I finally completely cutoff satellite and am 100% OTA. :)

I'd like to know if I can possibly use my Eagle Aspen DTV multiswitch (4x8) to distribute my antenna feed in the house. I've got up to three locations (two in use) with TVs/TiVo Premiere and an extra run at each that I'd like to use for FM radio -6 coax total (I did lots of wiring for my old DTiVo units) :) I figure I'd rather keep the split at the multiswitch if possible. I'm guessing that the mutiswitch won't work due to the voltages and nature of satellite, but figured it's worth a shot. Thanks!
I don't think that you can use a D* multiswitch with OTA signals anymore. Look to DBSTalk for your answer.

I finally completely cutoff satellite and am 100% OTA. :)Now all you need is to get yourself one of those new, $50 Roku's, and you'll be all set.

I want to cut the cord and I am looking for some recommendations on what type of antenna to get. I live in Hanover Park. Antennaweb.org indicates I am about 26 miles from the source of most stations. Roughly two miles from Schaumburg airport. No tall buildings nearby. Some trees around but nothing too bad.

Channels that I want to get:

WBBM-DT : CBS
WMAQ-DT : NBC
WLS-DT : ABC
WGN-DT : CW
WFLD-DT : FOX

PBS would be nice but I could live without it.

Antennaweb.org advises a Medium Directional Antenna mounted outdoors. However, TVfool.com indicates an indoor set top antenna should be sufficient. I'd like to do an indoor antenna because that seems like the simplest solution. I am considering the Winegard Sharp Shooter SS-3000. Am I going to be disappointed with the results? I don't think a roof antenna is going to work...might be against association rules. All of the townhomes in my neighborhood have their dishes mounted on the deck. My deck faces west and downtown is east, so I am thinking an attic antenna might be a better option.

I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

When it comes to DTV reception with an indoor antenna - you must throw any concept of a "distance range" into the trash. You could do fine with an indoor antenna at 40 miles (UHF), or doomed less than one mile from the transmitter site. The problem is not that the signal can be weak - It's the multipath!

If your set is by a window facing the Willis, not too close to the road or another building, you have a good chance with anything but CBS (get the ears far away from any other electronic gizmo and you have a chance with CBS as well).

If you're on the wrong side of a brick house, you'll be looking at an outdoor or attic installation.

I am considering the Winegard Sharp Shooter SS-3000. Am I going to be disappointed with the results?For WBBM? Most likely. The rest, possibly not.

The planes flying by may very well give you trouble, too, if they're in the path.

You might want to try something like the Terk HDTVi or HDTVa, which have VHF rabbit ears, instead (the "a" stands for "amped", but you shouldn't really need that at 26 miles).

Don't get them from a brick and mortar store like Best Buy, though - you'll pay at least twice as much, if not more (and we're talking like 75 bucks). Get them from (or through) Amazon (unless you just want to "try" one from BB first, if you catch my drift. Don't worry - you look at the boxes, and they all look like they've been returned thirty times already, anyway, so it's not like you'd be the only one).

When it comes to DTV reception with an indoor antenna - you must throw any concept of a "distance range" into the trash. You could do fine with an indoor antenna at 40 miles (UHF), or doomed less than one mile from the transmitter site. The problem is not that the signal can be weak - It's the multipath!


thanks for the input.

You might want to try something like the Terk HDTVi or HDTVa, which have VHF rabbit ears, instead (the "a" stands for "amped", but you shouldn't really need that at 26 miles).

i saw that one but it didnt pass the wife's design standards. maybe i'll just buy it anyway and make her deal with it. :D

thanks for the input.



i saw that one but it didnt pass the wife's design standards. maybe i'll just buy it anyway and make her deal with it. :D

Just buy it. It'll be better to deal with that than a crappy signal every day cos she didn't like the look of the thing that captures said signal.

thanks for the input.



i saw that one but it didnt pass the wife's design standards. maybe i'll just buy it anyway and make her deal with it. :D

Get one of these (http://www.ChannelMaster.com/HD_television_antenna_Channel_Master_CM_4228HD_HDTV_Antenna_ s/43.htm) at fry's, hang it on the wall and cover it with tapestry, she can shop for it...;)

Are there any DVRs that work with OTA broadcasts and can record more than 1 channel at a time?

Are there any DVRs that work with OTA broadcasts and can record more than 1 channel at a time?

Tivo. Subscription required. My D* HR20/21 will also do this.

Probably one or more PC or networked ones, also.

Are there any DVRs that work with OTA broadcasts and can record more than 1 channel at a time?Channel Master CM-7000.

You can also buy the TiVo with an upfront, set lifetime fee.

I own (and use) a DTV/PAL DVR. It is for OTA use. It has two tuners, so two shows at a time can be recorded. It works great, but is no longer supported.

I own (and use) a DTV/PAL DVR. It is for OTA use. It has two tuners, so two shows at a time can be recorded. It works great, but is no longer supported.The Channel Master I mentioned is a newer version of the same unit, and is still available new.

Neither have, or have had much support, though, like you said. You basically pays your money and you takes your chances. You could buy an extended warranty for it, though, and you'll either get it exchanged, if any units are still available, or you should get store credit, if they're not.

Right now, it's cheapest directly from Channel Master.com, and then Crutchfield next.

Cm-7000pal dvr is two channel. Killer feature for me, it can get guide data from ota antenna, no Internet connection needed. Check out this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1204433)form thread for more info

Got mine on open box Special at fry's last year, saved $50.

Are there any DVRs that work with OTA broadcasts and can record more than 1 channel at a time?

I use Win7 Windows Media Center with Silicon Dust Tuners...

Are there any DVRs that work with OTA broadcasts and can record more than 1 channel at a time?

Channel Master had an entirely new DVR with Internet streaming integration called the Channel Master CM-7400. Its a bit pricy at $400 but doesn't require a subscription. It seems promising but I don't have that kind of money to spend in this day and age. http://www.channelmaster.com/Channel_Master_TV_s/304.htm

Are there any DVRs that work with OTA broadcasts and can record more than 1 channel at a time?

Windows 7 Media Center, which is the free DVR with a ~14 day guide, built into Windows 7 Home Premium and above is what I use.

I have four OTA HDTV tuners using two HDHomeruns from Silicondust (each HDHomerun has two tuners built in).

I regularly record four OTA HDTV shows at once on a five year old PC without any issues.

Windows 7 Media Center, which is the free DVR with a ~14 day guide, built into Windows 7 Home Premium and above is what I use.

I have four OTA HDTV tuners using two HDHomeruns from Silicondust (each HDHomerun has two tuners built in).For those who aren't keen on watching TV on a computer screen, it would be good to list some inexpensive and uncomplicated ways to get it over to their TV's.

For those who aren't keen on watching TV on a computer screen, it would be good to list some inexpensive and uncomplicated ways to get it over to their TV's.

It's helpful to have a pc with a HDMI output. Or use a DVI to HDMI cable.
I currently use HDMI out directly to a Sony 60" LCD. For audio I currently use analog out to the home theatre system although the pc has the capability of digital optical out.

For DVR & other HTPC functionality, I'm using mythtv (mythbuntu) on three tv's in the house. Probably a little more work than most people are interested in doing, but I'm also doing one antenna for MKE and one for CHI, so "mixing" the channel lists via network connection gives me both cities at every tv.
Re: getting the signal from computer to TV, HDMI in one case, S-Video in another case, and S-video to RF switch to coax in the third case (televisions listed in ascending order of age...). Have also used a DVI -> HDMI converter. Some PC's have RCA out as well.

Are there any DVRs that work with OTA broadcasts and can record more than 1 channel at a time?
TiVo does. They currently have a deal promoting antenna users http://www.antennasdirect.com/tivo.html

Anyone else having problems with WLS-TV on RF 44? The station keeps dropping out. I haven't tried to see if it's happening on RF 7 (which they have reactivated recently from their original antenna from 1973), since it's my mom's TV. I actually wish they had remained at the John Hancock, because I had the best signal of RF 44 from the John Hancock than from the Sears Tower. I'm actually wondering if RF 44 will overall be more of a pain for WLS-TV than RF 7 ever was. I still believe the translator would have been a better choice for the city, & sought a power increase for RF 7 for suburbanites.

Anyone else having problems with WLS-TV on RF 44? The station keeps dropping out. I haven't tried to see if it's happening on RF 7 (which they have reactivated recently from their original antenna from 1973), since it's my mom's TV. I actually wish they had remained at the John Hancock, because I had the best signal of RF 44 from the John Hancock than from the Sears Tower. I'm actually wondering if RF 44 will overall be more of a pain for WLS-TV than RF 7 ever was. I still believe the translator would have been a better choice for the city, & sought a power increase for RF 7 for suburbanites.

I wasn't having any trouble this am while watching the 11am news on rf44. Some days i do, but that might be tropo. Usually I just wait to watch the news at noon on other stations if that happens.

I wasn't having any trouble this am while watching the 11am news on rf44. Some days i do, but that might be tropo. Usually I just wait to watch the news at noon on other stations if that happens.

The only RF 44 I know of anywhere in the midwest would be in Michigan. For myself, anytime WLS-TV has broadcasted on RF 44 from the Sears Tower, I always had problems with their signal. When they were using the original RF 52 antenna, the station pixelated. On another antenna I used, it stayed steady, but was weak. It improved dramatically when they were using the John Hancock facilities. Since returning to the Sears Tower, their signal has dropped out quite often. They obviously haven't got it all worked out, because they had to reactivate RF 7, since their RF 44 signal from the Sears Tower is not being picked up by those closest to the Sears Tower (according to the CP that allows them to operate RF 7 while they work out RF 44 some more). I wonder if anyone closest to the John Hancock got WLS-TV on RF 44. For me, watching WLS-TV on RF 44 is a nightmarre all over again.

Anyone else having problems with WLS-TV on RF 44? The station keeps dropping out. I haven't tried to see if it's happening on RF 7 (which they have reactivated recently from their original antenna from 1973), since it's my mom's TV. I actually wish they had remained at the John Hancock, because I had the best signal of RF 44 from the John Hancock than from the Sears Tower. I'm actually wondering if RF 44 will overall be more of a pain for WLS-TV than RF 7 ever was. I still believe the translator would have been a better choice for the city, & sought a power increase for RF 7 for suburbanites.I am receiving WLS on RF44 in South Bend. RF7 is also receivable but impacted by local two-way traffic immediately below 174 MHz which raises the noise level in my VHF preamp (while WBBM RF12 is steady and reliable). From this distance, a receiving antenna favors neither Hancock nor Sears/Willis. Sometimes due to atmospheric conditions I pick up RF8 from Grand Rapids and lose WLS RF7 probably because same conditions allow RF7 from Grand Rapids to interfere.

I am receiving WLS on RF44 in South Bend. RF7 is also receivable but impacted by local two-way traffic immediately below 174 MHz which raises the noise level in my VHF preamp (while WBBM RF12 is steady and reliable). From this distance, a receiving antenna favors neither Hancock nor Sears/Willis. Sometimes due to atmospheric conditions I pick up RF8 from Grand Rapids and lose WLS RF7 probably because same conditions allow RF7 from Grand Rapids to interfere.

Grand Rapids has both RF 7 & RF 8, & if you're thinking you're getting WOOD-TV on RF 8, they're actually on RF 7. WWMT is on RF 8, & can't possibly be interfering that easily with RF 7, like WOOD-TV would with WLS-TV on RF 7. I don't know how well some people got WLS-TV on RF 44 from the John Hancock, but for me, I never had a problem (always been on the Sears Tower). I also wonder if there's a chance they're getting interference from either, or both WCPX on RF 43 & WSNS on RF 45, who are both located on the Sears Tower. I don't know what it could be. I know I need a new antenna, but I wasn't having a problem when they were on the John Hancock, & never had a problem when they were broadcasting their original VHF signal on the Sears Tower. Unlike you, I'm closer to Chicago over in Gary, & I'm probably 4-5 miles from Lake Michigan.

Thank you Dave 73. What I wrote was that when I get RF8 from Grand Rapids due to atmospheric conditions, that I'm also getting RF7 from Grand Rapids, which blacks out getting RF7 from Chicago. I knew that WOOD-TV ch.8 is on RF 7 and that WWMT ch.2 is on RF8.

Chicago Nonstop's been having a bit of trouble with their aspect ratio for a day or two. Every time I tune in, I have to adjust my ratio twice on my converter box to get it back to 16:9. Even then, I can't read the scroll at the bottom (the top half is barely visible), not that the scroll is newsworthy anyhow.

It looks like they went from letterboxed 4:3 to 16:9. They do need to adjust the graphics to handle safe-area overscan.

Unfortunately, it looks like some devices don't handle SD 16:9 very well. My Samsung TV does not autoswitch, but the DTT901 does OK. The Comcast pass-thru depends on the device. A DTA corrects the ratio, but then chops it to 4:3. The HD box outputs it as HD @ 16:9.

Thank you Dave 73. What I wrote was that when I get RF8 from Grand Rapids due to atmospheric conditions, that I'm also getting RF7 from Grand Rapids, which blacks out getting RF7 from Chicago. I knew that WOOD-TV ch.8 is on RF 7 and that WWMT ch.2 is on RF8.

With RF 8, have you picked up WMVS Milwaukee? In Gary, I have picked up WMVS 3 times (once since they moved World, V-Me, & their weather radar channel to WMVS from WMVT). Normally, you'd get all your South Bend stations, but you do have to worry about Milwaukee stations interfering with your South Bend stations. For example, you have to worry about WVCY interfering with WSBT on RF 22, WTMJ-TV interfering with WSJV on RF 28, WMVT with WNIT on RF 35, & if you care about WHME-TV, WDJT interfering with WHME-TV on RF 46 (if WHME moved back to 46), otherwise WBME with WHME-TV on RF 48. I usually get WSBT in Gary on most nights. As soon as I can afford to get new antennas, I'll probably get them during the daytime, along with WNDU, WSJV, & WNIT (a 4th PBS choice for me if I can get them, since I already have WTTW & WYCC from Chicago, & WYIN from Merrillville, their studio location).

It looks like they went from letterboxed 4:3 to 16:9. They do need to adjust the graphics to handle safe-area overscan.

Unfortunately, it looks like some devices don't handle SD 16:9 very well. My Samsung TV does not autoswitch, but the DTT901 does OK. The Comcast pass-thru depends on the device. A DTA corrects the ratio, but then chops it to 4:3. The HD box outputs it as HD @ 16:9.

Looks like this may be the future if the spectrum is cut further and widescreen stations end up being stacked on as sub-channels.

For those who aren't keen on watching TV on a computer screen, it would be good to list some inexpensive and uncomplicated ways to get it over to their TV's.

The least expense and easiest/uncomplicated way of doing this is buying or using your existing Xbox 360. It has a built in Windows Media Center extender which finds your HTPC with Windows Media Center and lets you watch recorded and live HDTV over your home network.

It extends the Windows Media Center experience/interface into your living room or other rooms in the house without the need to hook a PC up to a TV.

wsns has added 44.3
SOi - tv
currently it is just promos for ....
an interactive public opinion channel

kd9fz
comments, criticisms and questions of sanity are always welcome

We are given fair warning in SOI's crawl that says (I think) "signal testing period" and the screens saying (again, don't remember exactly, no TV in this room, don't speak Spanish, no TV in this room from where I could reread the text and type it into a translator site) "how to build a TV channel."

Best I can tell it is this:
http://www.soi.tv/

a you tube-like spanish TV station.

http://houstondtv.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/canal-soi-starts-on-47-3/
"The website further explains that Canal SOI will be appearing on 15 Telemundo stations nationwide, including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, Fresno, Denver, Las Vegas, Boston, Tucson and Puerto Rico."

That same article also says, "A new channel has started broadcasting on KTMD 47.3, taking the place of the former Manuel Solis infomercial channel."  In Chicago WSNS is airing both Solis's INMI-TV on 44.2 and SOI on 44.3; lucky us.

Why is WBBM at only 8kw when most of the other Chicago stations are in the 100s of kilo watts range?

Until someone else gives a more detailed response, I'll chime in: lower channel numbers are at lower carrier frequencies and need less power.

I can expand a bit on that. VHF-Lo and VHF-Hi stations can theoretically transmit further than UHF stations with similar power levels and antennas, particularly under some unusual circumstances (mostly just E-Skip, a common occurrence during summer, occasionally some more exotic means). (Also, if I'm not mistaken, tropo enhancement affects VHF just as much as it does UHF.) DTV (ATSC) is also more susceptible to interference (particularly on VHF) than analog (NTSC) was. So the FCC, in order to prevent interference problems, set really low power limits for digital VHF.

(It's debatable whether the limits are, in fact, too low, or if the FCC goofed on their digital propagation models. If the FCC does trim the TV spectrum again, they might just have to increase VHF power limits to maintain viewership models, distant interference be damned. After all, an interference-free signal is meaningless unless it actually gets out.)

I can expand a bit on that. VHF-Lo and VHF-Hi stations can theoretically transmit further than UHF stations with similar power levels and antennas, particularly under some unusual circumstances (mostly just E-Skip, a common occurrence during summer, occasionally some more exotic means). (Also, if I'm not mistaken, tropo enhancement affects VHF just as much as it does UHF.) DTV (ATSC) is also more susceptible to interference (particularly on VHF) than analog (NTSC) was. So the FCC, in order to prevent interference problems, set really low power limits for digital VHF.

(It's debatable whether the limits are, in fact, too low, or if the FCC goofed on their digital propagation models. If the FCC does trim the TV spectrum again, they might just have to increase VHF power limits to maintain viewership models, distant interference be damned. After all, an interference-free signal is meaningless unless it actually gets out.)

I was one of the few who got WBBM-TV on RF 3 at only 2.8 kw. Now whenever WLFM-LP goes digital on RF 6 (they'll have to be a real TV station in digital), I'll get them at 3kw digital. I just wonder if WOCK-CD will seek another power increase to the maximum of 3kw. They're supposedly at 810 watts, & I get them, as long as I have a pre-amp hooked to my antenna.

I can expand a bit on that. VHF-Lo and VHF-Hi stations can theoretically transmit further than UHF stations with similar power levels and antennas, particularly under some unusual circumstances (mostly just E-Skip, a common occurrence during summer, occasionally some more exotic means). (Also, if I'm not mistaken, tropo enhancement affects VHF just as much as it does UHF.) DTV (ATSC) is also more susceptible to interference (particularly on VHF) than analog (NTSC) was. So the FCC, in order to prevent interference problems, set really low power limits for digital VHF.

(It's debatable whether the limits are, in fact, too low, or if the FCC goofed on their digital propagation models. If the FCC does trim the TV spectrum again, they might just have to increase VHF power limits to maintain viewership models, distant interference be damned. After all, an interference-free signal is meaningless unless it actually gets out.)

Exactly. I can tell you that a prominent (on this board) engineer reported the VHF stations were minimum 7 dB down in reception compared to their UHF counterparts. Trip and others have shown this very nicely as well. WBBM needs to be at 40 kw or higher, but not, say, 80kw, to protect the channel 12 in northeastern Indiana. Heck, WWTO, already at 80 kw, should be at least 100k or higher being in a valley with their antenna. I'd like to see WREX in Rockford with at least 60 kw ERP of power, and I think it should be even higher with VHF-LO to overcome impulse noise.Channel 2 analog was always tough to receive, and never had the power it should have had.

I just wonder if WOCK-CD will seek another power increase to the maximum of 3kw.Also, switch to UHF (which would help me receive them easier), then turn 41 analog off for good (which interferes with WIFR-DT from Rockford for me - then I could rely on that for CBS, rather than that danged WBBM).

Even though I wouldn't watch WOCK-CD much, I'd still rather have that than be able to get WBBM, and just have WIFR instead. I don't watch anything strictly local on WBBM, like the news. I believe they show all the Bears games on CBS on WIFR that they do here, and that's all I'd really care about.

Also, switch to UHF (which would help me receive them easier), then turn 41 analog off for good (which interferes with WIFR-DT from Rockford for me - then I could rely on that for CBS, rather than that danged WBBM).

Even though I wouldn't watch WOCK-CD much, I'd still rather have that than be able to get WBBM, and just have WIFR instead. I don't watch anything strictly local on WBBM, like the news. I believe they show all the Bears games on CBS on WIFR that they do here, and that's all I'd really care about.

I believe you're mistaking that for sister station WOCH-CA, which is on analog RF 41. WOCH-CA has a CP for Class A status on RF 49, & that might make it difficult to get WMSN Madison, WI, if you get it now. As for WOCK-CD, they had an app. to go to RF 30, but that was dismissed. For now, they have to make RF 4 work somehow. All I would watch WOCK-CD for is 13.4 for America One. Otherwise, I wouldn't even worry about trying to get that station.

Until someone else gives a more detailed response, I'll chime in: lower channel numbers are at lower carrier frequencies and need less power.

Sort of. Many stations went to UHF because the noise floor is lower, the signals penetrated buildings downtown better, and in this part of the country it is relatively flat making UHF ideal. VHF doesn't necessarily allow lower power. The noise floor is significantly higher at 50 MHz (VHF LO) than 600 MHz (UHF) and the VHF Hi (200 MHz) is somewhere in between. You need a good signal to noise ratio to decode ATSC. The only good thing about VHF is that it refracts (bends around hills, trees, etc) better than UHF. VHF happens to be vonerable to static crashes from thunderstorms and man made noise like power lines, florescent bulbs, furnaces, etc.

So... there are less noise problems on UHF and the urban canyon dwellers can receive the signals easier so that's why UHF is better for Chicago. Montpelier Vermont or Marquette MI might want to consider more VHF due to terrain, no urban canyon, and the lower noise floor.

But the point made about the FCC's maximum allowable VHF ERP is very valid. Their models probably only considered the S part of the S/N (signal to noise) equation. So, a 3 dB increase (double the Watts) from their original limits is pretty fair. they definitely underestimated the amount of noise in their models. Some stations have already started that, i.e. WWTV in Cadillac, MI

Time for another round of MNF on WCIU!

The HD pic looks a little soft via Comcast.

Da Bears!

Time for another round of MNF on WCIU!

The HD pic looks a little soft via Comcast.

Da Bears!

I'll kill two birds with one stone:

On my DTT-900 DTA, when they zoom in, I see kind of a "moire" effect on the lines. Otherwise, looks good on 26.1.

First time tropo hit, right now (7:53 PM CST): WXSP-CD rf 15 (PSIP remaps to 15.1), a whopping low-power 15 kilowatts from Grand Rapids, MI!

I was comparing the OTA on 26.1 to the ESPN feed on Comcast.
I'd say that the ESPN feed is just slightly sharper, and I see less of the swimming grass artifacts vs. the WCIU OTA feed. Both are pretty good.

First time tropo hit, right now (7:53 PM CST): WXSP-CD rf 15 (PSIP remaps to 15.1), a whopping low-power 15 kilowatts from Grand Rapids, MI!Good Job, I got that one in the spring. Also got WCMU 14.1 (rf 26) Mt. Pleasant, MI., at the same time.

You might want to try something like the Terk HDTVi or HDTVa, which have VHF rabbit ears, instead (the "a" stands for "amped", but you shouldn't really need that at 26 miles).


thanks for the recommendation. i went with the terk hdtvi. it works well enough that i am able to hide in a corner relatively out of view.

Hopefully just after Thanksgiving, I'll have my new antennas put up, & let you know what I get with them. I would have preferred to get 2 Antennas Direct 91XG antennas, but I can't afford them, & opted for the Winegard HD9032 instead for UHF, & ordered from Black River Distributing from Grand Rapids, MI (directly from them & not from them on Amazon.com). I still have to decide on a VHF antenna, but hope to have that decision made soon. The second UHF antenna for me will be used to get South Bend stations, & hope I can get them clear enough during the daytime (currently get WSBT nearly every night with my current antenna pointed at Chicago). I'll keep you all posted.

I'm pegging most channels at 95 - 100 %. But need an amp to get 23-2 / bounce.

One of my cm-7000 converter boxes died. Ad I'm wondering if the amp is the cause. And fear I might damage my other tuners by amplifying strong signals.

I can live without soul train but would prefer not to.

Amp is a Da-500a by channel plus (http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=DA-500A&d=Channel-Plus-DA-500A-RF-Amplifier-(DA-500A)&sku=782644007569)

I don't have a dB meter.

TiVo does. They currently have a deal promoting antenna users http://www.antennasdirect.com/tivo.html

I recently got a Channel Master 7000Pal DVR. It's the same as the DTV Pal DVR. The CM7000 will only record OTA TV, but it does have two tuners so you can record up to 2 different channels simultaneously while watching a previously recorded show. Additionally, although the case is a pain to open, once you do, replacing the hard drive is a snap. I switched the original 250GB drive for a 1TB drive, which appears to be the largest supported. This does void the warrenty. According to the information screen, that's about 142 hours of HD recording.

Minor programming note: Analog low-power WPVN-LP 24 in Aurora went silent on 11/11/2011. They are surrendering their license, although they still seem to be on the air with a dead carrier. Probably not for much longer though. Of course, their digital broadcast is unaffected.

I just noticed that WSNS has a new sub-channel: 44.3 - Canal Soi
http://www.soi.tv/
http://houstondtv.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/canal-soi-starts-on-47-3/
http://tvboricuausa.blogspot.com/2011/11/llega-puerto-rico-el-nuevo-canal-soi-tv.html

SOI has been there on 44.3 for a couple of weeks and was mentioned earlier in this thread, Andy.

I recently got a Channel Master 7000Pal DVR.
Not flattering review of that device compared to tivo http://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/11/21/newteevee-pans-the-channel-master-tv/

FYI

Not flattering review of that device compared to tivo http://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/11/21/newteevee-pans-the-channel-master-tv/

FYI

I, and several where I work, bought these when they were on closeout a year or so ago - then called the "DTV Pal" by Dish Network.

We all love it, you won't find a better standalone recorder (excluding computer setups), as far as I know. NO fees, or subscriptions.

I use mine several hours a week with no issues.

It records full HD OTA, 5.1 audio (if in the original pgm, of course), outputs HDMI with no quality loss, and you have the advantage of the built-in (free) TV Guide to record from which is incredibly handy.

The only downside is that you can't save recordings off the box. For me, only a minor issue, I record shows I want to save with my USB tuner on the computer.

But I could never understood why a satellite company, (Dish) would go and develop the perfect OTA recorder :confused:

If you're OTA-only, ignore the reviews and buy it - you'll love it.:)

Much more info here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1099071

If you're OTA-only, ignore the reviews and buy it - you'll love it.:)
I am OTA only but I have a TiVo with lifetime subscription. I think that's a better deal for both price and quality And I can extract recordings from it.

Just my $0.02.

Much more info here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1099071
Thanks.

You're absolutely right. The Tivo can transfer programs between boxes or to your computer (with their software), all by wireless network, and it doesn't copy-protect what you record OTA. If you figure out how to 'manipulate' the .tivo files, you're home free and don't need a separate DTV decoder for your computer.

Hey guys.. looking for antenna advice.

I'm located in Crystal Lake and currently use an Antennas Direct DB4. It's been fine, for the most part. It isn't very high on my roof and is currently using the mount/cabling left over from a dish install. And on most nights even though its pointed towards Chicago and going through a huge tree, it can even pick up Rockford and Milwaukee channel channels (CBS, CW, etc).

The biggest complaint is that lately (as in the last two months or so) is has been having issues picking up WTTW, UPN, sometimes ABC and those Rockford/Milwaukee. I used to have no problems getting those, now they never come in. And, of course, I wish it had UHF for CBS (couldn't watch the Bears this weekend!).

I plan on replacing all the cabling with some decent RG6 in the coming week or two. I also have a Winegard AP-8700 Pre-amplifier hooked up.

Is there a quick solution that I can do to pick UHF (for CBS) without having to replace the antenna? Also, any ideas on why after nearly a year, channels that I used to get now are having trouble coming in?

Thanks for this thread -- been a big help.

Hey guys.. looking for antenna advice.

I'm located in Crystal Lake and currently use an Antennas Direct DB4. It's been fine, for the most part. It isn't very high on my roof and is currently using the mount/cabling left over from a dish install. And on most nights even though its pointed towards Chicago and going through a huge tree, it can even pick up Rockford and Milwaukee channel channels (CBS, CW, etc).

The biggest complaint is that lately (as in the last two months or so) is has been having issues picking up WTTW, UPN, sometimes ABC and those Rockford/Milwaukee. I used to have no problems getting those, now they never come in. And, of course, I wish it had UHF for CBS (couldn't watch the Bears this weekend!).

I plan on replacing all the cabling with some decent RG6 in the coming week or two. I also have a Winegard AP-8700 Pre-amplifier hooked up.

Is there a quick solution that I can do to pick UHF (for CBS) without having to replace the antenna? Also, any ideas on why after nearly a year, channels that I used to get now are having trouble coming in?

Thanks for this thread -- been a big help.

If you're trying to pickup Chicago's CBS station, that would be WBBM-TV, & they're on the VHF on RF 12. Your DB4 isn't actually made for picking up VHF stations. You don't have to replace your DB4, but you can add the Antennacraft Y5-7-13 or Y10-7-13 antenna, or the Winegard Y1713 antenna to your DB4. CBS Rockford & Milwaukee are on the UHF. WIFR is the CBS affiliate in Rockford on RF 41, & WDJT is Milwaukee's CBS affiliate on RF 46.

Now for having problems getting WTTW, WTTW might be getting interference from WDJT on RF 46 & sister station WBME on RF 48 from Milwaukee (48 is licensed to Racine, but broadcasts from Milwaukee). UPN hasn't been around since 2006. So I don't know if you mean CW or My Network TV (MNT for short). If it's CW, that would WGN-TV, & it gets interference from WMTV (NBC affiliate) Madison Wisconsin, & broadcasts on RF 19 as WGN-TV. As for ABC, are you having problems getting the VHF channel on RF 7, or the UHF station on RF 44? For me, I always had problems with RF 44 than RF 7 when on the Sears Tower. When they were temporarily on the John Hancock, RF 44 gave me no problems. Since returning to the Sears Tower, their signal drops out a lot, that I have to watch them on RF 7 (wish they'd just stay on RF 7, & seek a power increase, & use a translator as originally planned for those in & near Chicago). WBBM-TV has put in a new application for a translator on RF 26 (like the old one), but instead of the Sears Tower, it would be on the same tower as their FM stations, & Am radio station WCPT on AM 820. The old app. was denied because it didn't protect translator W25DW-D on RF 25 from interference (thought it was because of WCCU on RF 26 in Urbana, IL).

With the warm air surging in aloft from the west to the east
tonight, we're getting a great tropo duct to the east!
Here are my catches so far:

WEWS-DT Cleveland, OH rf 15 (5.1)
WTOL-DT Toledo, OH rf 11 (11.1) *
WKYC-DT Cleveland, OH rf 17 (3.1)
WDLI-DT Canton/Cleveland, OH rf 49 (17.1)*

Plus South Bend stations!

* = first-time catches

bounce tv - what happened?
23.2 has a carrier, but no "signal"
psip doesnt show 'bouncetv'

technical issue? funding issue?
even canal SOI shows the 'aah bra' commercial in espanol now
i need my 'soul train' !!!

kd9fz
comments, criticisms and questions of sanity are always welcome

bounce tv - what happened?
23.2 has a carrier, but no "signal"
psip doesnt show 'bouncetv'

technical issue? funding issue?
even canal SOI shows the 'aah bra' commercial in espanol now
i need my 'soul train' !!!

kd9fz
comments, criticisms and questions of sanity are always welcome

Hey kd,

I just called up WCIU's chief engineer. Once again, they caught HVS with the satellite dish, using it as a sled, getting his form ready for winter. :D

Nonononono...it's an equipment failure. They're working on it right now. Hang tight...should be back soon.

6 pm ...
soultrain is BACK

thank you!!!

6 pm ...
soultrain is BACK

thank you!!!

You bet! They had it up yesterday evening, I saw it.

Now, on an unrelated note...

I was watching the Chicago Blackhawks game last night against LA, and the picture quality on a 42" Sammy was stunning on Comcast. Did anyone watch it over-the-air? It looks like WGN finally got new encoders, if the Comcast receiver is taken straight out of there...

Does anyone else have audio dropout issues with WMAQ? Pretty much the only live tv I watch is NFL and Notre Dame football games on the networks. I live in Bucktown and get great reception with a cheap indoor antenna. ABC, CBS, and Fox all come in perfectly. The picture quality on NBC is great, but 5.1 audio continually drops out. Some in this thread mentioned that WMAQ was having issues back in 2009. Has it really not been addressed?

Or is there something I can do on my end? Right now I have the antenna going straight to my tv and then use toslink to my Onkyo 605. TV audio (stereo) does not drop out, only the dobly digital mix through the receiver. Is the same issue there on Comcast?

I was watching the Chicago Blackhawks game last night against LA, and the picture quality on a 42" Sammy was stunning on Comcast. Did anyone watch it over-the-air? It looks like WGN finally got new encoders, if the Comcast receiver is taken straight out of there...Really? I was watching it for awhile, and I thought it looked as bad as ever.

the converter box (RCA) bought from Target is not the greatest
the remote stopped working and it has more dropouts compared to the Zenith unit I have
just picked up a Digital Stream unit from RS
so far it works very well
there is a reason WLS ch 7 is still on two different channels
still get two of each ch7 channels after the scan

There's a menu option on the Digital Stream units (if I remember correctly, it's either just above or below the Scan for Channels option) that lets you hide channels so that they don't show up when you flip through channels.

Really? I was watching it for awhile, and I thought it looked as bad as ever.

Yep, really, and I have seen it before with all it's bad tiling. I wonder if Comcast is getting a feed pre-encoder now...somehow?

the converter box (RCA) bought from Target is not the greatest
the remote stopped working and it has more dropouts compared to the Zenith unit I have
just picked up a Digital Stream unit from RS
so far it works very well
there is a reason WLS ch 7 is still on two different channels
still get two of each ch7 channels after the scan

WLS-TV is still working on their UHF antenna on the Sears Tower. Supposedly, their new antenna can't reach peoplewithin 10 miles of the Sears Tower, while the VHF supposedly does. I don't remember if they're lowering the height for the main antenna, or lowering it for backup (don't remember which). I've always had better luck picking them up on the VHF than the UHF, except when they were on the John Hancock, then both were equal. I noticed on my end, that since WLS-TV returned to the Sears Tower, WCPX on RF 43 is breaking up on my TV. I don't remember if that happened with the old side mounted antenna used for RF 52 or not. I know I never had problems with WCPX when WCHU-LD was on RF 44 (I didn't pick them up at that time, because I didn't have a pre-amp on my antenna at the time). I still wish WLS-TV had just sought a power increase for RF 7, & used RF 32 instead for a translator, or just keep RF 44 on the John Hancock. At least for me, having RF 44 on the Sears Tower is more problematic at picking up & locking in a steady signal than when they were on the John Hancock. I don't know if getting a new antenna (actually have 3 new antennas, 1 VHF & 2 UHF) would help, but I was forced to delay putting them up last weekend, because my mom thought shopping was much more important (not Black Friday shopping either). I'm threatening to cut the coax on her if see delays it again for something that can wait, & she'll have no TV at all until at least spring.

Yep, really, and I have seen it before with all it's bad tiling. I wonder if Comcast is getting a feed pre-encoder now...somehow?Maybe. I was watching OTA, on my 50" Elite with the noise reduction features turned on low (like usual), and it was especially tiling up very noticably during those constant, fast-moving, animated, logo transition bits all throughout the game. Probably as bad as I've ever seen it. Reminded me of the Smallville days. As far as artifacts, the Wolves game was a lot easier for me to handle on WPWR the night before.

Also, all of the the Ion channels have looked worse to me lately. The HD one was always grainy, but it was beyond that the other night. Worse artifacts than ever on all of them. Fuzzy, and the facial features on people were floating all over the place. I know they've been "experimenting" with adding more subchannels in mpeg4, as per the Technical forum here (www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1374019&highlight=ion).

The MPEG-4 subchannels on the ION stations appear to be gone for the moment; has it improved in their absence?

- Trip

Yea, the pq on ION was horrid for a few days. Last night the pq seemed to be more like it was before the MPEG-4 subchannels. Still somewhat grainy as it always has been, but a bit more tolerable.

Why would they use MPEG4? How many TV's would support it for OTA, even if they might support it for streaming video?

ATSC M/H, that is, TV for mobile devices. Ion has been a major proponent of the ATSC M/H tests in Washington, DC.

Don't get confused, the MPEG-4 services ION was testing are not Mobile DTV, though ION has Mobile DTV as well.

7 of the 10 MPEG-4 services were encrypted, hinting that they were likely related to some unannounced subscription service.

- Trip

I can never get WCPX out here, even though I've got it on my channel list whenever it decides to show up. Sucks I missed that tropo to the east on the 24th. That wouldve been far out, man. :rolleyes: I was out of town for the holiday.

On a side note, WCIU still hasn't fixed their PSIP time after damn near a month now. Did the engineers have too much turkey?

did the engineers have too much turkey?

You could say that.

For anyone that's seen the picture of my antenna array before. That antenna array has changed. I finally have my new antennas up on the pole, with only the Winegard HD-1080 being retained. My Philips VHF/UHF combo antenna is no more. It turned out it was a good thing I decided to get rid of it, as parts of the U-Bolts broke off as I turned the nuts. So it's history. I have the Antennacraft CS600 for VHF, & surprised that I get WOCK-CD with the antenna. I thought I needed a bigger VHF antenna to get that station. I have my Winegard HD9032 antennas, & signal has gone up on what I already get, but haven't received any new LP stations from Chicagoland, but I did lose W25DW-D on RF 25, & WESV-LD on RF 40. I still do not get WCHU-LD on RF 33 (don't really need it, but curious if I got it), nor do I get WPVN-CD on RF 20 from their Schaumburg site. With the other Winegard, I have yet to get the South Bend stations, but not giving up on that. Anyway, the pics I attached are that of my new antenna array, along with pictures of the antennas before they were put on the pole. I included the Antennacraft CS600, & the Winegard HD9032 with & without the boom (both antennas have the extended boom on it) .

You could say that.

Checked their PSIP on Sunday night and it appears to be fixed. Took 'em long enough!! It was driving my dad insane.

A little birdie told me that WLS-DT's antenna is about to be replaced, and is sitting in a warehouse ready to go. It will be done on an overnight before the end of year, and will require the use of a Sky Crane helicopter in two lifts...one to lift the old antenna out, and another to put in the new one. Looks like their replacing all their microwave antennas up there, too. If you see a helicopter buzzing above Willis Tower in the weeks to come on an overnight, you now know why...

A little birdie told me that WMAQ-DT's antenna is about to be replaced, and is sitting in a warehouse ready to go. It will be done on an overnight before the end of year, and will require the use of a Sky Crane helicopter in two lifts...one to lift the old antenna out, and another to put in the new one. Looks like their replacing all their microwave antennas up there, too. If you see a helicopter buzzing above Willis Tower in the weeks to come on an overnight, you now know why...

and then maybe they will be able to do HD from the Live Trucks and Sky5 ?

and then maybe they will be able to do HD from the Live Trucks and Sky5 ?

That I don't know, sorry.

Hey everyone,

I have now confirmed from a very reliable source that WLS is replacing their antenna by the end of the year on Willis Tower. I am now doubting my other source saying that WMAQ is replacing theirs, even though he is usually very reliable. It is quite possible that the antenna maker folks meant to say WLS instead of WMAQ. But here's what I know for sure:

1. WLS *will* be replacing their antenna using a helicopter in two stages in overnight work by the end of this year;

2. Another source is telling me WMAQ is doing the same thing, and despite hearing it from the people who are doing it, I think there's something wrong with it. I'll be checking into this further.

As it stands, I have edited the original post to reflect the correct information.

Hey everyone,

I have now confirmed from a very reliable source that WLS is replacing their antenna by the end of the year on Willis Tower. I am now doubting my other source saying that WMAQ is replacing theirs, even though he is usually very reliable. It is quite possible that the antenna maker folks meant to say WLS instead of WMAQ. But here's what I know for sure:

1. WLS *will* be replacing their antenna using a helicopter in two stages in overnight work by the end of this year;

2. Another source is telling me WMAQ is doing the same thing, and despite hearing it from the people who are doing it, I think there's something wrong with it. I'll be checking into this further.

As it stands, I have edited the original post to reflect the correct information.
I remember watching analog WLS during a Saturday or Sunday morning newscast a few years ago when they said they were going off the air while a helicopter exchanged TV antennas on then Sears tower, followed immediately by "snow." Later that night they showed a clip on their late news.

:cool:The MXU-59 arrived today. It will replace a 2 bay screen reflector on a rotor when the weather clears. Location is 63 miles Northeast of Chicago. Currently I receive Chicago and South Bend consistently and Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, and Green Bay weather permitting. I will try it without a preamp first and then with the winegard preamp.

Found out why the new Westinghouse TV was getting no sound on 44.1: WSNS has two language channels for it, Spanish and French, the French channel is silent, and the TV insists on defaulting to French (only tuner we have that does that).

That can't be the reason the old Element TV that it replaced couldn't get sound on Bounce TV before it (the Element television, not Bounce) died; Bounce on WWME's 23.2 has only one language.  So that remains a mystery, and now that the set that had a problem with Bounce TV is dead, it will never be solved.

:cool:The MXU-59 arrived today. It will replace a 2 bay screen reflector on a rotor when the weather clears. Location is 63 miles Northeast of Chicago. Currently I receive Chicago and South Bend consistently and Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, and Green Bay weather permitting. I will try it without a preamp first and then with the winegard preamp.

If it works as well as my Winegard HD9032 UHF antenna, you should get good results with it. Being in Benton Harbor, MI, I would hope you also have a VHF antenna as well. I don't know how strong WWMT (CBS on RF 8), WOOD-TV (NBC on RF 7), or WGVK (PBS on RF 5, simulcast of WGVU) are for you over there. Since WBBM-TV is VHF on RF 12, unless you can aim the UHF antenna a certain way to get them, I hope you have a VHF antenna for that station. For you in a way, you have 3 markets you can get stations: South Bend (primary coverage in all UHF), Grand Rapids/Kalmazoo, & Chicago, & have a big selection. I envy you on that.

So, only a couple of more weeks to go, and I'll most likely be losing channel 24. :(

(I hear they're upping their power, though, so I haven't given up all hope yet.)

So, only a couple of more weeks to go, and I'll most likely be losing channel 24. :(

(I hear they're upping their power, though, so I haven't given up all hope yet.)

Ramm,

If you could receive WCIU at 15.1 kw back in the day...you should be able to get WPVN. I can lock WMEU's LD signal on 32 and WWME's signal on 39 at night, and intermittently during the day out here. Given my proximity to WBUW, I'm pleasantly surprised. I must be in kind of a dead spot for 39.

BTW, where'd you hear WPVN was weeks away from moving? Edit #2: Never mind, it's on their website.

Edit #3: They're going from 10 kw to 15 kw. BUT...far, far more importantly, they're going from 250' to nearly 1800'. THAT'S killer.

For you in a way, you have 3 markets you can get stations: South Bend (primary coverage in all UHF), Grand Rapids/Kalmazoo, & Chicago, & have a big selection. I envy you on that.

I do have a CM 3018 which does well for Chicago and South Bend. Right now I am getting both cities with the exception of WGN ch 9 which for me is always the odd channel to get. If I point the antenna to get ch9, I lose almost half the channels from Chicago.

I got the MXU-59 to get 17.1 out of GR and to see what else it will get. I rarely get 17.1 and WOOD 8.1 now so if this doesn't work the next step would be an 8 bay screen reflector.

Having so much to choose from is a problem in itself; I waste a lot of time spinning the rotor and then the mandatory rescan of the tuner. :eek:

bounce tv is dead ?

as in gone forever?
i know there was the carrier on all the 23.x channels yesterday
with no signal .. and now 23.2 is missing .... 23.1 and 23.3 are still there

my soul train, soul train *sob*

kd9fz
comments, criticisms and questions of sanity are always welcome

Hey everyone,

I have now confirmed from a very reliable source that WLS is replacing their antenna by the end of the year on Willis Tower. I am now doubting my other source saying that WMAQ is replacing theirs, even though he is usually very reliable. It is quite possible that the antenna maker folks meant to say WLS instead of WMAQ. But here's what I know for sure:

1. WLS *will* be replacing their antenna using a helicopter in two stages in overnight work by the end of this year;

2. Another source is telling me WMAQ is doing the same thing, and despite hearing it from the people who are doing it, I think there's something wrong with it. I'll be checking into this further.

As it stands, I have edited the original post to reflect the correct information.


Does this mean that WLS is turning of ch 7 and using just ch 44 now and removing the duplicates?

I do have a CM 3018 which does well for Chicago and South Bend. Right now I am getting both cities with the exception of WGN ch 9 which for me is always the odd channel to get. If I point the antenna to get ch9, I lose almost half the channels from Chicago.

I got the MXU-59 to get 17.1 out of GR and to see what else it will get. I rarely get 17.1 and WOOD 8.1 now so if this doesn't work the next step would be an 8 bay screen reflector.

Having so much to choose from is a problem in itself; I waste a lot of time spinning the rotor and then the mandatory rescan of the tuner. :eek:

WOOD-TV 8.1 is VHF on RF 7, and next to impossible to get on most UHF only antennas. WXMI 17.1 & WGN-TV 9.1 are both on RF 19, & that alone makes it difficult to get either one interference free for your area. As for rescanning when you rotate the antenna shouldn 't totally be necessary. If your TV or converter box allows for you to enter the RF channel manually, 'm go that route, instead of rescanning the channels everytime the antennna gets rotated.

Does this mean that WLS is turning of ch 7 and using just ch 44 now and removing the duplicates?

Not at this point, no.

Bounce is back!

9 am and 23.2 is back
thank you

kd9fz
comments, criticisms and questions of sanity are always welcome

Ramm,

If you could receive WCIU at 15.1 kw back in the day...you should be able to get WPVN. I can lock WMEU's LD signal on 32 and WWME's signal on 39 at night, and intermittently during the day out here. Given my proximity to WBUW, I'm pleasantly surprised. I must be in kind of a dead spot for 39.

BTW, where'd you hear WPVN was weeks away from moving? Edit #2: Never mind, it's on their website.

Edit #3: They're going from 10 kw to 15 kw. BUT...far, far more importantly, they're going from 250' to nearly 1800'. THAT'S killer.

You and me both. When I had WWME-LD on my converter box, it would clash constantly with WIFR. Always had to punch in WIFR's RF channel to get it. Did a rescan during the day (so I could get WIFR at its "proper" spot) and luckily WWME-LD didn't show up.

I still don't get why all the WCIU subs still have their analog channels going when the digital signal on "26" is so much stronger, even 60 miles away from the antenna.

I just did a rescan of my OTA channels, and I am picking up this channel 4 with 5 subchannels. Where is this channel coming from? 4-1 is a spanish channel, 4-2 is some home shopping network type of channel in English, 4-3 is a spanish channel, 4-4 is a spanish channel, and with 4-5, nothing shows up. I have never seen this before, and it isn't mentioned on the front page listing of Chicago locals, so I assume I am picking this up from somewhere else?

Does anybody have any information on WSPY-LD on RF-35 as far as if or when it might be on the air?

Does anybody have any information on WSPY-LD on RF-35 as far as if or when it might be on the air?

It was supposed to be in November. No new word on the sign-on date.

I just did a rescan of my OTA channels, and I am picking up this channel 4 with 5 subchannels. Where is this channel coming from? 4-1 is a spanish channel, 4-2 is some home shopping network type of channel in English, 4-3 is a spanish channel, 4-4 is a spanish channel, and with 4-5, nothing shows up. I have never seen this before, and it isn't mentioned on the front page listing of Chicago locals, so I assume I am picking this up from somewhere else?

That is WOCK-CD, the 300 watt blowtorch from the Hancock on channel 4.

WOCK-CD, the 300 watt blowtorch from the Hancock on channel 4.

Did they never fire up the 810 watt ERP (STA) facility?

I just did a rescan of my OTA channels, and I am picking up this channel 4 with 5 subchannels. Where is this channel coming from? 4-1 is a spanish channel, 4-2 is some home shopping network type of channel in English, 4-3 is a spanish channel, 4-4 is a spanish channel, and with 4-5, nothing shows up. I have never seen this before, and it isn't mentioned on the front page listing of Chicago locals, so I assume I am picking this up from somewhere else?

That is WOCK-CD, the 300 watt blowtorch from the Hancock on channel 4.

I doubt that, because WOCK-CD's physical channel is 4; its virtual channel is 13, so it shows up as 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, and 13.4, and it has no 13.5.  Also, only 13.2 is not a home shopping channel but the digital feed of WOCH, usually in Korean; and 13.4 is AmericaOne, almost always in English.

The only resemblances to WOCK-CD are that its .1 (MegaTV) and .3 (LATV) are indeed in Spanish, though from what I remember LATV has a lot of English.  When I tune it in nowadays (depending on receivability, which is intermittent for me), LATV often has infomercials in English.

Here is a link to an article that explains how and why TV broadcasters are possibly being asked to give up some of it's spectrum.
http://apnews.myway.com//article/20111216/D9RLP7481.html

The disagreement I have with the article is how many people use OTA broadcasts. 10% would seem abit low. I don't think 90% of the households exclusively use satellite or cable.

Here is a link to an article that explains how and why TV broadcasters are possibly being asked to give up some of it's spectrum.
http://apnews.myway.com//article/20111216/D9RLP7481.html

The disagreement I have with the article is how many people use OTA broadcasts. 10% would seem abit low. I don't think 90% of the households exclusively use satellite or cable.

You are correct. Some estimates have OTA exclusive usage at ~15%, but there are a large number of the ~85% with a pay provider that also use OTA. I've read those estimates at another 15% to 20%, making a total of 30% to 35% of all TV viewing households that use OTA in one form or another.

You are correct. Some estimates have OTA exclusive usage at ~15%, but there are a large number of the ~85% with a pay provider that also use OTA. I've read those estimates at another 15% to 20%, making a total of 30% to 35% of all TV viewing households that use OTA in one form or another.

~105 million households subscribe to a pay TV service per http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/07/20/cable-coverage-estimates-of-of-july-2011/98508/ That's out of ~115 million TV households. Also note that not all TV households have OTA/broadcast nets. CBS's coverage is ~99%, NBC and ABC are ~98%, FOX is ~97%, and CW is ~95%.

I doubt that...I'm guessing that it was. Lots of ATSC tuners will on occasion enter stations under their physical channel #'s (some of the ones I've owned have).

I don't know if it's when the station's PSIP is messed up, or what. I've even heard about multipath causing it. May be just crappy tuners. It has seemed to get more common since they started being made cheaper in China.

'Tinski, yes, I've seen that myself when the reception was weak, and the physical channel number is used for the integer instead of the virtual channel number: but how did the .5 subchannel get there, and how did .2 and .4 have what the OP said, if it was WOCK-CD?

WOOD-TV 8.1 is VHF on RF 7, and next to impossible to get on most UHF only antennas. WXMI 17.1 & WGN-TV 9.1 are both on RF 19, & that alone makes it difficult to get either one interference free for your area. As for rescanning when you rotate the antenna shouldn 't totally be necessary. If your TV or converter box allows for you to enter the RF channel manually, 'm go that route, instead of rescanning the channels everytime the antennna gets rotated.

Well that explains why I have had such a hard time with 17.1 and 9.1. I was thinking that when I am pointed to Chicago 9.1, Grand Rapids 17.1 shouldn't interfere but I never considered "back of the beam" . They certainly don't sound like they are on the same frequency.

The 4 yr old Vizio doesn't allow for manual entry of new channels, Hence a rescan is required whenever the rotor moves more than about 90 degrees. Sometimes a rescan is necessary because the channel is deleted automatically by the tuner if the signal degrades due to weather.

I am not very pleased with vizio and have become very picky looking at replacing it with something more suitable for OTA.

Does anyone else have audio dropout issues with WMAQ? Pretty much the only live tv I watch is NFL and Notre Dame football games on the networks. I live in Bucktown and get great reception with a cheap indoor antenna. ABC, CBS, and Fox all come in perfectly. The picture quality on NBC is great, but 5.1 audio continually drops out. Some in this thread mentioned that WMAQ was having issues back in 2009. Has it really not been addressed?

Or is there something I can do on my end? Right now I have the antenna going straight to my tv and then use toslink to my Onkyo 605. TV audio (stereo) does not drop out, only the dobly digital mix through the receiver. Is the same issue there on Comcast?

So no one else has audio dropout issues with WMAQ? If that's the case does anyone have an idea why that would be the only channel to drop for me?

'Tinski, yes, I've seen that myself when the reception was weak, and the physical channel number is used for the integer instead of the virtual channel number: but how did the .5 subchannel get there, and how did .2 and .4 have what the OP said, if it was WOCK-CD?I get that on my CM-7000 with WTVO and WYIN, on 17 - there'll be 17's in my channel list with odd second integers, that don't match the virtual channel number's.

~105 million households subscribe to a pay TV service per http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/07/20/cable-coverage-estimates-of-of-july-2011/98508/ That's out of ~115 million TV households. Also note that not all TV households have OTA/broadcast nets. CBS's coverage is ~99%, NBC and ABC are ~98%, FOX is ~97%, and CW is ~95%.
I wonder if, in some cases, it could be satellite users who use an antenna for locals instead of paying extra to get them (badly compressed and only the popular channels from what I hear) via satellite.

Also, for whatever reason, in some markets, the cable and satellite companies pick up one or more of the locals via OTA. In markets where that's true for at least one major affiliate, the market's satellite and cable users should probably be added to that total, for completeness sake.

I wonder if, in some cases, it could be satellite users who use an antenna for locals instead of paying extra to get them (badly compressed and only the popular channels from what I hear) via satellite.

It's not watching. It's reception ability. 99% of the country does not watch CBS. Even during the Super Bowl :) A viewer using the scenario described would count towards both the pay TV measure and the CBS/NBC/ABC/FOX measures. It's also a one and done scenario. You don't count twice if you have both cable and satellite.

~105 million households subscribe to a pay TV service per http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/07/20/cable-coverage-estimates-of-of-july-2011/98508/ That's out of ~115 million TV households. Also note that not all TV households have OTA/broadcast nets. CBS's coverage is ~99%, NBC and ABC are ~98%, FOX is ~97%, and CW is ~95%.

Those numbers are all estimates, as are the ones I mentioned. Unfortunately there aren't any estimates everyone agrees on as far as OTA viewership, whether they are OTA only or OTA & pay provider.

The one thing everybody agrees on is that the estimates used are typically self serving.

It's not watching. It's reception ability.I think he understands that.

'Tinski, yes, I've seen that myself when the reception was weak, and the physical channel number is used for the integer instead of the virtual channel number: but how did the .5 subchannel get there, and how did .2 and .4 have what the OP said, if it was WOCK-CD?

PSIP and DTV tuners are a sore subject. They all act different. I've run into tuners that will only display the "winning" conflicting channel mappings while others will show both. Both my Samsung and the 2 Zenith tuners I have will show WLS on RF7 and RF44 both mapped to 7.1, 2, and 3.

As far as showing the actual RF channel in the mapping, Samsung is pretty sensitive to PSIP changes. Heck if I sneeze wrong, we show up at 27-3 instead of 26.1 while other tuners will just keep on chugging along until they are forced to re-aquire the data and channel maps.

It's a qwerky world!!

Here's a question that I'm sure that has never been asked here: does anyone know of the chances of thecooltv ever being available here in Chicago since WTMJ idiotically dropped it? I would love to have a music video solution on OTA TV, that way I really wouldn't have to get cable or burn through my data cap by watching videos online with my phone or Xbox.

Ever since The Tube failed, we haven't seen a full-time music video OTA channel that I can think of in the Chicago DMA.  That's what, over three years now?

So Eric, it's not likely.

Here's a question that I'm sure that has never been asked here: does anyone know of the chances of thecooltv ever being available here in Chicago since WTMJ idiotically dropped it? I would love to have a music video solution on OTA TV, that way I really wouldn't have to get cable or burn through my data cap by watching videos online with my phone or Xbox.

I don't see it coming to Chicago, since the top 4 networks O&O show no interest in affiliating with the network, & WGN-TV has no plans to add another subchannel (at least not now, but don't see them affiliating with The Cool TV either). For Weigel Broadcasting, other than affiliating with Bounce, I don't believe they're interested in affiliating with them either, & they're programming This TV & MeTV for a national audience & The U, U Too, & Me Too for the Chicago market. They have their hands full.

If you're not aware about why WTMJ-TV no longer carries The Cool TV, it has to do with Journal Broadcasting not being compensated for carrying the channel on their stations. They're suing The Cool TV for what they're owed. As a result, they dropped the network on all their stations. Since Weigel already affiliated with MeTV in Milwaukee, they picked up Livewell Network, & in Green Bay, MeTV replaced The Cool TV on WGBA 26.2. A number of stations have also dropped The Cool TV for other networks. LIN Broadcasting dropped the network in Fort Wayne & Terre Haute Indiana markets. In Fort Wayne, WANE-TV replaced it with Antenna TV & WTHI replaced it with Fox, since Nexstar has a duopoly in the market with WAWV & WTWO (WAWV via Mission Broadcasting), & dropped Fox off of then WFXW (now WAWV).

Mind you, LIN dropped it on WTHI to make room for Fox (after their affiliate switched to ABC), so it's not quite the same situation. With CBS being in 1080i, it was probably for the better, picture quality wise.

Ever since The Tube failed, we haven't seen a full-time music video OTA channel that I can think of in the Chicago DMA.* That's what, over three years now?

So Eric, it's not likely.

yea I remember The Tube, the reason it failed is because they played stale music over 70% of the time. The Box was also a really good channel until Viacom bought it and screwed it over. LATV also showed music videos but since WGN-TV dropped them its going to be hard to get where I'm at since they're on RF4. TheCoolTV looks very promising from their program guide.

I don't see it coming to Chicago, since the top 4 networks O&O show no interest in affiliating with the network, & WGN-TV has no plans to add another subchannel (at least not now, but don't see them affiliating with The Cool TV either). For Weigel Broadcasting, other than affiliating with Bounce, I don't believe they're interested in affiliating with them either, & they're programming This TV & MeTV for a national audience & The U, U Too, & Me Too for the Chicago market. They have their hands full.

If you're not aware about why WTMJ-TV no longer carries The Cool TV, it has to do with Journal Broadcasting not being compensated for carrying the channel on their stations. They're suing The Cool TV for what they're owed. As a result, they dropped the network on all their stations. Since Weigel already affiliated with MeTV in Milwaukee, they picked up Livewell Network, & in Green Bay, MeTV replaced The Cool TV on WGBA 26.2. A number of stations have also dropped The Cool TV for other networks. LIN Broadcasting dropped the network in Fort Wayne & Terre Haute Indiana markets. In Fort Wayne, WANE-TV replaced it with Antenna TV & WTHI replaced it with Fox, since Nexstar has a duopoly in the market with WAWV & WTWO (WAWV via Mission Broadcasting), & dropped Fox off of then WFXW (now WAWV).

Affiliates sure have no problem affiliating with the country network. Plenty of country music solutions on cable, the cable music video networks are very stale at best when it comes to their music selections, I know mun2 was really good until Comcast began taking over NBCU. Country music is less than 10% of all the music I listen to so I def have no interest in tuning into24.2 which has no problem coming in where I'm at. if either TheCoolTV or HTV came to OTA I would be a very happy camper.

So no one else has audio dropout issues with WMAQ? If that's the case does anyone have an idea why that would be the only channel to drop for me?

Nope. It's either multipath, or weak reception. It *might* be your tuner, but if no one else is having an issue, that probably isn't it.

For a while late this morning around 11:30, WLS was broadcasting only on RF7 while RF44 was dark.  Then RF44 came back.  I don't know when it started nor what caused it, only that the trouble ended a little before noon.

Nope. It's either multipath, or weak reception. It *might* be your tuner, but if no one else is having an issue, that probably isn't it.

Thanks! That's the answer I was hoping for. Since dropping cable I've just been using some cheap rabbit ears. For a while most channels even came in with just a coax cable connected to the tv. According to Antennaweb I'm 4.1 miles from the tower and a small multi-directional UHF should work. I've tried connecting directly to the tv (Panasonic TH-42px75u) and to an HDHomeRun. Using an Onkyo 605 receiver.

5.1 is the only station with audio issues. I ruled out the tuners, since the same issue occurs in both. I thought it was the receiver until realizing that it was only one channel. Signal strength has always been at least as high as most of stations, which all come in perfectly. I'm assuming that a directional antenna should correct potential multipath issues, correct? From what I've seen I shouldn't need an amplified antenna. Would something like the Terk HDTVi be worth trying out? I also saw that adding a variable attenuator could help with multipath.

The HDTVi would work. Just keep in mind that, since it's directional, you may have to adjust it different ways to tune in different stations. Perhaps getting a splitter and hooking both antennas up is a good idea.

Just a notice: The HDTVi through Amazon is at least half of the exhorbitant price the B&M's sell it for.

Just a notice: The HDTVi through Amazon is at least half of the exhorbitant price the B&M's sell it for.

The B&M's have to pay the overhead of a retail business (rent, utilities, labor, etc). Amazon (usually) has a distributor fulfill their orders at a very low margin for both of them.

Before complaining about B&M prices, you may consider that, once the B&Ms go out of business, where are you going to go to do your Amazon pre-purchase shopping when Best Buy and the like goes out of business?

It's pretty much common knowledge, at least by those who know better, that Terk products are insanely marked-up in the B&M's, just as Bose and Monster products are, relative to other brands of equal quality.

I have nothing against the existence of B&M's like BB - however, I'd never pay the prices they're asking for Terk, Bose or Monster products, given the choice.

The HDTVi is now under $27 on Amazon, with no shipping. Last time I saw it in BB and Fry's, it was nearly $60. I don't know what any other store might be selling it for, as I haven't seen it in another one for years.

B&Ms such as Best Buy or Walmart typically demand a discount of 70% or more off accessory items from the manufacturers (or distributors). This often leads to much higher list prices of some items just so the B&M will put them on the shelf.

It's how retail works.

yea I remember The Tube, the reason it failed is because they played stale music over 70% of the time. The Box was also a really good channel until Viacom bought it and screwed it over. LATV also showed music videos but since WGN-TV dropped them its going to be hard to get where I'm at since they're on RF4. TheCoolTV looks very promising from their program guide.


The Tube failed, because they couldn't get any advertisers, other than a couple of infomercial type commercials, that were rather long, but not your typical infomercial. I watched The Tube on a computer TV tuner card, & remembered seeing almost no advertising on the network. It seemed that their online store didn't help keep the network afloat either. I tried to order something from them in June 2007, & I called to find out why my order wasn't shipped. I was told it was cancelled, because they claimed they were revamping the online store. A month or 2 later, the online store disappears from their website. Losing the Sinclair stations, after Sinclair refused to comply with the 3 hour minimum E/I programming on subchannels (until they affiliated with networks that provide their own E/I programming in 2009) in 2007, leaving just the Tribune stations to carry the network.

Had The tube started up around post-transitional digital, it's anyone's guess if they would have succeeded. Starting up before the analog sunset made it difficult for them (or any other digital subchannel network of the time) to get any advertising revenue. Most of the choices we have now in digital subchannels didn't start up until after June 2009.

The Cool TV is trying to fill the void that The Tube left behind, but not sure if it's working or not. Since Sinclair wasn't able to affiliate with The Cool TV in Milwaukee & Las Vegas early on, due to Journal Broadcasting already affiliating with them at the time, I wonder if they'll try to affiliate with them in those markets, or not bother. I would have liked to seen the network come to Chicago. However, with most stations being O&O by the networks, it won't happen. With Weigel Broadcasting being more interested in programming digital subchannels themselves (plus affiliating with Bounce), I don't see that happening. It's too bad Tribune didn't decide to affiliate with them. For Chicago, they could have added another subchanel, but chose not to, while in other Tribune markets, they're maxed out on adding subchannels (they affiliated with Weigel's This TV in markets where no one else affiliated with them). With most networks programmed for digital subchannels, I don't hold out much hope that many of them will come to Chicago. I always find that many smaller markets with network affiliates, that they're more likely to affiliate with the subchannel networks than the networks O&O themselves.

The Tube failed, because they couldn't get any advertisers, other than a couple of infomercial type commercials, that were rather long, but not your typical infomercial. I watched The Tube on a computer TV tuner card, & remembered seeing almost no advertising on the network. It seemed that their online store didn't help keep the network afloat either. I tried to order something from them in June 2007, & I called to find out why my order wasn't shipped. I was told it was cancelled, because they claimed they were revamping the online store. A month or 2 later, the online store disappears from their website. Losing the Sinclair stations, after Sinclair refused to comply with the 3 hour minimum E/I programming on subchannels (until they affiliated with networks that provide their own E/I programming in 2009) in 2007, leaving just the Tribune stations to carry the network.

Had The tube started up around post-transitional digital, it's anyone's guess if they would have succeeded. Starting up before the analog sunset made it difficult for them (or any other digital subchannel network of the time) to get any advertising revenue. Most of the choices we have now in digital subchannels didn't start up until after June 2009.

The Cool TV is trying to fill the void that The Tube left behind, but not sure if it's working or not. Since Sinclair wasn't able to affiliate with The Cool TV in Milwaukee & Las Vegas early on, due to Journal Broadcasting already affiliating with them at the time, I wonder if they'll try to affiliate with them in those markets, or not bother. I would have liked to seen the network come to Chicago. However, with most stations being O&O by the networks, it won't happen. With Weigel Broadcasting being more interested in programming digital subchannels themselves (plus affiliating with Bounce), I don't see that happening. It's too bad Tribune didn't decide to affiliate with them. For Chicago, they could have added another subchanel, but chose not to, while in other Tribune markets, they're maxed out on adding subchannels (they affiliated with Weigel's This TV in markets where no one else affiliated with them). With most networks programmed for digital subchannels, I don't hold out much hope that many of them will come to Chicago. I always find that many smaller markets with network affiliates, that they're more likely to affiliate with the subchannel networks than the networks O&O themselves.

yea WCIU has 5 subchannels,WWME only has 2 but it's hard to get where I'm at. Would be very disappointed if TheCoolTV ended up on 23.3 I see plenty of room on the other strong stations for both TheCoolTV and HTV.
Here's my dream affiliation
32.2 or 50.2 (TheCoolTV since they have signed an affiliation agreement with FOX)
44.3/4 mun2 or HTV instead of SOI TV(since its junk)
66.2 or 60.3 HTV (more likely scenario since Comcast owns mun2 and telemundo and as such wouldn't allow a cable network on OTA) also more likely because univison does in fact show music videos in the early morning.

yea WCIU has 5 subchannels,WWME only has 2 but it's hard to get where I'm at. Would be very disappointed if TheCoolTV ended up on 23.3 I see plenty of room on the other strong stations for both TheCoolTV and HTV.
Here's my dream affiliation
32.2 or 50.2 (TheCoolTV since they have signed an affiliation agreement with FOX)
44.3/4 mun2 or HTV instead of SOI TV(since its junk)
66.2 or 60.3 HTV (more likely scenario since Comcast owns mun2 and telemundo and as such wouldn't allow a cable network on OTA) also more likely because univison does in fact show music videos in the early morning.

I'm disappointed that Bounce ended up on WWME-LD 23.2, because WWME-LD can be tricky to get where I live. I nearly lost the station completely, because my new UHF only antenna (Winegard HD9032) wasn't picking up the station initially. It must be pointed just right to get, & I have to remember that my 300ohm to 75 ohm balun must have the left wire on the left terminal, & the right terminal on the right terminal. I discussed this in this thread (http://http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1381989). With WWME-LD having a weaker signal toward Indiana (just like WCIU, since they changed their pattern), I can only get WWME-LD with a pre-amp (WCIU is the only full power station I have to have a pre-amp, since I no longer get them without one, but got them with the old directional pattern). I however can get WMEU-LD without a preamp, & my UHF antenna pointed in any direction.

I discussed this in this thread (http://http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1381989).You actually discussed it in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1381989).

(TheCoolTV since they have signed an affiliation agreement with FOX)

When was this?

- Trip

When was this?

- Trip

oh that was bounce that affiliated with FOX
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TheCoolTV
seems that Sinclair will be more likely to bring it back to Milwaukee on 18.2 which I will be able to get once I can get this winegard HD1080 I bought used to actually work. On the Chicago side we only have tribune and weigel as affiliate companies. I previously suggested that FOX should pick it up and for Univision to pick up and carry HTV.

Well, just a few more days, and we'll be losing Universal Sports.

So that'll make one for sure, and possibly two for me, total, with WPVN.

(I seriously doubt if I'll get WPVN, because I've even been having a lot of trouble with WCIU lately.)

Has WMAQ officially announced what, if anything, will happen? Being an O&O, will they still carry it, or replace it with something else, or just drop the subchannel?

Has WMAQ officially announced what, if anything, will happen? Being an O&O, will they still carry it, or replace it with something else, or just drop the subchannel?

With Comcast being part owner of NBC, they made it official that Universal Sports will be a pay TV only channel (meaning only available to cable & satellite companies) on January 1. I haven't heard what will be done with 5.3 & the bandwidth. If WMAQ-TV & other NBC O&O stations decide not to replace the subchannel, WMAQ may just allocate the bandwidth for mobile TV, though they really need it for the main channel, since it looks like crap. With that in mind, Nonstop will be reformatted for a national audience in the new year. Who knows what programs stay, & which ones go, as part of a national launch to compete with Livewell Network :confused: . At least they're not trying to make it HD like ABC has with Livewell Network on their O&O stations.

is anyone else still having issues with channel 2 wbbm tv on rf 12... finally i was getting all chicago stations perfect this fall and still do with the exception of channel 2... i know that they are the only one on vhf but what is going on with the signal and what happened to the idea of the 2nd signal on rf 26....


i also believe that they were suppose to add sub stations but have not yet at this point...


any assistance would be appreciated...

With Comcast being part owner of NBC, they made it official that Universal Sports will be a pay TV only channel (meaning only available to cable & satellite companies) on January 1. I haven't heard what will be done with 5.3 & the bandwidth.
I was aware of the pay-TV change, but it's surprising they haven't mentioned what they will do with the subchannel.

There has been nothing from Comcast either on whether they will carry it. Has there been anything from AT&T, WOW, Dish or DirectTV about the 'new' NBC Sports channel?

I was aware of the pay-TV change, but it's surprising they haven't mentioned what they will do with the subchannel.

There has been nothing from Comcast either on whether they will carry it. Has there been anything from AT&T, WOW, Dish or DirectTV about the 'new' NBC Sports channel?

The "new" NBC sports channel is just a renaming of Versus. Look for the Comcast Sportsnet channels to be renamed NBC Sports also.

The "new" NBC sports channel is just a renaming of Versus.

Yes, but I thought he was referring to Universal Sports, which to the best of my knowledge will not undergo a name change. As noted, it will no longer be available OTA as of 1/1/12.

As of now DirecTV will carry it, channel 625. Not sure if that will be SD or HD. Beyond that, I can't find any other info on carriage.

Both Universal Sports and Versus (as of 1/2/12 = NBC Sports Network) are owned and operated by Comcast/NBC Universal. This probably means it will show up on Comcast systems at some point soon.

Sorry if this is redundant.

I did originally mean Universal Sports. It's confusing as it's happening at the same time as renaming Versus. Maybe they will eventually follow ESPN and call them NBC Sports and NBC Sports 2, and create a "3" that requires everybody to pay via their ISP's "deal".

I did originally mean Universal Sports. It's confusing as it's happening at the same time as renaming Versus. Maybe they will eventually follow ESPN and call them NBC Sports and NBC Sports 2, and create a "3" that requires everybody to pay via their ISP's "deal".

Don't give them any ideas. Not that they don't have them already.

Universal Sports is already on Comcast, at least in Chicago. Ch 342 since NBC Nonstop is 341.

Not anymore. 342 was the subchannel feed. As of this morning (1/1), it has been deleted from the box and DTA. OTA, 5.3 is just bars and tone.

Comcast channel 342 was deleted from our DTAs and my DCH3416 a few days ago, while 5.3 was still broadcasting OTA.

Now, as Andy said, 5.3 is just bars and tone.  Unless WMAQ is planning to put something else there, I can't guess why they don't just drop the subchannel in the meantime.

But remember how in the days between The Tub and LATV on 9.2, WGN continued to have a 9.2, made of 9.1's 1080i video with only Spanish audio (even though 9.1 had Spanish available)?

I'm experiencing a near constant signal dropouts on 2.1 today. Anyone else?

But remember how in the days between The Tub and LATV on 9.2, WGN continued to have a 9.2, made of 9.1's 1080i video with only Spanish audio (even though 9.1 had Spanish available)?
Why can't the Spanish networks have a alt-English available? The only alt language I've seen is French. There may be some I would consider watching.

Why can't the Spanish networks have a alt-English available? The only alt language I've seen is French. There may be some I would consider watching.

they have closed captions in CC3 on telemundo and telefutura. Univision only does it with awards shows and other special occasions.

I'm experiencing a near constant signal dropouts on 2.1 today. Anyone else?
Been watching NFL Jets at Miami trouble-free in South Bend from WBBM because local WSBT is carrying Colts at Jacksonville (boring) and besides is in continuous storm mode with shrunken picture and lower third crawl about tomorrow's Winter Storm Warning.

I'm seeing the WBBM issues. Looks like the storm system is wreaking havoc with their signal out here. That doesn't happen often.

Wow, what's up with WBBM? They are usually the best signal in town, now a little bit of wind, and they are virtually unwatchable. You think they would have someone on this with all the advertising $ at stake.

No issues with the other channels in town, we are in close with a roof antenna in Oak Park.

Do they have a loose microwave antenna or something?

Via Comcast up here in Antioch-ish (McHenry Headend), since Sunday ~3 PM, WBBM is full of freezes and audio dropouts. Major issues for them!

So what happen ? did WLS or WMAQ replace the antenna on Sears Tower yet?

i just did a rescan
and 5.3 is gone

So what happen ? did WLS or WMAQ replace the antenna on Sears Tower yet?

It's not WMAQ, it's WLS. And I learned it hasn't happened yet. Stay tuned...

44.2 no longer shows inmi on the psip
it now has exitos ...

thank god 5.3 didnt become an infommercial channel

kd9fz
comments, criticisms and questions of saniity are always welcome

Freakin Comcast hogging all the local sports coverage and charging for them. I missed 3 bulls games cuz of those a$$holes. Anyway is anyone having signal issues on WSNS or is it just me? Last night it was in perfectly but when I woke up I see a weak signal screen on my converter box but yet the signal bar shows a strength of 51% but no quality. My antenna also hasn't been moved and I still get its adjacent channels in perfectly (WLS and WCPX)

Not only is 44.2's PSIP name now Exitos, but also there's a "T.2" screen bug during programming, where the T is the same style as the Telemundo T on 44.1.

Does anyone know the date when WPVN is moving to the new antenna/transmitter. There isn't a specific date on their website.

Freakin Comcast hogging all the local sports coverage and charging for them. I missed 3 bulls games cuz of those a$$holes.

Eric, this has been going on for 15 years now. If the current LTE clowns get their way there will be much less OTA, let alone OTA sports. The teams make more $ from Comcast Sportsnet then local OTA. Simple as that. Like it or not. It doesn't hurt that Comcrap is subsidized by crazy subscriber fees.

Try 30 years. Remember SportsVision and the White Sox?

Not only is 44.2's PSIP name now Exitos, but also there's a "T.2" screen bug during programming, where the T is the same style as the Telemundo T on 44.1.Around Thursday the bug changed from "T.2" to "exitostv" -- that doesn't really describe it very well but I have no way to get screengrabs and can't find an existing image of it on the net.

Try 30 years. Remember SportsVision and the White Sox?

Oh yeah. The Sox fans were the first to get the shaft. It took a little longer to trickle down to the Bulls, and Blackhawks, and Cubs fans. At some point the NFL will be on paid television. TBS already has MLB playoffs now.

Oh yeah. The Sox fans were the first to get the shaft. It took a little longer to trickle down to the Bulls, and Blackhawks, and Cubs fans. At some point the NFL will be on paid television. TBS already has MLB playoffs now.

Monday & Thursday Night Football already moved to ESPN at least a couple years ago.

Monday & Thursday Night Football already moved to ESPN at least a couple years ago.

The one exception is your local team (in our case, the Bears) are playing on those nights. Then, the games get shown on a local TV station, in an auction done by the NFL to the highest bidder. Last year, WPWR paid $750,000 to show one game. I'm sure prices are similar this year.

The one exception is your local team (in our case, the Bears) are playing on those nights. Then, the games get shown on a local TV station, in an auction done by the NFL to the highest bidder. Last year, WPWR paid $750,000 to show one game. I'm sure prices are similar this year.

Exception: Hearst-Argyle ABC stations and ABC O&O's get right of first refusal for Monday Night Games, because of their parent company's relationship with ESPN.

WLS usually waives their rights because ABC and Disney don't want Dancing with the Stars to not air live in the nation's #3 market, so it goes to the highest bidder.

But, WISN in Milwaukee never waives their rights. Other stations couldn't get the games no matter how deep their pockets are.

Anyone use MCE? MCE gives me the "no signal' blue screen on ch7.

Has Ch7 died for anyone else?

My other non-MCE tuner works just fine.

Edit: I hate it when this happens... After an hour long outage its back to normal now. I didnt do anything so it must have been the station.

Just saw Rob Feder post this over on TimeOutChicago.com (http://timeoutchicago.com/arts-culture/chicago-media-blog/15078323/crain):

The new year brought a new look to Chicago’s top-rated Spanish-language television station. Univision WGBO-Channel 66 converted its news operation to HD and unveiled a new set for Noticias Univision Chicago, the 5 and 10pm newcasts anchored by Jorge Barbosa and Angelica Atondo. “It is important for our station to remain ahead of the curve when it comes to reporting news to our viewers,” news director Marisol Seda said in a statement.

Anyone use MCE? MCE gives me the "no signal' blue screen on ch7.

Has Ch7 died for anyone else?

My other non-MCE tuner works just fine.

Edit: I hate it when this happens... After an hour long outage its back to normal now. I didnt do anything so it must have been the station.

It was the station
Mike Caplan posted on his facebook
https://www.facebook.com/#!/michael.c.caplan

Just saw Rob Feder post this over on TimeOutChicago.com (http://timeoutchicago.com/arts-culture/chicago-media-blog/15078323/crain):

now all that left is to Telemundo Chicago when will convert their news to HD

Most of the video clips were SD, but the studio shots are HD. Baby steps...


http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/3109/wgbonewshd1.png

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4590/wgbonewshd3.png

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/6282/wgbonewshd2.png

I was wondering: Now with Universal Sports gone, has WMAQ's PQ improved? Has the data rate increased on the main and/or NonStop? Any rumors on if something will be added in the future?

Has anyone picked up a 38-100, 38-200, & 38-201 before? I just bought a refurbished Haier brand portable TV from Big Lots, & when I did a scan, I got those additional virtual channels, but nothing was shown on those channels. I don't get those channels with my VisionTek USB TV tuner stick, or my Magnavox DTV converter box. For WMAQ-TV, unless the tuner in my portable TV doesn't pick up unmapped channels, then 5.3 is gone, as it only registered 5-2 & 5-3 (I put the dash, because that's how the TV displays the channels).

ION stations were testing something that involved three extra temporary subchannels, but they were only defined in the PSIP stream and their substreams weren't ATSC data.  Many tuners ignored them.

5.3 is gone; Universal Sports ended at midnight 2011-12-31 and then WMAQ carried a still card for a couple of days.  The subchannel was shut off on the second or third of January.

If ION doesn't want to lose their copyright on AirBox, they'd better get going. It's my understanding that based on the dates here (http://www.trademarks411.com/marks/85198775-airbox), they need to submit a Statement of Use within 6 months of approval, so by March of this year. A Statement of Use requires public use of the copyrighted mark, so they need to launch in the next couple months.

Speaking of AirBox, I've found some other info about it over the weekend. AirBox Television, Inc. is almost certainly part of ION, same corporate officers, same corporate headquarters, but AirBox.com (advertised on one of the AirBox streams Trip decoded) is registered by "carl crabill" (Carl Crabill was an executive at MovieBeam), while other ION properties are registered by ION Media Networks, Inc. Also, based on their business filings, AirBox Television, Inc. claims to be in retail, so presumably that's the division that'll be selling the retail boxes. And this (http://www.justformyclients.com/ion/5-functionality) appears to be spec work for, presumably, AirBox.com. (Not all of those are necessarily for the main site, they might be for AirBoxBlog.com or AirBoxOnline.com, all also registered by "carl crabill".) Interesting note, that Susan Rust whose spec sheet that is appears to have done website work for the likes of Viacom and NBC Universal, as well.

So nothing definite that we didn't already know, but a little more to speculate on. But with the more frequent tests and the approaching deadline, I assume we'll hear something in the coming weeks.

My portable TV picked up more than just 38.100, 38.200, & 38.201. It also picked up 38.202, 38.203, 38.204, 38.300, 38.400, & I believe 38.401. I wonder exactly what Ion Media has planned for the extra channels that aren't showing anything. I'm still amazed the TV can pick up the extra channels. I'm surprised it doesn't pick up the 2 channels that WTTW uses for the Update TV service like Samsung TV's do.

Portable TV, as in ATSC M/H? That might (or might not) explain how your unit gets the additional stations. They are, presumably, broadcasting something on the channels, but it's encrypted.

Edit: It seems that, based on what other people have said, the majority of content is Spanish. So, unless you speak Spanish, you're not missing out by not being able to watch the encrypted channels.

Portable TV, as in ATSC M/H? That might (or might not) explain how your unit gets the additional stations. They are, presumably, broadcasting something on the channels, but it's encrypted.

Edit: It seems that, based on what other people have said, the majority of content is Spanish. So, unless you speak Spanish, you're not missing out by not being able to watch the encrypted channels.

I can tell you that my portable TV does not have an ATSC M/H tuner. If I move the TV too fast, it loses the signal. It has a regular ATSC tuner built-in. It's just odd that it picks up these extra channels. I get WLS-TV on RF 7 & WBBM-TV on it if I have the outdoor antenna hooked to it. It however does not pick up WOCK-CD like my converter box can, & WWME-LD pixelates a lot on this TV too, but not on the converter box.

Well, weird ION channels aside, how do you like it? I've been idly considering getting a portable TV, myself. What sort of antenna connector does this one have, just a standard connector, or do you have to use an alligator clip, or what?

Well, weird ION channels aside, how do you like it? I've been idly considering getting a portable TV, myself. What sort of antenna connector does this one have, just a standard connector, or do you have to use an alligator clip, or what?

It's a good TV for what it's worth. It's a refurbished one I bought from my local Big Lots. It's a Haier 7 inch, model#HLT71, & I may have mentioned that I paid $29, but it was $39. I would have preferred a more popular brand name, but it's something for now. The antenna that was included is a telescopic that screws into a coax input. I'll use a regular antenna with this TV, as the telescopic antenna doesn't pick up a single VHF channel. My regular antennas (Antennacraft CS600 for VHF & Winegard HD9032 for UHF) hooked to the TV picked up more stations, including WLS-TV & WBBM-TV on the VHF. I just wish I could enter the RF channel to manually add channels, but new channels require a rescan. Entering the RF channel will say Fail to lock signal.

"Global" on W25DW's 25.2 seems to have disappeared entirely.  It had been only a silent vertical-color-bar test pattern for weeks; now there's not even that.

They're still labeling Sonlife on 25.3 as "Sunlife."

Anyone notice issues with WTTW the past few days? There is an occasional line of what looks like static at times, and it sometimes 'blinks' a brief blue flash with an audio snap. I thought it was Comcast, but am seeing it OTA, too.

Anyone notice issues with WTTW the past few days? There is an occasional line of what looks like static at times, and it sometimes 'blinks' a brief blue flash with an audio snap. I thought it was Comcast, but am seeing it OTA, too.

I've noticed it too along with another issue,the chicago tonight replay
on 11-2 is always fuzzy looking but the second repeat back on 11-1 is clear..

Anyone notice issues with WTTW the past few days? There is an occasional line of what looks like static at times, and it sometimes 'blinks' a brief blue flash with an audio snap. I thought it was Comcast, but am seeing it OTA, too.

Yeah, I've noticed it a lot recently. Lots of popping and picture break-ups, as well as other problems. When I played back my recording of Nova from last week there was a sizeable chunk of the show missing - nothing but black screen. It seems to come and go, though: my recording of today's This Old House had some popping in it, but Ask This Old House was clean.

I was watching WTTW 11 & WTTW Prime, & the picture froze up at random times throughout various shows. Create didn't act up as much as WTTW 11.1 & 11.2 did. I wasn't all that thrilled to find beg-a-thons on 11.2 today. So it gave me an excuse to avoid the channel much of the time. This was while I was at work. Now if only I could get WYCC & WCIU at work. Those 2 stations don't come in at work (WYCC because of their weak signal, & WCIU for a weaker signal toward Indiana). I was surprised to get WJYS at work, since the building is primarily metal & concrete. I did notice much of the brokered programming WCIU used to carry on the old FBT was being shown on WJYS 62.4 today. Maybe they're trying to pick up the programming Weigel no longer wanted, though I thought Polnet was doing that.

I've noticed it too along with another issue,the chicago tonight replay
on 11-2 is always fuzzy looking but the second repeat back on 11-1 is clear..
11-2 = SD, 11-1 = HD

That said, I found WTTW Prime to often be decent given the number of channels crammed together. I recorded (via Comcast) a Nature show a few weeks ago, and it looked surprisingly good, even zoomed up to de-letterbox it. Yes, it's SD, but it wasn't as fuzzy or blocky as I was expecting given how compressed everything must be for 1080i + 3x480i.

Between the pixelated faces (remember "At the Movies"?) and now this, I wonder what WTTW is doing.

Anyone notice issues with WTTW the past few days? There is an occasional line of what looks like static at times, and it sometimes 'blinks' a brief blue flash with an audio snap. I thought it was Comcast, but am seeing it OTA, too.

I noticed the "blue blink" as well, the last couple of days on 11.2.
At first, I thought that it was just our OTA reception.
However, it wasn't happening on any of our other channels when I flipped around. Something weird must be happening on their end.

Anyone notice issues with WTTW the past few days? There is an occasional line of what looks like static at times, and it sometimes 'blinks' a brief blue flash with an audio snap. I thought it was Comcast, but am seeing it OTA, too.

I've noticed it too, both OTA and on U-Verse.

WBBM was breaking up quite a bit on DirecTV and over the air 2-1 today during the AFC championship game. I wonder why.

Anyone notice issues with WTTW the past few days? There is an occasional line of what looks like static at times, and it sometimes 'blinks' a brief blue flash with an audio snap. I thought it was Comcast, but am seeing it OTA, too.
I recorded Downton Abbey and Sherlock last night from Comcast on a computer with a USB tuner stick.

I played back D.A. while Sherlock was still recording. In D.A. I saw occasional lines near the top of the screen, and quite a few flashes -- some with rather loud audio snaps, others without audio issues.

When I played back Sherlock, I didn't notice ANY of these problems!

Perhaps the problem is in WTTW's program acquisition or server systems...

Is WOCK have any unusual issues? The feed on Comcast has been a bit glitchy, with the channels sometimes going dead (by me, each subchannel is on a different Comcast frequency!) I assume Comcast is using an antenna, and WOCK is always a bit difficult to pick up. I rarely get it with an antenna.

Is WOCK have any unusual issues? The feed on Comcast has been a bit glitchy, with the channels sometimes going dead (by me, each subchannel is on a different Comcast frequency!) I assume Comcast is using an antenna, and WOCK is always a bit difficult to pick up. I rarely get it with an antenna.

I heard on WBBM radio today we are experiencing more powerful than ususal sun flare activity, maybe this is why?

As for Comcast...the office in Rolling Meadows has several large dishes and a tall tower. At the top of the tower is what looks like a TV antenna, possilby an answer to locate channels, I realy do not know.

The solar flare isn't suppose to get here until tomorrow or Wednesday. You can get the latest information on the sun's activity at spaceweather.com. I check it every morning.

Why isn't WLS transmitting guide data on rf ch 44?

I heard on WBBM radio today we are experiencing more powerful than ususal sun flare activity, maybe this is why?

As for Comcast...the office in Rolling Meadows has several large dishes and a tall tower. At the top of the tower is what looks like a TV antenna, possilby an answer to locate channels, I realy do not know.

I used to work at that facility in Rolling Meadows. It was a receive site back the MediaOne/ATT days. I believe it's still a backup site. There are OTA receive antennas at the top but those are a back up as well. There was typically 1 tuned antenna per channel they were picking up. That was a nicely setup facility back in the day.

25.2 is back, this time with a bug that seems to read "Tellos Digital Television" with two L's in "Tellos."  The PSIP name is Telos with one L.  I don't know whether it's the channel whose home page is http://www.telostv.com or not.

I live in the Chicago area (Hinsdale) at these coordinates which are slightly Southwest of the city: 41.822022, -87.920108

The dwelling is an apartment building 20 stories tall.

My apartment is 15 stories up on the West side of the building, the exact opposite direction as the towers in Downtown Chicago.

I can only have an indoor antenna. Any suggestions (other than move)?

I asked Solid Signal this question several times and never got a reply. Is this too difficult to do?

Thanks!

I live in the Chicago area (Hinsdale) at these coordinates which are slightly Southwest of the city: 41.822022, -87.920108

The dwelling is an apartment building 20 stories tall.

My apartment is 15 stories up on the West side of the building, the exact opposite direction as the towers in Downtown Chicago.

I can only have an indoor antenna. Any suggestions (other than move)?

I asked Solid Signal this question several times and never got a reply. Is this too difficult to do?

Thanks!
I think you can do well with the Winegard Sharpshooter SS-3000:



http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=Winegard+SharpShooter+SS-3000&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&oe=&rlz=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=2588186938776368000&sa=X&ei=pS8jT_nnJozWiAKzsLjkBw&ved=0CEMQ8wIwAQ#

It's more expensive, but over at TvTechnology, Doug Lung, a very well respected engineer, gives this one a thumbs up. The 100' height above terrain will give you the signal strength.

I used to work at that facility in Rolling Meadows. It was a receive site back the MediaOne/ATT days. I believe it's still a backup site. There are OTA receive antennas at the top but those are a back up as well. There was typically 1 tuned antenna per channel they were picking up. That was a nicely setup facility back in the day.

Heh. Going off topic for a second, Comcast disconnected all the cables from the antennas at the DeKalb/Sycamore head end...the tower is only used for cell phones now. They got rid of all their receivers on top of that, and even worse, we're one of only two Comcast headends in the country that doesn't have redundancy.

This spring, Comcast will put in fiber from Rockford to DeKalb to complete the ring from Chicago to Rockford to DeKalb (right now we just get 1 fiber link from near Downer's Grove to St. Charles to us, and when that got sliced by a construction worker last year, we had nothing, nada, no phone, Internet or cable out here for 23 hours). Then we'll also be able to get the Rockford stations in HD, instead of a standard def, low bandwidth feed we have now.

To me, it's just silly they wouldn't use one antenna and keep their receivers as a backup. Heck, D* and E* still use OTA as primary or backup, right?

Heh. Going off topic for a second, Comcast disconnected all the cables from the antennas at the DeKalb/Sycamore head end...the tower is only used for cell phones now. They got rid of all their receivers on top of that, and even worse, we're one of only two Comcast headends in the country that doesn't have redundancy.

This spring, Comcast will put in fiber from Rockford to DeKalb to complete the ring from Chicago to Rockford to DeKalb (right now we just get 1 fiber link from near Downer's Grove to St. Charles to us, and when that got sliced by a construction worker last year, we had nothing, nada, no phone, Internet or cable out here for 23 hours). Then we'll also be able to get the Rockford stations in HD, instead of a standard def, low bandwidth feed we have now.

To me, it's just silly they wouldn't use one antenna and keep their receivers as a backup. Heck, D* and E* still use OTA as primary or backup, right?

Everyone is generally fed fiber and OTA is their backup. They probably have a master site for OTA reception. E* is the only one we don't feed via Fiber.

I wonder if this is coming to Fox 32.

-from northpine.com
NATIONAL:
News Corporation, owner of FOX, has announced plans to launch a national spanish-language broadcast network called MundoFOX this fall with stated plans to reach 75 percent of the U.S. at launch. There are numerous other spanish-language networks, but few have the backing of a major company like News Corp. or such wide distribution. Affiliates have not yet been announced. News Corp's owned-and-operated stations include KMSP/FOX 9 and WFTC/My 29 in Minneapolis. (1/24/2012)

I wonder if this is coming to Fox 32.

-from northpine.com
NATIONAL:
News Corporation, owner of FOX, has announced plans to launch a national spanish-language broadcast network called MundoFOX this fall with stated plans to reach 75 percent of the U.S. at launch. There are numerous other spanish-language networks, but few have the backing of a major company like News Corp. or such wide distribution. Affiliates have not yet been announced. News Corp's owned-and-operated stations include KMSP/FOX 9 and WFTC/My 29 in Minneapolis. (1/24/2012)

I would hope 50.2 instead. We'll see.

I wonder if this is coming to Fox 32.

I would hope 50.2 instead. We'll see.

Why would 50.2 be preferable to 32.2?  Other than "I'd rather see the station that I watch less be the one to sacrifice the bits for a subchannel," I can't see any reason for a viewer to consider one better than the other.

Why would 50.2 be preferable to 32.2?  Other than "I'd rather see the station that I watch less be the one to sacrifice the bits for a subchannel," I can't see any reason for a viewer to consider one better than the other.
Possibly viewers watching NFL on FOX 32 would appreciate not having artifacts introduced by a dot2 while viewers of Law and Order reruns on 50 could tolerate artifacts from a dot2.

Possibly viewers watching NFL on FOX 32 would appreciate not having artifacts introduced by a dot2 while viewers of Law and Order reruns on 50 could tolerate artifacts from a dot2.

George and Dattier have it, exactly. And given MNTV (owned by Fox) is on 50.1, and has scripted programming (usually slow scene changes rather than fast-action sports), it would make perfect sense to put it there.

Possibly viewers watching NFL on FOX 32 would appreciate not having artifacts introduced by a dot2 while viewers of Law and Order reruns on 50 could tolerate artifacts from a dot2.

FOX uses a technology called a splicer that has fixed bandwidth for HD and a subchannel. The bandwidth is already carved up. I note the sub will have to be SD though

FOX uses a technology called a splicer that has fixed bandwidth for HD and a subchannel. The bandwidth is already carved up. I note the sub will have to be SD though

Yep, the NFL will look the same as it does now even if they add a sub.

I would hope 50.2 instead. We'll see.

Having an ear close to the situation, both channels are getting a sub, different services! That's all I can say..... and it isn't official. Cough cough! :-)

FOX uses a technology called a splicer that has fixed bandwidth for HD and a subchannel. The bandwidth is already carved up. I note the sub will have to be SD though

Having an ear close to the situation, both channels are getting a sub, different services! That's all I can say..... and it isn't official. Cough cough! :-)If Snooper and Bob are right, and if the technology to which Snooper refers is on use on WPWR as well as WFLD, then it doesn't matter whether MundoFOX turns up on 32.2 or 50.2.

If Snooper and Bob are right, and if the technology to which Snooper refers is on use on WPWR as well as WFLD, then it doesn't matter whether MundoFOX turns up on 32.2 or 50.2.

It does matter, because if one is broadcasting in HD, it would have to go to 50.2. You can at least do widescreen on WPWR's equipment, I'm guessing, much like 5.2 does.

They have different equipment?  OK, thanks for explaining that.  I'm surprised, especially that the better equipment would be at WPWR rather than WFLD.

Even so, will MundoFOX be in HD anyway?

It does matter, because if one is broadcasting in HD, it would have to go to 50.2. You can at least do widescreen on WPWR's equipment, I'm guessing, much like 5.2 does.


You can technically do two 720P channels in one spot, look at WLS.


They have different equipment?* OK, thanks for explaining that.* I'm surprised, especially that the better equipment would be at WPWR rather than WFLD.

Even so, will MundoFOX be in HD anyway?

Same equipment, different racks! LOL Your probably seeing a bit rate difference. ;)

Back into silence mode! :D Speculate away! :)

FOX probably has what it takes (out of the rest of the OTA networks, ignoring Telemundo/NBC) to launch a Spanish network. It's already got soccer contracts for its cable outlets, for one, and MyNetworkTV scored well initially in Hispanic markets with its telenovelas. But I hope they managed to learn some lessons from the MyNetworkTV failure, both about competing with yourself and about ambition/Murphy's Law. I remember that MyNetworkTV was intended to be profitable from day one (and it was on course to, until the actors unionized).

Of course, competing with yourself may not be as big of an issue here as it was with MNTV. If two markets are mutually exclusive (like men's razors vs women's razors), you don't really need to worry too much about self-cannibalization. So, how separate are the two markets? A majority of English speakers in the US probably do not know Spanish well enough to follow Spanish TV, but I suspect that a larger percentage (maybe even a majority) of the Spanish speakers in the US know enough English to follow English TV. But I don't know enough about the TV watching habits of people (of either language) who watch Spanish TV to be able to conclusively state that.

RIP: Don Cornelius (1936-2012).

dtt-901 sees no psip for 23.x , 26.x and 48.x

can some one pusha button please?

kd9fz
comments, criticisms and questions of sanity are most welcome

RIP: Don Cornelius (1936-2012).

Started out Soul Train on WCIU-TV! And, he did double duty at the time, doing "Black's View Of The News"...

http://fuzzymemories.tv/#videoclip-3191

Just below the camera was a speakerphone, and a microphone!

And then it got moved to WGN, and the rest was history.

dtt-901 sees no psip for 23.x , 26.x and 48.x

can some one pusha button please?

kd9fz
comments, criticisms and questions of sanity are most welcome
9 am and the psip for 23.x, 26.x, and 48.x are back

thank you

kd9fz

WPVN 24 has been down all day.

WPVN 24 has been down all day.

They must have been testing the Trump Tower location recently. I had been picking up the station with the antenna pointing tward the city. Now I have to point it back to Schaumburg to get a signal.

[WPVN] must have been testing the Trump Tower location recently. I had been picking up the station with the antenna pointing tward the city. Now I have to point it back to Schaumburg to get a signal.I doubt that that's the reason.  If they were broadcasting from Trump Tower, surely I'd get them here with our antenna pointing from the Northwest Side toward the old stick site at the Prudential Building, which does fine with stations atop Willis Tower or the Hancock Center.  But I haven't been able to pull WPVN in for weeks.

Meanwhile, W25DW, WOCK, and (even though I'm north of Dakin Street) WCHU have been coming in more reliably than before.

I doubt mundoFOX will succeed if they fill their programming with unnecessary racial stereotypes and portrayals like they're currently doing with the animation domination, its almost unbearable to watch because of it.

Anyway is anyone having problems with WGN today? Just completely lost reception on it (and in a weird way) its usually the strongest signal here, everything else I normally get with the terk HDTVi is still coming in.

Anyway is anyone having problems with WGN today? Just completely lost reception on it (and in a weird way) its usually the strongest signal here, everything else I normally get with the terk HDTVi is still coming in.Bulls game is on atm.

I doubt mundoFOX will succeed if they fill their programming with unnecessary racial stereotypes and portrayals like they're currently doing with the animation domination, its almost unbearable to watch because of it.

Anyway is anyone having problems with WGN today? Just completely lost reception on it (and in a weird way) its usually the strongest signal here, everything else I normally get with the terk HDTVi is still coming in.
WGN coming in clear for me

I doubt mundoFOX will succeed if they fill their programming with unnecessary racial stereotypes and portrayals like they're currently doing with the animation domination, its almost unbearable to watch because of it.Having three Seth MacFarlane productions will do that.

WGN coming in clear for me
It'll come in clear and then go right back out, weird
Having three Seth MacFarlane productions will do that.

I really think he has a problem with race or something, what is the point in having persistent racial stereotypes and portrayals across all shows and in every single episode and its not just those shows even napoleon dynamite has them.

I hadn't noticed them in "Napoleon Dynamite," except one case where a spoiled rich character voiced a prejudice in passing.

I noticed alot more than that, there's gotta be something we can do to stop this.

I set up my antenna last night and I'm getting good reception on most channels, but CBS. I live about 50 miles NW of Chicago. I'm using a powered, directional antenna in my attic. Getting it on the roof isn't an option for me. I haven't played a lot in pointing the antenna, but it's facing SE. The line is split in a 3 way splitter to get to my three tvs. I get OK reception on one tv, but not the others.

Help....

I set up my antenna last night and I'm getting good reception on most channels, but CBS. I live about 50 miles NW of Chicago. I'm using a powered, directional antenna in my attic. Getting it on the roof isn't an option for me. I haven't played a lot in pointing the antenna, but it's facing SE. The line is split in a 3 way splitter to get to my three tvs. I get OK reception on one tv, but not the others.

Help....




Start by identifying your specific antenna. If you have a UHF-only antenna, you won't get WBBM's wimpy VHF signal that far out and you'll need to add a VHF antenna to the mix.

As for reception on the other two TVs, do you have an amplifier (other than the powered antenna) of some sort in line before the splitter? If not, that's your problem there. A signal splitter is a passive circuit (that is, takes no external power) and therefore actually weakens the signal, since it splits the signal's power three-ways.

As for reception on the other two TVs, do you have an amplifier (other than the powered antenna) of some sort in line before the splitter? If not, that's your problem there. A signal splitter is a passive circuit (that is, takes no external power) and therefore actually weakens the signal, since it splits the signal's power three-ways.

The line comes from the antenna to the amp that the antenna came with. From there it travels from my attic to my basement and is split and fed to my three tvs. Could I replace the splitter with an amp that has three outputs?

Replacing the splitter with an amp might work, but, now that you describe your setup, it sounds like it could also be line loss. The solution to line loss, besides moving the TVs, would be to put an amplifier in line closer to the antenna. If you can find a 3-way amp with a good return policy, try it first. Either way, it should help some, even if it's line loss.

I set up my antenna last night and I'm getting good reception on most channels, but CBS. I live about 50 miles NW of Chicago. I'm using a powered, directional antenna in my attic. Getting it on the roof isn't an option for me. I haven't played a lot in pointing the antenna, but it's facing SE. The line is split in a 3 way splitter to get to my three tvs. I get OK reception on one tv, but not the others.

Help....

What antenna do you have? It needs to be a multi-element VHF and UHF antenna. Channel Master CM-3018 or 3020, or Winegard HD7084P or HD8200U, or similar models from Radio Shack may be good for your application.

Insert a Winegard AP-8700 or a Channel Master 7777 preamp between the antenna and the splitter. Preamps are better than the distribution amps since they amplfy the signal at the antenna and have a low noise figure. The box like amps you plug next to your TV may have 7 dB more noise. Noise is bad! Make sure the coax you are using is RF-6 quad shield. Make sure the splitter is rated to 1 GHz.

Make sure the antenna is far away from metal structures such as conduit, gutters, etc. Metal near an antenna is also bad. That's about as good as you can do. Good luck.

Channel Master CM-3018 or 3020, or Winegard HD7084P or HD8200U, or similar models from Radio Shack may be good for your application

Most people find that only high-VHF is needed in conjunction with a UHF antenna for Chicago unless you happen to find WOCK of interest. At 50 miles out, it isn't likely to be readily receivable anyway. In most cases, low-VHF simply isn't needed.

There is no need to use quad shield in almost all cases with an antenna unless you're in a very electrically-noisy environment. "Standard" RG6 is usually just fine.

Anyone think the PQ got better on 5.1 now that 5.3 is gone ?

Anyone think the PQ got better on 5.1 now that 5.3 is gone ?I don't really know if they did anything otherwise - I can only answer that it doesn't appear any different to me.

The usual pattern is that a station will keep that subchannel slot open, once it's been allotted for, and something else will eventually pop up in it's place.

Well I did a rescan of on my tv and 5.3 is gone so I don't think the channel is on hold

Anyone know if and which station is sending out the signal to auto set the time and date
In the analog days I think wttw was the one sent that signal!?

Actually, all digital stations are supposed to have a time signal now, AFAIK. It's a bit fun on something like the Zenith DTT, which just uses the currentl channel's clock. It can change going from channel to channel!

Well the date and time has never been right on my tv

It is currently displaying a date of 2/28/08 and 7:06 am. Time
And the menu set is to auto set

So i dont know what's going on

Actually, all digital stations are supposed to have a time signal now, AFAIK. It's a bit fun on something like the Zenith DTT, which just uses the currentl channel's clock. It can change going from channel to channel!


AND a number of channels have already gone into daylight savings mode
which has the dtt-901 psip showing wrong program info

kd9fz
comments, criticisms and questions of sanity are always welcome

Well I did a rescan of on my tv and 5.3 is gone so I don't think the channel is on holdI never obliterated it from my channel list, and it's still registering the same signal strength as the other two WMAQ subs.

Telos on 25.2 seems to have gone black and silent, even though 25.1, 25.3, and 25.4 are coming in clearly.  Also, something is amiss with WOCK-LD's PSIP, because now 13.1, 13.3, and 13.4 have disappeared and the only channel tunable is 13.2.

The WOCK's were also missing from Comcast. They are back, but one has a big text message saying the broadcaster is having problems. Not certain if that's Comcast or WOCK (which I can never really pick up with an antenna.)

The WOCK's were also missing from Comcast. They are back, but one has a big text message saying the broadcaster is having problems. Not certain if that's Comcast or WOCK (which I can never really pick up with an antenna.)

Is it an outdoor antenna? If not, then don't expect to pick it up with rabbit ears. My Aunt Dawn barely picks up WLS-TV on RF 7 with her rabbit ears, but doesn't pick up WBBM-TV with the same rabbit ears.

If your antenna is an outdoor antenna, is it the old fashioned all channel element antenna? If so, then is there a pre-amp on the antenna? You typically don't need a preamp for Chicago stations, but for WOCK-CD, you need a pre-amp and an antenna that is optimized for VHF-Lo. For me in Gary, IN, I only get WOCK-CD if I have a pre-amp on my antenna, or it doesn't come in, except for tropo. I used to use an all channel VHF/UHF/FM combo antenna, but switched to separate VHF & UHF antennas back in December (bought them in November, but installed them in December), & was surprised to get WOCK-CD with the Antennacraft CS600, when my area recommends a large directional antenna for that station. For UHF, I use the Winegard HD9032, & for pre-amp, the RCA TVPRAMP1R model. If WOCK-CD weren't at 300 watts (or 810 watts under an STA), more people could pick up the station with the right antenna. My last antenna picked up WBBM-TV when they were on RF 3 at 2.8kw.