are the chances ABC will allow Charter to receive permission from Sinclair Broadcasting Co who owns the St Louis ABC network to Broadcast the 2006 Super Bowl scheduled for Feb 6 on ABC HD?

When pigs fly? Seriously though, if you think about negotiations and leverage, when do you think Sinclair would have the most leverage to get Charter to accept their proposal? At the Super Bowl. Why would they give up that kind of leverage by allowing Charter to broadcast it. I don't think they will. I also don't think Charter will cave. But then again, I've been wrong before.

I didn't have time to read all 300 posts but from what I read it looks like most people have standard recievers/tuners for hdtv... does anyone have advice for on-air HDTV broadcasting and how to amplify the signal a bit... i live in Saint Peters which is a whole in the ground for most analog signals... I'm getting like 3 HDTV signals via my HTPC with a ATI HDTV wonder and the included antenna.... I'm actually in my basement getting those channels which suprised me but my buddy who lives all the way out in Lake Saint Louis gets more channels on his on air service but he has a plasma with tuner box or whatever.... The sound is good but I do get the occasional blip in sound or screen stutter... it is pretty good 99% of the time. I get great sound output via a revolution 7.1 soundcard digital out to my 6.1 surround onkyo system.

If there is any tip to getting better reception besides putting up a tower let me know... right now I had to like balance the antenna at a certain heigth and angle to get it to get like 3-4 out of 5 bars... but it still sometimes drops to nill... ??? I guess concrete does that :)

Although my first expereince with HDTV is great but the first thing that was on CBS was a soap opera! what the! and now it is the country music awards which aren't broadcast in hdtv... I wish these people would get with the times a bit... I'm almost tempted to pick up a plasma during black friday b/c of their price drop... although I have no complaints about my Samsung 52" rear projection LCD screen... its pretty thin and great picture... I love it b/c the input of DVI works great with my x800pro....

Anyways... tips or whatever you have send them my way!

indep... what type of antenna are you currently using?

Is mounting an antenna in your attic an option? Maybe the roof? Both would very likely boost your ability to get a signal.

Let's start there....

indepulated ... search "St. Peters". There are quite a few of us hanging out here. I'm in a valley very close to the Mexico/Jungerman intersection. I do just fine with an attic mount. Most others seem to have similar experiences.

MTV-HD to Focus on Music, Not "Reality"

Hey, what a concept...

I may be disappointed by the actual product, but I think this holds a lot of potential. Pop music, in general, is underrepresented on TV these days, and this is especially so for HD.

I mean, Katie Darryl is nice to look at but her taste in music is pretty lame.

Anyway, here's the MTV-HD launch details, courtesy of the Rocky Mountain News and tvpredictions.com:

_________________________________________________

MTV Networks announced that it will base the production studio for its first foray into a high-definition channel, MHD, atop Vail Mountain's 10,350-foot-high Eagle's Nest restaurant complex. Vail will serve as MHD's headquarters from the channel's Jan. 16, 2006, debut through the end of ski season in April.

"It'll be like a mountaintop concert in your living room," Tony Dunaif, MTV networks senior vice president of business development, said at a news conference Tuesday at the Pepsi Center.

The cabin-style, glass-walled studio will be home to two new shows, MHD Top Ten and MHD Video Stew, hosted by Steamboat Springs native and current mtvU host George Oliphant. Jeremy Bloom, one of the world's best moguls skiers and a former University of Colorado wide receiver, will join Oliphant after he returns from the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Bloom said he'll make studio appearances on his days off from training for a second athletic career in the NFL.

The Vail-filmed shows will provide about three hours of daily content for the 24-hour channel, with the rest coming from a "robust" library of concerts and awards shows from Viacom's MTV, VHS and Country Music Television filmed in high-definition, Dunaif said.

MHD will be entirely music, meaning that viewers won't yet see MTV staples such as Pimp My Ride and Laguna Beach in peach-fuzz visual detail.

MHD is the latest channel in MTV's stable, which also includes MTV Overdrive and MTV International. MTV is still in negotiations with the major cable-television and satellite providers and isn't ready to announce who will carry the channel, Dunaif said.
_________________________________________________

For the complete story, click here. (http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_business/article/0,2777,DRMN_23916_4242016,00.html)

indepulated ... search "St. Peters". There are quite a few of us hanging out here. I'm in a valley very close to the Mexico/Jungerman intersection. I do just fine with an attic mount. Most others seem to have similar experiences.
Same here with the attic mount (22 years old). I'm by Laurel Park and FHN.

Hwy K and Fallon Parkway...

Roof mount OTA. All channels. No problems.

DB4 from Antenas Direct http://www.antennasdirect.com/ mounted in the attic and 100% cool. Caulks Hill & Towers area. Plugged into Dish 811 driving Sony LCD Projection.

Timetable Slides Again for DirecTV Local HD Rollout

TVPredictions.com is reporting today that DirecTV says it has reworked the delivery schedule for HD locals in the US's 12 biggest US markets.

______________________________________________________

DIRECTV today launched another High-Definition TV satellite, the second of four scheduled to be launched between now and 2007. The satcaster hopes to offer local HDTV in most markets by then and up to 150 national high-def channels.

However, DIRECTV has pushed back its launch dates for local HDTV in the first 12 markets. The satcaster says local high-def stations will now be available in five cities by the end of November, with seven more markets to go high-def in December.

DIRECTV said earlier this year that the first 12 cities would get local HD in September, then it said October, then November.

But now...it's November/December. So, stay tuned.
______________________________________________________

so your telling me roof/attic mount huh :) well it seems to be the consensus... I just need to figure out how to run the line to the finished basement though.... that should be interesting... the previous owner ran like a million coax cables in the house and teh all run to the basement in a unfinished work hallway but none of them are labled.... I'd like to just hook up to the preinstalled wall coax cable line installed in the wall and then maybe run the line to the attack with a amplifier to help the distance out... This is probably going to suck to do huh. Oh well... I was ticked too last night b/c I was only getting a frame every like 2 seconds on abc so I missed my first episode of LOST in HD ! Well thanks for all the help and it is good to hear there are so many fellow hdtv guys around my area... I live in Carrington place off of willot (next to spencer- willot intersection) I'll have to read some of the suggestions on this site for a good antenna... i saw one on ebay but?? who knows some people say it is great other say it is a cheap piece of plastic? who to trust....

Thanks for the link to your antenna as well b/c those aren't bad prices and look pretty quality...


Another question for you all.... If I'm moving like 60 or so miles from Saint Louis (long commute) is there any way to set up an antenna array? Like have one antenna pointing towards Saint Louis, another torwards Springfield Illinois, etc... and then run them to a splitter (probably amplifier in there somewhere) to a single line that goes to my ATI HDTV wonder?

EDIT: found answer to be yes but has anyone tried this?

Having it Both Ways: DVR Bad; DVR Good

After years of trying to limit the "feature set" and spread of DVR technology through litigation and other backdoor actions, the major television networks are now saying there's really no problem at all with DVRs.

In fact, not only are DVR owners not skipping commercials, but they're actually watching more television.

And TV execs also want advertisers to recognize the DVR viewership numbers that the Nielson rating system is planning to compile and release as part of its regular data sets.

Never underestimate the ability of TV executives to distort reality. This is the same industry that has consistently managed to increase advertising rates while delivering progressively smaller audiences.

If these guys really mean what they say, then I expect they'll have absolutely no problem if every future DVR manufactured includes a "30 second skip" button.

And if that actually happens, you can be sure the networks have also solved one of the more vexing "lip sync" issues of the digital television era: When a TV executive moves his (or her) lips, you'll actually be able to hear the truth.

Ba-da-boom.

The following Associated Press story on yesterday's DVR press conference is available via the Miami Herald web site:

_________________________________________________

NEW YORK - Even though nine out of 10 people with digital video recorders say they usually fast-forward through commercials, broadcast executives argued Wednesday that doesn't mean the death knell for advertisers.

People with DVRs watch more television, and even if they zip through ads, they notice them, the executives said.

Researchers from ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, UPN and the WB took the unusual step Wednesday of appearing together to share data about the impact of DVRs on TV-watching habits. An estimated 7 percent of the nation's 110 million homes with television have the time-shifting devices.

Starting Dec. 26, Nielsen Media Research will begin incorporating DVR data into its ratings. That means it won't just measure how many people watch "Desperate Housewives" on a Sunday night, but also how many people record it and watch up to a week later.

Preliminary data shows that homes with DVRs average 12 percent more television viewing than those that don't have them, the researchers said.

The ability to watch without being tied to a schedule can significantly increase the visibility of programs that might not be appointment viewing. For example, people with DVRs are watching the WB shows "Supernatural" and "Smallville" at more than twice the rate of people without the machines.

Yet the industry's chief fear is that people with DVRs will completely tune out commercials.

That's not completely unfounded: a CBS survey found 64 percent of DVR users said they always skipped commercials and another 26 percent said they skipped them most of the time. A separate study by Forrester Group put the "skip" rate at 92 percent.

But Alan Wurtzel, NBC's chief researcher, said it was an "urban myth" that DVRs make commercials worthless.
_________________________________________________


For the complete AP story, click here. (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/13184519.htm)

Another question for you all.... If I'm moving like 60 or so miles from Saint Louis (long commute) is there any way to set up an antenna array? Like have one antenna pointing towards Saint Louis, another torwards Springfield Illinois, etc... and then run them to a splitter (probably amplifier in there somewhere) to a single line that goes to my ATI HDTV wonder?

EDIT: found answer to be yes but has anyone tried this?


The best solution is one antenna with an antenna rotor. This works nicely.

Having it Both Ways: DVR Bad; DVR Good

After years of trying to limit the "feature set" and spread of DVR technology through litigation and other backdoor actions, the major television networks are now saying there's really no problem at all with DVRs.

In fact, not only are DVR owners not skipping commercials, but they're actually watching more television.

And TV execs also want advertisers to recognize the DVR viewership numbers that the Nielson rating system is planning to compile and release as part of its regular data sets.

Never underestimate the ability of TV executives to distort reality. This is the same industry that has consistently managed to increase advertising rates while delivering progressively smaller audiences.

If these guys really mean what they say, then I expect they'll have absolutely no problem if every future DVR manufactured includes a "30 second skip" button.

And if that actually happens, you can be sure the networks have also solved one of the more vexing "lip sync" issues of the digital television era: When a TV executive moves his (or her) lips, you'll actually be able to hear the truth.

Ba-da-boom.

The following Associated Press story on yesterday's DVR press conference is available via the Miami Herald web site:

_________________________________________________

NEW YORK - Even though nine out of 10 people with digital video recorders say they usually fast-forward through commercials, broadcast executives argued Wednesday that doesn't mean the death knell for advertisers.

People with DVRs watch more television, and even if they zip through ads, they notice them, the executives said.

Researchers from ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, UPN and the WB took the unusual step Wednesday of appearing together to share data about the impact of DVRs on TV-watching habits. An estimated 7 percent of the nation's 110 million homes with television have the time-shifting devices.

Starting Dec. 26, Nielsen Media Research will begin incorporating DVR data into its ratings. That means it won't just measure how many people watch "Desperate Housewives" on a Sunday night, but also how many people record it and watch up to a week later.

Preliminary data shows that homes with DVRs average 12 percent more television viewing than those that don't have them, the researchers said.

The ability to watch without being tied to a schedule can significantly increase the visibility of programs that might not be appointment viewing. For example, people with DVRs are watching the WB shows "Supernatural" and "Smallville" at more than twice the rate of people without the machines.

Yet the industry's chief fear is that people with DVRs will completely tune out commercials.

That's not completely unfounded: a CBS survey found 64 percent of DVR users said they always skipped commercials and another 26 percent said they skipped them most of the time. A separate study by Forrester Group put the "skip" rate at 92 percent.

But Alan Wurtzel, NBC's chief researcher, said it was an "urban myth" that DVRs make commercials worthless.
_________________________________________________


For the complete AP story, click here. (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/entertainment/13184519.htm)

Thanks for the articles.

Would be nice to know what it's like to have a DVR someday since I've been on Charter's waiting list for over three months now!

My Moximate is causing the sound to intermittently buzz on some channels. It's very annoying. I had a tech look at it last week, and he said it's a fault with the Mate and there is no fix. I called Charter today and told them I still have the problem with my Mate. He suggested counselling. No, just kidding.
The Charter service employee told me he was referring my problem to a technical supervisor who is more knowledgeable about the Mate. He said the supervisor will call me within 48 hours. What are the odds that will happen? I'm guessing 20%.

What are the odds that will happen? I'm guessing 20%.
That the supervisor will call you, or that the supervisor is more knowledgeable about the Mate :D

That the supervisor will call you, or that the supervisor is more knowledgeable about the Mate :D


Either way, I'd still say 20%. :D

Thanks for the articles.

Would be nice to know what it's like to have a DVR someday since I've been on Charter's waiting list for over three months now!

wow, I'm sorry. i managed to get mine w/o sitting on a list, and that was last month. I'd start hollering at supervisors. Hell, I'm on my 2nd box already, the tech had a pile of them in his truck.

edit-re: PVR/commercials, I'll actually rewind back to a commercial on occassion to check out an ad or movie trailer.

This is why I don't understand anyone not going with DirecTV.

Sure, the upfronts might be a bit more, but, man, you do'nt have to put up with this kind of crap.

Would be nice to know what it's like to have a DVR someday since I've been on Charter's waiting list for over three months now!

I know for sure one that will be available as of this Saturday! As posted before, I'm giving Charter the boot for TV and going back to DirecTV. It's just not worth it with those guys. They have to be one of the biggest clusterfudges in business. As it stands now, I'm keeping them for high-speed and phone service.

You really need to put a price tag on what's your time worth when you sign up with Charter. Because you will spend countless of hours on the phone with them for billing and technical support.

indepulated ...

I fired you a PM with a couple of ideas. You may feel free to drop by and have a look if you wish. I'll help in any way I can. Use your existing antenna to get an idea of your chances of success.

I know I don't have to say this BUT... if you're going to work in the attic NOW is the time. I did it in the summer. Most people are probably smart enough to know better !!!

Mike

IPTV Synergy? Cisco Buys Scientific-Atlanta

The following story was highlighted in today's TV Predictions newsletter. The story below is from the Associated Press, via the Seattle Post-Intelligencer website:
_____________________________________________________

NEW YORK -- Cisco Systems Inc., the world's largest network equipment maker, said Friday it agreed to acquire cable-television technology company Scientific-Atlanta Inc. for about $6.9 billion.

Cisco is paying $43 a share for Scientific-Atlanta, one of the largest makers of set-top boxes for television programs and movies-on-demand. That is a 3.7 percent premium over its closing price on Thursday.

The agreement includes outstanding options, for a total purchase price of about $6.9 billion.

"Video is emerging as the key strategic application in the service provider triple play bundle of consumer entertainment, communication and online services," said John Chambers, Cisco president and chief executive, in a statement. "The addition of Scientific-Atlanta further extends Cisco's commitment to and leadership in the service provider market."

Cisco has been working on a half dozen, so-called advanced technologies that enhance its routers and switches. It's betting the technologies can each generate revenue of $1 billion or more each year. Cisco also plans to announce additional advanced technologies before the end of calendar 2005.
_____________________________________________________

The complete AP story can be found here. (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/1310AP_Cisco_Scientific_Atlanta.html)

recieved and thank you very much for the info... I'll let you know how it goes with the technique you provided. It will be nice to have more channels and my pc is pretty much set up for tivo like operation so that should be pretty cool. Anyways... thanks again...

I know for sure one that will be available as of this Saturday! As posted before, I'm giving Charter the boot for TV and going back to DirecTV. It's just not worth it with those guys. They have to be one of the biggest clusterfudges in business. As it stands now, I'm keeping them for high-speed and phone service.

You really need to put a price tag on what's your time worth when you sign up with Charter. Because you will spend countless of hours on the phone with them for billing and technical support.

I would drop Charter if I could. But I'm in an apartment with no balcony or south view.

Timetable Slides Again for DirecTV Local HD Rollout

TVPredictions.com is reporting today that DirecTV says it has reworked the delivery schedule for HD locals in the US's 12 biggest US markets.

______________________________________________________

<snip>
DIRECTV said earlier this year that the first 12 cities would get local HD in September, then it said October, then November.

But now...it's November/December. So, stay tuned.
______________________________________________________

Thats funny... they focus on this aspect of it, but what they failed to mention is that DirecTV INCREASED the number of cities planned in the first half of 2006 from 24 to 36 after their latest Sat went up this week. (Or they published this before the Directv press release and missed the fact that the schedule slipped on the front end and accelerated on the back end).

For the local folks, that means that St. Louis is all but assurred to have HD LiL from DirecTV by May/June at the latest next year. Whether that includes Sinclair based ABC I'm not sure??? This also is unlikely to slide since the previous slides were related to debugging, process, manufacturing, and getting Sats into the air. All of those things have been worked through so the schedule slippage should go away.

Chris

Chris,

This assumes there are no issues with Spaceway2. Rule #1 in the satellite business, don't count your satellite as operational until it is :)

Best,

I remember reading somewhere that *D and Sinclair actually reached an agreement on carrying Sinclair's HD stations for HD LIL several months back. No mention was made of Sinclair backing down on its demand to be paid, so I assume *D caved.

But with that major stumbling block out of the way, I'll bet the wait for STL HD LIL won't be anywhere near as long as it was for STL SD LIL.

What does LIL mean?

Local in/into local. :) Just meaning that local channels are only spot-beamed into the same local area, etc.

I've got a Moxi with Mate in Jeff Co, between Fenton and Arnold.

SD, not HD, for now.

I'm getting a fair amount of digital "fuzziness", mostly audio dropouts, during network programming on most every channel. Pretty annoying.

Is this "normal"?
Anything I can do about this?
Worth a call to Charter? Would they have to send someone out? If they did, what would they look for?
Should I check the wiring myself?

Has anyone noticed a poorer signal on Comedy Central the last few days? My Moxi recordings of the Daily Show and Colbert Report were unwatchable with full screen pixelation and hardly any audio. The picture quality seems to be okay now. My Tivo recorded the analog signal for the same shows without any problem, so I think it was an issue with the digital transmission.

Also, is the Ram's game going to be in SD this weekend? I don't see it listed as HD in the online listings.

Also, is the Ram's game going to be in SD this weekend? I don't see it listed as HD in the online listings.
I don't think it's been assigned yet...
"...NFL ON FOX: Each week 6 games will be in HDTV. We will be advised which games when we receive our game assignments. Games that will be in HDTV will, at the very least, be identified on the air before the game (or possibly during) stating it is."

EDIT--this morning, HTDV Mag has it listed as being in HD on KTVIDT at Noon.

I heard on the radio that the game will be produced by KTVI this week (not fox).
If so, it won't be HD.

I do see, however, it is listed as a FOX production on their schedule.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule

I heard on the radio that the game will be produced by KTVI this week (not fox).
If so, it won't be HD.

I do see, however, it is listed as a FOX production on their schedule.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/schedule


?!?!?!?!?!?!
Whoever said that is wacked. Preseason games are locally produced, but I haven't ever seen an NFL regular season game that wasn't produced by one of the networks.

Regular-season and playoff NFL games are always done by the network.

Only preseason are produced locally.

Does wind impact the digital OTA TV signal?

This afternoon, in between raking leaves, I was checking out my digital signals. Now, I have a four-way splitter on there, so that reduces the signal strength (obviously) but I was having a lot of breakups on KTVI-DT. Anyone else have trouble w/ that station this afternoon? Saturday.

Does wind impact the digital OTA TV signal?

This afternoon, in between raking leaves, I was checking out my digital signals. Now, I have a four-way splitter on there, so that reduces the signal strength (obviously) but I was having a lot of breakups on KTVI-DT. Anyone else have trouble w/ that station this afternoon? Saturday.

I doubt that wind can effect signal strength, unless it blew your antenna off its mark.

However, I'm suddenly having similar issues, but with KETC. A signal in the 90s here in Creve Coeur is suddenly in the mid-seventies. My antenna hasn't moved.

OTA HD Channel Question

Second day with a KD30XS955 [not much sleep last night <VBG>]. Trying already-on-hand cheap rabbit ears. Using the Ant - Auto function on the set was able to capture all of the local analog signals but with poor reception on most . On the digital front, locked in with good signals on 5.1/KSDK-DT and 5.2/KSDK-DT-weather and 26.3 KPLR-DT [Blues in HD].

Last June Doug/DroptheRemote uploaded a pdf file which indicated KSDK-DT OTA was 5.1 but KPLR-DT OTA was 11.1 (26). Titantv for StL OTA HD also shows KDSK-DT OTA to be 5.1 and KPLR-DT OTA to be 11.1. online TVGuide for STL OTA shows KDSK-DT OTA to be 35.1 and KPLR-DT OTA to be 26.1.

I am confused - Is it likely that my ATSC tuner in the Sony is defective because it show KPLR-DT OTA to be 26.3?

Know I need to get a better antenna and to spend some time getting it properly located - in fact will be heading across the street to my local Radio Shack to see what they have in stock right after I send this message.

TIA
Jim
who will also be experimenting with both Charter and D* analog feeds this weekend

For those of you who missed it...

Channel 11 is doing an encore presentation of the festivities from the last Cardinals regular season game on Thanksgiving day at 9am.

Does Charter have an HD-DVR other than the MOXI? I was scheduled to get the MOXI today but when the installer finally shows up he says they don't have any MOXI boxes in stock but they do have a non MOXI DVR in stock. Of course he doesn't have it with him so he says he will need to bring it back tomorrow. Sounds like a bunch of BS to me and that he just didn't want to do the install since it was already past 6:00PM.

Steve

Did I read here that someone is using an htpc to record 2 OTA channels at the same time? If so, may I have more details? I'd like to be able to do that.

According to the Direct TV NFL Package line up and the HDSPORTS website, the Rams game is not in HD tomorrow (I believe the only one on FOX not in HD this weekend...I guess no one gives a darn about two teams with 6 wins between them!)

Fox can do six NFL games a week in HD. Every once in a while, they have seven games on their plate. I guess we're number seven since this game probably won't be seen outside of St. Louis and Tempe.

If the Rams keep losing the way they have lately, we'd better get used to it. :(

Hey Jedi, I don't do the two channels at once thing myself, but it involves two tuner cards in the PC. Or for people without HD, Hauppauge makes a card with two tuners built in. No word yet on a two-tuner HD card.

The guys that make the GB-PVR HTPC front end actually managed to fill all their PCI slots and have SEVEN tuners recording all at the same time! I assume that was just to show they could, since I've never seen seven shows worth recording playing at the same time. Ever. :D

This is why I don't understand anyone not going with DirecTV.

Sure, the upfronts might be a bit more, but, man, you do'nt have to put up with this kind of crap.

Ding, Ding, Ding...

Every time I read the Charter horror stories I kiss my Directv bill, and thank the heavens I spend more than Charter customers.

Scott

FWIW,

The upfront purchase of equipment is soon to be a thing of the past for DirecTV customers. In many cases, DirecTV will provide the equipment free or nearly free (after rebates) in exchange for 2-year subscription commitment.

But even that commitment shouldn't necessarily scare anyone off, as my understanding (not confirmed) is that the current maximium cancellation charge for breaking the commitment is $250.

Of course, that could change if a lot of free equipment is involved, so I'd recommend that anyone going that route closely check out the fine print and if possible, try to get the cancellation specifics in writing.

gelcoatman,

I think you probably already know this, but the local channels broadcast on the UHF band and most current OTA HD tuners have the ability to "re-map" these channels to match their longtime analog identifier.

For example, KSDK transmits its digital broadcasts on UHF channel 35, and most receivers will automatically (or optionally) map this to 5-1 for the HD channel and 5-2 for the weather subchannel. Likewise, KPLR broadcasts digitally on channel 26, and this is remapped to 11-1 (at least it's 11-1 on my HD-TiVo); however, I do recall that when I used my ancient DTC-100, that KPLR appeared as 26-3 there.

Bottom line: Any issues you may be having are unlikely to be related to channel numbers or mappings.

Hope this helps...

Rams game in HD on KTVI, today. How about those blue pants? BTW, http://msn.foxsports.com/name/HD is saying that the Blues game on Tuesday night is in HD on FSN Midwest. What outlet is this being shown on? Dtv, Dish, Charter?

Rams game in HD on KTVI, today. How about those blue pants? BTW, www.foxsports.com/name/hd is saying that the Blues game on Tuesday night is in HD on FSN Midwest. What outlet is this being shown on? Dtv, Dish, Charter?

Uhm no its not...what your seeing is Fox 's WS presentation. The PQ is horrid, just like the pants.

See the definitive thread at:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=605813

Sorry about that. Thanks for the clarification.

BTW, www.foxsports.com/name/hd is saying that the Blues game on Tuesday night is in HD on FSN Midwest. What outlet is this being shown on? Dtv, Dish, Charter?

All I get from your link is page cannot be displayed.

What's worse than the poor pic quality? How about the color guy today. He is TERRIBLE.

THom is awful too.

http://msn.foxsports.com/name/HD

ARRRGH! KMOV switched from the end of the Redskins-Raiders game to the loser Ravens vs. Steelers, who tied and went to OT! We don't care about that game?

Who can we call at the station or at CBS to get them to fix this?

think you probably already know this, but the local channels broadcast on the UHF band and most current OTA HD tuners have the ability to "re-map" these channels to match their longtime analog identifier

Bottom line: Any issues you may be having are unlikely to be related to channel numbers or mappings.

Hope this helps... Doug

Thanks, Doug
Was not aware of the OTA HD tuner channel mapping capabilities - input our Charter analog feed this afternoon, and have found that the various the various SD channels appear normally as 2 thru 99 and then appear again in channels above 100 in whole channel numbers and/or as whole numbers with decimals.

Since I am able to view them all reasonably well, I will not worry about the actual channel designations assigned to them.

Again, thanks!

Jim

Well, I have my D* hooked back up and I'm almost a happy camper again. As before when I had D*, I'm not getting channel 4 local HD. I solved this previously by adding a Rat Shack in-line amplifier to my antenna. Anybody else use something similar with any good results. I got pretty good off-air previously with the Rat Shack model. Also, quite interesting that the regular HD receiver pulls in more HD locals than my HD Tivo. Or, maybe a different antenna???

quite interesting that the regular HD receiver pulls in more HD locals than my HD Tivo. Or, maybe a different antenna???

I don't think that's a coincidence. I've had an old Sony HD100, a Hughes HTL-HD, an HD Tivo, and a FusionHDTV PCI card. The HD Tivo has the weakest OTA reception of the bunch.

FWIW,

The upfront purchase of equipment is soon to be a thing of the past for DirecTV customers. In many cases, DirecTV will provide the equipment free or nearly free (after rebates) in exchange for 2-year subscription commitment.

Do you have any idea regarding time frames? I want to dump Dish Network and the amazingly buggy 811. FREE equipment may be all I need to jump ship. Perhaps they will time this with an HD MPEG 4 DVR?

I don't think that's a coincidence. I've had an old Sony HD100, a Hughes HTL-HD, an HD Tivo, and a FusionHDTV PCI card. The HD Tivo has the weakest OTA reception of the bunch.

Thanks, Robert. I've read under HD recorders that the OTA reception on the Tivo has been hit and miss. Just thinking that if I add an amplifier that it may make a difference.

Thanks Bob.
It's been my understanding that one would need 2 hd tuner cards to be able to record 2 OTAs at once in an htpc. I just thought I read here recently that someone was actually doing it, and I wanted to know what cards and software he's using. If a system is setup to do this, do you think that each card would need its own drive, or could they share the same one?

jedi,

I read (in the HTPC section, I think) that Fusion and MyHD cards can co-exist in the same PC. I imagine you could use the same drive for both, but I don't know for sure. If we can get a Fusion card and a MyHD together, we can test it pretty easily. I have the MyHD card. If you're talking about two Fusion cards, I have no idea. Post the question in the HTPC section and you should get hit back pretty quick.

I am a new Charter HD customer. On local channels I see white and black lines at the top of the screen in some sceens. During the Rams game they were never there. Pretty much always there on channel 11 HD. Is this something that Charter can fix, or does everyone just live with it?

...Dish Network and the amazingly buggy 811.

Would one of those bugs be the scrambling of the EPG letters? Mine seems to be getting worse and worse over the last week. Pretty much unreadable now.

Kris,

It's difficult to say for sure from your description of the problem, but it sounds like your display has too little overscan. Setting overscan below 3% will often times reveal "video garbage" that exists at the very edge of the available image area on certain channels, usually standard definition programming or upconverted SD.

Whst sort of display do you own? If you have an upconverting DVD player, you might be able to check your overscan using your player and one of the test pattern discs, such as AVIA or Digital Video Essentials.

Of course, if this is the issue and it's not something that you're able to correct, it would be fixed as part of the adjustments performed as part of my calibration service.

Let me know if you have further questions on this.

Well I finally managed to get HD on my OTA antenna! Three weekends ago, I mounted an antenna from Antennas Direct on a 10' mast from Radio Shack and had no success. I used Google Earth to check the elevation of my house and the hill behind it and determined that it was very close.

Two weekends ago, I got back on the roof with a Radio Shack signal amp and another 10' mast. I went downstairs and tried to input my channels and still got nothing. I was pretty frustrated. I was soooooooo very close to giving up but I decided I was too lazy to go back on the roof and bring everything down and return it all.

During last week, I realized I forgot to rescan for my channels selecting antenna as my input connection instead of the cable. I did that on Saturday morning and had success. I am getting all of the channels I care about and more - ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox, UPN, WB. There is some channel called FMN in East St. Louis that I am not getting but that is way off from the other channels and the signal is probably blocked by the house behind me.

I got lucky - all the good channels are aligned between the two houses behind us. All of the channels are in the high 80s except one which is in the high 70s. I have my cable and antenna connections wired into a Monster HTS5000 but I still need to install a grounding block outside for the antenna connection. Can I wire from that to the gas line connection? What happens if a lightning strike is grounded by the gas line? I would hate to blow up my house. I also need to drill a hole in my wall to thread my cable through to the family room.

I can hardly wait for Thanksgiving Day games!

Stay away from the gas line. Use a cold water pipe or something
Dug

Did I see the ads right or is KSDK doing the St. Louis Thanksgiving day parade in High-Def? :eek: The splash screen at the end of the ad has a blurb in the corner saying something along the lines of "Presented in High Defenition is cooperation with Ultimate Electronics" Both times I saw the ads I didn't have the audio up so I'm not sure if they say anything during the ad.

Am I off my rocker or is this the first year for this?

Would one of those bugs be the scrambling of the EPG letters? Mine seems to be getting worse and worse over the last week. Pretty much unreadable now.
I've not had any issues with my 811, however I've read when the 811 begins to scramble EPG letters, the unit needs to be, and ends up being replaced by Dish.
I think it's something to do with the flash memory that holds the 2-day EPG going bad.

Did I see the ads right or is KSDK doing the St. Louis Thanksgiving day parade in High-Def? :eek: The splash screen at the end of the ad has a blurb in the corner saying something along the lines of "Presented in High Defenition is cooperation with Ultimate Electronics" Both times I saw the ads I didn't have the audio up so I'm not sure if they say anything during the ad.

Am I off my rocker or is this the first year for this?If this is true, the bettling line opens at 3-1 that KSDK delivers abysmal HD picture quality, no sound -- or both.

I assume this is one time they'd manage to get the switch-flipping correct, but that may be giving them too much credit.

I hope Ultimate negotiated some sort of performance guarantee for HD delivery, because no one is going to buy any TVs on the basis of the SD broadcast...

If this is true, the bettling line opens at 3-1 that KSDK delivers abysmal HD picture quality, no sound -- or both.

I assume this is one time they'd manage to get the switch-flipping correct, but that may be giving them too much credit.

I hope Ultimate negotiated some sort of performance guarantee for HD delivery, because no one is going to buy any TVs on the basis of the SD broadcast...


Yeah, I can see it now.... no center or rears, plus a 15-20 minute stretch of plain ol' SD when they forget to flip the switch!

And nobody there to answer the phone or e-mails when it happens.

:rolleyes:

Well I just moved and after years of D*net I now have Charter. Moxi box with HD PVR and HD Pack plus free movies for 3 months. Also went from a 54" RP Panny to a 42" Phillips Plasma. (Great deal at Sears btw.)

I've never had cable since I've lived in St. Louis (nearly 8 years). In fact I haven't had cable in probably 15 years. I must say I'm quite happy. Better picture all around and having HD locals without having to use an OTA STB is nice (no ABC though.) Pretty cool.

My Moximate is causing the sound to intermittently buzz on some channels. It's very annoying. I had a tech look at it last week, and he said it's a fault with the Mate and there is no fix. I called Charter today and told them I still have the problem with my Mate. He suggested counselling. No, just kidding.
The Charter service employee told me he was referring my problem to a technical supervisor who is more knowledgeable about the Mate. He said the supervisor will call me within 48 hours. What are the odds that will happen? I'm guessing 20%.

At 20%, I guessed too high. They didn't call. What's worse is that I didn't expect them to. Customer service is still a work in progress or lack thereof.

Would one of those bugs be the scrambling of the EPG letters? Mine seems to be getting worse and worse over the last week. Pretty much unreadable now.

I don't have much trouble with the 811. Occasionaly the letters get scrambled and I reboot the 811 and all is well.

Would one of those bugs be the scrambling of the EPG letters? Mine seems to be getting worse and worse over the last week. Pretty much unreadable now.

Where do I begin? After three different units, I've had scrambled letters, corrupted Favorites Lists, dead SD video Out ports and hard freezes. But the worse and unfixable issue is the NO INFO screen that recurs almost daily with the EPG.

It's a dog that don't hunt and I'm out of contract.

Quote:
Originally Posted by wallyj
Would one of those bugs be the scrambling of the EPG letters? Mine seems to be getting worse and worse over the last week. Pretty much unreadable now.

I don't have much trouble with the 811. Occasionaly the letters get scrambled and I reboot the 811 and all is well.

A short call to Dish, 10 seconds holding the power button (reboot) and all is well. For now *crosses fingers and toes*.

Uhm no its not...what your seeing is Fox 's WS presentation. The PQ is horrid, just like the pants.

It may not be HD, but the Fox WS presentation is still better than the CBS SD broadcast which we had to deal with a while back.

Here's hoping that the good Lord takes a liking to the Rams and blows 'em up real good this offseason, (SCTV reference) because until the Rams are good again, we will likely be without HD broadcasts.

Did I see the ads right or is KSDK doing the St. Louis Thanksgiving day parade in High-Def? :eek: The splash screen at the end of the ad has a blurb in the corner saying something along the lines of "Presented in High Defenition is cooperation with Ultimate Electronics" Both times I saw the ads I didn't have the audio up so I'm not sure if they say anything during the ad.

Am I off my rocker or is this the first year for this?

Nice to see a local station actually do it. Detroit's WDIV (Local 4) shows their Thanksgiving/Christmas parade in HD. (I don't know about the newscasts, however).

Speaking of which, are any of our stations going to break out and do news in HD? We know all of the stations should have HD ready sets at the very least.

Slightly off topic:
While it won't be HD, on Thanksgiving morning from 9 to 11am KPLR is reshowing the closing ceremonies from Busch Stadium. Might be worth taping (or watching when the KSDK parade coverage cr*ps out.) :rolleyes:

BTW: here's a panarama I took yesterday down at Busch.
http://blazedays.smugmug.com/photos/45525790-M.jpg

According to people that work in taller buildings downtown they now have half of the old Busch torn down. (Based upon counting the number of arches left.)

Thanks for that image Dweebe.
I liked seeing that. I dont get to that part of downtown often. All I ever get to see is the high-view cam KTVI shows during their newscasts.

KSDK will broadcast the parade in HD.

http://ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=88122

Thanks for posting that image, dweebe. I thought they said it was going to take 60 or more days to tear it down. It's been a litte over a couple of weeks, and place is almost entirely gone. I guess clean up is going to take 30 or more days to do.


KTVI's PSIP is still out, not to mention they are now (as of DST ending) on East Coast time. Does anybody have any idea why?

Thanks for that image Dweebe.
I liked seeing that. I dont get to that part of downtown often. All I ever get to see is the high-view cam KTVI shows during their newscasts.

No problem. I just opened a smugmug.com account and will put the link to my gallery in my signature for avsforum.com members to view.

This guy works downtown in the Met Square building and updates his gallery almost every day with both tower and ground level shots:
http://stlbaseball.johnsebben.com/index.php?page=2

This gal is a professional photographer and has access to the inside:
http://www.jgardnerphotography.com/projects.htm

Doug,

I think the channels I am picking up are WSIU (8.1-4), out of Carbondale, IL.

About 50 miles away. Not bad, considering the antenna is in the attic and not even pointed in that direction.


I have been considering hooking a Tivo up to a Voom (Motorola DSR-550)...

Last weekend I put an ATI HDTV Wonder card in my computer...



Everybody,

If I don't get the chance to say/write it later, "Happy Thanksgiving!"


ETC

Charter was supposed to call me about the buzzing on my Moximate. They didn't call, of course, which I expected. I guessed the chances of a callback at 20%, but I was too optimistic. So I called them back today and got a nice young lady on the line. I told her the problem and she put me on hold to "research it". Five minutes later, the line hangs up. This was also not unexpected. I call back and ask to speak with this young lady, but the service tech has no idea who I talked to because he's in Ottawa, Canada. I told him about my problem and he set up a service call for next Thursday morning between 8-12. I told him I needed a specialist who knows about the problems with the Mate. He wasn't sure who that might be, but he noted it on the workorder. I expected lousy service and once again Charter didn't disappoint. What are the chances the service tech will be able to stop the buzzing on my Mate? I'll guess 30%.

Maybe they'll just swap it out.

Or would that be too easy?

Maybe they'll just swap it out.

Or would that be too easy?

They swapped it out two weeks ago and it didn't solve the buzzing. It's a known problem with the Mate

Mine does it also.

Slightly off topic:
While it won't be HD, on Thanksgiving morning from 9 to 11am KPLR is reshowing the closing ceremonies from Busch Stadium. Might be worth taping (or watching when the KSDK parade coverage cr*ps out.) :rolleyes:

BTW: here's a panarama I took yesterday down at Busch.
http://blazedays.smugmug.com/photos/45525790-M.jpg

According to people that work in taller buildings downtown they now have half of the old Busch torn down. (Based upon counting the number of arches left.)
My dad is working on the new stadium and my uncle got into it to take some pictures when he was here from Detroit Labor Day weekend. I would rather wait until more is done on it.

We did take a look at the demolition a bit on Sunday after the Rams game. We park in that garage across from where the statues and flags used to stand on the northeast corner.

From KSDK.com:
Massive Fire Engulfs House In Olivette
Created: 11/22/2005 5:56:05 PM
Updated: 11/22/2005 10:49:49 PM

(KSDK) At least six fire departments spent more than six hours battling a massive house fire Thursday afternoon in Olivette. The fire happened at Heather Hill Lane and Stacey Drive.

Daniel Kirchhoefer, an executive with Enterprise Rent-A- Car closed on the house Tuesday morning. Some of his belongings were moved into the home shortly before the fire started.

Investigators think the fire started near an electrical box in the basement. Flames moved up the walls and into the roof, making it tough to put out. Firefighters also say it took a while to get the electricity shut off and that slowed down their efforts.

Charter Communications employees were working inside the home when the fire started, and the president of Charter was at the house Tuesday night.

No one was hurt. Firefighters will remain on the scene overnight to make sure all of the hot spots are put out.

The don't have it online but on the KTVI 9pm news last night, Charter claimed a subcontractor was doing wiring right by the electrical box when the fire broke out

To collective groans:

What is KSDK going to do when the Winter Olympics come around? Are they going add a subchannel thus:

KSDK-DT 5.1 (1080i/720p) - NBC Olympics HD
KSDK-DT 5.2 (480i) - NewsChannel5 WeatherPlus+
KSDK-DT 5.3 (480i) - NewsChannel5 SD

Or are they going to avoid the wrath of the viewers (re: us) and not add anymore subchannels? Thoughts?

Somebody joked about KMOV subchanneling to excess. My money's on KSDK and KETC.

And useless info. The Kentuck Educational Television Network (KET) has 6 :eek: channels. WKMU has something like this:

36-1: KET1 (SD/4:3)
36-2: KET2 (SD/4:3)
36-3: KET3 + Kentucky SchoolNet Ch.703
36-4: KET4/KET-HD (16:9)
36-5: KET5 (KY House of Representatives)
36-6: KET6 (Kentucky Senate)

I am as curious as everyone else is as to how bad they're DT looks. I'm pretty sure that these are all 480i, with KET4 16:9 480i (does such a beast exist?). And we all say that KETC-DT looks anemic. Let see what happens if they add two more. ;) (I am in no way endorsing additional multicasting of KETC.)

Additionally, I've e-mailed KET's DT department, and I'll post my e-mail and their response when I get it.

As far as the MoxiMate noise problems...
The Charter tech that fixed my cable cut explained to me that they are looking to issue a recall on the Mate setup due to too many problems with the setups and the contractors not doing them right was complicating the problems with the HW in the units.


On the KSDK HD parade...
It appears that KSDK is bringing in an outside HD provider to let them do this. There is currently a big rig sitting on the corner of 10th next to KSDK that has on the side of it HD 5. It is one of the NMT trailers. I got a good view of it from my building across the street at 9th and Chestnut.

On the KSDK multi-casting, I'm currently seeing listings for 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 on my D* receiver. I haven't bothered trying to view 5.3 or 5.4 because I figured it was a glitch of somekind. I'll try to remember to check when I get home.

Maybe KSDK has already been testing :(

Slightly off topic:
While it won't be HD, on Thanksgiving morning from 9 to 11am KPLR is reshowing the closing ceremonies from Busch Stadium. Might be worth taping (or watching when the KSDK parade coverage cr*ps out.)

Would any kind soul here possibly be able to record this and burn this to a dvd for me? I have out of town relatives that would kill for a copy of this. If this is a possibility, please email me at abcward@yahoo.com Thanks!!!

Has anyone seen the Newschannel 5 HD teaser on the KSDK website? Am I correct in deducing that the local news will be HD on Ch. 5 in February?

Maybe then they won't need to flip the switch at the end of the 9:00 programming....I won't hold my breath

Has anyone seen the Newschannel 5 HD teaser on the KSDK website? Am I correct in deducing that the local news will be HD on Ch. 5 in February?

Clicking on the link gets you this:
HDTV - A Primer
Created: 11/23/2005 3:53:49 PM
Updated: 11/23/2005 3:57:50 PM


(KSDK) - One trip to an electronics store and you can't miss them: consumers with that deer in the headlights look, oohing and ahhing over high-definition televisions, HDTVs.

High definition televisions are sure to be on many wish lists this holiday season. But understanding the technology, and buying one, can be confusing, unless you visit an expert.

In the early 1950s, black and white television programs like "To the Ladies" and "Russ David's Playhouse Party," were hits among St. Louis viewers. But times were changing. When the 1960s rolled around, Americans were captivated by color.

These days, many consumers are ready to take the next step in TV technology. Eric Eckert is with Ultimate Electronics. The electronics chain sells HDTVs. It's also our HDTV partner, helping us to introduce this new technology to St. Louis.

Eckert says high-definition television is exactly that, "You get a lot wider picture. Instead of it being a square standard screen, it's now stretched to a more movie theater size of screen. The big benefit that we will see is the picture quality that we are used to has become much better in high definition."

Not all programming is in high definition. But you can understand it theoretically. The picture is wider than what you are used to seeing. There is more detail.

Before you buy, do your homework. Here are some high-def details you should know.

Question: What's the difference between a high definition monitor and an HDTV set with integrated high-definition tuner?

"HDTV integrated is by far now, the most popular one that's out there. You are going to get the tuner that's built into the television, so there is no extra equipment that's needed in order to receive the high quality, HDTV signals that you are going to get," Eckert said.

"The other type would be the HDTV monitor. What you are not getting with that is the tuner that you need to pull in that high definition signal. It's not built into the television, so an external box is going to be needed in order to be connected to your antenna."

HDTVs with tuners range in price from $600 to $13,000.

HDTV monitors without tuners range in price from $400 to $4,000.

Question: How are you going to get your high definition television signal? Are we going to use an antenna? Are we going to use cable? Or, are we going to use satellite?

Eckert said, "Every TV that we sell, every TV that's made, is still cable ready. It's going to
be used with what you currently have. The big question comes up when we look at high definition television. In order to get that, we need to have these boxes, either in the TV, purchased separately, or in a cable or satellite box."

So here is a checklist.

To get HDTV over satellite, you'll need an HDTV monitor, a set-top-box to receive the HD signal, usually available through your satellite provider, and a satellite dish with an HDTV subscription.

To get HDTV through cable, you'll need an HDTV monitor, a set-top-box to receive the HD signal, usually available through your cable provider, and an HDTV cable subscription.

For satellite or cable, you can use an HDTV with integrated tuner, but an HDTV monitor may be enough and will save you some money.

Finally, to get HDTV with an antenna, your least expensive option, you'll need a HDTV with integrated tuner, or an HDTV monitor, a set-top-tuner to receive the HD signal, and an antenna with digital capability.

This is your least expensive option because it's free, like regular television. However, HDTV reception on an antenna, just like regular TV, can be affected by your location.

Any HD option will give you a clearer, more detailed, picture that takes your TV viewing to the next level.

"That's why you are out looking for a new one, you want something that looks as good as what you see here," Eckert said.

The holiday parade seen on NewsChannel 5 Thursday will be broadcast in high-definition. In February, KSDK will be the first local television station to broadcast all of its news programming in high definition.


KSDK


All I can say is Karen Foss can't be happy about the switch. I wonder if her camera will be "softened"?

On the KSDK multi-casting, I'm currently seeing listings for 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 on my D* receiver. I haven't bothered trying to view 5.3 or 5.4 because I figured it was a glitch of somekind. I'll try to remember to check when I get home.

Maybe KSDK has already been testing :(

I just posted that this morning. Somebody over at 5 must have gotten ideas. I wonder what 5.4 is going to be used for?

Clicking on the link gets you this:


All I can say is Karen Foss can't be happy about the switch. I wonder if her camera will be "softened"?

I suspect the camera's are already at KSDK, even if they aren't set up yet. I believe WTVJ in Miami just inserts black bars on both sides of the screen (i.e. they already have 16:9 cameras).

From my post earlier (Regarding KET): In case anybody is curious (about what KETC may mull doing, or any other station for that matter).

My E-Mail:

I actually e-mail not because I’m a viewer of KET (I live in St. Louis, MO, but I watch and support KETC), but a curiosity of how KET is able to multicast 6 channels (one of which is in HD). KETC in St. Louis multicasts 4 channels (one HD), and there are image artifacts on the images when heavy motion occurs on programming. How has KET overcome this? What format is the HD Channel (KET4)?

For example KETC’s lineup is thus:

KETC 9.1 – PBSHD (720p)

KETC 9.2 – KETCKids (480i)

KETC 9.3 – KETC 9 (analog upconvert) (480i)

KETC 9.4 – PBSYou (480i)

By contrast KET has thus: (using affiliate WKMU as an example)

KET 36-1: KET1 (SD/4:3)

KET 36-2: KET2 (SD/4:3)

KET 36-3: KET3 + Kentucky SchoolNet Ch.703

KET 36-4: KET4/KET-HD (16:9)

KET 36-5: KET5 (KY House of Representatives)

KET 36-6: KET6 (Kentucky Senate)

My curiosity was peaked by the unusualness of more than 3 digital subchannels being used by a station. Further, is this lineup (KET1-6) statewide?

Thanks,

Kareem

-----------

Michael Clark at KET: (Response)

Hi Kareem. Thanks for your interest in KET.

We are a bit unusual in that we can manage 6 multicast channels in the 19.39 mbps data stream. It has taken a fair amount of tweaking and effort.

Our engineers have taken some time to adjust the parameters of the individual channels to better match the type of content we expect and the necessities of the type of users. Not every SD channel needs the same bandwidth since there are differences in the types of programs – action, talking head, etc. and there are differences in the needs of schools vs home viewers, etc. We also don’t usually expect every channel to be using all its allotted bandwidth at the same time so there is a little bit of a gamble there. These guys have fine tuned the system very well.

Also our HD is down-converted to 720p from the PBS native 1080i which does save us considerable bandwidth while delivering a very good HD signal. We realized early on that we didn’t have the luxury of using 18 mbps of our pipe just to feed pretty pictures. As a state agency we have obligations to our other viewers and services so balance was the theme early on.

Yes, the full 6 channel lineup is statewide and 2 of them are 24x7 (KET1 and KET2). It may not be obvious but we adjust the parameters of the pipe (channel bandwidth allocation) during different day parts. During prime time we collapse KET3,4,5 and 6 into a reconfigured KET4 and feed our KETHd services (delayed PBS Hd) – then at midnight we restructure the bandwidth to put all 6 channels back. That has caused a bit of confusion among cable systems and a few viewers since channels appear and disappear depending on the time of day but generally has been very successful.

Oh, on top of all this we run around 1 mbps for digital datacasting for various state and other agencies. We run EMWIN weather data, travel information (custom weather, road construction, etc.) and a few other applications not visible to the normal tv viewer.

Hope that helps some. We realize we are pushing the limits of the ATSC protocols and the current equipment but we felt the needs of our audiences warranted that. We rarely see artifacts – at least of any consequence.
----------
And there you have it!

On the KSDK multi-casting, I'm currently seeing listings for 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 on my D* receiver. I haven't bothered trying to view 5.3 or 5.4 because I figured it was a glitch of somekind. I'll try to remember to check when I get home.

Maybe KSDK has already been testing :(

I just did a rescan on my HD Tivo and still have nothing but 5-1 and 5-2. Did pick up 9-4 which had disappeared during my last rescan. And for some reason 46-1 is clear again (had been nothing but macroblocks since I had my roof replaced).

The Kenny Chesney concert on 30-1 looks and sounds phenomenal (even without 5.1).

But the Faith Hill concert on 4-1 at 8:00 is NOT listed as HD????????? Does CBS not realize HD fans will tune in to see Faith Hill in HD whether they like her singing or not?

Robert, I'm glad you put it that way. ;) I'm watching E-Ring (looks great, btw).

I'll play around and see if there is a 5-3 or 5-4 on my reciever.